Jack Townsend

EASLEY — Mr. Jack Townsend Jr., 90, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, with family at his bedside, after a long illness.

Jack was a devout Christian who taught Sunday school for many years, as well as served as a deacon. He was a charter member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church. A member of Easley Rotary Club, Jack was a two-time Paul Harris award recipient. His passions were Jesus and telling others about Him, his family, flying and selling cars.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Jackie Day; his parents, Luna Moon and Jack Townsend Sr., two sisters and a brother.

Left to grieve his passing are his wife of 70 years, Florence; son, Stan Townsend (Dianne); daughters, Kathy Alwahab (Al) and Suzanne Lee (David); son-in-law, Radford Day; sister, Nancy Carpenter (Charlie); nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with the ninth anticipated in Aug.

Services were held March 31 at Calvary Hill Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dave Shorter officiating.

Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Townsend Mission Fund at Calvary Hill Baptist Church, 501 Rampey Street, Easley, SC 29640.

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

Joy Whitaker

LIBERTY — Joy Whitlock Whitaker, 71, of 114 Whitaker Street, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Easley, she was the widow of Wallace “Yank” Whitaker and a daughter of the late Roy and Ruby Gantt Whitlock. She retired from the School District of Pickens County, where she worked as a teacher’s assistant, and she was also the owner/operator of Joy’s Café in Liberty, where she worked with her late husband for 28 years.

Joy was a member of East Side Baptist Church, and during her free time she loved singing, traveling and spending time with her family.

Surviving are two daughters, Missy Ricken (Richard) and Mandy Partain (Tommy) all of Liberty; a son, Jody Whitaker (Dana) of Liberty; a sister, Anita Gillespie (Jimmy) of Liberty; eight grandchildren, Kip Partain (Kaitlyn), Brett Ricken (Tiffany), Chad Ricken (Bre), Michelle Hawkins (Eric), Miranda Dalton, Hope Ricken, Hannah Whitaker, and Houston Whitaker; three great-grandchildren, Conner, Owen and Kasen.

Funeral services to honor Joy’s life will be conducted by Rev. Chad Campbell, at 3 p.m. Friday, April 6, at East Side Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Liberty Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Liberty Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials be made to the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Building Fund, 101 Pisgah Road, Easley SC 29642.

Following the service on Friday, the family will be at the home of Mandy and Tommy Partain, 321 Spring Valley Road, Liberty SC. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Wilbern Eugene “Gene” Griffin

PICKENS — Gene Griffin, 65, husband of Brenda Kay Hilyer Griffin, passed from this life Sunday, April 1, 2018, at AnMed Health Cannon.

Born in Opelika, Ala., he was a son of Helen Burdell Door and the late Wilbern Porter Griffin. Gene faithfully attended Gideon Baptist Church, and he loved the Word of God and reading.

Survivors include his mother, his wife Brenda Kay of 45 years of the home, a brother-in-law William Hilyer (Lisa) of New Brockton, Ala., four nieces, a great niece, three great nephews, an aunt and many cousins.

Gene was predeceased by his father and grandparents.

A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, April 6, at Bethlehem Church cemetery, officiated by Rev. Ben Wharton and Rev. Jimmy Burrell.

Special thanks go to our church friends, special friends and the nurses at Cannon Hospital.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Gideon Baptist Church, 1895-A Gentry Memorial Highway, Easley, South Carolina 29640.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Griffin family.

Cecil W. Monroe Jr

LA FRANCE — Cecil W. Monroe Jr., 70 went to be with his Lord Monday, March 26, 2018.

He was born Jan. 3, 1948, to the late Cecil W. and Florence B. Baldwin Monroe. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Stacie Monroe, and a brother, Wayne Monroe.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita Monroe; son, Timmothy Monroe; daughters, Ann Monroe, Faye Monroe, Lisa Monroe, Tina Land and Summer Monroe; 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held March 31 at Brown-Oglesby Funeral Home chapel, with burial following at Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery.

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

Hubert Pelfrey

SIX MILE — Hubert Marion Eugene “Mern” Pelfrey, 51, died Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at his home.

Mern was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Morris Pelfrey and Dorothy Ann Bowen Galbreath. He was a retired edger in the sawmill industry.

Survivors include his former wife, Melissa Eller of the home; a son, Shawn Morris Pelfrey of Westminster; and daughters Kayla Nicole Pelfrey of Easley, Miranda Montez Pelfrey of Pickens, Cheyenne Marie Pelfrey of Pickens and Anglian Diane Leigh Pelfrey of Pendleton.

A memorial service was held.

Preacher Roger E. Wooten

CENTRAL — Preacher Roger E. “Midget” Wooten, 90, husband for 65 years to Margaret Harris Wooten, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at his home.

Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Robert Prue and Hattie Mayfield Wooten. “Midget” was an Army veteran of the Korean War, where he served as a cook. He was an ordained minister and retired after 25 years with Piedmont Plush of Greenville. He was a self-made man and was known for his ability to do almost anything. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife are daughters, Myra W. Reeves (Ted) of Pickens, Shelia W. Ogles and deceased husband, Lem of Simpsonville, Sandra W. Collins (Wendell) of Easley, and Dawn W. Smith (Tom) of Central; sister, Sybil W. Holliday of Liberty; grandchildren, Renee Durham, Heather Greene, Melissa Brissey, Chris Ogles, Mary Rice, Ben Ogles, Jenny Ogles, Carey Bryson, Wesley Collins and Austin Smith; and great grandchildren, Azleigh Prince, Adelyn Prince, Kaiden Greene, Knox Greene, Nolan Rice, Payton Rice, Kennedy Ogles, Elliott Ogles, Kate Ogles, Jase Ogles, Grace Ogles, Ben Ogles, Patrick Ogles, Davis Bryson, Brayden Bryson, Breanna Bryson, Avaree Collins, Adimerea Collins and Mila Collins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Bob, James and W.T. Wooten; sisters, Jessie Bell Wooten and Willie Mae Brewer; grandson, Terry Ogles; and great grandson, Kingston Greene.

Funeral Services were held March 29 in the Chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home with Revs. Gary James and Jack Norris officiating with burial following in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

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

Rev. Edward Kelley

PICKENS — Reverend Edward Kelley, 78, husband of Geneva Jenkins Kelley, passed from this life Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at his home.

Born in Anderson County, he is a son of the late Luther Kelley and Ella Mae Brooks Kelley. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Furman University. He was active in ministry as a minister in the Church of God, a member of Pickens Church of God, and served for 35 years as senior cChaplain with the Pickens County Correction Center.

Survivors include his wife, Geneva, of 58 years of the home, a son, Robert Kelley (Iroth) of Pickens, a grandson, Justin Kelley (Kelly) of Pickens, and sisters, Louise Jenkins, Janie Hayes and Frances Allen.

Rev. Kelley was predeceased by his parents, a granddaughter, Asdin Brook Kelley, sisters, Nancy Norris, Dorothy Powell and Barbara Ann Kelley, and brothers, Raymond Kelley and David Kelley.

Funeral services were held March 29 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home officiated by Justin Kelley, Rev. Evelyn Galloway and Rev. Chris Swett, with entombment following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pickens Church of God Youth Fund, 127 McDaniel Ave., Pickens, SC 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Kelley family.

Millard Sebring Pollock

CLEMSON — Millard Sebring Pollock, 90, passed away peacefully of natural causes on the morning of March 14, 2018, with his children at his side.

A recent resident of Clemson Downs in Clemson, Millard was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Jean Elizabeth Conner Pollock; his parents, John M. and Beatrice S. Pollock; uncle, Price W. “Unkie” Sebring; step-mother, Eleanor W. Pollock; and sister, Karen L. Pollock. He grew up on Long Island in Brooklyn and Port Washington, N.Y., graduating from Port Washington Senior High School. He earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., where he was also a member of Theta Xi fraternity. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in WWII. After 35 years with Long Island Lighting Co., Millard retired as vice president of electric production. He spent much of his life on Long Island living in Port Washington and Fort Salonga, and summering in Cutchogue. He and Jean retired to Keowee Key in Salem, where they designed, built and decorated their home on Lake Keowee.

Millard enjoyed boating, hunting, shooting sports, general DIY activities and building. He had been active in Oconee County Habitat for Humanity and The Lions Club. Both Jean and Millard were involved in church activities at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Seneca, and St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Port Washington, N.Y., where they met and were married.

Millard will be dearly missed by his family: daughter, Sharon E. Pollock and husband, Jim DeLuzio, of Cranston, R.I.; son, Brian M. Pollock and wife, Susan Pollock, of Keowee Key, Salem; grandchildren Heather and Matthew Harris, Justin and Betsy Pollock, Leonardo DeLuzio and Daniel DeLuzio; and great-grandsons, Henry and Conner Harris.

Memorial services for both Millard and Jean will be conducted on May 12, 2018, at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Seneca.

In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in his honor to The Church of the Ascension, 214 Northampton Road, Seneca, SC 29672 Tel: 864-882-2006.

Christina Helen Broking Knowsley

SIX MILE — Christina Helen Broking Knowsley, 76, of Six Mile, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at her home.

Born on Jan. 1, 1942, in Hudson, N.Y., she worked in the food service industry. Services for Christina will be held privately among her family.

Timothy E. Merck

NORRIS — Timothy Edward “Tim” Merck, 55, of Karen Circle, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at his home.

Born in Easley, he was a son of Betty Kelley Merck of Norris and the late William Edward Merck.

Tim received his undergraduate degree and masters degree from Clemson University. He was an electrical engineer and a master of the stock market. He loved his family and enjoyed watching western movies and sports.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sons, Tyler Daniel Merck (Lauren) of Six Mile and Coleman Edward Merck of Fort Hood, Texas; a sister, Darlene Merck of Salem; and a brother, Dr. Danny Merck (Suzanne) of Norris.

Tim was predeceased by his precious daughter, Hannah Logan Merck.

