Mr. and Mrs. Bill Fowler, of 4141 North Highway 14, Greer, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a drop-in hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Colby Fowler and family on June 5 at the Ministry Center of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. The couple was married June 3, 1966.

Mr. Paul Charles Eill, Jr. and Mrs. Paula Kathryn Eill, of  Taylors, announce the engagement of their daughter, Evelyn Kirsten Thomas, to Kyle Benjamin  Ballew, son of Mr. Sanford Croal Ballew and Mrs. Tammy Koon Ballew, of Greer.

Miss Thomas is the granddaughter of Mr. Paul Charles Eill, Sr. and Mrs. Dagny Petra Eill, of Taylors, the late Mr. Louie Wesley Waddell and Mrs. Dorothy Charlene Waddell Campbell, of Greer.

A 2012 graduate of the University of South Carolina Upstate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, she is a customer service representative with Wireless Solutions in Greer.

Mr. Ballew is the grandson of Mr. Frank Ansel Ballew and Sanford Willownel  Ballew, of Greer, Mrs. Carolyn Deborah Koon, of Greer, and the late Mr. Harold Benjamin Koon.
He is employed by Holder Electric in Greenville.

They will be married September 17, 2016, at The Davenport in Greer.

Kamryn Nicole Mathis, of Greer, was crowned Wee Miss South Carolina in the Little Miss & Teen Miss South Carolina Pageant held in Hartsville recently.

The pageant had 162 contestants from across South Carolina compete during the week.

Mathis is the daughter of Brady and Missy Mathis. She won $2,000 in scholarships, a round crown, trophy, monogrammed banner and a bicycle.

For more information, please visit the pageant website at www.littlemisssc.com.

Lauren Nicole Jeffords, of Simpsonville, and Joel Glen Atkins, of Taylors, were united in holy matrimony by the Rev. Russ Shinpoch, during a 2 p.m. ceremony on May 14, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Simpsonville.

Guests were invited to a reception meal held in the reception hall following the ceremony. Flavor-of-your-choice popcorn was offered while wedding guests enjoyed a fun photo booth. The bride surprised her groom with a Clemson-themed groom’s cake.

The parents of the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner also held in the reception hall. They were assisted by Theresa Few, Judy Moore, Lisa Schulenburg and Angel Sheriff.

The former Miss Jeffords is the daughter of Mark and Alisa Jeffords, of Simpsonville, and granddaughter of Sybil Jeffords, of Laurens, the late William Jeffords, and Marion and Nancy Hornsby, of Waterloo. A 2011 graduate Hillcrest High School, she completed the University of South Carolina Upstate with a BS degree in Nursing in 2015. She is employed by Spartanburg Regional Hospital.

Mr. Atkins is the son of Chuck and Cindy Atkins, of Taylors, and grandson of Geraldine Atkins Gregory, of Taylors, the late Maurice (Bulldog) Atkins, the late Marvin Gregory, the Rev. Gordon Moore, of Easley, and the late Margaret B. Moore. A 2009 graduate of Blue Ridge School, he is currently attending Colorado Technical University pursing a BS degree in Business Administration. The groom is employed by Wells Fargo.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride was attended by her sister, Ashley Jeffords, as her maid of honor, and Hannah Jeffords, also a sister of the bride, Rebecca Holmes, Hannah Davie and Ashley Griffith, as bridesmaids. They were joined by Adley Vicars, daughter of Ryan and Rendi Vicars, as flower girl.

Mr. Atkins, as his son’s best man, was joined by Joshua Atkins, Derek Atkins, brothers of the groom, Landon Odom, cousin of the groom, and Jordan Smith as groomsmen. Daxon Atkins, nephew of the groom and son of Joshua and Andrea Atkins, served the couple as their ring bearer.

Rachel Finley presided at the ceremony as vocalist and pianist.

Upon their return from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the newly-weds are at home in Ft. Inn.

Mr. and Mrs. Louie Wood, of 802 Apple Valley Road, Duncan, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a reception on Oct. 9, 2016. The event was hosted by their children at the home of Larry and Janice Wood, 831 Apple Valley Road, Duncan.

They are the parents of Lane Wood McHugh, of Acworth, Georgia; Larry Wood, of Duncan; and Kathy Wood Edge, of Duncan.

They have seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mr. Wood is retired from Startex Mill. Mrs. Wood, the former Mary Parris, of Sartex, is retired from Springs Industries.

The couple was wed Oct. 19, 1946.

