Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
W. Emory Walters
Mr. W. Emory Walters, 71, of Ocilla died Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany.
Services were held at Ocilla Baptist Church on Thursday, June 2 at 3 p.m., with Rev. Robert Couey, Rev. Gerald Thomas and Rob Reinhardt officiating. Entombment followed in Ocilla Cemetery.
Music was provided by Mrs. Sujette Giddens, Mrs. Faith Williamson and soloist, Randy Reeves.
Pallbearers were Dr. John H. Dorminy, III, N. G. “Butch” Houston, III, C. M. “Butch” Alexander, Jr., Judge Hugh Lawson, Judge Brooks Blitch, Judge Mallon Faircloth, Larkin Fowler and Judge Hardy Gregory.
Honorary pallbearers were Thomas E. Pujadas, Robert E. Walker, Donald F. Jones, Larry P. Harper, Debbie Sandiford, Charlotte Abel, Cathy Stone and Burton Davis.
Mr. Walters was born March 17, 1934 in Irwin County, son of the late Carl Vinson and Alda Lee Paulk Walters, A 1951 graduate of Irwin County High School, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and graduated from Middle Georgia College in 1953.
At the age of 19 he enrolled in the Mercer School of Law. In 1954 he volunteered for the armed services and served two years in the U. S. Army. Upon his service completion, he re-enrolled in Mercer University to graduate with a bachelor of laws degree from the Walter F. George School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 1960
Mr. Walters was the founder of Walters, Pujadas & Walker, P.C. He was former Attorney for Irwin County, a former member of the Ocilla City Council and Mayor Pro-tem. He was a member of Ocilla Baptist Church, Delta Theta Phi, the Tifton Judicial Circuit Bar Association and had served two terms on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia.
Mr. Walters was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Director at PlantersFirst Bank. In 2004 Mr. Walters was voted by his peers as one of Georgia’s Super Lawyers. Considered among the best in their profession, Super Lawyers represent the top 5% of the practicing attorneys in Georgia.
Survivors include four sisters, Lullene W. Hancock of Nashville, Myrtle W. (Ed) Meeks of Albany, June W. (Doyle) NeSmith of Lyons and Joyce W. Smith of Cordele; one sister-in-law, Betty Joyce Walters of Ocilla and one granddaughter, Courtney Haggard of Fitzgerald as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, C Vinson Walters, II and a brother, Lorie V. Walters.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation, c/o the W. Emory and C. Vinson Walters, II Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793 or to the Ocilla Cemetery Fund, c/o Betty Joyce Walters, 251 Evergreen Drive, Ocilla, GA 31774 or to the Ocilla Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, Ocilla, GA 31774.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jimmy Osborne
Mr. Jimmy Osborne, 58, of Ocilla died Sunday, June 5, 2005 at the Irwin County Hospital.
Services will be held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla on Wednesday, June 8 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Clayton Dowd officiating. Interment will follow in Irwinville Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Mark Griffin, Doug Griffin, Tracy Allen, J. R. Osborne, frank Kilbury and Bubby Ledford.
Mr. Osborne was born July 9, 1946 in Fulton County, son of the late H. M. and Mary Elizabeth Carroll Osborne. He lived in Irwin County most of his life. Mr. Osborne attended Ben Hill-Irwin Technical School and the Industrial Loan School in Atlanta. He was a former employee of Consolidated Loan Company and the Tifton Gazette. Mr. Osborne served in the United States Navy and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Dianne H. Osborne of Ocilla; children, Cynthia Allen of Ocilla, Kelly (Cherish) Osborne of Tifton, Adam Osborne of Moultrie, Joy Spradley of Lugoff, SC and Eddie Blackstock of Eastman; grandchildren, J. D. Allen, Brittany Allen and Kiley Osborne; brothers, Robert (Mary) Osborne of Ashburn, Ray (Nancy Osborne of Chatsworth, Herman (Jackie) Osborne of St. Lucie, FL, Frank (Louise) Osborne of Cave Springs and Bobby (Rhetta) Osborne of Loganville.
Also, sisters, Mary Bell (James) Peterson of Sylvania, Sara Nell (Melvin) Singletary and Ann (L. D.) Duren, all of Nashville, Dottie Randall of Homerville and Martha (Paul) Howard of Chatsworth. He was preceded in death by a brother, Floyd Osborne.
