Obituaries

Recent Obituaries

Donald Jerome Shealy

Donald Jerome Shealy

Jul 30, 2025

Donald "Donnie" Jerome Shealy, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025, at the age of 57. Born on November 22, 1967, in Prosperity, South Carolina, he was a son to the late Richard and Loreita Bedenbaugh Shealy. Donnie was a dedicated employee at Amick Farms where he worked in maintenance, showcasing his...

Raymond Davis

Raymond Davis

Jul 28, 2025

Raymond Davis, 60, of Batesburg, passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025. Born on September 3, 1964, in Newberry County, he was a son of the late Gladys McCormick Davis and David Davis.

Raymond dedicated his life to education and was a beloved teacher and coach. His career began in Lexington County School District Three, later taking him to Saluda School...

Bryson Lee Burns

Bryson Lee Burns

Jul 28, 2025

Bryson "Blitz" Lee Burns, 17, of Leesville passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 28, 2025. Bryson, brightened the world with his infectious smile and kind heart from the day he was born on Tuesday, July 31, 2007. Bryson was a young entrepreneur, the proud owner of 803 Precision Detailing, and widely recognized for his impressive work ethic and commitment to...

Thurmond LeGrand Matthews

Thurmond LeGrand Matthews

Jul 28, 2025

Thurmond LeGrand Matthews "Banjo", 79, of Leesville, passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025. Born in Augusta, Georgia, Mr. Matthews was a son of the late Woodward W. and Rosa Lee McCarty Matthews. He proudly served in the United States Army National Guard and retired from Engineering Manufacturing Resources as a tool and die maker. Known affectionately as “Banjo,” he...

Patricia Ann Gossett

Patricia Ann Gossett

Jul 28, 2025

Patricia "Patty" Ann Gossett, 75, of Leesville, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2025. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Patty was the daughter of the late Willie Roy and Joyce Lucille Lipton Hair. A talented and passionate artist, she found joy in painting, cooking, and spending time in nature. She especially cherished her visits to the Smoky Mountains, a place...

Deborah J. Sheckelford

Deborah J. Sheckelford

Jul 27, 2025

Deborah J. Sheckelford, 69, of West Columbia, SC, peacefully departed this life on July 27th, 2025. Born on March 23, 1956, in Batesburg-Leesville, SC, she was the a daughter of the late Benjamin and Gertrude Rogers Troutman. Deborah touched the lives of all those she encountered with her warmth, kindness, and unparalleled generosity. Throughout her career, Deborah worked as a...

Becky Martin Newell

Becky Martin Newell

Jul 25, 2025

Becky Martin Newell, 61, of Leesville, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025. Becky was born in Prosperity, SC, a daughter of Carolyn Louise Frick Taylor and the late Donald Rawl Martin. She was a a member of Crossroads Baptist Church of Gilbert.

Surviving are her mother and step-father, Carolyn Louise Frick Taylor (James Edward) of Gilbert; sister, Rhonda Martin Craven...

Janice Lynn Pritchard

Janice Lynn Pritchard

Jul 20, 2025

Janice Lynn Pritchard, 53, of West Columbia, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Born in Columbia, SC, Janice lived her life with a vibrant spirit and a deep love for her family. She was a proud member of the BS Crew and found joy in riding her motorcycle, especially taking road trips on her trike with her daughter, Amy....

Jeanette Gantt Derrick

Jeanette Gantt Derrick

Jul 20, 2025

Jeanette Gantt Derrick, 93, formerly of West Columbia, passed peacefully at home in Batesburg on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Born in Leesville, SC, Jeanette was the daughter of the late James Langford Gantt and Flossie Elizabeth Gantt. She was married for 63 years to her late husband, Jesse Preston “J.P.” Derrick.

Jeanette dedicated her professional life to serving as a telephone...

Thomas Blanford Walker Jr.

Thomas Blanford Walker Jr.

Jul 15, 2025

Thomas Blanford Walker, Jr., 66, of Gilbert, SC, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025. Born in Batavia, NY, on March 11, 1959, he was a son of the late Thomas Blanford Walker and Mary Elizabeth Atkin Walker. Thomas worked as a land surveyor for many years. He found joy in being surrounded by his loving family.

