Evelyn Smith Kight
Mrs. Evelyn Smith Kight, 73, of Cross Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Thursday, November 29, 2001, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness. Mrs. Kight, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born August 4, 1928, the daughter of the late Archie and Agnes Wise Smith. She was a nursing assistant, a homemaker, a member of Providence Baptist Church, as well as a choir member. Survivors include: her husband, Cecil Kight of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Molly Hinson and husband, Bill, of Hazlehurst, Ga.; two sons, Charles H. Deen and wife, Linda, and Craig Deen and wife, Gwen, all of Broxton, Ga.; one sister, Bernice Smith of Hazlehurst, Ga.; 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 2001, at Providence Baptist Church with Rev. Rodney Courson and Rev. Den Weniger officiating. Special music was provided by the Providence Church Choir who sang "Precious Memories," and soloist Glenda Courson sang "Look What I've Traded" and "It Satisfies Me," with Donnie Joyce accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Providence Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Joey Silas, Kelly Silas, Kurt Deen, Brent Deen, Tracey Deen, and Keith Harrelson. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Richard Hutto
Mr. Richard Hutto, 80, of Wray, Ga., passed away Friday, December 7, 2001, at his residence. Mr. Hutto, a native of Douglas, Ga., was born April 1, 1921, the son of the late Effie Merritt Hutto and the late Willie Hutto. He had lived in the community all of his life, was a farmer and owner/operator of Hutto's Grocery in Wray, a member of Lax Community Church, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. Survivors include: his wife, Annie L. Hutto of Wray, Ga.; two daughters, Peggy Jean Chaney Benson and Stacey Guthrie, both of Wray, Ga.; one brother, Josh Hutto of Wray, Ga.; four sisters, Susie Chaney of Ocilla, Ga., Elizabeth Barrentine and Frances Craig, both of Tifton, Ga., and Myram Stephens of Jesup, Ga.; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Sunday, December 9, 2001, at Lax Community Church in Irwin County, Ga., with Pastor Marston Tucker and Pastor Donnie Pridgen officiating. Interment followed in the Lax Community Cemetery in Irwin County, Ga. Paulk Funeral Home of Ocilla, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Susie Grace Fountain
Mrs. Susie Grace Fountain, 84, of Pearson, Ga., passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2001, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Fountain, a native of Macon County, Ga., was born August 9, 1917, the daughter of Pat and Foeletta Kitchens Ingram. She had made her home in Pearson since 1963, was a retired waitress and poultry worker, a member of First Baptist Church in Pearson, Ga., and the widow of the late William Newton Brock and the late Connie Fountain. Survivors include: one brother, John Williams and wife, Mary Anne, of Pearson, Ga.; one sister, Louise Darden of Tifton, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2001, at First Baptist Church in Pearson, Ga., with Rev. James Canada officiating. Special music included "What a Friend We Have In Jesus," "Nearer To the Heart of God," and "Amazing Grace," sung by the attending congregation, with Candace Brown accompanying at the organ. Also, soft organ music for the prelude and postlude was presented by Mrs. Brown. Graveside services and interment followed at 3:30 p.m., Friday at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Americus, Ga. Active pallbearers were Foster Davis, Elton Corbitt, Wade Brown, William White, Jamie Smith, and Travis Ursery. Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Myrtice Batten Carter
