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Shirley Ring Griner
Shirley Ring Griner, 72, of Fitzgerald, died Thursday, May 27, 2004 at Fitzgerald Nursing Home.
Mrs. Griner was born December 15, 1931 in Fitzgerald, daughter of the late Pearlie and Sarah Crawley Ring. She lived in the community most of her life and was raised by her grandparents, J. H. and Myrtle Crawley of Irwinville. Mrs. Griner was a homemaker, a registered nurse in Aransas Pass, TX and a former employee of Irwin County Hospital. She was a member and Past Worthy Matron of the Osceola Chapter #431 of the Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Griner attended Big Creek Baptist Church in Irwin County. She was a loving mother and grandmother.
Survivors include three daughters and one son, Debbie Steverson, Marvene Sherrod, Tina Futch and Rodney Griner, all of Fitzgerald; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one brother, Clifford Ring of Fargo. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin P. Griner; one grandson, Rusty Steverson and one brother, Sonny Ring.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald on Saturday, May 29 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Bob Chaudoin officiating. Interment was held in Ocilla Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Josh Harrell, Steven Costa, Michael Thompson, Mat Costa, Josh Sumner and Ronald Richey.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lavada Lucille ‘Sallie’ Carr Bryan
Mrs. Lavada Lucille “Sallie” Carr Bryan, 91, of Chula died Monday, July 12, 2004 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Bryan was born September 22, 1912 in Heard County, daughter of the late Columbus Wiley “Lum” Carr and Annie Maudie Hester Carr. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Arzie Johnson Bryan, one son and one daughter-in-law, Milton Connell Bryan and Jeanette Brown Bryan; four brothers, Aubrey Carr, Howard Carr, Marvin Carr and Judson Carr and one sister, Stella Carr Webb.
A longtime resident of Irwin County, Mrs. Bryan was a homemaker and a member of Waterloo Missionary Baptist Church.
Services were held at Waterloo Baptist Church, Wednesday, July 14 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Scott Tidwell and Rev. Jack Thompson officiating.
Pallbearers were Tracy Bryan, Rob Bryan, Mark Watson, Jessie Brantley, Ricky Bryan, Jim Albritton, Clint Griffeth and Randy Bryan.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Marlen Johnson Bryan and Carol Phelps Bryan, Melvin Wiley Bryan and Joann Jones Bryan, all of Chula; six sisters and four brothers-in-law, Carrie Carr Dunn of Macon, Naomi Carr Earn and Ernest Earn of Macon, Margaret Carr Belflower of Macon, Thelma Carr Daughtrey and H. E. “Gene” Daughtrey of Lenox, Leecie Carr Jones and Wilbur Jones of Tifton, Juanita Carr Graham and Joe Graham of Warner Robins; 10 grandchildren, Alice Brantley of Douglas, Elaine Shore of Monroe, Ricky Bryan, Jenny Watson and Lisa Young, all of Loganville, Randy Bryan, Rob Bryan, Karen Albritton and Tracy Bryan, all of Chula and Susan Czech of Longwood, FL; 21 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Tift Area.
Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors-Tiftarea Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Sue Stringer
Mrs. Sue Stringer, 67, of Fitzgerald died Wednesday, July 14, 2004 at her residence.
Services were held at Englewood Baptist Church on Saturday, July 17 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Bobby Stone officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Stringer was born December 2, 1936 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Clifton S. and Willa M. Barron Roberts. She lived in Ben Hill County and Irwin County most of her life. Mrs. Stringer was a member of Englewood Baptist Church.
Survivors include three brothers, Carol F. Roberts of Fayetteville, NC, Roger A. Roberts of Fitzgerald and Kenneth G. Roberts of Calhoun; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Stringer.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dr. B.A. ‘Gus’ Wentz
Blance August Wentz, 71, of 1002 Old Denver School Road, Sandy Springs, died July 15, 2004 at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in Fitzgerald, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1956; master’s degrees from University of Florida, Duke University and a Phd. from Columbia Pacific University.
He taught for 27 years, (including the Irwin Co. school system) retiring in 1986 from the Tri-County Technical Social Science Department.
Dr. Wentz was a poet and writer, a volunteer with Hospice of the Upstate and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He was an Air Force Veteran of the Korean War and a founder of the Anderson Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association.
