Frances Evans, Lillian Smith HICKs, Ron Stafford, Annette Smith, Gary McAlister, Richard Kingman, Jenny Kingman
Jenny Kingman
Piedmont – Harriette Virginia “Jenny” Watkins Kingman, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022 at the age of 86, from injuries received in an automobile accident. Her husband of 59 years, Richard Earl Kingman, also died from injuries in the same accident.
She was a daughter of the late Rufus Walter and Dolly Anna Crawford Watkins. Jenny graduated as salutatorian from Williamston High School in 1953 at the age of 16. She then enrolled in the Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Columbia where she earned her nursing degree. She remained in Columbia and worked at the hospital until 1959 when she moved to Greenville and joined Greenville General Hospital. She remained employed there until she married and joined her husband on his travels with the U.S. Air Force. She returned to Greenville in 1969 and became employed by Greenville Memorial Hospital until her retirement at age 72.
Jenny was an active member of Bethesda United Methodist Church and the Powdersville Garden Club, both of which she loved. She was a Christian, a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and volunteer extraordinaire. She truly believed in helping those in need and lived a servant’s life. Her open Bible was left on the breakfast table when she last left her house to go pick up a lonely friend who had medical issues. She gave sacrificially of her time and resources to meet the needs of others but was a very humble lady who sought no recognition for her countless good deeds.
She is survived by her son, Randall Gareth Kingman of the home, whom she loved greatly and to whom she was very devoted. She is also survived by three sisters and two brothers, Carolyn Hood of Belton, Mary Anne Bunton (Ray) of Williamston, Lynda Popwell (Gary) of Kingsport, TN, Tom Watkins (Betsy) of Greenwood, and Dr. Kip Watkins (Connie) of Clinton. Also surviving are numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, and brother-in-law, Doris Ellison (Louie) of Williamston.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 8, at Gray Mortuary.
The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9 at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Powdersville.
Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Bethesda United Methodist Church, 516 Piedmont Road, Easley, SC 29642 or to the Rufus and Dolly Watkins Scholarship Fund at Anderson University, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621.
The family is at the home of Ray and Mary Anne Bunton in Williamston.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Richard Kingman
Piedmont – Richard Earl Kingman, passed away Monday, December 5, 2022, at the age of 84, from injuries received in an automobile accident. His wife of 59 years, Harriette Virginia “Jenny” Watkins Kingman also died from injuries received in the same accident.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, he was a son of the late Robert Gerald and Twila Mae Eisele Kingman. A graduate of Washburn University in Kansas, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 until 1969, traveling all over the world. He fondly talked about his time in the service, specifically sharing stories about flying Bob Hope to various locations to see the troops. When he left active service, he joined the Air Force Reserves, where he served for 24 years as a Lieutenant Colonel Master Navigator. He also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Tri-County Technical College for several years, receiving the Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award in 2006. In addition, he owned and operated his own company.
He is survived by his son, Randall Gareth Kingman of the home, whom he loved greatly. He is also survived by sisters, Nancy McGuire of Topeka, KS and Susan Kingman of Pittsburg, KS; brother, Kenneth Kingman (Virginia) of Topeka, KS; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by sisters, Harriett Hileman, Norma Bradford, Sylvia Kingman, and Linda Cassidy, all of Topeka, KS.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, December 8, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
The funeral will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, December 9 at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Powdersville.
Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, December 29, at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery with military honors.
Memorials may be made to Bethesda United Methodist Church, 516 Piedmont Road, Easley, SC or to the Rufus and Dolly Watkins Scholarship Fund at Anderson University, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621.
The family is at the home of Ray and Mary Anne Bunton in Williamston.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Gary McAlister
Williamston – Truman Gary McAlister was a devoted husband, father, and Grandfather. He left this world shortly after the onset of pulmonary complications on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022.
He was born to Truman and Myrtle McAlister on September 29th, 1934 in Anderson County. He married Violette Dalrymple and the couple settled in Williamston where they raised their daughter Lisa and started in business building residential homes in our community.
