Mr. Bernard Vincent Bray, Jr, 90, husband of Mrs. Mary Tighe Bray, passed away April 14, 2021 surrounded by his family. Born January 1, 1931 in Staten Island, NY, he was the son of the late Bernard Vincent Bray, Sr. and Marion Kubis Bray. Bernard proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He later went on to work for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company where he retired as an Operating Engineer. He and Mary moved from Florida and have made Aiken their home for the past fourteen years. Mr. Bray was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Bernard Vincent Bray, III. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years; his sister, Marilyn Conaty, of Cutchogue, NY; his...

Ruth J. Larkin, age 89, died April 14, 2021, at home. Mrs. Larkin was born September 18, 1931 in Illinois to the late John and Mildred Jennings. She had been a resident of Aiken, SC for over thirty years. She was a member of Aiken's First Baptist Church. She was an avid gardener and talented painter with an affinity for landscapes. Many of her paintings were inspired by her and her husband's travels around the world. Mrs. Larkin's final art exhibition took place in 2011. She also had a strong love for animals. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel C. Larkin; a daughter, Linda Larkin Smith; and a granddaughter, Ashley Smith. Survivors include two...

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of our beloved husband, father, and friend, James Laval Bland, MD, JD, of Aiken, SC on April 13, 2021. We celebrate the monumental impact Dr. Bland's giant heart and caring nature had on his family, friends, and the thousands of patients' lives helped throughout his sixty years of practicing medicine in Aiken, SC. Dr. Bland's passion in life was serving others. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care" was Dr. Bland's core philosophy driving his approach to patient care. This care-first approach in his medical practice is a direct result of the love, caringness, and generosity of how he treated his family...

Dr. James Laval Bland, M.D., J.D., husband of Olivia Cato Bland, peacefully went to live with Jesus on April 13, 2021, at University Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.6496234). Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com

Mrs. Connie Marie Singer, 87, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday evening, April 6, 2021 following an extended illness. Mrs. Singer was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 25, 1933 a daughter of the late Earl Michael & Ada Mae Bircher Stamper. She was a retired manager working in the service industry. She was a parishioner at St. Mary Help of Christians Church. It was Mrs. Singer's request that in an effort to assist young medical students in advancing their medical degrees that her body be donated to the Augusta University Medical College and upon completion of their work that she be interred next to her husband in Calvary Cemetery,...

Bert A Pilz died March 28, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, William P. Biles; his stepfather, Rex A Pilz; and his mother, Eileen S Pilz. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen S Pilz; son Bert A Pilz Jr (B.J.), daughter, Candace Pilz (Mel McClain - deceased), Lexington SC; S. Gary Seigler, whom he raised as a son, Aiken, SC; sister Eudene Rossi, Aiken SC; and four beautiful granddaughters, Brittany Pilz, Charlotte, NC, Lexi Lenarz, Aiken, SC, Payton and Jordan Pilz of North Augusta, SC; and a daughter-in-law Theresa Redd Pilz; three brother-in-laws, Herman and Lester Seigler and William Reynolds; four sister-in-laws, Rebecca (John) Workentine, Charlotte, NC, Sara Blackmon, Rose...

Agnes Nash McGinty, loving knowing as "Skip" & beloved wife of Bernard "Barney" McGinty, 88, a resident of Cumberland Villages, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 21, 2021 following an illness. Born in Amelia County, VA on July 5, 1932, she was the daughter of the late William Henry & Violet Judith Farley Nash. Mrs. McGinty was a retired legal assistant and was a parishioner of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Aiken, SC. Skip was past President of the Duke Campus Club in Durham, NC. and past President of the Catholic Daughters of America in Durham, NC. While her health permitted, she was also active in the Aiken New Comers Club, the Aiken chapter of the Catholic...

