Elizabeth "Liz" Peacock Scott Holmes, age 73, of Hazlehurst, died Tuesday, December 18, at Community Hospice in Vidalia. Mrs. Holmes was born February 2, 1939 and was a native and lifelong resident of Jeff Davis County. She was retired from Southeastern Bank and was a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ray Scott and Donald Lee Holmes and her parents, Hugh and Estelle Bailey Harris and Matthew Peacock. Survivors include her sisters, Sara Jo Thomas and Mary Frances (Jimmy) Nester; nieces, Algena (Randy) Smith, Angie (Ricky) Watkins, and Nannette Thomas and great nieces, Nicole and Ashlee Smith. Funeral services were held Friday, December 21, at First Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Bill Vansant, the Rev. David Deen, and Nathan Deaton officiating. Interment followed in the Hazlehurst City Cemetery. Active Pallbearers were Lonnie Roberts, George Tucker, Bobby Tucker, Stanley Land, Bobby Mosley and Harold Whitfield. Honorary Pallbearers were Community Hospice, Ethelyn and Sammy Creech, John and Jackie Johnson, Flora Mosley, Ed and Sue Wilson, Gene and Jackie Moeykens, Valarie Elton and Pat Summerlin. Musical selections were rendered by Winona Jowers, Janet Allen, Kathy Lord and Helen Hamm. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home.
Leila Altman Powell
Leila Altman Powell, 107, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. A native of Appling County, she was born April 19, 1905 to the late Lemuel and Lou Parker Altman. Mrs. Powell was a member of Midway Baptist Church, the Telephone Pioneers-Dublin Council and Eastern Star- Baxley Chapter 363. She was preceded in death by sisters, Lennie McDaniel and Lorene Skrobacki and brothers, Lotis J. Altman and Ledley Altman. Survivors include four nieces, Wanda Ammons, Brenda Sadler, JoAnn A. Beecher and Robbie Burns; and three nephews, Billy Altman, Howard McDaniel and Parky McDaniel. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 at Swain Funeral Home with the Revs. Marty Anderson and Wayne Williamson officiating. Interment followed in Omega Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Don Sadler, Howard McDaniel, Sampy Altman, Mitch Altman, Michael Beecher, Jamie Ammons, Glynn Pearce and Seth Altman. Remembrances may be made to Midway Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers were all friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by Floyd Hunter and David Williams. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Jeremy Scott "Ree" Smith
Jeremy Scott "Ree" Smith, age 32, of Snipesville, died Monday, December 17, at his residence. Mr. Smith was born November 16, 1980 in Coffee County. He was employed with Watco Railroad in Fitzgerald. Survivors include his wife, Staci Nail Smith of Snipesville; Children, Ree William Smith, ReeAnna Linn Smith and Timmy Gage Nail all of Snipesville; Mother and Step-Father, Linda Smith (Lawton) Cothern of Keystone Height, FL; Father and Step-Mother, Billy (Theresa) Smith of Snipesville; Brother, Kalvin (Gina) Smith and Keith (Julie) Smith all of Snipesville; Mother-in-law, Mary Baxley of Baxley. Funeral Services were held Friday, December 21, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Denton (Jeff Davis County) at 11:00 a.m. with Chris Nail and the Rev. Alvin Merritt officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Active Pallbearers were Kalvin Smith, Keith Smith, Josh Smith, Jamie Smith, Chris Newman and Paul Bennett. Honorary pallbearers were Watco Company, Serenity Hospice and all friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by Theresa Smith, Benji Taylor and Doris Wooten. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home.
Maria Isabel Toledo-debaza
(November 5, 1950 - December 5, 2012)
Maria Isabel Toledo-Debaza, 62, passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 2 pm at Ricketson Funeral Home in Douglas, GA. Interment will be at Guerrero Cemetery in Mexico at a later date. Miles-Nobles Funeral Home, David E. Miles Chapel is in charge of these arrangements.
Mary "Lucy" Miller Gibbs
(April 22, 1946 - December 13, 2012)
Surrency - Mary "Lucy" Gibbs, 66, passed away Thursday, December 13, 2012 at her residence after an extended illness. She was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County, and a former CNA at Appling County Nursing Home. She attended New Hope Freewill Baptist Church and was the former owner and operator of Country Dreams in Surrency. Mrs. Gibbs was a loving mother to her children and grandchildren. Her parents, Alvin and Lola Miller and sister, Polly Cartee preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Lonnie Gibbs of Surrency; a son, Travis Gibbs and wife Janifier of Baxley; a daughter, Vicky Smiarowski and husband Scott of Sabastian, FL; seven grandchildren, Maisley Gibbs, Trevor Gibbs, Jacilynn Gibbs, Jami Gibbs, Brody Wright, Joshua Gibbs and Aushalina Leggett; five step-grandchildren, Dustin, Ashley and Tiffany Smiarowski and Christina and Waymon Royal; two great-grandchildren, Abbie Lewis and Ramsey Carter; two sisters, Sue Landon of Madray Springs and Sarah Nell Brown and husband Johnny of Odum; a brother, Dewayne Miller of Jesup; several nieces, nephews and other family also survive. Memorial services will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012 at David E. Miles Chapel with the Reverend Tim Horne officiating. Miles~Nobles Funeral Home, David E. Mile Chapel is in charge of these arrangements.
