Mortgage Broker in Roebuck, SC

UPDATED June 5, 2023: Since this article was published, more charges have been filed against former youth pastor Daniel Kellan Mayfield. An investigation revealed that Mayfield allegedly filmed at least six girls, as young as 14, in the bathroom of First Baptist Church Gowensville. According to authorities, Mayfield set up cameras and recorded video at least three times, dating back to July 2022.

After Mayfield was charged with five counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of voyeurism, he was denied bond. More charges may still be filed, according to authorities. They stated that Mayfield likely acted alone and that church leaders probably were unaware of the incidents.

ChurchLeaders original article written on June 1, 2023, below.

A congregation in Greenville County, South Carolina, fired its youth pastor on May 27 following his arrest for alleged voyeurism. Officials at First Baptist Church Gowensville confirmed that the church immediately terminated the employment of Daniel Kellan Mayfield after his arrest last weekend. Mayfield, 35, had served as the Southern Baptist congregation’s student/youth pastor for seven years.

Based on his LinkedIn profile, Mayfield previously worked as a missions director at Student Life in Birmingham, Alabama, and as a ministry associate at Child Evangelism Fellowship in Roebuck, South Carolina.

Although Mayfield also lists Compassion International as a previous employer, a spokesperson said the organization never directly employed Mayfield. Instead, “he was employed by a company that Compassion contracted for marketing events, from 2013-2014. He has also served as a volunteer at some Compassion marketing events until 2016. Though he applied for a position with Compassion, he was never hired.”

The spokesperson added, “As a ministry with child protection at the very core of our mission, we are obviously distraught over these accusations against a former volunteer and pray for justice and peace.”

Victim Noticed Light Outside Bathroom Window

Early Saturday morning, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a civil disturbance. A woman told authorities that while she was showering at her mother’s house, she noticed a light shining outside the bathroom window. When the woman stepped outside to investigate, she said she saw the suspect in the backyard.

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The report also noted that the victim’s sister drove to the house and noticed someone in the backyard, standing near a bathroom window. As her vehicle headlights illuminated that area, she said, she could see someone fleeing the scene on foot.

When both women approached and confronted Mayfield, he reportedly indicated that he had been filming the woman in the shower. The victim and her sister apparently captured videotape of Mayfield in the act of recording through the window.

According to the sheriff’s report, Mayfield at first denied to deputies that he had been standing by the window or filming anyone in the shower. But when Mayfield handed over his cell phone to the victim, who has not been named, she scrolled through his videos and saw footage of herself showering.

As deputies talked privately with Mayfield, he reportedly confessed. Then they placed him under arrest and charged him with voyeurism. Mayfield was released from the Greenville County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.

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In a statement to ChurchLeaders, First Baptist Church Gowensville said:

On May 27th, 2023, First Baptist Gowensville leadership was made aware of an incident of moral misconduct perpetrated by one of our staff members. Proper authorities were notified immediately, and the employee was terminated from his role. Due to the nature of the investigation, FBC Gowensville refers all questions to the law enforcement authorities involved. We remain dedicated to providing a safe worship environment and will be ever vigilant in protecting all persons involved in any of our events.

Correction: This article has been updated to state that Mayfield was never directly employed by Compassion International.

Did you know trying new things and taking on challenges makes you stronger and happier? That’s what they say! In order to help you out with this, we’ve got some hidden gems in South Carolina for you to check out throughout this coming year – in fact, we’ve picked out one for each month.

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These South Carolina hidden gems will keep you busy all year long! No matter the season, there’s so much to do and see across the beautiful Palmetto State.

Ready to try some more of the best hidden gems in South Carolina? Have you been to the treehouse restaurant in South Carolina that’s like a fairytale? There’s another hidden gem for ya!

Do you have any favorite hidden gem spots in South Carolina that aren’t on this list? Feel free to reach out to us and tell us all about them!

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More to Explore

Meghan Byers | December 13, 2023

What are some charming small towns you can visit in South Carolina?