Surviving are his widow, Patricia G. Wentz, of the home; two daughters, Maryanne White of Clemson, SC and Susan Gibbs of Marietta; son, John P. Wentz of Melrose Park, PA; one sister, Geneva Sowell of Fitzgerald and four grandchildren.
He was the son of Herman R. Wentz and Marietta B. Wentz. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, C. M., F.H. and L.A. Wentz.
A memorial service was held at McDougald Funeral Home of Anderson on Sunday, July 18 at 3 p.m. There was also a memorial mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Monday, July 19 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1303 McLees Road, Anderson, SC 29621, or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC.
Lavada Lucille “Sallie” Carr Bryan
Mrs. Lavada Lucille “Sallie” Carr Bryan, 91, of Chula died Monday, July 12, 2004 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Services will be held Wednesday, July 14 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Scott Tidwell officiating. The body will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to
the service. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors - Tiftarea Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Nathaniel Moreland
Mr. Nathaniel Moreland of Ocilla died Monday, June 28, 2004. He was 72.
Mr. Moreland was born May 2, 1932 in Ocilla, son of the late Georgia and Harris Moreland.
Nathaniel attended the public schools of Irwin County and moved to Jacksonville, FL in the 1950s. He was a member of Moncrief Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL.
He was a loyal and trusted employee of Painter’s Poultry Processing Plant in Jacksonville, FL for over 30 years until his retirement. He then returned to his hometown of Ocilla where he remained until his passing.
Survivors include four daughters, Patricia Eunice of Jacksonville, FL; Georgette Renee’ Moreland-Daniels of Tallahassee, FL; Patrecca Henry of Jacksonville, FL and Abigail Shellman of Savannah; two sister,s Lady B. Glover and Ionna Murrell of Ocilla; two brothers, Emory “Bubb” Moreland (Lillie) of Brunswick and Roosevelt Moreland (Doretha) of Jacksonville, FL; four grandchildren, Cheryl Burch of Jacksonville, FL; Darron Moreland of Tallahassee, FL; Chris Daniels of Tallahassee, FL and Faye Henry of Jacksonville, FL; one great-granddaughter, Taneisha Carroll of Jacksonville, FL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Services were held at Pleasant Grove First Baptist Church on Saturday, July 3 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Marvin Smith officiating.
Music was provided by the choir and soloists, Sister Novella Miller and Brother Edward Murrell.
Active pallbearers were Frank White, Roosevelt George, Eric Murrell, Darron Moreland, Ernest Murrell, Arthur Washington, Chris Daniels and Emory Moreland, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Emory Moreland, Sr. and Roosevelt Moreland.
Interment was held in Ocilla Cemetery.
Davis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Herman L. Dove
Mr. Herman L. Dove, 67, of Ocilla, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at his home.
Services were held at Ocilla Baptist Church Friday, July 2 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Gerald Thomas and Rev. Jesse Alligood officiating. Interment followed in the Irwinville Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Britt Faircloth, Bill Moyer, Jackie Benson, Slim Lee, Charles Ross, J. R. Kanady, Guy Evans and Garrett Griffin.
Honorary pallbearers were Irwin County High School Class of 1955.
Music was provided by Blane and Barbara Jacobs and Lynn Jones.
Mr. Dove was born April 20, 1937 in Irwin County, son of the late D. J. and Mildred Turner Dove. He lived in the community all of his life. Mr. Dove was a 1955 graduate of Irwin County High School, where he was an outstanding basketball and baseball player, receiving a scholarship to attend Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, GA and was invited to go to the Saint Louis Cardinals tryouts. He was a retired supervisor with Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Albany, a former employee of The Ocilla Star, former Fire Chief for the Ocilla Volunteer Fire Department and a former deputy for the Irwin County Sheriff’s Department. He was a member of the Ocilla Baptist Church and a former member of the Ocilla Jaycees.
Survivors include his wife, Dell J. Dove of Ocilla; son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Marilyn Dove of Ocilla; three grandchildren, Dennis, Andrew and Abby Dove; one brother, Denny Dove of Mystic. He was preceded in death by one sister, Barbara Jean Stringer.
