Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Jackie D. Paulk
Mrs. Jackie D. Paulk, 71, of Alapaha, Ga., of Alapaha, Irwin County, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2005, at her residence.
Mrs. Paulk was born on March 17, 1933, in Berrien County, Ga., to the late Clayton C. and Edna Mixon Daniel. A farmer and homemaker, Mrs. Paulk lived in Berrien County and Irwin County most of her life and was a former resident of Ambrose, Ga. She was a member and played the piano for over 50 years at Spring Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County. Mrs. Paulk also sang with the M.J. Paulk Family Singers.
Survivors include: her husband, M.J. Paulk of Alapaha, Ga.; two sons, Elder Marvin Paulk and wife Brenda Paulk of Garden City, Ga., and Billy Paulk and wife Gina of Ocilla, Ga.; five grandchildren, Markus Paulk, Melinda Purvis, Channing Paulk, Clint Paulk, and Clay Paulk; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara D. Harper of Alapaha, Ga., and Jurelle D. Norris of Valdosta, Ga.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Thursday, January 27, 2005, at Spring Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County, Ga., with Elder Marvin Paulk and Elder Paul Thomas officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Paulk Funeral Home of Ocilla, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Gregory Keith Williams
Dr. Gregory Keith “Greg” Williams, 44, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at his residence.
Dr. Williams, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born August 22, 1960, the son of Nancy Faye Meeks Williams and the late Dr. George Willis Williams. He had been practicing dentistry in Douglas for the past 14 years and he was a member of the Douglas First Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his mother, Nancy M. Williams of Douglas Ga.; two brothers, Dr. George Willis Williams, Jr., of Augusta, Ga., and Gary Wayne Williams of Americus, Ga.; three nieces, Cody Williams Johnson of Ellaville, Ga., Rebecca Williams Stembridge of Athens, Ga., and Nan Elizabeth Williams of Augusta, Ga.; four nephews, George Willis Williams III of Augusta, Ga., and Gary Wayne Williams, Jr., Matthew Tanner Williams, and Aaron Merritt Williams, all of Americus, Ga.; and one great-nephew, E.J. Johnson III of Ellaville, Ga.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 29, 2005, at the Douglas First Baptist Church, with Rev. Shep Johnson officiating. “In the Garden” was presented by Diskin Morgan, and an a cappella version of “Amazing Grace” was rendered by Janice Lee Duncan. Instrumentalists were Marsha Gilliard on the piano and Da Via Van Wyk on the cello. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bob Williams, Craig McCrary, David Vickers, Merritt Meeks, Dr. Jack Williams, and Milton Stembridge.
Honorary pallbearers were Adult Sunday School class members and dental colleagues from Douglas and surrounding areas.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Charles Walker
Mr. Charles Walker, 67, of Pearson, Ga., passed away Thursday morning, January 20, 2005, at his residence following an extended illness.
A native of Atkinson County, Ga., Mr. Walker was born on March 19, 1937, the son of the late Clayton and Rebecca Neugent Walker. He was a poultry farmer, attended Sweetwater Methodist Church, and was a U.S. Army Veteran.
Survivors include: his wife, Patsy Pelz Walker of Pearson, Ga.; one son, Glenn Walker and wife Teresa of Pearson, Ga.; two grandchildren, Cody Walker and Sara Walker, both of Pearson, Ga.; three brothers, Blackie Walker and wife Dot of Lakeland, Ga., Donald Walker and wife Valerie of Eufaula, Ala., and Edison Walker of Las Vegas, Nev.; two sisters, Lounette Dupree and husband Perry of Locust Grove, Ga., and Annette McKinnon of Pearson, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for were held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at Sweetwater Methodist Church with Rev. Lynn Polk, Rev. James Polk and Rev. Leonard Wildes officiating. Special musical selections included “I Have Never Seen” and “How Great Thou Art” rendered by Rev. James Polk with guitar accompaniment. Soft piano music for the prelude and postlude was provided by Candace Brown. Interment followed in Satilla Memorial Gardens with Rev. James Polk singing “Amazing Grace” at the gravesite.
Active pallbearers were Locke Tanner, Charlton McKinnon, Carrol Carter, Darrell Walker, Derwin Walker and Michael Davis.
Honorary pallbearers were George Davis, Lester Davis, Roger Taft, Jesse Tanner, Ottis Register and William E. Giddens.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Wilma Lee Garner Courson
Wilma Lee Garner Courson, 73, of the Bickley Community passed away Sunday morning, January 9, 2005, at her residence following an extended illness.
