Alex Bridges, Jr., 77, of 261 Speedway Road, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at his home. He was a son of the late Reverend Alex Bridges, Sr. and Julia Ruth Ruderson Bridges.

Alex was a 1962 graduate of Granard High School where he was a great football player. He formerly worked at Magnolia, Fiber and Nestle. He enjoyed a long career driving trucks and retired from Grady Randolph Trucking Company.

He was saved at an early age and initially joined Young Grove Baptist Church. He later moved to Concord Baptist Church where he was a dedicated member of the Sunday School and sang with the Senior Gospel Choir where he served as Vice President and previously served as President. He was well known in the area for his gift of singing, formerly singing with the quartet group The Bridges Family and the Carolina All Male Chorus.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: his twin brother, Allie Bridges, Sr.; his sister, Ruby Nell Bridges Shook; a grandson, Hazel Ross, Jr; and a special cousin raised like a grandchild, Shauna Johnson.

Along with his wife Lizzie, he leaves to cherish his memory: sons, Alexis Joe (Tierra) Bridges, Sr., James L. (Jacquelyn) Bridges, and Jackie M. Bridges; daughters, Lina (Clay, Sr.) Champion, Zina Bridges, Yvette (Hazel) Ross, and Regina (Frederick) Marks; four grandchildren raised in the home as their own, Dareon Bridges (Nadirah Rashada), Alexis Joe Bridges, Jr., Alex Bridges (Evette Lindsay), and Charlexis Bridges (Larry Camp); 25 additional grandchildren,  Dakeia (Richard) Rodgers, Dakara Bridges, Damarreun (Kita) Bridges, Laura Wray, Kameron Norris, Duntea Turner, Clay Champion, Jr. (Ashley Littleton), Claynesha Champion, Jada Coleman, Tyson Richards, Charnica Bridges, Alexis Bridges, Alexander Bridges, Auryanah S. Johnson, Sherman Hayes, Jr., Amyia Hayes, Sharleen Hayes, Zach Ross (Tiffany Pearson), Everett Ross, Jamal Ross, Jalen Underwood (Kalila Carlo), Joshua Bridges, Austin Bridges, Jerod Dawkins, and Quinton Ellis; 28  great-grandchildren, Rashaad Bridges, Tara Bridges, Koda Reams, Caden, Champion, Kairo Champion, Undre Lindsay, KeyAsia Lindsay, Endyia Lindsay, Travis Smith,  Kamijah Pendergraph, X’Zayvion Bridges, Omarrion Bridges, Sebastian Camp, Zhamari Dixon,  Domonique Littlejohn, Zariah Pearson, Tamaiya Pearson, Lynniah Pearson, Mila Underwood, Darius Dawkins, Jerod Dawkins, Jr., Jayden Dawkins, Derrick Dawkins, Jahair Dawkins, Justus Dawkins, Kam Ellis, Quinton Ellis, Jr., and Ali Jane Ellis; 2 great-great grandchildren, Kensley Lindsay and Kayden White; a brother, Monroe (Betty) Bridges; sisters, Mary Brown and Willie Ruth Gatewood (“Jam-Up” Tate); mother-in-law, Mondean Covington; special cousins treated like sisters, Claudia (William) Johnson and Onnie Kay (Larry) Dawkins; special cousins raised like grandchildren, Jorbuay (Yvette) Clary, Joy Johnson, Diamynd Buckson, and Kelsey Davidson; sister-in-law, Willie Pearl Bridges; brothers-in-law, Bobby Young and Larry Gatewood; and a host of god children, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

The Funeral Service will be Saturday, June 29^th at 1:00 p.m., in Concord Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Michael A. Bridges officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  He will be in state in the church Saturday at 12:00 noon.

At the family’s request, please limit calls and visits to between 11:00 am and 9:30 pm daily at the home.

The Gilmore Mortuary

James Earl Thompson, 73, of 210 Laurelwood Dr., Boiling Springs, SC, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019, in his home.

He was born in Columbus, NC and was a son of the late George Thompson and Birdie Jackson Thompson.

He was a member of Holland Temple F.B.H. Church in Landrum, SC.

Surviving are: four brothers, Johnny Lee (Emma) Thompson, Robert Thompson, Jr., Samuel (Marlaelena) Thompson all of Chesnee, Leonard (Hattie) Thompson of Spartanburg; five sisters, Rosie Jane Staley of Columbus, NC, Ruthie Mae Mabin of Ft. Myers, FL, Betty Jean Little of Inman, Katherine Dunn of Boiling Springs, Brenda (Ronnie) Carson of Chesnee.

Visitation will be Saturday, 11 a.m. in Holland Temple F.B. H. Church. The Funeral Service will follow at 12 p.m. with Minister Kenny Thompson and Pastor Dale J. Harris. Interment will follow in New Pilgrim Baptist Church Cemetery, Campobello, SC. He will be in state in the church Saturday at 11 a.m.

The family is at the home of Teresa Dunn, 3516 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs.

The Gilmore Mortuary

Mamie Leach Chappell, 81, of 70 Chestnut Street, Norwalk, Connecticut, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Norwalk.

She was born in Cherokee County and was a daughter of the late Deacon Herbert Leach and Bennie Mae Poole Leach. She was the wife of Bobby Chappell.

Mamie was a 1955 graduate of Granard High School. She was a member of St. James Baptist Church in Norwalk and a former member of Concord Baptist Church in Gaffney.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Mickles and Dorothy Dover. In addition to her husband, she leaves to cherish loving memories: 3 brothers, Choice Leach (Minnie), Joe Leach (Dorothy), and Jackie Leach (Vera), all of Gaffney; 2 sisters, Nancy Watkins of Gaffney and Minnie Henderson of Bridgeport, CT; uncle, Hallie Leach, of New Jersey; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The funeral service will be Wednesday, June 12th, in St. James Baptist Church.

Baker’s Funeral Home, Norwalk, CT, is serving the family.

This announcement is courtesy of The Gilmore Mortuary