Mrs. Myrtice Batten Carter, 83, of Axson, Ga., passed away Friday, November 30, 2001, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness. Mrs. Carter, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born February 13, 1918, the daughter of the late Micajah and Ella Mae Stevens Batten. She was a homemaker and a member of Jowers Chapel Church. Survivors include: her husband, Quitman Carter; two sons, Carroll M. Taylor and wife, Carol Jean, of Pearson, Ga., and Micajah McClendon and wife, Joyce, of Axson, Ga.; four step-children; one sister, Juanita Freeman of Thomasville, Ga.; one brother, Robert Batten of Douglas, Ga.; four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Sunday, December 1, 2001, at the chapel of Sims Funeral Home in Douglas with Rev. Robert Tanner officiating. Special music was provided by soloist Mitchell Deems who sang "Stroll Over Heaven" and "Beulah Land," with Lila Deems accompanying at the piano. Interment followed at the Rocky Pond Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Chris Joiner, Tom Cauley, Alvin Batten, Owen Ray Batten, Ricky Batten, and Jimmy Batten. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

James Hardy Eason
Mr. James Hardy Eason, 62, of Rebecca Waldron Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Thursday, November 29, 2001, at the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga., folowing an extended illness. Mr. Eason, a native of Hillsborough County, Fla., was born January 6, 1939, the son of the late Gordon and Lila Boyette Eason. He was a retired meat cutter. Survivors include: his wife, Beverly Ann Hughes Eason of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, James R. Eason and Benjamin H. Eason, both of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Mickey Eason of Douglas, Ga., three brothers, Ben Eason of Bradenton, Fla., Bobbie Joe Eason of Live Oak, Fla., and Betty Jean Pritchard of Montgomery, Ala.; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 1, 201, at the Sims Funeral Home Chapel in Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Marty Carnes officiating. Interment followed at a later date in Bradenton, Fla. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Randall "Randy" Clifford Cearley
Randall "Randy" Clifford Cearley, 37, of West Green, Ga., passed away Saturday, May 18, 2002, at his residence following a brief illness. Mr. Cearley, a native of Cherokee County, N.C., was born Dec. 21, 1964, the son of Clifford and Jean Cearley. Mr. Cearley worked as an auto parts specialist for Transpower Auto Parts in Coffee County, Ga., and was a member of the Old Union Baptist Church in Young Harris, Ga. Mr. Cearley lived most of his life in Towns County before moving to Coffee County four years ago. Survivors include: mother and father, Clifford and Jean Cearley of Young Harris, Ga.; grandmother, Bonnie Cearley of Copperhill, Tenn.; two sisters, Peggy Gibson of Oakwood, Ga., and Susan Kimsey of Hiawassee, Ga.; three nieces, Jennifer Nicholes, Ashely Owens, and Charyl Leigh Parton, all of Young Harris, Ga.; one nephew, Matthew Parton of Hiawassee, Ga.; Two special aunts and uncles are Lucille and Raymond Herrin of West Green, Ga.; and several other aunts and uncles. Services were held on Tuesday, May 21 at 11 a.m. at Old Union Baptist Church in Young Harris, Ga., with the Rev. Jerry Young and Rev. Jimmy Rogers officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Paul Francis Kirsch
Dr. Paul Francis Kirsch, 44, of Tallahassee, Fla., passed away May 29, 2002, in Vero Beach, Fla. Dr. Kirsch, a native of El Paso, Tx., had lived in Douglas, Ga., before moving to Tallahassee over 20 years ago. He was a lawyer and served as Director of Compliance/Regulation for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. He received both his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and his law degree from Florida State University. He was the Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at FAMU and was the youth soccer coach for the Top of Florida for many years. Survivors include: his wife, Holly Swartz Kirsch of Tallahassee, Fla.; two sons, Michael Nathan Kirsch and David Christopher Kirsch, both of Tallahassee, Fla.; two daughters, Hannah Nicole Kirsch and Kayla Colleen Kirsch, both of Tallahassee, Fla.; two brothers, Michael Charles Kirsch of Tallahassee, Fla., and David Laurence Kirsch of Atlanta, Ga.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, the Honorable and Mrs. George Swartz of Ft. Myers, Fla. A Requiem Eucharist was held in memory of Dr. Kirsch June 1, 2002, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church. Beggs Funeral Home Apalachee Parkway Chapel of Tallahassee, Fla., was in charge of the arrangements.

