Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Lee Wilson
THOMSON, Ga. - Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Lee Wilson of Harrison Road, Thomson, entered into rest Sunday, November 23, 2003 in Mosul, Iraq.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Lee Wilson entered into rest Sunday, November 23, 2003 in Mosul, Iraq.
Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson was born in Thomson on June 28, 1958. He graduated from Thomson High School in 1976 and entered the United States Army in June of 1976. He attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and completed his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga., as an infantryman.
His first assignment was Fort Ord, Cal., where he served as an M60 Gunner and later as a 90mm Recoilless Rifleman with B Company, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment. He was then reassigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in 1978 as a Scout Observer with E Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (MANCHU) and held the positions of Senior Scout Observer and Assistant Squad Leader.
In 1980, He was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga., with B Company, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment as a Team Leader and later as a Squad and Section Leader. His next assignment was Dahlonega, Ga., where he served as a Drill Sergeant Instructor. In late 1983, he volunteered for Drill Sergeant with D Company, 4th Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Brigade. In 1986 he was reassigned to Fort Kobbe, Panama. He served as a Platoon Sergeant with C Company, 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry (Airborne); C Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry (Airborne); and as the Battalion S3 Operations Sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry (Airborne).
In 1989, he was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga. for the third time as a Senior Ranger Instructor with the 4th Ranger Training Brigade. In 1990 he volunteered for ROTC duty at Central State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he served as the chief instructor. He was then reassigned, once again to Fort Wainwright, AK where he served as the First Sergeant for A Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (MANCHU), and as the Brigade S3 Operations Sergeant Major of the 1st Brigade, 6th Infantry Division (Light).
Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson's next assignment was to the Sergeants Major Academy. After the Academy, he served his third tour in Alaska as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Following this assignment, he served as the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment Battalion Command Sergeant Major at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky. His last assignment was the 2nd Brigade, 502nd Infantry Regiment Command Sergeant Major at both Fort Campbell, Ky., and as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Mosul, Iraq.
Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson is a graduate of the Primary Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Operations and Intelligence Course, the First Sergeants Course and the United States Sergeant Major Academy Class 47.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Assault Badge, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Royal Thai Army Jump Wings, Panamanian Jump Wings and Brazilian Jump Wings.
Additionally, Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson is an Audie Murphy Club inductee and is a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice given by the National Infantryman's Association.
He gave his life to Christ at an early age when he became a member of the Springfield Baptist Church. While he was a member he participated in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Youth Choir, Vacation Bible School, Courtesy Guild, and other ministries and activities.
Survivors include his mother, Daisy Wilson, Thomson; devoted sister, Susan Milton, Thomson; two caring sons, Mantrell (Ni Sharn) Wilson, Augusta, Sidney Wilson, Thomson; a granddaughter, JeKiya Jackson Wilson, Jonesboro; two aunts, Hattie Harris and Georgia Mae Wilson of Thomson; one uncle, Roy Lee Wilson, Newark, N.J.; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services were held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003 at noon at the Springfield Baptist Church, Thomson, with the Rev. F. D. Favors officiating. Interment was in Savannah Valley Memorial Gardens with full Military honors accorded at graveside. Thomson Funeral System was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Sondra A. Maynard
Homemaker
THOMSON, Ga.- Mrs. Sondra A. Maynard, 71, widow of Mr. Richard Maynard, of Holly Lane, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003 at her residence.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 in the Curtis Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Mike Sutphin officiating. Burial was in Savannah Valley Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Maynard was a native of Hopewell, Va., but had lived in Thomson for many years. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include a daughter, Laura Canfield, Thomson; two sons, Steve Maynard, Thomson and Ricky Maynard, Palm Springs, Calif.; a sister, Barbara Britt, Chester, Va.; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Curtis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Donald R. Dearing
Retired DuPont
DEARING, Ga. - Entered into rest Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003 at University Hospital, Mr. Donald R. Dearing, husband of Marian Graham Dearing of Appling, Ga.
