Ruth Ann Kelley

LIBERTY — Ruth Ann Kelley, 71, wife of Bobby Kelley, of 468 Rices Creek Road, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at Baptist Easley Hospital.

A native of Walhalla, Mrs. Kelley was the daughter of the late

John Robertson and Silla Owens Fowler. She was a homemaker and a member of Wolfstake Baptist Church.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kelley is survived by her son, Keith Kelley (Julie) of Liberty; daughter, Sherry Kelley Moore (Gene) of Greenville; sister, Geraldine Walling of Fayetteville, Ga.; and two grandchildren, Nathan Scott Moore and Haley Isabella Kelley.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Kelley was preceded in death by her brother, J.W. “Bud” Fowler, and sister, Edna Karriker.

A memorial service was conducted at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Davenport Funeral Home Chapel.

Flowers are accepted.

The family is at the residence.

Catherine S. Carson

Central — Mary Catherine Shehan Carson, 85, of Central, widow of Silas Glenn Carson, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, at her home.

Born in Pickens, she was the daughter of the late Dewey Bryan and Wynell Smith Shehan.

Catherine was a member of the James L. Orr Chapter of the U.D.C. for over 60 years, the Andrew Pickens Chapter of the D.A.R., and a former member of the Central Garden Club and the Clemson Garden Club.  She was a longtime member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities.  Catherine was a member of her beloved Canasta Club for over 50 years and was an avid gardener.

Surviving are sons, Silas William “Bill” (Libba) Carson of Pendleton and Richard Keith “Kit” (Rebecca) Carson of Charleston; daughter, Gwen Carson (James) Boyd of Kingstree; brother, Theodore Smith “Ted” Shehan of Pickens; five grandchildren, Pat (Trish) Boyd, Neely Boyd, Mary Catherine Boyd (Thomas) Williams, Caroline Carson (Sam) Wheeler, and Ben Carson; four great-grandchildren, Katie Boyd, Cohen Wheeler, Morgan Williams and Emmie Williams.

In addition to her parents and husband, Catherine was predeceased by a brother, Dewey B. Shehan, Jr.; and sisters, Margaret Shehan Mauldin and Martha Shehan Teague Alexander.

Funeral services were held Feb. 9 at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, with Rev. Gene Aiken officiating, with burial following in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 186, Central, SC 29630.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home Central, SC.

Gaynelle w Julian

LIBERTY — Gaynelle W. Julian passed away Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017.

Born in 1937, she was the daughter of Henry and Addie Willis of Liberty.  Gaynelle was a graduate of Liberty High School and worked for the City of Greenville for over 25 years.

Surviving is her husband, Robert Julian of Piedmont; her sisters Ruby Morgan of Liberty and Frances Melton (Tootsie) of Chesterfield, Va.; her son, Danny Julian (Mandy) of Willow Spring, N.C.; and three granddaughters Rebekah, Emily and Natalie Julian.  She was predeceased by her daughter Donna Julian, her brothers William Earl Willis and John P. Willis and her sisters Una Elmira Willis Hughes and Betty Avanell Willis Marsengall.

Gaynelle loved spending time with her grandchildren and shopping for them and talking with her Sunday school class.

A graveside service was held in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brushy Creek Baptist Church 100 Clay St Easley, SC 29642.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

John C. Thomas Sr

Six Mile — Mr. John Curtis “Curt” Thomas Sr., 77, husband of the late Patricia Rogers Thomas, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 at Rainey Hospice House.

Born in Dudley, Ga., the son of the late James Harold and Ellen McNeal Thomas, Mr. Thomas retired from Duke Energy and was a member of Arial Baptist Church. He was a US Air Force Veteran and a member of the Six Mile Masonic Lodge #339.

Surviving are two sons, John C. Thomas, Jr. (Lynn) of Anderson, and James S. Thomas (Suzanne) of Six Mile; a daughter, Carole T. Duncan (David) of Easley; a sister, Carolyn T. Graydon of League City, Texas; seven grandchildren, Kristen Anders, Tessia Thomas, Megan Faris, Hunter Thomas, Jennifer Davenport, Michael Parker and Whitney Martindale; and several great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Thomas was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Kenneth W. Graydon.

