PFC Barrett L. Austin

 Easley — PFC Barrett Lyle Austin, 20, of Easley, died April 21, 2013 in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, April 17. He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. PFC Austin was born in Easley on Nov. 10, 1992 to Curt and Yolanda Buck Austin. He was a 2011 graduate of Pickens High School and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley.

Surviving in addition to his parents is his wife, Heather Hooker Austin of Fort Stewart, Ga.; two sisters, Summer Harris and Jordan Austin both of Easley; a nephew, Machen Harris of Easley; grandparents, Don and Betty Austin of Pickens and Benny and Helen Buck of Darlington; his great grandmother, Gertie Jones of Darlington; his uncles and aunts, Donnie and Rhonda Austin of Pickens and Ernie and Rita Buck of Darlington.

A service to celebrate PFC Austin’s life will be held on Wednesday May 1 at 4 p.m. at Rock Springs Baptist Church with burial to follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Curtis Austin/Special Account at BB&T Bank, memo on check must say Austin Memorial.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

The family will be at the home of his parents.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Austin family.

James “Bill” Edens

 Easley — James “Bill” Edens, 80, of Easley, husband of Wanda Lee Stokes Edens, died Monday, April 22, 2013 at his home.

Born in Pickens County, Mr. Edens was the son of the late Bert and Pauline Hubbard Edens. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during the Korean War and retired from Saco Lowell.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 56 years, are two daughters, Cindy Hood (Steve) and Wanda Patterson; sister, Mildred Rygle; and six grandchildren, Justin Edens Hood, Jordan Hood Dobbins, William Kyle Patterson, James Russell Patterson, Steven Alex Lowe and Madison Lowe Gore and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Edens was predeceased by a daughter, Karen Edens Lowe; and sister, Helen Edens.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

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

Laura Ellenburg

Easley — Laura Julian Ellenburg, 85, of 102 North Dale Drive, wife of the late John Curtis Ellenburg, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at Hospice of the Upstate.

Born in Pickens County, the daughter of the late John Anderson and Eileen Anthony Julian, Mrs. Ellenburg retired from the Greenville County Health Department and was a member of Cross Roads Baptist Church.

Surviving are a daughter, Sandra Ellenburg Buchanan of Easley; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Ellenburg; four grandchildren, Jerry M. Ellenburg, Jr. (Molly), Stacy Ellenburg, Danon Gilstrap (Tyler) and Haley Simons (Mark); and three great-grandchildren, Brandon Johnson and Brianna Johnson and Raegan Olivia Gilstrap. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Ellenburg was predeceased by a son, Jerry M. Ellenburg, Sr., by two brothers, Lake and Cecil Julian and a son-in-law, Gary Buchanan.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cross Roads Baptist with the Rev. Richard Spearman and the Rev. Gerald Roper officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Cross Roads Baptist Church, 160 Cross Roads Church Road, 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.

Margie Turner

Easley — Margie Elizabeth Forister Turner, 85, wife of C. E. “Bud” Turner, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013.

Mrs. Turner was born in Easley, a daughter of the late Robert Dewey and Emma Pace Forister. She was a homemaker and a member of Brushy Creek Baptist Church where she was a member of the We Care Sunday School Class, and Tuesday morning Bible study. Margie always enjoyed calling her school classmates, friends, and church family on their birthdays and anniversaries.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Bud, of the home, her son, Dennis Turner (Abbey) of Travelers Rest, grandson, David Turner (Stacey) of Easley, and great grandchildren, Cason, Holden, and Ella Grace Turner. She is also survived by a sister, Lucile Henderson of Greenville.

Funeral services were conducted 2 p.m. Friday, April 26 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home with Dr. Jim Spencer and the Rev. Rodney Graham officiating. Burial followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

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

Memorial may be made to Brushy Creek Baptist Church, 100 Clay Street, Easley, SC 29642.

Grace Hagood Downs

Easley — Grace Hagood Downs, 41, wife of John Roland Downs, died suddenly Saturday April 20, 2013, at Richland Palmetto Health in Columbia.