George B. Vieweg, IV, and Brenda K. Vieweg, of Greer, and JoAnne Maree Vieweg, of Bundaberg, QLD, Australia, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kimberly R. Vieweg, of Greer, to Aaron Robert Sherrill, of  Hickory, North Carolina, son of Robert Eugene Sherrill and Gail Bailey Sherrill, of Hickory, North Carolina.

Miss Vieweg is the granddaughter of Jeremy C. McCamic and Jane Chrisman McCamic, of Wheeling, West Virginia, George B. Vieweg, III, of Charleston, West Virginia, the late Lou Henri Vieweg, and Faye Appo, of Bundaberg, QLD, Australia.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Upstate, Miss Vieweg is employed with Apple, Inc.

Mr. Sherrill, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, is employed with Under Armour, Inc. 

They will be married at The Willow Creek Plantation in Landrum on September 23, 2017.

Bobby and Louise Rabb, of Taylors, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their children on Oct. 23, 4 p.m., at the Sears Center in Greenville.

The couple was married Oct. 30, 1956, in Greenville.

They are the parents of Bob and Sherry Rabb, Ray Rabb, Rebecca Partridge, Betty and Allen Watson, Stan and Tina Rabb, and Hal and Laurie Rabb. They have 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Rabb is retired from John D. Hollingsworth. Mrs. Rabb is a housewife. They are members of Russell Memorial Presbyterian Church Greenville.

Mr. and Mrs. Keith Dorn, of Lyman, and Ms. Deborah Hembree, of  Wellford, announce the engagement of their daughter, Nicole Dorn, of Spartanburg, to Stephen Cooke, of Spartanburg, son of  Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cooke, of Spartanburg.

Miss Dorn is a graduate of Laurens High School, 2007, and a 2015 graduate of Colorado Technical University with an Associate degree of Science in Accounting. She is employed by Security Finance.

Mr. Cooke is a 2001 graduate of Spartanburg High School and 2007 graduate of Spartanburg Community College with an Associate degree in Business – Computer Technology.  He is employed by R.L. Jordan Oil Company

They will be married on May 13, 2017,  at The Birdhouse at Mountainview in Inman.

Donald Jay Coggins and Kimberly Bowers Coggins, of 109 Mountain Valley Drive, Greer, announce the engagement of their daughter, Corrie Coggins, of Greer, to Sam Studley, of 3495 N. Highway 14, son of Tim and Marie Studley, of 3419 McAbee Road, Greer.

Miss Coggins is a 2008 graduate of Greer High School, attended North Greenville University and Greenville Technical College. She is employed at  Southern Dance Connection, of Greer.

Mr. Studley is a 2006 graduate of Greer High School and 2012 graduate of North Greenville University with a BA degree in Music Education. He is the band director at Berea High School.

They will be married at Song Hill Reserve in Landrum on April 15, 2017.

Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Howard, of Greer, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 16. They were married Feb. 16, 1957, in Preacher Hubert Finley’s parsonage.
Mrs. Howard is the former Margaret Cartee, daughter of Broadus and Minnie Cartee. Mr. Howard is the son of Jake and Rometta Howard.
They are the parents of sons Robin (wife Alice) and Russell (wife Andrea), all of Greer. They have five grandchildren: Sydney (19), Kennedy (17), Mary-Clay (14), Peyton (12) and Dakota (12).
Mr. Howard retired from HB Swofford Career Center, and Mrs. Howard retired from Shriners.
They are residents of the Apalache community, and attend Praise Cathedral and Apalache Baptist.

Alexandria Brooke Cater, of Taylors, and Mark Brown Colson, of Greer, were united in holy matrimony by the Rev. Daryl Hopkins on March 25, 2017, at Taylors First Baptist Church.

A reception at The Zen in Greenville followed the 5:30 p.m. ceremony. A centered three-tiered wedding cake was offered to the guests.

The Davenport in Greer was the setting on March 24, 2017, for the rehearsal dinner hosted by Jim and Diana Colson.

For the ceremony, the church was decorated with white Hydrangeas, white roses and baby’s breath.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride was attired in a gown of ivory styled with a cathedral-length train. Appliques of white sequins, pearls and beading adorned the bridal creation.

Her full-length veil of white netting, given to the bride by her aunt, was attached by a comb of pearls and rhinestones. Completing the ensemble, the bride carried a bouquet of white Hydrangeas, white roses, and white Sweetheart roses touched by baby’s breath.

Attending the bride were Ms. Ashley Cater and Miss Katharine Anne Ashmore, as her maids of honor, and Sarah Neal, Cassidy Reed, McKenzie Lever, Chelsea Nichols, Jordan Elder, Brooke Negrete, Julie Townley and Ashley Attaway, as bridesmaids. Emma Wright joined the attendants as junior bridesmaid. They carried gathering bouquets of baby’s breath.
Sophie Besseau, daughter of Arthur and Jenniffer Besseau, served as flower girl.

