Henry Sanders Armstrong, age 82, of 145 Seminole Trail, Cowpens, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024, at his residence. Husband of Lolan Littlejohn Armstrong, he was the son of the late Davis and Elnora Davis Armstrong.

He was employed as an Agriculture Landscaper at Sunny Slope for many years until his retirement.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings: Watson, Fred, and Scott Armstrong, Hattie Smith, Alice Lee Thompson, Elouise Colston, and Lillie “Missy” Littlejohn.

Henry leaves to cherish loving memories: his wife, Lolan Littlejohn Armstrong; five sons, Henry “P.Y.” Littlejohn, Jimmy Armstrong, Melvin Armstrong (Princess), Westley Armstrong; two daughters, Peggy Armstrong and Nora Armstrong (Gerald); a brother, Davis “June” Armstrong; a nephew reared in the home, Herbert Colston; a grandson reared in the home, Jamarcus Armstrong; 23 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; a great-great- grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held, Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel, with the Reverend Dr. Rayfield Hamrick officiating. Interment will follow in Gaffney Memorial Park.

Johnny Franklin Byers was born in Gaffney, SC on July 6, 1948. He was the son of the late Frank Byers and Lillie Bell Shippy Byers.

His life came to a close on March 6, 2024, at Cherokee Medical Center.

Johnny was preceded in death by two daughters, Mary Louise Studyvance and Willie Mae Studyvance Goode, and a sister Strossie Sarratt.

Left to cherish loving memories are his wife of 57 years, Mary Frances Studyvance Byers of the home; sons, Dr. James Frank Byers (Ruby) and Warren Byers, of Gaffney, Melvin Harrison and Alvin Harrison (Rochelle), of Boston, Massachusetts; daughters, Johnnie Woodson, Frances Ann Byers, and Lillie Hughes (Russell), all of Gaffney, and Jessica Serrano, of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren reared in the home, Dewan Byers, Jonathan Byers, and Latwuan Byers; sisters Rosa Lee Studyvance, Patricia Sarratt, Shirley Dover, and Pearlie Mae Littlejohn, all of Gaffney, brothers, Dean Byers and Jamie Byers (Rosa), of Gaffney, Francis Byars, of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Joseph Byers (Brenda), of Brooklyn, New York; 27 grandchildren, 33 great- grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 15^th, at 2:00 p.m., at The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel. The repast will be at MK Event Center immediately following the service.

The family is receiving friends at the home.

Deaconess Mary Ann Gibbs Wilkins, affectionately known as “Mimi”, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, March 4, 2024. She was the wife of the late Deacon Mandret Wilkins Sr. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Jesse Gibbs Sr. and Minnie Hemphill Gibbs. 

Mary Ann was a 1952 graduate of Granard High School. She worked as a kindergarten teacher at Bethel Kindergarten for many years. She also reared and cared for many children at her residence.

Mary Ann is known graciously for her powerful voice and songs rendered to serve God. She was a longtime member of Mitchell’s Chapel Church of God F.B.H, where she also served as their faithful musician for over 60 years and attended Sunday School. In addition, she served as a faithful musician at Bethel Baptist Church for over 60 years, where she was also a member of the Deaconess Ministry and attended Sunday School. She is also known for utilizing her God given gift of singing and playing for various choirs and church services around the local area. 

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband Deacon Mandert Wilkins Sr., her son Minister Vincent Wilkins, brothers Robert Gibbs and Herbert Gibbs, sister Minnie C. Gibbs, and grandson J.R. Davidson. 

She leaves to cherish loving memories: her children Ms. Natalie Cannon of Gaffney, Mr. Mandret Wilkins Jr. of San Diego, CA, Mrs. Donna Davidson (Robert) of Gaffney; Ms. Cathy S. Martin of Charlotte, NC, Mrs. Jacqueline Hinkson (Levi) of Newark, NJ, Mr. Ricky Robbs of Gaffney; sisters Belinda S. Gibbs, Elaine Mackenzie; brothers Jesse Gibbs, Thomas Gibbs; grandchildren reared in the home Jarron Davidson, Brianne Cannon, Michael Cannon; aunts Mrs. Gwendolyn Hemphill, Mrs. Lille Ellen Thornton; god-children Ms. Tonya Adams, Mrs. Kim Littlejohn, Ms. April Littlejohn. A host of sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, March 10th, 2:00 p.m., in Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. James W. Sanders, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home.