Alvin Wayne Aders
2-26-2001
Alvin Wayne Aders, 53, passed away Monday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2001, at Shady Haven Personal Care home following a courageous battle with cancer. A native of Greenville, KY, he had lived in Blackshear since May of 2000. He was a truck driver and a Vietnam veteran. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of the American Truck Drivers Association. He was a son of the late Alvin Aders. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda (Steve) Sellers of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; a son and daughter-in-law, James (Debbie) Dixon of Douglas; his mother, Clara Bell Hall of Greenville, KY; four brothers, Douglas Aders of Paudaucha, KY, and Gary Aders, Jerry Aders and Randy Hall, all of Greenville; his ex-wife and very special friend, Dorothy Sarine of Blackshear; six grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services for Mr. Aders will be held Thursday morning, March 1, 2001, at 11 a.m. from the Pearson-Treadwell Chapel. Rev. Ralph Raney will be officiating. Interment will be in the Waters Cemetery. Visitation for Mr. Aders will be held Wednesday evening, Feb, 28, 2001, from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

John Ronald Jones I
2-24-2001
John Ronald Jones I, 54, passed away suddenly Saturday afternoon, Feb. 24, 2001, in Waycross. He was a native of Edison, GA, but had lived most of his life in Florida. Mr. Jones was employed in agriculture sales and supplies and was of the Baptist faith. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his daughter, Missy Kay Stehlin (Rob) of Plantation, FL; son, John Ronald Jones, II of Tampa; two grandchildren, Savannah and Robby Stehlin of Plantation, FL; parents, Robert S. Jones and Ethel Bell Jones of Waycross; two sisters, Donna Shepherd (David) of Waycross, Annie Magann (Sonny) of Irving, CA; one brother, Robert E. Jones (Jan) of Covington, GA and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A memorial service took place Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2001, at 7 p.m. at Jamestown Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Jamestown Baptist Youth Fund or Southeast Cancer Unit. Smith Funeral Home in Blackshear was in charge.

Everette C. Courson
2-14-2001
Everette C. Courson, 93, of Blackshear passed away Wednesday night, Feb. 14, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. He was a native of Brantley County, but had lived most of his life in Pierce County. He was preceded in death by his wife, Macy Lee Clark Courson, his parents, Johnny Courson and Mary Ellen Strickland, two sons, John Courson and Mack Courson, and a daughter, Francis Grimes. Mr. Courson was a retired farmer and of the Baptist faith. He is survived by a daughter, Linda Sue Ellis (David) of Blackshear; four grandchildren, Gale Spivey (Dannie) of Blackshear, Anita Courson of Blackshear, Barbara Bullard (Garry) of Patterson and Kim Ellis of Blackshear; three great-grandchildren, Sandra Roberts (Lester) of Blackshear, Garry H. Bullard, Jr. of Mershon and Michell Bullard of Waycross; four great-great grandchildren, Jonathan Bullard of Mershon, Destiny Bullard of Waycross, Anna Roberts of Blackshear and Brittany Bullard of Mershon, and a daughter-in-law, Una Lee Courson of Blackshear, and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Smith Funeral Home. Burial was in the Shiloh Cemetery. Visitation was held Friday evening, Feb. 16, 2001, from 7-9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Blackshear. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Leona Howell Clark
2-15-2001
Leona Howell Clark, 81, passed away Thursday night, Feb. 15, 2001, at the Baptist Village Nursing Home following a long illness. A native of Charlton County, GA, she had lived most of her life in Pierce County and Jacksonville. She was a homemaker and a member of the Blackshear First Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Blackshear High School class of 1939 and was preceded in death by her parents, Miles and Verdia Carter Howell, and a daughter, Wanda Gail Clark. Survivors are her husband, Dalton C. “D.C.” Clark of Baptist Village; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Wade (Sharon) Clark of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Eric Clark of Jacksonville; three sisters, Angie Courson of Blackshear, Vilee Clark of Jesup and Lois Carter of Puyallup, WA; a brother, Geraldon Howell (Sandy) of Waycross; two grandchildren, Christi Hetzel of West Palm Beach and Christopher Dalton Clark of Jacksonville and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services for Mrs. Clark were held Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2001, at 2:30 from the Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was in Oakland Cemetery. Rev. Tom Edwards and Elder Phillip Nichols officiated. Interment was in Oakland Cemetery with Ray Howell, Charles Howell, Revis Courson, Mel Prescott, Travis Courson and Ralph Clark serving as pall-bearers. Visitation for Mrs. Clark was held Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Warren C. “Bug” Callahan, Jr.
