Mother Eddie Mae Gibbs died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 at Twin Oaks Convalescent Center in Alma. Mother Gibbs was born in Surrency, on Sept. 18, 1929 to the late Ed and Dora Smith Golden. She was educated in the Appling County School System. Eddie Mae was united in marriage to Dewitt Gibbs and to this union two children were born. She served in the medical field for over thirty years both in Florida and Georgia. Ms. Gibbs retired from the Appling Healthcare System in Baxley. She was truly a blessing to all she came in contact with during her journey, whether as an ordained evangelist, Mother of the church or Sunday-School teacher at the Refuge Church of Our Lord in Carol City, FL or while attending Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Baxley, where Elder Norris Williams served as her spiritual leader. Mother Gibbs was loved and respected as a servant of God. Survivors include her husband, Dewitt Gibbs of Baxley; one son, Daniel (Ethel) Gibbs of Miami, FL; six grandchildren: Taj (Zakiya) Marshall, Bishop Leonard (Charlotte) Gibbs, Jr., Nykeo (Heather) Bell, Lionel Gibbs and Joshua Gibbs; thirteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Rachel Guest of Baxley; sisters-in-law, Floretta King, Zola Mae Gibbs, Ella Bert (Rev. Carl) Marion, Flossie Mae (Jimmy) White; former daughter-in-law, Patricia (Terry) Goss and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services for Mother Eddie Mae Gibbs were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at St. Paul Church of God In Christ at 639 Highway 121 of Surrency, with Bishop-Designate Robert Baxter presiding and eulogy given by Bishop Leonard Gibbs, Jr. Interment followed in Surrency Grove Church Cemetery in Surrency. Active pallbearers were nephews. Honorary pallbearers were staff of Twin Oaks Convalescent Center of Alma. Musical selections were rendered by Kentaiwon Durham, Charlotte Gibbs and St. Paul C.O.G.I.C. Choir. Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.
Dennie Virginia Shipes Kersey
Dennie Virginia Shipes Kersey, 75, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 in Appling Healthcare System. Dennie was born May 12, 1936 in Appling County, to the late Elbert Shipes and the late Elvie Thomas Shipes. She was a member of Carter's Chapel. Mrs. Kersey was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kersey. Survivors include three daughters, Janie (Wilbur) Breedlove of Hazlehurst, Annette Nash of Baxley, and Debbie Wood of Lumber City; two sons, Larry (Susie) Kersey of Griffin and Terry (Elaine) Kersey of Lyons; three sisters, Brenda Love, Diane Wilson and Lucy Overstreet; four brothers, Bob Shipes, Jimmy Shipes, Wadis Shipes and David Shipes; thirteen grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the Swain Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Andrew Kersey and Royce Hulett officiating. Interment followed in Omega Cemetery. Active pallbearers were grandsons: Michael Kersey, T. J. Beecher, Dale Breedlove, Donnie Nash, Jr., Justin Beecher and Lee Kersey. Honorary pallbearers were Sarah and Ronnie Boatright, Parker's of Surrency, Bo Shipes, Brack Lastinger, Willene Floyd, Cathy Temples, Donna Douglas, Wanda Kersey, Lucille White and all friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by Sandra Nettles. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
David E. Murray
David E. Murray, 73, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 in Appling Healthcare System. David was born March 10, 1938 in Appling County, to the late Otis Eston Murray and the late Adell Eliza Campbell Murray. He was a retired carpenter. Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Ett Murray of Baxley; one son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Mary Anne Murray of Baxley; one grandson, Derek Murray of Baxley; one great-granddaughter, Taylor Nails of Baxley; five brothers, Freddy Murray of Surrency, J. W. Murray, George Murray, both of Baxley, Curtis Murray of Auburndale, FL and Roy Murray of Sparta; and his faithful pet, Rattler. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the Swain Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Carlton Rowell and Barry Teutsch officiating. Interment followed in Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Jeffery Murray, Larry Murray, Jerome Murray, Greg Murray, Winton Branch and Mickey Craven. Honorary pallbearers were all friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by the Rev. Carlton Rowell. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Conual Wright
