William Jones
William Robert (W.R.) Jones, 77, died July 21, at his residence in Hagan, Ga. He was a native of Brantley County. Survivors include his wife, Pauline J. Jones of Hagan; two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Kathleen Jones of Claxton, and Alvin Dale (A.J.) and Janet Jones of Claxton; five daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Julius Cribbs of Garland, N.C., Grace and Arthur Rowland of Reidsville, Sandra and David Barrow of Claxton, Katherine and Darrell Harn of Daisy and Annette and Henry Hodges of Claxton; two brothers, Talmadge Jones of Rincon, and Johnny Jones of Nahunta; three sisters, Geneva Harold of Brunswick, Inez Harris and Cathleen Smith, both of Nahunta; 17 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the Brewton Cemetery in Hagan, Ga. The J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Vernell Barberree
Vernell Smith Barberree, 71, passed away late Monday evening, July 22, at the Satilla Regional Medical Center. A native of Hortense, she had lived in Hoboken since 1982. She had worked as a waitress for several years and was of the Baptist faith. Her parents were the late Earl Burnice and Lula Magnolla Taylor Smith and she was also preceded in death by her husband, James Cecil Barberree, who passed away in 1998, and by a sister, Virginia Louise Stanford. Survivors include seven sons, Tony (Pat) Lee of Ashboro, N.C., Buddy Daniels of West Columbia, Texas, Roy Daniels of Lake Alfred, Fla., James Daniels of Auburndale, Fla., Larry Joe Daniels of Lakeland, Fla., and Franklin Barberree and Danny Barberree, both of Hoboken; a daughter, Shirley Joan Macchione of Winterhaven, Fla.; two sisters, Bonnie Norman of Hoboken and Betty Jean and Bob Dryden of Babbit, Minn.; six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, from the Pearson-Treadwell Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Hickox and Larry Taylor officiating. Interment followed in the Hoboken Cemetery. The Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Cleave Garner
Cleave S. Garner, 75, of Jacksonville, Fla., died Thursday, July 25, in the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring of Jacksonville following a long illness. A native of Robbins, N.C., he served in the Navy and retired as Plant Supervisor for Benner Glass Co. He was a member of Hogan Baptist Church and the son of Bessie Garner and Annie Ritter Garner. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sadie Lynn Garner, of Jacksonville; two daughters, Jean Savery (Gerald) of Jacksonville and Joan Neuner (John) of Raleigh, N.C.; three grandchildren, Gerald Savery Jr. (Michele), Tracie Moody (Scott) and Jason Cox; four great grandchildren, Troy Allie, Kyle and Samuel; two sisters, Iola Williams and Zora Montgomery, of North Carolina; two brothers, Hubert Garner of Alabama and Pervie Garner of North Carolina; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, in the Chambless Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. J. W. Wynn officiating. Burial followed in the Smyrna Cemetery in the Lulaton community. Pallbearers were Curtis Riggins, Gary Barksdale, Mike Fender, Robert Barksdale, Kenny Raulerson and Jeff Barksdale. The Chambless Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

John Griner
John F. Griner, Sr., 90, of Hortense, passed away early Sunday morning at Southeast Georgia Regional Medical Center in Brunswick, following an extended illness. A native of Patterson, Griner was the son of the late Will Griner and MaryJane Boyett Griner and was engaged as a farmer before ill health forced his retirement. Survivors include three daughters, Joann Simpson, Linda Moyers and Mary Frances Detloff, all of Brunswick; four sons, John Griner, Jr., and Walter Griner, both of Hortense, and James Griner of Charlton County and John Ellis Griner of Brunswick; one sister, Mary Griner, of Patterson, Ga.; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, from the Chapel of the Funeral Home with the Rev. R. C. Mathis officiating. Burial followed in the family plot in Hortense Cemetery. Serving as casket bearers were Chris Gallop, Joseph Durrance, Richard Proctor, Dwayne Griner, Larry Knight, Steven Griner and Floyd Holt. The Joel Chambless Funeral Home of Nahunta is assisting the family with arrangements.

