ERIC HOOPER

CLINTON – Mr. Eric Stanley Hooper, 62, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, received the call to go join the Lord in his room, in the house that Jesus the great carpenter, had finished and prepared for him.

Eric was born in Pickens, on Aug. 31, 1962, to the late Wayne Hooper and Margaret Brittle.  Eric enjoyed playing with his spinning tops, receiving arm and back rubs from everyone, looking at Southern Living Magazines, and being the shredder person at the Whitten Center in Clinton.

Eric is survived by his siblings: JoAnn Steinseifer (David),

MELBA JO CHILDS NICHOLS

PICKENS — Melba Jo Childs Nichols, 87, of Pickens, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.

Born on Jan. 3, 1938, in Pickens, to the late Laura and Norman Childs.

Melba was a devoted NASCAR fan, especially of her favorite driver Jeff Gordon. As a lifelong cat lover, she never met a cat she didn’t want to live with her. Melba also had a deep passion for Clemson football. She frequently stayed up watching games and enjoyed discussing the team’s performance with her family the next day.

Melba cherished time at the beach with her family, with many of their fondest

NORMA JEAN FULLER

EASLEY — It is with heartfelt celebration that we announce the passing of our beloved Norma Jean Fuller, who left us peacefully on Aug. 2, 2025.

Born on Feb. 27, 1947, in Greenville, she was a daughter of the late Palmer Young and Maxie Sanders Fuller. Norma lived a vibrant life filled with laughter, love and adventure.

Norma made a home in Easley and worked for many years at 3M before retirement. But

DORIS K. CHILDS

PICKENS — Doris K. Childs, wife of the late Jake D. Childs, passed away on July 29, 2025, at the age of 92.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Earlie C. Simmons and the late Ollie Hudson Simmons and was the last member of her immediate family. Mrs. Childs retired from Swirl, Inc., where she worked for 43 years.

She was a member of Bethany Church of God. Doris loved to cook and sew and had a special talent for both. Later in life when she could no longer cook and sew, she became interested in coloring and delighted in sharing her beautiful pictures with family and friends.

She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.In addition to her husband and parents, she

STANLEY ROBERT ‘BUCKY’ O’SHEAL

WESTMINSTER — Stanley Robert “Bucky” O’Sheal, 61, husband of Susan Renea Pearson O’Sheal, of Westminster, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025.

A native of Oconee County, Mr. O’Sheal was the son of Jeri O’Sheal and the late Bobby O’Sheal. Bucky was a member of the Pendleton Masonic Lodge and Cross Roads Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife and mother, Mr. O’Sheal is survived by his son; Jeremy Dustin O’Sheal (Katie) of Charleston; grandchildren; Cohen, Irelynn and Marina.

In addition to his father, Mr. O’Sheal was preceded in death by a daughter; Tara Ashley O’Sheal; and sister, Robin O’Sheal.

Funeral services were held on July 24, at Davenport Funeral Home with entombment to follow at Heritage Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org/donate or to a charity of one’s choice.

The family is at their respective homes.

VIRGINIA PATRICIA MONTGOMERY BONEY

PICKENS — Virginia Patricia Montgomery Boney, 93, known to family and friends as “Pat”, died peacefully at Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca on July, 21, 2025. Pat was the widow of George C Boney of Pickens, and the daughter of the late James Andrew Montgomery and the late Geneva Cannon Montgomery of Lane S.C.

Pat attended schools in Williamsburg County, graduating from Kingstree High School in 1949. She briefly attended Winthrop College but returned home to allow her sister to attend nursing school. Pat worked as a bookkeeper, first at Kingstree Tobacco Warehouse, later at Santee Electric Co-op. She met George in Kingstree and they married in 1952. A change in George’s job situation brought them to Pickens in 1954. Pat eventually went to work with SCN Bank, retiring from Wachovia in 1992.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia D Boney of Pickens; her son, George C Boney (Ellen) of Chapin, S.C. and Robert M. Boney (Sheila Smith) of Niceville, Fla.

GLENDA COWARD CONLEY

LIBERTY — Glenda Coward Conley, 85, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Clemson Heritage Senior Living.

