Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Shirley Merritt Stinson
Mrs. Shirley Merritt Stinson, 66, of Willacoochee Hwy., Douglas, Ga., passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at home following an extended illness.
Mrs. Stinson, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born October 6, 1937, the daughter of the late Clem and Ethel Andrews Merritt. She was a homemaker, a retired medical secretary and an EMT.
Survivors include: one son, Tim Stinson of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter Robin Wright and husband, Billy Ray, of Douglas, Ga.; five grandchildren, Jonathan Stinson, Jeremy Stinson, Kasey Wright, and Asia Boatright, all of Douglas, Ga., and T. W. Stinson of Clewiston, Fla.; one brother, Jerry Merritt and wife, Amanda, and sons, Zach and Stacy of Tifton, Ga.; nephews; cousin, Barbara Flowers; two aunts, Louella Cartwright of Pearson, Ga., and Rosa Andrews of Douglas, Ga.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 12, 2004, at 2 p.m., at the Southview Church of God, with Rev. Hilton Martin officiating. Judy Foskey and Jamey Shrouder sang "The Light House" and "In The Arms Of The Angels," with Judy Foskey accompanying at the piano. Burial followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Miles Burkett, Chris Malphus, Gene Taylor, Mike Cartwright, Allen Purvis, Dewayne Miller, Loran Shrouder, and William Upchurch.
Honorary were Leroy Wright and Willard Andrews.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
George William Walker
Mr. George William Walker, 71, of Seymour Avenue, Douglas, Ga., passed away Thursday, March 11, 2004, following a brief illness.
Mr. Walker, a native of Atkinson County, Ga., was born May 3, 1932, the son of the late Alton Emory and Rachel Lott Walker. He was the widower of the late Mavis Morgan Walker, had retired after 23 years as an insurance agent with Liberty National Life, and was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church.
Survivors include: three daughters, Sherrill Carver and husband, James, Cathy McKinnon and husband, Michael, and Jan Chancey and husband, Greg, all of Douglas, Ga.; two sisters, Beatrice Kirkland and Katrina Lott, both of Douglas, Ga.; two brothers, Rudolph Walker and Preston Walker, both of Broxton, Ga.; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with Father Dan O'Connell and Rev. Joey Copeland. Soloist Amber Burke sang "Daddy's Hands," "Prettiest Flowers," and "Amazing Grace," with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Alan Chancey, Ryan Hostetler, Steve Vickers, Donnie Jowers, Steve Carver, and Tony Aldridge.
Honorary pallbearers were Doyln Pittman, Benny Lowery, L.C. Williams, J.P. Johnson, Jeff Hennesy, Jimmy Rigdon, Roger Pease, Pee Wee Willis, Chip Wideman, Jim Gibbs, Wayne Tanton, Jimmy Whitley, Jimmy Ford, Aldine Smith, David Spivey, Lebern Carver, Red McKinnon, W.B. Merritt, Floyd Duke, Dr. H.P. Nair, Dr. Romulo Navarro, R.W. Sturgis, and Liberty National Life employees.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Edwina Wood Cox
Mrs. Edwina Wood Cox, 65, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at the Jeff Davis County Hospital in Hazlehurst, Ga.
Mrs. Cox, a native of Irwin County, Ga., was born November 4, 1938, the daughter of Inez Graves Wood Pettit and the late Jacob Leroy Wood. She was a retired store cashier/manager and a member of Douglas Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Survivors include: her husband, Sam Cox of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Richard Cox of Douglas, Ga., and Roy Lee Cox of Moscow, Ind.; one daughter, Angie Wehner, Jackson, Ma.; mother, Inez Pettit of Broxton, Ga.; one sister, Yvonne Wood of Broxton, Ga.; grandchildren, Robbie Wehner of Jackson, Ma., and Ethan Cox and Garrett Cox, both of Moscow, Ind.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 18, 2004, 4 p.m., at the Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with Elder David Cox and Wayne Foskey officiating. Pianist Lois Mills provided soft music for the prelude and postlude. Burial followed in the Arna Church Cemetery in Atkinson County, Ga.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Fred E. Butler
Mr. Fred E. Butler, 97, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Monday, March 15, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mr. Butler, a native of Buford, Gwinnett County, Ga., was the son of the late James Thomas Butler and Sarah Frances Thurman Butler. He had lived in the Alma, Bacon County, and Douglas, Coffee County areas most of his life, was a retired farmer and rancher, of the Baptist faith, and the widower of the late Lola Malloy Butler.
