Miles Joe "M.J." Harrell
Mr. Miles Joe "M.J." Harrell, 69, of Hillcrest Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Friday, November 29, 2002, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Harrell, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on October 17, 1933, the son of the late Robert Lee and Agnes Trowell Harrell. Survivors include: one brother, Lorell Harrell and wife, Linda, of Ambrose, Ga.; one aunt, Freddie Lewis of Douglas, Ga.; four nephews, Bryan Tracy Harrell, Gregory L. Harrell, and Jerome Harrell, all of Douglas, Ga., and Wayne Harrell of Ambrose, Ga. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, December 1, 2002, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Roy Davis officiating. Wayne and Barbara Carter sang "What a Meeting That Will Be" and "Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It," with Lisa Hersey accompanying at the piano. Interment took place at Reedy Branch Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were John Henry Harper, Kenneth Trowell, Wayne Tanner, Jerry Wooten, Roy Trowell, and Joey Trowell. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Adele Vining Janko
Mrs. Adele Vining Janko, 91, of Dallas, Tx., passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2002, at CC Young Nursing Home in Dallas, Tx., following an extended illness. Mrs. Janko, a native of Pridgen, Ga., was born August 7, 1911, the daughter of George W. and Rhoda Corbitt Vining. She was a longtime resident of Atlanta, moving to Dallas in 1996 to reside with her daughter, Adele Veith. For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Janko operated the Jandel Company, a successful home improvement business in the Atlanta area. Many Atlantans will recall their company slogan, "For work done well, call Jandel". This first appeared on the sides of trolley cars and was later advertised on T. V., thanks to Guy Sharpe, the weatherman. She was an artist, as well as a businesswoman and her talent for writing kept everyone in hopeful anticipation of her letters. Her wry wit and charm kept her popularity high and her desire to give will be remembered by all, especially when it came to "the children." She was a "Gray Lady" ( a volunteer at Grady Hospital in the children's burn unit) and also devoted many years as a driver for children with cerebral palsy. She would take them to a specialized school, when their parents could not. She also served as President of the Variety Club Auxillary in Atlanta, which raised funds for children "in need." Survivors include: two daughters, Adele Veith of Dallas, Tx., and Michele Janko of Atlanta, Ga.; one son, Michael D. Janko of Atlanta, Ga.; one brother, J. M. Vining of Burlington, N.C.; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mrs. Janko was preceded in death by her husband, Marion M. Janko and one daughter, Eleanor M. Ladson. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 30, 2002, at 2 p.m., at Springhead United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jackson Braddy and Rev. Emory Corbitt officiating. Musical selections "The Uncloudy Day" and "Bless Be The Tie" were rendered by the attending congregation with Rev. Jackson Braddy at the piano. Interment followed in the Springhead Cemetery with "Amazing Grace" being sung at the gravesite. Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.

Helen G. Allen
Mrs. Helen G. Allen, 70, of Homerville, Ga., passed away Sunday evening, December 1, 2002, at the residence of her daughter in Douglas, Ga., after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mrs. Allen, a native of Madison County, Fla., was the daughter of Nancy Irene and Albert William Gilley. She was educated in Homerville, graduating from the Clinch County High School. Mrs. Allen was a member of the Shiloh Congregational Methodist Church near Homerville. Survivors include: two daughters and sons-in-law, Lois A. and Doyle Baker of Douglas, Ga., and Carol A. and Buddy Aycock of Brunswick, Ga.; two sons and daughters-in-law, William G. and Sherry Allen of Jacksonville, Ga., and Charles E. and Susan Allen of Gainesville, Ga.; three sisters Elizabeth Louise (Betty) Gilley Smith of Homerville, Ga, Mary Jacquelyn (Jackie) Gilley Sirmans of Valdosta, Ga., and Catherine Amelia Gilley Windhaus of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandchildren, Tara Leigh Mills of Valdosta, Ga., William Andrew Baker of Douglas, Ga., Matthew Daniel Baker of Douglas, Ga., Benjamin (Ben) Taylor Aycock of Brunswick, Ga., Zane Wheaton Aycock of Brunswick, Ga., Lauren Elizabeth Allen of Gainesville, Ga., Andrea (Andie) Leigh Allen of Gainesville, Ga., Natalie Suzanne Allen of Gainesville, Ga., and Grayson James Allen of Jacksonville, Fla. Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, James Lamar Gilley. Funeral services will be held December 3, 2002, at 2 p.m., at Shiloh Congregational Methodist Church near Homerville, Ga. Music Funeral Services, Inc. of Lakeland, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Earlene M. Blake
Mrs. Earlene McGovern Blake, 62, of Wray, Ga., passed away Thursday evening, November 28, 2002, at the Tift General Hospital in Tifton, Ga., following an extended illness. Mrs. Blake, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was the daughter of the late George McGovern and the late Velma Carver McGovern. She was a member of Bethany Holiness Baptist Church. Mrs. Blake was the widow of the late James Wade Blake. Survivors include: one son, George Lyvonne McKinnon of Wray, Ga.; one daughter, Mona Lisa Sirmans of Homerville, Ga.; one sister, Malinda Graves of Wray, Ga.; five grandchildren, two great-granchildren, several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services were held Saturday morning, November 30, 2002, at 11 a.m., at the Bethany Holiness Baptist Church, with Rev. Farrell Harper officiating. The interment followed in the Bethany Cemetery. Special musical selections, "Don't Let the Ship Sail Without Me," and "He'll Hold To My Hand," were rendered by Rev. Farrell Harper, with Michael Harper at the piano. Active pallbearers were: Donald Van Phillips, Bobby Spires, Brandon Kirkland, Hal McCallum, Brent Kirkland, and Michael Harper. Honorary pallbearers were: Donald McCallum, Wade Spires, James Homer Day, M.J. Lott, Frank Veazey, Jr., Wayne Sayer, and Bobby Mancil. Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Cherie A. Farmer
Mrs. Cherie A. Farmer, 42, of Brentwood Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Friday, November 29, 2002, at Tift Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Farmer, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on July 19, 1960, to Lloyd Harrell and Jean Carolyn Pope Barnwell. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include: her husband, Price D. Farmer of Douglas, Ga.; mother, Jean Carolyn Bowlin of Douglas, Ga.; step-father, L.L. Bowling of Douglas, Ga.; father, Lloyd "Pete" Barnwell, Sr., of Douglas, Ga.; one step-daughter, Leeia Farmer Meeks and husband, Kyle, of West Green, Ga.; one step-son, Roy Ed Farmer and wife, Sue, of Douglas, Ga.; three sisters, Pamela V. Griggs and husband, Steve, of Marietta, Ga., Joy Barnwell White, and Jenny Lott and husband, David, all of Douglas, Ga.; two brothers, Lloyd "Hal" Barnwell, Jr., and wife, Joyce C., of Douglas, Ga., William Sage Barnwell and wife, Cindy, of Broxton, Ga.; three grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 29, 2002, at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Shep Johnson and the Rev. Greg Pope officiating. Soloist Dr. Diskin Morgan sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Peace Like A River," with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Carver Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Rand Vickers, David Griggs, Pender Mazzer, Josh Davis, Mike Davis, Drew Herndon, Ralph Farmer, and Stanley Farmer. Honorary pallbearers were David Parrish, Marcus Plymale, Jimbo Atkinson, Dr. William Guest, Ben Vickers, and David Norris. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Esteen Fussell
Mrs. Esteen Fussell, 83, of Ocilla Highway, Douglas, Ga., passed away, Tuesday, January 28, 2003, at Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross, Ga., following an extended illness. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Ga. Survivors include: one son, Danny Fussell of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Janice Soles of Augusta, Ga.; four sisters, Nellie Deal of Screven, Ga., Novis Roberson of Hortense, Ga., and Ina Thomas and Allie Waters, both of Jesup, Ga.; five brothers, Frank Wright, Elliot Wright, Lonell Wright, and Waddolin Wright, all of Screven, Ga., and Hobert Wright of Alexandria, Va.; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Fussell was preceded in death by three brothers, Hoyte Wright, Wendell Wright, and Roy Wright, and two sisters, Geneva Newgent and Ineta Clark. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2003, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Marshall Adcock officiating. Soloist Lena McQuaig sang "Amazing Grace" and "Beulah Land," with Becky Taylor accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Waycross, Ga. Active pallbearers were George Roberson, Charles Wright, Chuck Wright, Edwin Wright, Eddie Ellis, and Rodd Soles. Honorary pallbearers were the Pierce County Nursing Home employees. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Elisha Higgs
Elisha Higgs Vage, 78, of Rt. 1 Axson, Ga., passed away Monday, January 27, 2003, at his home following an extended illness. Mr. Higgs, a native of Charlton County, Ga., was born August 7, 1924, son of Elisha and Sarahan Bagley Higgs. He was a retired electric welder and farmer. Mr. Higgs was affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Survivors include: his wife, Beth Thompson Higgs of Axson, Ga.; three daughters, Linda Gail Vickers and husband, Dan, of Pearson, Ga., Ellen Altman and husband, Teddy, of Waycross, Ga., and Beth Ann Lee and husband, Chuck, of Pearson, Ga.; three sons, Elisha Higgs II and wife, Winnie, of Millwood, Ga., Sam Higgs and wife, Brenda, of Axson, Ga., and Greg Higgs of Axson, Ga.; two brothers, Ben Higgs of Axson, Ga., and Bill Higgs of Millwood, Ga.; two sisters, Lucille Davis of Millwood, Ga., and Loretta Welch of Waycross, Ga.; 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Mr. Higgs was preceded in death by three brothers, T.J. Higgs, Leo Higgs, and Vernon Higgs, and two sisters, Addie Herdon and Linnie Mae Harrell. Funeral services were held Thursday, January 30, 2003, at 2 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Pearson, Ga., with Bishop Lamar Park presiding. Elder L. H. Fussell gave the opening prayer, Bishop Lamar Park gave the eulogy, the speaker was Bishop Dan Vickers and Elder Preston Hardee gave the closing prayer. The attending congregation sang "Abide With Me Tis Even Tide" with Ellen Hardee at the piano. Ellen Hardee, pianist, played soft music for the prelude and the postlude. Interment followed in the Utah Cemetery with the dedication of the grave given by Bishop Lamar Park. Active pallbearers were grandsons Elisha (Ed) Vickers, Porter Vickers, Gerald Vickers, Cole Conley, Charles Conley, Elisha (Sonny) Higgs, and Ralph Gispert. Honorary pallbearers were grandsons Carl Bennett, Henry Mancil, Preston Hardee, C.J. Higgs, Perry Thompson, Ray Higgs, James Higgs, and Lawrence Tindall. Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Skyle Jane Sara Thompson
Infant Skyle Jane Sara Thompson, daughter of Allen Slappey Thompson and Sara Meaux passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Ga. Survivors include: mother, Sara Meaux of Douglas, Ga.; Father, Allen Slappey Thompson of Douglas, Ga.; paternal grandparents, Eula Mae Thompson and Ricky Allen Thompson, both of Douglas, Ga. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2003, at Hall Cemetery in Nicholls, Ga., with the Rev. Milton Dean officiating. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Jonathan Anderson
Mr. Jonathan Anderson, 16, of Woodduck Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Monday, January 27, 2003, in Coffee County from injuries received in an automobile accident. Mr. Anderson, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on December 5, 1986, the son of Gary Bennie Lee Anderson and Rhonda Harper Anderson. He was a student at Coffee County High School. Survivors include: his father, Gary Bennie Lee Anderson of Pearson, Ga.; his mother, Rhonda Anderson of Douglas, Ga.; two sisters, Melissa Anderson of Douglas, Ga., and Verdie Lynn Gaskins of Pearson, Ga.; two brothers, Gary Bennie Lee Anderson, Jr., of Pearson, Ga., and Garrison Dale Anderson of Douglas, Ga.; paternal grandfather, Bennie Lee Anderson of Dawson, Ga.; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Tommie Harper of Ocilla, Ga. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2003, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Clyde Purvis officiating. Interment followed in the Royals Church Cemetery in Atkinson County, Ga. Active pallbearers were Anthony Anderson, Dennis Zanders, Michael Batten, Allie Purvis, Tony Gaskin, Dennis Tannone, and Timmie Jordan. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Alton Spivey
