TAYLOR MICHELLE PARSONS

EASLEY — Mrs. Taylor Michelle Parsons, 28, loving wife of the late Kenneth Parsons, passed away Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at her residence.

Mrs. Parsons was born in Spartanburg on Nov. 30, 1994, to Tianna Alicia Jackson of Pickens. She loved to hike and truly was a lover of all animals. Mrs. Parsons loved her family, especially her daughter, and cherished the times spent with her watching movies.

In addition to her loving mother, Mrs. Parsons is survived by her daughter, Madelyn Parsons; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gary and Po Parsons; her grandmother, Janelle Wilson; two aunts, Emily Lowery (Ron) and Theresa Marquardt (Richard Moore); a sister, Bonnie Pietro (Andrew); and a special nephew, Bentley Pietro. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

In addition to her loving husband, Mrs. Parsons was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Nellie and Jim Jackson.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Wednesday, prior to the memorial service, at Dillard Funeral Home.

The family members are at their respective homes.

Flowers are accepted.

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

REV. JACK LOUIS BURGESS

PICKENS — Rev. Jack Louis Burgess, 89, a servant of God, respected and loved by his family and friends, passed from this life into eternal life with the Lord on Oct. 11, 2023.

Preacher Jack Burgess was a beloved pastor and business owner who loved sharing his faith with everyone he met. He lived a steadfast life as an example of what it truly means to be a Christian.

He was Christ-like and served God faithfully and humbly for many decades. His influence will be missed, but his kindness and sincerity as a dedicated teacher of the Bible will continue in the lives of everyone who knew him personally and countless others who have heard him preach and sing.

Jack L. Burgess was born in rural Pickens in July 1934.

He was the son of the late Purn Gelola Burgess and Coreen Masters Burgess. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He previously owned and operated Burgess Builders, a respected residential home-building company in the area. He was influential as a leader in many churches across the Upstate and elsewhere throughout his life, having been a key figure in the formation of Landmark Baptist Church in Easley, later the chief of staff for evangelist Lester Roloff in Corpus Christi, Texas, a valued staff member at Bob Jones University, the founder of Victory Heights Men’s Home in Pickens and the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Easley.

Preacher Jack Burgess was an accomplished singer and musician who taught himself to play the guitar and piano. He taught himself to effectively lead choirs and developed the talents of many church members. He made several albums in the 1960s and ‘70s, then again while working with Lester Roloff in the early 1980s. He had a soothing tenor voice which earned the appreciation and applause of any audience or congregation blessed to hear him sing. He was often sought out to sing or preach at special events and services for other churches and camp meetings throughout South Carolina and northern Georgia. His clear and simple presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ pointed many to a personal relationship with God.

There was never a circumstance or problem that he could not overcome, nor would a spiritual and physical need arise that he wouldn’t, at that moment, seek God’s guidance and wisdom to solve. Rev. Jack Burgess was a talented, fearless and compassionate God-made man.

Preacher Burgess enjoyed being outdoors. A skilled sportsman, he would often hunt the woodlands of South Carolina or the ranch lands of Texas and Wyoming. He enjoyed planting and cultivating his gardens and shared the harvest with friends. He loved baseball and was on his way to a professional baseball career when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1955. Upon his return to South Carolina, after his military service was completed, he married Wanda Juanita Davis Burgess of Pickens in 1958. She was his partner in life and ministry. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in July 2023 and remained together until his death.

Together, they had four sons and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; son J. “Keith” Burgess (Linda), granddaughter Carissa Parnell (Jamin), great-grandchildren Maisie, Maddie, Silas; son James A. “Tony” Burgess (Susan), granddaughter Heather McCarty (Evan), great-grandchildren Amelia, Cora, grandson Deron Burgess (Bethany), great-granddaughter Audrey, grandson Philip Burgess, granddaughter Beth Burgess, granddaughter Tara Jeroszko (Robert), great-grandchildren Susannah, Benjamin, Margaret, Caroline, grandson Tyler Frank (Anna Mae); predeceased son Garland “Mark” Burgess (Krystal), granddaughter Stephanie Kozick (Ben), great-grandchildren Hunter, Grant, granddaughter Amanda Reed (Kyle), great-grandchildren Madeline, Noah, Levi, Jonah, granddaughter Rene Ownsby, great-grandchildren Conner, Lucas, Georgia, grandson Christopher Burgess; son, Matthew S. Burgess (Mitzi), granddaughters Charlotte, Abigail, Natalie and grandson Jackson.

