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Lt. Col. Joe Robert 'Bob' Bittaker
Lt. Col. Joe Robert "Bob" Bittaker, Retired, 70, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Wednesday, September 8, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga.
Lt. Col. Bittaker, a native of Douglas, Ga., was born January 20, 1934, the son of the late Joseph Robert and Valerie Starling Bittaker. He was an Air Force officer, a war hero, an exceptional teacher, and a tireless advocate for the disabled and disadvantaged.
As a navigator in the Air Force, he flew 147 combat missions in Vietnam, in charge of unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, earning multiple medals and commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. As a graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology, he was a senior engineer and researcher, responsible for many advancements in aircraft technology, including the development of the foam-filled, non-explosive aircraft fuel tank.
He said that his most rewarding work was as an electronics teacher at East Central Technical College and Okefenokee Technical College. Remembered as much for the mentoring and life lessons he taught his students as for his regular curriculum, many students said that time with Mr. Bittaker was a turning point in their lives and their careers.
Mr. Bittaker was a member of Douglas First United Methodist Church, and was a former member of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council. He was a dedicated Mason, a Past Master of the Douglas Masonic Lodge, a 33rd degree Mason, ad a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Hassan Shrine. His antics as a clown and magician with the Masons will long be remembered.
As a tireless advocate for the disabled on national, state, and local levels, he was able to offer improved opportunities for the disabled. He was the driving force behind constructing the Ward Terrace independent living apartments, and in developing employment opportunities for the disabled by installing industrial grade capitol equipment for recycling at the employment center for the disabled.
An avid fisherman and hunter, he was also an accomplished birder, amateur naturalist, and nature photographer. He was dedicated to an outdoor life, and with his wife, was well known for tracking and documenting bird migrations.
Survivors include: his wife, Annette Holloway Bittaker of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Joe Robert Bittaker of Loomis, Calif., and Alan Fate Bittaker of Douglas, Ga.; two grandchildren, Amanda Marie Bittaker of Portland, Oreg., and Robert Tyler Bittaker of Loomis, Calif.; one sister, Ann Carver of Douglas, Ga.; one brother, Richard Bittaker of Darien, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at Douglas First United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 11, 2004, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Robert Bechiom and Rev. Benjy Varnell officiating.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Clara H. Harrell
Mrs. Clara H. Harrell, 88, of West Green, Ga., passed away Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Harrell, a native of Atkinson County, Ga., was born July 2, 1916, the daughter of the late Nedum and Lanie Rutherford Harrell. She was a homemaker, a retired public school dietician , and the widow of the late Rev. John Arthur Harrell. Her church membership was at the West Green Baptist Church.
Survivors include: one daughter, Lenora Head of West Green, Ga.; one son, John Franklin Harrell of Southern Calif.; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Homer Merritt.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, September 22, 2004, at West Green Baptist Church, with Rev. Wayne Hayes, Rev. Jason Hayes, and Rev. Herbert Box officiating. Grandson Trevor Head gave the eulogy. Special music was provided by the West Green Baptist Church Choir, who sang "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art," with Amanda Hayes accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery, with Rev. Alton Carver officiating at the graveside service. Active pallbearers were Harry Andrews, Jerry Merritt, Jim Merritt, Larry Merritt, James Moore, Alton Carver, and Cleveland Register.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Adult Sunday School class of West Green Baptist Church.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Jake Jones
Mr. "Jake" (Florian Oscar) Jones, 79, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2004, in Douglas, Ga., after an extended illness.
Mr. Jones, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born October 21, 1924, the son of the late Florian Spencer "Cap" and Minnie Ethel Bell Jones. He was owner/operator of Jones Sign Company.
Survivors include: his wife, Evelyn Louise Spires Jones of Douglas, Ga.; one sister, Lillian Virginia Todd of Statesboro, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 25, 2004, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Matt Rutland and Rev. John Geerdes officiating. Wayne Shook gave the Eulogy. Special music was provided by Lois Mills, Beth Harper, and Lou Ray who sang "God Is Love" and "Love Lifted Me," with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Also, soloist Rev. Matt Rutland sang "Turning Water Into Wine." Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers included Randy Moore, Gary Moore, Bryan Bell, Michael Doyle, Pat Cannon, Chuck Spires, and Jason Vaughn.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Shook, Harvey Vincent, Anthony Deal, Rudolph Barrington, Ethridge Wright, Cecil Drury, W.P. Chaney, Warren Minchew, Francis Lott, M.E. McCrary, Steve Johnson, Paul Mardius, Nichael Lott, Dr. C.J. Reddy, Ray W. Godwin and Maxie Bell.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Elizabeth Wright Hatt
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Wright Hatt, 77, of Acworth, Ga., passed away Sunday morning, September 19, 2004, at Kennesaw Hospital in Kennesaw, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Hatt, a native of Screven, Wayne County, Ga., was the daughter of the late Mac Wright and the late Veda Ricketson Wright. She had lived in the Douglas and Coffee County area for many years, was a retired meat processor for a local processing plant, was the widow of the late Herbert Eugene Hatt, Jr., and was of the Church of God faith.
