Obituaries week of Oct. 7, 2015

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JAMES HOWARD PITTS, JERRY SIMS, FRANKIE GILREATH, THERON STONE, DON AUSBURN, GENEVA HIOTT, JEWELL BANKS, VIOLA ELLIS

JAMES HOWARD PITTS

James “Howard” Pitts, 85, of Laurens, husband of Betty Lee Inness Pitts, died Tuesday,  September 29, 2015 at Laurens County Memorial Hospital.

Born in Laurens County, he was a son of the late Reuben Andrew and Gertrude Thompson Pitts. A U.S. Army Korean Conflict Veteran, he retired from J.P. Stevens and was a member of Union Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Donna Pitts Wallace of Arizona and Susan Pitts Lindley of Ft. Inn; brothers, Rev. Earl Pitts of Pelzer and Billy Joe Pitts of Laurens; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral service was held Friday, Oct. 2 at Union Baptist Church. Burial followed in Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Union Baptist Church Gym Fund, 536 Old Quaker Church Rd., Laurens, SC 29360.

JERRY SIMS

Jerry Frank Sims, 57, of Fountain Inn, died Friday, October 2, 2015.

Born in Greenville, he was a son of Franklin Jarue Sims and the late Mary Lois Chasteen Sims. He retired from Duke Energy.

In addition to his father of Fountain Inn, he is survived by son, Jason Sims of Williamston; daughter, Kasee Sims Crosby of Fountain Inn; son, David McClain of Piedmont; daughter, Ashley Martinez of Pelzer; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral service was held Tuesday, October 6 at Lebanon United Methodist Church, Honea Path.

Burial followed in the church cemetery.

FRANKIE GILREATH

Frankie M. Gilreath, 82, of Anderson, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 at Brookdale Nursing Home in Easley.

Born in Anderson, she was the daughter of Ernest F. and Ruby Turner Mulkey, and the wife of Ernest G. Gilreath.

She is survived by daughters, Cheryl Bannister of Belton and Pamela Burns of Pelzer; brother, Larry H. Mulkey, Sr. of Spartanburg; sister, Bonne K. Ehly of Anderson; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

Graveside service was held Saturday, October 3 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

THERON STONE

Carl Theron Stone, 89, formerly of Pelzer, died Sunday, October 4, 2015 at Petra Health and Rehab of McCormick.

Born in Pelzer, he was a son of the late Carl Signal and Maude Holliday Stone.

A graveside service was held Wednesday, October 7, at Big Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Williamston.

DON AUSBURN

James Donald “Don” Ausburn, 68, of Piedmont, husband of Kathy Langston Ausburn, died Friday, October 2, 2015.

Born in Pickens County, he was a son of the late Thomas Francis Ausburn and Lois Hughes Ausburn Loaiza. He was formerly employed with J. Ring Contractors and a U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea. He attended Life Church in Piedmont.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Christopher “Chris” Bradley Ausburn of Dacusville; daughter, Shelia Kay Hammonds of Starr; step-son, Michael Braggs of Fountain Inn; step-daughter, Delacy Clark of Commerce, GA; siblings, Gerald Ausburn and Arlene Jordan, both of Maryland and Luellen Taylor and Connie Bonnette, both of Piedmont; 12 grandchildren including grandson, D.J. Langston Jr.; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral service was held Monday, October 5 at Life Church.

Burial followed at Greenville Memorial Gardens.

GENEVA HIOTT

Geneva Campbell Hiott, 100, of Williamston,  widow of William Dewitt Hiott, died Sunday, October 4, 2015.

Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Allie Hyson and Lela Browning Campbell.  She was retired from the Kendall Company and a member of Whitefield Baptist Church.

Survivors include niece and special caregiver, Mary Winiarski.

A graveside service was held Wednesday, October 7, at Whitefield Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, 429 N. Main St., Suite 3, Greenville, SC 29601.

JEWELL BANKS

Jewell Young Banks, New York, NY, died Sept. 23, 2015 in New York.

Born in Williamston, she was the daughter of the late John and Durother Elrod Young. Surviving are her children, Sharon, Curtis, Stella, and Tori Banks, all of New York; siblings Mary Baker, Mildred Arnold, Clarence Young, Adolph Young, and Mary Young.

Funeral services were held September 27 in New York.

VIOLA ELLIS

Viola Ellis, of Pelzer, died Thursday, October 1, 2015 at McCalls Hospice House.

She was born in Anderson County and was the daughter of the late Tommie Aye and Maggie Bell Aye.

She was a member of Welfare Baptist Church.

Surviving are husband, L.C. Ellis; two daughters, Wanda Chapman and Antonia Seaborn; two sons, L.C. Ellis, Jr. and Bryant Ellis; sister, Rebecca Sibert; brother, Tommy Dan Aye; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 5 at Welfare Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.