Preacher Jack Burgess was a brother to 10 siblings, Maxine Burgess Harden (deceased), Alvin Burgess (deceased), Cecil Burgess (deceased), John Burgess (deceased), Richard Burgess (deceased), Ruth Burgess Morris, Ruby Burgess Baughman (deceased), Daisy Burgess Boggs, Franklin “Dell” Burgess (deceased), and a baby sister the family named Baby Mary Burgess, who died a few days after birth.

Funeral services will be held on Oct. 20 at Missionary Baptist Church, located at 979 John St. in Pickens, with pastor Danny Posey officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the funeral service commencing at 3 p.m. Burial will follow immediately at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery, located at 620 Pleasant Grove Road in Pickens, with pastor Scott Willis, a nephew, officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons Deron Burgess and Philip Burgess, grandsons-in-law Jamin Parnell and Evan McCarty, nephew Michael Burgess, and family friend Marc Bridges.

At the family’s request as a memoriam to their patriarch, Jack L Burgess, please donate to Missionary Baptist Church Christian School in lieu of sending flowers. You may contact the church and school directly at mbcpickens.net

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations of Pickens will assist the family.

 

LINVILLE WILSON ELROD

PUMPKINTOWN — Linville Wilson Elrod, 80, passed away Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Pumpkintown on Aug. 1, 1943, he was the son of the late Wilson and Reba Reeves Elrod. He loved the outdoors and liked to hike and ride his four-wheeler. He would feed and watch the deer and turkeys in his yard and had quite a few bears to come visit. He also loved NASCAR racing.

He is survived by one brother, Sammy Elrod (Debbie) of Pickens; and two sisters, Mary Ellen Deanhardt (Ronnie) and Nancy Anderson (Bill), both of Pumpkintown. He also had six nieces and nephews and nine great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom he loved very much.

In addition to his parents, Linville was preceded in death by a sister, Kathryn Elrod.

A visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the sanctuary of Oolenoy Baptist Church, with a funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Oolenoy Baptist Church cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted.

The family is at the home of a niece, Stacy Simmons.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations- Pickens Chapel is serving the Elrod family.

 

NORMA DARLENE SIFFORD

CENTRAL — Norma Darlene Sifford, 66, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at her home.

Born June 4, 1957, in Norton, Va., Norma was the daughter of the late Terry William Sexton and Mary Ann Bullion. Norma loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and also loved her work family.

Survivors include her two daughters, Lisa Phillips and Angela Lewis (John) of Central; one son, Jason Andrew Woods of Central; nine grandchildren, Jeremy Phillips (Autumn), Logan Phillips (Alexis), Angel Phillips, Taylor Lewis, Jordan Lewis, Aubrey Woods, Brayden Lewis, Ashton Lewis and Abbigail Woods; two sisters, Wanda Watson (Vince) and Sally Sexton, both of Liberty; one brother, Manuel Sexton (Donna) of Great Mills, Md.; and four great-grandchildren, Braxton Yates, Trace Phillips, Raelynn Phillips and Roman Phillips.

In addition to her parents, Norma was predeceased by her husband, Donald Rex Sifford; a sister, Brenda Vaughn; and a brother, Ricky Sexton.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations – Pickens Chapel is serving the Sifford family.

 

 

GARY BAXTER WILLIAMS

 

EASLEY — Mr. Gary Baxter Williams, 77, passed away Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.

Born in Spartanburg County, a son of the late Frank Kenneth Williams Sr. and the late Eva Sue Holcombe Williams, Mr. Williams was a graduate of Dacusville High School and retired from Duke Energy. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served in the Vietnam War.