Attending the groom were Garyn Bryant and Kevin Colson as best men. Groomsmen included Jim Colson, Chase Inabinet, Jake Williams, Taylor Hopkins, Taylor Bradley, Johnathan Bradley, Charles Ashmore and Stan Ashmore.

Alexis Besseau, son of Arthur and Jenniffer Besseau, served as ring bearer.

Charles Wright and Devin Gwinn ushered.

The former Miss Cater is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Cater, of Taylors, and granddaughter of Mrs. Lea R. Gramling, of Greenville, the late Mr. Gary L. Ricker, Mrs. Johnnie S. Cater, of Greer, and Mr. Jimmy R. Cater, of Arlington, Texas.

A 2011 graduate of Riverside High School and 2015 graduate of Clemson University with a BA degree in Secondary Education and English, she is employed by Chapman High School, District 1 in Spartanburg.

Mr. Colson is the son of Ms. Diana Colson, of Greer, and Mr. James Colson, of Greer, and grandson of Mrs. Laverne Colson, of Middleton, NJ, the late Mr. Alvin Colson, the late Ms. Barbara B. Sayward, and the late Mr. Fred Sayward.

A 2007 graduate of Riverside High School, he attended Tri County Technical College and is employed at Kascar.

Upon their return from West Palm Beach, Florida, the newly-weds will reside in Taylors.

Corrie Virginia Coggins, of Greer, and Samuel Cain Studley, of Greer, were united in holy matrimony by the Rev. Ben Patat during a 4:30 p.m. ceremony held on April 15, 2017 at Song Hill Reserve in Landrum.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, is the daughter of Don and Kim Coggins, of Greer, and granddaughter of Audrey Sloan Bowers, of Greer, the late Harold W. Bowers and the Late W. Oneal and Judith Sherriff Coggins, who resided in Greer.

A 2008 graduate of Greer High School, she attended North Greenville University and Greenville Technical College and is employed by Southern Dance Connection of Greer, and David’s Bridal in Greenville.

The groom is the son of Tim and Marie Studley, of Greer, and grandson of Shirley Studley, the late E. L. Studley, Margaret Price and the late Edgar C. Lindley.

A 2006 graduate of Greer High School, and 2012 graduate of North Greenville University with a BA degree in Music Education, he is the band director at Berea High School.

Guests from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, Illinois, California, Colorado, Utah, and Washington were welcomed by entrance doors decorated with grapevine wreaths entwined by greenery and sheer gold ribbon bows. The mountain site was adorned with a wooden arbor filled with white hydrangeas, succulents, seeded eucalyptus, salal, ruscus, O’Hara garden roses, plumosa and Queen Anne’s lace.

Off-white chiffon and string pearls created a romantic arch under which the couple exchanged vows.

Wedding music was provided by Noah Guthrie, guitarist, who presented Ecstasy of Gold, Here Comes the Sun and Can You Feel the Love Tonight as the processional. The wedding party departed to Adore, written by Mr. Guthrie, also the vocalist along with Melanie Studley.

A vocal selection, “Take the World,” rendered by Mr. Guthrie and Ms. Studley, was presented as the bride and groom tied a three rope knot onto a wood board, symbolizing the scripture from Ecclesiastes 4:12, that a cord of three strands is not easily broken.

For her marriage, the bride selected an off-white ballgown of silk taffeta with a chapel train designed by Leann Belter. Delicate crystal and pearls beaded straps enhanced the ballerina neckline with an illusion lace and pearled insert. A dramatic look was created by a low back atop a gathered and rusched cummerbund and cinched waistline.

The draped bodice bloomed into a gathered full skirt with pockets, one which held an initialed handkerchief in memory of her grandfather, Harold Bowers.

To complete the ensemble, she wore a hair piece of succulents, seeded eucalyptus sprigs and Vivianna roses, accenting her partial up-do with ringlet curls.

A blusher veil of tulle feathered in a pearl and rhinestone silver comb edged with crystals and pearls, made by her mother, fell over a chapel length layer, also edged in crystals and pearls.
The bride carried a stemmed bouquet of white hydrangea, succulents, seeded eucalyptus, salal, ruscus, O’Hara garden roses and Queen Anne’s lace, tied by a gold satin ribbon, which held a butterfly pin in memory of her grandmother, Judith Coggins.

Bridal attendants included DeAnna Chisolm,, of Greer, as matron of honor, and Megan Friend, of Greer, Anna Brown, of Greer, Courtney Poole, of Inman, Amanda Sloan, of Greer, Melanie Studley, of Seattle, WA, Brittany Anderson, of Chicago, Ill, and Rachel Goodwin, of Taylors, as her bridesmaids.

