Recent Obituaries

Jan 1, 2025

Barbara Bailey Clary, 87, of Batesburg, passed away peacefully in her home on January 1, 2025. Born in Sumter, SC, she was a daughter of Woodrow W. and Gladys White Bailey of Charleston, SC. Mrs. Clary loved the Lord and her family unconditionally and always brought so much joy to their lives. Barbara grew up in Charleston, where she learned...

Jan 1, 2025

Chad E. Kneece, 51, of Batesburg, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Born in Aiken, SC, he was a son of the late Quitman David Kneece and Ora Lee "Tootsie" Senterfeit Kneece. Affectionately known as "Biskit," Chad was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was deeply dedicated to his work as a foreman at Carolina Infrastructures. Chad...

Dec 30, 2024

Lucille Boatwright Ridgell, 90, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024. Born in Aiken County, SC, she was the daughter of the late George Boatwright and Minnie Craps Boatwright. Lucille was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Batesburg.

Lucille is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ruby Lynn Stevens (Scott) of Dundee, NY; grandchildren, Amy Stevens of Chicago, IL...

Dec 29, 2024

James "Jim” Mortimer Morrison, 91, of Aiken, SC went to the Lord on December 29, 2024.

Jim was born April 5, 1933, in Bloomfield, New Jersey, to George M. Morrison and Louise T. Morrison. He was married to Olivia Macon Morrison for 53 years and is survived by him.

Jim had spent his childhood in...

Dec 26, 2024

Tony O'Neal Crady, 85, of Leesville, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Born in Gillett, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Luther Crady and Najgy Loraine Adams. After graduating from Saratoga High School in Wilson, NC, he attended Barton College. His high school yearbook prophecy humorously predicted he would join the Air Force and never marry. Contrary...

Dec 25, 2024

Hoyt Mitchell Padgett, 75, of Batesburg, SC, passed away on December 25, 2024. Born on May 27, 1949, in Batesburg, SC, he was a son of the late Curtis Harmon and Rosa Leila Matthews Padgett. Hoyt was a proud graduate of Saluda High School and went on to serve his country with honor in the United States Army during the...

Dec 25, 2024

Kenneth "Joe" Marlowe, 74, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. Born on May 17, 1950, in York, South Carolina, Kenneth was a son of the late Dolphus and Annie Mae Marlowe. Kenneth spent his life honing the craft of carpentry, a skill that he not only mastered but also found...

Dec 21, 2024

Miriam Bouknight Martin, 93, of Saluda, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Born in Saluda, SC, she was the daughter of the late Rubie and Freeda Able Bouknight and the devoted wife of her late husband of 73 years, Ted Brown Martin.

Miriam was a member of Emory United Methodist Church and was recently attending Emmanuel Church. She had a...

Dec 20, 2024

Merna T. "Dink" Hoffman, 64, of Hartsville, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 20, 2024. Born on March 15, 1960, she was a daughter of the late Ervin G. "Buddy" Crowley and Marlene Singletary Crowley. Merna was a devoted mother and cherished friend, whose spirited presence and laughter could light up any room. She navigated life's joys and challenges with...

Dec 19, 2024

Mary Elizabeth Townes Greene, a cherished member of the Aiken community, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19th, 2024.

Mrs. Greene was born on Saturday, May 8th, 1948, in Aiken, South Carolina a daughter of the late George Anderson Townes, Jr. & Dorothy Prontaut Townes Weeks.

Mary dedicated her life to guiding and mentoring young...

Dec 19, 2024

James Frank Cooley Sr., passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19th, 2024, at the age of 79 at his residence.

Born on January 22nd, 1945, Mr. Cooley was the son of the late Victor H & Lenora Cooley.

He spent much of his life as a dedicated truck driver, navigating the roads with the same...

Dec 19, 2024

AIKEN, SC – Tristin Daniel Hill, 28, passed away December 19, 2024.

Tristin was born December 30, 1995, in Aiken, SC to Jeremy Daniel Hill and Dana Parrish Daily. Tristin was a life-long area resident and graduated from Silver Bluff High School. Tristin was baptized at Grace Presbyterian Church in Aiken, SC. He was employed as a...

Dec 18, 2024

Nellie Jeanette Gantt, 93, of Leesville, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2024. Jeanette was a woman of unwavering faith whose life was a testament to God’s faithfulness and the strength of a heart that trusts in Him. Her faith was her foundation, and her steadfast belief in God sustained her through all of life’s trials.

Jeanette loved the Lord, her...

Dec 16, 2024

Johnathon Blake Crumpton, 41, of Newberry, passed away on December 16, 2024. Born on July 12, 1983, in Newberry, he was a son of Melanie Diane and the late John Daniel Crumpton, Sr. Mr. Crumpton was a very loving and giving person with a free spirit who loved making others laugh. He had lots of friends and never met a...

Dec 14, 2024

AIKEN, SC – William Joseph Gerdeman, age 75, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on December 14, 2024 after a brief battle against cancer.

Bill was born June 7, 1949 in Lima, Ohio to the late Donald Joseph Gerdeman and Cecilia Gerdeman. He lived most of his life in Ohio, residing in Kalida, Napoleon, and Fremont before...

Dec 13, 2024

Margaret “Maggie” Burkett Knight, 73, of Gaston, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024. Ms. Knight was born in West Columbia, SC, a daughter of the late Claude Stanmore Burkett and Vesta Louise Rikard Burkett Tucker.

Maggie was a graduate of Batesburg-Leesville High School and Aiken Beauty School. She retired as an office administrator from Reintjes Services. Additionally, she was the...

Dec 12, 2024

Lana Oletha Naas, a beloved resident of Aiken, SC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 12th, 2024, at the age of 77 at her residence following an illness.

Born on Friday, January 31st, 1947, in Hughes, Oklahoma, Lana was the daughter of the late Alfred & Sally McBride Grizzle.

She spent her working years as...

Dec 10, 2024

Dr. Norman Richard Smith, Jr., departed this life on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the age of 67. A long-time resident of Leesville, SC, Dr. Rick was born on November 29th, 1957, in Hyannis, Massachusetts. His life was marked by his unwavering dedication to his family, his passion for his profession ,his dedication to organic farming and and his deep...

Dec 10, 2024

Shirley Sanders, 89, of Gilbert, passed away on December 10, 2024, at her home. Born in Columbia, SC, Shirley was the daughter of the late Leonard and Sadie Free Draffin. She shared 36 cherished years of marriage with her late husband, James Keown Sanders, before his passing.

Shirley was a dedicated member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, where her warm spirit...

Dec 9, 2024

AIKEN, SC – Rebecca A. “Becki” Bielefeld, age 81, passed away at home after a brief battle with cancer on December 9, 2024.

Becki was born January 28, 1943, in Kingman, KS to the late Edward and Pauline Anthony. She had made Aiken, SC her home for the past seventeen years, having previously lived in Northport, FL....