Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Tommy Newton Richardson
Mr. Tommy Newton Richardson, 66, of Bellefontaine, OH and Irwinville, died Saturday, January 14, 2006 at his residence.
Mr. Richardson was born March 12, 1939 in Nashville, the son of the late Marcus and Jenny Rachel Richardson. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Benny Richardson and Jimmy Richardson.
Survivors include: son, David Richardson of Rebecca; daughter, Linda English of Fitzgerald; brother, Bobby Richardson of Irwinville; companion, Juanita Jackson of Bellefontaine, OH; stepson, Rich Jackson of Monroe, MI; stepdaughter, Tammy Bovenizer of Westerville, OH; three grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Georgia, where he will be laid to rest near his favorite fishing holes.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Universal Home Health & Hospice and the American Cancer Society.
Littleton & Rue Funeral Home, Highland Chapel, of West Liberty, OH is in charge of arrangements.
Hiram Edwin Gentry
Mr. Hiram Edwin Gentry, 82, of Mims, FL died Monday, January 16, 2006 at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, FL.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 20 at Big Creek Baptist Church, Irwin County, with the Rev. Ed Reeves and the Rev. Harris Johnson officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers included Jody Brinkley, Nicky Brinkley, Mark Gentry, Bobby Hipps and Robert Dickens. Music was provided by soloist Diane Bellamy and pianist Patsy Spradlin.
Mr. Gentry was born December 6, 1923 in Fitzgerald to the late Smith Gentry, Sr. and the late Geneva Fowler Gentry. Mr. Gentry grew up in Fitzgerald and raised his family in Florida before moving back to Fitzgerald. He had been back in Florida for the past five years.
Mr. Gentry was a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II, serving in the Pacific and Atlantic Theatre. He was a retired master electrician specializing in commercial wiring. Mr. Gentry was of the Baptist faith and attended Big Creek Baptist Church.
Mr. Gentry is survived by his daughters: Donna Joy Gentry, Mims, FL and Deborah Allridge, Thomasville; son: Tony Gentry, Marianna, FL; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brother: Smith Gentry, Jr., Tifton; sisters: Beatrice Brinkley, Tifton, Ruth Yarbrough and Mildred Hipps, both of Baconton.
He was preceded in death by a son, Bruce Gentry.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Anne Stokes Bowers
Mrs. Anne Stokes Bowers, 88, of Fitzgerald died Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at Summerhill in Perry.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 20 at Evergreen Cemetery with the Rev. B.J. Funk officiating. Eulogy was given by Lois McCord. Music was provided by the Massee Quartet.
Mrs. Bowers was born January 4, 1918 in Dougherty County to the late William Arthur and Sarah Graham Stokes. Mrs. Bowers lived in Fitzgerald most of her life. She was former owner/operator of Anne Bowers School of Dance, where she taught dance for over 35 years. Mrs. Bowers was a member of Central United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years: Samuel B. Bowers, Jr.; son and daughter-in-law: Samuel B., III and Mary Ann Bowers of Perry; daughter and son-in-law: Sally and Randy Rodgers of Fitzgerald; nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests those desiring to send memorials, may send them to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the charity of donor’s choice.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Don Merritt
Mr. Don Merritt of Brunswick died Friday, January 20, 2006 at the Brunswick hospital of the Southeast Georgia Health System.
Mr. Merritt was born June 25, 1943 in Irwin County, the son of the late Clayton E. and Ada Harper Merritt. A native of Ocilla, he had lived in Brunswick since 1963. He was employed as a pipefitter at Hercules Inc.
Graveside funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 24 at Evergreen Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers were Shelton Sizemore, William B. Brown, Larry Nail, Melvin Bullard, Mike Sears, Steve Douglas, Jeffery Thomas, Chris Thomas, Andy Buice, Dr. Mark Gold, doctors and nursing staff of S.I.C.U. at the Southeast Georgia Health System.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Wyatt Merritt of Brunswick; a daughter, Donna Merritt Hester, and her husband, Stan, of Jacksonville; a son, Gary Wyatt Merritt, and his wife, Melissa, of Waverly; two brothers, Gerald Merritt and Wendell Merritt, both of Fitzgerald; two sisters, Georgann Winslow and Joyce Carter, both of Fernandina Beach; and two grandchildren, Jordan Taylor Hester and Madison Nina Merritt.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the American Cancer Society.
