BETTY COWARD STILLWELL

SIX MILE — Betty Rand Coward Stillwell of Six Mile passed away peacefully on March 30, 2019, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Raleigh, N.C., on Jan. 8, 1934, to William Roscoe and Elizabeth Purnell Rand. She was preceded in death by her sister, Billie Frances, her parents, and her first husband, James Kent Coward Sr.

Betty grew up in Garner, N.C., and was a member of Garner United Methodist Church and enjoyed shepherding her three younger sisters. At the age of 16, she won a trip to Hollywood in a national contest in dressmaking sponsored by McCall’s Pattern Company.

She attended Meredith College and in later years served as a member of the board of trustees. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a major in English and received a master’s degree in library science from Western Carolina University. As librarian at Scott’s Creek Elementary School, she fostered the love of reading to every child who walked through the library door.

A devoted member of First Baptist Church in Sylva, N.C., Betty served as a deacon, sang alto in the choir and led projects and fundraisers to benefit the growth of the church. She served on the board of directors at the Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina. She participated on mission trips to Arkansas, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Thailand and Ukraine and in community missions work in Sylva, N.C., and in Clemson. Hers was a vibrant faith in every way, full of grace and beauty.

She loved any gathering of friends or family, especially at Grassy Creek and Ocean Isle Beach. Her creativity showed up in special treats for children, flowers from field and garden and always something beautiful from every season, even if only on the kitchen windowsill.

Betty is survived by her husband, E.P. Stillwell Jr. of Six Mile; sons, J.K. Coward Jr. (Renée) of Sylva, N.C., and the Honorable William H. Coward (Kim) of Highlands, N.C.; daughter, Elizabeth Coward Rand of Asheville, N.C.; stepdaughters Elizabeth Cohen (David) of New York and Brooke Stillwell of Six Mile; sisters, Margaret Rand Hilpert (John) of Louisburg, N.C., and Mary Marshall Culp (Robert) of Hillsborough, N.C.; nine beloved grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, April 5, from 5-7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Mission and Fellowship Center, 669 W. Main St., Sylva, N.C. The memorial service will be Saturday, April 6, at 11 a.m. at the church, with interment at Grassy Creek, Tuckasegee, N.C.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Sylva – Choir Fund, 669 W. Main St., Sylva, NC 28779, Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27360, Doctors Without Borders USA, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030, or a charity of choice.

ELVIRA PERRY ROSS

EASLEY — Elvira Perry Ross, 99, wife of the late Jesse Thomas Ross, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Born in Easley, she was a daughter of the late Robert Lee Perry Sr. and the late Olive Berry Perry. Mrs. Ross was a homemaker and was a member of Georges Creek Baptist Church, where she was the organist for 30 years. She volunteered with Pickens County Meals on Wheels, Easley Hospital and the Grange of Georges Creek. She loved to paint and make hand-crafted baskets, gardening and arranging flowers.

Mrs. Ross is survived by one son, Eston Ross (Sue) of Gilford, N.H.; four daughters, Janice Brown (Harlow) of Asheville, N.C., Sandra Shunk (James), of Fort Myers, Fla., Kathy Kaulitz (Garry) of Cuenca, Ecuador, and Frances Doolittle (Michael) of Jefferson, Ga.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her brothers and sisters.

Funeral services were held on March 30 at Georges Creek Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

The family asks for flowers to be omitted and memorials be made to Providence Care Hospice, providencecanhelp.com/hospice-care.

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

WILLIAM E. CANTRELL SR.

EASLEY — Mr. William “Bill” Eugene Cantrell Sr., 84, husband of Nancy Davis Cantrell, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Born in Pickens County, a son of the late John Lorn Cantrell and the late Lanty Lesley Cantrell, Mr. Cantrell was retired from Woodside Mill-Easley with more than 30 years of service and was a member of Zion United Methodist Church.

Bill had a love for the outdoors and nature, where he spent his time fishing.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 53 years, are a son, William E. “Chip” Cantrell Jr. (Teresa) of Anderson; a daughter, Shana Cantrell Park (George) of Greenville; a brother, Jim Cantrell (Jane) of Easley; a sister, Martha Ann Hawkins (K.D.) of Easley; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. In addition to his parents, Mr. Cantrell was predeceased by a brother, Dean Cantrell.

