Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
James Edward Harrison
Mr. James Edward Harrison, (Joe Stokes), age 49, passed away Sunday, April 17.
Mr. Harrison, a native of Coffee County, was born on May 8, 1955 to Geneva Harrison and the late James Shivers.
Survivors include: his wife, Patrice Harrison; one daughter, Antoneyce Harrison; one son, Demon Blanks; mother, Geneva Harrison; two stepchildren, Lakeidra Fields and Kendrick Preston; mother-in-law, Maxine Fields; seven sisters, Miriam Harrison, Debra Shivers, Dennie Shivers, Doretha Shivers, Melissia Gail Shivers, and Mary Bentley; seven brothers, Larry Harrison, Ricky Harrison, Tyrus Harrison and wife Darlene, Kenny Shivers and wife Sharon, Alfonza, Michael Shivers, and Ronnie Thomas; two brothers-in-law Patrick Fields and Preston Fields; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Mr. Harrison was preceded in death by one sister, Carolyn Dunmon.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at Young’s Chapel Baptist Church in Douglas, with Rev. Dr. Brooker T. Rose, officiating. Musical selections were rendered by the church choir and a solo by DeWayne Harrison. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Patrick Fields, Preston Fields, Calvin Smith, Anthony Pool, Jerome Williams and Patrick McAlllister.
Harrell’s Funeral Home of Douglas was in charge of the arrangements.
Lucy S. Young
Mrs. Lucy S. Young, age 100, of Douglas, passed away Friday, April 15, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas.
Mrs. Young, a native of Irwin County, was born on September 22, 1904, the daughter of the late Osbun Wiley Merritt and the late Ann Jean Merritt. She was a homemaker and the widow of the late Arthur Alvie Young and a member of New Bethel Holiness Baptist Church.
Survivors include: three daughters, Willene Bush of Broxton, Jeanette Bryan of Pridgen Community, and Katie Jean Hulett of Milan, Ga.; one sister, Eunice West of Fitzgerald; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, and nephews.
Mrs. Young was preceded in death by two sons, J.W. Young and Buddy Young.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Sunday, April 17, at New Bethel Holiness Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy James Smith and Rev. Ferrell Harper officiating. Music was provided by the New Bethel Church choir as they sang “Amazing Grace” and “Precious Memories” and soloist Amber Bounds sang “Homesick” and “Handful of Weeds.” Interment followed in the New Bethel Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Brad Dockery, Travis Moseley, Kevin Bounds, Justin Burke, Wesley Smith, DeWayne Sellers, and Johnny Moon.
Honorary pallbearers were Roy Gumes, Floyd Knowles, Sammie Smith, Pete Cannon, Deacons and men of New Bethel Holiness Baptist Church.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas was in charge of the arrangements.
Harvey Adams
Mr. Harvey Adams, age 82, of Douglas, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2005, at the Summer’s Landing Retirement Home in Douglas.
Mr. Adams, a native of Coffee County, Georgia was born November 6, 1922, son of the late Riley and Elizabeth Nipper Adams. He was a WWII Veteran of the US Army Air Force. His church membership was at the Douglas First Baptist Church. Mr. Adams was a well-known barber in Douglas for many years.
Survivors include: Wife, Lorraine Dermott Adams; sons, Van (Ann) Adams, Albany, GA, Al (Beth) Adams, Muncie, IN, Brothers, Paul Adams, Donaldsonville, GA, Eugene Adams, Centerville, GA, Jerry Lee Adams, Missouri; sisters, Virginia Merritt, Waycross, Vera Compton, Jacksonville, Fla., Marie Shockert, Webster, Fla.; grandchildren, Candace Adams, Donny Adams and Ted Adams; step-grandchildren, Bill Sanderfur, Leesburg, GA, and Melissa Johnson, Atlanta; six great-grandchildren; special grandnieces, Tanya Jones, Villa Rica, Fla. and Brandi Karpowir, Phenix City, Ala.
