GARLAND ‘MARK’ BURGESS

PICKENS — Mr. Garland “Mark” Burgess, 57, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Nov. 7, 2021.

He was born in Pickens County and was the loving husband of Krystal Kelly Burgess. He was the son of Jack Burgess and Juanita Davis Burgess of Pickens.

Mark was inspired by the Lord to pursue ministry work in addiction recovery, going on to receive his master of ministry degree in theology. He authored several books and was ordained as a minister. He served his country in the United States Army.

Mark’s family describe him as a faithful servant to the Lord, passionate about what he believed in, lovingly bold, kind and compassionate, with a Christ-like heart for people. He loved music and had a beautiful voice and talent on the guitar. Each of his children and close family members recount how they always felt the most important to him, loved and prayed for.

Surviving are daughters Stephanie Kozick (Ben) of Knoxville, Tenn., Amanda Burgess (Kyle Reed) of McKinney, Texas, and Rene Burgess of Allen, Texas; and one son, Chris Burgess of Greer. Also surviving are nine most loving and precious grandchildren, Madeline, Noah, Levi, Conner, Hunter, Lucas, Jonah, Grant and Georgia; as well as brothers, Keith (Linda), Tony (Susan) and Matthew Burgess (Mitzi) and many loving nieces and nephews, who all loved Uncle Mark dearly.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel at 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway in Pickens, with a visitation that same day starting at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Burgess family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

 

HAROLD RYDER

LIBERTY — Harold William Ryder died on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021.

Born in Brevard, N.C., he was a son of the late Robert and Etta Eubanks Ryder.

He retired from Platt-Saco Lowell, where he was a diecast supervisor with 35 years of service. Mr. Ryder loved horses, wagons and antiques.

Surviving are his former wife, Linda Woodson (Richard Brenner) of Liberty; two sons, Kenneth Ryder and Daniel Ryder; a daughter, Tammy McGinnis; five grandchildren; a brother, Bert Ryder; two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Wiggins and Kathleen Morgan; and numerous great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Ryder and Lewis “John” Ryder.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mr. Ryder will be conducted at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 10, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Entombment will follow at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the mortuary. A livestream of the service will be available by visiting his obituary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Baptist Church, 3858 Reasonover Road, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718.

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

JOLENE F. ROACH

PICKENS — Ms. Jolene F. Roach, 68, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, at AnMed Health Medical Center.

Born in Abbeville on Nov. 18, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Joe Steve and Carlene Fisher. She was a loving mother and grandmother who had a positive impact on the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Ms. Roach is survived by her children, Lynette (Nathan) Meece of Anderson, Matt Knight (Christy) of Pickens and Kerri Roach of Pickens; and a stepson, Sam Roach of Mt. Holly, N.C. In addition to her children, she is survived by a special friend, Wallace Roach; grandchildren, Jeremy (Casey) Wilson, Kayla Wilson, Teresa Meece, Dakota (Gabby) Fleming, Amber (Keenan) Jarvis, Destiney Knight, Austin Knight, Jake Roach, Jordan Roach and Ashlynn Roach; as well as eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Roach was preceded in death by her first husband, Pete Ashely; and three brothers, Sammy, Ricky and Tim Fisher.

The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Mountain View Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Mrs. Jolene F. Roach.

 

GLADYS SUE HOLBROOKS

PICKENS — Gladys Sue Wardlaw Holbrooks, 70, of Pickens, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Born in Easley, she was the widow of Floyd Holbrooks and a daughter of the late Lee Andrew and Blanche Hanley Wardlaw.

She was a homemaker and a longtime member of Maranatha Baptist Church. Her biggest joys in life included watching “Frances & Friends,” crocheting and her family.

Surviving are a son, Michael Durham (Tammy) of Liberty; a daughter, Donna Leamey (Ryan) of Pickens; four grandchildren, Britnee Draughon (Russell), Barry Durham (Katie) and Owen and Teagan Leamey; and four great-grandchildren, Jayci, Clayton, Audree and Kynsee.

