DAVID WAYNE PORTER

PICKENS — David Wayne Porter, 70, husband of the late Martha Powell Porter, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 13, 2026.

Born to the late Rev. Charles and Lois Nix Porter, David was a faithful member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and church treasurer.

In 1977, David began his firefighting career with the City of Pickens as a volunteer and then became a full-time firefighter. He later became fire chief and retired after 35 years of service.

He is survived by his brother, Melvin Porter; brother and sisters-in-law, Doris Garrett, Louise (Rev. Joe) Pace, Steve Powell, Forrest Powell, Bonnie Powell and Karen Powell; many nieces, great-nieces, nephews and great-nephews; one niece that he always said, “was the closest to a daughter,” Michele Pace Howard; and a beloved companion, Susan Kinsey.

In addition to his parents and wife, David was predeceased by sisters-in-law, Judy Porter and Millie (Albert) O’Donald; and brothers-in-law, Samuel, Gene and Carl Powell and Harold Garrett.

Honorary escorts were past and present members of the first responder family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Mountain Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1440 Pickens.

The family received friends on April 15 at Dillard Funeral Home, with a funeral service the following day in the funeral home chapel.

The burial followed the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park with fireman monors.

The family will be at the home of his niece, Michele Howard.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Porter family with their arrangements.

WILLIAM ‘LEON’ WOOD

PICKENS — William “Leon” Wood, 87, passed away on Monday, April 13 in Birmingham, Ala.

He was the son of the late George Nathan Wood and Elza Curry Wood.

He is survived by his wife, Frances (Fran) Haskett Wood, and his two sons, Lee Wood and Brian (Shari) Wood. He has two grandchildren, Matthew (Jessica) and Rebecca, two great-grandchildren, Elia and Nahai, and a brother, Anthony (Esther). Leon and Fran were happily married for 65 years and would have celebrated their 66th in two weeks.

Leon was born in Gwinnett County, Ga., in the Haynes Creek community. He graduated from Conyers High School in 1956 and worked at Callaway Mills in Milstead, Ga., for a short time. From there, he began his career as a draftsman with Southern Engineering Company in Atlanta and was part of an engineering team that mapped powerlines across several states. These mapping jobs eventually led him to Pickens, where he worked with the REA power system to map power lines in and around the Pickens County area. It was during this time that he met Fran, whom he often referred to as the love of his life.

While living in Decatur, Ga., he and Fran were active members of Avondale First Baptist Church, where he became a deacon. He began his career with Liberty National Life in 1964 and worked with this company for 44 years, serving in different capacities and increasing responsibilities in locations including Griffin, Ga., Alton, Ill., and Rockford, Ill. While working with Liberty National Life, Leon dedicated himself to learning the intricacies of financial planning and investments. This dedication pushed him to seek more knowledge regarding the insurance industry as well as financial planning. His diligence allowed him to complete specialized certifications and degrees including his LUTC and FLMI titles. He also achieved the coveted Chartered Life Underwriting (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) certifications. He continued his education to complete two Masters degrees, the Master of Science in Management (MSDM) and the Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS). As he advanced in his career, Leon moved from Rockford, Ill. to Birmingham, Ala., in 1983 and continued his work with Liberty National in the training department for many years, retiring from full-time work in 2003. He continued working part-time for five years, where he enjoyed working with people requiring financial guidance. He loved to work on challenging tasks and never backed away from working through confusing and difficult financial situations.

For many years, he was involved with serving as a cubmaster, a recreational basketball and baseball leagues coach. He also served as a Sunday school teacher to sixth- and seventh-grade boys. While living in Rockford, he served as a visiting businessman for Junior Achievement, where he mentored young people in business basics and finance. He also served on the local Boy Scouts of America Council.

Leon enjoyed building and fixing things. He was a classic “shade-tree mechanic” and would work on cars as time allowed. He was able to build a customized camping van that he and his family would take on vacations across the United States. He was also a master woodworker and designed and built a variety of furniture and cabinet components. He could build just about anything he could visualize, whether it be made of wood, concrete, bricks or metal.

He and Fran were world travelers, visiting 83 foreign countries and all 50 states. He was a hard worker and was always willing to help someone in need.

