DENNIS VERNON CHASTAIN

PICKENS — Dennis Vernon Chastain, 73, loving husband for 46 years to Jane Fields Chastain, died peacefully and unexpectedly in his sleep at home on Nov. 21, 2025.

Born on Oct. 4, 1952, in Greenville, Dennis was the cherished son of the late Artis and Sarah (Canham) Chastain.

Dennis grew up in Slater, in what he believed to be the best place and the best period of time. He earned his B.S. and Master’s degrees from Winthrop College, where he met Jane, the love of his life. He lived his adult life on his family’s homeplace near Table Rock, where his ancestors have been deeply rooted since 1796. He was honored to be the recipient of Upstate Forever’s Extraordinary Achievement Award for his more than 40 years of work as a writer, historian, botanist, guide and conservation advocate.

Dennis was an award-winning outdoor writer, historian, tour guide and interpretive naturalist. He wrote feature articles for many years for South Carolina Wildlife Magazine and other publications. He led tours and field trips for Clemson’s Master Naturalist program and several other groups. He made a number of important discoveries, including wildflowers never recorded in Pickens County, the remnants of long-forgotten roads and Native American trails and numerous prehistoric rock carvings on Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains. Dennis was once described by The Greenville News as a “modern-day Daniel Boone.”

Dennis was the Blue Wall Vice President of the Pickens County Historical Society, a member of the Pickens County 250 Committee and a member of Upstate Forever.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Jane Fields Chastain; his sister, Dorothy Chastain Cantrell; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Patricia DuBose Chastain; and his niece, Laurie Chastain.

In addition to his parents, he was recently predeceased by his nephew, John Chastain, on Nov. 16.

An informal “gathering of family and friends drop-in” to celebrate Dennis will be held at the Heritage Pavilion at Hagood Mill (138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens) from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 6.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dennis’ memory to Hagood Mill Foundation, P.O. Box 98, Pickens SC, 29671; or to the Pickens County Historical Society, P.O. Box 775, Pickens SC, 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Chastain family.

JOHN COKE SMITH, III

EASLEY — Mr. John “JC” Coke Smith, III, 73, husband of Jerrilu Kirk Smith, passed away Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.

Born in Anderson, JC was a son of the late John Coke Smith, Jr. and the late Mary Allen Smith. He graduated from Wren High School in 1970 and attended Clemson University where he proudly played football. Mr. Smith was the third of four generations of Registered Land Surveyors at Smith Surveying established in 1909. An ordained Deacon, Mr. Smith was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School Teacher. He was a member of The Rotary Club of Easley. Mr. Smith was fluent in German, and enjoyed traveling to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 52 years, are his son, John Coke Smith IV (Jennifer) of Easley; a daughter, Libby Smith Holliday (Andy)

RAMETH OWENS PARLER

CLEMSON — Rameth Owens Parler, 60 of Clemson, passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 7, 2025, with her husband by her side. She had been bravely facing a variety of health challenges for many years, most recently cancer.

Rameth was born Aug. 16, 1965, in Greenville, to Walton Owens Jr. and Rameth Owens, both professors at Clemson University. A graduate of D.W. Daniel High School in Central, she also received degrees from Clemson University in mathematics and in electrical engineering.

She worked as a global IT administrator for several multinational businesses.

She loved cooking and traveling, playing board and card games and solving puzzles. She loved oceans and lakes. She adored all dogs, and she raised Corgis, German Shepherds and Saint Bernards.

Rameth is survived by her husband, Sam Parler Jr.; mother, Rameth Owens; sister, Charlotte Owens Ladd; and her sister’s children, Owen Ladd and Ruby Ladd.

Rameth was preceded in death by her father, Walton Owens Jr.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at mskcc.org.

CONNIE ANN BRANHAM COX

EASLEY — Connie Ann Branham Cox, 75, of Easley, passed away on Oct. 30, 2025, at Greenville Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born in Rock Hill on May 10, 1950, to the late Morris and Edith Branham.

She is survived by her son, Jerry Cox (Becky Robinson) of Altoona, Pa.; her sister, Marsha Bowers (Phillip) of Six Mile; and her niece, Payton Bowers.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Beverly Dee Everett.

The family would like to thank Connie’s “sister-cousins,” Janice Baldwin, Barbara Jean Allen and Brenda Martin, for their care and support.

A graveside service was held on Nov. 10 at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association at abta.org/.

Favorite memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting thomasmcafee.com.

MICHAEL EUGENE ‘BIG MIKE’ WATSON

CENTRAL — Michael Eugene “Big Mike” Watson, 73, of Central, husband to the late

ANTONETTE RENE MEYER

PICKENS — Antonette Rene Meyer, 56, of Pickens, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 25, 2025, following her two-month fight against a late cancer diagnosis. We take comfort knowing she is now pain free and find peace knowing there are no goodbyes, only “we’ll see you later.”

She was preceded in death by her father, Anthony Meyer, and sister, Barbara Clardy, both of whom we know she is elated to be with again.

She is survived by her beloved children, Brittany Arms of Woodruff, Nicholas Pancoast of Pickens and Micheala Chavis of Greenville; her mother, Jane Meyer, and brother, Tony Meyer, both of Pickens; and her cherished grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure, Camden Arms, Levi Pancoast, Kylee Arms, Ethan Mumma, Lexi Chavis, Blair Arms, Lucas Arms, Zoey Chavis, Kara Chavis and Bethany Pancoast. Her greatest joy in life came from her family — especially her grandchildren, who were truly the light of her world.

