Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Mary Sybil Nixon
ATHENS -- Mary Sybil Nixon, 82, of 329 Cane Creek Lane, Athens, died Tuesday, July 29, 2003.
A native of Oconee County, Mrs. Nixon was a daughter of the late Willard H. and Marie Hayes. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Carlton (Nick) Nixon. She was retired from Reliance Electric. She was a member of the VFW Post 2872 Auxiliary, the Athens Moose Club and the Antioch Christian Church.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Lou and Tom Thompson of Americus and Carla and Danny Sheridan of Arcade; sisters Gertrude Morris of Athens, Wilda Lord and Elizabeth Burrell both of Watkinsville and Betty Moore of Hartwell; grandchildren Cassandra Jo Daniel of Americus, Paige McLeroy of Athens and Melissa Headrick of Houschton; five great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. today, July 31, 2003, at Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Larry Elliott officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Albert Van Helden, Jerry Sonnenberg, Forrest Adcock, Curtis Page, Warren Huff and Milton Bradberry.
The family will be at the homes of Billy Dean Nixon Sr., 1251 Crooked Creek Road, Athens, and Danny and Carla Sheridan, 3239 Ethridge Road, Jefferson.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
David Lamar Williams
SMITHVILLE - Mr. David L Williams, 66, of Smithville died at his residence early this morning. Mr. Williams was a native of Sumter County and lived all of his life in Sumter and Lee counties. Mr. Williams was the owner and operator of Williams Meat Processing in Smithville and also a farmer for many years, as well as a Mason and a member of the Plains United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 31, 2003, from the Plains United Methodist Church with Rev. Rick Hamilton officiating. iIntermentwill follow in the Smithville City Cemetery. The family receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 30, at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel.
In addition to his mother, Gladys Merchant of Americus, Mr. Williams is survived by one son, Coleman Willians Sr of Smithville and one grandson, Coleman Williams Jr of Smithville. Also surviving are one brother, Calvin Williams of Plains; one half brother, Vertis Merchant, of Leesburg; and two half sisters, Ima Jewell Chappell and Evon Satterfield of Americus.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jimmy Jones, Dewey Paradise, Bill Medlock, Bobby Bacon, JC Webb, and Wilburn Smith. Members of the Teressa Smith Sunday School Class of Plains United Methodist Church are ask to serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Americus and Sumter County Inc. P.O. Box 1434, Americus, Ga 31709 or to the Plains Methodist Church, 305 W Church St, Plains, Ga 31780.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Oscar Williams Sr.
AMERICUS - Mr. Oscar "Pocket" Williams Sr was born Sept. 25, 1931, in Pinellas County, Fla. He was the son of the late Mary Ella Williams and James L Williams Sr. Two bothers (Willie Lee Tucker and James L Williams Jr) and two sisters (Rosa Nell Tucker and Katie Bell Williams-Reddick) preceded him in death.
"Pocket" joined Old Shady Grove Baptist Church at a young age under the pastorage of the late Rev. George Thomas. He attended school at the Old Shady Grove School. His work career began on the farm and in later years he worked at Wheatley Engineering Company and the Americus Construction Company.
After a few months of illness, he died peacefully at his home on Sunday evening, July 27, 2003. He leaves to cherish in memory, his devoted wife of 38 years, Mrs. Jessie Pearl Dean-Williams, Americus; sons, Mr. Reginald Keith Dean (Denise), Summerville, Sc, Mr. Oscar Williams Jr (Mae), Enterprise, Al, Mr. Kenneth Lee Williams, Mr. Anthony Tavares Williams, and Mr. Jason Josey, Americus, Mr. Timothy Wallace, Atlanta; a daughter, Ms. Martha Lynn Williams, Americus; grandchildren, Shelton Williams, Avery Williams, Sarah Dean, Reginald Dean Jr, Joshua Dean, Na Porcha Brown, Aaron Brown, Tia Williams; two devoted cousins, Mr. Charles Mathis and Mrs. Ozie Calloway; a host of neices and nephews; five brothers-in-law, eight sisters-in-law, other relatives and dear friends.
West's Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Carey David Burkey
AMERICUS - Mr. Carey David Burkey, 43, of Wood Valley Apartments, Richland, died shortly after midnight on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at Sumter Regional Hospital. Funeral servcies will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 30 in the chapel of Hancock Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Purks and the Rev. Preston Day officiating. iIntermentservices will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 at Helen-Crigger cemetery in Munford, Tenn.
