Category: Obituaries

Seneca – James Mahaffey Lyles, 83, husband of the late Loretta Jones Lyles, passed away on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at Prisma Health Cottingham Hospice House.   Born in Anderson, SC to the late Elizabeth Mahaffey Strickland, he was a United States Air Force Veteran during the Korean Era. James was a retired sales manager, and an avid Clemson Tiger […]

Westminster- Clifton Edward “Ed” Watkins, Sr., 89, husband of Betty Land Watkins, passed away Tuesday, January 5th, 2021, at Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital.   Born March 5th, 1931, in Oconee County, Ed was the son of the late Martin D. and Mary Cobb Watkins, Sr. Ed was a United States Army Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict, while […]

Pickens, SC – Randall Glenn Smith, 69, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at Manna Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.   A native of Oconee County, Mr. Smith was the son of the late Elby William Wood and Lida Carver Wood. He retired from Jacob Chuck.   Mr. Smith is survived by a brother: Bobby; sister: Gladys; cousins: Jess and […]

West Union, SC – Archie E. Towe Jr., 69, husband of Reba Smith Towe, of West Union, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Oconee Memorial Hospital.   A native of Oconee County, Mr. Towe was the son of the late Archie E. Towe, Sr. and Mary Nell Patton Towe. He retired as a custodian from the Oconee County School […]

Westminster – Barbara Jean Wood Burton, 73, wife of the late William “Bill” Major Burton, passed away Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 at Prisma Health Cottingham Hospice House.   Born in Oconee County, she was the daughter of the late William F. and Grucilla Rumsey Wood.  Mrs. Burton worked many years as a cashier, and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist […]

Westminster- Clifton Edward “Ed” Watkins, Sr., 89, husband of Betty Land Watkins, passed away Tuesday, January 5th, 2021, at Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital.   Service arrangements will be announced by Sandifer Funeral Home, Westminster, SC. A message of condolence maybe be sent by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com   SANDIFER FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE FAMILY    

In the COVID year of 2020, there were a record-high number of overall deaths investigated by the Oconee County coroner, Karl Addis. The 25-year tracker of county deaths says, “Indeed (2020) was a record year for the office.”  The coroner’s office opened 408 death case files.  Reported hospice deaths numbered 494.  A total of 525 cremation permits were issued.  There […]

Seneca, SC – Lane E. Poore, 71, husband of Yvonne Price Poore, of Salem, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at the Cottingham Hospice House.   A native of Oconee County, Mr. Poore was the son of the late Alvin Eugene and Maggie Lena Bowen Poore. He was a U.S. Army combat veteran of the Vietnam War where he […]

West Union, SC – James Larry “J.L.” Owens, 79, husband of Sadie Kelley Owens, of 118 Springdale Drive, West Union passed away Monday, January 4, 2021, at his residence.   A native of Oconee County, Mr. Owens was the son of the late James C. “Jim” Owens and Alma Crowe Owens. Mr. Owens was a veteran of the United States […]

Westminster – Merlan Homer Freeman, 80, husband of the late Sylvia Custer Freeman, passed away Friday, January 1st, 2021.   Merlan was born in North Dakota and was the son of the late McMillian and Ruth Kelts Freeman.  He was a former Electrical Engineer at RCA and Square D, and was a United States Army Veteran.     He is […]