Johnny Frank Byers

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 15th, 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.


Mary Ann Wilkins

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.

Catherine Hemphill Roberts

Catherine Hemphill Roberts, 85, of 542 Boiling Springs Hwy, Gaffney, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in The Peachtree Centre, Gaffney.

She was born in Gaffney and was a daughter of the late Dock Hemphill, Sr., and the late Bertha Glover Hemphill. She was the widow of Bobby Roberts.

Catherine, affectionately known as “Red” by her family and friends, attended the public schools of Cherokee County. She was a member of Concord Baptist Church and a retiree of Stouffers.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by nine siblings, Janie Mae Littlejohn Reid, Annie Griffin, Lucille Mickles, Helen Jefferies, Viola Cox, Effie Moody, Dock Hemphill, Jr., Willie James Hemphill, and Charlie Thompson.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: two sons, Vernon Huskey (Pam), of Atlanta, GA and Kelly Lacey Roberts, of the home; four sisters, Thelma Horton, of Philadelphia, PA, Betty Harris, Addie Fay Dawkins, and Mary Ann Jolly, all of Gaffney; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; god-daughter, Linda Belk; a host of nieces and nephews, including her niece and caregiver, Alice Smith; other relatives and many friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 1:00 p.m., in Concord Baptist Church with The Reverend Dr. Michael A. Bridges officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family is at the home of Mary Jolly, 559 Estelle Road, Gaffney.