The Rev. Donald Rodgers, 67, of 102 Gettys Drive, entered eternal rest on Monday, May 12, 2014, in Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

Husband of Barbara Patton Rodgers, he was born in Gaffney and was a son of the late Wilbert and Helen Sarratt Rodgers.

He was a 1964 graduate of Granard High School and a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. He also attended Morris College in Sumter.

Donald was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. In 1978, he was employed by Norfolk Southern Railroad Company and in 1985 he transferred to Amtrak, where he retired as a conductor. He was a member and Associate Minister of Green Bethel Baptist Church.

Donald was preceded in death by a brother, Billy, and a sister, Diane.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Marc Rodgers of Manteca, CA, Brian Rodgers of Miami, FL, and Billy Rodgers (Tamika) of Gaffney; a daughter, Tania Gill-Worsley of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Dorothy Person (George) of Gaffney; 11 grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Sherry Rodgers of Gaffney.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. at Green Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Mills McHam officiating. Military Rites and interment will follow in Gaffney Memorial Park.

He will lie in state Saturday from 12-1 p.m. in the church. Donald may be viewed at The Gilmore Mortuary from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

Jeff Wyatt Watkins, 77, entered eternal rest on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Woodruff Manor in Woodruff.

He was born in Cliffside, N.C., and was a son of the late Oscar Gene Watkins and the late Elizabeth Wood Watkins. He was a graduate of Green Bethel High School in Boiling Springs, N.C., and Friendship College, Rock Hill.

A member of Suck Creek Baptist Church, Jeff resided in Washington, D.C., for 55 years. While in Washington, he attended Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. He was employed as head chef at City Tavern in D.C. and has cooked for several presidents, including President Carter and President Clinton.

He was preceded in death by four siblings, Calvin Dewitt Watkins, Joyce Diane Watkins, Kathleen Watkins Rodgers and Nellie Jean Watkins.

Surviving are two sisters, Grace Helen Martin of Boiling Springs, N.C., and Geraldine Watkins Sarratt (Nathaniel) of Gaffney.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 13, at 3 p.m. at Suck Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Tony Macomson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. He will lie instate Tuesday from 2 p.m. until the hour of the service.

The family is at the home of his niece, Lisa Bridges, 110 Stacy Drive.

Arrangements by The Gilmore Mortuary.

James Gary Manning, 82, of 97 Leslie Drive, Shelby, N.C., entered eternal rest on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at his home.

Husband of Inez Rice Manning, he was born in Cherokee County and was a son of the late Jim and Stella

Humphries Manning. He was a member of Mikes Creek Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of the Culinary Committee. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Gary Maurice Manning (Stephanie) of Burkhurnett, Texas, Patricia A. Manning Hill of Cary, N.C., and Gregory A. Manning (Nancy) of Greenville; seven grandchildren, Nakisha Manning, D’Andrea Hill, Antoine , Delorean, Shallyn, A’Zhane, and Nadia Manning; six great-grandchildren, Nyrisha Manning, Alyssa Harris, I’Anna Hill, DaNabyle Yoswa, DaNayla Smith, and Deleiking Manning; a brother, Warren Manning (Valerie) of Gaffney; and two sisters, Virgie Wray and Floyie Spells, both of Mooresboro, N.C.

Funeral services will be Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. at Mikes Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Courtney Mills officiating and the Rev. Kerwin Wray delivering the eulogy. Interment will be in the church cemetery. He will lie instate in the church Saturday from 1:30-2 p.m.

Arrangements by The Gilmore Mortuary.