Monroe Lee Bridges, 76, of 4310 Cherokee Avenue, Gaffney, SC, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020, in his home.

Monroe was born in Cherokee County, SC on June 1, 1944 and was a son of the late Alex Bridges, Sr. and the late Julia Ruth Ruderson Bridges. He was the husband of Betty Rodgers Bridges, whom he was united in holy matrimony with 55 years ago on February 27, 1965.   

He was a 1963 graduate of Granard High School. While a student at Granard, he was an outstanding student and a skillful football player. After graduating from Spartanburg Technical College, he worked at a few jobs. He retired after 33 years of employment with The Timken Co where he was a supply room manager. 

Monroe was saved at an early age and was a faithful member of the Concord Baptist Church where he formerly served as a member of the choir, Sunday School, and as a Boy Scout Leader. He was a talented singer who sung with The Southland Troubadours, The Bridges Family, and other groups in the past. 

An avid outdoorsman, he was a great hunter and fisherman. He loved sports. His cooking skills were unmatched. A man with a heart of gold, he was a humanitarian and a comedian always willing to lend a helping hand or make you laugh.  His presence, laughter, and love are already greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings, Alex Bridges, Jr., Allie Bridges, Sr., and Ruby Shook; and a brothers-in-law, Clinton Rodgers, Sr. (Vinnie) and Charles Brown, Sr.

He leaves to cherish loving memories:  his wife, Betty Bridges of the home; 3 sons, Ronald Bridges (Lora) of Gaffney, Rev. Dr. Michael A. Bridges (Denise) of Spartanburg, and Isaac Bridges (Amanda) of Gaffney; two sisters, Mary Bridges Brown and Willie Ruth Gatewood (Willie “Jam-Up” Tate), both of Gaffney; brothers-in-law, Leo Rodgers (Rosa Lee) of Nashville, TN, Thomas Rodgers (Helen) of Gaffney, and James Rodgers (Fannie) of Dallas, TX; sisters-in-law, Mary Littlejohn (Samuel) of Columbia, SC, Annie Linder of Austin, TX, and Dorothy Petty (Robert), both of Gaffney; 13 grandchildren, Sentell, Dion, Antwan, Micaela, John Michael, Justin (Chelsey), Isaac, Jr., Ikee, Isaiah, Gabby, Iszay, Brandon and Ivory; great-grandchildren, Alayah Sky, Isaac Monroe, III, Cermarr and Jo’Noah; sisters-in-law, Pastor Lizzie Bridges and Willie Pearl Bridges, both of Gaffney; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will be held Friday, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, 1:00 p.m., in Frederick Memorial Gardens with his son, Rev. Dr. Michael A. Bridges, officiating. At the request of the family, please limit visitation at the home to between the hours of 2pm and 5pm daily. Please adhere to the recommended CDC guidelines for COVID-19 precautions by wearing a mask and social distancing.

For those desiring to view the service virtually, it will be streamed on the Concord Baptist Church website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel!

Irene Lipscomb Foster, 80, of100 Granite Drive, Gaffney, SC, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Spartanburg Regional Hospital.

Wife of Deacon John H. Foster, Sr., she was born in Cherokee County, SC and was a daughter of the late Jimmy and Emzonner Turner Lipscomb.

She was member of Island Creek Baptist Church where she served as a deaconess, member of the Senior Choir, treasurer of the Senior Missionary, and member of the Pastor’s Aid. She was a retiree of Nestle Corporation.

She was also preceded in death by a son, John H. (Skip) Foster, Jr., sisters, Allie Mae Van and Jessie Mae Brown.

Left to cherish loving memories are: her husband, Deacon John Foster, Sr.; a daughter, Iris B. Manning (Pastor Don C. Manning, Sr.); sons, Blakely Lee Foster, Sr. of Union, SC, Terry D. Foster, Sr. (Sonya) of Blacksburg, SC, Larry Foster, Sr., (Sherry), of Union, and Jimmy Foster, of the home; a sister, Nancy Lucille Lipscomb, of Gaffney; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Peggy Dawkins, of Washington, D.C, Joe and Carrie Foster, of Gaffney, Doris and Ralph Jefferies, of Cherryville, N..C.; 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, great-aunt, Willa Lipscomb, of Henrietta, NC; other relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will be held Saturday, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The Funeral Service will be Sunday, 2:00 p.m., in Island Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Please adhere to the recommended CDC guidelines for COVID-19 precautions by wearing a mask and social distancing.

Ray Anthony “Slate Rock” Knuckles, 60, of 100 White Oak Drive, passed away Friday, December 4, 2020 in his residence. 

He was born in Cherokee County, South Carolina, January, 3, 1960 to Juanita Knuckles Watkins and James Lewis Lipscomp.

Ray was a graduate of Columbia High School, “Class of 1976” in Decatur Georgia and furthered his education at South Dekalb Technical College. He was employed as a salesman for White Brothers Autoparts, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ray was preceded in death by his father; James Lewis Lipscomb.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: his mother, Juanita Knuckles Watkins, of Gaffney; a daughter, Raeshia Anita Gipson, of Jonesboro, Georgia; two brothers, Joe L. Watkins, Jr. (Terra), of Lexington, NC and Keith Watkins, of Gaffney; two sisters,  Hope Jefferies (Billy) and Phyllis Adams (Bruce) , both of Gaffney; three aunts, Dorothy Tate, Delia Ballad, and Nelleree Knuckles, all of Gaffney; two uncles, Cossie Knuckles (Johnnie Mae) and Mack Knuckles (Nancy), both of Gaffney; a close cousin like a brother, Douglas Bonner , of New Jersey; a best friend, Arnold Goudelock; a host of other cousins and friends.

A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, December 9^th, 1:00 p.m., at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. CA Wallace officiating. Please wear a Mask and practice Social Distancing!

The family is at the home of his mother Juanita Watkins, 109 Westland Dr. They respectfully request that you wear a mask to visit the home between the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.