Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Doris Rebecca Stone
Mrs. Doris Rebecca Stone, 47, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at her home in Deland, Fla., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Stone, a native of Ware County, Ga., was born October 20, 1956, the daughter of the late Doris and Ansley Purvis Taft. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include: her husband, Robert Stone of Deland, Fla.; one son, Jimmy Murray of Savannah, Ga.; one daughter, Rebecca F. Murray of Pearson, Ga.; three brothers, Jeffery Taft and Michael Taft, both of Orange City, Fla., and Tommy Taft of Deland, Fla.; three sisters, Darlene Taylor, Peggy Miland, and Carolyn Lewis, all of Deland, Fla.
Graveside services and burial were held Saturday, February 28, 2004, at 4 p.m. at the Willacoochee City Cemetery, with Rev. Gene Chaney officiating.
Active pallbearers were Jeffery Taft, Michael Taft, Michael Perry, Robert Jeffery Taft, Jr., Robbie Dale Stone, and Clarence Stone.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Johnny Cecil Hersey
Mr. Johnny Cecil Hersey, 60, of First Avenue South, Douglas, Ga., passed away Saturday, February 28, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center, Douglas, Ga.
Mr. Hersey, a native of Bacon County, Ga., was born June 22, 1943, the son of the late Neal Manning and Clara Bell Surrency Hersey. He was a retired carpenter and a member of New Life Christian Worship Center.
Survivors include: his wife, Inez Nipper Hersey of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Melissa Dawn Hersey (Tippy) Matlock of Nicholls, Ga.; one son, Johnny Manning (Denise) Hersey of Nicholls, Ga.; five grandchildren, Blake Hersey, Ashley Hersey, Kayla Hersey, Megan Matlock, and Ethan Matlock.
Funeral services were held at the Chatterton Holiness Baptist Church on Monday, March 1, 2004, at 3 p.m., with Rev. Jimmy Tanner and Rev. Allen Peacock officiating. Soloist Jimmy Jordan sang "Go Rest High On That Mountain" and "No Mountain For A Climber." Also, Victor and Melinda Gilbert sang "He Chose To Be My Friend," with Victor Gilbert accompanying at the piano. Burial followed in the Chatterton Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dan Merritt, Danny Hersey, David Nipper, James Nipper, Ronald Nipper, and Thomas Nipper.
Honorary pallbearers were Thomas Jefferson, Robert Brown, D. J. Jones, Bennie Tutler, and J. D. Carver.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Catherine Hall Anderson
Mrs. Catherine Hall Anderson, 72, of Nicholls, Ga., passed away Sunday morning, February 15, 2004, at her residence following an extended illness.
Mrs. Anderson, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., was the daughter of the late Benjamin Hall and the late Annie O'Steen Hall. She had lived in the Douglas and Nicholls area for the past 14 years, was the widow of the late Floyd Anderson, and was a member of the Evangel Tabernacle Church.
Survivors include: three daughters, Margaret Deen and husband, Linwood, Elaine Ellis, and Dianna Lamb and husband, Mike, all of Douglas, Ga.; three sons, Allen Byrd and wife, Diane, of St. Augustine, Fla., James Byrd and fiancee, Becky, of West Green, Ga., and Charles Anderson and wife, Katrina, of Willacoochee, Ga.; two brothers, Edward Hall of Lake City, Fla., and Raymond Hall of Lakeland, Fla.; three sisters, Lois Mercer and Florrie Staloaker, both of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mary Testerment of Douglas, Ga.; 19 grandchildren, Dennis Byrd, Andy Dean, Chris Dean, Amy Adams, Kaci Dean, Amanda Jowers, Randy Lee Ellis, Jr., Josh Ellis, Sr., Mike Swails, Adam Swails, Michael Swails, Jackie Barnes, Lisa Byrd, Lori Byrd, Alexis Anderson, Cierra Anderson, Greg Byrd, Lance Byrd, and April Buckley; 10 great-grandchildren, Leon Ellis, Joshua Ellis, Jr., Jamie Adams, Bridget Adams, Matthew Dean, Christen Dean, Chip Dean, Alexis Byrd, Candice Byrd, and Ashley Byrd; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 17, 2004, at 4:30 p.m., at the Chapel of Ricketson Funeral Home, with Rev. W. L. Wiley and Rev. Robert Tanner officiating.
