Ray Ross

 Liberty — Ray Silas “Papa Ray” Ross, 83, of 316 Spring Valley Road, died Saturday, January 25, 2014 at his home.

Born in Six Mile, he was the widower of Stella Holden Ross and a son of the late Andy and Bessie Shelton Ross. He retired from Saco Lowell and was a longtime member of Winding Creek Baptist Church. He was also a United States Air Force Veteran.

In addition, Ray was a former singer in the Damascus Quartet, a Southern Gospel group, as well as a bus driver for the Palmetto State Quartet for many years. He was also a well-known horse and mule trader in the Upstate and loved riding in wagon trains and local parades with his buggies and wagons.

Ray was the youngest and last surviving of 12 siblings, and with his trademark sense of humor had no hesitation telling people he was also the best-looking of the bunch.

Surviving are a step-daughter, Margaret Whitaker of Liberty; a daughter, Sharon Floree of Louisville, Ky.; two step-sons, Joe Whitaker and Wayne Whitaker, both of Liberty; 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. He also had a special connection with all his many nieces and nephews.

In addition his wife and parents he was preceded in death by a son, Steve Ross, and two step-sons, Yank and Johnny Whitaker.

Funeral services to honor Papa Ray’s life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at East Side Baptist Church. Burial will be at Liberty Memorial Gardens. The family received friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Liberty Mortuary.

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

Mildred V. Lackey

Six Mile — Mildred Virginia Duncan Lackey, 89, of Six Mile died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 at Majesty Health and Rehab in Easley.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Alvin and Floy Ates Duncan.  She was a homemaker and a member of Cross Roads Church of God.

She is survived by a son, Danny Lackey (Debra) of Six Mile; daughter, Deborah Lester (Bill) of Liberty; daughter-in-law, Dianne Lackey of Six Mile; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Mildred was the last surviving member of her immediately having been predeceased by her parents; three brothers; one sister; a son, Donnie Lackey; and a granddaughter, Tina Davis.

Funeral services were 3 p.m., Thursday in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central. Burial followed in Memory Gardens, Clemson.

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

William C. Buchanan

Easley — Mr. William Clarence “Bill” Buchanan, 77, husband of Connie Burrell Buchanan, died, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 at his home.

Born in Oconee County, the son of the late Fred Brown and Nannie Callaham Buchanan, Mr. Buchanan retired from Winn Dixie Stores with 42 years of faithful service and was a member of Easley First United Methodist Church. Bill was a volunteer with Pickens County Meals on Wheels and the Greenville Health System. He was a member of the Walden Masonic Lodge #274 and a US Air Force veteran.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of the home, are two sons, William Alan Buchanan of Brevard, N.C., and Kevin Wade Buchanan (Kala) of Easley; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Buchanan was predeceased by a daughter, Donna Elaine Buchanan.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 at Easley First United Methodist Church. Burial followed in Oconee Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621, or to Pickens County Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 184, Easley, SC 29641.

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

Mary Routt

Pickens — Mary Ann Meyer Routt, 81, of 1133 Walhalla Highway, died peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 at her residence.

Born in Avon Park, Fla., she was the widow of the late Warren T. Routt, Sr. and a daughter of the late Herbert Warren and Viola Martha Dampier Meyer, Sr. She was a homemaker and loved cooking and sewing. She was of the Christian faith and attended His Pavilion of Grace.

Surviving are a daughter, Linda Henson and her husband Mark of Pickens; three sisters, Nadine Carnley of Lake Wales, Fla., Helen Montcalm of Frostproof, Fla. and Gail Hickman of Bartow, Fla.; a brother, Roger Meyer of Orlando Fla.; three grandchildren, Carmilithia Staton, Talithia Shelton and Sara Agan; and seven great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son, Fredrick Malone Manley; and two brothers, Louis Meyer and Herbert Meyer, Jr.

Memorial services to honor the life of Mrs. Routt were 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at His Pavilion of Grace in Pickens.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation services will be handling arrangements.

Glen W. Medlin

Pickens — Glen Weldon Medlin, 79, of 151 Williams Drive, husband of the late Sybil Swayngham Medlin, died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014 at his home.

