GWEN TILLOTSON, ROY PAUL MULLINAX, CHARLES WILLIAM ‘BILL’ POTTS, EDWARD JEROME COOLEY, MARION FLETCHER DILLARD, LARRY PATTERSON, ‘ANDY’ CASON, ARLENE BARTON, RAY HOGG, JIMMY DOUGLAS ‘DOUG’ THURSTON, ‘LISA’ ADAMS, LYNDA RIENDEAU, IRENE LOFTIS, M. L. POORE
GWEN TILLOTSON
Gwendolyn Faye Allison Tillotson, 74, formerly of Pelzer, widow of Kenneth Wade Tillotson, died Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Quillen Manor in Ft. Inn.
Born in Knoxville, she was a daughter of the late John Earle and Anna Allison. She was a member of Washington Baptist Church.
Survivors include daughter, Alece Coble of Piedmont; sons, Nathan Tillotson and Ray Tillotson; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and twin brother, Larry Allison, Sr. of Easley.
Funeral service was held Sunday, January 31, at Washington Baptist Church. Burial followed at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Geriatrics/ Center for Success in Aging, c/o GHS.
ROY PAUL MULLINAX
Roy Paul Mullinax, 87, of Newton, KS died Saturday, January 23, 2016.
Born in Pelzer, he was son of Paul Kudger Mullinax and Eula Collins Mullinax. He was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Lily Altman Mullinax of Newton, KS; daughters, Nancy Stamper of Wilson, NC, and Julie Crawford of Wichita, KS; son, Richard Mullinax of Athens, GA; and three grandchildren.
A celebration of Life service was held January 30 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Greenville. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to The Columbia Foundation c/o Columbia Baptist Church, 103 W. Columbia St., Falls Church, VA 22046.
CHARLES WILLIAM ‘BILL’ POTTS
Charles William ‘Bill’ Potts, 83, of Piedmont, died January 24, 2016 at The Woodlands at Furman in Greenville.
Born in Cleveland, GA, he was the son of the late William T. and Dolly Hester Potts.
He is survived by his wife, Janette Witcher Potts of Piedmont; daughter, Jill Perry; two grandchildren; brother, M. Robert Potts of Monroe, NC.
He retired from the Secret Service.
A private memorial service will be held.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.
EDWARD JEROME COOLEY
Edward Jerome Cooley, 79, husband of Gaylene Sullivan Cooley died Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Foothills Presbyterian Home in Easley.
Born in Greenville County, he was the son of the late Vance Grady and Jessie Davenport Cooley.
He retired from Saco Lowell Hollingsworth and was a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He attended Easley First Wesleyan Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Gaylene, are sons, Phillip Cooley and Keith Cooley, both of Easley; two sisters, Sylvene Massey of Greenville and Linda Oliver of Piedmont; one brother, James Cooley of Piedmont; four granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 28 at Robinson Funeral Home, Powdersville Road in Easley. Entombment followed in Robinson Memorial Gardens, Chapel of Reflection Mausoleum.
Memorials may be made to Easley First Wesleyan Church Building Fund, 104 W 6th Ave., Easley, SC 29640.
MARION FLETCHER DILLARD
Marion Fletcher Dillard, 88, of Powdersville, husband of Iris Burbage Dillard, died January 26, 2016.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Hannah Cameron Webb; stepsons, Lee Roy Brandon Jr., George Marion Brandon and David Lewis Brandon; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was predeceased by his first wife, Jane Williams Dillard.
Memorial service was held Saturday, January 30 at Second Presbyterian Church.
LARRY PATTERSON
Larry Wayne Patterson, 58, of Pelzer, husband of JoAnn Shepard Patterson, passed away Monday, February 1, 2016.
Born in Greenville County, he was a son of the late Arthur Felind and Frances Chambers Patterson. He was a member of Washington Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Christopher Ryan Patterson (Alex Grapenthin) of Williamston and Cory Patterson (Jessica Frady) of Pelzer; sister, Teresa Yearwood (David) of Greenville; brother-in-law, William Shepard (Jan) of Pelzer; sister-in-law, Donna Pusty (Bill) of Simpsonville; grandchildren, Katelynn, Kaden, Kobie and Maddi Patterson.
