Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Gray Funeral Home Located in Laurens, Clinton, and Whitmire, SC
James Arthur Smith
Aug 31, 2026
James Arthur Smith passed away at McLeod Seacoast Hospital in Little River, South Carolina on August 31, 2026.
James "Peanut'' Smith was born in Clinton, the son of the Late Broadus Edwin and Annie Simmons Smith on June 5, 1939.
James graduated from Clinton High School and the University of Central Florida with a BA in Accounting. He retired from the US...
Bill Rhodes
Aug 3, 2026
Bill Rhodes, age 88, passed away August 3, 2026 at NHC in Clinton, SC.
The son of the late R.V. and Maggie Elizabeth Rhodes of Whitmire, SC, he was born November 24, 1937.
Coach Rhodes will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, brother, teacher, coach, administrator, civic leader, businessman, and friend, as well as for his exemplary service in the SC...
Irby S. Hipp, III
Oct 12, 2026
Clinton, SC – Irby Shell Hipp, III, 75, departed his earthly life on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Born in Rock Hill, SC, he was the son of the late Irby Hipp, Jr. and Liddie Hipp. Irby was also preceded in death by his brother, Jim Hipp.
Irby was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Fran Starr Hipp,...
Dana Jean Wallen Saenz
Oct 12, 2026
Dana Jean Wallen Saenz entered eternal rest on October 12, 2026. She was born December 12, 1982 to Eugene and Maxine Wallen. Dana was a devoted wife, a loyal friend, and loving sister. But she was most proud to be an aunt to her nephew Jaden.
Dana was a 2001 graduate of Whitmire High School and later attended Piedmont Technical College...
Elmer Kyle Pridemore, Jr.
Oct 11, 2026
Elmer Kyle Pridemore, Jr., age 83, of Clinton, husband of Norma Childers Pridemore, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Born on December 3, 1942, in Union, SC, Kyle was the son of the late Elmer Kyle Pridemore, Sr., and Betty Gregory Pridemore.
Kyle proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis...
Mable Belle Turner
Oct 10, 2026
Mable Belle Turner, age 95, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026 at the Spartanburg Regional Hospital.
She was born May 17, 1931 in Greenville, TN and was a daughter of the late OL Turner and the late Ella Kate Turner. She will be remembered for her wicked sense of humor and her love of the Lord. She was a faithful member...
Nancy Elizabeth Braun (Kaminski)
Oct 9, 2026
Nancy Elizabeth Braun (Kaminski) passed away on October 9th 2026 in her home at the Presbyterian Community in Clinton, SC after her fight with Ovarian Cancer and other long term health complications. Nancy was born on September 4th 1949 in Perth Amboy, NJ to William and Evelyn Kaminski. She married her husband, Kevin, on December 1st 1990.
Nancy graduated from Perth...
"Bubba" Stewart Brown, Jr.
Oct 6, 2026
“Bubba” Stewart Brown, Jr., age 81, of Clinton, husband of Susan Copeland Brown, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Self Regional Healthcare.
Bubba was born July 25, 1945 in Clinton, SC, and was the son of the late Stewart Orville Brown, Sr. and Frances Donnan Brown. He was a veteran of the South Carolina National Guard and retired from H.D....
Jerry Anthony Harris, Sr.
Oct 6, 2026
Jerry Anthony Harris, Sr., age 68, of Clinton, husband of Denna Bragg Harris, passed away, Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Born September 26, 1958 in Greenville, SC, he was the son of the late Bobbie Jean Jackson, and James Earl Jackson.
A graduate of Clinton High School, Jerry began his working career at the young age of 16 as a bag boy at...
Raymond "Bo" Charles Ellison, Sr.
Oct 5, 2026
Raymond “Bo” Charles Ellison, Sr., age 80, went to meet his Lord and Master on Monday, October 5, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on October 28, 1945, in Whitmire, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Earl Ellison and Anna Rhodes Ellison.
Bo was a devoted member of Grace Baptist Church for over a decade, serving faithfully as...
Johnny "John" Dale Higgins
Oct 3, 2026
Johnny “John” Dale Higgins, age 82, husband of Jo-Ann Higgins, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Martha Franks Retirement Center.
He was born in Madison, Wisconsin on September 30, 1944 and was the son of the late Dale Wilmer Higgins and Rose Lorriane Beans Higgins.
Johnny graduated from Southeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1962. He later graduated from...
Wyatt Keith McKellar
Oct 1, 2026
Wyatt Keith McKellar passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026.
He was born April 13, 2026, in Columbia, SC. Wyatt was a little fighter having had prolonged stays in the Richland Medical Center NICU and the Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital NICU. The family would like to extend warm and heartfelt thanks to both hospitals and staff for their wonderful care and...
Kelly M. King, Jr.
Sep 26, 2026
Kelly M. King Jr., 75, of Clinton, South Carolina, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 26, 2026, peacefully in his home surrounded by the love of his family.
Kelly was born on April 11, 1951, to Kelly M. King Sr. and Violet Ginn King. He was a faithful member of Joanna Baptist Church in Joanna, South...
Horace Eugene Gambrell
Sep 25, 2026
Horace Eugene Gambrell, lovingly known by many as “Grumpy,” passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026. He was born on November 1, 1953, to the late William David and Harriette Ruth Walker Gambrell.
Horace was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle, and friend. He was also deeply devoted to his church, Holly Grove Baptist Church, where his faith and church...
Omega Knight Peay
Sep 24, 2026
Omega Knight Peay, age 94, of Whitmire, SC passed away Thursday September 24, 2026 at NHC of Clinton.
She was born April 7, 1932 in Laurens, SC, and was a daughter of the late William Lewis Knight and Lillie Fuller Knight.
She was a loving wife, mother, and special "MigMig".
Mrs. Peay is survived by her daughter, Karon Peay Owens (Boyd); her grandchildren,...
Alan Matterson Murphy
Sep 22, 2026
Alan Matterson “Butch” Murphy, age 75, husband of Bonnie Steadman Murphy, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at his home.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 26, 1951 and was the son of the late Willie Lee Murphy and Mary Callahan Murphy.
Butch worked in maintenance at Laurens County Hospital. After earning his Master Electrician certification, he fulfilled his dream...
Larry Clifton Smith
Sep 22, 2026
Larry Clifton Smith, age 76, of Whitmire, passed away peacefully at the home of his nephew in Spartanburg on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
He was born on May 19, 1950 in Newberry, South Carolina and was the son of the late James Clifton Smith and Florence Caldwell Smith. Larry was a 1968 graduate of Whitmire High School. He was retired from...
Billy Ray Hughes
Sep 22, 2026
Billy Ray Hughes age 81 and widower of Evelyn Hughes his wife of 59 years passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at VIA Health Hospice in Clinton.
He was born on January 25, 1945 in Gray Court, South Carolina and was one of twelve children of the late Rev. Robert Hughes and the late Sally Worthy Hughes. Bill was a...
Jeremy Wade McWatters
Sep 19, 2026
Jeremy Wade McWatters, age 49, of McWatters Drive, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026 at Hospice of Laurens County, surrounded by the people who loved him most.
Born September 19, 1977, in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of Tommy Eugene McWatters and Deborah Bashoor McWatters of Clinton.
Jeremy was truly a friend to everyone he met. He had a way of...
Maria Eleven Magda
Sep 15, 2026
Maria Eleven Magda, age 75, of Laurens, widow of George Magda, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at her home.
Born August 6, 1951 in Otelec, Romania, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Eleven and Maria Eleven. She found joy in cooking and dedicated many years to working as a restaurant Manager. Mrs. Magda was of the Catholic faith.
She...
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