T. ED GARRISON, DOUGLAS ‘DOUG’ MCILWAIN HAWKINS, MILDRED BELL, BARRY SANDERS, CORNELL THOMPSON WILLIAMS, MARTHA AMBROSE, JIMMY BLACK, JR., LUCIUS L. ‘LUKE’ HILL, DONNIE RAGSDALE, HUGH BELK, ANGELA MARCELLA FOSTER GRIFFIN
T. ED GARRISON
Former State Senator Thomas Edmond Garrison, Jr., of Anderson, died June 16, 2013 at the home of his son Tom Garrison III where the family celebrated Father’s Day. He was 91 years old.
Sen. Garrison was born Jan. 21, 1922 in Anderson County, the son of Thomas Edmond Garrison and Nettie McPhail Garrison. He graduated from Boys High in Anderson and Clemson University in 1942 with a degree in Vocational Agriculture.
Known as the “war class” Sen. Garrison and his fellow graduates went into the armed services immediately following graduation because of the declaration of war with Germany and Japan the previous December. He served first in the Army then transferred to the Army Air Force serving in the South Pacific where, in a B-25, he flew 65 missions with the 69th Medium Bombardment Squadron of the 13th Air Force.
After his military discharge he returned to the family farm where he had grown up and began a lifetime in farming. For a few years he taught veterans agriculture classes.
A leader in both county and state agriculture, Garrison was recognized with many awards from agricultural, conservation, and civic organizations including Man of the Year by Progressive Farmer magazine, S.C. Jaycees, Wildlife Federation, Sertoma Club, Distinguished Alumni Award from Clemson University, Legislator of the Year by the VFW, the Order of the Palmetto, and many others.
His farm, Denver Downs, on the Anderson-Clemson highway 76, was often the host for guests from around the state for meetings and demonstrations, and the house is on the National Register of Historic Places. Garrison was one of the first farmers in the area to use no-till planting. Always a proponent for soil conservation, Garrison very soon after he began farming had a soil and water conservation plan designed for his farm. He served as president of the S.C. Farm Bureau and the S.C. Association of Soil Conservation Supervisors.
Garrison offered for election to the state House of Representatives in 1958. He was elected and served 1959-1966 when he was elected to the S.C. State Senate where he served from 1967-1988 for a total of 30 years making him one of Anderson County’s longest serving legislators. Over the years there were many committee assignments including the Education Committee which he chaired; Agricultural and Natural Resources; Finance; Fish, Game, and Forestry; Corrections and Penology; and others.
Garrison was an active and lifelong member of Welcome Baptist Church which his grandfather had helped organize in the Denver Downs home where the Garrisons lived. He was a deacon and, for many years, teacher of the Men’s Sunday School class, and served in other capacities.
Garrison is survived by his wife of 57 years Hazel Juanita Bartlett Garrison and five children.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 19 at Welcome Baptist Church on Clemson Highway 76 conducted by William R. West, Jr. and Rev. Marion Hare, former pastor of Greenville. A long time friend Roy Jeffcoat gave the eulogy.
Burial followed in the family plot of Welcome Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the Campbell Patriots Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the Pendleton District Commission-Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of S.C., P.O. Box 565, Pendleton, SC 29670; the James Bartlett Garrison Memorial Scholarship Endowment, Clemson University, 110 Daniel Drive, P.O. Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633; or the Benjamin Garrison Sprague Endowment Fund, Clemson University, 110 Daniel Drive, P.O. Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633.
DOUGLAS ‘DOUG’ MCILWAIN HAWKINS
Douglas “Doug” McIlwain Hawkins, 80, husband of JoAnn Hawkins of Pelzer, died Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Hosanna Health and Rehab.
Born in Anderson County, he was the son of Prue and Lula Shaw Hawkins. He was owner of Doug’s Quick Stop, was a veteran of the U.S. Army and attended Church of God of Belton.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are: stepdaughter, Lana Surface of Ware Place; brothers, Bill Hawkins of Belton, Alfred Hawkins of MO and Alvin “Speck” Hawkins of Belton; and one step-granddaughter.
Graveside services were held Friday at Garden of Memories.
MILDRED BELL
Mildred Gail Moats Bell, 62, of Anderson, died Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at her home.
Born in Anderson, she was the daughter of Edith Rogers Moats Burgess and the late Curtis Henry Moats.
She was a member of Whitefield Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
Surviving are her mother, Edith Rogers Moats Burgess and step-father, Harrison Burgess of Williamston; daughter, Tamara Marie Bell of the home; two sisters, Jackie Bull and Diane Thrasher, both of Charleston; step-brother, Michael Burgess of Williamston; two step-sisters, Jan Kelly of Williamston and Sherry Gentry of Anderson.
Funeral service was held Saturday, June 15 at the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home. Interment followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
BARRY SANDERS
Barry Sanders, 51, of Piedmont, died on Monday, June 10, 2013.
Born in Camden, NJ, he was a pipe fitter.
Surviving are a daughter, Tarra Stoddard; sisters, Barbara North, Patricia Gates, Bonnie Werz, Nancy McCullough, Joni Jones, Rose Sanders, Brenda Ellis, Sandi Sanders; and brothers, Frank Sanders, Ted Sanders, George Sanders, Pete Sanders, Bobby Sanders, Richie Sanders.