2-16-2001
Warren C. “Bug” Callahan, 78, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 16, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. He was a native of Ware County and lived most of his life in Pierce and Ware Counties. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, W.C. Callahan, Sr. and Elizabeth Jowers Callahan and a step-mother, Stella Cochran Callahan. Mr. Callahan was retired from the Derst Bakery Co. with 21 years of service. He was a member of Kettle Creek Southern Congregational Methodist Church, where his son Danny Callahan is the minister. He was also a former member of the Ware County Exchange Club. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving in WWII. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Doris Eunice Callahan of Waycross, three sons, David Callahan (Linda) of Waycross; Rev. Danny Callahan (Brenda) of Blackshear and Greg Callahan (Sharon) of Blackshear; a daughter, Becky Chancey (Terry) of Waycross; eight grandchildren, Christel Bell (John) of Norman, AR; Stephonie Goddard (Chris) of Waycross; Misty Callahan of Blackshear; Holli Deloach (Trey) of Patterson; Angie Justice (Toby) of Waycross; Tisch Callahan of Blackshear and her fiancee, Jack Harris of Waycross; Scott Callahan of Blackshear; Christopher Chancey of Waycross; two great grandchildren, Dawson Goddard of Waycross; Tristan DeLoach of Patterson; six brothers, Cleo Callahan (Alice) of Waycross; Francis Callahan (Vivian) of Waycross; Herbert Callahan of Blackshear; Carrol Callahan (Agnes) of Blackshear; Harry Callahan (Dixie Lou) of St. Mary’s, GA; William Callahan (Mary) of Blackshear; two half-brothers, Lamar Cochran of Blackshear and Joe Cochran (Collene) of Blackshear, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. A funeral service was held Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at 3 p.m. at Kettle Creek Southern Congregational Methodist Church. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation was held Saturday evening, Feb 17, 2001, from 7-9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Blackshear. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lander J. Boatright
2-18-2001
Lander J. Boatright, 76, passed away Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center following a long illness. The Bacon County native lived most of his life in Bacon and Pierce Counties and was a retired auto mechanic. An Army Veteran of WWII, he had served in the Pacific Theater of operations. He attended Coffee Wesleyan Methodist Church was a son of the late Lon Boatright. Survivors are his wife, Doris Steedley Boatright of Mershon; four daughters and sons-in-law, Bobbie Clough of Blackshear, Dale (Melvin) Waters of Nichols, Gail (Ruby) White of Alma, Linda (J.R.) Miles of Mershon, two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry (Judy) Boatright and Wallace (Carol) Boatright, all of Mershon; his mother, Ruby Harris Hallman of Alma, two special friends, Jeff Ellis of Bristol and Tommy Wilcox of Mershon; 21 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and several other relatives. Services for Mr. Boatright were held Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2001, at 2 p.m. from Wesley Chapel Church. Brother Glenn Rainey officiated. Interment was in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, 2001. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Geneva Gray Geiger Parrott
2-13-2001
Geneva a Gray Geiger Parrott, 84, passed away Tuesday morning, Feb. 13, 2001, at North Fulton Regional Hospital in Alpharetta following a long illness. She was a native of Hoboken but had lived most of her life in Blackshear. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Waycross and the King Daughters of the American Revolution. Her parents were the late Milton and Annie Gray. Her second husband was the late Quay Parrot and her first husband was the late Aubrey Geiger. She is survived by her two sons, Michael Geiger (Marcia) of Richmond, VA, and Jerry Geiger (Dara) of Alpharetta; four grandchildren, Terri Leone (John), Ken Geiger, Ashleigh and Matt Geiger; three grandchildren, Anna Michael and Katie Leone. A funeral service was conducted Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Burial followed in Blackshear Cemetery. The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, at Music Funeral Home. Music Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ben Russell Walker
2-06-2001
Ben Russell Walker, 89, passed away early Tuesday afternoon, February 6, 2001, at his residence following a short illness. A native and life-long resident of Pierce County, he was a retired chief registrar for Pierce County after 25 years if service and was a farmer. He was a member of the Pierce County Farm Bureau, the Pierce County Nursing Home Board, the former Pierce County Hospital Authority and the Pierce County Hunting Club. He was also a former chairman of the Pierce County FFA committee. He was a son of the late E. Fleming and Cassie Sweat Walker and was also preceded in death by his wife, Malissa Ann Dixon Walker, who passed away in 1987 and by a daughter, Shealy Greene, who passed away in 1997. Survivors are three daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra (Nelson) Whitaker of Blackshear; Anne (Tom) Lane of Marietta; Patsy (Jimmy) Walker of Jacksonville; a son, Derek Walker of Blackshear; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services for Mr. Walker were held Friday morning, Feb. 9, 2001, at 11 a.m. from the Person-Treadwell Chapel. Interment was in the Shiloh Cemetery. Visitation for Mr. Walker was held Thursday evening, Feb. 8, 2001, from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lucille Pierce Waters
