Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Herbert E. Mote
Mr. Herbert E. Mote, 84, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Mote, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born March 7, 1919, the son of the late Cecil and Drucilla Kirkland Mote. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and retired after 24 years as Clerk of Court of Coffee County, Ga.
Survivors include: his wife, Annie Faye Phillips Mote of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Pamela Mote Youngblood and husband, Henry, of Douglas, Ga.; one son, Cecil Phillip Mote of Jackson, Ma.; one granddaughter, Sarah Batten of Dahlonega, Ga. Mr. Mote was preceded in death by two brothers, C. W. Mote and John Marshall Mote.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 18, 2003, at 2 p.m., at the New Hope Baptist Church near Ambrose, Ga., with Rev. Ernest Harper officiating. Soloist Derrick Soles sang "Beulah Land" and "Stroll Over Heaven," with Wendy Spikes accompanying at the piano. Also the congregation sang "Amazing Grace," with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the New Hope Church Cemetery with Albany Marine Corp Personnel presenting U.S. flag to family.
Active pallbearers were Henry Merritt, Christopher Cravey, Chad Roberts, Lance Reagin, Brian Morris, Michael Wright, Shane Sinquefield, and Larry Wiggins.
Honorary pallbearers were Courthouse associates, local Bar associates, Deacons of New Hope Baptist Church, Dr. David Arnett, Dr. H. P. Nair, Dr. C. J. Reddy, Dr. Guest, Rufus Paulk, George Ashley Griffin, Howell Vickers, Jerome Paulk, Elijah Hersey, Allen Stine, and Paul Hutcheson.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Little Cayden Lee Rowell
Little Cayden Lee Rowell, infant son of Bruce and Ami Bennett Rowell, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at the Irwin County Hospital.
Other survivors besides his parents include: Brother, Austin Rowell of Nicholls, Ga.; grandparents, James and Elaine Rowell of Nicholls, Ga., Larry and Laverne Bennett of Douglas, Ga., and Fannie Rowell of Nicholls, Ga.
Graveside services and interment were held at Saginaw Baptist Church Cemetery near Nicholls, Ga.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Tommie Lamar Smith
Mr. Tommie Lamar Smith, 78, passed away Friday, November 21, 2003, in Melrose, Fla.
Smith a native of Coffee County, Ga., graduated from Nichols High School. He was a US Army veteran of the WWII and enjoyed traveling and outdoor activities, especially his time at the lake. He retired in 1983 after 37 years from Southern Bell.
Survivors include: his wife of 53 years, Nelda Faye Smith; three children, Lamar Smith, Nelda (Dennis) Hoffmeyer, and Michael W. Smith; two grandchildren, Michael W. (Kimberly) Smith, Jr, and Branden Powell; three great- grandchildren, Baylee Smith, Kendell MacMillan, and Dominic Delancy; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 25, 2003, at the North Jacksonville Chapel of Peebles Family Funeral Homes, with Rev. James Raley, Sr., and Rev. Paul Kalem, officiating. Burial followed in Taylor Cemetery.
Peeples Family Funeral Homes of Jacksonville, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.
Robbie Lindler Harper
Mrs. Robbie Lindler Harper, 88, of Douglas, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center, Douglas, Ga., following a brief illness.
Mrs. Harper, a native of Emanuel County, Ga.,was born November 14, 1914, the daughter of the late Robert Columbus and Alice Belle Kemmer Lindler. She was a retired Coffee County public school system librarian, the widow of the late Dr. Sage Harper, and a member of Douglas First Baptist Church.
Survivors include: one daughter, Dr. Meredith Harper of Douglas, Ga.; one son, Dr. Kenneth Harper of Macon, Ga.; one granddaughter, Lee Harper of Douglas, Ga.
Funeral services were held on Friday, November 21, 2003, at 11 a.m., at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Shep Johnson officiating. Special music included Beth Harper and Lois Mills who sang "Sheltered In the Arms Of God," and the Congregation sang "Sweet By & By," with Beth Harper leading and Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Lawson Turner, Wendell Sears, Brian McNeil, Bob Preston, Larry Lott, and Charles Harper.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Tarpley Rouse Vallotton
Tarpley Rouse Vallotton, 15 months, died suddenly on Thursday, November 21, 2003, at South Georgia Medical Center.
