Obituary Archives Week of February 11, 2004 ELDER DIANE LOIS BUFFORD ALAN GENTRY OWENS DORTHA CAMPBELL WANDA STEPHENS DAVIS JEWELL BRYSON SARA B. ROGERS VERA DILTZ RUTH WHITT FURMAN S. CASH MARY ELIZABETH BARKSDALE CARL E. PATTERSON RUBY MOORE BOBBIE NABORS FRANCES MITCHELL WILLIE LUCILLE MCDOWELL FRANCES H. COBB DANIEL L. MARTIN SR. CURTIS SIMS CURTIS SIMS Curtis Eugene Sims, 76, of Fountain Inn, died Feb. 3, 2004 at Greenville Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Betty Mahaffey Simms, and was the son of the late Ja Rue and Virginia Pressley Sims. He was a member of the Lebanon Methodist Church. Surviving are a daughter, Cathy Fisher of Belton; three sisters, Helen Storay of Fountain Inn, Betty Yeargin of Powdersville and Linda Martin of Pelzer; three brothers, Bobby Frank and Jimmy Sims, all of Fountain Inn; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held Feb. 5 in the Cannon Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. DANIEL L. MARTIN SR. Daniel Lee Martin, Sr., 61, of Anderson, died Jan. 31, 2004. He was born in Independence, VA, the son of the late Isaac Koontz and Mary Violet Norton Martin. He served in the U.S. Air Force and retired as an insurance salesman and district manager. He attended Greenville First Church of Nazarene. Surviving are three sons, Terry L. Martin of Piedmont; Jeffrey Martin of Hartwell, GA, and Daniel L. Martin, Jr. of Pope Air Force Base, Fayetteville, NC, and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held Feb. 7 at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel. FRANCES H. COBB Frances Hansford Cobb, 78, of Belton, died Feb. 4, 2004. Born in Georgia, she was a daughter of the late James and Evelyn Elgin Hansford. She retired from St. Francis Hospital where she was a nurse and was a Baptist. Surviving are sons, Darryl Patrick “Red” Cobb of Pelzer, Harry Lee Cobb of Greenville; sister, Lois Strickland of Belton; brother, Leonard Hansford of Tennessee; and two grandchildren. No services are planned at this time. Gray Mortuary, Pelzer in charge of arrangements. WILLIE LUCILLE McDOWELL Willie Lucille McDowell, 80, of Piedmont, died Feb. 5, 2004. Born in Cayce, she was a daughter of the late Victor Rutledge and Mary Elizabeth Rabb Truesdale, and was the widow of Joseph Alexander McDowell. She was a homemaker and was of the Methodist faith. Surviving are three daughters, Linda Smith, Vickie Cipully and Lucy Handback; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Margaret Winstead. Graveside services were held Feb. 7 at Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia. FRANCES MITCHELL Mary Frances Garrison Mitchell, 75, of Piedmont, wife of John Rudolph Mitchell, died Feb. 6, 2004 at Laurel Baye Health Care of Greenville. Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late Cecil Eugene and Nellie Mae Crews Garrison. She was a homemaker and a member of Piedmont Church of God of Prophecy. Surviving are her husband; daughter, Rachel Yvonne Dickson of Piedmont; son, David Mitchell of Greenville; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Feb. 9 at Gray Mortuary Chapel, Pelzer. Burial followed in Greenville Memorial Gardens. BOBBIE NABORS Barbara Ann Atkins Nabors, 69, of Williamston, died Feb. 7, 2004. Born in Iva, she was a retired seamstress and was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are three sons, James A. Nabors of Pelzer, Walther G. Nabors of Williamston, and Randall E. Nabors of Williamston; two daughters, Susie Knight of Laurens and Cindy Tutton of Ware Shoals; one brother, Alex E. Atkins of Theodore, AL; 7 grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. She was the daughter of the late Alex and Geneva Brewer Atkins. Graveside services were held Feb. 10 at the Williamston City Cemetery. Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel was in charge of arrangements. RUBY MOORE Ruby Steele Robinson Moore, 69, of Williamston, widow of James Allen Moore, died at her home. Born in Pelzer, she was a daughter of the late Rawl R. and Mabel Wright Robinson, formerly employed at Union Carbide and a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Surviving are daughter, Teresa Gilbert of West Pelzer; step-daughter, Gloria Emory of Spartanburg; step son Robert Moore of Mauldin; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one step great-grandchild. Funeral services were held Feb. 10 at Gray Mortuary Chapel. Burial followed in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 13027 Hwy. 20, Belton, SC 29627. CARL E. ‘CURLEY’ PATTERSON Carl Edward “Curley” Patterson, 61, of Liberty, died Feb. 7, 2004 at Palmetto Health Baptist Easley. Born in Pickens County, he was