MAT HERNDON

EASLEY — Claude Meadors “Mat” Herndon, 85, husband of Melissa Jane Durham Herndon, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021.

Mat was born in Abbeville, the son of the late Edward Herndon and Corrine Bonds Sharpe. He was a graduate of Calhoun Falls High School and then served in the United States Army. After his service, he attended Newberry College, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He later received his masters degree in education from Furman University and studied at both Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.

A lifelong educator, Mat taught and coached at Pickens High School, Abbeville High School and Byrnes High School prior to serving as principal of Pickens Junior High School. He went on to be the director of secondary education for the School District of Pickens County and retired as assistant superintendent in 1988.

Mat was a faithful and active member of Easley First Baptist Church. He served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent. He enjoyed singing in the Heart Song Choir, volunteering at the church-sponsored basketball camp and delivering for Meals on Wheels.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jane Herndon; daughters, Lisa Fowler (Chantz) of Pendleton, Betts Batson (Keith) of Powdersville and Marie Gardner (Jonathan) of Greenville; a son, David Herndon (Julie) of Lexington; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mat was predeceased by infant twins, two sisters and a brother.

Funeral services were conducted on Feb. 15 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. John Adams officiating. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park with military honors.

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

The family would like to thank Alana, Angie and the staff at Open Arms Hospice for their compassionate care of Mat over the past five months.

Memorials may be made to Easley First Baptist Church, Miracle Hill or Open Arms Hospice.

ROBERT (BOBBY) MARION EVANS

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Robert (Bobby) Marion Evans, 82, peacefully passed away on Feb. 6, 2021, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C.

Born and raised in Pickens, Bobby was the son of the late Ralph and Elizabeth Evans. He was a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church. After graduation from Pickens High School, employment followed at the S.C. Highway Department until retirement after 30 years of services.

Bobby became a beloved resident in assisted living and later in the skilled nursing care unit at the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community in Asheville, N.C.

The family is very thankful and appreciative for the loving and compassionate care Bobby received while a resident at Deerfield.

He is survived by a brother, Jack Evans of Pickens, and a sister, Jane Best of Arden, N.C. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens.

BARBARA CHANDLER

LIBERTY — Barbara Workman Chandler, 74, died on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at the Cottingham Hospice House.

Born in Laurens, she was a daughter of the late James and Annis Workman. She worked many years in home healthcare prior to her retirement.

Surviving are a son, Frank Jones of Liberty; a sister, Ruth Lollis of Easley; five grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Connelly; and a grandson, Brandon Connelly.

Funeral services for Ms. Chandler were held on Feb. 12 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial was held at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

The live stream of her service may be viewed by visiting her obituary at libertymortuary.com.

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

CODY MOSER

PICKENS — Cody Brandon Moser, 22, of Pickens, died on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at Anderson Area Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Easley, he was a son of Sammy Moser and Tammy Anthony.

He graduated from Liberty High School in 2017. He loved music, four-wheelers and especially watching his brother race.

Surviving, in addition to his parents of the home, are a brother, J.B. Moser (Candice) of Pickens; a sister, Amy Irwin (Will) of Easley; four nieces, Faye Elizabeth Irwin, Brianna Irwin, Emmy Moser and Ella Moser; a nephew, Alex Sherman; two aunts, Barbara “Aunt B” Moser and Tina Anthony; two uncles, Jimmy Moser and Michael “Patch” Anthony (Jackie); his furry friend, Zoey; and numerous cousins and friends who loved him dearly.

Funeral services to honor Cody’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and CDC guidelines concerning social distancing, seating for the service will be limited to 50 people, and masks are required at all events.

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

REV. WAYNE HOXIT

PICKENS — Rev. Wayne Hoxit, 84, husband of Kathleen Galloway Hoxit, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021.

Rev. Hoxit was born in Jackson County, N.C., son of the late Vesse and Ollie Mae Galloway Hoxit. He was retired from Alice Manufacturing Co. and served his Lord as a Baptist minister. Rev. Hoxit was a member of Rocky Bottom Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Kathleen Hoxit; sons, Chester Hoxit (Cecilia) of Easley and Wayne DeLee of Greenville; daughters, Belva Jean Flemings (Christopher) of Ocala, Fla., and Angela Bowen (Michael) of Pickens; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Hoxit was predeceased by two brothers, three sisters and two daughters.

Graveside services were conducted on Feb. 14 at Hillcrest Memorial Park, with the Rev. Justin Anderson officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at www.lbda.org.

Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardhillcrest.com.

R. RAY DUNCAN

LIBERTY — R. Ray Duncan, 97, husband of Martha McWhorter Duncan, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021.

Born in Anderson County, he was the son of the late Ulen and Ovlene Brown Duncan.

Ray was a pilot, worked in construction (including the Hartwell Dam), taught at Pickens High School and retired from the U.S. Department of Labor as an HR specialist. He also served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

He enjoyed traveling, gardening, woodworking, reading and working the daily newspaper puzzles.

