Larry Joe Coker, Sammy Woods, Michael Earl King, Clarita Pinion, Leon Brown, Lon Ginn, Steven “Steve” Anthony Ashley, Josh Coates, Steven Kay, Tyler Smith, Edward Whitt, Jr., Tommy Hamlin
Tommy Hamlin
Tommy Franklin Hamlin of Pelzer, 86, loving husband of 66 years to Janette Reeves Hamlin, passed away Monday, March 16, 2026.
Born in Anderson, he was the son of the late John Frank and Lucille Chapman Hamlin. He retired from Gerber Products Company and was a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church, Liberty. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Tommy was an avid tennis player and a member of the Cardinal Racquet Club, Anderson. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Kristy Bowling (Mike) and Kasey Hamlin-Smith (Jason); and grandchildren, Tyler and Riley Bowling and Cooper and Brady Smith.
The family will receive friends Friday, March 20, from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. at Washington Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens with military honors.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Edward Whitt, Jr.
Earnest Edward “Ed” Whitt, Jr., 79, husband of Robbie Gail Baldwin Whitt, of Pelzer, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026 at his home.
Born in Anderson County, he was the son of the late Earnest Edward Whitt, Sr. and Iona Jones Whitt. He was formerly employed with The Torrington Company in Honea Path and a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Tim “Bubba” Whitt; daughters, Melody Ragsdale and Dawn Casey; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The family received friends March 14 and March 15 at the home.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Tyler Smith
Andrew Tyler Smith of Pelzer, 39, son of Wylie Keith Smith and the late Rebecca Ann Williams Smith, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026.
He was a brick mason and a member of Friendship Baptist Church.
In addition to his father, he is survived by son, Mason Smith; brothers, Brenden and Cassidy Smith; sister, Melanie Morrow; and step-mother, Lisa Wardlaw Smith.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, 5600 Hwy 81, Williamston, SC 29697.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Steven Kay
Steven Lee Kay, 56 of Pelzer, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026 at his home.
Born in Greenville County, he was a son of Lloyd Harold Kay and Mary Carolyn Evett Shepard. He was currently employed with Harold Kay Roofing.
Survivors include son, Tyler Kay; daughter, Brandy White; brothers, Lloyd Harold Kay, Jr. and Gary Dewayne Kay; half-sister, Lindsay Kay Davis; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The family received friends March 14 at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. A memorial service followed in the mortuary chapel.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Josh Coates
James “Josh” Brooks Coates, II, 52, of Pelzer, husband of Amanda Brynn Davis Coates and loving father to Trey, Lucy-Claire, and Charlie, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Born in Greenville, he was the son of Joyce Jordan Coates and the late James Brooks Coates, I. Josh was a 1991 graduate of Calvary Christian School and a 1996 graduate of Tennesee Temple University. He was the minister of music at Washington Baptist Church and the organist at Neal’s Creek Baptist Church. He was also employed with Chic-fil-A in Powdersville.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by son, James “Trey” Coates, III; and daughters, Lucy-Claire Coates and Charlie Coates.
The Coates family is forever grateful for the medical team who took care of him and his willingness to serve others through organ donation. Thanks to our wonderful community for prayer and most importantly for taking care of us.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, March 22, at 3:00 p.m. at Washington Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fostering Faith, 3204 Amity Rd. Ext., Anderson, SC 29621.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Steven “Steve” Anthony Ashley
Belton – Steven “Steve” Anthony Ashley of Belton, 64, husband of Deborah “Debbie” Ashley, died Friday, March 13, 2026.
Born in Greenwood, SC, he was a son of the late Foster Nathan and Louise Warren Ashley.
He was an avid sportsman and a loving husband, father, brother and “Poppy.”
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Lindsey Angle and Brittany Smith; brother Tony Ashley; 2 Sisters; seven grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Rd., Anderson SC 29621.
No services are planned at this time.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Lon Ginn
Lon Wylie Ginn of Piedmont, 89, husband of the late Gladys Ellison Ginn, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at his home.
Born in Gray Court, he was the son of the late Garnett and Ethel Hughes Ginn. He retired from Cryovac, the Army Reserves, and Lakeview Golf Course. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran. Lon was an avid golfer, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, was a frequent blood donor, raised goats, and loved life.
Survivors include daughter, Crystal Snyder; son, Michael Ginn; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, P.O. Box 268, Pelzer, SC 29669.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Leon Brown
Vernon Leon Brown of Williamston, 89, husband of Junie Rebecca Childs Brown, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Born in Pelzer, he was a son of the late James “Kinky” and Edna Mayfield Brown. He retired from Gerber Childrenswear and was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife of 69 years, he is survived by daughters, Wanda Scroggs and Susan Patterson; sister, Mildred Elaine Shirley; brother, Tommy Brown; three grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Thursday, March 19, from 12:00 to 1:15 pm at Hillcrest Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 1:30 pm in the church. Burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Rd., Anderson, SC 29621 or Hillcrest Baptist Church, 1300 Anderson Dr., Williamston, SC 29697.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Clarita Pinion
Williamston – Clarita Jane Browning Pinion, 72, wife of John Nathan Pinion, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2026 at her home.