Survivors include: two sons, Larry G. Hatt of Acworth, Ga., and Dana L. Hatt of Tate, Ga.; four grandchildren, Tara Michelle Hatt of Olive Branch, Miss., Cassandra Ann Hatt of Douglasville, Ga., Jason Hatt of Eustice, Fla., and Jennifer Hatt of Fruitland Park, Fla.; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mrs. Hatt was preceded in death by one son, James Malcolm Hatt, and one grandson, Larry Shayne Hatt.
Graveside services and interment were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 22, 2004, at the Douglas City Cemetery, with Rev. Raymond Hand and Rev. Jesse Ogden officiating.
Active pallbearers were Larry Hatt, Dana Hatt, Robbie Joy, Jason Hatt, Robbie Downs, and Joseph Dillon.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
David Arnold Sheffield
Mr. David Arnold Sheffield, 65, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Monday, September 20, 2004, at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Sheffield, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born October 4, 1938, the son of the late Walter and Ann Lou Snipes Sheffield. He was a retired poultry processing maintenance supervisor and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors include: his wife, Joann Cato Sheffield of Douglas, Ga.; six sons, Edgar Henderson of Hazlehurst, Ga., Robbie Henderson of Statham, Ga., Steven Scott Henderson of Athens, Ga., David Gregory Sheffield of Valdosta, Ga., Walter Burt Sheffield of Dublin, Ga., and Roy Anthony Hayward of Douglas, Ga.; four daughters, Cheryl Brigmond and Lisa Deanne Hayward, both of Douglas, Ga., Teresa Jean Hester of Dublin, Ga., and Tracy Ann Warrek of Eatonton, Ga.; one sister, Ann Boyette of Waycross, Ga., 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 22, 2004, at Faith Chapel Baptist Church, with Rev. Toby Gale officiating. Soloist Stacy Cato sang "Go Rest High On That Mountain" and "Why Me Lord." Also, the congregation sang "Amazing Grace," with Margie Smith accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Salem Church Cemetery near Douglas, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Lonnie Cato, Wayne Roberts, Jimmy Smith, Joe Wayne Smith, Stacy Cato, and Randy Brigmond.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the maintenance crew at Gold Kist.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Charles Prentice Daniel
Mr. Charles Prentice Daniel, 80, of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Monday, September 6, 2004, at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Daniel, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born November 16, 1925, the son of the late Charlie and Georgiann Paulk Daniel. He was a retired farmer, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, and a member of the Georgia Farm Bureau.
Survivors include: his wife, Mavis Purvis Daniel of Willacoochee, Ga.; two daughters, Patricia Guthrie of Douglas, Ga., and Shirlene Royal of Ocilla, Ga.; one son, Charles Larry Daniel of Willacoochee, Ga.; one brother, Tillman Daniel of Jacksonville, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Robby Guthrie, Channing Thomas, Darren Daniel, Melissa Daniel, Jason Royal, Charles Royal, Aneil Nair, and Anita Nair; seven great-grandchildren; special friends, Dr. and Mrs. Nair of Douglas, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 8, 2004, at Calvary Baptist Church, with Rev. L.G. Aldridge officiating. Carolyn Wright, Faye Adams, and Chris Purvis sang "I Want Us to Be Together in Heaven" and "I'll Be Waiting at the River for You," with Lois Mill accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Paulk Cemetery near Lax, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Robby Guthrie, Darren Daniel, Jason Royal, Charles Royal, Channing Thomas, and Aneil Nair.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Charles Winford Adams
Mr. Charles Winford Adams, 49, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2004, in Brantley County, Ga.
Mr. Adams, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born September 5, 1955, the son of the late Warren Thomas and Annie Mae Thigpen Adams. He was a truck driver and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors include: three sons, Justin Wackerly of Kentucky, and Samuel Grant Adams and Elisha Warren Adams, both of Douglas, Ga.; one granddaughter, Samantha Richardson; three sisters, Jean Lewis and husband, Hugh, of McDonough, Ga., and Mary Ann Crocker and Sandra Baker, both of Tallapoosa, Ga.; four brothers, John Mixon and wife, Serena, of Pearson, Ga., Robert Tanner of Douglas, Ga., Joe Peyton of Sylacauga, Ala., and Billy Lackey of Tallapoosa, Ga.; two stepdaughters, Lauren Burkett of Douglas, Ga., and Marrisa Richardson of Broxton, Ga.; and one stepson, Michael Wackerly of Ohio.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September18, 2004, at Covenant Christian Church, with Rev. Gregory Pope officiating. Special music was presented by Amy Johns, Dawn Meeks, Judy Foskey, and Wendy Thompkins. Interment followed in the Providence Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Van Grantham, Michael Wright, Wendell Threatt, Jim Deen, Mike Smith, and J.D. Gardner.
