Obituaries 7-22-2020

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Bill Rodgers, Joe Whitt, Jackie Cable, Albert Smith, Sr., Nancy Henderson, Jean Martin, William Douglas “Doug” Bryant, Jr., Rachel Jackson, Ruth Poore, Jean Martin, Richard Clarence “R.C.” O’Shields, Jerry Stephen “Steve” Ellison

Jerry Stephen “Steve” Ellison 

Jerry Stephen “Steve” Ellison, 74, beloved husband of Brenda Morgan Ellison, passed away on Monday July 13, 2020 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Williamston, SC, he was born of the late Gonzerlee and Maggie Coker Ellison and a beloved son-in-law of Frances (Mimi) and Harold (Doc) Morgan. Steve was the second youngest of eight children. Steve graduated from Palmetto High School and attended Greenville Technical College. He was astute, hardworking and in 1990 started his own business, Handling Services, Inc. of which he was the current CEO. Steve was a loving husband and father who raised his children with a love of business and groomed them to one day run his company. After health challenges prevented Steve from handling the day-to-day operations, he retired to enjoy his life and proudly watched his daughter and son take the lead.

During his leisure time, Steve was a sports enthusiast who regularly watched NASCAR, basketball and football games. He passionately followed the annual PGA tournament at Hilton Head, where he spent time for 25 years. Steve’s favorite moments in life were spent traveling to new and fun destinations where he could relax and enjoy time with the people he loved.

Mr. Ellison was a member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church where he served as a Lifetime Deacon. He was a man of great faith who supported and loved his church and also served his community as a Mason.

After his devastating stroke, Mr. Ellison became a big inspiration for many and never gave up. He was well loved and respected by his community and church for his passion for life and strong faith. Despite his limitations he never gave up and was always thinking of others.

In addition to his wife, Steve is survived by his daughter, Stephanie and John Hovanec and son, Matthew and Madeline Ellison, all of Piedmont, and seven adored grandchildren, Cooper, Eli, Zachary, Reece, John Joseph, Emma, and Ashton. Steve leaves three very special nieces who called him Papa, Elizabeth, Jennifer, and Katie. Steve also leaves his siblings, Ray Ellison, Harrison and Miriam Ellison, Jean Boggs, Sue Harbin; five sisters-in-law, Susan and Phil Reid, Robin and Thomas Williams, Carolyn Jenkins, Barbara Ellison, Debbie Ellison. He also leaves many more nieces and nephews and most of all his beloved canine companion, Bentley.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth and Gene Haney; two brothers, Charles Ellison and Michael Ellison; a sister-in-law, Faye Ellison; and three brothers-in-law, John Morgan, David Boggs, and Bill Harbin.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Steve Ellison was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at Mountain Springs Baptist Church, 410 Mountain Springs Rd., Piedmont. His family received friends immediately following the service in the church gathering area.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Springs Baptist Church. https://msbcp.churchcenter.com/giving/to/steve-ellison-memorial

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com.

Richard Clarence “R.C.” O’Shields

Piedmont – Richard Clarence “R.C.” O’Shields, 81, husband of Brenda Steel Frady O’Shields, passed away Friday, July 17, 2020.

Born in Liberty, he was a son of the late James Milton and Levi Powell O’Shields. He retired as the owner and operator of Stop & Shop in Williamston and was a member of Rehoboth Baptist Church. He was a mason and enjoyed hunting as well as gardening.

In addition to his wife, survivors include sons, Richard Keith “Ricky” O’Shields of Piedmont, James “Ronnie” O’Shields of Piedmont, Reggie O’Shields (Lisa) of Sandy Springs, GA; sister, Gladys Jones of Greenville; brother, Larry O’Shields of Easley; and three grandchildren, Kate, Brendan, and Brady O’Shields.

He was predeceased by two brothers and nine sisters.

A graveside service was held on Monday, July 20, at 1:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association – Upstate SC Chapter, 123 West Antrim Drive, Greenville, SC 29607.

