RUTH E. CRAWFORD KELLEY

SIX MILE — Ruth E. Crawford Kelley, 88, widow of Earl Kelley, passed away on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at her residence.
Ruth was born in Anderson County, a daughter of the late George and Ida Nix Crawford. She was a former employee of Elljean Textiles in Pickens. Ruth enjoyed making homemade quilts and various types of jellies.
Surviving are daughters, Diane Bryant of Six Mile and Glenora Arnold of Liberty; and a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was predeceased by sons, Ricky Donald, Lewis Donald and Doug Donald; and a daughter, Brenda Lewis.
Funeral services were held on Jan. 9 in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, with burial following at the Kings Grove Baptist Church cemetery.
Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home and Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.

LOUNELLE SIMMONS

PICKENS — Lounelle Simmons, 86, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Pickens.
Born in Pickens, she was the daughter of the late William Franklin Nealy and Bertie Evette Nealy, and wife of the late Sherril Dean Simmons.
She was a member of Griffin Baptist church in Pickens.
Survivors include three sons, Douglas Simmons (Phyllis) of Easley, Michael Simmons of Pickens and Keith

SAM WYCHE

PICKENS — Sam Wyche, who brought imagination to the sport of football, an AFC Championship to the Cincinnati Bengals, and a joy of life to the players, friends and family around him, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, after a short battle with metastatic melanoma. He was 74.

Wyche, who lived in the country town of Pickens for his last 20 years, died at home, surrounded by his family: wife, Jane; daughter, Kerry; and son, Zak, and their families. He had a Renaissance life as an NFL player, a college head coach, pro head coach, broadcaster, amateur magician, pilot, sporting-goods store owner and county council member in Pickens County, his adopted home. He was close to death with heart disease in September 2016, but got a last-minute heart transplant that gave him three more years of life.

“He was funny, brilliant at football, complicated, forward-thinking and a great human being,” said Boomer Esiason, who had an NFL Most Valuable Player season under Wyche’s tutelage in 1988. “This is such a sad day. He meant everything to me. He made me into the quarterback I became.”

“It’s so sad when bad things happen to good people,” said Joe Montana, whose first position coach in the NFL

DON L. NICHOLS

CENTRAL — Mr. Don Lyman Nichols, 60, husband of Maricel Labrador Nichols, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019.

Born in Pickens County, a son of the late James Carl Nichols and the late Emma Bagwell Nichols, Mr. Nichols was a graduate of Easley High School and was employed with Champion Aerospace LLC. He attended Shady Grove Baptist Church.

Don had a love and passion for motorcycles, but his greatest love was for his family and his grandchildren. He

DEVIN WADE ELDRIDGE

EASLEY — Mr. Devin Wade Eldridge, 24, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019.

Born in Greenville County, a son of Matthew Dennis Eldridge and the late Deborah Michelle Eldridge, Mr. Eldridge was a welder and of the Christian faith.

Devin was a hard-working man who loved life and was very outgoing. He never met a stranger and will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Surviving, in addition to his father, are a brother, Zachary Chase Eldridge of Anderson: two sisters, Haley Elizabeth Eldridge and Gracey Michelle Eldridge, both of Easley; his grandparents, Jack and Lorrie Yeager of Greenville, and Elaine T. Moore of Piedmont; his aunt and uncle, Julie Eldridge and David Eldridge, both of

EULA O. HALL

LIBERTY — Eula O’Donald Hall, 89, widow of the late Charles Herman Hall, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019.

Born on Jan. 26, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Jospeh and Ally Mae Patton O’Donald. Eula was a prayer warrior who was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. She also enjoyed gardening.

Surviving are her daughter, Kimberly Tankersley (Paul); one son, Ronnie Hall (Carol); one daughter-in-law, Kelli Hall; two sisters, Martha Aiken and Annette McGathy; seven grandchildren, Josh Tankersley, Kaitlin Hall, Nathan Hall, Candise Zimmerman, Dedi Hall, Kelli White and Jennifer Bryan; two great-grandchildren, Jordan

Easley philanthropist and successful entrepreneur Ellenbug passes away

RALPH MCCLELLAN ELLENBURG SR.

