Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Claude W. Buchanan
Mr. Claude W. Buchanan, 77, of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away on Friday, December 10, 2004, at his home following an extended illness.
Mr. Buchanan, a native of Choctaw County, Miss., was born on December 3, 1927, theson of the late Claude Warren, Sr. and Aileen Brussels Buchanan. He was a retired dairyman.
Survivors include: his wife, Betty Geneva Merritt Buchanan of Willacoochee, Ga.; two daughters, Tammie Smith of Byromville, Ga., and Velda Crosby of Willacoochee, Ga.; one son, David Buchanan of Douglas, Ga.; two sisters, Lillie Mae Beecher of Wray, Ga., and Helen Cox of Kingsland, Ga.; one brother, Paul Buchanan of Bartow, Fla.; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 13, 2004, at the Chapel of Sims Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Chaille officiating. Special taped selections of “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “Amazing Grace” were provided. Alex Chaille, pianist, provided soft music for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed in the Rocky Creek Cemetery near Broxton, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Roy L. Merritt, Roy E. Merritt, Randy Vickers, Tommy Grantham, Shannon Merritt and David Merritt.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
William Humphries Hinson
William Humpries Hinson, 68, of Huntsville, Ala., passed away Sunday, December 26, 2004, at Huntsville Hospital.
Dr. Hinson was born September 5, 1936, in Jeff Davis County, Ga. He began preaching at age 18 and served congregations in Atlanta, Douglas, Savannah, Columbus and Albany, Ga. He served 18 years as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Houston, Tex., one of American’s largest churches. Since his retirement in 2001 he had served on the staff of First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, Ala., with the Rev. Don Cross, and has traveled throughout the world preaching and teaching. Dr. Hinson was President of the Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church and the author of several books.
Survivors include: his wife Jean Laird Hinson of Huntsville, Ala.; two daughters, Elizabeth Hinson Elder and husband John of Charlottesville, Virg., and Catherine Hinson Hicks and husband Joseph of Huntsville, Ala., one son, John Laird Hinson and wife Emily of Huntsville, Ala.; 13 grandchildren, Catherine Elder, Jonathan Elder, Anna Elder, Rebecca Elder, Rachel Elder, William Hinson, Laura Hinson, Sarah Hinson, Melanie Hinson, Margaret Hicks, Jean Hicks, Joseph Hicks and Abigail Hicks; two brothers, Charles Milton Hinson of Atlanta, Ga., and John Wesley Hinson of Cleveland, Tex.; one sister, Ann Hinson McFarlin, of Fort Smith, Ark.; brother and sister-in-law, Miles and Ann Greer of Savannah, Ga.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 28, 2004, at 2 p.m., with Dr. Maxie Dunnam and Dr. Stan Copeland officiating. Graveside services were held at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, 120 Greene St., SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 or to the Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church, 1995 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219.
Laughlin Service Funeral Home of Huntsville, Ala., was in charge of the arrangements.
William T. ‘Bill’ Aldridge
Mr. William T. “Bill” Aldridge, 85, of the Mora Community passed away early Thursday morning, December 23, 2004,, at the resident of his grand-daughter, Mrs. Karen McKinnon, following an extended illness.
Mr. Aldridge, a native of the Mora Community of Coffee County, Ga., and was a retired farmer. He was the son of the late Manning L., Aldridge and the late Minnie O’Steen Aldridge. He was the widower of the late Evelyn Vickers Aldridge and was a member of the Arna Primitive Baptist Church.
Survivors include: one daughter, Carolyn A. Reese of Douglas, Ga.; one son, Harry Aldridge of Brunswick, Ga.; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 26, 2004, at 2 p.m., at Arna Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Robert Skinner officiating. A special eulogy was presented by Dr. Diskin Morgan. The interment followed in the Arna Cemetery. A special hymn, “Amazing Grace,” was presented by the congregation.
Active pallbearers were Cole Flanders, PeeWee Flanders, Jaron McKinnon, Lee Reese, Ezra Burke, Justin Aldridge, Hank Mizell, and Clay Davis.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Roy Lee Chaney
Mr. Roy Lee Chaney, 58, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Sunday, December 19, 2004, at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, Ga.
Mr. Chaney, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born May 26, 1946, the son of the late Joe and Ocala Davis Chaney. He was a supervisor with the Georgia State Revenue Department.
