All posts by Shirley Gilmore

Bishop Eddie Lockhart

Bishop Eddie Lockhart, 82, 0f 109 Grier St., Grover, NC, was called to The Church Triumphant on Saturday, January 9, 2021, in Fair Haven of Forest City, NC.

Husband of Erma ChambersLockhart, he was born in Cleveland County, NC and was a son of the late Theodore Lockhart, Sr., and the late Mary Gill Lockhart.

He was a member of The Divine True Holiness Church of God in Blacksburg, SC where he served as Pastor for forty-four years. He was also a retired Maintenance Technician for Cleveland County Schools.

“Bishop Ed” was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Deanna Sizemore, Esther Whitener, Carolyn Lockhart; Charles Lockhart, Louis Lockhart, and Ronnie Lockhart, Excel Gill; sister-in-law, Betty Lockhart. He leaves to cherish loving memories: his wife, Erma Lockhart, of the home; children, William Lamont Lockhart (Venessa), of Kings Mountain, NC, Norris Wike (Patrice), of Suffolk, Va; Orlando Williams of Morganton, NC; grandchildren, Paige Lockhart, DeDric Gingles, Kirston Johnson; great-grandchildren, Kaniya Gingles, Tristen Allen, Tahj Gingles; brothers, William Mitchell Lockhart, Sr., Overseer Theodore Lockhart, Jr. (Alzenia), of Blacksburg, Benjamin Lockhart, Sr. (Henrene), of Kings Mountain, NC; sisters, Margaret Hames (Willie Louis) of Charlotte, NC, Barbara Roberts (Belton, Sr.), of Kings Mountain, Mary Lockhart, of Grover, NC, and Leatha Lockhart, of Shelby, NC; brothers-in-law, Luther Whitener, Melvin Sizemore, of Blacksburg, Richard Chambers (Teresa), Herbert Chambers; sisters-in-law, Huby Chatman, Barbara Lockhart, Priscilla Lockhart, and Debra Lockhart.

A Graveside Service will be Thursday, 12:00 noon, at The Divine True Holiness Church of God with Bishop Willie Littlejohn officiating. Please adhere to the recommended CDC guidelines for COVID-19 precautions by wearing a mask and social distancing.

Mrs. Jessie Marie Dawkins

Mrs. Jessie Marie Dawkins, 99, of 203 Serene Drive, Gaffney, passed away Saturday, January 09, 2021, in her home.

Widow of L.D. Dawkins, Sr., she was born in Gastonia, NC and was a daughter of the late Vollie and Bessie Tate.

She was a member of New Mount Zion Baptist Church and attended Indian Hill Baptist Church.

Mrs. Dawkins was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two daughters, Julia Rodgers and Linda Holmes; 3 grandchildren; sons-in-law, Clyde Jones, Orban Jefferies, Victor Black, and Eddie Lee Holmes; daughter-in -law, Vordia Dawkins; 3 grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: 6 daughters, Etta Ree Jones, Jessie Mae Manning (W.C.), Rev. Mary Jefferies, Pamela Black, Sheila Dawkins, and Linda Norris Williams (Lloyd); sons, Rev. L.D. Dawkins, Jr. (Bernice) and James Robinson, all of Gaffney; brother, Winford Roseboro; sisters, Patricia Anderson, Doris Ann Haynes, Pauline Hopper, Anna White, all of North Carolina; 20 grandchildren; 92 great-grandchildren; 74 great-great grandchildren; 1 great-great great grandchild; other relatives and friends.

A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, 2:00 p.m., in Oakland Cemetery with Rev. Debra Williamson officiating.

Mr. Johnnie Hogue, Sr.

Johnnie Hogue, Sr. of Grover, NC was called to Heaven on Wednesday January 6, 2021 in Shelby, NC at the age of 88 years old. During his peaceful last days, he was surrounded by his beloved family.
Johnnie was born on July 30, 1932 in Cherokee County, SC to the late Mrs. Ossie Lipscomb Hogue and Strap Jefferies and raised by Mr. Troy H. Hogue, Sr.
Johnnie has always been a big personality with a quick wit and loved to give cherished friends and family pet names. He never met a stranger and was a great friend to many.
Johnnie joined Island Creek Baptist Church in Gaffney, NC at an early age and has been a life-long active member. He graduated high school at Green Bethel in Boiling Springs, NC.
In 1946, he met the love of his life, Cordelia Valentine at Battleground school and they have been each other’s rock for the past 67 years, married on March 8, 1953. They settled in Grover, NC in 1962.
Johnnie served honorably in the U.S. Army, worked with Duke Power in Cliffside, NC and finished his almost 30-year career in Research and Development with PPG before retiring.
He loved animals including an award-winning dog running career with the Beagle Club across the South and raised chickens and rabbits. Johnnie also faithfully tended his large garden that has feed many in the community over the years. Later in life, he was active in the Blue Oval Mustang Club in Shelby, NC and loved watching sports in television.
Johnnie was a strong patriarch who loved the Lord and his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Mrs. Cordelia V. Hogue of Grover, NC; Son Mr. Johnnie Hogue, Jr of Kings Mountain, NC, Son Mr. Dennis Hogue of Kings Mountain, NC, Daughter Ms. JoAnn Hogue of Shelby, NC; Grandchildren- Mr. Dennis James (DJ) Hogue of Gastonia, NC, Dr. Latrice M. Hogue of Atlanta, GA, Ms. April Hogue of Kings Mountain, NC, Mr. Christopher (Tasha) Hogue of Kings Mountain, NC; 6 Great Grandchildren; 1 Great Great Child; Brother- Mr. Troy (Stella) Hogue Jr. of Gaffney, SC; a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved friends and family including special daughter Mrs. Carnelle W. Smith.
He is preceded in death by parents, Mrs. Ossie Lipscomb Hogue, Mr. Troy H. Hogue, Sr., Mr. Strap Jeffries; Siblings- Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jackson, Beamouse C Hogue, J.T. Jefferies, Conrad Jefferies, Samuel Jefferies, J. B. Houston, Emanuel Jefferies.


A Homegoing Service will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 2pm at Island Creek Baptist Church. He will lie in state at Island Creek Baptist Church from 1pm to 2pm.


Viewing will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 from 12pm to 6pm at Gilmore Mortuary.