Gary’s gift to his family was teaching. By example, he taught us that every situation, whether it be business, church, or personal, was at its core, relational, and to always consider the other person’s needs and circumstances before contemplating any endeavor. Gary’s mindset on this was necessarily built on a foundation of love for his fellow man, and a genuine desire to serve his community. None of us who attempt to follow his legacy may ever come anywhere close to matching the purity of his servant’s heart, but in his honor, we will strive to carry on his name with the integrity and decency upon which he built it.
Mr. McAlister served in the National Guard, was a Mason, a member of New Hope Baptist Church, and served on the Anderson County Planning and Development Board. He also made many great friends sharing his love of antique automobiles. The family wish to thank the New Hope Church family. Following the passing of Gary’s beloved wife Violette, they covered him with their love and truly defined what it means to be a church family.
Gary is predeceased by his wife Violette and both of his parents.
In addition to his daughter, Lisa Ferguson and son-in-law, John Ferguson, his grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law include Isaac and Ashlan Bowen, Jonathan Ferguson, Joseph and Kaylee Ferguson, and Benjamin Ferguson. The birth of first great-grandchild, Jackson Ferguson on November 27th and the news of his second great-grandchild’s due date in February of next year brought Gary great joy in his last days.
The family will receive friends at Gray Mortuary on the evening of Monday, December 5th, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
A funeral service wasscheduled at New Hope Baptist Church in Pelzer on Tuesday, December 6th, for 1 pm. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Anderson.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Annette Smith
Alice Annette Lipscomb Smith of Lexington, 85, widow of Arthur Smith, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at her home.
Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late Leonard Brooks and Jessie Dakota Pike Lipscomb. She was formerly employed with J.B. White Distribution Center and Union Carbide. She was a member of First Baptist Church West Columbia.
Survivors include daughter, Cindy Jennings Brazell of Lexington; brothers, Ernest “Jimmy” Lipscomb of Cross Hill and Donald “Donnie” Lipscomb of Ormond-by-the Sea, FL; two grandchildren; one great-grandson, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Friday, December 2, at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Ron Stafford
Ronald John Patrick “Ron” Stafford of Pelzer, 75, husband of Fay Bryant Fennell Stafford, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022.
Born in Hackensack, NJ, he was the son of the late John Vincent and Lillian Fredricka Crandall Stafford. Having retired from NuVox Communications, Ron was a former co-owner of Carolina Online Communications and was also the former owner of Sand Flea 3. He was of the Catholic faith.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Dwayne Fennell of Anderson; daughters, Cindy Fennell Guest of Cheddar and Denise Fennell Ayers of Anderson; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and Cooper Thomas Fennell on the way.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 7, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary. The funeral will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel, with burial at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Lillian Smith HICKs
Lillian Smith Hicks of Belton, 94, wife of the late Roy Gene Hicks, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2022.
Born in Belton, she was a daughter of the late Kelton Perry and Bessie Ophelia Fields Smith. She was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Belton.
Survivors include her daughters, Lori Cox of Williamston, Beth Isom of Williamson, and Lisa Kelly of Anderson; special granddaughter, Jennifer Burton of Belton; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 7 at 11:30 a.m. at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
The family will be at their respective homes.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Frances Evans
Frances Evelyn Davenport Evans of Piedmont, 91, died Thursday, December 1, 2022.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late James Franklin and Elsie Hawthorne Davenport.
She worked as a reporter with the Greenville News-Piedmont Company before retiring in 1996.
Shortly after her 1996 retirement, she was honored by the Church and Relations organization of Greenville for helping to promote “better human relations” through her inclusive articles on religion promoting the activities of all churches in the Greenville area.
She was Girl Scout leader and worked in the children’s departments of Piedmont First Baptist Church. She volunteered with Anderson County Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Piedmont Mothers Club.
Survivors include her daughter, Terri Evans Harris and husband, Ben, of Pendleton, NC; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at 2:30 p.m. December 4, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Piedmont .
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Anderson County Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 285, Anderson, SC 29622.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