Tarpley and his family are members of Park Avenue United Methodist Church. Tarpley is the son of and survived by his mother and father, Lynn and Rouse Vallotton, his grandparents, Bobbie and Harold Tarpley of Gadsden, Ala., Mala and Joe Vallotton of Valdosta, Ga.; a great-grandmother, Sara Vallotton of Valdosta, Ga., and a great-grandfather, Ora W. Young. Also surviving is an aunt, Carol Tarpley of Atlanta, Ga., and two uncles, Joseph Vallotton and Wesley Vallotton, both of Valdosta, Ga.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 23, 2003, at Sunset Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Craig Rikard officiating.
Carson McLane Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Alvin Benton
Mr. Alvin Benton, 77, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Monday, November 10, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness.
Mr. Benton, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born October 12, 1926. A beloved husband, devoted father, and very proud grandfather, Mr. Benton also was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Navy. Additionally, he will be remembered by many in the community for his considerable contributions to the early business development of the city of Douglas in the 1960's through the 1990's. Mr. Benton was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Willacoochee, Ga.
The son of the late Edd and Ruby Kirkland Benton, Mr. Benton has a large, extended family. His surviving family members include his wife of 52 years, Dorothy Benton; son, John Alvin Benton and wife, Rae Lynn, of Suwannee; daughter, Dr. Janet Benton of Douglas; and treasured grandson, John Zachary Benton of Suwanee. His surviving siblings include brother, Elton Benton of Douglas; brother, Larry Benton of Douglas; sister, Geneva Fields of Lithia Springs; and sister, Waunelle Kimbrel of Douglas. Preceding Mr. Benton in death are his brothers, Ed Benton, Jr., and Jerry Benton, and his sister, Edrea Nell Benton Moore. Many well-loved nieces and nephews survive him also.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 4 p.m., at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Douglas, with Mr. Benton's pastor and friend, Father Daniel O'Connell, officiating. Lois Mills, pianist, provided music for the religious service. Entombment followed at the Douglas City Cemetery.
Pallbearers were nephews and great-nephews, Timothy Benton, Larry Edward Benton, Jesse Benton, Eugene Cole, Chris Willis, Terry Benton, Rob Benton, and Gary Fields.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Friends and family will always remember Mr. Alvin Benton, who was a family man, businessman, fishing buddy, and avid sports fan. As his grandson Zac explained, "Grandpa now has wings."
Billy J. Sweeten
Mr. Billy J. Sweeten, 59, of Rt. 2, Pearson, G.a, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2003, at Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross, Ga., following a brief illness.
Mr. Sweeten, a native of East Point, Ga., was born May 20, 1944, the son of the late George W. Sweeten. He had made his home in Douglasville, Ga., for many years before moving to Pearson, Ga., in July of this year. He was a retired truck driver, was of the Baptist faith, an avid hunter, and an avid Nascar fan.
Survivors include: his wife, Connie H. Sweeten of Pearson, Ga.; two sons, Billy James Sweeten, II, of Lott, Tx., and Christopher Sweeten of Pearson, Ga.; mother, Thelma Sweeten of Atlanta, Ga.; two sisters, Sandy Crawford of Calhoun, Ga., and Patricia Palmer of Newnan, Ga.; four brothers, David Sweeten of Stockbridge, Ga., and Johnny Sweeten, Ronnie Sweeten, and Michael Sweeten, all of Atlanta, Ga.; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Sweeten was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald Sweeten and Edward Sweeten.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2003, at Union Hill Church, with Bishop Steve Sirmans officiating. Special music included "Wings of an Angel" and "Holes in the Floor of Heaven," offered by tape. Sister Permann, pianist, played soft music for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed in Union Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Teddy Hooten, Danny Hooten, Jimmy Taylor, Jerry Crawford, Kenneth Roundtree, and Johnny Villegas.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Aretha B. Stone
Mrs. Aretha B. Stone, 95, of Folkston, Ga., formerly of Pearson, Ga., passed away Sunday, November 16, 2003, at her residence following an extended illness.
Mrs. Stone, a native of Grady County, Ga., was born August 30, 1907, the daughter of William Tob and Eliza Martin Barlow. She had made her home in Pearson, Ga., for many years before moving to Folkston, Ga., in 1986. She was a homemaker, a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Homeland, Ga., and the widow of the late Jim Alex Martin and Virgil Stone.