Special musical selections, "Amazing Grace," "My Christian Home," and "I Know A Man Who Can," were rendered by Israel, with Ricky McKinney accompanying at the piano. Prelude and postlude soft selections were performed by pianist Ricky McKinney. Interment followed in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were grandsons: Dennis Byrd, Andy Dean, Jr., Chris Dean, Adams Swails, Joshua Ellis, Sr., Randy Lee Ellis, Jr., and Michael Swails.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Ronald W. (Ronnie) McNeil
Mr. Ronald W. (Ronnie) McNeil, 60, of Athens, Ga., passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2004.
Mr. McNeil, a native of Thomasville, Ga., was the son of the son of O.J. McNeil and the late Imogene (Jean) McNeil of Douglas, Ga. He was a resident of Athens for the past 35 years and was employed with Ben McElroy Surveyors for over 20 years.
Survivors include: his wife, Frances Graham McNeil of Athens, Ga.; two sons, Matt McNeil and wife, Lisa, of Marietta, Ga., and Mason McNeil of Rome, Ga.; father and step-mother, O.J. and Jeane McNeil of Douglas, Ga.; one sister, Ronda Davis and husband, Art, of Douglas, Ga.; two grandchildren, Sabrina and Thomas; one niece residing in Douglas, Ga., Lindsey Taylor.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 13, 2004, at the Chapel of Lord and Stephens East, with Rev. Buford Lockman officiating. Entombment was held at Athens Memory Gardens.
Lord and Stephens East were in charge of the arrangements.
James Huey Hardin
Mr. James Huey Hardin, 75, of Millwood, Ga., passed away Thursday, February 19, 2004, at Forum Nursing Home in Brunswick, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mr. Hardin, a native of Ware County, Ga., was born January 25, 1929, the son of John Henry and Hattie Murray Hardin. Before retirement, Mr. Hardin operated a fish market in Waycross, Ga. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of Indian Mound Missionary Baptist Church in Millwood, Ga.
Survivors include: his wife, Orbie Hattaway Hardin of Millwood, Ga.; five nieces, Virginia Perry of Norfolk, Va., Rosa Redner of Waycross, Ga., Linda Cothern of Pearson, Ga., Dorothy Godsey of McRae, Ga., and Winnie Lott of Pearson, Ga.; one nephew, Junior McKinnon of Douglas, Ga.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 2004, at Indian Mound Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Clayton Davis officiating. Special music was as follows: "Amazing Grace" and "Sweet Bye and Bye" were sung by the attending congregation, with Betty Davis accompanying at the piano; "The Shepard of My Valley" was rendered by Huey and Delores Bennett and Betty Davis, with Huey Bennett accompanying on the guitar and Betty Davis accompanying at the piano; "What a Day That Will Be" and "Sheltered in the Arms of God" were sung by Regina Delk and Candy Thrift, with taped accompaniment. Huey Bennett, guitarist, and Betty Davis, pianist, played soft music for the prelude and postlude. The interment followed in Indian Mound Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Roland Redner, Ron Perry, Bobby Thrift, Donnie Hattaway, Freddie Jones, and James Canty.
Honorary pallbearers were Noah Chancey, Levi Johns, and Mann Tindell.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Henry Etta Moore Vickers
Mrs. Henry Etta Moore Vickers, 90, of Broxton, Ga., passed away Monday, February 16, 2004, at home following an extended illness.
Mrs. Vickers, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born November 26, 1913, the daughter of the late Pettice Lee and Fannie Lee Byrd Moore. She was a homemaker, the widow of the late Emory Vickers, and a member of Broxton First Baptist Church.