Chapman Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Jake Woods
Mr. Jake Woods, 88, of Ocilla died Friday, January 13, 2006 at the Carl Vinson V.A. Medical Center in Dublin.
Graveside services were held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, January 15 at Ocilla Cemetery with Elder Jerry Barrs officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Bob Fremont, Tillman Woods, Woody Woods, Joe Portier, Donnie Youghn, Jimmy Ross, Warren Paulk, Jr. and Tony Hutto.
Mr. Woods was born January 28, 1917 in Coffee County to the late Dan and Maggie Carter Woods. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Woods was a farmer and a former mechanic with Irwin County Motors. He was of the Primitive Baptist Faith.
Mr. Woods is survived by a son and daughter-in-law: Danny G. and Dianne Woods of Fitzgerald; daughter and son-in-law: Janice W. and David NeSmith; one grandson: Jason NeSmith of Hawkinsville and one brother: Bill Woods of Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eugenia Barrs Woods.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Roscoe Young
Mr. Roscoe Young, 83, of Fitzgerald, died January 14, 2006 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 16 at New Bethel Holiness Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Vickers officiating. Music was provided by pianist and soloist Janice Young, pianist Al Hulsey and soloist Randy Hulsey. Interment followed at New Bethel Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charles McClean, Larry Jay, Billy Benson, Carroll Young, Ralph McMillan, Randall Smith, Kenny Pridgen, Robert Pridgen, Bryan Griffin, Eddie Smith, Virgil Young and Willis Jarrell.
Mr. Young was born April 27, 1922 in Ben Hill County to the late George and Lilly Hayes Young. He had lived in the community all of his life. He was a farmer and a member of New Bethel Holiness Baptist Church. He was a founder of the Pine Tree Saddle Club of Irwin and Ben Hill counties, an avid coon hunter and a school bus driver for Ben Hill county school system for many years.
He is survived by his wife: Christine McLean Young of Fitzgerald; four daughters and sons-in-law: Betty Ann and Mike Heatherly and Diane and Steve Sumner, all of Fitzgerald, and Karen and Tim Lott and Renae and Mark Martin, all of Ocilla; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and three sisters: Mattie Smallwood, Lucille Holland and Gladys Dorminy, all of Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Theron Crews
Mr. Theron Crews, 80, of Fitzgerald, died Friday, January 11, 2006 at the Life Care Center in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services were held 3 p.m. Sunday, January 15 at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tommy Land, Jr. and Bro. Charlie Wilson officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Mutt Clark, Jamie Merritt, Andy Merritt, Jimmy Merritt, Jay Yancey and William Hardeman.
Mr. Crews was born May 10, 1925 in Worth County, to the late Barney and Ruth Owens Crews. He lived in the community most of his life. Mr. Crews was a retired maintenance technician with Shaw Industries. He was a member of Crossview Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife: Euodis Crews of Fitzgerald; sisters: Alice Croston, Madge Smith and Margaret Davis, all of Winter Haven, FL.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harry R. Jackson
Mr. Harry R. Jackson, 83, of Ocilla, died Wednesday, January 10, 2006 in Irwin County.
Graveside services were held at 4 p.m. Friday, January 13 at Brushy Creek Cemetery in Irwin County.
Mr. Jackson was born August 10, 1922 in Albany, NY to the late George and Dora Richter Jackson. He was a former resident of Rome, GA. Mr. Jackson was a former employee of Irwin Foods, Inc., Roscoe Allen Company, Flintstone Industries and Coburn Nursery in Tifton.