She was a native of Bacon County but had resided most of her life in Ware County. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Rilla Davis Garner and an active member of the Bickley United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Dewitt Courson of the Bickley Community; her children, Joyce Hickox and husband Willie of Waycross, Ga., Sue Carpenter of Augusta, Ga., Glynn Courson, Mitchell Courson, Karen Nichols and husband David Eric, Brian Courson and wife Sherrie, all of the Bickley Community, Denise Carden and husband Ty of Blackshear; three brothers, Dewey Garner of Alma, Ga., Lloyd Garner of Portsmouth, Virg., Hubert Garner of Auburndale, Fla.; 15 grandchildren, Rodney Cothern, Gina Anderson and husband Scott, Brad Hickox, Brett Hickox, Alison Carpenter, Elizabeth Carpenter, Vicky Howard husband Gentry, Crystal Detorre and husband Joey, Daniel Nichols, Amber Boatright, T. J. Carden, Lauren Carden, Preston Courson, Adam Courson, Amy Courson; five great-grandchildren, Courtney Anderson, Erica Anderson, Brock Anderson, Kelsey Lloyd, Tabitha Cothern and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Courson was preceded in death by two brothers, Ward Garner and Howard Garner.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at Bickley United Methodist Church. Interment followed in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were grandsons, Rodney Cothern, T.J. Carden, Brad Hickox, Brett Hickox, Daniel Nichols, Preston Courson and Adam Courson.
Honorary pallbearers were the Bickley U.M.C. Senior Adult Sunday School Class
Music Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Fannie Deen
Mrs. Fannie Louise Harkleroad Deen, 92, of Broxton, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at Coffee Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Deen, a native of Hawkins County, Tennessee was born on October 29, 1912, the daughter of the late Conley T. Sr., and Ella Orfield Harkleroad. She was a homemaker, the widow of the late George Deen and a member of Reedy Brach Baptist Church.
Survivors: four daughters, Phoebe D. Haskins and Lib Roberts and husband Larry all of Broxton, Ga., Barbara D. Chestnut and husband Gene, of Lake City, Fla., Colline D. Ricketson and husband J.M., of Denton, Ga.; one daughter-in-law, Ellen Deen of Broxton, Ga.; fifteen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Jo Ann Burkett of West Green, Ga.; two brothers, Stanley Harkleroad of Waycross, Ga., and, Fernell Harkleroad of West Green, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Deen had one son, Ottis L. Deen and one daughter, Jenny Lee Deen who preceded her in death.
Funeral Services were held at 2 p.m., on Thursday, January 20, 2005, at Reedy Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Den Weniger officiating. Soloist, Wayne Fales sang, “Beulah Land” and soloist, Jamie Shrouder sang, “I’m Taking A Vacation,” also the congregation sang, “I’ll Meet You In The Morning” with, Evelyn Weniger accompanying at the piano. Soloist, Jamie Shrouder sang, “Amazing Grace,” at the gravesite. Interment followed in the Reedy Branch Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jim Deen, Benny Dockery, Ken Corbitt, Bryson Lott, Tracy Burke, A. J. Saaed and Bruce Cato.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Senior Sunday School Class of Reedy Branch Church.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Rev. John Mathis
Rev. John Smith Mathis, Sr., 78, of Carrollton, Ga., formerly of Coffee County, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2005, following an extended illness.
Rev. Mathis, a native of Lowndes County, Ga., was born on February 10, 1926, the son of the late John Smith and Alice Cherry Mathis. He was a United Methodist Church Minister, retiring after 27 years. He served in several United Methodist Churches in the South Georgia Conference, including West Green Charge, Hamilton Charge, Woodland Charge, Leary Charge, Lakeland First United Methodist Church, and Associate Pastor (Older Adults) at Albany First United Methodist Church. He was a World War II Veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Survivors include: his wife, Mattie Mae Durden Mathis; two daughters, Diane Stith and husband, Edwin and Gail Hall and husband, Michael all of Hahira Ga., three sons, John Mathis, Jr. and wife, Lori, of Adel, Ga., Keith Hagen and wife, Shellie, Winston, Ga., and Lamar Altman and wife, Myrna of Panama City Beach, Fla.; sisters, Ruth Stowell and Peggy Ussery both of Valdosta, Ga., four brothers, Frank Chambers of Valdosta, Ga., Albert Chambers of Statenville Ga., John B. Chambers of Annapolis, MD and Harvey Chambers of Buford, Ga.; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at Saint Mark United Methodist Church with Rev. Ed Deen, Rev. Carl Howard and Rev. Sally Flowers officiating. The congregation sang “Victory In Jesus” and soloist Harl Vickers sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace,” with Lois Mills accompanying at the organ. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Keith Stith, Joey Stith, Scott Turner, Eric Croft, Scott Croft, Derry Bennett and Alex Hagen.