Funeral services were held Feb. 11 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road with burial following in Robinson Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rainey Hospice House, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.

Frank M. Bearden

Pickens — Frank Mayfield Bearden, 78, husband of Bertie Bowers Bearden, passed from this life on Friday Feb. 10, 2017.

Mr. Bearden was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Roy Elzie and Hattie Arletha Reece Bearden. He was retired from Richmond Gear in Liberty and he was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Pickens. Mr. Bearden loved to garden and farm and used this as a way to teach young people the value of hard work and taking care of the land. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife Bertie B. Bearden of the home, his daughter Kimberly Bearden Holbrooks (Jerry) of Seneca; and his son Vincent Frank Bearden (Teri) of Pickens; step daughters Linda O’Shields of the home and Barbara King (Tony) of Pendleton. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a sister Ruth Bearden Reese.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Bearden was preceded in death by his first wife Martha Suzanna Gilstrap Bearden and brothers Roy E. Bearden, Jr., Larry Bearden and William Bearden.

Funeral services were held Feb. 12 in the Dillard Funeral home chapel with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Frances A. Anderson

Easley — Frances Alexander Anderson, 94, of Easley, and wife of the late Ernest Anderson, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 at Fleetwood Health and Rehab in Easley.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Andrew Clifton “Cliff” Alexander and Katie Dodd Alexander.

Mrs. Anderson was retired from Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, OH and attended Maranatha Baptist Church.

Surviving are her daughter, Elaine Atkinson (Wayne) of Easley; grandchildren, Ricky Atkinson, Jenny McCall, and Robbie Atkinson; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Wardlaw of Easley.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Atkinson; sisters, Martha Clardy, Tillie Rhoads, Ida Ragsdale and Ruby Alexander; and brothers, Cliff, Leonard and Henry Alexander.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Wednesday from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Flowers will be accepted.

The family will be at the home of Wayne and Elaine Atkinson, 117 W. Hamilton Street, Easley, SC 29640.

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Linda Ripmeester

Central — Linda Odella Hopkins Ripmeester, 54, of 212 Southview Drive, died Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Greenville, she was the wife of Michael Phillip “Pete” Ripmeester and a daughter of the late Hagood and Mary Martin Hopkins. She was of the Pentecostal faith.

Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Lonna Hardenbrook (Mike) of Six Mile; a son, Michael Ray Ripmeester of Pickens; a stepdaughter, Abby Garry ( Jason) of Piedmont; three sisters, Brenda Hoffman of Easley, Patricia Elrod of Anderson and Nancy Brown of Greenville; and four grandchildren, Hannah, Tyler and Trent Hamilton and Clay Ripmeester.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Ripmeester were held Feb. 14 in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel, with burial following at Faith Baptist Church Cemetery.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements. www.libertymortuary.com

Bill Smith

Easley ­— John William “Bill” Smith, 88, of 202 Haverhill Circle, passed away Sunday, Feb. 13, 2017.

Born in Eden, N.C., he was the son of the late Earnest Myron Smith and Elva Davis Smith.

Mr. Smith was a graduate of NC State University. He retired from Alice Manufacturing after 17 years of dedicated service and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church and the Homemakers Sunday School Class. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Surviving are his wife of the home, Lois LaBoone Smith; a son, Paul Wayne Smith (Lori) of Easley; a step son, John LaBoone (Tracey); grandchildren, Melissa Millwood, Shannon Greenwell, Whitney Gilchrist, Austin McNamee, Coleman Smith and Haley Smith; and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Doris Talbott Smith; a daughter, Terri Smith McNamee; and a stepson, Michael LaBoone.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb.15 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Heart Association,

156 Milestone Way A, Greenville, SC 29615 or www.donatenow.heart.org

The family will be at the home.

