Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Teresa Hand Smith
METAIRIE, La. -- Funeral services for Teresa Hand Smith, age 45, of Metairie, La. will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday at First United Church in Tifton. The Rev. Jim Nalls and Rev. Joe Sims will officiate and interment will follow at Tift Memorial Gardens. She died March 22, 2004, in Metairie.
Pallbearers are: Scott Whitaker, David Whitaker, Frank Whitaker, Tommy Whitaker, J.R. Smith and Charles Hand Jr. Honorary pallbearers are: John Sims, Mike Sims, Fred McGinty, Warren McGinty and Emory Edwards.
Teresa Hand Smith was born Aug. 11, 1958, in Tifton to the parentage of Joe T. Whitaker Jr. and the late Sophronia Underwood Hand Whitaker. Mrs. Smith was vice president of Oak Ridge Park Inc. and a member of Munhollhand United Methodist Church, Metairie.
She lived in Metairie, La. for 17 years before her death. Mrs. Smith was a graduate of Tiftarea Academy, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Auburn University and Georgia Southwestern College. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi National Fraternity.
Survivors include her husband, James T. Smith III of Metairie; brothers, Scott Whitaker, David Whitaker, Frank Whitaker and Tommy Whitaker; her father, Joe T. Whitaker Jr.; sisters, Aimee Whitaker Hornsby and Mary Elsie Whitaker; aunts, Frances L. McGinty of Tifton, Edna Sims of Hernado, Fla. and Ruth Hand Hobbs of Atlanta; and grandparent Mary Jo Hand of Destin, Fla.
Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by grandparents, Milton and Claudia Underwood, James H. Hand Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Talley Whitaker.
Gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society and Munhollhand United Methodist Church.
Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals, Tifton, is in charged of arrangements.
J.W. Southwell
AMERICUS -- "Judge" J.W. Southwell, 82, died March 24, 2004 at Sumter Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 26, in the Cheek Memorial Baptist Church in Americus. iIntermentwill follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Members of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class of the church, law enforcement officers and personnel of the Sumter County magistrate court are requested to serve as honorary pallbearers. Active pallbearers will include Jimmy Greene, Randy Howard, Roland Satterfield, Hinton Goodwin, Lynwood McClung and Gerald Jordan.
Judge Southwell, a native of Worth County, was born Dec. 31, 1921, a son of the late Willie Ford "Dock" Southwell and Bessie Elizabeth Houston Southwell. He was a member and former deacon of Cheek Memorial Baptist Church, a member of the Senior Adults Sunday School Class and a member of the Peace Officers' Association.
In 1943, he began work with the Albany police department. In 1944, he began working with the state patrol, stationed at Perry. In 1946, he was transferred to the Americus post. In 1956, he affiliated with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, working six counties out of Americus. In 1963, he was forced into disability retirement because of injuries he sustained in 1951 while working traffic on U.S. Hwy. 19 south of Thomaston.
In 1964, he became an assistant Justice of the Peace with Cooper Bradley. In 1965, upon the death of Mr. Bradley, he ran for Justice of the Peace and was elected, remaining in that post until August 1984. In 1984, the magistrate law was passed, and he was sworn in as chief magistrate. In the late summer of 1984, he did not offer for reelection and retired from the magistrate office. In 1988 and 1992, he ran again for the office of magistrate judge and was reelected both times. On December 31, 1994, he retired. While he was in the J.P. office, he was appointed metropolitan judge for the city of Plains and held court once a month for nine years. He also served as coroner of Sumter County for 45 days until a special election for coroner was held following the unexpected death of Coroner Ben Moore. Mr. Southwell ran for public office eight times and won each time.
Survivors include his wife, Grace Mitchell Southwell of Americus; a son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Paula Dunlap Southwell of Americus; two granddaughters and a grandson-in-law, Tammy S. and Dean Crumbley and Angie S. Batts, all of Americus; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Rudy Southwell of Dougherty County; an aunt, Voncile Southwell of Albany; three great-grandchildren, Leigh Crumbley, Joseph Crumbley and Tori Batts, all of Americus; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. today, Thursday, March 25. At other times, friends may call at 237 Middle River Rd.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Katrena Albritton
PLAINS -- Mrs. Katrena Albritton, 73, died at Lillian Carter Nursing Home on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 10, 2004. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, in the Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery with the Rev. Hugh Harbort officiating.
Mrs. Albritton, a native of Schley County, was born July 18, 1930, a daughter of the late William Lamar Williams and Edith Beryl Autry Williams. She was the wife of the late Quinton Albritton, a retired employee of Manhattan Shirt Company, and a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends at the residence of Ronnie and Karan Albritton, 1085 Tallent Store Road.
