Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Nanette Hargreaves Thombs
Mrs. Nanette Hargreaves Thombs, 90, of Pearson, Ga., passed away Monday afternoon, January 10, 2005, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Thombs was born on the family farm in a part of Coffee County that is now Atkinson County, Ga. on February 4, 1914. She was the daughter of Col. Leon Abraham and Essie Blitch Hargreaves. Col. Hargreaves was a lawyer and his wife, Essie, was the mother of seven children and a schoolteacher in Pearson, Ga. Mrs. Thombs graduated from Pearson High School and continued her education at Abraham Baldwin College, and completed her bachelor's degree at Valdosta State College. Later, she earned advanced degrees at Georgia Southern College. Mrs. Thombs taught school a total of 45 years, the majority of which were in Atkinson County, Ga.. She was a member of the Georgia Association of Educators and a past Regent and member of the John Floyd Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also an avid gardener and enjoyed working in her yard and growing flowers. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Pearson, Ga., and in her latter years was G.A. Leader at the church. Mrs. Thombs was the widow of the late William Elmo Thombs.
Survivors include: one daughter, Lisa Thombs David and husband Joseph A. III of Cairo, Ga.; one son, W.E. “Bill” Thombs and wife Linda of Broxton, Ga.; one sister, Edith Hargreaves Chastain of Thunderbolt, Ga.; three grandsons, Joseph A. “Andy” David IV and wife Allyson, John Thombs David and James M. David and wife Cary; one great-grandson, Ethan Alexander David; one step-grandson, Brad Mathis and wife Laura; one step- granddaughter, Cary Bacon and husband Ramsey; two step-great-grandchildren, Jesse and Jake Mathis; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 13, 2005, at the First Baptist Church in Pearson, Ga., with Rev. Chris Carpenter and Rev. Bob Pierce officiating. Speakers sharing memories were Mrs. Edwina Corbitt and Mr. Tim Morris. Special musical selections included “His Name is Wonderful,” “Victory in Jesus," "Fairest Lord Jesus,” “When We All Get to Heaven,” and “Amazing Grace,” rendered by the attending congregation, accompanied by Mary Ann Williams, pianist, and Candace Brown, organist. “Because He Lives” was rendered by soloist John Stephens, accompanied by Mary Ann Williams, pianist, and Candace Brown, organist. Mary Ann Williams, pianist, and Candace Brown, organist, provided soft music for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed in the Sweetwater Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Tommy Clark, Starling Mercer, Lloyd McDonald, Foster Davis, Jamie Smith and Tim Morris.
Honorary pallbearers were Retired Educators from the Atkinson County School System and members of the John Floyd Chapter DAR.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Polly Lee Joiner
Mrs. Mary Polly Lee Joiner, 75, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Friday, December 24, 2004, at the Osceola Nursing Home in Ocilla, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Joiner, a native of Ware County, Ga., was born on October 23, 1929, the daughter of the late John and Americus Avadell Carter Lee. She was a homemaker, a former operator of the snack Bar at South Georgia College and she was the widow of the late William Joiner, Jr. Her church membership was at Harrell Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include: three daughters, Sharon Lott and husband Tony, Patti Ann Miller and husband Timmy, all of Douglas, Ga., and Paula Gunn of Thompson Station, Tenn.; one son, Billy Joiner and wife Barbara of Douglas, Ga.; one brother, John C. Lee of Douglas, Ga.; three sisters, Nellie Davis of Nicholls, Ga., Marie Carter of Jacksonville, Fla., and Cecilia Cravey of Albany, Ga.; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at Harrell Grove Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 27, 2004, with Rev. John Hendley and Rev. Larry Stone, officiating. Carolyn Wright, Chris Purvis and Faye Adams sang “I’ll Fly Away” and “Precious Memories” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Harrell Grove Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Ashley Davis, John David Lee, Buddy Lee, Sammy Gaskin, Allen Cravey and Gordon Lee.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Barbara Elaine Clay Dugger
Mrs. Barbara Elaine Clay Dugger, 45, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away Friday, December 30, 2004 following a brief illness.
Mrs. Dugger was born on
June 28, 1959, the daughter of Billy R. Clay, Sr., and Elvenia Clay of Douglas, Ga. She was a member of The Full Gospel Deliverance Church in Syracuse, NY.
