Courier Obits 3-6-13
Walt McJunkin
Liberty — Walter Ansel “Walt” McJunkin, 88, of 105 Mae Street, died peacefully on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Born at his family home in Wareplace, and raised in Greenville he was a son of the late Ben and Pauline Williams McJunkin. He was a faithful and loving servant to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a devoted husband, wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Walt attended Welcome School and was later a scholarship athlete at Newberry College. He also played professional baseball in the Coastal Plain League where he was a player and player manager. He retired from Kanawha Life Insurance Company. Walt served on Liberty City Council for 11 terms and was Mayor Pro Tem for two terms. He was a long time member of East Side Baptist Church and the Liberty Lions Club. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific Theatre.
Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Edith Bowie McJunkin of the home; three sons, Steve McJunkin (Susan) of Central, Neal McJunkin of Liberty, and Kent McJunkin (Tonya) of LaGrange, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Chris McJunkin, Jennifer Hill, Zack McJunkin, Jessica Suttles, Brytnee Leigh, Raine McJunkin, Blakelee McJunkin, and Brooklyn McJunkin; 10 great grandchildren, Brock, Justin Jr., Rebekah, Troy, Braydon, Aeryal, Bradley, Fallon, Rivers, and Noah.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Freeman, and a grandson, Cody Lane McJunkin.
Funeral services to honor the life of Mr. McJunkin were held at 2 p.m. Monday at East Side Baptist Church. Burial was at Hillcrest Memorial Park with military honors.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to East Side Baptist Church, 920 Anderson Drive, Liberty SC 29657.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Shirley Porter
Pickens — Shirley Maedell Bearden Porter, 74, widow of Horace C. Porter, of Pickens, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at her home.
Shirley was born in Salem, a daughter of the late Ed and Rosa Wilson Bearden. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.
Survivors include her son, Chris Porter (Virginia) of Pickens and daughter, Kathy Landers (Roy Sizemore) of the home, grandchildren, Eddie Porter, Jarod Porter, Jessica Haire, Kersti Leslie, and Jason Leslie. Also surviving are brothers, Robert Bearden of Anderson and David Bearden of Six Mile, and sister, Helen Lusk of Salem.
In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Porter and a brother, J. R. Bearden.
A funeral service was at 3 p.m. Thursday at Dillard Funeral Home in the chapel. Burial was at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Porter family.
James E. Findley
Easley — Mr. James Elliott Findley, 81, died at his home on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013.
Born in Anderson on June 4, 1931, Mr. Findley was the son of the late John James and Helen Eskew Findley. A graduate of Anderson Boys High School, Class of ‘48-’49, the first graduates to attend 12 years of school in the state of South Carolina, he also graduated The University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy in 1954, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity, and a member of the Air Force ROTC. Called to active duty in 1955, Mr. Findley served in the U.S. Air Force as a B-25 Pilot at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas and as an instructor at the Aviation Cadet Pre-Flight School (forerunner to the Air Force Academy) at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. As a young entrepreneur, Mr. Findley opened Findley’s Pharmacy on Main Street Easley in 1959 and operated there for 13 years. He became one of the first franchise owners of The Medicine Shoppe, eventually owning five pharmacies in Easley, Anderson, Greenville, Greer and Clinton. During his career, he was a member of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association, the American Pharmacy Association, and served on the Owner’s Advisory Council for Medicine Shoppes International. A life-long Presbyterian, and a member of Easley Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years, he served as Deacon, Elder and most recently Trustee. He truly enjoyed God’s beauty through his love of gardening and flying and treasured his brotherhood with his ‘48-’49 classmates monthly gatherings and with his contemporaries at Joe’s Coffee Club. Also believing in serving one’s community and sharing his talents, Mr. Findley was an active member of several civic organizations: The Easley Jaycees, The Easley Lions Club and the Easley Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he served on the Pickens County Airport Commission from the initial planning and construction phase through its first major expansion. In 1999, he was elected to the Easley Combined Utility Commission, serving 12 years, two years as chairman.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Floride Agnew Findley, formerly of Starr; one son, James Elliott Findley, Jr.; three daughters, Rosemary F. Duncan (Barry), Helen F. Hester (Scott), and Floride F. Caldwell (Nick), all of Easley; nine grandchildren, Jorden, Anna and Bryant Duncan, Jennifer H. Going (Curtis), Daniel Hester and Anna Catherine, Caroline, Mary Helen and Abigail Caldwell; one great-grandson, Jameson Going; and two sisters, Marian Findley Smith and Catherine Findley Smith (John).
