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Former Six Mile mayor dies

The Rev. Dr. Leroy Stewart

SIX MILE — The Rev. Dr. Homer Leroy Stewart, 88, of Six Mile, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at AnMed Health.

Born in Six Mile, he was a son of the late Homer F. and Rosa Lusk Stewart. Rev. Stewart was a member of Six Mile Baptist Church, and was a United States Navy SeaBees veteran of the Korean War era.

The Rev. Stewart was a graduate of Furman University (BA), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M. Div.) and Andersonville Theological Seminary (D. Min.). During his life of ministry, he pastored numerous churches in South Carolina, North Carolina and New York: Boone’s Creek Baptist Church, Denny Terrace Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Eastside Baptist Church, New Sandy Creek Baptist Church, Vaughan Baptist Church and Gardeners Baptist Church. His proudest achievements were being a pastor, the youngest mayor of Six Mile, a Navy SeaBee, and chaplain general of the N.S.S.A.R.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce B. Stewart of the home; two sons, Michael Leroy Stewart (Joyce) and Gregory Lynne Stewart (Dayle) both of Six Mile; a sister, Francis Blanton of Fla.; five grandchildren, Robert Stewart, Sarah Gravely (Richie), Tyler Stewart, Rebekah Nations (Dalton) and Julia Stewart; and two great-grandchildren, Tiffany Gravely and Franklin Stewart.

He was predeceased by his sister, Helen Morgan.
Memorial services to honor Rev. Stewart’s life were held Oct. 31 at Six Mile Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Six Mile Baptist Church, P.O. Box 134, Six Mile SC 29682, or the charity of one’s choice.

Matthew 11:28 – “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Christine Pilgrim

Norris — Christine Pilgrim, 77, of 273 Garrett Drive, died Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, at her home.

Born in Six Mile, she was the widow of Bobby Joe Pilgrim and a daughter of the late Leroy and Nina Pinion Pilgrim. She was retired from ECP. She enjoyed reading and fishing and was an “Honorary Golf Instructor.” She was a longtime member of Faith Baptist Church.

Surviving are a daughter, Marlene Holcombe (Bobby) of Spartanburg; two sons, Steve Pilgrim (Shirley) of Norris, and Michael Pilgrim (Allison) of Easley; two sisters, Mildred Dodson and Pauline Hall, both of Six Mile; three brothers, Junior, Jerry and J.D. Pilgrim all of Six Mile; six grandchildren, Mark and Scott Pilgrim, Christy Caron, C.J. and Chris Holcombe, and Tanner Pilgrim; and nine great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents she was predeceased by four sisters, Edith Cartee, Hazel Rampey, Ovaline Marcus and Katie Maxey; and four brothers, Furman, Don Lee, David and Billy Joe Pilgrim.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Pilgrim were held Oct. 27 in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel with burial following at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to express their gratitude to her special caregiver, Ashley Owens for the love and compassion she has shown during her illness.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made Providence Care Hospice: 202 Wall Street Piedmont, SC 29673.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements. www.libertymortuary.com

Barney Keanum, Jr.

Easley — Mr. Barney Keanum, Jr., 48, passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, at his home.

Barney was born in Greenville County, on Jan. 13, 1968, to the late Barney Keanum, Sr. and Frances Rebecca Caldwell Jennings. He worked for JP Stephens as a HVAC technician.

Mr. Keanum is survived by a sister, Margaret Dixon of Piedmont; and a brother, Rodney Vinson of Pickens.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister; Sarah Nell Fessenden.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Margaret Collins Head

Six Mile — Margaret Collins Head, 93, of Six Mile, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016.

She was born on April 30, 1923 in Hendersonville, N.C., to the late Liphus D. Collins and Sallie Sherman Collins.

She was the wife of the late Roy Lee Head of Six Mile, who passed away on Jan. 1, 1997.

She is survived by her son, Robbie Lee Head (Jackie) of Six Mile; her granddaughter, Tyler Leanne Head of Six Mile.

She is preceded in death by her brothers, Stanley Collins, Harold Collins, Paul Collins, Fred Collins, Arthur Collins, and Floyd Collins.

Margaret retired as a Real Estate Broker in Brevard, N.C.; a past Worthy Matron of Order of Eastern Star; and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Brevard, N.C.

She was a member of Six Mile Baptist Church.

Funeral services were held Oct. 29 at Six Mile Baptist Church with interment following at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Margaret’s name may be made to Hospice of the Upstate.

David Andrews Sr.

Pickens — David Timothy Andrews Sr., husband of Cheryl Andrews passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital.

Born in Elmira, N.Y., he was a son of the late Earl and Beula Smith Andrews. He was a self employed carpenter and jack of all trades.

He was also a United States Navy Veteran of the Korean War.

Surviving in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Tina Hamilton of Greenville, and Jennifer Rogers of Pickens; two sons, David Andrews, Jr. of Pickens, and Tim Andrews of Greenville; a sister, Carol McCollum of W.Va.; a brother, Daniel Andrews of Pickens; also surviving are 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A gathering to celebrate his life will be held, Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. at the home of Tim and Kelli Andrews, 203 Lincoln Street, Greenville S.C.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Linda Duncan Meyers

Marietta — Mrs. Linda Duncan Meyers, 71, of Marietta, loving wife of the late Hammond Meyers, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, at Oconee Hospice of the Foothills – Cottingham House.

