Greer Obituaries = Veteran

Clyde Allen McKinney

Location: Greenville

October 27, 2022 - Clyde Allen McKinney, 88, of Greenville, S.C., entered into the presence of the Lord on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

He was a native of Greenville, S.C., and son of the late John Avery McKinney and Cornelia Lee Webster McKinney. Clyde graduated from Parker High School in 1955.

He served in the United States Army from 1957 - 1963 serving in Engineer Equipment Maintenance and was stationed in Korea during his time of service.

He was an employee of Barker Controls for over 50 years. His main position was a Mechanical Counter Technician on counters for the textile industry. Clyde repaired and made modifications to counters for different applications. Other responsibilities included lathe work to make parts for the modifications. He fully retired on October 17, 2017.

Clyde loved Jesus and was a shining light wherever he went. He used his beautiful tenor voice to sing praises unto the Lord and to witness to others about God?s eternal love. He served as deacon, Sunday School Director, teacher, choir member and many other areas of service.

He was a member of Mountain Creek Baptist Church. He never met a stranger and to know him was to love him. Clyde was committed to family in every way.

He enjoyed camping, golfing, softball, yard work, tomato gardening, and feeding birds. His only enemies were the squirrels who forced him to use both his energy and ingenuity to outfox, or "out squirrel," them by employing radical modifications on his feeders.

View full details >>

James Ervin Bryant

Location: Taylors

October 30, 2022 - James Ervin Bryant, 82, passed away October 30, 2022.

A native of Greenville County, the son of late Landis Bryant and the late Lettie Mae Southern Bryant Moore, he was a self-employed logger, of the Christian faith, and a loving uncle.

View full details >>

Rev. Dr. Thomas "Tom" Esse Burns

Location: Greer, SC

October 31, 2022 - Reverend Doctor Thomas Esse Burns of Greer went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 31, 2022.

Born in Greenville on October 26, 1950, he was the son of James Edward and Doris Bridwell Burns.

After completing his naval active duty, Dr. Burns graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1975, from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1978, and received his doctorate in Worship Studies in 2003.

He served in various churches in South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina in such capacities as Youth Pastor, Minister of Music, Minister to Senior Adults and retired as worship pastor and Administrator from Fairview Baptist Church in Greer in 2017 having served there for 28 years.

He fulfilled a lifelong dream by being an adjunct professor at North Greenville
University for some 12 years. His passion in life was leading, guiding, and teaching others how to worship and praise Jesus Christ.

View full details >>

Stephen Johnson

Location: Greer, SC

October 28, 2022 - Stephen "Steve" Lamar Johnson, 72, passed October 28, 2022.

Born and grew up in Jacksonville, Ala.,, son of the late James Clayton and Pauline Angel Johnson, he was a graduate of Auburn University and an avid Auburn fan.

After graduation, he relocated to Wilmington, N.C., and then to Greer, S.C. Steve retired from Sealed Air after 40 plus years as Global Engineering Director.

He attended Abner Creek Baptist Church and served as the Treasurer of the church.

As a faithful servant to the Lord in many ways, others have been influenced by his leadership, mentorship, admirable qualities and most of all, his Godly example. We have peace knowing he is with the Lord.

View full details >>

Martha Boggs Hammond

Location: Greer, SC

October 30, 2022 - Martha Beggs Hammond, 88, of Greer, died peacefully on October 30, 2022.

She was born on August 8,1934 in Elberton, Ga., to the late Robert Elzie Beggs Jr. and Aurie Dickerson Beggs.

Martha was a retired school cafeteria manager and was known for her homestyle meals that she provided out of love to thousands of students over many years at Woodland Elementary School in Greer.

She was also a faithful volunteer for Greer Community Ministries' Meals on Wheels and the Greenville Hospital System (Allen Bennett Hospital and Greer Memorial Hospital).

Her Christian love was felt by all who were in her presence, and by all the people she so tirelessly served her entire life.

She was a devoted member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Greer, where she took much pride in singing in the Choir, faithfully attending Sunday School class, and she graciously volunteered her talents to countless church committees and activities. She joyfully seized every opportunity to go to church.