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Easley Presbyterian Church. Burial followed in Robinson Memorial Gardens, 1425 Powdersville Road, Easley, SC 29642.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are the graduates of Anderson Boys High School Class of ‘48-’49 and members of Joe’s Coffee Club.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Capital Building Campaign of Easley Presbyterian Church, 200 South First Street, Easley, SC 29640.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Curtis Hargate
Liberty — Curtis Hargate, 78, of 110 Blackbottom Road died Tuesday at his residence.
Born in Anderson, he was the husband of Patricia Ellenburg Hargate of the home and a son of the late William Henry and Della Spearman Hargate. He was retired from Ryobi and attended Ruhamah Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two stepdaughters, Lisa Martin(Robert) of Clemson and Renee Rackley(Franklin) of Seneca; two stepsons, Charles Lee Nicholson, Jr. of Seneca and Mike Willimon of Greenville; a sister Constance Wardlaw of Clemson; 11 step grandchildren; and eight step great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Helen Warren; and two brothers, Harold and Glenn Hargate.
Graveside services for Mr. Hargate were held Friday at 12 p.m. at Liberty Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Bobby Goodwin conducted the service.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Wadella P. Hendrix
Easley — Wadella Painter Hendrix, 82, formerly of 701 Laurel Road and the Willows of Easley, died Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Haven in the Village at Chanticleer, Greenville.
Born in Pickens County, Mrs. Hendrix was a daughter of the late Marvin and Roxie Painter. Wadella graduated from Easley High School in 1949. She worked for Attorney George Grantham, as a legal secretary, for 45 years. She was married to the late F. Furman Hendrix who died in 1998, and was a life-long member of Arial Baptist Church.
Surviving are a son, Mark Hendrix (Angela) of Anderson; a daughter, Judy Irvin (Bill) of Easley; four grandchildren, Nick and Nathan Irvin, and Mabry and Sydney Hendrix; and seven great-grandchildren, Rahel, Caleb, Hermela, Caroline, Meron, Colton and Eli Irvin.
In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Hendrix was predeceased by a brother, Rudolph Painter and a sister, Miriam Addis.
Funeral services were 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at Arial Baptist Church. Entombment followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Arial Baptist Church, 618 Rice Road, Easley, SC 29640; Children’s Hope Chest, 300 General Palmer Drive, Palmer Lake, CO 80133 for Trees of Glory Ethiopia; or Freedom Fellowship Training Center, 3235 D. L. Drive, Anderson, SC 29624.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Sonny Clark
Pickens — Edward Raymond “Sonny” Clark, III, 70, husband of the late Judy Farley Clark, of Pickens, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013.
Sonny was born in Dayton, Ohio a son of the late Edward Raymond Clark, II and the late Nancy Clark. He was retired from Ryobi in Pickens.
Survivors include sons, Kris Clark and Derrick Clark, daughter, Justine Clark, step daughters, Lisa Popham and Lori Townsend and step-son, Jimmy Farley. Also surviving are five grandchildren, one great grandchild, three step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren, brothers, Bobby Clark, Jimmy Clark and step-sister, Donna Hunter.
Funeral services were 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Dillard Funeral Home in the chapel. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens, Veteran’s Garden.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Clark family.
Thad W. Herbert, Sr
Easley – Thad W. Herbert, Sr., 94, of Marshall Road, Greenwood, formerly of Easley, husband of the late Kathryn “Kay” Wells Herbert, died Friday, March 1, 2013 at Piedmont Hospice House in Greenwood.
Born in Spartanburg, a son of the late William Chapman and Myrtle Jones Herbert, Mr. Herbert was a graduate of Spartanburg High School and Wofford College and earned his MBA from both Furman and Clemson. He was also a graduate of the Rutgers School of Banking. Mr. Herbert was formerly employed with C and S National Bank and SCN of Greenville and later served as president of Carolina National Bank in Easley. He was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Greenwood and was a former member of Easley First United Methodist Church, and retired as Treasurer of the SC Conference of the United Methodist Church. Mr. Herbert was a Paul Harris Fellow and a former member and past president of the Easley Rotary Club. He was former chairman of the Library Board and was the first chairman of Pickens County United Way as well as the first chairman of the Easley Planning Commission. Mr. Herbert was a veteran of World War II having served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific.
Surviving are a son, Thad W. Herbert, Jr., and wife, Carolyn, of Greer; two daughters, Karen Clark and husband, Terry, of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Susan Hair and husband, Don, of Chapin; three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Herbert was predeceased by two brothers, William Chapman Herbert, Jr., MD, and Elmore G. Herbert, PhD.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 PM Sunday at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.
