ANNIE LAVERN STANCIL MCGAHA

SIX MILE — Annie Laverne Stancil McGaha, 83, passed away on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022 at her home.

Laverne was born on Sept. 24, 1939, to the late Leo and Essie Durham Stancil. She was a fan of the Atlanta Braves and Clemson Tigers. Laverne’s faith was very important to her, and she attended Crowe Creek Church of God. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Mrs. McGaha is survived by one son, Tommy McGaha; one daughter, Tammy Peters; four grandchildren, Nikki Wyatt (Corey), Josh Peters, David Peters and Hunter McGaha; and two great-grandchildren, Dayton Griffin and Elijah Peters.

In addition to her parents, Laverne was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clinton McGaha; and one brother, Thomas E. “Bud” Stancil.

A graveside service was held on Oct. 24 at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

MARY LOUISE SMITH

ROCK HILL — Mary Louise Smith, after 94 years, went to her heavenly home on Oct. 7, 2022.

Louise was born in Pickens and retired from the Drapery Center as a seamstress. She was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church in Easley.  Louise was known for her gentleness of spirit, concern for her friends and family, love of cooking (her way) and ability to listen endlessly to those who needed her ear. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She will be waiting on a host of people to join her one day — her sister, Evelyn Nalley McCollum (Marion); a brother, Ronnie A. Nalley (Jan); daughters, Linda Frank, Carol Stewart, Martha Smith (Steve); and her son, David Smith. She will also await her grandchildren, Michael Frank (Candy), Jonathan Frank (Brittani), Brian Frank (Rachelle) and David Bennett (Nicole). She was also blessed with 5 and 7/8 great-grandchildren.

Her mother, Mary Gray Nalley; her father, Paul Hall Nalley; her sister, Bette Nalley Rodgers; and daughter, Julia McAteer, who preceded her in death, are all there to greet her.

The funeral service will be held at Fairview United Methodist Church, 200 E. Church Road, Easley, S.C. 29642, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.

Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the family.

BRENDA FAYE GARREN

PICKENS — Brenda Faye Garren, 76, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022.

Brenda was born in Pickens on Dec. 12, 1945, to the late William Roy and Lassie Jane Smith Garren.

She loved the Lord and loved serving him. Brenda served as a missionary for more than 35 years to the Philippines. She  enjoyed teaching Sunday school and was very active in the Awana program at Camp Creek Baptist Church, where she was a member. Brenda also loved golfing, working in her yard and reading.

Brenda is survived by four sisters, Bonnie Parnell, “Gig” Alexander, Ida Price and Betty Brock (John); one brother, Ron Garren (Betti); numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and special friends, Ina and Dan Bunyi.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Garren, Bob Garren and Alton Garren.

Funeral services were conducted on Oct. 21 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home, with the interment following Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

JEAN CRENSHAW

EASLEY — Donna Jean Woods Crenshaw, 69, of Memory Lane, passed from this life to eternity with her Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022.

Born in Greenville, she was the wife of William Roger Crenshaw for 50 years and a daughter of the late Jack and Ruth Brooks Woods. She was a 1971 Easley High School graduate and was retired from Clemson University, where she had worked for 28 years. She loved spending time with her family and telling others about the Lord. She was a member of Truth Missionary Baptist Church.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are her daughter, Robin Walsh (Anthony) of Easley; two brothers, Dean Woods of Anderson and Keith Woods (Donna) of Gaffney; and two grandchildren, Abby and Elle Walsh.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Crenshaw will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2-3 p.m. at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Truth Missionary Baptist Church, 200 Saluda Dam Road, Greenville, SC 29611.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

 

VERA OWEN ‘MEMA’ BOWIE

PICKENS — Vera Owen Bowie, 80, daughter of the late Willie Owen and Inez Owen Ammons of Balsam Grove, N.C., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

A native of Transylvania County, N.C., Vera was born on May 23, 1942. She was a longtime member of Maranatha Baptist Church in Pickens and never wanted to miss a church service. Ms. Bowie worked for plants like Fairhaven, Galley Mill and Swirl. She also worked for Bills and Dollarama in Pickens. She loved working in her yard, entertaining during the holidays, sewing and cooking for her family. Everyone loved her “famous” biscuits, chicken and dumplings and banana pudding. She also enjoyed taking trips to Tennessee, gospel music and Elvis. She had the best sense of humor and loved to laugh. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, and her life revolved around them.

