Category: 1953

George Burnett Brockenbrough, 95, of Greenwood, SC, passed away on Sept. 4th at Wesley Commons. Born in Tryon, NC, he was the only child of George Hawkins Brockenbrough and Helen Burnett Brockenbrough.

After moving to Kinards, SC at the age of 6, George made lifelong friends, including Thornwell and his sister, “Sissy,” who became the love of his life and bride in 1953. He attended Clinton public schools, the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, and Davidson College before enrolling and graduating with honors from Clemson University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering.

Following graduation, George served two years in the Army Ordinance Corps at Aberdeen, Maryland, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant. Following his military service, George was at the forefront of technological history, beginning his career with IBM in Endicott, New York, in 1956, then later in Atlanta, Georgia. As an early computer pioneer, he helped develop and refine the first generation of commercial computers, helping to build the first mass-produced computer in the world. This exciting era of innovation shaped his entire professional life and instilled in him a lifelong passion for technology and problem-solving.

Because of his desire to return to his hometown to be near family and childhood friends, George accepted a position at Clinton Mills in 1961, installing the company’s first computers. He then moved his family to Greenwood, SC in 1969, where he led the Greenwood Mills Data Processing Department, directing an increasingly large and challenging operation until retiring in 1996.

George loved music, first joining church choirs in high school, playing clarinet and saxophone with the Clemson Jungaleers, and later singing with community choruses, including as an original member of the Greenwood Festival Chorale. He was also a proud member of the choir in each of the seven churches he attended throughout his life. His love for the Arts brought him to Greenwood Little Theater, now known as Greenwood Community Theater, where he shared his love of theater with his family for many years. It also served as an entrance into and a love for the Greenwood Community.

George’s love of the Greenwood and Clinton Communities moved him to volunteer and hold leadership roles in myriad local organizations, including the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood County Library, Greater Greenwood United Ministry, Greenwood Kiwanis Club, Greenwood Performing Arts, and the Lander University Docent Program. His devotion to his faith and church led him to First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, where he was a Ruling Elder and served on the Trinity Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry.

George was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Mildred ‘Sissy” Dunlap Brockenbrough, and his son-in-law, Mark Patterson.

He is survived by three daughters; Mary Lee Kirkpatrick (Pat) of Woodstock, GA, Mildred Patterson of Charlotte, NC and Helen Brockenbrough of Greenwood, SC; four grandchildren, Anna Patterson Patel (Chirag) of Charlotte, NC, Rachel Patterson of Charlotte, NC, Austin Kirkpatrick Spradlin (Bryan) of Covington, GA and Alex Kirkpatrick (Sara) of Asheville, NC as well as eight great-grandchildren; Grayson, Landon and Carter Patel; Jacob, Joel, Eva, Atticus and Eliza Jane Spradlin.

A Celebration of George’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, with Dr. Brad Christie officiating. 

The service will be live streamed on the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood’s YouTube Channel.

The family will receive friends following the service in Alexander Hall. A private internment will take place in Clinton at a later date.

The family requests memorials be made in lieu of flowers to Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont, 408 Alexander Ave, Greenwood, SC 29646.

James E. Patterson, Sr. MD, age 94, passed away on Friday July 24, 2026 at his home in Marion, Virginia.

Doc Patterson was a wonderful husband, dad and daddy doc to the grandchildren. His priorities were in perfect order – God, family, and his community. After graduating from Davidson College and the UVA School of Medicine, he started practicing family medicine where he never turned anyone away – “No” was not in his vocabulary. Doctor Patterson made Smyth County and many surrounding counties medically better. He was instrumental in combining Lee Memorial and Marion General into the original Smyth County Community Hospital. In his time he delivered around 2,500 babies, was a Medical Examiner for 50 years, a trusted Emergency Room Doctor for many hospitals, the medical Director for every Rescue Squad in Smyth and surrounding counties. Doctor Patterson said “yes” again when his community needed a free clinic. His medical legacy will live on in the many wonderful differences he made during his life.

When he wasn’t Smyth County’s Doctor, he loved traveling with the love of his life, Fairfax. They enjoyed being on 7 continents and just hanging out at their second home in Myrtle Beach. He loved the garden, playing tennis, or just enjoying his time in the heat.

Doctor Patterson was generous with his time, resources, and affection. He supported UVA and Virginia Tech where he was a Golden Hokie.

It’s amazing all that he packed into his 94 years- A wonderful Family, A loving Doctor, and an Advocate for Good. Doc Patterson was the standard for A Wonderful Life – He will certainly be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo Virgo & Clarice Widmeyer Patterson; infant sister, Ellen Avey; grandson, David Patterson Sparger.

