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Reporting on Pickens County, sharing thousands of local stories, for three decades

The Pickens County Chronicle is a locally owned and operated newspaper in Pickens County, South Carolina publishing local news, feature stories, history, tourism, outdoor recreation, and more

The Pickens County Chronicle has reached more than 12,000 readers this year

Read more than 800 stories free inside

Advertise and support Pickens County journalism

Thank you for supporting local journalism that supports our communities in Pickens County

The Pickens County Chronicle is a locally owned and operated newspaper in Pickens County, South Carolina publishing local news, feature stories, history, tourism, outdoor recreation, and more

The Pickens County Chronicle has reached more than 12,000 readers this year

Read more than 800 stories free inside

Advertise and support Pickens County journalism

Thank you for supporting local journalism that supports our communities in Pickens County
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Tributes to those who have passed

More tributes will be added in alphabetical order

DENNIS CHASTAIN

The Pickens County Chronicle‘s Publisher, Karen Brewer, first came to know Dennis Chastain when she was the Editor of The Pickens Sentinel. Click here for The Pickens County Chronicle‘s in-depth story, published in November of 2025, shortly after the passing of Dennis Chastain: ‘Giving Voice to the Mountains’: Honoring the life of Dennis Chastain

 

Click here for The Pickens County Chronicle‘s story, published in March of 2026: Special event honors the late Dennis Chastain with marker dedication at Bryson’s Children’s Nature Walk in Six Mile and presentation of DAR national American History Award medal

 

Click here to read Publisher Karen Brewer’s Reflections column: In Memory of Dennis Chastain

U.S. SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a native of Central, passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2026. Click here for The Pickens County Chronicle‘s tribute page to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, with links to stories published in The Pickens County Chronicle‘s news pages

RUDY HAYES

The Pickens County Chronicle‘s Publisher & Editor, Karen Brewer, first interviewed Rudy Hayes and wrote about his life in August of 2001, when she was the Editor of The Pickens Sentinel. She wrote later stories about him, as well, including for The Sentinel as well as for her Christian publication. In memory of Rudy, click on this link to read a story from one of her interviews with him: Rudy Hayes’ love for God is greater than football


Click here to read Publisher Karen Brewer’s Reflections column: In Memory of Rudy Hayes

GARY HIOTT

The Pickens County Chronicle‘s Publisher, Karen Brewer, interviewed Gary Hiott on February 1, 2001, when she was the Editor of The Pickens Sentinel, and he, owner of Hiott Printing Company and past longtime owner of The Pickens Sentinel, was honored by Pickens High School and its Athletic Association and given the concrete bench upon which he and his family had sat at Pickens High School football games. After he passed away, in May of 2006, she interviewed his widow, Eloise, and their daughters and sons, Kay, Kerry, Al, and Davey, and wrote another story for her Christian publication (printed by Hiott Printing), including passages from her 2001 story. Click here to read her story from 2006, Gary Hiott: A life of faith, family, friends, and football

ANNE SHERIFF

The Pickens County Chronicle‘s Publisher, Karen Brewer, came to know Anne Sheriff when Karen was the Editor of The Pickens Sentinel. Click here to read The Pickens County Chronicle‘s in-depth story, published in September of 2025, shortly after the passing of Anne Sheriff: Honoring the life of local historian, author, and teacher Anne Sheriff


Click here to read Publisher Karen Brewer’s Reflections column published in September of 2025: In Memory of Anne Sheriff

SAM WYCHE

The Pickens County Chronicle‘s Publisher, Karen Brewer, first interviewed Sam Wyche and wrote a story about his life in April of 2001, when she was the Editor of The Pickens Sentinel. She wrote stories about him afterward, also, including for The Sentinel and for her Christian publication. Click here to read her story Coach Sam Wyche shares his faith

 

Click here to read Publisher Karen Brewer’s Reflections column: Remembering Sam Wyche