Anthony Chiovitti

Liberty — Anthony Chiovitti, 55, of 220 McClanhan Road, died Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Flemington, N.J. he was a son of the late John D. Chiovitti and Irma Romano Chiovitti. He was a 1977 graduate of North Hunterdon Regional High School in Annandale, N.J. and later attended Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute.

Surviving are a sister, Mary Thomas of Oxford, N.J.; a brother, John Chiovitti of Asbury, N.J.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Private inurnment services will take place at a later date in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in New Jersey.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services is handling arrangements.

Jerry W. Kelly

Central — Jerry Wayne Kelly, 56, of 718 Lay Bridge Road and husband of Sharon Jane Gibson Kelly, died Monday, June 2, 2014 in Oconee County.

Born in Pickens County, he was a son of Dalton Kelly of Hendersonville, N.C. and the late Frances Chapman Kelly. Jerry was the owner of Clemson Painting. He was a 1976 graduate of D. W. Daniel High School and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving in addition to his wife are three sons, Josh Kelly of Liberty and Dillon and Matthew Kelly of North Carolina; a daughter, Leslie Howard of Liberty; two step-daughters, Lorrie Holland of Mt. Airy, N.C. and Sandra Small of Clayton, Ga.; three sisters, Krystal Burgess of Easley, Penny Fine of Charlotte, N.C. and Terry Hendrix of Simpsonville; a granddaughter, Haley Small and many other grandchildren.

In addition to his mother, he was predeceased by a brother, Gary Kelly of Central.

Memorial services were 11 a.m., Friday in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Locks of Love, www.locksoflove.org.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Jean Holcombe Ouzts

Piedmont — Jean Holcombe Ouzts “Me-Me” died on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Rainey Hospice House. Surrounded by her loving family and in the presence of her Lord and Savior, she closed her eyes to the complications of dialysis and all illness and awoke to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Her life on Earth has ended but now, the celebration truly begins.

Jean, formerly of 116 Wigington Road, Piedmont was born in Pickens in Nov. of 1929, the daughter of the late Richard and Eva Holcombe.

Our mother was a woman of simple tastes and loved her collection of dolls, angels, and family photos. She was a member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church, a charter member of the Piedmont Goodwill Club, a past member of the Wren Homemaker’s Club, and a past member of the Senior Citizens Plus Travel Club.

In earlier years, Jean traveled extensively with the Travel Club and daughter, Brenda.  Many enjoyable trips were also made with husband, Lloyd, to reunions of the WWII 80th Division Blue Ridge Veteran’s Association.  She also enjoyed cooking, canning, and making her famous muscadine jelly.

Mama met all obstacles with strength, dignity, and a positive attitude.  She fought a good fight, overcoming many health challenges. Her 84 years have touched many lives with love, integrity, courage, wisdom, and encouragement.  Mama was an inspiration to all who knew her, especially her family.  She loved her family above all else and no matter how ill, never missed a family function. Her life inspired us, her love sustained us, and her memory will be a shining light forever in our hearts.

Mama, we love you and we miss you – our hearts are broken, but we also know that you are at peace. God grant us the grace to accept our loss, peace for today, and strength for tomorrow.

Jean was the widow of the late Lloyd H. Ouzts, Jr.  She was twice married, first to the late J.D. Roberts.  From that union, Jean is survived by her beloved daughter, Nancy Roberts Greene and her husband, Johnny; four grandsons, Ricky and Ronnie Watson, Michael and Travis Greene; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Sarah, Seth, Sophie, Ryan and Caroline Watson, and Katie Greene. In 1966, Jean married Lloyd H. Ouzts and not only did she promise to love, honor, and cherish our Dad, she loved, cherished, and helped to raise the children of Lloyd and the late Frances Wigington Ouzts. Those children of her heart are loving daughter, Brenda Ouzts Mull and devoted son, Ray H. Ouzts and his wife, Lisa.

Beloved daughter, Pamela Ouzts Sutherland was born to Jean and Lloyd in 1967 and “Mama Jean” loved and cherished all of her children equally.  Pam and husband, Charles became Mama’s caregivers as her health declined.  Our sister, Pam, has her family’s utmost admiration and gratitude for the care of our mother. Jean is also survived by her dear siblings, Johnny Holcombe and wife, Bea; sister, Joan Gilstrap and husband, Marshall; many loving nieces and nephews. She was the beloved “Me-Me” of grandchildren, Kristy Mull Stone and her husband, Jimmy; Andrea Ouzts Hamby and husband, Jason; great-grandmother of Jim and Katrien Stone, Thomas, Landon, and Weston Johnson.

She was predeceased by brothers, Jack and J.T. Holcombe; sister, Frankie Brooks; son-in-law, Donald Mull; sister-in-law, Mary Dill Ebey.

