The Earle Morris Jr. Memorial Highway doesn’t run through Anderson and Pickens counties anymore.

The State Transportation Commission voted unanimously this week to change the road to S.C. 153 after lawmakers asked that the former lieutenant governor’s name be removed following his conviction on securities fraud charges in the Carolina Investors case.

Some Upstate residents who lost money in Carolina Investors applauded the decision.

“That’s fair,” said Lynne Finley of Greer, who lost $189,000 when Carolina Investors closed its doors. “I’m happy for the residents who have to drive by those signs each day.”

Transportation Commissioner Marion Carnell of Ware Shoals, who served in the Legislature with Morris, said it saddened him to remove Morris’ name.

“Personally I regret having to take it down, but I understand the feeling of the people there in Pickens,” he said.

Agency officials said the two major signs marking the highway will be taken down soon.

The road was named for Morris in 1975 by the state Highway Commission. The former chairman of Carolina Investors also had served as state comptroller general.