PAULINE CLARDY-THOMPSON, JUDITH BEAR, CARL WARE, JAMES LUTHER PRESSLEY, JR., ANNE MCCLELLION, RICKY KING, GENE WELBORN, ANGELL HERLONG ADAMS, LEWIS RANDOLPH RICE, PAULINE CLARDY-THOMPSON, PATRICIA COKER, JOE K. BROWN, GERALDINE “GERRY” CARTER KOONTZ, JOLEE ANN BLEVINS, MONROE KEYS
PAULINE CLARDY-THOMPSON
PELZER – Pauline Reid Clardy-Thompson, 94, wife of the late Weldington A. Thompson, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2018.
She was twice married, first to the late Robert Leon Clardy.
Born in Piedmont, she was a daughter of the late Gilford Lee and Lillie Leona Gillespie Reid. A member of the Order of the Eastern Star in White Plains, she retired from J.P. Stevens after thirty-eight years and worked at Hardee’s for fourteen years.
She is survived by her son, Robert Aldine Clardy of Pelzer; sister, Betty Faye Reid Tinker of Rock Hill; grandchildren, Lia Clardy, Brad Clardy; and great-grandchildren, Garrison and Chelbee Quinn.
She was predeceased by brothers, Willie, Coy, Waldo, and Roy Reid; sisters, Vera Mitchell Cromer, Essie Kennedy, and Frances Holder.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 3, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the mausoleum chapel at Greenville Memorial Gardens. The service will follow in the mausoleum chapel at 2:00.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
JUDITH BEAR
Judith Ann White Bear, 76, of Easley, died, Saturday, April 28, 2018.
She was born on February 3, 1942, in Greenville to Charles Raymond White and Sarah Ruth Henry White.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Buddy V. Bear.
She taught English and French at Palmetto High School in Williamston for 30 years.
She is survived by her step-children Kenneth Bear of Pelzer, and Vonda B. Evatt of Greer; her brothers, Virgil H. White of Indian Land, W. Jerry White of Greenwood, and L. Michael White of Houston, Texas; five grandsons; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was heldWednesday, May 2, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
Memorials may be made to the Foothills Retirement Community, 205 Bud Nalley Drive, Easley, SC, 29642.
CARL WARE
WILLIAMSTON – John Carl Ware, Jr., 75, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018.
Born in Pelzer, he was the son of the late John Carl, Sr., and Nora Ware.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
JAMES LUTHER PRESSLEY, JR.
Jimmy Pressley, Jr., 65, of Pelzer, died Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
Born in New Orleans, LA, he was a son of the late James Luther Pressley Sr. and the late Lula Mae Dunlap Pressley.
He is survived by one brother, Randy Hames of Camden; two step-sons, Kevin Randal and Ronald Thomason, both of Simpsonville.
A gathering to remember his life was held Saturday at the residence.
ANNE MCCLELLION
Anne Allen McClellion, 88, of Anderson, wife of the late Clarence Lee McClellion, Sr., died Saturday, April 28, 2018.
Born in Pelzer, she was the daughter of Clarence Lee Allen, Sr. and Flossie Mae Maddox Allen. She retired as the owner and operator of Anne’s Styling Salon and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children, Gail Chapman, and Clarence Lee McClellion, Jr., both of Williamson; and one granddaughter.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, May 1 in the chapel of Gray Mortuary. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
RICKY KING
Clyde Richard “Ricky” King, 63, of Greenville, husband of Rose Ann Murphy King, died Friday, April 27, 2018.
Born in Pelzer, he was a son of the late Samuel Randolph and Martha Gambrell King.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Nathan King of Williamston, Steven King of Greenville; sisters, Beth Styles, Cindy King; brother, Doug King; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held Monday April 30, in the chapel of Gray Mortuary. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
GENE WELBORN
Greenville – Edward Eugene “Gene” Welborn, 91, husband of sixty-four years to the late Carolyn Seago Welborn, was surrounded by his four children when he passed peacefully from this life on April 28, 2018.
Born in Pelzer, he was the son of the late Walter Leland and Frances Boyce Welborn. A Presbyterian, Mr. Welborn was a veteran of World War II. He joined the U.S. Navy three months after graduating from Pelzer High School at age seventeen. After the war, he entered Newberry College and graduated in three years.
