Gwendolyn H. Risher

Ms. Gwendolyn Herring Risher was born Friday, December 15, 1961, to Jeremiah and Fredericka Pinckney Herring in Brooklyn, NY. God opened his heavenly gates to welcome her home while family and friends already there watched and waited early Monday morning, March 27, 2023. As she transitioned she was surrounded by her loved ones after a brief battle with Cancer.

Gwendolyn affectionately known as “Bonnie” by family and friends was the seventh of eleven children. She was educated in the public schools of Brooklyn, NY until she moved to St. George where she finished with the St. George High School Class of 1979. She was employed by Western Sizzlin’ Restaurant until being hired at Edisto Electric Co-op in May 1988. She worked tirelessly, enthusiastically, and without hesitation for almost 35 years servicing the St. George, Bamberg, and Barnwell areas. She was a devoted member of Greenville UMC and then New Grace UMC after the church merger up until her health started to decline. She held several positions within the church from Church Secretary to Lay Leader. She also lent her time and talents to the St. George chapter of American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and the PTO for St. George and Woodland High Schools. She loved God, her family especially her grands, cooking, baking, and traveling. While married three children were born to that union.

Gwendolyn was preceded in death by her parents, a beloved father-in-law, two brothers, Michael T. Way and Alvin K. Way; four sisters, Patrina W. Thomas, Patricia Way, Jerelyn H. Dolphin, and Carolyn F. Natt.

Memories of Gwendolyn will live on through her children, L’Toia M. (MAJ Omar) Benjamin, Blythewood, SC, SSG(Ret) Rodney T. Risher, Evans, GA, and Krystal D. (PO2 Coral) Johnson, Columbia, SC; eight grandchildren, Taleea L. Perry, York, PA, Nykale A. Benjamin, Blythewood, SC, Aiden J. Risher, Cambridge, ENG, Micah R. Benjamin, Blythewood, SC, Payton J. Johnson, Columbia, SC, Chloe I. Risher, Cambridge, ENG, Avery J. Johnson, Columbia, SC, and Je’mari L. Jones, Irmo, SC; twin great granddaughters, Ya’vani A. Smith and Velline N. Smith, York, PA; siblings, Casey Way, Jr., Brooklyn, NY, Jeremiah Herring, Jr., Yolanda Herring, and Rodney Herring, Sr., all of New Haven, CT; four aunts, Rosa L. Davis and Bobbie J. Davis both of Orangeburg, SC, Mildred H. Wilson, Manhattan, NY, and Catherine Davis, Hamden, CT; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The service will proceed as follows:

The viewing will be held on Saturday, April 1,2023 at Glover's Funeral Home from 12:00pm until 6:00pm.

The funeral will be held on Sunday, April 2,2023 at Lovely Hill Baptist Covention Center 5905 West Jim Bilton Blvd. St. George, SC beginning at 3:00pm. All those attending service must wear a mask and adhere to all COVID-19 rules and regulations. 

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