Lucille Pierce Waters, 89, passed away early Friday morning, Feb. 9, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center following several years of declining health. A native of Lanier County, she had lived in Pierce County for most of her life. She was a housewife and a charter member of Hacklebarney Baptist Church, where she was in the Senior Adult Sunday School Class. She was a daughter of the late Chandler and Dora Richardson Pierce and was also preceded in death by her sister, Dicie Mullis, her brother, Cecil Pierce and a grandson, Linton Strickland. Survivors are two daughters and a son-in-law, Latrelle Strickland of St. Marys and Lavern and Allen Nelson of Alma; a son and daughter-in-law, James and Laverne Waters of Blackshear; seven grandchildren, Dewayne Strickland, Alton and Thelma Strickland, Ray and Betty Strickland, Major Strickland, Connie and Larry Crawford, Allen and Teresa Nelson, Jr. and Sonja and Alvin Hunsinger, 17 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services for Mrs. Waters were held Sunday afternoon, Feb. 11, 2001, at 2:30 p.m. from Hacklebarney Baptist Church. Officiating were Pastor Marshall Dixon, Rev. Brooks Hampton and Rev. Tommy Lockhart. Interment was in Oakland Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Larry Crawford, Ray Strickland, Allen Jr. Nelson, J.W. Bowen, Glynn Chancey and Donnie James. Honorary pallbearers were Kenneth Bennett, Ray Riggins, Donald Dixon, Toney Sharpe, L.D. Pearson, John Brooks, Larry Lane, Mathie Waldron and Neal Bennett. Visitation for Mrs. Waters was held Saturday evening, Feb. 10, 2001, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Addie Vesta Kicklighter
2-08-2001
Addie Vesta Kicklighter, 86, passed away Thursday night, Feb. 8, 2001, at the Baptist Village Nursing Home after an extended illness. She was a native of Folkston and a longtime resident of Pierce and Ware Counties. She was the wife of the late Jesse Allen Kicklighter and the daughter of the late Berry H. Aldridge and Mettie Chesser Aldridge. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Luree Dowling, and three brothers, Owen Aldridge, Walter Aldridge and Claude Aldridge. She worked at Baptist Village Nursing Home for several years before retirement. She was a member of Waycross Primitive Baptist Church. She is survived by two sons, George Mitchell Kicklighter and his wife, Mary Ann of Kingsland, GA and Ray Kicklighter of Lawrenceville, GA; a daughter, Sandra K. Henderson (Andy) of Buford, GA; four sisters, Georgia Whiddon and Evelyn Fowler, both of Waycross, Lucille Harris of Tifton and Jewel Griffin of Brunswick; two brothers, B.H. Aldridge and Edwin Aldridge, both of Waycross; two step sisters, Mildred Roberson of Waycross and Mary Jolly of Statenville, GA; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A funeral service was held Sunday, Feb. 11, 2001, at 3 p.m. at Waycross Primitive Baptist Church. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001. Arrangements were with the Miles-Odum Funeral Home.

Stephen Michael Stewart
2-08-2001
Infant Stephen Michael Stewart, son of Rev. Keith and Beth Stewart of Blackshear, passed away Thursday evening, Feb. 8, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center. Keith is the Associate Pastor/Minister of Education at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear. He formerly served at First Baptist Church in Waycross. Stephen is also survived by a sister, Hannah, and a brother, Braden Stewart, both also of Blackshear. A private graveside service will he held Saturday morning, Feb. 10, 2001, at Waters Cemetery in Blackshear. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Fredrich H. Moore
2-11-2001
Fredrich H. Moore, 66, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 11, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. He was a native of Pythan, AL, but had lived many years in Savannah before moving to Hoboken in 1987. Mr. Moore was preceded in death by his parents Howard Moore and Louise Norman Moore. Mr. Moore retired from Rheems Inc., in Savannah from the maintenance department. He was also employed with Waycross Molding for several years. Mr. Moore was a member of the Church of Christ in Blackshear. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Flora Moore of Hoboken, three sisters, Katie Dubbs and Evelyn Clark, both of Jacksonville, FL; and Iris Dalton of San Marcos, CA; a brother, Bobby Moore of TX, and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many special friends. A graveside service was held Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery. Visitation was held Monday, Feb. 12, 2001, from 7-9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Blackshear. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to a favorite charities. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

William D. Tanner
2-11-2001
William D. Tanner, 64, passed away Sunday night, Feb. 11, 2001, after an extended illness. He was a native of Blackshear but lived several years in Atlanta before moving back to Blackshear in 1973. He was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Lane Tanner and a brother, Leslie E. “Pickle” Tanner. Mr. Tanner was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Blackshear and a former member of the Blackshear Lions Club. Mr. Tanner was retired from Ware Correctional Institute as a Correctional officer. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Tanner of Blackshear, his mother, Susie Pate Tanner of Blackshear, five daughters, Susan R. Boatright (Steve) of Bristol; Terri Altman (Michael) of Blackshear; Cathy T. Moore (Brian) of Raleigh, NC; Jacie Tanner of Blackshear and Jordan Leigh Tanner of Blackshear; five grandchildren, Chaz and Chandler Boatright of Bristol, Chase and Bryce Altman of Blackshear and Maxx Bizzell of Blackshear; a brother, Frank Tanner (Donna) of Blackshear; a sister-in-law, Peggy Tanner of Vallijo, CA and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, at 11 a.m. First United Methodist Church in Blackshear. Burial will be Blackshear City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, from 7-9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Blackshear. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Calvin Delano Bennett, Sr.
