Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Alfred Jacob Harper
Alfred Jacob Harper, 69, of Irwin County died Friday, May 12, 2006 at his residence.
Graveside services were held at 2 PM Tuesday, May 16 at Fletcher Cemetery in Irwin County, with Elder Ed McIntyre officiating.
Mr. Harper was born February 7, 1937 in Irwin County to D.J. and Bessie Paulk Harper. He lived in the community most of his life. He lived in Richmond County for four years.
A 1956 graduate of Irwin County High School, Mr. Harper also attended the South Georgia School of Trade and Vocation, studying radio and television. He was an amateur radio operator. Mr. Harper was a quail farmer and a tree farmer. He attended Henderson Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.
Mr. Harper is survived by his wife, June Fletcher Harper of the Pinetta Community, Irwin County; two sons: Jacob (Kathryn) Harper of Harlem and Joseph (Evelyn) Harper of Vienna; his mother, Bessie P. Harper of Osierfield; three grandchildren: Kristina Gilmer, Victoria Harper and Rebecca Harper; a brother: Jerry (Susan) Harper of Osierfield and a sister: Sylvia (Royce) Henderson of Osierfield.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
William Maxwell ‘Max’ Hancock
William Maxwell “Max” Hancock, 31, of Irwin County died Sunday, May 14.
Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, May 17 at Mystic Cemetery, with Rev. Terrell Roberts officiating.
Mr. Maxwell was born September 6, 1974 in Crisp County to Michael A. Hancock and Patricia Blackwell Lanier. He was a 1992 graduate of Tift County High School. He was a bull rider and a member of the High School Rodeo Association.
Mr. Hancock was a leadman in the welding department at Coachmen Industries. He was a member of Tift Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Tifton. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Survivors include his wife: Cassandra Barker Hancock of Irwin County; daughter: Christi J. Hancock of St. Augustine, FL; son: Nathan Hancock of Irwin County; twin sons: Landon and Logan Hancock, both of Irwin County; parents: Patricia and Jerry Lanier of Fitzgerald and Michael and Patty Hancock of Rochelle; brothers: Mike Hancock, Jr. of Fitzgerald and Todd Lanier of Bartlesville, OK; sister: Rhonda Selph of Tifton; grandmother: Ollie Love of Irwin County; mother and father-in-law: Emerson and Ann Barker of Irwin County.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.
Nelda Osborne
Nelda Osborne, 69, of Moultrie died Monday, May 1, 2006 at John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville.
Funeral services were held at 11 A.M., Friday, May 5, at Big Creek Baptist Church, Irwin County, with Rev. Wayne McCrimmon and Rev. Jerry Wilson officiating.
Musicians were organist Ann Martin and soloists Steve Mixon and Judy Griffin. A tape recorded by the Gospelettes, a group Mrs. Osborne sang with, was also played.
Mrs. Osborne was born May 25, 1936 in Irwin County to the late Milton and Naomi McElmurray. She lived in Moultrie for the past 18 years. Mrs. Osborne was a former telephone operator and worked in the business office for GTE until her retirement.
Survivors include her husband: Roger Osborne of Moultrie; children: Denise Mooney of Ben Hill County, Greg Eldridge of Irwin County and Michelle Scheer of Savannah; six grandchildren: Erin and Reuben Eldridge, both of Valdosta, John William and Ashley Mooney, both of Ben Hill County, Nicholas and Weston Scheer, both of Savannah; two great-grandchildren: Harley and Carter Eldridge, both of Valdosta; brothers: Darrell McElmurray and James McElmurray, both of Macon; sisters: Linda Bloodworth of Macon, Judy Skipper of Panama City, FL, Connie McElmurray of Macon and Kathryn Lavell of Cordele.
Mrs. Osborne was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth McElmurray.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Modell K. Wright
Modell K. Wright, 70, of Ashburn died Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at the Irwin County Hospital.
Funeral services were held at 2 P.M., Saturday, May 6, at Waterloo Baptist Church, with Rev. Donnie Wright and Rev. George Paulk officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
James Suggs, Michael Suggs, Ronnie McCurdy, Lamar McCurdy, Danny Ingram, Cory Humphries, Roger Yawn and Gary Yawn served as pallbearers.
