Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
George Richard Chaney
Mr. Georgie Richard Chaney, 44, of Fitzgerald died Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.
Services were held at the Church of God, Fitzgerald on Saturday, August 20 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Brent Stephens, Rev. Jeremy Donald and Rev. Leroy Spivey officiating. Interment followed in Lax Community Cemetery, Irwin County.
Music was provided by pianist and soloist, Tammy Arant; soloist, Pam Gay and soloist, Mitchell Harper.
Pallbearers were Richard Chaney, George Allan Chaney, John Chaney, Thomas Register, Michael Costanzo, Dave Bartlett, Estebon Giron, Hoke Rutherford, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Phillip Chaney and Charles Paramore.
Mr. Chaney was born October 18, 1960 in Irwin County, son of Peggy Jean Hutto Chaney and the late George Edward Chaney. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He had lived in the community for the past 10 years from Texas.
Mr. Chaney was a self-employed contractor. He was an active member of the Fitzgerald Church of God where he was very involved in the Children and Youth Ministries and he also served as an usher. Mr. Chaney was an avid racquetball player competing in many tournaments and holding membership in the United States Racquetball Association.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Chaney of Fitzgerald; five children, Mary Register of Fitzgerald, Jeana Costanzo of Lakeland, Richard Chaney, George Allan Chaney and Phillip Chaney, all of Fitzgerald; mother, Peggy Chaney of Wray; one brother, John Chaney of Wray; one sister, Stephanie Johanson of Wray; maternal grandmother, Annie Hutto of Wray; two nieces, Terina Chaney of Fitzgerald and Kaitlynn Chaney of Wray; one nephew, Cory Chaney of Wray; mother-in-law, Mildred Dashiell of Centerville, MD.
Derwin Purvis
Mr. Derwin Purvis, 47, of Gladys entered into eternal rest at his home Sunday, August 21, 2005.
Services will be held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald on Wednesday, August 24 at 10 a.m., with Rev. George Paulk and Rev. Alfonsa Gutierrez officiating. Interment will follow at Riverbend Cemetery, Irwin County.
Mr. Purvis was born August 3, 1958 in Irwin County, son of Herman and Mae Ruth Paulk Purvis. He lived in the Gladys community all his life and was the owner/operator of Metal F-X Manufacturing in Gladys. Mr. Purvis was a charter member of South Georgia Beagle Club and a member of Old English Bantam Club.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Bonnie Nugent Purvis of Gladys; son, Travis Purvis of Gladys; daughter, Liz Purvis of Athens; parents, Herman and Mae Ruth Purvis of Gladys; paternal grandmother, Inez Whitley of Gladys; brothers, Herman Purvis, Jr. and Brad (DeAnne) Purvis and Chance, all of Gladys; father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Ella Mae Nugent; brothers and sisters-in-law, Teresa and Paul Penewitt, Owen and Cindy Nugent, Debbie and Rick Brantley, Louise Sumner, Roger and Penny Nugent, Christie and Derring Johnson and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O.Box 9, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, P.O. Box 78960, Phoenix, AZ 85062.
Niki Denene Pugh Boone
Mrs. Niki Denene Pugh Boone, 29, of Rochelle died at her home on November 24, 2005.
Mrs. Boone was born in Ocilla on March 10, 1976 to Thomas and Darlene Tolbert. She was a 1994 graduate of Irwin County High School and also attended ABAC. At an early age she joined the New Bethel Baptist Church in Ocilla.
Mrs. Boone was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Jermaine Boone; grandparents, Mary Jenkins and Eddie Jenkins, and a cousin, Ronnie Bivens.
Survivors include her parents, Thomas and Darlene Tolbert; children, Andrienne Pugh, Amber Boone and Antravious Boone; mother-in-law, Connie Boone, father-in-law, Kenneth Boone; sisters, Marvelious Brown, Kashawna (Kenneth) Ferguson of Rochelle; brothers, Lathawn (Shunika) Ward of KY, Toran Jenkins of Seattle, WA and Makita Pugh of Rochelle; sister-in law, LaTresia Boone; brother-in-law, Dewayne Boone; aunts, Geraldene (Connie) Dwight of Abbeville, Doris Bivens of Ocilla, Lillie Bell Goolsby of Fitzgerald; uncles James (Lynette) Jenkins, Eddie (Sandy) Jenkins, Chris Jenkins of CA, devoted friend, Ms. Rhonda Thomas of Ocilla and a special nephew, Gregory Battle, Jr.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 30 at noon at the Pleasant Grove First Baptist Church, Ocilla with the Rev. James Curtis officiating.