Memorials may be made to Ocilla Baptist Church or Blue-Gray Community Hospice, Fitzgerald.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rubie P. Smith
Mrs. Rubie P. Smith, 90, of Fitzgerald, died Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at the Fitzgerald Nursing Home.
Services were held at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald, on Thursday, July 1 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Kelly Brown officiating.. Interment followed in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Johnny Vickers, Lee McGraw, Wayne Paulk, Ronnie Passmore, Abram Smith and Todd L. Whitley.
Music was provided by pianist, Marty Smith. A congregational song was led by Blane Jacobs and a duet was sung by Blane and Barbara Jacobs.
Mrs. Smith was born January 28, 1914 in Mystic, daughter of the late Thomas and Lunie Bush Passmore. She lived in the community most of her life and was retired owner/operator of Ruby’s Beauty Shop. Mrs. Smith was a member of First Baptist Church, the Bethany Sunday School class and a former Sunday School teacher for the junior department. She was a former member of the garden club.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Buster Vickers of Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Nancy Smith of Rabun Gap; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Lou Livingston; sister-in-law, Louise Passmore of Fitzgerald; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Looney Smith; one sister, Ruth Paulk and two brothers, Marion and Thomas Passmore.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Josie Mims McCall
Mrs. Josie Mims McCall, 93, of Fitzgerald died Thursday, July 1, 2004 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Graveside services were held at Evergreen Cemetery Saturday, July 3 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Greg Carroll and Rev. James Hubbard officiating.
Mrs. McCall was born December 8, 1910 in Poulan, daughter of the late Joseph Jackson Mims and Mattie King Mims. She lived in Fitzgerald most of her life and was retired with more than 50 years of service with Fitzgerald Mills. A loving and energetic mother and grandmother, Mrs. McCall was “everybody’s best friend”. She was a member of Crossview Baptist Church.
Survivors include four children, Geraldine McCall Evans of Tacoma, WA; Robert L. “Bob” McCall of Ocilla; Jack L. McCall of West Palm Beach, FL; Barbara Jo McCall of Fitzgerald; one sister, Doris Adams of Fitzgerald; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, John W. “Dud” McCall; two grandchildren, Lori Sue Evans and Robert Keith McCall, three brothers and two sisters.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Nita Jones Freeman
Mrs. Nita Jones Freeman, 74, of Ocilla died Friday, August 6, 2004 in Tifton.
Services were held at the Ocilla Baptist Church on Sunday, August 8 at 4 p.m., with Dr. Ray Allen and Rev. Mitchell Luckie officiating. Words by Rev. Gerald Thomas were read by Dr. A. L. Dorminy. Eulogy was given by Quinn Freeman. Interment followed in Brushy Creek Cemetery.
Music was provided by pianist, Faith Williamson; organist, Sujette Giddens; solo by granddaughter, Keely Phillips; duet by granddaughters, Sara Freeman and Megan Freeman and a congregational song.
Pallbearers were Donnie Jones, Mike Sirmans, Richard Cargile, George Courson, Mike Gaff, Larry Neighbors, Newton Hancock, Jimmy Phillips, Chris Barnes and Jerry Farmer.
Honorary pallbearers were Palemon Gaskins Nursing Home employees, Gleaners Sunday School class and the Ocilla Ladies Golf Association.
Mrs. Freeman was born May 15, 1930 in Ellaville, daughter of the late Arthur L. and Ruby Milner Jones. She lived in Ocilla since 1955. Mrs. Freeman received her nursing training from Abac and Valdosta State College, where she also received her teaching certificate. She taught nursing at Ben Hill-Irwin Tech and was a former nurse at the Medical College of Georgia, Palemon Gaskin Nursing Home, Tift General Hospital and Irwin County Hospital.
Mrs. Freeman was a member of Ocilla Baptist Church. She was a former Sunday School teacher and a member of the Gleaners Sunday School class at Ocilla Baptist. She was a member of the Sewing Club, a former Pink Lady at Tift General Hospital and the World Concern Organization. Mrs. Freeman went on several mission trips to the Ukraine, where she also worked in orphanages. She worked for the Home Mission Board in the United States. She was a Hospice volunteer and a member of the Ocilla Ladies Golf Association.