Born in Pickens County, a son of Essie Turner Medlin of Pickens and the late Obie Medlin. Mr. Medlin was retired from Ryobi and was a member of the Keowee Masonic Lodge #79 A.F.M.

Surviving is his daughter, Glenda Holcombe (Greg) of Pickens; grandchildren, Allison Holcombe, Alan Holcombe and Andy Holcombe; great grandchildren, Samuel Holcombe and Jonas Holcombe; a sister, Betty Smith; and a brother, Garland Medlin.

In addition to his wife and father, he was predeceased by a brother, Theodore Medlin.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33^rd St. New York, NY 10016 or www.kidney.org.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Medlin family.

Van H. Mullinax

Central — Van Henley Mullinax, 61, of 843 Brock Street, husband of Ginger Lee Mullinax, died Thursday, Jan., 23, 2014 at his home.

Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Willie Van and Ruth Hall Mullinax.  Van was a 1970 graduate of Daniel High School and earned an Associate Degree from Tri-County Tech.  He retired after 35 years with Michelin and was a chimney sweep for over 40 years. Van served with the SC Army National Guard for over 41 years and rose to the rank of Command Sgt Major.  He was a lifetime member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, William Van Mullinax (Amanda) and Timothy Isaiah Mullinax; daughter, Loralee Denise Mullinax all of Central; brothers, Arthur Mullinax of Anderson, Willie C. Mullinax and Jimmy Mullinax both of Six Mile; sisters, Martha Rowland and Mary Nichols both of Central and Mattie Watson of Six Mile; grandchildren, Aubrianna Lee Mullinax and Allison Kay Mullinax.

Funeral service was 2 p.m., Sunday at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Elder officiating.  Burial with full military honors followed in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Central.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 186, Central, SC 29630.

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

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the Mullinax family.

Monroe Durham

Easley — Monroe Durham, 82, of Easley, loving husband of Guynell Roberts Durham for 58 years, beloved father and grandfather, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2014 at St. Francis hospital after an extended illness.

Born in Six Mile, he was a son of the late George and Ethel Durham. He loved and dedicated his life to the construction industry. He managed projects in the UK, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the US, for 31 years for Fluor Daniel; and worked at Durham Greene, Inc. for 12 years. He lived the practice of a great builder who said “Do what you say you will, and then some.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Susan Greene and her husband Duane; two granddaughters Michelle and Ashley Greene; two brothers, Floyd Durham of Pickens, Edgar Durham of Easley; three sisters, Bonnie Masters, Jessie Evelyn Pelfrey, and Mary Young all of Six Mile, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. at Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Miracle Hill Childrens’ Home, 2419-B Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29615.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to special friends, Diane Sloan and Miranda Potter, for their kind and loving care, and to the staff at St. Francis Hospital, and Roger C. Peace Hospital.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Durham family.

John Herbert Turner

Six Mile — John H. Turner, 78, husband of Carolyn Sue Shake Turner, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at The Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca.

Born April 16, 1935 in Nashville, Mich. he was a son of the late William Byron and Kathryn Vera Weed Turner. John received his Bachelors at Southern Connecticut College and Masters at Indiana University, South Bend, Ind. Serving his country, he was a United States Army Veteran, serving in the Korean War. John and Carolyn retired to Six Mile in 1994, following his retirement from Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation in 1992. Active in the community, John was a member of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson, a volunteer at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, past president of the Master Gardeners of the Foothills, Six Mile Lions Club, and Carolina Butterfly Society. Mr. Turner was past president of the Penn-Harris-Madison Teachers Association, Mishawaka, Indiana, past member of the Indiana State Teachers Association Board of Directors, past member of the National Education Association Board of Directors, retired life member of the Indiana State Teachers Association, and South Carolina Education Association as well as National Education Association.

Survivors include his wife Carolyn of the home, a son; Jeffrey Allen Turner (Wendy) of Granger, Ind., a stepson; Jeffrey Daniel Camplese (Deborah) of Helena, Mont., a step daughter; Kathryn Camplese Affainie of Antioch, Tenn., grandchildren; Kyle and Matthew Turner of Granger, Ind., Mary-Elese Affainie of Antioch, Tenn., sisters; Diane Turner Thorpe of The Villages, Fla. and Anne Turner Sholtis of Milford Conn., and a brother; Raymond H. Turner of New Port Richie, Fla.

