WAYNE ELROD, MARJORIE TOLLISON, DOYLE ‘PAPA’ COKER, PAT CANTRELL, ‘JOE’ BLACKSHIRE, FRANCES S. WALDROP, RUBY PERKINS, MALCOLM BUFORD WILSON, THELMA E. SMITH, DAVID LEE SHOCKLEY, VIRGINIA VAUGHN FISHER, GENEVA PHILLIPS, LUCILLE COOK, ERNEST RAY ROBINSON, DOROTHY LEE CHRISTIE VAUGHN, FRED WILSON TAYLOR, KATIE HUNT, HELEN S. SIMPSON, BILL LOWE, LARUE F. RIDLEY, FRANK LEWIS ELROD, WAYMON ‘BUD’ YOUNGBLOOD, CLAUDIA BOYCE FURRWAYNE ELROD
WILLIAMSTON – Thomas Wayne Elrod, 60, husband of Gretchen Marie Elrod, died Thursday, June 28, 2012 at his home.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of Elbert Lee Elrod and the late Mildred Sargent Elrod. He was formerly employed with Century III and a U.S. Army veteran.
Surviving are his wife of the home; father and stepmother, Ernestine “Tinnie” Elrod of Anderson; son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Melissa Elrod of High Point, NC; son, Charlie Elrod of Pelzer; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy Ray and Elaine Elrod of Williamston; grandson, Felix Elrod of High Point, NC.
He was predeceased by a sister, Linda Jackson.
Visitation was held from 7-8:30 pm Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
Memorial services were held 10 am Monday, July 2, 2012 at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery with military honors.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wren High School Athletic Dept. – Baseball Program- 905 Wren School Rd., Piedmont, SC 29673.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
MARJORIE TOLLISON
WILLIAMSTON – Marjorie “Margie” Marie Davis Tollison, 85, formerly of 5 Willingham Rd., widow of Troy Irvin Tollison, died Thursday, June 28, 2012 at McCall Hospice House.
Born in Baltimore, MD, she was a daughter of the late Eugene and Inez Hazel Anderson Davis. She was employed with Fort Meade Military Base in MD until she became a wife and mother to which she then devoted her full-time duties. She faithfully attended West Pelzer Baptist Church where she loved her church family and they loved her. She was passionate about dancing and a member of the Recycled Seniors Bowling League.
Surviving are daughters, Eugenie Tollison of Western NY, Geraldine Saxon of Williamston; son, David E. Tollison of Williamston; sister, Nina Ann Edwards of Pasadena, MD, brother, Glen C. Davis of Dundalk, MD; three grandchildren, Kelly Bowman, Richard Tollison, Troy Tollison; great grandchildren, Katie Bowman, Kaleb Bowman, William “Billy” Tollison.
Memorial services were held 6pm Monday, July 2, 2012 at West Pelzer Baptist Church.
The family is at 5 Willingham Rd., Williamston.
Memorials may be made to West Pelzer Baptist Church, 29 Main Street, West Pelzer, SC 29669.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
DOYLE ‘PAPA’ COKER
Doyle “Papa” Edward Coker, 72, of West Union, husband of Aynur Kanturk Coker, died Saturday, July 7, 2012 at AnMed Health Medical Center.
Born in Greenville County, he was a son of the late Thomas Talmadge and Opal Heatherly Coker. He was a veteran of the Navy, Air Force, and Army as well as CEO of TRY-MAC Construction Corp.
Surviving are his wife of the home; son, John Allen Coker of Piedmont; daughter, Sarah April McAllister of Sanford, NC; brothers, Wilbert Coker of Honea Path, Harold Coker of Pelzer, Ellis Coker of Honea Path, Larry Coker of Pelzer; sisters, Margaret Starnes of the Cheddar Community, Lois Hunnicutt of Donalds; eight grandchildren; and one step-great grandchild.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 11, at Washington Baptist Church. Burial with full military honors followed in M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.
The family is at the home of his brother, Larry Coker, 872 Cooley Bridge Rd., Pelzer.
Memorials may be made to the DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
PAT CANTRELL
WILLIAMSTON – Patricia “Pat” Ann Fuller Cantrell, 54, of 57 Allie Campbell Rd., wife of “Clay” Cantrell, died July 2, 2012 at her home.
