SAMANTHA SCRIVNER

PENDLETON — Samantha Scrivner, 45, of 105 Millwee Creek Road, died on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at her residence.

Born in Tampa, Fla., she was a daughter of Kayce and Charles Shusterman of Pendleton. She was a 1994 graduate of Liberty High School and volunteered with Pickens County Literacy Association book sales.

She enjoyed reading, arts and crafting. She loved all animals, especially her fur babies. Samantha was a kind and caring person who always helped everyone she could. She was beloved by all who knew her.

Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her beloved fiance, Joe Rowland of the home; a sister, Kristina Shusterman of Pendleton; a brother, Ben Shusterman (Jennifer) of West Union; her nieces, Elliana and Aubrey Shusterman, who were the light of her life; a “sister,” Tasha Woods; niece and nephew Aislyn and Keegan of Pendleton; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorials in her memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 200 Vesey St., 28th Floor, New York, NY 10281, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services are handling arrangements.

GLADYS PAULINE OWEN NORRIS

PICKENS — Mrs. Gladys Pauline Owen Norris, 88, loving wife of the late Weldon Lee “Jack” Norris, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Norris was born in Transylvania County, N.C., on April 25, 1932, to the late Avery and Cassie Smith Owen. She retired from Swirl Manufacturing as a sewing operator and was a member of Midway Baptist Church.

Mrs. Norris is survived by a son, Mickey Lee Norris of Berea; two daughters, Rhonda Lindsey of Mauldin and Diana Hale of Easley; four grandchildren, Amanda Lindsey of Australia, Mark Lindsey of Mauldin, Brian Lindsey of Greenville and Kyle Pilgrim of Easley; two brothers, Bruce Owen of Marietta and Carl Lee Owen of Pickens; and two sisters, Hazel Couch and Margaret Finney, both of Pickens.

In addition to her loving husband and parents, Mrs. Norris was preceded in death by a son, Richard Rex Norris; three brothers, Walter, James D. and Willie B. Owen; and a sister, Gertrude Galloway.

Funeral services were conducted on March 22 at Midway Baptist Church, with the Rev. Tony Stancil officiating.
Flowers are accepted.

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

JIMMY GILLESPIE

LIBERTY — Jimmy C. Gillespie, 81, died on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at his residence.

Born in Pendleton, he was the widower of Faye Harrison Gillespie and a son of the late Jimmy D. and Lois Gillespie.

Mr. Gillespie was retired from Duke Energy after 25 years, where he was known as the “Trail Boss.” He was a longtime member of Calumet Baptist Church. Throughout his life he was an avid fisherman and farmer. He truly loved the farm life and taking care of his cows.

Surviving are two sons, Russel Gillespie (Jane) of Davidson, N.C., and Stuart Gillespie (Angie) of Pendleton; a sister, Marilyn Gillespie of Pendleton; six grandchildren, Stephanie Sallach (Nathan), Chase Gillespie, Nathaniel Gillespie (Jessica), Drew Stephens, Zachary Gillespie (Danielle) and Joshua Gillespie; and six great-grandchildren, Ava, Olivia, Brianna, Gabriel, Ruthie and Coley Jo.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Cathy Stephens and Donna Springs; a brother, Graham Gillespie; and three sisters, JoAnn Gillespie, Betty Dobson and Judy Weldon.

Funeral services to honor Jimmy’s life were conducted on March 21 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial was held at Flat Rock Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

TRACY DUANE GRAYSON

WESTMINSTER — Tracy Duane Grayson, 64, passed on Friday, March 19, 2021.

Born on April 21, 1956, in Amarillo, Texas, he was the son of John Grayson and Wilma Westcoat.
Tracy was a martial arts master, self-defense instructor and a jack of all trades.

In addition to his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Selby, survivors include two daughters, Alyshia D. Gilliam (Phillip E. Gilliam) and Amber R. Grayson; one son, Aaron D. Grayson; one sister, Terri Meresh; and one brother, Todd Shires. Tracy also leaves behind eight grandchildren to share in his memory.