Serving as pallbearers were Lathawn Ward, Makita Pugh, Toran Jenkins, Gregory K. Battle, Kenneth Ferguson, Clifford Bivens, Kacy Mathis and Ronnie Dwight. Honorary Pallbearers were Victor Jackson, Blair Mitchell, Bernard Grimes, Rico Bivens, Donivan Foster and Rev. Gregory Battle.
Interment followed in the Ocilla City Cemetery.
Davis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jessie Lee Bryant, Sr.
Mr. Jessie Lee Bryant, Sr., 63, of Ocilla died Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross.
Mr. Bryant was born January 26, 1932 to the late Coley Bryant and Ida Bennett. He attended the Tift County public school system in Tifton and was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church in Lax.
Services were held Saturday, December 3 at noon at New Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor A. Jerome Wells officiating. Interment followed in the Ocilla City Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were James Johnson, Hosie Johnson, Jr., Lyndsey Lockett, Deonte' Bryant, Quinton Milsap and Wade Wynn.
Survivors included his wife, Mrs. Emily Bell Lucas Bryant of Ocilla; five daughters, Mrs. Bettie Joyce Wilcox (SGM Calvin C. Wilcox, presently serving in Iraq) of Fitzgerald, Mrs. Stephanie Ann Williams of AL, Mrs. Earlene Mack (Thomas), Mrs. Althea Lois Lundy (Ray) of Ocilla and Miss Bridgette Bryant of Fitzgerald; four sons, Mr. Bennie Wade Bryant, Mrs. Jessie Lee Bryant, Jr. of Ocilla, Mr. Randy Morgan and Derrick Wynn (Jackie) of Ocilla; four sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Presley, Miss Lilly Bryant of Ocilla, Miss Lucy Bryant of AL, Mrs. Ruby Parks (George) of Martinez; three brothers, Mr. Daniel Lockett (Sylvia) of Ocilla, Mr. Jammie Lockett (Barbara) of Jacksonville, FL and Mr. Jimmie Lockett of Ocilla; 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Preceding him in death were two sons: Mr. Walter James Bryant and Mr. Joseph Benjamin Bryant, and one sister and two brothers: Ms. Bernice Lockett, Mr. Willie Lee Bryant and Mr. Robert Lockett.
Davis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Gene ‘Bob’ Bennett
Bobby Gene “Bob” Bennett, 67, of Cordele died Monday, November 21, 2005 at Crisp Regional Hospital.
Born April 5, 1938 in Jeff Davis County, he was the son of Gertrude Wright Bennett and the late Tom Cliff Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was first employed by Georgia Pacific as an industrial mechanic and later by Hancor where he retired in 1996. He attended First Street Church of Christ.
A memorial service was held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 23 in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services.
Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife, Montez Cox Bennett; his mother, Gertrude Bennett of Denton; three daughters and their husbands, Renee and Mike Hudson of Ocilla, Theresa and Mabry Kennedy and Valerie and Jeffrey Green, all of Cordele; four sons and their wives, Bobby Wayne and Gina Bennett of Cordele, Michael and Pam Bennett of Vienna, Corey and Chrystal Bennett and Ricky Bennett, all of Cordele; a sister, Winifred Bennett Atkinson of Denton; three brothers, Ronnie Bennett of Douglas, Roy Bennett and Joe Bennett of Denton; 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials may be made to the local Animal Shelter c/o Chief Dwayne Orrick in Cordele. Rainey Family Funeral Services was in charge of arrangements.
Barney S. Purvis
Barney S. Purvis, 72, of Ocilla died Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services were held Friday, November 25 at 2 p.m. at the Ocilla Baptist Church, with Rev. Gerald Thomas officiating. Eulogy was given by Janice Roberts. Music was provided by soloist Randy Hulsey, pianist Jan Morgan and organist Susan Spivey.
Interment followed in Brushy Creek Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Howell Taylor, Troy Spicer, Buddy Bennett, Victor Walters, Henry Rawlins and Danny Hampton. Honorary pallbearers were Lamar Royal, Norman Rawlins, Walter Tyler, James Purvis, Virgil Purvis, Jimmy Lee, Kenneth Sutton, Emory McMillan, Harry Mixon, R.B. Tucker and the Ocilla High School class of 1951.
Mr. Purvis was born July 6, 1933 in Berrien County to the late James M. and Mary Elizabeth Brantley Purvis. He was a 1951 graduate of Ocilla High School, attended South Georgia College and was a graduate of Valdosta State College.
Mr. Purvis taught biology and chemistry at Irwin County High School from 1955 until 1970 and at Valdosta Sate College from 1970 until 1986. He was named Star Teacher at ICHS in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968 and 1970. In 1969 he was selected as Most Outstanding Teacher of the Southeast United States and Most Outstanding Biology Teacher in 1968 and 1969. He was named to Who’s Who Among Young Educators in 1970.
