Daily Archives: 09/01/2026
Courier Obituaries 9-2-26
JOHN AUGUSTUS DUCKWORTH, III
GREENWOOD — John Augustus Duckworth, III, of Greenwood, widower of Mary 
Frances Spearman Duckworth, passed away on Aug. 28, 2026, at Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont.
Born in Pickens County, he was a son of John A. Duckworth, Jr. and Dora Jones Duckworth. John was a proud Air Force veteran who loved sharing stories about his military career and his time serving in the Korean War. After his service, he spent years working as a transport and material manager at Champion Paper Company, and later became a familiar, friendly face at Triangle Hardware. He was deeply devoted to his faith at New Market Baptist Church and loved being involved in his community. He looked forward to every American Legion meeting, was a member of AFM Lodge 91, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and spent over 40 years “40+8” as a dedicated member of the Hejaz Shrine.
More than anything, John just loved people and life. He was the kind of man who would pick up the phone just to call his friends and chat for hours. When he was younger, you would usually find him cooking up something good on the grill or piddling around in his shop. He and his family used to take many camping trips to the lake and mountains. He loved attending Bluegrass festivals and singing along to old classic country, especially his favorite, Willie Nelson. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
He is survived by a daughter, Rhonda Hughes; granddaughters, Stephanie Coffey
Miracles are all around us
John 10:38 “But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”
The growth of non-believers in a supreme spiritual creator God is increasing. While only four to five percent of Americans claim an adherence to a strict atheistic view, around 30 percent claim no religious
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Beware of the Pied Piper of technology
Envy is a feeling of discontent, resentment, and begrudging, aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities or luck. It’s simply desiring the resources and opportunities 
someone else has so that we can purchase and create the life we fantasize about.
We may not want a person’s specific home, vehicles, talents or spouse, but we may want their finances
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Courier Letters to the Editor 9-2-26
Ballots are now set for November
Dear Editor,
The last primary has ended, so the ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election is set.
The ballot Clemson residents will be given will be very long and have many competitive races, so we all have a lot of homework to do the next two months.
At the federal level is the U.S. Senate election to fill Lindsey Graham’s seat, Darline
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Cutting expenses
Color me shocked when my most recent electric bill spiked nearly $50 in one month.
I immediately scrutinized the bill, wondering if they hadn’t credited the previous check 
I’d sent. But no, it was listed — and so was the increased cost of basic service, approved by the state’s public utilities commission. Which only
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County to celebrate Constitution Week with community bell ringing
PICKENS — The Pickens County America 250 Committee invites the community to 
gather on Thursday, September 17, for “And the Bells Rang for Liberty: A Constitution Week Celebration,” a special patriotic
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Pickens High School Class of 1971
The Pickens High School Class of 1971 gathered Saturday, Aug. 29, for its 55th class reunion at the restaurant at the Pickens Country Club. Classmates and their spouses enjoyed an evening of food, fun and fellowship. Pictured are seated in front are Tebra Pace Cloer, Lucy McJunkin Ward, Loretta Grant Brucke, Helen Patterson Banks, Judy Waldrop Erickson, June Hart Watson, Darlene Burgess Anderson, Mildred Chastain, Cathy Duncan O’Donnell, Janice Roper Massingale, Angie Willis Owens, Ann Hudson Childress, Georgia Anderson Simmons, Darlene Cassell, Ann Wood Clark, Ginger Garrett Lewis and Kathy Mason Owens. In the second row are Kurt Blase, Doug Clamp, Mike Cloer, Larry Crowe, Sharon Gillespie Crowe, Dana Roll Rowland, Kathy Breazeale McDonald, Weselene Bowen Crawford, Nancy Smith Keith, Jane Hayes Alexander, Dianne Grant McLaughlin, Jean Hunt Hughes, Cynthia Jones Griffith, Gail Looper Grindstaff, Libby Hagood Lindsay, Hazel Hooper Popham, Lib Street, Don Gillespie, Mickey Norris, Jeff Whitworth and Donnie Owens. In the back row are Phil Porter, Stanley Grant, Tom Hunt, Phil Coleman, Dan Hinton, Jerry Golden, Tim Wade, Weston Hiott, Melvin Robinson, Bill Crowther, Phil McCollum, Mark Wood, Randall Masters, Sammy Grant, Allan Porter, Fred Butler, Gerald Ellenburg and LaRue Yates.
Author to discuss new novel at Hampton Library
EASLEY — Award-winning South Carolina author Susan Beckham Zurenda will discussand sign copies of her new novel, No Way Out but Through, at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 
15 at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley.
The free event will also include a book giveaway.
Inspired by the life of a woman who survived a forced
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Community Calendar 9-2-26
• ‘Pickin in Pickens is Friday Sept. 11
Downtown Pickens will come alive with the sound of strings on Friday, Sept. 11, as Pickin’ in Pickens kicks off at 6 p.m. The downtown bluegrass jam invites musicians of varying experience levels to bring an instrument, join a circle and share in an evening of traditional music and community fellowship.Pickin’ in Pickens was created as a welcoming place for musicians and listeners to connect through the bluegrass and old-time traditions of the Southern Appalachians. Rather than a formal concert, the event centers on participation, spontaneous collaboration and the simple enjoyment of making music together.Residents and visitors are encouraged to stroll downtown, listen to the jam sessions and support nearby shops and restaurants. Musicians should bring their own instruments, and spectators may wish to bring a chair. The event reflects the city of Pickens’ continuing commitment to live music, community gathering and the preservation of local cultural traditions.Additional information and any weather-related updates will be available at visitpickens.org and through the Explore Pickens social media channels.
• PHS class of 1965 to hold 61st reunion
Members of the Pickens High School Class of 1965 are planning their 61-year class
