Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Aiken South Carolina & Surrounding Areas.

Kay Coward Wakefield

Kay Coward Wakefield

Aug 18, 2025

KAY COWARD WAKEFIELD, 80, widow of Don B. Wakefield, passed away Monday morning, August 18, 2025 in her home with her loving family by her side.

Born and raised in Aiken, Kay was the daughter of the late Hellen Hayes Coward and Hazeltine Chaffee Coward. A graduate of Aiken High School’s Class of 1962, she furthered her education at the University...

Clarence "Buzz" Steve Busbee

Clarence "Buzz" Steve Busbee

Aug 18, 2025

Clarence “Buzz” Steve Busbee, 71, passed away Monday, August 18, 2025.

Buzz was the son of the late retired Director of Aiken Department of Public Safety James Carroll Busbee Sr. (Rosemary) and Roseanne Hubbard Cooper (Gerald). He was also pre-deceased by his siblings James “Jimbob” Carroll Busbee Jr. (Michelle), Robert Flynn Busbee, and Carrolanne Busbee Proto (Richard). A lifelong resident of...

Alice Mary Flanders

Alice Mary Flanders

Aug 18, 2025

Alice Mary Finch Flanders passed away on August 18, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mary Finch, and her brother, James Finch.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Alice grew up alongside her brother, James, and sister, Jeanne Finch Strode. She left the family home in 1956 when she...

Charles Thomas Spainhour

Charles Thomas Spainhour

Aug 17, 2025

Charles T. "Charlie" Spainhour passed away on August 17, 2025 in Aiken, SC after a brief illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 23, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in St. Albans, WV. Internment with Military Honors conducted by St. Albans VFW Post 6418 and American Legion Post 73 will follow at...

Mickey Lavicska

Mickey Lavicska

Aug 14, 2025

AIKEN, SC - Mickey Lavicska, 86, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Mickey was born in Budapest, Hungary. Having lived in WWII war-torn Europe as a young boy, and then through the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Mickey was left with a profound appreciation of freedom and the qualities it endures. Mickey escaped Hungary through the forest under machine-gun fire in the...

June Gossett Yarborough

June Gossett Yarborough

Aug 14, 2025

June G. Yarborough, 84, of Aiken, SC, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025, after a brief illness.

Born and raised in Laurens, SC, to the late Fred and Dora Belle Gossett, June graduated from Lander College in 1962 and began a long career as a beloved schoolteacher, retiring in 1994. Even decades after they’d left her classroom, former students would recognize...

Jean S. Smith

Jean S. Smith

Aug 12, 2025

AIKEN, SC - Jean S. Smith, 93, passed away in her home on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 after being in hospice for five months.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Smith, three brothers, Marion, Bob, and Bill, and her sister, Mildred. She is survived by her brother, Jesse (Debbie), 10 nieces/nephews, and numerous great-nieces/nephews. 

She called Aiken home for...

Joel Hastings Wise

Joel Hastings Wise

Aug 11, 2025

JOEL HASTINGS WISE, SR., 70, beloved husband of Faith Foster Wise, passed away Monday, August 11, 2025, in Aiken Regional Medical Centers with his loving family by his side.

Born in Fort Hood, TX, Joel was a son of the late David S., Jr. and Barbara Chapman Wise. He spent the majority of his life in Aiken where he worked as...

Betty Jean Wilson

Betty Jean Wilson

Aug 5, 2025

Mrs. Betty Jean Wilson, 90, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at her residence.

Jean was a lifelong resident of Aiken, daughter of the late Charles William Prosser and Thelma Carolyn Huff Prosser. Jean was of the Baptist faith. She has been reunited in the arms of Jesus with her husband, children, and beloved pets who proceeded her in death. In...

Pamela Pritchard

Pamela Pritchard

Aug 4, 2025

Christy Pritchard, 71, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away on August 4, 2025.

Born on May 15, 1954, in Norfolk, England, Christy was the daughter of the late Marjorie Juanita Brown and Horace Wade “Mace” Brown. She made Aiken her home after moving there in 1989 with her husband of 43 years, the late Patrick Pritchard. Together, they built a life...

Don L. Pennington, MD

Don L. Pennington, MD

Aug 4, 2025

Don L. Pennington, MD, passed away peacefully at home on August 4, 2025, following a prolonged illness. He was devoted to his family and is survived by his loving wife Patricia Kennedy Pennington; three sons, John Whitton “Whit” (Karen McPherson) Pennington, Shelbyville, KY, Lee Kennedy Pennington, Annapolis, MD, Matthew Brooks (Sandra) Pennington, Toronto, Canada; two granddaughters, Georgia Kennedy Pennington and...