An accomplished cook and floral arranger, Mr. Purvis was a loving brother, who helped and cared for the shut-ins, elderly and sick. He was a member of Ocilla Baptist Church.
Mr. Purvis is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law: Mrs. Homer (Myrtle) Purvis of Alapaha, Mary Jim & W.B. Roberts and Sarah Nell Purvis, all of Ocilla, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Ocilla Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, Ocilla, GA 31774, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 9, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the donor’s favorite charity.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Tenika LaShanta Freeman
Tenika LaShanta Freeman, 23, of Ocilla died Sunday, November 20, 2005.
Miss Freeman was born July 15, 1982 to Sheila D. Freeman and Michael J. Bryant. She was known as “Niki” to all who knew and grew to love her.
A 2001 graduate of Irwin County High School, Miss Freeman graduated from East Central Technical College in 2004 with a degree in child care. She was employed with Irwin Manufacturing.
Miss Freeman acknowledged and received Christ as her Savior and was baptized at an early age at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church. She was a loving and devoted mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece and friend.
She is survived by two daughters, A’Quaria Tiyell Poole and Johnneiza Nikellya Mike; fiance’ Johnny Mike, Jr.; parents, Sheila Freeman of Ocilla and Michael J. Bryant of Eastern PA; sisters Quanneisa Harris and Kalisa Freeman, both of Ocilla; grandparents Barbara Wilcox, Edna Freeman, Earl Wilcox, Sr. and James C. Prater, all of Ocilla; aunts and uncles, Angela F. (Ronald Jr.) Wynn of Pineville, LA, Katrina (Ramon) Bryant, Kelvin Freeman, Tracy (Ida) Freeman, Michael Wilcox, Earl Wilcox, Jr., all of Ocilla, Reginald Bryant and Demetrius Bryant, both of Newark, NJ, Sally Freeman, Rosa Glover, Pam Freeman and Shonta Fleming, all of Ocilla.
Services were held Saturday, November 26 at 2 p.m. at Mount Olive A.M.E. Church with the Rev. John Smith officiating. Music was provided by soloists Tony White, Corey Wynn and the church choir and congregation.
Interment followed in Ocilla City Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were David Pollard, Orian Wilcox, Mauricio Lewis, Jeremy Bryant, Drek Hyman, Fred Moses, Mario Morris, Xaziere Robinson and the Irwin County High School class of 2001. Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Mike, Jr., Earl Wilcox, Jr., Michael J. Bryant, Kelvin B. Freeman, Tracy D. Freeman, Ramon O. Bryant, Michael A. Wilcox and Ronald J. Wynn, Jr.
Ruth Cook Jordan
Ruth Cook Jordan, 91, of Fitzgerald died Sunday, November 27, 2005 at the Osceola Nursing Home in Ocilla.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 29, 11 a.m., at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Jack Dorminey and Rev. Gerald Thomas officiating.
Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Mrs. Jordan was born January 13, 1914 in Rhine, the daughter of the late Levi and Mary Elizabeth Brown Cook. She was a homemaker and a former supervisor at the Monarch Company.
She was also a former supervisor at Osceola Nursing Home and a former employee of the Gift Gallery, Hallmark, and McConnell’s Fabric Store. She had lived in the community most of her life and was a member of Central United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Jordan is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Candace Jordan of Ocilla and Ed and Shirley Jordan of Tifton; three grandchildren and their spouses, Tara (Joe) Gallagher of Jacksonville, FL, Troy (Lisa) Jordan of Augusta and Chad (Jana) Jordan of Florence, SC; three great-grandchildren, Jordan and Jacob Gallagher of Jacksonville, FL and Waters Jordan of Augusta, and two sisters, Corine Faulk of Fitzgerald and Mattie Durham of Stone Mountain.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. “Bob” Jordan, a daughter-in-law, Sue Jordan, one sister and two brothers.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Morton 'Mac’ Whitney
Morton “Mac” Whitney, 86, of Ocala, FL died Saturday, November 19, 2005, at his residence.
Graveside services were held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, November 25 at Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald.
Mr. Whitney was born September 19, 1919 in St. Petersburg, FL to the late Herbert L. and Alice Ruth Simonton Whitney. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Etta Rawlins Whitney.
Mr. Whitney lived in Ocala for the past 42 years from Miami. He was a retired Ground Man with the City Electric Department. He served in the United States Navy.