Survivors include: three daughters, Vickie Lee Mahaffey of McDonough, Ga., Joanne V. Robbins and husband, Bill, of Tulsa, Ok., and Mamie Frances "Sue" Harper and husband, Revenal, of Broxton, Ga.; four grandchildren, Jason Mahaffey, Ivy Rep Harper, Monte Anthony Harper, and Cheyenne H. Adkins; three great-grandchildren, Mary Suzanne Harper, Matthew Scott Harper, and Mark Anthony Harper; one nephew, Herman Moore of McRae, Ga. Mrs. Vickers was preceded in death by one brother, Hudson Moore, and one nephew, Lee Moore.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 19, 2004, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Charles Warnick officiating. Sam Roberts gave the eulogy. The Broxton Baptist Church Choir sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace," with Becky Greene accompanying at the piano. Burial followed in the Broxton City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Roy Harkleroad, John Crenshaw, Sammy Roberts, Frank Veasey, Jr., Ernest Ricketson, Jr., and Rudolph Walker.
Honorary pallbearers were J. Olvin Smith, James McCallum, J. D. Lankford, Cummings Smith, Bobby Reynolds, Roger Palmer, George Jarrard, and Carl Atkinson.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Miller Smith
Mary Miller Smith, 72, of Fitzgerald, Ga., passed Saturday, February 21, 2004, at Bryan County Health and Rehab Center in Richmond Hill, Ga.
Ms. Smith, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born February 18, 1932, the daughter of the late James Miller and Rebecca Reed Miller. A graduate of Ben-Hill Irwin Technical School, she was a retired LPN, having worked at Dorminy Medical Center, Life Care Center and River Willows Nursing Home. Ms. Smith was an avid flower gardener, excellent cook, and artist in oils. She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include: three sons, Jerry Miller of Melbourne, Fla., Emmitt Smith of Richmond Hill, Ga., and Gary Smith of Ambrose, Ga.; two brothers, Johnny Merritt and Cecil Miller, both of Douglas, Ga.; one sister, Willodean Rogers of Fitzgerald, Ga.; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2004, at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Gerald Thomas officiating. Interment followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Coffee County, Ga.
Paulk Funeral Home of Fitzgerald, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Carl Dean Norris, Sr.
Mr. Carl Dean Norris, Sr., 73, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, February 13, 2004, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Mr. Norris, a native of Watuga County, N.C., was the son of the late W.H. and Myrtle Swift Norris of Brunswick, Ga. He was a graduate of Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga., and South Georgia College in Douglas, Ga., where he played football. Mr. Norris went on to become an honors graduate at the University of Georgia in 1958. Mr. Norris served his country in the United States Air Force for four years and was stationed at Carwell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Tx. He was employed as a Superintendent at the Fernandina Beach Paper Mill facility of Container Corporation of America, retiring with 30 years of service in 1988. Mr. Norris enjoyed woodworking and was an avid University of Georgia Bulldog fan.
Survivors include" his wife, Geraldine S. Norris of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; one son, Carl Dean Norris, Jr., of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Beulah Rector of Lenoir, N.C., and Dorcas Norris Campbell of Brunswick, Ga.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 16, 2004, at 10:30 a.m., in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, with Rev. James E. Woods of Brunswick, Ga., officiating. Interment was held at 3 p.m. at Rocky Pond Baptist Church Cemetery in Douglas, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Andy Spivey, Barney Spivey, John Spivey, Jr., Chuck Smith, Randall Rector, Steve Rector, Ken Gilder, and Fayne Durrance.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the local arrangements.
Susan Agnes Yearty Sternett
Mrs. Susan Agnes Yearty Sternett, 77, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Sternett, a native of Telfair County, Ga., was born March 3, 1926, the daughter of the late William M. and Abbie Conner Yearty. She was a homemaker, secretary/bookkeeper for industrial sales company, and a member of College Avenue Baptist Church, Douglas, Ga.
