Rev. Robert Butler

Johnston, SC- Funeral Services for Rev. Robert Butler will be held 2:00pm Monday, April 21, 2025 at the Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. Craig Beasley, Pastor. The Rev. Sammie Williams will be the Eulogist. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. Viewing will be 12:00pm to 6:00pm Sunday April 20, 2025 at Amos & Sons Funeral Home.

Robert Butler was born on February 2, 1947, in Saluda County, to the late Amos and Mary Butler. Robert was preceded in death by two brothers- James and Elijah Butler, one sister- - Lila Jones, and one daughter – Roberta Lisa Butler. Robert Butler entered into everlasting peace on April 15, 2025, at his residence.

Robert received his secondary education from Ridge Spring High School. He did his apprenticeship at Daniel’s Barber Shop in Saluda and later opened and ran his own business on March 22, 1969, at the age of 22, God called Robert into the Gospel Ministry on April 29, 2001. He preached his initial sermon at Young Piney Grove Baptist Church in Trenton, SC. Robert became an ordained minister on June 30, 2002, and served in this capacity at several area churches. He later became a graduate of the Minister Alliance of Aiken.

Robert leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Patsy Butler, 2 sons – Reggie Gaines and Garrick Wallace, 7 daughters – Sonya Butler Washington, Miriam Butler Tanksley, Tuwanda Coats, Denise (Jimmy) Lodato, Chanate (George) Buchanan, Charlene Coats, and Shari (Arthur) Broomfield, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 3 sisters – Lucinda Gordon, Dorothy (James) Smith, Clara (Theodore) Burton, 1 step sister, Mary Felton, a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends, and special Caregivers, Kathy Culver, Natasha Hampton, Damien Bryant, Kenneth Spring, Janet Daniels and Raven Harris.

Mr. Harry Carter, Jr.

Edgefield, SC- Funeral Services for Mr. Harry Carter, Jr. will be held 2:00pm Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Republican Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie Patten, Pastor. Interment will follow at the Jeter Baptist Church Cemetery. Viewing will be 11:00am to 6:00pm Friday April 18, 2025 at Amos & Sons Funeral Home.

Harry Carter, Jr. was born October 28, 1967, to the late Harry Carter, Sr., and Annie Carter. He departed this

earthly life on April 10, 2025, in Augusta, GA.

He was a lifelong residence of Edgefield, SC. He was a member of Republican Grove Baptist Church. He was educated in the Edgefield County School System and was employed with George Harrison Paint and Body Shop.

Harry was a people person and enjoyed the company of young people. He loved having fun with his family.

He leaves to cherish his memories: two daughters, Michelle Holmes, McCormick, SC, and Aniyus La’heaven Carter, Greenville, SC, five grandchildren, and one great grand, his mother, Annie Carter, three sisters, Beatrice Carter, Rachel Carter, and Michelle Carter, all of Edgefield, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. Also, his favorite cousin, Annie Pearl Harris.

Mr. George Junior Childs

Aiken, SC-Funeral Services for Mr. George Junior Childs will be held 2:00pm Thursday, April 10, 2025. at the Pine Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Casey Duncan is Pastor, the Rev. Jerome Coleman will officiate and the Rev. Stacy Mills will be the Eulogist. Viewing will be 11:00am -6:00pm.

Mr. George Childs, Jr., better known as Sonny, life began August 31, 1944, in Saluda County, South Carolina. A son to the late George, Sr. and Mary Ann Martin Childs. He departed this life on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina.

George grew up in South Carolina, however later in life he would move to North Carolina. In October 2018 he would return to South Carolina to be with family.

George was a man of many trades that made him a very talent man. While in North Carolina he worked construction for many years. In his spare time, he loved gardening.

