Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Ronald Ray ‘Ronnie’ Tucker
Mr. Ronald Ray “Ronnie” Tucker, 60, of Ocilla died Monday, June 13, 2005, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 25 at 2 p.m. at the Ocilla Country Club, with Rev. Jim Osborn officiating and eulogy by Scott Thurman.
Mr. Tucker was born September 21, 1944, in Irwin County, to the late Lyte Raymond “Knot” Tucker, Jr. and the late Jerri Baker Tucker. He was a 1962 graduate of Irwin County High School, attended South Georgia College and was a 1970 graduate of the University of
Georgia School of Pharmacy.
Mr. Tucker moved to Acworth in 1980 and back to Ocilla in 2003. He was a retired pharmacist with Eckerd Drugs, after 30 years, having worked in Tallahassee, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; West Palm Beach, FL; Acworth and Fitzgerald. Mr. Tucker was a member of First United Methodist Church in Acworth.
He was involved in the Metro Atlanta Recovery Residency Program, a member of the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association. Mr. Tucker loved to play golf, spend time with his family, horseback riding and he loved his grandbabies. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, friend and neighbor, who will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Lettie M. Tucker of Ocilla; children, Shannon (Guy) Halbrooks of Acworth, Dawn Tucker Coleman of Ocilla, Shawn Tucker of Canton and Tiki Tucker (Casey) Blanchette of Acworth; grandchildren, Ariel Rae Halbrooks, Tucker Desmon Halbrooks, Sarah Grace Coleman and Kyleigh Rae Blanchette; sister, Donna Gardner of Woodstock.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Georgia Diabetes Research Foundation, 1211 Whispering Pines Road, Albany, GA 31707.
Paulk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Roy V. Griffin
Mr. Roy V. Griffin, 60, of Ocilla died Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at his residence.
Services were held Friday, June 17 at 2 p.m., at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla, with Rev. Earl Steffens officiating.
Music was provided by Barbara Jacobs on the keyboard and a trio of Darlene Griffin, Kaylon Whitley and Kay Lynn Jankiewicz.
Pallbearers were Kell Whitley, Matt Griffin, Michael Griffin, Kaylon Whitley, Michael Jankiewicz and Jerry Griffin.
Honorary pallbearers were the Irwin County High School class of 1963.
Interment followed in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Griffin was born May 27, 1945, in Irwin County to Virgil C. Griffin and the late Doris Griffin. He was a 1963 graduate of Irwin County High School and graduated in 1975 from Valdosta State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He served in the United States Army, during the Vietnam War Era, in the White House Communications Agency office in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Griffin worked for Stewart, Giles & Company in Valdosta while attending college and retired in 1992 as an accountant for Oscar Mayer in Goodlettsville, TN. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Tifton and an avid fisherman. A very civic-minded person, Mr. Griffin made certain that the lawns of the widowed ladies in the neighborhood were mowed.
Survivors include his wife, Anna C. Griffin of Ocilla; two sons and daughters-in-law, Geoffrey Roy and Karen Griffin of Morrison, TN and Timothy Ryan and Jennifer Griffin of Marietta; three grandchildren, Hannah Griffin, Samuel Griffin and Tyler Griffin; father Virgil C. Griffin of Ocilla; brother, Jerry Griffin of Dublin and a sister, Blondean Whitley of Ocilla.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Etta Mae Glosson Anderson
Mrs. Etta Mae Glosson Anderson died on June 12, 2005 at her home in Ocilla. She was 97.
Mrs. Anderson was born June 14, 1907 in Ocilla . She was the daughter of the late Will Glosson and Mille Little.
At an early age she joined Mathis Chapel Baptist Church where she served as clerk and mission secretary for many years until her health failed.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 67 years, Claude Anderson, and one son, Edgar Anderson, Sr.
Survivors include six daughters, Mrs. Claude M. Banks, Mrs. Archie P. Livingston and Dorothy Bryant, all of Ocilla; Ernestine Williams, Marcia Barthell of Miami, FL; Charlotte Brooklyn of Alapaha; two sons, Emmit and Kenneth Anderson of Fitzgerald; three sons-in-law, George William, Scherry Barthell of Miami, FL and Otis Brooklyn of Alapaha; two daughters-in-law, Daisy B. Anderson and Loretta Anderson of Fitzgerald; two sisters, Min. Beverly Little of Martinsville, VA and Earline Menefee of Jacksonville, FL.