Mr. Alton Spivey, 85, of Dollie Brock Road, Douglas, Ga.,, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Spivey, a native of Irwin County, Ga., was born on July 8, 1917, to the late Henry and Lucy Parker Spivey. He was a Deacon of St. Illa Baptist Church and was an active farmer. Survivors include: his wife, Evie Spivey of Douglas, Ga.; ons, Jimmy Spivey and wife, Shirli, Joey Spivey and wife, Kerryl, Stanley Spivey and wife, Camellia, and Isaac Brockington and wife, Linda, all of Douglas, Ga.; one brother, Clinton, Spivey of Douglas, Ga.; two sisters, Jean McNeal of Douglas, Ga., and Doris Nugent of Savannah, Ga.; 12 grandchildren, Cristie, Scott, Daniel, Clay, Nathan, Lundie, Marcus, Al, Trey, Blake, Angie, and Buddy; one great-grandson, Austin; special friends, Harvey McKinnon and Tommy Dorminey. Mr. Spivey was preceded in death by one grandchild, Shala. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Friday, January 31, 2003, at St. Illa Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jimmy McMillan, Rev. Huey Nichols, and Rev. Elisha Purvis, Jr., officiating. The St. Illa Baptist Church Choir sang "Amazing Grace," with Sharon Lott accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the St. Illa Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Daniel Spivey, Nathan Spivey, Clay Spivey, Al Spivey, Scott Luke, Marcus Day, and Buddy Brockington. Honorary pallbearers were the St. Illa Baptist Church Men's Sunday School Class, The Elon Dorminey Sunday School Class and Deacons of St. Illa Baptist Church. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Lewis Compton, Jr.
Mr. Lewis Compton, Jr., 64, of Axson, Ga., passed away Friday, January 31, 2003, at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga., following an extended illness. Mr. Compton, a native of Greenwood, Miss., was born July 13, 1938, son of Harvey Lewis and Ruthie Compton. He had lived in Macomb, Okla., and worked with the county park department before moving to Atkinson County in 1992. Survivors include: one son, Albert Lewis Compton of Pearson, Ga.; four stepsons, Naron Norris, Jr., and Donald Norris both of McCleary, Miss., John Bell of Yukon, Okla., and David Bell of Wingate, N.C.; and one daughter, Donna Compton of Pearson, Ga. Funeral services and interment were held Sunday, February 2, 2003, at 3 p.m., at Axson Cemetery with Rev. James Canada officiating. Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.

Travis Lamar Faulkner
Mr. Travis Lamar Faulkner, 55, of New Forest Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Friday, January 31, 2003, at home following an extended illness. Mr. Falkner, a native of Irwin County, Ga., was born on September 22, 1947, the son of the late Lonnie and Odessa Harper Faulkner. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the VietNam Conflict and a member of the Trinity Non-Denominational Church. Survivors include: his wife, Carolyn Garren Faulkner of Douglas, Ga.; four daughters, Glenda Dove and husband, Gary, and Susan Easters and husband, Lyndell, all of of Tifton, Ga., Beverly Johns and husband, Ernest, of Douglas, Ga., and Vicky Smith and husband, Greg, of Broxton, Ga.; four sons, Richard Hill and wife, Donna, Roger Hill and wife, Sandra, and Stanley Hill, all of Tifton, Ga., and Lonnie Faulkner of Douglas, Ga.; two brothers, Gerald Faulkner of Nicholls, Ga., and Dorman Faulkner of Douglas, Ga.; 16 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Mr. Faulkner was preceded in death by one brother, Thurston Faulkner. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Sunday, February 02, 2003, at the Trinity Non-Denominational Church, with Rev. Floyd Musgrove and Rev. Roy Davis, Jr., officiating. Soloist David Kirkland sang "Long, Long Journey" and "Stroll Over Heaven," with Susie Kirkland accompanying at the piano. Also soloist Mark Taylor sang "When I Cross That River." Interment followed at the Douglas City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Ken Corbett, Dexter Kirkland, Teddy Lott, Joel Duren, and Lavon Browning. Honorary pallbearers were Rob Smith, George Dockery, Jerry Pope, Clarence Smith, Jr., Kim Corbett, Mark Merritt, and Johnny Royals. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.