Lonnie Waldrop

Liberty — Lonnie Ruth Hardy Waldrop, the light of our world, passed away to her heavenly home on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at her residence surrounded by family.

Born in Iva, she was a daughter of the late Clarence Alfred and Lizzie Mae Gaines Hardy.

[cointent_lockedcontent]Her cooking was legendary and her love for family will be told in story after story for years to come.

Surviving is her lifelong love of 66 years, Melvin Jack Waldrop. She also leaves behind four daughters, Jackie Messer (Eddie), Tina Elgin (Rick), Ramona Waldrop and Susan Hostetler. The joy in her life came from her seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was the oldest of eight children and is survived by two sisters, Barbara Jean Chapman and Judy Messer, and three brothers, Kenneth, Jerry and Douglas Hardy.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Joyce Waldrop, two brothers, Jimmy and Raymond Hardy, and one great-granddaughter, Jenna Jones.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Waldrop were held Oct. 2 in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel, with burial following at Westview Cemetery.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements

Tim Cooper

Cleveland — Timothy Whiting “Tim” Cooper, 56, husband of Tamara Lynn Cooper, passed from this life and went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at McCall Hospice House.

Tim was born in Warren, Ohio, a son of the late Wayne Robert and Anne Cleland Bennett Cooper. He was a sales executive and engineer with Wilbert Plastics in Easley. He served as a captain with the Pumpkintown Fire Department, where he had formerly served as chief and assistant chief. He attended Kent State University.

Tim was an awesome and loving husband, dad, step-dad, granddad and loving brother. He was a hardworking man who loved his community and was always willing to help others. Tim was a good Christian with a servant’s heart, always doing for others.

Survivors include his wife of 16 years, Tamara Cooper, son, James Cooper (Amanda), daughters, Sarah Cooper (Joe), Rebecca Davis (Shane), and Katherine Patterson (Ryan), and step-sons, Matthew Davis (fiancée Marie) and Manly Herring (Faith). Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, a sister, Damaris Cooper, and brothers, Jonathan Cooper (Pam), Jared Cooper (Patti) and Eben Cooper (Judy).

Funeral services were held Oct. 2 at New Hope Baptist Church, with burial following in the church cemetery with full firefighter honors.

Memorials may be made to Pumpkintown Fire Department, Post Office Box 461, Pickens, SC 29671.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Lucille Pilgrim

Liberty — Rebecca Lucille Barkley Pilgrim, 92, of Liberty, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at Brookdale Living Center in Easley.

Born in Six Mile, she was the widow of Garvin R. Pilgrim and a daughter of the late Lang Henry and Nora Nations Barkley.

Mrs. Pilgrim retired from R.C. Edwards Middle School in Central but spent most of her life as a homemaker dedicated to raising her three sons, who adored her. She loved flowers and took great joy in growing them. She was an excellent seamstress and was known for her beautiful quilts and crocheted Afghans. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, mother in law, sister, aunt and friend.

She was a lifelong member of Prater’s Creek Baptist Church.

Surviving are three sons, G. Jimmy Pilgrim and his wife Janet of Six Mile, Danny R. Pilgrim and his wife Judy of Liberty, and Steve B. Pilgrim of Liberty; a sister, Coleen B. Kennemer and her husband Alton of Pickens; a brother in law, Melvin H. Evette of Easley; three grandchildren, Angela Higgins and her husband Bill of Easley, Steven C. Pilgrim of Six Mile, and Laura P. Allen of Allegan, Mich.; and one great-granddaughter, Brooke Higgins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Adelle Stancil and Zelma Evette and two brothers, Weldon Parsons and Thurston Barkley.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Pilgrim were conducted Oct. 3 in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Pickens County Meals on Wheels for their dedicated service.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Pickens County Meals on Wheels, PO Box 1162, Pickens, SC 29671.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements

Lee Reese Jr.

RIDGEWAY — Lee Reese Jr., 83, of Ridgeway, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015.

Born in Pickens, he was the son of the late Lee and Lucy Thomas Reese, Sr. Mr. Reese served in the U.S. Army as an E-7 Drill Sergeant, paratrooper and served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. After retiring from the army, Lee worked in construction. He was a farmer and loved to fish. He loved his whole family and friends. He was a wonderful husband, daddy, grandpa, and pawpaw to his great-grandchildren.

Mr. Reese is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Vydila Shaver Reese; two sons, Jerry (Gale) Reese and Dennis (Rita) Reese; two daughters, Barbara (Mark) Lacock and Doris Reese,; one sister, Patsy McJunkin of Pickens; six grandchildren, Amy Perrine, Jacob Reese, David Reese, Nick Reese, Terrence Coy, and April Park; and four great-grandchildren, Leona Perrine, Ellie Reese, Mae Reese, and Jon Perrine, Jr.

In addition to his parents, Lee was predeceased by two brothers, Dennis Reese and Clyde Ray Reese; and two sisters, Beulah Mae McJunkin and Lucille McJunkin.

Services for Mr. Reese will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Mr. Reese’s memory to Arista Hospice, 1300 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Pope Funeral Home is assisting the Reese family. Online condolences can be sent to the Reese family at www.popefuneralhomesc.com.