David Loring Wilson
Mr. David Loring Wilson, age 71, of Douglas, Ga. passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at home following an extended illness of cancer. Mr. Wilson, a native of Portage County, Oh., was born July 30, 1930, the son of the late Don Matthew and Willa Wave Wertenberger Wilson. He was a graduate of Kent State University, an accountant and co-owner of H&R Block, a veteran of the United States Army (Korean Conflict), an Eagle Scout, and a member of First Congregational Christian Church. Prior to moving to Georgia in 1972, Mr. Wilson was a real estate developer in Ravenna, Oh. Survivors include: his wife, Paulette McKinnon Wilson of Douglas, Ga.; two daughters, Lorie P. Wilson of Douglas, Ga., and Willa Wave Herold and husband, Dan, of Kent, Oh.; one son, Ray Hancock and wife, Kay, of Alma, Ga.; five grandchildren, Lauren Henn, Ryan Henn, and Justin Jenkinson, all of Kent, Oh., and Levi Hancock and Blake Hancock, both of Alma, Ga.; one brother, Don Wilson and wife, Helen, of Aurora, Oh.; one brother-in-law, Earnest Walters of Ravenna, Oh. Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by one son, David Jay Wilson. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2002, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel in Douglas, Ga., with brother-in-law, Clark McKinnon, officiating. A eulogy prepared by nephew Donnie Wilson III of New York was read by Mr. McKinnon. Eulogies were also given by Frank Jackson and Clark McKinnon. Soloist Beth Greene sang "How Great Thou Art," and the congregation sang "Amazing Grace," with pianist Lois Mills providing soft music for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed at the Douglas City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were John McKinnon, Frank Jackson, Keith Taylor, Terry Taylor, Evan Brown, and Tom McKinnon. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Emma Lou Hursey Kight
Mrs. Emma Lou Hursey Kight, 72, of Old Axson Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Friday, May 24, 2002, at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, Ga. Mrs. Kight, a Coffee County, Ga., native was born January 23, 1930, the daughter of the late Arthur Lott and Annie Bell Sears Hursey. She was a homemaker, a retired school- teacher with Coffee County School System, and a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include: her husband, Thomas Ray Kight, Jr., of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Ray Kight, III and wife, Karen, of Broxton, Ga., and John Kight and wife, Judy, of Douglas, Ga.; three grandchildren, Bryan Kight and Wendy Kight, both of Broxton, Ga., and Tammy Rowe of Willacoochee, Ga.; two sisters, Evelyn Adams and Betty Smith, both of Douglas, Ga.; one brother, Clarence Hursey of Douglas, Ga.; two great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2002, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. James E. Duke, Jr., officiating. The first United Methodist Church Quartet sang "Peace In The Valley" and "I Would Rather Have Jesus," with Tania Myers accompanying at the piano. Interment followed at the Douglas City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Randall Adams, Edwin Adams, Dennis Hursey, Artie Hursey, Lamar Waldron, Anthony Smith, and Mark Smith. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Whitfield Sunday School Class, First United Methodist Church, Michael and Trena McMillan, Elaine Cobb, and Yvonne Paulk. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Elise Burney Walker McLean
Mrs. Elise Burney Walker McLean, 97, of Pierce County, Ga., passed away early Sunday morning, June 2, 2002, at the Baptist Village Nursing Home following an extended illness. Mrs. McLean, a native of Pierce County, Ga., was the daughter or the late Lawrence Everett and Fannie Lane Burney. She had lived in Douglas for six years before moving back to Pierce County. She was a 1992 graduate of Washington Seminary, was a retired school teacher with 36 years of service and retired from the Coffee County Board of Education. She was also a member of the Blackshear Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years. She was an honorary member for the Blackshear Woman's Club, former member of the Lakeview Golf Club, and a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Georgia. She was the widow of the late John Randall Walker, Jr., and the late John Herbert McLean. Survivors include: three nieces, Mary Lane Johnson, Gerry Dillard, and Dana Guy, all of Jacksonville, Fla.; several great-nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mrs. McLean was preceded in death by one brother, Daniel G. Burney. Funeral services for Mrs. McLean were held Wednesday, June 5, 2002, at 1 p.m. at the Blackshear Presbyterian Church with Rev. Joe Brice officiating. Interment was in the Blackshear Cemetery. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral of Home of Blackshear, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Bithia Joiner Ellis
