Obituaries 12-31-14

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STEVE GEDDENS, MARY ANN BARTODEJ, MARION DAVIS, GLADYS COOPER, THELMA ROBERTS, SHIRLEY MCALISTER, JOE KINARD, DEBORAH L. COX, CHARLES THOMAS ‘TOM’ FERGUSON, THOMAS CARROLL JAMES, LON C. MOODY, JIMMY CANTRELL

STEVE GEDDENS

Our Father, Steve Geddens, 76, of Williamston, SC passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at McCall Hospice House.  Born to Casper and Mary Geddens of Pelzer, SC, he lived most of his life in the Upstate. He was a graduate of Palmetto High School, enjoyed participating in the Textile Basketball League and began his professional career with the Navy as a radioman aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer. He attended Anderson College while working on aircraft at the Donaldson Center and then had a long successful career at 3M as a maintenance supervisor at the Tape Plant.

He was just recently predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Ellen Trotter Geddens of Pelzer. Steve was extremely loving and proud of his family, beginning with his children, Kristi Geddens Ledford and Jim of Greenville, Suzanne Geddens Callaham and Bobby of Belton, and Mark Geddens and Diane of Mexico; grandchildren, Brittani Ledford Robinson and Jimmy, Shannon Ledford and Tennant Shaw, Kristin Ledford, Ben Callaham and Kate Callaham; and great-grandchildren, Samuel and Finley Shaw. Steve is also survived by his younger siblings, Gary Geddens and Pearl of Columbia, and Lynne Geddens Johnson and Johnny of Marietta, GA; with nephews and niece, Tom Geddens, Rob Geddens, Ben Johnson and Jennifer Johnson.

Daddy enjoyed many accomplishments, but was never boastful. He did recently state that he was most proud that he was able to provide for his family, educate his children and see his family lead lives that they could take pride in. There will be a private visitation and funeral for family, but memorial donations can be made in Daddy’s name to McCall Hospice House, 1836 W. Georgia Rd., Simpsonville, SC 29680.

Gray Mortuary, Pelzer

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

MARY ANN BARTODEJ

Williamston—Mary Ann Kelly Bartodej, 77, widow of George E. Bartodej, died Saturday, December 20, 2014.

Born in Pickens, she was the daughter of the late Millard Lewis and Gertrude Darnell Kelly. She was a United States Air Force spouse and homemaker.

Surviving are daughters, Terry B. Forte of Anderson, Kennetha “Kenny” B. Wilson of Columbia; son, Kelly “Pete” Bartodej of Williamston; sisters, Margie Lathem, Jean Butterfield, Elizabeth Rogers, Linda Raven and Lynne Ashley; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by sister, Cynthia Thompson; and brothers, Millard L. Kelly Jr. and Glenn Kelly.

Visitation was held from 10-11 on Tuesday, December 23, at Calvary Baptist Church. The service followed at 11:00 with burial at Dolly Cooper VA Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Open Arms Hospice, 1836 West Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29672.

The family is at the home of Terry Forte, 105 Kilsprings Road, Anderson.

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

MARION DAVIS

Marion Garrett Davis, 86, of Pelzer, widow of Carl H. Davis, Jr., died Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Born in Pelzer, she was the daughter of the late George B. and Zula Hankins Garrett. She was a retired teacher’s aide in Anderson School District One and a member of Pelzer United Methodist Church.

Surviving are her daughter, Dale Roth (Ronnie) of Clinton; two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Garrett Roth.

A graveside service was held  Tuesday, December 23, at Greenville Memorial Gardens.

GLADYS COOPER

Gladys Helen White Cooper, 92, of Piedmont, widow of Rev. Veldee Joe Cooper, died Sunday, December 21, 2014, at Lila Doyle Nursing Care Facility in Seneca.

Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late Luther and Grace Jamison White. A homemaker, she was a member of the Piedmont Church of God of Prophecy.

Surviving are sons, Joe and Jerry Cooper of Piedmont, Jay Cooper of Grass Valley, California and Ted Cooper of Seneca; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren.

Funeral service was held Tuesday, December 23, at Gray Mortuary Chapel.  Burial was held at Greenville Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Home with a Heart, Rev. Veldee Cooper Worship Center, 220 James Mattison Road, Liberty, SC 29657.

THELMA ROBERTS

Thelma Christine Roberts, 68, of Piedmont, wife of Mike M. Roberts, Sr., died Thursday, December 25, 2014 at her home.

She was a daughter of Evelyn Barnes Mitchell and owner/operator of TC and M.

Surviving in addition to her husband are sons, Rusty Roberts of Piedmont, Robin Roberts of Piedmont, Mike Roberts, Jr. of Piedmont, Marty Roberts of Speedway, Indiana; sisters, Brenda Center and Ann Godfrey; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

Graveside service was held Tuesday at Grove Station Baptist Church Cemetery, Piedmont.

SHIRLEY MCALISTER

Shirley Ann Welborn Creswell McAlister, 78, of Pelzer, wife of James Lee McAlister, died Sunday, December 28, 2014.