Mr. Welborn taught school and coached football at Belton High School. Later entering the business world, he held the following positions: Vice President and CFO of American Cryogenics; President of Piedmont Industries; and Vice President and General Manager of Artex Hobby Products.
He retired in December 1991 from Greenwood Mills, where he served as Vice President of Information Services and later Corporate Controller.
After retirement, Mr. Welborn compiled and published two books; Welborns and Related Families with Roots in North and South Carolina and Memories of Pelzer. He worked with his lifelong friend, Bill Cobb, to compile and publish a third book; A Town Springs Forth – The Story of Williamston, South Carolina.
Though Mr. Welborn had many accomplishments in life, his children cherish most the love and commitment he had for his wife, and especially the love he showed for her throughout her long battle with debilitating dementia. This was a time when the Fruit of the Spirit was most clearly displayed in his life.
He is survived by his four children; Ed Welborn (Susan) of Duluth, GA, Walter Welborn (Londi) of Augusta, GA, Fran Crumley (Steve) of Taylors, SC, and Ann Phillips (Eddie) of Huntsville, AL. He had nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel at Gray Mortuary, with visitation to follow.
The family would like to thank the staff of Richard Campbell for their love and care.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, South Carolina Chapter, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5000, Greenville, SC 29601.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
ANGELL HERLONG ADAMS
Angell Herlong Adams, 100, died Tuesday, April 10. She was a resident of The Elms in Clemmons, NC. Born in Trenton, SC, she was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Frank Herlong of Saluda, SC. She graduated from Saluda High School and Winthrop college with a BS degree in Business Administration and a SC teacher’s certificate. She taught at Iva High School and Belton High School, and was an office manager with Standard Oil working her way up to the district office in Columbia. After WWII, she married and worked with a pulpwood broker in Camden before moving to Pelzer where she was the office manager at Palmetto High School, a position she held for thirty-six years. She was a member of Pelzer United Methodist Church for many years and was currently a member of her home church, St Paul UMC in Saluda. She was a member of the Woman’s Club of Pelzer, the United Methodist Women, the Greenville Life Center, the Life Enrichment of Greenville, and three bridge clubs. She took an active part in each of these organizations. Angell also enjoyed her water aerobic classes, walking, and traveling. All her life, she was interested in other people and enjoyed socializing. She made friends wherever she lived and traveled. Her optimistic outlook on life made her a happy individual and was always a pleasure for others to be around.
Surviving is her daughter, Carolyn Beard (Wade), of Clemmons, NC; and three grandchildren, Frank, Lauren, and Caroline Beard. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years Henry Duncan “Dunk” Adams and brothers, Frank H. Herlong, Jimmie Herlong, Ben Herlong, and Joe Pat Herlong of Saluda.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Phil Thrailkill and Rev. Susan Maddox officiating. Interment will follow in Travis Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 102 East Butler Ave., Saluda, SC 29138.
Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.rameyfuneralhome.com
LEWIS RANDOLPH RICE
Lewis Randolph “Randy, Ranny” Rice, 79, Excelsior Springs, Mo., passed to eternal peace to be with the Lord on April 26, 2018.
Randy was born in Pelzer, S.C., on March 15, 1939 to parents Glen and Marcelle Rice who preceded him. He joined the Navy in 1957 and served on the Aircraft Carriers USS Yorktown and USS Ranger for 9 years. He was stationed in San Diego, Calif., when he met and married his wife, Anna Belle Hyatt. They were married for 59 years and had two children, Mike and Glenn. Randy worked as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic his entire life and truly loved working on Caterpillar equipment. He was a lifelong NASCAR fan, and loved long road trips with Anna Belle while surviving on Pepsi and peanuts. Randy always had a great smile for his friends and family and will be missed greatly.
Randy is survived by his wife, Anna Belle; son, Mike and wife, Susan Rice, Shawnee, Kans., their children and grandchild, Ethan and wife, Chelsea Rice, Omaha, Neb., Emily Rice and her son, Mason, Shawnee, Kans., and Evan Rice, Shawnee, Kans.; son, Glenn and wife, Kim Rice, Lee’s Summit, Mo., their daughter, Taylor and her husband, Tanner Burton, Kansas City, Mo.; brothers, Bill Rice and wife, Velma, Williamston, S.C., Paul Rice and wife, Kim, Williamston, S.C., Jimmy Morse and wife, Susan, Williamston, S.C.; and sister, Glenda Williams and husband, Gene, Easley, S.C.
