Marcelle Barr, Michael Hanner, Jr., Gary Rainey, Frank McCullough, Mary Holcombe, Jessie Elaine Knight Strickland , Patricia Nichols, Catherine Williams, Kimberly “Squirrel” Chambers, Mack Kay, Tom Blackham, Rev. Louise Watkins Burton, Charles Darby
Charles Darby
Belton – Charles Lee “Chuck” Darby, 72, husband of Kathy Holland Logan Darby, passed away Thursday, December 24, 2020. He was first married to the late Linda McConnell Darby.
Born in Anderson, he was a son of the late Alvin Nelson and Thelma Brown Darby.
Chuck was a U.S. Army veteran stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, and he received the following honors: Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service stars, Air Medal, and The Order of the Purple Heart.
After completing an Associates Degree at Limestone College, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in business management from Eastern Illinois University. He retired from a management position with C.F. Sauer Company after ten-plus years of service. An active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Williamston, he formerly served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and in many other capacities.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by children, Kim Darby O’Keefe of Belton, Brian Darby (Beth) of Williamston, Sonja Bostic (Chan) of Williamston, and Justin Logan (Leslie) of Belton; and grandchildren, Alex Darby, Brooklynn Darby, Logan Bostic (Hayli), and Connor Bostic.
He was predeceased by brothers, James, Larry, and Fred Darby.
Visitation was held Thursday, December 31, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, Williamston. The service followed at 1:00, with burial at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 10 Academy Street, Williamston, SC 29697 or PruittHeath Hospice – Anderson, 1510 North Fant Street, Anderson, SC 29621.
Due to Covid-19, the family requested that masks be worn and social distancing observed.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Rev. Louise Watkins Burton
Rev. Minnie Louise Sullivan Watkins Burton of Pelzer, 93, widow of Floyd H. Burton, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021 at her home.
She was twice married, first to the late Emory H. Watkins who was the father of her children.
Born in Pelzer, she was a daughter of the late Charlie Ross and Mattie Lou Ross Sullivan. She was a member of Restoration Fellowship Family Worship Center in Cleveland, TN.
Survivors include sons, Ted Watkins of Fountain Inn and Terry Watkins of Pelzer; daughter, Pam Rogers of Pelzer; sister, Gaylene Cooley of Easley; 5 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.
The funeral was held, January 5 at Gray Mortuary Chapel. Burial followed at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Restoration Fellowship Family Worship Center, P.O. Box 5822, Cleveland, TN 37320.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Tom Blackham
Thomas Alexander “Tom” Blackham, Sr. of Seneca, 76, husband of Marie McMillin Blackham, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020.
Born in Charleston, he was a son of the late Karl Alexander and Ruth Elizabeth Gordon Blackham. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he worked for American Security in Greenville. In 1982, he started and was the pastor for Independent Fundamental Baptist Church in Cameron, WV and was currently a member of Oconee Presbyterian Church in Seneca.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by children, Aaron Blackham of Lexington, KY, Grace Shetrompf of Easley, Hope Carey of Easley, Joy Alexandrea Blackham of Geneva, IL, and Thomas Blackham of Easley; brother, Ken Blackham of Pittsburgh, PA; and 15 grandchildren.
Visitation was held January 5, at Gray Mortuary.
The service was Wednesday, January 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel, followed by burial at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Marie to assist with funeral expenses.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Mack Kay
Pelzer – Charles McArthur “Mack” Kay, 78, husband of Sandra Elizabeth Bawkum Kay, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Carl and Julia Jane Rogers Kay. After working for Pelzer Manufacturing, he retired from Hitachi, and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Charles Steven Kay of Pendleton; stepson, Walter Glenn Thompson of Greenville; and two grandchildren.
The last surviving member of his immediate family, he was predeceased by three sisters and five brothers.
Visitation was held Tuesday, January 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary. The service followed at 12:00 in the mortuary chapel, with burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Due to Covid-19, the family requested that masks be worn and social distancing observed.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Kimberly “Squirrel” Chambers
Pelzer – Kimberly Ann “Squirrel” Chambers, 60, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021.
Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late Edward Ogburn and Annie Lucille Moffitt Chambers. Ms. Chambers was employed with Crescent Supply Company in Greenville. A member of Augusta Road United Methodist Church, she was very active in the choir and praise band. She was also a member of the Royal Scotsmen Band.
Survivors include her brothers, Ed Chambers (Debbie), Joe Chambers (Peggy), and Tom Chambers (Karen) all of Pelzer; nieces and nephews, Jessie Shepherd, Jena Taylor, Amanda Parker, Russ Chambers, Teddy Chambers, Lindsey Esposito, and Drew Chambers; thirteen great-nieces and nephews; and her cats, Alex and Spencer.
A memorial service will be held outside at Augusta Road United Methodist Church, Saturday, January 9, at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Quiver Full Adoptions, 403 Pettigru Street, Greenville, SC 29601.
Due to Covid-19, the family requests that masks be worn, and social distancing observed.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Catherine Williams
Catherine Ann Crompton “Cat” Williams of Pelzer, 86, wife of the late Joe Earle Williams, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020.
Born in Williamston, she was a daughter of the late John Clyde and Annie Revels Crompton. She retired from Goody’s and was a member of Alive Wesleyan Church, in Pelzer.
