Sarah Nell Pinyon

Pickens — Sarah Nell Nevins Pinyon, 66, of 103 Lois Lane, died Wednesday, Jan 08, 2014.

Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late James Melvin Nevins and Avanell Stephens Nevins.

Surviving is her husband of the home, Clyde Cephus Pinyon; a son, Jamie Pinyon (Tina) of Pickens; a daughter, Sharon Pinyon of Easley; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a sister, Deborah Phillips of Liberty; and two brothers, Ray Nevins of Dacusville and Brian Armstrong of Six Mile.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Rusty Pinyon.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Pinyon family.

Garland Finley

Pickens — Garland Rudolph Finley, 78, husband of Shelby Henderson Finley died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Pickens County, Mr. Finley was a son of the late Argie and Bessie Robinson Finley. He retired from Pickens County School District and was a member of Wayside Baptist Church.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a brother, Buddy Finley; four sisters, Evelyn McCombs, Lavenia McCombs, Roberta Gibson and Sybil Finley.

In addition to his parents Mr. Finley was predeceased by a brother, William Finley.

Graveside services were 12 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

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

Mary Roberts

Easley — Mary Ella Taylor Mitchell Roberts, 87, wife of the late Rev. George A. Roberts and Franklin Leroy Mitchell, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Asheville, N.C., to the late Frank and Ella Mae Taylor, Mary was a member of Easley Presbyterian Church and a former member of West Asheville Baptist Church and Oakley Baptist Church. She was active with her Sunday School Class and “Amazing Grays” group at Easley Presbyterian Church.

Mary’s wonderful friends in Easley made her final years some of the most enjoyable of her life. In Asheville, she was active as a Sunday school and Bible school teacher, choir member and pianist. Mary was a tremendous fan of gospel music, especially the Gaither Family and Ivan Parker. Mrs. Roberts was the Salutatorian of her class at Oakley High School and attended Blanton’s Business College in Asheville. She was a member of the Asheville Business Women’s Association and was employed in various accounting positions in Asheville and Jacksonville, Fla.

She is survived by a daughter Judy M. Gant-Cogburn (Rick), of Asheville, N.C.; a son, David F. Mitchell (Cathy), of Easley; a sister, Freda Cauble, of Asheville, N.C.; and four grandchildren, Dane Gant, Ben, Frank and Caroline Mitchell.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was predeceased by an infant daughter, Mary Lee Mitchell; and a sister, Barbara Pressley.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 at Easley Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Bill Seel officiating. A second service was 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Oakley Baptist Church in Asheville, N.C. with the Rev. Christie Sweeney Gravely officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery, Asheville, N.C.

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

Vivian C. Rigdon

Pickens — Vivian Carter Rigdon, 88, of Pickens, wife of the late James H. Rigdon, Jr., died Wednesday at McCall Hospice House.

Born in Pickens County, the daughter of the late Lewis J. and Maude Hedrick Carter, Mrs. Rigdon retired from Union Carbide and attended Rock Springs Baptist Church where she belonged to the Genesis Sunday School Class.

Surviving are a son, James H. “Sonny” Rigdon, III, (Betty) of Pelzer; a daughter, Janet R. Burgess (Jim) of Pickens; three grandchildren, Dana Simmons (Malcolm), Amanda Sheriff (Russell) and Jamie Boyter (Jimmy) and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Rigdon was predeceased by four brothers, Winfred, Douglas, Tom and Dennis Carter.

Funeral services were at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Greenville Memorial Gardens.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Alana Valentin of Open Arms Hospice for the loving care she gave to Mrs. Rigdon.

Memorials may be made to McCall Hospice House, 1836 West Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.

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

Lisa Yeomans

Pickens — Lisa Regina Thrift Yeomans, 52, of Pickens, wife of Jack Yeomans, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

Born in Pickens County, Lisa was a daughter of Raymond and Janice Blair Thrift. She had worked for Drive Automotive Company and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are a daughter, Kyrsten Yeomans, and brother, Scott Thrift (Mary) numerous nieces, nephews and great-nephews.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Burial followed in Rock Springs Baptist Church cemetery.

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

Gary E. Burgess

Pickens — Gary Eugene Burgess, 70, of Henderson Street, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 at his home.

Born in Pickens County, he was the son of the late Clarence Spelling Burgess and Essie Howard Burgess. Mr. Burgess was retired from Ryobi and was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church.

Surviving is his wife of the home, Martha Maddox Burgess; daughters, Joyce Dodgens (Richard), Anita Porter (Jimmy) and Wendy Burkhalter all of Pickens; a son, Scott Burgess (Angie) of Jacksonville, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Dodgens (Hope), Rebecca Myers (Justin), Tara Whitehead, Kelly Porter (Sheena), Reeci Porter, Oceana Burkhalter and Caylee Burkhalter; eight great grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Grice of Pickens.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters, Azilee Landers, Nathalee Reynolds and Mozelle Gilstrap; and a brother, Ivory Burgess.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Burgess family.

Ibrahim Elias Bitar

Easley — Ibrahim Elias Bitar, 88, of 100 Overlook Court, formerly of Damascus, Syria, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 at his residence.

Born in Syria, Mr. Bitar was a son of the late Elias and Nazeera Neama Bitar. He graduated from Law School from Damascus University, and he studied Economics and Finance at Sorbonne in France. Mr. Bitar served as Secretary of Economics in Syria from 1963-1965, and then became Chairman of the Central Bank in Syria. Afterwards, he worked at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa until his retirement. He attended St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and he enjoyed writing, reading, and politics.

