ANNIE CHRISTINE COX

PICKENS — Annie Christine Cox, 92, wife of the late Alfred L Cox, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Mrs. Cox was born Dec. 14, 1927, in Oconee County, a daughter of the late Jules Henderson and Ethel Carpenter Henderson.

Annie was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church in Pickens. She was a loyal employee of Sangamo Electric for many years.

Survivors include her daughters, Lou C. Watson, (Jerry), Patsy C. Sanders and Lynda C. Payne, (Jimmy) all of Pickens; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Annie was predeceased by her parents.

There will be a private service at a later date.

The family members will be at their respective homes.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Cox family.

C.E. ‘BUD’ TURNER

EASLEY — Mr. Clarence Elton “Bud” Turner, 93, husband of the late Margie Forister Turner, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.

Born in Pickens County, a son of the late James Franklin Turner and the late Frances Josephine Jones Turner, Mr. Turner retired from John D. Hollingsworth on Wheels Inc. and was an active member of Brushy Creek Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and secretary treasurer.

Bud was a member of the Bates Masonic Lodge No. 189 AFM and served as past grand commander of the State Lodge of South Carolina.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II.

Surviving are a son, Dennis Elton Turner and his wife, Abbey Sheftel Turner, of Travelers Rest; a grandson, David Michael Turner and his wife, Stacey Wade Turner, of Powdersville; and three grandchildren, Cason, Holden and Ella Turner.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Turner was predeceased by two brothers, Leon Franklin Turner and Thomas Jack Turner; and a sister, Mary Ellen Turner.

Funeral services were held on Dec. 15 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with Rev. Rodney Graham and Rev. Dr. Nick McClellan officiating. Burial followed in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Family members are at their respective homes.

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

CHARLES ‘RICKY’ EPPES

LIBERTY — Mr. Charles “Ricky” Richard Eppes, 71, husband of Judy Posey Eppes, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020.

Born in Greenville County, a son of the late William Isaac Epps and the late Thelma Louise Daniel Eskew, Mr. Eppes retired from Advanced Doors with 25-plus years of service and was an active member of Deliverance Tabernacle Church of God.

Ricky was very talented, having built and painted many hot rods, but his greatest love was his family. He will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 21 years, are a son, Brandon Richard Eppes of Powdersville; three daughters, Shana Denise Parrish (Jeff), Donna Lynn Morris (Charles) and Patches Elaine Allison (Richard), all of Easley; a brother, Michael Eskew (Chrissy) of Liberty; two sisters, Lib Bagwell (Barry) of Easley and Tammy Gilliard (Bobby) of Greenville; two half-sisters, Terry Wolosin and Billiejo Eppes, both of New Jersey; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Dec. 12 at Deliverance Tabernacle Church of God.

Burial followed at Graceland Cemetery-West.

The family is at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Shana and Jeff Parrish.

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

IRIS ANDERSON JORDAN AIKEN

EASLEY — Iris Anderson Jordan Aiken, 81, wife of Harold Lloyd Aiken Jr., passed away on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020.

Born in Aiken, she was the daughter of the late Brookie and Irene Griffith Anderson and wife to the late Rev. Carl Jordan. She was a member of Liberty First Baptist Church and was a former release time teacher with Pickens County Christian Learning Center. Mrs. Aiken was a loving pastor’s wife and mother.

She enjoyed shopping and buying things for her grandchildren.

Mrs. Aiken is survived by her loving husband of eight years, Harold Lloyd Aiken Jr.; children, Kenneth Jordan (Sue) of Seneca, Cynthia Fern (David) of Simpsonville, Stephen Aiken (Melissa) of Easley, Toddy Aiken (Maleah) of Six Mile, Chris Aiken (Jodi) of Nashville, N.C., and Jennifer Collins (Stoney) of Easley; daughter-in-law, Angela Todd; brother, Tom Anderson of Dothan, Ala.; sisters, Lilian Tool of Martinez, Ga., and Carolyn Bazzle of Aiken; grandchildren, Seth Hagan (Kandice), Daniel Hagan (Pam), Chandler Jordan, Spencer Jordan, Gabriel Jordan, Sean Collins, Erin Collins, Cade Collins, Allie Collins, Collin Aiken, Carson Aiken, Breanna Aiken, Brooklyn Aiken, Hayden Aiken, Dillon Aiken, Shannon Polk, Shelby Polk and Garrett Polk; and great-grandchildren, Corey Kelley, Lauren Kelley, Hannah Hagan, Leah Hagan, Lucas Hagan, Cooper Hagan and Hunter Hagan.

She was predeceased by her parents; first husband, Rev. Carl Jordan; son, Steve Jordan; brothers, John Anderson and James Anderson; sisters, ClaudieMae Drake, Frances Hallman and Gladys Bearden; and grandson, Tony Kelley.

A private graveside service will be held at Smith Grove Baptist Church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Pickens County Christian Learning Center, 123 Fleetwood Drive, Easley, SC 29640.

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

KEITH THOMAS

LIBERTY — Keith Thomas, 80, made his final journey to rest in heaven at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson on Saturday, Dec 12, 2020.