Funeral services were held 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 24, at the Douglas First Baptist Church with Rev. Shep Johnson officiating. Music was provided by Dr. Diskin Morgan, soloist, as he sang “Wings Of A Dove” and “When They Ring Those Golden Bells.” Also, the congregation sang “Old Rugged Cross” with Marsha Gilliard, pianist. Graveside services with military personnel of Fort Stewart presenting the US flag to the family and interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were: Scotty Perkins, Jr., Jerry Perkins, Donny Adams, Ted Adams, Bill Sanderfur and Shane Jones. Honorary pallbearers were: Members of the Masons and Americans Legion, First Baptist Senior Adult Sunday School Class, Dr. Arlis Burch, Horace Turner, Lawson Turner, Scotty Perkins, Sr., Paul Adams, Jr., Ricky Adams, Harry Thurston, Nelson Royal, Chesley Weeks and Joe Bell.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Martin L. Fussell
Mr. Martin Lucious Fussell, age 79, of Ocilla, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the Carl Vinson V.A. Medical Center in Dublin.
Mr. Fussell, a native of Coffee County, was born October 23, 1925, the son of the late Mathew and Mabel Inez Shoffner Fussell. He was the widower of the late Lettie Inez Fussell and a World War II Veteran of the United States Army. He was a retired security guard and a member of Ocilla Baptist Church.
Survivors include: one son, Martin Greg Fussell of Santa Clara, Ca.; one brother, Hatley Fussell of Wray, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 20, at the Sims Funeral Home Chapel in Douglas, with Rev. Gerald Thomas officiating. A special taped selection of “Amazing Grace” was provided. Interment followed in the Lone Hill Church Cemetery in Douglas.
Active pallbearers were: Jim Boone, Tom Boone, Ricky Smith, Matt Mead, Tom Risniller, and Sambo Boone.
Honorary pallbearers: Travis McBride, Bob Humphrey, Leroy Taylor, William Register, Walter Hampton, Julius Thurman and Edward Farabow.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, was in charge of the arrangements.
Hilda Lee May
Mrs. Hilda Lee May, age 81 of Camden S.C. formerly of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, April 9, 2005, at Kershaw County Medical Center in Camden, S.C following an extended illness.
A native of Pelham Georgia, Mrs. May was born April 1, 1924, daughter of Zack Samuel and Octavia White Fenn. She was a retired finish inspector for Gilman Paper Company and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mrs. May was preceded in death by her husband Johnny Edward May and a son Danny May.
Survivors include: three sons: Charles Edward May of Camden, S.C., John Wayne May of Fernandina Beach, Fla., David May and wife Michelle of Camden, S.C.; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Graveside services and interment for Mrs. May were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at Utah Cemetery in Axson, Ga. with Bishop Lamar Park officiating and the dedication of the grave given by Bishop Lester Cribb. Special music "Go Rest High On That Mountain" was rendered by soloist Feron Royals with guitar accompaniment.
Serving as active pallbearers were: Jerry White, Chester Swartz, Jimmy White, Micky Herrin, Wayne White and Steve Harris.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.
Marion E. Wooten
Mr. Marion Elgia Wooten, age 81, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Monday, March 28, 2005, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga.
Mr. Wooten, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on September 2, 1923, son of the late George Washington, Sr., and Mamie Jones Wooten. He was a retired farmer.
Survivors include: his wife, Josephine Myrtle Allen Wooten of Douglas, Ga.; three sons, Joe Wooten and wife Sue; Daryl Wooten and wife Faye, all of Douglas, Ga., and Marvin Wooten and wife Deborah, of Denton, Ga.; one sister, Beulah Davis of Hartselle, Ala.; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; step-children, Allie (Brenda) Ellis of Nicholls, Ga., Alvin Ellis and wife Tammy, Arvin L. Ellis all of Douglas, Ga.; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2005, at the Pridgen Baptist Church near Broxton, Ga., with Rev. Den Weniger and Rev. Robert Tanner officiating. Special musical selections were rendered by soloist, Wayne Fales, as he sang 'Beulah Land,' 'Where The Roses Never Fade,' and 'Time Has Made A Change' with Den Weniger accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Pridgen Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Carlos Wooten, K.B. Wooten, Jerry Wooten, Quitman Wooten, Richard Wooten and Kelvin Wooten.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Karl Dockery, Kyle Milhollin, Luke Peterson, Howard Pridgen, Kenneth Corbett, James Graham, J.W. Brooks, Jimmy Wooten, Myles Newton, Dr. Romulo Navarro, Dr. David Arnett and Donald Wooten.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Willie Lee Sheppard
Willie Lee Sheppard was born on August 17, 1939 in Brooks County, Georgia to Rachel Sheppard and the late Willie Mark Mack "MC" Sheppard. His family relocated to Coffee County, Georgia when he was very young. Later in life he lived with his special adopted family, the Armours, for approximately five years.