Annie Lynne Howell Hawkins, 80, widow of the late James Oliver Hawkins, passed away Saturday evening, March 20, 20219 at the Aiken Regional Medical Facility following an illness. Born in Aiken, SC on March 13, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur Gay and Nora Alice Kibler Howell. Mrs. Hawkins spent 54 years of her life as an educator in Aiken, SC. She spent 36 years at Aiken High School as a mathematics teacher, followed by Aiken Preparatory School and retiring in 2017 from Mead Hall. She was a member of the Aiken Bridge Club. Surviving are a daughter, Brenda Lynne Pou of Aiken; a grandson, Zane Pou of Aiken; a brother, Wilbur Gay "Bill" Howell, Jr. of Aiken and her...

William Mills Hirbe, age 82, entered into rest on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Bill was born in Highland Park, MI, a suburb of Detroit, MI to the late Harry Thomas and Bretna Lang Hirbe and was raised in Norwalk, OH. He joined the Marine Corps after high school and then pursued a 37 year career with Norwalk Furniture Company. Since Bill's father died when he was 8, Jack Gerken became his personal mentor, hiring Bill to fill different positions with Norwalk Furniture. Bill became a Sales Representative then went on to become Vice President of Franchising. When Bill found an interest in something, he studied it, researched it, practiced it and mastered it. He enjoyed his sailboat, Valhalla,...

Tweetie Carolyn Lea Hill, 85, widow of the late Clyde E. Hill passed away peacefully Thursday morning, March 18, 2021 at the Pruitt Health Augusta Hills Nursing Facility following an extended illness. Born on July 30, 1935 she was the daughter of the late Stubo and Mary Elizabeth Daniels Lea. She was a homemaker and was a faithful member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in New Ellenton, SC where she was a devoted member of the adult sanctuary choir as long as her health permitted. Mrs. Hill had a deep love for her church, her church choir, gardening, cooking and especially her grandchildren whom she adored. As her children were growing up, all the other kids around the...

AIKEN, SC: Sandra Jean Bryant, 75, widow of Maurice C. Bryant, Jr., of Aiken, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. Born March 27, 1945 in Carlisle, PA, she was the daughter of the late John Ballentine Cook and Verda Busey Rook. Sandra moved to Aiken in 1966 with her husband, working at Rose's. She left Rose's to raise her children in College Acres while attending night school to obtain her high school diploma. She was a member of South Aiken Presbyterian Church. When her children were grown, she waited tables at Ryan's Family Steakhouse for 20 years until they closed their doors in 2007. She was an avid Elvis fan. Sandra loved cats and Lafayette, Boots...

Mary Jane Mickshaw, 91, of Aiken, widow of Joseph Mickshaw, passed away March 13, 2021 surrounded by the love of her family. Born April 15, 1929 in Pennsylvania, she was the oldest daughter of the late Thomas Allamon and Mildred Duke Allamon. She married Joseph Mickshaw at the First Christian Church in Clarksville PA in 1951. In 1970 after losing her beloved husband Joseph, Jane completed a certificate in computer science while raising two daughters in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved to Orlando, Florida to pursue a position in the radiology department of Florida Hospital. Jane was known as a person who always brought warmth and a smile to co-workers and patients. When not at work she...

Gail Katherine Boyd Gettys, 84, beloved sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Monday morning at The Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, Ga. following an extended illness. Surviving are two sisters, Sherrie B. Stewart of Aiken and Linda B. Rustin of Brunswick, GA The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234) has charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com

Gail Katherine Boyd Gettys, 84, beloved sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Monday morning at The Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, Ga. following an extended illness which she fought with courage and determination until the Lord was ready to call her home. While her family grieves at the temporary separation, they are grateful that her suffering is over, she is made whole and she is with her Heavenly Father and loved ones who went on before her. Born in Augusta, GA on January 29, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Lee Golphin & Katherine Louise King Boyd. Mrs. Gettys was a retired insurance agent and a member of Hollow Creek Baptist...

Fronice Edward Kneece, 81, beloved husband of Carolyn Arthur Kneece passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday evening, March 6, 2021. Born in Windsor, SC on September 11, 1939, he was the son the late Ervin and Viola Bonnette Kneece. He was a retired Maintenance Millright with the Carpenter's Union of New Ellenton and was of the Baptist faith. In addition he was a proud United States Army Veteran. Surviving in addition to his wife are 1 daughter; Delorise Kneece Carmichael of Warrenville, 3 sons; Jerry (Joann Meadows) Kneece of Warrenville, Terry (Krysta) Kneece of Leland, NC and Mark Buchmiller of Warrenville; 1 sister, Frances Kneece; and...

