Thelma Jefferies Davidson, age 81, of 1434 N. Limestone St., Gaffney, passed away Saturday, October 28^th, in Peachtree Nursing Home.

Widow of Clarence Davidson, she was born in Cherokee County and was a daughter of the late Johnnie and Mary I.V. Jefferies.

For 49 years from December 27, 1973, she was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness. She was a graduate of Granard High School. She was employed with Limestone Mills, Limestone College and later went to work for Mr. Kelly Hamrick until she retired.

In addition to her parents and husband, Thelma was preceded in death by a son, Adam C. Jefferies; five brothers, J. L. (Jake) Jefferies, Johnny Jefferies, Jr., Albert C. Jefferies, Lewis R. Jefferies, and Claude L. Jefferies; four sisters, Virginia Jefferies, Sylvia J. Parker, Daisy Wallace (CJ) and Margaret Davis (Dewitt).

She leaves to cherish loving memories: a son, Preston B. Jefferies (Detra), of Greenville, SC; step-sons, Darrell ad Billy Williams; two daughters, Sharon Jamison (John) and Alice E. Jefferies, both of Gaffney, SC; step-daughter, Rose Marie Woods; two brothers, JoaQuion Jefferies, of Gaffney, SC and Robert N. Jefferies (Leecie), of Charleston, SC; three sisters, Ramoas Gordon, Belvar Studyvance (Edmond), both of Gaffney, SC and Doris J. Watson, of Spartanburg, SC; six grandchildren, Perez Hemphill, Dorian J. Jefferies, both of Gaffney, SC, Dennis J. Jefferies (Tasha), of York, SC, Jonica Jefferies, of Gaffney, SC, Johnika Jamison, of Charlotte, NC, and Joylanda Jamison, of Lynchburg, VA; fifteen great grandchildren; a great-great grandchild; a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends- including special friends, Furman And Rosa Studyvance, Patricia Sarratt, Frances A. Byars and Elsie Kimmer.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness (Gaffney) with Brother Brian Phifer officiating.

The family is receiving friends at the home of her daughter, Alice Jefferies, 201 Osage Drive, Gaffney, SC.

John Robert “Big John” or “Red” Davis, of 700 New Street, passed away Saturday morning, October 28^th, in his home.

He was born in Cherokee County and was a son of the late O.P. and Wilma Wood Davis.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Cunningham and a sister, Linda Ann Logan.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: a sister Frances Davis, of the home; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with the Reverend Clarence Davis and Minister Charlayne Davis.

The family is receiving friends at the home.

Mr. Arthur Means, Sr., affectionately known as “Jay,” made his transition to be with the Lord Thursday morning, October 26, 2023, at his home in Jonesville, South Carolina.

Arthur was born May 17, 1937, to the late Luther William Means, Sr. and Lillie Jeter Means of Jonesville, South Carolina. He attended Jerusalem Elementary School, Foster Chapel School, and Sims High School.

The youngest of 15 children, Arthur grew, worked the family farm with his best friend “Brother”, and obtained engineering skills that served him throughout life. Arthur joined the Army and after his military service he returned home to work at United Merchants in Union, SC, Springs Industry in Chester, SC, and eventually he retired from Serrott in Welford, South Carolina. Arthur was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee and Treasurer for many years.

In addition to his parents, Arthur was preceded in death by his siblings: Willie Mae Means Mattison, Lois Means, Ruth Means, Viola Means, Azalee Means Metts, Maxine Means, Margaret Means Young, Martha Means, Deborah Means Leggett, and Rev. Luther Means, Jr.; Josephine Mattison Lipscomb–a niece reared in the family home; a daughter, Danielle LeMarion Means; two grandchildren: Marchelle Means and Brogan Thoms-Wilson.

Arthur was a God-fearing man who demonstrated love for his family through actions. He was a devoted husband to his dear wife Mamie whom he loved dearly for 57 years. He was a father who often expressed how proud he was of his four sons: Arthur Means, Jr. (Sabrina), Reginald Means, Sr. (LaTunya), Michael Means, Sr. (Gina) and Ro’Derick Means, Sr. (Larissa). As a demonstration of love in action, he instilled in his sons the importance of family, hard work, and being men of strong character. His legacy continues through the lives of his sons, his 17 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren (Kahnyleah “Kari” Wallace and Reginald Means, III “Trey”).

In addition to his wife and children, loving memories will be cherished by his sisters Bernice Means Artis and Claudia Means Hollis, Zessie Mattison Smith and Thomas Mattison (reared in the family home), as well as his in-laws, Bessie “Elwille” Thompson, Wanda “Black” Jones, Margaret “Toni” Ross, Doris Chatthem, Andrew Coleman, and Mary Sellma; fond memories will also be cherished by a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, October 30, 2023, 11:00 a.m. in Jerusalem Baptist Church, Jonesville, SC with Brother Harold Littlejohn officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Public Viewing will be held Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.