Betty McCall, Jack Tollison, Sara “Lib” Murphy, Wayne Rogers, Ray Ellison
Ray Ellison
Belton – SMSGT Alton Ray Ellison, USAF, Res. Ret., 81, widower of Linda Ann Herndon Ellison, passed away Tuesday, March 19, at his home.
Born in Belton, he was a son of the late William Richard “Bill” and Elizabeth Aileen Eaton Ellison. He was a graduate of Palmetto High School Class of 1960 and Anderson College Class of 1964. Ray retired from the USAF Reserves as a Sr. Master Sergeant. He was a faithful member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church and Dean Webb’s Sunday School Class where he served as a deacon and member of the media team for many years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the Cheddar Fire Dept. as well as the Cheddar Youth Center. He was very active in planning reunions for the 84th APS (Aerial Port Squadron), loved banana pudding, and his dog, Belle who was his constant companion.
Survivors include daughters, Melissa Hood (Tommy) of Piedmont and Tracy Blackwell (Steve) of Williamston; brother, Richard Ellison (Peggy) of Belton; sister, Sylvia Williams (Larry) of Belton; grandchildren, Drew Hood (Rachel), Anna Anderson (Michael), Sydney Bracken (Zach), Cassidy Addison (Matthew), and Kennedy Lollis; great-grandchild, Brynnlee Bracken and many nieces and nephews.
The family received friends 2:00 – 3:45 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 4:00 p.m. and burial in the church cemetery. The members of both Cheddar Fire Department and the 84th APS served as honorary pallbearers.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 13024 Hwy 20, Belton, SC 29627.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Wayne Rogers
Williamston – Wayne Jefferson Rogers, 103, widower of Irene D,ickerson Rogers, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Born in the Beaverdam Community near Williamston, he was the son of the late James Larkin Rogers, Sr. and Essie Sullivan Rogers.
Wayne was a retired school principal serving 4 different schools in Anderson School District One over a span of 25 years. He was a WWII Navy veteran (1939—1945) and retired from the Army Reserves (1960-1982) as a Lt. Col.
After retirement, Wayne and his beloved mission partner, Clarence Griffith, traveled to every continent (with the exception of Antarctica) to wire remote churches, camps, and orphanages. In recognition of his many years of service to his community, state and country, Wayne was awarded the Kentucky Colonel in 2006 and the SC Order of the Palmetto in 2020.
A lifetime member of Beaverdam Baptist Church, Wayne served as Sunday School and Training Union Director, deacon, song leader, and on multiple committees.
He is survived by children, Bridget Bradley (David) of Loganville, GA, Tony Rogers of Pelzer, Jo Evans (Marty) of Pelzer, and Cherie Rogers of Greenville; granddaughters, Larkin Maples (R.C.) of Atlanta, GA and Mary-Catherine Rogers of Anderson.
Visitation was Saturday, March 23, from 12:00 – 1:45 p.m. at Beaverdam Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. and burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Beaverdam Baptist Church Capital Needs Fund or Cemetery Fund, 1904 Beaverdam Rd., Williamston, SC 29697 or online at beaverdamonline.org
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuar
Sara “Lib” Murphy
Sara Elizabeth “Lib” Pope Murphy, of Piedmont, 83, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024.
Born in Anderson, she was the daughter of the late Monroe and Fannie Lou Maret Pope. She retired from Ryan’s and is a member of Orrville United Methodist Church.
She is survived by daughters, Debbie Jennings of Piedmont, Lisa Moore of Laurens, and Pamela Perry of Fountain Inn; son, Russell Looper of Anderson; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on March 24, at Trinity Baptist Church in Williamston.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Jack Tollison
Jackie Ray “Jack” Tollison, 74, of Piedmont, husband of Ethelene Mae Kelley Tollison, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Born in Conestee, he was a son of the late Joe Elford and Sara Mahaffey Tollison. He retired from Jennings Dill in Greenville.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Bobby Ray Tollison of Anderson; daughter, Angela Marie Tollison of Six Mile; brother, Lindy Alan Tollison of Conestee; grandchildren, Christopher and Anna Tollison of the home.
Visitation was held Thursday, March 28 at Gray Mortuary. The funeral followed in the mortuary chapel, with burial at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association – Upstate SC Regional Office, Attention: Memorial Donations, 156 Milestone Way, Suite A, Greenville, SC 29615.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Betty McCall
Betty Louise Thompson McCall of Piedmont,89, wife of Billy Russell McCall, Sr., passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Born in Piedmont, she was a daughter of the late Clifton and Minnie Saxton Thompson. She retired from J.P. Stevens West Point and was a member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church.
She is survived by a daughter, Debra McCall Fulghum of Piedmont; son, Billy Russell McCall, Jr. of Pickens; brothers, Jimmy Thompson of Piedmont and Wayne Thompson of Townville; sister, Carolyn T. Foster of Piedmont; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held 25 at Greenville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with inurnment to following.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 410 Mountain Springs Road, Piedmont, SC 29673.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