She is survived by a daughter, Kim Williams of Pelzer; sisters, Becky Sears of Williamston, Judy Crompton of Pelzer; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held Sunday, January 3, at Alive Wesleyan Church. The service followed with burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Patricia Nichols
Williamston – Patricia Ann Phillips Nichols, wife of the late Ted Kirston Nichols, passed away, Tuesday, December 29, 2020.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Garney and Mattie Smith Phillips. She retired from Dr. Joe Grubb’s Dental Office and also worked at Coles Family Healthcare and RiteAid. She was also a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
She is survived by special niece, Angela Ellison of Belton, and special nephew, Kim Hawkins of Columbia.
She was predeceased by siblings, Cordelia Jordan, Opal Timms, Marie Hawkins, Margaret Chapman and Grady Phillips.
Mrs. Nichols would lie in state Saturday, January 2, from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
A graveside service was held 2:00 pm Sunday, January 3, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Anderson.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 10 Academy St., Williamston, SC 29697.
Due to Covid-19, the family requested that masks be worn, and social distancing observed.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: w
Jessie Elaine Knight Strickland
WILLIAMSTON- Jessie Elaine Knight Strickland, 74, wife of Benjamin Clyde Strickland, resident of Shaw Dr., died Tuesday December 29, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital Downtown.
Born November 25, 1946 in Williamston to the late Fred J. and Evelyn Patton Knight, she was a Quality Manager for many years.
She attended Williamston Church of God.
Surviving other than her husband of 55 years, of the home are her children, Beth S Tarleton and husband Earl of Pelzer, Janie S. Cowart and husband Corey, and B. Chad Strickland all of Williamston; her grandchildren, Jordon Beasley, Jessica Estes, Emily Cowart, Kayla Johnson, Kyle Strickland, Carson and Bryant Tarleton; her sisters, Sandy Campbell and Rita Brock; 2 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson, Bryan Strickland, and a sister, Pat Strickland.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. The family received friends Friday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM at Cox Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing is required.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of St. Francis Hospital 8th floor.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Cox Funeral Home is honored to serve the Strickland family.
www.coxfuneralhome1882.com.
Mary Holcombe
Mary Ellen Smith Holcombe of Williamston, 87, wife of the late Calvin Edward Holcombe, passed away Monday, December 28, 2020.
Born in Williamston, she was a daughter of the late Henry Dee and Lola Mae Clardy Smith. She was a homemaker and a member of White Plains Baptist Church.
She is survived by sons, Keith Holcombe of Williamston, and Randy Holcombe of Pelzer; daughter, Sherrill Harvey of Williamston; sister, Doris Porter of Pelzer; ten grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held January 4 at White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery. Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Frank McCullough
Hugh Franklin “Frank” McCullough, Sr. of Honea Path, 76, husband of Elizabeth Jane Sloan McCullough, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Marvin Lewis and Virginia Lee Landreth McCullough. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he served in Vietnam and retired from the textile industry.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter, Michelle Duckett of Greenville; sons, Frankie McCullough, Jr. of Greenville, and Jeff McCullough of Greenville; mother-in-law, Barbara Sloan of Greenville; brother, Rev. Dennis McCullough of Savannah; seven grandchildren.
Visitation was held December 30, at Gray Mortuary. The service followed in the mortuary chapel, with burial at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Gary Rainey
Williamston – Gary Don Rainey, 78, entered his heavenly rest Sunday, January 3, 2021.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Cleo and Mary Cecil Rhodes Rainey. He retired from Anderson School District One and was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Debbie Porter (Ricky) of Easley; son, Donnie Rainey of Anderson; like a son, Shannon Hood of Anderson; brother, Bud Rainey (Gatha) of Williamston; sister, Brenda Collins (Eddie) of Williamston; granddaughters, Brianna and Elizabeth Porter; special friend, Linda Vaughn and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who adored him as Papa.
He was predeceased by a sister, Sue Stringer.
Mr. Rainey will lie in state Wednesday, January 6, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, January 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573.
Due to Covid-19, the family requests that masks be worn, and social distancing observed.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Michael Hanner, Jr.
Michael David Hanner Jr. of Greenville, 28, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of Michael David Hanner, Sr. of Greenville and Donna Andrews McCall of Piedmont.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a daughter, Tabbitha Hanner of Piedmont; sisters, Jennifer Keith, Brittany Kiedrowski, Victoria Smith, Christina Fallaw, Jennifer Kidman, December Beasley, Tiffany McCall, Melody Crawford, and Jessica Crawford; and brothers, John Koon, Christopher Koon, and Nate McCall.
Visitation will be Friday, January 8, from 11:00 a.m. until noon at Gray Mortuary. The service will follow at noon in the mortuary chapel with burial at Macedonia Baptist Church.
Due to Covid-19, the family requests that masks be worn and social distancing observed.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Marcelle Barr
Audrey Marcelle Norris Barr of Williamston, 94, wife of the late John Haile Barr, Jr., passed away Friday, January 1, 2021.
Born in Piedmont, she was the daughter of the late Fletch Anderson and Ruby Mae Shirley Norris. She retired from Milliken and was a member of Williamston First Baptist Church.
She is survived by a son, John Barr of the home; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 9, at Williamston Cemetery.
Due to Covid-19, the family requests that masks be worn, and social distancing observed.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
