Leroy Wells, Jr., Johnny Ross, Beverly Peck, Earl Gilliland, Shirley Harmon Sarah Dacus, Walde Nilsson, Jr.
Walde Nilsson, Jr.
Piedmont – Walde Henry Nilsson, Jr., 89, husband of the late Mary Faye Bragg Nilsson, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2023, in Greenville, SC.
Born in Savannah, GA, he was a son of the late Walde Henry Nilsson, Sr., and Edna Catherine Kobbe Nilsson. At the time of his father’s birth, the name Walde was briefly a popular given name in Sweden but it no longer is and he spent his life explaining and spelling his name. He began his career in the U.S. Air Force and was part of the Occupation Force in Germany in the early 1950s. He then worked as a process controls engineer in the pulp and paper industry for more than 60 years, a field he and his four siblings all shared. When people complained about the smell of those plants, he always joked that it was the smell of money. He retired from Jacobs Engineering in Greenville at age 82 to care for his beloved Faye.
Never one to stay at home, he was always on the road going near and far, whether to Williamston for breakfast at B&R Restaurant or to Sweden to visit his cousins. He was especially proud of his Swedish heritage and always took visitors to see the house that his Swedish ships carpenter grandfather built in Savannah. On what turned out to be his last weekend, he road tripped with his children to a family gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia, to participate in the donation to Monticello of a 254-year-old family Bible belonging to an early family member who was a life-long friend of Thomas Jefferson.
Survivors include daughter, Kim Nilsson (Paul Meanley) of Greensboro, GA; son, Brian Nilsson of Arlington, VA; brothers, Carl Nilsson (Regina) of Greenville, Jack Nilsson, Sr. (Lynn) of Roanoke, VA, and Dale Nilsson (Glenda) of Duncan; sister Cathy “Sister” Nilsson Scott (Jerry) of Lawrenceville, GA; and a number of nieces and nephews, including Billy Nilsson, Jenny Nilsson Green, and Emmy Nilsson Benjamin whom he and Faye loved as grandchildren, and great-nieces and a great-nephew.
Visitation was held Tuesday, October 24, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary.
The funeral will be Wednesday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel, with a graveside service to follow at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Welcome Baptist Church, 2730 Anderson Road, Greenville SC 29611, for the church’s outreach assistance program through the Faye Nilsson Homebound Fund.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
Condolences:
www.graymortuary.com
Sarah Dacus
Sarah Allen Dacus of Williamston, 86, wife of John Arvin Dacus, Jr., passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Born in the White Plains Community, she was a daughter of the late Carl Jefferson and Lucy Maddox Allen. She retired from Milliken and was a graduate of Limestone College. She was a member of the Pelzer Heritage Commission and a historian of local history and politics. She wrote a book of the history of her graduating class at White Plains School from the 1950s.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughter-in-law, Cheryl Dacus of Easley and grandson, Travis Allen Dacus of Greenville.
A private service will be held.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Shirley Harmon
Shirley Ann Cobb Harmon of Pelzer, 87, wife of the late James Willard “Jim” Harmon, passed away at home with her family around her, Friday, October 20, 2023.
Born in Pelzer, she was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin “B.F.” and Bessie Inez Carnes Cobb. She was a member at Pelzer First Baptist Church. Known to her family as “Mama Shirley”, her greatest joy was being a grandmother.
Survivors include her children, Tony and Blanche Harmon of Arizona, Tim and Millie Harmon, Todd and Emily Harmon, and Terry and Terri Blackston, all of Williamston; sister, Earlene Campbell of Belton; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held October 23 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Pelzer First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 306, Pelzer, SC 29669.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Earl Gilliland
Sylvenus Earl Gilliland of Piedmont, 68, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023.
Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Albert Clay and Essie Roe Alexander Gilliland. He retired from Bi-Lo Distribution Center and attended Artesian Well Church in Greenville.
He is survived by his partner, Kaye Gilliland of the home; sons, Lee Gilliland of North Pole, AK and Shane Franklin of Piedmont; daughters, Lynn Gilliland Leopard of Easley and Jami Lingerfelt of Piedmont; brothers, Ricky Gilliland of Possum Kingdom, Bobby Gilliland of SC, and Michael Gilliland of Pickens; sisters, Vickie Bryson of GA and Rhonda Whitmire of Piedmont; twenty grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary.
The funeral will be Thursday, October 26, at 11:00 a.m. at Venture Church, 128 S. Pendleton Street, Easley, SC 29642. A private burial will follow.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Beverly Peck
Beverly Jean Fox Peck of Simpsonville, 59, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 21, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of Shirley Ann Rampey Fox and the late Lloyd Roosevelt Fox. She was formerly employed with Michelin. .
In addition to her mother, she is survived by sons, Travis Peck of Simpsonville and David Peck of Belton; sisters, Sharon Cothran of Possum Kingdom and Donna Madden of Williamston; brother, Hard Rock Fox of Piedmont; and 3 grandchildren.
The family will receive friends 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 26, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Leroy Wells, Jr.
Leroy Wells, Jr., 91, husband of the late Frances Elizabeth Butler Wells, of Pelzer, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Leroy Wells, Sr. and Vera Alice Tucker Wells. He retired from the Bailey Plant in Clinton and was a member of Pelzer Church of God.
Survivors include sons, Billy Franklin Wells and Jimmy Lee Wells, both of West Pelzer; brothers, Bobby Wells of Ninety Six and Charles Wells of Greenwood; sisters, Louise Baldwin of Atlanta; eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held October 21 at Gray Mortuary, with the funeral following in the mortuary chapel.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Johnny Ross
Johnny Luther Ross of Williamston, 73, husband of Cathy Dianne McJunkin Ross, passed away Monday, October 23, 2023.
Born in Belton, he was a son of the late James Zeffie and Virginia Mae Farmer Ross. A U.S. Army veteran, John retired from Michelin and loved to hunt in his spare time.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Teresa Patto and granddaughters, Taylor Curcio and Rebecca Patton, all of Belton.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gray Mortuary.
A cryptside service will be Friday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. at Greenville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, with military honors.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
