Category: Obituaries

Jeannine Varenhorst, retired accountant/fiscal analyst with Accounting Services, passed away on January 14, 2025.

Varenhorst began her Clemson career on June 23, 1978, and retired on March 30, 2006, totaling more than 46 years of service with the University.

Her online obituary will be shared when available.

Michael Pursley, Professor Emeritus of Electrical & Computer Engineering, has passed away.

Pursley served Clemson University for more than 41 years in a variety of roles, most notably as the first Holcombe Chair and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He was hired on August 15, 1992 as the Holcombe Chair and retired on June 30, 2018. He then joined the Emeritus College in retirement and also served as a professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences for nearly three years.

Pursley served for more than six years in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering as well.

Pursley arrived at Clemson from visiting faculty positions at UCLA and Caltech, after serving as professor for several years at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Purdue, and his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California.

His service information and online obituary will be shared when available.

Donald P. Miller, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy, passed away on December 19, 2024.

Miller began his Clemson career on September 1, 1963, and retired on May 16, 1991, totaling more than 27 years of service with the University.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Clemson.

His obituary is available online.

Robin A. Cobb, retired printing equipment operator with the BPA Service Center, passed away on December 31, 2024.

Cobb began her Clemson career on October 9, 1986, and retired on April 7, 2006, totaling more than 19 years of service with the University.

Her obituary is available online.

Roger Dale Arflin, retired locksmith with University Facilities, passed away on December 31, 2024.

Arflin began his Clemson career on January 11, 1993, and retired on February 1, 2024, totaling more than 21 years of service with the University.

His obituary is available online.

Clemson University was notified of the death of Kaitlyn McNally, 19, on Friday, Dec. 20. McNally was a sophomore financial management major from Long Valley, New Jersey.

“We are incredibly saddened to hear about Kaitlyn’s passing,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Hallenbeck. “She was an active member of our University community and will be deeply missed. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Students who need assistance over Winter Break may contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 864-656-2451 and select option 2 from the menu for phone-based support. Normal operations, including in-person University services, will re-open following Winter Break on Monday, Dec. 30. Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, by calling 866-365-0813.

Her 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.

Kaye Cantrell Lawson, retired lecturer in the department of business and employee services, passed away on December 15, 2024.

Lawson began her Clemson career on April 19, 1983, and retired on June 25, 2010, totaling more than 27 years of service with the University.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Davenport Funeral Home in West Union, S.C., and will have a private service at a later date.

Her obituary is available online.

Nelson “Wade” Culler, retired library manager for Clemson Libraries, passed away on December 2, 2024.

Culler began his Clemson career on September 5, 2003, and retired on October 31, 2024, totaling more than 21 years of service with the University.

His online obituary will be shared when available.

Leah Shockley Hughes, retired assistant director of career engagement in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, passed away on November 29, 2024.

Hughes began her Clemson career on October 17, 2008 and retired on November 2, 2024, for 16 years of service with the University. She worked for another South Carolina agency prior to coming to Clemson, for more than 26 total years of service with the state.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Davenport Funeral Home in West Union, S.C., with burial to follow at Oconee Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at Davenport Funeral Home.

Her obituary is available online.

Elater Wayne McClellan, retired agricultural assistant at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center, passed away on November 2, 2024.

McClellan began his Clemson career on January 4, 1991, and retired on April 1, 2019, totaling more than 28 years of service with the University.

His obituary is available online.