Barbara Ann Kirk

Homegoing Services for Barbara Ann Kirk will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 2:00pm in the Amos & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, 412 Railroad Avenue, Johnston, SC 29832. Reverend Winston Oliphant is officiating, and Reverend Lonnie Jones will be the Eulogist. Interment will be in the Rosa Spring Baptist Church Cemetery, Johnston, SC.

Barbara Ann Kirk was born November 28, 1962. She was the daughter of the late Mike and Polly Williams Kirk. She transitioned to her new home on June 12, 2025.

She joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church at an early age and later attended the Reedy Branch Baptist Church occasionally.

She was educated in the Aiken County Public School System. She was a homemaker most of her life.

Those who preceded her in death are her parents, Mike and Polly Williams Kirk, and her siblings, Brenda Kirk, Christine Kirk, Bernice Kirk, Jeanet Kirk, Pearl Kirk, Authur Kirk, Matthew Kirk, Randy Kirk, James Kirk, Willie J. Kirk, Leroy Kirk, And Allen Kirk.

She leaves to love, honor, and cherish her memories: her sons, Anthony (Jackie) Kirk, Ricky Kirk, and Johnny (Linda) Kirk, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Thomas Dukes

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Thomas Dukes will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Amos & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, 412 Railroad Avenue, Johnston, SC, 29832, with Reverend Larry Raiford officiating.

Thomas Dukes was the baby boy of James Dukes, Sr., and Emma Nicholson Dukes. He was born on August 16, 1947. He departed this earthly life on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Greenwood Hospital.

He was educated at Ridge Hill School in Ridge Spring, SC. He worked many years logging with EC Culbreath. He will truly be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, WendyDukes.

He leaves to cherish his many memories, his wife, Hattie B. Dukes, Johnston, SC; his sons, Teddy Dukes (Lamyra), West Columbia, Jacob Moore, Maryland, Trans Rosser, Greenwood, SC, and his baby girl, Demetrius Dukes (Ivan), Johnston, SC; two sisters, Ann Jones (Bennie Lee), and Corrine Simpkins, 14 grandchildren, LaDovia Dukes, Brittany Foulks, Brandon Gladney, Jaelin Dykes, Mar’Kylin Dukes, Ivan Gilchrist, Jr., Allysa Henley, Alexandre Henley, Alesha Mayson, Raven Rosser Dukes, Sequoa Etheredge, Kelsey Rosser, Bendricka Wharton and Victoria Jackson, 16 great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Mr. Charles Johnson

Homegoing Services for Mr. Charles Johnson will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, 604 Howard Street, Batesburg, SC, 29006. Military rites and committal will be held at the Fort Jackson Military Cemetery in Columbia, SC at 2:00 PM.

MR. CHARLES LOELLE JOHNSON, 74, affectionately known as “Sho-Tyme”, son of the late Sallie Mae J. Cannon and the late Clyde Johnson, was born February 4, 1951. He was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday morning, May 28, 2025.

Mr. Johnson was a graduate of Rosenwald High School in Lexington County. He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Operation Desert Storm and honorably discharged at the rank of E-4.

Sho-Tyme was loved and respected by any and every one he came across…he was a happy, joyous gentleman who loved to sit and read romance novels and watch his favorite shows which were westerns and comedies. Sho-Tyme will be missed dearly by all whose lives he touched.

Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by both of his parents as well as two brothers, one sister, three nephews and one niece. He leaves to honor his passing: two daughters, Christina J. and Chiquita P.; one son, Johnny H.; two sisters, Mary “Tissie” Johnson and Teresa Martin; one brother, Clyde Johnson; two step-brothers, Jeffrey Cannon and John T. “J.T.” Cannon; one aunt, Susane Summers; two grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends who will miss him dearly.

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Mr. Haskell Murray, Jr.

Haskell Murray, Jr. was born April 22, 1953 in Batesburg, SC to the late Haskell L. & Flossie Williams Murray.

Haskell departed this earthly life on Thursday June 5, 2025 at Pruitt Nursing Home in Aiken, SC.

