RAY WINSTON DEVALL SR.

EASLEY — Ray Winston DeVall Sr., of Easley, passed on Aug. 8, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born on April 10, 1938, in Pittsylvania County, Va., he was the son of the late Harice Winston DeVall and Mildred Nuckols DeVall.

After high school, Ray honorably served his country in the United States Air Force and later began his career in the transportation industry with Roadway Express, where he retired after 35 years. Ray found many meaningful ways to serve his community through his involvement with the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and as a Shriner, with his home lodge being Mt. Springs Lodge #302 and his secondary lodge being Cooper Lodge #282 in Travelers Rest. His legacy of love, honor and hard work will continue to live on through his family for generations to come.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife of eight years, Caroline Marie DeVall; sister, Jackie Plaster (Bob); two sons, Ray Winston DeVall Jr. (Anita) and Kevin Lee DeVall (Tori); daughter, Traci Dean DeVall; stepson, Jim Bevilacqua (Mary); stepdaughters, Sherrie Thomas (Don), Suzy Harlow (Charlie) and Andrea Whitcomb (Larry); grandchildren, Gary DeVall, April Franks (Ryan), Sarah-Grace DeVall, Leann DeVall, Leo DeVall (Lexi), Jose DeVall, Selena DeVall, Caleb Bevilacqua, Erica Bevilacqua, Phillip Thomas (Rachel), Brien Thomas, Cody Harlow (Erin), Mac Harlow, Hayleigh DeMaria and Kinslee Whitcomb; and great-grandchildren, Russell Franks, Brooks Franks, Theo DeVall and Weslee Styles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Dean DeVall; and brother, Donnie DeVall Sr.

A visitation will be from 1-1:45 p.m. Aug. 13 at Dillard Funeral Home, 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, followed by a committal service at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

JONI RUTLEDGE BOWMAN

EASLEY — Mrs. Joni Lee White Rutledge Bowman, 50, wife of Marcus Allen Bowman, passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.

Born in Hemet, Calif., a daughter of the late Mary Joyce Dempsey Leonardo, the late James Robert Leonardo and the late John Leonard White, Mrs. Bowman was a graduate of Calvary Baptist Church Academy, employed with Advantage Solutions and was of the Baptist faith.

Joni was well known for her love for others. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother.

Family was her life. She was an outgoing person, nicknamed the Fabulous Joni. One of her proudest moments was being the 2002 Possum Kingdom Mud Wrestling Champion. She was known for her sense of humor and witty comebacks.

She was the life of the party and loved being surrounded by family and friends. Joni will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are her sons, Patrick John Candelaria of Travelers Rest and Kross Aries Stone Knight (Carmen) of Belton; her daughter, Elizabeth James Rutledge of Piedmont; brothers, Leo John Leonardo of Easley and Rusty Johannes of Texas; her sisters, Joyce Frye (Ralph) of California, Charlotte S. Johnson (Fred) of Texas and Josephine Rigsby (Dean) of Piedmont; a grandchild, Charlotte Marie Knight, and one on the way, Baby Boy Knight; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Joni was predeceased by a sister, Joanie White Grissom.

The family will host a memorial service to be held at a later date.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

 

MELISSA ANN GANTT ‘MISSEY’ MCGAHA

LIBERTY — Melissa Ann Gantt McGaha, known as “Missey,” passed away on Aug. 8, 2026, at the age of 58, after a courageous battle at MUSC Transplant Center in Charleston. Though her journey was difficult, she faced it with strength and unwavering faith.

Born on Sept. 29, 1967, Missey was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend whose greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She shared 36 wonderful years of marriage with her loving husband, Joe McGaha of Liberty.

Missey loved traveling, family vacations and making memories with those she loved, and never missed an opportunity to be with her grandchildren. She also loved long phone calls and could spend hours talking with the people she loved.

Most importantly, Missey was a faithful Christian who had accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her family finds peace and comfort in knowing she is now healed and in the presence of the Lord.

She is survived by her husband, Joe McGaha of Liberty; her two sons, Matthew McGaha (Kelley) of Pickens and Andrew McGaha (Jay) of Columbia; her mother, Margaret Crowe Gantt of Liberty; her brother, Andy Gantt (Amy) of Liberty; her niece, Hannah Gantt of Liberty; her father-in-law, Johnny McGaha (Lois) of Liberty; her cherished grandchildren, Ivy-Claire McGaha, Hunter McGaha and George; as well as many other loving nieces, nephews and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her father, Welton Lee Gantt.

Funeral arrangements are scheduled for Aug. 14, with visitation from 1-2 p.m. in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home. The funeral service will immediately follow in the chapel, with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Although her presence will be deeply missed, Missey’s legacy of faith, kindness and devotion to her family will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the McGaha family.

 

LARRY GRIFFIN

EASLEY — Mr. Larry Dennis Griffin, 77, husband of Andrea Cisson Griffin, went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Greenville County, a son of the late Bill Griffin and the late Doris Brewer Griffin, Mr. Griffin was a 1968 graduate of Easley High School and later earned his associate degree from Greenville Technical College.

