FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT CATRON

EASLEY — Franklin Roosevelt Catron, 89 husband of Patricia Russell, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Mr. Catron was born on Aug. 22, 1933, in Grundy, Va., to the late John W. and Hattie Catron. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

In addition to his loving wife of 25 years, Mr. Catron is survived by three stepsons, Kessler “KJ” Russell of Richlands, Va., James Russell (Kathryn) of Easley and Joe Russell of Bristol, Va.; five grandchildren, Travis Russell, Amber Brown, Aaron Russell, Houston Huggins III and Chase Russell; and two great-grandchildren, Annley Brown and Gray Russell.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John W. Catron, Bruce Catron and Bice Catron; and one sister, Pearl McCay.

Palmetto Cremation Service is handling arrangements.

JAMES WORTH  ‘JAY’ PENCE JR.

James “Jay” Worth Pence Jr., 93, a community leader and volunteer for many organizations in the Upstate, died on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his home in Pickens.

Dr. Pence was born on Dec. 10, 1929, in Staunton, Va. His mother, Louise Whissen Pence, was a high school teacher, and his father, James Worth Pence, was a headmaster at Staunton Military Academy. Dr. Pence attended Davidson College and graduated from the University of Virginia, where he was Phi Beta Kappa and a top debater. He received masters and doctoral degrees at Cornell University.

He was a faculty member at Virginia Military Institute from 1956 to 1966.

In 1966, he joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he led the effort to create the Speech Communications Department, serving as the initial interim department chair. He retired as a full professor in 1994.

After Dr. Pence’s retirement, he and his wife, Dorothy, moved to Mrs. Pence’s family home in Pickens and together