Mr. Burkey, a native of Tifton County, Tenn., was born Nov. 19, 1959, a son of Paul Burkey of Munford, Tenn., who survives, and the late Linda Walker Mahaffey Burkey. He was a student at Georgia Southwestern State University.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today, July 29 at Hancock Funeral Home.
Survivors, in addition to his father, include his step-mother, Gerry Burkey; two sisters, Christine Wade of Munford, Tenn., and Shelley Gough of Brighton, Tenn.; two brothers and a sister-in-law, David Golden of Brighton, Tenn., and Rick and Lisa Burkey of Allen, Texas.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Timmy J. Murray
ELLAVILLE - Timmy J. "T.J." Murray, 45, of 484 Dixon Drive, Ellaville passed Friday, July 25, 2003.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church, Ga. Highway 240 East, Ellaville. iIntermentwill follow in Gailee Cemetery, U.S. Highway 19 North, Ellaville.
Timmy J. "T.J." Murray was born March 7, 1958, in Schley County, to T.J. Murray Sr. and Arlene Thornton Murray. He attended John Lewis High School. He was preceded in death by one brother, James Otis Murray. T.J. was employed with Hammack Well Inc. for 18 dedicated years.
In addition to his parents, survivors are his children, Alex Bernard Murray, LaShanda People and Ebony People; siblings, Willie Charles (Stacy) Murray, Joann Murray, Vivian Kay (Emmett) Lawson, Neal (Earnestine) Murray amd Abbey Murray; and a host of nieces, nephews, other and relatives and friends.
A viewing will be held one prior to the service at the church.
Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph Jackson Pope
OMAHA -- Joseph Jackson Pope, 83 of Omaha, died on Friday, June 6, at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 9 from the Oak Grove cemetery with the Rev. Ed Holloway officiating.
Mr. Pope, a native of Stewart County, was born October 28, 1919, a son of the late Edward Lee Pope, Sr. and Mattie Pope. His wife, Mrs. Mary Frances Ricker Pope, preceded him in death on March 28, 1989. he was a member of the Omaha Baptist Church and an U.S. Army veteran. he retired after serving as postmaster and rural mail carrier for 4 0 years.
The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.
Memorial contributions may be made tot he Wire Grass Hospice, 1901 Stadium Drive, Phenix City, AL 36867.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Fran and Vic Coulter of Phenix City, Al; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph G. and Stephanie Pope of Bellaire, TX; grandchildren Patrick and Nicole Coulter of Phenix City Al, Hannah Pope and Avery Elizabeth Pope, both of Bellaire, TX; a great-grandson, William Couter of Phenix City; a sister-in law, Edra Pope of Tifton; and several nieces and nephews, including Ed and Sally Pope of Atlanta and Tallulan and Ray Rogers of Tifton. A brother, Edward Lee Pope of Atlanta, Jr. and two sisters, Louise Singer and Marion Hendricks, preceded him in death.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hiram Usry, Sr.
SMITHVILLE -- Mr. C. Hiram Usry, Sr., 62, of 677 State Highway 118 E, Smithville, died at his residence on Friday, June 6, 2003. Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 9 from, the Leslie United Church with Rev. Jim McIlrath and the Rev. Charles Puryear officiating. iIntermentwill follow in the Smithville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. At other times, friends may call at the family residence.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Americus and Sumter County, P.O. Box 1434, Americus Georgia 31709.
Mr. Usry, a native of Sumter County, was born December 31, 1940, a son of Mrs. Erianne Elizabeth Chance Thornton of Americus and the late Charles Deshler Usry. While he as a student at the University of Georgia, he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and the livestock judging team. he graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Animal Science.
Mr. Usry was a prominent Lee County Farmer and a member of the Leslie United Methodist Church. he was a Mason, a Shriner, the current president of the Leesburg Civitan Club, and a former member of the Federal Land Bank Board. He worked for many years to benefit children, with an emphasis on helping special education students. he was instrumental in obtaining the money needed to build the activities building at Lee County school, for needed paving to serve the school needs, for rifles to be used by the ROTC students, and for many other worthwhile projects designed to make more learning opportunities for the children of Lee County. He served on the Lee County School Board from 1994-1998, but most of his efforts in behalf of the public school system were done behind the scenes. The Biblical Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, " formed the basis for his life.
Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Martha Usry of Smithville, 3 daughters and a son-in-law, Cheryl Usry of Dallas, TX, Christina and David Evans of Rebecca, and Candace Usry of Smithville; a son and daughter-in-law, Charles H. and Lorie Usry of Smithville; a sister, Charlene Usry of Smithville; a brother sister-in-law, Robert E. and Betsy Usry of Smithville; 5 grandchildren, Colby Usry, Katie Usry, and Kendall Usry, all of Smithville, Rainse Evans and Riley Evans, both of Rebecca; and several nieces and nephews.
Hancock Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Jeanette Lamb Allen
MONTEZUMA -- Jeanette Lamb Allen, 90, of Montezuma, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Montezuma United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Bertha Dozier Memorial Park Cemetery. The Rev. Ken Myer will officiate.
Born in Wadley, she was the daughter of the late Owen Franklin Lamb and Hattie Memphis Bedingfield Lamb. She was the widow of Judson Taylor Allen Sr. She was the co-owner and operator of Allen Jewelry Store in Montezuma for 35 years. She was a member of the Montezuma United Methodist Church and the Philathea Sunday School Class. She was the past Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Music Lovers Club. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Judson Taylor Allen III.
She is survived by her children, Judson T. and Clara Allen of Montezuma, Ann and Robert Fear of Montezuma and Jean McCosh of Americus; grandchildren Lauren and Steve Stephens of Montezuma, Charlene and James E. Lewis Jr. of Kalamazoo, Mich., Sara and Abner Mintz of Laurel, Md., Rachel and Chris Rutledge of Chattanooga, Tenn., Ken and Marci McCosh of Callahan, Fla., Leigh and Brian Prell of Gainesville; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. today in the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Montezuma United Methodist Church, N. Dooly St., Montezuma, GA 31063.
Family may be contacted at the Fear residence, 512 Engram St., Montezuma, GA 31063.
Watson Mathews Funeral Home in Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.
John Karl Goepp
RIVERDALE - John Karl Goepp, 92, of Riverdale, died Tuesday, May 27, 2003. He retired from Delta Airlines and was a member of Riverdale First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by a son, John and Robbie Jean Goepp of Gay; a daughter, Amelia Burns of Peachtree City; two grandchildren, Austin Burns of Peachtree City, and Michelle Goepp of Newnan; one great-grandchild, Rebecca Ann Grant of Newnan; a brother, George D. Goepp of Fort Pierce, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 30 at Carl J. Mowell and Son Chapel, Peachtree City. Entombment will follow at Camp Memorial Park. Pastor Lanier will officiate. Family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverdale First United Methodist Church, 6390 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Ga. 30296.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City, is in charge of arrangements.
Willie Roger Harper
AMERICUS - Funeral services for Mr. Willie Roger Harper of 118 Andrews Drive, Americus, who died on Saturday, March 29, 2003, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2003, at the Healing Temple Holiness Church. Elder Benny Clark will officiate and burial will follow in the Staley Memorial Gardens. A viewing will be held at the church one hour prior to services.
Mr. Willie Roger Harper was born on Aug. 23, 1963, in Sumter County to the parentage of Mr. Ike Harris and Ms. Eula Harper, both of whom survive.
In addition to his parents, he leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Ms. Nina Harper; son, Mr. Marcus Harper; his step-mother, Ms. Velma Harris; four sisters, Ms. Linda Harper, Ms. Carolyn Harper, Ms Peggy Sue Harris and Ms. Debra (Timothy) Wilkerson; six brothers, Mr. Ulysses Harper, Mr. Glenn (Veronica) Harper, Mr. Dwight (Vicki) Harris, Mr. Kip Harris, Mr. Gregory (Stephanie) Harris and Mr. David Charles; his mother-in-law, Ms. Lillie Pearl Searcy, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Barnum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Julia McGrady
EAST ORANGE, N.J. - Julia McGrady of East Orange, N.J., formerly of Americus, died on March 28, 2003.
She was the beloved wife of the late Lewis McGrady; mother of Carolyn Thompson of Americus and the late Clarence McGrady; grandmother of Sandra Wesley and Judy McGrady; great-grandmother of Terrence and Travis Wesley and Michael McGrady of New Jersey.
Services were held on Tuesday, April 1, 2003. Arrangements were by the George E. Cushnie Funeral Home of East Orange, N.J.