a son of the late Earl Jackson and Margaret Finley Patterson. He was a painter and a member of Rice’s Creek Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Evelyn Brooks Patterson of the home; two sons, Donnie Edward Patterson of Pickens and Chadwick Shane Patterson of the home; two daughters, Tammy Patterson Cisson and Ginger Patterson Scott, both of Liberty; two brothers, Johnny B. Patterson of Pickens and William Patterson of Pelzer; a sister, Geneva Patterson Gilstrap of Six Mile; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services were held Feb. 10 at Rice’s Creek Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery. MARY ELIZABETH BARKSDALE Mary Elizabeth Barksdale, of Greenville, died Feb. 4, 2004 at Greenville Memorial Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Elizabeth Floyd. She was a retired teacher’s aide who taught at Hollis Center. Survivors include; five daughters, Sherita Ramsey and Pamela Shelton of Mauldin and Adrienne Floyd, Cynthia Barksdale and Angela Barksdale, all of Greenville; sons, Pastor Johnny Floyd of Piedmont and Kelvin Barksdale of Greenville; a brother, Edward Floyd of Greenville; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Feb. 10 at Mountain View Baptist Church. Burial followed in Resthaven Memorial Gardens. FURMAN S. CASH Furman S. Cash, 84, of Piedmont, died Feb. 6, 2004 at St. Francis Hospital. He was born to the late Lettie and Tolley C. Cash of Chesnee. He was a veteran of the United States Army and retired from The Greenville News. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Hilda A. Cash of Piedmont; three daughters, Janis Raines of Athens, GA, Faye Johnson of Piedmont and Kay Blevins of Covington, GA; a son, D. Ray Cash of Greenville; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lilla Ree Gossett of Spartanburg and Mamie Lee Mills of Chesnee; and one brother, the Rev. Huford Cash of Piedmont. Funeral services were held Feb. 9 at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Graveside services followed in Graceland East Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Ministries of Tabernacle Baptist Church, 3931 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611. RUTH WHITT Ruth Hammond Whitt, 82, of Easley, died Feb. 5, 2004 at Palmetto Health Baptist Easley. Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late James and Laura Woodring Hammond. She retired from International Paper Co. and was a charter member of Brushy Creek Baptist Church. Surviving are a son, Raymond R. Whitt, Jr. of Gastonia, NC; two daughters, Margaret Whitt and Mary Whitt Lollis , both of Easley; three sisters, Dot Stephens of Anderson, Edna Rogers of Williamston and Nellie Mae Bryson of Piedmont; and two grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Raymond R. Whitt, Sr. Funeral services were held Feb. 7 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Keenagers Senior Adult Fund, Brushy Creek Baptist Church, 100 Clay St., Easley, SC 29642. VERA DILTZ Vera Lucinda Davis Kennard Diltz, 91, of Magnolias of Anderson, died Feb. 7, 2004, at Anderson Area Medical Center. Born in Johnson County, IA, she was a farmer and a member of the University Baptist Church in Iowa City, Iowa. Surviving are son, Frank Glenn Kennard of Townville; daughters, Linda Mae Kinnard Gilliam of Piedmont and Vera Louise Diltz Russell of Williamston; brother, Bill Davis of Parnell, IA; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was the widow of Everett Diltz and the daughter of the late William Davis and Lucy Ellen Benshoof Davis. Funeral services were held Feb. 9  at The McDougald Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Oakway Wesleyan Church cemetery, Oakway. SARA B. ROGERS August 30, 1915 - February 8, 2004 Sara Branyon Rogers, 88, of 2311 Easley Highway, Piedmont, died Sunday, February 8, 2004 at her home. Born near Honea Path, she was the daughter of the late John Elmer Branyon and Sallie Shirley Branyon. She was graduated cum laude from Erskine College in 1937. She received her Master of Arts from Furman University in 1959. Mrs. Rogers was a respected and dedicated teacher and guidance counselor during her career of forty years in South Carolina public schools. She taught in Antreville, Belton, and at Palmetto High School from its establishment in 1953 until her retirement in 1980. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society of women educators. She was a member of the Young Memorial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Anderson. She was a member of the Business Women’s Circle at the church and was a recipient of the Flora Halliday leadership award from the church. She was also a member of the DAR. