Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Ilene B. Cribb
Mrs. Ilene Bryant Cribb, 96, of Valdosta, Ga. formerly of Pearson, Ga., passed away Tuesday morning, February 22, 2005 at Heritage House Retirement Home in Valdosta, Ga. following an extended illness.
A native of Coffee County, Mrs. Cribb was born March 17, 1908 daughter of Isbon and Sarah Metts Bryant. She was a homemaker and a member of The First Baptist Church of Pearson, Ga. Mrs. Cribb was preceded in death by her husband Earl Cribb and a son Shirley Cribb.
Survivors include: one son, Jimmy Dale Cribb and wife Dolores of Valdosta, Ga.
Daughter In Law: Ellie Cribb of Oakwood, Ga.
1 Sister: Foye Griffin of Carlsbad, Calif.
5 Grandchildren: Dale Cofield and husband Ron, Pat Brown and husband Greg,
Robin Cassotta, Bill Cribb and Shirley Ann Cribb.
10 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and several Nieces and Nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Mrs. Cribb were held at 11:00 A. M. Thursday, February 24, 2005 at the First Baptist Church in Pearson, Ga. with Rev. Gene Hughes officiating. Special musical selections included „Amazing Grace‰ rendered by the congregation with Mary Ann Williams accompanying at the piano. Soft music for the Prelude and Postlude was provided by Mary Ann Williams. The interment followed in Satilla Memorial Gardens.
Serving as active pallbearers were: Bill Cribb, Justin Cofield, Tripp Cofield, Patrick Brown, Thomas Moore and Charles Bryant.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.
Julia Martha Williamson
Julia Martha was born to the late John Dawson Woodard and the late Pinky Fan Woodard on April 15, 1902 in Hawkinsville, Georgia. She was the oldest surviving daughter of thirteen children. As is often the role of the oldest daughter, she was instrumental in the rearing of her younger brothers and sisters and was affectionately known as "Sis".
She was educated in the Methodist Church School of Hawkinsville. She was a whiz in mathematics and could calculate percentages mentally without need of paper or pencil.
She was also gifted with the ability to measure out materials from sight with no need of a tape measure or measuring cups.
In 1916 she met and married Lee Horn. From their union, they were blessed with four beautiful children: Josie Mae, Willie Clarence, Pinky Lee and Phil Fan. Industrious and creative, Julia Martha helped her husband with running the home and the family farm by making the draperies and other furnishings for the home and making clothing for their children. Their hard work allowed them to generate enough income to buy additional land and a Model T Ford, making Julia Martha the first woman of any color to own a vehicle in the state of Georgia.
After being widowed at the tender age of twenty-three, Julia Martha continued her industrious ways by taking in boarders. During this time, her brother, PF (Phil Fan) introduced her to a Primitive Baptist minister by the name of Carl Thornton to see if he would be an acceptable boarder. Their tenant-landlord relationship blossomed into a friendship, then later a marriage. They were the proud parents of Pearlie Mae, Fannie Pearl, Warren (Bill), Dorothy Neil and Henry. With her husband Carl being a carpenter, she began fine-tuning her administrative skills. She was responsible for advertising and soliciting work, booking appointments and being his bookkeeper.
Blessed with talent and an entrepreneurial spirit, Sis was owner and operator of the Peach Street Café. Her café was neatly decorated with inviting colors and her display counters were lined with live tobacco leaves. The eatery was filled with the aroma of coffee, fresh baked pastries and homemade ice. Each customer was greeted with a smile and welcomed with the most gracious hospitality.
In 1954 she married the late Bartley Williamson. Together they assisted in the rearing of Kenneth Thornton. Bartley and Julia were known for hosting family barbecues filled with roasted pigs in the pit and pony rides for the children. Bartley encouraged Julia Martha’s sense of exploration and continental travel. She would travel by foot, car, bus, train or plane. She has traveled extensively through out the states of Georgia and Florida. Her journeys have taken her to Alabama, Mississippi, South and North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, California and Mexico.
Beauty, charm and wit are attributes that immediately come to mind when you think of Julia Martha. Even while in her 90's she could be seen sporting an infectious smile, the latest fashions and high-heeled shoes. If you were blessed enough to be out on the front porch with her on a warm summer’s night, you were also blessed enough to hear her telling a story, singing a hymn or hearing that joke about "…when mules fly".
Grandma Julia was known for her prayers. She often prayed as a young mother, that her last days be her best days. God has certainly honored that prayer.