The family encourages memorials be made to the Methodist Children’s Home in Macon, Ga., or to Hospice of West Georgia.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Violet Wilcox
Mrs. Violet Butler Wilcox, 74, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., after an extended illness.
Mrs. Wilcox, a native of Saint John’s Newfoundland, Canada, was born on June 9, 1930, the daughter of the late Harvey and Annie Morgan Butler. She was a retired stock clerk and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include: her husband, Vernon Wilcox of Douglas, Ga.; seven sons, Clarence Wilcox of Newfoundland, Canada, Thomas Wilcox and David Wilcox both of Jacksonville Fla., Harvey Wilcox of Mobile, Ala., Benny Wilcox of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Rick Wilcox of Homestead, Fla., Scotty Wilcox of Douglas, Ga.; two daughters, Debra Vaughn of Terrace, Fla., Glenda Ingle of Albemarle, N.C.; one brother, Sidney Butler of Newfoundland, Canada; four sisters, Louise Lane, Effie Mugford, Margie Oates and Dori Russell all of Newfoundland, Canada; 17 grandchildren, two great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at the Sims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sim Youngblood officiating. Carolyn Wright, Chris Purvis and Faye Adams sang “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away,” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Sunnyside Church Cemetery in Atkinson County, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Mrs. Wilcox’ sons.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Cathy McKinnon
Ms. Cathy Ann McKinnon, 46, of Nicholls Ga., passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 18, 2005, as a result of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident.
Ms. McKinnon, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on September 21, 1958, the daughter of Blondee Burch McKinnon and the late Grover McKinnon, Jr. She was a LPN and was employed at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office.
Survivors include one son, Brandon Wilkerson and wife Kim of Marion, N.C.; one daughter, Heather Wilkerson Ward and husband Joel; step-children, Amber Jordan and David Taylor, both of Douglas, Ga.; her fiancée, Edd Henry Taylor of Nicholls, Ga.; her Mother, Blondee McKinnon of Douglas, Ga.; three sisters, Joan M. Murray and Amber M. Ware, both of Douglas, Ga., and Joyce M. Chapman of Atlanta, Ga.; one brother, Guy McKinnon of Douglas, Ga., seven grandchildren, Walker Allen Bennett of Douglas, Ga., Jasmine Celeste Wilkerson and Taylor Nicole Wilkerson both of Marion, N.C., Ansley Jordan and Jaycee Jordan both of Douglas, Ga., Chase Taylor and Haley Taylor both of Pearson, Ga.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Friday, January 21, 2005, at Roxie Mae United Methodist Church in Nicholls, Ga., with Rev. George C. Paulk and Rev. Larry Johnson officiating. Carolyn Wright, Chris Purvis and Faye Adams sang “I Want Us To Be Together In Heaven” and “I’ll Be Waiting At The River for You.” Also, the congregation sang “Amazing Grace,” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Roxie Mae Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Al Spivey, Raymond Nipper, Dale Murray, Kim Phillips, Wayne McKinnon, and Tim Adams.
Honorary pallbearers were Deputies of Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and Dr. Steve Anderson.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Estelle Walker
Mrs. Estelle Celia Gillis Walker, 100, of Broxton Ga., passed on Thursday, January 6, 2005, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga.
Mrs. Walker, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on February 9, 1904, the daughter of the late George Wilson and Ann White Gillis. She was the widow of the late Wesley Edward Walker, a retired public school teacher and a member of Broxton First Baptist Church.
Survivors include: Anna Jane (Cummings) Smith of Broxton, Ga.; one son-in-law, Tom Peterson of Broxton, Ga.; one sister, Euriss Gillis of Douglas, Ga.; grandchildren, Felicia Smith, Beth Peterson (Roy) Sumner, Tommy Peterson, Wayne Peterson and wife Beverely, Mike Smith and wife June, Darrell Smith and wife Debra; great- grandchildren, Kendra Kight, Anna Marie Sumner, Danielle Sumner, D. J. (Paige) Smith, John Smith, Cliffy Smith, Mark Smith, and Justin Peterson, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Walker had one daughter, Nadine Walker Peterson, who preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held at Broxton First Baptist Church with Rev. Judson Blackstock and Rev. Bob Pierce officiating. Soloist, Kay Pierce sang, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”and the congregation sang, “How Great Thou Art” with Becky Greene accompanying at the piano, providing a medley of special songs for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed in the Broxton City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were D. J. Smith, Cliffy Smith, Justin Peterson, John Smith, Mark Smith and Ron Lewis.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Hattie Mae ‘Pat’ White
Mrs. Hattie Mae “Pat” Farmer White, 81, of Douglas Georgia passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at Shady Acres Convalescent Center in Douglas, Ga.