Music was provided by pianist Kathy Fitzgerald and the Waterloo Baptist Church Choir.
Mrs. Wright was born April 21, 1936 in Irwin County to the late Samuel Andrew and Katie McCue King. She lived in Ashburn and Irwin County all of her life. Mrs. Wright was a homemaker and farm wife. She was of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Mary Ann Lamb and Mobie Ingram of Ashburn, Doris Ann and James Dyess of Ocilla, Peggy Jarvis of Fitzgerald, Thelma Suggs and Derriel Lott of Ocilla, Laurette Medlin and Jessie of Tampa, FL, Martha and A.J. Cox of Ocilla; son and daughter-in-law: Paul Bennie, Jr. and Cathy Wright of Dalton; 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law: Mattie and William Connors of Marietta, Thelma and Willard Kirkland of Cocoa Beach, FL, Susie Kirkland of Tamarac, FL, Virginia and J.T Yawn and Frances Yawn, both of Ashburn; brother and sister-in-law: Jack and Stephanie King of Sunset, FL.
Mrs. Wright was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Paul Wright, Sr., granddaughter, Dixie Marie Dyess and brother, Pete King.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Emma Dell Dill
Emma Dell Dill, 70, of Tifton died Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at her residence.
Graveside services were held at 3 P.M., Sunday, May 7, at Satilla Cemetery in Irwin County, with Rev. O.L. Stokes and Rev. Ray Johnson officiating.
Tony Sheffield, Darrell Harper, Robert Setters, Warren Paulk, Jr., Luther Black and Keith Booth served as pallbearers.
Music was provided by soloist Royal Griffin.
Mrs. Dill was born September 1, 1935 in Ben Hill County to the late Luther A. and Ida Bell Gay Sheffield. She lived in Tift and Irwin counties all of her life. Mrs. Dill was a retired Nurse, having worked at the Irwin County hospital and for Dr. Dismuke.
Along with her husband, she was former co-owner/operator of Willis Concrete Block & Brick Company in Ocilla, former owner/operator of Dill Pecan Company and the Osceola Motel, both in Ocilla and Dipper Dan Ice Cream Shop in Tifton. Mrs. Dill was a member of Satilla Baptist Church.
Mrs. Dill is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Jerry and Angie Dill of Irwin County, Eddie and Belinda Dill of Tifton and Jehue Edgar Dill, Jr., of Tifton; daughter: Debra Lynn Dill Betancourt of Miami, FL; grandchildren: Michael Dill, Jake Dill and Kelly Dill, all of Irwin County, Judith Lynn Betancourt of Miami, FL and Jozie Elizabeth Dill of Tifton; sister: Mary Cleghorn of Mystic. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jehue Edgar Dill, one sister and four brothers.
The family requests, memorials be made to Hospice Of Tift Area, P.O. Drawer 747, Tifton, GA 31793.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lamar Gibbs
Lamar Gibbs, 60, of Fitzgerald died Friday, May 5, 2006 at Dorminy Medical Center.
Funeral services were held at 2 P.M., Monday, May 8, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with Rev. Rex Johnson and Elder Ed McIntyre officiating. Charles Vining shared a poem. Musicians included pianist Wendy Dowd, soloist Kenny Croft and Danny Stone on harmonica. Interment followed in Ebenezer Cemetery, Irwin County.
Kenny Brown, Kent Vandemark, Mark Wiggins, Billy Poole, Julian Merchant and Greg Brown served as pallbearers.
Mr. Gibbs was born February 14, 1946 in Irwin County to the late Clayton and Mary Abbie Tomberlin Gibbs. He lived in Fitzgerald all of his life and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War Era. Mr. Gibbs was owner/operator of Gibbs Welding Service for 25 years.
Survivors include his wife: Judy Gibbs of Fitzgerald; daughters and sons-in-law: Becky and Michael Gay of Fitzgerald and Missy and Lee McDonald of Rochelle; grandchildren: Abby Gay and Anna Beth Gay, both of Fitzgerald and Judge McDonald of Rochelle; sisters: Jane Watson of Pitts, Jackie Gibbs and Shirley Vassey, both of Fitzgerald; brother: James Gibbs of Fitzgerald.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Thomas ‘Buddy’ Stone
James Thomas “Buddy” Stone, 75, of Tifton died Wednesday, April 19, 2006.