Mrs. Holbrooks’s precious great-grandson, Cameron, tragically lost his life in the same accident.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at Hillcrest Memorial Park. No formal visitation is planned.

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

 

SHARON KAY ‘NANA KAY’ GILLESPIE

PICKENS — Sharon Kay Gillespie, 64, daughter of the late William Edward and Betty Elizabeth Hunter passed away on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at Baptist Easley Hospital.

A native of Pickens, Sharon was born on Dec. 27, 1956. Nana Kay loved spending time with her grandchildren, Tik-Tok and music and was a Christian. She was a great mother and grandmother, she was a light in the darkness and was a joy to be around. Nana Kay loved all of her family dearly.

Survivors include her children, Paul Gillespie (Terry) of Pickens, April Green (Silas) of Pickens and Keith Gillespie (Dee) of Liberty; grandchildren, Torey Green of Greenville, Gage Green (Clairrice Cochrane) of Greenville, Gabbi Gillespie of Pickens, Xander Green of Pickens, Alexis Gillespie of Easley, Shauna Frizzell of Pickens, and Cameron Morrison, Ashley Morrison and Zachary Morrison, all of Liberty; siblings, Judy Gillespie (Danny) of Pickens, Sandy Klippert (Thomas) of Pickens, Eddie Hunter (Lee) and Russ Hunter of Pickens; nieces, Mandy Stancell, Lisa Gillespie and Cherish Waldrop; a nephew, Matthew Hunter; and her adopted children, Crystal Pridmore of Pelzer and Ed Green (Jennifer) of Liberty.

In addition to her spouse, Jerry Gillespie, Nana Kay was predeceased by her parents, William and Betty Hunter.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Gillespie Family.

 

TROY BROOKS SR.

LIBERTY — Troy Lee Brooks Sr., 76, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Easley, he was a son of the late George Maton and Arietta Hendricks Brooks.

Troy worked many years as a brick mason and was a longtime member of Rice’s Creek Baptist Church. He was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

Surviving are his wife, Helen Marie Edwards Brooks of the home; a daughter, Lisa K. Davis of Liberty; two sons, Travis Brooks (Bridgette) and Troy Lee “Bodie” Brooks Jr., all of Liberty; two sisters, Evelyn Patterson and Winnon Miller, both of Liberty; a brother, Tony Brooks of Liberty; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Martha Suzanne Thornton.

Memorial services to honor Troy’s life were conducted Nov. 5 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Private burial will take place at a later date at the Rice’s Creek Baptist Church cemetery.

The family will be at the home.

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

 

JERRY MACK DUNCAN

EASLEY — Jerry Mack Duncan, 84, husband of Florence Burgess Duncan, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Roy Washington and Grace Lee Henson Duncan.

Jerry was an auctioneer for about 40 years and worked in the textile industry. He loved music and played guitar and sang at Last Day Message Holiness Church, where he attended. He also proudly served with the U.S. Air Force.

In addition to his loving wife of 62 years, Jerry is survived by a daughter, Sheila Williams (Fred) of Easley; a son, Timothy Dale Duncan (Tyril Simmerman) of Easley; three brothers, Doug Duncan (Brenda) of Easley and Thurman Duncan (Faye) and Wayne Duncan (Jane), both of Travelers Rest; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Alexander (Chris), Tiffany Dodson (Waco), Kaitlynn Duncan, Matthew Duncan, Kim McGaha (Jason), Greg Williams (Jennifer) and Angela White (James); and 10 great-grandchildren, James, Sawyer, Jacob, Alexis, Benji, Anna, Trevor, Brentley, Braylon and Brylie.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Melvin, Paul and Jimmy Duncan; and sisters, Margaret Dell, Louise Southern and Carolyn Cox.