Rhonda F. Sexton Williams
(Died December 19, 2012)
Baxley - Rhonda McKinney Williams, 43, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Appling Health Care Systems after an extended illness. She was a native of Emporia, VA and had lived in Appling County, for the past 24 years. She was preceded in death by her mother, Gertrude Sexton; a brother, William "Chubbie" Sexton and two sisters, Donna Sexton and Nancy Sexton. Survivors include a daughter, Jessica Wiggins and husband J.T. of Baxley; a son, Jeffery "Bubba" McKinney and wife Kimberly of Baxley; father, Bobby Sexton of Baxley; a brother, Bobby James Sexton of Baxley; a niece, Brittney Sexton of Baxley; five granddaughters and one grandson. Visitation will be held Friday, December 21, 2012 form 6-8pm at Miles~Nobles Funeral Home, David E. Miles Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11 am at Miles~Nobles Funeral Home, David E. Miles Chapel with the Reverend David Harrell officiating. The family will be gathering at the residence of Jessica Wiggins, 3113 Cameron Road, Baxley, GA 31513. Miles-Nobles Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.
Jeannette Reese Courson
(June 2, 1928 - December 27, 2012)
Jeannette Reese Courson, 84, of Waycross died early Thursday, at Baptist Village Retirement Communities after an extended illness. She was born in Appling County, to the late James Carl and Kate Deen Waters. Mrs. Courson was raised in Appling County, moved to Waycross, where she graduated from Waycross High School. She has made Waycross her home ever since. She worked for Elliston's Drug Store and Larry's Pharmacy. She was a member of the Church of God Faith. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 35 years, Daniel B. (Sarge) Reese, a son Timothy Daniel Reese, a great-grandson, Tyler James Carter, a stepson, Keith Courson, her sisters, Vera Gamble Barnes, Frances Ollie Peacock, Mildred Deen Waters, Willie Jewel Rudd, Connie Lee Murwin, Leah Elizabeth Beckum, Kathryn Waldrep, Nannette Heyman, and Mary Louise Waters, her brothers, James Lambert Waters, Ewing Henry Waters, Robert Carroll Waters, and Thomas Colquitt Waters. She is survived by her devoted husband of 25 years Donald Courson of Waycross, two daughters, Danette Reese Dial of Blackshear and Pamela Reese Carter (Charles) of Alma, two stepsons, Danny Courson, Kim Courson (Ruth Ann), her grandchildren, Chuck Carter, Katie Carter Moore (Trevor), Garrett Harvey (Carly), Hannah Harvey Basinger (Brantley), Lyn Boyett (Lisa), great-grandchildren, Matthew Carter, Cody Carter, Liam Whitley, Mary Reese Harvey, Hutson Harvey, Brant Basinger, Austin Boyett, and Layton Boyett, step-grandchildren, Will Dial, Laura Smith (Jamie), David Dial (Mark), Jonathan Dial (Starr), Shawn Courson (Melissa), Chris Courson(Veronica), Amanda Thomas (Al), and Aaron Simmons, step-great-grandchildren, Jay Smith, Aaron Smith, Laine Smith, Jonathan Stephen Dial, Harrison Dial, Dawson Dial, Noah Courson, Cole Courson, Austin Courson, Conner Courson, Micah Thomas, Maura Thomas, Timmy Courson, Brent Courson, Alexia Simmons and numerous other relatives. A funeral service will be held 2:30 p.m., Saturday in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Wesley Chapel Church Cemetery in Bacon County. The family will receive friends Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Village Retirement Communities, 2650 Carswell Ave., Waycross, Georgia 31503.