Born on Aug. 19, 1939, in Belton, Glenda was the cherished daughter of the late Robert Glenn Coward and Gertrude Irene Jordan Coward. A dedicated lifelong learner, she graduated from Lander College in 1961 with a degree in elementary education, a field in which she touched countless young lives with her patience and compassion.

Glenda devoted much of her career to the Anderson County Career and Technology Center, where she made a lasting impact on colleagues and students alike before her

DAVID GRAVELY

PICKENS — The kind, gentle soul of W. David Gravely left us on July 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Pickens on Aug. 31, 1932, to Tom and Mae Gravely, and as he always said “born in a house with no electricity.” After graduating from Pickens High School, he attended his beloved Wofford College, class of 1954, then went to the army and was stationed in Ingrandes, France, for the next 18 months, during which he traveled around Europe. While at Wofford, he met the love of his life and soulmate, Louise White. He returned from service in France, they married in October 1956 and stood by each other’s side for the next 63 years.

David never met a stranger or a person he could not strike up a conversation with. After his stint in the army, he returned to Pickens to work with his father at the Gravely Agency-Insurance and Real Estate, where he still “worked,” or at least showed up for work until several weeks before his death. He also served as a certified appraiser, REA Express Agent (the precursor to today’s package delivery services) and was a home builder. During his years in Pickens, he

RAYMOND E DAWKINS

PICKENS — Mr. Raymond E Dawkins passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the age of 99.

Raymond was born in Newberry, on April 15, 1926, to the late Erastus Leroy and Gladys Evelyn Brennan Dawkins.  Raymond and his seven siblings grew up in a mill village during the depression, and Raymond thereafter remained thrifty his entire life.

At the age of 18, Raymond enlisted in the United States Army and served in Europe in the 36 Infantry Division during World War II. He was awarded two bronze stars and the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service. In 2022, Raymond had the honor of traveling to Normandy with the Best Defense Foundation to participate in D-Day commemorations.

Taking advantage of the GI bill, Raymond attended Newberry College while working evenings at the cotton mill.  He met his future wife, Margaret, at a square dance.  After a move to Pickens, Raymond worked as an Industrial Engineer for the Singer/Ryobi Company for 32 years. Raymond was a longtime member of Pickens Presbyterian

JAMES ‘CECIL’ GILLESPIE

NORRIS — James “Cecil” Gillespie, 90, loving husband to Rose Marie Wardlaw Gillespie, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Pickens County on May 23, 1935, Cecil was the beloved son of the late Samuel Moser Gillespie and Elsie Lamelia Chastain. Cecil served as an elder at The Church of God at Rices Creek.

Cecil found great joy in growing his garden. Having grown up on a farm, he cherished the outdoors. He also loved singing and playing the guitar, and he even had the opportunity to sing on WGGS. Above all, Cecil loved his Lord Jesus.

Survivors include his children, Amanda Connell (Kenneth) of Greer, Nancy Hardy of Pickens, Mary McCall of Pickens, Mark Gillespie (Kelly) of Pickens and John Gillespie

GARY OWEN

PICKENS — Gary Owen, 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 20, 2025.

Born on July 7, 1947, Gary was the beloved son of the late Inez Galloway Owen and Will Owen.

A gifted musician, Gary had a natural talent for music and was proficient in playing multiple instruments. His curiosity and creativity extended beyond music, as he also found great joy in tinkering with electronics. In his earlier years, Gary held a deep appreciation for the outdoors, where he found both inspiration and peace. Gary was deeply devoted to his family, whose love and presence brought him endless joy.

Gary is survived by his son, Gary Dale Owen of Pickens; his daughter, Denise Holliday of Pickens; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ophelia Ashe, and his brother, Stanley Owen of Pickens.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his siblings, Vera Bowie, Jaroll Owen, Caroll Owen, Faroll Owen, Denver Owen and A.B. Owen.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2410 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

JOSEPH DANIEL ‘DAN’ GILLESPIE SR.

EASLEY — Joseph Daniel “Dan” Gillespie Sr., 80, loving husband to the late Sandra Gail Freeman Gillespie, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at AnMed Medical