Surviving are his wife, Laila Malouf Bitar, of the home; three daughters, Maya Bitar Sahar and her husband, Dr. David Sahar, of Franklin Lake, N.J., Dr. Sawsan Bitar Joudeh, and her husband, Dr. Samer Joudeh, of the home, and Dr. Rana Bitar Jacob and her husband, Joseph Jacob, Esq. of Albany, N.Y.; a sister, Rose Bitar, of Damascus, Syria; seven grandchildren, Hanna Yara, Rana, and David Sahar, Ammar and Layla Joudeh, and Jad and Enana Jacob; and a brother-in-law, Albert Malouf of Sacramento, Calif.

Mr. Bitar was predeceased by a son Ammar Bitar; and three brothers, Hatem, Kamal, and Hasib Bitar.

Funeral services were 11 a.m. Monday at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Greenville. Burial followed in Robinson Memorial Gardens, 1425 Powdersville Road, Easley. A Trisagion Prayer Service was 5 p.m. Sunday at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SAMS (Syrian American Medical Society), P.O. Box 1015, Canfield, Ohio 44406, www.sams.usa.net.

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

James Furman Nix

Easley – Mr. James Furman Nix, 79, husband of Doris Mullikin Nix, died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at North Greenville Hospital.

Born in Easley, the son of the late Richard Ernest and Annie Mae Blackston Nix, Mr. Nix retired from Alice Manufacturing with 46 years of service. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Easley Fire Department for 35 years, and helped organize the first rescue squad in Easley.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 62 years, are a daughter, Diane Nix Henderson of Easley; three grandchildren, Stephen Tate (Tammy), Shawn Henderson (Carrie), and Jennifer Henderson; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Nix was predeceased by a sister, Frances Nix Crowe.

Private graveside services will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 10794, Greenville, SC 29603 or to the charity of one’s choice.

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

Albert M. Henry

Clemson — Albert McIlwaine Henry, 91, of Clemson husband of Eva Chakeris Henry, died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at his home.

Born in Clemson, he was a son of the late David Hill and Etta Sadler Henry. He was a 1944 graduate of Clemson University, earned Masters Degrees from the University of South Carolina and University of Missouri. He taught for over 23 years in the St. Andrews School District in Charleston. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and a member of Fort Hill Presbyterian Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a son, David Henry (April) of Abbeville; daughter, Etta Henry of Norfolk, Va.; and a grandson, Jonah Henry.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two brothers, David Hill Henry, Jr. and Rufus Earl Sadler Henry.

Funeral services were 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church. Burial followed in Old Stone Church Cemetery, Clemson.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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

Reba Gilstrap Clyborne

Seneca — Reba Pinion Gilstrap Clyborne, 85, of 101 Lila Doyle Drive, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at Lila Doyle Nursing Home.

Born in Six Mile she was the widow of Charles P. Clyborne and a daughter of the late J.B. and Veda Collins Pinion. She retired from Clemson University and was a member of First Baptist Church, Liberty.

Surviving are a daughter, Alta Edens (Dale) of Seneca; two sons, Larry Gilstrap (Karen) of Anderson, and Gary Gilstrap (Bonnie) of Piedmont; a step daughter, Ann Dobson (Lindsey) of Greenville; a step son, Jerry Clyborne of Simpsonville; three sisters, Jessie Dyar of Central, Glenda Maxey of Norris, and Brenda Kelly of Six Mile; two brothers, Thurston Pinion of Piedmont, and W.E. Pinion of Clemson; 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Alton William Gilstrap.

Funeral services to honor Mrs. Clyborne’s life were 2 p.m. Saturday at Liberty First Baptist Church. Burial was at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 403 Edgemont Avenue, Liberty SC 29657.

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

 Kimberly E. Royce

Easley — Kimberly Edenfield Royce, 53, of 320 Warrington Drive, died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at McCall Hospice House.

Born at Takchawa AFB, Japan, the daughter of SMSgt. (Ret.) James Alton, Sr., and Linnie Sweatt Edenfield of Lexington, Mrs. Royce retired as a branch manager with the South Carolina State Credit Union and was an active member of Riverview Baptist Church.

Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her husband, William Kenneth “Ken” Royce of the home; a daughter, Mariah Eden Royce of Easley; a brother, James Alton Edenfield, Jr., and wife, Bonnie Hardin Edenfield, of Greensboro, N.C.; eight nieces and nephews and two great-nieces.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Riverview Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held in the Family Life Center of the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Riverview Baptist Church, 118 Old Pendleton Road, Greenville, SC 29611.

The family is at the residence.

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

Helen Baity

Easley — Helen Revis Baity, 90, wife of Joe “Roy” Baity, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 at her residence.

Born in Anderson County, to the late John M. and Viola Cooper Revis, Mrs. Baity was a graduate of Draughons Business College and went on to work for American Federal Savings and Loan, as a loan officer, for 28 years. She volunteered at Baptist Easley Hospital in the gift shop for more than 20 years, and was a member of Easley First Baptist Church, where she was part of the Philathea Sunday School Class.

Surviving, in addition to her husband of 57 years, are three daughters, Sharon Krebs (Clay), of Tega Cay, Gwen Cheatham (Andy) and Lynn Stringer, both of Dacula, Ga.; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with the Rev. Dr. John Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

The family is at the residence.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, 429 N. Main Street, Suite 3, Greer, SC 29650.

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