Member Focus
Cecil and Emily Parsons
Grace Church is blessed with many folks who have worked hard throughout the years and laid the foundation of a sound Christian lifestyle for the rest of us to follow. Emily and Cecil Parsons are one such couple. Married for 62 years in the old church parsonage by Rev. Hawley Lynn, their family, church and community have learned by their wonderful example.
Emily (Finley) Parsons grew up in Grace Church along with sister Evelyn (Finley) Kennemer and brother Charlie Finley (deceased). Her parents were Albert and Floy Finley. Emily and Cecil have 2 children, Al Parsons and Nancy Lanford (lives in Florence); 4 grown grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Emily had been a stay at home mom until 1968 when she decided to enter the work force. She became the first woman court bailiff in Pickens County at that time. She was also a reserve deputy for the Pickens County Sheriff's Department, being assigned to Clemson University special events security. Part of her responsibilities included body searches on women. The only issue for Emily going into the work field was by Al, who was concerned that his supply of delicious homemade cookies would not be available when he returned home from school. Emily still is a fantastic cook today! Ask the family 'What is her specialty?'-EVERYTHING!
Emily was active in the United Methodist Women and recalls that the bazaars began during the George Fields pastorate. She helped to cook many a meal at church and especially remembers helping to prepare meals for the men who were moving bricks and doing construction of the rebuilt church in 1948-49. She said the entire community was involved and excited about rebuilding the church building after the 1945 fire.
Emily also taught children's Sunday School classes for over 20 years.
Emily married Cecil in 1947, a dyed-in-the-wool Pickens Mill (now East Pickens Baptist Church) Baptist, who grew up on Pickens Mill Hill. Cecil's parents both worked at the Hagood Mill (known as Mayfair Mill in later years). One coveted job that Cecil had in his home church was ringing of the bell each Sunday morning before worship.
After getting married to Emily, Cecil decided to make the change and become a Methodist! From that day on, he has given his best to Grace!
In honor of their 50th wedding anniversary the Parsons' children and grandchildren donated the white paraments that are used in the church sanctuary. The first time they were used was for Amy and Chet Breazeale's wedding in 1998.
Cecil is a veteran of the US Maritime Service, which was under the control of the Coast Guard. During World War II, President Roosevelt took over the Merchant Marines and changed the name to US Maritime Service. Based out of Norfolk, Virginia, Cecil's ship transported fuel for ships and brought soldiers back from Panama and France.
Cecil worked at Singer in Pickens for many, many years, doing the final inspection of wooden cabinets for the sewing machines. After retiring from Singer he helped brother-in-law Charlie Finley start what is now known as The Parkette and was also co-owner of coin-operated machines. In 1981 he took a class at Tri-County Tech for his auctioneer's license. This began a 13 year successful career in doing estate sales, school district, Blue Ridge Coop and Pickens Law Enforcement auctions. This was his most rewarding job. When he acquired items for auction, he made sure that they were clean and in good working condition. Taking the time to make things right and being honest was what gave him an outstanding reputation in the area.
Cecil has very fond memories of helping to make and install the church sanctuary altar paneling, communion rail, pulpit and lectern in 1948-49. He worked closely with other Grace men who made the sanctuary altar possible. Daniel Construction built the building for cost plus 10%. At that time the congregation was concerned that they did not have enough money (estimated to be $100,000 at that time) to replace the structure that had burned. He worked with Grace members Thomas Mitchell (Singer plant manager), Bill Irwin (who became the first Mens' Club president), Herbert Connelly (who was a wood authority), and Jack Gantt (Singer night shift manager) in construction of our altar. Many Saturdays and nights were reserved for this purpose. Herb Connelly hand picked every piece of lumber that was used.
Two non-Grace members in the Pickens community shared their woodworking talent for our altar area. Denver Baldwin designed and drew the plans for the paneling, pulpit, lectern and communion rail. Oren Trotter, a gifted free-lance woodworker, made the wooden Christian emblems that are found on the pulpit and lectern.
The hardwood flooring in the sanctuary was donated by Ben Winchester, father of Esther Kelley. The Winchester manufacturing plant was located across the street from the Jay Chevrolet building (Ann Street and Jones Avenue).
Both Cecil and Emily take pride in their church and how much it has contributed to the Pickens Community. Their work at Grace makes them a vital part of our church history.
Margaret and RB Gilstrap
What good looking retired couple at Grace has been married for 60 years? Margaret and RB Gilstrap were married on January 24, 1949 at the home of Rev. F.S. Childress in Six Mile. Margaret grew up being a part of Gap Hill Church of God and RB's family was at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church. Together they began their church membership with children Benny and Vicki at Mt. Bethel.
After the arrival of Rev. George Fields at Grace, they transferred their membership so their children could be a part of the growing children's and youth ministries.
Both Margaret and RB worked at Judson Mill in Greenville, living for a while in the Welcome Avenue Community in the 50s. Wanting a change of career, Margaret began working at San Souci arranging flowers and making bows. The San Souci owners graduated from floral design school, giving her valuable training. When the Gilstraps moved back to Pickens, Margaret joined forces with Sarah Gantt and the rest is history. She diversified and began doing wedding receptions and catering in addition to floral arrangements. She said that the wedding catering business very rewarding, sharing with families in their happy times, but it requires very long hours! During her career, her name was associated with being Pickens' most successful business woman! Margaret owned the Pickens Flower Shop for 38 years! She has blessed the sanctuary and fellowship hall with hundreds of beautiful flower arrangements.
Vicki (Gilstrap) Porter grew up working in the flower shop so that talent continues on. Vicki has embellished many a social occasion with the ambience of fresh flowers! She is a retired teacher.
Their son Benny and his family live in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. He is a saw filer for a lumber company.
RB left Judson Mill and drove for Associated Transport before becoming a rural mail carrier, something he spent 17 years doing! When Margaret was getting started in the flower shop, RB was the delivery man!
RB was drafted into the Army in 1943 along with 3 of his friends from Pickens-Ralph Trotter, Bert Trotter, and Junior Burgess. From basic training at Fort Jackson he was sent to Texas, then deployed from Newport News, Virginia for Oran, Africa. After training in Africa for 2 weeks, the four were sent to Naples, Italy. As part of the 34th Infantry Division they debarked on the Anzio beachhead, proceeding north and west to the Alps mountain range. During a confrontation with the German Army, a bullet from a German machine gun hot RB in the hip and lodged in his stomach. he had surgery in a tent not far from the battlefield before being sent to Rome for a 10 week recuperation. Following his recovery he was reassigned to a hospital in the Naples area as an ambulance driver.
When the war in Europe ended in June of 1945, he boarded a ship and headed to Japan, a four week trip! Once in Sapporo, Japan, RB and his battalion set up a hospital. This is where RB was when the bombings of Okinawa and Iwo Jima brought about the end of the war in Japan. Discharged in January of 1946, RB received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and two battle stars for his service.
Faithful members of the Hawley Lynn Sunday School Class, RB has served as a trustee many times. Margaret was on the building committee for the 1993-94 fellowship hall and office addition at Grace. She donated the large conference table and chairs that are in the fellowship hall. She has also served on the finance committee. Both of their vast experiences have shown they are willing to give their best to get the job done right! Being of service to their community and country provides much for us to ponder!