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Maggie Paulk Clements
Mrs. Maggie Paulk Clements, 92, of Ocilla died Monday, March 14, 2005 at the Osceola Nursing Home.
Services were held at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla on Wednesday, March 16 at 11 a.m. Interment followed in Tomberlin Cemetery, Irwin County.
Mrs. Clements was born February 7, 1913 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Aza and Mattie Tomberlin Paulk. She was a homemaker and lived in Irwin County all of her life.
Survivors include a brother, Gerald Paulk of Carrollton and a sister, Billie Daniels of Savannah. She was preceded in death by her husband, James B. “Jim” Clements and daughter, Miss Jackie Clements.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wayne Garland
Mr. Wayne Garland, 52, of Douglas died Friday, March 18, 2005 at Coffee Regional Medical Center, Douglas.
Services were held at Central United Methodist Church, Fitzgerald on Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m. Scripture and prayer by Rev. Benjy Varnell. Scripture and prayer at graveside by Rev. Don Woeltjen. Message by Rev. Gregory Pope. Closing prayer by Rev. Jackie Pope. Remarks at graveside by Kathy Garland and friends.
Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Phil Hurd, Mike Brown, Ray Bowen, Danny Daniel, Jerry Jamison, Wayne Vickers, Joe Sunday, Russell Jump and Glenn Ellerby.
Music was provided by pianist, Becky Anderson and soloists, Abby Johnson, Massee McKinley and Trey Luckie.
Mr. Garland was born September 4, 1952 in Cartersville, son of the late Chester and Bertie Grace Jenkins Garland. Raised in Turner County, Mr. Garland graduated from Turner County High School in 1971 and attended Albany Technical College. He was a former resident of Fitzgerald having lived in Douglas for the past two years, coming from Rose Pine, LA.
Mr. Garland was employed by River Crest Homes of Ocilla, a division of Precision Modular Homes as a mobile home salesman. He was a former employee of General Housing in Waycross and Pioneer Housing Systems in Fitzgerald. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Douglas and was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Garland of Douglas; two daughters and a son-in-law, April and Stacy Lasseter and Brooke Garland of Sycamore; one granddaughter, Ragen Lasseter of Sycamore; one sister, Kathy Register of Fitzgerald; several nieces and nephews and his devoted Cocker Spaniel, Tobey.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorial may send them to the American Cancer Society, c/o Susan Warren, P.O. Box 9, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Gary C. Tankersley
Mr. Gary C. Tankersley, 60, of Ocilla died Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany.
Services were held at the Ocilla Baptist Church on Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m., with Rev. Gerald Thomas officiating. Interment followed in Frank Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Brian Tankersley, Wayne Tankersley, Tim Hall, Scott Carlson, Phillip Edwards, Phil Torrence, Brian Threlkeld, Stinson Troutman, Forrest Connelly and Tony Roberts.
Honorary pallbearers were Deacons of Ocilla Baptist Church, Citizens Security Bank, Andrew Sunday School class, Rotary, Retired Educators and Extension Service.
Music was provided by organist, Barbara Jacobs; pianist, Sujette Giddens and soloist, Blane Jacobs.
Born May 9, 1944 in Lincolnton, son of the late Clinton and Maudine Holloway Tankersley, he was a 1962 graduate of Lincoln County High School, a 1964 graduate of ABAC, graduated from the University of Georgia in 1966 and moved to Irwin County.
Mr. Tankersley retired as Director of the Irwin County Extension office in 1997 after 32 years of service and was a recipient of the Extension Services Prestigious D. W. Brooks Award.
Currently he was employed with Citizens Security Bank as an Agricultural Consultant. He was a board member for the Irwin County Farm Bureau, past Rotary Club President, Secretary and a Paul Harris Fellow, past-president of the Ocilla-Irwin County Chamber of Commerce, where he was awarded Citizen of the Year, a board member for the Ocilla Housing Authority, a Library Board member, member of the Board of Directors for Sunny Dale Training Center and a member of the Ben Hill-Irwin Retired Teachers Association.
Mr. Tankersley received the J. Lamar Branch Award for Outstanding Agricultural Leadership in 1999 from ABAC Alumni Association. In 2001 the University of Georgia Ag-Alumni gave him an Award of Excellence and in 1982 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents.