In addition to his wife of 55 years, Ray is survived by a daughter, Jan Welborn (Lynn); a son, Ray D. “Buster” Duncan; three grandchildren, Matthew Welborn (Joanna), Andrew Welborn (Phay Vanh) and Emily Welborn (Brian Talus); and three great-grandchildren, Lana, Lisa and Ike Welborn.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Every; and a daughter-in-law, Margaret McAdams Duncan.

A graveside service was held on Feb. 13 at the Carmel Presbyterian Church cemetery in Liberty.

Memorials may be made to Carmel Memorial Society, 335 McWhorter Road, Easley, SC 29642.

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

Joel Randolph ‘Randy’ Holliday

Easley — Joel Randolph “Randy” Holliday, 67, son of the late Roy Hulet Holliday and Ellender Adcox Holliday, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, at his home.

Randy is survived by his children, Stephanie Bagwell of Central, Gina Scruggs of Pickens and Hannah Holliday of Easley; grandchildren, Shaina Byrd, Nacho Cruz, Andrew Bagwell, Lori Cruz, Makenna Bagwell and Joshua Scruggs; and great-grandchildren; Joah Byrd, Andie Byrd and Kit Bagwell.

Mr. Holliday was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Michael Holliday; a sister, Kimberly Tant; and a grandson, Levi Bagwell.

Randy was a member of Gap Hill Church of God.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Holliday family.

CAROL N. DURHAM

EASLEY — Carol Jean Norman Durham, 70, of Antioch Road, beloved wife of Steve Durham, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at her home.

Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late James Claude Norman and Arygle Knecht Norman.

Carol was a follower of Jesus who cared for and served others throughout her life. She loved her husband, her family and her church. She was an active member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where she served in the children’s ministry and the Women’s Missionary Union. Carol spent 20 years as a teacher’s aide with Easley First United Methodist Church Daycare. She also enjoyed reading, completing projects around her home, thrift shopping, camping, gardening and water skiing. All who knew her testify of her selflessness, her joy, her gift of listening and her exceptional attention to detail.

Surviving are her husband of 50 years, Steve Durham; a daughter, Jenny Durham Wade and her husband, Steven, of Louisburg, N.C.; a son, Nathan Durham and his wife, Elizabeth, of Taylors; grandchildren, Caleb, Sarah, Lydia and Anna Wade, Eliza Durham and Castle Durham (on the way); and a brother, Randy Norman and his wife, Susan, of Powdersville.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family respectfully asks that everyone wear a mask and following social distancing guidelines.

The family will receive friends immediately following the graveside service.

Carol will lie in state on Wednesday from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the church, for those wishing to pay their respects.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Interim Hospice, 810 Powdersville Road, Suite B, Easley, SC 29642.

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

Billy Ray Gilstrap

LIBERTY — Billy Ray Gilstrap, 85, husband for 66 years to Sue Stephens Gilstrap, passed away on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at North Greenville Hospital.

Mr. Gilstrap was born and raised in Cateechee and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley.

Billy Ray is survived by his wife, Sue; a son, Randy Gilstrap (Kelly) of Liberty; grandchildren, Steve Gilstrap (Michelle) of Liberty, Ashley James (Scott) of Anderson and Stan Gilstrap of Greenville; and great-grandchildren, Bo, Arden Claire and Colt.

Mr. Gilstrap was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Gilstrap and Callie Elizabeth Holden Gilstrap; sisters, Polly McGill and Willie Mae McJunkin; and a brother, Lloyd Gilstrap.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the chapel of Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church Building Fund.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Gilstrap family.

Phillip Terry Patterson

PICKENS — Phillip Terry Patterson, 63, husband of 38 years to Tammy Frances Todd Patterson, passed away on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Greenville Memorial Hospital, after a long hard fight of declining health.

Phillip is survived by his wife, Tammy; his mother, Cecil Ethel Smith Patterson of Liberty; a daughter, Crystal Alisha Patterson (Kenny Babb) of Easley; grandchildren, Maria Alisha Babb and Gabriella Karissa Babb; and brothers, Michael Glenn Patterson (Vickie) of Easley, Danny Steven Patterson of Liberty, Leland Anthony Patterson (Leea) of Liberty and Donald Kenneth Patterson Jr. (Elisha) of Easley.

Mr. Patterson was predeceased by his father, Donald Kenneth Patterson Sr., and a son, Terry Allen Patterson.

Phillip was a skilled carpenter for more than 15 years and had the ability to fix anything.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, at the Flat Rock Baptist Church cemetery in Liberty.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Patterson family.

Wilton R. Sanders

Easley — Wilton R. Sanders, 96, husband of the late Doris Mae Smith Sanders, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at Richard Campbell Veterans Nursing Home.

Mr. Sanders is survived by a daughter, Martha Tant of Easley; a son, Barry Sanders of Easley; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Wilton was predeceased by his wife, Doris; parents, Jay Patrick Sanders and Lorene Sanders; daughters, Sheila Marie Sanders and Joyce Lorene Roland; brothers, Wayne Sanders and Jerry Sanders; and a sister, Bethel Alexander.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, at Liberty City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Sanders family.