It was a blessed, peace-filled departure after a four-year battle with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on Aug. 13, 1940, in Clearwater, he was the youngest son of the late Cebastian “Bass” Thomas and Cora Gunter Thomas. The family moved from Clearwater to Liberty the summer of Keith’s 12th birthday. As the youngest of four siblings, Keith was predeceased by his parents, Bass and Cora, as well as his sister, Dorothy Thomas Burns.

Keith is survived by his oldest sister, Betty Thomas Owens of Bath and brother and lifetime best friend, Kenneth Thomas of Liberty. Keith’s pride and joy of life were his son, Tim (Marsha) Thomas, and two granddaughters, Natalie and Gracie, all of Maryland. Distance did not lessen Keith’s joy of being “Pop” to them. One of the last moments that Keith was able to recognize was a phone call from Tim: Tim’s voice and stories of the girls’ activities of the day brought a smile to his face. A final, “I love you, son” came from his lips.

Keith’s extended family includes Ken’s children and grandkids, Eric Thomas and daughter Olivia and boyfriend Bradley Adcox of Liberty; Derek (Becky) Thomas and kids, Dakota and Heather of Six Mile; and Debra (Mark) Youngblood of Kingston, Tenn. Keith was always part of these family times. His presence will be missed, but his memories will be celebrated with joy and laughter at our gatherings. We will see you again!

The family will have a graveside service at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at Liberty Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local senior center or hospice center, as these organizations serve those in need.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation services are handling arrangements.

JOAN KATHERINE DOWNS ROSEMOND

PICKENS — Joan Katherine Downs Rosemond, 90, of Pickens, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.

Born on June 14, 1930, in Manhattan, N.Y., she was the only child of Robert and Wilhelmina “Billie” (Woods) Downs of New York.

Joan was raised in New York during the swingin’ and jazz days of the Harlem Renaissance and attended a private school for elite African-Americans in New York, where she graduated with honors. A beauty at the age of 18, she met and married the late Claude Demetrius of Bath, Maine, an American songwriter for Louis Armstrong and Elvis Presley, who also wrote scores and musicals in New York.

Always on the road traveling extensively, she devoted her time to her mother, husband and only child, Bruce “Duru” Demetrius, a gifted percussionist and musician. She was a Christian and knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

In 1975, she met and married the late Alonzo Lowell Rosemond. They settled in New York and later moved to Pickens. She worked as a long-term care CNA in Greenville and Pickens for many years. She was quite the lover of all animals, but especially dogs and cats. She gave generously to the many animal rescue and shelters throughout the state.

She is survived by her loving son, Bruce “Duru” Demetrius of San Francisco, Calif.; and her four grandchildren, Xiomara of New York, Adeyemi and Lena of San Francisco, and Alejandro of Miami, Fla.; one great-grandson, Alejandro Jr.; as well as her two beloved dogs, terrier “BeeBee” and chihuahua “CJ.”

She also leaves to mourn three stepchildren, Thelma (Jim) Perkins of Easley; Mary Rosemond of Detroit, Mich., and the late Alonzo Lowell Rosemond, II of Battle Creek, Mich.; three nieces, Betty J. Kelly of Greenville, Lura Mae Allen of Easley and Yvonne Allen of Detroit; her great-niece, Cheryl Allen-Bailey of Easley, who took care of her later in life and said “she was such a joy and so full of life and history”; and her best friends and coworkers, Eva Robinson of Greenville and Ann George of Bowling Green, Ky., who said “we were best friends for over 30 years — she was loving, caring and generous, and I will miss her and treasure our friendship.”

And, to her many family and friends — she was loved and will be missed dearly.

Her wishes were to be cremated, and she will be interred in a mausoleum with her parents in New York.

A memorial is planned for 2021.

“If I can help somebody, as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”

The family wishes to thank Halcyon Hospice of Greenville and Mrs. Mary Jo Holley of Pickens for the many acts of kindness, and for your thoughts, words, deeds and calls of comfort during our time of bereavement.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Rosemond family.

JOANN GILLESPIE

PENDLETON — JoAnn Gillespie, 86, of Pendleton, died on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Central, she was a daughter of the late Jimmy and Lois Gillespie.

She was retired from JP Stevens and was a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church.

JoAnn was a woman of faith who loved people and family.

Surviving are a sister, Marilyn Gillespie of the home; a brother, Jimmy C. Gillespie of Liberty; and numerous nieces and nephews who adored JoAnn.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Dobson and Judy Weldon, and a brother, Graham Gillespie.

Funeral services to honor JoAnn’s life were conducted on Dec. 14 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial was held at Flat Rock Baptist Church cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The family will be at their respective homes.

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

CLARA ANNE SMITH

EASLEY — Clara Anne Smith, 84, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.

A native of Pickens County, Anne was born on Nov. 1, 1936, a daughter of the late William Carl Davis and Mary Louise McKinney Davis.

Anne loved to read and sing, do crossword puzzles and take trips to the beach. Anne was a former member of the Brushy Creek Church Choir.

Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Skillman of Pickens; four sons, Greg Smith (Kathy) of Pickens, David Smith (Lisa) of Pickens, Scott Smith of Easley and Tim Smith of Easley; five grandchildren, Julie Harmon, Jimmy Chapman, Zach Smith, Sandee Smith and Channing Maddox; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Smith was predeceased by one brother, Norman “Nob” Davis.

A memorial service to honor Ms. Smith’s life will be held at a later date.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.