Other family members include sons, Jim Dearing of Battle Creek, Michigan, Don Dearing of Columbus, Ga., Tom Dearing of Jacksonville, Fla. and Steve Dearing of Jacksonville; sister, Ann Snyder of Lansing, Michigan; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet and Son. Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Ouida Clair Chambers
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.- Funeral services for Mrs. Ouida Clair Chambers, 75, of Sandy Hill Court, North Augusta, who died Nov. 25, 2003 were held Saturday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. from the Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home with Rev. John Los and Rev. J.W. Crouse officiating. Interment was in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Mrs. Chambers was a native of Meridian, Mississippi, having made North Augusta her home for the past 55 years. She was a member of the Cornerstone Community Church and retired from King Mill with 25 years of service.
Survivors include her husband, Edward L. Chambers, Sr.; a son, Edward L. Chambers, Jr., Thomson; six daughters, Dorothy Scruggs, Mary Fernandes, and Dana Sue Mills, all of Augusta, Edwina Marshall and Betty Gipson, both of North Augusta, and Linda Boullie, Windsor, S.C.; four brothers, Marvin Lamar Grayson, Atlanta, Ga., Frank Grayson and Harry Madden, both of Augusta and Bobby Penton, Lincolnton, Ga.; a sister, Myrl Abear, Augusta; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Steve Fernandes, Frank Fernandes, Dustin Scruggs, William Padgett, Bobby Padgett, Lee Nasworthy, Allen Chambers, and Harry Chambers.
Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home of North Augusta was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Dorothy A. Stephens
Retired Gracewood State Hospital
THOMSON, Ga. - Mrs. Dorothy A. Stephens, 82, widow of Mr. James W. Stephens, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 at the McDuffie Regional Medical Center. Private services will be held later.
Mrs. Stephens was a native of Richmond County, but had lived in Thomson for several years. She was retired from the Gracewood State Hospital and was a Catholic.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Cody Lee Stephens.
She is survived by her son, Jimmy Stephens, Thomson; two sisters, her twin sister, Mildred Krantz, Thomson and Margaret Anderson, North Augusta, S.C.; her brother, Bill Ford, Harlem; and six grandchildren, Shannon Chambers, Brandy Stephens, Lacy Stephens, Joshua Stephens, Thomas Gordy and Leigh Gordy.
Curtis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Becky Avery
STAPLETON, Ga.- Mrs. Becky Avery, 40, entered into rest Dec. 3, 2003. Funeral services were held at James Funeral Home Chapel, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003 at 4 p.m. with the Dr. James Ford officiating.
Mrs. Avery was a native of Los Angeles, California. She was an employee of the News and Farmer & Jefferson Reporter and The Augusta Chronicle. She was a Baptist.
Survivors include one daughter, Deidra G. Massengill, Augusta; one son, Bryan James Avery, Stapleton; mother, Lara Kirby, Verbeck, Calif.; two brothers, Patrick Kirby and David Kirby, both of California; and one sister, Gayle Hanko, Penn.
James Funeral Home of Wrens was in charge of arrangements.
Rev. Robert E. (Bob) Wade
THOMSON, Ga. - Rev. Robert E. (Bob) Wade passed away at his residence on Nov. 26, 2003.
Rev. Wade had pastored churches in Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia. He had lived in Thomson for the past 15 years where he served as Director of Missions for the Hephzibah and Kilpatrick Baptist Associations for nine years.
After retiring as Director of Missions, he served as pastor of Raysville Baptist Church for five years. Rev. Wade was a graduate of Auburn University and Southern Seminary. He was honored by Raysville Church in June, 2002, for 50 years of continuous service as a Minister of the Gospel. For a period of three years, he taught courses for Samford University Extensions Division in Birmingham, Ala. He has held many offices in the State and Associations where he has pastored.
