Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Ruby C. Paulk
Mrs. Ruby C. Paulk, 88, of Ocilla died Friday, November 4, 2005 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Services were held at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Irwin County on Sunday, November 6, with Rev. John Gibbs, Jr. officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Music was provided by pianist, Susan Paulk
Pallbearers were Waldo Paulk, Tracy Paulk, Stuart Paulk, Bobby Hammond, Alton Courson and James Tomberlin.
Mrs. Paulk was born August 11, 1917 in Wilkerson County, daughter of the late Lee and Ora Payne Collins. She was a homemaker and lived in Irwin County most of her life. Mrs. Paulk was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church and a Sunday School teacher for the children’s department for many years.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Waldo and Ginny Paulk of Ocilla; daughter and son-in-law, Frances P. and Bobby Hammond of Macon; grandchildren and spouses, Tracy and Rhonda Paulk and Stuart and Stacey Paulk, all of Ocilla; great-grandchildren, Kristen, Rebecca, Jessica and Warren; sisters, Lou Emma Mixon of Ocilla, Dorothy Courson of Douglas and Leola Thomas of Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Warren Paulk.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Johnny Frank Pridgen
Mr. Johnny Frank Pridgen, 48, of Fitzgerald died Thursday, November 3, 2005 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Services were held at New Corinth Holiness Church, Ben Hill County on Sunday, November 6 at 2 p.m., with Bro. Travis Day, Bro. Vernon Hughes and Bro. Neil Bridges officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Music was provided by the Ronnie Day family. Instrumentalists were Terry Giddens, Cauley Bowen, Randall Smith, Sandra Sellars, Allen Carelock, Selina Day. Congregational song was “Amazing Grace”. Singers at the graveside, Jennifer and Nelson Franklin, Lou Franklin, James Griffin and Jason Griffin.
Pallbearers were Chris Pridgen, Chase Pridgen, Jordan Wells, Steve Smith, Vern Simmons, LaRue Stanfill, Johnny Padgett, Cecil Pinkerson.
Honorary pallbearers were Eddie Smith, Fred Smith, Newton Sellers, Stanford Day, Vickie Gasque, Byron Day, Mark Turner, Hank Brown, Ronnie Murray and Steve Colwell
Mr. Pridgen was born September 23, 1957, in Ben Hill County, son of C. C. and Opal Wells Pridgen. He was a 1975 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, a graduate of Ben Hill-Irwin Technical School with a degree in drafting and he attended South Georgia College.
Mr. Pridgen worked for the past several months at Elixir Industries and for over 13 years he was a designer for Blue Bird Body Company in Fort Valley. He was a former employee of United Farm Tools and Georgia Displays. Mr. Pridgen attended New Corinth Holiness Church. He was an avid fisherman and sports competitor, including golf and basketball.
Survivors include his wife, Constance Bowen Pridgen of Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Arly Pridgen of Wray; daughter, Amy Pridgen of Fitzgerald; grandson, Jackson Pridgen of Wray; parents, Junior and Opal Wells Pridgen of Wray; brother, Robert Pridgen of Tifton and grandmother, Annie Y. Wells of Fitzgerald.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Thomas Couey
Mr. Robert Thomas Couey, Sr., 91, of Coffee County, died Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at Osceola Nursing Home in Ocilla.
Graveside services were held at 1 p.m., Friday, November 4 at Walnut Fork Baptist Church Cemetery in Braselton with the Rv. Robert Couey, Jr. officiating.
Mr. Couey was born November 12, 1913 in Floyd County, son of the late Thomas and Connie Arp Couey. Moving form Brazelton, he had lived for the past three and one-half years with his son and daughter-in-law in Coffee County. He was a former Chrysler dealer in Rome and automobile mechanic in Jupiter, FL.
Survivors include his children, Rev. Robert (Dale) Couey of Willacoochee, Marilyn Hedrick of Albany, Martha Ann Evans of Summerville, FL and Harry Couey of Talladega, AL; five grandchildren; two brothers, Malcolm D. Couey of Rome and Melvin Couey of Marietta and half-brother, Tom Couey of Rome.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Monnye Montine Faulkner Couey.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson was in charge of arrangements for Mr. Couey.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald was in charge of local arrangements.