Conual Wright died Jan. 25, 2012. He was born Jan. 7, 1942 to the late Rubenia Alderman and the late Cornell Wright of Baxley. Conual was preceded in death by his step-father, Ellis James Alderman, a sister, Myrtice Crosby and two daughters, Queenie Wright and Letisha Walton. He attended Appling County Consolidated School and graduated in 1962. Survivors include his wife, Carrie Wright and five children, James C. Wright, Ellis James (Emily) Wright, Shelia Carletha (Nathaniel Banks) Wright, Myrtice (LeShawn Mobley) Johnson and Princess (Steven Scott) Wright; two step-daughters, Shirly (Jerome) Payne and Rebecca Carter; half-sisters an brothers, Irene Williams, Rubern Tabern, Mattie Brown, Mike Williams, George (Ann) Williams and Linda (Dennis) Roberson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lola Shaw, Georgiana Murphy, Maggie Murphy, Phyllis Reddish, Elliott Reddish, Johnnie Mae Reddish, Richard (Altamese) Harris, Terry (Katina) Author and Willie (Mary) Reddish; long life friend (children's mother), Christine Wright Sease; 18 grandchildren (three preceding him in death), three great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins and friends. Funeral services for Conual Wright were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at First African Baptist Church with the Rev. Kendall Bennamon officiating and the Rev. C. D. Roberts presiding. Interment followed in Rachel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Ellis James Wright, Jr., Michael Davis, Gus Stokes, Ronald Bryant, Henry Alderman, Jr., Nathaniel Banks, Horace Sellers, LeShawn Mobley, Jerome Payne, Milton Payne, Henry Reddish, Jr. and Stanford King. Honorary pallbearers were Appling County Consolidated High School Class of 1962. Musical selections were rendered by Alberta Ryals, Jason Powell, Carletha Wright and the First African Baptist Church Choir. Arrangements were under the direction of Baxley Funeral Home.
Starr Elizabeth Davis
Starr Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Elton Jay and Breanna Starr White Davis of Baxley, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 in Appling Healthcare System. Survivors include her parents; maternal grandparents, Mitchell and Amy Jones and Missy and Joe Baxley; paternal grandparents, Jamie and Sharon Edge and Dean and Mary Jo Davis; maternal great-grandparents, Janice Taylor; paternal great-grandparents, Eddie and Rhonda Davis, Ray and Linda Pritchard and Charlie Mobley; and paternal great-great-grandparents, Bill and Earline Hill. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Feb. 7 with the Rev. James Horton officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Barbara Smith Jones
Barbara Smith Jones, the daughter of the late Ruben and Veler Smith of Baxley, died Feb. 2, 2012 after a short illness. She was born March 19, 1955. Barbara was the ninth child of 13 children. She was a life-long native of Baxley. Ms. Jones graduated from Appling County School System. She worked at the Appling County Hospital for many years. After that, she worked for Ship-N-Shore until they closed in 1989. Deciding she wanted more education she went to Altamaha Technical Institute in Jesup, receiving her degree in office information. In addition to her parents, a son, Tommy Jones, Jr. and a sister, Ruby Lee James also preceded her in death. Survivors include husband of 35 years, Tommy Lee Jones, Sr.; one daughter, Tynesia Sairree (Brandon) Vann of Hazlehurst; six sisters, Eva Jean (Joel) Cray, Mary L. Hines, Pastor Billy (John) Jackson, Kathy (Henry) Ryals, Johnnie (Clifton) Jackson, all of Baxley, and Mildred Miller of Soperton; five brothers, David (Rosetta) Smith of Tampa, FL, Ruben Smith, Jr. of Fort Valley, Pastor Paul E. (Marianne) Smith of Collins, Jackie (Gloria) Smith of Toy, AL and Mitchell (Betty) Smith of Hazlehurst; seven sisters-in-law, Ethel Lee (Ezel) Allen of Jacksonville, FL, Gladys (Willie) Harris, Carolyn Burkes, Pastor Loraine (Willie) Drake, Angela E. Jones, all of Baxley, Laglinda (Willie) Jackson of Las Vegas, NV and Rose Marrie Knox of Port St. Lucie, FL; two brothers-in-law, John L. Jones of Charleston, S.C. and Clyde Jones of Baxley; two aunts, Evon Nelson of Connecticut, MA and Eunice Brown of Jacksonville, FL; one uncle, Lonell (Dellen) Austine of Connecticut, MA; three special aunts, Imogene Crayton, Evang. Sarah Joe Goggins, and Pastor Sarah Ruth Mims, all of Baxley, and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services for Barbara Jones were held Wednesday, Feb. 8 at New Jerusalem Church in Baxley, with Overseer, Sarah R. Mims officiating. Interment followed in Old Field Memorial Gardens in Baxley. Active pallbearers were Moses Cray, James Thomas, Faladin Brewer, Raphael James, Curtis Thomas, Freddie Brewer, Brandon Vann and Javon James. Honorary pallbearers were Gregory Brown, Joel Cray, Ruben James, Bishop John Jackson, Arthur Lee Brown and Robert James. Musical selections were rendered by the choir. Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home (black).
