Henry Lee Taylor
VALDOSTA -- Henry Lee Taylor, Valdosta, died Saturday, April 29, 2000 at his home after a brief illness. He was the eldest of 10 children born on Jan. 11, 1919 to William Taylor and Willie Lou Johnson Taylor in Houston County. He was raised in Hawkinsville (Pulaski County). At an early age, he joined Oak Grove Baptist Church in Pulaski County. After reaching adulthood, he moved to Ray City and later Winter Haven, Fla., and worked at various jobs. Then he moved to Valdosta. On April 10, 1943, he married Katherine Williams. Two children were born to this union. His wife preceded him in death in 1979. He retired from the City of Valdosta as a mechanic in 1980. After moving to Valdosta, he joined New Jerusalem Baptist Church where he served on the usher board. He is survived by one devoted daughter, Ruby Lee Hezekiah (John Wesley), Valdosta; one son, Undra Taylor Sr. (Tammy), Villa Rica; three granddaughters, Stephanie and Shanika Hezekiah, Valdosta, and Tamera Taylor, Villa Rica; four grandsons, Kenneth Hezekiah (Teresa), Stone Mountain, Thurston Hezekiah, Lithia Springs; Undra Taylor Jr., and Jamal Henry Taylor, Villa Rica; three great-grandchildren, Jamieson Hezekiah, Bainbridge, YaMaya Crawford, Valdosta and Casey Taylor, Stone Mountain; two sisters, Daisy Lester and Anna Mitchell, Orlando, Fla.; four brothers, Joseph Taylor (Mattie), S.B. Taylor (Lula Mae), Houston County, William Taylor (Lillie Ruth), Orlando, Fla. and Edward Taylor (Ruby), Lake Wells, Fla.; five sisters-in-law, Janie and Emma Taylor, Orlando, Fla., Calreatha Taylor, Hawkinsville, Mary Williams, Valdosta, and Isabella Williams, Detroit, Mich.; two brothers-in-law, Willie Butler and Turner Copeland, Valdosta and a host of sorrowing nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special friends, Jack Gaines and Michelle Lawson and her daughter of Valdosta and Deborah Pridgen of Rochelle survive. Three brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Special thanks to Jeanette Allen, Hilda Hollis, Allece Harvey and Grace Jones of Valdosta. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Jerusalem Baptist Church. The pastor is Bro. Charles Carr Jr. Pastor William Clay Morgan will officiate. Burial services will be in the family plot in Hawkinsville immediately after the funeral service. -- Harrington Funeral Home

Jimmie Lee Anderson
Jimmie Lee Anderson, 75, Valdosta, passed this life on May 3, 2000 at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later by the funeral home. -- Harrington Funeral Home

Estella "Sis" Carter
Estella "Sis" Carter, 89, Naylor, departed this life April 29, 2000 at Lakeland Villa Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Lewis Baptist Church. The Rev. Timothy Riser is pastor and the Rev. David Moore will officiate. Burial will follow in Naylor Cemetery. -- Harrington Funeral Home

Lawrence "Ship" Carter
Lawrence "Ship" Carter, 89, Quitman, passed away on April 29, 2000 at his residence in Quitman. The family will receive friends from 7-8 tonight at the Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home Chapel in Quitman. Funeral services will be held ar 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Shumate Street Church of Christ in Quitman with Minister Dr. Willie L. Davis, pastor, and Brother Clay L. Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery in Quitman. -- Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home

Grady Henry Railey
Grady Henry Railey, 92, Albany, died May 4, 2000 at Palmyra Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mathews Funeral Home. Burial will be held in Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 tonight at Mathews Funeral Home in Albany. -- Mathews Funeral Home

Lottie Pearl West
Lottie Pearl West, 43, Valdosta, departed this life on May 1, 2000 at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at Victory Tabernacle Church, 820 Magnolia St. Pastor Wilma J. Bussey will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. -- Harrington Funeral Home

Gladys Eldridge Courson
LAKELAND -- Gladys Eldridge Courson, 71, of Lakeland, passed away early Tuesday morning, Oct. 3, 2000 at Louis Smith Memorial Hospital from a lengthy illness. She was born in Columbus and had lived in Lakeland most of her life. She was a member of Lakeland Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Courson. Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Alardis Eldridge of Enterprise, Ala.; a special niece, Danya Smith, of Lakeland; two great-nephews, Lance Bradford and Kenneth Smith, both of Lakeland; and a number of other nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 at Lakeland Church of God. Burial will follow in Guthrie Cemetery. Mrs. Courson will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Visitation will begin after 1 p.m. today with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 tonight. -- Music Funeral Services Inc.

