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Obituary for Preston Gunning

Private Funeral Service for Deacon Preston H. Gunning was conducted, 10 AM Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Trinity Baptist Church, 124 West Darlington Street, Florence, SC, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC.

Preston Gunning was the third son of Roscoe and Hester Womack Gunning. He was born on May 27, 1927 and departed this life just five days after the passing of the love of his life, Jacqulin Taylor Gunning.

Preston was a very intelligent man blessed with a natural ability to lead which was evidenced throughout his life. He attended the public schools of Harrisburg, PA where he was also a standout athlete at William Penn High School. It was during those high school years that he met his beloved Jackie. Jackie brought much joy into Preston’s life when they got to know each other after the tragic death of his younger brother Calvin.

After high school, Preston went to serve in the United States Army while Jackie remained in Pennsylvania to attend college. When Preston returned home, he astutely used the GI Bill to attend Cheyney State College wherein he majored in Education. Preston was a superior athlete at Cheyney and earned varsity letters with the Wolves in track, basketball, and football. Preston was such a stellar athlete that he was enshrined into the Cheyney State University Athletic Hall of Fame for Football and Track in the induction class of 1985.

Preston taught high school in Fredericksburg, VA for a few years, but he really made his mark in the field of education when he and Jackie moved with their two oldest children to Camden, NJ. In his stellar career as an educator, Preston taught industrial arts, served as a guidance counselor, and coached track and cross country. His track and cross-country teams won several awards including a Camden County Championship.

Preston, better known as “Pres”, was very active in the community and belonged to several service organizations, most notably, as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. Pres was a 1949 initiate of the Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at Cheyney State and was a Charter Member of the Burlington Camden Alumni chapter. Pres also served with the Rotary Club and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Recognizing his leadership acumen, Pres was promoted to serve in administration in the Camden schools and ultimately served as Camden Board of Education Assistant Superintendent for Finance, and Board Secretary, retiring in 1990. While in retirement, his leadership was so missed that he was asked to come back and serve as Acting Superintendent of the Camden Board of Education.

Not only was Pres a leader in the school system, but he was a leader in his church, the historic Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church of Camden, NJ. A devout Christian, Deacon Gunning served as Chairman of the Deacon’s ministry for over 30 years. Deacon Gunning sang on the Men’s Choir, attended the Men’s Sunday School Class, and was a sought-after speaker throughout New Jersey.

Deacon Preston Gunning was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 71 years, Jacqulin, two sons Preston Jr., and Jeffrey, his parents, and his three brothers, Oscar, Heyward, and Calvin.

He leaves to mourn, but not as those who have no hope, daughter Ann (Rev. Dr. Calvin) Robinson, son Calvin (Deborah) Gunning, daughter in-law Debbie Gunning, two sisters in-love, Jean Beasley, and Brenda Taylor, ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Obituary For Deacon Billy Jones

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is a laid up for me a crown of rightouseness, which the lord , the rightouse judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing 2 timothy 4:7-8

Deacon Billy Lamont Jones also known as “Chillister” was born to James William Jones, Jr. and Mary Ross Alston on December 13, 1972 in Florence, SC. He was educated in the public school system of Florence, SC and is a 1991 graduate of Wilson High School.

In his early years, Billy served faithfully with the Maxwell Baptist Church where he served as a church drummer and was ordained as a deacon on April 24,2010. Years later, he moved is membership to Savannah Grove Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a deacon and member of the praise team until his health declined.

Billy was one of the greatest drummers around. His love was to play the drums and he had a passion for quartet music. He traveled up and down the east and west coast playing for such groups as the Gospel Serenaders, the New Chosen Disciples and the Sensational Brown Brothers. He was also employed at New Ebenezer Baptist Church as a drummer.

Billy was a person who always believed in working. He worked at Hamric's of Florence, SC as an officer in Loss Prevention and McLeod Health until his health declined.

In 1998, He met his “good thing” Tiffany Lewis. On June 17, 2000, he changed her last name, and they were joined in holy matrimony.
To cherish his memories, he leaves his loving and devoted wife of 20 years Tiffany Lewis Jones. Two daughters: India Jones and Leah Thomas of Florence, SC. One grandson Kaylen Jackson of Hartsville, SC. Parents Mary R. Alston of Florence, SC, and James William (Teresa) Jones of Memphis, TN. One brother James (Kim) Jones of Philadelphia, PA. Sisters: Elder Angenean McAllister of Florence, SC and Tenisha (Johnathan) Banyard of Fort Lauderdale, FL. In laws Frank and Deborah Lewis of Darlington, SC, brother-in-law Tarik Lewis of Sumter, SC. Special uncle Earnest ones of Memphis, TN. Extended church families Maxwell Baptist Church Florence, SC, Highway Christian Church of Christ Florence, SC, Florence, SC, and Community Grace Church of Bennettsville, SC. A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Obituary For Douglas Conyers

Douglas “Pete” Conyers was born July 15, 1949 in Florence County to the late Jimmie and Kathleen Conyers. He entered into eternal rest on Friday, December 18, 2020.

Douglas was joined in holy matrimony to Beverly Conyers on October 14, 1980. He would call her his SWEETHEART.

Douglas “Pete” Received his formal education at Gibbs High School (Florence County Public School Systems). Douglas was a member of St. Luke AME Church of Johnsonville, SC where he served Faithfully for many years until his health failed.

Douglas worked for Hannah Farm Supply as a supervisor for many years. He loved to be outside enjoying the free world as he called it and meeting different people. He also loved to hunt coons with his two favorite dogs (Wilson and Rich). Douglas loved all sorts of animals including riding off in the sunset with Contract.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jimmie and Kathleen Conyers, sister Lizzie Mae Johnikins, niece Angela Johnese, and Michael Riddick.

Douglas leaves to cherish his loving memories: a wife, Beverly B. Conyers; two sons: Fernell (Veronica) Burgess and Ricky Burgess, of Johnsonville, SC and one daughter Linda McCray of Pamplico, SC. A child raised as his own Antawin Burgess. Five brothers Jimmy (Ann) Conyers Jr. of Springfield, OH, Bernie Conyers, Wille James (Diana) Conyers, Johnny Lee (Belinda) Conyers, and Bobby Conyers of Pamplico, SC. One sister, Oree Conyers of Pamplico, SC. In-laws: Christine (James) Williams, Bernice (Roy) Shoats, Ernest Burgess, Emma Davis, Preston Burges, Glendora Burgess, and Bobbie Jean Ellison. Grandchildren Josh Burgess, Kentrell Burgess, Jarvis Burgess, Tia Burgess, Mya Burgess, Ishmail Burgess, James Groover, Roneshia Groover-Graham, Jamel Groover, and Rachel Hannah. A special great grandbaby Briana Graham and six great-grandchildren . A host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.