Robert Leo "Bob" Turcotte, 76, beloved husband of Elaine Kay Edwards passed away Friday, March 5, 2021 at the Medical University of South Carolina following a brief illness. Born in Norwood, MA onJune 19, 1944, he was the son of the late Joseph Lucien and Noella Duhamel Turcotte. He was a 30 retired veteran of the Police Force having last served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department in Palm Beach County, FL.He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Surviving in addition to his wife are 2 daughters and son-in-laws, Amanda (Tom) Ternus of Deerfield Beach, FL and Melissa (Matt) Guptill of Fort Mill, SC; 1 son, Shane (Sandi) Turcotte of Aiken; 1 brother, Richard...

Scotty Lynn Foster, 51 of Graniteville, SC passed away on March 5 at home. Services will be held on March 8, 2021 at Town Creek Baptist Church in Aiken, SC. Visitation is from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The funeral will be directly after at 12:30 p.m. Scott was born in Libertyville, IL. to Jim and Doris Foster. He married Dana on September 1, 1990. Scott has worked for A-lert Construction for most of his life. Scott is survived by his parents, Jim and Doris Foster; his wife, Dana Foster; his brother James Foster and his wife Melody Foster; his 2 daughters, Sam Foster, and Shelby Carl and her husband Alex Carl; his son, Zachary Foster and his wife April Foster; his Grandson Aleko Carl. Scott...

Thomas Earl Richards, age 63, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at University Hospital. Tom, as he was affectionately known, was born August 3, 1957 in Isola, Mississippi to the late Cecil and Madis Richards. He had been a resident of Aiken for the past thirty years. He was employed in Project Management Controls with SRNS. He took pride in his work and was well respected throughout his career for his knowledge and experience. Tom came from a farming family and always enjoyed being outside working on a project or in his garden. He loved his John Deere Tractor named "Lucille." His nickname was "Farmer Green Jeans." He had a passion for landscape photography and traveling. Key West,...

Anna C. Jordan, 88, of Aiken, died February 27, 2021 at Aiken Regional Medical Center. Born June 19, 1932 in Cloverport, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Thomas A Carter and Louise Whitehead Carter. She was a native of Cloverport, KY and has made Aiken her home for the past 46 years. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter Henry Moreland; her daughter, Patricia Moreland; and her second husband, Lucius Green Jordan. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Jennifer M. Moreland, Aiken, SC, James C. Jordan, New York City, NY, Joel G. Jordan, Daytona Beach, FL, and Robert E. Jordan, of Aiken, SC; and her grandchildren, Angela and Tony Kelly. The Liturgy of...

On February 25th, 2021, at approximately 1:30 a.m., he arose from his bed of advanced years and walked into the heavenly mist, there to meet his Creator. He was going to a reunion of his wife of 62 years, his parents, a brother and a sister, two daughters and a multitude of relatives who have gone before him. He was lonely at the last for a love he had lost and the memories of his past. Howell was born in rural Lexington Co., SC to Albert J. and Marcilla Burgess Boatwright in August of 1926. He matriculated through the Lexington Co. school system, and, upon graduation, joined the US Navy during World War II. After leaving military service he came home and courted and married Annie Lee...

William Glen Rouch Sr., age 73, entered into rest Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Mr. Rouch was born November 3, 1947 in Valparaiso, IN to Rosemary Rouch and the late William Rouch. He had made Aiken, SC his home for the past eight years, having previously lived in Valparaiso, IN. He loved everything Aiken and was an avid car enthusiast, specifically his 1966 silver GTO convertible. He was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Aiken, SC. Mr. Rouch was a Shriner and past master of the Porter Lodge 137 in Valparaiso, IN. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Larry P. Rouch. Surviving are his mother, Rosemary Rouch; his wife of forty-seven years,...