Survivors include: two daughters, Rachael Evelyn Byrd of Macon, Ga., and Anna Ruth Dom of North Augusta, S.C.; four sons, Ronnie Wayne Butler, Sr., of North Augusta, Ga., Roy Jack Butler of Dearing, Ga., Larry Butler of Hazlehurst, Ga., and Kennon Frederick Butler of Baxley, Ga.; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mr. Butler was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Allison Butler; two daughters, Vivian Lavonia Vincent Walker and Margaret Frances Butler; and one grandson, William Byrd, Jr.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 18, 2004, at the Chapel of Ricketson Funeral Home, with Rev. Matt Rutland officiating. A special eulogy was presented by Curtis Harper. Special musical selections, "Amazing Grace" and "Going Home," were presented by Angie O'Steen and Larry Butler, with Joanne Seebeck accompanying at the piano. "He Walks With Me" was rendered by soloist Rev. Matt Rutland, with taped music. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Danny O'Steen, Clint Ledford, Doug Wallen, Harvey Vincent, Charles Butler, and Wayne Butler.
Honorary pallbearers were the staff of Shady Acres Convalescent Center, Mrs. Gordon Boone, Henry and Joann Gregg, and J.T. Taylor.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Peggy F. Hooten
Ms. Peggy F. Hooten, 61, of Pearson, Ga., passed away Saturday, March 20, 2004, at her residence following an extended illness.
Ms. Hooten, a native of Bethel Springs, Tenn., was born May 4, 1942, the daughter of Elenor White Stansell and the late Howard Stansell. She had made her home in Pearson, Ga., for 18 years, was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include: two sons, Teddy Hooten of Huntington, Ind., and Danny Hooten of Pearson, Ga.; four daughters, Kimberly Guinn, Connie Sweeten, and Laura Cruz, all of Pearson, Ga., and Tina Davis of San Antonio, Tx.; her mother, Elenor White Stansell of Henderson, Tenn.; three brothers, Joe Stansell of Petal, Miss., Harold Stansell of Jackson, Tenn., and Jerry Stansell of Henderson, Tenn.; five sisters, Ruby Robison of Whiteville, Tenn., Billie Sutton of Petal, Miss., and Johnnie Hathcock, Sandra Austin, and Doris Curry, all of Henderson, Tenn.; her friend and companion, Jimmy S. Taylor; 17 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, March 22, 2004, at Union Hill Congregational Church in Pearson, Ga., with Bishops Lamar Parks and Steve Sirmans officiating. Special music included "Amazing Grace," "I Can Only Imagine," and "Go Rest High on That Mountain." Tonya Cecil, pianist, provided soft music for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed in the Union Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Larry Austin, William Hathcock, Ralph Sutton, Clee Sirmans, Glenn Cooper, and Bobby Cooper.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Jimmy W. Harrell
Mr. Jimmy W. Harrell, 68, of Bainbridge, Ga., passed away Saturday, March 20, 2004, at Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge, Ga.
Mr. Harrell, a native of Decatur County, Ga., was born March 21, 1935, the son of Charlie Clyde Harrell and Mildred Boutwell Harrell. He was the founder and retired owner/operator of Southwest Georgia Oil Company and was past president of the Bainbridge Rotary Club, Bainbridge-Decatur County Jaycees, and the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, as well as Chairman of the Hospital Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County, and a Director of Park Avenue Bank.