Survivors include: two sons, Alex T. Martin of Miami, Fla., and Delma Martin of Brunswick, Ga.; two daughters, Martha Martin of Nashville, Ga., and Verdie Worek of Bainbridge, Ga.; 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2003, at the Pearson Church of God of Prophecy, with Rev. Hardy Crosby and Rev. Bruce Dean officiating. Special musical selections included "Look What I Traded for a Mansion," rendered by Rose McInvale, "Heaven," rendered by Julian Stone and wife, and "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down," rendered by Lounelle Cribb. Rose McInvale, pianist, played soft music for the prelude and postlude. Interment followed in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Joey Jones, Faulin Buzzard, Wesley Taylor, Willie Arnold, Adam Young, and James Rowland.
Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Bonnie Dell Kitchens Jarrard
Mrs. Bonnie Dell Kitchens Jarrard, 76, of Broxton Ga., passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2003, at South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta, Ga., following a brief illness.
Mrs. Jarrard, a native of Coffee County, Georgia was born March 7, 1927, the daughter of the late Lonnie Albert and Viola Smoak Kitchens. She was a homemaker and a member of Broxton Baptist Church.
Survivors include: her husband, George Vernon Jarrard of Broxton, Ga.; three sons, George Jarrard, Jr., of Douglas, Ga., William Richard Jarrard of Spartanburg, S.C., and David Lonnie Jarrard of Broxton, Ga.; two daughters, Cynthia Anne Pridgen of Spartanburg, S.C., and Judy Pridgen of Pridgen, Ga.; one sister, Earline Burkhalter of Broxton, Ga.; nine grandchildren, 1 great- grandchild.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 22, 2003, at 11 a.m., at Broxton Baptist Church, with Rev. Robert Wigley and Rev. Terry Reagin officiating. Special music was provided by soloist Alanna Starnes who sang "They're Only Sleeping" and "There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit," with Sam Jordan accompanying at the piano, and the Broxton Baptist Church Choir who sang "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling," with Becky Green accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the Broxton City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Keith Harkleroad, Cecil Starnes, John Milhollin, Steve Milhollin, Mark Milhollin, Billy Jarrard, Robert Jarrard, and Larry Burkhalter.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Hosanna Sunday Sunday School Class of Broxton Baptist Church.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Gary Orman Cooper
Mr. Gary Orman Cooper, 71, of Nicholls, Ga., passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2003, at home.
Mr. Cooper, a native of Etowah County, Ala., was born August 23, 1932, the son of the late Carey and Foyzell Cumby Cooper. He was a retired farmer and attended Dry Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include: two daughters, Barbara Jean Cooper of Conyers, Ga., and Glenda Faye Cooper of Dansbury, Tx.; two sons, William Floyd Cooper of Dansbury, Tx., and Gary O. Cooper of Conyers, Ga.; one brother, Floyd "Bo" Cooper of Nicholls, Ga.; one sister, Denise McDaniel of Houston, Tx.; several great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, November 17, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Dry Creek Baptist Church, with Rev. Jim "Bo" Stead officiating. Special music was provided by The Dry Creek Baptist Church Choir who sang "Amazing Grace," with Susan Davis accompanying at the piano. Also a taped selection of "Go Rest High On That Mountain" by Vince Gill was provided. Burial followed at the Dry Creek Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Milford Anderson, Buster Anderson, Donny Ray Anderson, Ricky Hersey, Micky Anderson, and Jerry Anderson.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Wonnie D. Courson
Mrs. Wonnie Deen Courson, 86, of Douglas, Ga., passed away early Saturday, November 22, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness
Mrs. Courson, a native of Bacon County, Ga., had lived in the Douglas area for many years. She was the daughter of the late John Deen and the late Melissa Dean Deen, and the widow of the late James Rudolph Courson. She was a member of the West Green Church of God.
Survivors include: one daughter, Sandra C. Foskey of Glenwood, Ga.; three grandchildren; Cameron Taylor of Cochran, Ga., Cheryl Taylor of Glenwood, Ga.,and Caryl Mitchell of Washington, D.C.; six great-grandchildren: Austin Farrow of Vidalia, Ga., Spencer Garner; Jacob Garner; and Brooke Taylor, all of Glenwood, Ga., Shelby Mitchell and Gauge Mitchell, both of Washington, D.C.; several nieces, nephews, and relatives.
Funeral services were held Sunday, November 23, 2003, at 2 p.m. at West Green Church of God, with Rev. Dewayne Atkinson and Rev. Jesse Hathaway officiating.
Special musical selections include ''Holy Ground" and "The Anchor Holds'' presented by soloist Kay Davis, with Cathy Robinson accompanying at the piano, and Donna Deen at the organ.
