Rev. Dr. McKinley Washington, Jr. 85, of Ravenel, SC, husband of Mrs. Beulah Jefferies Washington, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 24, 2022.

Rev. Washington was born to Mr. McKinley Washington, Sr. and Mrs. Mattie Bell Peterson Washington on August 8, 1936 in Sumter County, South Carolina.

Rev. Washington was a former state lawmaker and Pastor of the Edisto Presbyterian Church USA for 50 years. He served South Carolina House District 116, Charleston County, from 1975-1990, then was elected to the state senator for District 45 and served from 1991-1999. He also served as chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and as vice chair of the Charleston County Legislative Delegations.

While in office, he served on many committees, always seeking to better living conditions for the underserved. McKinley Washington was elected to the Employment Security Commission and served from 2000-2010 along with serving as chairman a few years during his term. Along with his numerous political affiliations he was the founder of the Edisto Branch of the NAACP and the St. Paul Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Trustee Emeritus of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rev. Washington’s bass voice, infectious smile and dedication to people will live on through the many, many lives he touched.

One sister, Mrs. Katherine Daniel and two brothers, Mr. James Washington and Mr. Richard Washington preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 59 years, Mrs. Beulah Jefferies Washington; two children-Mr. Michael Washington of Ravenel, SC and Ms. Katrina W. Knight of Atlanta, GA; four grandsons-Jaelen Heyward, Maurice Knight, III, William McKinley Washington Knight and Michael McKinley Washington; one granddaughter, Ms. Cur’tiece Washington and one great-granddaughter, Kehlani Heyward; one sister, Mrs. Virginia Peterkin (Donald); three brothers, Mr. Ezekiel Washington (Prunella), Mr. Benjamin Washington and Mr. Elijah Washington; two brothers-in-Law, Mr. James Jefferies (Parnice) and Rev. A.L. Brackett; four God-Children-Mrs. Letitia Motley (Algernon), Mrs. Courtney Moultrie (Richard), Mr. Freddie Wright and Mrs. Faneisha Alexander (Benjamin); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The funeral will be held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center Saturday, July 30th, at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Mayesville Black River Cemetery in Mayesville, South Carolina. The family will receive visitors from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the residence in Ravenel. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Edisto Presbyterian Church USA Cemetery Memorial Fund. Fielding Home for Funerals, Charleston, SC
Courtesy of The Gilmore Mortuary

Crystal Michelle “Shell” Crawford 48, was born in Cherokee County and was a daughter of the late Bennie Junior Crawford and Annie Maude Surratt Crawford.

Early in life, she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Buck Shoals Baptist Church. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant and a former employee of Autumn Care Nursing Home.

“Shell” loved the Lord, her daughter, her mother, and her family, her many friends, and people in general. She will always be remembered for the love she gave to all.

She answered the Master’s call on Thursday, July 21st, in Rutherford Hospital, Rutherfordton, NC.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: a daughter, Chelsea Maria Crawford (Jerome), of Mooresboro, NC; grandchildren, India Michelle Davis and Xavier Jerome Davis, both of Forest City, NC; a sister, Teannie Shelton; stepsister, Michelle Carpenter, of Forest City; nieces, Christina Michelle Shelton, Porcha Ann Carpenter; nephews, Bennie Micheal Shelton and Christopher Carpenter, of Forest City; a great niece, Shantel Carson; great nephew, Jamar Carson; a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 12:00 noon., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow in Fernandez and Crawford Cemetery, in Chesnee, SC.

Henry Blaine Gaffney, III, 70, of 102 Osage Drive, Gaffney, passed away May 16, 2022, in Spartanburg Medical Center.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY and was a son of the late Henry Blaine Gaffney, Sr. and Charlean S. Gaffney.

“Blaine” was a graduate of Van Buren High School in Queens, NY, and Moorehouse College in Atlanta, GA.

He moved to Gaffney in the early 1990s. He attended Fruit of The Spirit Church. He loved serving his God, his family and fellow-man. His other passions, were going to Coney Island, horror movies, collecting videos and Music CDs.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: his brothers, Kevin Gaffney, of Gaffney, Wesley Gaffney and Eric Gaffney, both of Rhode Island; a sister, Charlean, of Gaffney; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.


A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, 2:00 p.m., in Fruit of the Spirit Church on Cherokee Avenue in Gaffney, with Apostle Patricia Clark officiating. Services will be on Zoom. Please contact his brother, Kevin Gaffney, 864 838 1236 for password.