Julia M. Alexander

Pickens — Ms. Julia McKenzie Alexander, 87, died Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Rose Hill Retirement Community in Marion, N.C.

A lifelong resident of Pickens County, Ms. Alexander was born a daughter of the late Ernest Franklin and Frederica McDaniel Alexander. Julia was a graduate of Pickens High School and attended Draughon’s Business College in Greenville.  She retired from Duke Power with 30 years of service, and was recognized as Duke’s first female branch manager.  She was a member of Pickens First Baptist Church.  Ms. Alexander, affectionately known as “Miss Julia”, was well known for her knowledge and records she kept of the history of the Pickens area.  College professors and historians often consulted Julia on local history.  At least three books have been written on the Alexander family heritage in the Upstate.  She was elected President Emeritus of the Pickens County Historical Society where she was a charter member.  She also received the I Fan the Flame Award from the Pickens County Revitalization Association for her support and contributions to the community.

Surviving are a sister; Frederica Black of Marion, N.C; two nieces, Linda B. Wood (Richard) of Marion, N.C, and Amy Alexander Schneider (Brett) of Lenexa, Kan.; one nephew, Joe Black (Katherine) of Buena Vista, Colo.; two great nieces, Heather Wood Anderson (Greg) and their children Grace and Molly of Marion, N.C., and Liza Wood Holmes (John) of Rock Hill.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Alexander was predeceased by a beloved brother, Vincent Holley Alexander.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. Saturday, March 22 prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pickens County Historical Society, P.O. Box 775, Pickens, SC 29671 or to Pickens First Baptist Church, 406 East Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671.

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

Gertrude Bernice Owen Galloway

Pickens — Gertrude Galloway, age 72, died Monday March 3, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital.

Mrs. Galloway was born in Transylvania County N.C., a daughter of the late Cassie Elzora Smith Owen and Avery Owen. Mrs. Galloway enjoyed cooking for her family at holiday gatherings. She also loved drawing and her family with all of her heart.

Survivors include one daughter; Tina Durham of Pickens, three sons; Johnny Posey wife Joy of Sunset, Ronnie Posey and Terri Riddle of Pickens, Randy Posey of Six Mile, three sisters; Gladys Norris husband Jack of Pickens, Hazel Couch husband Wallace of Pickens, Margaret Finney husband Doug of Pickens, two brothers; Bruce Owen of Marietta, Carlee Owen wife Cassie of Pickens, four grandchildren; Cassie Posey, Kaleb Mentrikoski, Talia Mentrikoski and Emily Kilgen.

Mrs. Galloway was predeceased by her parents and three brothers; Walter Owen, J.D. Owen and Willie B. Owen.

The Funeral Service was 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5 at Midway Baptist Church.

Burial was at Midway Baptist Church Cemetery.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Galloway family.

Inez Whitlock

Liberty — Inez Gaines Whitlock, 94, of 109 Summit Drive, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at Manna Health & Rehab in Pickens.

Born in Anderson she was the widow of Marion Franklin Whitlock and a daughter of the late Levis and Lavonia Holmes Gaines. She retired from Woodside Mills with 43 years of service and was a longtime member of Calumet Baptist Church. Mrs. Whitlock was an avid flower gardener and loved to always have a dog.

Surviving are a daughter, Joan Stephens of Liberty; three sons, Gary F. Whitlock (June), Dolan T. Whitlock (Joyce), and Tommy Whitlock all of Liberty; 17 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by three sisters, eight brothers, and a son in law, Leon Stephens.

Graveside services to honor the life of Mrs. Whitlock were 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to ARK Hospice, 101 Grace Drive, Easley SC 29640.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Suzanne Arrington

Easley — Suzanne Bedenbaugh Arrington, 70, of 112 Barnett Way, wife of the late William “Bill” Arrington, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Camden, a daughter of the late Kenneth Wilson and Susie Burns Bedenbaugh, Mrs. Arrington retired as a teacher with Willow Drive Elementary School. She was a member of LIFEchurch.  Mrs. Arrington was an inspiration to many because of her perserverance through her disabilities. Although her disabilities removed her from the public classroom, she continued to allow her passion for teaching to influence young children through ministry at the church.