Doc Patterson is survived by his wife, Fairfax Soyars Patterson; daughters, Rebecca Sparger (John), Jeannie Conner (Robert), Caroline Patterson; sons, James Patterson, Jr. (Toni), John Patterson (Wendy), Richard Patterson (Ami); brothers, John A. Patterson and Bruce Patterson (Cathy); grandchildren, Adam Sparger (Fatima), Claire Richardson, Hunter Anderson (Julie), James Patterson III, Jake Conner, Summer Patterson, Ellen Avey “Elle”, Brody Patterson, Walker Patterson, Daisy Sturgill, Sarah Salyer, Joey Conner; great-grandchildren, Sam, Seeley, Benji, Lyla, Fisher, Elyas, Hallie; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Christ Episcopal Church 409 W Main St, Marion, VA 24354, or Smyth Animal Rescue 182 Rifton Dr, Marion, VA 24354, or the charity of your choice.

Services will be held Monday July 27, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver Brown Chapel with Reverend John Church and Minister Frank Branson officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Hilton Lamar Ruth, Jr, better known as “Jack,” died June 3, 2026 at the age of 95. He was born November 19, 1930 in Rock Hill, SC, son of the late Hilton Lamar Ruth and Dorothy Meroney Ruth. Mr. Ruth graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1949, where he is a member of the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame. He graduated from Davidson College in 1953 where he was quarterback on the football team, President of the student body and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity. After graduation, he joined American Trust Company in Charlotte and was in banking for 42 years in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Lumberton, Concord, and Hendersonville. While in banking Jack served as Chairman of the Carolina School of Banking, President of the Young Bankers Division and President of the North Carolina Bankers Association. In Hendersonville, Mr. Ruth served as President of the United Way, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of Hendersonville Country Club and President of the UNCA Foundation.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Kate Jones Ruth, and his children: Dorothy Elizabeth “Libby” Ruth of Monroe, NC; HL “Trip” Ruth III of Concord, NC; and R David Ruth and wife, Eva, of Kings Mountain, NC. He is survived by six grandchildren: Carolyn, HL IV, and Will Ruth; Andrew (Claire) Ruth, Mary Kate (Jayson) Humphrey, and Maggie (Timmy) Clifton and affectionally known as “Pop” to eight great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Pines, Davidson, NC at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2026, followed by visitation and a reception celebrating Jack’s life. A graveside service will be on Sunday at 10:00 am at the Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, NC. Memorials may be made to The Residents Fund at The Pines, 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28036.

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Jim Speed of Marietta, Georgia died peacefully on April 26, 2026. He was born to James Ormond Speed Sr. and Mary Hoover Speed in Mobile, Alabama and was raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a graduate of Davidson College (1953) and Columbia Theological Seminary (1957) and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1957. He received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1984.

While Jim was serving in his first call as Assistant Minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama, he met Flora McDonald at a church Bible study. They were married on August 2, 1958 and committed their lives to loving service together. Jim served as Pastor in Alexander City, Alabama before moving to Richmond, Virginia to work on the National Board of Christian Education for the Presbyterian Church. During the turbulence of the 1960’s, Jim accepted a call to serve as Pastor at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in his hometown of Birmingham (1964-1972). In his final pastoral call, he served as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia from 1972 until his retirement on January 15, 1999.

As a pastor, Jim lived out his commitment to Christ and to sharing the good news of God’s love in all that he said and did. He humbly counted it a privilege in 41 years of ministry to keep an account of 552 marriages, 495 funerals, 1,190 baptisms, and 1,740 sermons. He also led many of his church members on spiritual pilgrimages to sites of significance to the Christian faith.

He wrote to the Marietta congregation at the end of his ministry: “In ways beyond counting, standing in your pulpit Sunday after Sunday, being with most of you in times of sickness and trouble, helping you celebrate the happy events and simply being allowed to love you and receive your love has been my joy for all these years.”

Jim’s service extended into the greater community of Cobb County and beyond. He served on the Board of Trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary, WellStar Kennestone Hospital, and Presbyterian College. He was a long-time member of the Marietta Rotary Club and served a term as President. He served on various other boards in the Marietta community and held numerous positions of responsibility for his presbyteries and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), including significant service on the Tri-Presbytery New Church Development Commission. He encouraged First Presbyterian to host many years of Christmas International House (for international students). He participated in A Christian Ministry in the National Parks during his seminary days and served on its board for decades. He and Flora enjoyed two summer pulpit exchanges with the Rev. Bill Buchan of Kilwinning Abbey Church in Ayrshire, Scotland. Jim was a proud Eagle Scout and supported scouting throughout his life, including several 10-day Philmont Scout Ranch hikes with young Scouts and Explorers of Troop 252.

After retirement, Jim’s pastoral sensibilities continued. He served on the development staff of Columbia Theological Seminary, preached frequently, helped charter a new congregation in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and eventually returned to First Presbyterian Church to sing with the Chancel Choir.

Most importantly, Jim lived a life full of constant love for his wife, Flora, and for his four children. He was steady and steadfast, quick with a hug or the offer of counsel. He eagerly planned family vacations, packed and drove station wagons all over the country, and made up silly stories to tell around the campfire. In later years, he enjoyed traveling and gardening with Flora, reading, and assembling jigsaw puzzles. He gave patient and practical help to his children with home projects and party preparations and delighted in keeping up with his six grandchildren. It has been our great joy to love him and receive his love for all these years.

