John Wilfred McGee, Jr.

Easley — Mr. John Wilfred McGee, Jr., 70, of 416 Duvall St., died Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital.

Born Feb. 20, 1942 in Savannah, Ga., he was the son of the late John McGee, Sr. and the late Ruby Moye McGee. Mr. McGee was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and retired from Charleston Memorial Hospital.

He was a simple man who loved to hunt and fish.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff Speller and Ralph Speller; daughters, Shana Merck, JonAnn McGee and Lori Newton; and 11 grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.

Wade Cromer

Easley — Wade H. Cromer, 94, of Easley, husband of Annie Louise Lee Cromer, died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at his home.

Born in Abbeville, he was the son of the late David W. and Bessie Eargle Cromer. He retired from textiles and was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife of 63 years, he is survived by a daughter-in-law, Laura Cromer, two grandchildren, Justin (Miriam) Cromer and Kelly (Stephen) Reece; two great-grandchildren, Samuel and Audrey Reece. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Wade Cromer Jr. two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28 at Fairview United Methodist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown which is assisting the family.

Richard Cecil Caudell

Easley — Richard Cecil Caudell, 45, of 133 Rock View Street, died Wednesday Oct. 24, 2012 while in care of Hospice from complications of diabetes.

Born in Birmingham, Ala. Feb. 9, 1967. He was a son of Le Roy and Christine Tedder Caudell. He was a charter member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Pickens Camp 71. He was a Christian and Baptist by denomination.

Surviving in addition to his parents of the home is a brother, Robert E. Caudell and his wife Sara of Laurens, two beloved nieces Mary Katherine Caudell and Alice Christine Caudell of Laurens, Honorary brother Joseph Walden of Houston, Texas.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Westwood Baptist Church, 3821 Saluda Dam Road, Easley, SC 29640. The service will be conducted by Dr. Samuel Byrum.

Please do not send flowers instead memorials may be made in his name to the Westwood Baptist Church Debt Retirement Fund.

The Forest Hills Funeral Home of 6995 Hwy 101, Woodruff, SC 29388 assisted the family.

Rev. Virgil Merck

Six Mile — The Rev. Virgil Albert Merck, 98, formerly of 183 Aaron Drive, died at Heritage Healthcare on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012.

Born in Six Mile, he was the widower of Lucille C. Merck and the son of the late Frank and Eula Willimon Merck.

The Rev. Merck was a retired Baptist minister of 56 years and pastored churches in South Carolina, Georgia and one in North Carolina. He was a father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather. He loved his family and church dearly. The Rev. Merck was a member of Ridgeland Drive Baptist Church and the Senior Men’s Sunday School Class.

Surviving is a daughter Jimmie Smith and her husband, Dan, of Six Mile; three grandsons, Dan Smith, Jr. and wife, Kim of Irmo, Darrien Smith and Wife, Tonya, of Six Mile and David Smith and wife, Tonya of Ware Shoals; 11 grandchildren, Mary Catherine (Jason), Danni (Michael), Sandy (Wes), Aaron, Nathan, Brandon, Tamerra (Chris), Jessie, Amber, Kalan, and Lucas; and five great-great grandchildren, Cooper, Christian, Cohen, Colton, and Mikey; and a brother Bob Merck.

The Rev. Merck was predeceased by sisters; Nita Ferguson, Jessie Mae Porter, Mildred Cook, and Velma Merck, and a brother, Bill Merck.

Funeral services were conducted 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Hospice of Simpsonville, 102 Curtis Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Merck family.

Wilma R. Mann

Greenville — Wilma Helen Robinson Mann, 74, wife of Donald Gene Mann of Greenville died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012.

Wilma was born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Arthur and Mittie A. Heaton Robinson. She was a homemaker and a member of Tanglewood Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband Donald, of the home, son, Donney W. Mann (Nancy) of Anderson, daughters, Donna Mann McGowan (James) of Clinton and Kathy M. Cobb (Stan) of Powdersville. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, sister, Ruth Bryant of Greenville and brother, B. F. Robinson (Ann) of Dacusville.

Funeral services were conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens with The Rev. Tyler Tatum officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Mann family.