Visitation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Wednesday, February 3 at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
The service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 4 at Washington Baptist Church.
Burial will follow at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Washington Baptist Church Nehemiah’s Wall, 208 Washington Church Rd., Pelzer, SC 29669.
The family will be at the home.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
‘ANDY’ CASON
Hampton Andrew “Andy” Cason, 52, of Piedmont, husband of Lisa Cowart Cason, died Monday, February 1, 2016.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late William Austin, Sr. and Etta Roper Cason. He was formerly employed with the Duke Energy Oconee Nuclear Station and served as youth pastor at the Pelzer Church of God.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are sons, Dakota Reeves of Charleston and Jaxon “Applejack” West of Pelzer; daughter, Kylee Perkins of Pelzer; brother, William “Bill” Cason of Piedmont; sister, Elizabeth C. Reeves of Piedmont.
Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, February 4 at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
The service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, at the Pelzer Church of God. Burial will follow at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Pelzer Church of God Youth Program, P.O. Box 276, Pelzer, SC 29669.
The family is at the home.
ARLENE BARTON
Arlene Emily Barton, 81, of Pelzer, wife of Rex Barton, died on January 30, 2016 at her home.
Born in Greenlake, Wisconsin, she was a daughter of the late Lester and Mildred Mielke Miller.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by sons, Charles Barton of Barbourville, KY, Rex Thomas Barton of Williamston, Russell Barton of Live Oak, FL and James Barton of Williamston; daughters, Mary Boswell and Anita Bricker, both of Pelzer; brothers, Robert Miller of Markesan, WI and Donald Miller of Salmon, ID; sisters, Marilyn Johns of Markesan, WI, Doris Bunkoske of Horicon, WI and Gladys Withowski of Waupun, WI.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 6 at Heart Cemetery in Whitley County, KY.
RAY HOGG
Haynie Ray Hogg, 58, of Anderson, husband of Sherry Meeks Hogg, died Friday, January 29, 2016.
Born in Belton, he was the son of Harold Haynie and Lona Webb Hogg of Belton. He was co-owner of Sandy’s Restaurant in Belton and a self-employed painter.
In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by children, Christopher Ray Hogg of Riegelwood, NC, Stefany Haynes of Belton, Ryan Daritey of Pelzer and Tameka Meeks of Belton; sisters, Cindy Dyar of Starr, Tammy Strain of Belton and Nancy Higgins of Williamston; seven grandchildren with Abby Green raised in the home.
The funeral service was held at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 1 in the funeral home chapel of Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
Burial followed at Garden of Memories in Belton.
JIMMY DOUGLAS ‘DOUG’ THURSTON
Jimmy Douglas “Doug” Thurston, 72, husband of Ruth Ellen Thurston, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016 at home.
Born in Anderson County, he was the son of Mary E. Lollis Thurston and the late James Frank Thurston.
He was a member of Washington Baptist Church. He was owner/operator of Textile Technical Service and formerly employed by James Hunter Machine Co. of Simpsonville and Schubert and Salzer of Pendleton.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, he is survived by a son, Tim Thurston (Hope); daughhters, Tracie Glover (Brian) and Heather Davis (Jason); grandchildren, Loren, Logan, Melissa, John, Lane, Robbie, Zoey and Holly; a great-grandson, Lathan; brothers, Ray, Carroll (Debbie), Rich (Brenda), Mike; sisters, Diane, Debbie (Jerry), Annette (Stan), Nancy, and Kathy; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Steele Thurston.
A memorial was held Monday, Jan. 25 at Washington Baptist Church.
‘LISA’ ADAMS
Melissa Ann “Lisa” Warren Adams, 46, of Belton, wife of Kenneth Adams, died Sunday, January 31, 2016.
She was a daughter of the late Rufus and Bonnie Fuller Warren. She was employed with Waffle House.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are daughters, Augusta Adams and Rachel Phillips, both of Pelzer; one grandchild; and sister, Bessie Diane Miller of Piedmont.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 4, in the funeral home chapel of Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. Burial will follow at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
LYNDA RIENDEAU
BELTON – Lynda Frances Bryant Riendeau, 74, passed away Friday, January 29, 2016.
