
TRAVELERS REST MONITOR
Serving Northern Greenville County, SC SINCE 1970
864-990-6464 trnews@bellsouth.net

TRAVELERS REST MONITOR
Serving Northern Greenville County, SC SINCE 1970
864-990-6464 trnews@bellsouth.net


Obituaries

Bobby Hawkins
Bobby Leonard Hawkins, 82, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Travelers Rest, SC, he was the son of the late Clifton Leonard Hawkins and Corneila Coleman Hawkins. Bobby was a successful Entrepreneur and former owner of American Fab in Travelers Rest and a member of Forestville Baptist Church.
Bobby is survived by a daughter: Dana H. Lang (Eric); son: Randy (Cathy) Hawkins; sisters: Frances Stewart, Mildred Burns and Betty Heckman; brothers: Joe Hawkins and Billy Hawkins; grandchildren: Emily Lang, Lydia Lang, CJ Hawkins, Addie Hawkins, Mitch Hawkins, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Bobby was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Elizabeth “Lib” Hawkins in November of 2017.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:50 p.m. at Forestville Baptist Church. Funeral service will follow the visitation in the church sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be at Mountain View Memorial Park in Travelers Rest.
Memorials may be made to Cancer Society of Greenville, 113 Mills Ave., Greenville, SC 29605.
Sarah McMakin
Mrs. Sarah Dewease McMakin, age 94, of Slater, passed away on Saturday afternoon, December 10th, 2022, in her home with her family by her side.
Sarah and her late husband, James “Ed” McMakin, met in high school and were happily married for 62 years. They made their home in Slater, SC and were great supporters of their community. During their marriage they had two children, James “Mac” McMakin and the late Deborah McMakin Simmons. Sarah leaves behind three grandchildren: Jake, Eddie, and Brandon as well as two great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Sarah was born in 1928 to the late Barney Dewease and Flora Hathaway Dewease. She had one older brother, Barney Dewease, who also predeceased her. She also leaves behind her beloved chihuahua, Samantha, and her feline “Meow-Meow”.
Sarah was a devout Christian and Charter member of Slater Baptist Church, where she faithfully served for over 80 years. She chose a career as Food Service Manager for Slater Elementary School where she worked until her retirement. After she retired, Sarah was active in Senior Action, in her church, and caring for her family.
Sarah was a lover of God, her family, and her flowers.
A graveside service will be held on Friday morning, December 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Mountain View Memorial Park Mausoleum in Travelers Rest.
In lieu of flowers, and in gratitude for their assistance, donations may be made to Lutheran Hospice, 429 N. Main St., Ste – 3, Greenville, SC 29601.
Barbara Hester Payne
Barbara Hester Payne, 84, of Travelers Rest, wife of the late Richard Wade Payne, went home to her Heavenly Father, Tuesday, December 13, 2022.
Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Jim Conway and Elmeda Hamet Hester. She retired after more than 40 years with J.P. Stevens-Slater Plant, member of Daughters of the Nile, and a member of Clearview Baptist Church. She served many years alongside her husband helping the children of the Shriner’s Hospital and also served in the Daughter’s of the Nile.
She is survived by her daughters: Deborah Wannemacher(Bob), Cherie Finley(Ron); grandchildren: Brad Finley(Jessica), Rachel McCright(Jonathan), Blaise Wannemacher(Lisette), Niki Finley-Bowles; great-grandchildren: Houston, Lawson, Heveah, Kaylee, Kalin, Sofia, Parker, Ben, Pace, George, Palmer, Alice, Crue, Braxtyn, Annie, Ellen; and sister: Jean Mailen.
Along with her husband and parents she was predeceased by brothers: Kenneth Hester, James Hester; and sister: Frances Monroe.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 11am at Mountain View Memorial Park.
The family will be at their respective homes.
A special thanks to Spring Park Memory Care in Travelers Rest, Oaks at Chanticleer in Greenville and both Agape and Interim Hospice groups.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children 950 W. Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605.
Billie Joan Sammons
Billie Joan Sammons Heinis was born in the SC mountains to Emory Levi Sammons of Herndon, GA and Billie Huskey Sammons of Gaffney, SC. She spent her childhood in Taylors, SC with four sisters (San, Sib, Lin and Barbara). After a semester spent studying in New York City with her sister, Barbara, Joan graduated from Furman University with a master’s degree in education.
As a very young woman, Joan bravely traveled alone halfway across the globe to teach in the Philippines and Germany. This was when she introduced her mother and sisters to Europe, as she drove them through many countries in her Volkswagen. After 3 years abroad Joan returned to the states to teach in Atlanta and Greenville for 20 plus years.
Back in Greenville, Joan lived with her mother, Billie, at High Grove in the Travelers Rest countryside with beautiful views of cows, donkeys, and mountains. When Billie’s house was sold, Joan bought the house next door and soon met the love of her life, Markus Heinis.
Joan and Markus met in 1991 at a Shakespeare play at Bob Jones. They married in 1995 at Northgate Baptist Church. At that time Joan got an educational leave from her teaching position and they went together to the UK/Manchester, where Markus had a job as sales manager. During that time, Joan traveled the UK, England, Scotland and Ireland with Markus for business and pleasure. She developed an unusual appetite for the “real” football (soccer) and Markus had nothing against that, well probably he influenced her a bit…... Many Premier League games were attended, and Saturdays became a ritual for Joan and Markus. Joan also volunteered a little at a local school to learn the “English” school system better. After the return to the US Joan continued to teach school until the end of 1999 when she retired after 25 years of teaching. Now she had more time for her home, family, friends and of course her husband.
Joan continued to travel with Markus nationally and internationally. She was open-minded and liked to explore. She had a flair for Italy. Italian food was her favorite, designs and clothing from Italy were high on her agenda. However, she always liked to come home, where mostly everybody spoke English and above all to be near her family, which she loved so dearly. Joan was looking after her health and was very active, taking no prescription medicine until Parkinson’s was detected at the age of 82. She never complained, remaining steadfast in her faith and thankful for the life she and Markus had together. And how thankful we are to have had Joan.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon at Northgate Baptist Church with burial to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 1:50 PM at the church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Northgate Baptist Church Building Fund.
David Aaron Hill
David Aaron Hill, 71, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 10th, 2022, at his home.
Born in Spartanburg County, SC, he was the son of the late Roland and Elizabeth Lee Hill. He retired from GM Mechanical as a pipe fitter welder and was a faithful member of Deliverance Tabernacle Church of God. He loved racing with his son, but more importantly was his love for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Bishop Hill; two daughters: Brenda Guthrie (Brian) Gracie Bagwell (Eddie); his son: John Hill, Sr., (Melissa); his sister: Carolyn Blackwell; seven grandchildren: Leighann Dosser (Shane), Drew Guthrie (Chanlin), Bubba Bagwell (Racheal), Eddie Bagwell (Jami), Brittany Hill, Brianna Forrester (Jacob), and John Hill, Jr. (Walaylah) and five loving great-grandchildren: Calea Hill, Aria Guthrie, Annslee Bagwell, Roland Guthrie, and Bentley Hill.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers: Michael and John Hill; and a sister: Margaret Chappell.
A visitation will be held on Thursday evening, December 15th, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at The Howze Mortuary. Funeral service will be held on Friday afternoon, December 16th, 2022, in The Howze Mortuary Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Mountain View Memorial Park following the service.
Memorials may be made to the U.S. Renal Care 36 S. Main St., Travelers Rest, SC 29690