Debra Martin Morris

EASLEY — Mrs. Debra “Debbie” Martin Morris, 58, wife of Randall “Randy” Arvin Morris, passed away Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018.

Born in Pickens County, the daughter of the late Edgar Malcolm Martin Sr. and the late Lois Brown Martin, Mrs. Morris received her B.S. degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and retired from advertising sales. She was a member of Potters Clay Fellowship.

Debbie had a passion for family, photography and the beach, and was an avid Gamecock fan.

Surviving, in addition to her husband of 34 years, are two daughters, Deanna M. Smith (Ginger) of Loris and Kelli M. Casio (Ryan) of Ft. Hood, Texas; two grandchildren, Leilani and Grayson Casio; and three brothers, Mike Martin (Judy) of Liberty, Charlie Martin (Carol) of Easley and Larry Martin (Susan) of Pickens.

Memorial services will be held at noon Thursday, Feb. 22, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, prior to the service.

The family is at the home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Debbie Morris Medical Expense Fund, P.O. Box 2446, Easley, SC 29641.

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

Esther C. Phillips

EASLEY — Esther Cooper Phillips, 91, of Farrs Bridge Road, wife of the late Tommy Ray Phillips, passed away Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018.

Born in the Eastatoe community of Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late E.A. “Cap” Cooper and Carria Hudson Cooper.

Mrs. Phillips was a homemaker and member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She enjoyed sewing and working in her garden.

She was a beloved mother to her children, Stephen Ray Phillips (Jan) and Chris A. Phillips (Fiance, Belinda Tucker), all of Easley, and Sonny K. Phillips (Maxine) of Travelers Rest; grandchildren, Lee Phillips, Ashley Phillips and Jacob Phillips (Kisha); a step-grandson, Chad Tompkins; and sisters, Margaret Burns of Pickens, Lucille Morgan of Greenville and Lydia Stewart of Florence.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by two sons, Thomas David Phillips and James Harold Phillips; sisters, Pearl Reener, Leila Ellenburg, Lilly Mae Norton, Ruth Alexander and Leona Tolliver; and brothers, Charlie Cooper and Rev. E.A. Cooper Jr.

Funeral services were held Feb. 13 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, with burial following in the church cemetery.

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

Sandi S. Sitton

EASLEY — Sandra “Sandi” Sparks Sitton, 51, of Elbert Clark Drive, passed away Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018.

Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of Lynn Hill Fortner of Easley and the late Ronald E. Sparks.

Sandi was employed with Embassy Suites on Verdae Boulevard in Greenville. She loved playing with her grandson, riding her motorcycle, painting and horses.

Surviving are her husband, Scott Sitton of the home; a daughter, Taylor Raye Brown of the home; a stepdaughter, Kaitlin Sitton Bartlet of Easley; a grandson, Landon Bartlet; and a sister, Dannielle Isley of Simpsonville.

A service to celebrate Sandi’s life was held Feb. 14 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, with burial following in Robinson Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 156 Milestone Way A, Greenville, SC 29615.

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

Benjamin L. Smith II

CENTRAL — It is with great sadness that the family announces that Benjamin Landis Smith II, 28, son of Benjamin L. and Lynne Planchard Smith of Central, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.

Ben was born in Greenville, graduated from D.W. Daniel High School, and lived in Central most of his life. He was a jack of all trades who worked many jobs, including landscaping, construction and food service, and he loved working with his hands. He was a very caring person who loved animals and enjoyed helping people.

Surviving, in addition to his parents are brothers, Matthew (Cheminne) Smith of Greensboro, N.C., Jared (Noelquis) Smith of Miami, Fla., Neil (Nadia) Smith of McLean, Va., David Melton of Belize and Sean (Shalla) Melton of Rollingsford, N.H.; a sister, Kirin (Jeff) Mitchell of Campobello; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Feb. 18 in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, with burial following in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Central.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sharing Hope, 3950 Faber Place Drive, Suite 400, Charleston, SC 29405 sharinghopesc.org.

Condolences may be expressed online at robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Emmalee Layne Budrevich

SENECA — Emmalee Layne Budrevich, 11, of 2222 Owens Road, Seneca, went home to Heaven on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018.

