Albert (Al) Zelder, 77, of Baxley, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at the Appling Convalescent Center after an extended illness.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had lived in Baxley, for 21 years.
He was a Navy Veteran of World War II.
Al was a member of First United Methodist Church and American Legion Post No. 26 of Baxley and retired from civil service.
He was born Jan. 30, 1926 to the late Michael Zelder and the late Mollie Miller Zelder.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Zelder of Baxley; three daughters, LaRocka Zelder and Linda Zelder, both of Phoenix, AZ and Tammy Sadwell of Farmington, MI; two step-sons and daughter-in-law, James Allen Harden of Norcross and Robbie and Tammy Harden of Baxley; one step-daughter, Helen Harden of Baxley; nine grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 19 from First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Randy Mosley and the Rev. Creig Smith officiating.
Interment followed in Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were David Yawn, Sammy Yawn, Wayne Crosby, Lonnie Weaver, Rock Courson and Richard Crosby.
Honorary pallbearers were Billy Butler, Dwain Hutto, Ray Sapp, Ed Deen, Harry Sims, Claude Bird, Kelly Bird, Dr. Fernando Orlando and Staff, Dr. Errol Graham and the Appling Convalescent Center Staff.
Musical selections were rendered by James Allen Harden, Trey Clegg and the congregation.
Arrangement were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Lawrence Allen Harden
Lawrence Allen Harden, 75, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, in the Meadows Regional Medical Center, after an extended illness.
Harden was born in Appling County, and had lived in Vidalia, for 22 years.
He was a retired businessman, having owned an Auto Parts Store.
Harden was an Army veteran, a member of the American Legion VFW Post #97, and a member of Smith Street Baptist Church of Vidalia.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Beecher Harden of Vidalia; two sons, James Allen Harden of Norcross and Robbie C. Harden of Baxley; one daughter Helen Harden of Baxley; three step-daughters, Janice Wilson of Hazlehurst, Diana Lane of Vidalia and Vickie Ricketson of Baxley; four brothers, the Rev. Wilford Harden of Glennville, Willie "Bill" Harden, Johnny L. Harden, both of Baxley and W.H. Harden of Fort Pierce, Fla.; one sister, Evelyn Carter of Baxley; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 25, from the chapel of Swain Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jimmy Smith, the Rev. Donnie Sutton, and the Rev. Cecil Clegg officiating.
Interment followed in Bethel Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jeremy Bates, Steve Lane, J.L. Ricketson, Scotty Harden, Jonathan Evers and Byron Barnwell.
Honorary pallbearers were H.A. Burns, the Alby Gay Sunday School class, members of Smith Street Baptist Church, Wiley and Anita Bush, Inez and Charlie Leach, Billy and Tommy Nell Williamson, David and Jennifer Blount, Bea Crosby, Denise Miller and the Maranatha Sunday School class.
Musical selections were rendered by James Allen Harden, Trey Clegg and Eleanor Smith.
Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Mattie Ella Roland
Mattie Ella Roland, 73, of Cochran, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, in Baxley.
She was born in Dodge County, and was the daughter of the late Lyn and Lula NeSmith.
Mrs. Roland was preceded in death by her husband, James Q. Roland.
She was a graduate of Chester High School Class of 1947, and was a member of Empire Baptist Church.
Mrs. Roland was the former owner of Roland's Grocery in Empire.
She is survived by one daughter, Sandra R. Bryant of Baxley; two grandsons, Jamie Bryant and Chris Bryant, both of Baxley; granddaughter-in-law, Amanda Bryant of Baxley; one great-granddaughter, Cara Bryant of Baxley; four sisters, Syble (Robert) Rogers of Macon, Helen (Rudolph) Law of Eastman, Dell (Virgil) Holt and Shirley Reeves, both of Cochran.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., July 26, from the chapel of Fisher Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ronnie Powell and the Rev. Randy Jeffers officiating.
Interment followed in Bowers Cemetery, in Dodge County.
Active pallbearers were Bobby Rogers, Rudy Law, Bruce Law, Mike Law, Randall Thursby, Bob Little, Stevie Little and Ed Nicholas.
Honorary pallbearers were the Lady's Group of Empire Baptist Church.
Fisher Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Erma Louise Crosby Rowell
Erma Louise Crosby Rowell, 79, of Graham, died Monday, July 21, 2003, in the Appling HealthCare System.
She was a native and life-long resident of Appling County.
Mrs. Rowell was the widow of the late Clayton Rowell and was preceded in death by a son, H.C. Rowell of Graham.
She was the daughter of the late Hawley and Irene Johnson Crosby.
Mrs. Rowell was retired from Hazlehurst Mills Manufacturing, and was a member of Graham Methodist Church, in Appling County.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Charles Nail of Graham; one son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Nina Rowell; one daughter-in-law, Aldine Rowell, all of Graham; one granddaughter, Christie Tillman of Graham; four grandsons, Tony Rowell of Hazlehurst, Chris Rowell and Chuck Rowell, both of Baxley and Tim Rowell of Graham; and eight great-grandchildren also survive.
Active pallbearers were Tony Rowell, Chris Rowell, Tim Rowell, Chuck Nail, Derrick Tillman and Cole Rowell.
Honorary pallbearers were all who attended the service.
Musical selections were rendered by Jimmie Ryals, Jeffery Spell and Judy Rhodes.
Miles Funeral Home of Hazlehurst, was in charge of the arrangements.
Ronald Issac Wiggins
Ronald Issac Wiggins, 63, of Charleston, SC, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003.
Wiggins was a native of Wayne County, and was retired from the Navy.
He served on the R.S.E.S./ Board of Curriculum at Trident Technical College in Charleston.
Wiggins was born November 10, 1939, to the late Lannie Wiggins and Clara Cross Wiggins.
He is survived by his wife, Myrtle Wiggins of Charleston, SC; two sons, Ronald I. Wiggins, Jr. and Kenneth C. Wiggins, both of James Island, SC; mother, Clara Cross Wiggins of Baxley; two brothers, Doyle Wiggins of Dublin and Nathan Wiggins of Colquitt; two sisters, Nadra Thompkins and Delorise Dean, both of Baxley; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 27, from Big Oaks Church of God, with the Rev. Virginia Herrington, and the Rev. Doyle Wiggins officiating.
Interment followed in Appling Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers were Bradley Wiggins, Darien Creamer, Gene Thompkins, Scott Burgees, Stanley Miller and Jason Thompkins.
Honorary pallbearers were the Adult Sanctuary Sunday School Class of Big Oaks Church of God.
Musical selections were rendered by Bonnie Thompkins, Terry Gordon and Bill Pennington.
Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
