Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Douglas Paulk
Mr. Douglas Paulk of Ashburn died Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at Tift Regional Medical Center. He was 82.
Mr. Paulk was born March 4, 1921 in Irwin County, son of the late Georgia (Henderson) Paulk and Robert Lee Paulk.
Mr. Paulk lived in Ashburn for the past two years and was a former resident of Tifton. He was a retired farmer, a former employee of Tom Houston Peanut Company in Columbus and Willet’s Truck Stop in Ocilla. Mr. Paulk served in the U. S. Army and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Erris and Sara Grace Paulk of Ocilla, two nieces and one nephew and three great-nieces.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla on Friday, June 27 at 2 p.m., with Rev. John S. Gibbs, Sr. officiating.
Music was provided by Ginny Paulk on keyboard.
Pallbearers were Waldo Paulk, Gene Paulk, Jimmy Brown, Vernon Pettis, Sam Ickes and Cleon Lott.
Interment was held at Brushy Creek Cemetery, Irwin County.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James McKinley Rountree
Mr. James McKinley Rountree, age 72, of Tennille died Friday, June 20 in the Medical Center in Macon following a short illness.
Services were held at the First Church of the Nazarene in Sandersville, Monday, June 23 at 11 a.m., with The Rev. J. Emory Lindsey, Rev. Jim Dunn and Rev. Lamar Brantley officiating. Burial was in the Zeta Cemetery in Tennille.
Pallbearers were Dan Rountree, Brian Rountree, Jamie Rountree, Jimmy Pagan, Stevie Dove, Bobby Godfrey, Robert Roberts and Beverly Hodges.
Mr. Rountree was a native of Laurens County, the son of the late Emmitt Clayton Rountree and the late Ruby Lee Morgan Rountree. He had lived in Washington County for many years and was a retired employee of the Corbett Plywood Company. Mr. Rountree was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ora Clyde Warren Rountree and a grandson, Dwayne Ryan Bradley.
Survivors include his wife, Frances Barfield Rountree; a daughter, Pattie Elaine Rountree Bradley of Sandersville; four sons, Danny Ray Rountree, Tommy Clyde Rountree and Scott Anthony Rountree, all of Tennille and James Paul Rountree of Sandersville; three sisters, Cathene R. Padgett and Jean R. Brogden, both of Fitzgerald and Ann R. Roberts of Chester; four brothers, Walter Rountree of Plant City, FL; Ernest Rountree of Ocilla, Julius Rountree of Zephyrhills, FL and Ronnie Rountree of Waycross; seven grandchildren, Paula Rountree, Leigh Holtapp, Kelli Oxley, Dan Rountree, Brian Rountree, Jamie Rountree and Dana Rountree and a great-grandson, William Holtapp.
The family suggests that donations may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene in Sandersville.
May and Smith Funeral Directors in Tennille was in charge of arrangements.
R.H. Cannady
Mr. R.H. “Rich” Cannady of Ocilla, died Monday June 30, 2003 at the Tift Health Care Nursing Home in Tifton. He was 94.
Mr. Cannady was born in Berrien County, son of William Wesley Cannady and Barzilla Roberts Cannady.
A carpenter, Mr. Cannady was a member of Mt. Paron Primitive Baptist Church. He was a former resident of Fitzgerald and had been a resident of Tift Health Care Nursing Home for the past three years. He was preceded in death by two wives, Elizabeth Mae Cannady and Eulalia Lane Cannady.
Mr. Cannady is survived by his wife, Laura Tucker Cannady; two sons, Herman Cannady of Tifton and Harold Cannady of Casey, SC and one daughter, Inez C. Young of Fitzgerald; one brother, Horace Cannady of Valdosta; two sisters, Elsie Yawn of Tifton and Myrtice Smith of Texas; 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Services will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at the Mt. Paron Primitive Baptist Church in Berrien County. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the Paulk Funeral Home in Ocilla.
Interment will follow in the Mt. Paron church cemetery.
Paulk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Homer D. Hudson
Mr. Homer D. Hudson of Stuart, FL died Tuesday, September 9, 2003, at his residence. He was 87.
Mr. Hudson was born April 14, 1916 in Irwin County, son of the late D.D. and Ella Williams Hudson. A retired electrician troubleshooter for Florida Power & Light Co., Mr. Hudson lived in Stuart the past 63 years. Mr. Hudson was of the Methodist faith, and a member of Masonic Lodge, Acacia Lodge 163, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ethleen, and brothers Randall, Milton, Wilson and Ted Hudson.
Survivors include three daughters, Kay Dubose of Stuart, FL; Bonnie Boatright of Jensen Beach, FL; Elaine O’Neal of Macon; a son, Carlos Hudson of Seffner, FL; two brothers J.W. Hudson of Ocilla, Newt Hudson of Rochelle, one sister, Beverly H. Bauerband of Boynton Beach, FL; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services were held at All County Funeral Home & Cremator, Treasure Coast Chapel, Stuart, FL.