He was a member and past Chairman of Deacons at Ocilla Baptist Church and a Sunday School teacher. He was an avid fisherman, a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Broom Tankersley of Ocilla; children and spouses, Morris and Marcy Tankersley of Tifton, Nan and Cory Vassey of Ocilla, Tammie and Joe Sanford of Fitzgerald and Michael Tankersley of Ocilla; grandchildren; Rob Vassey, Cole Vassey and Ally Tankersley; brother and sister, Carl Tankersley of Twin City and Annette Neal of Lincolnton.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Gary C. Tankersley Scholarship Fund, set up by the Citizens Security Bank, P.O. Box 165, 300 S. Irwin Ave., Ocilla, GA 31774 or to Ocilla Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, Ocilla, GA 31774
Mary Ann Peacock Powell
Mrs. Mary Ann Peacock Powell, 89, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at Serenity Gate at Perry Hospital. Services were held at Ocilla United Methodist Church in Ocilla on Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m. Interment followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Arlington.
Mrs. Powell, born in Swainsboro, daughter of the late Rev. J. Neely Peacock and Annie Laurie (Rogers) Peacock, had recently moved to Perry from Tifton. However, she had resided in Blakely, Albany and Ocilla most of her adult life.
A graduate of Wesleyan College, she was an elementary school teacher, taught piano lessons at home and was a free-lance writer for several papers in the area.
Married to Oscar Powell for over 49 years before his death in 1989, she and her husband were active, dedicated members of their community. In 1981, the 21st annual Georgia Sweet Potato Festival in Ocilla was proclaimed as “Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Powell Day” because of the couple’s long support of this event.
As a member of the Ocilla United Methodist Church, she was an organist and pianist as well as member and past president of the United Methodist Women. Other memberships included the Ocilla Garden Club (president); United Daughters of the Confederacy and Daughters of the American Revolution.
However, her passion was the restoration of the Jefferson Davis Historical site in Irwinville. On June 3, 1995 in honor of her 80th birthday, a rose garden on site, the “Mary Ann Peacock Powell Garden” was dedicated as a tribute for her 20 years of volunteer work in preserving this museum and park. The Sons of Confederate Veterans also awarded her the “Winnie Davis Medal” for her historical preservation efforts.
Survivors include her children, John Powell (Joan) of Tifton; Paul Powell (Cathy) of Alexandria, VA and Laurie Lee Jones (Bobby) of Perry; grandchildren, Hillary Luker, Jon Powell, Sarah Powell and Robert Jones; a sister, Eugenia English of Greensboro, NC.
In lieu of the flowers, the family suggests donations to Ocilla United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 61, Ocilla, GA 31774 or Serenity Gate, c/o Perry Hospital, 1120 Morningside Drive, Perry, GA 31069.
Watson-Hunt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James A. ‘Jim’ Vassey
Mr. James A. ‘Jim’ Vassey, 55, of Irwinville, died Friday, March 4, 2005 in Mexico.
Services were held at the Irwinville Methodist Church on Sunday, March 13 at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Raymond Smith and Rev. Henry Martin officiating. Interment followed in Mystic Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jack Benson, Robert Benson, Jamie Benson, Kurt Wilmot, Al T. Kelly and Chalyse Benson.
Mr. Vassey was born October 7, 1949 in Stewart County, son of the late James Claude and Verna Mae Carroll Vassey. He was raised in Mystic and was a 1968 graduate of Irwin County High School. Mr. Vassey was owner/operator of Vassey Energy Systems, Inc. He was a member of Irwinville United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his son, James Dustin “Dusty” Vassey of Irwinville; daughter, Dena Paige Vassey of New Orleans, LA; sister, Peggy Chavez of Fort Worth, TX; niece, Jennifer Martin Garcie and nephew, Matthew Martin.
