MARION W. MIDDLETON SR., JIMMY ELLISON, ILA MAE SMITH, LEWIS WILSON, TERRY COUCH, CHARLES ‘CHARLIE’ OWENS, MICHAEL SMITH, HELEN MCCUEN, JOANN PATTERSON, GEORGE H. WYATT
MARION W. MIDDLETON, SR.
WILLIAMSTON – Marion William Middleton, Sr., 88, husband of Betty Garrett Middleton, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2017 at his home.
Marion was born on August 20, 1929 in the Grove Creek area of Piedmont, SC. He was the only child of William Johnson Middleton and Bertha Owens Middleton. In 1946, he graduated from Pelzer High School and graduated from Erskine College in 1950. He received a MS from Clemson University in Physical Education with an additional 30 hours above the Masters.
After college, he was drafted into the service and was a combat veteran of the Korean War, receiving the Combat Infantryman Badge. After the war, he taught, coached and served as a guidance counselor at several schools including White Plains, Piedmont and Palmetto High School. He finished his career as a guidance counselor at Palmetto Middle School.
During his early years, he was a highly rated and successful baseball player with the Textile League. He played with Piedmont, Pelzer, Belton and Matthew Mills. He was a member of Greenville Heritage Textile Hall of Fame.
He served as a Councilman and later Mayor of the Town of Williamston for 36 years and oversaw the construction of many projects including the purchase and renovation of the old Williamston Elementary School building for use as a police department and municipal center. While he was mayor, he received the Order of the Palmetto and served as President of the South Carolina Municipal Association.
He was also a lay speaker in the Methodist Church. His life was one of service to his country, students, town and family.
In addition to his wife of 64 years, he is survived by two children, Marion William Middleton, Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Willis Middleton and Caroline Middleton Ellison and her husband, James Colie Ellison; five grandchildren, Marion (Will) William Middleton, III, James Garrett Middleton, Elizabeth (Libby) Paige Middleton, Colie Middleton Ellison and Caroline Claire Ellison.
Visitation was from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, October 16, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
The funeral service was at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, in the mortuary chapel with the Rev. Tim Whited and the Rev. Karen Radcliffe officiating. Burial followed in the Williamston City Cemetery.
Those who were coached by Marion were invited to serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 460, Williamston, SC 29697 or to Epworth Children’s Home, P.O. Box 50466, Columbia, SC 29205.
The family is at the home.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
JIMMY ELLISON
WILLIAMSTON – Jimmy Ralph Ellison, 73, husband of Rachel Smith Ellison, passed away Friday, October 13, 2017.
Born in Belton, he was the son of the late Haynie and Mattie Belle Browning Ellison. He retired from Duke Energy after 31 years of service and was a member of Williamston First Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Todd Ellison (Sandy) and Mickey Ellison (Nicki); three grandchildren, the sunshine in his life, Samantha, Jordan and Jackson.
He was predeceased by sister, Betty Burton.
Visitation was from 1:00 to 2:45 pm Sunday, October 15, at Williamston First Baptist Church. The service followed at 3:00 pm at the church with burial at Cedar Grove Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Williamston First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 477, Williamston, SC 29697.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
ILA MAE SMITH
Ila Mae Bryson Smith, 91, of Piedmont, widow of Raymond Smith, died Friday, October 13, 2017.
She was a daughter of the late William “Bill” Bryson and Alma Patton Bryson. She was a member of Piedmont Church of God of Prophecy.
Survivors include son, William R. “Bill” Smith of Williamston; two granddaughters; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Bryson of Ridgeland, SC and Willie Bryson of Reidsville, GA.
A graveside service was held Monday, October 16 at Grove Station Baptist Church cemetery, Piedmont.
LEWIS WILSON
Fred Lewis Wilson, III, 67, of Piedmont, died Friday, October 13, 2017.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of Willette Harris Lollis and the late Fred Lewis Wilson, Jr. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by son, Fred Lewis Wilson, IV and brother, Neil Wilson.
