Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Theodore R. Gardner
LITHONIA — Homegoing services for Mr. Theodore R. Gardner of 5476 Covent Way, Lithonia, a native of Plains, will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 15, 2005, at New Piney Grove Baptist Church, Snapfinger Road, Decatur. The Rev. Dexter Rowland, pastor, will officiate. iIntermentwill be in Washington Memorial Gardens. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until the hour of the services at the church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Vera Gardner.
Survivors are his wife, Jacqueline W. Gardner; four children, Kimberly, Shanita, Teddy and Johnathan; three grandchildren, five brothers, six sisters and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who are asked to assemble at 10 a.m. Saturday at the residence.
Gregory B. Levett and Sons Inc., South DeKalb Chapel, 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Eugene Dozier
PLAINS — Mr. Robert Dozier, 84, of Plains, died early Thursday morning, Jan. 13, 2005, at Sumter County Retirement Village. A native of Schley County, Mr. Dozier was born Jan. 11, 1921, son of the late George W. Dozier and the late Antoinette Walker Dozier. He was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Army. He was a member of Andrew Chapel Methodist Church.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Jan. 14 at Ellaville City cemetery with the Rev. Stan Littleton officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel, 142 Southland Road, Americus. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sumter County Retirement Village, 2124 Hwy. 280 West, Plains GA 31780.
Survivors include two nephews, George Dozier of Griffin and James Dozier of Carrollton.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Jimmie Lee Laramore
AMERICUS — Mr. Jimmie Lee Laramore, 77, formerly of 612 Walter Way, died on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, at Sumter Regional Hospital. Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, in Oak Grove cemetery with the Rev. Damon Fountain officiating. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at Hancock Funeral Home.
Born May 17, 1927, in Lee County, Mr. Laramore was a son of the late John Thomas Laramore and Nora Lee Camp Laramore. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church.
Survivors include a sister, Evelyn Peek of Humble, Texas; a brother, James Morgan Laramore of Americus; nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Shaddix and Drew Murphy Jr., both of Americus, Charles Hart of Oglethorpe, Stacia Kuehn of Humble Texas, Tony Roberts of San Antonio and Bobby Roberts of Springs, Texas, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. A brother, Russell Laramore and two sisters, Gwen Murphy and Carrie Belle Hart, preceded him in death.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frances W. Jenkins
COLUMBUS — Frances W. Jenkins, 85, died Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005, at the Columbus Medical Center in Columbus. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at the Preston cemetery in Preston. The Rev. Rendell Day will officiate. A visitation will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. today at the L.B. Smith Funeral Home in Richland.
Mrs. Jenkins was born Oct. 2, 1919, in Webster County to the late Charlie Oscar Wiggins and the late Pearl Nowlen Wiggins. Mrs. Jenkins was a native of Preston.
She was wife of the late David Samuel Jenkins Sr. She retired from the Manhattan Shirt Company in the early 1980s. She was a member of Enterprise Baptist of Richland. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Wiggins and Orien Wiggins and three children, Sandra Elaine Jenkins, David S. Jenkins Jr. and Shirley Jean Jenkins.
Survivors include a son, Charles W. Jenkins Sr. and daughter-in-law Linda Jenkins of Columbus; two grandson, Charles Wesley Jenkins Jr. (Shelley) and Jonathan S. Jenkins, all of Columbus; one granddaughter, Sonya E. Fox (Jeff) of Americus; one great-grandson, Senior Airman Matthew Fox Sr. of USAF in Germany; one great-granddaughter, Leslie Fox of Americus; a brother, Charlie Wiggins of Preston; s sister, Erma Hersche of Bethel Park, Pa; and a sister-in-law, Fannie Wiggins of Plains.
L.B. Smith Funeral Home in Richland is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Anderson Paul
AMERICUS — Mr. Richard Anderson Paul, 80, died Thursday afternoon Jan. 13, 2005, at Sumter Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held from the graveside at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, in the New Light Freewill Baptist Church cemetery in Morgan with the Rev. Melvin Moody officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Aldridge Funeral Services and at other times at the residence of Billy and Jane Barksdale, 1217 Oglethorpe Ave., Americus.
Mr. Paul was retired from Flav-O-Rich Dairies where he held the position as a route driver and a supervisor. He was a member of New Light Freewill Baptist Church in Morgan. Mr. Paul was born the son of the late Genie Paul and Lillie Weeks Paul on April 20, 1924, in Calhoun County.
