The Kennedy Mortuary

Shirley Keller Slay, age 88, of Laurens and wife of the late William Fate Slay, passed away on Monday, January 2, 2022, at Hospice of Laurens County's Hospice House. The family will receive friends at The Kennedy Mortuary from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, January 13, 2023. The family will also receive friends on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Rabun Creek Baptist Church followed by a memorial service at Noon, conducted by Rev. Jayson Payne, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rabun Creek Baptist Church, 17045 SC HWY 101, Gray Court, SC 29645 or to Hospice of Laurens County, PO Box 178, Clinton, SC...

Bennie Dewey Price Laurens Bennie Dewey Price, age 83, of Laurens, and husband of Sylvia Lytle Price, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, at his home. Born in Madison County, NC, he was the son of the late Floyd Joseph and Effie Mae Worley Price. Bennie was a member of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church. He retired from A & P Grocery Store and in retirement worked for Merita Bread and Frito-Lay. Bennie loved fishing and Nascar Racing. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Debbie Simpson (Steve) of Laurens; grandchildren, Randy Price, Jr. (Karrie), Davis Simpson, and Sara Price; great-grandchild, Clayton; and step great- grandchildren, Dylan and Chase. In addition...

Charles Metz Laurens Charles Metz, age 84, of Laurens, and husband of the late Phyllis Anne Sutherland Metz for 58 years, passed away Monday, December 5, 2022. Charles was born to Mildred Funchess Metz and Jacob Leonard Metz at their home in Lexington, SC. He was a graduate of Lexington High School and USC School of Pharmacy in 1960. He retired in 1998. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at The Kennedy Mortuary Chapel with burial following in Westview Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the mortuary one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boys Farm, PO Box 713, Newberry, SC...

Macy Jordan Sweatman , 27, of North Charleston, SC Monday November 7. The Kennedy Mortuary & Crematory, Laurens, SC.

Dwight Blaine Henderson Laurens, SC Dwight Blaine Henderson, age 85, formerly of Cartersville, GA, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, SC. He was born in Chesnee, SC on February 7, 1937, and was the son of the late Horace Britton Henderson and Enid Jurene Henderson. He was a 1961 graduate of Clemson A & M College. He spent the bulk of his working career in the textile industry as a manager for World Carpets and Shaw Industries. He had a love for antique cars and was very proud of his 1963 Buick Electra convertible, which he restored himself. He is survived by his sons, David Henderson (Lynn) of Douglasville, GA and Jon Henderson...

Donald A. Bryson, Sr., 88, formerly of Liberty Twp. Passed away at NHC Laurens in Laurens, SC after a lengthy illness. Mr. Bryson was born in Struthers, Ohio on Oct. 15, 1934 the son of Lloyd and Catherine Stiles Bryson. Don spent several years of his childhood in the Oak Ridge, Tennessee area which he loved and returned to often later in life. He attended Youngstown College and was an avid YSU and Ohio State Buckeye fan. Don was the advertising director for several companies including Fisher-Fazio in Cleveland, Golden Dawn Foods in Sharon, PA and most recently retired from Gasser Chair Company in Liberty Twp. After retiring, Don and his wife Marianne loved to spend their winters in...

Barbara Beck Culbertson, 76, loving wife of 59 years to Daniel "Danny" Culbertson went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 8, 2022, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Laurens, she was the daughter of the late M.E. "Billy" and Edna Messer Beck. Barbara retired from Monsanto after 34 years of service. A member of Union Baptist Church, she also attended Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church. She was very active in her church having served on the bereavement committee, taught Sunday School, and worked with the youth for many years. She enjoyed serving the God she loved. Her favorite times were cooking and baking for family and friends and was especially known...

Sherry Parker Wilson, age 75, of Laurens and wife of Charles Marion Wilson, passed away Friday, July 15, 2022, at Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital surrounded by family. Sherry was born in Little Rock, AR to the late Frank S. and Vonnie Huff Parker. During her childhood years the Parker family moved to Athens, GA where Sherry graduated from Athens High School in 1964. She was a member of the dance flag team and an All-State basketball player inducted into the Athens Area Hall of Fame. After graduating from Anderson College, she transferred to The University of Georgia where she earned her BS and Master's degrees. Sherry enjoyed a rewarding career teaching more than 30 years in...

