HENRY EASON

NEWBERRY — Henry Lawrence Eason, 84, of Newberry, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at Springfield Place.

Mr. Eason was born in Sumter on June 19, 1927, a son of the late Joseph Haywood and Elizabeth Wells Eason. He graduated from Edmunds High School in Sumter and joined the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.

He received a BS degree in animal science from Clemson College in 1951 and was employed by the Clemson University Extension Service, retiring as a County Extension Leader-Emeritus in 1985.

Mr. Eason was an active member of Central United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Chesley Cannon Bible Class, sang in the Chancel Choir for 29 years and served on several committees at the church. He was a member of the Amity Masonic Lodge #87 AFM and Hejaz Shrine Temple. He served as chairman of the Newberry County Soil and Water Conservation District and the East Piedmont District for which he was named Commissioner of the Year in 1991. Mr. Eason was the first chairman of the YMCA committee, which led to the development of the Newberry YMCA. He was a past vice president of the Laurens Exchange Club, a long-time member of the Newberry Rotary Club, a life member of the Bush River and Silverstreet Young Farmers Association and was instrumental in forming the Lower Newberry County Farmers Association.

Mr. Eason is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Frances Rickmond Eason of the home; a daughter Linda E. Grant (Barry) of Rock Hill; sons, Robert M. Eason (Rebecca) of Columbia, and Joseph L. Eason (Annette) of Florence; sister, Mrs. Lonnie Price of Sumter; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by four brothers and six sisters.

Burial will be in Newberry Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m.Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Central United Methodist Church, 1005 College St., Newberry, conducted by The Reverend Karen Radcliffe. The family will receive friends following the memorial service.

Memorials are suggested to Central United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 67, Newberry, SC 29108.

Online condolences and additional information may be seen www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.

WILLIAM “TATE” HANCOCK

PROSPERITY — William “Tate” Hancock, 48, of 1411 Union School Road, Prosperity died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at his residence.

Mr. Hancock was born on Feb. 4, 1964, in Newberry, a son of Melvin W. Hancock and the late Betty Jo Wiggins Hancock.

He worked as a mechanic for 28 years at American Fiber and Finishing and four years with Newberry Auto Paint. Tate was a member of the Newberry Moose Lodge and loved Harley Davidson. He will be remembered as a loving brother, devoted father, and beloved husband.

In addition to his father of Newberry, Tate is survived by his wife of 26 years, Stacey Bedenbaugh Hancock; daughter, Carrie (Jonathan) Sexton of Chapin; son, Ethan Tate (Elizabeth Shealy) Hancock of Prosperity; brothers, Ezell (Francis) Hancock, Allen (Susan) Hancock, and Jerry Hancock all of Newberry; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Jimmy Hancock.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at St. Paul Lutheran Church by the Rev. Brent Nichols. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation was from 6-8 p.m., Sunday at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.

Pallbearers will be Dale Harmon, Robert Cearley, Bub Cockrell, Richard Hancock, Brandon Hancock, and Matthew Hancock.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rick and Pauline Strubeck of Newberry Auto Paint – Tate’s second family.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran, 2496 SC Hwy 773, Pomaria, SC 29126; or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Helen Beebe, 181 Trailers Trail, Leesville, SC 29070.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.

Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.

MABEL HILLER SLATON

NEWBERRY — Mabel Hiller Slaton, 87, died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.

Born on Jan. 14, 1925, in Newberry, she was a daughter of the late Edgar Leland and Nora Ammons Hiller. Mrs. Slaton worked for Wertz Music for a number of years and was the retired owner of Home Furniture. She was a member of Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church where she was a former choir member.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Lin Slaton; grandchildren, Edward R. Slaton, Dalton Slaton and Shanna J. Slaton; a great-granddaughter, Izabella J. Slaton and a daughter-in-law, Bobbie Jo Slaton. Mrs. Slaton was predeceased by a son, Lin Rosson (Ross) Slaton, brothers, George (Bubber) Hiller and Walter Leland Hiller, sisters, Cleo Morris, Essie Mae Ammons and Anna Hiller King.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., today, Feb. 27, 2012, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home by the Rev. Eddie Duncan. Burial will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Active pallbearers will be Bill Long, Pat Wilkes, Arnold Hiller, Bubba Griffith, Edward Slaton and Dalton Slaton

Honorary pallbearers will be Kathy Buchanan, Janet Long, Jana Paschal, Sue Jaeger, Deanna Linowski, Milton Shealy, John Roche, Robbie Hunter, Robyn Minick and John Henry Caldwell Jr..

McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. A memorial message may be written to the family at www.mcswainevans.com.

FAYE WATSON TUCKER

SILVERSTREET - Faye Watson Tucker, 60, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.

Born on April 24, 1951, in Wilmington, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Heyward Lee Watson and Willie Mae Cannon Watson Fipps. She was retired after 32 years from PCA and was a member of Queens Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Tucker was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Loyal Order of the Moose Chapter 1547.

She is survived by her husband, Danny Ciesielski; a son, Warren (Ann) Slater Jr. of Prosperity; a daughter, Tammy (Steve Harmon) Slater of Prosperity; sister, Sandra Watson of Spartanburg; brothers, Gene Watson and Sammy Watson of Enoree, Jackie Watson of Gaffney, Billy Joe Watson and Bo Watson both of Middleburg, N.Y.; grandchildren, Carly Frick, Alston Slater, David Slater, Jeffrey Slater and Savannah Harmon; five stepchildren and five step-grandchildren. She was predeceased by sisters, Helen Schrom and brothers, Lee Watson and David “Rat” Watson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home by the Rev. Dr. David Torrey. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Palmetto Health Hospice, PO Box 352, Newberry, SC 29108 or to S.C. Oncology, 166 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210.

Honorary pallbearers will be Peggy Peoples, Loraine Wright, Thelma Herbert, Evelyn Brooks, Diane Way and Sandra Miller.

McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. A memorial message may be written to the family at www.mcswainevans.com.