Mrs. Meyers was born in Marietta on June 11, 1945 to the late Cleland and Kathleen Talley Duncan. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Pickens County School district. An animal lover, Mrs. Meyers could spend all day on her back porch with her chickens, and enjoyed to garden, sew, and spend time with her family. She was a member of Jones Hill Church of God.

Linda is survived by a daughter; Kimberly Robyn Meyers of the Home; two sons; Michael David Meyers of N.C., and Justin Daniel Meyers of Tamassee; a sister; Jane Morgan of Marietta; and four grandchildren; Brittany Meyers, Wesley Meyers, James Meyers, and Ashley Meyers.

In addition to her loving husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, David Duncan.

Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, in the Chapel of Robinson Funeral Home – Powdersville Road, 1425 Powdersville Road, Easley, SC 29642. Inurnment will follow at Robinson Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to a Charity of One’s Choice.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home – Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.

Tristan Thomas Standridge

Easley — Tristan Thomas Standridge, 19, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, at his home.

Born in Pickens County, the son of Rusty Clyde Standridge and Janice Scott Standridge, Tristan was a 2015 graduate of Easley High School. He was an insurance adjuster with Esurance Insurance Services and attended St. Andrew Catholic Church in Clemson.

Surviving in addition to his parents are a sister, Gabriel S. Powles (Nicholas), of Easley; two nephews, Rhys and Pierce Powles; and his two best friends, Joseph Ritchie and Ryan Burton.

Memorial services will be 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

Family members are at their respective homes.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Tristan.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Susan Gail Alexander

Six Mile — Susan Alexander, 58, wife of Marvin Alexander, passed away Saturday Oct. 29, 2016, at her home.

Mrs. Alexander was born in Pickens County a daughter of the late Samuel O’Dell Youngblood and Lois Audrey Merck Youngblood.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Marvin Alexander, one son; Joey Alexander (Jessica) of Six Mile, one daughter; Regina Alexander and her fiancé Martin Latta of Six Mile; one sister; Shirley Stubblefield of Six Mile; two brothers; Earnest Youngblood of Six Mile and James Youngblood of Pigeon Forge; and four grandchildren; Audrey Alexander, Hunter Alexander, Levi Alexander and Austin Alexander. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Alexander is predeceased by her grandson, Brandon Alexander

Memorials may be made to Cancer Society of Greenville County 113 Mills Avenue Greenville, SC 29605,

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. The family will be at the home.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Alexander family.

Margaret D. Gilstrap

Pickens — Margaret Duncan Gilstrap, 87, widow of Richard Benson “R.B.” Gilstrap, passed from this life on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016.

Mrs. Gilstrap was born in Six Mile a daughter of the late Virgil B. and Etta Ross Duncan. A local entrepreneur, she retired in 1992 as owner and operator of Pickens Flower Shop for over 40 years. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, former president of Pickens Women’s Club, former state president of Arts and Crafts GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs), a member of Easley Business and Professional Women, and Cannon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Survivors include her son Richard B. Gilstrap, III (Ann) of Stuarts Draft, Va.; her daughter Vicki Gilstrap Porter of Pickens; grandchildren Ben Porter (Alison), R.B. “Rick” Gilstrap, IV (Heather), Drew Porter, and Maggie Shelley (Matt), and great-grandchildren Robert Holden Porter, Clara Ann Shelley, and twins Victoria Margaret Gilstrap and Annora Rose Gilstrap. Also surviving are brothers Johnny W. Duncan of Clemson, and Ronnie B. Duncan of Six Mile and her beloved Boston Terrier, Pug.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gilstrap was preceded in death by siblings Sara D. Gantt, Helen D. Towe, Buddy Joe Duncan, Richard Elmer Duncan, Harvey Leonard Duncan, and Wade Andrew Duncan.

The family will receive friends at Dillard Funeral Home on Friday Nov. 4 from 1 – 2:30 p.m., with funeral services to follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Entombment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family is at the home of Vicki G. Porter.

Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 309 East Cedar Rock Street, Pickens, SC 29671 or to Pickens County Meals on Wheels, 349 Edgemont Avenue, Liberty, SC 29657.

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

The family is at the home of Vicki G. Porter, Pickens.

Caleb Ryan Carithers

COUNTY — Caleb Ryan Carithers, 2 years old, went to heaven peacefully, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, surrounded by his family, while being held in his mother’s arms.

Born on July 26, 2014, in Pickens County, he was the son of Jonathon and Shay Masker Carithers. Caleb will forever be remembered for his happiness, contagious smile and as the strongest little man his family ever knew.

Along with his parents, Caleb is survived by his big brother, Aiden Carithers; maternal Grandparents, Tammy and Steve Sims; paternal grandparents, Charlene and Daniel DeClue; maternal great-grandmother, Jewel Whitmire; paternal great-grandparents, Olin and Ruth Worrell Jarrett; maternal great-great-grandmother, Granny Moore; aunt Amanda Masker; uncle and aunt Brandon and Logan Carithers; and cousins, Ashton, Braylin, Adalynn, Stephanie and Logan.

Caleb was predeceased by maternal great-grandfather, Marion Paul Whitmire, and maternal grandfather, Harold Rodney.

Visitation was held Oct. 31 at Dillard Funeral Home. Children attending the visitation were encouraged to wear a Halloween Costume in honor of Caleb.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 1 in the Dillard Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the GHS Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy and Partnership, 300 E. McAbee Ave, Suite 503, Greenville, SC 29601.