Surviving are two sons, George Edward “E” Myers (Holly), Kenneth Earl Myers (Kathleen); a daughter, Melissa Leigh Myers Albertson (Rev. Chad); one brother, Kenneth Bedenbaugh; two sisters, Sylvia Hendley and Sandra Leitner; grandchildren, Eddie Myers,III, Heather DeJesus, JD, Cullen, Garrett, Rachel and Ashleigh, Andrew, Mary Beth and Caroline Albertson.

Memorial services were 5 p.m. Friday at LIFEchurch, 199 Thomas Mill Road, Dacusville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children’s Ministry of LIFEchurch, 199 Thomas Mill Road, Easley, SC 29640.

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

Laurie Y. Patton

Travelers Rest — Laurie Yvonne Lomax Patton, 39, of Travelers Rest, wife of Joel Patton died Monday, March 3, 2014.

Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of Dane and Yvonne Durham Lomax of Pickens. Laurie was a graduate of Pickens High School. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Wofford College and her M.Ed. from Penn State University. She was National Board Certified, and taught 7^th Grade Resource at Berea Middle School.

Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are her children, Durham Patton and Lula Patton; and two sisters, Mandy M. Evans and Felecia Butler.

A service to celebrate Laurie’s life was held on Saturday, March 8 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home.

Flowers accepted, or memorials may be made to the North Greenville Food Crisis Ministry, 864 N. Highway 25 Bypass Greenville, SC 29617 or www.ngfcm.org.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Patton family.

Roger Stroud

Easley — Roger Scott Stroud, 53, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Greenville, to Velma Friddle Stroud and the late Jessie Morris Stroud, Roger was a graduate of Berea High School and has been recently employed by Alice Manufacturing, Ellison Plant, for five years. He loved riding his Harley Davidson and was a member of the Harley Riders Club for many years.

Surviving, in addition to her mother, is a son, Chris Stroud; three sisters, Nancy Lyda, Judy Tinsley (Willie) and Gail Reese (Robert); a brother, Keith Stroud (Joyce); and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his father, he was predeceased by a brother, Michael Stroud.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Travelers Rest.

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

David Burdette, Jr.

Easley — David LaFayette Burdette, Jr., 75, husband of the late Nora Farrell Burdette, died Friday, March 7, 2014 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Spartanburg, to the late David L. and Catherine Bogan Burdette, he worked as a truck driver and in the machine shop at Red Arrow Products for 12 years but retired from CapsCo.

David was a loving fiancé, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend who enjoyed fishing and writing poetry. He has had several poems published, as well as put to music. David was a former Vice President of a company, an inventor and lived a life of adventure as a jack of all trades but master of none.

He is survived by his fiancé, Patricia Dimsdale; a son, David Michael Burdette (Phyllis), of Greenville; two daughters Tamria Stines (Joseph), of Easley and Nora Jean Dickerson (Billy), of Powdersville; a brother, Floyd M. Burdette (Ruth), of Travelers Rest; three sisters, Dolores Cameron (C.L.), of Stafford, Va., Mary Jo Johnson (Bobby), of Marietta and Sandra Long (Robert), of Fayetteville, N.C.; his former wife and good friend, Doris Reynolds; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and his shih tzu puppy, Jasper, “his little redneck buddy.”
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Sybil Brown.

Memorial services were 2 p.m. Monday, March 10 at Crosswell Apostolic Church.

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

Vicky H. Craig

Central — Vicky Ann Hughes Craig, 62, of 108 Eaton Street and wife of Tony H. Craig, died Friday, March 7, 2014 at the Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca.

Born in Oconee County, Vicky was a daughter of the late Wade D. and Mary Smith Hughes.  She was a graduate of Seneca High School and the Alpha Beauty School.  She was a licensed beautician for over 30 years and the owner of Vicky’s Beauty Salon in Central.  She was a long time member of Cannon Memorial Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Michael A. (Nancy) Craig of Norris and Joseph J. (Carolyn) Craig of Central; sisters, Jean Holder and Jill Patterson both of Seneca; grandchildren, Wade, Logan and Justin Craig; and step-granddaughter, Kayla Love.

Funeral services were 2 p.m., Tuesday at Cannon Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Perry officiating.  Burial followed in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

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

James O. Spearman

Easley — Mr. James Oliver “Jimbo” Spearman, 65, died Thursday, March 6, 2014 at McCall Hospice House.

