BETTY JEAN LESTER

SIX MILE — Mrs. Betty Jean Lester, 81, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, July 19, 2020.

Mrs. Lester was born in English, W. Va., and was the daughter of the late Shirley Robinson and Hattie Keen Robinson. She was the loving wife of 49 years to Harold Lester.

Mrs. Lester was proud of her faith. She enjoyed her church and the people who she witnessed to. She loved people. Mrs. Lester was ordained as a minister and loved to preach and sing. Her current prayer chain reaches all the way across the seas to India. She was a member of Crowe Creek Church of God and loved her family there.

Survivors include her son, Mike Lester of Simpsonville; brothers, Stanley Robinson of Canyonville, Ore., and Dannie Addair of Ashtabula, Ohio; and sisters, Janice Burgoon of Jefferson, Ohio, Sandy Long of Cleveland, Ohio, Sheila Addair of Cleveland, Ohio, and Marilyn Addair of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mrs. Lester was predeceased by one son, Kenneth Steele; brothers, Ron Robinson, Jim Robinson and Larry Robinson; and a sister, Ella Mae Lester.

A funeral service was held on July 23 in the Dillard Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Lester family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

HOMER MELVIN NALLEY

EASLEY — Homer Melvin Nalley, 69, loving husband of Debra Ballew Nalley, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 25, 2020.

Born in Easley on May 7, 1951, he was a son of the late Homer Cecil Nalley and Marjorie Mae Martin Nalley.

He is survived by his wife, Debra; his children, Gina Bergholm, Chad Nalley (Barbara), Kelly Riley, Nicole Nalley and Kortney Isbell (Justin); stepchildren, Heather Daurer, Brian Garrett and Trip Garrett (Sonya); grandchildren, Taylor, Allison, Ashton, Levi, Mersadee, Cole, Hayley, Desi, Kaden, Kingston, Ava Grace, River and Kendell; great-grandchildren; Zara, Zayd and Jeremiah; and sisters, Brenda Elling (Howard), Linda Garren (Mike) and Wanda Waldrop (Mike).

Mr. Nalley was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He retired from Shaw Industries in Central in 2015.

Melvin loved spending time with his family, friends, golf buddies and his church, but most of all, he loved Jesus.

A funeral service was held on July 28 at Elljean Baptist Church. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

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

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Nalley family.

RONALD TINSLEY SMITH

SENECA — Ronald Tinsley Smith, 76, of Seneca passed away Thursday, July 23, 2020, in Seneca.

Born in Pickens County, he was the son of the late Hubert T. and Vastelle Smith and husband of the late Regina Smith.

Ronald was a member of Seneca Baptist Church, as well as the VFW and the Moose Lodge.

Survivors include a daughter, Tanya K. Smith; a stepdaughter, Christine Campell Newton; a son, Eric T. Smith; two sisters, Evelyn Crane of Pendleton and Delores Loggins of Westminster; and a brother-in-law, Billy Crane of Pendleton. Ronald also leaves 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren to share in his memory.

In addition to his mother and father, Ronald was predeceased by two wives, Joyce Smith and Renee Smith; and a stepson, Alex Campbell.

A funeral service was held on July 27, followed by entombment at Oconee Memorial Park in Seneca.

Online condolences may be left by visiting keoweefuneralservices.com.

Keowee Funeral Services is assisting the Smith family.

DAVID RICKEY EDWARDS

PIEDMONT — David Rickey Edwards, 65, of 105 Saxon Drive, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

A native of Greenville County, Mr. Edwards was born Nov. 23, 1954, a son of the late Mildred Ruth Bailey Holden.

Rickey enjoyed watching NASCAR races and was a Dale Earnhardt #3 fan. He enjoyed college football and was an avid Gamecock fan.