Some charming small towns you can visit in South Carolina include:

What are some lesser known hidden gems in South Carolina?

Some lesser known hidden gems in South Carolina that you can visit are:

What is South Carolina most known for?

South Carolina is most known for its beautiful white sand beaches (especially Myrtle Beach), golf courses, historic districts, and warmer temperatures as compared to other states.

Fred Garrett, Jr, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at his home in Roebuck with his loving family surrounding him. He was born in Spartanburg, SC; a son of the late Loran Frederick Garrett, Sr. and Pearly Jane Miller Garrett.

He was the beloved husband of Frances Humphries Garrett of Roebuck, SC; family- Glenn Garrett (Alexis) of Prosperity, SC, Tammy Garrett Greer of Inman, SC; Donald Garrett (Mitzi) of Roebuck, SC; seven grandchildren, Olivia Whitaker (Matt) of Greenville, SC, Jennie McCowan (Weston) of Lexington, Kentucky, Myron Garrett (Dylan) of Campobello, SC, Lane Greer of Inman, SC, Brianna Bryant (Josh) of Chesnee, SC, Ryan Garrett (Shelby) of Roebuck, SC, (Chelsea Garrett), predeceased; seven great grandchildren, Harvey Whitaker, Waylon Whitaker, Daniel Whitaker, Jennifer Whitaker, Lilah Bryant, Rhett Bryant, Miller Garrett; brother of Harold Garrett of Roebuck, SC, (William Garrett Sr.), predeceased, Carolyn Easler of Roebuck, SC and Josephine McKeown of Easley, SC; devoted friends Chris Greer of Inman, SC, Kathy Garrett of Pauline, SC, and Arturo Vega of Roebuck SC; dedicated Hospice nurses Nikki Gettman and Joseph Hood.

Fred was the former owner of Garrett Roofing Company. He was known for his incredible work ethic, loyalty, faithfulness, humor and quick wit. He treasured his loving wife, Frances, of sixty years. He adored his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Fred was a member of Church at the Mill and the Senior Adult 1 Sunday school class. He was blessed with many dear friends that he loved to spend time with throughout his life.

Visitation was Friday, April 14, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

Funeral services were Saturday, April 15, 2023, 12:00 Noon, in the Chapel at the Church at the Mill, 4455 Anderson Mill Road, Moore, SC 29369, conducted by the Rev. Dr. DJ Horton, by the Rev. Gene Pace, the Rev. Joel Gardner, Mr. Lane Greer and Mrs. Tracy Hanna Smith. Music by Jennie McCowan and Dr. Josh Epton.

Entombment followed in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307.

Honorary Escort was the Senior Adult 1 Sunday School Class. Pallbearers were Ryan Garrett, Myron Garrett, Arturo Vega, Lane Greer, Josh Bryant, Weston McCowan, Chris Greer, Jerry Hughes and William “Weasel” Garrett.

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel

Caleb Kennedy has taken his gravelly, gritty voice to California to perform in front of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie for a chance at fame.

The audition for "American Idol" celebrity judges is set to air at 8 p.m. Sunday, but the long-standing talent show gave a sneak peak at his audition on YouTube early Thursday morning.

The ABC competition series kicked off its new series on Feb. 14 with Ryan Seacrest returning as the host. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tryout process was adjusted to include open-call virtual auditions.

Here is a little bit behind the 16-year-old Roebuck, South Carolina, that "wowed" artist who have heard a lot of singers over the years.

Golden ticket:Spartanburg's Caleb Kennedy is 'going to Hollywood' as American Idol dream moves one step closer

The journey to auditions: Caleb Kennedy talks about his audition for "American Idol"

Caleb Kennedy is from a small town

Caleb picked up his first guitar just three years ago.

In that time he has penned more than 120 songs and even performed his unfinished tune, "Nowhere," for the trio of judges.

"You better finish that song 'Nowhere,' because it is going to take you somewhere," Perry said.

He is influenced by the country music artist that came before him.