He was the coowner and operator of Griffin Painting and was a member of Brushy Creek Baptist Church.

Larry was an avid racing fan and loved to travel. He took pride in helping his sons work on motorcycles and making sure they were successful in their racing careers.

He was a longtime member and past president of the Greenville Enduro Riders Association. Larry was known and loved by many. He will be deeply missed.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 55 years, are a son, Jason Griffin (Kim Smith) of Pickens; his brother, William Griffin (Jane) of Easley; his sisters, JoAnn Nunnery, Jean Keown, Paula Brown and Denise Hunt, all of Easley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Griffin was predeceased by a son, John Griffin.

Graveside services were held Aug. 7 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

Flowers will be accepted, and memorials may be made in memory of Larry to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children by visiting donate.shrinerschildrens.org.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, Easley.

 

WINNIEFRED ‘FRED’ ROBINSON

GREENVILLE — Winniefred “Fred” Robinson, 91, loving wife of the late Samuel Hoyt Robinson, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at Oaks at Brookstone Terrace, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on March 20, 1935, in Oconee County, Fred was the beloved daughter of the late Tolvin Isaac Alexander and Cora Simmons Alexander.

Fred was a faithful member of Calumet Baptist Church in Liberty, where she was an active member of Adult Sunday School Class No. 3. She retired from Cornell Dubilier after many years of dedicated service. A woman of deep and unwavering faith, Fred faithfully read through the Bible each year and found great joy in studying God’s Word. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, lovingly cared for her garden and beautifully manicured yard, enjoyed taking walks and treasured the fellowship of her church family and the Happy Group.

Fred is survived by her loving nieces, Kay Bolding (Glenn) and Rhonda Hester (Larry), along with many other cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.

In addition to her beloved husband and parents, Fred was preceded in death by her many cherished brothers and sisters.

Memorials may be made in Fred’s honor to Pickens View Wesleyan Church, Free Wesleyan Church or Meals on Wheels at pcmow.org.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Robinson family.

 

ALLEN JEFFERY SWORDS

LIBERTY — Allen Jeffery Swords, 51, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at AnMed Cannon Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on Oct. 14, 1974, in Easley, Allen was the beloved son of Clarice Loftis Swords and the late Ray Allen Swords. Allen had a kind and gentle spirit that touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He enjoyed coloring, drawing and listening to old music. Above all, he cherished his family, especially his mother, and was deeply loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Allen is survived by his loving mother, Clarice Loftis Swords of Liberty; two brothers, Daniel Swords (Emily) of Liberty and Robert Swords of Greenville; two nephews, Andrew Swords and Owen Swords; and many loving cousins and extended family members.

In addition to his father, Allen was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ernest and Pearl Swords, and his maternal grandparents, Henry and Reedia Loftis.

A funeral service was held on Aug. 10 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Swords family.

PEGGY CRAINES

EASLEY — Peggy Melina Raines, of Easley, passed on June 30, 2026, at the age of 68.

Born on April 3, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Wilco Bill Lance and Mamie Landers Lance. Peggy was a member of Maranatha Baptist Church and enjoyed expressing her artistic side by coloring in coloring books. She loved her family and enjoyed making memories with them, especially her grandson Gabe. Her legacy and the memories she made will leave a lasting impression for generations to come.

She is survived by her daughter, Robin Lloyd (Lee); son, Ronald Raines; grandson, Gabriel Kristopher Teddy Lloyd; sister, Priscilla Jump; and two brothers, Richard Martin and William Lance.

She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews to cherish her memory.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Teddy Raines; brother, James Martin; and daughter-in-law, Nicole Raines.

A celebration of life will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church at a later date.

Palmetto Cremation Service is assisting the family.

 

LINDA MARIE HAIGH

EASLEY — Linda Marie Haigh, 76, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Anderson.

Born on June 1, 1950, in Gays Mills, Wis., Linda was the beloved daughter of the late Roy and Ruth Vermillion.

Linda’s greatest joy in life was her family. She cherished the time spent with her loved ones and created many special memories that will be treasured for years to come.

She enjoyed knitting and loved taking trips to the mountains.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas Vermillion and Roy Vermillion; and her grandsons, Trevor Barrick and Marc Raines.

Linda is survived by her children, Greg (Kelley) Stone, Michelle (Chuck) Stone and Kelley Jo (David) Raines; her grandchildren, Korrina (Matt) Berg, Hailee Whitmire, Quinton Whitmire, Ryan Stone, Cameron (Maura) Stone, Dylan Stone and Justin Raines; and her great-grandchildren, Aela Berg, Zeke Berg, Dean Stone, Atlas Whitmire and Lyla Whitmire. She is also survived by her sister, Debbie Kerley; and her brother, Steve Vermillion.

Linda will be deeply missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations is assisting the Haigh family.