John Ray Watkins, 70, of Shelby, NC, passed away Monday, December 1, 2021, in his home.

Husband of Brenda Robbs Watkins, he was born in Forest City, NC and was a son of the late R.B. and Dorothy Simmons Watkins.

John was a veteran of the United States Army. He was awarded the Master of Divinity Degree at Gardner Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC. He was a former Pastor of Moore’s Grove Baptist Church and a former Counselor at Isothermal Community College in North Carolina.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: his wife, Brenda; a son, Jerome Watkins , of Forest City, NC; four daughters, Latondra Hackney (Duane), of Winston Salem, NC, Brooke Lake, of Forest City, Shawn Robbs, of Boiling Springs, SC, and Tonya Haney (Oscar), of Cowpens, SC; a brother, Anelson Watkins (Mary), of Charlotte; four sisters, Mattie Greene, Emma Brown (Donald), Debra Jones, and Ijuana Collier (Dwight), all of Charlotte; seven grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, 2:00 p.m., in Limestone Missionary Baptist Church, Gaffney, SC, with the Reverend Michael Golden officiating. Interment will be Thursday, December 12th, 11:00 a.m., in Salisbury Veteran Cemetery.

Michael Dean Gregory, age 32, of 400 Bonner Lake Rd., Gaffney, passed away Monday, November 29th, in Cherokee County. He was the son of Melinda Gregory and Dean Craig.

In addition to his parents he leaves to cherish loving memories: his brother, Anderson Dean Craig, Jr.; his two sisters, Zaquandra Littlejohn and Zarekia Littlejohn; his grandmothers, Pauline Gregory and Priscilla Craig; his aunts, Lettie Proctor, Shelia Craig, Sarah Craig, Annie Jolly, Peggy Small, and Marchia Whitmire; his uncles; Horace Craig, Jr., Van Craig, Joe Craig, Sr., Rev. Wallace Gregory, James Gregory and Sylvester Gregory; a host of other relatives and friends.

Private Funeral Services will be held Monday, December 6, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter officiating.

There will be no public viewing held! Please we ask to just keep this family uplifted in Prayer!

Shondrey Elliott Armstrong, Sr., husband of De’Neshia Corry Armstrong. He was born on January 28, 1981 in Cherokee County, SC to Evelyn A. Vernon and the late Thomas E. Vernon.

He gained his wings November 28, 2021 in Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

In addition to his father Shondrey was preceded in death by his grandparents; Clarence and Corrine Vernon & Watson and Forrestine Armstrong; his uncles, Gary L. Armstrong, Johnathan B. Armstrong, and Larry Vernon; his aunts Valerie, Barbara, Dorris and Angie Vernon.

In addition to his mother he leaves to cherish loving memories: his wife, De’Neisha Corry-Armstrong; four sons, Jamal Fowler of, Spartanburg, SC, Joshua Corry, Shondrey Armstrong, Jr., and Cameron Armstrong, all of Gaffney, SC; two daughters, Zy’Keeya Harris and Daidrea Ferguson, of Spartanburg, SC; brothers, Anthony Armstrong, of Spartanburg, SC, Merrill Hambrick and Debres Houey, of Cherokee County, SC; four sisters, Yolanda Armstrong and Shameka Armstrong, of Cowpens, SC, Lasunya Armstrong and Jonica “Tank” Armstrong, of Spartanburg, SC; uncles, Clarence Vernon, of Inman, SC, Watson, James, Mark (Roynette) Armstrong, all of Cowpens, SC, Ricky Armstrong, of Jonesville, SC; aunts, Azalee (Ronald) Whiteside, of Inman, SC, Rosy Vernon, Arelene (William) Fernanders, of Inman, SC, Linda Armstrong, of Greenville, SC, and Valerie Armstrong, of Boiling Springs, SC; nephew, Jaylen Armstrong; other relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will be Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 3rd, at 2:00 p.m., in Island Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.