All posts by Shirley Gilmore

Ulysess Davis

Ulysess Davis, age 71, of 164 S. Linda St., Cowpens, passed away Thursday, April 10th, in Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, April 17th, at 2:00 p.m. in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel.

The family is receiving friends at the home of his sister, Joyce Baxter, 216 Bunche Circle, Cowpens.

Betty Louise Rodgers Bridges

Betty Louise Rodgers Bridges was born in Cherokee County, SC on September 18, 1942, and was a daughter of the late Foster Chatward Rodgers and Elizabeth Davis Rodgers. She was the devoted wife of the late Monroe Bridges, with whom she shared 55 blessed years of holy matrimony until his passing.

Betty graduated from Foster’s Grove High School in 1961 and later pursued her passion for beauty at Band Beauty College in Charlotte, NC, where she earned her license as a cosmetologist. With gifted hands and a creative eye, she styled the hair of countless women and men from curls to perms. In addition to her work in cosmetology, Betty also dedicated many years to the manufacturing industry before retiring.

Betty accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, where her faith first took root. After marrying the love of her life, Monroe, she united with Concord Baptist Church, where she formerly served faithfully and joyfully as a member of the Gospel Choir.

Betty was known and loved for her delicious cooking and baking, which brought joy to many over the years. She was a mother not only to her own children but also to many in the community who affectionately saw her as a nurturing and dependable figure. She deeply enjoyed fellowshipping with her friends and could often be found sharing laughs and good conversation at the post office, Walmart, and at various restaurants around town. Her warm spirit and kind heart left a lasting impression wherever she went.

She was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Mary Black Memorial Hospital.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Clinton F. Rodgers, Sr.(Vinnie); and brothers-in-law, Alex Bridges, Jr. and Allie Bridges, Sr.; and sisters-in-law, Ruby Shook and Mary Brown.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: three sons, Ronald Bridges (Lora) of Gaffney, Rev. Dr. Michael A. Bridges (Denise) of Spartanburg, and Isaac Bridges (Sarah) of Gaffney; a goddaughter, Ruby Mickles (John); brothers, Leo Rodgers (Rosa Lee) of Nashville, TN, Thomas Rodgers (Helen) of Gaffney, and James Rodgers (Fannie) of Dallas, TX; sisters, Mary Littlejohn (Samuel) of Columbia, SC, Annie Linder of Austin, TX, and Dorothy Petty (Robert), both of Gaffney; sisters-in-law, Willie Ruth Gatewood (Willie “Jam-Up” Tate), Pastor Lizzie M. Bridges, and Willie Pearl Bridges of Gaffney; 13 grandchildren, Sentell, Dion, Antwan, Micaela, John Michael, Justin, Isaac Jr., Ikee, Isaiah, Gabby, Iszay, Brandon, Ivory, Kizzie, Dominique, Cobby, Deshon, and Kaylin; great-grandchildren, Alayah Sky, Isaac Monroe III, Cermarr, Zaylen, Andre Lenar, and Brayden; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will only be held an hour before the service! Friday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in the church.

Funeral Services will be Friday, April 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., in Concord Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Michael A. Bridges officiating. Interment will follow in Fredrick Memorial Gardens.

The family is receiving friends at the home from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday, April 10th.

Yong Suk Williams

Yong Suk Williams, age 78, of 522 McCluney Drive, Gaffney, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025 in Spartanburg Medical Center. Wife of Lloyd W. Williams.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 31st, at 2:00 p.m. in Ebenezer Baptist Church with the Reverend Freddie Davidson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. She will lie in state at 1:00 p.m. in the church.

The family will have a celebration of life on Saturday, March 29th, at McCluney Park from 5pm-8pm.