She was the daughter of Anne Sherman Hagood and the late Charles Cleveland Hagood.  She graduated from Easley High School in 1989, attended Yale University School of Drama Summer Acting Program in 1991, and National Theater Institute in 1992.  Grace received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English and Theater Studies from Wellesley College in 1993.  She received her Master’s degree in Secondary English Education from Agnes Scott College in 2000.  While attending Agnes Scott she also received the Blackfriars Acting Award.  She was currently completing her third year of doctoral studies in Composition and Rhetorics at the University of South Carolina.  Her research interests were in Computers and Writing, Game Studies, and Digital Humanities.  While at USC she won the “Irene Dillard Elliott Teaching Award”, “John Welsh Fellowship”, and the “W.T.C. Bates Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Writing”.

Survivors include her mother Anne Sherman Hagood of the home; a brother Chuck Hagood and his wife, Shannon, their four children, Lauren, Charlie, Miller, and Eliza all of Mt. Pleasant.

Grace was predeceased by her father Charles Cleveland Hagood.
Graveside services were held 10 a.m. Friday, April 26 in the Hagood Family Cemetery in Pickens.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers please make contributions to: Killingsworth Home for Women, 1831 Pendleton St., Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: 803-771-6359 Fax: 803-779-6473, info@killingsworth.org.

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

Emma Nan Nalley Dillard

Easley — Emma Nan Nalley Dillard, 86 years old, died early Wednesday morning, April 24, 2013 after a courageous and dignified battle with dementia.

Emma Nan was the daughter of Senator Thomas B. Nalley and Ethel Foster Nalley and resided in Easley. A graduate of Easley High School and Lander University, she obtained a Master’s degree from Furman University. Her passion was teaching at East End Elementary School until her retirement in 1990. She was greatly loved and respected by her students and families that she served while also teaching Adult Education in Pickens. Along with her husband Lloyd, they opened their home to the church, neighbors and friends. The front yard was the scene of many football games, and the backyard hosted many pool parties as well as years of swimming lessons. Those that knew her will always remember her great sense of humor as well as her deep compassion for the people she met. She is still a jewel and her memory will always be cherished within the hearts of those she forever touched.

Surviving are her two children who she dedicated her life to; Nancy Dillard Hunter and Thomas Lloyd Dillard as well as granddaughter, Christie Dillard Forte.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Lloyd Norwood Dillard in 1996.

Memorials may be made to Fairview Methodist Church, 200 East Church Rd, Easley, SC 29642.

Funeral services were at Fairview Methodist Church Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Dillard family.

Bobbie Dodgens

Easley — Bobbie Jo Williams Dodgens, 79, wife of the late Harley J. Dodgens, died Wednesday, April 24, 2013.

Mrs. Dodgens was born in Pickens, a daughter of the late O. V. and Agnes Medlin Williams. She was a homemaker and attended Cannon Mountain Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son, Mike Albertson (Debbie) of Easley, grandson, Michael Albertson, II (Kimberly) of Easley and great grandson, Samuel Albertson.

A graveside service was at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

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

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, 429 N Main St, #3, Greenville, SC 29601.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Dodgens family.

Brandon Southerland

Greenville — Brandon Southerland, 71, loving father and grandfather, died Thursday, April 25, 2013.

Mr. Southerland was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Elighue and Annie “Minnie” Armindy Southerland. He was an independent carpenter and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his son, Brandon Dale Southerland (Amy) of Greenville, his daughters, Paula Hamby (Tony) and Rita Brigham (Barry) both of Greenville and granddaughters, Hunter Belanger, Zoey Hamby, and Addison Brigham. Also surviving are brothers, Alvin Southerland and Jerry Southerland and sisters, Lila Blakely, Barbara Yount, Hazel Autry, Thelma Collingsworth, and Leota Moore.

Funeral services were Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with the Rev. Tommy Hayes officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

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

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Southerland family.