Melba Hall Ellis
QUITMAN -- Melba Hall Ellis, 78, of Quitman, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000 in Savannah after a brief illness. Born in Egypt, Ga., she was the daughter of Ivy and Janie Padgett Hall. She was a homemaker and member of the Philadelphia Baptist Church where she was an active member of the WMU. She is survived by her husband, Charles Ellis of Quitman; two sons, Stan (Latresa) Ellis, Craig (Sissy) Ellis, all of Quitman; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Carolyn (Glenn) Ellis of Valdosta, Reba (Lewis) Wiggins of Savannah; five brothers, Curtis (Mary Alice) Hall, Alfred (Mildred) Hall, Charles (Billie) Hall, Russell Hall and Ervin (Linda) Hall, all of Savannah; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Philadelphia Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Bussey, the Rev. Thilmon Vonier, the Rev. Jeff Carter and the Rev. James Hancock officiating. Burial will follow in Philadelphia Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 tonight at the funeral home. -- Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home

Charles Harper
NASHVILLE -- Charles Harper, 64, of Nashville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 at Berrien County Hospital. He was born Oct. 23, 1935 in Rockdale County to the late Victor Harper and Willie Garvin Harper. He was a retired compliance officer with the C&S Banking group in Atlanta. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Monroe and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include two daughters, Christi Lynn Budd of Nashville and Tammy Harris of Clayton; two sons, Charles Robert Harper Jr. of Loganville, Ala. and Scott Harper of Birmingham, Ala.; a stepson, Russell Whitman of Atlanta; a sister, Frances Reed of Atlanta; and two grandchildren, Lindsey Bingham and Zachary Budd. Services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 in the chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Southerland officiating. Interment will be at 3 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, Oct. 6 in Clay County Memorial Gardens in Lineville, Ala. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Thursday. -- Lovein Funeral Home

Gloria Parrish Howell
LAKELAND -- Gloria Parrish Howell, 73, of Lakeland, passed away Monday morning, Oct. 2, 2000 at South Georgia Medical Center from a lengthy illness. She was born in Cook County and had lived in Lakeland most of her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lakeland. She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Howell. Survivors include two sons and daughter-in-law, Michael Parrish and Christy Howell of Valdosta, Franklin David "Bubba" Howell of Lakeland; one daughter, Carolyn Leigh Howell of Lakeland; eight grandchildren, Dionne Sirmans, Wade Weeks, Tonya Howell, David Howell, Mack Howell, John Howell, Altman Howell and Evelyn Howell; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Lonnie Parrish of Vienna, Va.; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Lakeland with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery. Mrs. Howell will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Visitation will begin after 1 p.m. today with the family receiving friends from 7-9 tonight. -- Music Funeral Services, Inc.

Richard Harvey Keeling Sr.
PINETTA, Fla. -- Richard Harvey Keeling Sr., 93, of Pinetta, Fla., died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 in Valdosta. He is a native of Madison County, Fla., and lived all of his life in Pinetta, Fla. He was a retired builder and member of Pinetta First Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Prudence H. Keeling of Pinetta; son, Richard Harvey Keeling Jr., of Pinetta; daughter, Ellen Torof of Tallahassee, Fla.; two grandchildren, Heidi and Jason Torof of Tallahassee. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Pinetta First Methodist Church, Pinetta. Burial will be in Mt. Horeb Cemetery, Pinetta. The family will receive friends from 6-8 this evening at Beggs Funeral Home, Madison Chapel. -- Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel

Martha Carter Nash Moore
HOMERVILLE -- Martha Carter Nash Moore, 66, of Homerville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 at the South Georgia Medical Center following a short illness. A native of Wheeler County, she had lived in Clinch County since 1965. She was retired from Brockway Standard and was a member of the Shiloh Southern Congregational Methodist Church. She was the daughter of the late Ed Carter and Annie Powell Carter and widow of Charles Nash. Survivors are three daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanette and Hank Kenney, Homerville, Judy and John Henry, Brunswick and Ellen and John Sirmans, Homerville; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert and Brenda Nash and Roger Nash, all of Homerville; three sisters, Eddie Eason of Claxton, Syble Palmer and Saleen F. Salis, both of Orlando, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Edward Selph, Elaine Selph, Jena Sirmans, Tanya Sirmans, Ellen Lee Siermans, Lee Nash and Leigh Ann Nash, all of Homerville, Amy Marshall of Jesup and Julian Russell of Blackshear; four great-grandchildren, Kylee Shaw and Edward Bennett, both of Homerville, and Cynthia Taylor and Linsey Taylor, both of Jesup; and several other relatives. Funeral services for Mrs. Moore will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Shiloh Southern Congregrational Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Keith Chauncey and the Rev. Talmadge Guess. Mrs. Moore will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight with visitation after 4 p.m. -- Roundtree Funeral Home of Homerville