Mr. Jackson is survived by many friends in Irwin and Tift counties, including Robert and DeLynn Clark and Nell Clark, all of Ocilla, and Vernell Roberts of Tifton.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Clara Cleghorn Mitchell
Mrs. Clara Cleghorn Mitchell, 87, of Lithonia, formerly of Irwin County, died January 10, 2006.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wesley Mitchell and her parents, Polly Walker Cleghorn and Jacob Alexander Cleghorn.
Survivors are her daughter, Faye M. Lewis of Mansfield; son, Bobby Mitchell of Covington; sisters, Odette Fowler of Mansfield and Sarepta Merritt of Douglas; brother, Clarence Cleghorn of Sycamore; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 12, 2006 in the chapel of Henry Funeral Home in Lithonia. Dr. Jim Martin, her pastor at First Baptist Church of Lithonia, officiated and burial was followed in Hillandale Memorial Gardens, also in Lithonia.
Henry Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Carl E. Findley
Mr. Carl E. Findley, Sr., 88, of Fitzgerald, died Monday, January 9, 2006 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 11 at Evergreen Cemetery with Rev. Steve Waldorf and Rev. B.J. Funk officiating. Soloist Abby Holt performed, and eulogies were offered by Dr. Carl E. Findley, Jr. and Mac Wilcox.
Pallbearers were Jerry Pryor, Bob Bullington, Tim Anderson, Jimmy Johnson, Wendell Patton, Jimmy Alexander, Martin Hough and A.J. Robinson.
Mr. Findley was born March 24, 1917 in Irwin County to the late Aaron Milton and Gertrude McCurdy Findley. He was retired manager of Halperin’s Department Store in Fitzgerald. After retiring he worked at J. Englemann LTD Men’s Store in Fitzgerald and the Big Store in Tifton. Mr. Findley served in the United States Army and retired from the Georgia National Guard. He was a member of the American Legion, an avid golfer and a member of Central United Methodist Church. Mr. Findley took great pleasure spending time with his grandsons, enjoyed his daughter Gloria’s home cooking and smoking his pipe on his son’s front porch.
Mr. Findley is survived by his son and daughter-in-law: Dr. Carl E. Findley, Jr. and Judy of Sylvester; daughter; Gloria L. Findley of Tifton, and two grandchildren: Carl E. Findley III and Aaron Findley. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee Warren Findley.
The family requests that memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James E. Johnson
Mr. James E. Johnson, 81, of Fitzgerald died Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at his residence.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 12, at Westside Baptist Church with Rev. John Forbes and Rev. Steve Waldorf officiating. Music was provided by pianist Julie Stevens and soloists Karla Foster and Abby Holt. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Pallbearers were George Martin, Larry Latham, Irving Johnson, Butch Dale, Steven Bell and Barry Franklin.. Honorary Pallbearers were Larry Cleghorn, William Stevens, Emory Peavy, Sheldon Conger, Terry Pope, Ronnie Spicer, Dr. James Luckie, Curtis Dale, Merlon Miles, Jimmy Josey, Marty Pope, John Alligood, Wayne Arant, Dianne Glenn, Wilkie Glenn, Laura Hall, Mary Deese, Alene Rowe, Pat Norman, Crystal Brown, Gail Hough, Robert McDearmid and Donald During.
Mr. Johnson was born June 10, 1924 in Colquitt County, to the late James E. and Ruby NeSmith Johnson. He lived in the community for the past 43 years after moving from Moultrie. Mr. Johnson retired as office manager for Rainbow Irrigation Systems. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II attaining the rank of sergeant.
Mr. Johnson was a member and deacon of Westside Baptist Church, where he was the former church clerk for over 25 years and a former Sunday school teacher. He was a former member of the Gideon’s International.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years: Nita Johnson, Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Betty Lynn Johnson, Fitzgerald; daughter & son-in-law: Donna and Larry Wise, Fitzgerald; grandchildren and spouses: Al and JoAnna Johnson, Fitzgerald, Alan Dean, Fitzgerald, Larry and Tiffany Wise, Jacksonville, FL, Andy Johnson, Abby and Jason Holt, and David Wise, all of Fitzgerald; great-grandson: Austin Johnson of Fitzgerald; brother: Bobby Johnson, Belle Chase, LA. He was preceded in death by three sisters and a brother.