A memorial service was held June 14 at the Oak Grove Baptist Church Community Building in Piedmont.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
CORNELL THOMPSON WILLIAMS
Cornell Thompson Williams, 79, of Williamston died Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the Rainey Hospice House.
Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late Allen Thompson and Julia Mae McCullough.
She was a member of the New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church and was married to the late Frank Williams.
Surviving are one daughter, Jan Washington of the home.
Funeral services were held Saturday at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
MARTHA AMBROSE
Martha Reid Ambrose, 76, of Williamston, widow of William Walter “Billy” Ambrose, died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Hospice of the Upstate.
Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late Willie Joe and Rachel Lollis Reid. She retired from Cryovac and was a member of First Baptist Church in Williamston.
Survivors include daughter, Beverly Kimbrough of Williamston; sons, Tim Ambrose of Simpsonville, and Tony Ambrose of Easley; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 15 in the mortuary chapel of Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. Burial followed held at Cannon Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Rainey Hospice House, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
JIMMY BLACK, JR.
PIEDMONT—James “Jimmy” Thomas Black, Jr., 79, of 514 Hurricane Creek Road, husband of Edith Darnell Black, died Saturday, June 15, 2013, at his home.
Born in Greenville, SC, he was a son of the late James Thomas Black, Sr. and Eunice Hopkins Black Goodman. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired as Captain of the Parker Fire District and was a member of the Piedmont Church of God.
In addition to his wife of the home, he is survived by son, Ricky Dale Black and his wife Beth of Piedmont; and brothers, Johnny Black of Greer, Roy Black of Anderson, and Charles Black of Williamston.
He was predeceased by brother, Ralph Black, and sister, Jane Brewer.
Visitation was 1:00-3:00 p.m. Monday at Gray Mortuary. The funeral followed in the mortuary chapel at 3:00 p.m. Monday. Burial was held at Graceland West Cemetery.
The family is at the home.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
LUCIUS L. ‘LUKE’ HILL
WILLIAMSTON—Lucius L. “Luke” Hill, 86, widower of Dorothy Vickery Hill, died Friday, June 14, 2013, at Rainey Hospice House.
Born in Anderson County, SC, he was a son of the late Fred Lucius and Emma Louise Harris Hill, Sr. A veteran of the US Army-Air Force, he also worked for Duke Power until his retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Williamston, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Hejaz Shriner, a member of the Eastern Star and the Williamston Lions Club. He served four years on the Anderson County District One School Board and was Past President of the Palmetto High School Band Booster Club.
He is survived by his daughter, Lou Ellen H. Osteen, and her husband, Jim, of Williamston; sons, Kenneth J. Hill, of Williamston, and Glen F. Hill, and his wife, Lindy, of Greenville; sisters, Dot Reid Yeager of Simpsonville, Ann Greer of Williamston, and Evelyn Hudson of Greer; brothers, Fred H. Hill of Sumter, and Fred L. Hill, Jr. of Greenville; four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by brother, Ernest Hill.
Visitation was held at Williamston First Baptist Church, Sunday 1:30-2:45 p.m. The funeral was in the church sanctuary at 3:00 p.m., Sunday. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Williamston First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 477, Williamston, SC 29697 or to Richard Campbell Veterans’ Nursing Home, 4605 Belton Highway, Anderson, SC 29621, or to Rainey Hospice House, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
DONNIE RAGSDALE
PIEDMONT—Donnie Leon “Buck” Ragsdale, 77, husband of Virginia Fennell Ragsdale, died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Anderson County, he was the son of the late Aileen Ragsdale. He was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Garvin Ragsdale. A veteran of the US Air Force, he formerly worked for Daniel Construction. He was a Baptist.
In addition to his wife of the home, he is survived by daughter, Karen Fowler of Liberty; sons, Tommy Roach of Slabtown, and Ricky Roach of Greenville; brother, Tommy Black of Anderson; sister, Janice Moore of Liberty; two granddaughters, Melissa Ross of Simpsonville and Tori Durham of Woodstock, GA; three great-grandsons, Cade, Cullen, and Crew Durham; niece, Lydia Stone; and nephew, Jason Stone.
Visitation was held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Monday at Greenville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel. The funeral and entombment followed Monday at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Ronnie Norris and Rev. Robert Griswold will officiate.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Karen Fowler, 106 Beverly Court, Liberty.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
HUGH BELK
Hugh Clifford Belk, 81, husband of Frances Harris Belk, of Westminster, died Saturday, June 15, 2013 at his home.
Born in Union City, NC to the late Floyd D. and Margaree Aycoth Belk, he was a tree surgeon and a member of Faith Memorial Tabernacle of Anderson.
Surviving in addition to his wife are sons Jeff Belk of Williamston, Tom Belk of Fort Mill, Sam Belk of Abilene, TX and James Blackmon of Westminster; daughters, Joyce Williams of Seneca and Jackie James of Westminster; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held Monday, June 17 at Faith Memorial Tabernacle, Anderson. Burial followed at First Baptist Memorial Park in Westminster.
ANGELA MARCELLA FOSTER GRIFFIN
Angela Marcella Griffin died Thursday, June 13, 2013.
She was born in Greenville to the late Thelma Crouch Foster and Robert Foster.
Surviving are two sons, David Griffin and Andrew Griffin, both of Greenville; sisters, Delores Frazier and Leila Foster; and brother, Robert Foster; and three grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Monday, June 17 at Redemption World Outreach Church.
