HARRISON ‘HARRY’ REECE HOLLADAY JR.

CENTRAL — Harrison “Harry” Reece Holladay Jr., 85, of Central, passed away on Sept. 4, 2025. He was born in Pickens County to the late Harrison Reece Holladay Sr. and Addie Lee Nimmons Holladay.

Harry earned a master’s degree in education, which underscored his commitment to learning and teaching. Additionally, Harry proudly served in the Navy for four years, displaying his love for his country.

Harry was a dedicated teacher for 35 years, sharing his knowledge and passion for education with many students. His commitment to his community extended beyond the classroom; he was a longtime member of the Central Town Council, starting his service on Oct. 1, 1984, and remarkably serving for 34 years.

Harry’s leadership qualities were evident when he was elected mayor of Central in 2001, a role he held from 2002-06. Throughout his time in public service, he was known for being loving, generous and outgoing. These traits made a lasting impact on those around him.

Harry had a heart for ministry; he loved handing out Gospel tracts and participated in several missionary trips to various places, including the Dominican Republic, Russia and several states across the U.S.

Harry is survived by his cherished wife of more than 46 years, Sheila Hanna Holladay; son, Trey Holladay; daughters, Katina Pridemore (Will), Amy Norris (Brad) and Courtney Bailey (Brock); grandchildren, Emma Norris, Ean Norris, Eli Marshall, Tristan Marshall, Cecilia Marshall, Daniel Bailey, Rachel Bailey and Tommy Pridemore (Thayna); and sister, Gloria Boggs.

In addition to his parents, Harry was preceded in death by his brother, Doug Holladay.

A visitation will be held at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

A celebration of life will be held the following day, Saturday, Sept. 13, at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, starting at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Released Time Bible Education (pcreleasedtime.com).

GLADYS LOUISE HARKINS WILLIAMS

EASLEY — Gladys Louise Harkins Williams, 95, wife of the late Raymond Wyatt Williams, of Easley, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.

Born on Aug. 5, 1930, in Anderson County, Mrs. Williams was a daughter of the late John Walter and Helen Louise Ellenburg Harkins.

Mrs. Williams graduated from Liberty High School in 1947 and later retired from Artistic Builders Inc., where she was the office manager for many years. She was one of the company’s most valuable assets.

Mrs. Williams was the oldest surviving member of Smith Grove Baptist Church in Liberty, joining the church in April 1942. Mrs. Williams was a very active member as long as her health allowed. She was very active serving, as treasurer and secretary of the church as well as a Sunday school teacher.

Mrs. Williams is survived by sisters, Annie Ruth Harkins Whitlock, Bertie Mae Harkins

RUBY ALBERTSON EVANS

SIX MILE — Surrounded in her home by her beloved family, Ruby Albertson Evans, 76, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.

A faithful Christian, Ruby was a devoted wife and caregiver to her late husband, Tom, and took great joy from being a loving mother figure to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and any other children who needed love and a hug. Ruby and Tom’s door was always open.

Time spent with family was one of the most important

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aspects of Ruby’s life, whether it was all-day outings on the lake, driving the boat for Tom — aka Ski King — as he carved rooster tails across Lake Keowee with his slalom ski, reuniting with distant cousins at the Ross reunions, or loading up 25+ family members and heading to Cherry Grove and Fripp Island for the annual beach trip.

As an expression of her loving spirit, Ruby took advantage of any opportunity she had to cook for a crowd. She was well known for the delicious sourdough rolls she baked from her mama’s recipe and for many years kept a constant supply on the counter to

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