Antonette had a big, beautiful heart and an even bigger love for the Lord. Her warmth and love will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who was blessed to know her.

A celebration of life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at River Hills Baptist Church, 5762 Reidville Road, Moore, SC 29369.

ROGER DALE CHRISLEY

CENTRAL — Roger Dale Chrisley, 75, of Central, passed away on Oct. 25, 2025.

Dale was born in Oconee County to the late Miles B. and Patsy Chrisley. He was a man

JASON CASSELL

SIX MILE — Jason Cassell, born March 25, 1976, in Columbus, Ohio, went to his eternal home, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Jason loved Friday night wrestling and Michigan Wolverines football. Go Blue! Electrician by trade, proud owner of All Starr Electric.

Jason was the beloved son of Glen and Pamela Cassell, Big Brother to Eric (Jennifer) Cassell, Uncle Jason to his five nieces and nephews and best friend to Chris (Debbie) Slatzer.

Jason is survived by his wife of 18 years, Kristina Cassell. He was a father to his six

BILLY WAYNE NICHOLS

SENECA — Billy Wayne Nichols, 54, husband of Kassie A. Nichols, of Seneca, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Born in Easley, Mr. Nichols was the son of the late Kenneth and Sybil J. Morgan Nichols. He was a self-employed contractor. Mr. Nichols was of the Baptist faith and a member of Fairview Community Church.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Nichols is survived by his daughters, Marlee Gem Nichols and Peyton Elizabeth Nichols; brother, William Kenneth Nichols; sister, Brittany Nichols; father-in-law, Henry J. Field Jr.; uncle, Tony Morgan; aunts, Pricilla DaCosta, Carolyn Edens, Elaine Steele and Margaret Porter; and cousins, Layla DaCosta, Jamey Mays and Heather Dabbs.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Nichols was preceded in death by his daughter, Jordan Marlenea Nichols; mother-in-law, Marlene Field; and sister-in-law, Samantha Arledge.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 18 at Davenport Funeral Home. Burial followed at

TOM JOHN ‘T.J.’ COX

PICKENS — Tom John “T.J.” Cox (Humpy), 92, loving husband to the late Annie Ruth Cox, passed away on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at Baptist Easley Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Born April 7, 1933, in Oconee County, T.J. was the cherished son of the late George Thomas Cox and Grace Hood Cox. He dedicated more than 30 years of service to the rural water department, where he took great pride in his work and the people he served. T.J. was a devoted family man who loved his family deeply and was loved by all who knew him. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting anything he could find—whether deer, rabbit, or boar. He also had a lifelong passion for drag racing and loved the thrill of the track. Above all, he treasured the simple joys of life, especially gathering with loved ones for Sunday dinners.

Survivors include his children, George Cox, Steve Cox and Lisa Gilstrap, all of Pickens; 14 loving grandchildren; 40 precious great-grandchildren; eight most precious and loving great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Mary Cox; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Cox was predeceased by two sons, John “J.W.” Cox and Larry Cox; a grandson, Dakota Cox; a granddaughter, Candice MacMillan; and three sisters, Georgia Goodwin, Estella Dodson and Betty Youngblood.

Funeral service were held on Oct. 10, at the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial took place following the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Cox family.

ANGIE GALLOWAY

PICKENS –  Angie Galloway, 57, passed away on Oct. 8, 2025.

Angie was born in Pickens, on March 5, 1968, to the late Johnnie Lee and Inez Dodson Stewart. She loved to be outdoors trout fishing, admiring the wildlife, or planting anything with the green thumb she had. Angie always enjoyed having a good laugh with those she was around.

Angie is survived by her two children: Kayla Mitchell (Richard) and Justin Hoover; six grandchildren: M. Gage Adcox, C. Garrett Adcox, B. Griffin Adcox, Hayden Mitchell and Emersyn Mitchell, Lillian Mitchell; and one brother, Ricky Stewart (Shelia).

In addition to her parents, Angie was preceded in death by her brother Terry Stewart.

The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.
Palmetto Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

THELMA ANN ROBINSON

HOUSTON, TX — Thelma Ann Robinson, 81, entered eternal rest on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Heart-to-Heart Hospice House of Houston, Texas, with her loving family by her side. She was born on Jan. 5, 1944, in Greenville. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Ulysses Robinson Jr., mother Lois Coleman; father Cero Patterson; brother Melvin Patterson Sr.; sister Barbara Sue Jones and daughter Barbara Robinson Smith.

Before becoming ill, she was an active member of Brookhollow the Church without Walls (choir member and greeter) in Houston, and was a retired educator from the Board of Education, public school system in Bridgeport, Conn. She was a member of several organizations and clubs to include the National Council of Negro Women, Eastern Stars and Red Hatters to name a few, and enjoyed reading and gardening.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Russell (Glynis) and Derrick Robinson; grandchildren, Tacara and Taylor Robinson; great-grandchild, Trinity Robinson; and a host

SYLVIA LANDE

EASLEY — Sylvia Lande, 85, of Easley, passed away on Oct. 1, 2025.

She was born in 1940, to Libby Shomer in Hackensack, N.J. Sylvia earned her master’s degree in social work from Tulane University in Louisiana and became a licensed clinical social worker, a role she deeply enjoyed as it allowed her to help people in meaningful ways. She also served in the Peace Corps, spending time in Costa Rica, an experience that reflected both her adventurous spirit and her

You must be logged in to view this content.