County unveils Wayfinder to Historic Liberia community
PICKENS COUNTY — Comedian Bill Engvall made the phrase “Here’s Your Sign” famous as a punchline. But in Pickens County, More »
Legacy Square to host dedication of monument to General Andrew Pickens
PICKENS — The monument honoring General Andrew Pickens and the Revolutionary War Patriots of our area will be dedicated at More »
Tensions flare between sheriff, county council over deputy pay
By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter bnimmons@thepccourier.com PICKENS — With Pickens County Council set to vote on the third reading of More »
County warns of summer traffic
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY — The beauty of our area draws increased traffic during the summer months, More »
Liberty proclamation encourages water conservation
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com LIBERTY — A recent proclamation signed by Liberty Mayor Andrea Wagner encourages “all residents, More »
Santana Jackson to headline AWL Memorial show, Saturday
PICKENS — Wrestling fans are in for a high-energy night of entertainment this Saturday, June 6, as the American Wrestling More »
Pickens High School Class of 1959 plans 67th reunion
EASLEY — Members of the Pickens High School Class of 1959 are preparing to celebrate an impressive milestone as they gather for their 67th class reunion on June 20, at 5 p.m.
This year’s reunion will be held at Silver Bay Seafood Restaurant, located at 7027 Calhoun Memorial Highway in Easley.
A private dining room has been reserved for the group, and classmates are welcome to bring a guest. While Silver Bay is known for its seafood, the menu offers a variety of options to accommodate all tastes. Attendees will receive separate checks.
Class members are asked to RSVP by June 12 to Judy Barrett Pace at 704‑619‑0891.
Organizers say they look forward to a warm evening of fellowship, memories, and reconnecting with longtime friends.
County recognizes founders of rural fire departments
PICKENS — The men who pioneered the establishment of fire departments in Pickens County were recognized at the County Council meeting on June 1, 2026. Billy Gibson, Director, Emergency Services, presented the history of fire departments in the County. He said, “In the 1970’s and into the 1980’s, fire protection in Pickens County outside the municipalities was sparse and sometimes nonexistent. Some areas paid the nearest
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
What we think about matters to God
Are we ashamed of God? Is God ashamed of us? Do we not realize that God knows our thoughts? Yes, the spiritual atmosphere within society has changed in the last 75 years, 
and one of the reasons is the older generations who stood fervently for God have passed on, and many of the younger ones do not have the same passion for Christ. Do we care about developing an awareness of His presence? Look at the technology that has evolved
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Letters to the Editor
County’s rolling stock
Dear Editor,
Recently county council met and talked about the condition of the county’s rolling stock. Rolling stock is generally anything the county government owns, it rolls and is used by Roads & Bridges, EMS, fire, police, solid waste, etc. Every so often the council meets with the director of vehicle maintenance and ask what is the status of the fleet, so the council and administration knows what to focus on budget wise.
First up was the EMS ambulance fleet, which there are 11 front line trucks and 8 backups. “100% better”, was the answer of the Vehicle Maintenance Director when we
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Infighting never turns out well
James 4: 1-2 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to 
have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”
A policeman friend once told me the cases he dreaded most were domestic disturbances. Many times the family members involved would turn on him and he ended up being the one in danger.
At times one would be armed with a deadly weapon. If the problem existed between a husband and wife, the one being abused would deny a
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Playing games for brain health
Playing brain games can go a long way to helping us stay sharp, improve brain health, 
strengthen memory and slow cognitive decline. They can help us focus our attention, process information more quickly and recall facts. Whether they are logic, word, number, memory, card or any other type of game, playing can give our brains a boost — and we don’t even have to
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
One final note of honor
There are over 400 funerals each day at the National Cemeteries. Depending on the veteran and the location of the cemetery, the honors are likely to include two uniformed 
members of the military, folding and presentation of the flag, three rifle volleys, a horse-drawn caisson and the playing of Taps. At a very minimum, we expect this. We expect to hear Taps at a veteran funeral. It’s part of how we say goodbye, hearing the
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Obituaries 6-10-26
JOHN ROBERT ‘BOBBY’ HAYES
PICKENS — John Robert “Bobby” Hayes, 94, of Pickens, passed away on May 27, 2026.
Born in Pickens on May 31, 1931, to Daniel Moses “Mode” Hayes Sr. and Elizabeth “Bessie” Hayes (nee La Foy), John graduated from Pickens High School in 1949 as the vice president of his graduating class. He worked at Neely’s Store in Pickens and Blue Ridge Electric before joining the United States Air Force in 1950. He married his high school sweetheart, Edna Mae Willis, in 1953, and later retired from the United States Air Force in 1977 after honorably serving for 28 years. John received the Meritorious Service Medal, the civilian version of the Bronze Star, as part of his accomplishments in the military. After his retirement, he worked in the Middle East for 15 years, in Tehran, Iran, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with Daniel Construction, and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, for ARAMCO Oil Company.
John is survived by daughters, Victoria Lynn Hayes Ray of Arvada, Colo., and Elizabeth Ann Hayes of Pickens; grandchildren, Jordan William Ray (Cassandra) of Arvada, Colo., and Stewart Mackenzie Ray of Missoula, Mont.; great-grandchildren, Cameron William Ray and Sophia Caroline Ray of Arvada, Colo.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Edna Mae Willis Hayes; and four siblings, William Elbert (Tim) Hayes, Inez Hayes Hughes, Leander Hayes Dodgens and Daniel Moses (D.M.) Hayes Jr., all of Pickens.
A graveside service was held on June 2 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family.
JANE OWEN DUCKWORTH
CLEMSON — Jane Owen Duckworth, 87, of Clemson, passed away from this life on Sunday, May 31, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Ed
County unveils Wayfinder to Historic Liberia community
PICKENS COUNTY — Comedian Bill Engvall made the phrase “Here’s Your Sign” famous as a punchline. But in Pickens County, a newly installed sign along Scenic 
Highway 11 carries a far more meaningful message.
The new Wayfinder sign directs travelers to the Historic Liberia Community — a remarkable African American settlement founded by formerly enslaved people more
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Business of the Month
On June 2 The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce honored the Pickens County Humane Society as our June Business of the Month. The Pickens County Humane Society works tirelessly and compassionately to meet the needs of both our furry friends and the community. Their dedication and impact do not go unnoticed. As a no-kill, nonprofit organization that receives no county funding or support, they provide shelter, care, and loving adoptive homes for approximately 700–1,000 animals each year. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to help as many animals as possible. This incredible organization is supported by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and community supporters who pour their hearts into caring for animals and making a difference with the resources available to them. To help support the PCHS go to www.pchumanesociety.org/support-us our mail donation to 500 Five Forks Rd, Liberty, SC, United States, 29657. You call help by supporting them by also making purchases from Roxie’s Thrifty Paws where all proceeds go back to them. Pictured are Aven Ragwar Hayes, Savannah Blackey, Amberly Bryant, Chris Blume, Lauren Abercrombie, Holly Wood, Samantha Scott, Debbie Gravely, Hugh Latimer, Dave and Ivy Michel and their dog Winston.
