DONNA  PARSONS SCHULTZ

EASLEY — Donna Parsons Schultz, 82, wife of Henry Schultz, of Easley, passed away peacefully at her home with her husband at her side on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

Born on May 18, 1943, in Pen Argyl, Pa., to the late Beulah Pritchard Parsons and the late Elwood Parsons, Donna spent her youth in Bangor, Pa. She received practical nurse training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa., and served as a licensed practical nurse at Easton Hospital, Easton, Pa., before her life as a military and corporate wife took her to Florida, Japan, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and to her home of the past 30 years, Anderson County.

A lifelong Lutheran, and a pianist from childhood, Donna provided her music skills to her church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easley and to “Just Friends,” a group of fellow Lutherans and musicians who entertained over the years at various retirement homes in the Easley area. She strongly believed the saying “Who sings, prays twice.”

In addition to her loving husband of 61 years, Donna is survived by her four children; sons, Michael Schultz (Karla) of Easley and Steven Schultz (Erin) of Chuckey, Tenn.; and daughters, Sheri Paznokas (Pete) of Harleysville, Pa., and Laura Harrison (Pete) of Romney, W. Va.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, James Parsons (Kay) of Bangor, Pa.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is especially proud that she passed on her love (and talent) for music to her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Neil Parsons.

In spite of her many relocations, more than 20 different addresses, Donna found close friends at each stop, and her cooperative spirit made her welcome and involved at each stop.

Raising her four children, and seeing the life skills she passed on reflected in the lives of her grandchildren, was her greatest joy. Although homebound for the past six years, she received updates and visits from her scattered family, and celebrated the milestones and successes of each. Her memories and love of her family and friends remained strong, even as she lived her last weeks at her home under the care of her husband, family and Hospice of the Upstate.

She and her family are especially grateful for the care and support they received from Prisma Health and Hospice of the Upstate.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easley, followed by a visitation and fellowship at the church. Donna and her husband will have their urns entombed at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Md., at a later date.

Flowers will be accepted and the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Donna’s honor to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607 or to Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easley, 101 E. 1st Ave., Easley, SC 29640.

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

FRANCES ‘TUNKIE’ COLE STOKES

PICKENS — Frances “Tunkie” Cole Stokes, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence.

She was born on Aug. 20, 1938 in Greenville, to the late Richard Ansel Cole and Mozelle White Cole. She met and married the love of her life Sam Watson Stokes, Sr in Pickens. Tunkie graduated from Pickens High School then finished Columbia College. She was a successful entrepreneur and teacher, partnering in two successful businesses and

ALBERT KARL MARTIN

LIBERTY — Albert Karl Martin, 62, loving husband of 35 years to Tina McKenzie Martin, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at St. Francis Downtown Hospital in Greenville.

Born on Sept. 18, 1963, in Anderson County, Karl was the beloved son of the late Clyde Martin and Sarah Howard Henderson. A man of many interests and talents, Karl found joy in music, especially playing the guitar, and loved spending time fishing. He had a passion for working on old cars and was truly a jack of all trades, always willing to lend his skills wherever they were needed. His faith was central to his life, and God held a special place in his heart. Above all, Karl loved his family dearly and cherished the time spent with those he held close.

Survivors include his wife, Tina McKenzie Martin of the home; son, Matthew Justin Martin of Liberty; grandchildren, Trevor Justin Martin, Mathew Elijah Martin and Lillie Grace Martin; siblings, Lorena Martin Lostraglio, Naomi Hope Henderson (Michael) and Linda Henderson Duncan.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Martin was predeceased by Wilmer Gene Henderson, the man who raised him as his own and loved him like a father; and his siblings, Gwendolyn Martin, Tambralyn Bergholm, Wilmer Gene Henderson, Jr., Darlene Martin and Helen Martin Merk.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Martin family.