Maggie Lee McDonald
Mrs. Maggie Lee McDonald of Fitzgerald died Saturday, September 27, 2003 at Fitzgerald Nursing Home. She was 79.
Mrs. McDonald was born March 3, 1924 in Ben Hill County, daughter of the late Fred Moffit and Maggie Hopkins Moffit.
A homemaker, Mrs. McDonald had lived in the community most of her life. She was a former resident of Greer, SC. She was a member of Taft Lane Baptist Church in Irwin County.
Survivors include her son, William R. McDonald of Easley, SC; one daughter, Margie Peek of Fitzgerald; one brother, Marvin Moffit of Frenchlich, IN; nine grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald on Tuesday, September 30 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Loy Reed officiating.
Interment was held at Abba Cemetery, Ben Hill County.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Milton “Milt” Smith
Milton “Milt” Smith of Ocilla died Thursday, September 18, 2003 at his residence. He was 78.
Mr. Smith was born July 8, 1925 in Coffee County, son of the late Avie (Hutto) Smith and Will C. Smith.
Mr. Smith lived in Irwin County most of his life. He was former owner/operator of Smith Service Station in Ocilla and a retired carpenter. Mr. Smith served in the U. S. Army during World War II, in the European Theatre and was awarded the Purple Heart. He attended Riverbend Baptist Church, Irwin County and was a former member of the Carpenter’s Union in Jacksonville, FL.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise McNatt Smith, a granddaughter and one sister.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Troy and Pat Smith of Irwinville and Tommy and Hazel Smith of Ocilla; brothers, Felder Smith of Callahan, FL and W. C. Smith of St. Petersburg, FL; sisters, Vera Walsh of Ocilla; Annette Holton of Lake City, FL and Zola Hardy of Tallapoosa; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at Riverbend Cemetery in Irwin County on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m., with Elder Jerry Barrs officiating.
Pallbearers were Mark Douglas, Rex Busbin, Larry Busbin, Lloyd Hilton, Brad Tucker and Donnie Jones.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Irene Myrtle Tatman Haynes
Mrs. Irene Myrtle Tatman Haynes of Ocilla died Wednesday, September 17 at her residence. She was 56.
Mrs. Haynes was born June 9, 1947 in Vinton Co., OH, daughter of the late Gail Ronald Tatman and Ruth Elizabeth Mills Tatman.
Mrs. Haynes was formerly employed with FoodMax in Tifton in the bakery for seven years. She graduated in 1965 from Allensville High School, Allensville, OH.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Edwin Haynes and a sister, Freda Brown.
She is survived by her sister, Edith Martin of Circleville, OH.
A private family service to be announced at a later date.
Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals of Tifton was in charge of arrangements.
Dustin Randall Varnedore
Dustin Randall Varnedore, 11, of Coffee County, died Saturday, September 20, 2003.
Services will be held Wednesday, September 24 at 11 a.m. at New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church in Ben Hill County with the Rev. Vernon Hughes officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Dustin lived in Wray for the past two years from Fitzgerald. He was in the sixth grade at West Coffee Middle School and a member of the 4H Club. Dustin attended New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church.
Survivors include his parents, David, Jr. and Ann Stone Varnedore of Wray; sister, Rosanne Varnedore of Wray; grandparents, Virginia Raffield of Warner Robins; Earl Raffield of Warner Robins, David and Beth Varnedore of Douglas; Rosetta Johns of Irwinville and Harold Giddens of Irwinville; aunts and uncles, Mindy and Russell Tucker, Bobby and Selina Cotterman, Philip and Dicie Sulatyski, James Varnedore and Loretta Varnedore.
Paulk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kayla Marie Varnedore
Kayla Marie Varnedore, 13, of Coffee County died Saturday, September 20, 2003.
Services will be held on Wednesday, September 24 at 11 a.m. at New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church in Ben Hill County with the Rev. Vernon Hughes officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Kayla lived in Wray for the past two years from Fitzgerald. She was in the eighth grade at West Coffee Middle School and attended New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church.
Survivors include parents, David, Jr. and Ann Stone Varnedore of Wray; sister, Rosanne Varnedore of Wray; grandparents, Virginia Raffield of Warner Robins, Earl Raffield of Warner Robins, David and Beth Varnedore of Douglas, Rosetta Johns of Irwinville and Harold Giddens of Irwinville; aunts and uncles, Mindy and Russell Tucker, Bobby and Selina Cotterman, Philip and Dicie Sulatyski, James Varnedore and Loretta Varnedore.
