25 Years Ago

The Easley Progress

March 5, 1986

• Longtime Republicans J.R. Fogler and William H. Hunter reflected on the party’s newly-found strength in the South under President Ronald Reagan.

• Dacus Hollin of Easley shared news of her visit with Prince Charles during his recent trip to Texas. Hollin was selected to make the trip as a member of the Greenville “Daughters of the British Empire.”

• A shortage of teachers was forecast for South Carolina.

• Edna “Tiger” Mitchell retired after teaching 35 years in Pickens County Schools.

• Recent births included Allison Marie Ingram and Brett Alan Garrison.

• Buddy Ryan, defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl Champions Chicago Bears, was the guest speaker at the annual Easley Football Jamboree. Ryan had just accepted the head coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles.

• Obituaries printed included James Doyle Patterson, Lucile Roper singleton, Johnathan Michael Rhodes, James Vasco Moore, Jessie Marion Simmons, Norwood Cleveland Mccall, James Leonard Bolding, Myrtle Moorehead Collins, Ernest H. Hamilton, Wod H. Howard, Lester Lee Walker Sr., Roy Jamison Sr., Virgie Bennet Fant, Claude E. Beatty, Collin Carter Hunt, Robert Earel Roach, Michelle Barber, Thomas Lawrence Madden, Calvin Martin Owen, Oscar Lee Leonard, Lewis Cleveland Brown, Gene Bridges Richardson, Ruther merck Sexton, George F. Spake Leonad Hicks, William Crayton Dickard.

• The Wren boys basketball team advanced in the state playoffs with a 95-84 win over Hannah.

• The Easley Christian Eagles won the state championship for the third time in four years.

• The Easley boys basketball team fell to Eastside in the first round of the AAAA playoffs.

• Easley’s Mark Diffenduffer signed to play football at Wofford, under Easley native Coach Rick Gilstrap.

• Wedding announcements were printed for:

— Lisa Ann Lappin to Barry Hadden Lucas;

— Cynthia Jean Meece to Mark Randolph Holliday; and

— Marilyn Annette Ervin to Thomas Sellers Hagood.

• Engagement announcements were printed for:

— Sandra Michelle Sexton to Gregory Scott Hopkins;

— Cynthia Lynn Smith to James Gregory Davenport;

— Elizabeth Jean Freeman to Roger Dale Miller;

— Frankie Earlene Wampler to Ronnie Levon Kannon;

— Marie Nalley to Ricky Lee Childress;

— Kymala A. Wiggins to Bobby Huff;

— Tracy Lynn Johnson to Eric Kent Thomas;

— Charlotte Elizabeth Converse to David E. Ford;

— Melinda Cheryl Garrison to Mark Stephen Garrison; and

— Katherine Kay Huffman to Dennis Wood.

• Mr. and Mrs. Leo Cantrell celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary;

• Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Gillespie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary;

• Mr. and Mrs Raymond Stone celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

• Recent birthdays included Kalisha Michelle Terrance 12 and Robert Trinity McAlister 4.

50 Years Ago

The Easley Progress

Wednesday, March 1, 1950

• Chairmen of the committee to raise funds for the Easley YMCA were John Cassells, George Newton Dr. Gordon Graham.

• Dr. Edwin L. Bolt was named “Easley Citizen of the Year by the city’s Exchange Club.

• Robert D. Hendricks, a write-in candidate for the Dacusville seat on the school Board of Trustees, defeated incumbent N.B. Williams in the election.

• Miles M. Merritt celebrated his 101st birthday.

• The Rev. Virgil Mitchel returned to Glenwood Wesleyan Methodist Church to lead a revival.

• The Daniel boys basketball team upset top-ranked Palmetto, but fell to Chapman in the second round of the state playoffs. The Lions were led by Ronnie Maravich.

• The Easley girls basketball team beat Greer 53-48 in the first round of the Western AA conference tournament, but fell to Hillcrest in the semi-finals. Sheila Waldrop scored 37 points in the win over Greer, and 39 points in the loss to Hillcrest. The 39 points set a new Easley basketball record, beating the mark of Gary King, who scored 38 against Daniel in 1957.

• The Pickens boys beat Easley in the first round of the Western AA Conference tournament, but lost to yrnes in the second round. Gerry Owens led Pickens with 27 points in the loss. Harry Bivins added 12.

• Lisa Bloodworth Jordon married Cliford Nelson Remus.

• Obituaries were printed for Frank A. Gilliland, Lilie Hubbard, James Walter Broome, Molly Welborn Cassells and Bessie Beatrice Blackston.

• Recent births included Janet Lea Pettitt, Saundra Elaine Reeves, Sandra Louise Dickard, Roger Dale Bennett, Patty Lynn McAllister, Susan Joy Dawkins, Timothy Lee Barkley, Michael Scott Stansell, Rebecca Ann Gilstrap, Mary Louise Bowen, William Daniel Trammell, Pamela Joy Bagwell and James Radford Day.

• Thom Ownes retired from Easley Mill after 50 years.

75 Years Ago

The Easley Progress

Thursday, March 5, 1936

• The Easley Progress bean a new column featuring fictional writer “Snooper Ed” who lamented about the life of a newspaper columnist. “I am about as welcome at social gatherings as the man who tried to kill his halitosis by eating onions. I am shunned on all sides. My name is whispered in awe and dread. Mothers frighten their children into obedience by telling them of Snooper Ed.”

• The Easley High girls basketball team finished the year 12-1-1-. The boys finished the year 12-4, but one loss was by one point, and another by two points after two overtime periods.

• Easley High School Seniors being considered as speakers for commencement ceremonies were Agnes Bowen, Elsie Bowen, Helen, Ester Day Polly Cely, Harold Cheek, Kurt Norton, Jack Ragsdale, Jack Stewart and Sam Williams.

Obituaries were printed for Mr. E.L. Dacus, Mrs. Maggie Day and William Henry Farr.

• A Girl Scout troop was formed in Easley.

• The contest to name a “Miss Easley” to attend the Azalea Festival in Charleston continued.