Surviving also are two sisters-in-law, Catherine Little of Jacksonville, FL and Willie Bea Little of New Jersey; 33 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren; 43 great-great-grandchildren; one God-grandchild, Erika Knighton and one special grandson, Oscar Anderson.
Services were held at Pleasant Grove First Baptist Church on Saturday, June 18 at at 1 p.m., with Rev. Willie F. Mobley officiating.
Music was provided by Deacon Willie McClain, the grands and Bro. Jonathan Fuller.
Active pallbearers were Darien Mitchell, Artie Mitchell, Wayman Johnson, Milton Anderson, Jr., Stan Banks and Scherry Barthell.
Honorary pallbearers were Claud Banks, John Anderson, Cedell Anderson, Oscar Anderson, Charles Barthell and Zachary Brooklyn.
Interment was held in Ocilla Cemetery.
Robert R. Cox
Mr. Robert R. Cox, 63, of Irwin County, formerly of Bradenton, FL, died Saturday, June 18, 2005 at his residence.
Funeral services were private.
Mr. Cox was born March 11, 1942 in St. Petersburg, FL to the late Robert S. and Bertha Bruster Cox. He graduated from high school in St. Petersburg and attended St. Petersburg Technical College. He lived in Bradenton most of his life where he was a tool and die maker for Everlasting Mold Co. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lott Cox of Irwin County; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Kathy Cox of Cooper City, FL; daughter and son-in-law, Stacy Cox and Randy Wheeler of Bradenton, FL; step-children, Jesse and Pam Snipes of Fitzgerald; Frank and Rhonda Snipes of Irwinville and Melissa Snipes of Ocilla; step-mother, Carol Cox of Sun City Center, FL; grandchildren, Ryan Cox, Conner Cox, Katie Cox, Casey Snipes, Frankie Snipes, Kassidy Snipes, Brittany Ford and Lee Ford.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wanda M. Reaves
Ms. Wanda M. Reaves, 46, of Douglas died Saturday, June 18, 2005 at Osceola Nursing Home in Ocilla.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, June 21 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Leroy Spivey officiating. Interment followed in Old Field Cemetery, Ben Hill County.
Ms. Reaves was born April 5, 1959 in Fulton County, PA to Harold Leonard Rhodes and Mabel Snyder Black. She lived most of her life in Fitzgerald and received her Certified Nursing Assistant Training at Ben Hill-Irwin Tech. She worked as a CNA at Life Care Center in Fitzgerald and was a member of the Church of God in Douglas.
Survivors include her children, Jennifer D. Davis of Fitzgerald, Christopher D. Ring of Florida and Jessica Lynn Reaves of Fitzgerald; three grandchildren; mother, Mabel Black of Fitzgerald; father, Leonard Rhodes of Rochelle; grandmother, Elsie Rhodes of Clear Spring, MD; four sisters, Faith Black and Rachel Burnette, both of Fitzgerald and Darlene Corral and Pauline Harnage, both of Tifton and one brother, Daniel A. Rhodes of Brunswick.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sarah Craft Wheeles
Mrs. Sarah Craft Wheeles, 76, of Fitzgerald died Friday, June 17, 2005, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Services were held Sunday, June 19 at 2 p.m. at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald, with Rev. Wayne Martin, Rev. Wilburn Wiley and Rev. Greg Carroll officiating.
Music was provided by pianist, Patsy Spradlin and soloist, Diane Bellamy.
Pallbearers were Eddie Craft, Jarrett Craft, Jean Stone, Martin Craft, Ron Tanner and Timmy Ray.
Interment followed in Frank Cemetery, Irwin County.
Mrs. Wheeles was born on June 3, 1929, in Irwin County to the late Reason Hanson and Edna Cody Whitley. She lived most of her life in Wilcox County. Mrs. Wheeles was a retired warehouseman at Robins Air Force Base, a former employee of Rochelle Garment Factory and River Willows Nursing Home. She was a member of Cannonville Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, W. R. Wheeles of Fitzgerald; four sons, Allen Craft of Cordele, Jimmy Craft and Jerry Craft, both of Sycamore and Keith Craft of Seville; one daughter, Connie Evers of Ashburn; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty Cooley of Fitzgerald, Bernice Helms of Abbeville, Carolyn Johnson and Bobbie Brown, both of Fitzgerald; one brother, Ronnie Whitley of Tifton. Mrs. Wheeles’ grandson, Keith Craft, Jr. is presently serving in Iraq.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bob Craft; one daughter, Barbara Ann Craft; three brothers and one sister.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jessie B. Gainer
SFC (Ret.) Jessie B. Gainer of Augusta, formerly of Irwin County, died Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at his residence.