2-12-2001
Calvin Delano Bennett, Sr., 65, passed away early Monday morning, Feb. 12, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness. A native and lifelong resident of Pierce County, he was a self-employed farmer and a member of Alabaha Freewill Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He was a United States Air Force veteran, having served during the Korean conflict, a 1954 graduate of Blackshear High School and also had attended South Georgia College in Douglas and Armstrong College in Savannah. In 1982, he was chosen as Pierce County’s Farmer if the Year. He was a son of the late James Ehrlich and Nettie Pearl Manning Bennett, Sr. Survivors are his wife, Mary Elizabeth Cobb Bennett of Blackshear; three sons and daughters-in-law, Calvin (Donna) Bennett, Jr., Ashley (Sharon) Bennett, Ramsey (Charlene) Bennett, all of Blackshear; four brothers, J.E. (Ann) Bennett, Jr., Kenneth (Faye) Bennett, Wallace (Linda) Bennett and Stanley (Ann) Bennett, all of Blackshear; two sisters, Quindolyn Flannery of Blackshear and JoAnna (James) Bridges of Valdosta and six grandchildren, Jordan Bennett, Josh Bennett, Paige Bennett, Calvin Bennett, III, Shawn King and Jennifer Dixon. There are several other nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services for Mr. Bennett will be held Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 14, 2001, at 2 p.m. from the Pearson-Treadwell Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Allen Carter and Dr. Tom Lightsey. Interment will be in the Alabaha Cemetery. Visitation for Mr. Bennett will be held Tuesday evening, Feb. 13, 2001, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Alabaha Freewill Baptist Church Building Fund. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Sadie Rowell Lucas
2-01-2001
Sadie Rowell Lucas, 83, passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 1, 2001, at Satilla Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. She was a native of Jeff Davis County but had lived in Ware County since 1937. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert D. Lucas, her parents, Richard Rowell and Mamie Swain Rowell, a son, Robert David “Bobby” Lucas, Jr. and a grandson, Michael Franken. Mrs. Lucas was a homemaker and a longtime member of Hebardville Baptist Church. She was a past member of the Eastern Star and the Okefenokee Grandmothers Club. She is survived three daughters , Ware County’s Coroner, Atha Lucas of Waycross, Wanda L. Aspinwall and Mamie Kay Lucas, both of Waycross; two sons, Sidney R. Lucas (Patricia) and Louis F. Lucas (Jean), all of Waycross; 11 grandchildren, (she reared two, Frannie Aspinwall of Waycross and J.R. Aspinwall (Leslie) of Atlanta); Gregg Franken (Donna) of Alma; David Lucas (Tammy) of Broxton; Timmy Lucas (Dana) of Waycross; Dusty Lucas of Douglas; Bobby Crowe of Waycross, Beth Lucas of Waycross; Christina Taylor (Pokey) of Blackshear; Kathy Holmes (Bubba) of Homerville; Lynn Snyder (Christopher) of Marietta; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Mae Murray of Waycross; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. A graveside service was held Saturday, Feb 3, 2001,at 3 p.m. at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation was held Friday evening, Feb. 2, 2001, from 7-9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Blackshear. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ruby McBee O’Neal
2-04-2001
Ruby McBee O’Neal, 82, passed away Sunday night, Feb. 4, 2001, at Baptist Village after an extended illness. She was a native of Brantley County, but had lived most of her life in St. Augustine, FL, before moving to Blackshear in 1981. She was preceded in death by her husband, Spencer Albert O’Neal, Sr., her parents, James McBee and Callie Todd McBee, and a daughter, Elizabeth Smith. Mrs. O’Neal was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in St. Augustine, FL. She is survived by two daughters, Doris Serfass of Blackshear; Mary Cannin (Jim) of Sebring, FL; sons Spencer Albert O’Neal, Jr. (Mary Lou) of Blackshear; Richard O’Neal (Mary Joyce) of Ufalla, AL; 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Morris J. McBee of Blackshear; Albert McBee of New London, CT; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A memorial service will be held Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 7, 2001, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Smith Funeral Home in Blackshear. Memorialization will be by cremation. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.