Duane Blackford was born in Washington DC and lived in Gaffney, South Carolina. He celebrated his 48th birthday on December 1st and went to his heavenly home on December 16, 2021.
His lifelong desire was to travel and own his own tractor trailer. Duane’s favorite sports teams were the Las Vegas Raiders and the LA Lakers. His favorite superhero was the “Man of Steel”, who he would always go back and fourth with his nephews over who was better between Superman and Batman.
He was preceded in death by: his grandparents, Ashley and Mary Cromwell; his nephew, Nicholas Snowden; aunt, Dorothy Plater; uncles, James Greenhow, John Greenhow, and Oliver Cromwell; his sister, Angie Blackford.
Surviving are: his mother, Carolyn Blackford; his daughters, Shayla Blackford and Tatiana Webb; a son, Elishah Webb; his siblings, Alia Blackford, Lakeia Blackford, and Darryl Blackford; nephews, Derrell Thomas, Devonte Blackford, and Tavon Hopkins, Jr.; his niece, Ashley Blackford; his great nephew, Brytlin Fleming. Remembering the families that adopted Duane during his lifetime; his best friend who he referred to as his brother, Anthony Janifer, and the Janifer/Bowman family, the Adams family, Danielle Webb and a host of special family and friends that Duane loved with all of his heart.

Duane Blackford, passed away December 16, in Gaffney. The visitation with the family will be Wednesday, 10:00 a.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary. A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 a.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with The Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter officiating.

Mrs. Rena Mae Littlejohn Stevenson, age 84, of 620 Kelly Street, Gaffney, passed away Sunday, December 19th, in Spartanburg Regional Hospice.

Widow of Japan Stevenson, she was born in Gaffney, SC, and was a daughter of the late Til Thomas and Jessie Mae Littlejohn Davis. She was graduate of Granard High School.

Rena was predeceased by her parents and husband, and two siblings, Elizabeth Hollis and J.C. Littlejohn.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: three daughters, Robyn Stevenson, Adrian Michelle Stevenson, and Tammy Stevenson, all of Gaffney, SC; a son, Darryle Stevenson, of Gaffney, SC; 6 grandchildren including Keshia Stevenson, Paris Funderburk, and Timothy Ellis, Jr., all raised in the home; 6 great grandchildren; two aunts, Lolaine Armstrong, of Cowpens, SC, and Annie Mae Gregory, of Gaffney, SC; other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, December 23^rd, at 1:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with The Reverends Rayfield Hamrick, Dr. Michael Bridges and Dr. Kimberly Moore. Interment will follow in Green Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home. Visitors are requested to adhere to Covid Guidelines at the home and at the service.

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.