Jean Talbot, Rhonda McCuen, Jessie Clardy, David Morrison Adams
David Morrison Adams
David Morrison Adams, Sr., 81, beloved “Pops,” passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 8, 2021. Born in Mauldin, SC, he was the only son of William Albert and Essie McKelvey Adams.
He was in the first class to graduate from Hillcrest High School in 1958, and then earned a BS in Education and an MA in Administration at Clemson Agricultural College.
After graduation, he began his 36-year career in Anderson School District One which spanned from 1962-1998. He was a dedicated Wren High School Social Studies/History teacher and a beloved Girl’s Basketball Coach. He was especially proud when he succeeded in taking his team to a state championship title. Throughout his career, his skill as a good listener and his wisdom as a counselor made him a favorite employee. In 1972, he was promoted to the District Office where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Administration, including Curriculum and Personnel. He grew to love the Wren, Powdersville, Williamston communities calling their families some of the “finest people he had ever come to know”. David was so touched and grateful when the district recently honored him in a ceremony naming the Learning Stairs of the new Wren Middle School in his name. Through his leadership, counsel, and fiscal responsibility, David played a significant role in laying the foundation for the district to climb to new heights.
David was a humble man who was committed to helping his community. He served in leadership roles as President of the Sara Collins PTA, President of the JL Mann High Booster Club, President of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, and President of the Greenville Swim Association Invitational League (SAIL). He was a board member of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and a longtime member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Upper S.C. After enduring a stroke and open-heart surgery in 2007, David decided to give back to others with heart disease and became a reliable and steady volunteer for Mended Hearts at Greenville Memorial Hospital, visiting patients weekly for over 10 years. He also loved regularly serving with his friends on a team at Greenville’s Project Host Soup Kitchen.
David and Helene both were early members of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, where David was an active member in Bible studies, his pastorate group, and other ministries. He especially enjoyed fellowship with the Men’s Hot Dog lunch group. David was always so grateful the Lord led he and Helene to St. Paul’s, and he considered his church as a second family.
David had a generous heart for giving with education at its core. As an avid Clemson fan, he endowed scholarships for Education majors at Clemson University. Locally, he took an interest in Camperdown Academy establishing a tutorial room in Helene’s name for the dyslexic learners.
When his children were young, David was enthusiastic about their athletics – coaching T-ball, baseball, and church basketball, but his greatest pride and joy was watching his kids in countless Gower Estates swim meets. He participated as a fan sitting in the stands, a stroke and turn judge, a starter, and the head meet referee. His love of the sport was apparent to all and continued for the rest of his life. He was a proud “Pops” and will be remembered wearing a stopwatch around his neck timing his grandchildren and their friends as they swam.
David was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Helene Mitchell Adams, and is survived by his three children, David Morrison Adams, Jr. (Debbie) and their children, Mary “Ann Carver”, and David Morrison, III; William Patterson Adams (Jennifer) and their children, Anna Miller, Elizabeth “Eliza” Mitchell, and William Patterson, Jr.; and Mary Margaret Jean Adams Bannister (Bruce) and their children, Bruce Wyche, Jr., Benjamin “Ben” Adams, Margaret “Molly” Kate, and Caroline Helene.
The family would like to express deep gratitude to their father’s caregivers; Lisa Bryant, Agedran Sullivan, Yolanda Sullivan, and Demetrice Sherman.
A visitation was held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown. There was a graveside service on July 15th at in the Family Cemetery on Ashmore Bridge Road in Mauldin and a memorial service St. Paul’s Anglican Church on East Camperdown Way in Greenville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St Paul’s Anglican Church, 923 East Camperdown Way, Greenville, SC 29601; Project Host, 525 Academy Street, Greenville, SC 29601; or to the charity of one’s choice.
Jessie Clardy
Jessie Ann Beasley Clardy of Pelzer, 91, wife of Homer Livingston Clardy, passed away Monday, July 19, 2021 at her home.
Born in Piedmont, she was a daughter of the late Ben Illie and Charity Annie Long Beasley. She retired from Williamston Manufacturing Co. and was a member of White Plains Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters, Beckye Clardy of the home, Sherry Crawford of Williamston, and Kathy Clardy Smith of Williamston; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was the last surviving member of her immediately family.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 23, at White Plains Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 2:00 at the church. Burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to White Plains Baptist Church Building Fund, 1435 Easley Hwy, Pelzer, SC 29669.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.c
Rhonda McCuen
Rhonda Jean Newton McCuen of Pelzer, 60, wife of Rev. Johnathan Charles “Dicky” McCuen, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2021.
Born in Newport News, VA, she was a daughter of Virginia Maney Smart of Simpsonville and the late Ronnie Eugene Newton. She retired from the Greenville County School District. She was a member of Waycross Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by son, Johnathan C. McCuen, II of Pelzer; daughters, Caroline McCuen Bohnenberger of Pelzer, and Hadley Smith of the home; sisters, Ginger Dauenhauer of Pelzer, Rebecca Morgan of Virginia, Robin Wellmon, and Leslie Martin of Greer; brothers, Ronnie Newton of Landrum, and David Smart of Louisiana; three grandchildren.
In addition to her father, she was predeceased by her sister, Debbie Melow and great niece, Madlyn McWilliams.
Visitation was held Tuesday, July 20 at Waycross Baptist Church with the service to following Entombment was at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to Waycross Baptist Church Building Fund, 104 Waycross Church Road, Pelzer, SC 29669
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences:
www.graymortuary.com
Jean Talbot
Jean Elaine Hart Talbot of Piedmont, 79, wife of Harold Edward Talbot, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
Born in Albion, NY, she was a daughter of the late Ray Thomas and Leona L. Frank Hart. A member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church she taught elementary school for thirty-one years.
She is survived by her son, Michael Talbot of Taylors; brother, Dean Hart of Port Charlotte, FL; and her grandchildren, Alex and Bailey Talbot.
Visitation was held on July 16 at Mountain Springs Baptist Church.
Burial will be held at a later date at Sandy Creek Cemetery, Murray, NY.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Springs Baptist Church, 410 Mountain Springs Road, Piedmont, SC 29673, or to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
