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.

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Anna Beatrice Dawkins Austin, 73, of 109 Kennedy Street, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019, in Spartanburg Medical Center.

Widow of John C. Austin, she was born in Cherokee County, and was a daughter of Estelle Johnson Dawkins and the late Townsend Dawkins, Sr.

She was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church. 

Anna was a loving mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, and friend.  She was a “people person” who delighted in being around others and helping her fellow-man. We shall miss her, but we thank God for blessing us with Annie in our life. 

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Kimberly Austin and Teresa Austin; her father, Townsend Dawkins, Sr., two sisters, Ramona Dawkins and Carolyn “Tettie” Austin; brothers, Willie Johnson and Eddie Dawkins; sister-in-law, Viola Austin; brothers-in-law, Joe, Benny, and Columbus Austin.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: two daughters, Angela Hillman and Tina Austin; mother, Estelle Dawkins,; three brothers, Townsend Dawkins, Jr., Luther Dawkins (Frances), and  Orlean Dawkins; a sister, Betty Santiago; aunts, Marie Dawkins and Rosetta Dawkins; eleven grandchildren; Meka, Johnny Raymond, Sherman, and Jimmy Austin;  Bradlee Haney, Darria Crosby, Ta’garria Lattimore, Reginald and Johnny Keenan, and Freddie Smith; sisters-in-law, Joyce Offri (Edward), Rosa Austin, and Emma Austin; brother-in-law, Fred Austin; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.     

The Funeral Service will be Monday, July 8, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in the Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with the Reverend Xavier Haney, officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaffney, SC.

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