Haskell was employed at Black’s Tire Service and Stone’s Tire Service for many years.

He became a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Batesburg, SC at an early age.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Haskell & Flossie Murray; three sisters, Flossie Gantt, Lula Murray and Gracie Foulks; two brothers, Donald Murray and Ronald Murray; a special niece, Jackie Carson.

His memories will be cherished by his loved ones: a sister, Leoma (Mark) Adams; a brother, Willie Leon Murray; caregivers (niece & nephew) Willie & Laura Murray of Monetta, SC; five nephews, Donald (Denise) Murray of West Columbia, SC, James (Debra) Murray of Monetta, SC, Bobby (Robin) Gantt of Batesburg, SC, David (Nancy) Murray of Greenville, SC and Elroy Carson of Columbia, SC; one niece, Tiffany (OJ) Gantt of Batesburg, SC; a brother-in-law, Donnie Gantt; a special cousin, Earlene (Bobby) Williams of Batesburg, SC; bonus brother, Wayne Black; bonus sister, Deanne Black, bonus nephew, Jeremy Black; bonus niece, Meredith Black and a special friend, Larry Stone. A host of great nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who will miss him truly.   

Funeral Services were held on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the New Fellowship Outreach Ministries in Batesburg, SC, with Pastor Ricky Long presiding.

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. 

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.

Theresa Rosena Anderson

Whitehall, PA/Brooklyn, NY - Funeral Services for Mrs. Theresa R. Anderson will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Ridge Hill Baptist Church, Ridge Spring, SC where the Rev. Donald Hall is Pastor/Officiant. The Rev. Wyman Thomas will do the Eulogy. Viewing will be 11:00 AM-5:00 PM Friday, 02/21/25 at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home.

Theresa Rosene Anderson, 87, of Whitehall, PA, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, died peacefully in the home of her son, Sinclair Anderson, Jr., with whom she resided. She was the widow of Sinclair Anderson, Sr. Born in Ward, SC, she was the daughter of the late A. C. Graham and the late Mabel (Williams) Long.

Theresa was a devoted wife and mother and member of Faith Chapel Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY, where she served as a deaconess for many years. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and cooking for her family. She treasured her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren.

Survivors: Children, Sandra Roper of Ridge Spring, SC, Sarah Graham of Brooklyn, NY, Lula Bell, wife of Randy Mathis of Saluda, SC, Theresa Anderson of Newark, DE, Linda Anderson of Brooklyn, NY, Karen, wife of Tommie Thomas of Easton, PA, Dexter Anderson and his wife, Veronica, of Long Pond, PA, Sinclair Anderson, Jr., and his wife, Andrea, of Whitehall, PA, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great- great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by sons, Bruce and Ronald Anderson.

Contributions: Memorials may be made in Theresa’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org.

Sis. Annie Mae Staley

Johnston, SC - Funeral Services for Sis. Annie Mae Staley will be held 2:00pm Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Bland Baptist Church, Johnston, SC, where the Rev. Dr. Willie D. Abney, is Pastor/ Eulogist and the Rev. Sammie Williams, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery, Johnston, SC. Viewing will be 11:00am - 5:00pm Saturday at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston, SC.

Sis. Annie Mae Butler Staley, left this world and began her eternal rest on Monday February 10th, 2025. She was born in Saluda County, SC to the late George and Mattie (Bush) Butler on December 16th 1939. She received her formal education through Edgefield County Schools and is a 1960 graduate of Edgefield County High School.

During her early years in life she was a faithful member of the Bland Baptist Church. There were also times in which she attended the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, located in Johnston, SC where her father was a member. Like her father, the late George Butler, she could carry a tune. We often laughed about how her voice drowned out our voices when we were singing, because it was just that powerful.

She relocated to Queens, New York in 1961 to start a new life after graduating from high school. Little did she know that when she left SC, that she would meet the love of her life, John Benjamin Staley on June 11th, 1961. It was always funny to hear stories of how mommy was so excited, when he came to meet her parents and ask for her hand in marriage that same year. Indeed love was in the air as they were joined in marriage in that same year on December 24th, 1961.

She joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Jamaica (Queens), New York in 1977. She was a phenomenal Sunday School teacher, Deaconess, a dedicated soup kitchen worker in the church, a member of numerous choirs such as the Evangelistic Choir, the Mass Choir and the Jackson Chorus. The Jackson Chorus was a legendary choir at the Mount Zion Baptist Church, that represents, down home southern style quartet, acapella gospel singing that was soul stirring and meant so much to her. She also became one of the mother’s of the church at the Mount Zion Baptist Church and she graciously served in these roles and other important roles in the church until the very end of her life.

Did anyone say bowling? She was one of the best bowlers New York ever saw. She was a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church Classics Bowling Team. She was a top scorer and a lot of times she would bowl better than her son Anthony! She was a great seamstress with her own sewing machine. She was handy at fixing things in the home much like her own mother. She was a great cook and one of the best drivers in New York! While she spent many years in New York, her heart was always in South Carolina and she truly loved her home church, Bland Baptist Church.

She left an amazing strong legacy that will not be forgetten. She was a selfless person who worked very hard for many years as housekeeper. She always put everyone else before her own needs. It is this type of inspiration that will carry us through these difficult times.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, John B. Staley. Through this union, God blessed the couple with eight beautiful children. Four children preceeded her in death, Barry F. Staley, Betty Isaac, Bennie Isaac and Bobbie Isaac. She was also preceeded in death by her only brother, Dea. John H. Butler.

She leaves a lasting legacy that is embedded in her loving family: two sons, Trustee Anthony Eric Staley of Johnston, South Carolina, and Curtis Isaac of Hopkins, South Carolina; two daugthers Dr. Carol Lanita (Dea. John) Abney of Saluda, South Carolina and Laverne Denise Staley of South Ozone Park, New York, five amazing granddaughters who she helped enter into this world and cared for them, Daeshnae K. Staley of Aiken, SC, Syreen N. Sharper, Ava G. Abney, Addison G. Abney and Alexia G. Abney all of Saluda, SC, a special brother in-law and a devoted sister, Dea.Wendell and Lanie Miles of Aiken, South Carolina; a special sister-in-law, Patricia Thompson of Lexington, SC, a special friend Walter Mae Abney of Saluda, SC (mother-in-love to Carol) and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, church family and friends that will miss her.

Ms. Thomasina (Tom) Adams

Funeral Services for Ms. Thomasina (Tom) Adams will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Olive Branch Baptist Church, 122 S Oak St Batesburg-Leesville, SC, 29006 with Rev. James Dukes, Pastor officiating. Viewing will be on Thursday, 2/13/2025, at the Amos & Sons Chapel Batesburg from 12:00 - 6:00 pm.

Ms. Thomasina (Tom) Adams was born May 1, 1951 in Batesburg, South Carolina. She is the daughter of the late Earnest T. and Gracie Lee Davis Adams. She entered into eternal rest on February 7, 2025 at Lexington County Medical Center, West Columbia, South Carolina.

Thomasina was educated in the Twin City School system in Batesburg South Carolina. At an early age she joined Wesley Chapel C.M.E. Church and later joined Olive Branch Baptist Church of Batesburg South Carolina.

She worked at Walmart store in Batesburg, South Carolina since 2007.

She is preceded in death by her brothers, Major Adams, William D. “Billy” Adams and Earnest “Jet” Adams, Jr, one sister Levivian “Lee” Robinson Bamberg, her daughter, Tanya Adams and grandson Davon Adams, one great grandson Michaiel O’mail Boyd, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories; a daughter Sheila Adams of Batesburg South Carolina, three sons-Timothy J. Adams of Lexington South Carolina, Clarence (Malinda) Adams of Batesburg, South Carolina and Eric Adams of Columbia South Carolina; two sisters, Helen (James) Sumpter of Batesburg, South Carolina, Ollie Mae Foulks of West Columbia, South Carolina, a Godson, Derious “DJ” Williams, special friends Kenya Cunningham Tolen, Angela Hill, Angie Abney. A very special friend Carl Tolen; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and many sorrowing friends.