Graveside services were held on March 29 at the Zion United Methodist Church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 574 Sheriff Mill Road, Easley, SC 29642; or the Alzheimer’s Association, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5850, Greenville, SC 29601.

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

MATTHEW EDWARD GRAHAM

EASLEY — Matthew Edward Graham, 31, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Born in Easley, he was a son of Timothy Winston and Susan Moore Graham. Matthew was a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church and enjoyed making jewelry, listening to music and spending time outdoors.

In addition to his parents, Matthew is survived by one brother, Trent Graham (Kara); his girlfriend, Kelli Atkinson; maternal grandmother, Ruby Ramey; paternal grandfather, Rev. Hoyt Graham; and two nephews, Brenton and Tanner Graham.

Matthew was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Paul Edward Moore; maternal step-grandfather, Robert Ramey; and paternal grandmother, Imogene Holder Graham.

Funeral services were held on March 31 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home – Powdersville Road, with entombment following in the chapel of Reflection Mausoleum in Robinson Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 309 Pelzer Highway Easley, SC 29642.

The family is at the home.

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

MARTHA ANN M. ROBINSON

EASLEY — Mrs. Martha Ann Melton Robinson, 81, wife of the late B.F. Robinson, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 29, 2019.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Joseph R. Melton and the late Catherine Crumpton Melton, Mrs. Robinson was a graduate of Liberty High School and was retired from the Quilt Gallery of Easley. She later retired from Dacusville Middle School, where she worked in the cafeteria for 18 years. She was a member of Nine Forks Baptist Church.

Ann was a member of the Easley Lions Club and a volunteer for the March of Dimes. She had a passion for cooking for family and friends, and was a courageous breast cancer survivor. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Surviving are two sons, Thomas A. Robinson (Susan) of Lexington, and Benjamin “Ben” F. Robinson of Easley; two daughters, Rhonda Robinson of Easley and Cynthia R. Patton (Gregory) of Easley; a brother, Gerald R. Melton (Florine) of Greenville; a sister, Norma Jean Smith of Columbia; three grandchildren, Kevin Hamilton, Rebecca Hamilton and Jessica Patton; and three great-grandchildren, Austin McGaha, Nicholas Ford and Karson Hamilton. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Robinson was predeceased by two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were held on April 1 at Nine Forks Baptist Church, with Rev. Stephen Owens officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

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

B.G. ‘Woody’ Woodham Jr.

COLUMBUS, N.C. — B.G. “Woody” Woodham Jr., husband of the late Joan Morrison Woodham, passed away March 22, 2019, in Columbus, N.C.

Born Sept. 2, 1927, in Newberry, he was the son of the late B.G. Woodham Sr. and Margaret Evans Woodham.

He is survived by daughter Barbara Lochen (Stephen) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; son Douglas Woodham (Dalya Inhaber) of New York, N.Y.; sister Nan Alexander (Glynn) of Georgetown; and cousin Dettie Piper (Carl) of Greenville. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Abigail, Elizabeth and Mitchell.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, in the Tryon Estates Chapel at Tryon Estates, 617 Laurel Lake Drive, Columbus, NC 28722.

A reception will immediately follow the service.

An online guest register is available atmcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

RUTH ANNE DAWSON

LIBERTY — Ruth Anne Gilstrap Dawson, 66, wife of Robert H. Dawson Jr., passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Pickens, she was a daughter of Mattie Ruth Hammond Campbell of Greer and the late Henry Fred Gilstrap. Ruth Anne was a homemaker and a member of The Church For All People in Liberty.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are sons, David Cody Dawson (Tina) of Central and Joseph Tilman Dawson (Desi) of Liberty; daughters, Tanya Leigh Whitworth (Kenneth) of Salem and Carrie Ellen Dawson of the home; brother, Walter Campbell of Williamston; sister, Angie Ross of Westminster; grandchildren, Eden Whitworth, Kent Whitworth, Aidan Dawson, Peyton Dawson, Parker Dawson, Candise Rhodes and Jamie Rhodes; and great grandchildren, Levi Ridley, Arianna Ridley and Alyssa Whitworth.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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

KEITH DAVID STEWART

PICKENS — Keith David Stewart, 55, passed from this life on Monday, April 1, 2019, at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Keith was born in Greenville County, a son of the late John Edward and Lela Mae Nichols Stewart. He was a member of Morning Star Independent Baptist Church.