A. G. ‘Junior’ Hutchinson, Sr.
Mr. A. G. “Junior” Hutchinson, Sr., 73, of Fitzgerald died Monday, October 31, 2005 at the Coliseum Medical Center in Macon.
Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald on Thursday, November 3 at 4 p.m., with Rev. Linton Stephens officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Music was provided by soloist, Dr. Kent Burton.
Pallbearers were Billy Jowers, Kenneth Sheppard, Bryan Luke, Scott Shealey and Dave Storey.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. R. V. Reese, Jr. and Dorminy Medical Center employees.
Mr. Hutchinson was born April 19, 1932 in Wilcox County, son of the late Alsie Brown Hutchinson and the late Louvenia Dyes Carlile. He lived in the community most of his life and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Mr. Hutchinson was a former contractor and carpenter. For the past 10 years he was head of security at Dorminy Medical Center.
Survivors include his wife, Geneva S. Hutchinson of Fitzgerald; sons, Tony, Phillip, Terry, Gray, Stanley and Rickey Hutchinson, all of Fitzgerald and Jeffery Hutchinson of Broxton; daughter, Sherry Duplain of Fitzgerald; step-daughters, Larie Gray of Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Grantham of Douglas; 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Hutchinson of Fitzgerald; sisters, Kathy Sheppard of Fitzgerald, Sylvia Richardson of Ocilla, Shirley Futch of Fitzgerald and Evelyn Griffin of Ambrose. He was preceded in death by a brother, Byrd Hutchinson.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marion Pritchard Pless
Mrs. Marion Pritchard Pless, 77, formerly of Tifton, died Tuesday, November 1, 2005 in Sandersville.
Graveside services were held at 3 p.m., Thursday, November 3 at Oakridge Cemetery in Tifton, with the Rev. Jimmy Harris officiating. Family members served as pallbearers.
Born March 12, 1928 in Turner County, Mrs. Pless was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Pritchard and Janie Mae Houston Pritchard, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clyde J. Pless, who died in 1978; her daughter, Joan Willis and a brother, Leo Pritchard.
Mrs. Pless was a retired nurse and a member of Eastside Baptist Church, Tifton. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a woman of great determination and faith.
Mrs. Pless is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Randall and Margie Pless of Sandersville and Gerald (Jerry) and Diane Pless of Ocilla; son-in-law, Mike Willis of Tifton; one brother, Billy Roger Pritchard of Macon; one sister, Elizabeth Robinson of Macon; four sisters-in-law, Edna Pless of Tifton, Betty Pless Vickers of Ocilla, Madeline Spillers of Alpharetta and Florence Pless of Corpus Christi, TX; eight grandchildren, Kimberly Pless, Gerald F. (Jay) Pless, Brad Pless, Margaret Lee (Maggie) Pless, Angela Pless Goff, Carrie Willis, Ellen Willis and Genny Willis; and five great-grandchildren, Tanner Goff, Lindsey Howell, Jace Pless, Riley Pless and Haley Pless.
Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals was in charge of arrangements.
Sarah E. Tucker
Sarah E. Tucker, 70, of Ocilla died Friday, December 9, 2005 at the Irwin County Hospital.
Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, December 11 at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla, with the Rev. Jack Perrin officiating. Interment followed in Riverbend Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Gary Rogers, Danny Rogers, Andrew Tucker, Joey Tucker, Jacob Reaves and Anthony Reaves.
Ms. Tucker was born November 4, 1935, in Berrien County to the late Olen and Viola Freeman Tucker. She lived in Irwin County for the past twenty years from Norfolk, VA. Ms. Tucker was former owner/operator of Ocilla Mini-Storage and a member of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by a sister: Dorothy Tucker Daniel of Ocilla; five nieces: Brenda Love of Fitzgerald, Marilyn Rogers, Wanda Spires, Susan Allen and Ann Rowell, all of Ocilla; five nephews: Russell Tucker, Joe Tucker and David Tucker, all of Ocilla, Marshall Tucker and Herman Tucker, both of Fitzgerald; also several great nieces and nephews.
Paulk Funeral Home of Ocilla was in charge of arrangements.
Hattie Mae Goolsby Ellis
Mrs. Hattie Mae Goolsby Ellis, 81, of Ocilla died Tuesday, December 6, 2005.