They were attired in floor-length olive green polyester/jersey convertible dresses with a natural waistline. To complete the look, they carried stemmed bouquets of white hydrangeas, Playa Blanca roses, succulents, seeded eucalyptus and salal gathered by white ribbon.

The groom’s nieces, Claire Studley, daughter of Micah Studley, and Haddie Studley, daughter of Seth and Melanie Studley, as flower girls, wore long-sleeved, lace floor-length dresses designed with a sheer back and Sweetheart necklines. The back of the vintage dresses held satin sashes tied by an over-sized bow.

They also wore crowns of ruscus, vivianna spray roses and plumose complemented by antique woven baskets of white O’Hara garden rose petals tied with a sheer, two-toned gold bow.
Attending the groom were Randall Rainey, of Greer, as best man, and Jay Coggins, of Greer, Ian Guthrie, of Greer, Brian Sorrells, of Taylors, Edgar Dimarco, of Simpsonville, Micah Studley, of Greer, and Seth Studley, of Seattle, WA.

Mariner Studley and Tuff Studley, sons of Seth and Melanie Studley, joined the attendants as ring bearers.

The groom’s attendants sported fishing lure boutonnieres while the fathers of the bride and groom and the groom, were pinned with vivianna spray roses and a succulent twinned with a fishing lure.

Guests enjoyed a white groom’s cake decorated with white icing and blue flowers during the rehearsal dinner hosted by Tim and Marie Studley, at Song Hill Reserve on the evening of April 14, 2017.

The reception, also held at Song Hill Reserve, included dancing and a taco bar. The pavilion was decorated with chiffon-draped openings and handmade wooden and chalkboard signs. Three potted hens and chicks succulents grown from cuttings of the bride’s grandmother, Minnie Sloan, graced the buffet table in her memory.

Pictures of the couple with their brothers hung above the favor and guest book tables, while guest tables held framed photographs of the bride and groom throughout their childhood and teen years. The wedding party was seated at the head table adorned with wood slices and painted gold, white and clear glass bottles containing single white roses. The bridesmaids’ bouquets served as center decorations.

On the Sweetheart table, the bride placed her bouquet as the centerpiece. The bridal sweet potato cake with cream cheese icing was paired with matching cupcakes for the guests, displayed on tiered wood platforms, vintage silver trays and wood crates. The cake was topped by a small wooden canoe which held a miniature top hat, a fishing rod in the middle sporting a fish on a line, and, on the opposite side, a miniature bridal veil from the bride’s Barbie doll collection, handmade by her grandmother.

Walt Brown, a friend of the bride, served as director of the wedding. Bailey Dalton, also a friend, photographed the ceremony and festivities.

Following a cruise to Key West and Cozumel, the newly-weds are residing in Greer.

Mr. and Mrs. Mack Holliday, of Greer, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to London and West Sussex in England as well as the Cinque Terre along the Italian Riviera in Italy.

The couple was married by Rev. Herschel Crain at Standing Springs Baptist Church in Simpsonville on April 11, 1992.

They are the parents of Luke (19) and Elise (10).

Mr. Holliday, son of Doyle and Shirley Holliday, is a realtor. He enjoys tennis and classic cars.

Mrs. Holliday, the former Hope McCulley, is the daughter of Barbara McGill McCulley and the late Robert McCulley. She is a homemaker and an artist who enjoys oil painting in her spare time.

The couple attends Grace Church in Greer. They give a quarterly devotional service at The Gardens at Eastside and a monthly one at Greer Community Ministries.

Mattison Victoria Williams and Davis Andrews Craig were united in holy matrimony by the Rev. Richard Smith, uncle of the groom, and Rev. Matt Williams, father of the bride. The double ring ceremony was held at Grace Church in downtown Greenville, on April 29, 2017.

Wedding music was rendered by Brian Darnell, of Greenville, and Matt Kelley, of Greenville. Leigh Allison Kelley and Kristen Bellflower served as directors of the ceremony.

Attending the guest register and programs were Tori Cooper, CJ Kennedy and Caroline Stahlsmith, cousin of the bride.

The former Miss Williams is the daughter of Vicki and Matt Williams, of Greenville, and granddaughter of Doris and Buddy Nelson, of Greenville, and Tallula Williams, of Conway. The bride is a 2017 graduate of Clemson University with a BS degree in Nursing and is employed by Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Craig is the son of Sheryl and Larry Craig, of Lexington, and grandson of Patricia and Joey Welsh, of North Augusta. A 2015 graduate of Clemson University with a BA degree in Political Science, he is employed by The Boardman Group and Grace Church.