Grover “Gene” Whitener

Easley — Grover “Gene” Whitener 68, of Easley, husband of the late Elizabeth “Lib” Gillespie Whitener, died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Oakmont East Heartland Healthcare.

Born in Oconee County, Mr. Whitener was a son of the late Grover and Norma Glazener Whitener. He was a retired welder from Jennings and Dill Heating and Air and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are a son, Bryan Gillespie; daughters, Brenna Stappiello, and Angel Tant; four brothers; seven sisters; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Whitener was predeceased by, a brother, George Roger Whitener.

Funeral services were 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road. Burial followed in Robinson Memorial Gardens.

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

Harold McAlister

Easley — Harold Edward McAlister, 78, of 201 Mark Street, died peacefully on Friday, April 26, 2013 at his home.

Born in Easley he was a son of the late Rob P. and Annie Estelle Smith McAlister. He retired from Michelin, and was a member of Golden Creek Baptist Church. He loved music and enjoyed playing his guitar.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, June Anders McAlister of the home; a daughter, Donna Leslie of Liberty; two sons, the Rev. Randy McAlister, and David McAlister, both of Liberty; five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

He was the last survivor of his immediate family.

Funeral services to celebrate the home going of Mr. McAlister were held 2 p.m. Monday at Golden Creek Baptist Church. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery, West.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Golden Creek Baptist Church, 477 Golden Creek Road, Liberty SC 29657.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Jeanette Howard

Easley — Jeanette Herron Howard, 81, of Easley, wife of the late Clarence E. Howard Sr., died Saturday, April 27, 2013.

Born in Pickens County, Mrs. Howard was a daughter of the late Seab and Luare Patterson Herron. She retired from Alice Manufacturing and was a member of Jones Ave. Baptist Church.

Surviving are a son, the Rev. Clarence Howard Jr. of Atlanta Ga.; a daughter, Debra Crump (Tim) of Easley; one brother, Frank Herron; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Howard was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in the chapel Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Westview Cemetery in Easley.

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

Agnes “Yia Yia” Reece

Pickens — Agnes Adams Reece, 93, died Friday, April 26, 2013 in the loving presence of God and her family.

Agnes was born on June 13, 1919 in Thomson, Ga., to the late Claude and Emma Hudson Adams. Agnes was a ball of fire who left an impression with all she met. With spunk and a twinkle that will never be rivaled, she was also a loving wife, mother, sibling and grandmother. The world has lost an amazing person and we can each only hope and strive to conquer life’s challenges as she did with God’s love and her own determination.

She is survived by her husband, Samuel Reece; sons, Jack Dunn of Summerville and David Dunn of Chula Vista, Calif.; daughter, Teddi Palis of Central; a brother, Dennis Adams of Easley; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28th in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Memory of Agnes Reece to United Hospice Foundation, 102 East Curtis Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681 or to Pineview Baptist Church, 1175 Brockman McClimon Road, Greer, SC 29651 or to The ARF Fund of Heritage Healthcare, 163 Love & Care Road, Six Mile, SC 29682.

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

Romie Anderson

Pickens — Willie Romie Anderson, 65, husband of Janice Sue Chapman Anderson, died Thursday, April 25, 2013.

Romie was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Willie Woodrow and Jennie Melissa Jones Anderson. He was retired from Ryobi as a service technician and he was a member of Glassy Mountain Baptist Church. An Outdoorsman, Romie loved to hunt and fish and spend time in the woods.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Janice Anderson, daughter, Jessica Faus and her husband TJ of Pickens, brothers, Wallace Edward Anderson and Garland Mack Anderson both of Pickens, and sister, Freda Elaine Riggins also of Pickens. Also surviving is his lifelong best friend, Larry Lesley of Easley.

In addition to his parents, Romie was preceded in death by an infant sister, Marilyn Anderson.

Services were 11 a.m. Monday at Dillard Funeral Home in the chapel with the Rev. David Ellenburg officiating.

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

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Anderson family.