Survivors include: his wife, Janet Tanner Harrell; two sons, Mike Harrell and wife, Leslie, and Mark Harrell and wife, Lauren; one daughter, Vicki Bailey and husband, Ken; and 10 grandchildren, Kristin Victoria Parsons, Zachary Charles Parsons, Lauren Leigh Parsons, Harvey Tanner Harrell, Kathryn Mabry Harrell, Rachel Anne Harrell, Anderson Jimmy Bailey, Maggie Perra Harrell, Michael Elizabeth Harrell, and Ella Taylor Harrell. All family members are from Bainbridge, Ga.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 22, 2004, at First Baptist Church in Bainbridge, Ga., with Dr. Leroy C. Spinks officiating. Interment followed at Oak City Cemetery in Bainbridge.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 155, Bainbridge, GA 39819, or to the Bainbridge-Decatur Co. YMCA, 1818 E. Shotwell St., Bainbridge, GA 39819.
Active pallbearers were Frank Loeffler, Jimmy Dickson, Harold Lambert, Spencer Davis, Maurice Boutwell, J.D. Harrell, Raymond Miles, Charles Rozier, Hal Brannon, Charles Tyson, J.R. Lambert, Jim Peak, Charles Bess, Jerry Toms, Wayne Lambert, Bill Reynolds, and Willie James Edwards.
Ivey Funeral Home, Inc. of Bainbridge, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Robert A. 'Bobby' Ladson
Mr. Robert A. "Bobby" Ladson, 55, of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at his home following a brief illness.
Mr. Ladson, a native of Coffee County, was born January 9, 1949, the son of the late Barbara Ann Moore Bell and the late Charles Ladson. He had made his home in Jonesboro, Ga., for many years before moving back to Willacoochee, Ga., two years ago. He was currently employed by Georgia Power Company as a transmission support technician. He was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include: two daughters,
Angela Ladson Bourgeois of Winter Park, Fla., and Barbara Elaine Ladson of Alexander City, Ala.; one son, William Bryant Ladson of Alexander City, Ala.; three sisters,
Daphne Purvis of Fayetteville, N.C., Crystal Vining of Willacoochee, Ga., and Sandra Ladson of Macon, Ga.; six brothers, Carl Ladson of Ormond Beach, Fla., Tony Bell of Willacoochee, Ga., Kerry Bell of Monticello, Ga., Charles Ladson, Jr., and Rusty Wright, both of Douglas, Ga., and Mark Ladson of Nashville, Ga.; one granddaughter, Joy Bourgeois; several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2004, at Springhead Methodist Church, with Rev. John Jacobs officiating. Special music included "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "How Great Thou Art," and "He Is Lord" presented by the attending congregation, with Bonnie Kunberger accompanying at the piano. Ms. Kunberger, pianist, played soft music for the prelude and the postlude.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Louise Justice Murray
Mrs. Louise Justice Murray, 79, of Nicholls, Ga., passed away Friday evening, March 12, 2004, at Twin Oaks Nursing Home following an extended illness.
Mrs. Murray, a native of Texas, was the daughter of the late James D. Burton and Inez Darnell Burton. She was the widow of the late J.W. Justice and the late Walter "Buck" Murray.
Survivors include: three sons, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Justice of Ambrose, Ga., Mr. and Mrs. Larry Justice of Abbeville, Ga., and Rickey Justice of Nicholls, Ga.; one brother and three sisters, all of Mississippi; 12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Murray was preceded in death by one brother.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 15, 2004, at the chapel of Crosby Funeral Home, with Rev. Jerry Campbell and Rev. Sidney Thomas officiating. Interment followed in the Meeks Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bradley Streat, Chad Streat, Johnny Ray Revels, Greg Revels, Jeffery Justice, and Dustin Justice.
All those in attendance were considered honorary escorts.