Attending the bride were Causey Williams, Lail Williams and Laurel Williams, sisters of the bride, as maids of honor, and, as bridesmaids, Sara Brunson, Hayley Cheek, Olivia Craig, sister-in-law of the groom, Eliza Geary, Tiffany Hwang, Caroline Ratchford, and Elleson Stahlsmith, cousin of the bride.

They were joined by Meredith Crenshaw, as honorary bridesmaid, and Maggie McAlister, cousin of the bride, as flower girl.

Attending the groom were his brother, William Craig, as best man, and, as groomsmen, Brent Hildebrand, Connor Mitchell, Eric Monroe, Ryan Quiat, John Swetenburg, Richard Vaughan, Philip White and Micah Williams, brother of the bride. Boaz Williams, cousin of the bride, stood as ring bearer.

A reception was held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Trecy Watson. Music was provided by Blake Ferguson, Timothy Hogue, Brendon McGlohan, Spenser Parnell, Blake Payne and Connor Perkins.

The newlyweds traveled to Northern California and Nevada and are residing in Greenville.
 

Mr. and Mrs. David Bishop, of Greer, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Micale and Mr. and Mrs. Kent Grainger, announce the engagement of their children, Amanda Elizabeth Bishop, of Greer, and Ethan Kent Grainger, of Florence.

The bride-elect is a 2010 graduate of Riverside High School and 2014 and 2017 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BA degree in Journalism and M.A.T. in Elementary Education. She is employed by Florence School District One.

Mr. Grainger, of Florence, is a 2012 graduate of South Florence High School and 2016 graduate  of the University of South Carolina with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is employed by Honda Manufacturing.

The couple will be married on April 7, 2018, at Brushy Creek Baptist Church with a reception following at the Greenville Marriott.

James W. Ford, a native of Greer, celebrated his 100th birthday on July 11 with a party at Southside Baptist Church with family and friends on July 8.
Ford is the father of Elliott Ford, of Greer, and Donna Greene, of Mustang, Oklahoma. He has three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Ford retired in 1963 from Barbecue King in Greenville.

Lorena Hightower Nelson celebrated her 100th birthday on July 11, 2017.

Her family held a party that had more than 75 people in attendance, including friends and family, many of whom were from out of town, some even from other states.

Rebecca McConnell, of Greer, became the bride of Jean-Pierre Wersinger, of Greenville, during a 1 p.m. ceremony on June 17, 2017. Their vows were repeated before Father Richard Tomlinson at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Taylors.

The former Miss McConnell is the daughter of Mark and Paula McConnell, of Greer, and granddaughter of Audrey McConnell, of Piedmont. She is a 2017 graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Language and International Health. The bride is employed by the Greenville Hospital System.

Mr. Wersinger is the son of Thierry and Tanya Wersinger, of Greenville, and grandson of Jean Pierre Wersinger, of Strasbourg, France, Pauline Wersinger, of Strasbourg, France, and Erna Bloom, of Forest Hill, Maryland. The groom is a 2017 graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Architecture. He is employed with Mcmillan, Pazdan and Smith Architecture.

Following a reception at Grace Hall in downtown Greer, the couple traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, and Hot Springs, North Carolina. They are residing in Greer.

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Badger, of Greenville, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a dinner celebration hosted by the couple’s three children at Greer Country Club on Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.

The dinner table was decorated with vases of Alstroemeria lilies. Wedding and past anniversary photos surrounded by arrangements of mums and Alstroemeria lilies decorated the cake table. A balloon arrangement completed the decor.

Guests were served an anniversary sheet cake with pale pink roses and white roses.

The couple was married on Aug 1, 1947, at the home of Dr. R.W. Sammeth.

They are the parents of Kathy Wright (John) of Greenville, H. Larry Badger (Kala) of Taylors, and Beth Felkel (Rob) of Taylors. They have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Badger is the former Robbie Welborn, daughter of J.D. and Louise Davis Welborn. She is a homemaker.

Mr. Badger is the son of Sydney Humphries Badger and Anzie Bagwell Badger. He is a retired Prudential Insurance Agent.

The couple are members of Earle Street Baptist Church. They shared a love of singing, and often sang for wedding ceremonies of family and friends.

Joshua and Brittany Woods, of Inman, announce the birth of a son, Jayse Elige Woods, on Sept. 14, 2017, at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. He weighed 11 lbs. 10 oz. and measured 20.25 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Ellen and David Miller, and Mike and Belinda Bryant. Paternal grandparents are David and Tammy Woods. The couple are also the parents of Mason Woods.