Born in Roanoke, VA, she was a daughter of Jacqueline Jeffries Simpson and the late Samuel Eugene Fuller, Sr. She was a member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church.
Surviving are her husband of the home; her mother of Salem, VA; daughters, Sabrina Fuller (Jamie) of Easley, Kayla Adams (Josh) of Williamston; son, Nathan Roach (Cari) of Easley; maternal grandmother, Tempie Ligon of Salem, VA; brothers, Samuel Eugene Fuller, Jr. of Williamston, Dennis Fuller of Easley; sisters, Cindy Bollick of Marietta, GA, Denise Stewart of Easley; grandchildren, Chase, Lexie, Joseph, Caden, Nikki, and Willow.
She was predeceased by a grandson, Keelan.
Memorial services were held 3 pm Friday, July 6, 2012 at Oak Hill United Methodist Church.
The family is at the home and received friends following the services.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer is in charge.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
‘JOE’ BLACKSHIRE
Joseph “Joe” Anthony Blackshire, Sr., 68, of Piedmont, husband of Linda Simmons Blackshire, died Friday, July 6, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital.
He was a son of the late Joseph Raymond and Jesse Bennett Blackshire.
He was retired from BI-LO and of the Baptist faith. He served in the U.S. Army.
Surviving in addition to his wife are three daughters, Celina Hall of Iva, Kim McGhghy of Fountain Inn, Stacey Fleming of Williamston; two sons, “Jody” Blackshire, Jr. of Hickory Tavern, Nicholas Blackshire of Piedmont; 20 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Craig Blackshire of Greenville.
Funeral services were held Monday, July 9, at Gray Mortuary Chapel, Pelzer. Burial followed in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
FRANCES S. WALDROP
Frances Stokes Waldrop, 70, of Greer, died July 7, 2012 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
A native of Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late Theron H. and Ruby Ferguson Stokes, of the Baptist Faith and a homemaker.
Surviving are her husband, Wilton Waldrop of the home; daughter, Deborah Waldrop of Greer; one grandson; two brothers, Buddy Stokes and Ronnie Stokes, both of Piedmont; three sisters, Nancy McKinney of Piedmont, Linda Stancell of Lexington and Patty Hawley of Easley.
Graveside services were held Tuesday at Hillcrest Memory Gardens.
RUBY PERKINS
Ruby Lorene Moore Perkins, 93, of Pelzer died on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.
A graveside service was held July 5 at Graceland Cemetery in Greenville. She was a daughter of the late Jim and Betty Moore and was married to the late Plumer Perkins. She was a Baptist.
She operated her own beauty salon and also worked at Dunkin’ Donuts and Swirl Manufacturing.
Surviving are daughter, Carolyn Tompkins of Gaston; sons, Dewey Perkins of Piedmont, and Ken Perkins of Pelzer; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She was the last surviving sibling of 14 children.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or to the charity of your choice.
MALCOLM BUFORD WILSON
Malcolm B. Wilson, 76, husband of Mitzie June Evans Wilson, of Powdersville, died Thursday, June 28, 2012 in Pensacola, FL.
He was born in Lakeland, FL son of the late Buford R. and Georgia Bohannon Wilson. He retired from the U.S. Air Force and the US Department of the Treasury.
He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife are; daughter, Wren Loesel of Broomfield, CO; son, Rhett Kendrick of Powdersville; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Linda Rehberg of Mulberry, FL and Judith Kinney of Cocoa, FL.
Funeral services were held July 5 at Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 3535 Pelham Rd., Ste. 101, Greenville, SC 29615.
THELMA E. SMITH
Thelma Elrod Smith, 96, of Piedmont, died Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at her home.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late John Mason Elrod and Eula Ellenburg Elrod.
She helped her husband, the late Julian Furman Smith, with the family farm for many years and retired from the Greenville County Library System.
She was a life-long member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
She is survived by a son, Ray Smith of the home; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Oneita Richey of Anderson.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 7 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Interment followed at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 101 Pisgah Road, Easley, SC 29642.
DAVID LEE SHOCKLEY
David Lee Shockley, 49, of Greenville, died Monday, July 2, 2012.
Born in Honolulu, HI, he was a son of Doris Delane Belt and the late George Edgar Shockley.