Survivors include: her husband, Harold A. Sternett of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Susan E. Vallone of Harper Woods of Michigan; four sons, Michael Sternett of Tampa, Fla., Paul Sternett of Bryceville, Fla., Kenneth Sternett of Douglas, Ga., and Alan Sternett of Duck Lake, Michigan; one sister, Ruth Varnedore of Lumber City, Ga.; seven children grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 12, 2004, at 2 p.m., at the Sims Funeral Home Chapel, Douglas, with Dr. Stephen Hart officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
O'Steen Aldridge
Mr. O'Steen Aldridge, 91, of Willacoochee Road, Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Thursday, February 12, 2004, at home following an extended illness.
Mr. Aldridge, native of Coffee County, Ga., was born July 20, 1912. the son of the late Manning Leon and Minnie Lee O'Steen Aldridge. He was the widower of the late Mary Faulknerberry Aldridge and a United States Army WWII veteran.
Survivors include: one brother, Bill Aldridge of Willacoochee, Ga.; one sister, Ruth Neugent of Willacoochee, Ga.; special nephew and niece, James and Kay Aldridge.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 15, 2004, at 2 p.m., at the Mora Baptist Church in Mora, Ga., with Rev. Dennis Harper officiating. The Mora Baptist Church Choir sang "Amazing Grace" and "When The Saints Go Marching In," with Kathy Merritt accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the Arna Church Cemetery in Atkinson County, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Troy Aldridge, Bryan Aldridge, Mike O'Steen, Roger O'Steen, Scott Aldridge, and Roy Aldridge.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the local VFW.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
James Franklin Anderson, Jr.
Mr. James Franklin Anderson, Jr., 55, of Hudson, Wisc., formerly of Douglas, passed away Monday, February 9, 2004, at the Hudson Medical Center in Hudson, Wisc.
Mr. Anderson, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born August 22, 1948, the son of the Fannie Williams Anderson and the late James Franklin Anderson, Sr. He was a graduate of Coffee High School and University of Georgia and a member of College Avenue Baptist Church, Douglas, Ga.
Survivors include: one con, Jay Anderson and wife, Laura, of Hudson, Wisc.; two daughters, Ashley Leis and husband, Jimmy, of Hudson, Wisc., and Kate Anderson of Macon, Ga.; mother, Fannie Anderson of Douglas, Ga.; one sister, Nancy Anderson of Aiken, S.C., four grandchildren, Clara Leis, Jim Leis, Jack Anderson, and Alex Anderson.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 14, 2004, at 11 a.m., at the Northside Baptist Church in Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Marvin Holladay officiating. The Northside Baptist Church Choir sang "Brethren We Have met To Worship," "In The Garden," and "Amazing Grace," with Michelle Trapnell accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the Beards Creek Cemetery near Glennville, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Paul Parker, Guy Morgan, Ronnie Spivey, Chris Vaughn, Tony O'Steen, Jeremy Thornton, Derek Thornton, Chad Unger, and Adam Cato.
Honorary pallbearers were John Parker, Jesse Maranville, Daryl Maranville, Joe Maranville, James Dennis, Chapman Mathews, James Moore, Jack Steptoe, Jerry Sutton, Jim Leis, Paul Elliott, Jimmy Dockery, and Tony O'Steen.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Ida Nell Rosier Johnson
Mrs. Ida Nell Rosier Johnson, 59, passed away February 11, 2004, following a brief illness.
Mrs. Johnson, a native of Irwin County, Ocilla, Ga., was born on January 10, 1945, the daughter of Roy and Golden Rosier. She was raised in Coffee County, Douglas, Ga., and graduated from Carver High School. She was the widow of the late Franklin D. Johnson, Sr.
