Monthly Archives: July 2026
Pickens to hold inaugural bluegrass event in the fall
PICKENS — The City of Pickens will launch a new downtown bluegrass jam series this fall aimed at celebrating Appalachian music, supporting local businesses and drawing 
visitors to Main Street.
The series, called “Pickin’ in Pickens,” will feature informal bluegrass jam sessions throughout downtown rather than scheduled stage performances. Musicians will gather at participating businesses to play traditional bluegrass music in a format that
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Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
These famous words written by Thomas Jefferson, enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, are very familiar to us. They are foundational to the life of our nation 
and define the theme of American civic life. On this 250th anniversary of our nation, we should reflect on this seminal statement.
Thomas Jefferson was influenced by the political philosopher John Locke, who proposed that people have natural rights: life, liberty and property. Jefferson changed this to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Happiness, at that time and context, meant the pursuit of civic virtue and moral excellence. How profoundly different this is from our contemporary understanding of happiness as the
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Why didn’t we bring an umbrella?
We’ve heard the old saying that “Life is not a bed of roses” as life has its ups and downs, and unfortunately, most of us will experience our share of hard times.
Whether it’s financial anxiety, a medical situation, family problems, frustrations, sadness, or maybe blaming yourself for whatever, sometimes life can be tough. However, in the midst of all that is going on, we can always turn to God, who is filled with an endless source of strength, hope, and love. We can choose to embrace the encouraging truth that God really cares about our concerns and worries. He has the power and the solutions to give us the victory, no matter the size of our obstacles or how hopeless the situation. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” II Corinthians 9:8. Carlos A. Rodriguez is quoted as saying, “If there’s a Goliath in front of
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Recreation and ATAX funding
Dear Editor,
The county government does not have a recreation department, but it sets aside and allocates $300,000 a year to local recreation efforts — $50,000 for each of the six council districts. For example, in the recent past, the council allocated $25,000 to Six Mile Recreation, $4,600 to the Special Olympics, $30,000 for Jaycee Park playground equipment and $25,000 for the cafeteria rehab at the Pickens Senior Center.
Recreation is considered anything that gets people out and about.
Let me tell you a bit about some of the allocations in the Pickens area. The council gives
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The Jewish nation’s lasting influence on Christianity
Zechariah 2:8 “For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”
For centuries the Jewish nation has been criticized, hated and many murdered by the misinformed. To base an opinion of a culture, nation or religion on generational thinking rather than truth and fact is unwarranted and unjustified.
Results of those misunderstandings have been catastrophic. The support of Israel against their 4,000-year-old enemy is imperative for Judeo-Christians.
Thousands of deaths on both sides of the conflict have been cataclysmic. Cultures, in many cases, do not coexist in harmony. Tolerance and a “live and let live” philosophy do not appear to be possible.
Dating back to Sarah (wife of Abraham) and Hagar (servant of Sarah) the disdain
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Courier Obituaries 7-15-26
GWYENELL ANN ‘GWEN’ CARRANZA
LIBERTY — With deeply heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beautiful mama, 
Gwyenell Ann Carranza, affectionately known to everyone as Gwen, who left us on June 29, 2026, at the age of 61.
Born on April 30, 1965, Gwen was a bright light of love, laughter and pure generosity in this world.
To know Gwen was to feel love in its purest form. She was the best, most loving mama anyone could ever ask for, but her maternal heart didn’t stop with her own children. Gwen was a mama to everyone. Her heart and her front door were always open to anyone in need. Whether someone needed a place to stay, a warm meal, a listening ear or literally the shirt off her back, she gave it gladly and without judgment.
Gwen filled her home with music and joy, loving nothing more than to sing and spend time surrounded by her family. Her greatest treasure in life was her family, especially her “precious grandbabies” and great-grandbabies, who brought an immense amount of pride and happiness to her life.
Gwen is reunited in peace with her father, Ben Willis Howell; mother, Carolyn Elizabeth Hendrix; stepfather, Elmous William Hendrix; and brother, Ben Keith Howell.
Her beautiful legacy of kindness and unconditional love lives on through her surviving family — daughter, Jennifer Vasquez (Daniel); son, Joshua Harrison (Elizabeth); precious grandchildren, Dakota, Nevaeh, Maria, Amaya, Aaliyah and Eliana; great-grandchildren, Patrick and Athena; closest friend, Heather Humphrey; and significant other, Gary Roberson. In addition, a community of extended family and friends whose lives were forever touched by her grace.
Gwen’s laughter, her giving spirit and her beautiful voice will be deeply missed, but the warmth of her love will remain with us forever.
Services were held on July 7 at Dillard Funeral Home and Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
BETTY SUE ‘SUSIE’ SHAW
EASLEY — Betty Sue (Susie) Shaw, on the afternoon before her early morning passing 
on Monday, June 29, was with all three of her children with her grandchildren playing in the yard, exactly as she would have wanted her transition to happen.
Aged 79, Susie was the loving mother of Travis Swann Taylor, Adam Duane Burton and Melissa Darlene Poole. The special loves of her life were her grandchildren, Jonathan Chase Brown, Marissa Sue Brown, Monica Nicole Adams and Adam Duane Dennis; and great-grandchildren, Ashton Poole, Elvin Channing Gibson, Peyton Gibson, Jonathan Chase Brown Jr. and Cianne Brown. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Charlie, Caleb, Benny, Alyssa and Elija.
