Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Mary Jane Davenport
ELLAVILLE — Mrs. Mary Jane Davenport, 71, of 546 Ebenezer Road, Ellaville, died peacefully Monday morning, July 30, 2007 at the Columbus Hospice House in Columbus. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1 in the chapel of Watson-Giddens Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Ellaville Cemetery. The Rev. Andy Taunton and the Rev. Robert Orr will officiate.
A resident of Ellaville since 1961, Mrs. Davenport was born Aug. 12, 1935 in Gadsden, Ala., the daughter of Lewis Guice Lyles and Margaret Eva Lyles. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she was a homemaker and retired Schley County school system educator.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Frank Davenport; one son and daughter in law, Benny and Cindy Davenport of Phenix City, Ala.; two daughters and sons in law, Elisha and George Staudinger of Salem, Ala., Pam and Clark Queen of Bogart, Ala.; five brothers, Minor Lyles of Gadsden, Ala., Tom Lyles of Rainbow City, Ala., Wayne Lyles of Richland, Usry Lyles and Raymond Lyles, both of Oakland; two sisters, Joyce Emerson of Birmingham, Ala. and Sarah Bearden of Southside, Ala. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Meghan Staudinger, Molly Staudinger, Kevin Crawford, Jeff Crawford and Alexander Queen. In addition to her parents,
Mrs. Davenport was preceded in death by three sisters, Rebecca Hendon, Diane Rowan, Joan Lee and a brother, George Williams.
Pallbearers will include Ray Wurtz, Michael Wurtz, Matthew Wurtz, Kenneth Gray, Tim Milbourn and Tiny Rowan.
Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday evening, July 31 at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home in Ellaville. Memorials may be made to Columbus Hospice House which serves Schley County, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909.
Ira Lois Brown
SAVANNAH — Miss Ira Lois Brown, 87, died early Sunday, July 29, 2007 with her family by her side after a short battle with cancer.
Born in Sumter County, she was the youngest child and namesake of Ira Samuel Brown and Annie Lou McNeil Brown. Ira Lois started her career as a librarian during World War II in the library at the Naval Base near Jacksonville, Fla.
After the war, she went on to travel and live around the world making many friends along the way. She received her undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern and went on to earn three masters degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary, Emory University, and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. While living in Atlanta, Ira Lois worked in the DeKalb, Emory, and Columbia libraries for many years and wrote the award winning children’s book, “The Georgia Colony.” Ira Lois was an active member of Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church, serving as a lay minister for the Diocese of Atlanta.
After moving to Savannah, she joined St. John’s Episcopal Church and spent her time reading and enjoying her family.
Surviving are her niece, Maryan Wilborn Harrell and her husband, William D. Harrell, her great niece, Mary Margaret Lee and her husband, Adam W. Lee, all of Savannah; her nephew, Oxford A. Kitchengs III and his wife, Genoveva Gomez-Kitchengs and her great-niece, Kena Kitchengs, all of Toluca, Mexico; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Virginia M. Kitchengs, of Bainbridge, and many friends.
Ira Lois’ family would like to acknowledge and thank Ms. Marie Dempsey, Ms. Corine Stevens, and Ms. Carolyn Smith for providing excellent and loving care during her last years.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 1 at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 at Oak Grove cemetery in Americus.
Remembrances: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1 W. Macon St., Savannah, GA 31401, and any animal charities.
Hubert C. Baker Funeral Home of Savannah is in charge of arrangements.
Bessie Louise Goodin
AMERICUS — Mrs. Bessie Louise Goodin, age 89, died Saturday evening, July 28, 2007 at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center in Americus.
Funeral services will be held from the graveside at Oak Grove cemetery at 11 a.m., today, July 31, 2007 with the Rev. Stan Littleton officiating. The family received friends at the funeral home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday evening, and at other times, friends may call on family at the residence of Gene and Deborah Goodin, 111 Stuart Way in Dixie Hills Subdivision, Americus.
Mrs. Goodin was born Nov. 14, 1917 in Wilcox County, the daughter of the late William Wallace Murray and Mamie Parker Murray. She was retired from Manhattan Shirt Company formerly of Americus where she was a seamstress and was a member of Benevolance Methodist Church.
Mrs. Goodin is survived by a daughter and son-in-law; Louise Parker and Charles of Americus; three sons and daughters-in-law, Wallace Goodin and Jackie and Gene Goodin and Deborah, both of Americus; Richard Goodin and Jana of Cobb; a brother, Issac B. Murray of Byron; son-in-law, Tony Powell of Americus. Also surviving are 24 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Goodin was preceded in death by her late husband, Jasper Goodin, and a son Herschel Jasper Goodin; also by a daughter, Brenda E. Powell.
Memorial contributions may be made to the League of Good Samaritan C/O Magnolia Manor 2001 S. Lee St., Americus, Ga. 31709.
Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Reese Park is in charge of these arrangements.
Royce A. Jones
TIFTON — Royce A. Jones, 75, of Tifton died Sunday, July 29, 2007, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007 at Northside Baptist Church. Dr. Fred Evers and the Rev. Stephen Johnson will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Pallbearers and Honorary pallbearers will be all current and former, faithful employees of Jones Construction Company, Double A Concrete Products and Tifton Paint and Supply. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, July 31, 2007, at Northside Baptist Church.
Mr. Jones was born on Feb. 16, 1932 in Tift County and was the son of Arlen Alonzo “A.A.” Jones and Ezra Mae Moore Jones, both deceased. Mr. Jones served as leader of Jones Construction Company, Double A Concrete Products and Tifton Paint and Supply for 51 years. He was a 1954 graduate of Auburn University and was the first college graduate in his family. He served a tour of duty in the rank of captain with the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1954 through 1956 and earned a registered engineer’s status as a structural engineer in 1974. He served as director of South Georgia Banking Company and was a member of Northside Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and chairman of the finance committee at Northside Baptist Church. He served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and served our community in the Tifton Chamber of Commerce and was a recipient of the Stafford Award. He was a lifetime member of the Auburn Alumni Association, Tigers Unlimited and the Golden Eagle recognition, along with being a committed Auburn football fan. Mr. Jones was a founder of the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation; a member of the President’s Club at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; and a former member of the Georgia Agrirama Authority. He was a lifetime member in the Tifton Kiwanis Club and served as lieutenant governor.
Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Betty Sue Bradley Jones of Tifton; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jason Jones of Athens, Jeremy and Cheryl Jones of Tifton and Jonathan and Betsy Jones of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Joni and Dwight Dunn of Tifton; and one sister and brother-in-law, Rhea Jones Boyett and husband, Earl, of Lakeland; and eight grandchildren, Deidra Jackson and husband, Rollins, Jillian Dunn, Austin Dunn, Julee Beth Dunn, Joshua Jones, Will Jones, Becca Jones and Hays Jones.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Northside Baptist Church Building Fund.
Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.
Angela Leigh Usry
ELLAVILLE — Ms. Angela Leigh Usry, age 35, of Ellaville, died Saturday afternoon, July 28, 2007 at Columbus Regional Medical Center in Columbus.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, July 31, 2007 at Ellaville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ben Foxworth and the Rev. Ken Mauldin officiating. Burial will follow in the Ellaville Cemetery.
Ms. Usry was born in Sumter County on July 25, 1972. She was the daughter of John Douglas and Geraldine Usry. Ms. Usry had worked at Middle Flint Regional Development Center in Ellaville. She was a member of Ellaville Baptist Church and was active in raising money for organ donation.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, include one son, Zachery Usry; one sister and her husband, Lori and Blair Hallock of Douglas; two brothers and their wives, Johnny and Traci Usry and Rodney and Amy Usry, all of Ellaville; nieces and nephews, Hannah and Brett Usry, Joshua, Jeremy, and Jacob Hallock, Hollie Wilson and April Roberts. Aunts and uncles, Franklin and Gladys Usry, Myrtis Usry, Britt and Cindy Usry, Jimmy and Judy Usry, Barbara Tatum, Sonny and JoAnn Coker, Rainey and Elizabeth Reed, Beatrice Roach, Bill and Nancy Pritchard, and several cousins also survive.
Pallbearers will include Glen Kemp, Lee Mitchell, Rodney Wall, Ken McKinney, Roger Bivins, and Rusty Tondee. Visitation was held from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday July 30, 2007 at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home in Ellaville.
Watson-Giddens Funeral Home of Ellaville is in charge of arrangements.
Elsie McLean
Elsie McLean, age 65, of Alma; died, Sunday night, October 3, 2004 at her residence after extended illness.
She was a native of Bacon County and a daughter of the late Roscoe Rigdon and Teresa Smith Rigdon. Elsie was a school teacher at Bacon County for thirty five years, served as School
Superintendent, a member of the Georgia Association of Educators and a member of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Melissa Parker and husband Greg, Mary Brozoway, all of Alma and Mona McLean of New Orleans; one sister, Johnnie Kight and husband Henry of Alma; three grandchildren, Meagan Crosby and husband Clint, Kelli and Dusty Cothern and Matthew Parker, all of Alma and two nieces, Jamie Johnson and Cindy Lee and family .
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Pet Hayes, Rev. Roger Taylor and Rev. Richard Johnson officiating. iIntermentfollowed in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were David Johnson, William Lee, Wallace Boatright, Henry Kight, R.T. Johnson and Richard Wheeler. Honorary pallbearers were Health Department Home Care, School System Employee’s present and retired, Carla Taylor, Laurie Beverly, Dr. Singh and Dr. Baranwal and staffs.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Caleb Cody Pilz
Caleb Cody Pilz, infant son of Ryan and Mandi Cody Pilz of Registar, Georgia, passed away September 21, 2004 at Chandler Hospital in Savannah.