Born in Anderson County, a son of Hazel Sentell Spearman and the late David Franklin Spearman, Mr. Spearman attended Carolina Community Church.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are three brothers, Roy Spearman of Simpsonville, Kenneth Spearman of Pickens, and Terry Spearman of Easley; and a sister, Gladys Christine Locke of Pickens.

In addition to his father, Mr. Spearman was predeceased by three brothers, Furman Franklin Spearman, David Thomas Spearman, and Edward Spearman; and a sister, Linda Holmes.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Monday, March 10 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with the Rev. John Wayne Revis officiating. Burial followed in Robinson Memorial Gardens, 1425 Powdersville Road, Easley, SC 29642.

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

Prue Eston Rigdon

Pickens — Prue Eston Rigdon, age 77, died Saturday March 8, 2014 at Hendersonville Health and Rehab.

Mr. Rigdon was born in Pickens County, son of the late Vergie Roper Rigdon and Eston Rigdon. Mr. Rigdon was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church.

Survivors include two children; Cindy and Phil, one sister; Julia Whitfield and husband Norman of Marietta.

Mr. Rigdon was predeceased his parents and one sister Lula Peebles.

Graveside Service was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11 in Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Rigdon family.

J.C. Owens

Easley — Mr. J.C. Owens, 79, husband of Grace Cisson Owens, died Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Rainey Hospice House.

Born in Pickens County, a son of the late Frank Thomas and Myrtie Boyd Owens, Mr. Owens retired from Alice Manufacturing Co. with 49 years of service and attended Elljean Baptist Church. J.C. was well known for playing his fiddle having played with many Country Music Celebrities. He received the Jean Laney Harris Heritage Award, was a South Carolina State Fiddle Champion in 1960, and honored in many museums across South Carolina.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 60 years, are a son, Chris Owens of Easley; three daughters, Donna Ballew (Joseph) of Liberty, Karen Aiken (Mike) of Easley, and Jan Phillips (Barry) of Pickens; two sisters, Frances Holliday of Easley, and Hazel Turner of Pickens; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Owens was predeceased by four brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Elljean Baptist Church, 605 Elljean Road, Easley, SC 29640.

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

Debbie “Dawg” Hudson

Sunset — Debbie “Dawg” Hudson, of Sunset, died Saturday, March 8, 2014 at her home.

Born in Pickens County she was the daughter of her loving mother, the late Lila O. Hudson. Miss Hudson was retired from Ryobi. She was a true friend to everyone and loved by all.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

The family will be at their respective homes.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Hudson family.

Mildred L. Brown

Easley — Mildred Louise Brown, 85, of Easley, died Monday, March 10, 2014 at Countyside Village.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Hovey and Ila Foster Brown, Miss Brown retired from Sears after 45 years of service. She attended of Carmel Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are a brother, Tony Brown (Judy) of Easley; three sisters, Tommye Bice (Gerald), Jessie Ann Knight and Evelyn Brown, all of Easley; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Miss Brown was predeceased by four brothers, Ford, Foster, Lewis and Buck Brown, and by a sister, Carolyn Fowler.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Family members are at their respective homes.

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

Robert B. Blackmon

Six Mile — Robert B. Blackmon, 80, died, Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Rainey Hospice House.

Mr. Blackmon was born in Arkadelphia, Ark., a son of the late Roy Frank and Marion Elizabeth Eastlack Blackmon, and husband of the late Betty Lewallen “Lew” Blackmon. He was a Civil Engineer with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers with 35 years of service.

Surviving are two sons, Bruce (Barbara) Blackmon of Central, and Frank (Toni) Blackmon of Northeast, Md.; one daughter, Julia Wrench of Mammoth Springs, AK; grandchildren Sara Black (Joel), Lorena, Ian, Amber, Stephanie, and Ryan Blackmon, Savannah, Stefan (Michelle), Cierra, and Canaan Wrench; great-grandchildren, Nick and Jacob Black, Kaidian Wrench; daughter-in-law Anne Blackmon, Sorrento, Ill.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Blackmon was predeceased by a son, Mark Blackmon.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 14 at Clemson First Baptist Church, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens, Clemson.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to SOUP, C/O First Baptist Church of Pendleton, 351 S. Broad Street, Pendleton, SC  29670.