Alice (“Mama Al”) Lockhart McCluney, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Ruby and Bernard Smith, 105 Woodlawn Drive, Gaffney.

Daughter of the late Isaac and Lillie Lockhart and a native of Shelby, she was a graduate of Cleveland Technical College and employed by Cleveland Memorial Hospital, where she retired after 33 years of dedicated service as Housekeeping Supervisor. She was a former member of Light Oak Baptist Church and was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Shelby.

She was preceded in death by four siblings, James, Isaac, Robert and Maggie; and four children, Steve, Jerry, Deborah and Linda.

Surviving are her children, Larry (Sue) McCluney, Janice Abrams and Frances McCluney, all of Shelby, Ruby (Bernard) Smith of Gaffney; brothers, Eugene (Lois) Lockhart and Bobby Lockhart of Charlotte, Ricky Lockhart of Baltimore; sisters, Jacqueline Lockhart of Baltimore, Virginia (Joe) Bell of Kings Mountain, N.C.; 16 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. at Fairview A.M.E. Church in Earl, N.C., with the pastor, Rev. Roosevelt Kelly, officiating and Elder Theodore Lockhart delivering the eulogy. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

The family is at the home of Larry and Sue McCluney, 1642 Lincoln Drive, Shelby, and will receive friends Thursday from 12:30-1 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements by The Gilmore Mortuary.

James J. Thomas III, of 132 Lincoln Drive, was called to eternal rest on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

Husband of Mary Holmes Thomas, he was born in Lee County and was the son of James Thomas Jr. and Willie Luckey Thomas. “J.T.” graduated from Benedict College with a B.S. degree in Economics and Business and was employed as a sales executive with Jos. A Banks, Spartanburg.

He was a member and usher of Concord Baptist Church.

J.T. was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Alice Luckey and Geneva Dow.

Surviving are his wife, Mary H. Thomas of the home; six brothers, Selmore Luckie (Corrine) of Camden, Bishop Harold Thomas (Deborah) of Columbia, Minister Alphonso Thomas (Margaret) of Dudley, N.C., Tyron Thomas (Catherine) of Thomasville, N.C., Garnelle Thomas of High Point, N.C., and Marvin Thomas of Charlotte; three sisters, Patricia Gninahin (Tony) of High Point, Rosa Belle (Thomas) and Flossie Stuckley of Elliott, S.C.; sister-in-law, Arrilla Holmes; and brothers-inlaw, Eddie Lee Holmes and Olee Holmes (Sheila), all of Gaffney.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at Concord Baptist Church with Dr. Michael A. Bridges officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. He will lie in state from 1-2 p.m.

Arrangements by The Gilmore Mortuary.