Wilma Craven Stone
Wilma Craven Stone, 85, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 in the Pavilion. Mrs. Stone was born Aug. 11, 1926 in Appling County, to the late George Craven, Sr. and the late Dealdia Carter Craven. She was a retired hospital switchboard operator in Macon and co-owner of Busy Point Caf . Wilma was preceded in death by her husbands, C. P. Coleman, Roy C. Stone, five brothers, Bill, Frank, George, Jr., Sephus and H. C. Craven and four sisters, Alice Dean, Sallie Mae Beecher, Bessie Hicks and Juanita Buffkin. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Keith Alich of Alexandria, VA; two sisters-in-law, Grace Craven of Baxley, and Peggy Craven of Valdosta; one grandson, Philip "Andy" Henderson of Las Vegas, NV and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 9 at Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Daniels officiating. Interment followed in church cemetery. Active pallbearers were Greg Mann, Steve Craven, Glenn Johnson, Joey Duncan, Russ Carter, GW Dean and Stacey Carter. Honorary pallbearers were all friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by Samantha Carter, Kim Hall and Vic Brantley. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Jasper Tomberlin
Jasper Tomberlin, 52, of Surrency, died Saturday, February 4, 2012. Tomberlin was born Sept. 22, 1959 to the late James C. and Loualta Tillman Tomberlin. He was a member of Surrency United Methodist Church. Jasper served as the Appling County Commissioner for District 3. He was the 2009 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall and the 2008 FBLA Business Person of the Year. Survivors include his wife, Jane Warren Tomberlin of Surrency; three daughters, Jenny Tomberlin of Savannah, Jill Tomberlin of Surrency and Jessica Tomberlin of Savannah; three sisters, Emily Williams of Montana, Louise Tomberlin of Baxley, and Marie Tomberlin of Augusta; three brothers, Mark (Toni) Tomberlin of Baxley, Howard Tomberlin of Surrency and Roy Mincey of Bloomingdale; and grandpups, Hershey, Ernie, Ellie, LuLu and Rex. Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 at First Baptist Church with the Revs. Rick Brown, Steve Long, Ken Baker and Keith Alderman officiating. Interment followed in Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were James Clark, Freddie Hutto, Carol Waters, Blake Tomberlin, Weston Tomberlin and Tommy Youmans. Honorary pallbearers were staff of Youmans 66, staff of Knight's Chain Saw, Appling County Board of Commissioners and staff, Appling County Board of Education maintenance staff, Tomberlin Coating employees, Michael Crayton and Marcus Gibbs, M &M Tank, Mickey Britt and Mike Sellers. Musical selections were rendered by David Williams and April Hesters. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Henry "Punk" Hutcheson
Henry "Punk" Hutcheson, 79, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 in Appling Healthcare System. Hutcheson was born Jan. 1, 1933 in Appling County, to the late Roan Hutcheson and the late Leona Roberts Hutcheson. He was a member of Asbury Methodist Church. Hutcheson served in the U.S. Army and was a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans. Survivors include one son, Douglas Hutcheson (Rima Upchurch) and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Asbury United Methodist Church with the Rev. Beau Taylor officiating. Interment followed in church cemetery. Active pallbearers were Kenny Upchurch, Joseph Switzer, Anthony Pearce, Derek Upchurch, Mark Upchurch and George Crosby. Honorary pallbearers were DaVita Dialysis Center, Wendy Thompkins and Jerry and Alene Thomas. Musical selections were rendered by Lauri Upchurch. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.\
Kyle Shumans
Kyle Shumans, 25, of Hazlehurst, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. Shumans was born in Augusta, but had lived most of his life in Jeff Davis County. He was employed by Seven Bridges Ministry in Smyrna. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Leroy Shumans. Survivors include parents, Dr. David and Judy Shumans of Hazlehurst, one brother, Grant Shumans of Hazlehurst; maternal grandparents, Raymond and Lorine Davis of Hazlehurst; paternal grandmother, Merleen Shumans of Hazlehurst; several aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 in the Southside Baptist Church with the Revs. Danny Wells and Roger Daniels officiating. Burial followed in Graham United Methodist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Kyle McLendon, Anthony McNeal, Kyle Herndon, Jonathan Yawn, Jonathan Graham, Allen Crawford, Josh Coleman and Cole Yawn. Honorary pallbearers were Kyle's brothers' in Christ and friends associated with Seven Bridges Ministry. Musical selections were rendered by His Men. Arrangements were under the direction of Miles Funeral Home in Hazlehurst.