He was presently a member of the Executive Committee and a member of the Committee on Committees for the Georgia Baptist Convention. He had traveled to Africa, Panama, the Republic of Georgia and London on Mission Teams plus leading mission teams in several states.
In addition to his wife, Mary Trotter, he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law; Steve and Debra of Warner Robins, Ga., John and Dianne of Cincinnati, OH, and Mike and Stephanie of Lafayette, Ga. Additional survivors include seven grandchildren, John Thad, John Robert, Craig, Joshua, Kaylyn and Mary Kathryn; one brother and sister-in-law, Larkin and Pat Wade; Auburn, Ala.; two sisters, Jane Lewis of Tallahassee, Fla. and Nell Marshall of Midwest City, Okla.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. James C. Elder officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery.
Honorary Pallbearers were the Ministers of the Hephzibah and Kilpatrick Baptist Association.
Pallbearers were John Robert Wade, Craig Wade, Joshua Wade, Edward Benson.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 2260 Wrightsboro Rd. Augusta , Ga. 30904 or Raysville Baptist Church, 5264 Lincolnton Hwy. Thomson, Ga. 30824.
Beggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Joyce S. Manning
Homemaker
THOMSON, Ga.- Mrs. Joyce S. Manning, 76, of Fluker Street, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, in the McDuffie Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003 in the Thomson Presbyterian Church with Rev. John Cook officiating. Burial was in the Walnut Fork Church Cemetery, Braseltown, Ga.
Mrs. Manning was a native of Alamo, Ga., but had lived in Thomson for several years. She was a homemaker and a member of Thomson Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Lea Hunnicutt, Tifton, Myrtle (Sam) McGaw, Thomson, and Cyndi Watson, Nashville; three sons, Al Manning, Fitzgerald, Boyce Manning, Flowery Branch, and Billy Manning, Cedar Grove; a sister, Mrs. Callie S. Bryant, Sugar Hill, and fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers were her grandsons, Chris Manning, Jamie McGaw, Matthew Manning, Phillip Manning, and Rick Browning.
Curtis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Barry W. Griffin
Artifact collector
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Entered into rest Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, Mr. Barry W. Griffin, 55.
Mr. Griffin was a native of Fort Bragg, N.C., and had lived in Augusta for the past 40 years. He was a Baptist and a collector of Indian and Civil War artifacts and was an appraiser for colleges and museums.
Mr. Griffin was predeceased in death by his brother, William R. Griffin.
He is survived by his mother, Maxine Straughan of Augusta; father, Ralph Griffin of Thomson; sons, Brian Eldridge of Booneville, Ind., Wade Griffin of Evans; daughters, Barbara Harris of Booneville, Ind., Krystal Griffin of Atlanta; and four grandchildren.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at 4 p.m. in the Thomas Poteet & Son Chapel, with Dr. L. Gordon Robinson officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Griffin Cemetery in Polkton, N.C.
Memorials may be made to the Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3045 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta 30906 or the Shepherds Church, 6544 Cobbham Road, Appling, GA 30802.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors of Augusta was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Harvey J. Reese
NORWOOD, Ga. -- Mr. Harvey J. Reese, age 98, of Norwood, entered into rest Dec. 8, 2003 at his residence.
He was the beloved husband of Edith Hall Reese for 66 years. Survivors include his wife, Edith Hall Reese, Warrenton; daughter, Jane R. (Terrell) Bishop, Thomson; sons, Jesse J. (Connie) Reese and J. Terrell 'Terry' (Vivian) Reese all of Norwood; grandchildren, Melanie L. Ansley, Michael Lance, Charlotte R. Young, Jennifer R. Dawson, Dr. Hollie Reese, Julie Reese; and five great-grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Thelma R. Langham, Thomson, Mrs. Bertha R. Cheely, Naples, Fla., Mrs. Kitty R. Newsome, Virginia Beach, Va., Mrs. Polly R. Woodruff, Sardis; Mrs. Mary (John) Culbreath, Union Point.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J. O. and Theola D. Reese and his brothers, Earl, G.T., Pilcher, and Leon 'Cotton' Reese.