Mr. Turner was predeceased by his parents and a brother; Robert W. Turner.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday Feb. 8 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson officiated by the Rev. Terre Balof.

Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson Endowment Fund, 230 Pendleton Road, Clemson, SC 29631.

American Cancer Society, Relay for Life Pendleton/Clemson, 120 Executive Drive, Bldg. 1, Asheville, NC 28801.

South Carolina Botanical Garden, CUF/SCBG, Attn: Allison Jones, 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC 29634.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Turner family.

Ellen Alexander Owens

Easley — Mrs. Ellen Retha Alexander Owens, 89, wife of the late Joseph Bennett “J.B. Red” Owens, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 at her home.

Born in Oconee County, she was a daughter of the late Walter William and Maggie A. Alexander. Mrs. Owens was the owner, operator, and founder of the assisted living facilities of West End Retirement Center, Maggie Manor, and Easley Retirement Center, where she worked actively until the age of 89. She was the last surviving founding member of the South Carolina Association of Residential Care Homes, where she remained currently active. Mrs. Owens was a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

Surviving are three sons, John W. and his wife, Janice H. Owens, Steve A. and his wife, Cindy S. Owens, and Bert J. Owens, all of Easley; six grandchildren, Brantli and Alex Owens, Lindsey Owens Harris, Lindsey, Jessy, and Kelsey Limbaugh; and two great-grandchildren, Steve Alexander Owens, III and Ellie Catherine Harris.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Owens was predeceased by two brothers, Leland and J.B. Alexander; and two sisters, Mabel LeCroy and Ruth Alexander.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 52, Memphis, TN 38148.

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

Shane Williams

Easley — Shane Ainsley Williams, 38, of 117 Devon Court, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.

Born in Pickens County, a son of Mike and Diane Porter Williams of Easley, Shane was employed with Taylors Fire and Sewer a member of Cedar Rock Baptist Church where he was a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his wife Crystal Stamey Williams of the home; a son, Glenn Williams of the home; a brother, Travis Williams of Easley; and his grandmother, Viola Porter of Liberty.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Rock Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1:30 until 2:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church, prior to the service.

The family is at is at the home of his parents, Mike and Diane Williams, 1258 Jameson 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.

Helen Hooper Reid

Easley — Mrs. Helen Louise Hooper Reid, 64, wife of the late Raymond Scott Reid, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Greenville County, a daughter of the late Ernest Alexander and Eula Murphy Hooper, Mrs. Reid was a retired school bus driver with the School District of Pickens County, and a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Helen was a devoted grandmother who loved country music, making floral arrangements, and home-decor.

Surviving are a son, Joshua W. Williams of Dacusville; two daughters, Charlene Lesley of Easley, and Brandi Johnson (Richard) of Maine; two brothers, Bill and Joe Hooper; a sister, Hazel Popham; and six grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Reid was predeceased by one brother and one sister.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with the Rev. Paul Turner officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Family members are at their respective homes.

Memorials may be made to the Helen Reid Fund, c/o Robinson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 387, Easley, SC 29641.

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

Dylan Ward

Liberty — Michael Dylan Ward, 19, of 264 Watts Road, Liberty, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2014 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Greenville he was the son of Miranda Ward and Brian Marcus. Dylan loved swimming and bowling, and was Baptized at Springwell Church in Taylors.

Surviving in addition to his parents, are his two mother figures, Angela Williams of Pickens, and Debra Masters of Greenville; former foster parents, Mark and Cheryl Stevens of Travelers Rest; two sisters, Courtney Ward of Pickens, and Kisha Borden of Greenville; two brothers, Brandon Masters of Greenville, and Joseph Masters of Liberty; grandparents, Elaine Harper of Liberty, and Patricia Bell of Pickens; aunts and uncles, Amy & Jimmy Johnson, Joey Ward, Toni Jones, and Tara Harper; a special cousin and guardian angel, Jacob Fulmer.

Homegoing services will be 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 at East Side Baptist Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2 until 3:30 p.m. at the Liberty Mortuary.

The family will be at the home of Jimmy and Amy Johnson, 264 Watts Road, Liberty SC 29657.

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