George was a faithful member of Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he was baptized at an early age. He was a member of the Young Men of Honor Society.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by three siblings. He leaves to cherish his beautiful memories one sister; Tilda Ann Verdell of Philadelphia, PA; three brothers: Wallace (Delorise) Childs and Jerome Childs of Aiken, SC, and James (Julia) Childs of Ward, SC; one-brother-in-law, Elijah Burton, Jr of Johnston, SC; a very special caregiver Ms. Marshall Hightower of Passion with a Purpose ; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other loved ones.

Willie James Hopkins, Jr

Ward, SC- Graveside Services for Mr. Willie James Hopkins, Jr. will be held 1:00pm Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the Bacon Chapel Burial Ground in Ridge Spring, SC. THe Bishop Billy Smith will Officiate. Viewing will be11:00am- 5:00 pm Monday at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston. Interment will follow the Service.

Willie J. Hopkins, Jr., 44, was the son of Willie J. Ho[kins, Sr., and the late Willie Mae Hopkins. He was born May 19, 1980, in Greenwood, South Carolina. He departed this earthly life on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Mr. Hopkins was educated in the public schools in Saluda County, South Carolina, and received his High School Diploma. Also, he received his CDL for Truck Driving under Prime Driving School. Afterwards. He became a driver for Valley Protein which is now Darling Ingredients.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Willie Mae Hopkins and his brother, Lowond Hopkins, Sr.

Those left to cherish his precious memories are his father and step mother, Wille and Dorilene Hopkins, Sr., Ward, SC, one step brother and one step sister, Julius Coleman, Leesville, SC, and Vermone A. Coleman, Irmo, SC, nephew and niece, Lowond (LJ) and Gracie Hopkins, Gilbert, SC, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and adopted nieces and nephews of the home.

Pearleen Tolen Speaks

Services for Pearleen Tolen Speaks will be 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at St. James CME Church,.133 Summerland Ave, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29006.  Pastor Davis will be officiating.

Mrs. Pearleen Tolen Speaks was born on March 18, 1938 in Johnston, S.C. to the late Ernest (Jack) and Marie (Merritt) Tolen. She departed her life on Friday, March 28, 2025 in the Lexington Medical Center Hospital, Lexington, S.C. Pearleen was a graduate of Twin City High School Class of 1956, Batesburg, S.C. After graduating high school and pursuing a career as a cook which she loved, she met and married Willie Speaks, Jr. To this union four children were born Burnelle, Willie lll, James Frank (deceased) and Gregory Speaks.

Pearleen was employed at LMC, Lexington, S.C. and at Roberts Restaurant in Leesville, S.C. Also years later after the restaurant closed, she re-opened it and was the proprietor. She also sold Amway and traveled to different parts of the world.

Pearleen loved her children, family and everyone she came in contact with. She loved her church, and the missionary society, where she was the president until her death. She also loved doing work of the Lord, her pastor, Rev. Davis and first lady Evangelist Joyce Walker Davis, and her members. She believed in trying to keep us straight!

She leaves to cherish her memories loving children Brunelle Speaks Pace, of the home, Willie Speaks lll (Tina) of Gaston, SC and Gregory Speaks of Lexington, SC, adopted sister Mary Jennings (Charlie) of Batesburg, SC; Lucille Dubin, Johnston, SC, Ann Ethel Weaver of NY City, and Liz Dozier of Pennsylvania, all cousins; Mamie Lee Tolen, sister-in-law of Newberry, SC, Shamtrice Speaks, daughter-in- law of Batesburg, SC, two step- daughters Jenelle and Dorothy Gortman, of Prosperity, SC; 27 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and other nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss her; two great friends Patty and Amy. Special thanks to the staff of LMC, caregivers over the years she was sick Tracie Williams, Charidy Powell, Regina and Daisy Mae Broadwater & Shalonda Smith, also who we might have missed.

Lanies Gray, Sr.

Homegoing Services for Lanies Gray Sr. will be on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Ridge Branch Baptist Church, 601 Church Road, Ridge Spring, SC with Reverend W. N. Yarber officiating.