She was born July 9, 2006, in Clak County, Ind., to Brent Allan Swallow and Randee Lynn Budrevich. She was a sixth-grade student at Seneca Middle School. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Vie and Richard Tinius.

She is survived by her parents; a brother, Braeden Andrew Budrevich; sisters, Tatum Haliee Budrevich, Leighann Tonye Rutherford and Brent Aaron Swallow; grandmother Char-Lee Joltes Darst; and grandfather, Randy Darst.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at Brown-Oglesby Funeral Home of Seneca, with a service to begin at 6.

Brown-Oglesby Funeral Home of Seneca is in charge of the arrangements.

Claudia P. Cantrell

EASLEY — Claudia Pearson Cantrell, 97, wife of the late Loil Cantrell, passed into Glory on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.

Born in Belton, she was a daughter of the late Charlie Claude and Eugenia Thrasher Pearson.

Mrs. Cantrell was a member of First Baptist Church of Easley. She enjoyed helping and caring for others. She retired as a nursing assistant at Baptist Easley Hospital and did private nursing duty.

She was a beloved mother to her children, Sheila Cantrell Anthony and Marty Cantrell (Janet), all of Easley; grandchildren, Matt Anthony (Rita) of Pickens, Corey Anthony (Charlotte) of Greenwood, and Kevin Cantrell and Kristi Cantrell of Easley; and great-grandchildren, Jake, Autum, Ava and Jackson.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by brothers, Ansel Pearson, Alfred Pearson, William Pearson, Donald Pearson and Robert Pearson; and sisters, Louise Jordan, Alma Chastain, Helen McCurry and Janie Waldrop. She is the last surviving sibling.

Funeral services were held Feb. 14 in Robinson Funeral Home Chapel downtown, with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 300 E. First Ave., Easley, SC 29640.

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

Mildred Reeves Ellenburg

EASLEY — Mrs. Mildred Reeves Ellenburg, 85, of Easley and wife of the late Walter A. Ellenburg, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, at Heartland West Healthcare.

Born on July 24, 1932, in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Cryder and Lula Mae Kelley Reeves. Mrs. Ellenburg was a member of Victory Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading her Bible and expressing her love for Jesus to everyone she met.

Surviving are her son, Steve W. Ellenburg (Jan); two grandchildren, Sherry McCoy (Tron) and Chad Ellenburg (Talichia), and seven great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Ellenburg was also predeceased by her daughter, Joyce M. Ellenburg, six brothers and three sisters.

Services were held Feb. 16 at Victory Baptist Church with the Rev. Greg Phillips and the Rev. Tommy Hayes officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Victory Baptist Church, 1832 Powdersville Road, Easley, SC 29642.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

Michael B. Finley

EASLEY — Michael Bruce Finley, 64, of Dacusville Highway, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Born in Greenville County, he is a son of Bruce Finley of Easley and the late Geraldine Weaver Finley.

Michael was employed with Ortec in Easley prior to his illness. He also worked for Alice Manufacturing for 34 years. He attended Calvary Hill Baptist Church and enjoyed watching college football with his daughter.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Cindy Cameron Finley; daughters, Deanna M. Finley and April L. Finley of the home; a sister, Pamela Nicholls of Greenville; a brother, Greg Finley (Judy) of Easley; and a nephew, Robbie Nicholls (Kayla).

Funeral services were held Feb. 18 in the Chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to North Greenville Hospital Long Term Acute Care, 807 North Main Street, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.

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

Steven A. Segars

CLEMSON — Steven Anthony Segars, 59, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, at his home in Clemson.

Born in Greenville, Steven was the son of the late Edwin and Ethel Rowland Segars. He was a graduate of Lander University and worked in many trades including food service and auto sales. Steven opened the original Fork Restaurant in Greer.

Surviving are sons, Stephen Michael Segars of Kernersville, N.C., and Brady (Katie Nichols) Segars of Central; grandchild, Lane Segars; and a grandchild on the way, River Segars.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed online at robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central.

Betty Prince Holcombe

EASLEY — Mrs. Betty Prince Holcombe, 83, wife of the late J.T. Holcombe, passed away Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, at her home.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Martin and Melvia Fox Prince, Mrs. Holcombe retired from Mayfair Mills-Glenwood Division and was a volunteer with Baptist Easley Hospital for more than 30 years. She was a member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church and the Sarah Smith Sunday School Class, where she served as past president.