Survivors include a brother, Dwaine (Janice) Stewart of Travelers Rest; sisters, Sherliene Stewart of Pickens and Vickie Merck of Anderson; a brother-in-law, Roy Merck; special friends, Michael and Paula Welborn; three nephews and four great nieces.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Pickens County Humane Society, 500 Five Forks Road, Liberty, SC 29657.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Stewart family.

DORIS P. ARTHUR

CENTRAL — Doris Parham Arthur, 85, widow of Curtis L. Arthur, passed away peacefully at her home.

Doris was born in Eatonton, Ga., a daughter of the late Robert and Essie Burdett Parham. She was retired as a secretary at Southern Wesleyan University and prior to that worked in the administrative office at Cannon Mill in Central. She was a member of Trinity Wesleyan Church and loved flower gardening and fishing.

Surviving are her son, Lamar Arthur (Beverly) of Iva; daughter, Pam Arthur Durham (Eleanor Garrett) of Central; sisters, Jean Nowlan of Baton Rouge, La., Clyde Marshall of Eatonton, Ga. and Sadie Manville of Monticello, Ga.; grandchildren, Ashley Mack, Jamey Arthur (Jan), Allison Ferrainolo (Adam), Will Moore (Kathryn) and Sarah Moore; and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on March 28, in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, with Rev. James Wiggins officiating. Burial was held in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pickens County Autism Society, P.O. Box 96, Easley, SC 29641-1308.

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

ARVILLA STODDARD

SIX MILE — Arvilla Stoddard, 84, beloved wife and companion of Roy Stoddard for over 62 years, finished her journey here on earth and is now with her Lord and Savior. She passed away on March 25, 2019.

She was born in Richmondville, N.Y., the daughter of the late Harold and Mabel Hayes, on April 1, 1934. She always reminded people that she was born on Easter Sunday, not April Fool’s Day.

She was a lifelong Presbyterian and a member of the Pickens Presbyterian Church in Pickens. Through her many years, she taught Sunday school, was a counselor for Christian Youth Retreats, led devotionals for her camping groups, was a church elder and was always a member of the Women’s Circle in whatever church she was attending at the time. She was a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a member of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and P.E.O., Philanthropic Educational Organization, where women celebrate the advancement of women.

Arvilla graduated from Cortland State University in 1955, where she majored in education and taught kindergarten for many years in New York, California, Virginia, Georgia and Taiwan.

Roy and Arvilla were married in 1955, and in 1956 Roy joined the U.S. Navy, where he spent the next 32 years serving his country, but she always said that she was the admiral.

She is survived by her husband; sons, Mark and Harold; daughter, Beth Arvilla; grandchildren, Alan, Andrew, Michael, Greg and Tracey Arvilla; and five great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held on March 31 at the Pickens Presbyterian Church, with the Revs. Nath Briley and Ray Longenecker officiating. A reception was held in All Saints Hall immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pickens Presbyterian Church Child Development Center, 338 W. Cedar Rock St., Pickens, SC 29671.

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

MARY LOUISE GANTT

EASLEY — Mary Louise Gantt, 53, passed from this life on Monday, March 25, 2019, at her home.

Mary was born in Fairfax County, Va., a daughter of the late Frank Melvin Stout and Wilda Carol Dalton Stout.

Survivors include four children, Jennifer Benton (Allen) of Maryland, Jessica Lyday (Josh) of Liberty, Joshua Marburger (Courtney) of Pickens and Justina Marburger (Johnathan) of Pickens and 12 grandchildren. The family would like to express a special thank you to Mary’s caregivers, Jennifer Benton and Michelle Greer.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Gantt family.