Mrs. Sarah Lee White Porter, 95, of 1017 E. O‘Neal St., passed away Thursday,July 11^th, in the home of her daughter, Sandra Smith, 113 W. O’Neal St. 

Widow of Oetzel P. Porter, she was born in Cherokee County, a daughter of Frank and Fatha Hardin White.

She was a member of Galilee Baptist Church where she served as a Sr. Missionary member and Sunday School Teacher.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by: 2 brothers, James and Jerome White; 3 sisters, Elsie Meeks, Ellen Oates, and Rachel Wilson.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: 4 sons, Leroy White, Sr. (Georgia) of Gaffney, Jerry Porter of San Antonio, TX, Perry Porter of  the home, and Raeford Porter (Lorainne) of Shelby; 3 daughters, Faith Ann McCluney (Joe) of Asheville, Sandra Smith and Wanda Porter, both of Gaffney;  23 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great grandchildren; 7 great-great great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

The Funeral Service will be Monday, July 15^th.

The Gilmore Mortuary

Johnell Thompson, Sr., beloved son of the Othynell and Lois Jeffries Thompson,

was born on July 28, 1943 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.  

He was educated in the public schools of Spartanburg County and was further nurtured by a Christian family  He was a retired truck driver for United Van Lines and a concrete finisher.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five siblings, George Jeffries, Willie Jeffries, Carl Jefferies, Eula Davis and Macksine Thompson.

Johnell entered eternal rest on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, Spartanburg, South Carolina.

He leaves to cherish his memory:  two sons, Johnell Thompson, Jr. (Deborah) of Virginia and Rev. Michael Thompson (Angela) of Irmo, SC, from his union with Alta Huskey Thompson; a brother, Billie Thompson (Alma);  three sisters, Mary Thompson Dover of Spartanburg, SC, Emma Thompson Waddell, and Betty Thompson Wilkins, of Alexandria, VA; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a host of nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 13, 12 Noon, in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Michael Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in Brooklyn C.M.E. Church Cemetery, Chesnee, SC.

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Mrs. Genell “Big Mama” Tate Mayes, 93, of 2407 Beech Street, passed away Friday, July 5, 2019, in her home.

Widow of J.W. Mayes, she was born in Cherokee County and was a daughter of the late Wadell and Rachel Hoey Tate.

She was a member of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church where she served as custodian, member of the Mixed Choir, usher, and missionary.  She was a retired cafeteria employee, after twenty-five years of service, from B.D. Lee Elementary School.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Wadell and Calvin Mayes, and siblings, L.W. Eugene, John D., Joe Lewis, James “Rusty” Tate, Sarah Lee Smith, Minnie Alice Gregory, and Lois Bright.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: two sons, Wayne “Jerry” Mayes (Florence), of Reidville, SC and William “Pee Wee” Mayes; two daughters, Mary “Lib” Watkins (Joe) and Denise Harris; two brothers, Charlie Tate (Mary) and Victor Tate; sisters, Bernell Tate, Ruth Huskey, and Marva Littlejohn (Frank), all of Gaffney; 22 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 5 greaat–great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Beverly Mayes of Lawrenceville, GA; sisters-in-law, Ezera Tate and Sarah Tate of Gaffney,  Eloise Tate of Thomasville, NC, Jennie Mayes of Washington, DC; brother-in-law, Rev. Willie Lee Mayes of Gaffney.

The Funeral Service will be Thursday, 2:00 p.m., in Mt. Tabor Baptist Church with Rev. Darrell Smith officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  She will be in state in the church Thursday at 1:00 p.m.

The Gilmore Mortuary