Survivors include: his wife, Jacqueline Chaney of Douglas, Ga.; one sister, Jean (Jerry) Jowers of Douglas, G.; and two nieces, Dana (Blake) Willson and Jodi Hunter, all of Douglas Ga.
Funeral services were held at the Sanctuary at Waldroup Avenue on Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Bobby Moore and Rev. Barry Peavey officiating. The Sanctuary Choir sang “You Are” and “Agnes Dei” and soloist Jackie Chaney sang “We Have Won,” with Tony Waters accompanying at the piano. Also an instrumental was presented by pianist Tony Waters. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were David Cauley, Josh Parker, Ray Parker, Jason Parker, Jack Brinson, Randall Sanders, Ronnie Caldwell, and C.T. Peavy.
Honorary pallbearers were Mike Forsyth, Maggie Crosby, Joe Cason, and members of the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Eva Mae Wall
Mrs. Eva Mae Wall, 93, of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Sunday, December 19, 2004, at Berrien Nursing Center in Nashville, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Wall, a native of Irwin County, Ga., was born January 22, 1911, the daughter of James C. and Fannie Taylor Sumler. She worked in the shipyards during World War II in Charleston, S.C., and later as a nurse’s aide for many years at area hospitals. Mrs. Wall was the widow of the late John Wall, a member of the Nashville Chapter of Eastern Star #334 OES for over 50 years, and a member of Willacoochee United Methodist Church.
Survivors include: one daughter, Betty Lewis of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; one son, James E. (Buddy) Wall and wife Betty of Wichita, Kans.; one stepson, Richard Wall of Florida; one daughter-in-law, Arvie Wall of Willacoochee, Ga.; 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Wall was preceded in death by three sons, Jessie Lee Wall, Julius Wall, and Dean Wall; one daughter, Mary E. Wall; and two stepsons, J.D. Wall and Bernard Wall.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at the Willacoochee United Methodist Church, with Rev. Tom Stroud and Rev. Eddie Morrison officiating. Special musical selections included “Family Ties,” rendered acapella by soloist Geneva Lewis, and “In the Garden,” rendered by Craig McKinnon, with Kellie Ruth Lockwood accompanying at the piano. Soft piano music for the prelude and postlude was provided by Kellie Ruth Lockwood. Interment followed in the Willacoochee City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Charlie Bray, Herman Tucker, Gillis Carter, Ed Tillman, Jimmy Grantham, and Fred Paulk.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Agnes Baxley
Mrs. Agnes Baxley, 87, of Pearson, Ga., passed away Thursday, December 23, 2004, at her home following an extended illness.
A native of Atkinson County, Ga., Mrs. Baxley was born November 24, 1917, the daughter of the late Newton Lee and Mattie Daniels McNeal. She was a secretary for the Atkinson County Clerk of Court for many years and a member of Pearson United Methodist Church.
Survivors include: one daughter, Norma June Fort and husband John of Norway, S.C.; seven grandchildren, Hal Baxley of Pearson, Ga., Mark Baxley and wife Debbie of Frederick, Md., Charlotte Harper and husband Brent of Douglas, Ga., Brenda Chambers and husband William of Rome, Ga., Cletis Fort and wife Maria of Las Vegas, Nev., Pamela Ridgway and husband Keith of Lexington, S.C., and William Fort and wife Melanie of Norway, S.C.; 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Baxley was preceded in death by her husband, W.H. Baxley, Jr., and a son, Harold Baxley.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Sunday, December 26, 2004, at the Pearson United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Swafford and Rev. Carlie Lastinger officiating. Special musical selections included “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” rendered by Tammy Woods with taped accompaniment, “Just A Rose Will Do,” rendered by Charles and Tammy Wood with Charles Wood accompanying on the guitar, and “Amazing Grace,” rendered by the congregation, with Phil Liles accompanying at the piano. Soft music for the prelude and postlude was provided by Phil Liles, pianist. Interment followed in the Lang Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were David Sirmans, Dwain McClellan, Jason McGee, Patrick McGee, Steve Bennett, and Ronnie Cribbs.
Honorary pallbearers were Sid Strickland, Walter Batten, S.A. Summerlin, Paul McNeal, and Horace Bennett Relihan.