Survivors include: her husband, Berkeley W. Dugger, Jr., of Atlanta, Ga. and children, Bryce Shaun and Bethany Katherine Dugger, both of Atlanta, Ga.; Staff Sergeant Berkeley W. Dugger, III and Mina K. Dugger, both of Fort Belvoir, Va.; her father, Apostle Billy R. Clay, Sr., and mother, Co-Pastor Elvenia Clay both of Douglas, Ga.; four grandchildren, Brandee, Autumn, Jamie and Sara; sisters and brothers, Angela Faye, Deanna Guthbert, Danna (Rebecca) Clay, Alecia Brown, Tara (Stacey) Davis, and Billy R.(Shameka) Clay, Jr.; stepfather and mother, Walter A. and Regina Lewis of Trenton, N.J.; and several relatives.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. at Sears Street Church of God by Faith in Douglas, Ga., with Elder Nelson H. Turner, pastor, and Bishop Halsey Watkins, Jr., officiating. Soloists Robert Flowers and Fred Chappel rendered special songs, as did the church choir. Interment followed in Vickers Rural Cemetery on Highway 158 West in Ambrose, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Dea. Raford McRae, Quitman Brockington, Clinton Brockington, Tommy Rice, Berry Wells, and James McRae.
Honorary pallbearers were Elder Robert Butler, Clarance Robinson, Sr., Charlie Young, Clarance Robinson, Jr., Roger Fletcher, Rev. Robert Flowers, Harry Anderson, and Andy Moody.
Harrell’s Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Leona Williams
Mrs. Leona Williams, 87, of Pearson, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga., following a brief illness.
A native of Bacon County, Ga., Mrs. Williams was born April 10, 1917, the daughter of the late Thomas and Cora Belle Mims Youmans. She was the widow of the late Audie J. Williams, a homemaker and a member of Sunnyside Freewill Baptist Church.
Survivors include: one son, Rev. Charles Williams and wife Regina of Pearson, Ga.; two daughters, Barbara Hamilton and husband Harvey of Pearson, Ga., and Glenda Burnam of Warrior, Ala.; two sisters, Linnis Boyette and Wilma Thompson, both of Jacksonville, Fla.; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six step- great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2005 at Sunnyside Freewill Baptist Church in Pearson, Ga., with Rev. Rowan Sirmans and Rev. Bill Barksdale officiating. Special musical selections included “Serenaded By Angels,” rendered by Derrick Soles with tape accompaniment, and “I Firmly Promise You” and “What A Lovely Name,” rendered by Derrick Soles, with Robin Vickers accompanying at the piano. Soft music for the prelude and postlude was provided by Lilla Deems, pianist. Interment followed in the Sunnyside Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bronson Coffee, J.A. Anderson, Benny Clement, Larry Johnson, Willie McGovern and Clifford Taft.
Honorary pallbearers were members of Sunnyside Adult Sunday School Class.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Patricia Metts
Mrs. Patricia T. Metts, 49, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2004, at her home following an extended illness.
Mrs. Metts, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born on February 11, 1955, the daughter of John and Mary Tarrent Whiddon. She was a Clerk with the State of Georgia Health Department Home Care Services and a member of Salem Holiness Baptist Church.
Survivors include: her husband, Carlton Metts of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, David Anthony Metts and wife Michelle and Michael Carlton Metts, all of Douglas; her parents, John and Mary Whiddon, one sister, Shirley Highsmith, all of Douglas; four grandchildren, Lorie Metts, Hannah Metts, David Metts and Shawn Metts, all of Douglas, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2004, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Stone officiating. Mann and Janie Kirkland sang “Long, Long Journey” and “Stroll Over Heaven,” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Community Mausoleum at the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were the Douglas Fire Department Color Guard.
Honorary pallbearers were the Douglas City Fire Department and Coffee County Fire Department employees.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Linzie J. Alewine
Rev. Linzie J. Alewine, 74, of Fitzgerald, Ga., passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at his residence.
Rev. Alewine was born January 18, 1930, in Ben Hill County, Ga., to the late Carlos and Carrie Stephens Alewine. He had lived in the community most of his life. Rev. Alewine was an evangelist, a farmer and a nursing home minister. He was a former employee of Pool Chevrolet and retired from Irwin County Motor Company. Rev. Alewine served in the United States Army and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include: his wife, Rilla Alewine of Fitzgerald, Ga.; four children, Billy Haynes of Tifton, Ga., Jerry Haynes of Fitzgerald, Ga., Gloria Neugent of Willacoochee, Ga., and Patty Herrin of Fitzgerald, Ga.; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Fannie Mae Mason of Atlanta, Ga., and Ann Cleveland of Trafford, Ala. Rev. Alewine was preceded in death by a son, Ellis W. Haynes.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Friday, January 7, 2005, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Ga., with Rev. Charles Nichols officiating. Interment followed in the Salem Cemetery.
