Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Leah Oates
ALBUQUERQUE— Ms. Leah Oates, 36, of Albuquerque, N.M., formerly of Americus, died on June 21, 2007, in New Mexico. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 28 at Hancock Funeral Home. At other times, friends may call at the residence of Jason and Vicki Oates, 293 Tallent Store Rd., Americus. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 29, in Shiloh Baptist Church with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The Rev. Hugh Harbort will officiate.
Ms. Oates was reared in Americus and attended school in Sumter County. She received her nurse’s training at Georgia Southwestern before moving to New Mexico about 15 years ago where she worked as a registered nurse.
Survivors include three children, Tristan Massey, Branden Massey and Mark McNaney, all of Albuquerque; her mother, Pattie Garner, father, Richard Oates, step-father, Richard Frey, step-mother, Annette Wainwright, step-grandmother, Kathryn Oates, brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Vickie Oates, and niece, Sarah Oates, all of Americus.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.
Charles Curtis Royal
ELLAVILLE — Mr. Charles Curtis Royal, age 90, of 142 County Line Church Rd., Ellaville, died Saturday evening, June 23, 2007 at Summerhill Nursing Home in Perry where he had been a resident for the last six years. A memorial service was held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 25 at County Line Methodist Church. The Rev. Jimmy Sharp, the Rev. Mark Kinservick and the Rev. Bud Womack were scheduled to officiate. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Mr. Royal was born July 9, 1916 in Schley County, the son of Inda Freeman Royal and George Washington Royal. He was a SIU in the Merchant Marines and retired from Schley County Road Department. Mr. Royal was a member of County Line Methodist Church and loved Ellaville.
Survivors include six nieces, Sandra Kay Royal, Carlene Beckwith, Lisa Allen, all of Ellaville, Delieta Willis of Vienna, Kathleen Royal Militi of Pennsylvania and Inda Flanders of Cordele; two nephews, Mark Royal and Leonard Royal, both of Ellaville; four special great nieces, Ashli Solinger, Carli Solinger, Elizabeth Solinger and Tracy Royal, all of Ellaville; and one sister-in-law, Lettie Royal of Ellaville.
Visitation was held after the service on Monday evening in the fellowship hall of the church. Guests may sign the online guest book and share their own special thoughts and memories with the family of Mr. Royal by visiting Watson-Giddens Funeral Home’s website at www.watsongiddensfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to County Line Methodist Church, c/o Virginia Sewell, 7361 SR 228, Ellaville, GA 31806.
Watson-Giddens Funeral Home was in charge of these arrangements.
Michael Jerome Welborn Sr.
ALBANY — Funeral services for Michael Jerome Welborn Sr., age 32 of Americus, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at the Friendship Baptist Church; burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery.
Michael, affectionately known as “Jack, ” was born on Dec. 6, 1974, to the parentage of John and Edna Rambo Welborn in Sumter County. He died on Monday, June 25, 2007, at the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany.
He was married
to the former Latasha McGrady and this union was blessed with three children. For many years, Michael was a technician at D & D Automotive.
Left to keep his family legacy alive is his loving and devoted wife, Mrs. Latasha Welborn; the joys of his life (his children) : Tyshekia Welborn, Michael Welborn Jr., and Mi'kayla Welborn; his devoted parents, Mr. John Melvin Welborn and Mrs. Edna (Leroy Merritt) Welborn; his father and mother-in-law: Mr. and Mrs. James and Mary McGrady; four sisters: Claudia (Darrell) Walters, Carla (Willie) Welborn, Cassandra Banks, and Ilene Welborn; ten brothers: John Edward (Velma) Welborn, Charles Welborn, Victor Welborn, Tellias Welborn, Freddie Mullins, Eddie Mullins, Alfonso Banks, Henry Charles Welborn, Calvin (Shanita) Banks, and Tommy (Latory) Welborn; three sisters-in-law: Roschunda McGrady, Kimberly (Derrick) Thomas, and Abigil Dodson; two brothers-in-law: James Bernard McGrady and James whom he thought of and cared for as a brother, Dennis “Lil D” (Tracy) Carter; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowing friends.
West’s Mortuary of Americus & Montezuma are in charge of arrangements.
Lena M. Hicks Grant
ELLAVILLE — Mrs. Lena M. Hicks Grant went home peacefully Sunday morning, June 17, 2007. Funeral services will be held graveside at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Gill will officiate.
Mrs. Grant was born Sept. 28, 1930 in Ashford, Ala. to Richard Joseph Hicks and Effie Marie Hicks. She was the widow of Dallas Ladon Grant. From this union was brought forth seven children: Martha Purvis of Tifton, Don Grant of Shellman, John Allen Grant of Shellman, Neil Grant of Ellaville, Kerry Royle-Spears of Ellaville, Damon Grant of Middlesex, N.C. and one daughter who preceded her in death, Sharon M. Stuckey of Ellaville. Mrs. Grant is also survived by four sisters, Inez Jurnigan of Lakeland, Fla., Evelyn Tolbert of Blackshear, Viola Benner of Clearbrook, Va., Pearl Bryant of Jesup; one brother, Ernest Hicks of Ellaville; four granddaughters, including a devoted granddaughter, Stephanie Royle of Ellaville, nine grandsons and 16 great-grandchildren. Also numerous nieces and nephews, including her special nephew, Little Joe Still, and several great-nieces and great-nephews survive. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Clifton Hicks, Joe Hicks, John Hicks and Willard Hicks.