Survivors include her daughters, Teresa Broom Kelley of Central, Sandra Broom Dunn of Easley and Tonya Bowie Castro (Shayne) of Anderson; loving grandchildren, who called her “Mema,” Kimberly Revis, Amanda Hendricks (Shawn), Tracey Broom Posey, Josh Broom, Dillion Broom (Treasa), Kyle Barkley (Crystal), Kayla Barkley, Cadyn Castro and Adyn Castro; and 17 precious great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Ophelia Ashe (Grady); and two brothers, Gary Owen and Stanley Owen (Sue), all of Pickens, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Bowie was predeceased by a son, Jimmy Dean Broom; brothers, Denver Owen, Alvin B. Owen, Carroll Owen, Jaroll Owen and Faroll Owen; twin grandchildren, Jimmy Lee Broom and Tomi Melissa Broom; and sons-in law, Ray Dunn and Aaron Kelley.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 28, in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens from 1-2 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Entombment will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

Flowers will be accepted.

The family will be at the home of Vera Bowie.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Bowie family.

 

HASTIN WAYNE  ‘BUDDY’ MURPHY

PICKENS — Mr. Hastin Wayne “Buddy” Murphy, 75, passed away on Monday, Oct. 18, 2022.

Hastin was born on Sept. 28, 1947, to the late Hovie and Lassie Byrd Murphy. He was a devoted Christian who loved his family. Hastin loved his wife and spent his last years dutifully taking care of her.

Mr. Murphy is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Nancy Colleen Atkins Murphy; two daughters, Lynn Waters (Josh) of Liberty and Amanda Durham (Steve) of Pickens; five grandchildren, Murphy Durham, Sam Durham, Connor Durham, Shannon Waters and Clay Waters; one brother, Stanley Murphy; one sister, Dorothy Galbreath; and cousins, Joe Hooper (Doris), Chris Atkins (Darla) and Leigh Ann Stancil.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 20 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home. Entombment followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

RHONDA LYNN HOXIT

PENDLETON — Rhonda Lynn Hoxit, 59, daughter of the late Floyd Thomas Hoxit and Zoria Durham Hoxit, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at her residence.

A native of Oconee County, Rhonda was born on July 27, 1963. She was a graduate of the Seneca High School class of 1981 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Phoenix University. Rhonda worked in the health care industry most of her life and was employed by NSN Revenue Resources. She loved God, her family, friends and doing crossword puzzles.

Survivors include her siblings, Suzanne Ellen Howard (Jason) of Tennessee, Dana Leigh O’Neal (Phillip) of Seneca and Thomas Hoxit of the home; her nieces and nephews, Samantha Maria Grays (Garrett), Joshua Phillip O’Neal (Brooke), Carrie Rose O’Neal and Serenity Lexi Hoxit; and her extended family, Richard Dotson and Nancy Worley.

In addition to her parents, Rhonda was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Ellis and Margie Durham; and her paternal grandparents, Walter and Lexie Hoxit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rhonda’s honor to Open Arms Hospice located at 1836 W. Georgia Road, Simpsonville, S.C. 29680.

A memorial service were held on Oct. 20 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Hoxit family.

TIMMY CARTER

LIBERTY — William Timothy Carver, 56, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at his home, following an extended illness surrounded by his loving family.

Timmy loved to work on cars and be outside, but most of all he loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid USC Gamecock fan.

Surviving are his wife of 18 years, Dana Crowe Carver of the home; two sons, Cameron Carver of the home and T.J. Carver (Brittany) of Maryland; two daughters, Courtney Carver (Will) of Liberty and Kayla Carver of Liberty; his parents, Bobby and Shirley Carver of Liberty; a sister, Vicky Ayers (Ken) of Liberty; and six grandchildren, Ava, Braxton, Cali, Chloe, Hunter and Rylan.

Funeral services to honor Timmy’s life were held on Oct. 24 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. A burial took place at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

The family will be at their respective homes. To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.