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Ruth Rogers of Los Angeles, California; daughter, Sara Shirley Rogers and son-in-law, Ronald C. Fulmer, Sr., of Columbia, South Carolina; grandson, Lt. Shawn T. Dewey, U.S. Navy, and granddaughter-in-law, Erica W. Dewey of San Diego, California; grandson, Noah K. Dewey of Los Angeles, California; and great-grandsons, Cole Jacob Dewey and Kyle Cain Erwin of San Diego, California. She is also survived by her brother, William E. Branyon, and sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Branyon of Landrum, South Carolina. Mrs. Rogers was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Jacob W. Rogers; her sister, Ruth E. Branyon; and her brothers, James N. Branyon and Lt. Albert R. Branyon, U.S. Army. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at Young Memorial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 508 Boulevard, Anderson. The family received friends at the church following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Erskine College, P.O. Box 338, Due West, South Carolina 29639, for the Jake and Sara Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund. This needs-based scholarship fund for Erskine athletes was established as a tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers’ lifelong dedication to education and their belief in the importance of sports in educating young people. JEWELL BRYSON Herbert Jewell Bryson, 76, of Piedmont, husband of Ruby Allison Bryson, died Feb. 8, 2004 at Hospice House of Anderson. Born in Piedmont, he was a son of the late Bill W. Bryson and Alma Patton Williams. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired from J. P. Stevens. Surviving are his wife of the home; daughters, Sandra Gail Bridges of Williamston, Wanda Dale Ambrose of Belton, Susan Bryson of the home, Jackie Boswell, Rebecca Watson, both of Piedmont; brothers, Richard Bryson of Savannah, GA, Willie Bryson of Reidsville, GA; sisters, Callie Mitchell, Ila Mae Smith, Edna Joe Williams, all of Piedmont; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at Gray Mortuary Chapel, Pelzer. WANDA STEPHENS DAVIS Wanda Stephens Davis, 45, of Easley, died Feb. 8, 2004. She was the wife of Johnny L. Davis of Kershaw, and was the daughter of Patsy Vinson Stephens of Easley and Jack K. Stephens of Piedmont. She was an employee of McKechnie Plastic Components and was of the Holiness Faith. In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by two sisters, Rebecca Stephens Vickery of Easley and Dolly Stephens Bishop of Piedmont Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery. DORTHA CAMPBELL Dortha Ruth Howard Campbell, 60, of Anderson, died Feb. 7, 2004 at Anderson Area Medical Center. Born in Anderson, she attended Wilson Calvary Baptist Church. Surviving are daughter, Vernelle Fleming of Detroit; sons, Vincent and Kevin Edwards, both of Anderson; brother, Rufus Howard Jr. of Williamston and two grandchildren. She was the daughter of the late Rufus and Ruby Nelson Howard. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 12 at Wilson Calvary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in New Hope Baptist Church cemetery in Belton. Marcus D. Brown Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements. ALAN GENTRY OWENS Alan Gentry Owens, 43, of Piedmont, died Feb. 8, 2004 at Westside Nursing Center. He was the husband of Lisa Owens, and was the son of Joel Owens of Greenville and the late Linda Carol Allen Owens. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Cassandra Marie Owens of the home; and a brother, Joel Derrick Owens of Greenville. He was an associate of Focus Golf Systems and was a member of Oak Crest Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held Feb. 13 at the Tabernacle of Faith, Oil Mill Road, Piedmont. ELDER DIANE LOIS BUFFORD Elder Diane Lois Bufford, of Greenville, died Feb. 8, 2004 at her home. Born in Buffalo, NY, she was a daughter of the late Eugene Monroe and Lois Anderson Lucas, and the Rev. James and Apostle Bertha Terry. She was an associate minister and first lady of God’s Chosen Assembly Church. She is survived by her husband, Pastor Bruce Bufford Sr. of the home; her extended parents, The Rev. James and Apostle Bertha Terry of Piedmont; four children, Dawn Nicole Terry, Bruce Bufford Jr., Brian Shawn Bufford I, and Marguerite Chandler, all of Piedmont; a sister, Jessie Thompson of Greenville; three brothers, Willie McCrary, of San Francisco, CA, Cory Terry and Cedric Terry of Piedmont; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 12 at God’s Chosen Assembly Church. Burial will follow in Greenville Memorial Gardens.