Paul Foster
Paul Foster, 66, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 10, at the Satilla Regional Medical Center. A native of Crisp County, Ga., he had lived in Patterson for several years before moving to Hoboken three and a half years ago. He was the former owner of the Foster Oil Company and was a U.S. Army Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He was a past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Blackshear American Legion, served as a State Representative for four years, served as mayor of Blackshear for six years, was a former member of the Blackshear City Council having served for two years, and a member of the Pierce County Commissioners for four years and had been a member of the Blackshear Jaycees. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Hue Foster, and by a brother, Edward Foster. Survivors are his wife, Faye Crews Foster, of Hoboken; his mother, Osie Robinson Foster, of Blackshear; a daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Jerry Higginbotham of Trenton, Ga.; a son, Wayne Foster, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; three step daughters, Elaine Weeks of Waycross, Diane (Eddie) Lewis of Nahunta, and Linda Lee of Blackshear; two step sons, McCoy (Rebecca) Lee and Barry (Anna) Lee, all of Hoboken; a sister, Bobbie (Ron) Robinson of Jacksonville, Fla.; a brother, Joe (Elly) Foster, of Nashville, Tenn.; a sister-in-law, Brenda Foster Hendry, of Blackshear; 14 grandchildren, a great, great grandchild and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, from the Pearson Treadwell Chapel with the Brother Richard Jeffers officiating. Interment followed in the Blackshear Cemetery. The Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Benny Tallevast Jr.
Mitchell Benton "Benny" Tallevast, Jr., passed away late Thursday morning, Sept. 12, at the Satilla Regional Medical Center following a short illness. A native of Ware County, he had lived in Brantley County all of his life. He was a boilermaker for Local 199 in Jacksonville, Fla., and was a U.S. Marine veteran having served during Vietnam. He was a member of the Hoboken Baptist Church and was a son of the late Mitchell Benton, Sr. and Ella Mae Brooker Tallevast. Survivors include a daughter, Tonda Jean Dennison, of Jesup; a son, Kevin Mitchell Tallevast, of Hoboken; a sister, Talltha "Ty" (James) Carroll of Hilliard; a brother, Johnny (Debbie) Tallevast, of Hoboken; two grandchildren, Josh and Leigh Ann, and several other relatives. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, from the Pearson-Treadwell Chapel with the Rev. Mike Lee and the Rev. Bill Ryals officiating. Interment followed in the Hortense Cemetery. The Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Vera Foster
Vera Durrance Foster, 79, passed away early Thursday afternoon, Sept. 12, at her residence following courageous battle with cancer. A native and life-long resident of Pierce County, she was a retired cafeteria worker with the Pierce County Board of Education and was a member of the Offerman Baptist Church. She was also a homemaker, an avid gardener and special grandmother. She was a daughter of the late Jim and Wootie Tucker Durrance and was also preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Foster, and by her step father, William E. Thornton. Survivors are eight daughters, Betty Davis and Brenda (Bob) Dixon, all of Patterson, Yvonne (Keith) Smith of Greensboro, GA Shirlene (Sam) Davis of Titusville, Fla., Janice (Gwinnette) Aldridge of Douglas, Marilyn (Hunter) Hawkins of Powder Springs, Ga., and Carol Rogers and Linda Foster, both of Blackshear; six sons, Clinton Foster, Tommy Foster, Jimmy (Marie) Foster and Mike (Virginia) Foster, all of Patterson, Fred (Brenda) Foster of Brunswick, and Ronnie (Sandy) Foster of Alma; a brother, Lewis Durrance, of Hortense; 30 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and several other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, from the Offerman Baptist Church with the Revs. Ronnie Foster, Jerry Price and Gwinnette Aldridge officiating. Interment followed in the Foster Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Southeast Cancer Unit, Inc., P.O. Box 2764, Waycross, GA 31502, the Hospice of South Georgia, Inc., 181 N. Brunswick St., Jesup, GA 31546 or to the Offerman Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 37, Offerman, GA 31556.

Jim Blackwood, Jr.
James "Jim" Chastain Blackwood, Jr., 70, of the Lulaton community, died late Saturday evening, Sept. 14, at his residence after a short illness. The DeKalb County native had retired from the U.S. Navy after 23 years of service, and was a member of the Winokur Baptist Church. The son of the late James C. and Margaret Blackwood, Sr., was also preceded in death by a daughter, Connie S. Blackwood, a grandson, Jason Lee Blackwood, a great grandson, Michael R. Blackwood, III, and a sister, Lovelace Blackwood Austin. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Shirley Jean Barwick Blackwood of Nahunta; a son, Michael R. Blackwood, Sr. (Melinda); three grandchildren, Tonya Conway, Michael R. Blackwood, Jr., and Benjamin T. Blackwood; four great grandchildren, Tori, Jason, William and Anna Conway, all of Darien; a sister, Nina Hopkins, of Tucker, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Virginia Ann Whitney, of Dewitt, Mi.; a very special brother-in-law, Danny Breese (Kathy) of Waynesville; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from the chapel of the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home, with the Rev. Wayne Manning officiating. Burial followed in the Smyrna Cemetery in the Lulaton community. Arrangements are with the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home of Nahunta.