 Gray Mortuary, Pelzer

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

 

Jean Martin

Laura Jean Crawford Martin, of Belton, 79, widow of John Terry Martin, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 19, 2020.

Born in Williamston, she was a daughter of the late Joe and Lillie Mae Ellison Crawford.  She was an active, faithful member of Second Baptist Church of Belton and was a member of the Belton City Council for ten years.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Naomi Martin of Greenville; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Chuck Brooks of Belton; sisters, Lucille Robinson of Williamston and Eunice Fields of Belton; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, . 

She was predeceased by brother, Lee Crawford; sisters, Bobbie Alewine, Margaret McCullough, Jane Motes, and Frankie Bridges.

Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Second Baptist Church of Belton.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at the church.  A private family burial will follow.

Memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church, 5901 Belton Hwy, Belton, SC 29627.

THOSE ATTENDING THE VISITATION AND/OR FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE MASKS AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

   

Ruth Poore

Ella Ruth Elrod Poore, of Piedmont, 85, wife of the late M.L. Poore, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Louie Calhoun and Nellie Ruth Little Elrod. She retired from Michelin and was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, where she was a member of Mothers Mission for Jesus Sunday School Class.  

Survivors include son, Thomas “Tim” Poore of Williamston; daughter, Jackie Aranda of Piedmont; sister, Peggy Fields of Piedmont; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a son, Benjamin Poore; and brothers, Martin Elrod.

Visitation was held on July 18, at Oak Grove Baptist Church. The funeral followed at 2:00, with burial in the church cemetery.

Rachel Jackson

Rachel Ann Owens Jackson, of Pelzer, 72, went home to be with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 19, 2020.

Born on April 3, 1948 in Pelzer, she was the daughter of Thomas Clifton “Bill” and Blanche Alma James Owens. She retired from Michelin and was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church.

She is survived by son, Dean Jackson of Pelzer; brother, Johnny Owens of Belton; sister, Alma Jean Davenport of Pelzer; grandchildren, Jordan Beasley (Aaron), Jerri Jackson Bennett (Malik), Tori Gosnell, Deana Jackson (Jarod) and Aliyah Jackson; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by son, Tommy Jackson.

The funeral service was held at 11:00 am Wednesday, July 22, at New Hope Baptist Church. The burial followed in the church cemetery.

William Douglas “Doug” Bryant, Jr. 

Pelzer – William Douglas “Doug” Bryant, Jr., 50, husband of Faith Dawne McCall Bryant, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020.

Born in Anderson County, he was a son of Rev. William Douglas “Bill” Bryant, Sr. and Linda Lucille Spence Bryant of Pelzer. He retired from Walgreen’s Distribution Center in Anderson. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a member of Restoration Chapel in Williamston.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his sons, Adam and Austin Bryant of the home.

He was predeceased by brothers, Richard Adam and Kevin Patrick Bryant; and grandmothers, Olivia Bryant and Marie Spence.

 Visitation was held Sunday, July 19, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church. The service followed at 3:00, with burial in the church cemetery.

Social distancing is strongly encouraged.

The family was at the home.

Gray Mortuary, Pelzer

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

 

Jean Martin

Laura Jean Crawford Martin, of Belton, 79, widow of John Terry Martin, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 19, 2020.

Born in Williamston, she was a daughter of the late Joe and Lillie Mae Ellison Crawford.  She was an active, faithful member of Second Baptist Church of Belton and was a member of the Belton City Council for ten years.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Naomi Martin of Greenville; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Chuck Brooks of Belton; sisters, Lucille Robinson of Williamston and Eunice Fields of Belton; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, . 

She was predeceased by brother, Lee Crawford; sisters, Bobbie Alewine, Margaret McCullough, Jane Motes, and Frankie Bridges.

Visitation was from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Second Baptist Church of Belton.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at the church.  A private family burial will follow.

Memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church, 5901 Belton Hwy, Belton, SC 29627.