Rebecca Worley Chaney
Rebecca Worley Chaney, 93, of Moultrie, died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 at Memorial Convalescent Center of Adel. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m.Thursday at Purvis-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Morris Davis and the Rev. Harris Whitman officiating. Burial will be held in Leila Church Cemetery in Colquitt County. Visitation will begin after 3 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6-9 this evening at the funeral home. -- Purvis-Roberts Funeral Home, Adel

Lillie Mae Huckeba
QUITMAN -- Lillie Mae Huckeba, 91 of Quitman, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2000 at South Georgia Medical Center after a short illness. She was born on Nov. 5, 1908 to the late Frank and Beatrice Gore Walls. She was a retired owner and operator of a grocery store in Tifton and of the Baptist Faith. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Tillman H. and Lucy Huckeba of Baton Rouge, La.; six grandchildren, Gary L. Huckeba and Christopher Huckeba, both of Baton Rouge, La., Brian S. Huckeba of Los Angeles, Calif., Duane Perry of Atlanta, Cheryl McAllister of Maleska, Ga., and Carol Singletary of Valdosta. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. in Oakridge Cemetery in Tifton. -- Carson McLane Funeral Home

Oma Williams Perry
CLYATTVILLE -- Oma Williams Perry, 84, of Clyattville, passed away Saturday morning, Sept. 30, 2000 at home, 6634 Clyattville-Lake Park Road, following a long illness. Mrs. Perry, a native and lifelong resident of Lowndes County, is the wife of J.C. "Buster" Perry, one of the county's most successful black farmers and landowners. Mrs. Perry, the mother of 10, was a lifetime homemaker and was married for 68 years to Mr. Perry. They celebrated their 68th anniversary this summer. She was baptized as a youth at Second Oak Grove Baptist Church, Clyattville, and became a member of the Francis Lake AME Church in the years following their marriage. One son, Mr. Roman Edward Perry (Rose) preceded her in death, along with an infant daughter. Following a heart attack and strokes, Mrs. Perry was lovingly cared for by her family for eight years at home. Survivors include her husband, Mr. J.C. Perry; nine children, Mr. Robert L. Perry (Naomi-deceased), Mrs. LaVerne Shiver-Carter (Sully), Mrs. Mary Nell Bryant (LaBarfield) of Jasper, Fla., Mr. James C. Perry Jr. (Mildred), Mr. Bernard Perry (Sheena), Mr. Leonard Perry (JoAnne), Mrs. Linda P. Denton (Lonnie), Mr. Donald A. Perry (Marilyn) of Lithonia, and Mrs. Velma Miles (John); 27 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; special caregiver Diann Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends ... who affectionately called Mrs. Perry "Granny" and Mr. Perry "Papa." The funeral will be at noon Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000 at Francis Lake AME Church, Lake Park. The body will be at the church by 10 a.m. for visitation until noon. The Rev. Larry L. Mack, officiating pastor, will handle the home-going services. Interment will follow at the Frances Lake Church cemetery. Dinner will be served at Camp RELITSO (Clyattville) following the services. Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta is in charge of the arrangements. Flowers will be accepted, or the family has requested that contributions be made to The American Heart Association or to the Francis Lake AME Missionary Society.

Ruth Lee Sherman
LAKELAND -- Ruth Lee Sherman, 91, of Lakeland passed away early Sunday morning, Oct. 1, 2000 in the Lakeland Villa Convalescent Center after a lengthy illness. She was born in Berrien County and had lived in Lakeland most of her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lakeland. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Lee Sollami and Willie Edna "Bill" Johnson and one brother, Mose Lee. Survivors include, two sisters, Idelle Lee Carter and Vivian Lee Exum, both of Lakeland; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000 in the Lakeland Chapel of Music Funeral Services, Inc., with burial following in Beaver Dam Cemetery in Ray City. Visitation will begin after 2 p.m. today with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. tonight. -- Music Funeral Services, Inc. of Lakeland

Gloria Parrish Howell
Gloria Parrish Howell, 73, of Lakeland passed away Oct. 2, at South Georgia Medical Center from a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Lakeland, Ga. with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery. Mrs. Howell will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday night. -- Music Funeral Services, Inc. of Lakeland is serving the family.

Ruth Tyler Wilkes Hiers
LAKELAND -- Ruth Tyler Wilkes Hiers, 96, of Lakeland, passed away late Sunday afternoon, Oct. 1, 2000, at Lakeland Villa Convalescent Center after a lengthy illness. She was born in Lanier County June 26, 1904, and lived here all of her life. She was a Charter member of Pleasant Way Baptist Church. She was a former schoolteacher. She was preceded in death by her father, Rev. Noah Tyler, her mother Lucinda Tyler, five sisters, Clifford Tyler, Eliza Tyler, Fannie Cross, Ola Mae Willis, Valeria Nix, and Bell Drawdy, and three brothers, William J. Tyler, Noah Tyler and Earnest Tyler. She was also the widow of John A. Wilkes, Sr. and Charlie Hiers. Survivors include two daughters, Kathryn and John Irick of Naylor, and Betty Ruth and Gene Gaskins of Naylor; two sons, John A. and Betty Wilkes of Naylor, and Jimmy and Delores Wilkes of Naylor; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000, at Pleasant Way Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Watson officiating. Visitation will begin after 3 p.m. with family and friends receiving friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight. -- Music Funeral Services, Inc.