He was a veteran of the US Army and retired from the automotive industry. He was a member of Solid Rock Baptist Church.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his children, Shannon Haney of Mountain View, Stephanie Shockley of Greer, and Jimmy Shockley of Easley; two grandchildren; sisters, Sharon Martin of Mauldin and Patricia Dycus of Greenville; brothers, Emory Shockley of Pelzer and Edwin Shockley of Simpsonville.
Funeral service was held July 5 at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest chapel. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery West.
Memorials may be made to Monaghan Baptist Church, 1500 West Parker Road, Greenville, SC 29617.
VIRGINIA VAUGHN FISHER
Virginia Vaughn Fisher, 89, formerly of Belton, died June 30, 2012 at her home in Columbia.
Born in Ware Shoals, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Willie Mauldin Vaughn. She was a member of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church in Columbia.
Surviving are daughters, Judi Harris of Columbia and Jeanne Reid of DeLand, FL; sister JoAnn Gilreath of Williamston; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held July 8 at Cox Funeral Home in Belton.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Respite Care Program, South Carolina Chapter, 4124 Clemson Blvd., Ste. L., Anderson, SC 29621.
GENEVA PHILLIPS
Geneva Phillips, 92, of Williamston, died July 3, 2012 at her home.
Born in Hart County, GA, she was the son of the late John and Hadie Williams, and the spouse of the late James Burley Phillips.
She is survived by her sons, Billy Shepherd of California; James “J.R.” Phillips of Williamston, John E. “Eddie” Phillips of Pelzer; daughters, Jo Ann Gosnell of Belton, Lib Farrow of Williamston; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held July 5 at Woodlawn-Sosebee Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
LUCILLE COOK
Lucille Cook, 86, of Piedmont, died Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at her home.
Funeral service was held July 7 at the Reedy Fork Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Greenville Memorial Gardens.
The family was at the home of her daughter, Sharon Cook of Piedmont.
ERNEST RAY ROBINSON
Ernest Ray Robinson, 64, went to be with the Lord Sunday, July 8, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army and was the son of the late James Ernest and Marion L. Robinson.
Surviving are wife Kathy Bishop Robinson of the home; and son, Jamie Robinson of the home; daughter, Melissa Gambrell of Belton; brother, Johnny Robinson of Williamston; and a sister, Anita Bailey of Honea Path.; granddaughter, Lorae Robinson of Pelzer; and grandsons, Christopher Gunter of Belton and Chance Autry of Belton.
He was predeceased by a brother, Jimmy Robinson.Ernest will be missed.
Memorial service for Ernest Ray Robinson will be held at Williamston Church of God, 12 West 1st Street, Williamston, Friday, 13th at 6 p.m.
DOROTHY LEE CHRISTIE VAUGHN
Dorothy Vaughn, 87, of Boiling Springs, NC, died Thursday, June 28 at Crawley Memorial Hospital in Boiling Springs, NC.
A native of Rowan County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Charles Huston Christie and Docia Rebecca Hartman Christie.
She was predeceased by her husband, John Henry Vaughn.
Surviving are a sister, Betty Christie Edens of Pelzer; five children; ten grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held July 1 in Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
FRED WILSON TAYLOR
Fred Wilson Taylor, 90, formerly of Greenville, widower of Lillian Keith Taylor, died at the home of his daughter on Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Claude Furman and Lizzie Stewart Taylor.
He served in the US Army during World War II and retired from Thomas McAfee Funeral Home.
He is survived by daughters, June T. Fuller of Taylors and Rita L. Wallen of Simpsonville; son, Don Robert Taylor of Piedmont; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held July 3 at the Remembrance Chapel at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, 4605 Belton Highway, Anderson, SC 29621.
KATIE HUNT
Katie Lee Jones Hunt, 93, widow of the late Bert Eugene Hunt, Jr., of Fair Play, died Saturday, June 30, 2012 at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.
Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Eufaula Gale Massengile Jones.
She was a member of Beaverdam Baptist Church and retired from Intex, Inc. of Greenville.
Surviving are son, David Eugene Hunt of Snellville, GA; daughters, Linda Woodall of Piedmont and Pam Hunt Thacker of Anderson; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held July 2 at Beaverdam Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Beaverdam Baptist Church, P.O. Box 128, Fair Play, SC 29643.