Memorial services were 11 a.m. Monday at Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, with Chaplain Carol Wray officiating. Entombment was in the Bell Tower Mausoleum of Robinson Memorial Gardens, Easley.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church, 550 Highway 72 Bypass, NW, Greenwood, SC 29646, Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646, to Easley First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 582, Easley, SC 29641 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhome.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown which is assisting the family.
Rosa Mae Revis
Pickens – Rosa Mae Lynch Revis, 89, widow of Clarence Revis, Sr., died Saturday morning March 2, 2013.
Mrs. Revis was born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Robert Leonard and Rosa Mabel Talley Lynch. She was a homemaker and a member of Red Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include her son, J. C. Revis, Jr. of Easley, one grandchild, two great grandchildren, and two brothers, David Lynch, and Harold Lynch.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Revis was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Sue Revis and a son, Ricky Revis.
Graveside services were at Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Jeremy Merck officiating.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Revis family.
Mellie B. Whitlock
Easley – Mellie Barton Whitlock, 100, formerly of The Magnolia’s of Easley, wife of the late Roy Porter Whitlock, died Friday, March 1, 2013 at Cottingham Hospice House.
Born in Anderson County, a daughter of the late Milton Wickliff and Hattie Neely Barton, Mrs. Whitlock previously worked in bookkeeping with Potter-Shackelford Construction Company. She later owned and operated Mellie’s Fashionable Apparel Shops in Easley and Pickens and she and her husband also owned Pickens Finance Company. Mrs. Whitlock was a member of Arial United Methodist Church. In recent years she enjoyed dancing at the Easley Senior Citizens Center and wrote and produced skits for the group. She and her husband were former members of the Pickens County Country Club.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews and was predeceased by fifteen nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Whitlock was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Doris Julia Spearman, five brothers, Hoyt Barton, James R. Barton, J.T. Barton, Milton Cleo Barton and an infant brother, and by three sisters, Madge Lee Houston, Catherine Morrison and Julia Jones.
Funeral services were 11 a.m. Monday in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Westview Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Arial United Methodist Church, c/o of Don Houston, 304 Rampey Street, Easley, SC 29640 or to Hospice of the Foothills, 390 Keowee School Road, Seneca, SC 29672.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown which is assisting the family.
Joe M. Gilstrap
Easley – Joe Mason “JM” Gilstrap, 75, of 103 Bonita Drive, died Sunday, March 3, 2013 at his home.
Born in Pickens County, a son of the late John Seaborn and Vadie Simmons Gilstrap, Mr. Gilstrap was a graduate of Pickens High School, Class of 1955, and attended Anderson University. He was formerly employed in management with Bi-Lo and later with National Annuity Corp. Mr. Gilstrap was a member of First Baptist Church, Easley, where he was Secretary of the Sunday School, an associate member of the Marion Moorehead Sunday School Class and the Intercessory Prayer Group and was a former Training Union Leader. He was veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Surviving are his wife, Gwendolyn Hopkins Gilstrap of the home; two sons, Mark Gilstrap (Donna) of Rock Hill and John Gilstrap (Christy) of Greer; two sisters, Willie Mae Roper of Pickens and Frances Sentell of Murrells Inlet; six grandchildren, Scott, Amber, Harrison, Amanda, Latrell and Conner; five great-grandchildren; and his mother-in-law, Irene Hopkins of Piedmont.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Gilstrap was predeceased by two sisters, Mildred Senn and Ruth Smith.
Funeral services were 12 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, Easley. The Rev. Dr. John Adams and the Rev. Judy Frost officiated. Entombment followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the “For Generations to Come” Fund of First Baptist Church, 300 East First Avenue, Easley, SC 29640.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown which is assisting the family.
Edith Staniford Schoffstall
Easley – Edith Staniford Schoffstall, 80, of 300 Elmwood St., wife of Eugene Schoffstall, died Monday, March 4, 2013 at her home.
Born July 6, 1932 in Liverpool, England, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Gladys Nixxon Staniford. Mrs. Schoffstall was a homemaker and a long time member of Easley First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Pickens County Historical Society and the Seekers Group.
In addition to her husband of 60 years, she is survived by her children, Karen Fisher, Valerie DeWitt and David Schoffstall (Panzy); sister, Valerie Trewartha, grandchildren, Kyle DeWitt, Jennifer Fisher, Matthew DeWitt, Sarah Schoffstall and Emily Schoffstall; great-grandchildren, Caleb DeWitt and Gabriel DeWitt.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at Easley First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 3535 Pelham Rd., Greenville, SC 29615.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.