Randy Hooper

Marietta — Mr. Randall Davis “Randy” Hooper, 58, passed away Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at his home.

Born in Dillsboro, N.C., the son of the late Ferry and Gypsy Hensley Hooper, Mr. Hooper was employed with A&A Fire Protection Company and of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are his fiancée, Rita Mae Strobel of the home; a son, Brian Hooper (Misty) of Granite Falls, N.C.; a daughter, Cynthia Hooper (Russell) of Keene, N.H.; three sisters, Celia Miles of Asheville, N.C., Emma Jean Scott of Tryon, N.C., and Betty Hooper of Asheville, N.C.; and three grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hooper was predeceased by a sister, Linda Cagle.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

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

Ralph Rowland

Pickens — Ralph Rowland, 79, of Pickens, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital-Downtown.

Born in Pickens, he was the widower of Patsy Anne Cope Rowland and a son of the late Harry and Pauline Cannon Rowland.

He retired from Ryobi and attended Jones Hill Church of God. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He also loved spending time with his family.

Surviving are two daughters, Kim Hager (Gordie) of Marietta and Kristy Dodgens of Pickens; two grandchildren, Scottie Hager (Melissa) of Walhalla and Lori Dodgens of Pickens; and two great-grandchildren, Nolan and Brinkley Hager: five sisters, Betty Floyd and Elsie Mae Rowland, both of Pickens, Irene Westall of Marion, N.C., Gail Patterson of Griffin, Ga., and Nancy Hughes of Cartersville, Ga.; and a brother, Melvin Rowland of Boiling Springs.

Graveside services to honor Mr. Rowland’s life were held Aug. 28.

Memorials may be made to Jones Hill Church of God, 1014 Dalton Road, Marietta, SC 29661. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Stacey Henderson

Easley — Stacey Henderson, 52, fiancée of John Karl Hall, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, at McCall Hospice House.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of Peggy Knight Gilstrap and the late Robert Earl Beasley, Stacey was a former ISS teacher at Wren Middle School, where she coached cheerleading, and was the former manager of the Hide-Out Sports Bar and Grill. She was a member of Redemption World Outreach.

Surviving, in addition to her fiancé and mother, are a son, Mitchell Brandon Henderson (Neely White) of Easley; two daughters, Brandy Chantel Bowen of Easley, and Sylvia Amanda Nicole Plyler (Zachary) of Pickens; two brothers, Robert B. Beasley (Renea Burkey) of Six Mile, and Andrew Beasley (Brooke Lewis) of Greenville; a sister, Loren Denise Roberson (John) of Easley and four grandchildren, Trey, Kaitlyn, Lyric and Landon.

Funeral services were held Aug. 29 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following at Rose Hill Cemetery in Piedmont.

Memorials may be made to Redemption World Outreach, P.O. Box 5067, Greenville, SC 29606.

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

Kevin Newt Surls

Liberty ­— Kevin Newt Surls, 45, husband of Amanda Robertson Surls, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015.

Born in Anderson, he was the son of Sylvia Phillips Perry of Seneca and the late Jimmy Newt Surls.

He was an employee with the US10 Michelin Plant and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving in addition to his wife and mother are a son, Dalton Surls of Anderson; step-father, Joe Perry of Seneca; stepson, Chase Gravely of Easley; stepdaughters, Hannah and Carsyn Gravely, both of Easley; and brother, Kyle Surls of Seneca.

A memorial service will be held at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Micheal Pruitt

Six Mile — Micheal Kevin Pruitt, 20, of 326 Stewart Road, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015.

He was born in Easley and attended Camp Creek Baptist Church.

He enjoyed working on cars, fishing and hunting, but above all, he loved his family.

Surviving are his mother, Crystal Smith Moore of Six Mile; his father, Kevin Pruitt of Central; a sister, Jennifer Smith-Rowland of Walhalla; a brother, Aaron Pruitt of Six Mile; two stepsisters, Krissy Wolf and Somer Moore, both of Six Mile; grandparents, Roger Smith of Six Mile, Sharon Pruitt of Central, and Lloyd and Patty Pruitt of Pendleton; his stepfather, Michael Moore; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Linda Joann Smith.

A funeral service honoring Michael’s life was held Sept. 1 at Camp Creek Baptist Church, with burial following at Welcome Baptist Church Cemetery.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Jerry “Bud” Crawford

Liberty — Mr. Jerry Harrell “Bud” Crawford, 74, husband of Geneva Pauline “Polly” Parker Crawford, of the Willows and formerly of Liberty, stepped into Heaven Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Haywood County, N.C., a son of the late Claude Rhinehart and Maye Burr Harrell Crawford, Mr. Crawford retired from BASF and was a member of Easley First Baptist Church. Bud served as minister of music for 38 years at four different Southern Baptist churches in Pickens County.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 57 years, are four daughters, Vicky Crawford of Montgomery, Ala., Joan C. Ferguson and her husband, Rev. Dr. Doug Ferguson, of Conyers, Ga., Melodie Crawford of Lincoln, Ala., and Jeri C. Whitmire of Liberty; a sister, Claudia C. Ferguson of Lake Junaluska, N.C.; four grandchildren, Bridget Ferguson Stratton (Charlie), Bethany Ferguson Stratton (James), Justin Duncan and Jordan Duncan; and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Crawford was predeceased by a brother, Richard Crawford.