EASLEY — Ralph McClellan Ellenburg Sr., 97, passed away surrounded by family on Nov. 29, 2019.

He was born Feb. 2, 1922, to Ernest McClellan Ellenburg and Lillie Stewart Ellenburg. Ralph was married to Helen Patterson of Pickens for 70 years.

Ralph was a philanthropist and successful entrepreneur having started and operated several businesses in the community. In his early 20s, he owned and operated Easley Ice Cream Parlor, Ellenburg Jewelry and Ellenburg Amusement Company. He owned and operated Tri-City Lanes Bowling Center, but his crowning achievement was Ellenburg Asphalt Company. His company resurfaced Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ralph developed a method still used today for paving the high banks of a racetrack. Ralph was paving the roadways and building the railroad spur for a manufacturing park development outside Selma, Ala., when Dr. King’s Freedom March passed his jobsite. Preceding the years before retirement, Ralph partnered in real estate development along the South Carolina coast and started the family rental business in Easley.

Ralph encouraged businesses to locate in Easley and supported new entrepreneurs with his advice and, more often than not, financially as well. He was dedicated to his community. He was a tireless supporter of and advocate for the Rocky Bottom Camp of the Blind, serving as president of their advisory board and not only leading their fundraising campaigns for many years, but also could be seen working there regularly with his front-end loader or backhoe or fixing an appliance. He co-founded and served on the board of trustees of Community Bank, was president of the Easley Jaycees and held numerous other leadership positions in the community. Ralph was a lifelong member of Easley First Baptist Church. He spearheaded the fundraising to build Easley Baptist Hospital. He donated the stadium sound system for Easley High School and did play-by-play announcements for their AA football team. He loved his hometown and assisted his brother, Mayor Charles Ellenburg, in revitalizing downtown Easley and building Old Market Square.

Ralph had an ability to fix almost anything and enjoyed working in his shop in the evenings and on the weekends. He was known to his family and friends as “the fix-it man” and lovingly and respectfully called “Mr. E.” He enjoyed many years of horsemanship on his Cedar Rail Ranch, and also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Helen, and his grandchildren in his motor home throughout the U.S. (including Alaska), Canada and Mexico.

Ralph was predeceased by brothers Will Earl, Roy, Charles, Jack, Jimmie, Lafoy and Sherwood; sister, Mary Lou; wife, Helen; and daughter, Hollace Kay Hamid.

Surviving are his children, Ralph McClellan Ellenburg Jr. of Easley and daughters Heller Gwen Ellenburg of Liberty and Heather Marie McConnell of Black Mountain, N.C.; and his grandchildren, Tariq Gibran Hamid, Tara (T.K.) Redick, Jennifer Welborn, Tyson McConnell and Regina Logan. Ralph also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate his life was held on Dec. 7 at Easley First Baptist Church, with committal at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind at 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205.

Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens is assisting the Ellenburg family in making arrangements.

REBA ESTES HILL

EASLEY — Reba Estes Hill, beloved widow of the late Benjamin Knight Hill, died on Nov. 16, 2019, in Manassas, Va., at the age of 100 years.

She was born in Haralson County, Ga., the daughter of the late James Edwin and Hettie Holland Estes.

Some of Mrs. Hill’s working history includes employment by Wachovia Bank and Trust Co. in Charlotte, N.C. and employment by South Carolina National Bank in Greenville.

Mrs. Hill and her family were members of Easley United Methodist Church in Easley, where she was a member of the Wesley Sunday School Class. Mrs. Hill gave freely of herself and taught in the childrens’ and youth departments. She sang in the Chancel Choir for many years. She also served on the Council of Ministries.

She graciously served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and worked in the Free Medical Clinic in Easley.

Left to honor and remember this loving woman are her three daughters, Ramona McLeland (Bruce), Susan Hill

DR. CURTIS H. HAMLIN

EASLEY— Dr. Curtis H. Hamlin, 87, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Nov. 26, 2019, at Southern Oaks Nursing Home in Piedmont.