Linda Joyce "Cookie" Hipp Greenwood Linda Joyce "Cookie" Hipp, age 81, of 116 Orchard Park Drive and widow of Henry Arthur Hipp, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at her home. She was born in LaGrange, Georgia and was a daughter of the late Rufus and Berta Lee Davis Stephens. Retired from Torrington, Cookie was a member of Valley Baptist Church in Valley, Alabama but attended Lucas Avenue Baptist Church in Laurens. She is survived by: a sister Martha Ann Gregory (Steve) of Laurens; nieces, Holly T. Roberts (Chris) of Laurens and Charlene Bricker (Chester) of Fountain Inn; and a special great niece, Adalyn Roberts and many other great nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband,...

Jay Tyler Betette, of Laurens and wife of Phillip A. Betette, entered eternal life, June 16, 2022. She died peacefully in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection, surrounded by family whom she loved and who loved her for more than 60 years. Born at Ft. Benning, GA, on March 15, 1938, she was the daughter of Orville Zelotes and Allison Durkee Tyler. As a child, she traveled widely since her father, a West Point graduate, served in the military for his entire career. Jay graduated from the University of Georgia in 1961 with a B.A. in English and then received her M.Ed. in Speech and Hearing from Emory University in 1962. She married her college sweetheart, Phil, the same year, and they...

Jason Paul Messer aka "Turbo," "Nightrain," and "Uncle J", 42, of Waterloo, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022. Born in Columbus, GA, he was a son of Danny Paul Messer (Margo) of Waterloo and Sherri Padgett Blank (Konrad) of Waterloo. Jason was the Chef at Bermudas at Stoney Point. He loved fishing, playing the drums, reading and was an excellent chef. Jason always loved for people to remember, "Good Thoughts, Good Dreams, and Good News." In addition to his parents, he is survived by: a brother, Corey Messer and his children, Lucas and Finley, all of Moore, SC; paternal grandfather, Freddie Messer (Mary) of Columbus, GA; aunt, Janis Johnson and her son, Elijah both of Boiling Springs;...

Samuel Lee Yeager, 73, of Laurens, SC and husband of Peggy Jean Padgett Yeager, passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022, at his home. Born in Moreland, GA, he was the son of the late Samuel Claude Yeager, Jr. and Lois Spriggs Yeager. Mr. Yeager retired from Georgia Power and from Amerigas; he was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War and he loved his tractor. In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Tony Yeager (Jacque) of Woodland, AL and Mark Yeager (Tammy) of Wedowee, AL; daughter, Marcia Walker of Bowdon, Ga; sisters, Deborah Yeager from Moreland, GA, Barbara O'Connor (Steve) from Newnan, GA and Kathy Drake (Danny) from LaGrange, GA; thirteen grandchildren, nine great...

Virginia Coggins Coleman, age 100, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 2, 2022. She was the widow of Allen Davis Coleman and daughter of Ernest Freeman and Pearl Brockman Coggins. She was also predeceased by her youngest son, Larry Coleman; and her siblings, Eunice Dobson, Edith Phillips, and Brock Coggins. After graduation from Lander College, Virginia taught school in Laurens County for several years. Later she was bookkeeper for Laurens Pasteurizing Plant and was bookkeeper for Piedmont Pulp, Inc. for 22 years before retiring. Virginia was an active member of New Prospect Baptist Church having taught Sunday School and was involved in numerous activities of the church. ...

David Theodore Williamson, 89, passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at his home. Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of the late James Horace and Mattie Mae Perry Williamson. Theodore was member of Rabun Creek Baptist Church, was self-employed and a member of the Lions Club in Honea Path. Surviving are many nieces and nephews whom he loved. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Wallace Williamson, Hubert Williamson, and Marion Williamson; sisters, Katherine Ridgeway and Varenna Dabbs; and long-time companion, Mildred Bolt. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Rabun Creek Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Jayson Payne....

Nancy Bowen Johnson Henderson, age 81, formerly of Cartersville, GA, passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2022, at Martha Franks Retirement Community in Laurens, SC. She was born in Easley, SC on March 2, 1940, and was the daughter of the late Thomas Monroe Johnson and Nan Bowen Johnson. Nancy was a woman of faith and loved her family and her Lord. She is survived by her husband, Dwight Henderson; her sons, David Henderson (Lynn) of Douglasville, GA and Jon Henderson (Kay) of Laurens; her grandchildren, Tyler Henderson, Drew Henderson, Mary Susan H. Fiedler (Gaines) and Matt Henderson; and one great-grandson, Waylon Fiedler. In addition to her parents, Nancy was predeceased by her sister,...