A celebration of Bud’s life will be held Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3 p.m. at Easley First Baptist Church, with Rev. Dr. John Adams and Rev. Dr. Doug Ferguson officiating. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. in the church narthex.

Family members are at the family home in Liberty.

Flowers will be accepted, and memorials may be made to the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

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

Gladys B. Garrett

Dacusville — Gladys Banks Garrett, 90, wife of the late Cole Lamar Garrett, passed away Friday, Aug. 28, 2015.

Born in Lula, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Jay and Jessie Mae Nalley Banks.

Mrs. Garrett was retired from J.P. Stevens’ Slater Plant and was a charter member of Dacusville Church of God of Prophecy. She loved her family, church, cooking, baking and most of all, her Lord.

Surviving are her children, Vickie Clark (Jimmy) of Pickens, Bobby Garrett (Anna) of Pickens and Gene Garrett (Julie) of Easley; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruby Bell of Easley; and two brothers, Lloyd Banks of New Mexico and Curtis Banks of Anderson.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a son, Joey Garrett.

A service to celebrate Mrs. Garrett’s life was held on Aug. 31 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Mountain View Memorial Park in Travelers Rest.

Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made to Grace Christian Fellowship, 377 Deer Creek Rd. 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.

William “Bill” Pinckney Thompson

Greenwood — William “Bill” Pinckney Thompson, 82, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at Emory University Medical Center.

Bill was born in Greenville on July 14, 1933, to the late Haskell B. Thompson Sr. and Eliza Floyd Thompson.

He graduated from Greenville High School in the class of 1951. Bill earned a BA from Furman University in 1958. He also attended the S.C. Bankers Graduate School at the University of South Carolina. Before he attended college, Bill served in the United States Navy. After his service, he continued to serve in the Navy reserves. For 33 years, he worked as the VP/branch manager at SCN/Wachovia in Greenwood. Bill was an active member in the Greenwood community and in his local government. He served as a Chamber of Commerce member, as well as being an American Legion Post 20 member. He held a number of titles, including being president of the Greenwood Sertoma Club. In 2000, Bill was elected as the Commissioner of Public Works for Greenwood. For many years, he was a dedicated member of Main Street Methodist Church.

Bill is survived by two sisters, Achsa Rollins of Greenville and G’Nell Gilstrap of Pickens, and numerous nieces and nephews that he adored and who also adored him. He devoted his life to his family and friends. Bill always made time for them, providing love and support.

He is predeceased by his siblings; Maxie Thompson, Dr. Louise Anders, Haskell B. Thompson Jr., Elizabeth White, Floyd Thompson and Betty Jean Groce.

Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 3, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Woodlawn Mausoleum Chapel, with service to follow at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The family will be at their respective homes.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Thompson family.

Ralph M. Holden

Clemson — Ralph Morgan Holden, 94, of Clemson, husband of Aileen Holladay Holden.

Born in the Kings Grove community of Pickens County, he was a son of the late Ernest Clayton and Una Mae George Holden. He attended Clemson College and retired from the Clemson Post Office after more than 34 years of service. He was a member of Clemson Lions Club and First Baptist Church of Clemson. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII.

Surviving in addition to his wife are daughters, Patsy H. Busch of Clemson, Sandra (Eddie) Reed of Greer, Elizabeth (David) Dunagin of Spartanburg and Cathy (Roger) Pendleton of Iva; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Clayton, George and Lee Holden, and sisters, Nelle Evans and Jessie Knox.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central. Burial will follow in the Old Stone Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to personally thank special caregivers Carolyn Crowe and Ollie Allgood and Hospice Care of South Carolina.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Theron E. Hester Jr. “Herb”

COLUMBIA — Theron E. Hester Jr. (Herb), 84, passed away peacefully on Aug. 27, 2015, at Agape Senior Hospice in Columbia.

Born in Pickens, he was the son of the late Mary Viola Hendricks and Theron Earle Hester of Pickens.

He attended Clemson College and graduated from the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

He was retired from the S.C. State Employment Security Commission, where he had worked for 30 years. He began his career as a junior interviewer and eventually advanced to being the District 5 representative and member of the Award of Merit selection team and served two years on the International Legislative Committee and a year each on the International Credentials Committee and Membership Committee. Twice he was president of the S.C. chapter, from 1970-71 and 1979-80. He was also a member of Wade Hampton Camp 273, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Nancy E. Snipes Hester, and Ann Shepard Hester; and sons, Terry Hester of Columbia and Bill Hester of Lake Murray.

He is survived by his grandson, Drake Hester of Newberry; his nephews, David E. Peek II (Ras) of Midlothian, Va., and Freddy E. Bazemore Jr. of Beaufort; his niece, Ann Finke of Cramerton, N.C. and his beloved dog, “Dixie.”

The family wishes to thank his many friends who shared a friendship with him over the years and have given their support to him and the family during this difficult time.

There will be a graveside service for family and friends at Sunrise Cemetery, 603 East Cedar Rock Street, Pickens, SC, 29671 on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m.

Arrangements are being handled by Dillard Funeral Home.