DON ROPER, JOE LINDLEY, WALTER COKER, EDWIN LIPSCOMB, DAVID RICHARDSON
DON ROPER
PIEDMONT – Donald Lionel “Don” Roper, 83, beloved husband of Evelyn Cowart Roper and father of Donna Kaye Roper, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
Born in Piedmont, he was a son of the late Lionel Ernest and Marie Breazeale Roper. An avid NASCAR fan, he was an award winning nationally published NASCAR writer as “Saluda Sam”.
He was inducted into the Southern Textile Sports Hall of Fame, a three-Letter Athlete in High School Basketball, Football (Captain), and Baseball. Don was also a member of Greenville All County Football Team and was President of the Piedmont High School Student Body.
A local historian, a room is dedicated to his work in the Piedmont Community Building, known as the “Don Roper Museum”.
A mentor to many young people, he was the public-address announcer for Woodmont High School football for thirteen years.
Other achievements include being the recipient of the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, Mothers Club Community Achievement Award, named Citizen of the Year by the Piedmont Lions Club, was a life member of the South Caroliniana Society, and he was twice Grand Marshal in the Bonnes Amies Piedmont Christmas Parade.
A longtime member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church, he was currently a member of Piedmont First Baptist Church.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his beloved daughter, Donna Kaye Roper of Piedmont; brother, David Alton Roper of Piedmont; beloved granddaughters, Katie-Laken Weeks, and Kylie Jade Weeks of Fountain Inn; Goddaughter and niece, Nanci Cowart Weeks (Larry) of Fountain Inn; brothers-in-law, Lewis (Shirley) and Doug (Pat) Cowart both of Piedmont; nieces, Sheryl Cowart Moss (Eric), Robin Cowart Jones, Lisa Cowart Cason, Mistie Cowart; special cousin, raised in the home, John Webb (Carol) and his daughter, Pamm Webb-Arnold and her daughter, Hailee Arnold; and many loved great-nieces and nephews.
He loved his dogs, through the years: Karo, Syrup, Black Mac, Lucy, Dolly, Sally, Pepper, Wolfie, Waddles, Puppy Chow, Eddie, Daisy, and Sweetheart.
He was predeceased by sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Katie Cowart Vaughn (T.C.).
Visitation was held Sunday, April 15 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Gray Mortuary. A memorial service followed at 3:30 p.m. in the mortuary chapel, with Dr. Stephen Z. Hearne and Dr. Thomas DeVenny officiating.
Flowers were accepted, or memorials may be made to Greenville Humane Society, 305 Airport Road, Greenville, SC 29607.
You will always be with us and loved.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
JOE LINDLEY
Joe Edd Lindley, 87, of Pelzer, husband of Margaret Wenonah Lewis Lindley, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018.
Born in Pelzer, he was the son of the late John Aaron and Lenora Locke Lindley. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he served in the Korean War and Cuban Missile Crisis and was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in connection with military operations against an enemy as a crew chief with the 13th Bombardment Squadron. After forty years, Mr. Lindley retired from Duke Energy and was a member of Washington Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Bonnie Freeman (Dennis) of Pelzer, David Lindley (Nancy) of Greenville, Greg Lindley (Catherine) of Pelzer; grandchildren, Megan Williams (Chris), Christine Lindley, Timothy Di Donato (Kim); and great-grandchildren, Riley and Kailey Williams.
He was predeceased by sister, Betty Sue Hill; and grandson, Daniel Freeman.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 19, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Washington Baptist Church, with the funeral to follow at 3:00. Burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Washington Baptist Church, 208 Washington Church Road, Pelzer, SC 29669; or to Open Arms Hospice, 1836 West Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.
The family is at the home.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
WALTER COKER
PELZER – Walter Leland Coker, 87, of Hwy 418, went home to be with the Lord on April 12, 2018.
Born August 4, 1930, he was the only son of the late Jonas C. and Nannie Mahaffey Coker. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been predeceased by three sisters, Falbia Coker Murrell, Louise Vantrease and Emma Coker as well as a niece, Barbara Vantrease and a nephew, Luther Murrell.
Survivors include niece, Joyce M. Carlson, great-niece, Christy M. Jones and three great-nephews, Todd Moore, Jon and Jason Carlson.
He retired from Colonial Oil Industries and attended Big Creek Baptist Church.
Visitation was held Tuesday, April 17 at Big Creek Baptist Church on Hamilton Street in Williamston from 1:00 – 2:45 p.m. with the funeral following at 3:00 p.m. Burial followed at Cedar Shoals Baptist Church cemetery.
The family is at his home in Pelzer.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer is assisting the family.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
EDWIN LIPSCOMB
Edwin Lewis Lipscomb, 83, of Pelzer, husband of Ruby B. Lipscomb, died Thursday, April 12, 2018 at his home.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Leonard Brooks and Jessie Dakota Pike Lipscomb. He was retired from Intex Products and a member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Greenville. He was also a member of the Army National Guard.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Carol L. Miller and Vickie L. Lipscomb, both of Pelzer; sisters, Frances Hitt of Pelzer and Annette Smith of Red Bank; brothers, Ernest Lipscomb of Cross Hill and Donnie Lipscomb of Ormond Beach, FL; two grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, April 17, at Gray Mortuary Chapel. Burial followed at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
DAVID RICHARDSON
David Lonn Richardson, 73, husband of Janet Ellison Richardson, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018.
Born in Columbia, he was a son of the late Homer Alton and Beulah Alta Drake Richardson. He retired from Tire Exchange in Mauldin and was a member of High Praises Church of God. In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughters, Ginger Richardson Wright of Anderson, Ami Richardson Franklin of Columbia; and four grandchildren
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 19, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at High Praises Church of God, with the funeral to follow at 11:00. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to High Praises Church of God, Building Fund, 4506 Midway Road, Williamston, SC 29697.
The family is at the home.
