REBA JANE KIMMONS

CLEMSON — Reba Jane Kimmons, 84, of Clemson passed away Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, at Heartland Health Care West in Greenville.

Born March 7, 1936 in Louisville, Ky., Reba was the daughter of the late Charles Edwin Cissell and Eliza Katherine Felts Cissell. She was married to Henry (Kim) Kimmons for 49 years until his death in March 2010.

She is survived by her children, Kreg Kimmons and Karen Leslie Armstrong (Brett); brother, Clyde Cissell; sister, Frances Skye; and grandchildren, Jacob Henry Armstrong, Alexandra Ray Armstrong, Connor Brian Armstrong and Kayden Addison Kimmons.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Angelo Cissell and Charles Artel Cissell; and sisters, Irene Brooks and Margie Hoy.

Reba Kimmons will always be remembered for her love for her family and her strong faith. She worked at the Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur, Ga., for 12 years until she and Kim retired to their home on Lake Hartwell.

She was active with Clemson Presbyterian Church, where she was involved in the church’s circle, the widows’ ministry, and the sermon tape/CD ministry. She also loved her community Bible study and going to water aerobics to see her friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. at Clemson Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. David Sinclair officiating. A private family interment will be held at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Miracle Hill Ministries, P.O. Box 2546, Greenville, SC 29602.

The McDougal Funeral home is assisting the Kimmons Family. www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.

DOYLE BENSON ROPER

PICKENS — Mr. Doyle Benson Roper, 73, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sept. 8, 2020.

Mr. Roper was born in Pickens County and was the son of the late Elbert Roper and Viola Chapman Roper and husband to the late Bobbie Burnett Roper.

Mr. Roper was of the Church of God faith. He had a loving marriage for 50 years and cared for his wife in her time of need. He loved his family and was known to be a hard worker but a soft-spoken man. His children knew that when he did say words, he meant them. He loved building stuff. He was very creative and would often invent tools in order to get his projects completed. He was very mechanically minded. He retired from textiles after having worked for 28 years at JP Stevens’ Whitehorse Plant.

Survivors include his two sons, Doyle Eugene Roper of Greenville and Steven Benson Roper of Greenville; two daughters, Kimberly Michelle Hembree of Greenville and Audrey “Missy” Wilson (Wayne) of Greenville; a sister, Judy Patterson of Liberty; and two brothers, John Roper of Central and Delmar Roper of Liberty. Also left behind are 11 beautiful and loving grandchildren and 12 loving and precious great-grandchildren.

Mr. Roper was predeceased by five brothers, James Roper, J.D. Roper, Garnet Roper, George Roper and Darcus Roper; and six sisters, Juanita Meinders, Margaret Rabon, Debra Fortescue, Frances Hawkins, Martha Posey and Norma Pearl Roper.

A visitation was held at Dillard Funeral Home on Sept. 14. Burial followed at Living Waters at the Bethlehem Methodist Church cemetery.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Roper family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

LAURA LEWIS GRANT

SIMPSONVILLE — Mrs. Laura Lewis Grant, 87, wife of the late Rev. James Billie Grant, went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Rev. Jim Lewis and the late Nalmer Nealy Lewis, Mrs. Grant was a homemaker and a member of Praise Cathedral Church of God. Laura had a love and passion for cooking, but especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving are two sons, Rev. Ronnie Grant (Sherry) of Simpsonville and Roger Grant of Seneca; a daughter, Rhonda Rogers of Greer; five grandchildren, Chris Grant (Melissa), Jonathan Fincannon (Tia), Rev. Justin Grant (Nikki), Rev. Seth Fincannon (Hannah) and Jessica Selman (Rev. Adam); and seven great-grandchildren, Laura Beth Grant, Ryan Grant, Nora Lee Grant, Asher Selman, Cash Fincannon, Elitia Fincannon and Gunner Fincannon. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Grant was predeceased by two brothers, Rev. Dewey Lewis and Olin Lewis; and a sister, Azille Clark.

Funeral services were on Sept. 14 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family is at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Ronnie and Sherry Grant.Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

MARY EVELYN SWANEY

LIBERTY — Mary Evelyn Swaney, 78, widow of J.V. Swaney, died peacefully on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020.

She was born Oct. 18, 1941, in Anderson County, a daughter of John and Mary Smith Gentry. She was a member of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Pendleton.

Evelyn worked in the finishing plant at the Milliken Textile plant. She enjoyed shopping and baking, and really liked to do crossword puzzles from the local newspapers.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Kathy Cothran and her husband, Tim, of Liberty, her son, Richard Swaney and his wife, Cindy, of Pendleton; two sisters, Johnnie Sosebee and husband, Jerry, of Pendleton, and Aileen Durham and husband, Buddy, of Pendleton; three grandchildren, Dewayne Cothran, Michelle Swaney and Alison Fuller; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, J.V. Swaney.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home at 108 Cross Creek Road in Central. It will be available via livestream at robinsonfuneralhomes.com/duckettrobinson-chapel-live.

Committal will follow at Memory Gardens in Clemson.

The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the funeral home.

Please visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home and Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.

DANNY LEE DUKE

CENTRAL — Danny Lee Duke, 34, peacefully passed away at his home surrounded by family and friends on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020.