Born in Anderson, she was a daughter of Sanford Prett and Lessie Flemming Welborn. She was retired from Kemet and a member of Wren Baptist Church.

She was twice married, first to the late Robert Carl Creswell.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by sons, Gary Creswell of Pelzer and Daryl Creswell of Piedmont; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral service was held, Tuesday at Wren Baptist Church. Burial followed at Greenville Memorial Gardens.

JOE KINARD

Williamston—Joe Earl Kinard, Sr., 81, husband of Azalee Kay Kinard, died Tuesday, December 23, 2014.

Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Raymond H. and Leila Mayfield Kinard. Mr. Kinard was a U.S. Army, Korean War veteran and he was retired. He was a member of Whitefield Baptist Church, was a founding member of the Williamston Rescue Squad, and was one of the few divers for the squad.

Additional survivors include daughters, Peggy Kinard Fricks (Dan) of Belton, Sommer Nicole Smith (Paul) of Anderson; son, Joe Earl “Joey” Kinard, Jr. (Cari) of Williamston; grandchildren, Tiffany Kinard, Cameron (Natalie) Putnam; great-grandchildren, Ryland and Olivia Putnam.

He was predeceased by daughter, Sandra Jo Kinard; sisters, Ethel Mason, Ruby West and Agnes Cothran.

Visitation was held from 6:00—8:00, Friday, December 26, at Gray Mortuary. The service was held at 2:00 Saturday, in the Gray Mortuary chapel. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

The family is at the home.

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

DEBORAH L. COX

Deborah L. Cox, 57, of Williamston, died Saturday, December 20, 2014.

Born in Anderson she was a daughter of the late Edward and Elaine Garrison Burton.

She is survived by her husband Boyd “Buddy” Cox; daughter, Amanda “Mandy” Reeves and Latasha “Tash” Waters; brothers, Joey and Roger Burton; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 27 at Sosebee Mortuary, South Chapel. A private service was held at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Williamston.

CHARLES THOMAS ‘TOM’ FERGUSON

Charles Thomas “Tom” Ferguson, 80, of Taylors, husband of Marie Reynolds Ferguson, died Saturday, December 20, 2014.

Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Mary Caroline Fisher and Charlie Ferguson.

He was a self-employed electrician, contractor and cattleman.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Beverly Ferguson of Taylors; son, Thomas Mark Ferguson of Duncan; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Carroll Eugene Ferguson of Powdersville.

Funeral service was held Dec. 23 at Parkwood Baptist Church. Burial followed at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Parkwood Baptist Church, 2140 State Park Rd., Greenville, SC 29609.

THOMAS CARROLL JAMES

Thomas Carroll James, 90, of Piedmont, husband of Mary Ethel Ray James, died Friday, December 26, 2014 at McCall Hospice House.

Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late John Cromer and Elizabeth Brockman James.

He was the owner and operator of Thomas C. James and Son, Inc. and a member of Reedy Fork Baptist Church.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Army.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Carol Diane James Dooley; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Evelyn Bullock, Mary Pepple, and Doris McClure.

Funeral service was held Monday, December 29 at Reedy Fork Baptist Church. Burial followed in Greenville Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Reedy Fork Baptist Church Building Fund, 459 Reedy Fork Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

LON C. MOODY

Lon C. Moody, 85, of Lyman, died December 25, 2014.

Born in Greenville County, he was a son of the late L. F. and Josie Lee White Moody. He retired from Bell South and was a member of Apalache Baptist Church.

He was a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran.

Surviving are his wife, Christine H. Moody of the home; six daughters, Sheila Medford of Greer, Sharon Alexander of Lyman, Trudy Blackwell of Greer, Judy Chapman of Greer, Debbie Dillard of Duncan and Judy Adams of Moore; three sisters, Frances Green of Powdersville, Iva Jo Elrod of Piedmont and Patricia McKinney of Greenville; 15 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Dot Moody.

Funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 27 at Apalache Baptist Church. Entombment followed in Hillcrest Memory Gardens Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to Apalache Baptist Church, 1915 Gap Creek Road, Greer, SC 29651.

JIMMY CANTRELL

Jimmy C. Cantrell, 44, of Piedmont, husband of Tamara Taylor Cantrell, died Monday, December 22, 2014 at his home.

Born in Greenville, he was a son of Mildred Blackstone Cantrell and the late Jimmy “Spoony” Cantrell.

He was formerly employed with Ashland Inc. and was a member of the Piedmont First Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife and mother are sons, Jimmy C. Cantrell, II of Piedmont, Michael T. Cantrell of the home; daughter, Samantha Cantrell of Piedmont; three grandchildren; brothers, Johnny Cantrell of Piedmont, Lloyd Cantrell, and David Cantrell of Powdersville.

Graveside service was held Friday, December 26 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Piedmont.

Memorials may be made at the Piedmont Fire Department for the family to help with funeral expenses.