Memorials
Walter Oscar "Pete" Mobley, son of the late Bennie Hamp and Douschika Christie Mobley, was born on March 8, 1943, in Saluda County, SC. He departed this life on Friday morning, July 20, 2012.
He received his education in the public schools of Saluda County where he graduated from Riverside High School in 1960. He furthered his education by attending Benedict College in Columbia, SC.
At an early age, he joined the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he was the president of the Brotherhood. He served his country during the Vietnam Conflict by serving in the U.S. Army. He was the first black Deputy Sheriff for Saluda County and he retired from Aiken County Sheriff Office as Chief of Narcotics. His civic involvement includes the County Transportation Board, VFW Post 6561 and Pearl Chapel Masonic Lodge.
Pete was married to the former Ruby Jean Turner and the father of three children - O'Keefe Mobley, Juan Mobley, and Kenneth Chapman. Pete's hobbies were fishing and hunting. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Alfonza "Jack" Barnes, son of the late David and Ella Mae Lott Barnes, was born in Saluda County, SC, on February 10, 1928. He entered into eternal rest on Sunday morning, January 29, 2012, in Veterans Administration Hospital, Augusta, Georgia.
He received his education in the public schools of Saluda County, South Carolina where he was a member of Saluda Rosenwald High School Class of 1949. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he was an outstanding cook for two years at Fort Jackson.
At an early age, he joined the Poplar Branch Baptist Church where he served as an usher and a member of the Senior Choir. He was also a member of the Sons of Aide.
He was married to Rosie M. Etheredge Barnes. This union was blessed with three children - Stanley Barnes, Rufus Barnes, and Linda Wilson.
Deacon Solomon Barnes was born August 6, 1934, to the late David, Sr. and Ella Mae Barnes. On Saturday, July 3, 2010, God called him home from his faithful labor in serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
At an early age, Solomon accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and joined Poplar Branch Baptist Church where he served faithfully as Deacon for over 40 years. He also served faithfully as Sunday School Superintendant, Sunday School Teacher, and as a member of the Senior Choir and Usher Board.
Solomon is a graduate of Rosenwald High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted into the United States Army and served his country honorably for two years. After discharging from the Army, Solomon attended Lucy Laney Trade School where he learned the trade of upholstery.
He established his own upholstery business and it became his career for over 50 years. He was known as one of the best upholstery men in the state. Solomon passed his exceptional trade on to his son and many of his nephews and other young me seeking work.
In 1958, Solomon was joined in Holy matrimony to the love of his life, the former Ruby Louise Stevens. To this union of love, they were blessed with the births of two children, a daughter, Darlene "Pixie" Lavoris Barnes Benjamin, who preceded him in death, and son, Kelvin Andre Barnes.
Solomon enlisted with the S.C. National Guard and retired from the 122nd Engineer Company, CSE after 26 years of dedicated service.
Solomon was a Master Mason and a member of the Peerless Lodge #214.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Louis "LM", Eugene "Skeet" and John Otis.
Johnie Franklin Barnes, of Pleasantville, passed away on December 23, 2012. He was born February 13, 1923, in Saluda, South Carolina. The first of five children born to Johnie and Emma Barnes. He graduated from Saluda Rosenwald High School. He joined the Rock Hill Baptist Church at the age of 12. He spent a lot of his life singing and playing God's Praises.
After his graduation, he moved north, to Pleasantville, NJ, in 1983, where he joined Mt. Pleasant Church. He was a member and served as president of Mt. Pleasant Male Chorus. He was also a member and President of Shiloh Baptist Church, in Egg Harbor City.
Johnie was married to the late Alma(Cady) Barnes. He leaves to cherish his memories five children, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.
Winston Sterling Jackson was called to the Lord's side on Saturday, January 8, 2011, after a courageous battle with a long-term illness. Sterling was born in Washington, DC on July 21, 1970 to the late Shirley (Holston) Jackson and Winston "Bill" Jackson.
He was the oldest boy of Shirley's four children. During his elementary and middle school years, Sterling spent his childhood living with his grandmother, Jessie T. Jackson in Temple Hills, MD. He attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts and later joined the United States Air Force.
Sterling was the biggest technology buff and believed in perfection in anything he worked on, especially his picture taking! To many of his friends, he was known as "The Picture Man." Sterling always said that a picture was worth more than a lifetime of words and one only had to see the amount of pictures that Sterling had to know that he captured a lifetime of memories for us all.
Sterling worked at Patton Boggs LLP law firm until illness caused him to take short-term and eventually long-term leave. Sterling started as the Graphic Web Designer and soared to Creative Manager! Sterling loved his job and his co-workers many of whom he had developed long-term friendships with. Working long hours on projects until they were perfect was his passion and everyone knew he'd turn out quality work, always going the extra mile. When Sterling wasn't working on Patton Boggs' assignments, he was printing flyers, maintaining websites, and creating wedding programs, obituaries, birthday poster boards, photo shoots, etc. He enjoyed traveling, playing cards, listening to music, dancing and being silly, and ALWAYS smiling.
Sterling was an advocate of the Annual Aids Walk, the Annual Breast Cancer Walk and the Annual Homeless Walk. He and his family sponsored and fully participated in an Annual Clothe The Homeless Drive. Anyone who knew that he had one true love and that was his trusted sidekick Jack, his Jack Russell Terrier, who Sterling found and adopted as his own child.
