George Allen Thomas, Lynn Johnson, Ted Bunton, Janie Ellison, Matthew Cahill, Charlotte Sims, Raymond Roache, Robert “Dale” Ellison
Robert “Dale” Ellison
Belton – Robert “Dale” Ellison, 72, husband of Sandy Ellison, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026.
Born in Anderson, he was the son of Joan Fagg Ellison and the late Leon Ellison.
Mr. Ellison attended Neals Creek Baptist Church. He started his career with Leon Ellison Body Shop and most recently worked for Richard Kay Superstore. He was the co-owner of B&R Restaurant in Williamston.
In addition to his wife, survivors include mother, Joan Ellison; daughter, Ashley Willis; and two grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 09, from 4:30 until 6:15 pm at Gray Mortuary. The memorial service will follow in the Gray Mortuary Chapel at 6:30 pm.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Raymond Roache
Raymond Adger Roache of Williamston, 93, husband of 74 years to Barbara Jean Loftis Roache, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Born in Pelzer , he was a son of the late Ernest Augustus and Lillie Mae Galloway Roache. He retired from the Town of Williamston as Director of Public Utilities and was a member of Washington Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Raymond Anthony “Tony” Roache; daughters, Tamela “Tammy” Tyre and Melinda Roache Austin; brother, Charles Roache; grandchildren, Tamela Leah Sullivan, Lauren Eron, Justin Shane Austin, Brandon Tyre, Courtney Martin, Austin Cole Roache, and Audrey Nicole Roache; nine great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Joe Rogers.
The family received friends April 7 at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with the funeral service following in the mortuary chapel. Burial was at Greenville Memorial Gardens with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Washington Baptist Church, 208 Washington Church Road, Pelzer, SC 29669 or Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Charlotte Sims
Pelzer – Charlotte Alva Jones Sims of Pelzer, 81, widow of Larry Allison Sims, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026.
Born in Morrow County, OH, she was a daughter of the late Ross Allen Jones, Sr. and Margaret Eleanor Hopkins Jones. She retired from Michelin and was a member of Washington Baptist Church.
Survivors include adopted daughter, Angela Charping; adopted granddaughter, Carolyn Miskelly; adopted great-grandchildren, Ella-Charlotte and Henry; brothers, Don Jones and Ross Jones; sister, Bonnie Neal; special great niece, Abby Hawkins; great-nephews, Jacob and Matt Hawkins; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, April 18, at 2:00 p.m. at Fork Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Matthew Cahill
Matthew Thomas Cahill of Piedmont, 69, husband of Maria Victoria Tiongson Cahill, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at his home.
Born in Newburyport, MA, he was son of the late Robert and Dorothy Ann Jones Cahill. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and formerly employed with US Xpress. He was a member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter, Tamara Jean Palmer (Kenneth Richard Meikle); step-sons, Tobin Angelo Famatiga and Paul Justin Siojo; brothers, Larry Cahill, Brian Cahill, and Mark Cahill; sisters, Debbie Murphy and Mary Lou Welch; and grandchild, Matthew Palmer.
A visitation will be held Saturday, April 11, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Mountain Springs Baptist Church with the memorial service following at 2:00 pm in the church with military honors.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Janie Ellison
Janie Roach Ellison of Williamston, 88, wife of the late Mahlon Christopher Ellison, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026, at her home.
Born in Pelzer, she was a daughter of the late Eliskar Patrick and Annie Bertha Davis Roach. She retired from Anderson School District One and was formerly employed with Martin Manufacturing. She was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church since 1956 where she was a former choir member and worked in the nursery.
She is survived by son, Chris Patrick Ellison; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 8, from 12:30 to 1:45 pm at Big Creek Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 2:00 pm in the church. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Big Creek Baptist Church, Building Fund, 820 S. Hamilton St., Williamston, SC 29697 or Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Rd., Anderson, SC 29621.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Ted Bunton
Pelzer – Ted Bennett Bunton, 83, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026.
Born in Pelzer, he was a son of the late Herman Bennett and Genevieve Nalley Ellenburg Bunton. Ted was a graduate of Palmetto High School and Clemson University. He was a talented athlete that excelled at baseball and football. He was in the inaugural class of inductees in the Palmetto High School Athletic Hall of Fame. At Clemson, Ted was honored to be chosen to the 1963 and 1964 All-ACC football teams and was named co-captain of the team in 1964.
He is survived by daughter, Elizabeth Bunton Bowen (Ken) of Virginia; sons, Ben Bunton of Piedmont and Brian Bunton of Conway; wife, Cynthia Bagwell Bunton; grandchildren, Andrew Bowen of Virginia, Grace Bowen Skulimoski (Keith) of Florida, and Gentry Bowen (Karl Bossard) of Japan; 5 great-grandchildren, brother, Ray Bunton (MaryAnne) of Williamston; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Duncan Bunton.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Janet Wigington Bunton; beloved sister, Jo Ann Bunton Davenport, and brother, Donnie Bunton.
The family received friends Tuesday, April 7, from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. in the mortuary chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org or to the charity of one’s choice.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Lynn Johnson
Gathle Lynn Clardy Johnson of Belton, 67, widow of Billy Ray Johnson, passed away Thursday, April 2.
Born in Anderson, she was a daughter of the late Stanley Hall and Della Mae Rogers Clardy. She retired from Gerber Childrenswear and was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Survivors include daughter, Kelly Alewine; son, Johnny Johnson; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; brothers, Don Clardy and Wayne Clardy; and sister, Charlotte Marian.
A memorial service was held April 6, at Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Palmetto Elementary School, SPED Playground Fund, 1 Roberts Blvd., Williamston, SC 29697.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
George Allen Thomas
Anderson, SC – George Allen Thomas, 89, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Rainey Hospice House.
Born in Pelzer, he was the son of the late Wilton Edgar “Zeke” and Sarah Frances Dunlap Thomas. He served in the Army National Guard of South Carolina. George was a contractor in the construction industry, working for Matrix Construction and later retiring from Brown and Root. During his career, he worked on projects at Goddard Space Center, Cape Canaveral, and rebuilt schools in Kuwait following the Persian Gulf War. George was an active member of New Prospect Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher in the John McLees Class, usher, and was in the Singing Christmas Tree for many years as one of the wise men. He was instrumental in the Veterans Memorial constructed at the New Prospect Church Cemetery. He built the Stained Glass Cross in the Youth Building and also constructed many wheelchair ramps as a church outreach ministry.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Juanita Bratcher Thomas; daughter, Beth Hoard (Don); granddaughters Danna Jordan (Kevin), Kelli Harrison (Justin), and Katie Crumpton (Warren); great-grandchildren Dylan, Brady, and Landen Jordan, Mikey, Noah, and Jace Harrison, and Bayleigh Crumpton; sister, Jane Tennihill; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Dot Mayfield and a brother Dan Thomas.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at New Prospect Baptist Church conducted by his nephew, Mike Mayfield and Dr. Bryan Cribb. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday at Sullivan-King Mortuary. The family is at the residence.
Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621, or to the Veterans Memorial Fund at New Prospect Baptist Church, 2503 Whitehall Road, Anderson, SC 29625.
Sullivan-King Mortuary