Her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a testament to all who knew her or knew of her. She was a longtime resident of Douglas, Georgia and fixture in the community. Whether you knew her from Morris Street, Peach Street, Gaskin Avenue or Juanita Road, you knew her to be neighborly.
She remained very active until her illness and was a lifetime member of the Jolly Twelve Club. She served on the Stewardess Board and the Missionary Society of the Gaines Chapel AME Church. She volunteered at the Senior Citizen Center and could be found visiting and praying for the sick and shut in.
Julia Martha departed this life on February 18, 2005 in the home of her granddaughter, Jacqueline Johnson and grandson-in-law Charles Johnson surrounded by grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her nurse. Left to carry the banner and legacy of love are her daughter, Dorothy Holloway, son, Henry Thornton, two daughters-in-law, Bernadine Thornton and Eloise Vaughn, one son-in-law, Marion Nelson, Sr., thirty-nine grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2005, at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church, Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Sherman O. Childers officiating. Interment followed at the Douglas City Cemetery in Douglas, Ga.
Pallbearers were Charles Mahammitte, Clarence L. Nelson, Carl Glover, Charles D. Nelson Raymond Bradshaw, Sr., and Torrance Thornton.
McIver Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Garland Smith
Mr. Garland Smith, 55, of Jacksonville Florida passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2005, at the Shands At Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.
Mr. Smith, a native of Bacon County, Ga., was born September 25, 1949, the son of the late J. W. and Alma Youngblood Smith. He was a self-employed plumber.
Survivors include: two daughters, Jo Nell McMillan, of Douglas, Ga., and Candice Smith of Broxton, Ga., one step-son, Jimmy Wayne Brown of Valdosta, Ga., a special friend, Judy Smith of Douglas, Ga.; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, brothers, Larry Smith of Leicester, N.C., Dwain Smith of Hot Springs, N.C., Clavis Smith, Titusville Fla., Lowell Smith, Hilliard Fla., four sisters, Vivian Taylor and Audrey Thomas both of Douglas, Ga., Marcia Rushing-Cooper of Groveland, Fla., Cynthia Pierce of Baxley, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service was held 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2005, at Forest Grove Baptist Church near Nicholls, Ga., with Rev. Jimbo Stead officiating Michael and Jan Thomas sang, “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “I Sure Miss You” with William Smith, accompanying on the organ. Interment followed in the Forest Grove Church Cemetery.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Ronald Harper
Mr. Ronald Harper, 53, of Broxton, Ga., passed away on Monday, February 21, 2005, at home following a brief illness.
Mr. Harper, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born April 12, 1951, the son of Lewis Jackson and Janell Taylor Harper. He was employed in the floor covering industry and he was a veteran of the United States Army.
Survivors include: his wife, Carolyn Patton Harper; one son, John Lewis Harper of Alamo, Ga., and one daughter, Rhonda Harper of West Green, Ga., parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Harper of West Green, Ga.; two grandchildren, Don Quinton Harper and Jessie Harper both of Alamo, Ga.; two sisters, Sue Crews and husband, Ronnie, of Nahunta, Ga., and Audrey Taylor of Leesburg, Ga.; one brother, Gary Harper and wife, Dionne, of Douglas, Ga., several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 24, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Sims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. George Carroll Paulk and Rev. Wayne Herrington officiating. Carolyn Wright, Chris Purvis, Faye Adams and Paul Hutcheson sang, “Prettiest Flowers,” “I’ll See You In A Little While” and “Amazing Grace,” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Rocky Pond Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Hollis Crozier, Ronnie Patton, Johnny H. Johnson, Ricky Carelock, Alvin Christian, Ricky Christian, Wendell Moseley, and Jimmy Smith.
Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Day, Jimmy Stone, Tony Neugent, Terrell Davis, John Harry Dockery, Bobby Buchans and Bobby Barnes.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Catherine Wiggins
Mrs. Catherine Wiggins, 70, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on February 20, 2005.
Catherine (Kitty) Nelson Wiggins was born on March 18, 1934, the daughter of the late Mary J. Nelson and the late Stonewall Nelson. She was the widow of the late Leonard Wiggins. Mrs. Wiggins worked as a sitter for the sick and shut-ins and attended Gaines Chapel A.M.E. church
Survivors include: three sisters, Yvonne H. Clay, Rozena Clarke, and Josephine Tatman; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Mrs. Wiggins was preceded in death by one daughter, Esther and one sister, Ruby Street.