Survivors include: a son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Karan Albritton of Americus; two sisters, Gerry Mason and Inez Moody, both of Palm Harbor, Fla.; four brothers and two sisters-in-law, W.L. Williams of Ellaville, Durell Williams of South Carolina, Eugene and Joan Williams of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Kenny and Beatrice Williams of Pensacola, Fla.; grandchildren, Jason and Aimee Albritton and Becky Fountain, all of Ellaville, Brandi Albritton and Joey Albritton, both of Americus and Brooke and Spence Johnson on Macon; two great-grandsons, Tayler Fountain and Will Albritton, both of Ellaville and a daughter-in-law, Dianne Albritton of Americus. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Albritton.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frances Methvin Harvey
AMERICUS -- Mrs. Frances Methvin "Tank" Harvey, 91, died at Magnolia Manor Nursing Home on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, in Oak Grove cemetery with the Rev. Jim McIlrath and the Rev. Bill Dupree officiating. Grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mrs. Harvey, a native and lifetime resident of Sumter County, was born May 3, 1912, a daughter of the late John Terrell Methvin and Maggie Suber Methvin. She was the wife of the late James Henry "Red" Harvey who preceded her in death on March 4, 1975.
Mrs. Harvey was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Americus and was active in the Sunday school program as long as her health permitted. She was a former member of the Civitan Auxiliary and enjoyed china painting, cooking, gardening and flower arranging.
The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12. At other times, friends may call at the residence of Ms. Marijane Dill, 142 Sylvan Drive.
Survivors include: three daughters and a son-in-law, Judy and Ray Welch of Albany, Marijane Dill of Americus and Celia Gonzalez of Charleston; a sister, Estelle Smith of Americus; grandchildren, Pam and Mike Smith of Brunswick, Allen Welch of Thomasville, Marc Welch of Atlanta, Mitch and Angela Welch of Albany, Michael and Candy Welch of Huntsville, Ala., Chris and Meredith Dill of Americus, Jeff and Bethany Dill of Fort Wayne, Ind. and Kimberly Matthews of Ashland, Ore.; great-grandchildren, Justin Welch, Taylor Welch and Nicholas Welch, all of Thomasville; Hannah Welch and Emma Welch, both of Huntsville, Ala., Hayden Dill and Maggie Dill, both of Americus and a number of nieces and nephews.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bettie Tolson Rhyne
AMERICUS -- Mrs. Bettie Tolson Rhyne, age 74, died on Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. Memorial services will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, in the First Presbyterian Church of Americus. iIntermentservices will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the cemetery at the Andersonville National Historic Site. The Rev. Jim Halstead will officiate at both services.
Mrs. Rhyne was born Sept. 25, 1929 in Henderson (Vance County), N.C., a daughter of the late James Garland Tolson, a pharmacist, and the late Stella Mae Hill, both of whom had formerly lived near Cartersville, S.C. She graduated from Henderson High School, attended Woman's College in Greensboro, N.C., and graduated from Meredith College at Raleigh. She later earned her master's degree in education from Georgia Southwestern in Americus. She taught first grade at Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and later in Montezuma (Macon County), Eastview Elementary in Americus and Southeast and Northeast Schools in Sumter County.
Her sense of patriotism was firm but not strident, reflecting the honor she attributed to her family. Her father was a World War I veteran; her brother, the late James Monroe Tolson, was a retired colonel; her brother-in-law, Robert S. Moore (husband of Mae Tolson Hill, deceased), was a retired colonel; and her husband of 51 years, Dr. Claude R. Rhyne, is a veteran of World War II.
Mrs. Rhyne was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Americus and a member of the Georgia Association of Educators.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Portia R. Menard and Dr. Ralph Menard of Lubbock, Texas, Bettye Grace Rhyne of Americus, and Dr. Claudia R. Greene and Dr. Michael Greene of Edmond, Okla.; two sons, Paul Andrew Rhyne and David Murray Rhyne, both of Americus; three grandchildren, Richard O. (Trey) Menard of Lubbock, Texas, Heather Marie Rhyne of Americus and Katelyn Greene of Edmond, Okla.; and several Tolson and Moore nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by several family members, including her son, John Claude Rhyne, her brother, James, and her sisters, Mae and Jayne, who died after a kidney transplant in the early days of the procedure.
The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12. At other times, friends may call at the family residence, 125 Highland Drive, Americus.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Regino Geronimo Gonzalez
Mr. Regino Geronimo Gonzalez, 22, of 8208 Acorn Lane, Camilla, died on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004. Mr. Gonzalez is survived by his wife Gloria Gonzalez and one son Henry Luis Geronimo Perez. The body will be returned to Mexico for burial.
A todos nuestros amigos hispanos les suplicamos ayudamos con recursos economicos para enviar el cuerpo de Regino Geronimo Gonzalez a la Colonia 20 de Noviembre Municipo de Amatenango de la Frontera, Chiapas, Mexico.
Para ayudar por favor llame a los telefonos (229) 924-3252 con Esvin Cardenar y al (229) 924-5966 o al (229) 924-0279 con Sonia o Brenda Perez o Abner Martinez.
Anyone wishing to help this family may contact Jose Echeverria at (334) 534-3726.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.