Survivors include his girlfriend, Cathy Sweet of Greenville; daughters, Crystal Garrett of Pickens and Tasha Powell of Liberty; son, David Rickey Edwards II of Easley; grandchildren, Dayton Garrett, Keene Garrett, Skyler Richardson, Malakai Powell, Kellan Jones, Zymin Lockee, Elijah Edwards and Trystin Edwards; great-grandchildren, Chaston and Willow Garrett; and siblings, Tammy Cureton, Darlene Holcombe, Kimber Cobb, Allen Edwards, Marvin Cureton and Melvin Cureton.

In addition to his mother, Mr. Edwards was predeceased by a brother, Johnny Edwards.

Flowers will be accepted by the family at 500 Griffin Mill Road, Pickens, SC 29671, or memorial donations may be made in Rickey’s honor to the American Liver Foundation, American Cancer Society, Liver Cancer Center Research Fund or Interim Healthcare & Hospice.

The family members will be at their respective homes.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Edwards family.

Justin Parsons

EASLEY — Justin Daniel Parsons, 45, sadly passed away on Monday, June 15, 2020.

Justin was the son of Stephen and the late Nancy Parsons. Born in Bergen County, N.J., he spent most of his youth growing up in the Leatherstocking (Central) area of upstate New York. Though having an acute mental disability, he finished high school and a half year of college. He followed his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and two uncles and became an experienced resilient floor covering mechanic. He was an excellent cook, a gift from his mother and his Dad’s mother.

Justin loved to eat, fish, hike, walk and watch TV. Food, football, soccer and history were his favorite things.

Justin is survived by his father; older brother, Steve of Clearwater, Fla.; and younger brother, Tyler in the U.S. Air Force. He is also survived by a great-grandaunt, Bernice of Leonia, N.J.; aunt Lynn and the late Bruno Gioffre of Marlboro Township, N.J., and three cousins; an aunt, Carol Whelan of Oneonta, N.Y., and three cousins; uncle, Mike Parsons of New Lisher, N.Y., and three cousins; uncle, Thomas and Kitty Grothues of Little Egg Harbor, N.Y., and two cousins; an uncle and aunt, Gary and Kathy Grothues of Howell Township, N.J., and two cousins.

LYNN M. BOGGS

PICKENS — Lynn M. Boggs passed on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

Lynn was the daughter of the late JC and Ruby McJunkin of Liberty.

Lynn is survived by her husband, Jack Boggs of Pickens; daughter, Amanda Bissell of Myrtle Beach (Pete); grandchildren, Channing Sams and Tanner Chapman; great-grandchildren, Kasem Sams and Addison Sams; and siblings, Martha Rhyne, Jay Allen McJunkin, Joyce Snyder and Brenda Fowler.

Lynn was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed flower gardens, decorating and road trips to the beach and mountains. She will truly be missed.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Boggs family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

A private service will be held at a later date.

HAZEL WATSON

SENECA — Hazel Chastain Watson, 84, of Liberty, died Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Six Mile, she was the widow of Major E. Watson and a daughter of the late Tillman Chastain Sr. and Lucy Merck Chastain.

She retired from Central Textiles.

Surviving are a daughter, Connice Dodgins (Carlos) of Liberty; a brother, B.F. Chastain of Liberty; three sisters, Jean Turner of Easley, Evelyn Hendricks of Pelzer and JoAnn Newton of Easley; three grandchildren, Nathan Durham (MJ), Holly Smith (Jon) and Kim Lance (Wendell); five great-grandchilden, Brooke, Dylan, Chase, Cooper and Wyatt; and two great-great-grandchildren, Easton and Slater.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Junior Chastain, Ralph Chastain and Bob Chastain, and three sisters, Frances Buie, Sybil Yeary and Audrey Galbreath.

Graveside services were conducted on July 28 at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Central.

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

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Hazel Chastain Watson, please visit Liberty Mortuary’s sympathy store.

Liberty Mortuary is assisting the Watson family.

JAMES ALBERT THORNTON SR.