Willie met and was joined in holy matrimony to Hester Joyce Carter on August 26, 1961. God blessed this union with five children with one preceding him in death, Juliet Sheppard. He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, David Holmes, and sisters Janie Mae Glover Sykes and Annie Fennell.
Willie was very active in his church and community. He was known and loved by many. He was a member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church of Ambrose, Georgia, where he served faithfully in various church leadership roles over the years such as Usher, Board President, Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman of the Deacons Board. He loved his church and pastor and was willing to do what ever it took to further the mission of the church.
He was a member of the Prince Hall Douglas Masonic Lodge 73. He was inspired by and worked faithfully with the One-Hundred Men in Black to inspire men to spiritual growth.
He was a very loving and caring brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He leaves to cherish his memory: A loving and devoted wife: Hester Joyce Sheppard of Ambrose, Georgia; Four children: Cynthia (Michael) Tanksley and Jacqueline (Harrison) Tolbert all of Augusta, Georgia; Judy (Rega) McIver of Wray, Georgia; and Donte Lamar (Tanisha) Sheppard of Ambrose, Georgia. One very special sister-in-law, like a daughter, Kattie Mae Moore; Close friends like children: Calvin (Brenda) Smith, Lynn Ellis, Vivian Calvin Jackson and Pamela Jackson. Mother: Rachel Holmes of Homerville, Georgia; Two Brothers: Henry Holmes of Atlanta, Georgia, and Willie C. (Charlene) Sheppard of Chesapeake, Virginia; Three sisters, Rosetta (Amos) Davis of Atlanta, Georgia; Reatha Mae Sheppard of Coram, New York and Deloris Gillyard of San Diego, California; Brothers-in-law; Mack (Minnie) Carter, Fernell (Maybelle) Carter, Nathaniel (Lula) Carter, Curtis (Wanda) Carter; Sisters-in-law: Lessie Moody, Rhoda (Johnnie Lee) Eady, Donna Carter, Virginia Paulk, Florence Carter, Marie Carter, Minnie Carter and Louise Gaffney. Brother-in-law, R.J Moody; Ten grandchildren: Shanita Tolbert, Precious Tanksley, Michael Tanksley II, Rhonisha Tolbert, Chelsea Sheppard, Don'sha Sheppard, Roshonda Tolbert, Tyliah Cope, Dontevius Sheppard and Doshon Sheppard. And a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends.
Funeral service for Mr. Sheppard was held 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2005 at St. James Missionary Missionary Baptist Church, Ambrose, Georgia, with Rev. Tommie Jordan officiating. Interment followed in the Paulk Cemetery, Ambrose, Georgia. Active Pallbearers: Prince Hall Masonic Lodge #73 of Douglas. Honorary Pallbearers: Deacons of St. James Missionary Baptist Church.
McIver Funeral Home of Douglas, Georgia was in charge of the arrangements.
Charles Cole
Mr. Charles H. Cole, age 67, formerly of Coffee County, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2005, at the North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, Georgia, following an extended illness. Mr. Cole was born November 01, 1937, in Bacon County, Georgia. He was the son of the late Elder George & Lucy Meeks Cole. He attended the Sunnyside Church of God in Canton, Georgia. Mr. Cole was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Brad Mullis.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn T. Cole, Canton Georgia, Daughters, Cindy (Dan) Beasley, Woodstock, Georgia, Susan Mullis, Saint Simons, Georgia & Janet Cole, Canton Georgia, Son, Charles (Kathleen) Cole, Jr., Raleigh North Carolina, Grandchildren, Amanda & Aaron Beasley, Andrew & Cole Mullis, Charles 'Chaz' Cole.