A memorial service was held Sunday, October 15, at Gray Mortuary Chapel, Pelzer.
TERRY COUCH
PELZER – Terry Michael Couch, 55, husband of the late Regina Davis Couch, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017 at his home.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of Faye Stone Couch of Pelzer and the late Ronald Couch.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by daughter, Brandi Couch Akridge of Easley; brothers, Jason Couch of Greenville and David Couch of Pelzer; grandchildren, Cole and Kerigan Bryant, and Jessie Beacham.
He was predeceased by son, Mickey Couch.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:30 pm Wednesday, October 18, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family is at their respective homes.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
CHARLES ‘CHARLIE’ OWENS
Charles ‘Charlie’ Owens, 88, of Piedmont, husband of Bonda Barrett Owens, died Thursday, October 12, 2017.
Born in Laurens County, he was a son of the late Melvin Ball and Mamie Alice Howard Owens.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of Siloam Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Charmaine Owens Smith; step-daughter, Michelle Ford; step-son, Mark Quattlebaum; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held Saturday, October 14 at Siloam Baptist Church. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery, West.
Memorials may be made to Siloam Baptist Church, 229 Siloam Road, Easley, SC 29642.
MICHAEL SMITH
Michael Fred Smith, 55, of Pelzer, died Saturday, October 14, 2017.
Born in Williamston, he was a son of the late Leland H. Smith and Barbara Simmons Norris. He was a retired police officer and summary court judge.
Survivors include son, M. Brandon Smith of Hilton Head; daughter, Marissa Greer of Walhalla; step-son, Jared Roberts of Williamston; brother, Timothy Smith of Pelzer; sister, Cindy Smith Necessary of Bristol, VA.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, October 17, at White Plains Baptist Church cemetery with visitation following.
HELEN MCCUEN
Helen Putman Jones McCuen, of Piedmont, died Thursday, October 12, 2017 at National Health Care in Greer.
Born in Greenville, she was the daughter of the late Claude Farrow and Tommie Chiles Putman of Greenville.
She was predeceased by her husband, Wyatt Milton McCuen.
She is survived by son, Claude Gerald “Jerry” Jones; and five grandchildren.
She was a member of Pendleton Street Baptist Church.
Graveside services were held Sunday, October 15 at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville.
Memorials may be made to Pendleton Street Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2018, Greenville, SC 29602.
JOANN PATTERSON
Mary JoAnn Smith Patterson, 81, of Belton, wife of Winfred “Dink” Patterson, died at home on Sunday, October 15, 2017.
Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Azalee Adcox and Frank Smith. She retired from Clemson University and was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, of the home; son, Barry Patterson of Belton; daughter, Candy Patterson of Belton; three sisters, Josie Farmer of Liberty, Betty Sue Altman of Cowards, Nancy Bagwell of Liberty; three granddaughters; three grandsons; seven great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; and one great-great-grandson.
The funeral was held Wednesday, October 18, at Big Creek Baptist Church. Burial followed at Memory Gardens in Clemson.
Memorials may be made to Homestead Hospice, Building 1A, 109 Laurens Road, Greenville, SC 29607.
GEORGE H. WYATT
George Harold Wyatt, 87, of Piedmont, husband of the late Faye Annette Huff Wyatt, died Sunday, October 15, 2017 at his home.
Born in Easley, he was a son of the late Willie Thompson Wyatt and Ethel Attaway Wyatt.
He retired from Anderson County School District One and was a member of Piedmont United Methodist Church. He was also a U.S. Marine veteran.
Surviving are his children, George H. Wyatt, Jr. of Piedmont, and Gretchen Wyatt Craig of Easley; four grandchildren; sister, Anne Gibson of Easley; and brothers, Gerald Wyatt of Easley and James Wyatt of Nokesville, VA.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 18 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Thursday in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Anderson County Habitat For Humanity, 210 S. Murray Avenue, Anderson, SC 29624.
