FREDDY DODSON

CENTRAL — Mr. Freddy Dodson, 64, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Freddy was born on Oct. 4, 1957, to Fred Dodson and the late Phala McKnight Dodson. Freddy was a loving father, devoted husband and a friend to many. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, could answer any trivia question asked and always had an entertaining story to tell. He touched the lives of countless coworkers and strangers throughout his life. He is truly missed.

In addition to his father, Freddy is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Pamela Dodson; five sons, Curtis Dodson of Tennessee, Ben Cherami of Seneca, Elijah Dodson of Central, Israel Dodson of Central and Malachi Dodson of Central; two daughters, Zoe Dodson of Central and Rebekah Dodson of Central; and one sister, Sue Wood (Mark) of Pickens.

In addition to his mother, Freddy was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Gayle Dodson; and his stepmother, Vivanee “Boots” Dodson.

A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting dillardfunearls.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

JAMES RAY ALLEN

PICKENS — Dr. James Ray Allen, 87, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

He was born on March 19, 1935, in Ellaville, Ga., to the late Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Allen. He was married to his devoted wife, Marilyn Scott Allen, for 65 years.

He and his wife served as a ministry team touching untold numbers of lives in their 20 churches in the Carolinas and Georgia. He also invested his life in his students as a professor at Berry Academy in Rome, Ga., and Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton. He truly exemplified the greatest commandment, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). His life was one of loving and serving God and the many people he came in contact with, whether it was a church member, a student or a bag boy at the grocery store.

He received his associate’s degree from Norman Park Junior College, bachelor’s degree from Lagrange College, master’s degree from Furman University, Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Doctorate of Ministry degree from Drew University. He retired after 65 years in ministry and 30 years of teaching, investing his entire life in sharing his love for God and his love for people.

He was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, encouraging his family to love Jesus and love each other and always strive to be the best they could be.

He is survived by his four children, Melody Allen Lark (Sam) of Pickens, Dr. Merrie Allen Johnson of Garner, N.C., Rev. Scott Allen (Martine) of Simpsonville and Rev. Chris Allen of Wake Forest, N.C.; six grandchildren, Lindsay Lark Jackman (Chris) of Greenville, Ashley Lark Heath of Pickens, Mac Johnson (Grace) of Nashville, Tenn., Murphy Johnson (Claire) of Minneapolis, Minn. and Emily and Molly Allen; and five great-grandchildren, Malachi, Rosie, Noah, Larkyn and Dax. He is survived by his sisters, Martha Allen Daugherty and Patricia Sorrells Easom.

He was predeceased by his parents and three brothers, Lee Allen, Clark Allen and Henry Sorrells.

The family would like to offer sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Manna Healthcare for the love and care they provided during the final year of his life.

A celebration of life service was held at Easley First Baptist Church in Easley on March 29. The graveside service at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens was private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to his last pastorate, Prater’s Creek Baptist Church, 621 Praters Creek Road, Pickens, SC 29671 or to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at sebts.edu/give.

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

 

JACOB FORD BROOKS

LIBERTY — With broken hearts we announce Jacob Ford Brooks, 37, of Liberty passed away peacefully on March 17, 2022.

He was loved by many. He loved hunting, four-wheeling, wakeboarding, fishing and anything outdoors. He fought a courageous cancer battle for many years.

He is survived by his mother, Martha Ford Brooks of Liberty; his father, James Henry Brooks (Kay) of Blue Ridge; daughter, Anna Ryleigh Kate Martin; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by grandparents, John and Viola Ford of Clemson and Henry and Naomi Brooks of Columbia; and his brother, Jeremy James Brooks.

A celebration of life service was held on March 26 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens. A private family burial will take place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jacob’s honor can be made to the Pickens County Humane Society, 500 Five Forks Road, Liberty, SC or to Pickens Presbyterian Church, 311 W. Main St., Pickens, SC 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Brooks family.

 

RICHARD CHARLES ‘BIG PAPA’ RAMPEY

NORRIS — Richard Charles Rampey, 60, husband of 42 years to Tammi Chandler Rampey (Nene), passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Thomson Health and Rehab in Thomson, Ga.

A native of Pickens County, Big Papa was born on May 13, 1961, to the late Charles Thomas and Hazel Pilgrim Rampey. He was a graduate of Liberty High School and formerly worked as a park ranger at Mile Creek County Park, but Big Papa’s greatest job was being the best husband, daddy, papa, brother and friend. He loved dirt track racing, four wheeling, motorcycles, tinkering and his family. Big Papa’s heart had no bounds.

In addition to his wife, Tammi Rampey, Big Papa is survived by his children, Beth Slater (Ben) and Brandon Rampey; his grandchildren, Allie, Adam, Kaylie, Rylen, Ethan, Brayden, Brianna and Bryson; his sister, Darlene Nix (Cliff); sister-in-law, Terri Perry (Donnie); and numerous other family members and friends.

Mr. Rampey was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Pat Rampey.

Flowers will be accepted.

A celebration of Big Papa’s life was held on March 29 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Rampey Family.