Mrs. Bithia Joiner Ellis, 84, of Paulk Avenue, Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness. Mrs. Ellis, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born December 1, 1917, the daughter of the late William and Sabre Caroline Royals Joiner. She was a homemaker and the widow of the late George Lemuel Ellis. Survivors include: two sons, David Ellis and wife, Kaye, of Douglas, Ga., and Wayne Ellis and wife, Peggy, of Lenox, Ga.; two daughters, Maxine Griner and husband, Raymond, of Moultrie, Ga., and Pam Perry and husband, Wayne, of Douglas, Ga.; two brothers, Arthur Joiner of Orlando, Fla., and Jeff Joiner of Willacoochee, Ga.; 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 23, 2002, at Willacoochee Holiness-Baptist Church near Willacoochee, Ga., with Rev. Victor Gilbert and Rev. Edgar Rowe officiating. Soloist Derrick Soles sang "Beulah Land" and "The Prettiest Flowers," and soloist Sherry Hanks sang "Just One Rose Will Do," with Linda Gilbert accompanying at the piano. Interment followed at the Willacoochee City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Raymond Griner, Don King, Jeffrey Ellis, Mark Ellis, Doug Faulkner, James Rutherford, and David Ellis, Jr. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Bernice Lott Purvis
Mrs. Bernice Lott Purvis, 73, of Rt. 2, Pearson, Ga., passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at the home of her son following an extended illness. Mrs. Purvis, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born July 29, 1928, the daughter of Jim and Rosa Lee Stokes Lott. She had made her home in Atkinson County for most of her life, was a homemakerm and was the widow of the late Jake Purvis. Survivors include: eight sons, Jerry Purvis, Wendell Purvis, Jack Purvis and wife, Mary, Allie Purvis and wife, Roxie, and Clyde Purvis and wife, Janice, all of Pearson, Ga., Tallie Purvis and wife, Molly, of Douglas, Ga., Paul Purvis and wife, Karen, of Jesup, Ga., and Micajah Purvis of Douglas, Ga.; three daughters, Jacqueline Anderson, and husband, Jerry, of Axon, Ga., Wannell Anderson of Douglas, Ga., and Verdie Mae Griffin and husband, Frank, of Ambrose, Ga.; three brothers, Bobby Lott and Edward Lott of Lake City, Fla., and Clifford Lott of Hazlehurst, Ga.; one sister, Jessie Spells of Soperton, Ga.; 23 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Purvis was preceded in death by one son, Jimmie Lee Purvis. Funeral services of Mrs. Purvis were held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 31, 2002 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Ed Gilliard and Rev. John Thomas officiating. Special music included "Amazing Grace," sung by the attending congregation, and "Gathering Flowers" and "Quitin' Time," rendered by The Labors for God. Interment followed in the Purvis Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Charlie Vining, Sr., Bob Garrity, Michael Davis, J.A. Anderson, Pee Wee Flanders, and Hoarce Wilson. Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Ronald A. Jackson
Ronald A. Jackson, 47, of Nicholls, Ga., passed away early Saturday morning, May 25, 2002, at Coffee Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. Mr. Jackson, a native of Charlton County, Ga., was the son of the late Harold Jackson and Marion Dyal Jackson Cox. He had lived in Nicholls the past ten years and was a member of the Faith Holiness Church of Nicholls, Ga. Survivors include: his wife Diane Blalock Jackson of Nicholls, Ga.; one son, Donald A. Jackson of Nicholls, Ga.,; one daughter, Melisa Oliver of Savannah, Ga.; one sister, Sharon Anderson of Nicholls, Ga.; two grandchildren, Dyona and Phillip Horne, both of Macon, Ga. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 27, from the chapel of Crosby Funeral Home, with Rev. Bruce Tanner and Rev. Ed Hersey officiating. Interment followed at Bristol Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Timmy Smith, Bruce Smith, Billy Barber, Dean Snotty, Jeffery Greer, and James Anderson. Members of Faith Holiness Church were honorary escorts. Crosby Funeral Home of alma, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Walter Paul Kirkland, Jr.
