Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
James William Smith
James William Smith, age 68 of Alma, passed away in Vidalia after an extended illness.
He was a native of Summit County Ohio but had lived in Alma the past several years. He was son of the late Harry Smith and Nellie Crandall Smith and was preceded in death by a son, Robert Smith. James had served in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include his wife, Alyce Mantz Smith of Alma, two sons, James Smith of Barterton, Ohio and Tom Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio and two daughters, Pam Golden of Barberton, Ohio and Lori Cheslock of Texas. Also eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild survive.
A memorial service was held at Southside Church of God.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Margie Rigby
Mary Margie Rigby, age 75 of Alma, passed away Friday morning, December 9, 2005 after an extended illness.
She was a native of Ware County but had lived most of her life in Bacon County. She was daughter of the late Alex Simmons and Avadell Johnson Simmons, wife of the late Walter B. Rigby and was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Rigby, a grandson, Johnny C. Lee, three brothers, Marlow Melvin and Milton Simmons and three sisters, Mildred Peacock, Myrtle Elrod and Rena Bratcher. Margie was a member of Old Pine Grove Methodist Church. Survivors include six sons, Riley, Larry, Roger and Donald Rigby, all of Alma, Gerald Rigby of Nicholls and Tony Rigby of Lumber City, five daughters, Geraldine Taylor, Linda Medders, both of Alma, Debra Lee of Bickley, Judy Anderson and Angie Rigby, both of Nicholls, a step son, Carl Rigby of Alma and a step daughter, Frances Wade of Alma; a special cousin, Ethel Raulerson and a special niece, Sue Cannon. Also 27 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and seven step grandchildren survive.
Funeral services were held Sunday, December 11, 2005 from the chapel of Crosby Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Barth, Rev. Pet Hayes, Rev. Lowell Lee and Rev. Allen Swain officiating. iIntermentfollowed in Johnson Family Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bobby Bagley, Lonnie Gay, Ernie Hatten, Martin and Shell Simmons and Julian Rigby. Honorary pallbearers were Mr. and Mrs. George Sears, Larry Barber, Pam Lee, Misty White, Shayla Preston, Carla Taylor, Pat Lott, Janice Simmons, Patricia Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Hatten, Jean Parker, Betty Head, Melonda Carter, Aimee Medders, Kelli Holton, Luke Harrell, Betty Batten, Melissa Hall, Stephene Eason, Sherri Taylor, Twin Oaks, Shae Batten, Pam Barber, Bacon County Hospital staff, Perry and Teresa Streat, Virginia Metts, Tony Thrift, Mike Barber, Cobb Taylor, Judy Taylor, Waylon Johnson, Phylis Turner, James Lee and Fred Anderson.
Judith Lee LoFrisco
Judith Lee LoFrisco, age 63, of Nicholls passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at the Jeff Davis Hospital after an extended illness.
She was a native of Dade County, FL., and daughter of the late Everett Eugene Russell and Irene Varnedore Russell and preceded in death by a brother, Gordon Shryock and a sister, Genny Russell. She was a member of the Baptist Faith.
Survivors include her husband, Weems (Worm) Simmons of Nicholls; two sons, Michael Boyer of FL and Roy Lawson of Hazlehurst and one sister, Linda Joseph of Newnan.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 28 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Crosby Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Campbell officiating. iIntermentfollowed in Forest Grove Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bryan Tidwell, Matt Bullard, Ted Varnedore, Billy James, Victor Tanner and Paul Taylor. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Stamford and all those in attendance.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Clifford M. Varnadore
Clifford M. Varnadore, age 90, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2005 at Bacon County Hospital in Alma following a short illness.
He was a native of Waycross and had resided most of his life in Ware County. He was married
to the late Vera Tanner Varnadore and was the son of the late Thomas L. Varnadore and Zettie Jordan Varnadore.
He was a retired farmer and carpenter. He was a member of Victory Chapel Baptist Church.
The survivors include three daughters, Lavonne Vaughn (husband Richard) of Alma, Jeanette Taylor Wilcox (husband Odis) of Hazlehurst and Linda Jackson (husband Floyd) of Nicholls; three sons, Purvis Varnadore (wife Joanne) of Nicholls, Milton Varnadore (wife Nova) of Reidsville and Clifford Stacy Varnadore (wife Jo Ann) of Panama City, FL; a sister, Ineva Feece of Waycross; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at Victory Chapel Baptist Church. Burial followed in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.
Music Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Mike E. Minchew
Mike E. Minchew, age 73, of Waycross passed away Friday afternoon, January 20, 2006, at the Baptist Village in Waycross, following an extended illness.
A native and lifelong resident of Ware County, he was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob R. Minchew and Mary Carter Minchew and his brothers, Astor Minchew, Clifford Minchew, John Minchew and Lamar Minchew.
He was a retired farmer and realtor and was a longtime member of Haywood Baptist Church. He was a former mason and shriner and was a past winner of the Ware County Farmer of the Year award. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean Conflict.