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Ricky “Porky” Lusk

Pickens — Ricky “Porky “Lusk, 61, of Pickens, passed away on Sunday Feb. 12, 2017 at his home.

Mr. Lusk was born in Pickens; He is the son of Louise Lusk and the late Marshall A. Lusk.

Mr. Lusk was a diesel mechanic and owner of Lusk Mechanical. He was a member of Midway Baptist church and was very involved with the Amelia Falls Bonfire Campground and Frank Brezeale Company Fish Fry.

In addition to his mother Louise Lusk, Mr. Lusk leaves a sister, Renee Lusk Gray (Leonard) of Martinez, Ga.; two nieces, Candace Doyle (Tim) of Martinez, Ga., Rebecca Lynn (Jason) of Beech Island; a great-niece; Annabelle Doyle of Augusta, Ga.; and lifelong friends; Pat Mulkey, Pat Welborne and Mark Youngblood as well as many other friends and his pets Rosco and Chica.

A gathering of friends will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Dillard Funeral Home. A private burial will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to The American Diabetes Association www.donations.diabetes.org/ and also Soapstone Baptist Church 296 Liberia Rd Pickens, South Carolina 29671

Condolences may be made to www.dillardfunerals.com Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Lusk family.

Eloise Smith

Liberty — Eloise Peeples Smith, 87, of Liberty, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2017 at The Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca.

Born in Gastonia, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Peter and Emily Falls Peeples.

Mrs. Smith was a graduate of Winthrop University, and retired from the School District of Pickens County where she taught for many years at Liberty High School. She was an avid Atlanta Braves and Clemson Tigers fan, was very involved with Seniors Unlimited, and was a member of Liberty United Methodist Church.

Surviving are two daughters, Kaye Grant (Ken) of Liberty and Jayne Nichols (Jim) of Easley; a son, Ken Smith, Jr. (Melissa) of Liberty; a sister, Stokes Cantrell of Greenwood, Va.; five grandchildren, Lanny Grant, Jessica McMillen, Lyndsey Smith, Jennifer Rivera and Jaida Smith; and five great-grandchildren, Sloane, Nate, Rhett, Reeve and Brinlei.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Smith will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to Liberty United Methodist Church, 310 Mae Street, Liberty SC 29657, or Pickens County Meals on Wheels, PO Box 184, Easley SC 29640.

The family will be at their respective homes. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements. www.libertymortuary.com

Ida agnes latour

Pickens — Ida Agnes Latour, 81, of Pickens, passed away peacefully on Monday Feb. 6, 2017.

Born in Ausable, N.Y., on April 12, 1935, to the late David and Irene Souliere, Ida retired from Kent Wool in 1996 due to health issues. Ida loved to crochet blankets for her family. She loved her church even though she was unable to attend recently because of her illness, but was blessed by Debbie Highman with her communion. Ida loved spending time with her children, great-grandchildren, and her entire family. Survivors include a son Leon Latour (Anita) of Easley; daughter Tammy Henry of Pickens; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Louise and Phillip Farmer.

Ida was recently honored in 2017 for honoree for selfless giving for many years to the Veterans of America. Ida was also known for her donations to St. Jude’s for many years she will be dearly missed. Graveside services were held Feb. 10 at Mt Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery in Easley. An honorary mass service was also held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pickens Feb. 10.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations is assisting the Latour family.

Ernest O. Youngblood

Central — Ernest Odell Youngblood, 73, husband of the late Glenda Linley Youngblood, passed from this life on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.

Mr. Youngblood was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Samuel O. and Lois Merck Youngblood. He was retired as a self-employed sheet rock finisher and he was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include sons, Stanley Youngblood, James Youngblood, and Scott Youngblood; sister, Shirley Stubblefield; a brother, Felton James Youngblood; and nine grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Youngblood was preceded in death by sisters Syble Jones, Lucille Kelley, Sylvia Benjamin, and Susan Alexander.

Services were held Feb. 14 in the Dillard Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 100 Pleasant Hill Church Rd, Central, SC 29630.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.