A southern boy who loves his mom

Caleb's mother, Anita, plays a large role in his music, he said during his audition.

Anita helps him in everything from everyday encouragement to booking his gigs at local venues.

"It would be kind of sketchy for a 16-year-old to come ask to play at the bar," he said in the audition.

He regularly plays at Wings Etc. with a band comprised of his friends Jonathan Osborne (drums), Jonathan Niday (guitar) and Clay Williamson (bass guitar) pin Boiling Springs most weekends, playing classic country songs as well as Caleb’s original songs like crowd favorite “That’s My Papa.”

Another performer:Easley native wins praise from "American Idol" judges

Where is Caleb Kennedy from?

Caleb has started to put Roebuck on the map as well. The YouTube video of his audition brought in almost 9,000 views in just a few short hours.

He is a student at Dorman High School and takes carpentry classes at R. D. Anderson Applied Technology Center in Moore, S.C.

The teen is also one of more than 2,200 people who reside in Roebuck, S.C., according to the 2010 Census. The town is named after Revolutionary War Officer Benjamin Roebuck.

The community is also home to Walnut Grove Plantation, an 18th-century manor house that is now a historic marker.

Watch Caleb Kennedy's 'American Idol' audition

Even though part of Caleb's audition came out on YouTube Thursday, his regular gig spot is throwing a bash for him.

Wings Etc., located at 2644 Boiling Springs Road in Boiling Spings, S.C., will have a watch party that kicks off at 6 p.m. Sunday with a live performance by Caleb before the airing of his audition at 8 p.m.

Rudy Blanton’s knees cramped up while he was working under a deck one day, so he asked his grandson to hand him a “hickey and two screws.”

“That sounds like a country song,” the grandson said as they laughed and laughed.

Then it was.

That grandson is 16-year-old Caleb Kennedy from the tiny Upstate South Carolina community of Roebuck.

He’s a top 12 finalist on the iconic television show “American Idol,” where judges have heaped praise on Kennedy, not only for his singing but also for his songwriting.

He performed his original song “Nowhere” on a recent show, and country star and “Idol” judge Luke Bryan thought it was so good he wondered who helped him write it.

No one, Kennedy responded.

“The talent is there,” Blanton said of his grandson. “It’s part of God’s plan.”

Roebuck isn’t a town per se, but a census tract, located just south of Spartanburg. There’s no downtown, but a line of fix-it shops, strip malls and a bank along state Highway 221. The crush of apartment complexes and subdivisions seen near Spartanburg and neighboring Greenville have not reached Roebuck. It’s a place of brick ranch homes and pine and hardwood forests and a population of about 2,300.

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Cindy White, who lives next door to Kennedy and his mother, Anita Guy, said Roebuck is the kind of place where everybody either knows everybody or knows someone who does.

“We just got an Arby’s and Zaxby’s, but we need a McDonald’s and a Chick-fil-A,” she said.

People move to Roebuck and stay, she said.

“Godly people,” White said.

She’s known Kennedy since he was born.

“We’re all so proud of him,” she said.

Her daughter, Erica Thompson, who was just stopping by her mother’s Thursday morning, said, “He’s ours.”

They remember hearing him play the trumpet when he was in middle school band, but hearing him sing and play the guitar was even more enjoyable.

When Kennedy was making an audition tape for “American Idol,” White and her grandchildren listened from her bathroom window.

Kennedy’s grandmother Barbara Blanton or Nana to him said he bought his first guitar with money he got from family members on his 13th birthday. He used his cellphone to learn chords.

“Papa” Rudy Blanton said they took Kennedy for guitar lessons, and the teacher said he knew more than they did.

His talent ran so deep he could hear a song and play it. Then he started hearing his own songs. One he wrote was called “That’s My Papa.” It’s a tribute to Blanton and includes the hickey line. After Kennedy’s parents divorced, Blanton became a major figure in the young man’s life.

Blanton, a carpenter, said he’d take his grandson with him to jobs, and Kennedy spent time with him and Barbara after school while his mother, who works two jobs, worked.