Relihan Funeral home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Louise Banks Anderson
Ms. Louise Banks Anderson, 90, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2004 at Shady Acres Convalescent Center in Douglas, Ga.
Ms. Anderson, a native of Barrow County, Ga., was born July 5, 1914, the daughter of the late Oscar Preston and Mettie Wheeler Banks. She was a homemaker, the widow of the late William M. Anderson, and a member of Eastside Baptist Church.
Survivors include: one brother, Talmadge Banks of Douglas, Ga., three sisters, Quinola Taylor of Newport News, Va., Euma Mae Hobby of Powder Springs, Ga., and Vyrtice Walker of Douglas, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Chapel of Sims Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2004, with Rev. Jerry Chancey and Rev. Jimmy McMillan officiating. Soloist John Kent sang “Peace In the Valley,” and “In the Garden” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Keith Walker, Wayman Bailey, Johnny Bailey, Eric Merritt, Jonathan Wright, Clay Spivey, and Randy Banks.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Levonne ‘Buddy’ Vining
Mr. Levonne “Buddy” Vining, 67, of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Monday, December 20, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following a brief illness.
A native of Coffee County, Ga., Mr. Vining was born April 23, 1937, the son of the late Owen and Mary Riner Vining. He retired after serving 22 years with the U.S. Air Force as a Tech. Sgt. and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include: one son, Robert Vining of 29 Palms, Calif., one daughter, Tanja White and husband Edward of Willacoochee, Ga.; four brothers, Eston Vining of Valdosta, Ga., J.L. Vining of Willacoochee, Ga., Jimmy Vining of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Bill Vining of Topeka, Ks.; four sisters, Thelma Overstreet of Jacksonville, Fla., Mary Ellen Reliford of Willacoochee, Ga., Beth Bennett of Ray City, Ga., and Virginia Stone of Douglas, Ga.; two grandchildren, Jacqueline White and Rory A. Vining; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Vining was preceded in death by his wife, Marianne Jageman Vining.
Graveside services for Mr. Vining were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, December 23, 2004 at the Willacoochee City Cemetery with Rev. Larry Stone officiating. Interment followed with full Military Honors provided by an Honor Guard Contingent from Moody Air Force Base.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Hugh Fletcher
Mr. Hugh Fletcher, 77, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Friday, December 10, 2004, at the V.A. Medical Center in Lake City, Fla.
Mr. Fletcher, a native of Irwin County, Ga., was born March 20, 1927, the son of the late Robert Wiley and Katurah Mobley Fletcher. He was a retired truck driver and a W.W. II Veteran of the U.S. Army. His church membership was at the Covenant Christian Church.
Survivors include: his wife Lila P. Fletcher of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Jackie Pope and husband Gregory of Douglas, Ga.; two grand-daughters Allison Pope Bramlett and husband Jeff of Douglas, Ga., Angela Pope Floyd and husband Damon of Cleveland Tenn., two brothers, Robert “Buck” Fletcher of Jacksonville Fla., Warren “Buster” Fletcher of Georgetown Fla.; two sisters, Dallestine Edenfield and Jackie Childs of Jacksonville Fla.; three great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Monday, December 13, 2004, at the Covenant Christian Church with Rev. Gregory Pope officiating. Dawn Meeks, Martha Souther and Judy Foskey sang “It Is Well With my Soul”, “Holy Ground,” “Wonderful Peace” and “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus,” with Judy Foskey accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Carver Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jeff Bramlett, Damon Floyd, Scott Meeks, Jackie Fussell, Mike Justice and Marshall Justice.