Lanies Gray Sr., 87, of Monetta, SC entered into eternal rest on Friday, March 28, 2025 at his home. He was the son of the late Matthew (Doc) Gray and Marie Blocker Gray.

Mr. Gray was educated in the public schools of Lexington County. He worked at Burlington Mills of Batesburg, SC until they closed their doors. Then he went to work at American Fiber Finishing in Newberry, SC until he retired. Mr. Gray was married to the late Bobby Jean Tolen Gray for 57 years.

Mr. Gray was proceeded in death by his wife; Bobby J. Tolen Gray; three daughters, Deloris Gray Rowe, Tracey Lynn Gray and Linda Marie Bush; one son, Lanies Gray Jr.; one grandson, Patrick O’neal Gray.

Those left to cherish his precious memories are one daughter, Laura Gray of the home; two sons, Lawrence (Renee) Gray of Batesburg-Leesville and Larry (Angela) Gray of Columbia, SC; three granddaughters raised in the home, Tikia Gray of Leesville, SC, Shannon Rowe and Latoya (Warren) McLean both of Monetta, SC; one daughter-in-law, Linda K. Gray of Batesburg, SC; one son-in-law, Howard Rowe of Monetta, SC; two sisters, Ora Bell Whitt of Lexington, SC and Barbara Hands of Patterson, NJ; three brothers, Kenneth (Shirley) Morris Sr. of Leesville, SC, Billy (Sara) Gray of Monetta, SC and Raymond Gray of Patterson, NJ; four sister-in-laws, Sallie Ann Tolen of Batesburg, SC, Vernell Moss of Atlanta Ga,, Gail (James) Stewart of Stone Mountain, Ga. and Jean Moss of Tampa Fla.; three brother-in-laws, Carl Tolen of Leesville, SC, TC Farrow of Saluda , SC and Darnell (Susie) Moss of Chattanooga Tenn. Nineteen grandchildren, fifty great grandchildren, and six great- great-grands a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends who will miss him dearly. 

Virginia K. Mathis

Johnston, SC- Funeral Services for Ms. Virginia Katherine Mathis will be held 1:00pm Tuesday, 4/1/2025 at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Maple Phillips Officiating. Viewing will be 11:00am -5:00pm Monday at the Funeral Home.

Virginia was born September 13, 1946, and peacefully transitioned on March 24, 2025 at the Aiken Regional Medical Center after an extended illness.

Virginia was educated in the Edgefield County Schools and was a graduate of W.E. Parker High School.

She was a faithful member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness’s of Edgefield, SC.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Mathis and Sarah Mathis, a brother Willie James Mathis and her mother and father , Wilma Perry Mathis and Charlie Mathis.

Virginia is survived by one sister, Charline Mathis, eight brothers, Joe Robert Mathis, David (Tom) Mathis (Fannie), Mark Mathis (Denise), Alvin Mathis, Joseph Mathis, Johnny Mathis, Orlando Mathis, and Randy Mathis (Lula). and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ms. Josephine Bush

Edgefield, SC- Funeral services for Ms. Josephine Bush will be held 12 Noon Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Freedom Temple in Edgefield, SC. The Rev. Hodges Bush is Pastor, The Rev. Beasley will Officiate. Interment will follow in the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Viewing will be Wednesday, 11:00Am-5PM.

Josephine Bush was born May 10, 1947 in Edgefield, SC She was the daughter of James Howard Bush Sr. and Elizabeth Peterson Bush. SHe was a High School graduate in Edgefield County School System. Following graduation She persued better employment and bigger dreams as she moved North. SHe was employed as a Nursing Assistant for many years .

As life happens, Family needed her so she came back home to assist with family. Helping raise the younger silbings.

She enjoyed cooking and caring for her siblings as well as her parents as their health began to decline. The family reflects how she had a strait forward wit and sweet but no nonsense disposition. She was a homebody who enjoyed watching her tv shows and enjoying the laughter and closeness with friends and family. She will be deeply missed.