He is survived by a niece, Sherlyn Arnold of Port St. Lucie, FL: step-daughters Jean Allen of Hawkinsville and Francine Grimsley of Albany and brother-in-law Norman Rawlins of Ocilla.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Virgie Lee Mullis Starnes
Mrs. Virgie Lee Mullis Starnes, 80, of Lancaster, SC died Thursday, November 24, 2005 at Springs Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Starnes was born December 28, 1924 in Monroe, NC, the daughter of the late Arthur Mullis and Lottie Helms Mullis. She was the wife of the late Dewitt T. “Smokey” Starnes.
Mrs. Starnes retired from Springs Industries-Grace Bleachery and was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
She is survived by a son, William Eugene “Gene” Starnes of Lancaster, SC; a daughter, Patricia Ann Starnes Nichols and her husband, the Rev. Huey Nichols of Douglas (formerly of Irwinville); two brothers, Ray Mullis of Lancaster, SC and Kenneth Mullis of the Philippines; two sisters, Kelly Gamble of Beaufort, SC and Glennie McManus of Monroe, NC; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Harrison Mullis, and a sister, Ellie Starnes.
Services were held Sunday, November 27 at 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with Rev. Reggie Hopkins officiating. Interment followed at Lancaster Memorial Park. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Bethlehem Baptist Church Building Fund, 1841 N. Rocky River Road, Lancaster, SC 29720.
Hartley Funeral Home, Lancaster, SC was in charge of arrangements.
Riley J. (Rilo) McDonald
Riley J. (Rilo) McDonald, 60, of Sylvester died at his residence Friday, November 25, 2005.
Services were held Sunday, November 27, 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the pastor, Dr. Tom Jacobs officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Pallbearers were nephews, Stacey Jones, Gene McDonald, Greg McDonald, Stuart Jones, Kebo McDonald and Bill McDonald. Members of F&AM Lodge #194 served as honorary pallbearers and conducted Masonic Rites at the graveside.
Mr. McDonald was born in Worth County October 27, 1945 to Paul Jackson McDonald and Georgia Dorminey McDonald. He had lived in Worth County most of his life and had previously resided in Tifton.
A salesman for Parts Associates, Inc., Mr. McDonald was a member of First Baptist Church and F&AM Lodge #194. He enjoyed his grandchildren, playing the guitar and golf.
Survivors include his wife, Faye Booth McDonald of Sylvester; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Lisa Fowler of Knoxville, TN; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Bud Jones of Sylvester; brother and sister-in-law, Raiford and Aurelia McDonald of Dalton, and two grandchildren, Justin and Kristen Fowler of Knoxville, TN.
Mr. McDonald was preceded in death by his brother, Tracy McDonald.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 912, Sylvester GA 31791, or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 309, Sylvester GA 31791.
Banks Funeral Home, Sylvester was in charge of arrangements.
Woodrow Harper
Mr. Woodrow Harper, age 85, of Ambrose died Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at home after an extended illness. Mr. Harper, a native of Coffee County, was born July 30, 1920, son of the late Pearlie and “Lunnie” Louise Vickers Harper. He was a retired farmer, a former director with PCA for 18 years; he was WWII US Army Veteran and a survivor of The Battle of the Bulge.
His church membership was at Mount Union Primitive Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon for 50 years. Brothers, D. J. Harper, Carlton Harper and sister, Zueline Cannon preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Sarah Paulk Harper; son, Jerry P. Harper (Lou) of Ambrose; daughters, Glenda Ruth Lee (Buddy) of Douglas; Dianne Moore (Roy) of Ambrose; brother, Ira Harper of Ambrose; sisters, Arthur Mae Revel of Osierfield, Evie Spivey and Jacqueline Meeks of Douglas, Daphine Fussell of Ambrose, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Services were held 2 p.m., on Thursday, November 17 at Mount Union Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Julius Stewart and Rev. George Carroll Paulk officiating. Donnie Smith and Jan Hatfield gave the eulogy. Soloist Brad Riner sang, “Beulah Land” and the Congregation sang “Amazing Grace” with Hoy Courson, pianist.
Graveside services with Elder Julius Stewart and Elder Phillip Smith officiating and burial followed in the Mount Union Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Marvin Meeks, Ralph McMillan, Pat Cannon, Jimmy Claude Spivey, Walter James Armour and Don Gillis.
Honorary pallbearers were Dan Fussell, Donnie Smith, Aubrey Batten, Hue Fussell, Harold Roberts, Norman Fussell, Wesley Vickers, Sherrill Tucker, Jack Brantley, Jesse Brantley, Rob Smith, Rex Smith, Sherley Vickers, Butch Griffin, Jimmy Metts, Dr. H. P. Nair, Warren Brown, Mike Vickers, Brown Boggan, Rufus Paulk, Roscoe Harper, Dennis Paulk, Leonard Paulk, L. A. Hand, Betty Love, Julia Manning and Michelle Williams.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
