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) of Easley; his brothers, Dennis M. Grooms (Faye) of Fountain Inn, Kirby J. Smith (Robin) of Easley; his sister, Connie Marie Collins of Liberty; and his three grandchildren, Ava Smith, Brock Holliday and John Coke Smith V. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was predeceased by his step-mother, Willa Troxel Smith.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Nov. 30, in the Chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Escort of Honor will be Robert Dye, Gene Merritt, Bob Merritt, Jim Sutherland, Tom Belcher, Jim Robinson, as well as the Members of The Rotary Club of Easley.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home prior to the service.

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

 

LEROY MCCALL

SIX MILE — Leroy McCall, 78, loving husband of more than 22 years to Patricia “Patti” Duncan, entered into the loving presence of his Lord and Savior on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, surrounded by his loving family.

Born Jan. 21, 1947, in Henderson County, N.C., Leroy was the cherished son of the late Joe B. McCall and Bessie Teague McCall. Leroy deeply loved his family, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for those he held dear. A skilled brick mason by trade, he took great pride in his work and the craftsmanship he brought to every project. He found joy in tending to his garden, working with his tractors and spending time watching wrestling. He was also a devoted Carolina Gamecocks fan, cheering on his team whenever they were playing.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Duncan of the home; children, Stephanie Woodard (Tom) of Savannah, Ga., James McCall of Six Mile, Avery Duncan III (Tracy) of Swanee, Ga., Rosia Everette of Six Mile, Randall Duncan of Powhatan, Va., Amanda Toney of Clemson, Nathan Neal (Zaran Metts) of Easley and Hannah Neal of Six Mile; grandchildren, Toney Roberts (Kaylee Cox), Sheila Roberts-Brawner (Matthew Klink), Avery Duncan IV, Levi Duncan, Joseph Duncan, Nicholas Duncan, Camden Duncan, Micah Duncan, Hailey Toney, Brayden Toney, Madelynn Woodard and Ensign David Woodard (U.S. Navy); great-grandchild, Ryett Klink; sister, Faye Rogers; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Leroy was predeceased by his siblings, Y.J. McCall, Richard McCall, Bill McCall, Melinda Ferguson and Louella Watts.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 21 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial took place following the service at Mountain View Baptist Church cemetery in Six Mile.

Flowers will be accepted.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the McCall family.

 

WALTER W. ‘BILL’ JONES

LIBERTY — Mr. Walter William (Bill) Jones, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, died peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. He was 82.

Born June 19, 1943, Bill lived on Morgan’s Branch Road in Candler, N.C., with his parents, Walter and Elizabeth Jones, and his sister, Linda. He grew up gardening, milking cows, working mules, driving tractors and riding bikes — and, on occasion, a car hood — down Mount Pisgah. When he was in the third grade, Glady Elementary School and Stoney Fork Elementary School merged, and he met his future best friend and the love of his life — Barbara Jo Davis. He finally asked her out on a date, years later, after they graduated from Enka High School; they married Jan. 18, 1963, at Oak Hill United Methodist Church in Candler, N.C.

Bill chose to follow Christ around the age of 12 or maybe 13, when a visiting evangelist from Freeport, Texas, extended revival services for a full two weeks at White Rock Baptist Church. Bill was saved and baptized in the creek next to Pisgah School on a Sunday afternoon. He spent the rest of his life sharing his commitment to Christ and encouraging others to do the same. He served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years.

Bill was a 1961 graduate of Enka High School. Two days after graduation, he and a friend moved to Washington, D.C., where they worked at the Western Electric Plant for almost a year. Bill then returned to North Carolina and began a 43-year career in the manufacturing industry when he was hired by American Enka. He worked at plants in both Enka, N.C., and in Central. When American Enka was sold to BASF in 1985, he was hired by BASF and led the conversion team. He enjoyed his job as human resources manager until retirement in 2004. BASF was then sold to Honeywell, and Bill contracted and worked for Honeywell until he had a stroke in 2005. He and Barbara moved several times during his career; they lived in Candler, N.C.; Liberty; Fletcher, N.C.; and then, finally, they returned to Liberty and built their forever home in 1978.

Working during the day and attending school in the evenings, Bill earned college credits at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C.; after he and Barbara moved to South Carolina, he earned an associate’s degree in business administration from Tri-County Technical College in 1974 and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Central Wesleyan University (now Southern Wesleyan) in 1989.

Throughout his life, Bill was many things. He was a husband, a father and a grandfather. He was a Sunday school teacher, a cowboy, a craftsman, an athlete and a writer. He was a businessman, a praying man, a poet, a Little League coach, a farmer and a friend. He was an encourager and a man who lived with a blessed hope, despite a stroke that left him struggling for 21 years.

Bill loved many things. He loved a fast car — especially a ‘57 Chevy. He loved donuts in the snow and Jeeps. He loved good molasses, babies, westerns and fishing. He loved Commodore 64s, black stallions and dogs named Butch. He loved motorcycles, banana pudding, nice clothes and fresh apple cake. He loved lemon pie, sawdust, corny jokes and round TUITs. He loved a King James Bible, music, dinner with friends and a good card game. He loved checkers, Braves baseball, Tar Heel basketball and any sport his grandchildren played. And hats. He loved hats. He also loved his friends, his grandchildren, his children and Barbara.

Most importantly, Bill loved God, and he lived his life trying to honor his Savior. He once wrote, “If I had to describe my life, I would say that it has been a wonderful journey and one that has certainly been worth the trip.”

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara Jo Davis Jones; they were blessed to celebrate 62 years of marriage in January 2025. In addition, he is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — Marion and Tracy Lawson, Tony and April Jones; James and Tara Lawson, Chandler and Emily Moats, Tucker and Mary Jones, Samuel and Rebecca Lawson, Tyler Jones; Noah Lawson, Judah Lawson and Lawson Moats. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter William and Elizabeth Clontz Jones; his sisters, Kay Frances Jones and Linda Jones Stockton; and his great-granddaughter, Hope Elizabeth Moats.

Bill’s family would like to thank everyone who cared for him and everyone who has been so gracious and kind as Bill took his final journey to his heavenly home. It wasn’t in a fast car or on a black stallion, but it was sure to have been a good ride.

Memorial services were held on Nov. 24 at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Members of the Seekers Bible Fellowship class were invited to sit together. A graveside service and burial followed at the cemetery at Rock Springs. Flowers are welcome, but donations to Rock Springs Baptist Church are preferred.

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