Graveside services and burial were held 11 :00 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at Roberts Cemetery near Nicholls, Georgia, with Rev. Dan Beasley officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Charles Cole and Brad Mullis to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Georgia Chapter, 2625 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 205, Atlanta, GA 30339. Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rev. James K. Tillman
Rev. James K. Tillman age 85, of Summers Landing, Douglas, Ga., formerly of Alma, Ga., passed away Monday evening, April 4, 2005 at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness.
A native of Appling County, Rev. Tillman was born July 22, 1919 son of Robert Reppard and Verda O'Quinn Tillman. He was a graduate of Surrency High School and as a young man he worked in the turpentine and pulpwood business. He later attended Valdosta State College after which he graduated from Emory University School of Theology. He was a minister with the United Methodist Church and retired in 1995. He served Methodist Churches in Willacoochee, Sylvania, Wrens, Ray City, Fitzgerald, Patterson, Blackshear and Alma. Upon retirement he settled in Alma and in 2000 relocated to Brunswick where he lived at St. Mark's Episcopal Towers. While in Brunswick, he led Chapel services for several months at St. Marks. Rev. Tillman was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Grace Eason Tillman.
Survivors include: two sons, Ken Tillman of Alma, Ga., and Ed Tillman and wife Janice of Willacoochee, Ga.; two daughters, Wanda Stephens and husband Lynch of Brunswick, Ga., Kay McCranie and husband Bill of Willacoochee, Ga.; two brothers, William A. Tillman of Houston, Tx., and Max Tillman of Alma, Ga.; three sisters, Welda T. Mitchell of Washington, D.C., Sarah Sellers of Baxley, Ga., and Brenda Jowers of Blackshear, Ga.; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Rev. Tillman were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at the Willacoochee United Methodist Church with Rev. Eddie Morrison and Rev. Doug Carter officiating with Mr. Gillis Carter giving the eulogy. Special musical selections included 'The Old Rugged Cross' rendered by soloist Craig McKinnon with Tammy Paulk accompanying at the piano 'Beulah Land' rendered by soloist Tammy Paulk with taped accompaniment and 'It Is Well With My Soul' rendered by the congregation with Tammy Paulk accompanying at the piano. Soft music for the prelude and postlude was provided by Tammy Paulk, pianist. Interment followed at 4 p.m., Wednesday afternoon at Bethel Cemetery in Appling County.
Active pallbearers were grandchildren, Steve Stephens, Scott Stephens, Blaine Tillman, Shandy Tillman, Britt Tillman, Ryan McCranie, Christy Buie, Jenny McDowel, Edy Leverette and Shea McCranie.
All in attendance were considered honorary pallbearers.
The family encourages that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Eugenia McRorie
Eugenia Wooten McRorie, age 91, of Douglas Georgia passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2005, at Shady Acres Convalescent Center, Douglas, Georgia. Mrs. McRorie, a native of Jeff Davis County, Georgia was born, July 2, 1913, daughter of the late Thomas Jack and Cora Bell Wooten. She was a homemaker and the widow of the late Earl Estridge McRorie. Her church membership was at the Mount Pleasant “Byrd” Church.
Survivors include: Daughters, Wanda Bookout, Douglas, GA, Linda Odgen, Odum, GA, and Brenda Kennedy, Saint Simons Island, GA; Sons, Roy McRorie and Elbert McRorie, Brunswick, GA; Brother, Sam Wooten, Denton, GA; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, several nieces & nephews.