M. H. "Jack" Bowles

M. H. "Jack" Bowles

Aug 4, 2025

Morris Harvey “M.H. Jack” Bowles, 96, beloved husband of Jerrie D. Bowles, passed away peacefully at 11:18 PM Sunday, August 3, 2025, in his home with his loving wife by his side.

A native of Pineyview, West Virginia, Jack was the son of the late William Franklin and Mary Susan Adkins Bowles. He was preceded in death by his brothers Ishmael,...

Joseph Alexander Gentilucci

Joseph Alexander Gentilucci

Aug 2, 2025

 )Joseph “Joe” Alexander Gentilucci, (Giuseppe Alexander Gentilucci), 93, of Aiken, SC entered eternal rest on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Aiken SC.

Son of the late Augustino and Mary (Bengivengo) Gentilucci, second of five children, Joe was born on January 21, 1932, in Newark, NJ and grew up in Paterson, NJ.

Joe had three main priorities in life: Faith, Family, Career. Joe...

Tonya Whaley Sheets

Tonya Whaley Sheets

Aug 1, 2025

TONYA WHALEY SHEETS, 51, passed away Friday evening, August 1, 2025 in Batesburg, SC.

Born in Whiteville, NC, Tonya was a daughter of the late Eddie Gene and Janis Sears Whaley. She lived most of her life in Rock Hill, SC and was a former hairdresser. Tonya had a green thumb and enjoyed working with and tending to her plants.

Surviving are...

Robert Bryan Stempel

Robert Bryan Stempel

Jul 31, 2025

ROBERT BRYAN STEMPEL, 63, beloved husband of Barbara Stempel, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

A native of Lancaster, CA, Robert was a son of Kathleen Vanderpool Dawson and the late Roger Stempel. He proudly served his country and was a veteran of the United States Army. He worked as a land surveyor for...

Dennis L. Smith

Dennis L. Smith

Jul 30, 2025

Dennis Levern Smith (age 72) peacefully passed on July 30, 2025 in Aiken, SC. Dennis was born March 8, 1953 to Donald Smith and Donna Sheely in Fremont, OH. He was raised around the Fremont, OH area until leaving for college to study to become an engineer. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Cincinnati specializing in...

Benny Scott Clayton

Benny Scott Clayton

Jul 29, 2025

Benny Scott Clayton, age 56, passed away on July 29, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina.

He was born in Augusta, Georgia on December 9, 1968 to Marilyn and Marshall Clayton. Benny was a wonderful storyteller, with crazy stories from his years on the road as a professional truck driver, a jokester who loved to tease his family, and an amazing mechanic....

Paul Trotti Dyches

Paul Trotti Dyches

Jul 29, 2025

Paul Trotti Dyches passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina, after a seven-month battle with cancer. He was 67.

He is survived by his daughters Michelle Miller (David), Angie Wikert, and Paula Dyches; grandchildren, Dylan Miller, Trevor Miller, Angelica Landers, Savannah Landers, Victoria Landers, Chloe Seigler, Matthew Nealy, Luke Dyches, Ethan Wikert; siblings, Ben T. Dyches III...

Betty T. Blanchard

Betty T. Blanchard

Jul 27, 2025

BETTY TALMADGE TUCKER BLANCHARD, 76, beloved wife of Roy Edward “Eddie” Blanchard, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Augusta, Betty was a daughter of Paul Brown Tucker, Sr. and Elma Earline Royal Tucker. She grew up in Burke County, Georgia. After their marriage on November 11, 1972, Betty moved to Aiken, where...

Catherine Marie Hevel

Catherine Marie Hevel

Jul 27, 2025

Mrs. Catherine Marie Hevel, 71, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Cathy was born in Quincy, IL, daughter of the late Robert L. and Bonnie Hamann Campbell.

Cathy is survived by her beloved husband, Stephen D. Hevel; son, Shawn (Tiffany) Hevel, Lancaster, SC. Daughter, Christy H. (William) Waits, Aiken; grandchildren, Benjamin Waits and Bryce (Jara) Hevel; sisters, Terri (Vic) Seybold, Punta Gorda,...