Mr. Reese was a lifelong resident of Warren County and retired as a farmer. He was also the oldest member of Macedonia United Methodist Church.
Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at Savannah Valley Memorial Gardens with Revs. David Sisler and Robert Reese officiating. Pallbearers were nephews of the deceased.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fountain Campground, c/o Ronnie Johnson, 1149 Cedar Rock Rd., Thomson, GA 30824.
Beggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Jimmy R. Rabun
Retired Electronic Technician
Mr. Jimmy R. Rabun, 69, of Thomson, entered into rest Dec. 9, 2003 at his residence. He was the beloved husband of the late Pat Rabun.
Survivors include: one daughter, Dana Rabun Rogers (Michael), Thomson; two grandchildren, Chris Rogers (Leslie) of Thomson and Ashlee Rogers of Thomson; two great-grandchildren, Lexie Rogers and Lanie Rogers, both of Thomson; one brother, Neal Rabun of Thomson; one sister-in-law, Jean (Cookie) Harrell of Thomson; and one nephew, Wes Harrell of Thomson.
Mr. Rabun was preceded in death by two of his brothers, Harold Rabun and Bowdrie Rabun and his two sisters, Miriam Mauck and Thelma Baker.
Mr. Rabun was born in Glascock County, Georgia but had lived in McDuffie County since 1959. He was the son of the late Walter Rabun and the late Inez Neal Rabun. Mr. Rabun served in the U.S. Army. He was retired from Milliken & Co as an Electronic Technician and he was a member of First Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 at First Baptist Church with Dr. James C. Elder, Jr. and Rev. Kenneth Garvin officiating. Interment will follow in Savannah Valley Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be: Wesley Harrell, Mark Love, Robert Mauck, Claude E. Phelps, Jr., Frank Powell, Dennis Rabun, Bert Thigpen and Tommy Yarbrough.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 1205, Thomson, Georgia 30824. Friends may call at the residence, 322 Cleveland Street, or from 7 until 9 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Wayne P. Rogers
Retired Production Supervisor
THOMSON, Ga. - Mr. Wayne P. Rogers, 82, of 703 Central Road, Thomson entered into rest Dec. 15, 2003 at McDuffie Regional Medical Center.
He was the beloved husband of Julia Nichols Rogers and the late Edna S. Rogers.
Survivors include his wife, Julia Nichols Rogers, Thomson; sons, Patrick S. Rogers (Jeanie), Augusta, Michael Rogers (Dana), Thomson; grandchildren, Paul Rogers (Melissa), Gibson, Paula Cook, Grovetown, Chris Rogers (Leslie), Thomson, Ashlee Rogers, Thomson, Beckie Nichols, Thomson, Julie Nichols Fulmer (Calvin), Thomson; great-grandchildren, Joshua Rogers of Gibson, Kathline Cook, Savannah Cook, and Lily Cook of Grovetown, Lexie Rogers, Lanie Rogers and Leanna Nichols, all of Thomson.
Mr. Rogers was born in Wilkes County but had lived in McDuffie County since 1947. He was the son of the late Patrick Simpkins Rogers and the late Lena Rogers. Mr. Rogers served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was retired from Coca-Cola Bottling Company after 49 years of service as a Production Supervisor and he was a member of Raysville Boat Club. Mr. Rogers was also a member at First Baptist Church, where he had served as a former deacon, a member of the Mens Bible Study Class and he was a caretaker at the church.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 at First Baptist Church with Dr. James C. Elder, Jr. officiating. Interment was in Westview Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Chris Rogers, Paul Rogers, Scott Williams, Danny Harris, Calvin Fulmer, and Dallas Kerce. Honorary pallbearers were the Mens Bible Study Class of First Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 1205, Thomson, GA 30824.
Beggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