Rosa Jennings Reaves, age 80, and wife of Phillip Eugene Reaves, passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at PRISMA Health Laurens County Memorial Hospital. Born in Monks Corner, SC, she was the daughter of the late John Alvin and Mozelle Edwards Jennings. A member of Rosemont Baptist Church, Rosa retired from Monsanto and was a very loving and caring person. Surviving in addition to her husband are her daughter, Angelia Reaves Pitts of Simpsonville; grandchildren, Tony Salters, and Jessica Whitner (Cedric); and one great-grandchild, Landon Whitner; a niece, Jamie Jennings and nephew, Mark Jennings. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, John Jennings. A memorial...

Thelma Louise Medlock Williams Hickory Tavern Thelma Louise Medlock Williams, 86, of Hickory Tavern and wife of the late James B. Williams passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021, at Magnolia Manor in Greenwood. Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late Lude Odell and Lillie Corene Lollis Medlock. Mrs. Williams was a homemaker and an Avon representative. A former member of Rabun Creek Baptist Church, Thelma was a faithful member of Rosemont Baptist Church in Waterloo. She was a loving mother and grandmother and an avid gardener. She is survived by: a daughter, Deborah Williams Lyons (Richard) of Waterloo; grandchildren, Rick Lyons, Jr. (Amber) of Greenwood, Olivia Littlefield...

Celita Thomas Strickland, 62, wife of Dr. Billy R. Strickland of Laurens, SC passed away Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Hospice of Laurens County Hospice House. Born in Greenwood on April 30, 1959, she was the daughter of Albert and Jean Bagwell Thomas of Ware Shoals. She was a 1977 graduate of Ware Shoals High School and a 1981 graduate of Lander College. She also received a Master's degree from Winthrop University. She was a lifelong educator, starting her career in Chester County Schools and retiring from Laurens School District 55 after a combined 40 years of service. In addition to her parents and husband of 40 years of the home, she is survived by: two sons, Matthew Thomas...

Thomas "Tom" Glenn, formerly of Charlotte, died peacefully at The Lakes of Litchfield on May 5th at the age of 81. He was the son of the late Doris White Glenn and Thomas Walter Glenn, II. Mr. Glenn was born on July 4th, 1939 in Greer, SC and grew up in Laurens, SC where many many long-lasting friendships began. He graduated from Laurens High School in 1957 and then Clemson University in 1961. After graduation he moved to Charlotte, NC where he would meet his future wife Anne "Pokey" Van Every. They were married at Christ Episcopal Church on August 15th, 1964. Tom was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He adored his family and especially being a grandfather to his precious...

Emma Irene Kay Laurens Emma Irene Kay, age 47, of Laurens, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at her home. Born in Anderson, she was a daughter of Linda Faye Standridge Kay and the late Laylon Martin Kay. Emma was affectionately known to be fierce and loving to her family and friends. Surviving in addition to her mother are her daughters, Kimber Spado (Ken Williams) of Anderson and Kayla Spado (Kese) of Anderson; a special friend, Bob Franks; sisters, Linda C. Hawkins (Randy) of McCormick, Brenda Kay Przybyla (Ronald) of Laurens, Judy Kay Davis (Todd) of Williamston, and Donna Lynne Kay of Anderson; grandchildren, Azjiana Lomax, Kenzie, Lilly, Kage "Lil D" Williams and numerous...

Sorrell Eugene "Gene" McDowell Laurens Sorrell Eugene "Gene" McDowell, age 61, of Laurens, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2020, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood. Born in Laurens, he was the son of the late Sorrell and Doris Hughes McDowell. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he was an active member of the Men's Club. Gene loved his church, Twin Palmetto and The Clock. He retired from Bilo with over 35 years of service. Surviving are his aunts and uncles, James A. "Jim" Hughes, Henry Finley (Nell) of Greenwood, Billy McDowell (Sara) of Talladega, AL; and numerous cousins. A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2020, at...