Minister Vincent Lopez Wilkins, 52, of 419 W. Birnie Street, Gaffney, passed away Friday, August 8, 2022, in his home.

He was born in Gaffney and was a son of Mrs. Mary Ann Gibbs Wilkins and the late Mandret Wilkins, Sr.

Vincent was a graduate of Gaffney High School and furthered his education at Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC.

He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where he served in several capacities, including: Associate Minister; Helping Hands Ministry; Youth Committee; Men’s Ministry, Bethel All Male Chorus, Generations of Praise, and Bethel Baptist Church Choir.

He was a member of the Key of G and One Accord Singing Groups. He also was a member of the NAACP and a volunteer for ATWA.

He was predeceased by his father and a brother, Kenneth Oglesby. He leaves to cherish loving memories: his mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Wilkins, of the home; brothers, Ricky Robbs, of Gaffney, and Mandret Wilkins, Jr., of San Diego, CA; sisters, Jacqueline Hinkson (Levi), of New Jersey, Cathy Martin, of Charlotte, NC, Clarissa Epps, of Gastonia, NC, Natalie Cannon and Donna Davidson (Robert), both of Gaffney; god-sister, Kim Littlejohn, of Gaffney; god-children, Brandy Douglas, of Spartanburg, Narayana Rodgers, of MD, and Shaneilous Logan, of Gaffney; other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 13th, 1:00 p.m., in Bethel Baptist Church with Dr. James Sanders, Jr., officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home until 8:00 p.m. daily. Thanks for your understanding.

Rev. Dr. McKinley Washington, Jr. 85, of Ravenel, SC, husband of Mrs. Beulah Jefferies Washington, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 24, 2022.

Rev. Washington was born to Mr. McKinley Washington, Sr. and Mrs. Mattie Bell Peterson Washington on August 8, 1936 in Sumter County, South Carolina.

Rev. Washington was a former state lawmaker and Pastor of the Edisto Presbyterian Church USA for 50 years. He served South Carolina House District 116, Charleston County, from 1975-1990, then was elected to the state senator for District 45 and served from 1991-1999. He also served as chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and as vice chair of the Charleston County Legislative Delegations.

While in office, he served on many committees, always seeking to better living conditions for the underserved. McKinley Washington was elected to the Employment Security Commission and served from 2000-2010 along with serving as chairman a few years during his term. Along with his numerous political affiliations he was the founder of the Edisto Branch of the NAACP and the St. Paul Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Trustee Emeritus of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rev. Washington’s bass voice, infectious smile and dedication to people will live on through the many, many lives he touched.

One sister, Mrs. Katherine Daniel and two brothers, Mr. James Washington and Mr. Richard Washington preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 59 years, Mrs. Beulah Jefferies Washington; two children-Mr. Michael Washington of Ravenel, SC and Ms. Katrina W. Knight of Atlanta, GA; four grandsons-Jaelen Heyward, Maurice Knight, III, William McKinley Washington Knight and Michael McKinley Washington; one granddaughter, Ms. Cur’tiece Washington and one great-granddaughter, Kehlani Heyward; one sister, Mrs. Virginia Peterkin (Donald); three brothers, Mr. Ezekiel Washington (Prunella), Mr. Benjamin Washington and Mr. Elijah Washington; two brothers-in-Law, Mr. James Jefferies (Parnice) and Rev. A.L. Brackett; four God-Children-Mrs. Letitia Motley (Algernon), Mrs. Courtney Moultrie (Richard), Mr. Freddie Wright and Mrs. Faneisha Alexander (Benjamin); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The funeral will be held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center Saturday, July 30th, at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Mayesville Black River Cemetery in Mayesville, South Carolina. The family will receive visitors from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the residence in Ravenel. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Edisto Presbyterian Church USA Cemetery Memorial Fund. Fielding Home for Funerals, Charleston, SC
Courtesy of The Gilmore Mortuary

Crystal Michelle “Shell” Crawford 48, was born in Cherokee County and was a daughter of the late Bennie Junior Crawford and Annie Maude Surratt Crawford.

Early in life, she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Buck Shoals Baptist Church. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant and a former employee of Autumn Care Nursing Home.

“Shell” loved the Lord, her daughter, her mother, and her family, her many friends, and people in general. She will always be remembered for the love she gave to all.

She answered the Master’s call on Thursday, July 21st, in Rutherford Hospital, Rutherfordton, NC.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: a daughter, Chelsea Maria Crawford (Jerome), of Mooresboro, NC; grandchildren, India Michelle Davis and Xavier Jerome Davis, both of Forest City, NC; a sister, Teannie Shelton; stepsister, Michelle Carpenter, of Forest City; nieces, Christina Michelle Shelton, Porcha Ann Carpenter; nephews, Bennie Micheal Shelton and Christopher Carpenter, of Forest City; a great niece, Shantel Carson; great nephew, Jamar Carson; a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 12:00 noon., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow in Fernandez and Crawford Cemetery, in Chesnee, SC.