Jewell Parrish Rowe
Mrs. Jewell Parrish Rowe, 76, of Ocilla died Sunday, March 13, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at Pinetta Baptist Church, Irwin County on Tuesday, March 15 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jeff Wells and Rev. Bobby Stone officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Rowe was born February 26, 1929 in Telfair County, daughter of the late Rob and Beatrice Sandifer Parrish. She lived in the Irwin community most of her life and was a graduate of ABAC and Georgia Teachers College (now Georgia Southern University.) Mrs. Rowe taught school in Berrien County, Irwin County and Tift County. She was a member of the Ben Hill-Irwin Retired Teachers Association and Baldwin Women’s Club. Mrs. Rowe was a faithful member of Pinetta Baptist Church and was a great supporter of her community. She and her husband recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Survivors include her husband, James P. Rowe of Ocilla; children and spouses, Linda and David Hilliard of Tifton, Mary Lee and Ferris McDaniel of Woodstock and Bobby and Carole Anne Rowe of Ocilla; grandchildren, Kathleen and Anna Lee Hilliard, Chandler, Landon and Isabella Rowe, Harrison, Luke and Jake McDaniel; sister, Martha Nash of Ocilla.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Robbie Nell Parrish McCard.
John H. McCook
Mr. John H. McCook, 76, of Ocilla died Friday, March 11, 2005 at Dorminy Medical Center, Fitzgerald.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla on Tuesday, March 15 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Charles Nichols officiating. Interment followed in Turner Church Cemetery, Tift County.
Mr. McCook was born November 22, 1928 in Irwin County, son of the late James W. and Mollie Rachel Barnes McCook. He lived in the community all of his life and was a retired carpenter.
Survivors include his brother, Ozelee McCook of Box Springs and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Juanita Walker and Watrelle McGee and six brothers, James William, Harold, Carl, Earl, Jimmy McCook and an infant.
Carolyn Harper Kirkland
Mrs. Carolyn Harper Kirkland, 55, of Fitzgerald died Sunday, March 13, 2005 at her residence.
Services will be private.
Mrs. Kirkland was born October 3, 1949 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Elisha and Dessie Allen Harper. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she grew up in Irwin County, was a former resident of Pearson for 30 years and had lived in Fitzgerald for the past three months. Mrs. Kirkland worked for 25 years in the lunchroom at Pearson Elementary School. She was a member of Lax Holiness Baptist Church. Mrs. Kirkland was a member of the Georgia Food Service Association.
Survivors include her husband, Larry Kirkland of Pearson; son, Matthew Kirkland of Pearson; daughter, Melissa H. Paulk of Pearson; grandchildren, Eric Wayne Paulk and Kaitlyn Nicole Paulk; sisters, Aline Leverette of Ocilla, Margaret Railey of Fitzgerald, Mary Forbes of Monroe, NC and Alicia Harper of Fitzgerald; brothers, Vernon and Ronald Harper, both of Ocilla, Donald Harper of Douglas, Lorenzal and Charles Harper, both of Ocilla; niece and nephew, Jennifer Cain and Terry Joe Cain. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Talmadge and Alfred Harper; a sister, Elizabeth Hudson and a nephew, Johnny Lee Cain.
A. E. ‘Gene’ Clark
Mr. A. E. “Gene” Clark, 60, of Fitzgerald died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald on Thursday, March 10 at 2 p.m., with Rev. John Forbes officiating. Interment was held in Evergreen Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Cpl. David Whitney, Dep. Sam Collins, Lt. Jimmy Nolan, Sgt. David Hamm, Dep. B. J. Rodgers and Sgt. Jeffery Dobbins.
Honorary pallbearers were Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Department employees and many other law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
Music was provided by pianist, Edwina Willcox.
Mr. Clark was born September 19, 1944 in Irwin County, son of the late A. E “Dude” Clark and the late Virginia Logan Clark. Mr. Clark was a 1962 graduate of Fitzgerald High School and the ABAC Police Academy. He was a U. S. Army veteran serving in Panama. He was a former employee of Brooks Auto Parts and Bob’s Auto Parts. He was a former owner/operator of Clark’s Auto Parts and Southeastern Med Life.
A former EMT with the Ben Hill County EMS, Mr Clark served as a technician at the GBI Crime Lab in Moultrie. In addition to serving six years as Ben Hill County Coroner, Mr. Clark was currently employed as a deputy with the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Department. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Thelma Walker Clark of Fitzgerald; one sister, Gail Clark of Fitzgerald and step-mother, Willie Mae Clark of Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by a sister, Vickie Lee Clark.
Ida D. Lashley
Mr. Ida D. Lashley, 83, of Fitzgerald died Saturday, March 12, 2005 at the Life Care Center, Fitzgerald.
Services were held at Waterloo Baptist Church on Monday, March 14 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Darrell Hampton officiating. Interment followed in Waterloo Cemetery.