Services were held March 31 at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

A private graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society of Pickens County, 113 Mills Avenue, Greenville, SC 29605 or 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-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Frances Holcombe

LIBERTY — Frances Sheriff Holcombe, 89, of 3323 Greenville Highway, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018, at the Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca.

Born in Easley, she was the widow of Heyward T. Holcombe and a daughter of the late Julius and Annie Mae Hinton Sheriff.

Surviving are three sons, Marion Holcombe and Lee Holcombe (Tammy), all of Liberty, and Ernie Holcombe of Pickens; a sister, Mattie Bolick; four brothers, Prue, Edd, Mack, and John Sheriff; also surviving are three grandchildren, Mitchell, Kodee and Hayward Holcombe.

Graveside services to honor the life of Mrs. Holcombe were held April 3 at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

John M. Prange

EASLEY — Mr. John Morrison Prange, 70, husband of Barbara Lee Slappey Prange, passed away Friday, March 30, 2018.

Mr. Prange was born in Cornwall, N.Y., a son of the late William Robert Prange and the late Julia Elizabeth Tucker Prange. Mr. Prange retired from Black and Veatch Construction and was a member of IBEW Local 323 for many years. He was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Vietnam War. He and his family were long-time residents of Ft. Pierce, Fla.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 50 years, are two sons, Robert Charles Prange (Ewelina), of Maine, and Scott Morrison Prange (Janelle), of Prague; a daughter, Piper Lee Mathews (William), of Easley; a sister, Gayle Elizabeth Baker and a niece, Ashley Scarbrough, of Pt. St. Lucie, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Brittany Tardiff, Austin Tardiff, Cody Tardiff, Chelsea Monge, Jensen Prange, Arkayeh Prange and Navi Prange; two great-grandchildren, Kai Monge and Avri Monge; and twin great-grandchildren on the way. In addition to his parents, Mr. Prange was predeceased by a brother, James M. Prange and a sister, Roberta Ann Prange.

The family will hold a private memorial service.

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

Dean W. Jones

EASLEY — Dean Warren Jones, 74, husband of Penny Janes Jones, died Saturday March 31, 2018, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born in Oneida, N.Y. May 30, 1943, a son of Howard Charles and Emma Klein Jones.

After high school, Dean joined the U.S. Army, where he was a heavy equipment operator. After his discharge, Dean worked at various jobs and retired as a maintenance supervisor. Dean was a jack-of-all-trades kind of a man and loved doing things for other people. He enjoyed building things and gardening. Dean was a member of the Dacusville Garden Club and the Dacusville Community Center.

Dean is survived by his wife, Penny; daughter Sara Jones and fiancé Eric Martinez, of Chalmette, La.; son Rodney Jones and wife Lisa of Charlotte, N.C.; daughter Sharon Jones of Oneida N.Y., and daughter Dawn Mastrolanni, of Herkimer, N.Y.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister Mildred Henty, of Knoxboro, N.Y. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Maynard and Laverne Jones.

A party celebrating Dean’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 6, at the Dacusville Community Center, 2671 Earl’s Bridge Road/Highway 186, in Dacusville.

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

Kathryn Gail Kees Slawson

CLEVELAND — Kathryn Gail Kees Slawson passed away on March 28, 2018, at St Francis Hospital in Greenville, surrounded by family.

She was born Feb. 4, 1942, in Hollis, Maine, the daughter of Mariam and Leighton Grant. Kathryn was the fifth of six children. She spent her childhood growing up on the farm. She was an accomplished pianist and florist.

She married Gerald Kees Jr. in 1962 in Greenville. They moved to Baltimore, Md., shortly after the wedding. In 1966, they moved back to Greenville, where they lived until 1973, when they moved to Steep Falls, Maine. They divorced in 1976. In 1981, she moved back to South Carolina. Kathryn married Jack Slawson in 2003.

She was a true organizer. While in Maine, she ran many events in the town, which included everything from baked bean suppers at the fire barn to community cleanup weekends. Among her many talents, she loved making floral arrangements. She would spend time during the holidays making beautiful wreaths and ornaments using real pine sprigs and ceramic painting, which she sold in her Katey Did store.

Nothing made her happier than to be surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her husband, Jack Slawson of Cleveland; her three sons, Gerald Kees (Rebecca ) of Lakeland, Fla., Christopher Kees (Julie) of Easley and Kevin Kees (Molly) of Pickens; her grandchildren, Justin Kees, Bridget Presley (Michael), Nathan Kees (Caitlin), Kyle Kees (Brittany), Amy Foelsche (Karl) and Holly Wilson (Charles); and great-grandchildren Adelyn Presley, Emory Presley, Kyler Kees, Kelsey Kees, Griffin Kees, Grant Kees, Sarah Wilson, Hannah Wilson, Dia Foelsche and Jack Foelsche.

Graveside services were held March 31 at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens in the mausoleum chapel, with the Rev. David Case officiating.

Dillard Funeral Home is handling arrangements.