Interment followed in the Lone Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were John Sweat, Ricky McMillan, Dave Robinson, Ken Wilson, Touchton Tarrance, and Bruce Deen.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Nell E. Adams
Mrs. Nell Ellis Adams, 84, of the Satilla Community, passed away Thursday morning, November 20, 2003, at her residence following a brief illness.
Adams, a native of Coffee County, had lived in the Satilla Community for many years. She was the daughter of the late Johnny C. Ellis and the late Beatrice Hatten Ellis and the widow of the late John Q. Adams.
Survivors include: three daughters, Cleo Chaney, Frances Wood; and Wanda Stone, all of Douglas, Ga.; six sons Donald Adams of Jacksonville, Fla. Woodrow Adams of Hineville, Ga. Wendell Adams of Joresboro, Ga. Rev. T.L. Adams Kenny Adams and Randy Adams, all of Douglas, Ga; one brother, Ron Ellis of Patterson, Ga.; two sisters, Zell Thurman of Pridgen, Ga., and Myrtle Evans of Valdosta, Ga.; 38 grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services were held on November 22, 2003, at Chapel of Ricketson Funeral Home, with Elder Robert Skinner, Rev. T.L. Adams, and Rev. Larry Stone, officiating and a son, Woodrow Adams, who presented a special eulogy. Special musical selections "Amazing Grace" presented by the Primitive Baptist Church singers, "I Wish You Were Here," presented by the soloist Josi Adams, with taped music.
Interment followed in the Wayfare Cemetery with closing prayer by Rev. Foy King.
Active pallbearers were Mike Adams, Tommy Adams, Darren Joiner, Keith Stone, Marty Adams, Kelly Chaney, Kevin Adams, and Brandon Adams.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the C&G Club, Connie Cation, Grace Grantham, and the out patient nurses of CRMC.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Ricky Cornelius Smith
Ricky Corneilus Smith, 49, passed away November 14, 2003.
Mr. Smith, a native of Valdosta, Ga, was born July 28, 1954 the son of the late George Smith Jr., and Annie Kate Smith of Valdosta, Ga.
Survivors include: his wife Willie Mae Smith of Douglas, Ga.; two daughters, Kendra Jones of Valdosta, Ga., and Kasteraisa Smith of Atlanta, Ga.; one sister, Phyllis (Hubert) Nesmith of Valdosta, Ga.; five brothers, Evangelist Larry (Helen) Smith, Harry Smith, Eddie James Smith, and Willie (Debra) Anderson, all of Valdosta, Ga., and Johnny Bellamy of Sarasota, Fla.; one goddaughter, Dawn Williams of Valdosta, Ga.; one step-son, Antonio Green of Ashburn, Ga.; one special nephew, Demichael Greene of Tifton, Ga.; three sisters-in-law, Lorene Green, Ruby Green, and Pamela Greene, all of Tifton, Ga.; and one brother-in-law, Willie E. Greene of Tifton, Ga.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 22, 2003, at 2 p.m., at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, with Evangelist Larry Smith officiating. Anterrius Paulk sang a solo. Interment followed at Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Mark Smith, Chris Johnson, Theo Gates, Jessie Tyson, Tommy Loftly, and James White.
Honorary pallbearers were Daniel Axson, Scott Curtis, Willie Greene, Jr., John Riggs, Johnny Roper, and Antonio Greene.
Harrell's Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
John Arthur Harrell
Rev. John Arthur Harrell, 91, of West Green, Ga., passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2003, at Shady Acres Convalescent Center, Douglas, Ga.
Rev. Harrell was born December 31, 1911, the son of the late Marion Franklin and Lillian Hester Harrell. He was a retired farmer, a retired Baptist minister, and a member of West Green Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Clara Harrell of Douglas, Ga.; one daughter, Lenora Head of Jacksonville, Fla.; one son, John Franklin Harrell of Southern California; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 2 p.m., at West Green Baptist Church, with Rev. Wayne Hayes and Rev. Herbert Box officiating. Grandson Trevor Head gave the eulogy. Special music was provided by West Green Baptist Church Choir who sang "Amazing Grace" and "Sweet By & By," with Wanda Rivers accompanying at the piano. Burial and graveside services, with Rev. Alton Carver officiating followed at the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jerome Moore, Harry Andrews, John Moore, Halden Casey, Rev. Alton Carver, and Jim Merritt.
Honorary pallbearers were Senior Adult Sunday Sunday-School Class of West Green Baptist Church.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
