Daily Archives: 05/02/2023
Daniel, Pickens seniors recognized for signing with colleges
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — With graduation nearing at the end of the month, multiple Pickens County high school student-athletes made their final decisions and signed with colleges in ceremonies last week as they prepare to compete at the next level.
Daniel held the first ceremony on April 25, which saw basketball star Destiny Hoover sign with Hollins University.
Hoover was a three-time all-region selection for the Lions and also earned a spot in the North-South All-Star Game following her senior
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Political symbolism? From James Madison to Jesse James
Strap on your six-shooters, boys. Let’s go downtown and exercise our Constitutional rights!
Wait, you mean it’s legal to go walking around town toting a pistol, right out in the open?
Yes sir! The right “to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” the Second Amendment says.
… Hold it right there, fellas. Before we go any further on this, let’s move into the 21st century.
I don’t think walking the streets with a loaded rapid-fire handgun poking out of your pocket at a time when mass shootings have become commonplace was what James Madison had in mind.
But apparently there are some who are afraid their right to go around with a Saturday night
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Courier Letters to the Editor 5-3-23
Ex-member weighs in on library board
Dear Editor,
I served on the Pickens County Library Board for about two years, 2019-21. During my tenure, I met wonderful people who I enjoyed getting to know, however, it seemed that every board meeting had another “urgent decision to make,” another “hot-button topic to address” or another “fire to put out.” This does not make sense to me. After all, it is a library, not an emergency room.
In my opinion, the library board, although having all the responsibility, never really functioned with authority, for almost all items on the
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Preventing germination for seeds of unforgiveness
How much grace does it take to love our enemies? That’s a good question. Tragedies occur all around us, and it’s true we are heartbroken and disturbed, but how do we react when our family is harmed or we are personally offended?
I admit that I do not always have the character of Christ when I’m being threatened or provoked to anger. Our natural reaction is to retaliate, because that’s a natural part of our carnal nature. Most of us agree that people need to be punished for their evil deeds, but Christians must
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Courier Obituaries 5-3-23
MICHAEL RAY BASS
LIBERTY — Michael Ray Bass Sr., 57, died on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at AnMed Hospital in Anderson.
Michael was preceded in death by his father, Richard Bass Jr.
He is survived by his mother, Nancy Brigman Bass; three brothers, Tommy Bass and wife Vickie of Liberty, Timmothy Bass of Lumberton, N.C., and Paul Bass and his wife Becky of Shallotte, N.C.; two sisters, Cathy Hamilton and husband Zack of Easley and Kelly Bagwell and husband Chris of Travelers Rest; a son, Michael Bass Jr. and wife Angeleki of Hope Mills, N.C.; a stepson, Vance Andrew Britt and wife Aston of Fayetteville, N.C.; a daughter, Chasity Bass of Liberty; and four grandchildren, Kayden Coursey, Nina Coursey, Jayden Coursey and Alyssa Bass.
Visitation was held on April 28 at Floyd Mortuary and Crematory in Lumberton, N.C. The funeral service immediately followed the visitation, in the chapel of Floyd Mortuary and Crematory.
REV. KENNETH DONNAN LAWSON
EASLEY — Rev. Kenneth Donnan Lawson, 82, passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023, at his residence.
Rev. Lawson was born in Chester on Jan. 28, 1941, to the late Rev. Guy Humphries Lawson Sr. and the late Lillian Merritt Donnan Lawson. He is survived by his wife, Ella Lawson.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Sightler Lawson.
Rev. Lawson proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, retiring after 21 years of service. He served as a hospital corpsman and achieved the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Rev. Lawson earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Education from Furman University. Rev. Lawson taught science at Tanglewood Middle School, served as pastor of Wake Union Baptist Church and Glenwood Baptist Church, and was a missionary pastor of Rome Baptist Church in Rome, Italy. He loved and enjoyed visiting friends and family, and he also enjoyed gardening, collecting and reading. Rev. Lawson was an active member of Glenwood Baptist Church.
In addition to his loving wife, Rev. Lawson is survived by his two sons, Marion Lawson (Tracy) of Liberty and Michael Lawson (Alison) of Youngsville, N.C.; a sister, Glenda Cannon of Lyman; a brother-in-law, Gilbert Rivers of Powdersville; six grandchildren, James Lawson (Tara), Emily Moats (Chandler), Samuel Lawson, Brandon Lawson, Nicholas Lawson and Zachary Lawson; and three great-grandchildren, Noah Lawson, Judah Lawson and Lawson Moats.
In addition to his first wife and his parents, Rev. Lawson was preceded in death by a brother, Guy H. Lawson, Jr.; a sister, Mary Lillian Rivers; and a brother-in-law, Charles Cannon.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at Rock Springs Baptist Church, with interment to follow in the church
Volunteers needed to help local abused and neglected children
PICKENS — The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, is offering free online training beginning Tuesday, May 23, to those interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in PickensCounty.
GALs advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children who are involved in family court legal proceedings through the Department of
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Easley High NJROTC drone team takes third place in competition
MARION, N.C. — The Easley High School Navy JROTC drone team competed in its last drone competition of the year on April 24 at McDowell High School in Marion, N.C., with two teams competing against seven other teams. With the Naval Education and Training Department embracing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) for the Navy JROTC units, it provided funding to purchase drones and encouraged units to develop drone teams and establish competitions.
There were four events in the competition to be completed by all four of the cadet pilots from each team. The Gauntlet Course event is completed by flying a drone through the hallways completing a loop of around 20 obstacles. The Naval Flight Officer (NFO) event was completed by two cadet pilots, one controlling the drone without seeing the drone and the other cadet pilot directing the controlling pilot where to fly. The Maze Runner is a course that includes hallways and steps, with obstacles on both. And the last event was the Predator, a very interesting event. The pilot controlled the drone with their phone using the camera to locate clues to spell out nautical terms. Easley’s remote pilots who competed in the competition were Cadets Willow Armstrong, Zury Melendez, Alex Cochrane, Sarah Romero, Avery Billings, Flor Palomo, Briana Hayes and Arely Franco.
Who are these men?
Doyle (Ray) Black, secretary at the Keowee Lodge AFM #79, recently sent the Courier these photos and asked for readers’ help identifying the men pictured. Black found their pictures in some old folders and did not know who they were. If you recognize either of the men, contact Black at (864) 414-2054.
Community Calendar 5-3-23
• Veterans invited to American Legion
Veterans in the Liberty area are invited to the next meeting of American Legion Post 67 in Liberty. The Legion meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut, circle off North Palmetto Street. All veterans are invited.
• Senior Center needs volunteers to help
The Hagood Community/Senior Center needs some help from interested community volunteers to maintain the meal service that is so vital
to the well-being of area seniors. Tragically, the sudden death of kitchen manager and chief cook Debbie Galloway has created the need, and
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Benefit planned Saturday to help Michelle Turner
PICKENS — A benefit for Michelle Turner, who was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, will be held this Saturday, May 6.
The benefit will be held at Amazing Grace Fellowship. There will be a vendor/yard sale beginning at 8 a.m. and running until about 3 p.m.
A hot dog sale is planned from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
A singing featuring Heart Sound will start at 6 p.m. Other activities will include a raffle for baskets. Ticket sales will start at 8 a.m. Saturday.
Turner has recently been told that she only has two months or less to live. She will be leaving a son behind. The benefit is being held to help with any finances the family may endure.
Grace Fellowship Church is located at 229 Pearl St. in Pickens.