Honorary pallbearers were Charles Stapleton, Jerry Pope, Clifford Pope, Duck Batten, Ronnie Pope, M. H. Pope, Tommy Crozier, Shelton Souther, Skip Spellman, L. J. Gray, Glynn Clower, Jim Anderson, Todd Woodard, Merle Trulove, Robert Trulove, James Corn, Billy Waldron, Rudolph Barrington, Carl Mercer, Joe Ray, Elias Lott, Clarence Stewart, Steve Stewart, David McDonald, Dewayne Wilcox, Hoyt English, Eric Moore, Jr., Donnie Harper, David Sheffield, Mike Sheffield, Dr. W. R. Wills, James Edward Vickers, Jess Tanner, Ralph Tanner, Jim Carlisle, Nat Carter, Warren Frier, George Stockwell, Gene Crawford, Stan Ashley, Gene Waldron, Don Hatfield, and Joe Chalk.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Luther Clifton Meeks
Mr. Luther Clifton Meeks, 84, of Nicholls, Ga., passed away Friday, December 17, 2004, at Shady Acres Convalescent Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mr. Meeks, a native of Nicholls and Coffee County, Ga., was a retired welder. He was the son of the late Wesley Meeks and the late Alice Smith Meeks. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include: one daughter, Susie Meeks of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Eva M. Cothern of Douglas, Ga., and Elvie M. Youngblood of Eatonton, Ga.; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Graveside services and interment were held Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 2 p.m., at the Meeks Cemetery with Rev. James Steed officiating. Special musical selections, “Amazing Grace” and “Beulah Land,” were rendered by soloist John Boatright, with taped music.
Active pallbearers were Buster Anderson, Milford Anderson, Jerry Anderson, Johnny Steed, Bob Carmichael, and Buster Carmichael.
Honorary pallbearers were Bob Gray, Leon Gray, Homer Adams, Sonny Adams, Joel Adams, Roger Thompson, Duane Page, Ralph Justice, Malcolm Davis, Ashley Davis, Mackie Lee Davis, and Mike Justice.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Odessa Paulk Spires
Mrs. Odessa Paulk Spires, 81, of Cordele, Ga., passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2004 in North Broward Hospital in Pompano Beach, Fla.
Mrs. Spires, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born October 20, 1923 the daughter of the late Homer and Ethel Baisden Paulk. She was a retired nursing assistant.
Survivors include: two daughters, Ethel Parks and son-in-law James Parks of Lighthouse Point, Fla., Jeanette Jones and husband, R. L. Jones of Cordele, Ga.; two sisters, Nellie Lindsey and Geraldine Paulk of Douglas, Ga., Carolyn Mancil of Nicholls, Ga.; one brother, Curtis Spires; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Sunday December 19, 2004 at Sims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tony Japuntich officiating. Special music was provided by soloist, Samuel Watson who sang “Mama’s Prayer”, “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “I’m Changing Houses”; also the congregation sang, “Amazing Grace” with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano.
Internment followed in the Salem Church Cemetery near Douglas, Ga.
Active pallbearers were: Jeff Lindsey, Jason Mancil, Mark Mancil, David Lindsey, Jimmy Robert Sears and Lindsey Wolfe.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sally Opal Kirkland Holton
Mrs. Sally Opal Kirkland Holton, 88, of Wray, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2004, at Shady Acres Convalescent Center in Douglas, Ga.
Mrs. Holton, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born January 28, 1916, the daughter of the late Elias and Margaret Youngblood Kirkland. She was a homemaker and the widow of the late Warren Benjamin Holton. Her church membership was at the Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include: two daughters, Myrna Box and husband, Rev. Herbert Box of Douglas, Ga. and Vaye Holton of Atlanta, Ga., three sons, Ben Holton and wife Margaret, of Columbus, Ga., Garry Holton and wife Beverly of Canton, Ga. and Kirby Holton and wife Sandy, of Douglas, Ga., two sisters, Rydell Crawford of Atlanta, Ga., Reba Swazzo of Winthrop, MA; and one brother, James R. Kirkland of Douglas, Ga., 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, December 11, 2004, at the Calvary Baptist Church near Ambrose, Ga., with Rev. L. G. Aldridge and Rev. Donnie Kirkland officiating. Her granddaughter, Angelique Box gave the Eulogy. Soloist/pianist, Larry Varnedore sang, “In The Garden,” also, Tara McGaha and Laura Echerer sang, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” Graveside services with Rev. Herbert Box officiating and interment followed in the Purvis Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Garry Holton, Jr., Jeff Holton, Keith Holton, Keith Carver, Tim Hall, Neal McGaha, Andres Guevara, Stuart Drury and Phillip Echerer.
Honorary pallbearers were Dominique Carver, Alana Guevara, Michelle Hall, Laura Echerer, Tara McGaha, Cheryl Springer, Angelique Box, Kristy Drury, Dusty Holton, Skye Holton and Faith Holton.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