Our family wishes to thank the staff of Hosanna Health and Rehab and the staff of Rainey Hospice House for their devoted and loving care of our mother.  Our heartfelt thanks are also extended to the Easley Dialysis Center and the Pelzer Rescue Squad.

A celebration of Jean’s life was held on Wednesday, May 28 at 11 a.m. at Mountain Springs Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Benjamin Smoak. Her grandsons served as pallbearers.  Burial was in the old Mountain Springs Church Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, Rainey House, 1835 Rogers Rd., Anderson, SC 29621 or to the Pelzer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 94, Pelzer, SC 29669.

Condolences: www.graymortuary.com.

Shelby Jean Smith

Pickens — Shelby Jean Atkinson Smith, 65, of 2000 Gentry Memorial Highway, died Tuesday, at St. Francis Hospital.

Born in Easley she was a daughter of the late Frank and Christine Lesley Atkinson.
She was a member of Lenhardt Christian Fellowship, and enjoyed being involved with her church.

Surviving are her husband, Wallace L. Smith of the home; two daughters, Tammy Anthony (Sammy) of Pickens, Tina Anthony of Liberty; a son, Michael “Patch” Anthony (Jackie) of Liberty; a step daughter, Terri Strickland of Liberty; a step son, Charles Smith of Easley; seven brothers and sisters, 17 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Smith were 2 p.m. Saturday in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial was at Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. John Brown officiated the service.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Lucille Johnstone

Pickens — Lucille Grace Aragon Johnstone, 88, of Pickens, died on Tuesday, June 3 2014 at her home surrounded by her family.

Born in Oakland, Calif. she was the widow of Denny Duke Johnstone and a daughter of the late Frank and Josephine Malyhan Aragon. As a young adult, she worked painting ships for the United States Navy during World War II. Throughout her life she loved working with children, and volunteered at schools for over 60 years. She also raised over 17 children in addition to her own, in her home before foster care came into existence.

Surviving are two daughters, Pamela Higgins of Oceanside, Calif., and Chila Kraft of the home; two sons, Paul Johnstone of Grants Pass, Ore., and Frank Johnstone of San Jose, Calif.; a sister, Cecelia Northcutt of Millbrae, Calif.; a brother, Daniel Aragon of San Francisco, Calif.; six grandchildren, four great grandchildren.

Celebration and remembrance services to honor the life of Mrs. Johnstone were 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7 at Larry Looper’s Red Barn, 101 Laurenwood Drive, Pickens SC.

Flowers will be accepted, however the family requests all arrangements be something that can be taken to their home.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary & Cremation Services is handling arrangements.

Barbara Jean

Watson Powell

Liberty — Barbara Jean W. Powell, 78, wife of the late Herbert Doyle Powell, died Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

Born in Pickens County a daughter of the late William E. and Edna Holliday Watson, Barbara was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. A special thanks to the staff of Redeemer Health & Rehab for their care and devotion to Barbara while she was in their care. Mrs. Powell had a deep love and sincerely cared for all of her family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son; Timothy Doyle Powell (Sandy Holcombe) of Central, twin brothers; Coy (Joyce) Watson, Roy (Patty) Watson all of Pickens, four grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Powell was predeceased by her husband, parents, a sister; Thelma Clardy and her husband Dink Clardy and a daughter; Teresa Powell.

The funeral service was 3 p.m. Friday, June 6 at Dillard Funeral Home in the funeral chapel. The burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Powell family.

John Lewis Harden, Jr.

Easley — John Lewis Harden, Jr. 84, husband of the late Mary Catherine Hendricks Harden, died on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at his home in Easley.

Mr. Harden was born in the Oakway Community of Oconee County, a son of the late John Lewis and Bertha Hall Harden. He was retired from the Utica Plant of J. P. Stevens Company in Seneca after 33 years service. Mr. Harden was a member of Utica Baptist Church.

Survivors include his daughter, Catherine Louise Harden Tripp (Chris) of Easley, grandchildren, Gene Loggins, Amanda Tipton, Wanda Loggins, Stratton Tripp, and Natasha Stephens, and eight great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Janie Lay of Spartanburg and a brother, the Rev. Robert Harden of Walhalla.

A memorial service was held 4 p.m. Friday, June 6 at Pickens View Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Lewis B. Edwards officiating.

Memorials may be made to Journey Hospice, 665 North Academy Street, Greenville, SC 29601.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Harden family.

Fred Mayes

Easley — Fred Palmer Mayes, 66, husband of Jeanette Henson Mayes, died Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Cleveland County, N.C., to the late James Manson and Mary Bush Mayes, Fred was previously a co-owner of Southtex in Easley, and worked at DH Stancil in Greenville, until his retirement.  He enjoyed spending time at home with his family and was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, he is survived by three sons, James, C.J. and Dewayne Mayes, all of Easley; a daughter, Sheryl Mayes of Easley; two brothers, Joe Mayes of Shelby, N.C., and Johnny Mayes of Cowpens; and two sisters, Betty Hawley of Granite Falls, N.C., and Barbara Mullinax of Blacksburg.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Williams Mayes; a half brother, Junior Mayes; and a half sister, Virginia Beaver.