Charles H. Keene
VALDOSTA -- Charles H. Keene, 84, of Valdosta died Sunday, Oct. 1, 2000, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born in Brooks County on July 9, 1916, to the late James W. and Annie Mae Finch Keene and had lived in this area all of his life. Mr. Keene was retired from Smith Motors as the parts department manager and was a member of St. John Catholic Church. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Mr. Keene was a member of the American Legion, a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1966 and an honorary life member since 1991. Survivors include his daughter, Mary Jane Keene of Valdosta; and his sister, Grace Johnson of Lake Park. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Doerr Keene and a son, Charles L. Keene. Funeral services will be held at 12:10 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000, at St. John Catholic Church with Fr. John O'Brien and Fr. Marvin LeFrois officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview memoral Gardens. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. today at St. John Catholic Church with visitation following until 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. John Catholic Church Building Fund. -- Carson McLane Funeral Home.

Marcus Vincent Roberson II
LAKE PARK -- Marcus Vincent Roberson II, 22, 5518 Green Spur Road, Lake Park, died Sept. 28, 2000. Marcus was born on Sept. 30, 1977, in Valdosta to the late Elder Marcus V. Roberson and the late Evangelist Margie Davis Roberson Lundy. He attended the Lowndes County Schools and Valdosta Technical Institute. He joined the United States Navy in 1997. He is survived by his daughter, Amaria Tionna Roberson of Tallahassee, Fla.; two sisters, Crystal Roberson of Tallahassee and Roshauna Collins of Ft. Valley; two brothers, Theodore Roberson of Valdosta and Elijah Collins of Atlanta; his nephew, Cameron Smith of Tallahassee; god-sister and brother, Barbara Copeland and Michael Little, both of Valdosta; a special god-sister, Kortney Bussey of Valdosta; his stepfather, Pastor Tyrone Lundy; grandmothers, Bennie Roberts of Ocala, Fla., and Dorothy Davis of Valdosta; grandfathers, Jay Dee Davis of Perry, Fla., and Hubert Paul of Defuniak Springs, Fla.; his godmother, Evangelist Patricia Collins of Valdosta.; his aunts, Vereen Johnson (Allen), Cheryl Williams, Wanda Ghee (John), Debbie Davis, and Cassandra Paul; his uncles, Jay Dee Davis (Dorothy), Robert Davis, Roger Davis, Theodore Roberson, George Paul, and Willie James "Jimmy" Roberson (Maggie); special cousins and friends, Antwan, Willie, Eric, Chad, Trent, Jake, Tsivory, Corey, Raymond, Sergio, and Robert. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the All Nations Deliverance Center. Elder Willie Flowers is pastor and Evangelist Julia Berry will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. -- Harrington Funeral Home, Inc.

James M. (Jim) Wasson
HAHIRA -- James M. (Jim) Wasson, 67, of Hahira, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born on Oct. 10, 1932 in Fayette County, Ky., to the late Henry and Maebelle Brady Wasson. Mr. Wasson was a member of Bethany Baptist Church, retired from the United States Air Force after serving 26 years and then worked as an air conditioning technician with SAFT for 15 years. He was also a member of the Moody Masonic Lodge #719, a member of the Kentucky Colonels and a 4-H volunteer leader. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Coppage Wasson of Hahira; three daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Norris Cooper of Moultrie, Patricia and Marvin Barlow of Omaha, Neb., and Leslie and Jamie Brock of Dublin; five grandchildren, Marvin Barlow of Omaha, Neb., Kendall, Kelsey and Kirby Cooper of Moultrie, and Kelly Brock of Dublin; one sister and brother-in-law, Viola and John Young of Lexington, Ky. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Maebelle Brady Wasson and his stepfather, Charles F. McCall, Sr. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000, in the Bethany Baptist Church with Rev. Don Smith officiating. Burial will be in Cat Creek Cemetery. Mr. Wasson will lie in state in the church for one hour prior to service time. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the Martin McLane Funeral Home in Hahira. -- Martin McLane Funeral Home.

Oma Williams Perry
Mrs. Oma Williams Perry, 84, died Sept. 30, 2000, at her residence. She lived at 6634 Clyattville-Lake Park Rd. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Wed. Oct. 4, 2000 at Francis Lake A.M.E. Church, in Lake Park. Rev. Larry L. Mack, Pastor, will officiate. -- Stevens Funeral Home.