Susan H. Wade

Six Mile — Susan Hollis Wade, 74, wife of John L. Wade, passed away, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at her home.

Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Jake and Beatrice Bolding Hollis. She retired from the School District of Pickens County and was a member of Ridgeland Drive Baptist Church.

Surviving is her husband.

Memorial services were held Oct. 5 in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pickens County Meal on Wheels, P.O. Box 184, Easley, SC 29641.

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

Roberta F. Gibson

Easley — Mrs. Roberta Finley Gibson, 75, wife of Howard Belton Gibson, passed away Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Argie and Bessie Robinson Finley, Mrs. Gibson was a graduate of Pickens High School and retired from J.P. Stevens. She was a member of Grace Christian Fellowship.

Surviving, in addition to her husband of 55 years, are a son, Donnie Howard Gibson of Easley; two daughters, Sue Gibson Thomas (Donnie) of Easley, and Brenda Gibson Shedd of Six Mile; one brother, Buddy Finley of Pickens; three sisters, Levenia McCombs, Evelyn McCombs and Sybil Finley, all of Easley; seven grandchildren, Kristi Walden, Nathan Mauldin, Chris Shedd, Dustin Thomas, Leigh Ann Thomas, Liyah Washington and Willow Sands; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gibson was predeceased by two brothers, Garland and Loyd Finley.

Funeral services were held Oct. 5 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Rainey Hospice House, 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.

Lucille Hunter Hamilton

Central — Lucille Hunter Hamilton, 91, wife of the late Earl C. Hamilton, passed away at Majesty Heath Care on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.

Mrs. Hamilton was born in Pickens County and was a daughter of Curt and Sarah Frances Satterfield Hunter. She was retired from Woodside Mills as a spinner and was a member of Cateechee Baptist Church.

Surviving are three sons, Mike (Jill) Hamilton of Central, Ken (Brenda) Hamilton of Easley, and William E. (Allison) Hamilton of Six Mile; two daughters, Katherine Lawson, and Vicki (Keith) Moore both of Pickens; two brothers, James Hunter of Central and Curtis Hunter of Liberty; one sister, Ruth Reynolds of Central; 16 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Hamilton was preceded in death by two sons, George and Claude Earl Hamilton; a brother, Charles Hunter; and a sister, Mary Ables.

Funeral services were held Oct. 6 in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, with burial following in Memory Gardens in Clemson.

Memorials may be made to Ark Hospice, 101 Grace Drive, Easley, SC 29640.

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

Sybil Pilgrim

Pickens — Sybil Trotter Pilgrim, 77, wife of the late Benny Roy Pilgrim, went home to be with The Lord on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015.

Mrs. Pilgrim was born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Elbert L. and Eula Jones Trotter. She was retired from Pickens County administration after 46 years of service to the county. Mrs. Pilgrim was a devoted Christian and a lifelong member of Griffin Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Vivian Anderson Sunday School Class. She enjoyed dining out with her friends and loved tending to her flowers and her birds.

Survivors include brothers, Bill Trotter (Edna), John Trotter (Jo) and Calvin Trotter, all of Pickens. Also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Pilgrim was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara L. Godshall.

Funeral services were held Oct. 6 at the Griffin Baptist Church sanctuary, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens in Pickens.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Griffin Baptist Church, 1629 Pumpkintown Highway, Pickens, SC 29671.

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

Mike Lesley

Easley — Michael Joe “Mike” Lesley, 65, passed from this life on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at his home in Easley.

Mike was born in Richland County, a son of the late James Garfield and Ruth Woods Lesley. He was a 1968 graduate of Easley High School and Clemson University, where he also received his Master’s Degree in mathematics. Mike was retired from the School District of Pickens County, where he taught math at Easley High School. Prior to returning to Easley, he taught at a junior high school in Greenwood. He remained an avid Clemson supporter through IPTAY and attending football games at Death Valley.

Survivors include his brother, James H. Lesley (Janice) of Easley, his sisters, Brenda Breeden (Darrell) of Woodruff, and Gwen Bagwell (Steve) of Easley. Also surviving are a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services were held Oct. 5 at Zion United Methodist Church in Easley, with burial following in the church cemetery.

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

Memorials may be made to Zion United Methodist Church, 432 Zion Church Road, Easley, SC 29642.

James “Charles” Galbreath

Liberty — James Charles Galbreath, 69, of 147 Sanders Road, died Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, at his residence.

Born in Liberty, he was a son of the late James Bruce and Lillian Ella Wease Black Galbreath. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and was a retired carpenter. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing.

Surviving are his daughter, Jamie Lynn Galbreath Hudson, and her husband William of Anderson; three grandchildren, Jamiah Charles Galbreath, Jamilyn Hudson and Maximus Hudson, all of Anderson; two sisters, Doris Dills and her husband Henry of Liberty and Jennette Wood and her husband Terry of Easley; and a brother, Dan Galbreath and his wife Kim of Liberty.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Liberty Mortuary.

The family will be at their respective homes. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services are handling arrangements.

[/cointent_lockedcontent]