Mr. Willie James Tate, age 60, of 611 W. Buford Street, Gaffney, passed away Wednesday, December 15th, in Spartanburg Medical Center.

Husband of Mary Ernestine Dillard, he was born in Cherokee County, to John Sullivan and Darlene Houston Tate. He was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church as a Trustee, Usher, and on the Choir.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Alice Long, Annie Allen, and Robert Tate.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: his wife, Mary Ernestine Dillard Tate, of Gaffney; three sons, Willie Barfield, Gregory Armstrong, and Raynard Armstrong, of Gaffney; three daughters, Destiny Tate, of Cowpens, La Monique Dillard and Tonya Colsten, both of Gaffney; two brothers, Bill Tate and Sullivan Dean Tate (Oletha), both of Gaffney; two sisters, Janie Davis, of Cowpens, Marie Tate, of Gaffney; other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Dr. C. Dennis Rector officiating. The Family is at the home of his daughter, Destiny Tate, 200 Three Oaks Road, Cowpens.

Mrs. Janice Byars, of 3496 Sandpiper Drive, Clarksville, TN, passed away December 7th, in Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville.

Wife of Francis Byars, she was born in Gaffney, SC, to Albert Dover and Virginia Rawlison Dover.

On February 23, 1974, Janice was dedicated and baptized as a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses. . Her greatest love was preaching and teaching people about Jehovah God. Her gentle nature harbored no harshness, but radiated love and gentleness to all. She loved her family and friends deeply and delighted in sharing her beautiful smile and heart with those she came in contact with. Her siblings affectionately called her “Mama” because she was always concerned about their welfare, safety, and happiness.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Virginia Dover; four siblings, Harold Dover, Charles Dover, James Wood and Margeorie Watkins.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband Francis Byars, of Clarksville; children, Franz Isaac Byars and Candice D. Byars, both of Clarksville, Tiffany Nicole Taylor, of Gaffney; step children, Keith Studyvance (Shanevette), John Dean Manning, Constance S. Brewton (Frederick), Tasha Avery, Sandra S. Allen (Jonathan), and Coral E. Dover; brothers, Albert Dover Jr., Larry Dover, Dennis Dover, and John Dover, all of Gaffney, Marion Dover, of Shelby, NC; sisters Mary Haney, Sharon Byars, Helen Wood, Claudia Dover, and Paula Hamrick, all of Gaffney; 24 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Johnny Byars (Frances), Jamie Byars (Rosa), Joseph Byars, (Brenda), and Dean Byars; sisters-in-law, Rosa Studyvance (Furman), Patricia Sarratt, Shirley Dover, and Pearlie Littlejohn; other relatives

A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, December 16th, 2:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with Brother Brian Phifer officiating. The Family is at the home of her brother, Larry Dover, 1435 Leadmine Road.

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Long Black of 163 South Linda Street Cowpens SC, answered the masters call on December 7, 2021 at her residence.
Daughter of the late Ernest June Long and Mary Lee Armstrong Long. Mary was born December 25, 1967 in Gaffney SC. She was proceeded in death by her husband the late John Henry Black.
At an early age she accepted Christ and joined the Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She was a songbird and loved to sing and encourage others. She was a longtime cook at Mr. Waffle in Cowpens and also a cashier at the LiL Cricket in Cowpens.
Mary loved her family and friends, she would light up any room she walked in with her smile. She was a source of inspiration, joy, encouragement, love and strength for her family and friends. The memories of Mary (Lib) will always be cherished in our hearts and the hearts of so many others.

Left to cherish with fond memories are: her mother, Mary Lee Armstrong Long; two sons, Min. Malcolm Long (Porchee) Sheldon Long (Serina), one daughter, Janis Black. two brothers, James (Rock) Thompson Mark Long (Brenda); two sisters, Min. Brenda Harris (Melvin) and Edna Long; four grandchildren, Jamarian, Addilyn, Malachi, and Brody; two nephews, Cody Long and Brian Durrah; four nieces, Ametra Durrah, Melody Long, Breanna Harris, and Jasmine Landrum; a host of other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 3:30 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with The Reverend Dr. C. Dennis Rector and The Reverend Darrell Smith.