January 7, 2025
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.
January 6, 2025
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.
January 2, 2025
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.
December 20, 2024
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.
December 16, 2024
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.
December 4, 2024
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.
December 3, 2024
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.
November 20, 2024
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.
November 12, 2024
Margaree Seawright Crosby, Professor Emerita of Curriculum and Instruction in Health Education and Human Development, passed away on November 8, 2024.
Among her many accomplishments, Crosby was the first Black woman tenured professor at Clemson University and the first Black female Professor Emerita. She earned a master’s degree in education from Clemson in 1976 before joining the College of Education as a faculty member on August 15, 1977. Crosby retired on January 24, 1996, with more than 18 years of service to the University.
Service information will be updated in her online obituary when available.
November 1, 2024
Russell Judd Diefendorf, McAlister Professor Emeritus of Ceramic Engineering, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2024, at the age of 93.
Diefendorf began his Clemson career on May 17, 1990, and retired on June 26, 1997, totaling more than seven years of service with the University. His many honors and achievements included the American Ceramic Society’s James Mueller Memorial Lecturer award and the Ishikawa Prize from the Japanese
Union of Scientists and Engineers.
Diefendorf earned degrees from the University of Rochester and the University of Toronto.
Friends and family are welcome to a Celebration of Life to be held at the Inn at Patrick Square in Clemson on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 12-2 p.m.