A funeral service will be held on April 25 at Holly Springs Baptist Church in Pickens, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. followed by the memorial service. A celebration of life will be held after the memorial service at the Holly Springs Baptist Church Reception Hall.

Mountian View Funeral Home is serving the Wood family.

 

JOSEPHINE MERCK

SIX MILE — It is with deep sorrow and heartfelt remembrance that we announce the passing of Annie Josephine Norris Merck, a beloved mother, grandmother and treasured friend, who left this world peacefully on April 16, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born on Oct. 20, 1936, in Pendleton, she was the widow of Hueston J. Merck and a daughter of the late Baylous Waker Sr. and Edith Priscilla Looney Norris.

Her journey took her from her graduation at Pendleton High School in 1954 to a life filled with love and hard work. She married her late husband, Hueston, in 1955, and together they built a beautiful life centered on family and faith. An exceptional mechanic and jack of all trades, Mrs. Merck owned and operated Merck’s VW along with her husband after working for many years at Pratt Reed. Her skills and dedication were a testament to her hardworking spirit.

She was deeply involved in her community and faith, serving as the former church secretary and treasurer at Gap Hill Baptist Church, where she was a long-time member. Her love for the Lord was evident in everything she did, and she carried that passion into every aspect of her life.

Her greatest joy came from her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, where her legacy of love will continue for generations.

She is survived by her son, Rev. Billy Merck (Terreca); her daughter, Donna “Tuttie” Chappell; a brother, Pete Norris; her beloved grandchildren, Rev. Jeremy Merck (Stephanie) and Katelyn Roper (Patrick); her great-grandchildren, Kinsey Kelly (Will), Tanner Merck, Kayedin Merck, Ella Roper and Brysen Roper; and her grand dog, Braveheart.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Josh Merck; a sister, Virginia Norris Wardlaw; and two brothers, Billie Crayton Norris and Baylous Walker “Sam” Norris Jr.

Funeral services to honor Mrs. Merck’s life were conducted on April 20 at Gap Hill Baptist Church. She was laid to rest beside her husband at the Gap Hill Baptist Church cemetery.

As we celebrate the life of Annie Josephine Merck, let us remember her kindness, laughter and unyielding love for her family. She will be dearly missed but forever cherished in our hearts. The family will be at their respective homes.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, please visit libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is servicing the Merck family.

ROGER BARTON

PICKENS — Roger Barton passed on April 13, 2026, at the age of 67.

Roger born in Pickens, on Sept. 26, 1958, to the late Curtis and Betty Jean Barton. Mr. Barton was an equipment operator for Kings Asphalt Company for more than 27 years. Roger loved to work, collect coins and work in his garden.

Roger is survived by two children, Jessica Jennings and Joseph Barton (Jamie); two grandchildren, Jamie Jennings and Jess Jennings; two great-grandchildren, Kali Kjear and  Waylon Fincannon; and three sisters, Wanda Wells (Jeff), Patricia Eubanks (Elsee) and Barbara Morgan.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by a daughter, Julia Lynn Barton.

The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. on April 23. A private burial will take place at Sunrise Cemetery in Pickens.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements.

 

BOBBY JOE HULSEY

PICKENS — Bobby Joe Hulsey passed on April 17, 2026, at the age of 75, surrounded by his family.

Bobby was born on Sept. 8, 1950, to the late Austell and Carrie Mae Garrison Hulsey. He was a machinists for Honeywell for more than 40 years. Bobby loved to play the guitar, telling corny jokes, or sitting around drinking hot coffee with his good friends. What he enjoyed the most, was the time he got to spend with his family.

Bobby was survived by his three children, Chad Hulsey (April), Amanda Gamble (Nathan) and Ezra Hulsey (Jill); nine grandchildren, Dakota Gamble, Mary Bennett (Kyle), Zeke Hulsey, Ezra Hulsey Jr., Tailor Bradley, Tarah Lee, Sam Layberger, Austin Ulrich and Saige Ulrich; and two sisters, Faye Suttles and Linda Bishop.

In addition to his parents, Bobby Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Hulsey; one great-grandchild, Charleigh Joe Bennett; and six siblings.

The family will have a private burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Easley. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements