Mrs. Dora Dover Smith, 97, of 502 Beech Street, Gaffney, passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022, in Mary Black Hospital, Spartanburg, SC.

Widow of Joseph Wilson Smith, Sr., she was born in Jonesville, SC and was a daughter of the late Clarence and Aurelia Walker Dover.

She was a member of New Trinity Christian Fellowship where she was honored as “Mother of the Church.”

“Mama” was so loving, caring, and giving, especially of herself; not only did she take care of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she took care of anyone in need. It didn’t matter if you needed someone to talk to, food to eat, or a place to stay, she would provide it.

In-fact, there were several people whom were not related to Mama that lived with her, and if anyone questioned her about it, you best believe she’d put you in your place, because it was her house and she could do what she wanted to, and that’s putting it nicely. All the same, they, too, affectionately called her “Mama or Mama Dora.”  That was the type of person she was, she showed and gave love, and she was loved by so many in return. She will be greatly missed.

Dora was predeceased by 3 children, Joseph Smith, Jr., Jimmy Ray Smith, and Sarah Smith Webb; 4 siblings, McKinley, Tommy, John, Albert, and Dorothy Dover, and Jessie Davidson; grandson, Dominick Smith.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: two daughters, Helen Smith and Sandra Smith, both of Gaffney; sons, Bobby (Gloria), William, Donnie, and Ronnie Smith (Aretha), all of Gaffney; 18 grandchildren, including Tammie Smith, of Gaffney, raised in the home; 62 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; son-in-law, Clifford Webb; god children, John and Ruby Mickles; special friend, Daisy Dover; other relatives and friends.

(Acts 24:15)-  “And I have hope toward God, that there is going to be resurrection.” And with a joyous hope we look forward to that day when we can see you again Mama.

With love, The Family

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 1:30 p.m., in Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church with The Reverend C.A. Wallace and Apostle Sherman Davis.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery. 

The family is at the home of her daughter, Helen Smith, 102 Palmetto St., Gaffney, SC.

Terry Lamar Palmer, age 53, of 573 Saxon Avenue, Spartanburg, SC, passed away Friday, December 31st, in Spartanburg Medical Center.

He was born in Cherokee County and was a son of Stella Warren Palmer and the late Johnny William Palmer.

Terry was a graduate of Broome High School, Class of 1987. He was formerly employed at Cote Chemical Company.

Terry was a member of True Holiness Church where he served as keyboard player for the choir. He was also a member of The Southland Troubadours and The Joylites.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by two brothers, William Berry Palmer and John Earl Palmer.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: two sons, Quentin Tyshuan Palmer, of Inman, SC, and Denequice Brown, of Gaffney, SC; a daughter, Terri De’Shawn Palmer, of Greer, SC; mother, Stella Palmer, of Cowpens; a sister, Lisa Palmer, of Inman, SC; 3 grandchildren; aunts, Louise Thomas, Shirley Crosby, Lillian Smith, Saphee Palmer, and Helen Smith; a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 8, 2022, 1:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Lewis Davis and The Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter.

Horace Lamont Wilkins was born in Cherokee County, SC on December 12, 1967 to John Edward Wilkins and the late Shirley Temple Littlejohn Manning.

Eleven days after his born day he gained his wings that Thursday, December 23, 2021, in Dialysis Center, Gaffney, SC.

He joined the Baptist faith at Knuckles Chapel and was a member of the Mass Choir. He was a graduate of Gaffney High School, “Class of 1986”, where he was a football and track star.

Lamont loved his family, friends, classmates, and whomever he came in contact with. But most of all with no comparison to his love for someone, he dedicated that love to his son, “Ahmad” the most. He was a source of inspiration, love, joy and encouragement to everyone. If you knew Lamont you sure will not forget how much he loved those Dallas Cowboys. “He Will Be Truly Missed.”  

In addition to his mother he was preceded in death by a stepfather, Willie Cal Manning; a sister, Crystal Gale Wilkins, two brothers, Ricky Dean Littlejohn and James Edward Wilkins.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: his father, John Edward Wilkins, of Gaffney; a son, Ahmad Hollis, of Gaffney; two brothers, Vincent Wilkins (Shantae), of Atwater, CA; three sisters, Terrie Wilkins, Terasa Littlejohn (Terry), and Candace Mitchen, all of Gaffney; aunts, Priscilla Wilkins, Shiela Wilkins, and Rose Wilkins, all of Gaffney, Debra Wilkins and Gwen Wilkins, both of New Jersey, and Gloria Wilkins, of New York; uncles, Billy Littlejohn, of Texas, Harry Littlejohn, of Shelby, NC, and Gilbert Littlejohn, of Gaffney; a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be held Friday, 11:00 a.m., in Philadelphia Baptist Church with The Rev. Danny Burnside, Rev. Dr. Michael Bridges, and Rev. Dr. Kerwin Wray. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family is at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Terry Littlejohn, 130 Brookshire Drive, Gaffney.