Willimenia Allsep

Six Mile — Willimenia Smith Allsep, 72, of 206 Knollview Road died Tuesday at her residence.

Born in Six Mile, she was the wife of Jimmy B. Allsep, Sr. of the home and a daughter of the late Elmer and Selma Holliday Smith. She was a graduate of Daniel High School and later worked and retired from West Point Stevens in Clemson. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and was a member of Six Mile Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition of her husband are a daughter, Sheila Moore (Phil) of Six Mile; a son, Jimmy Allsep, Jr. (Victoria) of Six Mile; four sisters, Mable Moss of Central, Marie Porter of Six Mile, Jennette Thomas of Six Mile, and Eloise Pitts of Six Mile; three brothers, Wallace Smith of Six Mile, Carlos Smith of Six Mile and Brian Smith of Central; three grandchildren, Travis Moore (Candice), Tara Garbarino (Matt) and Amber Allsep (Daniel).

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by an infant daughter, Tammy Lynn Allsep; and a brother, Howard Smith.

Funeral services for Mrs. Allsep were held Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial was at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Floral arrangements are appreciated but memorials may also be made to Rainey Hospice House: 1835 Rogers Road Anderson, SC 29621. Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Linda R. Spearman

Central — Linda Rose Bevan Spearman, 74, died on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in London, England, she was a daughter of the late Henry Leonard and Laura Anne Pattenden Bevan. She has lived in South Carolina for 54 years.

Linda was a retired worker with Jacob’s Chuck, Clemson and was a member of the Church of England. She had many interests including sewing, crocheting, reading, working crossword puzzles and playing bridge on the internet.
She is survived by her son, Ernest Harley Spearman, Jr. of Central; Granddaughter, Ashley Pilgrim, her husband T.J.; great-granddaughter Halie Pilgrim; sister Millie Beal and her husband, Bernard of Hemel Hempstead, England; brother Bryan Bevan of Victoria, Australia; special friend and companion, Calvin Durham of Pendleton; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were 1 p.m., Tuesday in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central. Burial followed in Sharon United Methodist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

Barbara B. White

Clemson — Barbara Bishop White, 71, of 108 Gregory Street and wife of Mervin Forrest White died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 at the Cottingham Hospice House.
Born in Delta, Utah, she was a daughter of the late Van and Ruth Stephenson Bishop. Mrs. White was a graduate of Clemson University and a retired teacher at the Tamassee-Salem D.A.R. School. She was a member of the Seneca Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seneca.

Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Kristen Walters (Matthew) of Pendleton; brothers Kent Bishop of Cedar City, Utah and Vance Bishop of Delta, Utah; sister Caryl Baldwin of Utah; grandchildren Hannah Walters, Maerin Walters, Kelsey Walters and Liam Walters.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister Dorothy Griffin.
Funeral services were 11 a.m., Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Seneca with Bishop Bryant Nielson officiating.

A graveside committal service was held at 2 p.m., Saturday in Sardis Cemetery in Highland Home, Ala.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Oconee Hospice of the Foothills c/o OMC Foundation, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29672.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Marina Hernandez

Liberty — Marina Hernandez, 50, of 7813 Liberty Highway and wife of Justino Hernandez died Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 at the McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville.

Born in Sanmiguel Palmas, QRO, Mexico she was a daughter of Sotero and Luisa Hernandez. Marina was an employee at Janzen Inc. of Seneca and was a member of Light of the World Church in Greenville.

Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are sisters, Juanita Hernandez and Maria Cabrera both of Liberty and Lourdes Hernandez of Lumberton, N.C.; brothers Miguel Hernandez of Liberty and Humberto Hernandez of Mexico.
Funeral services were 1:30 Thursday in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home. Burial followed in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Central.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Hazel C. Poe

Clemson — Hazel Collings Poe, 89, widow of Herbert Vernon Poe, died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Clemson, she was daughter of the late, Gilbeart H. and Hazel Cover Collings. She held a B.S. degree from the Univ. of GA, a J.D. from Duke University and was admitted to the SC Bar in 1945. She worked for several years for the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC as a legislative analyst and editor of their legislative digest. She served as Municipal Court Administrator and Municipal Judge for the City of Clemson for some 10 years.

