Obituaries Week of October 28, 2019

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WILLARD GOSNELL, BONNIE THOMPSON, CLARENCE GIBSON, JR., J.D. STEPHENS, DAVID MARTIN, REBECCA ‘REB’ BENNETT COKER

WILLARD GOSNELL

PELZER – Willard Roland Gosnell, 95, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Richard Campbell Nursing Home.

Born in Pelzer, he was a son of the late Alfred and Odell Hughes Gosnell.  Willard was a World War II veteran having served in the U.S. Navy.  Willard, after WWII, went to work in the mills of Pelzer and retired there as an industrial engineer.  He left the mill for several years during the 1960’s to be Postmaster in Pelzer.  Willard was a lifelong member of the Pelzer Presbyterian Church.  He did a lot of fishing when he was young and played golf when he was older.  He was well respected in his community and will be missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are son, Keith (Cheyrel) Gosnell of Pelzer; brother, Gene (Nancy) Gosnell of Lexington; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Jessie Martin Gosnell; sons, David and Phillip Gosnell; and brother, James Gosnell.

Services for Willard was held at Gray Mortuary Chapel on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the chapel service, Willard was laid to rest next to Jessie at Pine Lawn Cemetery (behind the Church of God in Pelzer).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202.

Gray Mortuary, Pelzer

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

BONNIE THOMPSON

PIEDMONT – Bonnie Mae Stowe Thompson, 70, wife of Melvin Fredrick “Tom” Thompson, Sr., passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.

Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late William Cecil Stowe and Thelma Mae Woodson Stowe Crain Coggins. She was a homemaker and a member of Agape Baptist Church.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by children, Tom Thompson, Jr., Karen Storey, Brandie Mae Smith, and William Lee “Willie” Hawthorne; brother, Floyd Stowe; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was predeceased by daughters, Tammie Mae Thompson and Khristy Lynn Thompson; granddaughter, Stephanie Michelle Storey; and brother, Jerry Stowe.

Visitation was Sunday, October 27, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary, with the service following at 3:00 in the mortuary chapel. Burial was at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family is at the home.

Gray Mortuary, Pelzer

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

CLARENCE GIBSON, JR.

Clarence Conway Gibson, Jr. 85, of Greenville, husband of Susan Loftis Stouffer, passed away on Saturday October 26, 2019.

He was born at Trotter Hill in Pickens, a son of the late Clarence Conway Gibson, Sr. and the late Bessie Fortner Gibson. A retired textile executive, He was formerly employed with Delta Woodside.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Loftis Stouffer; a daughter, Lisa G. Barnes of Greenwood and Niki G. Cobb of Piedmont; two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents He was predeceased by his first wife Pat Adams Gibson.

A private graveside service will be held.

Memorials be made to The Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation, 123 WG Acker Drive, Pickens, SC 29671.

J.D. STEPHENS

Jesse Dee “J.D.” Stephens, 75, of Piedmont, husband of the late Mildred Marie Allison Hayes Stephens, passed away Friday, October 25, 2019.

Born in Winfield, AL, he was a son of the late Charly Lester and Alma Lorene Whittle Stephens.

He retired as the owner and operator of Union 76 and was also the owner and operator of Piedmont Sno-Cone. He was a member of Piedmont Church of God of Prophecy.

Survivors include son, Pastor Michael Stephens of Anderson; daughter, Tammie Cothran of Liberty; sisters, Margaret Crane and Alma Kelley; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral service was held Monday, October 28,  in the chapel of Gray Mortuary. Burial followed at Memory Gardens in Clemson.

DAVID MARTIN

Carroll David Martin, 76, of Williamston, husband of Bobbie Moore Martin, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2019.

Born in Williamston, he was a son of the late Carol J. E. and Bonnie Laura Durham Martin. A member of Guthrie Grove Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith, he was owner of Knight and Martin, Inc., co-owner of Martin Builders  and was co-owner of Charles H. Knight Real Estate.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Melissa Martin Wilson, Anthony D. Martin, Tonya B. Currens all of Williamston, and Johnny L. Beckwith of CA; brother, Paul Martin of Williamston; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, October 29, at Guthrie Grove Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith.

Memorials may be made to Joy Fellowship, 492 Bessie Road, Piedmont, SC 29673.

REBECCA ‘REB’ BENNETT COKER

Greenville – Rebecca “Reb” Bennett Coker, 82, wife of Melvin “Fuz” R. Coker, of Greenville, died Sunday, October 27, 2019.

Born in Pelzer, she was a daughter of the late James Townsen and Sarah Stoddard Bennett.

She was a member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. She worked for Eckerd Drugstore and Mel Coker Marine.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Sharon Coker Garlington, and Ricki Coker Jones; a son, Keith Duane Coker; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a sister, Flora “Flo” Bennett Johnson of Lakeland, FL.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, October 30 at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. Burial followed held in Greenville Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, 1800 E. North St., Greenville, SC 29607.