Hurley Simmons, Bobby DeYoung, Jo Ann Shaw
Jo Ann Shaw
Jo Ann Dean Shaw of Williamston, 82, wife of Johnnie Ray Shaw, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at her home.
Born in Pelzer, she was a daughter of the late Walter Henry and Cornelia Emma Bruce Dean. She retired from Abney Mills in Belton and was a member of Alive Wesleyan Church in Pelzer.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by sisters, Wanda LeCroy and Judy Brock and brother, Billy Seigler.
A graveside service was held May 16 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Anderson.
The family receiving friends at their home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alive Wesleyan Church, 2 Wesleyan Dr., Pelzer, SC 29669.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Bobby DeYoung
Bobby Dean DeYoung of Belton, 71, husband of Cathy Yvonne Wood DeYoung, passed away Sunday, May 11, 2025.
Born in Woodruff, he was a son of the late Major Grover and Purnie Lou Morgan DeYoung. He retired from Honeywell and was a member of Belton Church of God.
In addition to his wife he is survived by son, Chris DeYoung; brothers, Jerry DeYoung and Wick DeYoung; and sisters, Martha Brackett, Kay Ford, and Peggy Turner.
Visitation was May 15 at Belton Church of God. A memorial service followed in the church.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Hurley Simmons
Easley – Hurley Homer Simmons, 96, husband of 65 years to the late Elizabeth Ann “Libby” Skidmore Simmons, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2025, surrounded by his children.
Born at home on January 10, 1929, in the hills of Hacker Valley, WV, he was a son of the late Ezra and Leafie Lizzie Fisher Simmons. Hurley lived a life marked by hard work, unwavering faith, and deep love for his family.
Hurley spent his early years in rural West Virginia before later settling in Ohio and eventually South Carolina. He proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer, stationed in Germany and throughout Europe, where he once had the honor of guiding Eisenhower.
Hurley took courses in civil engineering at Glenville State College and West Virginia University in Morgantown. Over the years, he pursued an industrious and diverse career: from owning a Pure Oil gas station and sawmill in West Virginia, to tool-and-die work at Modern Tool and Die in Ohio, to serving as State Coordinator for Consumer Companies of America in South Carolina. He later retired from General Electric, where he worked in the gas turbine division as a CNC machinist and programmer.
Hurley was a hard worker who was never content with just one job. He embraced countless side ventures, including owning and renting motor homes, selling insurance, running the Flip N Dip ice cream parlor and Hallmark Square Cafeteria, and managing rental properties.
Hurley was a man of many passions. He maintained a large garden to feed his family, raised honeybees and Brittany Spaniel bird dogs, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and cross-country travel. One of his proudest adventures was driving his family from Ohio to Anchorage, Alaska in a motorhome over the unpaved Alaskan Highway in the summer of 1973. He also loved golfing in his college years and bowled in leagues with his beloved wife, Libby.
A faithful Baptist, Hurley was a devoted church member at Siloam Baptist Church who often served as a deacon and filled many other roles. He was also a member of the Gideons International Powdersville Camp, where he remained active and held many offices over the years.
Hurley was a strong, dependable man who could fix just about anything. He believed in the power of gratitude, the value of each day, and the importance of living with integrity. As he often reminded others, “We can’t worry about yesterday, and tomorrow may never come, so let’s just do the very best we can with today, the day the Lord gives us.”
He is survived by his children, John Edward Simmons (Renay), Donna Ann Bodemiller (Tim) and Lisa Carol Simmons Pack; nine grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother, Millard Simmons; sisters, Betty Mader and Sherley Wentz; and son-in-law, Kerry Manning Pack.
Visitation was Saturday, May 17, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at Long Run Community Church at Cowger Hill (675 Cowger Hill Rd., Hacker Valley, WV 26222). The funeral service followed at 3:00 pm in the church. Burial will take place at Hacker Valley Cemetery.
While flowers are warmly welcomed and appreciated, or those who feel led may consider making a donation to Gideons International – Powdersville Camp, P.O. Box 51064, Piedmont, SC 29673 marked “In Memory of Hurley Simmons.”
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
