Mr. Willie Robert Cumberlander, 79, of Manor Nursing Home, Statesville, NC, passed peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Widower of Mrs. Elmer Palmer Cumberlander, he was born July 28, 1943, in Cherokee County, to Mr. Casey Cumberlander, Sr. and Mrs. Maggie Bennett Cumberlander.

At an early age, he was converted and accepted Jesus as his Savior, attending Mt. Tabor Baptist Church during his youth.  Throughout his adult life, he lived in many cities that include Washington, DC, Gaffney, SC and Statesville, NC.

Robert was preceded in death by his loving wife and parents; two sons, Mr. Willie “Buddy” Cumberlander Jr. and Mr. Calvin Cumberlander; two brothers, Mr. Casey Cumberlander Jr. and William Cumberlander Sr.; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, other relatives and friends.

Left to cherish many fond and loving memories: one daughter Mrs. Elvon (Mark) Belin of Chicago, IL; a sister, Mrs. Fannie Yeldell, of Capital Heights, MD; two brothers, Deacon Johnny (Dorothy) Cumberlander Sr. of Gaffney, SC, and Mr. Darnell (Phyllis) Cumberlander of Washington, DC; four additional sisters in law, Mrs. Shirley Baxter of Gaffney, SC, Mrs. Helen Smith and Mrs. Toni Cumberlander both of Washington, DC., and Mrs. Louise Thomas of Spartanburg, SC. an uncle, Mr. Aubrey Cumberlander of Suffolk, VA. three aunts, Ms. Ann Cumberlander of Atlanta, GA, Mrs. Maggie Cumberlander and Mrs. Christine Cumberlander of Buffalo, New York; one granddaughter, Ms. Malinda Belin and one grandson, Mr. Mark Belin Jr. both of Chicago, IL, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 25^th, at 2:00 p.m., in the Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with Rv. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter officiating. The family will receive friends in The Gilmore Mortuary on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The family is receiving friends at the home of his brother, Deacon Johnny Cumberlander, 126 Brittany Road, Gaffney, SC.

Lillie Ruth Edwards, a retired educator, entered her eternal home on February 7, 2023 after a brief illness. She was born March 9, 1941 in Cherokee County, South Carolina. She was the youngest daughter of the late Curtis Edwards, Sr. and the late Geneva Dawkins Edwards.

At an early age, Lillie Ruth dedicated her life to Christ. She joined Allen Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Gaffney, SC where she continued to serve until her passing. She was a Stewardess, Steward, Trustee, and a Sunday school teacher.

Lillie Ruth was a 1958 graduate of Granard High School in Gaffney, SC. She went on to further her education at Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics Education in May of 1963. She went on to earn her Master of Science Degree in Education from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lillie Ruth was a dedicated Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and a member of the Greenville (SC) Alumnae Chapter, Greenville County, SC.  She was also a member of the Cherokee County NAACP, a member of CHAPS- Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society and the Community First Organization. With a true Delta’s heart, she was a true public servant and activist for her community and its inhabitants.

Lillie Ruth dedicated her life and career as an educator in the South Carolina Public School System. In 1963, she began her career at Sterling High School in Greenville, SC as a math teacher. She retired from the classroom but never from teaching as she continued to use her knowledge to educate her family and friends. Even after retiring, Lillie Ruth returned to the classroom as an educator to continue to inspire generations of students.

Lillie Ruth was preceded in death by her brothers, James W. Edwards and Curtis Edwards, Jr. Also, by her grandnephew, Ellis Hawkins, II.

Loving memories will be cherished by: her sister, Mary Lucille Quince of Gaffney, SC and brother, Robert L. (Betty) Edwards of Glen Burnie, MD; an aunt, Ruby Nell Edwards, of Gaffney; five nieces and a nephew Karen (Bill) Degree of Gaffney, SC, Joycelyn (James III) Washington of Marion, SC, Vanessa Smalls of St. Stephens, SC, Lisa (Ellis) Hawkins of Blythewood, SC, Belinda Edwards of Odenton, MD; and Kurt (Nicole) Edwards of Newnan, Ga; grandnieces and grandnephews, Takera Degree, James Quintin and Jalisa Washington, Maressa and Elexis Hawkins, Olivia and Sophia Edwards, Tavian Smalls and Elijah and James Edwards; and a very special great-grandnephew, Landon Dreher; sister-in-law, Sarah Peeler Edwards of Gaffney, SC; three godsons, Furman Jackson, Hubert Roland White, II and Sammie Dotson; a special cousin, Anita Jefferies,  and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., in Allen Temple C.M.E. Church with The Rev. Alvin Stafford officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary

A beautiful and dear life came to a close early in the morning on February 5, 2023, in Inman Healthcare Nursing Home, in Inman, SC when Annie Ruth Wilkins Lipscomb answered the Master’s call to enter eternal rest. Her battle with medical issues and declining health in recent years showed her courage and determination in facing life’s challenges.

Annie was born on April 28, 1946 to the late Horace Wilkins and his wife, the late Grace Wilkins in Gaffney, SC where she grew up and attended public school. Annie was joined in holy matrimony to Clyde E. Lipscomb and to this blessed union four children were born.

She faced life with dedication and was confident in her ability to accomplish and succeed. While not completing high school traditionally, her perseverance led her to proudly receive a GED in 1980. Annie worked at Magnolia Finishing Plant for 40 years as a laboratory technician. She loved God and her family and enjoyed football and traveling. Her favorite teams were the Gaffney High School Indians and the Dallas Cowboys.

Annie was converted at an early age and joined Bethel Baptist Church. After marriage, she joined her husband by moving her membership to Philadelphia Baptist Church where she raised her family and was a faithful devoted church worker and leader. Over the years, she actively and willingly participated in the Congregation’s Ministry including, Sunday school and YWA. For many years, she served as president of the Voices of Philly (formerly the Philadelphia Mixed Choir) and was the long term chairperson of the Deaconess Ministry.

Annie was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Angela Brown; two brothers, Horace Wilkins, Jr., and Clarence Lee Wilkins; and a granddaughter, Ashley Jefferies; and a brother-in-law, Roland Hardy.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: her loving husband, Clyde Lipscomb, of the home; a daughter, Andrea Lipscomb, of Gaffney; two sons, Kenneth Lipscomb, of the home, and Donald (Catina) Lipscomb, of Gaffney; four sisters, Dorothy Hardy, Nina Wilkins (a very special sister whom Annie mentored and cared for), Betty Wilkins, Cheryl Mayberry (Bruce), all of Gaffney; two brothers, Johnny Wilkins, of Shelby, NC and James Wilkins, of Gaffney; sisters-in-law, Joyce Whittaker, Linda Smith, Ann Lipscomb, Diana Haywood, Judy Dawkins, and Dora Smith; brothers-in-law, David, John, and Armond Goudelock;

Annie deeply loved, nurtured and took pride in her nine grandchildren; Brandon Brown, Timothy Smith, Anthony Brown (Trina), Antonio, Anthony, Sherod, Kenard, Donisha, and Breanna Lipscomb, and Kenshell Foote; and shared a special bond with her great-grandchildren.
She will be remembered by a host of family members, friends, extened family and caregivers.

Public viewing will be held Friday from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 1:00 p.m., in Philadelphia Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Danny Burnside officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family is receiving friends at the home of Donnie and Catina Lipscomb, 161 Ellis Ferry Road, Gaffney.