As a member of the Steering Committee, she helped set up the first Clemson Community Library, served on the first Board of Directors of the Friends of the Library, and was an officer of later Boards. She also served as a Board member of the Clemson Area Retirement Center. She was a member of the Browsers Book Club, held Life Master status in the ACBL duplicate bridge, was a retired member of the SC Bar Association, a former member of the American Bar Association and the National Association of Womens Lawyers, and was a life-time member of the First Baptist Church of Clemson.

She is survived by daughters, Dr. Christine P. Krohn of Houston and Nancy P. Carnes of Durham, N.C.; son, Steven Herbert Poe (Diane) of Indianapolis; grandsons, Ian Morgan Carnes of Mt. Pleasant, Howard Krohn of St. Louis, Aaron and Ethan Krohn of Houston; and brother, Dr. Thomas A. Collings of Spartanburg.

Memorial services were held at 3 p.m., Friday in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central with the Rev. Dr. Rusty Brock officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Central-Clemson Friends of the Library, 105 Commons Way, Central, SC 29630.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Viola Waldrop

Pickens — Viola Angeline Aiken Waldrop, 96, widow of Furman Waldrop of Pickens, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012.

Mrs. Waldrop was born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Will and Mary Lou Simpson Aiken. She was retired from Sangamo Electric in Pickens after having worked at Lanier Industries and Swirl in Easley. Mrs. Waldrop was a Baptist.

Survivors include daughters, Mary Helen Gilstrap of Pickens, Betty Jo Ashworth (Joe) of Simpsonville, and Phyllis McKinney (Curt) of Pickens, sons, Bud Waldrop (Margaret) of Pickens, Harold Waldrop of Greenville, and Charlie Waldrop of Liberty, 16 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, three great-great-great grandchildren and two great-great-great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers Willie Aiken and Wyatt Aiken both of Williamston, and a sister Frances James of Easley.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Waldrop was preceded in death by a son, Tommy Furman Waldrop, grandchildren, Ricky Lee and Barry Keith Gilstrap, great grandson Victor Kyle Lawson, son-in-law, O’Neal Gilstrap, daughter-in-law, Jean Waldrop, brothers, Roy, Feltz, Claude, and Clyde Aiken, and a sister Lydia Turner.

A graveside service was held 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 30 at Hillcrest Memorial Park with The Rev. Foster Gentry officiating.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 430 Roper Mountain Road, Suite E, Greenville, SC 29615, East Pickens Baptist Church, 2244 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, SC 29671 or to Pickens View Wesleyan Church, 744 Bethlehem Ridge Road, Pickens, SC 29671.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Waldrop family.

Annice P. Bolen

Pickens — Annice Parham Bolen, 81, wife of Joseph N. Bolen of Pickens, died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012.

Mrs. Bolen was born in Oxford, N.C., a daughter of the late Shields Samuel and Ola Octavia Wilkerson Parham. She was a graduate of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens.

Surviving in addition to her husband Joe, is a daughter Harriet Bolen of Spartanburg and son, Neil Bolen, Jr. of Peachtree City, Ga., grandsons Joseph and Jacob Bolen and a sister Shields Samuel Jones of Hillsboro, N.C.
A memorial service was held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 309 East Cedar Rock Street, Pickens, SC 29671.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Bolen family.

Eugene A. Ellenburg

Easley — Eugene Alexander Ellenburg, 80, husband of Zelda Owens Ellenburg of Easley, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012.

Mr. Ellenburg was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Waddy Ernest and Lena Alexander Ellenburg. He was retired from Platt Saco Lowell and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church where he was a member of “In His Steps” Sunday School Class.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Zelda Owens Ellenburg, son, Tim Ellenburg (Joy) of Easley, grandsons, Ryan Ellenburg (Laura) and Russell Ellenburg (April) all of Easley, and great grandchildren, Cason, Levi, Campbell, and Colsen Ellenburg. Also surviving are sisters Evelyn Vaughn (Harmon) of Greenville, Eleanor Lawson (Ray) of Simpsonville, and Peggy Autrey (J.W.) of Greenville.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens with the Rev. Ray Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Memorials may be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church, 201 Rock Springs Road, Easley, SC 29642.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Ellenburg family.