Jim is survived by his children Beth Kindred (Doug), Mary Langford (David), Sarah McTyre (Andrew), and Todd Speed (Melanie); his grandchildren Bill Langford (Bayli), Hall Speed, John Speed, Mac Speed, Mary Kindred, and Luke Speed; his great grandchildren Declan and Brooks Langford; and his brother-in-law, Jim McDonald (Robin) and his children James McDonald (Whitney) and Frances Reynolds (John) and their families.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia on Friday, May 1, at 2pm with a time for visitation following the service.

In lieu of flowers, you may send memorial gifts to First Presbyterian Church, 189 Church St #1629, Marietta, GA 30060, for either the “James O. Speed and Flora M. Speed Legacy Fund for Seminarians” or the general memorial fund of First Presbyterian Church.

Lewis Mann Nelson, Jr., of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on January 7, 2026 at 94 years of age. He was born on April 2, 1931 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina to Ellen Finley and Lewis M. Nelson. Lewis’s life embodied a commitment to helping others and serving the community with a particular focus on supporting public education and the well-being of children as a whole. 

Lewis loved adventures and traveling. In 1948 at age 17, he and his cousin Gordon Finley, Jr., floated a surplus Army Air Corps life raft from the mountains of North Carolina to the coast , travelling the length of the Yadkin – Pee Dee River, a distance of 425 miles over eighteen days, living off the land and the kindness of people, while utilizing the skills he learned as an Eagle Scout in Senior Explorer Post #121.

Lewis graduated from Davidson College with a BS degree in Business Administration in 1953. He participated in Navy ROTC at Davidson and accepted a Commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. His first permanent duty station was with the Commander-in Chief of the Pacific Fleet Command, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he was assigned as a communications officer. He loved to tell stories about his time spent transmitting top secret messages, meeting the President of South Korea as well as exploring and enjoying the people and culture in Hawaii. His experience was truly transformational for a young man from a small town in North Carolina as he came to understand a much broader world. Lewis cherished the time he spent in the Navy and continued to serve in the Naval Reserve, retiring at the rank of Commander. 

Following his active-duty service, Lewis moved to Roanoke, Virginia to start his banking career at Mountain Trust Bank. He worked for over 39 years at the bank as it merged many times eventually becoming Bank of America. He met Alice Albert and the two were married in 1961, enjoying fifty-nine years together until her passing in 2021. Together, they raised three daughters, a son, many cats and more dogs. Lewis loved his family and over the years delighted as his children married and established their own families. He thrived in telling stories and listening to the antics of his grandchildren, and took keen interest in their own education and adventures. He loved his family time, and most especially the annual beach trips to Ocean Isle, Sandbridge, and Myrtle Beach with several generations of family and friends. Lewis and Alice made life long and dear friends participating in their regular tennis and bridge groups over the years. 

Lewis’s service to others continued throughout his life. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, and served on many committees with the church, to include service for many years as an Elder. He served the City of Roanoke on many community boards, and most significantly the Roanoke City School Board for twelve years, including one term as the Chair of the School Board. Following his service to his city, Lewis served as a member of the State Board of Education for eight years. Over the course of his professional life, he served as the President of Family Service of Roanoke, President of the Backbone Club for the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Science Museum of Virginia, Vice-President of the United Way of Roanoke, and as a board member of Planned Parenthood and the Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP). 

Lewis retired as the Regional Vice-President of Bank of America. But true to his nature, he came out of retirement to serve the citizens of the Alleghany Highlands when he was recruited to serve for ten years as the first Executive Director of The Alleghany Foundation that was formed in 1995. He and his wife, Alice, traveled extensively all over the world with friends as he eagerly wanted to experience and explore many cultures and sights. Their travels took them to many countries in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Lewis is preceded in death by his father, Lewis M. Nelson, his mother, Ellen Finley Nelson, his brother, Thomas Nelson, his wife, Alice Albert Nelson, and his son, John Finley Nelson. He is survived by his daughter, Martha Nelson Kelley (Blaine) of Atlanta, Georgia, daughter, Gwyn Nelson Johnson (John) of Roanoke, Virginia, daughter Caroline Nelson Derifaj (Jason) of Cary, North Carolina, daughter-in-law, Anastassia Doynova, of Sofia, Bulgaria, grandchildren, Thomas Johnson (Logan), Anne Johnson, Lenoir Kelley, Frances Kelley, Gwyn Kelley, Sarah Derifaj, Audrey Derifaj, Sophie Nelson, and one great-grandchild, Cohen Johnson. 

With quiet humility and steadfast love, Lewis gave himself first to his family, living his life with patience, sacrifice, and faithfulness. He extended that same love to his community and country, seeking justice, and practicing mercy. His life testified that greatness is found in service, and we trust that he now hears “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” 

A celebration of his life will occur on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia 24016. A reception will follow the service at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Second Presbyterian Church Organ Fund 214 Mountain Avenue Roanoke, VA 24016 (www.spres.org) 

Or 

Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) of Roanoke Valley 1201 Third Street, SW Roanoke, VA 24016 https://chiprv.givingfuel.com/donatetochip