ALVIN THOMAS ‘BUDDY’ DALLAS

EASLEY — Mr. Alvin Thomas “Buddy” Dallas, 93, husband of Shirley Senn Dallas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

Born in Whitmire, S.C., the son of the late William Thomas Dallas and the late Helen

LAVANT PADGETT

LIBERTY — Houston Lavant Padgett, 78, of Liberty, passed away on Feb. 4, 2026. Lavant was born on Jan. 8, 1948, in Walhalla, to Joe and Edith Padgett.

Along with his family, Lavant moved to Pickens, in sixth grade, where he graduated from Pickens High School in 1967. He began working for Winn-Dixie as a teenager and, after 30 years of service, he retired in 2004. Lavant returned to work at Duke Power. Years later, he began attending Tri-County Technical College in pursuit of an associates degree.

Lavant is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay Padgett; two sons, Steve Padgett (Michelle) and Nick Padgett (Brittany); and his brother, Joe Padgett (Faye). Lavant was a dedicated grandfather to Bailey, Riley, Ella and Beau. He was predeceased by two sisters, Patsy Connelly and Faye Durham.

Lavant was loved by all; his light touched many lives. He was a man of God who befriended and mentored many. He served as a city of Liberty councilman for 11 years. Lavant strived to do the best for Liberty and wanted to see the city prosper. Lavant was a faithful member of East Side Baptist Church, serving as a former deacon, usher and security member.

The family hosted a memorial service on Feb. 8 at East Side Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Side Baptist Church Capital Improvement Fund, 920 Anderson Drive, Liberty SC 29657.

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

GARY WHITLOCK

LIBERTY — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Franklin Whitlock, 84, of Liberty, who departed this life on Feb. 4, 2026.

Born on Jan. 31, 1942, in Liberty, he was a son of the late Marion and Inez Gaines

LAVERNE E (SCHAFFNER) EVANS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — LaVerne E Evans (Schaffner) of Louisville, Ky., died on Jan. 22, 2026, at age 92. She had been a resident of Signature Jefferson Place since December 2023.

She was born March 19, 1933, in Louisville, Ky., to Walter H Schaffner and Ethel Pryor. Her grandparents were Henry B Schaffner and Elise “Lizzie” Roggenkamp, James Daniel Pryor and Emma Stickel.  She was known for her excellent memory of events of her childhood, such as the 1937 flood, the hardships of WWII and the history of Louisville. Her father, husband and son were all Navy war veterans. LaVerne was a wife, mother and longtime member of the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association.  She was active as a volunteer and PTA officer with her children’s schools.

She enjoyed lakeside camping, reading, long walks and playing Jeopardy. LaVerne spent much of her adult life as a caregiver for relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Wilmoth Daymon “Tommy” Evans, in 2010; and sisters, Alice Carol Hagan and Evelyn “Cookie” Pierce.

She is survived by her children, Elaine Renae Evans of Louisville, Daymon Walter Evans M.D. of Indianapolis (Jane, deceased), and her son, Daniel Wayne Evans, USN-ret (Lynn, deceased); grandchildren, Jason Daniel Evans and Casey Nicole Wilbanks (John); and a great-granddaughter, Cameron Sage Wilbanks, all of Easley.

Her visitation will be at the Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205, from 1-8 p.m. Feb. 5 and from 10-11 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 6, with a funeral to follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. A brief graveside service will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park, 4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40218, where she will be buried alongside her husband, Tommy. Per her request, expressions of sympathy may be made to Hosparus of Kentucky.

WILLIS ‘SKIP’ LYLE II

GREENWOOD — Willis “Skip” Lyle, II, 78, of Greenwood, passed away on Jan. 31, 2026, at Lakelands Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Abbeville.

Born on March 17, 1947, in Six Mile, he was a son of the late Willis and Sylvia Brooks Lyle.

Skip was a graduate of York High School in York, Neb., and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Lander University. His passion for aviation defined much of his life. He was a pilot for Davis and Floyd Inc. and a pilot instructor, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for flight with countless students and colleagues.

Skip served as the music director at Sandridge Baptist Church for a period, and later became a member of Hyde Park Baptist Church.

He is survived by brothers, Walter “Walt” Lyle and Steve Lyle Sr. (MaryLynn); a sister,

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