Ora Hobbs Hutto
Mrs. Ora Hobbs Hutto, 79, of Fitzgerald died Thursday, June 2, 2005 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald on Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Gregory Pope, Rev. Tim Oliver and Jackie Pope officiating. Eulogy was given by Jason Hobbs. Interment followed in Brushy Creek Cemetery, Irwin County.
Music was provided by pianist, Becky Anderson; soloist, Debbie Hamlin and trio, Susan Harper, Susanne Daniels and Hannah Daniels.
Pallbearers were Jason Hobbs, Ashley Alexander, Blake Alexander, Christopher Alexander, Duston Griffin, Garrett Griffin, Andrew Herlovich and Forrest Hutto.
Mrs. Hutto was born October 16, 1925 in Irwin County, daughter of the late Thomas Watson and Fannie Barfield Hobbs. After she and her husband married, she moved to Monroe, LA, where her husband was stationed at Selman Field Air Base. Mrs. Hutto was a former employee of Fitzgerald Underwear and Modern Fibers. She enjoyed canning, baking, cooking and was an avid gardener. Mrs. Hutto was a member of Pine Level United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and Aubrey Harper of Osierfield, Janet Hutto, Regina and David Durgin, Teresa and Ernest Alexander and Cynthia and Tony Herlovich, all of Fitzgerald and Felicia Hutto of Jacksonville, FL; son and daughter-in-law, Lionel and Kimberly Kaye Hutto of Plant City, FL; 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister, Myrtice H. Culpepper of Poulan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Quinton Hutto, a son, five brothers and two sisters.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Nadean Duggins Oller
Mrs. Nadean Duggins Oller, 71, of Fitzgerald died Monday, May 30, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald on Friday, June 3 at 3:30 p.m., with Rev. Leroy Spivey officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Music was provided by Danny Stone on the harmonica, a duet by Charlotte Griffin and Tammy Rowell and pianist, Tammy Rowell.
Pallbearers were Tim Slaughter, Lonnie Dorminy, Jamie Baggett, Danny Gay, Kelly Alligood and B. J. Rathburn.
Mrs. Oller was born September 7, 1933 in Grayson County, KY, daughter of the late Guy and Bertha Duggins. She lived in the community since 1969 from Louisville, KY. Mrs. Oller was a former employee of Shoney’s and Irwin Manufacturing Corporation. She attended the Fitzgerald Church of God.
Survivors include three sons, Calvin Oller of Perry, FL; Alvin Oller of Thomasville and Jesse Oller of Livingston, LA; daughter, Anna Ethridge of Fitzgerald; five grandchildren; three sisters, Ruby Young of Leitchfield, KY; Corrine Combest of Louisville, KY and Garnett Duggins of Leitchfield, KY. She was preceded in death by her husband, C. A. Oller; one son, Raymond Oller; one brother and one sister.
Gwendolyn Baker Thomas
Mrs. Gwendolyn Baker Thomas died Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at Dorminy Medical Center. She was 58.
Mrs. Thomas was born December 26, 1946 in Colquitt County, daughter of the late Benjamin Edward Baker and Dorothy Montgomery Baker. She was a homemaker.
Services were held at Chapel Bowen-Donaldson on Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m., with Rev. L. A. Pate officiating. Interment was held at Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Carl McBrayer, Neal McBrayer, Timmy Goodman, Dewayne Barber, Steve Stanfill and John McBrayer.
Survivors include a son, Alan Thomas of Fitzgerald; three brothers, Benjamin Baker of Hillsman, TX; Curtis Baker of Cusseta and Roger Baker of Cottonwood, AL; sisters, Eula Mae McGee of Moultrie; Frances McBrayer of Lenox; Joann McBrayer of Jacksonville, FL; Faye Barber of Pavo and Lou Nightingale of Orange Park, FL; two granddaughters, Vennesa Thomas and Kimber Thomas and one great-granddaughter, Airanee Thomas.
Mildred ‘Midge’ Bower
Mildred “Midge” Bower, 80, of Fitzgerald died Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald on Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Kelly Brown officiating. Bryant H. “Bing” Bower, Jr. shared the eulogy. Music was provided by Marty Smith, Susan Spivey and Henry Tyson.