Mr. Walter Paul Kirkland, Jr., 69, of Leliaton, Ga., passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2002. Mr. Kirkland, a native of Manchester, Ga., was born November 10, 1932, the son of the late Dr. Walter Paul Kirkland, Sr., and Etta White Kirkland, both natives of Atkinson County, Ga. He was the paternal grandson of the late Jefferson Kirkland and Berta Arrington Kirkland and the maternal grandson of the late James Owen White, Sr., and Lila Corbitt White, all of Pearson, Ga. Mr. Kirkland had made his home in the Willacoochee area for many years, was a member of the Georgia Peace Officers Association, and a member of Cornerstone Church in Pearson, Ga. Mr. Kirkland graduated from Manchester High School in Manchester, Ga., and Darlington Prepatory School, prior to attending the University of Georgia in Athens, where he graduated in 1959 with a degree in forestry. During his college days, Mr. Kirkland was accepted into the prestigious fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and played tight-end for the University of Georgia Bulldog football team until a knee injury cut short a promising football career. Always service-oriented, Mr. Kirkland attended the Georgia State Patrol School, graduating as a Trooper in 1969. Following more than a 20-year career in law enforcement with the Georgia State Patrol, during which time he received several honors and awards, he retired as a corporal from Post #36 in Douglas, Ga., then served as Chief of Police of the City of Pearson for several years. While serving with the Georgia State Patrol, Mr. Kirkland was appointed to serve on the Governor's Task Force -- DUI Squad for two years. He was also honored to be selected as a member of the elite Special Security Force for then newly-elected President Jimmy Carter during his inaugural visits to Plains and Atlanta, Ga. Survivors include: his wife, Aubrey Lee Fender Kirkland of Leliaton, Ga.; two sons, Commander Walter P. "Butch" Kirkland, III, and wife, Norma, of Papillion, Neb., and John G. Sheffield, Jr., and wife, Diane, of Evans, Ga.; two daughters, Cynthia Lane Haisten and husband, Herbert, of Troy, Ala., and Joan Aubrey Sheffield Giddens and husband, Hampton, of Kirkland, Ga.; one brother, Dr. James Kirkland and wife, Ann, of Dublin, Ga.; one sister, Elizabeth "Sis" Sherling and husband, Ed, of Enterprise, Ala.; seven grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Cornerstone Church in Pearson, Ga., with Rev. Marvin Goodman and Rev. Bessie Lewis officiating. Special musical selections included "I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy," rendered by Michelle Harrell, and "Farther Along," presented by Michelle Harrell, Jason Fender, and Alicia Amerson, with Francine Fender accompanying at the piano. Harriett Youngblood, pianist, provided soft music for the prelude and postlude. Interment with full honors, conducted with military precision, followed in the Willacoochee City Cemetery, Willacoochee, Ga., by the Honor Guard of the Georgia State Patrol, with SFC Rick Ogden in charge. Dan Bray in full dress, accompanied on the bagpipes, with several selections, including "Amazing Grace" and a very moving rendition of "Taps." As a special mark of honor, Post Commander Jimmy Stapleton and Trooper First class Mickey Spain of Post #36 of the Georgia State Patrol entered their vehicles and did a 107 (Out of Service) and 1042 (Ending Tour of Duty) calls on their radios for Mr. Kirkland, whose call sign was 706. Active pallbearers were Corporal Collins, Corporal King, Corporal Young, Trooper First Class Peck, Trooper First Class Dupont, and Trooper First class Vanlandingham. Honorary pallbearers were retired and active members of the Georgia State Patrol and area law enforcement officers. Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.