She was an avid reader and took pride in saying that her favorite book was her Bible.

Martha loved her family, and many memories were made around her dinner table where the meals she prepared were always at the center of family get-togethers.

She also loved the beauty of nature, feeding and watching birds in her backyard, gardening, and growing all types of colorful flowers. She enjoyed sewing and knitting, and she regularly gave away her creations to others as a labor of love.

View full details >>

William Harry "Papa" Smith

Location: Greer, SC
October 28, 2022 - William Harry "Papa" Smith, 95, husband of the late Bonnie Miller Smith, passed away October 28, 2022.

A native of Spartanburg County, son of the late William Troy and Mellie Dillard Smith, he was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, a retired welder and pipefitter from B.F. Shaw in Laurens, S.C, and was of the Baptist faith.

View full details >>

Robin Dunn Johnson

Location: Taylors

October 27, 2022 - On October 27, 2022, Robin Dunn Johnson entered her heavenly home. Robin, 63, was the beloved wife of J. Michael Johnson.

Robin was the daughter of the late William A. and Elizabeth Johnson Dunn. She leaves behind her loving husband, J. Michael Johnson; her brother, Clarence Richard Lane (Emily); and three nieces.

Robin held her many friends near to her heart and considered them to be her extended family. Her life was rich with friendships around the globe. Those left behind to mourn her profound loss are too abundant to list.

Robin was the president of Johnson Accounting and was a Six Sigma black belt.

She was passionate about her work and committed to her numerous clients during her many years as an accountant. Robin was a graduate of Furman University and held an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Robin possessed a true servant's heart. No organization was more familiar with this than the Greer Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Robin provided over 40 years of service as a devoted member. As such, she was truly dedicated to charity and loving kindness by uplifting others through service in her community.

Robin's favorite way to greet a friend was with a smile and a jovial "Hey there, sweetie!" Kindness radiated from her.

Anyone who knew her could be sure they had someone to call if ever they were in need. She was not one to ever miss an event that was special to someone she loved, no matter how small.

She and J. Michael were always present to show their love and support to those who meant the most to them, often going out of their way to do so. Robin held weekly Sunday night dinner at her home with an open invitation extended to anyone interested in joining.

Robin felt that when you were able to share, you should simply build a larger table. This was never more apparent than on Easter Sundays, Thanksgivings and Christmases. Her door was open and everyone she knew was always welcome.

Her loving spirit served as the building block to many mutual friendships over her lifetime and because of that she will live on in the hearts of all of those that loved her.

View full details >>

William Frank Hawkins

Location: Taylors
October 23, 2022 - William Frank Hawkins, 82, passed away October 23, 2022.

A native of Spartanburg County, son of the late Harley Houston and Goldie
Mae Hoover Hawkins, he was a United States Army Veteran, a former gunsmith,
worked in construction, painting, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a member
of Washington Baptist Church.

View full details >>

Jessie Katherine Mahaffey Leonard

Location: Greer, SC

October 21, 2022 - Jessie Katherine Mahaffey Leonard, 81, widow of Robert Dean Leonard, passed away October 21, 2022.

A native of Spartanburg County, a daughter of the late Horace and Eva Hamby Mahaffey; she was a former employee of Stone Manufacturing and member of Bellview Baptist Church.

View full details >>

Marion Fitts

Location: Greer, SC

October 20, 2022 - Marion "Olin" Fitts, 87, passed away at home on October 20, 2022.

A native of Greer, a son of the late Marion Henry and Ruby Marcelle Farmer Fitts; he was a U.S. Army Veteran; farmer and a charter member of Northwood Baptist Church.

View full details >>

Dennis Bernard Dempsey, Sr.

Location: Taylors

October 17, 2022 - Dennis Bernard Dempsey, Sr., 74, passed away October 17, 2022.

A native of Spartanburg, son of the late Dean Daniel and Marie Burnett Dempsey, he was the owner of Dempsey's Lawn Service and member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church.

View full details >>

Rev. John Terrell Rush

Location: Greer, SC

October 15, 2022 - John Terrell Rush, 83, passed away on October 15, 2022 at his home in Greer, South Carolina surrounded by his family.