Local Obituaries for Aiken South Carolina & Surrounding Areas.

Kay Coward Wakefield

Kay Coward Wakefield

Aug 18, 2025

KAY COWARD WAKEFIELD, 80, widow of Don B. Wakefield, passed away Monday morning, August 18, 2025 in her home with her loving family by her side.

Born and raised in Aiken, Kay was the daughter of the late Hellen Hayes Coward and Hazeltine Chaffee Coward. A graduate of Aiken High School’s Class of 1962, she furthered her education at the University...

Clarence "Buzz" Steve Busbee

Clarence "Buzz" Steve Busbee

Aug 18, 2025

Clarence “Buzz” Steve Busbee, 71, passed away Monday, August 18, 2025.

Buzz was the son of the late retired Director of Aiken Department of Public Safety James Carroll Busbee Sr. (Rosemary) and Roseanne Hubbard Cooper (Gerald). He was also pre-deceased by his siblings James “Jimbob” Carroll Busbee Jr. (Michelle), Robert Flynn Busbee, and Carrolanne Busbee Proto (Richard). A lifelong resident of...

Alice Mary Flanders

Alice Mary Flanders

Aug 18, 2025

Alice Mary Finch Flanders passed away on August 18, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mary Finch, and her brother, James Finch.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Alice grew up alongside her brother, James, and sister, Jeanne Finch Strode. She left the family home in 1956 when she...

Charles Thomas Spainhour

Charles Thomas Spainhour

Aug 17, 2025

Charles T. "Charlie" Spainhour passed away on August 17, 2025 in Aiken, SC after a brief illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 23, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in St. Albans, WV. Internment with Military Honors conducted by St. Albans VFW Post 6418 and American Legion Post 73 will follow at...

Mickey Lavicska

Mickey Lavicska

Aug 14, 2025

AIKEN, SC - Mickey Lavicska, 86, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Mickey was born in Budapest, Hungary. Having lived in WWII war-torn Europe as a young boy, and then through the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Mickey was left with a profound appreciation of freedom and the qualities it endures. Mickey escaped Hungary through the forest under machine-gun fire in the...

June Gossett Yarborough

June Gossett Yarborough

Aug 14, 2025

June G. Yarborough, 84, of Aiken, SC, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025, after a brief illness.

Born and raised in Laurens, SC, to the late Fred and Dora Belle Gossett, June graduated from Lander College in 1962 and began a long career as a beloved schoolteacher, retiring in 1994. Even decades after they’d left her classroom, former students would recognize...

Jean S. Smith

Jean S. Smith

Aug 12, 2025

AIKEN, SC - Jean S. Smith, 93, passed away in her home on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 after being in hospice for five months.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Smith, three brothers, Marion, Bob, and Bill, and her sister, Mildred. She is survived by her brother, Jesse (Debbie), 10 nieces/nephews, and numerous great-nieces/nephews. 

She called Aiken home for...

Joel Hastings Wise

Joel Hastings Wise

Aug 11, 2025

JOEL HASTINGS WISE, SR., 70, beloved husband of Faith Foster Wise, passed away Monday, August 11, 2025, in Aiken Regional Medical Centers with his loving family by his side.

Born in Fort Hood, TX, Joel was a son of the late David S., Jr. and Barbara Chapman Wise. He spent the majority of his life in Aiken where he worked as...

Betty Jean Wilson

Betty Jean Wilson

Aug 5, 2025

Mrs. Betty Jean Wilson, 90, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at her residence.

Jean was a lifelong resident of Aiken, daughter of the late Charles William Prosser and Thelma Carolyn Huff Prosser. Jean was of the Baptist faith. She has been reunited in the arms of Jesus with her husband, children, and beloved pets who proceeded her in death. In...

Pamela Pritchard

Pamela Pritchard

Aug 4, 2025

Christy Pritchard, 71, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away on August 4, 2025.

Born on May 15, 1954, in Norfolk, England, Christy was the daughter of the late Marjorie Juanita Brown and Horace Wade “Mace” Brown. She made Aiken her home after moving there in 1989 with her husband of 43 years, the late Patrick Pritchard. Together, they built a life...

