Jo Ann Phillips, Tracy Medlin, Edna Thoreson, Duane Smith, Chris Hudson, Sherry Cooper, Hulon B. Rhodes, Jr.
Hulon B. Rhodes, Jr.
Pelzer – Hulon Blyth “Sonny” Rhodes, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Anderson, he was the son of the late Hulon Blyth Rhodes, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Davis Rhodes. Sonny proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1961-1965. He retired from Michelin Research Center in 2001 after 20 years of service and devoted his life to his family and the people that he loved. Sonny’s legacy will live on through the family he loved so deeply. He will be remembered for his service and devotion to his country and the countless memories he created with those who loved him. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered.
He is survived by his beloved granddaughter, Nikki Beth Rhodes (Mick Brown); his great-grandchildren, Zayde and Sailor Brown who brought him so much joy; and a brother, Douglas Rhodes (Ann).
He was predeceased by his son, Chad Evan Rhodes.
A graveside service will be held Friday, June 26, at 11:00 a.m. at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Sherry Cooper
Sherry Len Smothers Cooper of Easley, 72, wife of the late Wyndel Adlai Cooper, Sr., entered the gates of Heaven on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of Shirley Styles Smothers and the late James “Jimmy” Smothers. She retired from Greenville Hospital System where she was the Business Office Administrator at the Medical Center Clinic.
A devoted and selfless mother, Sherry is survived by her children: Kristy Bright, Wyndel Cooper, Jr. , and Kimberly Weaver. She was blessed with six grandchildren, Sarah, Hezekiah Cooper, Katie Morrison, Anna-Marie Bright, Luke Bright, and Emily Weaver; and five great-grandchildren, Rowan Rogers, Miller Morrison, Henry Bright, Axel Rogers, and August Bright. She is also survived by her mother, Shirley Smothers; sisters Cindy Jones and Jimmie Lou Thrasher; and brothers Randy Smothers and Alan Smothers.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 28, from 1:30 to 2:45 pm at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 pm in the mortuary chapel.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Chris Hudson
Travelers Rest – Grace Christine Wallace Hudson of Travlers Rest, 81, wife of 47 years to the late Marvin Daniel Hudson, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026.
Born in Slater, she was the daughter of the late JD and Minna Jameson Wallace. She was a homemaker and a member of Bethany Baptist Church.
She is survived by daughters, Charlotte Wike, Paula Randolph and Marlene Goodman; brothers, Stanley Wallace and Dean Wallace; grandchildren, Aaron Wike, Elena Wike, Gail Ford, Luke Randolph, Nathaniel Randolph, Ema Goodman, Lydiann Goodman, Hudson Goodman; and great-grandchildren, Abigail Ford, Willow Ford, Greyton Wike, and Andie Cate Wike.
A visitation was held June 23 at Bethany Baptist Church, Travelers Rest, with the funeral service followed. Burial was in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church Building Fund or Christian School, 30 Bethany Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Duane Smith
West Pelzer – Lester Duane Smith, 82, husband of Carol Rebecca “Becky” Green Smith, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026.
Born in Anderson, he was a son of the late Lester Miller and Lois Hanks Smith. Duane was retired from 3M and was a member of the Pelzer Church of God. He loved softball, golf, and working on cars with his boys. Also, he was a baseball card collector as well as bottles.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Lester Smith, Jr. (Sherry), Vincent Smith (Mandy), Derek Smith (Ginger); and daughter, Tracy Smith; grandchildren, Jeremie Smith (Nikki), Chad Smith (Destiny), Logan Crocker (Travis), Dakota Smith (Chloe), Noah Smith (Abbiegale), Emerson Griffith, Henry Griffith, and Knox Griffith; great-grandchildren, Jaelan Smith, Nolan Crocker, Rhett Crocker, Briggston Crocker, Elias Smith, Jacob Cole (Cameron), Presley Cole; and great-great-grandchild, Charlotte Cole.
He was predeceased by brothers, Michael Smith and Terry Smith; and sisters, Jane Bryant and Vicky Eaton.
The family received friends Tuesday, June 23, from 12:00 to 1:45 p.m. at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with the funeral service followed in the mortuary chapel at 2:00 pm. Burial was at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Rainey Hospice House, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
The family will be at the home of his son, Derek and Ginger Smith, 165 Mountain Lake Drive, Piedmont, SC 29673.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Edna Thoreson
Edna Jane Stewart Thoreson of Pelzer, 83, widow of George Edwin Thoreson, Sr., passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Paul A. Stewart and Frances Lillian Stewart Cooley (Clyde). She retired from PAI Pharma at the Donaldson Center.
Survivors include sons, Chris Smith, Ricky Smith, Gary Smith, Scott Smith and Daniel Smith; daughter, Lisa Christy; brother, Donny Stewart; and grandchildren, India Smith, Chloe Smith, Greg Smith, Isaiah Smith, Cody Griffith, and Tim Smith; 4 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.
The family received friends Saturday, June 20, from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with the funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Tracy Medlin
Tracy Allen Medlin of Pelzer, 60, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026 surrounded by family after his battle with an extended illness.
Born December 20, 1965 at the Pelzer Hospital, he was a son of Sylvia Capps Browning. He was formerly employed with Calgon. Tracy was an avid sports enthusiast and a die hard Clemson Tigers fan who spent all of his free time watching and attending sporting events to cheer for the Tigers.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by sisters, Johnnie Holdbrooks of Belton and Teresa Jiles of Myrtle Beach; brothers, Dwight Brazeal of Pelzer and Mark Medlin of Greenville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Thursday, June 25, from 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Liberty.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Jo Ann Phillips
Jo Ann Caldwell Phillips of Pelzer, 82, wife of the late Bobby Eugene Phillips, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026 at her home.
Born in Piedmont, she was a daughter of the late Guyton and Catheren R. Babb Caldwell. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
She is survived by son, Bobby Joe Phillips; brother, Francis Babb; grandchildren, Rachel Phillips Hanks, Tiffany Wilbanks, Kimberly Phillips, Tabitha Phillips, Augusta Chandler, Amber Austin, Michael Moore, Micela Amaro, and Toni Senick; and 20 great-grandchildren.
The family received friends June 23 at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 24, at 2:00 pm in the mortuary chapel with the burial following at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
