Clara Nell Metze Bannister, 87, of Little Mountain, widow of Roy Albert Bannister, Sr., passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Born on October 27, 1938, in Little Mountain, she was a daughter of the late Harold Eugene and Sarah Jessine Wicker Metze. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bannister was an active member of the Wheeland Community Center until her health declined.

She is survived by daughters, Joyce (Nelson) Cotney of Prosperity, Debbie Metts of Little Mountain, and Shelia Bannister of Little Mountain; sons, William (Gwen) Bannister of Blair and Albert (Iris) Bannister, Jr. of Pomaria; a sister, Sara Frances Fulmer of Little Mountain; grandchildren, Jennifer (Stefan) Bookman, Vanessa Parker, Justin Blake Metts, John Metts, Joshua (Emily) Bannister, Eric (Erin) Bannister, Benji Bannister, Nicholas (Catherine) Bannister, Zachary (Danielle) Bannister and Amber (Scott) Gregory; nineteen great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Bannister was predeceased by a son, John Bannister and sisters, Hazel Wicker and Gladys Shealy.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church by the Rev. Dawn Rister. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00 pm Wednesday in the church fellowship hall.

Active pallbearers will be Eric Bannister, Benji Bannister, Zachary Bannister, Nicholas Bannister, Joshua Bannister, Justin Blake Metts, and John Metts.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alicia Murray, Lindsay Brehmer, Ryan Garner, Kevin Worley, Clif Smith, Barry Richardson, Lallie Waites and Nancy Fulmer

Memorials may be made to McSwain-Evans Funeral Home, 1724 Main Street, Newberry, SC 29108, or by Clicking Here to help defray funeral expenses.