Survivors include one daughter, Jane Freeman (N. Allen) Phillips of Tifton; one son, Quinn (Linda) Freeman, III of Kingston, WA; four grandchildren, Sara Lindsey Freeman, Megan Elizabeth Freeman, Kathryn Quinn Freeman and Keely Freeman Phillips; two brothers, Robin Jones of Greensboro, NC and Harold Jones of Preston; two sisters, Sandra Moore of Rock Hill, SC and Rhonda Luckie of Appomattox, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Quinn Freeman Jr.
Those desiring to send memorials in lieu of flowers may send them to the Ocilla Baptist Church or to the American Cancer Society.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Marie Jowers Holland
Ms. Mary Marie Jowers Holland, 85, of Ambrose passed away on Monday, July 26, 2004, at the Palemon Gaskin Nursing Home in Ocilla following an extended illness. Ms. Holland, a native of Irwin County, was born April 25, 1919, daughter of the late Pleasant Leon, Sr. and Amanda Lane Jowers. She was the widow of the late W. S. Holland and a former City Clerk for Ambrose. She was a member of the Eastern Star and her church membership was at the New Hope Baptist Church, Ambrose where she served as treasurer and a member of the church choir.
Survivors include brother, P. L. “Buddy” Jowers of Wray, sister, Evelyn Jowers Chauncey of Baxley, several nieces and nephews. A brother, Marcus Jowers, preceded her in death. Services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 29 at the New Hope Baptist Church in Ambrose with Rev. Ernest Harper officiating.
Soloist, Susan Harper sang, “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace” with Dorothy McDermitt, pianist providing soft music for the prelude and postlude. Burial followed in the Smith Cemetery near Wray.
Active pallbearers were Danny Smith, Howard Smith, Dennis Paulk, Glen Moorman, Bobby Leverette, Lamar Harper, John Welch and Eddie Vickers. Honorary pallbearers were members of the New Hope Baptist Church Adult Ladies Sunday-School Class.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert M. Bales, Jr.
Mr. Robert M. Bales, Jr, 89, of Charleston, WV died Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at his residence.
Graveside services were held Saturday, August 7 at 2 p.m., at Mystic Cemetery, Irwin County, with Rev. Bobby Stone officiating.
Mr. Bales was born May 22, 1915 in Irwin County, son of the late Robert M. and Luna Cobb Bales. He lived in Charleston, WV for the past 22 years from Jacksonville, FL. Mr. Bales retired from the railroad and was former owner/operator of Donald & Bales Exterminating Company in Jacksonville, FL. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Bales of Charleston, WV; four daughters, Peggy Vorpe of Jacksonville, FL; Jean Quattlebaum of Lake City, FL; Margaret Ann Hall of Jacksonville FL and Jeannette Paulk of Alapaha; two step-daughters, Melanie Bales of Ohio and Sue Bales of Jacksonville, FL; 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Mr. Bales was preceded in death by his first wife, Agnes Booth Bales; a daughter, Frances McClendon and a son, Byron Bales.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Camryn Jade Johnson
Infant Camryn Jade Johnson, 8 months, of Havelock, NC, died Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Services were held at Chapel of Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors on Friday, July 30 at 3 p.m., with Rev. Matt Rutland officiating.
Pallbearers were Stephen Wood, Nicholas Young, Stan Wood and Jason Tyree.
Honorary pallbearers were Chad Yzenski and Jarrett Johnson.
Interment was held in Oakridge Cemetery.
Camryn was born November 13, 2003 in Eastman, daughter of L.Cpl. Stanley C. “Curt” Johnson, Jr. (USMC) and Rachel Yzenski Johnson. They reside in Havelock, NC and attend Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Newport, NC.
Survivors besides the parents include maternal grandparents, Rev. Chuck and Teresa Yzenski of Ocilla; paternal grandparents, Stan and Brenda Johnson of Sylvester; maternal great-grandparents, Rev. Paul and Linda Childers of Ocilla; paternal great-grandparents, Johnny Curtis and Janet Johnson of Albany; Ruby Williams and the late Robert Wilton Williams of Norman Park; maternal great-grandparents, the late Edward A. Yzenski and Alice R. Koontz; two aunts and two uncles and many other friends and family members.
Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors, Tiftarea Chapel , Tifton were in charge of arrangements.