Paulk Funeral Home of Fitzgerald, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Josephine Robinson Page
Mrs. Josephine Robinson Page, 57, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Friday, December 30, 2004 following an extended illness.
Mrs. Page, a native of Douglas, Ga., was born on August 21, 1947, the daughter of the late Lester Robinson and the late Marie Joseph Robinson. She was a member of Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Survivors include: her husband, Leroy Page; five daughters, Jennifer Robinson Brinson (Alexander), Kimberly Page and Vickie Page all of Douglas, Ga., Pamela Page of Brunswick, Ga.; and Sheila Page of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two sons, William Robinson (Belinda) of Douglas, Ga., and Confort Page of Jacksonville, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Eduan Carter, Jamecea Robinson, James Robinson, Savanna Graham, Trae’von Moore, LaShante Green and Donshay Sheppard; five sisters, Marie Hicks (T.C.) of Douglas, Ga., Celia Gordon (John Lee) of Trenton, N.J., Linda Connor (Ralph), Barbara Garvin (Ronnie) and Eunice Guest (Robert), all of Douglas, Ga.; two brothers, Burnice Robinson of Los Angeles, Calif., and LaRue Robinson of Douglas, Ga., one God-sister, Mary (Lil) Burnette; andseveral nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Mrs. page was preceded in death by two daughters, Cynthia Robinson and Lisa Robinson.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 6, 2005, at 2 p.m., at Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church in Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Sherman O. Childers, Sr., pastor, and Bishop E.L. Huntley officiating. Sheila Page, soloist rendered several solos and the Free Spirit Choir rendered a selection of songs. Interment followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Atkinson County, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Randy Martin, Levi Long, Jack Minor, Michael Shaw, Sandra Long, and Johnny Williams.
Honorary pallbearers were Allen Paulk, Johnny Carson, Robert Ates, Gary Mitchell, Corey Crockett, and L.C. Johnson.
Harrell’s Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Mable Frances Lewis Palmer
Mrs. Mable Frances Lewis Palmer, 77, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at Southern Senior Living Retirement Home following an extended illness.
Mrs. Palmer, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born August 28, 1927, the daughter of the late Jewitt Burnett and Mary Jane “Jannie” Merritt Lewis. She was the widow of the late Alva Reed Palmer, a retired teacher of the public school system, and a member of Reedy Branch Baptist Church.
Survivors include: one daughter, Reeda Palmer; two granddaughters, Corey Palmer and Lucia Palmer all of Anchorage, Alaska; one sister, Winnie Anderson of Douglas, Ga.; two special cousins, Charles (Selas) Lewis and Dorothy Miller of Douglas Ga.; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A brother, Peter Lewis, preceded Mrs. Palmer in death.
Graveside services and interment were held 11 a.m., Saturday, January 8, 2005, at the Reedy Branch Church Cemetery with Rev. Den Weniger officiating. The congregation sang “Amazing Grace” at the graveside.
Active pallbearers were Wendell Sturgis, Ronnie Lewis, Danny Lewis, Chris Lewis, Ron Lewis, Bryant Lewis, and Ricky Lewis.
Honorary pallbearers were the employees of Southern Senior Living.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Kenneth Medders
Mr. Kenneth Medders, 69, of Alma, Ga., passed away Wednesday afternoon, January 5, 2005, at the Bacon County Hospital following an extended illness.
Mr. Medders, a native of Bacon County, Ga., was the son of the late James Barron Medders and Carrie Lee Curl Medders.
Survivors include: his wife, Mary Anna Medders of Alma, Ga.; five sons, Kenneth Dale Medders and Mike L. Medders, both of Nicholls, Ga., James Henry Medders of Broxton, Ga., and Roy Keith Medders and Richard L. Medders, both of Alma, Ga.; two brothers, Billy Joe Medders and Don Medders, both of Hazlehurst, Ga.; four sisters, Leccelle Mercer and Rebecca Hart, both of Alma, Ga.; Cloette Johnson of Waynesville, Ga., and Louise Herrington of Baxley, Ga.; nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Mr. Medders was preceded in death by two sons, Travis Medders and Lawton Medders; three brothers, Walter, Charles (Bug), and Wayne Medders; and one sister, Lucille Herndon.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 7, 2005, 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Crosby Funeral Home with Rev. James Medders, Rev. R.B. Gaskins and Rev. Kenneth Cox officiating. Interment followed at the Rose Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Joe Medders, Henry Medders, Roy Medders, Richard Medders, Mike Medders, and Brent Medders.