A sibling in a family of 13 children, family was always first and foremost in Susie’s life, which influenced her early career in healthcare.
A celebration of life was held at Dillard Memorial Funeral Home on July 11.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Patriot Healthcare, which has provided healthcare and hospice for the family for 30 years.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
JAMES RUSSELL JONES
EASLEY — James Russell Jones, 63, passed away on Saturday, July 4, at Baptist Easley Hospital.
He was the devoted husband of Amanda Jones, with whom he shared 22 wonderful years of marriage.
Born on July 7, 1962, in Yorktown, Va., James was the son of Ruth Ervin Jones and the late Wilbur Jones. He was a proud United States Marine, a member of Berea First Baptist Church, and a professional wrestler. James was known for his strong work ethic, his love for his family, and his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a sarcastic wit and left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
In addition to his wife, Amanda, and his mother, Ruth Ervin Jones, James is survived by his children, Nekia Wright of California, James Pasco Jones of California, Jarred Jones of Easley and Alliya Jones of Easley; one grandchild; his siblings, Deborah Blanch of Virginia, Wilbur “Ernest” Jones of Virginia, William “Terry” Jones of Virginia and Angela Jones of Virginia; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.
Services are pending at this time.
Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Jones family.
PATRICIA ‘PATSY’ MCCLAIN MORRIS
LIBERTY — Patricia “Patsy” McClain Morris, 91, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026.
She was born March 20, 1935, in Anderson County as the oldest of three to Clint and Lois McClain. Patsy attended Emory University and Greenville General School of Nursing, graduating in 1957 to a class later known as the Nifty 50s. Patsy married Bobby Morris on Sept. 10, 1961, and had two children, Amy and Scott.
Nursing was never a profession to Patsy, but rather a calling, with a career spanning 46 years. Her quick humor and skill equipped her to serve in her favorite role as head ER nurse in the first half of her career in Greenville, Easley and Pickens. She continued her calling by bringing her compassion and patience to serve those in need through her work in the home health care service.
While proud of her nursing career, her greatest joy was family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose love and joy provided happy and memorable times for generations. She treasured every family gathering, vacations, shopping trips and opportunities to spend time with those she loved. Family was the bedrock and anchor of her world, and she took immense pride in each of their accomplishments.
Patsy’s joyful spirit was reflected in her love of the Christmas season. All year round, her life sparkled with Christmas decorations and music, be it with the sounds from Mannheim Steamroller or Christmas night-lights plugged throughout her home. She relished family gatherings, shopping for and wrapping Christmas gifts and, most of all, giving rather than receiving.
Her other passion was knitting. Her friends and family were often covered in love with the many blankets and baby clothes that she created. A Citadel afghan and a knitted group of Marvel characters for her grandsons were among some of the many gifts she created. She even planned ahead and created baby blankets for future family members to come. Patsy was a lover of lighthouses and collected many displayed throughout her house. She also had an extreme obsession with shopping and was always ready to go at the drop of a hat.
It also must be mentioned her love for her four-legged family member, Coco. Coco brought laughter, cuddles and joy in the last season of her life.
Patsy leaves behind her legacy of love and family. She is survived by her two loving children, Amy Simmons (Stuart) and Scott Morris (Desiree), and she will be deeply
Sealevel Systems celebrates 40th anniversary
LIBERTY — Sealevel Systems Inc., a leading provider of rugged, industrial-grade computing and I/O solutions, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026.
As Sealevel commemorates its past and future with ayear-long 40th anniversary campaign, “Forty & Forward,” the company will honor the people, products and partnerships that have defined its first four decades and support its future-ready vision as a trusted partner. Together, they represent a history of reliable, American-made technology for mission-critical needs and the strength that will sustain Sealevel’s momentum in the years ahead.
Husband and wife Tom and Susan O’Hanlan founded the company in 1986. A patent-holding inventor, Tom designed the first-of-its-kind RS-422/485 communication adapter for early IBM PCs, laying the cornerstone for Sealevel’s forward-thinking innovation. That small component was a giant step in how computers communicated, opening the door beyond office tasks and into automation, monitoring, control, and data collection across demanding environments.
Built on Tom’s vision for connectivity and with Susan’s support helping turn that vision into a long-lasting business, Sealevel has grown into a global provider of rugged edge
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Hagood’s Banjo Extravaganza set for July 17-18
PICKENS — Hagood Mill Historic Site is gearing up for a weekend of music, history and 
family fun as it hosts its annual Banjo Extravaganza on July 17-18.
The two‑day event will feature live performances, demonstrations, and activities celebrating one of the region’s most iconic instruments.
Festivities begin Friday evening with admission set at $10
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Rogers memorial tourney continues legacy of giving to Pickens-area youth
EASLEY — Ten teams participated in the 22nd annual Charles F. Rogers Scholarship Award Golf Tournament held at Southern Oaks Golf Club on July 11.
The event, which is held annually, raised money for scholarships that will be awarded to Pickens High School basketball team members who plan to
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