Serving as pallbearers were Ike McElmurray, Jesse Samford, Will Belew, Dessie Belew, Andrew Bower and Wesley Bower.
Interment followed in Woodlawn Cemetery, Eastman at 4 p.m.
Mrs. Bower was born February 26, 1925 in Dodge County, daughter of the late Dessie Frazier and Lavada Bailey Thomas. She grew up in Dodge County and was a 1942 graduate of Dodge County High School. On July 5, 1946 she married Bryant Harris Bower and then moved to Fitzgerald in 1953. Mrs Bower attended Stetson University in Florida and Valdosta State College. She began her teaching career at Fitzgerald High School, teaching English and Spanish.
She later received her masters and educational specialist degrees from the University of Georgia as one of the original 20 school psychologists trained in Georgia. She was the school psychologist and special education coordinator for Fitzgerald City, Ben Hill County, Irwin County and Wilcox County school systems. Mrs. Bower was a member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald. She was a member of the bridge club.
Survivors include her husband, Bryant H. Bower, Sr. of Fitzgerald; daughter, Gail T. Bower of Augusta; sons and daughters-in-law, Tracy H. and Elaine Bower of Fitzgerald and Bryant H. “Bing”, Jr. and Tara Bower of Waycross; eight grandchildren, Jesse Samford, Will Belew, Darcy Belew, Lindsay Bower, Dessie Bower, Erin Bower, Andrew Bower and Wesley Bower. She was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Thomas.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Tydlee Harper
Mrs. Tydlee Harper of Wray died Thursday, May 26, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla on Monday, May 30 at 11 a.m. with Hugh Roberts and Lynn Harper-Young officiating. Clay Harper shared the eulogy and poem readings were shared by Kelly Harper and Ryan Harper. Organist Marty Smith provided the music.
Mrs. Harper was born in Bedford, VA, daughter of the late Jasper Lewis and Wavie Mays Waldron. She grew up in Bedford, moving to the Irwin community in 1949 from Los Angeles, CA, where she worked at Bullock’s Department Store. She was a farmer, a homemaker and during World War II, she worked as an air craft inspector in Los Angeles. Mrs. Harper was an avid reader and gardener.
Survivors include her husband, Clyde E. Harper of Wray; two sons, Clayton Harper of Clear Lake, TX and Mike Harper of Macon; two daughters, Leah Harper of San Francisco, CA and Lynn Harper-Young of Houston, TX; nine grandchildren; one sister, Judith Spencer of Quincy, FL and one brother, John Waldron of Roanoke, VA. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1515-1 Gillionville Rd., Albany, GA 31707.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Emily Paulk Howell
Mrs. Emily Paulk Howell, 84, of Gainesville died Friday, May 27, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church on Sunday, May 29 at 3 p.m., with Rev. Allen Savage officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Howell was born in Ocilla, daughter of the late Edwin and Phoebe Harper Paulk. She was the widow of Claude Howell. Mrs. Howell had lived in Gainesville for the past 42 years.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Clarence and Lucy Howell of Flowery Branch, Hayward and Barbara Howell of Gainesville, Herman and Betty Howell of Dahlonega and Wendell Howell of Augusta; daughter and son-in-law, Nell Dixon Archer and James of Flowery Branch; daughter, Frances Turner of Flowery Branch; sister, Margaret Howell of Ocilla; 19 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; half brothers, Billy Paulk of Fitzgerald and Jerry Paulk of Ocilla; half sisters, Pat Smith, Shirley Folds and Dorothy Rousch, all of Fitzgerald.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville was in charge of arrangements.
Brownie C. Kelly
Mrs. Brownie C. Kelly, 88, of Wray died Saturday, May 28, 2005 at Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla.
Mrs. Kelly was born November 28, 1916 in Pulaski, TN to the late Floyde G. and Shellie Beard Cardin. She was a former resident of Daytona Beach, FL where she worked as a machine operator in a pants and shoe factory. She also worked for the Civil Service at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL.
After moving to Irwin County, Mrs. Kelly was a homemaker and a member of Satilla Baptist church.