Ralph Wilson Sr.
Ralph Wesley Wilson Sr., 82 of Nahunta, died late Saturday evening, Nov. 23, at his residence after an extended illness. The Bartlesville, Okla., native had lived in Brunswick before moving to Nahunta. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonial with 22 years of service with the U.S. Air Force, which time he served in W.W. II. After his retirement he worked with the Civil Service as a meteorologist for the National Weather Center. Wilson was a very loving husband, and was a caring person. He was the son of Walter K. and Iva Nola Wilson Wilson. Survived by his wife of over 50 years, Elizabeth M. Wilson of Nahunta; three sons and daughter-in-laws, William H. and Diane Wilson of Clearwater, Fla., Ralph W. Wilson, Jr. and Susan of Brunswick, and Thomas J. and Laura Wilson of Charlottesville, Va.; six grandchildren, Kimberly Johnson and Daniel Wilson of Clearwater, Fla., Jonathan Wilson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Rebekah Wilson of Brunswick, and Caitlin and Lauren Wilson, both of Charlottesville, Va.; four great grandchildren, Jeremy, Megan, Amanda and Madelyne Johnson, all of Clearwater, Fla.; a sister, Edith Burns of Milton, Iowa; also several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, from the Bayview Nursing Home in Nahunta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were made with the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home of Nahunta.

Cyndie Johns
Cyndie Lynn Johns, 43 of Nahunta, died early Saturday morning, Jan. 18, at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta after a brief illness. Johns was of the Baptist faith and had worked with the TimCo Company in Lake City as an aircraft mechanic for about 10 years. The Ware County native was preceded in death by her father, Claude Carlton Johns Sr., her maternal grandparents, Elias and Ollie Herrin, and her paternal grandfather, Luke Johns. She is survived by her son, Ryan Johns Merritt, of Brunswick; her mother, Carolyn Merritt, of Nahunta; a brother and sister-in-law, Claude C. Johns, Jr. and Lisa Johns; a niece and nephew, Daniel and Derek Johns, all of Waynesville; a step grandmother, Idell Herrin, of Nahunta; several aunts, uncles and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, from the chapel of the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home with the Rev. Randy Wainright officiating. Interment followed in the family plot at Bethlehem Cemetery. Pallbearers were Levi Moore, Justin Farmer, Jimmy, Donnie and Johnny Herrin and James Lyons. Arrangements were made with the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home of Nahunta.

Rodney Branch
Rodney Allen Branch, 20 of Hortense, died early Sunday morning, Jan. 19, at his residence. A native of Pierce County, he was a pipe fitter, an avid hunter and a member of Twin Rivers Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Roy Rowell and Allen Branch. He is survived by three children, Austin Cole Cooper of Patterson, Cody Lee Boyett and Lexi Leigha Branch, both of Hortense; mother and step father, Tina R. and Larry M. Pafford of Hortense; father, Al Branch, of Albany, Ga.; brother, Ryan M. Pafford; two sisters, Kristen and Kaitlyn Pafford, all of Hortense; maternal grandmother, Verdie Mae Rowell, of Hortense; paternal grandmother, Joyce Branch, of Albany; step paternal grandparents, Larry Pafford, Sr. and Diane Pafford of Pinebluff, Ark.; great grandmother, Aleph Pafford, of Brunswick; several aunts, uncles and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Twin Rivers Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Rowell, Rev. R. C. Mathis and Rev. Joey Taylor officiating. Burial followed in the Satilla Cemetery in Hortense. Pallbearers were Josh Herrin, Jason Rozier, Eric Causey, Shannon Davis, Scott Crews and Tony Boatright. Honorary pallbearers were Loren Altman and Jimmy Moody. Arrangements were made with the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home of Nahunta.

Jimmie Hutcheson
Jimmie A. Hutcheson, 64 of Frostproof, Fla., passed away Dec. 28, 2002 at Orlando Florida Hospital after a long illness. Hutcheson had lived in Frostproof for the past 20 years. He served 16 years in the U. S. Navy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tyson A. and Lela Hutcheson; five brothers, a sister, and several nieces and nephews. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Hutcheson; seven step children and several step grandchildren; one brother, Ray Hutcheson, of Hoboken. Funeral services were held at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Frostproof, Fla. Interment followed in the Anderson Cemetery in Collins, Ga. Graveside services were conducted by the Rev. Randy Carson of First Baptist Church of Nahunta at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2. The Mellie Ne-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