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2005, at the Sims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jesse Odgen and Rev. Donnie Kirkland officiating. Music by soloist Dorsey Miller as he sang “Amazing Grace” and “Beulah Land." Also soloist Jonathan Bookout sang “I Can Only Imagine” with Trish Wright, pianist. Burial followed in the Mount Pleasant “Byrd” Church Cemetery in Jeff Davis County, Georgia near Denton, Georgia. Active pallbearers were: Keith Bookout, Dewayne Bookout, Bobby Miller, Tim McRorie, Ashley Day, Todd Vickers and Jonathan Bookout. Honorary pallbearers: Jim Miller, Dorsey Miller, Edward Dyal, Sammy Darrell Wooten, Royce Powell, Murrell Wooten, Collins Crawford, Mike Vickers, Eddie Butts, Johnny Stead, Donald Wooten, Russell Collins, and The “Golden Girls” of Shady Acres.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Willie George Hester, Sr.
Mr.Willie George Hester, Sr., age 65, of Millwood, Ga., formerly of Douglas, Ga. passed away Tuesday morning, April 5, 2005 at Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross, Ga. following a brief illness.
A native of Irwin County, Mr. Hester was born November 12, 1939, son of William and Elizabeth Gilder Hester. He was a retired manager of Elixir Industries in Fitzgerald, Ga. and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was an avid golfer and a member of Beaver Kreek Golf Club. Mr. Hester was a U.S. Army Veteran.
Survivors include: his wife, Betty Jean O’Steen Hester of Millwood, Ga.; one son, George Hester, Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; one stepson, Warren Brown and wife Renee of Douglas, Ga.; two stepdaughters, Bonnie Bennett and husband Danny of Millwood, Ga., and Vicki Hale of Folkston, Ga.; two brothers, Ennis Hester of Douglas, Ga., and Bill Hester of Opelika, Ala.; one sister, Louise Norris of Savannah, Ga.; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Hester were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 7, 2005, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Pearson, Ga. with Bishop Lamar Park, Bishop Timothy Fussell and Bishop Ovid O'Neal officiating. Special musical selections included "I Stand All Amazed" rendered by soloist Angie Odum with Timothy Fussell accompanying on the organ and “How Great Thou Art” rendered by the congregation with Timothy Fussell accompanying on the organ. Soft music for the Prelude and Postlude was provided by Timothy Fussell, organist.
Interment followed in Hargraves Cemetery in Millwood, Ga. with the dedication of the grave given by Bishop Timothy Fussell. Serving as honorary escorts were D. Ray James Prison, Cornell Industries Color Guard.
Serving as active pallbearers were Charles Moore, Buster Story, John O'Brien, George Raymond Hill, Billy Smith, Johnny Spell and Ernie Roland.
Serving as honorary pallbearers were: Ray Fussell, Tony Wright, John Farley, Ben Vickers, Folks Bennett, Lester Cribb and Leland Bennett.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Alan Kight
Mr. Alan Jones Kight, age 71, of Ambrose Georgia passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2005, at home following an extended illness.
Mr. Kight, a native of Atkinson County, Georgia was born October 2, 1933, son of the late John Franklin and Lillie Thomas Kight. He was a US Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam era. His membership was at the Westwood Baptist Church.
Survivors include: Wife, Shirley Fussell Kight of Ambrose, GA; Daughter, Pamela Turk and husband, James, Ambrose, GA; Grandsons Jay Turk and Elijah Turk; Sisters Vada James, Axson, GA, Mary Sweat, Waycross, GA and Irene Christian, Douglas, GA.
Funeral services were held at Westwood Baptist Church 3:00 PM, on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, with Rev. George Carroll Paulk officiating. Music by the Westwood Church Choir sang, "I Saw The Light" and "I'll Fly Away" with Bernie Evans, organist. Also, soloist Gary Vickers sang "Beulah Land" with Robyn Vickers, pianist. Graveside services with guitarist/soloist Danny Fann singing, "Wings Of A Dove" and burial followed in the Vickers Rural Cemetery near Ambrose Georgia. Active pallbearers were: Adam Vickers, Ben Vickers, Davy Carter, Dusty Carter, Jim Kight, Buddy James and David Kight.
Honorary pallbearers were: Nephews, members of the Adult Sunday School Class and deacons of Westwood Baptist Church.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