Honorary pallbearers were Bacon County Commissioners, staff of the Road Department and Sheriff’s Department, and Eugene Dyal.
Crosby Funeral Home of Alma, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.
Neil Joseph Floyd
Mr. Neil Joseph Floyd, 52, of Broxton, Ga., passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2004, at his home, following an extended illness.
Mr. Floyd, a native of Duval County, Fla., was born October 25, 1952, the son of Dora Pearl Wooten Floyd and the late Vernon Trio Floyd. He was the owner/operator of a transportation company and he attended the Broxton Church of God.
Survivors include: his wife, Debbie Lynn Gammage Floyd of Broxton, Ga.; two sons, Neil J. Floyd, II and wife Amanda and James Stuart Floyd of Douglas, Ga.; one step-daughter, Samantha L. Paramore, and one step-son, Patrick Cody Paramore, of Fitzgerald, Ga.; two grandchildren, Joselyn Renee Floyd of Douglas, Ga.; and Stuart Tege Floyd of Tifton Ga.; his mother, Dora Pearl Floyd Warnock and husband Robert of Broxton, Ga.; three sisters, Mary Loiselle and husband Frank of Lakeland, Fla., Sue Boykin and husband Rick of Midland, Tex., and Barbara Bowen and husband Harvey of Douglas Ga., three brothers, Vernon B. Floyd and wife Nancy, Johnny Wayne Floyd and wife Rose and David Floyd all of Douglas, Ga., several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held 2 p.m., on Saturday January 1, 2005, at the Douglas Gospel Assembly near Douglas with Rev. Allen Peacock officiating. Interment followed in the Douglas Gospel Assembly Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Randall, Bobby Atkinson, Tom Rupnow, John Anderson, Bryan Strickland and Robert Wooten.
Honorary pallbearers were Gary Floyd, Ryan Floyd, Chris Bowen, Tim Bowen, Matt Bowen, and Bryan Ward.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Gene Dice
Mr. Gene Dice, 55, of Broxton, Ga., passed away Monday afternoon, January 10, 2005, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Ga.
Mr. Dice was born March 8, 1949, in Madison, Fla., to the late Elmer and Mary Virginia Walker Dice. He moved to Broxton two years ago from Jacksonville, Fla. Mr. Dice served in the United States Army and was of the Baptist faith. He was an employee of Paulk Funeral Home in Fitzgerald, Ga.
Survivors include: his wife, Shirley Wooten Dice of Broxton, Ga.; one daughter, Heather Dice of Broxton, Ga.; one brother, A.W. Dice of Brunswick, Ga.; three sisters, Elizabeth Faulkner of Perry, Fla., and Lorene Hamilton and Claudette Gray, both of MacClenny, Fla.
Graveside services and interment were held at 4 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2005, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coffee County, Ga.
Paulk Funeral Home of Fitzgerald, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Albert Donald ‘Don’ Vershum
Mr. Albert Donald “Don” Vershum, 65, of Douglas, Ga. passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2005, at Coffee Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Vershum, a native of Lucas County Ohio was born October 21, 1939, the son of Harvey Vershum and the late Letha Ramsey Vershum. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, an industrial energy manager for Medical College of Ohio and Honeywell prior to his retirement and was a member of Reedy Branch Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Linda Kay O’Neal Vershum; four daughters, Carolyn Vershum of Los Angeles Calif., Susie Vershum of Calif., Dawn Umbarger of Orlando, Fla., and Danette Nowicki of Toledo, Ohio, one son, Albert Donald Vershum, Jr. of Los Angeles Calif., his father, Harvey Vershum of Toledo Ohio; one sister, Sharon Lindsey of Monroe, Mich.; two brothers, Harvey Vershum, Jr. and Michael Vershum both of Toledo, Ohio; 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at Reedy Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Den Weniger officiating. The Eastern Gate Group sang, “Keep Walking” and “Far Side Banks of Jordan” with Evelyn Weniger, organist, Also soloist, Stacy Sutton sang “Amazing Grace.” Interment followed in the Reedy Branch Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Eddie Chaney, Kell Phelps, George Sapp, Donnie Carelock, Donnie Vershum and Wayne Fales.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