Crosby Funeral Home of Alma, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Ila Van Davis O'Steen
Mrs. Ila Van Davis O'Steen, 79, of Nicholls, Ga., passed away Tuesday evening, March 9, 2004, at St. Luke's Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., following an extended illness.
Mrs. O'Steen, a native and lifelong resident of Coffee County, Ga., was the daughter of the late Malcolm Davis and the late Lillie Kate Gainey Davis. She was the widow of the late Colonel Wallace O'Steen, a member of the AARP organization, and attended Saginaw Baptist Church.
Survivors include: two sons, Wallace Lavan O'Steen and wife, Pat, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Michael Henry O'Steen of Nicholls, Ga.; two brothers, Malcolm Davis and Buck Davis, both of Nicholls, Ga.; one sister, Jessie Hernandez of Jacksonville, Fla.; one grandson, Christopher Neil O'Steen of Nicholls, Ga.; one granddaughter, Katie Adams and husband, Kevin, of Douglas, Ga.; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Saginaw Baptist Church, with Rev. Donnie Kirkland officiating. Special musical selections, "Go Rest High On That Mountain" and "Holes in the Floor of Heaven," were rendered by soloist Jennifer Davis, with taped music. Soft piano music for the prelude and postlude was provided by Lisa Veal. Interment followed at the Roxie Mae Cemetery in the Wilsonville Community.
Active pallbearers were Ernest Drew Davis, Ashely Davis, Ricky Davis, Roger O'Steen, Michael O'Steen, Neil O'Steen, and Kevin Adams.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Elijah Rudolph Brown
Mr. Elijah Rudolph "Ruddy" Brown, 61, of Gainesville, Fla., formerly of Coffee County, Ga., passed away Sunday, March 7, 2004.
Mr. Brown, a native of Atkinson County, Ga., was born December 5, 1942, the son of the late Elijah and Ida Brown. He attended Paulk School and was employed by Hill's Van Service of Marion County for over 35 years.
Survivors include: two daughters, Eliza Boykin and husband, James, of Douglas, Ga., and Jamie Brown of Gainesville, Fla.; three sisters, Alice McCray and Della Tucker and husband, Henry, all of Douglas, Ga., and Susie Andryque of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; two brothers, Emory Chestnut, Sr. and wife, Iona, of Ambrose, Ga., and Troy Brown and wife, Mary, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; three grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mr. Brown was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2004, at House of God Church in Willacoochee, Ga., with Rev. Theodore Braswell officiating. Special musical selections were provided by the church choir and soloist Debra Hall. Interment followed in the Death Aide Cemetery in Willacoochee, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Hills Van Service Mayflower, United Van Lines and Unigroup Family employees, and nephews.
Harrell's Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Harvey L. Griffin
Harvey L. Griffin, 60, of Snellville, Ga., passed away February 7, 2004, at his residence, the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Judy Griffin of Snellville.
Mr. Griffin, a native of Pearson, Ga., was born May 21, 1943, the son of Mary Lou Griffin and the late Leroy Griffin and. He was a retired truck driver and U.S. Navy veteran. Mr. Griffin was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include: two sons, John Griffin and wife, Jeen, of Philadelphia, Penn., and Robert Griffin and wife, Judy, of Snellville, Ga.; three daughters, Carol Lee Paris, Deanna Griffin, and Dawn Griffin, all of Philadelphia, Penn.; two brothers, Herman Griffin and Billy Griffin, both of Pearson, Ga.; three sisters, Mary Lois Troup and Patsy Spivey, both of Pearson,Ga., and Shirley Tanzer and husband, Cary, of Douglas, Ga.; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Tom W. Wages Funeral Service, Inc., of Snellville, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Calla Mae Lewis
Mrs. Calla Mae Lewis, 91, of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Ga., following a brief illness.