Funeral services were held on Friday, February 25, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church in Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Sherman O. Childers, pastor, and Rev. Viola Roundtree-Parker officiating. The Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church choir sang “Amazing Grace,” and other selections. Tekema Self sang a solo. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Fred Jones, Alfred Harrison, Frank Jackson, Tommy Hudson, Jimmy Clay and Billy Wright.
Honorary pallbearers were Roosevelt Graves, James Wilkerson, George Wilkerson, J.D. Murray, Elijah Rush, J.T. Hamilton, Ray Louder, Willie H. Williams, Johnnie Roper and James E. Bivens.
Harrell’s Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Queen Ester McDonald
Mrs. Queen Ester McDonald, 85, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2005.
Mrs. McDonald was born on October 3, 1919, one of eleven children born to the late Agnes and Marion Graves. She was married to Mr. Essix McDonald and an active member of Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church where she served as the Church Secretary, Trustee, Steward and her long time services to the Usher Board.
Survivors include: two children, James E. Graves of Atlanta, Ga., and Marie G. Rucker and husband Dr. Minder Rucker, Jr., of Stone Mountain, Ga.; one granddaughter, Valerie Mariel Rucker of Stone Mountain, Ga.; one sister, Mrs. Addie Sills and one brother, Marion Otis Graves both of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; and a niece, nephew and other relatives.
Funeral services were held on Monday, February 21, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church in Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Sherman O. Childers officiating. Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church choir rendered several musical selections. Interment followed in the Upton Cemetery on Highway 32 West, Douglas, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Lonnie Campbell, Sam Hobbs Jr., Eugene Ates, Tommy Hudson, Jimmy Clay and Charles Williams.
Honorary pallbearers were J.D. Murray, James Bivens, Elijah Rush, George Pryor, Roosevelt Graves, Frank Jackson, Johnny Roper and Fred Jones.
Harrell’s Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Quinton ‘Phillip’ Merritt
Mr. Quinton Phillip Merritt, 56, of Douglas. Ga., passed away on Monday, February 21, 2005, at the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga.
Mr. Merritt, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born June 7, 1948, the son of the late Glinnes Cox Merritt Harper and Quincey Merritt. He was a retired carpenter and a United States Army veteran of the Viet Nam Era.
Survivors include: five sons, Matthew Gabriel Merritt, Quinton Martin Merritt, Manuel Gideon Merritt, and Alex Merritt, all of Douglas, Ga., and Donnie Gray of Lakeland, Ga., two daughters, Tabitha Irene Davis of Lake Whales, Fla., and Phyllis Quatlebaum of Hazlehurst, Ga.; one brother, Joe Merritt of Douglas, Ga.; eight sisters, Carolyn Stanley, Denise Merritt, Debra Jump, Shirley Burkett, Cristal Merritt and Sandra Merritt all of Douglas, Ga., Sheila Jump of the Pridgen Community, Rhonda McCall of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Cecilia Robbins of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Thursday, February 24, 2005, at the Church of Jesus Christ Church near Douglas with Rev. Allen Hulett officiating. Carolyn Wright, Chris Purvis and Faye Adams sang, “I Want Us To Be Together In Heaven” and “One Day At A Time” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Hunter Quatlebaum, soloist/guitarist sang, “I Praise You Because of Who You Are.” Interment followed in the Merritt Family Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were his sons.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Infant Debro
Little Jaymee Tytiana Debro passed away on February 25, 2005.
Little Miss Debro was born on December 31, 2004 to James and Cassandra Debro. She is survived by her parents; five sisters: Jaquanda, Nikeya, Jameisha, Jaylin and Jaslin; grandparents Sister Holmes, Jennifer, Charles and Lonnie; great-grandparents, Minnie and Marvin Outlaw.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, February 27, 2005, at 9 a.m. at Harrell’s Funeral Chapel in Douglas, Ga., with Bishop Elder Sid Whitfield officiating. Tekema Self performed a solo. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery in Douglas, Ga.
Harrell’s Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Homer B. Adams
Mr. Homer B. Adams, 78, of Alma, Ga., passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2005, at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Adams, a native of Coffee County, lived in Bacon County most of his life, the son of the late Homer Wilbert Adams and Bertie Spivey Adams. Mr. Adams was a former police officer, deputy sheriff, farmer, and logger. He also served in the United States Navy during World War II.