Danny was born in Greenville County, the son of Rhonda Lee Voyles of Central and the late Robert Duke. Prior to his lengthy illness, Danny was a carpenter and was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He was also very gifted working with electronics and loved animals, but especially loved his family. His nieces and nephews were very special to him

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his grandmother, Susan Suttles Fuller of Central; brothers, Chad Merck and his wife, Margaret, of Fair Play, Chris Duke of Central and Luke Duke and his wife, Kayla, of Alabaster, Ala.; sisters, Jessica Duke and her husband, Chris Holbrook, of Central, and Gayle Duke of Alabaster, Ala.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There are no services planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Foothills or to the Cancer Society of Seneca.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home and Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.

DONNIE LEE EASTMAN

PICKENS — Donnie Lee Eastman, 75, died on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020.

He was born Nov. 15, 1944, in Live Oak, Fla.

During his lifetime, Donnie spent 20 years in the United States Navy and worked 25 years for Duke Power/Energy. In his retirement, he spent many hours watching the History Channel (mainly military stuff) and YouTube (which was used to supervise his family on how to do things. Once a supervisor, always a supervisor). He will be missed by all those who knew him.

Donnie is survived his wife, Mary Elizabeth Dickerson Eastman; daughter, Dawn Eastman Williamson (Timothy); son, Danny Eastman (Sue); stepdaughter, Sonia Conner; and stepson, Rhone Gravley. He has one sister, Annette Smith (Kevin); two brothers, Harold Eastman (Janice) and Mike Eastman (Wendy); and three grandchildren, Andrea, Emil and Jeremie.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elma F. Applewhite Eastman, and father, Gilbert M. Eastman.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Eastman family.

RUBY JACK SMITH

GREENVILLE — Ruby Jack Smith, 84, daughter of the late Gladys Estelle Kirk Smith and Otis Austin Smith, passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020.

Ruby will be dearly missed by her family and the many friends she made while working at Starcross Inc. and Gerber Baby in Greenville.

Survivors include her sisters, Bertie Bowles of Tennessee, Shirley Ann Wood (Charles) of Chesnee, Nancy Smith Pace (Hugh), Judy LaBoone (Joe), Mary Camp and Brenda Gale Chapman (Rex), all of Easley; sister-in-law, Ginger Smith, also of Easley; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Bobbie Burgess; brothers, Edgar Smith and Tony Lee Smith; and brothers-in-law, Bobby Joe Burgess and Derald Bowles.

A memorial service was held on Sept. 13 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.

TOMMYE BROWN BICE

EASLEY — Mrs. Tommye Brown Bice, 86, wife of Jesse Gerald Bice, went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, Sept. 11, 2020.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Hovey Brown and the late Ila Foster Brown, Mrs. Bice was a graduate of Easley High School and retired from Bank of America with 27 years of service. She was a member of Carmel Presbyterian Church for 66 years.

Surviving, in addition to her husband of 57 years, is her brother, Tony Brown (Judy) of Easley. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bice was predeceased by four sisters, Mildred Brown, Evelyn Brown, Jesse Ann Knight and Carolyn Fowler; and four brothers, Lewis Brown, Foster Brown, Buck Brown and Ford Brown.

Graveside services were held on Sept. 14 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

ELLA MAE BARBER

EASLEY — Ella Mae Holcombe Barber, 101, formerly of Farr Apartments in Easley, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2020.

Born on Feb. 7, 1919, in Liberty, she was a daughter of the late Henry Clay Holcombe and Annie Massingill Holcombe.

Mrs. Barber was retired from Saco-Lowell and was formerly a member of Arial Baptist Church.

Surviving are her son, Harold D. Forister, and his wife, Myriam, of Ninety Six; four grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Barber was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by a son, Mike Forister; two brothers and a sister.

A private graveside service was held at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Easley.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

WILLIAM COURTNEY ‘BUD’ MCKINNEY JR.

PICKENS — William C. “Bud” McKinney Jr., 78, husband of Nancy Carole Childs McKinney, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020.

He was the son of the late Laura Elizabeth Turner McKinney and William Courtney McKinney Sr., and also a member of Crescent Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years; four sisters, Louise Davis, Dorothy Mulkey, Carolyn Lawson (Gene) and Glenna Coleman (Steve); and one brother, Donnie McKinney (Brenda), all of Pickens; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held on Sept. 10 at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Mr. McKinney was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Betty Black; and one brother, Harold McKinney.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 115 Crescent Hill Drive, Pickens, SC 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the McKinney family.

E. PAULINE THOMAS

EASLEY — Mrs. Evelyn Pauline Sheriff Thomas, 96, wife of the late Ruppert Ralph Thomas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020.

Born in Greenwood County, the daughter of the late Samuel Wilford Sheriff and the late Mattie S. Sheriff, Pauline was a graduate of Alcoa High School and a homemaker. She was a faithful member of Dacusville United Methodist Church since 1968 and sang in the church choir. Pauline loved cooking, especially baking cakes, cookies and pies. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving are her daughter, Ramona T. Gravely (Sam) of Sunset; her sister, Hilda Beatrice Sheriff of Easley; and special friends, Melba Hooper, Steve and Teresa Pace, Genna Talbert and Billy and Karen Durham. In addition to her husband, Ralph, and her parents, Pauline was predeceased by three sisters, Ressie I. Norris, Vivian Watson and Helen Jones.

Funeral services were held on Sept. 15 at Dacusville United Methodist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff members of Wren Hospice for the love and care they provided for Mrs. Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dacusville United Methodist Church, 1365 Thomas Mill Road, Easley, SC 29640.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.