Category: Obituaries

Elisa Kay Sparks, Associate Professor Emerita of English, passed away on August 16, 2025.

Sparks retired in 2013 after 35 years of service with Clemson University. Further state employment service and memorial information will be shared when available.

Friends and colleagues shared tributes in memory of Elisa Kay Sparks on the “Blogging Woolf” blog.

E. Earl Burch Jr., Professor Emeritus of Business Administration and Mathematical Sciences, passed away on August 16, 2025.

Burch served Clemson University for 30 years, retiring in 1999. He was a three-time Clemson alumnus, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (1966), a master’s in Industrial Management and a Ph.D. in Engineering Management.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Clemson on Saturday, August 23, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service in the reception hall.

E. Earl Burch’s obituary is available online.

Rose J. Davis, Professor Emerita of Family and Youth Development, passed away on August 5, 2025.

Davis began her Clemson career on November 1, 1973, and retired on July 1, 1999, totaling nearly 26 years of service with the University (and three years of out-of-state service). She served as a nutrition specialist with Clemson Cooperative Extension and earned several awards during her time as an employee, including the Clemson Alumni Association’s Cooperative Extension Distinguished Public Service Award.

Davis received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Winthrop University and a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Clyde V. Madren Center on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Rose J. Davis’s obituary is available online.

Georgia Annette Whelchel, retired senior nurse practitioner for the Redfern Health Center and lecturer for the School of Nursing, passed away on July 29, 2025.

Whelchel began her Clemson career on June 11, 2001, and retired on September 16, 2023, totaling more than 27 years of service with the University. She also held Animal Industries and Nursing degrees from Clemson and won several staff excellence awards during her time as an employee.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Clemson University Outdoor Lab’s Kresge Hall located at 415 Charlie White Trail, Pendleton, S.C. The service will start at 2 p.m. and visitation to follow. The celebration of Annette’s life will be filled with joy and light. Colorful clothing is welcome to reflect this spirit.

Annette Whelchel’s obituary is available online.

George Calvin Skelley, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Animal and Veterinary Science, passed away on July 26, 2025.

Skelley totaled 36 years of service with the University, retiring on June 30, 1998, before serving as a temporary professor and joining the Emeritus College in 2017.

Skelley authored over 250 research papers, articles and abstracts during his time as a Clemson faculty member. He also actively participated in various organizations while at Clemson, including the American Meat Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, SC Association of Meat Processors, Southern Association of Agriculture Scientists, Gamma Sigma Delta, Kiwanis Club, Sage Club, Rodeo Club, Alpha Zeta Honorary Fraternity, Clemson Faculty Club, Clemson IPTAY Club, Clemson Fellowship Club and many others. He served as faculty advisor to the Block and Bridle Club for numerous years and also served as AGR advisor.

Skelley earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Panhandle A&M College in 1958, followed by earning his master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky.

Visitation will be on August 8, 2025, at Clemson United Methodist Church from 12-12:45 p.m. A service will follow in the church starting at 1 p.m.

George Skelley’s obituary is available online.

Billy Ray ‘B.R.’ Skelton, Professor Emeritus of Economics, passed away on July 21, 2025.

Skelton began his Clemson career on September 1, 1959, and retired on December 25, 1987. He joined the Emeritus College on July 28, 2017, totaling 32 years of service with the University.

He earned a bachelor’s degree (1956) and master’s degree (1958) from Clemson and served in the South Carolina House of Representatives. The intersection of U.S. Highway 123 and S.C. Highway 93 near Clemson’s main campus is named the “Dr. B.R. Skelton Interchange,” an honor bestowed in 2018. Skelton was also the first recipient of the Clemson University Board of Visitors Legislative Leadership award in 2011.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 6, from 1-1:45 p.m. at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central, with a memorial service following.

B.R. Skelton’s obituary is available online.

Juanita Gail Flinchum Foster, recently retired registered nurse at Redfern Health Center, passed away on July 20, 2025.

Foster began her Clemson career on June 1, 2010, and retired on July 15, 2025, totaling more than 15 years of service with the University.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 27, from 1-2:45 p.m. at Gray Mortuary in Pelzer, S.C. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. in the mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Beaverdam Baptist Church.

Juanita Foster’s obituary is available online.

William “Bill” Beckwith, Professor Emeritus of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, passed away on July 13, 2025.

Beckwith began his Clemson career on February 1, 1963, and retired on January 1, 2000. He joined the Emeritus College on April 20, 2015, totaling more than 38 years of service with the University.

In addition to his work as a faculty member, Beckwith served as Clemson’s head men’s tennis coach from 1974-75 after nine seasons as an assistant coach from 1964-1973.

Beckwith earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. from Iowa State University.

A memorial service will be held at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson on Saturday, August 9, at 11 a.m.

Bill Beckwith’s obituary is available online.

Clemson University mourns the death of Martin Beagley, graphics manager for Clemson University Marketing and Communications.

“Martin’s warmth, humor, and care for others left a lasting impression on all who knew him,” said Dave Lee, assistant vice president of marketing and communications for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences and Innovation Campuses. “Over his 26+ years at Clemson, he made many meaningful contributions not only through his creative work but also through the kindness and camaraderie he shared with colleagues. He will be deeply missed.”

Beagley began his Clemson career on November 30, 1998, totaling more than 26 years of service. Beagley had a deep passion for the Science as Art program and played a key role in launching Clemson’s involvement at Artisphere.

Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.

Martin Beagley’s obituary is available online.

Clemson University Obituaries

Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.

Paul Bernard Zielinski, Clemson University Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering and Director of Water Resource Research, passed away on July 10, 2025.

Zielinski began his Clemson career in 1967, joining the Emeritus College in 1991 after more than 24 years of service.

Zielinski earned degrees from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A funeral mass will be offered on Friday, July 18, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Clemson at 10 a.m. with a reception following in the church social hall.

His obituary is available online.