Honorary pallbearers were Hoyt English, Dan Hatfield, Leroy Wright, Claude Ray, Chester Leavens, Rodney Adams, Woodrow Adams, Alton Courson, Noah Mancil, Levern Wildes, Steve Harris, Otis Byran, Ricky Bennett, and Danny Wright.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Osborn Newell
Mr. Osborn Newell, 76, of Broxton, Ga., passed away Friday, September 17, 2004, at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Newell, a native of Jeff Davis County, Ga., was born September 28, 1927, the son of the late Arthur and Ola Atkinson Newell. He was a truck driver and the widower of the late Lenora Gilstrap Newell.
Survivors include: two daughters, Margie Elaine Anderson of Melbourne, Fla., and Linda O'Neal of Broxton, Ga.; one son, Clay Wesley Newell of McDonough, Ga.; two sisters, Bonnie Middleton of Newnan, Ga., and Nelda Greeso of Umatilla, Fla.; one brother, Otis (Buddy)Newell of Augusta, Ga.; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Newell was preceded in death by one son, Osborn Newell, Jr.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, September 20, 2004 at Reedy Branch Baptist Church in Broxton, Ga., with Rev. Den Weniger officiating. Soloist/ pianist Rev. Den Weniger sang "Hallelujah Square" and "Gospel Medley," with Evelyn Weniger accompanying at the organ. Interment followed in the Reedy Branch Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bruce Newell, Troy Morris, Ray Moon, Alan Stone, Bill Wooten, and J.J. Keanum.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Bonnie Ruth Golden Sowell
Ms. Bonnie Ruth Golden Sowell, 71, of Eufaula, Ala., passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2004, at Crowne Health Care of Eufaula, Ala.
Ms. Sowell, a native of Eufaula, Ala., was born September 2, 1933, the daughter of the late Rev. John Howard and Lorene Mann Golden. She retired from the State of Alabama in 1993 as a food stamp insurance clerk, served as the Alabama State Employees Association secretary, and was a member of Parkview Baptist Church. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family and was the 2004 Ms. Crowne Health Care Queen, finishing in the top 10 in the state pageant.
Survivors include: three daughters, Sharon Jones and husband, Hal, of Eufaula, Ala., Charlene Powell and husband, Mark, of Dothan, Ala., and Cindy Searcy and husband Rudolph, of Douglas, Ga.; five grandchildren, Josh Jones and wife, Lara Lea, Nick Powell, Michelle Sowell, Shane Powell, and Amy Searcy; two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Bankston Jones; special friends, Gary Nolin and Willie Stone, both of Eufaula, Ala.; and one niece, Susan McPherson of Niceville, Fla. Ms. Sowell was preceded in death by one son, Charles Michael Sowell.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 22, 2004, at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel in Eufaula, Ala., with Rev. Rick Harden officiating. Interment followed in the Fairview Cemetery Addition.
Active pallbearers were Hal Jones, Carl McPherson, Josh Jones, Drew McPherson, Nick Powell, and Mark Powell.
Chapman Funeral Home of Eufaula, Ala., was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Jane Claxton Anderson
Mrs. Mary Jane Claxton Anderson, 85, of West Green, Ga., passed away Sunday, September 12, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga.
Mrs. Anderson, a native of Treutlen County, Ga., was born June 29, 1919, the daughter of the late Jessie and Betty Davis Claxton. She was a homemaker, the widow of the late Lewis Anderson, and a member of Pearson Church of God of Prophecy.
Survivors include: three sons, J.W. Anderson of Willacoochee, Ga., Daniel Anderson of West Green, Ga., and Rev. Paul Anderson of Douglas, Ga.; one brother, James Claxton of Pearson, Ga.; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Anderson was preceded in death by two sons, James Lewis Anderson and Jimmy Anderson.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 16, 2004, at Pearson Church of God of Prophecy, with Rev. Hardy Crosby, Rev. Charles Sutton, and Rev. Archie Kight officiating. Special music was presented by Tommy and Michelle Dean. Interment followed in the Royals Cemetery in Atkinson County, Ga.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Rev. Edward Charles Sidle
Rev. Edward Charles Sidle, 66, of Nicholls, Ga., passed away suddenly Saturday, September 18, 2004.