Born in Anderson, she was a daughter of the late Troy Elvyn Bryant and Delia Adelaide Stone Bryant Nichols. She retired from Anderson School District One and was a member of Whitefield Baptist Church.
She is survived by sons, Richard “Ricky” David Riendeau, Jr. (Mandy) of Anderson, Donald Troy Riendeau (Nancy) of Williamston and Christopher Frank Riendeau (Kathy) of Iva; daughter, Laurie Anne Riendeau Guest (Tim) of Belton; sisters, Martha Stanley (Joe) of Anderson, Dottie Lee (Randy) of Iva and Lula Broome (Bill) of Iva; brother, Elvyn Bryant (Carolyn) of Anderson; grandchildren, Nolan and Emma Guest.
Visitation was from 4:00 to 6:00 pm Sunday, January 31 at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
The service was held at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 1 at Whitefield Baptist Church.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Whitefield Baptist Church, 207 Mitchell Rd., Belton, SC 29627 or to a scholarship fund for her grandchildren at Community First Bank, 208 E. Main St., Williamston, SC 29697.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
IRENE LOFTIS
Irene Dill Loftis, 106, formerly of Piedmont, S.C., died December 29, 2015, at National Health Care in Clinton, S.C.
She was born December 25, 1909, near New Liberty Church in upper Greenville County, S. C. and grew up in the Mush Creek and Locust Hill communities of upper Greenville County. Her Parents were Arthur Wary Dill and Annie Fleming Dill. She was married to Harvey Alton Loftis who preceded her in death.
In her early career she taught at Locust Hill Elementary School and later at schools in Baldwin Station and Rodman, S. C. after her marriage to Harvey Alton Loftis, who preceded her in death. After having her family, she became Librarian at Piedmont High School in Piedmont, S. C, later serving in the same capacity at several schools in lower Greenville County.
Mrs. Loftis earned her bachelor’s degree at Furman University. She first matriculated at Greenville Woman’s College (now part of Furman) in 1927, interrupting her studies as a result of the Great Depression in 1930. Decades later she returned to Furman where both she and her daughter graduated in 1961. She received her Master of Library Science and Literature degree from Appalachian State University in 1967.
She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Piedmont for more than fifty years, continuing her connection with the church and its congregation after moving to Clinton. A lifelong lover of literature and poetry, she won awards for some of her poems, several of which were published in national poetry journals. She was also a great lover of animals, cherishing the memory of countless cats and dogs in later life when she was no longer able to keep pets. She instilled these values in all of her children. Her greatest strength was her unfailing ability to adapt to whatever circumstances were life imposed and her unquenchable optimism about living.
She is survived by her three children and their families: Ann Hall of Clinton, S. C., Alton and Demi Loftis of Brevard, N. C., and Steve and Jenny Loftis of Williamston, S. C.; her grandchildren, Thomas and Michelle Hall of Pelham, Ala., Robert and Lori Hall of Moore, S. C., Scott and Janine Hall of Simpsonville, S. C., Brad Loftis of Greensboro, N. C., and Ann and Thomas Garrett of Fountain Inn, S. C. She was preceded in death by her brother Winfred Dill and her sister Emmy Lou Irby, both of Rock Hill, S. C.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 3, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Piedmont. Burial followed in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Piedmont, 8 First Baptist Church St, Piedmont, S. C. 29673 and to Greenville Humane Society, 328 Furman Hall Road, Greenville, S. C. 29609.
The Mackey Mortuary. Online guest registry available at www.mackeymortuary.com
M. L. POORE
Piedmont – M.L. Poore, 83, of Piedmont, husband of Ruth Elrod Poore, died Monday, February 1, 2016.
Born in York, AL, he was a son of the late Thomas Keiffer and Ada Rene McAlister Poore. He was retired from Michelin and a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are son, Tim Poore of Williamston; daughter, Jackie Aranda of Piedmont; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
Visitation will be held from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4, at Oak Grove Baptist Church.
The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the church with burial in the church cemetery.
The family is at the home.