For a time, Kennedy wanted to be a carpenter, too.

“Then the guitar struck,” Blanton said.

“My little ole buddy standing up on that stage is a wonderful thing,” he said. “It’s an amazing story.”

Hannah Bynum’s favorite memory of her brother is the almost daily rides through the South Carolina countryside after school in her Chevy Equinox listening to country music on Spotify.

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“We’d roll all the windows down and escape from everything,” said Bynum.

Hannah and the little brother she calls Bubba especially liked Jason Aldean. And so it was a particular thrill when Kennedy was paired with Aldean for some coaching and a duet of “Fly Over States” on “American Idol.”

“That couldn’t have worked out any better for him,” she said.

Afterwards her brother called and asked if she would be ready for a phone call in 20 minutes. The producers wanted to tape him talking to her. The phone rang. She answered.

It was Aldean.

“I’m just out here in Hollywood hanging out with your brother,” she remembers him saying.

“I didn’t know what to say,” Bynum said. “It was just crazy.”

The siblings also spent hours at Guitar Center in Spartanburg, where Kennedy would pull guitar after guitar from the wall and play.

“He does stuff like that, like nobody’s watching. I knew this was going to get big,” said Bynum, who is married and lives in Savannah.

Drew Spencer, who runs the house band at FR8yard in Spartanburg, where Kennedy played just about every open mic night for the past few years, said he started attracting an audience immediately.

Kennedy would have an original song to perform about every week, Spencer said.

Once, he saw Kennedy write a song while waiting to perform, then get up and sing it.

“From day one, I could hear his songs on modern country radio stations,” said Spencer, who will soon be touring as the lead electric guitar player for the band Blackfoot.

Spencer said Kennedy’s songs have a depth to them way beyond what anyone could imagine a teenager could write.

“The melody, chord progression, structure,” he said. “I think the kid was just born with it.”

Spencer and others said they see the deep connection between Kennedy and his mother, who arranged all his gigs.

One show featured a conversation between him, his mother and stepfather. He ended by saying, “I love you.”

Thomas Thornton, the children’s minister at Woodruff Church of God, where Kennedy and his family are members, said he has known Kennedy since he was a small child. In fact, he and his wife looked after the boy while his mother worked.

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“He has a very giving heart,” Thornton said. “He’s always been very plugged into church.”

Kennedy steps up where needed, whether it’s a role in a Christmas play or planting blueberry bushes for older church members.

Once, he was shy.

“He’s broken out of his shell,” Thornton said, noting the ease with which Kennedy has performed on national television.

He said he’s proud of the way Caleb has overcome obstacles and followed his dreams.

“It’s only going to get better,” Thornton said.

Kennedy attends Dorman High School, which has a student population bigger than all of Roebuck.

The school has gone all out in supporting and encouraging his “Idol” run, making a video, posters, writing him letters. There’s a “vote for Caleb” sign — contestants earn the right to stay on the show by viewers’ calls — at every entrance.

“People keep taking them,” said principal Bryant Roberson, laughing. But school officials just add another.

Robeson described Kennedy as a “down-to-earth kid.”

“You couldn’t ask for a better student,” he said.

Last year, as a freshman, Kennedy played junior varsity football.

Certainly in the Upstate if not the entire state, Dorman is known for its football prowess, with more than a few players going on to the NFL.

Daniel Wyatt, one of the football coaches, said during summer drills Kennedy, an offensive lineman, was grouped with wide receivers and defensive backs due to COVID-19 restrictions.

They all did the same drills whether they pertained to their positions or not.

“Caleb put forth great effort. He did all the things we asked,” Wyatt said.

By the end, the coaches were impressed and just knew he was going to be one of their better players.

Then came “American Idol.”

Kennedy told them he was going to have to give up football, Wyatt said, describing it as a “very good decision.”

“He needs to chase his dream,” Wyatt said.

American Idol airs at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday on ABC.

This story was originally published April 18, 2021, 6:00 AM.