Funeral services were held Sunday, December 11at 2 p.m. at the Word of Power Church in Ocilla with the Pastor R.J. Shabazz officiating. Interment followed at the Ocilla Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Marion Timmons, Marcus Dennis, Bradon Hall, Irvin Haakim, Sr., Irvin Haakim, Jr. and Carl Coffee.
Mrs. Ellis was born to the late Julis and Dollie Mae Goolsby on August 15, 1924 in Eastman. She was educated in Dodge and Irwin county school systems, and was a member of Word of Power Church in Ocilla.
Mrs. Ellis was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Ellis, Sr., and one daughter, Debra.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Betty Darden of Ocilla; two sons, Mr. Howard Ellis, Jr., (Barbara) of Miami, FL and Mr. Rudolph Ellis (Kate) of Ocilla; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Mary Alice Ellis of Ocilla; two sons-in-law, James Darden of Ocilla and Wendell Ramsey of Enigma; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Lola Mae Goolsby of Rochester, NY, Mrs. Mary Alice Smith of Albany and Mrs. Jessie Mae Goolsby of Eastman; one brother-in-law, Mr. James Barton of Ocilla, and 20 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Davis Funeral Home in Ocilla was in charge of arrangements.
Jay Lynn Harris, Jr.
Mr. Jay Lynn Harris, Jr., 70, of Ocilla, died Sunday, December 4, 2005.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 10 at 1 P.M. at Church of God by Faith in Ocilla with Elder Walter Baker officiating. Interment followed in Ocilla Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Eddie Harris, Ray Wynn, Wiley Tucker, Willie Lee Campbell, Joe B. Battle, Sr. and Joe B. Battle, Jr.
Mr. Harris was born on April 26, 1935 to the late Jay Lynn Harris, Sr. and Addie Mae Harris. He was a member of Church of God by Faith and attended Irwin County schools. He worked with Ross of Georgia until his health failed.
Survivors include his wife, Sally Mae Harris of Ocilla; one son, Joseph L. Harris of Ocilla; two stepsons, Wiley Tucker and Rasheed Young, both of Ocilla; one daughter, Tammy McMillian of Ocilla; two brothers, Johnny Harris of Ocilla and Jerry George (Cassie) of Decatur; one aunt, Bessie Mae Floyd of Bushnell, FL and10 grandchildren.
Two brothers preceded him in death, Willie C. Harris and Henry Lee Harris.
Davis Funeral Home of Ocilla was in charge of arrangements.
Dalton James Arlt
Dalton James Arlt, infant son of Doug and Adrienne Arlt of Ambrose died Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandparents, Carol Thompson of Ocilla, Richard Thompson of Ocilla, Debbie and Gean Powell of Eustis, FL and George Combs of Lost Creek, KY. great-grandparents are Estoria Reynolds of Ocilla and Peggy Greer of Eustis, FL.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, was in charge of arrangements.
Hunter Lane Scarbary
Hunter Lane Scarbary, infant son of Wesley and Amanda Scarbary of Fitzgerald died Sunday, December 11, 2005 at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. He was born Saturday, December 10 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, December 15 at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Don Cross officiating.
Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald.
William James Freeman
Mr. William James Freeman, 40, of Ocilla died Sunday, January 15, 2006 at the Turner County Life Care Center.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m. at Davis Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla with the Rev. Raymond King officiating. Interment followed in Ocilla Cemetery.
Mr. Freeman was born to Mr. Willie Freeman and Ida Middlebrooks on January 6, 1966 in Bell Glade, FL . He was educated in the Irwin County School System and employed at Dill’s Roofing Company.
Mr. Freeman is survived by his mother: Mrs. Ida B. King and stepfather Mr. James King, both of Ocilla; his grandmother, Mrs. Blanche Middlebrooks, Ocilla; two brothers: Mr. Willie B. Freeman of Ocilla and Mr. Roger Lee Freeman of Germany; four aunts, Mrs. Dorletha Merritt, Mrs. Glenda (Willie Fred) Walker, both of Ocilla, Mrs. Willie Mae Anderson and Mrs. Evelyn Harris, both of Hattiesburg, MS; three uncles, Mr. Cary Middlebrooks of Ocilla, Mr. Reuben Middlebrooks of LaGrange, TX and Mr. Joe Middlebrooks of San Francisco, CA..
Davis Funeral Home, Ocilla, was in charge of arrangements.