He was born on June 2, 1939 in Europa, Mississippi to James Reese and Mary Bernice Rush.

John graduated with a BA from Millsaps College, and then earned a Masters of Divinity from Duke University.

He served in the South Carolina Methodist Conference beginning in 1966, and was a minister at Greer United Methodist Church for nine years where, after retirement, he was awarded with the honorific Minister Emeritus.

View full details >>

Eric Scott "Scottie" Dimsdale

Location: Simpsonville

October 12, 2022 - 'Eric Scott "Scottie" Dimsdale, 57, passed away October 12, 2022.

A native of Greenville County, son of the late Hubert Lee and Nancy Ann Garrett Dimsdale, he attended Holly Ridge Baptist Church and was an avid Clemson fan.

View full details >>

Joshua Dean Strange

Location: Greer, SC

October 11, 2022 - Joshua "Josh" Dean Strange, 44, passed away October 11, 2022.

A native of Greer, son of Tonya Jones Strange of Greer and the late Woodrow "Woody" Dean Strange, he was an employee of M & M HVAC Services and of the Baptist faith.

View full details >>

Thomas Francis Gillispie

Location: Inman

October 9, 2022 - Thomas Francis Gillispie, 63, passed away October 9, 2022.

A native of Indiana, son of the late Thomas Francis and Martha Gillispie, he was an employee of George's Truck Repair and of the Christian Faith.

View full details >>

Bowen James Blackwell

Location: Lyman

October 11, 2022 - Bowen James Blackwell, 4, passed away October 11, 2022.

A native of Lyman, he was a son of Stephen Wade and Anissa Maria Looney Blackwell of Lyman, who attended Lyman First Baptist Church.

View full details >>

Howard Lamar Searcy

Location: Greer, SC
October 7, 2022 - Howard Lamar Searcy, 67, passed away October 7, 2022.

A native of Greer, South Carolina, son of the late Howard and Annie Lucille
Howard Searcy, he was self-employed.

View full details >>

Jack David Rogers

Location: Greer, SC

October 3, 2022 - Jack David Rogers, 71, passed away October 3, 2022.

A native of Spartanburg County, son of the late Paul C. and Hazel Smith Rogers, he was a graduate of Greer High School Class of 1969, a retired employee of Spring Masters after 30 years of service, and a member of Pelham First Baptist Church.

View full details >>

Cecil Buford Thackston

Location: Woodruff

October 3, 2022 - Cecil Buford Thackston, 92, passed from this life following a brief illness October 3, 2022, surrounded by family and dear friends at his home, 175 McSandco Road, Woodruff, SC 29388.

Cecil was born January 2,1930 as the last child of 10 born to Seaborn E. and Stella Owings Thackston in Laurens County.

He was a United States Army Veteran, having served in the Korean War and in Germany.

After his return to his hometown area, he met and married Jerelyn Westmoreland, who predeceased him in 2001. They had twin sons, Terry Cecil, and Tony Burl Thackston born August 27, 1958. Terry predeceased his father in 2011.

They lived in Greer for many years where Cecil began an automotive business, Thackston's Garage which he ran successfully for many decades before retiring and moving back to the banks of the river in the area where he grew up between Fountain Inn and Woodruff.

View full details >>

BROWSE OBITUARY ARCHIVE

GREER CALENDAR

View All Events

Greer Obituaries = Veteran

Clyde Allen McKinney

James Ervin Bryant

Rev. Dr. Thomas "Tom" Esse Burns

Stephen Johnson

Martha Boggs Hammond

William Harry "Papa" Smith

Robin Dunn Johnson

William Frank Hawkins

Jessie Katherine Mahaffey Leonard

Marion Fitts

Dennis Bernard Dempsey, Sr.

Rev. John Terrell Rush

Eric Scott "Scottie" Dimsdale

Joshua Dean Strange

Thomas Francis Gillispie

Bowen James Blackwell

Howard Lamar Searcy

Jack David Rogers

Cecil Buford Thackston

BROWSE OBITUARY ARCHIVE

GREER CALENDAR

SECTIONS

COMMUNITY

SPONSORS

NETWORK