Survivors include: three children, Franklin D. Johnson and Juanita Johnson, both of Douglas, Ga., and Steven L. Johnson of Hazlehurst, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Anthony Johnson, Adrianna Johnson, Jarquavious Johnson, Czachovaski Johnson, Herman Wallace, and Zandasia Johnson, all of Hazlehurst, Ga.; one sister, Teresa Johnson of Douglas, Ga.; one special niece, Jeanette Johnson of Douglas, Ga.; one great-niece, Keishonna Janae Roberts; one great-nephew, Jameon Johnson; three very special friends, Mr. William Bowen, Ms. Aretha Poole, and Mrs. Ethelene Williams, all of Douglas, Ga.; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives and special friends.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 15, 2004, at 3:30 p.m., at Young's Chapel Church in Douglas, Ga. Special music was provided by soloist Samantha Vickers, soloist Stephanie Braswell, and the Young's Chapel Choir. Interment followed at Paulk Cemetery in Ambrose, Ga.
Active pallbearers were John Holloman, Bobby Armour, Abby Simpson, Andrew Jackson, Lester Reed, and David Bradshaw.
Honorary pallbearers were Mike Mizell, James Wise, Johnny Sanders, Kendrick Smith, and John Williams.
Harrell's Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Darrell S. Giddens
Mrs. Darrell S. Giddens, 102, of Axson, Ga., passed away Friday, February 13, 2004, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following a brief illness.
Mrs. Giddens, a native of Effingham County, Ga., was born July 16, 1901, the daughter of William Elmore and Annie Zettler Seckinger. She was a member of Salzburger Society and descendent of Mathias Seckinger, who was among German immigrants arriving in Savannah to establish Jerusalem Ebenezer Church on the Savannah River in 1736 in Effingham County, where the first orphanage in Georgia was opened in 1737. Mrs. Giddens was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Rincon, Ga., and was the widow of the late James M. (Jim) Giddens, with whom she owned and operated a general merchandise store in the Kirkland Community from 1922 to 1963.
Survivors include: one daughter, Helen G. Hindman of Axson, Ga.; one granddaughter, Bonnie Hindman Corbitt and husband, Bobby, of Kirkland, Ga.; one grandson, James Giddens Hindman of Axson, Ga.; one great-grandson, Russell Andrew Williams; two great-great-grandsons, Alex Williams and Doug Williams; two great-great-granddaughters, Amber Williams and Shannon Williams; one sister, Moran Seckinger Weiland of Beaufort, S.C.; several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Giddens were held at 2 p.m., Monday, February 16, 2004, at Antioch Cemetery with Rev. Mitchell Deems officiating. Special music, "In His Arms I'm Not Afraid," was rendered by the Sweetwater Creek Singers. Interment followed in Antioch Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Henry Nugent, Hampton Giddens, Frank Sutton, Julian Haskins, Ray Peterson, and Ellie Morris.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Norman Milous Rogers
Mr. Norman Milous Rogers, 79, of Briarwood Road, Douglas, Ga., passed away Friday, February13, 2004, in Valdosta, Ga.
Mr. Rogers, a native of Brooks County, Ga., was born February 1, 1925, the son of the late Quinton Milous and Clara Hendry Rogers. He was the widower of the late Elaine Simpson Rogers, a retired USDA inspector with the U.S. government, and a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, and a member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church.
Survivors include: two daughters, June Allen of Moultrie, Ga., and Karen Smith of Sandersville, Ga.; two sons, David Rogers of Thomasville, Ga., and Mark Rogers of Valdosta, Ga.; one sister, Frances Zellers of Weathford, Tx.; one brother, Tolly Rogers of Sylvester, Ga.; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Rogers was preceded in death by one daughter, Lynn Rogers Johnson.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 15, 2004, at 2 p.m.. at the Saint Mark United Methodist Church, with Rev. Harry Loyd officiating. The congregation sang "Amazing Grace," "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling," and "Blessed Assurance," with Clara Hayes accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the Camp Ground Cemetery in Morven, Ga.
Active pallbearers were Kenneth Pharr, Mike Wills, Charles Wills, Harry Smith, John Guilford, Billy Walker, and Clark Durden.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