Rev. Sidle, a native of Summit County, Ohio, was born September 5, 1938, the son of the late Edward Daniel and Dorothy Mae Henery Sidle. He was a retired Methodist minister and he was a member of First Community Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Patricia Ann McLacklan Sidle, of Nicholls, Ga.; four daughters, Victoria Marie Houtrides of Stuart, Fla., Nadine Marie Giudice of Margate, Fla., Kathryn Marie Nguyen of Coconut Creek, Fla., and Kristine Marie Ginn of Douglas, Ga.; one son, Edward Daniel Sidle II of Perry, Ga.; and 12 grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 21, 2004, at First Community Church in Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Glenn Taylor, Rev. Sam DeCasper, Rev. Boyd Winters, and Rev. Steve Rowe officiating. Special music included "I Can Only Imagine" presented by soloist Jamey Shrouder; "It Is Well With My Soul" presented by Maggie Crosby, Gerri Winters and Peggy Hall, pianist; and "How Great Thou Art" presented by Maggie Crosby and James Polk, guitarist. Also, Nyckol Goinsprovided soft piano music for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed in the Lone Hill Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were George Kirkland, Trae Fletcher, Jim Young, Kenny Wildes, Boo Clark, and Bill Hand. In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorials to First Community Church School Fund, 1179 Thompson Drive, Douglas GA 31533.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Oreatha Jackson Green
Mrs. Oreatha Jackson Green, 69, of Dublin, Ga., passed away Monday, September 6, 2004, at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Ga.
Mrs. Green was born May 19, 1935, the daughter of the late Willie Brown and Annie Brown Pryor. She was a member of Everlasting Gospel Holiness Church where she was an usher and a member of the choir. She was employed at Vatco of Dublin, Ga.
Survivors include: her husband, Clyde Green of Dublin, Ga.; one daughter, Brenda Green and husband, Tyrone, of Dublin, Ga.; three sons, Jeffery Green and wife, Brenda, Terry Green and wife, Anita, and Victor Green and wife, Patricia, all of Dublin, Ga.; her stepmother, Ollie M. Williams of Douglas, Ga.; three sisters, Lenora Nester of Dumfries, Va., Angela Churchill and husband, Douglas, of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Delores and husband, Tommy, of Douglas, Ga; two brothers, Rev. Edward Jackson and wife, Patricia, of Austin, Tex., and Larry Brown of Douglas, Ga.; 21 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mrs. Green was preceded in death by three brothers, James C. Jackson, Willie D. Jackson, and Robert Jackson; and two sisters, Willie Mae Young and Catherine Cummings.
Funeral services were held Saturday, September 11, 2004, at Everlasting Gospel Holiness Church in Dublin, Ga., with Bishop H.J. Sinclair officiating. Special musical selections were presented by the Community Combined Choir and soloist James Thomas. Interment followed in the Dudley Memorial Cemetery in Dublin, Ga.
Active pallbearers were grandsons.
Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Buff Tanner Massey
Mrs. Buff Tanner Massey, 83, of Conway, S.C., passed away Monday, September 13, 2004, at her residence.
Mrs. Massey, a native of Douglas, Ga., was the daughter of the late Carl Robert and Bertha Mae Exum Tanner. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Conway where she taught various Sunday School classes, was a choir member, a leader in Women's Missionary Union, leading Sunbeams (Children's Missions Organization), and the Girls' Auxiliary, as well as serving as a Vacation Bible School leader. She was also a member of Conway's Wednesday afternoon Bridge Club, Camellia Garden Club, and was a volunteer with the Conway Hospital Auxiliary.
Survivors include: her husband, John K. Massey of Conway, S.C.; four sons, Jim Langston and wife, Debbie, Kinny Massey and wife, Donna, Phillip T. Massey and wife, Holly, and Berns Massey and wife, Paula, all of Conway, S.C.; one brother, Carl Tanner and wife, Katherine, of Walnut Creek, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Buffy Smith and husband, Andy, Ginger Massey, Christian Massey, Beverly Wilhelm and husband, Tad, Mark Massey, Rachel Massey, Wendy Massey, and Tanner Massey; two great-grandchildren, Drew Smith and Dever Smith. Mrs. Massey was preceded in death by her first husband, William James Langston, a casualty of World War II.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, September 15, 2004, at First Baptist Church of Conway, S.C., with Rev. J. Anderson Bass and Rev. Bill Bagnal officiating. Interment followed in Lakeside Cemetery.
Goldfinch Funeral Home of Conway, S.C., was in charge of the arrangements.