Surviving are a son, Michael Nabors of Easley; three daughters, Dedee McKnight (Ralph) of Easley, Joyce Bibb (David) of Simpsonville and Jenny Hane (Rick) of Bryson City, N.C.; a brother, Walter Ray Prince of Calif.; two sisters, Carol Ann McCoy of Piedmont and Yvonne Lehman of Black Mountain, N.C.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Feb. 19 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Baptist Easley Hospital Volunteer Program, P.O. Box 1988, Easley, SC 29641.

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

Willie J. Crumpton

EASLEY — Willie John Crumpton, 88, husband of Edna Rebecca Harbin Crumpton, passed from this life on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018.

Mr. Crumpton was born in Walhalla, a son of the late Charlie P. and Mary Kelley Crumpton. He was retired from the Elljean Plant of Alice Manufacturing Company and was a member of Graceway Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Edna; his son, Mike Crumpton of the home; his daughters, Debbie Nabors (Mark) and Teresa Gray all of Easley and Wanda Hampton of Liberty; and his sister, Jessie Smith of Liberty. Also surviving are four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services were held Feb. 16 in the Dillard Funeral Home chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

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

Brenda J. Nicholson

SENECA — Brenda J. Nicholson of 294 Leroy Road, Seneca, went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, Feb. 16, 2018.

She was born Aug. 26, 1951, to the late Grady and Bessie Pearl Hightower. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and a sister.

She is survived by her husband, Milton Leroy Nicholson; son, Frederick Nicholson; daughters, Joyce Ann Hill and Alice Marie Nicholson; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services were held Feb. 20 at Brown-Oglesby Funeral Home chapel, with Byron Fincannon officiating and burial following in Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery.

Brown-Oglesby Funeral Home of Seneca is in charge of the arrangements.

Jessie Evelyn Duncan Merck

PICKENS — Jessie Evelyn Duncan Merck, 89, wife of the late R.C. Merck, passed from this life Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, at the Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca.

Born in Pickens County, Evelyn was a daughter of the late Homer Allen and Grace Kelley Duncan. She was a member of Gap Hill Baptist Church, a member of the Cannon Memorial Auxiliary, retired from Brunswick Yarns and was a former resident at Park Place in Seneca.

Mrs. Merck was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Survivors include her daughter Tracy Richardson (Phillip) of West Union; grandchildren Anna Marie Richardson Preza (Bladimir), Stephanie Richardson Kelley (Jeff); great grandchildren Phillip Tyler Richardson, Emily Tubik, Allison Tubik, Brooklyn Preza and Bladimir Preza, Jr.

Mrs. Merck was predeceased by her parents, her husband and a sister Jerlean Merck.

Services were held Feb. 18 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Merck family.

Joshua Heath Bagwell

PICKENS — Joshua Heath Bagwell, 36, passed away Tuesday Feb. 13, 2018, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Bagwell was born in Pickens County, the son of his late father Dale Edward Bagwell and survived by his mother Caroline B Tripp and stepfather John Tripp of Easley. He loved football, and his favorite team was the Georgia Bulldogs. He also loved racing and adored his family.

Survivors include his fiancé, Amanda Brown of Pickens; one daughter, Skylyn Marie Brown of the home; one brother, Thaddus Dale Bagwell (Roxanne) of Liberty; two uncles, Brian Davenport (Jenny) of Seneca and Joey Bagwell (Tonda) of Liberty; niece, Aubrey, and nephew, Dylan Bagwell; and grandparents, Joe and Nancy Bagwell of Liberty and Patricia Ann Davenport of Texas.

Services were held Feb. 19 at Mountain View Funeral Home, with burial following in Liberty Gardens.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Bagwell family.

Ross Jeff Moon

SIX MILE — Ross Jeff Moon, 72, husband of the late Betty Sue Moon, went to be with the Lord Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, in Greenville.

Mr. Moon was born in Pickens County, son of the late Salome Curtis Moon and Jefferson Warrior Moon.

Ross was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He also had a love for the lake and all of his friends.

Survivors include one daughter, Betsy Childs (Brendan) of Newburyport, Mass.; one son, Jeff Moon (Tina Gantt) of Pickens; three grandchildren, Bradlee Moon, Grady Childs and Mason Childs; and three sisters, Judy Witte, Marlene Maness and Vickie Perry.