Edon La-Zandra "Boo" Cray
Edon La-Zandra "Boo" Cray departed this life Feb. 25, 2012. God sent his angel to bring Edon to his resting place. Edon better known as "Boo" was born Dec. 13, 1979 in Baxley. He was the son of Orma Jean Cray and the late Edon Cray, Sr. Boo started his church dedication at Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. He was educated in the Appling County School District. In addition to his father, Boo was also preceded in death by a brother, Gary Edon Cray. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Survivors include his mother, Orma Jean Cray of Baxley; two sisters, Angela (Deon) Nails of Baxley, and Twaneisha Carter of Baxley; four brothers, Stanley Cray of Suffolk, VA, Daryl (Angela) Cray of Warner Robbins, La-Donis (Mandy) Cray of Nichols and Donnell (Barbara) Cray; grandmother, Rose C. Jones of Baxley; a host of aunts, Marilyn (Elzie) Hayes, Lois McKenzie, Mary L. (Zackrus) Walton, Linda (Ronnie) Berry, Vanessa (James) Rucker, Joyce (James) Carter, Marie (Larry) Wilson, Sharon (Raymond) Walters, Donna Clowney and Linda (Stanley) Richards; great aunts, Etha Cray and Evalena Arlene; uncles, Charles (Pauline) Carter, Billy (Etha Jean) Carter, Rubin (Patricia) Carter, Raymond (Joyce) Carter, Allen (Bernadette) Cray, Charles (Mary) Jones, Jimmy (Deloris) Jones, Reginald (Monica) Jones, Kenneth (Carolyn) Jones, John (Lotia) Guest, William Guest and Edward Guest; nieces, Rebekah C. Cray, Keyoga Cray, Deandra Cray, Amiyah Cray, Chasity and Charity Cray, Aaliyah Nails, Shykela Nails, Myiesha Nails, Nyeisha Nails; and nephews, Malik Jamal Cray, Trevon Cray, Edonata Cray, LaDonis Cray, Marquis Cray, Ja'Choue Cray, Darrius Cray, Angel Cray and Deon Nails, Jr. Funeral services for Edon "Boo" Cray were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at St. Paul Church of God in Christ, Highway 121 of Surrency. Elder Norris Williams officiated and gave the eulogy. Interment followed in Old Field Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers were Anthony Jacobs, Wesley Carter, Jacarius Jones, Bobby Carter, Reginald Jones, Jr., Travis Carter, Marcus Carter and Steve Crayton. Honorary pallbearers were Davita Dialysis and family and friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by the choir and soloists, Lance Newkirk and Tammy Richburg. A poem was read by Elizabeth Hood. Arrangements were under the direction of Baxley Funeral Home.
Scottie Laverne Jackson
Scottie Laverne Jackson, son of the late Calvin Jackson, Jr. and Lillie Naomi Jackson, born Nov. 3, 1968, died February 19, 2012 at his Warrick Lane residence, after an extended illness. Scottie attended schools in Appling County School System. He remained in Baxley, after attending school and was a dedicated, devoted and loving son to his mother. His genuine love for people was manifested through his untiring generosity and hospitality to others. Scottie would give the shirt off of his back to help someone in need and was always happy. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by five sisters, Carol D. Jones, Otha Nell Jackson, Malana Solomon, Melva Jean Farrington and Sylvia Jackson and a brother, Wilton F. Jackson. Survivors include his mother, Lillie N. Jackson of Baxley; one sister, Lugenia J. (Eugene) Pierce of Waycross; four brothers, Ronald Jackson of Baxley, Timothy Jackson of Reidsville, Calvin Jackson of Baxley, and Kelton (Cynthia) Jackson of Hinesville; one brother-in-law, Arthur Solomon of Middleburg, FL; five aunts, Zora Brown of Miami, FL, Versie Ramsey of Atlanta, Ophelia (Eugene) Walker of Baxley, Allifair Perry and Jerlene Barron, both of Miami, FL; one uncle, Charles (Carrie) Williams, Jr. of Baxley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins; and countless number of caring friends and neighbors. Funeral services for Scottie Jackson were held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at St. James African Methodist-Episcopal Church, 418 North Comas Street, Baxley with Elder Norris Williams officiating and the pastor, the Rev. Douglas Stinson gave the eulogy. Interment followed in Miles Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Charles Williams, II, David James Shavers, III, Tremar Harris, Cedric Reynolds, Curtis James Harris, Hoarse Sellers, John McIntier and Rufus Erwin. Honorary pallbearers were Victor Cray, Prentice Farrington, Arthur Solomon, Jr., Benjamin Hall, Alton R. Bennett, Preston Farrington, Christopher Frederick and Charief Culberson. Musical selections were rendered by the choir and soloists, Carla Solomon, Carletha Walker. Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.
Tanner Michael Jones
Tanner Michael Jones, infant son of Jeremy and Amanda Hutto Jones, died Monday, February 27, 2012 in the Candler Hospital in Savannah. Tanner was preceded in death by a first cousin, Cole Darden. In addition to his parents, Tanner is survived by his maternal grandparents, C. Stanley and Connie Horton Hutto; paternal grandparents, Bill and Linda Jones; paternal great-grandmothers, Vera Jones and Lona Craft; an uncle, Ryan Hutto; an aunt, Jennifer Jones Darden and husband Mathew; and two first cousins, Carlie Shaw and Cooper Darden, all of Lyons. Graveside funeral services were held Friday, March 2, at 3:00 p.m. with the Reverend Brad Park officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 4710 Waters Avenue, Savannah, GA 31404 or the Wolfson Children's Hospital, Oncology Floor in memory of Van Arsdale, 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia was in charge of arrangements.