Visitation will be held at Woodland Baptist Church, 11023 H Hwy., Liberty, Mo., on May 11, 2018 at 1 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:30 p.m.
PAULINE CLARDY-THOMPSON
Pauline Clardy-Thompson, 94, of Pelzer, died Sunday, April 29, 2018.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 3 from 1 p.m.. – 2 p.m. in the mausoleum chapel at Greenville Memorial Gardens, with the service to follow.
PATRICIA COKER
Patricia Ann Allison Coker, 77, of Pelzer, wife of the late Melvin Coker, died Saturday, April 28, 2018.
She is survived by sons, Melvin Stanley Coker and William Russell Coker, both of Pelzer; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held Wednesday in the chapel of Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. Entombment followed at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
JOE K. BROWN
Joe Kendall Brown, husband of Renee Parnell Brown, of Piedmont, died Sunday, April 29, 2018.
Born in Anderson, a son of Jack H. Brown, Jr. and the late Wilma Adams Simmons, he was a Co-owner and Operator of Dream Home Renovation and a member of Powdersville First Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife and father, are a son, Phillip Brown of Nashville, TN; and sister, Debra Brown of Pendleton.
Memorial services were held Wednesday May 2 at Powdersville First Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Powdersville First Baptist Church, 4212 Highway 153, Easley, SC 29642.
GERALDINE “GERRY” CARTER KOONTZ
BELTON – Geraldine “Gerry” Carter Koontz, 91, formerly of Beech Community, died on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at Palladium Hospice, Piedmont, SC.
Gerry was a homemaker and wrote for many years for the Asheville Citizen Times and The State Magazine.
A native of Asheville, NC, Geraldine was a daughter of the late Edward Walter, Jr., and Geraldine Parrish Carter. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Granville Koontz; and daughter, Linda Leigh Koontz.
Mrs. Koontz is survived by her daughters, Karen Traylor and husband Dennis, of Clinton, TN, and Marty Koontz, of Knoxville, TN; sons, David Koontz, of Lattimore, NC, Dan Koontz and wife Sandy of Belton, SC, and Eric Koontz, of Boone, NC; grandchildren, Amy Futrell, Karl Traylor, Sara Withers, Jason Clontz, Adam and Peter Koontz, Berrac and Parrel Appolis, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Her family will receive friends at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Beech Presbyterian Church, in Weaverville, for one hour followed by the funeral service. Her children will officiate. Mrs. Koontz will then be interred beside Mr. Koontz at Green Hills Cemetery, Asheville.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the Southern Oaks Rehabilitation Facility and to Palladium Hospice for their wonderful care.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family. The online register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.
JOLEE ANN BLEVINS
Jolee Ann Blevins, 73, of Piedmont, wife of George O. Blevins, died Monday, April 30, 2018.
Born in Corcoran, CA, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Frances Lane Roper.
She was a member of Grove Station Baptist Church and retired from Jervey Eye Group.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Robert Joseph Blevins, Gregory Glenn Blevins, and Allen Perry Blevins; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sister, Karen Crawford.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 3 from 10:30 until 11:45 a.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown. Graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
MONROE KEYS
William Monroe Keys, 76, widower of Linda Stone Keys, formerly of Duncan Street, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Ellenburg Nursing Center.
Born January 8, 1942, in Anderson, he was the son of the late Wade and Frances Stanton Keys. He worked for Rhodes Sales and retired from American Security.
Surviving are his two daughters, Wanda Rasch (Morris) and Debra Bratcher (Eddie) all of Anderson; six grandchildren, Brittany Hoey (Jacob), Kayla Delano, Jared Laskaski, Madison McIntosh, Kassidie McIntosh and Jaylen Keys; two great grandchildren, Jackson and Emarie Hoey; brother, Jerry Keys and sister, Mildred O’Barr. He was preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Davenport.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with Dr. Glenn Taylor officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 3, 2018, from 1 until 2 p.m. at Sullivan-King Mortuary, 3205 N. Hwy 81, Anderson.
The family is at the home of the daughter, Wanda Rasch, 210 Rio Way, Anderson.