HELEN S. SIMPSON
WILLIAMSTON – Helen S. Simpson, 88, of Williamston, SC went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at the Summit Place of Anderson. She was the widow of the late Michael W. Simpson of Williamston.
She is survived by her son, Jim Simpson and daughter-in-law, Shirley Simpson of Williamston, granddaughter, Mandy Dausener and her husband, Chad of Charleston, SC, grandson, Mike Simpson and his wife, Beverly of Williamston, and one great granddaughter, Callie. She is also survived by her nephew, Ken Smith, of Williamston and niece, Anne Canipe of Richmond, VA.
She was predeceased by her sister, Theo Smith.
The family is at the home of Jim and Shirley Simpson at 105 Simpson Street in Williamston.
The family received friends at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer on Tuesday, July 10 from 6-8pm.
Services will be held on Wednesday, July 11 at 11:00 am at the Williamston Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Anderson.
Mrs. Simpson was the former owner of Ace Hardware & Rental and also partner with her son, Jim of Town Square Development in Williamston. She was a former school teacher, a dedicated member of Williamston Presbyterian Church for sixty-five years where she served as a member of the choir and a Sunday School teacher. She positively touched the lives of so many people in Williamston and the surrounding community through her Church and her business.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Williamston Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 38, Williamston, SC 29697.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
BILL LOWE
WILLIAMSTON – James William “Bill” Lowe, 92, formerly of Williamston, husband of Norah Esther Vise Lowe, died Monday, July 9, 2012, at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.
A World War II Army veteran, he retired from Abbott Labs. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and a Mason.
In addition to his wife, of the home, he is survived by a daughter, Vicky Whitlow (Charles), of Anderson; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Visitation was 12-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with funeral services following at the funeral home chapel at 1:30 p.m. Burial followed at the M. J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.
The family is at the home of the daughter, Vicky Whitlow, 316 Lakewood Lane, Anderson, SC 29625.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, South Carolina Chapter, 4124 Clemson Boulevard – Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
LARUE F. RIDLEY
LaRue Frady Ridley, 85, widow of Leonard Monroe Ridley, Taylors died July 6, 2012.
Born in Macon County, NC, she was a daughter of the late Kelsie Napolean and Eva McCoy Frady. She was a member of Lee Road Baptist Church.She was a retired Cosmetologist.
Surviving are sons, Monroe Lanny Ridley of Pelzer, Larry Leonard Ridley of Lincoln, CA; sisters, Eva Coch of Florida, Joan Sullivan of Simpsonville; brothers, J.R. Frady of Simpsonville, Delano Frady of Pickens; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, July 12 in the Chapel at Mackey Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to McCall Hospice of Greenville, 1836 W. Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.
FRANK LEWIS ELROD
Frank Lewis Elrod, 75, of Piedmont, husband of Faye Sims Elrod, died Friday, July 6, 2012.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Lewis and Francis Elrod.
He retired from J.P. Stevens and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Donna Alsup of Piedmont and Angela Holder of Greenville; brother, Herbert Elrod of Piedmont; and four grandchildren.
Funeral service was held at Rock Springs Baptist Church on July 9. Burial followed in Bethesda United Methodist Church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church, 516 Piedmont Rd., Easley, SC 29640.
WAYMON ‘BUD’ YOUNGBLOOD
Waymon “Bud” Youngblood, 70, of Piedmont, died July 8, 2012.
Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late Clifton and Carrie Suttles Youngblood.
He was employed with Hennis and Yellow Freight and attended New Life Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Surviving are four children, Eric Stancil, Dale Stancil, Rhonda Stancil, and Mickie Boswell; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be 8 p.m. Thursday at New Life Baptist Church, 2690 West Blue Ridge Dr., (Hwy. 153), Greenville, SC 29611.
The family will receive friends on hour prior to the service.
CLAUDIA BOYCE FURR
Claudia Boyce Furr, 90, of Clinton, widow of James Earle Furr, died Friday, July 6, 2012 in the McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville.
She was born in Lee County and was the daughter of the late Joseph Eckard and Carrie Belle Boyce.
She was retired from Belk Department Store and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton.
She is survived by daughters, Jimmie Vaughan of Kinards and Martha Buchanan of Pelzer; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held July 9 at First Baptist Church of Clinton. Burial followed in Rosemont Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to McCall Hospice House, 1836 W. Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.