Maxine Renee Williamson
ALBANY -- Maxine Renee Williamson, 39, of 764 Bumphead Road, Americus, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at Big Bethel Baptist Church, 1330 N. Jackson St., Americus. Burial will follow in the Staley cemetery in Americus. The Rev. Calvin Rollins and Elder James Grier will officiate.
Born March 15, 1964, in Sumter County, Ms. Williamson was a 1981 graduate of Tri-County High School in Buena Vista.
She is survived by her parents, Mrs. Ruby Mae Williamson of Americus and Mr. Eugene Williamson of Ellaville; one sister, Mrs. Rosalyn W. Taylor of Albany; two brothers, Mr. Kerry Williamson and Mr. Dexter Williamson, both of Americus; her grandfather, Mr. Felix Williamson of Ellaville.
The remains will be at the church from noon until the funeral hour on Friday.
Meadows Funeral Home of Albany is in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Geraldine Riley Usry
LAGRANGE -- Mrs. Thelma Geraldine Riley Usry, 73, of Route 2, Box 41C, Ellaville, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at Hospice of LaGrange. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6., at Concord United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Ellaville Cemetery. The Rev. Mark Carter will officiate.
Mrs. Usry was born June 6, 1930, in Sumter County, the daughter of the late Samuel and Thelma Riley of Americus. She was a member of Concord United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Mrs. Usry was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Lester Harold Usry and one sister, Betty J. Dillard.
Survivors include three sisters and one brother-in-law, Darlene Weathers of LaGrange, Clair and Donnie Drew of Commerce and Era Bell of Titusville, Fla. She was loved and is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Usry is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Marvin E. and Peggy Usry, Bobby and Laverne Usry, Brenda and Dan Todd, Mildred Dobbs, Jean Hancock and Catherine Thomas.
Pallbearers will include Hal Usry, Bob Usry, Shane Alligood, Todd Bell, Scooter Weathers, Jason Lord and Randy Hall.
Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. today, Feb. 5, at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home
Watson-Giddens Funeral Home of Ellaville is in charge of arrangements.
Ada Lee Womble
AMERICUS -- Mrs. Ada L. Womble, 55, of 438 Arch Helms Road, Americus died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at Sumter Regional Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 in the chapel of Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Tommy McConnell officiating.
A native of Florence, S.C., Mrs. Womble was born March 13, 1948, a daughter of Herbert Lee who survives her and the late Mary Turner Espegreen . She had resided in Sumter County for the past three years after moving here from Melber, Ky. She was a loving mother and grandmother, gardener, craftsman and an elementary school teacher. She also raised Appaloosas and quarter horses.
Memorials may be made to the Sumter County Humane Society, 702 Magnolia Street, Americus, Ga. 31709.
Survivors other than her father, Herbert Lee of Florence, S.C., are a daughter, Terry Usry of Americus; a son and daughter-in-law, Johnny Ray Stanton and Karen of Melber, Ky.; three sisters, Bernice Barefoot and Ginger Lee both of Florence, S.C., and Cathy Patrick of Gilbert, S.C.; one brother, Jack Espegreen of Florence, S.C.; five grandchildren, Joshua Usry and Amanda Murray both of Americus, Austin Eades, Tyler Ray Stanton and Christopher Stanton, all of Melber, Ky.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
L.N. Lassiter
MARIETTA -- Mr. L.N. Lassiter, former resident of Americus, passed away on Jan. 24, 2004 after a short battle with cancer.
Mr. Lassiter retired from United Insurance Company of America and returned to his birthplace, Cobb County, where he was involved in the family business, Lassiter Property Investments LLC, for the past 20 years. Mr. Lassiter was past-president of the Americus Kiwanis Club, past-president of the Georgia Dahlia Society, and a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, Marietta Men's Garden Club and Yaarab Shrine Temple.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Charlotte Lassiter of Marietta; daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne and John Cahill of Ellijay, and Kay and Mike Dempsey of Marietta; four grandchildren, Christopher, Missy and Scott Dempsey of Marietta, and Julian Gendreau of Ellijay; one brother, two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.
H.M. Patterson & Son, Canton Hill Chapel, 1157 Old Canton Road N.E., Marietta, is in charge of arrangements.
William Guy Moncus
DUBLIN-William Guy Moncus, age 82, died early Friday morning at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin. A native of Webster County, he was born November 11, 1921 a son of the late Eugene Moncus and Jenny Dee Walker Moncus. The body was cremated and no local services will be held.
Mr Moncus served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1946 and in the U.S.Air Force from 1947-1963.
Survivors include five sisters, Thelma Blount of Americus, Mary Alice Buchanan of Greenwood, S.C., Gladys McAllister of Athens, Patricia Martin of Headland, Ala. and Eugenia Edenfield of Claxton; two brothers, Gene Moncus of Ailey and John W. Moncus of Georgetown. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. His wife, Mary Moncus preceded him in death.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
