Dr. Easley was born September 24, 1925 in Morristown, TN, son of Lida Medlin Easley and Claire McKinney Easley. He was educated in the Morristown, TN schools. He joined the Navy at 17 years old, his senior year of high school. He was a hospital Corpsman with the 4th Marine Division during WWII, with 4 major campaigns, Kwajalien, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart following Saipan and a 2nd Bronze Star following Iwo Jima.
Dr. Easley finished UT Knoxville in Pre-Med and received his MD degree at UT College of Medicine in Memphis in 1951. Following his internship at Greenville General Hospital, he practiced General Medicine in Dandridge, TN. He returned to Greenville to enter the OB/GYN Residency program in 1953, completing it in 1956. Dr. Easley joined Dr. Williard Hearin and Dr. Joseph Moore in 1957, establishing the first Group Practice of OB/GYN in Greenville. Dr. Eddie Ellison joined the practice in 1960 before it later became Greenville OB/GYN. Throughout his career, Dr. Easley continued his interest in and dedication to the Greenville Residency Program, including teaching of the Residents for 13 years after retirement from private practice in 1989. For this, he was honored by the C.M. Easley Symposium and Resident Research papers program. During his medical career, Dr. Easley served as Chairman of the Department of OB/GYN Greenville Hospital System, President of the Medical Staff, Acting Director of Medical Education and various hospital committees. He also served as President of the SC OB/GYN Society, Executive Committee of South Atlantic OB/GYN Society and member of South Central OB/GYN Society, MMA, and SCMS.
Dr. Easley was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church serving as a teacher, Deacon, Elder, Trustee and Clerk of Session. He was most proud of his chairmanship of The Columbarium Committee. Under the auspices of the PCUSA, he served as a Volunteer in Missions, making 15 mission trips including Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda and the Dominican Republic. He was also proud of his help in establishing the Kalikumbi Clinic on the border of Malawi and Zambia.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jenny Lee Helton Easley; his sister Beatrice E. Quillen and his brother Dr. William K. Easley; and his parents.
Dr. Easley is survived by his wife, Elliott Adams Easley; children Lee Easley Harris (Steve Sernak), Nancy M. Easley, and Robert C. “Bob” Easley; step-children, Capers A. Easterby and Elliott E. Crudup (Josiah); six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at 3:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian church. The family will receive friends following the service.
Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2310 Augusta Road, Greenville, SC 29605, The Easley Mission Fund or the charity of choice.
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