Caleb was preceded in death by his grandfather, Steve Cody, great-grandparents, Dave, Herb and Betty Cody and Bud and Nora Stewart.
Caleb was survived by his parents, Ryan and Mandi Cody Pilz of Registar; his grandmother, Mary Ann Varnedore; his Uncle Dillion Cody and Mandy Moore of Alma; great-grandparents, Billy and Willene Varnedore and Joy Pilz of Statesboro and Shafter and Essie Mae Varnedore, Vernell Nesmith of Statesboro. His paternal aunt and uncle, Chris and Marie Pilz of Effingham County; great uncle and aunt, Bud and Wanda Deen of Alma; Ricky Cody of Hilton Head; Kim and Kim Cody Atlanta; Brian, Sandy and Scott Deen of Westgreen and Michael Deen of Alma.
Graveside services were held on Friday, September 24 at Bulloch Memorial Gardens in Statesboro.
Jefferson Warren (J.W.) Carter
Jefferson Warren (J.W.) Carter, age 67, of Alma passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 28, 2004 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after an extended illness.
He was a native of Bacon, son of the late Oren (Son) Lee Carter and Frances Taylor Carter and was preceded in death by two sisters, Alif and Lurene Hyers.
J.W. served in the U. S Army and was a member of Southside Church of God.
Survivors include his wife of thirty eight years, Mary Ann Pardee Carter of Alma; one son, Phillip and wife Sue, of Nicholls; two brothers, Roy Carter and wife Diane, Burtis Carter and wife Eunice, all of Alma; one sister, Martha Ann Carter of Alma and two grandchildren, Mark Dewayne Carter and Kenny Lee Carter, both of Nicholls. Also several nieces and nephews survive.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Southside Church of God with Rev. Mark Carver and Rev. Floyd Musgrove officiating. iIntermentfollowed in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were James Smart, Quitman Dyal, B.J. Harrelson, Joel Durden, Ronnie Spivey and Dexter (Boy) Kirkland. All southside members and ministers in attendance were considered honorary escorts.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Milton Douglas
Milton Douglas, age 87, of Alma, passed away early Saturday morning, October 2, 2004 at the Bacon County Hospital after an extended illness.
He was a native of Bacon County and a son of the late Jack Douglas and Gordie Stewart Douglas. He was also preceded in death by a son, Ronnie Douglas; five brothers, Ira, Felton, Herman, Burnis and Clarence Douglas; two sisters, Mildred Moats and Agnes Williamson. Milton was a retired farmer and a member of Pine Level Free Will Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Velera Rigdon Douglas of Alma; one son, Tommie Douglas and wife Kathy of Macon and three daughters, Jan Thomas and husband Jesse, Joan McCarty and husband David and Judy Douglas all of Alma. Also eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Pine Level Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Eric Brown, Rev. Wayne Miracle and Rev. Ernest McCarty officiating. The interment followed in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Donnie and Steve Rigdon, George Lawton Johnson, Vann Douglas, Billy Shores, Wally Williamson and Danny McDonald. Honorary escorts were Bacon County and Altamaha Home Health Care, Dr. Clay Carter and Staff, Bacon County Hospital Staff and the Adult Sunday School Class.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Willie Mae Lee
Willie Mae Lee, age 80, of Alma passed away early Wednesday morning, September 29, 2004 at the Bacon County Hospital after a short illness.
She was a native of Bacon County and a daughter of the late Leander William Douglas and Bossie Linder Douglas. Willie is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Harvey Lee, Sr. a son, Albert Lee, Jr., two brothers, William Darrell Douglas and Wendell Douglas and two sisters, Mildred Abercrombie and Emma Lou Byrd.
Willie was a nurse at the Bacon Co. Hospital and Twin Oaks for many years. She was a member of Alma Church of God.
Survivors include two sons, Herman Lee and Thurman Lee, both Jacksonville, N.C.; four daughters, Satira Rigdon and Rebecca Varnadore both of Alma; Susan Cummins of Texas and Helen Malvin of Missouri and one brother, James (P.G.) Farell Douglas of Lebanon. A special niece, Faynell Humphreys of Texas. Also sixteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren survive.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Tenth Street Church of God with Rev. Hulet Smith and Rev. Steve Pittman officiating. iIntermentfollowed in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Clay Lee, Woody Lee, Tyrel Lee, Ben Boatright, Wade Douglas, Mark Graham, Raymond Brown, Tom Osborne and Wendell Douglas. Honorary pallbearers were The Dorcas Sunday School Class, Alfreda Knowles, Mary Kathrine Bruner, Eloise Aldridge, Mary Jo McCarty, Evelyn Bowan Marilyn Miles, Dr. Hans, Staff and residence of Twin Oaks.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
