EARL GAMEL, WILLIAM ‘BILL’ RAY RUTLEDGE, GRADY BROWN JR., HAROLD M. BOUCHILLON, DORIS LOUISE BROWN, SYLVIA MARTIN, JOHN EMMANUEL COKER
EARL GAMEL
Tampa, Florida – Colonel Earl G. Gamel, 90, Tampa, Florida, passed away January 26, 2019 at The Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 59 years, Bertie Barnwell Gamel.
Surviving is a son Gregory Earl Gamel and wife Julie Manos Gamel of Atlanta, GA; a daughter, Catherine Gamel Hussin and husband James Drew Hussin of Tampa, FL; five grandchildren, Mallory Cases (Roberto), Logan Gamel (Jessica), Nicholas Hussin (Julianne), Emily Hussin and Dylan Gamel; one great granddaughter, Kennedy Gamel.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a grandson, Taylor Drew Hussin and sisters; Myrtelene Walker, Doris Pody, Florence Hurt, Flossie Skinner and a brother, Raymond Gamel.
The son of the late Oscar Lamar and Ara Rayfield Gamel of Weogufka, AL., he was a retired Colonel, US Army Corps of Engineers and a retired Logistician with the Department of the Army. He was a graduate of the Infantry School (Basic and Advanced), the Adjutant General School (Advanced), the Engineer School (Advanced), the Command and General Staff College and the Air War College. He completed the National Security Management Course at Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He served two tours in Korea and one in Japan. His last two military assignments were (1) ARCOM Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics and (2) Chief Transportation & Services Division, J-4, United States Readiness Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. As a civilian, he served at Headquarters US Forces Command (1) as Chief, Readiness Office and (2) as Chief, Supply Office, S&M Division, DCSLOG.
He was a member of Pelzer First Baptist Church, Walden Lodge 274 A.F.M. and past president and member of the Lions Club.
Visitation was held at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer, on Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 11:00 am until 12 noon with the funeral service following at 12 noon in the mortuary chapel. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Anderson, with full military rites.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National MS Society or the American Cancer Society.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ RAY RUTLEDGE
BELTON – William “Bill” Ray Rutledge, 84, of Belton died Wednesday, January 30, 2019.
Born in Belton, SC, he was the son of the late Jessie Prince and Ruby Ellison Rutledge. He was a member of Neals Creek Baptist Church and was an avid fisherman.
Surviving are: sons, Randy Rutledge (Carol) of Belton, Terry Rutledge of CA, Kenneth Rutledge (Cindy) of Belton; daughters, Anita McCurry (William) of Abbeville, Denise Rutledge of Jackson, GA; sisters, Elizabeth Wilson and Gladys Roach; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by: brothers, James Rutledge, Jessie Rutledge, Jr. and Marvin Rutledge; sisters, Dorothy Cothran, Laura Mize and Mary Ann Rutledge.
Service was held 11am Saturday at Cedar Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Billy Dickerson. A private burial followed.
The family received friends prior to the service Saturday from 9:30am until 10:45am at the church.
The family will be at their respective homes.
Cox Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
WWW.COXFUNERALHOME1882.COM
STEVE SEARS
WILLIAMSTON – William Steve Sears, 70, husband of Becky Crompton Sears, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019.
Born in Williamston, he was a son of the late William Calvin and Annie Ruth Williams Sears. A member of Life Journey Church (formerly Pelzer Wesleyan Church), he was the owner/operator of Steve Sears Garage and Steve Sears Racing Equipment.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter, Nickie Sears-Schroeder (Bryan) of Lawrenceville, GA; sister, Diane Sears Edens (Bill) of Belton; brother, John “Frankie” Allen (Janice) of Atlanta; and two grandsons, Tyler and Brody Schroeder.
Visitation was held Monday, February 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary.
The funeral was Tuesday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel, followed by burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Life Journey Building Fund, P.O. Box 9, Pelzer, SC 29669.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
GRADY BROWN, JR.
Deacon Grady Brown, Jr., 77, of Greenville, died on January 24, 2019. He was a son of the late Grady Brown, Sr., and Loree Johnson Brown.
Surviving: three daughters, Maxine Hunt of Powdersville, Ivette Ivy Bowens and Miranda Harris, both of Greenville; one son, Bernard Brown of Greenville; four sisters, Doris McCowan of San Diego, CA, Edna Hugh, Eula Brown and Loreina Brown, all of Greenville; two brothers, Charles Brown and James C. Brown, both of Greenville; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral Service: Saturday, February 2, at Shady Grove Baptist Church, with burial on Monday, February 4 in M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.
HAROLD M. BOUCHILLON
Harold M. Bouchillon, 89, of Anderson, husband of Becky Riley Bouchillon, died Thursday, January 31, 2019 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was the son of the late Theodore P. Bouchillon and Martha Cleo Mitchell Bouchillon.
He was a United States Army veteran serving in the Korean War. He retired from BASF and was a member of Pope Drive Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife Becky Riley Bouchillon; sons, Mike E. Bouchillon of Bordeaux, SC, Hal L. Bouchillon and Ted R. Bouchillon, both of Williamston, and J. Victor Bouchillon of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Blanche B. Lindsey and Martha Green; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held Sunday, February 3 in the chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home.
Interment followed in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military honors.
DORIS LOUISE BROWN
Doris Louise Brown, 91, widow of Robert Eulice Brown, of Greenville, died Thursday, January 31, 2019.
Born in Piedmont, she was the last surviving member of her family and a daughter of the late Henry and Effie Collins.
She was a member of Taylors First Baptist Church.
She is survived by two daughters, Dianne Taylor and Phyllis Threatt; and four grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, February 5, at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
SYLVIA MARTIN
WILLIAMSTON – Monday, February 4th, I held the hand of my sweet, loving wife, Sylvia, as her precious soul passed to a loving God in Heaven. My heart is completely broken, but her transition from this life to her eternal home was so peaceful. I will always love My Sylvia because our love is endless.
Sylvia Ann McCoy Martin, 76, wife of William Tony “Billy” Martin, was born in Williamston. A daughter of the late Oscar Joseph and Syble Bannister McCoy, she was a homemaker and a Wesleyan Methodist.
In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her children, Cathy Merrell (Jeff) and Tony Martin (Kim), both of Williamston; and five grandchildren, Lauren Brafford, and Braeden, Annalee, Noel, and Chloe Martin.
She was predeceased by son, Johnny Martin; sisters, Elizabeth Rosier and Cindy Davenport; and brothers, Billy and Roger McCoy.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 7, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary, with the service to follow at 2:00 in the mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Beaverdam Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association – Upstate South Carolina Chapter, 23 Antrim Drive, Greenville, SC 29607.
The family is at the home.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
JOHN EMMANUEL COKER
John Emmanuel Coker, 91, of Anderson, died on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at AnMed Health Medical Center.
Born in Hartwell, GA, he was a son of the late John E. Doker, Sr. and Bertha Durham Doker. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Partain Doker.
He served in the United States Army during WWII. He retired from Owens Corning Fiberglass and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
He is survived by his sons, Philip A. Doker of Anderson and John M. Doker of Williamston; daughters, Susan Walden and Karen D. Mize both of Anderson; also survived by his 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 12:00pm Thursday, February 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends following the service from 1:30-4:00pm Thursday at The McDougald Family Center.
The family will be at the home of his daughter, Karen Mize.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1200 Cornelia Road, Anderson, SC 29621