Services were held on Tuesday, June 14 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church with Rev. Clarence Moore officiating.
Interment followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Mr. Gainer was retired as Sergeant First Class from the U.S. Army after 24 years of service. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Era. He was a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Thora Gainer and Sharon (Robert) Johnson of Hephzibah; one son, Fredrick Rogers of Atlanta; five sisters, Florence Clowers, Barbara Mobley of Ocilla, Hattie Ruth Dennard of Miami, FL; Amanda Gainer of Decatur and Frances Moore of Bronx, NY; two brothers, William B. Gainer of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Rev. Tom Gainer of Albany; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Williams Funeral Home, Hephzibah, was in charge of arrangements.
Nannie Bennett
Mrs. Nannie Bennett, 83, of Jacksonville, FL, formerly of Ocilla, died Sunday, May 29, 2005.
Services were held at Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, on Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Clifford Johnson, Jr., officiating.
Music was provided by the choir.
Pallbearers were Arthur Bronner, Andre Maddox, William Kelly, Jenard Hayes, Ulyses Clayton and Theodore Jordan.
Mrs. Bennett was born to Gilbert and Monie Anderson on May 15, 1922 in Ocilla. She attended and graduated from Ocilla High School. She was married to John T. Williams and from this union two children were born. She was later married to Ernest Bennett in 1977. She was an active member of Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church where she served on District #16 and Usher Board #4 for many years.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest Bennett; daughter, Shirley (Sam) Harris; grandchildren, Teresa (Lawrence) Collins, LaVonne (Thomas) William, Charlene (Yasin) Majid, Michael Harris and Ronald Harris; sister, Catherine Cobb; nephew, Daniel Cobb, Jr. and eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Holmes-Glover-Solomon Funeral Directors, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL, were in charge of arrangements.
Lester Leon Harper
Mr. Lester Leon Harper, 61, of Wray passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at the Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Mr. Harper, a native of Irwin County, was born August 13, 1943, son of the late Pleasant Lester and Martha Studstill Harper. He was a retired farmer and he attended the Bushnell Chapel.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Youngblood Harper; daughter, Pamela Harper of Wray; son, Chris (Sheri) Harper of Ocilla; step-children, Debbie (Sammy) Davis of Douglas and Delectia (Derrick) Vickers of Ambrose; grandchildren, Christen Harper and Kirsten Harper of Ocilla; step-grandchildren, Corey Vickers and Meagan Vickers of Ambrose; God-grandchild, Breanna Hall of Pearson and sister, Faye (Phillip) Paulk of Douglas.
Services were held at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 17 at the Satilla Baptist Church in Irwin County, with Rev. Roy Davis, Jr. and Rev. William Pope officiating. Music was provided by The Kirklands, Derrick Soles, soloist, with Lisa Hersey, pianist. Graveside services with Rev. Dan Johnson officiating followed in the New Hope Church Cemetery near Ambrose.
Active pallbearers were Corey Vickers, Sammy Davis, Greg Vickers, Rhett Royal, Ben Paulk and Phil Paulk.
Honorary pallbearers were Billy Luke, Rob Smith, Rob Smith, Jr., Dennis Paulk, Clarence and Karleen Paulk, Buck Hall, Nathaniel Pickett, Shannon Tucker, Rusty Merritt, David Wilson, Shirlene Royal, Von and Janice McKinnon, Linnie Purvis, girls at Bobby’s, Jimmy Smith, Lynn Gillis, Randy Smith, Lamar Royal and Phillip Jowers.
Also, Jesse Merritt, Sherrill Tucker, Micky Tucker, Ricky Tucker, Dan and Pam Berry, Butch Coarsey, Juanita Wilson, Jimmie Sue Denton, Austin Harper, Danny Byrd, Donald Vickers, Wanda McCurdy, Leeland Dees, Teddy Mixon, Danny and Joy Paulk, Kenny Smith, Sherry Haskins, Jerome Paulk, Mark Paulk, Charles Royal, Jason Royal, Edwin and Winnette Youngblood, Emory Nelson, Skeet Waldon, Don Padgett, Rhett Hester, Rhen Hester, Dr. Charles Miller and staff.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Anna Kate Van Pelt
Mrs. Anna Kate Van Pelt, 83, of Fitzgerald, formerly of Ocilla, died Friday, June 10, 2005 at Pine Shadows Personal Care Home in Sylvester.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla on Sunday, June 12 at 4 p.m., with Rev. Steve Waldorf officiating. Providing music were Becky Anderson, pianist, and Abby Johnson, soloist.