Surviving are his daughters,...

Amanda Marie Hawes

Amanda Marie Hawes

Jul 14, 2025

Amanda Marie Hawes, 44, of Batesburg, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025. Born in Lexington County, Amanda was the daughter of Richard Brown and the late Wendy Brown. She had a love for cooking and found great joy in spending time with her beloved furbabies, especially Baby and Bubbles. Amanda will be remembered for her kind heart and the...

Rachael Elizabeth Harman

Rachael Elizabeth Harman

Jul 11, 2025

Rachael Elizabeth Harman, 71, of Leesville, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 11, 2025. Born in Anderson, SC, she was the daughter of the late Allen Berley and Sarah LaFoy Harman. Rachael was known for her kind heart, and love for animals of all kinds. She never met a stray she didn’t try to help and brought warmth and laughter...

Joseph Allen Westmoreland

Joseph Allen Westmoreland

Jul 10, 2025

Joseph Allen Westmoreland, 69, of Palm Desert, CA, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born and raised in Batesburg, SC, on September 29, 1955, he was a son of the late Frankie Westmoreland and Grace Berry Westmoreland. Mr. Joseph was a family man who lived in Ohio and California. He was a truck driver...

Barbara Jean Oswalt

Barbara Jean Oswalt

Jul 9, 2025

Barbara Jean Oswalt, also known as “Bob” and “Aunt Bob,” 64, of Batesburg, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025. Born on December 5th, 1960, in Columbia, SC, she was the daughter of the late Lee Vinson Wood and Addie Margaret Gantt Wood. She was married to her sweetheart, Ricky H. Oswalt, for 47 years.

Barbara lived...

George L. Satcher

George L. Satcher

Jul 7, 2025

George L. Satcher, 80, of Leesville, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025. Born in Ward, SC, he was a son of the late Leroy and Madelene Ergle Satcher. George was married to the late Joye Taylor Satcher for 58 years. He proudly served in the United States National Guard. George retired from a career at Hartwell Industries and was...

Trudie Temple

Trudie Temple

Jun 29, 2025

Trudie Temple, 87, of Batesburg, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Born in Saluda County, she was a daughter of the late Albert Sidney and Flaucy Belle Matthews Black. She was married to the late Claude William Temple. Trudie loved the Lord and reading her Bible. She enjoyed gardening and spending time in her yard. She is survived by...

Emily Melinda Winnie Trapp

Emily Melinda Winnie Trapp

Jun 28, 2025

Emily Melinda Winnie Trapp, 70, of Leesville, SC, passed away on June 28, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, on December 2, 1954, she was a daughter of the late George Theodore and Irene Ellis Volick Winnie. On June 28th, the world lost one of its brightest lights when Emily Melinda Winnie Trapp passed away at home...

Michael Anthony Howell Sr.

Michael Anthony Howell Sr.

Jun 28, 2025

Michael "Mike" Anthony Howell, Sr., 64, of Lexington, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Born in Miami, FL, he was the son of Mary Wooten Howell and the late Frank Howell. Mike worked as an operator with Southern Plastics until the company’s closing. He was a proud South Carolina Gamecock fan and loved NASCAR, fishing, and rock music. Known...

Darrell Stan "Homer" Rodgers

Darrell Stan "Homer" Rodgers

Jun 23, 2025

Darrell Stan “Homer” Rodgers, 71, of Saluda, SC, peacefully passed away after a courageous battle with his health. Born in Edgefield, SC, he was the son of the late James Stanmore Rodgers, Jr. and Lila Bledsoe Rodgers.

Darrell will be greatly missed and leaves his family and friends with unforgettable, fond memories of his life on this earth. If you ever...

Nancy Kinard

Nancy Kinard

Jun 23, 2025

Nancy Kinard, 54, of Saluda, SC, passed away on June 23, 2025, at Saluda Nursing Home. Born on March 4, 1971, in Saluda, SC, she was the daughter of the late Junior Kinard and Mary Lou Floyd Barnes. Ms. Kinard had a deep love for horses.

She is survived by her stepfather, William H. “Billy” Barnes; and three stepsiblings, Phyllis Gunter,...