Courier Obituaries 10-2-24
JUNE DARLENE JAMES
EASLEY — June Darlene James, 71, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at Baptist Easley Hospital.
Born Jan. 23, 1953, in Easley, June was the daughter of the late Ralph Stegall and Ruby Jean Cisson Stegall. Mrs. James enjoyed word puzzles and watching wrestling. She loved to shop at thrift stores and go out to eat at restaurants.
Survivors include her two sons, Charlei Brain James and Tavis Woodson James, both of Easley.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. James was predeceased by a sister, Janice Cisson Stegall Watson; a nephew, Russell Ryan “Rusty” Stegall; and grandmother, Pearl Cisson Garrett.
The family held a memorial service Sept. 25 in the sanctuary of New Foundation Baptist Church in Easley.
Flowers will be accepted.
Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the James family.
GARETH OSGOOD
PICKENS — Gareth Osgood, 83, passed into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Osgood was born on Feb. 1, 1941, in Troy, N.Y., to Millard and Joyce Lewis Osgood. He was a dedicated member of Oolenoy Baptist Church until his health began to decline. Mr. Osgood served with pride and honor in the United States Navy. Following his service, he became a PADI master scuba diving instructor and, along with his brother George, opened and operated a scuba diving shop in Melbourne, Fla. From a young age, Gareth had a deep passion for the sea, spending countless hours on the water with his sons. He enjoyed watching sports, particularly NASCAR racing and diving, but most of all, he cherished time spent with his loved ones.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joyce Osgood; two sons, Steven Osgood and Keith Osgood; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Leo Ethier, Dennis Ethier and Scott Douglas; and two sisters, Sandy Osgood and Diane Ethier.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Osgood was preceded in death by his son, Gareth Osgood Jr; granddaughter, Mandy Lee Osgood; sister, Sharron Ethier; and brother, Bobby Douglas.
A graveside service for Gareth was held Sept. 30 at Oolenoy Baptist Church in Pickens.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
EVA MAE MEECE
PICKENS — Eva Mae Meece, 79, loving wife of 60 years to Billy Joe Meece, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at Manna Post Acute in Pickens.
Born Nov. 12, 1944, in Polk County, Tenn., Eva was the daughter of the late Walt and Marie Mull. Mrs. Meece was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church in Pickens.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Joe Meece of Pickens; daughter, Rhonda Grant (Ed) of Six Mile; grandson, Jed Grant (Ella) of Six Mile; and great-grandson, Sam Grant of Six Mile.
A private service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Eva’s honor may be made to the Red Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 558 Red Hill Road, Pickens, or the Pickens County Humane Society, 500 5 Forks Road, Liberty.
Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Meece family.
CAROLYN J. BAYLIFF
EASLEY — Carolyn J. Bayliff, 77, loving wife of 56 years to Craig W. Bayliff, passed away on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at her home.
Born Aug. 30, 1947, in Pottsville, Pa., Carolyn was the daughter of the late Warren G. Harding Miller and Betty Stout DiCello. Mrs. Bayliff was of the Lutheran faith. She was a homemaker and was known for her many adventures, kind of like her “I Love Lucy” scenes. Her hobby was shopping. She loved her grandchildren and her little dog, Abby.
Survivors include her husband, Craig W. Bayliff of the home; two daughters, Kimberly Moreno of Greenville and Beth Kuykendall (Tim) of Easley; grandchildren, Hayley Sweat (J.J.), Bret Watson, Madison Kuykendall and Bree Kuykendall (Colt); great-grandchildren, Danni-Lynn, Collins, Brooklynn, Kash and Forrest; and a sister, Marilyn Ambrose of Delaware.
The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Foothills, who provided special care to Mrs. Bayliff.
Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Bayliff family.
WILLIAM ‘KEITH’ KELLEY
LIBERTY — William “Keith” Kelley, 60, loving husband to Patty Kelley, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at his home.
Born Jan. 27, 1964, Keith was the son of the late Kenneth E. Kelley and Alma June Stephens Kelley. Keith was an active member of Ruhamah Baptist Church in Liberty. He loved riding motorcycles and spending time with his special sister, Pam.
Survivors include his wife, Patty Kelley of the home; two sons, William Keith Kelley II (Kayla) of Central and Kenneth Brandon Kelley (Meredith) of Ware Shoals; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pam Kelley of Easley and Cheryl Lowe of Fort Mill; and many loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Keith was predeceased by a brother, Steve Kelley.
The family will hold a celebration of life service at 1 p.m. Oct. 12 in the sanctuary of Ruhamah Baptist Church, located at 725 Ruhamah Road in Liberty.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Keith’s honor may be made to Ruhamah Baptist Church Building Fund, 725 Ruhamah Rd, Liberty.
Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Kelley family.
APRIL CLARK THOMPSON
EASLEY — April Michelle Thompson, 44, found peace on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
Born April 4, 1980, in Greenville, she was the daughter of Stanley and Debbie Clark of Easley. April had a beautiful soul and energy that you could feel when she walked into a room. Her incredibly quick wit would leave you laughing days later, and you knew she loved you by the amount of times she picked on you. Her smile would not only warm you but excite you, because she brought an air of excitement with her wherever she was. You looked forward to the next time you would see her, and we all look forward to seeing her again one day at the feet of Jesus.
Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her husband, Scott Thompson of Fountain Inn; her sons, Bryson Durham (Kourtney Raiden) and Korbyn Durham of Pickens; her big sister, Brandie Walker (Tom House) of Pickens; her nieces, Skyler and Savannah Walker; and her great-nephew, Dawson Walker.
She was predeceased by her grandparents, Joe and Liz Carr of Tennessee and J.P and Toye Clark of Arkansas, as well as her big brother-in-law, Joey Walker, and her nephew, Tristan Walker.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
April loved pretty flowers, but if felt led to do so, donations can be made in her memory to Halle’s House, a 12-step residential recovery home and program for women who suffer from addiction, at inhisarmsministries.org.
Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Thompson family.
KATHY CLARDY
LIBERTY — Kathy Gillespie Clardy, 74, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 at Manna Post-Acute in Pickens.
Born in Greenville, she was the widow of Paul Lester Clardy and a daughter to the late Lake E. and Hazel Hammond Gillespie. Kathy was a 1968 graduate of Liberty High School and became a licensed cosmetologist, as well as a certified nursing assistant. She later worked and retired from the Pickens County tax assessor’s office. Kathy was a longtime member of Flat Rock Baptist Church.
Kathy was a lover of shopping, travel and going out to dinner and a movie, joyfully embracing every opportunity to explore new experiences. Her warmth and laughter will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Surviving are her daughter, Paula Bagwell (Terry) of Liberty; her beloved sister, Joan Clardy (David) of Liberty; a brother, Keith Gillespie (Gaye) of Liberty; and a very special first cousin who was more like a sister, Earline Muchow (Fred).
In celebration of Kathy’s life, a funeral service will be held in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel at 2 p.m. Oct. 4, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service at the mortuary. She will be laid to rest following the service next to her beloved husband, Paul, at Liberty Memorial Gardens.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Flat Rock Baptist Church, 115 Slab Bridge Road, Liberty, SC 29657
You may share a memory and offer condolences to the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.