Chaconia Nikiea (Nick) Culbreath, Sr., son of Jerome Culbreath and Shirley Barnes Culbreath was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, on February 25, 1975. He departed this life on Saturday morning, May 7, 2011, in Self Regional Hospital.
He received his education in the public schools of Saluda County, South Carolina. He was of Baptist Faith. He was an employee of Amick's Farm.
Nick as he was affectionately called will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His precious memories will linger on in the hearts and minds of all who loved and knew him.
Mrs. Annie Barnes Gibson
Saluda, SC: Mrs. Annie Barnes Gibson of 204 Pine Grove Road, the wife of James Gibson, died on Monday, October 24, 2016 at her home.
She was born in Saluda, SC, daughter of the late David and Ella Mae Lott Barnes.
She received her education in the public schools of Saluda County, South Carolina and attended the Bettis Academy. At an early age, she joined the Poplar Branch Baptist Church and later in life after her marriage to Mr. James Gibson, she moved her membership to Rock Hill Baptist Church where she was a faithful member. She served as a Deaconess, Mother of The Church, Pulpit Aide, Musical Choir member, a member of Peerless Chapter #335 OES, Woman's Home Aide Society and other church organizations. She was a retired Intake Worker for Saluda County Council On Aging under Upper Savannah.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by siblings, Lewis M. Barnes, Alfonso Barnes, Eugene Barnes, Solomon Barnes, and John Otis Barnes.
She leaves to cherish and honor her memory; her devoted husband, James Gibson of the home; son, Marvin Gibson of the home; two daughters, Shirley Gibson of the home and Cynthia (Bernard) Mobley, Saluda, SC; two grandchildren, Crystal Mobley, Columbia, SC and Camille (Kas) Etheredge, Germany; two brothers, David (Jessie) Barnes, Edgefield, SC and James (Thelma) Barnes, Saluda, SC; three sisters, Veola (Willie James) Turner, Ridge Spring, SC, Josephine (Rev. Raymond) Adams and Carrie (Edward) Bates both of Saluda, SC; four sisters-in-law, Ruby Barnes and Lois Gibson both of Saluda, SC, Inez G. Andrews of Irving, TX and Rosa Mae Barnes, Columbia, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends.
Minister Regena Lynn McCray was born to Regena Brooks, mother, and deceased father, Vincent Stanley McCray on December 18, 1967. She was raised by Bishop Colin P. Akridge and Dr. Regena Brooks in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from Oliver Street School and South Side/Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey. She furthered her education in technical school going for computer science and information technology.
She worked for the City of Newark at City Hall as a Program Analyst for 18 years in the Information Technology department. She was an ordained minister and chaplain for the City of Newark Police Department. She was studying to get her insurance and real estate license. She was raised in a Christian home and deeply loved the Lord. She continuously spoke about God's goodness to everyone she met and was an Evangelist. She loved helping people by distributing Angel Food boxes, helping the homeless and indigent find shelter, and was an advocate of women empowerment.
She was uplifting to everyone she came in contact with. She had a special gift of making people talk even when they didn't want to talk. She was persistently uplifting, vivacious, and had infectious laughter. She knew Christ as her Lord and Saviour and could speak a word of encouragement to anyone she met. She was a mighty Prayer Warrior and a woman of the Word. She had no hesitation about helping bring people to Christ. She loved to study the Word and exemplified Christ in her everyday life. She had a bold attitude when it came to the Word of God. Like her grandmother, Alberta B. Brooks, she left her mark on the world!
She leaves to mourn her loss: her mother, Dr. Regena Brooks, step-father Colin P. Akridge, sisters Colinesha Renee Sutton, Ramiah Shaleese Akridge, LaJean Nicole Spencer, and half-brother Leondis Shane Griffin, along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind ex-husband Willie D. Palmer and faithful, special friend Malik Leroy Dunbar, and a host of extended family, coworkers, clients, and friends.
She worked for the City of Newark at City Hall as a Program Analyst for 18 years in the Information Technology department. She was an ordained minister and chaplain for the City of Newark Police Department. She was studying to get her insurance and real estate license. She was raised in a Christian home and deeply loved the Lord. She continuously spoke about God's goodness to everyone she met and was an Evangelist. She loved helping people by distributing Angel Food boxes, helping the homeless and indigent find shelter, and was an advocate of women empowerment.
She was uplifting to everyone she came in contact with. She had a special gift of making people talk even when they didn't want to talk. She was persistently uplifting, vivacious, and had infectious laughter. She knew Christ as her Lord and Saviour and could speak a word of encouragement to anyone she met. She was a mighty Prayer Warrior and a woman of the Word. She had no hesitation about helping bring people to Christ. She loved to study the Word and exemplified Christ in her everyday life. She had a bold attitude when it came to the Word of God. Like her grandmother, Alberta B. Brooks, she left her mark on the world!
She leaves to mourn her loss: her mother, Dr. Regena Brooks, step-father Colin P. Akridge, sisters Colinesha Renee Sutton, Ramiah Shaleese Akridge, LaJean Nicole Spencer, and half-brother Leondis Shane Griffin, along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind ex-husband Willie D. Palmer and faithful, special friend Malik Leroy Dunbar, and a host of extended family, coworkers, clients, and friends.