Mrs. Grant was a seamstress and a homemaker for many years, beloved by her family and friends and loved by many more. She will be missed by all that knew her.
Visitation will be held from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home in Ellaville.
Watson-Giddens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Carson Hines
LESLIE — Mr. James Carson Hines, age 79, of 151 East Allen Street of Leslie, died late Friday morning June 15, 2007 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany.
Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 17 at Leslie Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim English officiating and the burial to following the in Leslie City Cemetery.
Asked to serve as active pallbearers are; Charlie Johnston, Clark Bass, Robert Douglas, Buddy Douglas, Robert Law and Chad Ledger. Asked to serve as honorary pallbearers are; the deacons of Leslie Baptist Church. The family received friends at the funeral home Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m., June 16. and at other times the family residence 151 Allen Street in Leslie.
Mr. Hines was born Oct. 19, 1927 in Jackson County, Ga. the son of the late Luther Cecil Hines and Merle Carson Hines. He attended ABAC College, was with the Civil Service at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Ga. where he retired and in his later years was a Tour Guide at the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie. He was also a faithful member of Leslie Baptist Church where he was the church clerk for over fifty years and a deacon.
Mr. Hines is survived by his beloved wife Pat Hines of Leslie; a sister and brother-in-law; Dorothy H. Harris and Lawrence of Powder Springs, Ga.; a brother Kenneth Milton Hines of Macon and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the building fund of Leslie Baptist Church 106 South Bailey Ave., Leslie, GA 31764.
Aldridge Funeral Services was in charge of these arrangements.
Alice Mae H. Ruff
ALBANY — Funeral services for Alice Mae Hartage Ruff of 401 Winn St., Americus, who passed on Saturday, June 2, 2007, in the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Union Tabernacle Baptist Church. The Rev. Larry Sims will officiate and burial will follow in Eastview Cemetery. There will be a viewing of the body one hour prior to the services at the church.
Mrs. Alice Mae Hartage Ruff was born on Aug. 12, 1931, in Schley County to the parentage of the late Mr. Dudley Hartage and the late Mrs. Bessie Minter Hartage.
She leaves to mourn her passing, a son, Mr. Walter Smith and friend, Ms. Rachel Gillmore; two daughters, Mrs. Loretta (Vernon) Jones and Mrs. Alice (Leon) Branch; two sisters, Ms. Nettie Hartage and Ms. Grace H. Wilcox; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Barnum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit the web site, www.barnumfuneralhome.com, for more information.
Mildred Adams Grant
MONTEZUMA — Mrs. Mildred Adams Grant, age 75, of 1107 Ga. Hwy. 49 North, Andersonville died Tuesday morning May 8, 2007 at Flint River Community Hospital in Montezuma. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday May 10, 2007, at First Baptist Church in Americus, with Rev. Bill Hendricks and Williard “Muff” Martin officiating, with burial to follow at Freeman Family Cemetery, Ga. Hwy. 49 North, Americus. The family will be receiving friends at the family residence, 1107 Ga. Hwy. 49 North. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Franky Williams, Rick Urash, Charles Hodges, William Wright, Kenneth Card and Don Card. Asked to serve as honorary pallbearers are; Virgil Wright, Ned Parker, Roy Peacock, Jim Tuggle, Lucky Scoggins, Pete Bunce and Larry Adams, Jr.
Mrs. Grant was born Nov. 18, 1931 in Colquitt County, the daughter of the late James Franklin Adams and Julia Barrentine Adams. She was a home maker and a member of Andersonville Methodist Church.
Mrs. Grant is survived by her husband Jefferson Hardin Grant of Andersonville; a daughter and son-in-law; Julia Grant Stanford and Ray of Andersonville; two sons and a daughter-in-law; David Hardin Grant and James Tharpe Grant and Tina also of Andersonville; sister and brother-in-law; Vivian Silas and Fred of Casa Grand, Az.; two brothers and sisters-in-law; James Howard Adams and Sandra of Georgetown, and William Larry Adams and Kippy of Moultrie; one brother-in-law; Hamilton Grant and wife Dorothy of Titusville, Fla. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Adam Alexander Deriso and April; Amanda Frances Deriso; Cole Hardin Grant and Jacob Tharpe Grant all of Andersonville, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Reese Park is in charge of these arrangements.
James Comer
AMERICUS — Mr. James Comer, 87, of Americus died on Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, in Oak Grove cemetery with the Rev. John Bagwell and the Rev. Jim McIlrath officiating.