Memorial services were 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1 at Park Street Baptist Church, in Easley.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Lillie H. Gillespie

Central — Lillie Holden Gillespie, 86, of 129 Boggs Road, died Thursday, June 5, 2014 at Majesty Health & Rehab.

Born in Pickens County she was the widow of Fred Walter Gillespie and a daughter of the late Willie and Aldie Hall Holden. She retired from J.P. Stevens, Clemson Plant with 38 and ½ years of service and was of the Baptist Faith. Mrs. Gillespie loved spending time with her family and cooking.

Surviving are a son, Roger Gillespie (Barbara) of Central; a sister, Dorothy Barrett of Pompano Beach, Fla.; a brother, David Holden of Liberty; two grandchildren, Dale Gillespie (Melanie) of Central, and Kimberly A. Gillespie of Central; two great grandchildren, Karly and Kyle Gillespie.

Funeral services to honor Lillie’s life were 11 a.m. Saturday in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial was at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Pickens County Meals on Wheels, PO Box 184, Easley SC 29641.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Buck Stokes

Easley — John F. “Buck” Stokes, 74, of 107 South 4^th Street, died Thursday, June 5, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital.

Born in Greenville he was a son of the late Ernest and Alma Louise Suddeth Stokes.

He retired from Saco Lowell and was a member of Jones Avenue Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Becky Mahaffey Stokes of the home; a step daughter, Alicia Newman of Orangeburg; three sisters, three brothers; a special brother in law, Allen Mahaffey of the home; three grandchildren, John and Luke Leslie, and Chelsea Canipe; one great grandson, Easton Leslie.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Stacy Leslie.

Funeral services to honor Mr. Stokes life were 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial was at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Jones Avenue Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 1688, Easley SC 29641.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Sid Acker

 Easley — Sidney F. “Sid” Acker, 91, of Easley, husband of the late Emily Smith Acker, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital.

Born in Pickens County, a son of the late John and Nola W. Acker, Mr. Acker was a project engineer for Freeman and Stover Mechanical for a period that spanned over 50 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Easley, where he was ordained Deacon Emeritus. He was a veteran of World War II having served with Patton’s 87th Army.

Mr. Acker was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Belgium Embassy for their liberation of German occupation during the Battle of the Bulge.
Surviving are a son, Sidney F. “Skip” Acker of Fort Worth, Texas; a grandson and granddaughter and a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Acker was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters.

Memorial services were 1 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, Easley, with the Rev. Dr. John Adams officiating.

Private committal services were held Monday morning in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 300 East First Avenue, Easley, SC 29640.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Bill Holder

Six Mile – William Austin “Bill” Holder, 98, of Six Mile, died peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2014.

Born in Six Mile he was a son of the late Nathaniel A. and Mary Alice Hall Holder. He was an electrician and plumber for his beloved Six Mile Community.

He was married to Ruby Sorrells Holder for 74 years. He was blessed with six children, William, Jr., Jimmy, Jerry (Kathy), Sandy (Roy), Roger, and Danny, also 12 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com.

Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services is handling arrangements.

Louise H. Turner

 Easley – Louise Holliday Turner, 89, of Henry Street, wife of the late Leon F. Turner, died Sunday, June 8, 2014.
Born in Anderson County, the daughter of the late John Frank and Elsie Tinsley Holliday, Mrs. Turner was a retired hairdresser and a member of Park Street Baptist Church.
Surviving are a son, Franklin Turner of Easley; and four grandchildren, Crystal Turner French, Kevin Leon Turner, Matthew Franklin Turner and Brittney Turner Ivey; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Helen Whitlock Hiles

Easley – Mrs. Helen Louise Whitlock Hiles, wife of the late John Glen Hiles, died Monday, June 9, 2014 at Glorified Health and Rehab of Greenville.
Born in Liberty, a daughter of the late Jack Sidney and Lula Barnes Whitlock, Mrs. Hiles retired from Cannon Memorial Hospital with 18 years of service, and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church, where she belonged to the Prayer Warriors Sunday School Class.
Surviving are three sons, Gerald Hiles (Sheila), Alvin Hiles (Kim), and Mike Hiles (Gail), all of Easley; a daughter-in-law, Donna Cranfield; a brother, Buck Whitlock of Liberty; four grandchildren, Marc, Dusti, Stacey, and Bailey; and four great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Hiles was predeceased by a son, Tommy Hiles; two brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church, prior to the service.
The family is at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Gail Hiles, 324 Hartsfield Drive, Easley, SC 29642.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.