Survivors include: his wife, Rose Cliett Adams of Nicholls, Ga.; three sons, Homer B. Adams, Jr. and wife, Shirley, Joel M. Adams, Sr., and wife Vicky and Charles Adams and wife, Sherry, all of Nicholls, Ga.; two daughters, Lee Ann Lewis of Alma, Ga., and Sally Belflower and husband, Kannah, of Nicholls, Ga.; one brother, Herman Adams of Nicholls, Ga.; one sister, Vina Lynch of Penn.; fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Mr. Adams was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Beverly Adams and one sister, Wannie Nanchek.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 12, 2005, at the chapel of Crosby Funeral Home, with Rev. Jerry Campbell officiating. Interment followed in the Meeks Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bruce Adams, Joey Adams, Daniel Roberts, Charlie Adams, Bruce Lewis, and David Roberts, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Donald Gilliard, John Lott, Loy Gilliard, Dan Coppage, George Hoyt, Ronnie Walker, Duane Page, Mac Davis, Sammy Surrency, Edsel Merritt, I.W. Strickland, Dale Murray, Milford Anderson, and Buster Anderson.
Crosby Funeral Home of Alma, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Alvin White
Mr. Alvin White, 69, of Axson, Ga., passed away Friday morning, February 18, 2005, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness.
A native of Atkinson County, Mr. White was born July 5, 1935, son of Frank and Lomie Davis White. He worked for many years as a machine operator for Cady Industries and attended Hargraves Chapel New Congregational Methodist Church. Preceding him in death was a granddaughter, Laura Magan White.
Survivors include: his wife, Nancy Burch White of Axson, Ga.; three sons, Steve White and wife, Tonnie, of Axson, Ga., Randall White and wife, Cynthia, of Axson, Ga., and Jeffery White and wife, Arlene, of Axson, Ga.; three brothers, Clyde White of Miami, Fla., Clifford White of Axson, Ga., and Aaron White of Axson, Ga.; one sister, Mildred Hulett of Axson, Ga.; six grand-children, Steve Alvin White, Jr., Stephanie Tonia White, Michael Shane White, Allanna Gabrielle White, Abbigail Madison White, and Joshua Dwayne White; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, February 20, 2005 at Hargraves Chapel Church in Millwood, Ga. with Rev. Melvin Burch and Rev. Clayton Davis officiating. Special musical selections included "Beulah Land" and "Go Rest High On That Mountain," rendered by Huey and Deloris Bennett, Betty Davis, and Regina Delk, with Huey Bennett accompanying on the guitar. Soft music for the prelude and postlude was provided by Huey Bennett on the guitar. Interment followed in Axson Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Mark Royals, Andy Royals, Gilbert Ramirez, Fred White, William Burch, and Jimmy White.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Francenia Eddie Morris Yarbrough
Mrs. Francenia Eddie Morris Yarbrough, 67, of Ithaca, N.Y., formerly of Atkinson County, Ga., passed away Thursday, February 10, 2005, at her home following an extended illness.
Mrs. Yarbrough, a native of Atkinson County, Ga., was born September 3, 1937, the daughter of Jesse and Maggie Morgan Morris. She attended Pearson High School, South Georgia College, Georgia State College for Women, and Iowa State University. At age 23, she moved with her husband to Ames, Iowa, where they resided for 22 years, and then to Ithaca, N.Y., for an additional 23 years. A multi-talented person, she worked in newspaper publishing and owned a tailoring shop. The greater part of her professional career was as a computer support specialist for Social Science Research, with her husband and other professors at Iowa State University and Cornell University.
Survivors include: her husband, Dr. J. Paul Yarbrough of Ithaca, N.Y.; two sons, Jim Yarbrough and wife, Lori, of Ithaca, N.Y., and Tom Yarbrough and wife, Tiffany, of Calif.; four grandchildren, Logan Yarbrough, Shelby Yarbrough, Drucilla Yarbrough, Nicholas Caldwell; one sister, Pearl Morris Tanner and husband, Jack, of Leesburg, Ga.; one brother, Jesse E. Morris and wife, Mary, of Pearson, Ga.; one sister-in-law, Karen Young of Jacksonville, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Yarbrough was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Morris Banner, and one brother, Autrey Morris.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2005, at Stokesville Baptist Church, with Rev. Bob Pierce, Rev. Beecher Wayne Morris, and Mr. Ralph Tanner officiating. Mrs. Margaret McCranie gave the eulogy. Special music selections included "My Jesus I Love Thee," rendered by soloist Amy Johns, and "Amazing Grace," rendered by the congregation with June Tanner accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Stokesville Church Cemetery, with soloist Amy Johns singing, "In The Sweet By and By."
Active pallbearers were Payton Guess, Corey Leavens, Daniel McCranie, Frank Morris, Terry Morris, and Ivan Williams.
The family requests that memorials be made to Hospice, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850, or to the charity of your choice.
Rehilan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