Services were held Feb. 16 at Mountain View Funeral Home, with burial following in Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Mr. Moon was predeceased by his wife and one sister, Mary Jo Reynolds.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Moon family.

Helene K. Benson

CLEMSON — Helene Antonia “Toni” Kraus Benson died on Feb. 12, 2018, in Clemson.

She was born on Aug. 5, 1927, in Palmerton, Pa., to Edward Louis Kraus and Anna Corey Kraus. She is survived by her sons, Richard (Leslie) and Eric (Lisa); grandchildren, Ted (Grace), Alex, Stephanie, James, Kenneth and Corey (Michelle) Benson, and Emily (Will) Martin; three great-grandchildren, Everest Benson, Lucy Martin and Amelia Martin; and sister, Gretchen (Thomas) Burroughs.

She was predeceased by her husband, Willard R. Benson, and their son, W. Todd (Tami) Benson.

Toni grew up in Slatington, Pa., and moved to Dover, N.J., while she was in high school, where she met Willard.

She graduated from Douglass College, the Women’s College at Rutgers University, and married Willard shortly thereafter in 1949. She spent most of her career as an elementary school teacher. She loved teaching, and her students loved her.

She was an avid pianist and singer, and had fond memories of singing three- and four-part harmony in her college choral group, The Weepies. Toni loved dogs, and had several beloved Cairn Terriers throughout her life.

After years of working, raising their boys and volunteering with various community organizations, Willard and Toni retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina in 1986. Toni spent many happy years there playing tennis, entertaining friends, playing piano and volunteering in after-school programs. In 2007, Willard and Toni moved to Clemson.

Toni’s family wishes to thank the many kind nurses and staff at the Sterling House, Clemson Downs Health Care Center, and Providence Care Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care. They also wish to thank the parish family at Saint Andrew Catholic Church for the steadfast love and support they shared with Toni in her final years.

A funeral mass in celebration of Toni’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on April 21 at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Clemson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at https://aspca.org/ or Saint Andrew Catholic Church at http://saclemson.org/.

Condolences may be expressed online at robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central.

Josephine Emma Watson Stephens

PICKENS — Josephine Emma Stephens, 80, wife of the late Tom Walton Watson, went to be with Lord Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, in Hendersonville, N.C.

Mrs. Stephens was born in Six Mile, daughter of the late Janette Parsons Stephens and R.C. Stephens. After working for Sangamo for many years, she was a caregiver, and also a member of Lakeview Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Faye Durham (Steve) and Betty Hayes (Jeff), all of Pickens; two sisters, Annette Laney of Easley and Reba Alexander of Salem; two grandsons, Dexter Durham and Dustin Durham (Stephanie), both of Pickens; and two great-granddaughters, Emaleigh Durham and Elsie Durham, both of Pickens.

Services were held Feb. 16 at Mountain View Funeral Home. The family will have a private burial.

Mrs. Stephens was predeceased by her husband and parents.

Special thanks to Mountain Home Health and Rehab in Hendersonville, N.C., where she lived for two and a half years, and Lakeview Baptist Church for the visits, cards and support for the last several years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2434 Hudson Road #154, Greer, SC 29650 or Lakeview Baptist Church, 107 State Road S-39-122, Pickens, SC 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Stephens family.

James Andrew Armstrong

MARIETTA — Mr. James Andrew Armstrong, 72, husband of Judy Hall Armstrong, passed away Friday, Feb. 16, 2018.

Born in Greenville County, a son of the late John Lucia and Mildred Hollingsworth Armstrong, Mr. Armstrong was a graduate of Dacusville High School and retired from A and R Fire Protection. He was a member of Peters Creek Baptist Church.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 52 years, are two sons, James Eugene Armstrong (Mary) of Newberry, and Michael Allen Armstrong (Roxanne) of Marietta; a daughter, Gwen Denise Armstrong of Marietta; two sisters, Dale Moser of Greenville and Reba Gilstrap of Easley; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Armstrong was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

The family will receive friends from 9- 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, prior to the service.

The family is at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Roxanne Armstrong.

Memorials may be made to Peters Creek Baptist Church, 972 Shoals Creek Road, Easley, SC 29640.

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