Funeral services were held at 2 P.M., Friday, April 21 in the chapel of Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors with Dr. Fred Evers and the Rev. Bobby Stone officiating. Burial followed in Pinetta Baptist Church Cemetery in Irwin County.
Ronnie Dunn, John Setters, Freddie Walker, Cleo Stone, Hollis Flanders and Kenneth McFarland served as pallbearers.
Mr. Stone was born October 16, 1930 in Irwin County to Ward Stone and Clyde Sandiford Stone, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Stone Dixon.
Mr. Stone had lived in Tifton 49 years where he had been a member of Northside Baptist Church since 1957. He graduated from Irwin County High School in 1948 and then served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954.
He was a certified electronics technician in radio and TV repair in Tifton for 48 years; 39 of the 48 years he was self employed. Mr. Stone was an amateur radio operator and taught Morse Code to young radio operators. He was an avid fisherman and especially enjoyed fishing with his sons and grandsons. He loved flower gardening and backyard beekeeping. He sang in a quartet and loved gospel music. He also loved to read and discuss the Holy Scriptures.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Iris Walker Stone of Tifton; three sons and two daughters-in-law: Mark Stone of Tifton, Lyle and Karen Stone of Charlotte, NC and Todd and Cindy Stone of Leesburg; four grandchildren: Jason and Sarah Stone of Leesburg, Amanda Slayden of Charlotte, NC and Stephanie Tatum of Claxton.
Grover O. Jarchow
Grover O. Jarchow, 86, of Fitzgerald died Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at the Irwin County Hospital.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 27 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Wilcox County, with Rev. Ronny Griner, Rev. Tom Stone and Rev. Rex Johnson officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Music was provided by soloists Rev. Rex Johnson and Sylvia Rimes, pianist Buddy Rimes and Dennis Rimes on guitar.
Pallbearers were Phillip Griner, Jason Miller, Johnny Drexler, Jim Drexler, David Stone and Junior Miller.
Mr. Jarchow was born February 27, 1920 in Irwin County to the late Willheim and Lottie Benzing Jarchow. He lived in the community most of his life. He was a former employee of United Farm Tools, Rainbow Irrigation Systems, Ben Hill County Road Department and the Fitzgerald Cotton Mill. Mr. Jarchow attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include his two sons and daughters-in-law: Orvis and Ginger Jarchow and Dewey and Robin Jarchow, all of Fitzgerald; one grandson: Chris Jarchow and four great-grandchildren; sisters: Iona J. Hood of Wilcox County and Charlotte J. Drexler of Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Elizabeth Miller Jarchow.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Donnette Barnes Mobley
Donnette Barnes Mobley, 67, of Irwin County died Monday, April 24, 2006 at her residence.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 27 at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with Rev. David Biggers officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Music was provided by pianist Wendy Dowd and soloist Kenny Croft.
Pallbearers were John Harrell, Keith Ashton, Glynn Taylor, Mike Taylor, Reggie Portivent and Tony Portivent.
Ms. Mobley was born August 11, 1938 in Fitzgerald to the late Willis and Hazel Mendel Barnes. She lived in Irwin and Ben Hill counties most of her life. Ms. Mobley was a former employee of Modern Fibers and The Monarch Company. She was a loving mother and grandmother, who loved to dance and go to yard sales. Ms. Mobley was a member of Northside Baptist Church.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law: Danny and Vickie Hoth of Irwin County; daughter and son-in-law: Donna Jean and David Clark of Irwin County; granddaughter: Kandi Hoth; two step-grandsons: David Clark, Jr. and Eric Clark; sister and brother: Jean Taylor and Buddy Barnes, both of Fernandina Beach, FL.; special pet, Dolly.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
General Lee King
Mr. General Lee King, 91, of Ocilla died Friday, April 21, 2006.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. W.F. Mitchell officiating. Interment was in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Ocilla.