 

 

STAN WILSON

 

EASLEY — Stan Wilson, 71, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 25, 2022, after a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Wilson was born in Greenville and lived in Easley. He worked for Michelin Tire Corp. for more than 37 years. Stan was a member of the Korean Free Presbyterian Church for more than 15 years. He served in the United States Army and achieved the rank of Specialist 2nd class for Air Defense Artillery. Mr. Wilson was a kind, hardworking man, who would always help anyone who needed him. Friendly and fun, he was a pleasure to be around. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Stan is survived by his wife, Yun Wilson of Easley; one sister, Sybil Holder (widowed) of Lyman; one brother, Tony Wilson (Ann) of Lyman; two children, Michelle Ware (David) of Dayton, Ohio, and Timmothy Wilson (Dawn) of Easley; seven grandchildren, William E. Wilson (fiancé Ashley Hylton) of Easley, Reanna Wilson (fiancé Will Maddrey) of Easley, Dalton Wilson of Easley and Tyson Ware (McKenzie), Ashley Ware, Tyler Ware (Rachelle) and Alyssa Ware, all of Dayton, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother, Nellie A. Orr; father, William A. Wilson; and two brothers, Butch Scott and Gary Wilson.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. March 30 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 2-2:45 p.m., prior to the service, at Dillard Funeral Home.

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

 

RICHARD ‘BRUCE’ DAPPER

WALHALLA — Richard Bruce Dapper, 65, went on to his heavenly home on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

A native of Pickens County, Bruce was born on June 3, 1956. Bruce was a graduate of the Easley High School class of 1974. He was a member of Geer Memorial Baptist Church and was a longtime resident of West End Retirement, where he was a favorite of everyone who worked there. Bruce loved reading books and was a prayer warrior and Easley High School football enthusiast.

Survivors include Mr. Dapper’s foster family, Kenneth Chambers, Francine and Rufus Revis, Gene Holiday and Amber and Alex Owens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bruce’s honor to the Easley High School football program.

The family will be hosting a celebration of life for Bruce on Friday, April 1, at Geer Memorial Baptist Church, located at 911 S. 5th St., Easley, SC 29640 at 5 p.m.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Dapper Family.

 

LILLIAN ‘BILL’ ODOM

LIBERTY — Lillian Cooper Odom, 94, widow of W.G. “Bill” Odom, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Clemson Heritage Assisted Living.

Born in Liberty, she was a daughter of the late Jeff and Viola Alexander Cooper.

Lillian worked in the medical field for more than 50 years, having worked for Dr. Prue Swords and later Dr. Jake Holcombe, where she retired.

She was a longtime member of Calumet Baptist Church.

Surviving are two sisters, Shelba Owen (Herschel) and Faye Suddeth (Randall), both of Liberty. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Jeffie Jones, Ophelia “Johnny” Cooper, Gladys Johnson and Betty Bowman; three brothers, Lloyd “Buck” Cooper, Robert “Bob” Cooper and Floyd Cooper.

The family will be at their respective homes.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff of Clemson Heritage and Providence Care Hospice for their excellent care of Lillian during her time there.

Funeral services to honor Mrs. Odom’s life were conducted on March 28 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Liberty Memorial Gardens. A livestream of the service will be available by visiting her obituary page at libertymortuary.com.

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

 

SUE HAMLIN AULL

GREENVILLE — Sue Hamlin Aull, 81, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Margie Ellenburg Hamlin.

Sue received her degree from Carson-Newman University and later worked as a benefits counselor with the South Carolina Retirement System. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbia and later attended Easley First Baptist Church.

Sue is survived by a daughter, Alison Long (Robert) of Greenville; and sisters, Betty Hardy of Blythewood and Maxine Kelly of Winston-Salem, N.C.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Curt Hamlin; and a sister, Nell Whitlock.

Funeral services were held on March 27 at the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home, Downtown. Burial followed at Flat Rock Baptist Church cemetery in Liberty.

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

 

EMILY DIANNE TURNER

EASLEY — Emily Dianne Turner, 24, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 20, 2022.

Born in Pickens County, Emily was a graduate of Easley High School, a homemaker and a member of Easley First Baptist Church. She loved the beach and helping her mother arrange flowers in her floral shop, but her greatest love was for her babies and family. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving, in addition to her mom and dad, Kim and Toney Chastain of Easley, and her father, Samuel Turner of Easley, are her sons, Ryder and Brody; her daughter, Peyton; her brother, Cody Turner (Jennifer) of Easley; her niece, Allie Turner; and her grandparents, Charles and Dianne Gillespie of Easley and Ronnie and Jeanette Sexton of Liberty.

She was predeceased by grandparents, Billy and Becky Aiken.

The family received friends on March 25 in the narthex of Easley First Baptist Church.

Funeral services followed on Friday in the church sanctuary. Burial followed at the Flat Rock Baptist Church cemetery.

The family is at the home of her mom and dad, Kim and Toney Chastain.

Flowers will be accepted, and memorials may be made to the Easley First Baptist Church Generations to Come, 300 E. 1st. Ave., Easley, SC 29640.

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