Born in Williamston, she was a daughter of the late Paul Jackson and Ruby Inez Woodson Browning. She was formerly employed with K-Mart and Bed Bath and Beyond. She attended Beech Springs Church.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by sisters, Sheila Browning and Alice Sharpe (Kirk); nephew, Jason Sharpe (Jerri Lynn); niece, Erin Saylers (Keith); great-nephew, Jackson Sharpe; and great nieces, Katie Shirley (Lucas) and Addie Sharpe.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, March 18, at 3:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Anderson.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Michael Earl King
Belton – Michael Earl King, 74, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday March 14, 2026.
Born in Anderson County, SC, he was a son of the late Truman and Catherine Brady King. Michael loved the Lord, his farm and his AA community. He attended Dry Oak Assembly of God.
He is survived by daughter, Tracy King Autry; grandchildren, Samantha Autry and Britney Autry; great-grandchildren, Cohen Hancock, Autry Holder and Bransen Hancock.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Truman Leo King, Jr. and Ronald Steve King.
Special thanks to friends, Mitchell McClain and Joseph “Big Joe” Cothran.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, March 18, from 1:00 to 2:45 pm at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with the funeral service following at 3:00 pm in the mortuary chapel. Burial will be at White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Sammy Woods
Pelzer – Sammy Gene Woods, 78, husband of the late Cynthia Ann Crumley Woods, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Born in Fountain Inn, he was the son of the late Harley and Nancy Winn Woods. Sammy was a member of Lebanon United Methodist Church. He was an Army Veteran who served in Vietnam and later owned and operated Sammy Woods Used Car Lot and S. Woods Tires. He was a man who loved being around people.
Survivors include daughters, Susan Woods of Pelzer and Tina Griseta of Simpsonville; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and sister, Cheryl Crumley of Belton.
He was predeceased by his sister, Elaine Smith.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, March 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 19, at 1:00 pm at Lebanon United Methodist Church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or T2T.org.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Larry Joe Coker
Pelzer – Larry Joe Coker, 81, widower of the love of his life, Joyce Elaine Cothran Coker for 55 years, passed away March 13, 2026.
Born in Greenville County, he was a son of the late Thomas Talmadge and Opal Heatherly Coker. During the course of Larry’s life he enjoyed growing up on the Mill Hill in Pelzer with many lifelong friends and stories to tell. Life in the lower Mill was full of life and memories that lived with him everywhere he went. He loved Pelzer and saw it through the eyes of how it used to be and how it could be again.
Larry Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served from 1965 to 1967 and in the U.S. Navy Reserves until 1970. He retired from Cryovac in Simpsonville after 44 years. He was an active member of Washington Baptist Church and a former member of Assembly of God, and Cedar Shoals Baptist Church.
Larry was a devoted husband, loving father, proud papa, and loved by everyone who knew him personally. He loved to travel and take trips with his family and friends, especially to the mountains, beach and on cruises. His hobbies were camping with family, serving where he was needed, and being social wherever he could find the opportunity. Clemson football was always his team!
He was one of the founding members of Pelzer Heritage Commission where he and his commission worked tirelessly on many small and large projects over the past 15 years. Larry was instrumental in acquiring the Pelzer Mill Hill property from Mr. Green for the future growth and development of Pelzer for generations to come.
Larry had a rare gift of making friends wherever he went, never meeting a stranger, and always leaving people better than he found them. His presence was steady, kind, and dependable. Without a doubt his family always knew they could count on him. He loved people, and you could always see he was a kid at heart no matter his age.
He is survived by daughters, Lisa Coker Brewster of the home and Wendy Wallace and son-in-law, Micah, of Starr; grandchild, Brooklyn Brewster who was the apple of his eye; brother, Harold Coker of Pelzer.
Larry is also survived by extended family including brothers-in-law, Rick Cothran, Glen Cothran and wife, Judy, and Billy Cothran and Joan Cothran. He is also leaving behind so many nieces, nephews, cousins and distant family who all adored him.
He was predeceased by brothers, Doyle Coker, Ellis Coker, and Wilbert Coker; and sisters, Lois Coker Honicutt and Margaret Coker Starnes.
The family received friends on Monday, March 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. The funeral was held on Tuesday, March 17, at 3:00 pm at Washington Baptist Church. Burial was at Cedar Shoals Baptist Church.
Gray Mortuary, Pelze