Survivors include his wife, Gerry Minchew of Waycross; a son, Michael Minchew (wife Lori) of Waycross; daughter, Teri Hardy (husband Jay), of Sugar Hill; four grandchildren, Ashley and Jake Minchew of Waycross and Mark and Morgan Hardy of Sugar Hill; a sister, Vida Mae Smith, Sanford of FL; two brothers, Malcom Minchew (wife Jo) of Jacksonville, FL, and Delman Minchew (wife Katy) of Waycross and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 22, from the Haywood Baptist Church. iIntermentfollowed in the Jordan Church Cemetery.
Smith Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of the arrangements.
Shelva Jo Carter
Shelva Jo Carter, age 43, of Baxley passed away suddenly Friday, January 20, 2006 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
She was a native of Bacon County, daughter of the late Ester Sweat and Edna Jo Smith Damron and preceded in death by her step father, Julius Damron
Survivors include her fiancé, Earl Grizzle of Cobbtown, GA; one daughter, April Smith of Baxley; four brothers, Carl Smith of Alma, Durwood Sweat of Lee, FL., Gerald Sweat of MS. and Gilbert Sweat of Brunswick; two sisters, Linda Sue Carter of Baxley and Norma Jean Barber of Alma and two grandchildren, Amber and Ally Smith of Baxley. Also several nieces and nephews survive.
Funeral services was held Tuesday, January 24 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Crosby Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Davis officiating. iIntermentfollowed in Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Danny Barber, Michael Williams, Daniel Carter, Joshua Carter, Chris Jones and Ashley Pittman. All those in attendance were considered honorary escorts.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Kay Stafford Orvin
Kay Stafford Orvin, age 61, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, January 15, 2006.
Born in Alma, GA, Kay graduated from FSU in 1965 and moved to Savannah in 1966. She completed her Masters in Social Work in 1991 from the University of South Carolina. She spent her life serving others, 39 years serving as a Social Worker, Case Manager or Substance Abuse Counselor at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital, Vista, Department of Family and Children’s Services, and Willingway.
She has been a member of White Bluff United Methodist Church since 1981 and Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church from 1966-1981. A special woman who touched everyone she met. Without question, a child of God.
Kay is survived by her husband of 40 years, Robert “Bob” Orvin; her son, Robert “Rob” Orvin, II; daughter, Kristen Zittrauer; sister, Sandra Harrington of Jesup; mother, Katrenah Stafford and five grandchildren.
Memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at White Bluff United Methodist Church. Remembrances: White Bluff United Methodist Church, 11911 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31419; or the American Cancer Society or Clinical Coordination Fund at St. Joseph’s Foundation, 5353 Reynolds St., Savannah, GA. 31405.
Hubert C. Baker Funeral Home 7415 Hodgson Memorial Dr. Savannah, GA was in charge of the arrangements.
Elizabeth ‘Boot’ White
Elizabeth “Boot” White, age 58, of 809 East 20th Street, Alma, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at the Bacon County Hospital, following an extended illness.
She was a daughter of the late Bennie James and Thelma White. She was a member of the First Born Church of the Living God.
Survivors include a son, Curtis (Lucy) White of Alma; three daughters, Bernice (Rodgers) LeCounte of Riceboro, Della (Mark) Johnson of Shreveport, LA and Samantha (George) Washington of Alma; one sister, Warnell Porter of Alma; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 15, from the Zion Chapel Church, East 14th Street in Alma, with Rev. E. Thomas officiating and Minister Brenda Burse delivering the eulogy. iIntermentfollowed in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc. of Blackshear was in charge of the arrangements.
Jackie Brown
Jackie Brown, age 77, of Alma passed away Thursday, March 30, 2006 in St. Luke Hospital in Jacksonville after a short illness.
She was a native of Bacon County and daughter of the late Marvin Sullivan and Leola Dykes Sullivan. Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin H. (AL) Brown. She had worked for Oxford of Alma for many years.
Survivors include her daughter, Kelly Medders and husband Tim of Alma; a son, William D. (Bill) Johnson of Florida; two grandchildren, Alvin Medders of Lexington Park, MD and Ashley Medders of Fayetteville, AK and one great-grandson, Gabriel Medders of Lexington Park, MD.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 1, 2006 from the chapel of Crosby Funeral Home with Rev. Ronnie Howell and Rev. James Medders officiating.
iIntermentfollowed in Pinelawn Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Mickey Dixon, Neil and Jonathon Medders, Al Medders, Danny Burner, Bill Johnson and Travis Lee.
All those in attendance were considered honorary escorts
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Daretta J. Williams
Daretta J. Williams, age 53, of Alma passed away Saturday, April 1, 2006, in the Bacon County Hospital after an extended illness.
She was a native of Orange Co. FL and daughter of the late Willie Free and Betty Richardson Free. She was a member of the Harvest Renewal Worship center.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Williams of Alma; one brother, Chris Free of Alma and two sisters, Cathy Moore of Alma and Pat Killkenny of Ohio.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at Big Creek Church cemetery with Rev. Bo Turner officiating.
Active pallbearers were Teddy Williams, Shawn Williams, Roy Register, Chris Martin, Corey Martin and Andy Lee. All those in attendance were considered honorary escorts.
Crosby Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