Mrs. White, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born June 28, 1923, the daughter of the late Ilie Coleman and Annie Dobson Farmer. She was the widow of the late Edwin Ellsworth White, Sr., a retired Nursing Aide and a member of the Broxton Baptist Church.
Survivors include: four sons, Ed White, Willis McCullar and David White, all of Douglas, Ga., and Jessie McCullar of Stapleton, Ga.; one daughter, Linda Crozier of Douglas, Ga.; 13 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, January 20, 2005, at the Sims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gregory Pope officiating. Soloist Wendy Tompkins sang “You Are My Hiding Place” and “I Need Thee Every Hour,” with Judy Foskey accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Satilla Gardens Cemetery near Douglas, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Jeremy Kia, Shawn Sewell, Christopher Rowell, Jessie Music, Jesse White, Richard Dean, and Johnny Dean.
Honorary pallbearers were Billy Wayne McCullar, Ladies Auxiliary of Coffee Regional Medical Center, South Nurses and Aides at Shady Acres.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Billy Dees
Mr. Billy Clifton Dees, 80, of Ambrose, Ga., passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2005, at Tift Regional Medial Center in Tifton, Ga.
Mr. Dees, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on July 23, 1924, the son of the late John Monroe and Willie Blanch Hancock Dees. He was a retired Farmer; mail carrier, a World War II Veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Willie Vickers Dees of Ambrose, Ga.; one son, Leland Dees and wife Sarah of Ambrose, Ga.; two grandchildren, Leigh Ann Dees and Timothy Dees; two sisters, Bonnie Manry of Lebanon, Ky., and Virginia Ruth Chambers of Bowden, Ga.; and one brother, Johnny Dees of Colonial Hills, Va.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at Calvary Baptist Church with L.G. Aldridge officiating. Calvary Baptist Church Choir sang “How Great Thou Art,” “Jesus Loves Me” and “What A Day” with Melcene Beasley accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Sherley Vickers, Bernard Vickers, Charles Larry Daniels, Wayne Vickers, Chuck Sims, Fraizer Porter, and Ronnie Gray.
Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Hesters, David Vickers, James Edward Vickers, Larry Vickers, Tommy Harper, Tommy Beasley, Dr. Rodney Vickers, Sam Roberts, Charles Cross, Ray Ricketson, Monroe Couch, and Leland Blue.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Arloas Cliett
Mrs. Arloa Solomon Cliett, 82, of Broxton, Ga., passed away on Tuesday afternoon, January 18, 2005, at the North Side Hospital in Macon, Ga., following a brief illness.
Mrs. Cliett, a native and lifelong resident of Broxton and Coffee County, Ga., was the daughter of the late Arley Lee Solomon and the late Ossie Miller Solomon. She retired from the Coffee County School System after being a bus driver for 29 years and was a member of Pridgen Baptist Church. Mrs. Cliett and her husband, V.A. “Bud” Cliett had celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
Survivors include: her husband, V.A. “Bud” Cliett of Broxton, Ga.; two sons, Dan L. Cliett and Billy Cliett, both of Broxton, Ga.; one daughter, Othel Scott of Broxton, Ga.; one sister, Addie Jo Courson of Broxton, Ga.; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mrs. Cliett was preceded in death by two children, Doris C. McKinnon and Bobby Adrian Cliett.
Funeral services were held on Friday morning, January 21, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Pridgen Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Hollis, Rev. Elic Bullington, and Rev. Jimmy Scott officiating. Special musical selections, “When I Traveled My Last Mile” and “Never Grow Old,” were presented by soloist Rev. Farrell Harper, with Marc Harper accompanying at the piano. Prelude and postlude soft hymns were rendered by Susan Thurman at the piano. Interment followed in the Pridgen Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bobby Smith, Jimmy Scott, Kenny Cliett, Jeff Cliett, Lee Cliett, Stanley Williams, Ben Scott and Jerry Scott.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Adult Sunday School Classes.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