Paulk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Verlie Hinks
Mrs. Verlie Hinks of Fitzgerald died Friday, September 19, 2003 at Dorminy Medical Center. She was 75.
Mrs. Hinks was born August 1, 1928 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Ella (Lunsford) Owens and James Daniel Owens.
Mrs. Hinks lived in Ben Hill and Irwin Counties all of her life. She was a homemaker and a farm wife. She attended Big Creek Baptist Church in Irwin County.
She was preceded in death by husband, George Mathew Hinks.
Survivors include sons, George Hinks and James Hinks, both of Fitzgerald; daughter, Alice Clemons of Fitzgerald; brother, Bill Owens of Irwinville; great-great-grandson, Cameron Lee Walls; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Services were held at Big Creek Baptist Church on Sunday, September 21 at 4 p.m., with Rev. Wayne McCrimmon officiating.
Pallbearers were Jessie Harrell, Charles Harrell, Joe Walls, Joshua Walls, Jay Walls, Charles R. Chaney and Timothy Martin.
Interment was held at Big Creek Cemetery.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James B. Hunter
Elder James B. Hunter, age 83, of Valdosta and formerly of Brunswick, died September 18, 2003 at Heritage House Nursing Home in Valdosta.
Services were held Saturday, September 20 at noon in the Chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with Elder Roland Waters officiating. Interment was held in Palmetto Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers were deacons of the Brunswick Primitive Baptist Church.
Elder Hunter was a native of Ocilla and had been a resident of Valdosta since 1974 coming from Brunswick. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II. He was a Primitive Baptist minister and had been a pastor at Brunswick Primitive Baptist Church where he was ordained, Valdosta Primitive Baptist Church, Henderson Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and Union Primitive Baptist Church. He also supplied many other Primitive Baptist churches in south Georgia.
He was a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic being employed at Sea Island Company, Glynco Naval base and retiring from Moody AFB in Valdosta. He also owned and operated H and H Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in Valdosta.
Survivors include his wife, Elneta H. Hunter of Brunswick; six daughters, Patricia Kroscavage of Brunswick; Mary Findlay of Madison, FL; Martha Hunter Roberts of Brunswick, Anita Stansel, Pamela Hall, both of Valdosta; Penny Pitchford of Atlanta; one son, Larry James Hunter of Valdosta; one brother, Carl Hunter of Ocilla; one sister, Wylene Vaughn of Osierfield; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Primitive Baptist Foundation in care of Brunswick Primitive Baptist Church, 608 Second Street, Brunswick, GA 31520.
Edo Miller and Sons were in charge of arrangements.
Oma McCall Cumbee
Mrs. Oma McCall Cumbee, 95, of Ocilla died Saturday, September 13, 2003 at Fitzgerald Nursing Home.
Services were held Monday, September 15 at 11 a.m. at Ocilla Baptist Church with Rev. Gerald Thomas and Rev. Robert Couey officiating. Eulogy was given by Selena Bridges. Music was provided by Marty Smith, organist.
Interment was held in Ocilla Cemetery. Pallbearers were Wycliffe Griffin, Danny Paulk, Joe Worthington, Wyndall Walters, Jimmy Clark, Allen Petrie, Monroe Deese and Newton Hancock.
Mrs. Cumbee was born July 19, 1908 in Wilcox County, daughter of the late John Andrew McCall and Oma Gertrude Flowers McCall.
After graduating from high school in Cordele in 1926, Mrs. Cumbee earned her B.A. from Georgia State College for Women and master’s degree from the University of Georgia. After two years of teaching in Richland, she moved to Ocilla where she met and married John A. Cumbee, Sr., who preceded her in death.
During her career as an educator she taught grades four, five and six. In 1956 she was Teacher of the Year. The last 19 years of her career were spent as a visiting teacher, when she retired at the age of 70.
Mrs. Cumbee also worked for Sheriff Tillman Paulk in Irwin County for a number of years. She was a member of the Ocilla Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for 35 years. An active community volunteer, Mrs. Cumbee was a charter member the Delta Kappa Gamma, charter member of the Pilot Club, charter member of the Ocilla Book Club, charter member of the Arts Council, one of the first board members of Sunny Dale, a member of the Ben Hill-Irwin Retired Educator’s Association and Us and Others. She was presented the 2000 Humanitarian of the Year by the Ocilla-Irwin County Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Cumbee is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, John A., Jr. and Josephine Cumbee of Destin, FL and Joe and Laura Cumbee of Fitzgerald. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Eric Cumbee, Clay Cumbee, Lee Cumbee, Deborah Long and Selena Bridges and four great-grandchildren, Abigail Long, Caroline Long, Davis Long and Shepherd Bridges.
Paulk Funeral of Ocilla was in charge of arrangements.