Mr. Paul is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Gloria English and Millard of Plains; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Catherine Paul Glass and Floyd of Albany and Louise Paul Peavy and James of Cuthbert; one brother and a sister-in-law, Calvin Paul and Eugenia of Leesburg and an adopted son, Joseph Aldridge of Oglethorpe. Also surviving is a granddaughter, Michelle Landers and a great-grandchild, Collin Landers of Americus and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Veta Hayes Paul, a daughter, Carol Paul Holland and a son, Jimmy Eugene Paul.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Mrs. Ann Harris, 1801 Rose Ave., Americus, GA 31709.
Aldridge Funeral Services, 612 Reese Park, is in charge of arrangements.
Miriam Hicks Brown
ALBANY — Graveside services for Mrs. Miriam Brown Hicks of Plains will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, in the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Plains, with the Rev. George Edge officiating.
A viewing will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the Lebanon Baptist Church in Plains.
Mrs. Brown passed on Jan. 12, 2005, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany.
Survivors are her son, Charles Wayne Brown of Plains; her daughter, Carolyn Brown Wright of Albany; her sister, Maxine Smiley of Philadelphia, Pa.; her two brothers, Charles (Marilyn) Hicks of Plains and Harold (Mamie) Hicks of Philadelphia, Pa.; two aunts, Iona Murray of Philadelphia, Pa., and Maude Jackson of Miami, Fla.; her grandchildren, Charles, Kyra, Michael, Monica, Charles Jr., Frenando and Markus; six great-grandchildren; a devoted nephew, Larry (Patricia) Smiley of Plains; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Hicks of Plains and Janet Hicks of Columbus; her special friends, Judy Davis, Stephen Armistead, Kenya Cribb, Courtney and Shantrell; her faithful friends, Jeannette Happey and family, Annie McIver and family, Carol Hollis, Mary Baisden and Claretha Smith.
J.W. Williams Funeral Directors of Cordele and Vienna are in charge of arrangements.
John Southwell
ATLANTA — Coach John Southwell, 60, of 237 Middle River Road, Americus, died very early Thursday morning, Jan. 13, 2005, at Emory University Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, at Cheek Memorial Baptist Church, with the Rev. Houston Berry officiating. iIntermentwill follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Among those who are requested to serve as honorary pallbearers are the deacons and members of the Adult 2 Sunday School Class of Cheek Memorial Baptist Church, and area coaches and school personnel.
Born July 9, 1944, in Albany, Coach Southwell was a son of Mrs. Grace Mitchell Southwell of Americus, who survives, and the late Judge John William Southwell, who preceded him in death on March 24, 2004. He graduated from Americus High School in 1963, where he had been a three-sport athlete for three or more years, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Georgia Southwestern College in 1969, having played basketball at GSW in 1963 and 1964.
He was a member of Cheek Memorial Baptist Church where he was a member of the Adult 2 Sunday School Class and had served as a deacon.
Coach Southwell was assistant coach of Macon County High School from 1968 to 1971. He was head basketball coach at Randolph County High School in Cuthbert for five years, Thomasville High School for seven years, and at Americus High School from 1983 until his retirement in 1996. He was area Coach of the Year in basketball and baseball in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1993. He had an overall boys’ basketball record of 408 wins with 158 losses and was recognized with the GACA Coaching Milestone Award in 1993. He was GACA Coach of the Year in basketball during the 1979-80 school term in Thomasville and GACA Coach of the Year in tennis in Americus in 1994. He was a lifetime member of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association and was a past member of the Georgia Association of Educators.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Hancock Funeral Home. At other times, friends may call at the Southwell residence, 237 Middle River Road, Americus.
Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Paula Dunlap Southwell; two daughters, Tammy Southwell Crumbley and her husband Dean, and Angie Southwell Batts, all of Americus; three grandchildren, Grace Leigh Crumbley, William Joseph Crumbley and Victoria Clare Batts, all of Americus; his mother-in-law, Clara M. Taylor of Cuthbert; and several nieces and nephews.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Linda Lefavour Waters
AMERICUS — Mrs. Linda L Waters, 63, of 2001 S. Lee St., Americus, died Sunday Jan. 23, 2005, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. Mrs. Waters was a native of Springfield, Mass., born Dec 8, 1941, daughter of the late Lawrence and Irene Lefavour. Her husband, Truman “Tuck” Waters Sr. preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 1967.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Jan. 25 in the chapel of Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Clyde Grimsley officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. Jan.24th at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel. At other times, friends may call at the residence of Truman and Lisa Waters, 405 Tommy Hooks Road, Americus.
Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Waters Willingham and her husband Dennis and Janice Waters Smarr, all of Andersonville; two sons, Truman Ed A. Waters Jr. and his wife Lisa of Americus and Michael E. Waters of Ellaville. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Joshua Willingham, Adam Willingham, Chesley Smarr, Tiffany Smarr, Nicolas “Nick” Smarr, Cameron Smarr, Levi Waters, Colby Eason and Christina Waters. One great-grandchild, Alyssa Dawn Carson, also survives.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Franklin Heath
AMERICUS — Mr. Ronald Franklin Heath, 64, of Lake Jennifer Drive, Americus died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the chapel of Aldridge Funeral Services with Father Clif Marquis officiating. iIntermentwill follow in the Ellaville City Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 7until 8 p.m. today, Jan. 25, at Aldridge Funeral Services.
