Obituaries

Dec 2, 2025

Gary Neil Schmedding, 87, of Chapin, South Carolina, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, surrounded by family.

If his life can be summed up in three words, they are the values he returned to every day: faith, family and service. Gary spent his 87 years living those principles in steady, practical ways that shaped the communities...

Jan 16, 2026

B. Roger Hair, 86, of Newberry, South Carolina, died on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Born on March 17, 1939, in Bamberg County, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Fannie and JB Hair.

He was a technician for AT&T for 40 years, working in the southeastern United States. In his off time, he...

Jan 16, 2026

Robert Paul Gruss, 73, of Irmo, South Carolina, died on January 16, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on May 28, 1952, he was the son of the late Bruno and Dorothy Gruss.

Robert was a veteran of the United States Army, where he received the National Defense Service Medal for his...

Jan 6, 2026

Stephen Eugene Chinault, 74, of Newberry, South Carolina, died on January 6th, 2026, at Lexington Medical Center. Born in North Codorus Township, York County, PA, on September 2, 1951, he was the son of the late Austin LeRoy and Gladys Marie Ness Chinault.

Stephen was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Glen Rock, PA....

Jan 6, 2026

Sarah Mae Adams, 93, of Whitmire, South Carolina, died on January 6, 2026, at White Oak Manor, in Newberry, South Carolina. Born on December 3, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Sarah Marie and James Laffayette Adams, Sr.

Born and raised in Whitmire, Sarah was a longtime devoted member of Whitmire First Baptist Church.

Jan 3, 2026

Claudette Kneece Staggs, 88, of Greenville died Saturday, January 3, 2026 at TerraBella Summit in Greenville.  Claudette was born in Fort Lawn, S.C. on February 26, 1937, she was the only child of parents Verne Kneece and Mildred J. Kneece of Newberry. Her father, Verne was the superintendent of Newberry schools and Mildred taught English at Newberry High School....

Dec 27, 2025

Ervin Lamar "E.L." Reynolds, Jr., 77, of Newberry, died on December 27, 2025.

Born on November 17, 1948, in Greenwood, South Carolina, he was a son of the late Catherine and Ervin Reynolds, Sr.

Before his retirement, E.L. dedicated 38 years of his life working for Asten Johnson Fabrics as a dryer operator. He was...

Dec 27, 2025

Betty Ann Biddle, 99, of Newberry, died Saturday, December 27, 2025 at her home.

Born on May 12, 1926 in Huntington, WV, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Ada Cook Nichols.

She was married to the late Robert Charles Biddle for 72 years. Betty was a devoted wife and mother, building a...

Dec 25, 2025

Edward Kenneth Young, 84, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away peacefully, Thursday, December 25, 2025, in the comfort of his daughter's home. Born on June 10, 1941, in Sand Rock, Alabama, he was a son to the late Harold Elmer and Geneva Parker Young.

Edward was a cherished father, dedicated mechanic, and avid sports enthusiast, living a...

Dec 24, 2025

John David Silva, 83, of Prosperity, South Carolina, died Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center.  John was born on January 12, 1942, in New London, Connecticut. He was the husband of Mrs. Linda Silva.

In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by his stepchildren, Christopher Norton, Alisha Norton and Joshua Norton.

...

Dec 22, 2025

Sandra "Sandy" P. Davis, 70, of Spartanburg, died on Monday, December 22, 2025.

She was born on November 13, 1955 to the late Walter, Jr. and Nell Hollingsworth Davis.

Sandy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Clemson University in 1978 and later completed her Master's degree there before beginning a career teaching high school...

Dec 18, 2025

Ruth Lisalotte Marcotulli, 71, of Prosperity, South Carolina, passed away peacefully, Thursday, December 18, 2025, at her residence. Born on April 7, 1954, in Rexburg, Idaho, she was a daughter to the late Alwin and Margrit Rein Fricker.

A dedicated homemaker, Ruth devoted her life to creating a warm and nurturing environment for her family. Her strong...

Dec 15, 2025

William Joseph Marshall died December 15, 2025.  Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Whitaker Funeral home is honored to serve the family of William Joseph Marshall.

Dec 14, 2025

Roderick "Rick" Caston entered the church triumphant Sunday, December 14th, 2025, at age 72. Born in 1953 in Chester, South Carolina to parents Russell and Dorothy Caston, he was a long-time resident of Prosperity, South Carolina.

He is survived and missed by his loving wife Christine Caston and his children Lisa Tinker (Lee), Jennifer Summer (Amy), and...

Dec 8, 2025

Richard "Dexter" Odom, 74, of Newberry, South Carolina, passed away on December 8, 2025. He was born on January 27, 1951, in Decatur, Georgia, and is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kitty Edwards Odom; his children, Richard "Davis" Odom (Rochelle Tiedemann) and Kelsey Odom; and his brother, Mark Odom. He was preceded in death by his parents,...

Nov 30, 2025

Sue Byrd Sitterson, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025, with her high school sweetheart and husband of 69 years, Buck, by her side.

She was predeceased by her parents, Jessie and Joseph Byrd, two older brothers, Joseph and James, and a granddaughter, Sarah Robbins.

Born in Windsor, NC, she and Buck lived...

Nov 29, 2025

Michael Pickens Oswald, age 77, of Prosperity, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, November 29, 2025, surrounded by the family who loved him. Born in Newberry on March 31, 1948, he was the son of the late Carolyn Auton Outlaw and Harold Conard Oswald.

Known throughout his life as "Mike," he possessed a warm and...

Nov 24, 2025

Nellie "Nell" Ruth Hollingsworth Davis, 98, of Spartanburg, died on Monday, November 24th, 2025. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

She was born on July 24, 1927 to the late Elias Meek and Elizabeth "Betty" Brown Hollingsworth.

Nell worked most of her professional life as an administrative assistant for various companies,...

Nov 24, 2025

Patricia "Pat" L. White Oneal, age 69, of Chapin died November 24, 2025 at MUSC Health Columbia Downtown.

Born February 5, 1956 in Anadarko, OK, she was the youngest of 10 children born to Lee and Lela Morris White.

Growing up in a large family shaped Pat in many ways, including her kind heart and...

Nov 23, 2025

Vernetha Fulmer Renwick, age 96, of Newberry, wife of the late Robert Marcellus Renwick, went to her heavenly home surrounded by her loving family on November 23, 2025 at Newberry Health.

She was born on May 1, 1929 in Saluda County, SC. She was a daughter of the late William Jennings and Grace Bedenbaugh Fulmer. Vernetha and...