The family suggest those desiring to send memorials in lieu of flowers may send them to Blue-Gray Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Doris McCrimmon Owaski
Mrs. Doris McCrimmon Owaski, 87, of Miami, FL died Saturday, December 17, 2005.
Born to the late Sarah and Lewis McCrimmon of Irwinville, Mrs. Owaski was raised in the Irwinville community and graduated from Irwin County High School at Mystic. She moved to Miami in the early forties, where she met and married her late husband, Stan, and raised her family. She was an active member of St Dominic’s Parish.
Mrs. Owaski was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; brothers Charley and John, and sisters Myrtice McCook and Vera Laminack.
Survivors include her sister, Mrs. Gladys Garvey of Missouri; daughter Linda, son Gary and his wife Louise, all of Tucson, AZ, and son Tracy of Miami, FL. Also surviving are five grandchildren (Justin, Jason, Ryan, Tiffany and Steve) plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held January 14, at 11 a.m.. in the chapel of Saint Dominic Parish in Miami.
Thelma D. Connelly
Mrs. Thelma D. Connelly, 87, of Fitzgerald, died Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 12 in Evergreen Cemetery, with Elder Otis McGee and Elder Jerry Barrs officiating. Soloist Linda Parrish performed.
Pallbearers were James DeBerry, Jeremy L. Roberts, Bill Herlovich, Legette P. Zorn, Pete Clark and John T. Croley, Jr.
One of twelve children, Mrs. Connelly was born June 22, 1918 in Irwin County to the late Charlie White and Letha Tucker DeBerry. She lived in the community most of her life. Mrs. Connelly was a former employee of H.R. Kaminsky & Sons, Shop & Go and Westside Grocery. She was a member of the Fitzgerald Primitive Baptist Church. Mrs Connelly loved cooking for her family and working in her yard and garden.
Mrs. Connelly is survived by her daughters and son-in-law: Gail Ross and Kay and Don Morris, all of Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law: Jimmy and Sylvia Roberts of Alapaha; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and her sister: Mrs Russell Mixon of Ocilla. She was preceded in death by her husband, R.E. “Peanut” Connelly.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas F. Fletcher
Mr. Thomas F. Fletcher, Jr., 77, of Irwinville, died Thursday, January 5, 2006 at his residence. Funeral services were held Monday, January 9 at Waterloo Baptist Church with the Rev. Garland Odum and Rev. Tracy Clements officiating. Music was provided by soloist Lynn Clements, soloist Randy Bryan, who was accompanied by Dawn Bryan, and pianist Pat Stringer. Interment followed in Pinetta Cemetery.
Pallbearers were David Register, Hoyt Pope, Andy Harper, Eric Fletcher, Rob Bryan and Ronny McCurdy.
Mr. Fletcher was born January 4, 1929 in Irwin county to the late Thomas F. and Thelma Blount Fletcher. He was a farmer and lived in the community all of his life. Mr. Fletcher was a Korean War Veteran of the United States Army, where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal and a Combat Infantry Badge. He was a member of Waterloo Baptist Church.
Mr. Fletcher is survived by his wife: Mary A. Fletcher of Irwinville; daughters: Charlene (Wilburn) Wiley and Denise (Ronald) Coleman, all of Fitzgerald; son: Dennis (Lisa) Paulk of Clearwater, FL; six grandchildren, including Jason Fletcher who he raised from birth with the help of Jason’s mother, and five great-grandchildren; sister: Nora F. Townsend of Macon; brothers: James Fletcher of Thomasville and John David Fletcher of Sylvester.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jesse Twilley, granddaughter, Wanda Lisa Wiley, great-granddaughter, Haley Marie Fletcher and a brother, Charles Fletcher.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