Annie Mae Goss Burns
Mrs. Annie Mae Goss Burns, 94, of Irwinville died Friday, January 20, 2006 at Tift Health Care in Tifton.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 22, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Ocilla, with the Rev. Jerry Wilson and the Rev. Sonny Pate officiating. Interment followed in Spring Hill Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers included Randy Reeves, Tommy Braziel, Joe Braziel, Thomas Braziel, Freddy McIntyre, Billy Phillips and Paul McIntyre. Honorary pallbearers were Waldo McIntrye, Johnny Hancock and Jackie Benson. Pianist Sandy Taylor and Soloist Randy Reeves performed at the service.
Mrs. Burns was born October 7, 1911 in Webster County, Georgia to the late Mercer F. and Julia Tracy Goss. She lived in Irwin County for over 60 years.
Mrs. Burns was a retired school teacher, having taught public school in Irwin County for 21 years and Tift County 13 years. She was a member of Irwinville Baptist Church and a former home demonstration agent in Ware County, where she lived before moving to Irwin County.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Sandra and Thomas Fletcher of Kathleen and Susan and Charles Welsh of Tifton; four grandchildren: Donna (Gary) Granger, Tommy (Mitzi) Fletcher, Anita (Kevin) Farrell and Amy (Casey) Marshall; five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Allen Burns, brothers, Steven, C.C. and Woodrow Goss and a sister, Roxie West.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jesse Cleghorn
Mr. Jesse Cleghorn, 81, of Fitzgerald, died Thursday, January 19, 2006 at his residence.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 21, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Earlie Holt officiating. Interment followed in Arp Cemetery.
Pallbearers included Felton Bentley, Richard Bostick, Steve Hartley, Rick Davenport, Chris Davenport, Chris Harper and Mike Dusi. Music was provided by David and Charlotte Griffin and Steve Hartley.
Mr. Cleghorn was born January 17, 1925 in Irwin County to the late Avery and Essie Parks Cleghorn. He lived in Irwin and Ben Hill counties most of his life and was a former resident of Albany. Mr. Cleghorn was a Barber for forty years and a former employee of H.R. Kaminsky & Sons and the Fitzgerald Fire Department. He was a member of Arp Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife: Mildred Thompson Cleghorn, Fitzgerald; two sons: Danny Cleghorn and Tommy Newton, both of Fitzgerald; four daughters: Sandra Davenport, Leesburg, Carol Dusi, Rebecca, Kathy Bentley, Tifton and Florence Harper, Fitzgerald; 21 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren; four brothers: Avery Cleghorn, Brunswick, Frank Cleghorn, Albany, Edward Cleghorn, Rebecca and Sam Cleghorn, Ray City; five sisters: Dora Hal, McDonough, Martha Fletcher, Chula, Lucille Neisler and Wynell Oliver, both of Macon and Marie Cleghorn, Perry.
He was preceded in death by three sisters.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jimmy T. ‘Buddy’ Mitchell
Mr. Jimmy T. Mitchell, 70, of Fitzgerald died Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Friday, January 20 at the Church Of The Nazarene in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Steve Hood officiating. Interment followed in Big Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers included Jimmy Bullington, James Mitchell, Jeremiah McKinney, Ruel McKinney, Phillip McKenney and Elijah McKinney. Music was provided by Tim Young, Willie Carver, Travis Shinholster, Deborah Tucker, Adam McKinney, Samuel McKinney and Ruel McKinney.
Mr. Mitchell was born August 15, 1935 in Ben Hill County to the late James Ed and Minnie Owens Mitchell. He lived in the community most of his life and was a former employee of Rainbow Irrigation Systems.
Mr. Mitchell is survived by his daughters: Sue McKinney of Abbeville, Mae Wilson of Mystic, Janet Bullington of Rochelle, Beverly Reaves and Margaret Ward, both of Abbeville; sons: Thomas Mitchell of Abbeville, John Mitchell of Maramec, OK, Darryl Mitchell and Michael Mitchell, both of Fitzgerald, Troy Mitchell of Maramec, OK and Mike Berryhill of Fitzgerald; 40 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; sisters: Ruby Fogarty of Gainesville, FL, Minnie Dorman of Tifton, Nell Stephens of Ocilla, Myra Dorrity of Fitzgerald and Ann Holloway of Tifton; brothers: Billy Mitchell of Irwinville and Charles Mitchell of Darlington, SC. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Mitchell and three brothers
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