A native of Jones County, Mr. Comer was born Feb. 25, 1920, a son of the late Otis Eddie Comer and the late Annie Ida Malone Comer. A veteran of World War II, he served in the 388th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Army Air Corps as a pilot of a B17 Flying Fortress, flying 35 missions over Germany and France. After the war he served as a vocational agriculture instructor, elementary school principal and retired as superintendent of the Butts County School System.
Survivors include his wife, Thelma LaVerne Mackin Comer of Americus; two sons, Reginald and Mary Comer of Americus and Bruce and Susan Comer of Griffin; four grandchildren, David and Mary Comer of Summerville, SC, Clay Comer of Americus, Stephen and Natalie Comer of Charlottesville, Va. and Carin and Peter Villeneuve of Lakeville, Ma.
Survivors also includes four great-grandchildren, Ella and Martha Comer of Summerville, SC and Gabriel and Ariel Villeneuve of Lakeville, Ma. and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by a brother; Oliver Comer, and two sisters, Margaret Comer Smith and Mable Comer Nobles and two half brothers, Charles Comer and Edwin Comer.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Hancock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The League of the Good Samaritan at 2001 S. Lee St., Americus, GA 31709.
Hancock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Evelyn Goolsby
FOREST PARK — Mary Evelyn Goolsby, 75, of Forest Park, died May 9, 2007. Survivors include her husband, Leonard Earl Goolsby; son, David Lee Goolsby and wife Joan, Hapeville; daughter, Donna Marie Hammock, Stockbridge; son, Daniel Irvin Goolsby, Riverdale; daughter, Joan Hall and husband Calvin, Stockbridge; daughter, Emily Delane Goolsby, Forest Park; daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Goolsby, Forest Park; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Anita Darlene Slade; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Bivins; sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nutt and brother, Charles Bivins Jr. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12 at Ward’s Fairview Chapel. The committal service will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Americus. The family will receive friends from 4-8:30 p.m. today at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home, Fairview Chapel, Stockbridge.
Herman Tandy Busby
MOULTRIE — Herman Tandy Busby, 78, of 221 Rossman Dairy Road, died Saturday, May 5, 2007, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today, May 8, at Cobb Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Ron Shiver officiating. Burial will follow in Cobb Suncrest Memorial Gardens.
Born May 8, 1928, in Newton County, Miss., he was the son of late Edgar Ross Busby and Susan Johnson Busby. Mr. Busby was a World War II Army veteran and was a retired maintenance mechanic with Swift and Co. He was a member of Funston Baptist Church.
Mr. Busby was preceded in death by two brothers, Edgar Busby and Elvin Busby, and a sister, Azell Justice.
Survivors include his wife, Alma Boatwright Busby of Moultrie; a daughter, Rebecca Busby Crist and husband Bernie of Hogansville; a brother, Jack Busby and wife Anna of Americus; and two grandchildren, Josh Crist and Lauren Crist.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Cobb Funeral Chapel, Moultrie.
Russell Bennett Childers Sr
AMERICUS — Mr. Russell Bennett Childers Sr., 85, of Americus, died Saturday, May 5. Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today May 8, at Oak Grove cemetery with the Rev. Allan Purtill officiating.
A native of Brooks County, Mr. Childers was born Dec. 3, 1921, a son of the late Roy W. Childers Sr. and the late Katie Jackson Childers. A veteran of World War II, he served with the 17th Bombardment Group of the 12th Air Force as a technical sergeant and B26 gunner, flying 176 combat and reconnaissance missions in Northern Africa, Italy and Southern France before being injured in a crash in Avignon, France, in 1944. He was a civilian employee at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, retiring in 1976 with 32 years total service.
Mr. Childers has lived in Americus since 1995, and was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Morris Childers.
Survivors include two sons, Gary Childers, of Oak Park, Ill., and Russ and Jo Childers of Americus; two grandchildren, Tripp and Robyn Childers, and Kay and Brian Clark; two great-grandsons, Jackson and William Childers; a sister, Louise McAdams; and numerous extended family members. He was also preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 6 at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel, Americus and at the family’s Lake Collins home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Americus and Sumter County, P. O. Box 1434, Americus GA 31709 or First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Jackson St., Americus GA 31709.
James C. Luster
LESLIE — Funeral services for the late James C. Luster of 359 R.W. Jones Rd., Leslie, who passed Sunday, May 6, 2007, at the Sumter Regional Urgent Care Center was held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, from the New Corinth Baptist Church. The Rev. Marcellous Willis officiated and burial followed in the church cemetery. There was a viewing of the body one hour prior to services at the church.
Mr. James C. Luster was born in Sumter County on July 1, 1932, to the parentage of the late Mr. Sammy Luster and the late Mrs. Bessie Lou Floyd Luster.
He leaves to mourn his passing; a son, Mr. Oscar Lester and devoted friend, Ms. Ivy L. Burton; three daughters, Ms. Dorothy Wilson, Ms. Gloria Lester and Mrs. Betty (Danny) Wilson; three sisters, Mrs. Carrie Bell (Elbert) Nash, Ms. Hannah Mae Luster and Mrs. Nona Mae Reddick; 21 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends also survive.
Barnum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
