Category Archives: 2017

Mary Elizabeth Watkins

Mary Elizabeth Watkins, 91, of 503 Kendrick Street, passed away on Sunday in Magnolia Manor of Inman. She was the daughter of the late Gainesville and Beatrice Jordan Watkins.

She was a former member of Bethel Baptist Church, a graduate of Granard High School and Grady School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA, where she received a degree as a Registered Nurse.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Doris Watkins Heywood, Gwendolyn Watkins Thompson, and Gloria Watkins.

Surviving are nieces, Hildred Freeman of Inman and Elizabeth Jamasina Thompson, of Philadelphia, PA; and a nephew, Michael Watkins Thompson of Gaffney.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, 1:00 pm., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Timothy L. Hunter officiating. Interment will follow in Gaffney Memorial Park.

The Gilmore Mortuary www.gilmoresmortuary.com

Richard Bradley

Richard Bradley, 87, of 205 N. Mountain Street, Blacksburg, entered eternal rest Thursday, October 5, 2017, in Mary Black Hospital-Gaffney.

Widower of Margaret Good Bradley, he was born in Cherokee County and was a son of the late Richard and Beatrice Bradley.

He was a member of Bethel C.M.E. Church, a retired employee of Cherokee County Schools, and Kelly’s Steak House.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Maggie Whisonant and a brother, Bob Bradley. Surviving are: one daughter, Janelle Bradley of the home; one brother, Howard Bradley (Phoronia) of Gaffney; one sister, Jean Bradley; 4 grandchildren, Cassaundra Shifty, Natasha Bradley, Jerry Whisonant, Jr., and Ashton Corry.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, 1:00 p.m., in Bethel C.M.E. Church in Blacksburg with Rev. Doris Landrum officiating. Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mr. Bradley will be in state in the church Thursday at 12:00 noon.

The Gilmore Mortuary
www.gilmoresmortuary.com

Master Sgt. James Anthony Ratchford

Master Sgt. James Anthony Ratchford, USAF, Ret., 76, of California, formerly of Gaffney, passed away September 12, in Arroyo Grande, California.

He was born in Gaffney and was a son of the late M.B. Ratchford, Sr. and Alice Coleman Ratchford.

James was a graduate of Granard High School, a former member of Bethel Baptist Church, and a retired Master Sgt. in the United States Air Force.

Surviving are: 3 sons, Terence, Shawn, and James A. Ratchford, Jr., of California; daughter, Octavia Despres (Michael) of CA; brother, Rev. Franklin B. Ratchford (Audrey) of Columbia; a sister, Gloria Orr, of Stamford, CT.

A visitation service will be held Tuesday, September 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel. Interment will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 10 a.m., in M.J. Dolly Cooper Veteran’s Cemetery in Anderson.

The Gilmore Mortuary
www.gilmoresmortuary.com