Interment followed in Brushy Creek Cemetery, Irwin County.
Pallbearers were Hal Merritt, Nick Merritt, Chris King, Roy Smith, Joe McNeill, Chase Beville, Ryan Beville and Jay Whitley.
Mrs. Van Pelt was born September 1, 1921 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Henry Bates and Mary Stephens Whitley. She lived in Irwin County most of her life and was a former employee of Irwin Manufacturing Company, Cheshire Insurance Agency and Taylor & Towson Insurance Agency, all in Ocilla. Mrs. Van Pelt was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry L. and Jeanette Merritt of Cairo and Harold and Glenda Merritt of Gainesville, FL; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Buck and Virginia Whitley of Fitzgerald and Glenn and Janie Whitley of Tifton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester F. Van Pelt and two sisters.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Minnie Caroline Laudermilk White
Mrs. Minnie Caroline Laudermilk White, 99, of Roswell died Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors in Roswell on Thursday, June 9 at 4 p.m. Local services were held at Big Creek Baptist Church, Irwin County on Friday, June 10 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Wayne McCrimmon officiating.
Music was provided by organist, Ann Martin; pianist, Faith Williamson and soloist, Judy Griffin.
Pallbearers included Kurt Wells, Tim Wells, Kyle Fletcher, Davis Lyons, Bill Hudson and Floyd Fletcher.
Interment followed in Mystic Cemetery.
Mrs. White was born February 12, 1906 in Toccoa, daughter of the late Jim and Mary Jane Laudermilk, A homemaker, she spent most of her life in Irwin County raising her seven children and lived with her oldest daughter in Roswell since 1990. Even though in her last years her health was failing, her faith never ceased. She was greatly loved and will be missed by all. Mrs. White was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Wilbur Wright of Roswell and Barbara Jean and Ray Ellis of Richmond, VA; 21 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; four nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Elwood White; daughters, Cheryl Fletcher and Ethel Wright; sons, Ralph White, Elwood White, Jr. and Eugene T. White; sister, Jimmie Eldridge and brother, John Laudermilk.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Carrie Lou Mack Stewart
Mrs. Carrie Lou Mack Stewart, 64, of Ocilla died Monday, June 6, 2005 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Services were held at St. Phillips Baptist Church, Ocilla on Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Tommy Washington officiating. Interment followed in Ocilla Cemetery.
Music was provided by soloists, Melvin McCutchen, Johnny Beverly and Rev. Tommy Washington. Reflections were provided by Joyce Wynn and Ava Johnson.
Pallbearers were Tarus Mack, Larry Mack, Corey Mack, Darrin Mack, Patrick Hollis and Ricky Mack.
Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Wynn, Arthur Monroe, Johnny Martin and Travis Campbell.
Mrs. Stewart was born January 1941 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Mr. Issac Sr. and Mrs. Cassie Mack. She attended Irwin County High School and joined St. Phillips Baptist Church. She was married to Mr. Robert Stewart, Sr.
Survivors include three daughters, Betty Ann Mack and Alice Faye Harris of Ocilla and Cassie Martin of DeRidder, LA; three sons, Robert Stewart, Jr. and Timothy Dewayne Stewart of Ocilla and Jimmy Stewart of Orlando, FL; seven grandchildren, Horace Demetrius Harris, Micheal Deangelo Harris, Jimmy Stewart, Jr., Carrie Lawanna Stewart, Lisa Stewart, Jarvis Stewart and Glenda Fuller; four sisters, Hattie Mincey and Deloise Mack of Eatonville, FL, Elizabeth Mack and Rose Allen of Orlando, FL; two brothers, Issac Mack, Jr. of Orlando, FL, and Louis Mack of Eatonville, FL; one god sister, Lisa Odums; three great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, one sister, Mary Mincey; one brother, Lawrence Mack and one son, Charles Lee Mack.
Henderson Memorial Chapel, LLC was in charge of arrangements.
Ronnie Tucker
Ronnie Tucker, 60, of Ocilla, formerly of Acworth, died Monday, June 13, 2005 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany.
He was a retired Pharmacist with Eckerd Drugs.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Paulk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
