Mr. Willard Harvey Murrell, Mikel Zoeller, III, Ed Creamer, Mary Garland
Mary Garland
Greer – Mary Vernelle Duncan Garland, 85, wife of the late Larry Ray Garland, passed away March 23, 2025.
A native of Pelzer, daughter of the late Morell Cleveland and Macy McCurly Duncan, she was a retired employee of Hoechst Celanese and a member of El Bethel Baptist Church.
Surviving are a daughter, Theresa I. Mayes Alexander of Pelzer; four brothers, Michael Duncan (Anita) of Pelzer, Wade Duncan of Williamston, Larry Duncan (Melvie Anne) of Pelzer, and Sammy Duncan (Gloria) of Anderson; two sisters, Rachel Fitkin of Fountain Inn and Gail Flemming of Pelzer; a granddaughter, Tiffany Whitfield (Jeremy); and two great-grandchildren, Kadence Todd and Skyler Holcombe.
She was predeceased by three brothers, R.L. Duncan, Ralph Duncan, and James “Fooley” Duncan, three sisters, Linda Duncan, Mamie Duncan, and Jane Blankenship, and a great-grandson, Robbie Wise.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary conducted by Dr. Jobal Baldwin. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens.
Visitation will be held 12:30-1:45p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary.
The family is at their respective home.
Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.
Ed Creamer
Williamston – Marshall Edward “Ed” Creamer, 85, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Born in Williamston, he was a son of the late James Albert and Katie Bruce Creamer. He was a retired butcher of 66 years and was a member of Treemont Church of God. He was a beloved father, Papa Ed, great friend to many over the years, and an avid golfer.
He will be greatly missed by all. He now resides in his eternal home completely healed, never more to suffer and resting with his Heavenly Father. Reunited with loved ones, his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of his family and friends until we see him again. We know that this is not goodbye but see you soon. Until then, may God’s grace continue to dwell within all who know the Lord Jesus as Savior.
Survivors include daughters, Tasha Self (Dwight); and Taylor Bowers (Austin); sons, Todd Creamer (Donna) and Tracy Creamer (Nikki); grandchildren, Terry Self (Rachel), Anna Massey (Noah), Maddie Creamer, Jackson Creamer, Brittany Couch (Brandon), and Tyler Creamer (Heather); 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sherry Cook and Julia Moody; brother, Lamar Creamer; and special friend, Kay Creamer.
He was predeceased by great-granddaughter, Abby Grace Couch; brothers, Eugene “Red” Creamer and Jimmy Creamer; and sister, Joann Williams.
A graveside service was held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Beaverdam Baptist Church Cemetery with visitation following in the church sanctuary until 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beaverdam Baptist Church, 1904 Beavedam Rd., Williamston, SC 29697 or Wren Hospice, 955 W. Wade Hampton Blvd., #3-A, Greer, SC 29650.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Mikel Zoeller, III
Jacksonville, FL – Mikel Alan Zoeller, III, 23, formerly of Piedmont, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Born in Fayetteville, NC, he was the son of Mikel Alan Zoeller, Jr. of Anderson and Sanja Anic Zoeller of Piedmont.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by sisters, Savanna Grace Zoeller and Katelynn Paige Zoeller; grandmother, Stana Anic; uncles and aunts, Allen.
A visitation will be held Thursday, March 27, from 12:00 to 1:45 pm at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Mr. Willard Harvey Murrell
Mr. Willard Harvey Murrell, 94, husband of the late Christine Mason Murrell, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Born in Rogersville, Tennessee, Mr. Murrell was a son of the late George Abner and Elizabeth Gonce Murrell.
Willard served in the US Air Force 3909th Air Police unit based in Lakenheath, England. He often downplayed the sacrifice of his service, believing that those who served on the front lines were more deserving of recognition than he. In the late 80’s, Willard was contacted by a fellow ‘3909er’ and he and Christine began attending annual reunions, rekindling friendships that would last for decades to follow. His fellow service members told many stories about him getting off his shift at midnight and then taking hot coffee to the guys who were guarding the planes in the sub-zero temperatures. Over the years he began to understand the impact of that simple (and rare) act of kindness. He was the first to help stranded motorists and abandoned animals, and he lovingly cared for Christine during her long illness. He never realized how much those selfless acts shaped his life.
Willard was a tractor trailer driver, often traveling across the country and back, but his family was always on his mind. It was not unusual for him to call Christine in the middle of the night on his way home and have her pack the car and the kids. He would arrive home, grab a coffee, and drive again all night to join family friends for a weekend camping at the lake or coast. Making people laugh and smile became his life mission.
At the age of 78, when most people are fully into a restful and relaxing retirement, Willard decided to pursue his lifelong dream to build a house for he and Christine. Rather than hire an architect, he drew the plans with pencil and paper. Rather than buy lumber, he cut trees and bought a sawmill. Rather than hire a builder, family and friends, many of whom were recipients of earlier acts of kindness showed up and jumped in with him. His labor of love was completed in 2009 and that beautiful little house served him and Christine well for the remainder of their lives.
Willard is survived by his children, Kelly Murrell (Janet), Becky Thomason (Brad), and Jeanie Sims (Johnny); eight grandchildren, Leanne Bentley (Justin), Eric Murrell (Alicia), Allie Thomason, Matt Thomason, Megan Rampey, Justin Crosby, Jonathan, Sims and Robbie Sims; and eight great-grandchildren.
Willard was preceded in death by sisters, Maxine Murrell Moore and Doris Murrell Cooley; brother, Joe Murrell; and grandson, Adam Crosby.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Favorite memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com