A funeral service was held on Nov. 7 at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

 

THOMAS RICKY HAYNIE

PICKENS — Thomas Ricky Haynie, 66, husband of Sherry Lynn Dill Haynie, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at North Greenville Hospital.

Mr. Haynie was the son of the late Opal Jean McIntyre and Thomas Cunningham Haynie.

Survivors include his wife, Sherry Lynn Dill Haynie; one daughter, Heather Denise Haynie of Liberty; one son, Allen Haynie of Pickens; one stepson, Cody Edward Morse of Pickens; two sisters, Susan Parks of Warner Robins, Ga., amd Jenny Allin (Chris) of Clarksville, Ga.; stepmother, Wanda Haynie of Demorst, Ga.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Haynie family.

 

OLIVER RYAN FINCHER

EASLEY — Oliver Ryan Fincher, 28, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.

Born in Augusta, Ga., he was the son of Beth Swayngham Fincher and the late William Greg Fincher.

Ryan received an associate’s degree in industrial electronics technology from Tri-County Technical College and was employed with GF Linamar LLC. He was a lifelong member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.

All his life, Ryan never hesitated to help his family, friends, the homeless and anyone else who needed encouragement, food, money or the shirt off his back. He volunteered with the Pickens County Special Olympics for almost 10 years. He also loved to play soccer, fish and go to the lake. Ryan had an infectious laugh and smile and was known for being very mischievous. He loved and is loved, unconditionally, by his family and friends, and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his mother, Ryan is survived by a brother, Jeffrey Fincher (Katie) of Boiling Springs; and cousins, Ronald Norris, Brett Southerland (Andrea) and Devin Southerland.

In addition to his father, Ryan was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Jeff Davis and Jennie Marion Swayngham; and paternal grandfather, William Oliver Fincher.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

 

MARGARET BURDETTE SORRELLS

EASLEY — Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Burdette Sorrells, 84, wife of the late Herman Richard Sorrells, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.

Born in Oconee County, a daughter of the late Hurbert Augustus Burdette and the late Helen Rundell Martin Burdette, Mrs. Sorrells was a graduate of Oakway High School, was employed with Swirl Manufacturing for 25-plus years and later retired from Cross Creek Textiles. She was a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

Margaret loved gardening and sewing, but her greatest love was for her family. She dearly loved her children and grandchildren and will be missed by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving are her son, Rev. Alan R. Sorrells and his wife, Debbie J. Sorrells, of York; her daughter, Helen V. Owens and her husband, Mike Owens, of Easley; a brother, Roger Burdette and his wife, Faye, of Seneca; a sister, Runette Gooch of Taylors; her six grandchildren, Justin Sorrells and his wife, Keah, Amanda Weatherford and her husband, Ray, Rebecca House and her husband, Sam, April DuBose and her husband, John, Amanda Horn and her husband, Paul, and Brandi Crum and her husband, Alan; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Sorrells was predeceased by a son, Darryl Jerome Sorrells; and three sisters, Mary Ann Mize, Betty Gore and Janice McPherson.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made in memory of Margaret to United Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 1774, Easley, SC 29641.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

 

NANCY RHODES

LIBERTY — Nancy Ann Rhodes, 60, died on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at her residence.

Born in Six Mile, she was a daughter of the late Curtis and Cora Kay. She was a homemaker who loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Nancy enjoyed cooking, quilting and crafting.

Surviving are her husband of 31 years, James Rhodes of the home; a son, Curtis Rhodes of Liberty; a daughter, Angela Register of Liberty; a stepson, James Daniel Rhodes II of Rose Hill, N.C.; two grandchildren, D.J. Binnicker and Joey Binnicker; two brothers, Harold Kay and Robert “Bud” Kay, both of Liberty; and three sisters, Barbara Marcus of Easley, Doris Kay of Liberty and Rosa Lee Hewey of Easley.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Rachel Ann Rhodes.

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