Gary was very outgoing and loved to tell stories. He enjoyed talking with family and friends and meeting new people and never met a stranger. Those who loved and knew him will miss him dearly.

Surviving are his two sons, Erik Williams (Renee) of Miami, Fla., and Joshua Williams (Thea) of Las Vegas, Nev.; his brother, Frank Kenneth Williams Jr. of Easley; his grandchildren, Katelyn Williams, Bryce Williams and Asher Williams, all of Florida; and his nephew, Christopher Williams (Amy) of Anderson.

Funeral services were held Oct. 14 at Dacusville United Methodist Church. Burial followed at the church cemetery with military honors.

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

 

 

JOHNNY RAY CRAWFORD

 

CENTRAL — Johnny Ray Crawford, 70, of Central, husband of Teresa Moore Crawford, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.

Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late Vivian Bryant Wardlaw and stepfather Doyle Crawford. Johnny grew up in Pickens County and went to Liberty High School. He joined the U.S. Army in 1970. After he served as an Airborne Ranger, Johnny worked most of his life as a brick mason and later as a lead maintenance technician at Orian Rugs in Anderson, retiring from there at 64 years of age. He was a talented singer and guitarist whose greatest pride and joy in life were his wife and family.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Teresa Moore Crawford; daughters, Amanda Crawford (Daniel) of Central and Kelley Crawford (Bryan) of Liberty; a son, John Crawford of Central; grandchildren, Jocelyn Hardenbrook, Jackson Luther and Raegan Luther; sisters, Libby Smith and Rita Morgan, both of Easley; and a brother, Tommy Crawford of Central.

In addition to his parents, Johnny was predeceased by a sister, Sharon Gay Crawford; and a daughter, Katie Lynn Crawford.

Funeral services were held Oct. 13 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens.

Flowers will be accepted.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations- Pickens Chapel is serving the Crawford family.

 

HERBERT C. BRYANT

EASLEY — Herbert C. Bryant, 66, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in his home in Easley.

Born in Greenwood on March 28, 1958, he was the loving husband of 48 years to Mrs. Nancy G. Bryant.

Mr. Bryant will be remembered by his friends and family for his generosity and love of the outdoors. He was always one to help a neighbor or friend in need and will be dearly missed.

In addition to his wife, Herbert is survived by one sister, one brother and two grandchildren.

Herbert was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Stockton; son, Chad Bryant; and four brothers.

The family is planning a memorial and will announce details at a later date.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations – Pickens Chapel is assisting the family of Mr. Bryant.

 

PATRICIA ‘TRISH’ LUCILLE HESTER

PICKENS — Patricia “Trish” Lucille Hester, 58, of Pickens, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, at her home in Pickens.

Born in Pickens, she was the daughter of the late Paul Kelley and Myrtie Lucille Ramey.

Trish was blessed with such a big heart. She loved animals and never turned a stray away. Trish adored her furbaby, Gracie. Trish could do anything that she set her mind to. She could do any type of repair without any help. Trish loved spending time at the lake and mountains and working in her yard.

Survivors include her daughters, Tonya Johnson (Doug) of Easley, Nikki Gale “Golden Child” Bolding (Jeremy) of Pickens; a son, Adam Hester of Easley; sisters, Diane McCall (Alvin) and Brenda Mosley; brothers, Donnie and Alton Kelly. Special thanks to her niece, Shannon Ray. Trish also leaves behind her grandchildren, Kaleb, Ella, AJ, Shy, Ciairra and Raine; her grand God children Hunter, Cassie and Charity Bolding to share in her memories.

In addition to her parents, Paul and Myrtie Kelly, she was also predeceased by her brother, Tommy Joe Kelley.

The family requests that memorials or donations be sent to gofund.me/4d898bd5 or to the Pickens County Animal Shelter.

A celebration of life and potluck will be held at New Hope Baptist Church “Outside Fellowship” in Pickens from noon-1:30 p.m. Oct. 21. We also ask that everyone bring a dish. We will share some of our favorite memories of Trish.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations- Pickens Chapel is serving the Hester family.