She leaves to love and remember sweet memories, Sisters, Corine Bush, Janie (Martin) Garrett, Jeannie (Alphonzo) Simpkins, and Angelia Flemings, all of Edgefield, SC, and Elizabeth Myers, Mississippi. Brothers, Otis Bush, Aiken, SC, Sammie Bush, Rev. Hodges (Evangelist Alfreda) Bush, both of EDgefield, SC and Joseph (Veronica) Bush, Aiken, SC; two god-children Angelica and Michael Fleming and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Sis. Ruth Anthony

Johnston, SC- Funeral Services for Sis. Ruth Anthony will be held 1:00pm Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with the Rev. Alfred Bates, Pastor . He will also officiate. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery. Viewing will be 11:00am to 5:00pm Friday at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home.

Ruth “Maw Ruth” G. Anthony was born, December 19,1929 in Washington DC. She boarded the train to Glory headed for her Heavenly home on February 22, 2025 at Edgefield Post Acute in Edgefield, SC.

Ruth was the daughter of Hannah Lucas Glover and Lee Cohen. Ruth met fell in love with and married the love of her life, Melvin Anthony.

She was a member of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church where she sang on the choir and participated in the Pulpit Aide Ministry.

She had a love for cooking, flowers and taking care of people. She loved raising the children in her neighborhood and whether out of necessity or for her peace of mind she loved to Walk to town . She was a caregiver for the Hite and Willings family until she retired.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her twin Brother: Rufus Glover and only son: Isaiah G. Blocker.

She leaves to love, honor and cherish her memory: Granddaughters, Diane Blocker(Antjuan Hillary) Cherry Blocker( Jonathan Bristol) Macy Williams (Thomas Smith), Tracy Williams (Clive Myers), Grandsons: Lattice Blocker, Anthony (Tartia) Blocker , Rakema Blocker(Cordessia Metz), Great Grand Children, Elka (Quincy Weaver) LáTrage Blocker Disaiah Whack , Tomas Smith, Darrin Blocker, Marcus Smith, Angel Buchanan, Montavious Blocker, La’ Isaiah Blocker Yasmin Hillary, Jasmin Hillary, Antjuan Hillary Jr, Braylen Hillary, Priston Blocker, Jordan Meyers, Aiden Parker, Ashton Parker, and Cree Bristol; Great Great Grand Children; Ma ‘Ziah Whack Quincy Weaver Jr, Marcus Smith, Jr. A Godson, Isiah (Patricia) Dublin; Willa Thomas, Extend Family Grady (Annette) Hite Doug Hite Johnny Hite and Gregg Hite and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ms. Janie M. Jennings

Ms. Janie M. Jennings

Batesburg, SC - Homegoing Services for Ms. Janie M. Jennings will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 2 pm at St. Matthew CME Church, 214 S Lee St Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070 with interment at B & L Memorial Cemetery.

Janie Myers Jennings, daughter of the late Isaiah and Thelma Myers was born May 26, 1952, in Saluda County, SC.  

She attended the local schools in Batesburg, SC.  Janie quit school and started working before graduating from Twin City High School.  She eventually went back to night school and got her high school diploma. 

Janie joined the St. Matthews C.M.E Church at an early age and it has been her home church all her life.  

Janie worked at Knights Industries, Milliken Industries, Burlington, Glassmasters, KJ’s, KFC, Generations, and Babcock Center, where she enjoyed making people smile with her kind heart. She was always willing to help others in any type of way. 

Janie was a devoted mother of three children. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her two siblings Walter Myers and Anette Bynem; two sons, Donald L. Jennings and Dewhite Jennings; one grandchild, Tiara S. Jennings; and one great-grandchild, Isiah Jennings.

Those left to cherish her memories are her children; Desiree M. Cannon of Gilbert, SC; Dermon L. Jennings of Florida; one sister, Jeanette Hill of Batesburg, SC; three grandchildren, Kobe F. Myers, Va’Dole C. Cannon, and Tiffany S. Jennings; two great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.