Mrs. Lewis, a native of Clinch County, Ga., was born June 12, 1912, the daughter of Taylor and Berta Belote Horne. She was a homemaker and had worked for many years as a clerk at Gaskins Grocery Store. She was a member of the Willacoochee United Methodist Church, and the widow of the late June Daugherty and the late Barney Lewis.
Survivors include: one granddaughter, Lynn Howell and husband, Tommy, of Fitzgerald, Ga.; two great-granddaughters, Kimberly Howell and Katie Howell, both of Fitzgerald, Ga.; and one daughter-in-law, Minnie Ruth Daugherty of Nashville, Ga. Mrs. Lewis was preceded in death by one son, Gene Daugherty.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Willacoochee United Methodist Church, with Rev. Eddie Morrison and Rev. Kelly Brown officiating. Special music included "Amazing Grace" and "Beulah Land," rendered by soloist Johana King, with Braxton Driskell accompanying at the piano and also providing soft piano music for the prelude and the postlude. Interment followed in the Willacoochee City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Ed Tillman, Bill McCranie, Jerry McKinnon, Charlie Bray, Junior Cooper, and Edward White.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Faithful Sunday School class of Willacoochee United Methodist Church.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Evie McNeal Nolan
Mrs. Evie McNeal Nolan, 83, of James Island, S.C., passed away Sunday, March 14, 2004.
Mrs. Nolan, a native of Pearson, Ga., was born October 18, 1920, the daughter of John Riley and Corinne Mattie King McNeal. She was a waitress for over 30 years at La Brasca's and Pogan's Porch.
Survivors include: her husband, David P. Nolan of James Island, S.C.; one daughter, Elaine N. Owens; one son, Col. David L. Nolan, USA (Ret.) and wife, Phyllis, of Woodbridge, Virg.; one sister, Lounez Gwinn of Douglas, Ga.; three grandchildren, Sherrie Shapiro and husband, Rickie, of Alpharetta, Ga., and D. Cullen Nolan and wife, Jaime, and John-Taylor P. Nolan, all of Woodbridge, Virg.; and two great-grandchildren, Tori Shapiro and Cameron Shapiro.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, 2004, in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel in Charleston, S.C. Interment followed in Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.
J. Henry Stuhr, Downtown Chapel of Charleston, S.C., was in charge of the arrangements.
Nancy Harrell Floyd
Mrs. Nancy Harrell Floyd, 89, of Route 1, Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Friday, March 12, 2004, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Ga., following a brief illness.
Mrs. Floyd was born November 19, 1914, in a part of Coffee County which is now Atkinson County, Ga., the daughter of Daniel and Dicy Jowers Harrell. She was a homemaker and worked for many years as a nurse's aide at the Berrien County Hospital. She was a member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church and the widow of the late Thomas E. Floyd.
Survivors include: three daughters, Evelyn Ray of Tifton, Ga., Margie Kay Cain and husband, Bill, of Willacoochee, Ga., and Peggy McClelland and husband, Leon, of Douglas, Ga.; one son, Harold Floyd and wife, Kathy, of Waycross, Ga.; one daughter-in-law, Louise Floyd of Willacoochee, Ga.; 13 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Floyd was preceded in death by one son, Alton Floyd.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 14, 2004, at St. Luke Baptist Church, with Rev. Jackie Connell, Rev. Bobby Fussell, and Rev. Kevin Stone officiating. Special musical selections included "This is the Day the Lord Has Made," rendered by Stephanie and Katie Wilson; "The Prettiest Flowers," presented by Wayne and Hayward Cribb; "Beulah Land," rendered by soloist Derrick Soles; and "Amazing Grace," sung by the attending congregation, with Nelda Flanders accompanying at the piano, as well as providing soft music for the prelude and the postlude. Interment followed in the Willacoochee City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were John Mosley, Brian Floyd, Glenn Floyd, Ralph Lott, Billy Steverson, Wendell Cribb, Michael Bennett, and Charles Jewell.
Honorary pallbearers were deacons and members of St. Luke Baptist Church.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