Don L. Pennington, MD

Don L. Pennington, MD

Aug 4, 2025

Don L. Pennington, MD, passed away peacefully at home on August 4, 2025, following a prolonged illness. He was devoted to his family and is survived by his loving wife Patricia Kennedy Pennington; three sons, John Whitton “Whit” (Karen McPherson) Pennington, Shelbyville, KY, Lee Kennedy Pennington, Annapolis, MD, Matthew Brooks (Sandra) Pennington, Toronto, Canada; two granddaughters, Georgia Kennedy Pennington and...

M. H. "Jack" Bowles

M. H. "Jack" Bowles

Aug 4, 2025

Morris Harvey “M.H. Jack” Bowles, 96, beloved husband of Jerrie D. Bowles, passed away peacefully at 11:18 PM Sunday, August 3, 2025, in his home with his loving wife by his side.

A native of Pineyview, West Virginia, Jack was the son of the late William Franklin and Mary Susan Adkins Bowles. He was preceded in death by his brothers Ishmael,...

Joseph Alexander Gentilucci

Joseph Alexander Gentilucci

Aug 2, 2025

 )Joseph “Joe” Alexander Gentilucci, (Giuseppe Alexander Gentilucci), 93, of Aiken, SC entered eternal rest on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Aiken SC.

Son of the late Augustino and Mary (Bengivengo) Gentilucci, second of five children, Joe was born on January 21, 1932, in Newark, NJ and grew up in Paterson, NJ.

Joe had three main priorities in life: Faith, Family, Career. Joe...

Tonya Whaley Sheets

Tonya Whaley Sheets

Aug 1, 2025

TONYA WHALEY SHEETS, 51, passed away Friday evening, August 1, 2025 in Batesburg, SC.

Born in Whiteville, NC, Tonya was a daughter of the late Eddie Gene and Janis Sears Whaley. She lived most of her life in Rock Hill, SC and was a former hairdresser. Tonya had a green thumb and enjoyed working with and tending to her plants.

Surviving are...

Robert Bryan Stempel

Robert Bryan Stempel

Jul 31, 2025

ROBERT BRYAN STEMPEL, 63, beloved husband of Barbara Stempel, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

A native of Lancaster, CA, Robert was a son of Kathleen Vanderpool Dawson and the late Roger Stempel. He proudly served his country and was a veteran of the United States Army. He worked as a land surveyor for...

Dennis L. Smith

Dennis L. Smith

Jul 30, 2025

Dennis Levern Smith (age 72) peacefully passed on July 30, 2025 in Aiken, SC. Dennis was born March 8, 1953 to Donald Smith and Donna Sheely in Fremont, OH. He was raised around the Fremont, OH area until leaving for college to study to become an engineer. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Cincinnati specializing in...

Benny Scott Clayton

Benny Scott Clayton

Jul 29, 2025

Benny Scott Clayton, age 56, passed away on July 29, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina.

He was born in Augusta, Georgia on December 9, 1968 to Marilyn and Marshall Clayton. Benny was a wonderful storyteller, with crazy stories from his years on the road as a professional truck driver, a jokester who loved to tease his family, and an amazing mechanic....

Paul Trotti Dyches

Paul Trotti Dyches

Jul 29, 2025

Paul Trotti Dyches passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina, after a seven-month battle with cancer. He was 67.

He is survived by his daughters Michelle Miller (David), Angie Wikert, and Paula Dyches; grandchildren, Dylan Miller, Trevor Miller, Angelica Landers, Savannah Landers, Victoria Landers, Chloe Seigler, Matthew Nealy, Luke Dyches, Ethan Wikert; siblings, Ben T. Dyches III...

Betty T. Blanchard

Betty T. Blanchard

Jul 27, 2025

BETTY TALMADGE TUCKER BLANCHARD, 76, beloved wife of Roy Edward “Eddie” Blanchard, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Augusta, Betty was a daughter of Paul Brown Tucker, Sr. and Elma Earline Royal Tucker. She grew up in Burke County, Georgia. After their marriage on November 11, 1972, Betty moved to Aiken, where...

Catherine Marie Hevel

Catherine Marie Hevel

Jul 27, 2025

Mrs. Catherine Marie Hevel, 71, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Cathy was born in Quincy, IL, daughter of the late Robert L. and Bonnie Hamann Campbell.

Cathy is survived by her beloved husband, Stephen D. Hevel; son, Shawn (Tiffany) Hevel, Lancaster, SC. Daughter, Christy H. (William) Waits, Aiken; grandchildren, Benjamin Waits and Bryce (Jara) Hevel; sisters, Terri (Vic) Seybold, Punta Gorda,...