Mrs. Kelly is survived by nieces Martha Ryan of Bainbridge and Madie Denton of Osierfield and nephews Al Kelly and Tim Kelly of Tifton and Marshall Cardin of Jacksonville, FL, as well as many great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. Kelly.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 30 at 2 p.m. at Satilla Baptist Church in Irwin County with the Rev. William Pope officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Tony Hutto, Chip Spikes, Jerry Spikes, Mitch Cummings, Gary Paulk, Tim Lott and Al Kelly.
Interment followed in the Satilla Cemetery.
Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, was in charge of arrangements.
Beth Fields
Mrs. Beth Fields, 52, of Fitzgerald died Monday, August 8, 2005 at her residence.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald on Friday, August 12 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Emory Champion officiating.
Music was provided by pianist, Tammy Rowell and a trio of Charlotte Griffin, Jean Hutchinson and Tammy Rowell.
Pallbearers were Bo Medlin, Sammy Fields, Roger Griffin, Benny Hutto, Steve Rogers and Mike Fields
Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Mrs. Fields was born on March 13, 1953, daughter of the late Edward and Lucinda Ricks Ross. She lived in the community for the past 20 years and was a former resident of Evans County, Jenkins County and Mitchell County. Mrs. Fields was a former employee of Irwin Manufacturing and Champion Manufacturing Corporation. She was a member of the First Assembly of God and a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her husband, Richard C. Fields of Fitzgerald; daughter, Martha (Richard) Giffin of Irwin County; sons, Bo (Michelle) Medlin of Fitzgerald, Wesley (Mary) Medlin of Thomas County, Edward (Angie) Medlin of Claxton, Robert Medlin and Mike Fields, both of Fitzgerald; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Laura Ross of Fitzgerald.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Medlin and a brother, Levon Bynum.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth Jermaine Boone
Mr. Kenneth Jermaine Boone died Friday, August 5, 2005 at Tift Regional Medical Center. He was 32.
Mr. Boone was born July 18, 1973, son of Kenneth and Connie Boone. Early in life he joined the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He was well admired by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.
At age 24, he was united in marriage to Niki Pugh. To this union one son, Antravious Boone, and one daughter, Amber Boone, were born.
Kenneth, known to others as Jermaine, was preceded in death by his grandparents, Calvin and Elizabeth Boone.
Survivors include his wife, Niki Pugh; children, Antravious Boone, Amber Boone, Destiny Nichols, Andrienna Pugh and Desmeona McDuffy; father, Kenneth Boone; mother, Connie Boone; mother-in-law, Darlene Tolbert; father-in-law, Tony Tolbert; sister, LaTresia Boone; brother, Dewayne Boone; sister, Buffy McRae; grandparents, Cornelious Anderson, Rubbie Lee Anderson and Mary Boone; a host of sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law, uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Services were held at Midway Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 9 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Herbert Coney officiating.
Active pallbearers were Eric Jones, Marcus Dunlap, Todd Talton, Frederick Manning, Rico Foster, Grant Cockfield, Lemond Hall and Marcus Jenkins.
Honorary pallbearers were Marcus Boone, Jamil Drayton, Rashaun White, Terrence Hall, Corey Boone, Theron Hobbs, Jeremy Pryor and Eric Murrell.
Music was provided by the choir.
Interment was held in Ocilla City Cemetery.
Michelle Fletcher Sumner
Ms. Michelle Fletcher Sumner, 41, of Ocilla died Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla on Thursday, August 4 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Wayne Driskell officiating.
Ms. Sumner was born September 2, 1963 in Stanley, ND, daughter of the late John Clinton and Kathleen Weidert Fletcher. She lived in the community most of her life, graduating from Fitzgerald High School in 1981 and receiving her nursing degree from AbAC in 1985. She worked as a registered nurse in the Berrien County Hospital and the Irwin County Hospital. Ms. Sumner was a member of Lax Baptist Church and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
Survivors include two daughters and a son, Rene Brown, Sarah Sumner and Mason Brown, all of Ocilla; brother and sister-in-law, Sean and Phyllis Fletcher of Ocilla; sister and brother-in-law, Theresa and Mike Hampton of Ocilla.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Michelle Fletcher Sumner Fund, c/o Community Bank, P.O. Box 130, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