Born in Pickens County, he was the son of the late Ralph and Margie Hamlin. He was a graduate of Tabernacle Baptist College and received his doctorate degree from Faith Theological Seminary in Milton, Fla. He was a pastor in churches in South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida. Curtis was married for a wonderful 67 years to his wife, Claris Brackens Hamlin, and was a member of Landmark Baptist Church.

Dr. Hamlin was artistic and mechanically inclined. He enjoyed traveling, flying and reading and wrote a book.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Phyllis Peterson (Gary); a daughter-in-law, JoAnn Hamlin of Gloucester, Va.; granddaughter, Amanda Adams (Leon) of Gloucester, Va.; grandson, Nathan Finley of Seneca; sisters, Betty Hardy (Warren) of Blythewood, Sue Aull of Easley and Maxine Kelly (Robert) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; brother-

BETTY MAE PLESCHAKOW

PICKENS — Betty Mae Pleschakow, 92, passed away peacefully with her family present on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, at her home.

Born in Flint, Mich., she was the daughter of Edward Monroe and Ethel Corrine Lincoln, who resided in Flushing, Mich., where she grew up. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens.

She loved crocheting and made countless afghans, especially for several members of church. She was known as “Betty the Baker,” as she was well known for her numerous cakes, cookies and many other baked goods.

She also loved bowling and bowled for several years with the Tri-City seniors league in Easley.

Surviving are daughters, Linda Haney of Pickens and Jill Jones of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and two sons, Michael Bruner of Nenana, Alaska, and Robert Bruner of Michigan.

She had eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-

ANTHONY EDWARD MEYER

PICKENS — Anthony “Tony” Edward Meyer, of Pickens, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 22, 1947, and was born again into the Body of Christ at the age of 23.

He was a truck driver until he was injured at the age of 39, then moved his family to Pickens County in August 1990.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane (Bayles) Meyer; a daughter, Antonette Rene’ Meyer; a son, Anthony “Tony” Edward Meyer Jr. (wife Cindy); seven grandchildren, Destiny Gantt, Brittany Arms, Nicholas Pancoast, Micheala Chavis, Katelyn Metcalf, Justin Meyer and Jessica Meyer; 16 great- grandchildren; and one brother, Daniel Meyer.

He was predeceased by his parents, Nathan and Martha Brody; a daughter, Barbara Ann Clardy; brothers, Matthew Gene Meyer, Andrew

KATHY REOME PATTEN

PICKENS — Alice Katherine “Kathy” Reome Patten, 82, wife of the late James Hervin Patten Jr., and resident of Pickens since January 1961, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at Rainey Hospice House.

Born on Dec. 23, 1936, in Beekmantown, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Edward and Audrey Larabee Reome. She attended public school in West Chazy, N.Y., and Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton. Kathy was a member of Crescent Hill Baptist Church, and she enjoyed flower gardening, bird watching, reading and genealogy research.

Although Kathy lived most of her life in Pickens, she always considered Plattsburgh and West Chazy, N.Y., to be her home, with many treasured friends from that area. Along with her husband and parents, Kathy was also preceded in death by one brother, Olen Reome.

Surviving are her son, Jimmy Patten (Paula); two daughters, Joni Lathem (Jerome) and Judi Reeves Wyatt (Scott); one brother, Richard H. Reome (Shirley); three sisters-in-law, Fairley Reome, Maxi Stancil and Dorothy Patten; six grandchildren, Jeremy Lathem, Kelli Teat (Clark), Jamie Patten (May May), Kadron Waugh (Anthony), Kamila Reeves (Evan Allen) and Jared Patten; five great-grandchildren, Peyton Waugh, Julian Lathem, Zachary Waugh, James Waugh and Colton Teat, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her furry friend, Boog.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 9 in the Dillard Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. Scott Allen officiating. Entombment followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 115 Crescent Hill Drive, Pickens, SC 29671, and/or to the Dream Center, 5991 Calhoun Memorial Highway, Easley SC 29640.

Online condolences may be expressed to the Patten family by visiting dillardfunerals.com.

CRAIG S. SNIDER

EASLEY — Craig Stephen Snider was born into this life on Aug. 18, 1951, and passed into the next on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.

Craig was a lifelong resident of Easley. He attended East End Elementary and graduated from Easley High School’s