Obituaries Sept. 10, 2025
Alicia Tiller Gregory
BENNETTSVILLE — Alicia Tiller Gregory, age 62, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2025. She was born on March 28, 1963, in Ft. Myers, Florida, to the late Ray and Mae McCaskill Tiller.
A dedicated member of Wallace Baptist Church, Alicia found great joy in attending services and singing in the choir. She had a love for nature, particularly enjoying camping trips and days at the lake. Known affectionately as “Maw Maw” and “GiGi” by her grandchildren, Alicia cherished the time she spent with her family.
Alicia is preceded in death by her beloved son, Christopher Hoffman; brothers, Ray Tiller, Jr. and Les Flerx, Jr.; and granddaughter, Jazmin.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 38 years, Wayne Gregory; a son, Richard Flowers; daughters, Ashley Gregory, and Kristie (Heather Flowers) Flowers; brothers, Kenny (Lori) Tiller, James Flerx, Gregory Flerx; and sister, Gayle Flerx. Alicia also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Cody, Kaylee, Makaylee, Courtney, Brayleigh, Savannah, Ariel, Nathan, Ava, and Ashlynn, as well as a great-grandson, Jermal Jr. She will be missed by her close friends, Sharron Melton, Lindsay Munnerlyn, and Dawson Melton.
In keeping with Mrs. Gregory’s wishes, no formal services are planned at this time.
Kiser Funeral Home has been entrusted to serve the Gregory family in their time of grief.
Online condolences may be made at www.kiserfuneralhome.com.
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Glenn Martin
CHERAW — Soon after Thomas Glenn Martin passed away on June 17, 2025 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the condolences and tributes flooded in from friends near and far. Born February 28, 1937, in Clarksville, Tennessee, he and his elder brother Jack were raised by his mother, Glenavis Rice, an English professor and University of Alabama librarian, and her parents in Northport, Alabama. He spent his summers in Plantersville, Alabama, at the familial home of his father, Marvin Oscar. Encouraged to excel in school, Tommy or Tom, as he was known, grew up surrounded by books.
Tom had a long and honorable career in government service, starting with two years in the U.S. Army at 18 in Hawaii. A short stint with the Social Security Administration was followed by 33 years as a diplomat with the U.S. State Department.
At the University of Alabama, he met his love, Laura (Lolly) Spencer. In 1960 they married after each had graduated, he with a degree in history. Lolly, his lifelong muse and occasional director, urged Tom to take the Foreign Service test after a professor suggested that a career as a diplomat might suit his intellect and curiosity about the world beyond Alabama.
In 1963, the adventure began. His career launched at a pivotal moment in history: Vietnam protests, the Kennedy and King assassinations and civil rights activism framed his outlook.
Fresh out of Portuguese language school (Dutch and Turkish were later added to his repertoire), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was an exciting start for Tom and Lolly, who now had a young son. The family moved more than a dozen times, making homes in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Maputo (at the time, Lourenço Marques), Mozambique; The Hague, Netherlands; Ankara, Turkey; back to Brazil in São Paulo; Georgetown, Guyana; Antwerp, Belgium; Vienna, Austria, as well as several tours in Washington, D.C. Along the way, they welcomed two daughters.
Regarded by peers as an exceptional diplomat, Tom was observant, ethical and unflappable under pressure. Tom was a mentor to many and beloved by colleagues. He never boasted but rather held up the achievements of those around him. He said the writing and editing skills he gained as a young journalist in the Army served him well in the Foreign Service, where he reported on political and labor issues, and interviewed parliamentarians and union leaders. His last assignments included positions as Deputy Chief of Mission in Guyana, Consul General in Antwerp, and Deputy Chief of Mission to the United Nations Organizations in Vienna.
At every overseas post, Tom and Lolly made deep, lasting friendships. During assignments in Washington, Tom and family found more of the same: lifelong friends, including many from their Adams Morgan neighborhood. Wherever they lived, Tom and Lolly created welcoming homes, where good food and conversation helped forge those enduring friendships.
A friend said Tommy was a man you could build a community around. He was a true listener, able to find perspective and learn from those he engaged. Another friend recalled his open mind and heart, noting that he cared for people who crossed his path and was never judgmental.
As a father and grandfather, he attended every concert, game, recital and graduation he could. He never hesitated to jump on a sled, run into the surf, play golf or throw a disc.