Pallbearers were Willie Mobley, Bennie Harris, William Ross, Bobby Ross, Joe B. Battle and Jimmie Lee Moss. Honorary pallbearers were John Johnson, Aldene Tyson, Daniel Lockett, Warnell Johnson, E.J. Wells and Charlie Johnson.
Mr. King was born January 7, 1915 in Pineview, Wilcox County, to the late Sam and Martha Jane King. He moved to Irwin County in 1950. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he served in many capacities, including church secretary. He also shared his home for pastoral lodging during the days of segregation.
Survivors include a devoted niece: Nella (Aldene) Tyson of Ocilla, and one sister-in-law: Blanche Minitze of Cincinnati, OH. He was preceded in death by his wife, Odell Harris King.
Davis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lawrence Portier
Lawrence Portier, 82, of Fitzgerald died Thursday, April 27, 2006 at his residence.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29 at Ocilla Church of God, with the Rev. Clayton Dowd and Rev. Frankie Tyson officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Music was provided by pianist Wendy Dowd with congregational singing. Full military honors were provided by Fort Benning.
Mr. Portier was born March 27, 1924 in Ben Hill County to the late Ivey J. and Ella Futch Portier. He lived in the community most of his life. He was the retired owner/operator of Lawrence’s Barber Shop and was a former meat cutter for A&P Grocery. He was a member of the Ocilla Church of God.
Mr. Portier served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the African, Mediterranean and European Theatre and was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Service Arrowhead and the Distinguished Unit Badge. He was a member of the American Legion and an auxiliary policeman.
Survivors include his wife: Marjorie Tyson Portier, Fitzgerald; step-daughters: Brenda Holt of Fitzgerald and Debra Stone of Douglas; step-sons: Stanley Culpepper, Havana, FL, Joe Culpepper and Bobby Culpepper, both of Fitzgerald; sister: Jessie Northey, Ocala, FL; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mildred Bryant Hobbs
Mildred Bryant Hobbs, 85, of Tifton died Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Tift Regional Medical Center, Tifton.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 1 at Brushy Creek Church Cemetery in Irwin County, with Rev. Jimmie Hinson officiating.
Serving as pallbearers were Jay Cooper, Jeff Cooper, Tim Hobbs, Shane Benefield, Shane Hobbs, Joshua Sumner and Bill McDaniel.
Mrs. Hobbs was born December 1, 1920 in Ocilla to the late James R. and Mattie Ellen Roberts Bryant. She lived in Tifton since 1955 from Ocilla. A 1937 graduate of Irwinville High School, Mrs. Hobbs was a homemaker and a member of Second Baptist Church in Tifton.
Survivors include her children: Garry (Willene) Hobbs of Tifton, Calvin (Tammy) Hobbs of Lenox, Brenda (Jarrell) Cooper of Camilla and Kyle (Kathy) Hobbs of Norman Park; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Hobbs was preceded in death by her husband, Brown Lee Hobbs, two brothers and five sisters.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
G.W. McGee
G.W. McGee, 84, of Irwinville died Thursday, August 10, 2006 at his residence.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 13 at Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Charles Tyson and Rev. Todd Hill officiating. Interment followed in Irwinville Cemetery.
Rusty Johnson, Rex Johnson, Shane Johnson, Winfred Johnson, Wesley Newell and Tony Paulk served as pallbearers.
Music was provided by the grandchildren, who sang two songs.
Mr. McGee was born October 27, 1921 in Irwin County to the late William Wiley and Lilly Mae Young McGee. He lived in the Irwinville community all of his life.
Mr. McGee was a good provider for his family. He was a farmer, a former Land Surveyor for Irwin County and a former employee of Irwinville Peanut & Grain Company. Mr. McGee served in the United States Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member, Deacon and former church clerk at Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County.
Mr. McGee is survived by his daughters: Helen Marchant, Geraldine Johnson, Shirley Johnson and Rita Newell, all of Irwinville; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; brother: Walter McGee of Poulan; sister: Mattie Lou Snowden of Fitzgerald; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ava Nell Fender McGee, son, Darrell Wesley McGee, one brother and four sisters.
Memorials may be sent to Blue-Gray Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to The Gideons International, Ben Hill-Irwin Camp, P.O. Box 752, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.
Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