James Jacobs
James "Winton" Jacobs, 85, of Hoboken died late Wednesday evening, Feb. 19, at his residence after a long illness. He was born in Brantley County, formerly Pierce County. His parents were Willie Bryant and Ethel Sapp Jacobs. A World War II veteran, also a Purple Heart Recipient, he served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman, was a member of the Disabled Veterans, Waycross Chapter, and was a retired farmer and a heavy equipment operator. He was of the Primitive Baptist faith. Jacobs was preceded in death by his first wife, Oradell Crews Jacobs; a sister, Ona Mae Batten, and a brother, Selvester Jacobs. Survived by his wife of 25 years, Virginia Herrington Jacobs, of Hoboken; a daughter, Jeanette Tucker (Tommy), of Hoboken; a son, Larry Jacobs, of Thomasville, Ga.; three grandchildren, Taylor and Trey McQuige and Jacob Tucker; two great grandchildren, Dylon and Gage Jackson; one step daughter, Vicki Carey (Steve), of Jacksonville, Fla.; four step sons, Chief B. J. Davis (Helen) of Lakeland, Ga., Bobby, Billy and Buddy (Julie) Davis, all of Homerville, Ga.; eight step grandchildren, Brian, Brittney and Courtney Davis, Robert Jackson, John Paul Jackson (Jonie), Joey, Kasey and Matthew DeWeese; three sisters, Gladys Crews and Geneva Newman, both of Hoboken, and Dicie Hamilton (Grover) of Blackshear; two brothers, Arthur Jacobs (Genevieve) of Augusta, and Ralph Jacobs (Dianna) of Hoboken; also many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Special and dear friends, Vivian and Bobby Byrd. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, from the chapel of the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home with the Rev. Hilton Morgan, Rev. Keith Boggs and Rev. Tim Hall officiating. Burial followed in the Hoboken City Cemetery with Military Honors. Pallbearers were Jimmy Dukes, Ronnie Hurst, Ricky Floyd, Danny Holms, Charles Walden and Carl Griffin. Arrangements were made with the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home of Nahunta.

Lorene Melton
Lorene Lyle Melton, 56, passed away Friday evening, Feb. 14, at the Southeast Georgia Regional Medical Center in Brunswick following a courageous battle with cancer. A native of Dawsonville, Ga., she had lived in Waycross for four years before moving to Hortense but was mostly reared in Brantley County. She was a housewife and attended the Nazarene Church of God in Brantley County. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryson and Gladys Grace Gregory Lyle and also by a son, Matt Roberson. Survivors include her husband, Ernest L. Melton, of Hortense; a daughter and son-in-law, Laura Anne and Billy Wills of Waycross; a son and daughter-in-law, Charles "Tony" and Taniel Roberson of Waycross; a step daughter, Lisa (George) Ponsell of Darien; four step sons, Michael (Christine) Melton of Brunswick, Jack Clayton (Brenda) Melton of Valdosta, Jason (Lucy) Melton of Witchita, Texas, and Joseph Melton of Folkston; two sisters, Pat Sellers of Alma and Shirley Perkins of Hortense; two brothers, Mike Lyle of Sebastian, Fla., and Buddy Lyle of Waycross; ten grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, from the Pearson-Treadwell Chapel with the Rev. R. C. Mathis and Rev. Hinton Johnson officiating. Interment followed in the Satilla Cemetery. The Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of the arrangements.

Larry Allen, Sr.
The Rev. Larry J. Allen, Sr., 52, of Nahunta, died Thursday, Feb. 20, in Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross following a long illness. Born in Charlton County, he had lived all of his life in Brantley County and had served in the evangelistic field for several years, also serving in the U.S. Army. Rev. Allen was the pastor and founder of the Hickox Christian Faith Chapel. He is preceded in death by a brother, Michael David Allen. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Batten Allen; three children, Michelle Allen and Chuck Allen (Jennifer), all of Nahunta, and Melynda Wainright (Ben) of Folkston; three grandchildren, Larry "James" Allen, III, of Nahunta, and Autumn Cason and Lauryn Wainright of Folkston; his parents, Rev. L. C. and Aline Dyal Allen; three sisters, Diane Griffin (Jody), Elizabeth Crews (Lamar) and Dora Lee Knox (Gary); and a brother, Charles Allen (Cheryl), all of Nahunta; several nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Hickox Christian Faith Chapel with the Rev. Buddy Allen and Rev. Ion Johns officiating. Burial followed in the Bachlott Cemetery in the family plot with military honors. Pallbearers were Chris Allen, Jeff Griffin, Carl Griffin, Joseph Davis, Dustin Allen and David White. Arrangements were made with the Chambless-Frye Funeral Home of Nahunta.