Mr. Heath was born April 13, 1940, in Telfair County, son of the late Joe Rufus Heath and the late Gladys Grace Heath. He was a graduate of Union High School in Leslie. He worked for the City of Atlanta and Anniston Motor Express in Atlanta, and later worked for Manhattan Shirt Co. and Scott Bedding in Americus.
Survivors include two sisters and brothers-in-law, Esther Sinnott and Tom of Americus and Katherine Teasley and Ralph of Huntsville, Ala.; one brother, Charles A. Heath of Ohio; and five nieces and six nephews also survive. Two sisters, Honor Will Moore and Joan H. Wills, preceded him in death.
Aldridge Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Douglas
GEORGETOWN — Funeral services for Mr. Charles Douglas will be at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 9, 2005, at Big Bethel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Calvin Rollins officiating. Burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery.
Mr. Douglas died on July 28, 2005, at his residence in Georgetown.
Charles R. Douglas was born April 19, 1925, in Americus, to the late Willie and the late Lucinda Douglas. He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister, Thomas Douglas, Frank Douglas, Lonnie Douglas and Essie Gains.
Charles attended Staley High School and graduated in 1945. He later received an associate’s degree from DeKalb College, and continued his studies at Woodrow Wilson Law School. In 1947, Charles was drafted into the Army where he served his country faithfully for 20 years. He retired from the U.S. Army on Dec. 1, 1971, at San Francisco, Calif. During his tours of duty, Charles was called to several overseas assignments including Japan; Munich, Germany; and Bangkok, Thailand. In his career, he received the following medals for exemplary service: one Vietnam Service Medal, six Good Conduct Medals, two Soldiers Medals, and one Korean Service Medal, to name a few.
Charles Douglas will be remembered by all those who knew him for his pearls of wisdom and his zest for life. The serious look on his face represented the passion he had to live life to its fullest, but when you heard him speak, you could hear the warmth of his heart.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Charles Bailey, Charles Douglas, Minister Chiyoko Douglas, Donnie Douglas Sr. and Minister Christine Douglas; two brothers, Rufus Douglas of Detroit, Mich., and Edward Douglas of Philadelphia, Pa.; several other relatives and friends also survive Mr. Charles R. Douglas.
West Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Valerie Richardson
WACO, Texas — Valerie “Nan” Richardson, 67, of Americus, formerly of Waco, Texas, passed away Friday, Aug. 5, 2005. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Oakwood cemetery in Waco. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas.
She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Brister of Americus; her sons, Mike and Steve Larrow of Waco, Texas, and John Larrow of Azle, Texas; her brother, Brian Greening and wife Carol of St. Albans, England; her step-mother, Gladys Greening of Devon, England; her granddaughters, BreAnn, Jessica, Erika, Brittany and Corey; and a great-granddaughter, Olivia.
Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home of Waco, Texas. is in charge of arrangements.
Willie Lee Wright
ALBANY — Funeral services for Veteran Willie Lee Wright of 1013 Exeter Drive, Albany, formerly of Ellaville who passed on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005, at the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital will be held at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 9 at the Mount Zion Baptist Church, Schley County. The Rev. Alfred H. Dixon will officiate and burial will follow in the Andersonville National Cemetery.
Veteran Willie Lee Wright was born on Aug. 13, 1952, in Schley County to the parentage of the late Mr. James William Wright and the late Mrs. Ceola Terry Wright.
He leaves to cherish his memories; two sisters, Mrs. Mary S. Wilson and Mrs. Annie W. Storey; two brothers, Mr. James W. Wright and Mr. Eddie Will Wright; four aunts including Ms. Eunice Reagans; one uncle, Mr. Herbert (Gracie) Terry; one great-aunt, Ms. Johnnie Mae (Moses) Shelton; a host nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including a devoted friend, Ms. Doris Wilson.
Barnum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Myrick
PLAINS - Mrs. Ruth Myrick, 97, formerly of Ellaville, died Monday, March 24, 2003, at Lillian Carter Nursing Center in Plains.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2003 at Rockley Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Ellaville. The Rev. Leroy Howard will officiate and burial will follow in the Galilee Cemetery.