EASLEY — Mr. James Albert Thornton Sr., 85, husband of Jo Ann Sanders Thornton, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

Born in Greenville County, a son of the late George Robert Thornton and the late Ruth Smith Thornton, Mr. Thornton retired from Stone Manufacturing Company with 27 years of service and was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He was an avid gardener and had a passion for woodworking.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 38 years, are three sons, James Albert Thornton Jr. (Pat) of Simpsonville, Johnny Lamar Jordan (Lisa) and Joseph Michael Jordan (Tonya), all of Easley; two sisters, Ruby Jacobs (Lew) of Greenville and Vivian Bryan of Easley; and four grandchildren, Amber Thornton Burtless (Michael), Kristen Layne Jordan, Grace Ann Thornton and Jason Kyle Jordan. In addition to his parents, Mr. Thornton was predeceased by his daughter, Janet Thornton Delduco; and a sister, Dorothy T. “Dot” Redding.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery-West.

The family will receive friends from 1-1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church, prior to the service.

The family is at the home.

Flowers will be accepted, and memorials may be made to the Mt. Carmel Church Building Fund, 1623 Hester Store Road, Easley, SC 29640.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory – Downtown, Easley.

WILLIE MAE GILSTRAP

EASLEY — Willie Mae Gilstrap, 99, of Pickens, wife of the late Joab Gilstrap Jr., passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late William B. Gilstrap and Mamie Medlin Gilstrap.

Mrs. Gilstrap was retired from several retail stores and was a member of Elljean Baptist Church.

Surviving are her children, Alton Gilstrap (Linda) of Six Mile, Allen Gilstrap of Pickens, Carolyn G. Crane (John) of Pickens and Karen G. Owens of Powdersville; grandchildren, William Gilstrap and Heather G. Hooper (Chad); great-grandchildren, Ashley and Maddison Gilstrap; five great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Lucille Dillard and Nellie Lingerfelt, both of Easley, and Annie Barrett of Greenville; and a daughter-in-law, Susan Gilstrap of Easley.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son, Arnold Ray Gilstrap; a grandson, Scotty Greer; sisters, Otis James and Irene Alexander; and brothers, William “Bill” Gilstrap and Grady Gilstrap.

Graveside services were held July 29 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be made to Manna Health and Rehab, 716 E. Cedar Rock St., Pickens, SC 29671 for the exceptional care provided to Mrs. Gilstrap.

The family will be at their respective homes.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

Michael J. White I

LIBERTY — Michael James White I, 52, of Liberty, died Friday, July 24, 2020, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Easley, he was the son of Ann Fisher White and the late James Larry White.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife, Melissa White of Liberty; a son, Michael James White II (Nikki) of Easley; three daughters, Ashley Burgess (Jab), Aimée Hovis (Tyler) and Tammy Jones (Brody), all of Easley; eight grandchildren, Michael III, Grayson, Emma, Lauren, Ella, Ryan, Brody and Natalie; two sisters, Amanda Cater-White of Liberty and Larrie White of Easley; and his stepmother, Carolyn White of Liberty.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a baby sister, Tammy Melissa White.

Memorial services to honor Mike’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the mortuary.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, seating for the service will be limited and social distancing will be observed. The livestream of the service will be available at 2 p.m. Thursday by visiting his tribute wall at libertymortuary.com.

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

KEITH SMITH

LIBERTY — James Keith Smith, 57, of Liberty, died Sunday, July 26, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Easley, he was a son of the late Phil and Evelyn Gantt Smith.

Throughout his adult life and prior to his declining health, he drove a truck for more than 30 years. He also loved fishing with his nephew Steven.

Surviving are his wife of 34 years, Zena Smith of the home; a son, Zachary Smith of Liberty; two daughters, Kendra Duncan (Zach) of Liberty and Kayla Watson (Josh) of Liberty; six grandchildren, Haley, Jordyn, Chloe, Gavin, Emma and Waylon; and a sister, Angie Lark of Liberty.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Tina Smith.

Memorial services to honor Keith’s life will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and CDC recommendations on social distancing, seating will be limited. The livestream will be available at 3 p.m. Wednesday by visiting his tribute wall at libertymortuary.com. Following the service, the family will host a gathering at the home of his sister, Angie Lark, at 7 Church St., Liberty SC 29657.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville SC 29615.

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