A memorial will be held on Wednesday, April 21, at 6 p.m., with a planting at 128 Unity Church Road, Westminster. It will be posted on a virtual online page called “In Loving Memory.” Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Giliam, Todd Shires, Chris Powell, Cody Meresh, Phil Sieniarecki and Aaron Grayson.

Memorials may be made to Alyshia Gilliam and Family.

Online condolences may be sent to keoweefuneralservices.com.

JAMES EUGENE CHARLES

SENECA — James Eugene Charles, 51, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca.
Mr. Charles was born on Jan. 3, 1970, and was the son of Mr. Kenneth Charles and the late Evelyn Simpson Charles.

Mr. Charles was a longtime grading and construction employee. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He enjoyed working on cars and motors. He was loved and will be missed dearly by those who knew him.

Mr. Charles is survived by three daughters, Courtney Charles, Brittney Frazier and Sydney Charles; three grandchildren, Dominic Montes, Cain Frazier and Grace Frazier; and one sister, Rebecca Charles Dickerson.
Family will have a private memorial.

Online condolences may be sent to keoweefuneralservices.com.

MICHAEL DEWAYNE SMATHERS

WALHALLA — Michael Dewayne Smathers, 55, passed from this life on Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Walhalla.

Born in Waynesville, N.C., he was the son of George William and Doris Louise Smathers and husband of Sandra Smathers.
Michael loved playing pool, NASCAR, the Viking Show and fishing.

Survivors include a daughter, Rebecca D Miller; two sons, Thomas L. Smathers and Matthew Hunt; and a sister, Wanda Messer. Michael also leaves four grandchildren to share in his memory.

Funeral services were held on March 19 in the Keowee Funeral Home chapel. Burial was held at Evergreen Cemetery in Walhalla.
Online condolences may be sent to keoweefuneralservices.com.

JUSTIN RYAN BRACKNEY

GREENVILLE — Justin Ryan Brackney, 34, passed on Friday, March 19, 2021.

Born in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 23, 1986, he was the son of Bryan Scott Brackney and Cynthia Hiott Polony.
Justin was in sales and was a church member at Hickory Grove in Charlotte, N.C.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his stepfather, John E. Polony; one stepsister, Rebecca Polony; and one stepbrother, Chris Polony.

A visitation was held on March 23 at Keowee Funeral Services.

Memorials can be made to the Oconee County Animal Shelter.

Online condolences may be sent to keoweefuneralservices.com.

Charles David Gillespie

EASLEY — Charles “David” Gillespie, 72, son of the late Wilma C. Gillespie and Garth S. Gillespie, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021, at his home.

Survivors include three sons, William Brian Gillespie of Pickens, David Alan Gillespie (Lanai) of Sunset and Andrew Charles Gillespie (Kelly) of Simpsonville; one daughter, Amy Kristen Quinn (Paul) of Easley; nine siblings, Linda Wortman, Johnny Gillespie, Sandra Gillespie (Barry), Joan Williams (Mark), Robbie Gillespie, Roger Gillespie (Linda), Kenny Gillespie, Lisa Lewis (Mark) and Jeff Gillespie; grandchildren, Justin, Bradley, Hannah, Kareem, Gabriel, Nick, Coty, Wesley and Aiden; and one great-grandchild, Atticus.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Unity And Love Worship Center in Walhalla, David’s home church. His daughter will be handling the donations. She can be reached via email at amyquinn77@gmail.com.

Mr. Gillespie was predeceased by his parents, a brother-in-law, Gary Wortman, and a nephew, Travis Wortman.

The family would like to extend special thank you to the med techs, nurses, aides and CNAs at Easley Place Assisted Living, as well as Regency Hospice for taking such good care of their loved one. He made a great impact on many of them, and they made him smile daily. He was very well taken care of and loved by these ladies.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Gillespie family.