Category Archives: 03 March 2019

Sgt. Major Steven Andrew Leach, Sr.

Sgt. Major Steven Andrew Leach, Sr., U.S. Army Retired, age 55, of 120 Millstone Road, Gaffney, passed away Sunday, March 24, in Cherokee Medical Center.

Husband of Sharon Jefferies Leach, he was born in Gaffney and was a son of Choice Leach and Minnie Dover Leach of Gaffney.

He was a graduate of Gaffney High School and received a Master’s Degree in Science from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ. He served 27 years in the United States Army and attained the rank of Sgt. Major. After retiring from the military, he later taught Junior ROTC at Military & Global Leadership Academy in Charlotte, NC.

Steven was a member and trustee of Concord Baptist Church. He was a C.B. Radio enthusiast and used the handle, “Mr. John Deere.”

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by: two sons, Sgt. Steven Leach, Jr., (Avadawn), of U.S. Army, Germany, and Timothy Leach (Johnea), of Boiling Springs, SC; a daughter, Kierra Leach (Jordan), of Gastonia, NC; a niece, Paulinia Jefferies, of Gaffney, raised in the home as a daughter; 4 brothers, Charles Leach of Gaffney, Vernon Leach of Boiling Springs, Bryce Ames, Sr. (Marvetta) and Japheth Ames, of Gaffney; four grandchildren, Mariah Leach, Jaylen Cabbagestalk, Jayden Senior, and Khalani Leach.

The Funeral Service will be Saturday, 3:00 p.m., in Concord Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Michael A. Bridges officiating. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow in Concord Baptist Church Cemetery. He will be in state in the church Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

The Gilmore Mortuary

Johnny Lee “Snake” Choice

Johnny Lee “Snake” Choice, 84, of 114 Idlewood Circle, Spartanburg, S.C., passed away March 19, in Spartanburg Medical Center.

Widower of Fair Lee Tate Choice, he was born in Gaffney and was a son of the late Willie Chandler and Montie Rice Choice.

He was a graduate of Granard High School and a retired employee of the former C.B. Poole Wholesale Warehouse.

He was preceded in death by 2 sons, Johnny Dean Choice and Claude Franklin Choice.

Surviving are: 3 daughters, Judy Choice, of the home, Shannon Russell of Gaffney, and Gwendolyn Choice of Spartanburg; a sister, Letha M. Choice, of Cleveland, OH; 6 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren.

The Funeral Service will be Saturday, 12:00 noon, in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter officiating. Interment will follow in Gaffney Memorial Park.

The Gilmore Mortuary

Willie Norman Talley

Willie Norman Talley, 59, of 708 Pleasant School Road, passed away Monday, March 18, in Spartanburg Medical Center.

He was born in Union County and was a son of the late James “Kapo” Smith and Minnie Talley Smith.

Willie was preceded in death by siblings, Patricia Talley, Delores Smith, Mary Louise Talley, Cathy Durrah, Donald Talley and Larry Talley.

Surviving are: a daughter, Sheneka Davidson, of Gaffney; a brother, David Talley (Brenda), of Gaffney; sisters, Angela Shippy, of the home, and Annie Mae Littlejohn, of Shelby, NC.; two grandchildren, Dershawn Dawkins and Shaquisha Dawkins; six great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 2:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with Minister Debra Littlejohn officiating.

The family is receiving friends in the home and in the home of David and Brenda Talley, 208 Drucilla Drive.

The Gilmore Mortuary