THOSE ATTENDING THE VISITATION AND/OR FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE MASKS AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

Nancy Henderson

Nancy Grooms Henderson,of Pelzer, 72, wife of the late Charles Stanley Henderson, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Born in Zanesville, OH, she was a daughter of the late James E. and Annie Mae Morgan Grooms. She retired from Greenville County School District and was a member of Waycross Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughters, Kim Henderson Sanders (Tracey) of Williamston and Brooklyn Henderson “B.J.” Riggs of Pelzer; brother, Steven D. Grooms of Columbia; sister, Dianne Waite of Gray Court; and four grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a sister, Carolene Hipp.

A graveside service was held, July 21, at Greenville Memorial Gardens.  

Memorials may be made to Waycross Baptist Church, Building Fund, 104 Waycross Church Road, Pelzer, SC 29669.

Albert Smith, Sr.

Albert David Smith, Sr., husband of Deborah Jean Ulrich “Debbie” Smith, of Pelzer, passed away Monday, July 20, 2020.

Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Paul Walter Landon Smith, Sr. and Sarah Adkins Smith. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, where he was an electrical power production specialist. He worked for several electrical contracting companies.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Crystal Dawn Cameron of Spartanburg, Melvin Lamar Smith of Bradford, PA, Jonathan Blooks Smith of Ware Shoals, Lee Anthony Smith of Pelzer, Albert David Smith, Jr. Anderson, Rebecca Shambria Marie Cureton of Williamston, Richard Landon Smith of Anderson; grandchild reared in the home, Alexander Keith Smith; brother, Paul Walter Landon Smith, Jr. of Greenville; sisters, Barbara Anita Pearson of Greenville, Rebecca Faye Vander Lann of Twin Lakes, MI, and Diane Ramona Tucker of Summerfield, NC; and thirteen grandchildren.

The family will hold a visitation at the home Saturday, July 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 26 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel at Gray Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Jackie Cable

Simpsonville – Jacqueline “Jackie” Kay Bagwell Cable, 59, widow of Charles Lee Cable, passed away Monday, July 20, 2020.

Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of Jack Butler and Peggy Scott Jenkins Bagwell of Piedmont. She was employed with Rogers Stereo in Greenville and a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church.

She is survived by sons, Jason Sherman (Heather) of Kenly, NC and Alex Cable of Greenville; daughter, Ashley Cable Kish (Steven) of Greenville; brother, Tim Bagwell of Travelers Rest; four grandchildren.

She was predeceased by brother, Vern Bagwell and sister, Maria Bagwell.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 24, at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to John Hopkins COVID-19 Research www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/giving.html.

Those attending the visitation and/or funeral service will be required to wear face masks and practice social distancing.

 

Joe Whitt

Williamston – Joel “Joe” Francis Whitt, 81, husband of Thula Ann Smith Whitt, passed away Friday, June 19, 2020.

Born in Pelzer, SC he was a son of the late John David and Maude Boren Whitt. He was a U.S.  Air Force veteran and formerly employed with Fiber Industries. He was also a member of the Hejaz Shrine.

 In addition to his wife, he is survived by sister, Nancy Whitt of Williamston; brother, William Whitt of Piedmont; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Kay Smith of Belton; nieces, Ginger Smith Carter (Joey) of Williamston and Wendy Smith Nix (Donnie) of Seneca.

He was predeceased by sisters, Mildred Whitt, Ruth Whitt Eades and Bertha Whitt; brothers, J.D. Whitt, Jr., Ned Whitt and Ben Whitt.

Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:30 pm Tuesday, July 28, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605.

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com

 

Bill Rodgers

William “Bill” Claude Rodgers, Jr., of Simpsonville, 80, husband of Dorothy Lou Knight Rodgers, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2020.

Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late William Claude Rodgers, Sr. and Sue Burton Rodgers. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired from Kemet Electronics after 36 years.

 In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Paul Rodgers of Simpsonville; sister, Betty Bisbee of Wilmington, NC; two granddaughters and two great-grandchildren, .

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, July 23, at Greenville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel followed by entombment. The family will greet friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association of North and South Carolina, 1300 Baxter St. #150, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Those attending the visitation and/or funeral service will be required to wear face masks and practice social distancing.