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.

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.