Tommy retired from the State Department in 1996, but adventures around the world continued. They often exchanged or rented houses for months at a time, inviting friends and family to join. Those lucky to visit had built-in guides who knew every museum, archaeological site, rural road or quiet treasure few tourists encountered.
Back home, to the delight of friends and family, Tom brewed beer, baked crusty loaves of bread, and made preserves from the garden. His grandchildren loved the countless games of Scrabble where he ruthlessly challenged perfectly fine words like “garteling” and “cherp” while commanding the triple-word tiles.
Drawn to historic towns, he and Lolly retired to Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where their home and patio became a gathering place. On Sunday mornings, friends would stop by – no need to knock – sure to find a full pot of coffee, pastries and sections of the New York Times and Washington Post laid out on the table to read. Tom served on the board of Friends of the Shepherdstown Library and used his diplomatic skills during two terms on the town council.
Shepherdstown friends were dismayed when Tommy and Lolly, well into their 70s, decided to relocate once more. Forever traveling the scenic route, they discovered charming Cheraw, South Carolina, and Enfield, a circa 1815 “upcountry farmhouse.” The home’s expansive garden – full of azaleas, gardenias, crepe myrtles, and room to grow – sealed the deal. For the next 10 years, Tom and Lolly rose early to wander their garden – weeding and picking berries, figs, pears, beans, tomatoes and more.
In no time, their new (old) front porch was a stopping place for iced tea, talk and laughter. The smile and twinkle in Tommy’s eyes as he self-deprecatingly recounted many adventures will long be remembered by those who had the fortune to know him.
With his voice, cadence of speech and perhaps even those gentle blue eyes, Tommy was often likened to Jimmy Stewart. It seemed fitting that the kind, intelligent 88-year-old, indeed, lived a wonderful life.
Tommy is survived by Lolly and their three children, Thomas Glenn Jr. (Maria, spouse), Anne Holt (Tyler, spouse), Susan Akpinar (Bahadır, spouse), grandchildren William, Cameron, Lillian, Daniel, Theodore and Alexander and many nieces and nephews.
In honor of Tommy, please consider donating to your local public broadcasting station.
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Wanda Collins Tyner
CHERAW — Mrs. Wanda Collins Tyner entered into rest on Wednesday, September 4, 2025 at the age of 66. Funeral services were held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, September 7, 2025 in the chapel of Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home by Pastor James Tyner and Minister Blackie Hodge with burial following in the St. Joseph’s cemetery officiated by Minister Grant Gleason, III. The family received friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
Mrs. Tyner was born October 8, 1958 in Chesterfield, SC, a daughter of the late Oscar and Lora Collins of Pageland, SC. Wanda retired from her job as a rural carrier from the United States Postal Service. She attended the Church of Life in Wallace, SC. Wanda enjoyed gardening and going on vacations with her family-especially to the mountains. She loved spending time with her family and with her dog, “Little Man”. She also enjoyed doing crafts with her grandchildren, and reading her bible. Her favorite bible verse was Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Tyner was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 45 years, Rev. Rocky Dean Tyner; siblings, George (Lily Bell) Collins, Rachel (Albert) Anderson, James (Carolyn) Collins, Carol (Marguerite) Collins; sisters-in-law, Tracy Collins, Wanda Collins, Sherrill Elders; and brother-in-law, Charles Ivey.
Survivors include her children, Philip Tyner of Cheraw, SC, Tiffany Tyner of Cheraw, SC, Candie (Grant) Gleason of Cheraw, SC; grandchildren, Westley Tyner, Grant Gleason, IIII, Grayson Gleason, Brandyn Tyner, Gaverick Gleason; siblings, Beulah (William) Starnes of Lancaster, SC, Bill Collins of Lancaster, SC, Harold (Mary Sue) Collins of Lancaster, SC, Patricia Ivey of Lancaster, SC, Jerry Collins of Pageland, SC, Wayne “Alvin” (Linda) Collins of NC; niece, Blackie Hodge of Heath Springs, SC; brothers-in-law, James (April) Tyner of Cheraw, SC, Tony (Connie) Tyner of Cheraw, SC, Eddie (Janice) Tyner of Mountville, SC, Steve (Melissa) Elders of Fountain Inn, SC; and sister-in-law, Starr (Jamie) Wade of Enoree, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Tyner family.