Mrs. Lashley was born July 21, 1921 in Turner County, daughter of the late John and Minnie Smith Evers. A farm worker and homemaker, she lived in the community most of her life. Mrs. Lashley attended Grace Baptist Church in Mystic.
Survivors include a brother and sister, Oscar Evers and Bessie Nelson, both of Fitzgerald and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. D. Lashley, three brothers and a sister.
James G. Griffin
James G. Griffin, 86, of Fitzgerald died Thursday, March 10, 2005 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Graveside services were held at Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday, March 12 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Kelly Brown and Rev. Rex Johnson officiating.
Pallbearers were Jack Melton, Ed Cox, William Bishop, Rex Johnson, Jeffery Fowler and Winfred Fowler.
Mr. Griffin was born November 11, 1918 in Irwin County, son of the late General M. and Nettie Mae Josey Griffin. He was a former employee of Ben Hill Truck & Tractor Company, Mann Irrigation, Rainbow Irrigation Systems and Chaney Bush Irrigation. Mr. Griffin was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II. He was a member of Irwinville Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred V. Griffin of Fitzgerald; son, James Donald “Don” Griffin of Fitzgerald.
Stephen Michael Merritt
Mr. Stephen Michael Merritt, 53, of Buford died Sunday, March 6, 2005.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge James Ray and Mary Merritt.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Joye Roland Merritt; daughters, Michael Elizabeth Merritt and Mary Margaret Merritt; sister, Marilyn Elizabeth Merritt and aunt, Ella Mae Merritt, all of Buford; father-in-law, John Robert Roland, Sr. of Ocilla; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie and Stan Warner of Suwanee; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John Robert and Roxy Roland, Jr. of Tulsa, OK; three nieces, three nephews and one great-nephew.
Mr. Merritt was born in Fulton County and had lived in Buford all of his life. He was in the marketing industry with insurance companies. He was a 1969 graduate of Buford High School and a 1977 graduate of Terry College of Business, University of Georgia. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Buford; a deacon, worked in the Youth Department for over 20 years and was a member of the Adult Choir.
He was a member of the Buford School Board of Education; an active supporter of the Buford Booster program, Buford Academics and the voice of the Lady Wolves softball and basketball programs. He was a member of the Tke Epsilon Fraternity. He received the 1995 National Company Representative Award by the Professional Insurance Agents Association. He was a devoted husband, father and brother and a dedicated Buford Wolves and Georgia football fan.
Services were held at the Buford First Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 9 at 3:30 p.m., with Rev. Wayne Johnson, Dr. Tommy Green and Rev. Bobby Owings officiating.
Interment was held in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Buford High School Steve Merritt Memorial Scholarship Fund or to the Buford First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory of Buford was in charge of arrangements.
Maggie Paulk Clements
Mrs. Maggie Paulk Clements, 92, of Ocilla died Monday, March 14, 2005 at Osceola
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla. Interment will follow in Tomberlin Cemetery, Irwin County. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour.
Robert M. Coley
Mr. Robert M. Coley, 77, of Ocilla died Monday, March 14, 2005 at home.
Funeral services will be held 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, at Frank Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Edward McIntyre officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Edna Morris Broom
Mrs. Edna Morris Broom, 82, of Ocilla died Friday, April 15, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla on Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Gerald Thomas and Rev. Steve Hand officiating. Interment followed in Brushy Creek Cemetery.
Music was provided by Blane and Barbara Jacobs.
Pallbearers were Glen Willis, Mark Metts, Larry Harper, Jay Roberts, Jim Paulk, John Hudson and Trey Hudson.
Mrs. Broom was born April 5, 1923 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Robert M. and Lena Wilson Morris. A homemaker and farmer, Mrs. Broom lived in Irwin County all of her life. She was a 1941 graduate of Ocilla High School and a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Oliver Broom of Ocilla; sons and daughters-in-law, Harvey and Nina Broome of Ocilla and J. M. and Dale Broome of Ocilla; daughter, Shirley B. Tankersley of Ocilla; nine grandchildren, Gaya Simmons, Angie Williams, Morris Tankersley, Amanda McIntyre, Fred Broome, Nan Vassey, Tammie Sanford, Michael Tankersley and Della McClelland; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Minnie Harper of Ocilla.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Gary Tankersley, three brothers and three sisters.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
