Vernon Lee Rodgers, 40, of 150 Cedar Springs Place, Spartanburg, SC, passed away Saturday, January 14th, in his home.

He was born in Gaffney and was a son of Pamela Jackson Rodgers of Spartanburg, and Blakley Rodgers, Jr. and Ruthie Rodgers, of Gaffney.

Vernon was a graduate of Gaffney High School and a member of Indian Hill Baptist Church.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: his parents; a daughter, Verlesha Rodgers, of Spartanburg; brothers, Billy D. Rodgers (Hope), of Gaffney and John Maurice Rodgers, of Greenville, SC; a sister, Loretta Rodgers, of Spartanburg; other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Monday, January 23rd, 1:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with The Rev. Tony Petty, The Rev. Michael Williamson, and The Rev. Debra Williamson.

Public Viewing will be held Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

On Friday, January 13, 2023, Lottie F. Mayberry, beloved and adored mother and grandmother, peacefully away at the age of 93, at her home in Gaffney, SC.

Lottie was born on September 19, 1929 in Gaffney, SC to the late Roger and Vera Williams. Lottie was the middle child of her late sisters, Frances Littlejohn and Blanche Williams. The sisters shared such a strong and beautiful bond that will never be broken, “For love is as strong as death is…” – Song of Solomon 8:6. 

She was the widow of T.C. Mayberry. Lottie had three children; Glenn W. Foster, the late Audrey Carol “Cookie” Foster and her beloved stepson Thomas “Buddy” Mayberry.  She lovingly raised her children to be kind, diligent, and respectable individuals. Lottie was a hard worker but loved even harder. She could make anyone feel as if they were her own child. She was affectionately referred to as “Grandma Lottie” by many, whether they were related to her or not. She was undoubtedly, the highly esteemed matriarch of our dear family and will truly be missed. 

Lottie was a member of the Concord Baptist Church in Gaffney, SC where she was known for her generosity. She loved and revered our Heavenly Father, often praying to and praising him, even in her later years.

Lottie had an endearing manner, she could often “tell it like it is”, but still fix you a plate of her good home cooking. She was known by her friends and neighbors for her deliciously baked cakes. She had an industrious spirit, you could never get her to sit down and you knew once she put her mind to something, there was no going back. Our dear grandmother was a joy to be around. Her smile was infectious and her laugh could lift your spirits!  She always knew what to say; her conversation was always encouraging and balanced with the right amount of quick wit and humor.

In her later years, as her health started to take a turn, she was cared for at home by her grandson, Larry Michael Foster and his family. She expressed her desire to be in the comfort of her home until the end. 

Lottie was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Vera Rice Williams, her daughter Audrey Carol “Cookie” Foster, her sisters, Blanche Williams and Frances Littlejohn, her nephews Roger Wayne Williams and Glenn Littlejohn Jr. and her husband, T.C.  Mayberry. 

Lottie is devotedly survived by her sons, Glenn W. Foster (Alicia) of Crofton, MD and Thomas “Buddy” Mayberry of Gaffney, SC. Her niece, who was raised like a daughter, Sheran Ann Littlejohn (Charles), of Hyattsville, MD. Her cousin Madison “Lee” Watts (Lula), of Gaffney, SC; Her grandsons, Larry M. Foster, of Gaffney, SC; Cosby L. Foster (Patrina), of Blacksburg, SC and Edward Dunn-El (Dorene), of Greensboro, NC. Her granddaughters, Chiarra M. Foster, of Crofton, MD and Glenda A.Trotter (Derrick), of Baltimore, MD. Her great-nephews, Charles “Chuck” Littlejohn, of Annapolis, MD, and Kevin Littlejohn, of Columbia, MD. She is also survived by 18 great grandchildren, a host of other relatives and many friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 28^th, 11:00 a.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Bridges officiating.  Interment will follow in Gaffney Memorial Park.

Lionel was born August 23, 1944, in Cherokee County, South Carolina to Jack Dawkins and Quincy Wilkins Dawkins.

​Lionel loved to sing. He became active in church as a Sunday School Student and was disciple by his Godmother, Ms. Ida Allen Norris. He graduated from Granard High School in 1962 and immediately enlisted into the United States Navy. Lionel graduated from the Defense Language Institute and sailed with the research ships, “Liberty” and “The Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Enterprise CVAN 65. Lionel was honorably discharged in August of 1965.  

He was married to the late Carolyn Jacobs Dawkins in 1969 and they bore 2 sons, Warren Thomas Dawkins (Nickie) and Theo Jamal Dawkins (Latefa)

Lionel joined Limestone Baptist Church as a teenager. He was saved on September 23, 1972, after hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ preached by Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. Lionel began ministry in 1988 and served until his transition. He has served with The Thickety Mountain Baptist Association, The White Plains Baptist Church, and Holy Trinity New Beginnings Church, all of Gaffney. 

His former employers include: The Western Electrical Company, The Englehart Industry, and The Miles Shoe Company all of New Jersey. The WT Grant Company, The South Carolina Employment Security Commission, Gaffney Broadcasting Company, and Spartanburg Housing Authority, all of South Carolina He retired in 2006.

Lionel was affiliated with and served on numerous boards, among them: The South Carolina State Employees Association, SCSchool for the Deaf and Blind, Piedmont Community Actions, The United Way of Spartanburg, The Neighborhood Association, The Ambassadors of the Bahamas, Harambee Club International, The Boy Scouts USA, 

Lionel transitioned, through death to life eternal, on January 8, 2023 in Cherokee Medical Center, Gaffney, SC.  He was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 51 years, and three brothers, Jack Leon Dawkins, Henry Donald Dawkins and Thomas Edward “TD” Dawkins; two sisters, Edna Yvonne “Tutter” Dawkins McCluney and Sadie Darlene Dawkins Littlejohn.

Lionel was dearly loved by his family. He leaves to cherish loving memories: two sons, Warren (Nickie) of Maryland, and Theo (Latefa), of Rock Hill, SC; Lionel was “PAPA” to 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Kimoni Dawkins and Kiera Dawkins of Maryland; Isaiah, Joshua, and Indea Dawkins of the United States Military; a nephew raised as a son, Anthony “Tony” Jacobs; 2 Godsons, Ken Gregory and Anthony Spurgeon; goddaughter, KieshaBlair; three sisters, Virginia Dawkins Hunt, of the home, Nancy Dawkins, of Cowpens, Deborah Dawkins Israel, of Israel; brothers, Bernard Dawkins (Lib), of Spartanburg and Milton Dawkins (Faye),of Gaffney; other relatives and many friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, 1:00 p.m., in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel, Gaffney, SC, with The Rev. James Patton officiating.