She is survived by a son, Mr. Lonnie Wilcher of Tuskegee, Ala.; one daughter, Ms. Margie Myrick of Baltimore, Md.; one brother, Mr. Herschey Richardson of South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
West's Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Pearlie Mae Patterson
LESLIE - Funeral services for Mrs. Pearlie Mae Patterson of 1204-A Usry Road, Leslie, who passed on March 23, 2003, at Sumter Regional Hospital, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2003, at Piney Grove Baptist Church No. 3. The Rev. W.G. Grover will officiate and burial will follow in the church cemetery. A viewing will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mrs. Pearlie Mae Patterson's life began on March 6, 1931, in Lee County, to the parentage of the late Mr. Tillman and Mamie Butler.
She leaves to cherish her memories, two children, Doretha Hamilton and William (Diann) Hamilton; three sisters and one brother, Ruby Bullard, Dollie Phillips, Gloria (Marvin) Sales and Tillman (Willie Mae) Butler Jr.; her grandchildren, Kima (Shana), Keith, Kaion, Andrea and Keonna; great-grandchildren, Quinton, Keith Jr., Keiana, Kaion Jr., Daiijah and Devin; foster children, Alphonso, Leon, Delia, Jeanette and Walter; foster grandchildren, Zabrina, Victoria, Chelsea, Whitney, Samantha and Cornelia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Barnum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Wallace Ruff
AMERICUS - Funeral services for Mr. James Wallace Ruff of 146 Rainbow Terrace, Americus, who passed on Monday, March 24, 2003, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2003, in the chapel of Barnum Funeral Home. The Rev. Tommy Jordan will officiate and burial will follow in the Mount Zion Cemetery, Ellaville.
Mr. James Wallace Ruff was born Dec. 13, 1925, in Schley County to the parentage of the late Mr. Benjamin Ruff and the late Mrs. Simmie Lee Wallace Ruff.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Ms. Glenda Ruff; seven daughters, Ms. Geneva (Charles) Jones, Ms. Laura Saunders, Ms. Mary (Roosevelt) Johnson, Ms. Mattie (Simmuel) Terry, Ms. Susie Louis, Ms. Paula Ruff and Ms. April (Terrill) Baker; five sons, Mr. Henry (Marie) Ruff, Mr. Tony Ruff, Mr. James W. Ruff Jr., Mr. Wayne Ruff and Mr. Benjamin (Rose) Ruff; two sisters, Ms. Eddie Mae Wright and Ms. Mary Emma Hartage; one step-daughter, Ms. Lillian (Eddie) Mitchell; 27 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Barnum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hallie Walker Wall
AMERICUS - Mrs. Hallie Walker Wall, born Nov. 30, 1903, in Sumter County, passed away on Thursday morning, March 27, 2003. She was the widow of the late William Henry Wall Sr., M.D., whose death occurred in Blakely in 1967, and she had resided at Magnolia Manor Methodist Retirement Center in Americus since 1982. She was the daughter of the late Henry Solomon Walker and Valencia Davenport Walker of Americus.
Mrs. Wall grew up in Americus and made her home in Blakely (Early County) from 1935 until 1982, moving to Magnolia Manor in Americus in 1982. She was a member of the faculty in the music department at Georgia Southwestern College before her marriage in 1932. She later taught elementary grades, piano and public school music in Sumter County, Early County, Blakely, Columbus and Arlington, from which she retired. With a group of young ladies from Americus, she performed live on WSB radio in Atlanta in 1930, and played with John Phillip Sousa at the Rylander Theatre around the same time. Throughout her life, she enjoyed music and civic activities.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she had been the first church organist, a position she held for several years. She received her education in music at Georgia State College for Women (Milledgeville) and the University of Georgia, and was a graduate of Auburn University, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honorary society. She was actively involved in the organization of the Ella Jones PTA in Blakely in the mid-1940s and served as its first president. She also served on the state board of Georgia Congress of Parents and Teachers as district director from Southwest Georgia. She was a member of the Literary Club in Americus and several clubs in Blakely.
Mrs. Wall is survived by a daughter, Anne Wall Williams and her husband, Elvin B., of Gainesville, Fla.; a son, Dr. William Henry Wall Jr. of Dunwoody; a brother, Charles E. Walker and his wife, Nell of Albany; grandchildren, William Henry Wall III of Brookhaven, Steven B. Wall of Alpharetta, Cami W. Phosai of Dunwoody, Kim Wall of Stone Mountain, Dr. Scott M. Williams of Brenham, Texas, Edward B. Williams of Tallahassee, Fla., and Catherine W. Christensen of Lawrenceville; seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29 in the chapel at Magnolia Manor with the Rev. John Brodess and the Rev. Brooks Partain officiating. iIntermentwill be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Ellaville cemetery in the Wall family plot. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the League of the Good Samaritan at Magnolia Manor, 2001 S. Lee St., Americus GA 31709.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
