Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Clinton Long
Mr. Clinton Long, 89, of Douglas, Ga., passed away early Wednesday morning, September 24, 2003, at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Long, a native of Screven, Wayne County Ga., He was the son of the late Gordon Long and the late Elaine Thornton Long. a retired farmer and had lived in the Douglas area for many years. He had worked for many years for Chancey Heating and Cooling and was a member of Eastside Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Jeanette Chancey Long of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Clinton Gordon Long and wife, Pat, of Jesup, Ga., and David Long and wife, Jackie, of Douglas, Ga.; two daughters, Edith Griffis and husband, Colvin, of Odum , Ga., and Janet Elaine Claxton and husband, William, of Douglas, Ga.; one brother, Lloyd Long of Wayne County, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Devin Long, Brett Long, Pamela Kitchens, Matthew Griffis, Timothy Griffis, Drew Griffis, Kim Moore, Amy Sears, and Brandy Long; 10 great-grandchildren; a special family friend, Betty Long of Broxton, Ga.; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Friday, September 26, 2003, at 2 p.m., at the Ritch Baptist Church in Wayne County, with Rev. Jerry Chancey and Rev. Mark Ledbetter officiating. were rendered by Keith and Tonda Solomon, who sang, "I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy" and "Go Rest High On That Mountain" with taped music and "Amazing Grace" sung by the congregation, with Salena Rozier accompaning at the piano. Special musical selections Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Internment followed in the Ritch Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were: Devin Long, Brett Long, Matthew Griffis, Timothy Griffis, Drew Griffis, and Blake Moore.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Men's Sunday School Class of Eastside Baptist Church of Douglas, Ga.
Ricketson Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
William Horace Sheppard, Jr.
Mr. William Horace Sheppard, Jr., 67, of Albany, Ga., passed away Friday, August 15, 2003, at the Crisp County Regional Hospital in Cordele, Ga.
Mr. Sheppard, a native of Calhoun County, Ga., was born February 7, 1936, the son of Margaret Chieves Sheppard and the late William Horace Sheppard, Sr.
Survivors include: his wife, Judy Hanna Sheppard of Albany, Ga.; mother, Margaret Sheppard of Edison, Ga.; two sisters, Michele Ingram of Vienna, Ga., and Yvonne Greer of Nashville, Tenn.; several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and interment were held at 1 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2003, at the Douglas City Cemetery, with Father Daniel O'Connell officiating.
Active pallbearers were Greg Smith, Kirby Ingram, Mike O'Steen, Chris Brown, Johnny Deems, Al Lott, Ethan Greer, and Jerome Hanna.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Deloris Whitley McCallum
Mrs. Thelma Deloris Whitley McCallum, 66, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at Shady Acres Convalescent Center, Douglas, Ga.
Mrs. McCallum, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born September 28, 1936, the daughter of the late Johnny Charles and Beulah Bray Whitley. She was a retired hospital housekeeper and the widow of the late Claude Lee McCallum.
Survivors include: one daughter, Betty Ruth Whitley of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Roy Lee Whitley and wife, Betty, of Greenville, Fla., and Ralph A. Whitley and wife, Margaret, of Auburndale, Fla.; nephews and nieces.
Graveside services & burial will be held at a later date.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Roy Wilson Sturgis, Jr.
Mr. Roy Wilson Sturgis, Jr., 59, of Old River Road, Broxton, Ga.,, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2003, at home following a brief illness.
Mr. Sturgis, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born June 13, 1944, the son of Roy Wilson, "Bud" Sr. and Annie Merritt Sturgis. He was a United States Air Force veteran, having served during the Vietnam era and was a member of Mount Union Primitive Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Betty Ann Lewis Sturgis of Broxton, Ga.; one son, Trey Sturgis of Talking Rock, Ga.; two daughters, Jennifer Wills of Douglas, Ga., and Susan Walker of Macon, Ga.; three step-daughters, Tara Jernigan of Gainesville, Ga., Trinni McDonald of Valdosta, Ga., and Tiffany Crosby of Cordele, Ga.; parents, Bud and Annie Sturgis of Douglas Ga.; one brother, Wendell Sturgis of Ambrose, Ga.; two grandsons and six granddaughters.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2003, at Reedy Branch Baptist Church, with Rev. Herbert Box officiating. Wayne Fales, soloist, sang "Jesus Hold My Hand" and "Just A Closer Walk," with Evelyn Weniger accompanying at the piano. Burial followed in the Reedy Branch Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Norman Fussell, Gary Moore, David Batchelor Marvin Knight, Norman Dockery, and Jerry P. Harper.
Honorary pallbearers were Citizens Security Bank Personnel, Gene Merritt, Ken Corbitt, Carroll Carter, Aubrey Batten, David K. Lott, and Allen Moore.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
John Howard Roddenberry
Mr. John Howard Roddenberry, 78, of Greenville, S.C., passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2003.
Mr. Roddenberry, a native of Broxton, Ga., was the son of the late John H. and Sallie Cliett Roddenberry. He retired as Master Sargent, U.S. Air Force, having served in the Asiatic Pacific Service during WWII. He was later an employee of Springfield Company and was a member of Broxton Baptist Church, Broxton, Ga.
Survivors include: his wife, Wannelle Adams Roddenberry of Greenville, S.C.; one daughter, Rhodona Roddenberry of Greenville, S.C.; one son, Randy Howard Roddenberry and wife, Debra, of Conyers, Ga.; one brother, J. Malcolm Roddenberry of Broxton, Ga.; several nieces and nephews.
Family received friends at 11:45 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2003, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest, Greenville, S.C. A graveside service followed at 1:30 p.m. at Greenville Memorial Gardens, Piedmont, S.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Hospice, 414-A Pettigru St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest, of Greenville, S.C., was in charge of the arrangements.
Roscoe L. (R.L.) Smith
Mr. Roscoe L. (R.L.) Smith, 62, of Broxton, Ga., passed away Saturday, August 16, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center, Douglas, Ga.
Mr. Smith, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born January 31, 1941, the son of the late Ivy L. and Iris Mobley Smith. He was a retired farmer and a member of Mary's Chapel Church near Broxton, Ga.
Survivors include: one son, Wendell Smith of Pelham, Ala.; one daughter, Cindy Montez of Winter Park, Fla.; two brothers, Jimmy Smith and Marlon Smith, both of Broxton, Ga.; four grandchildren, Christopher Smith and Lamar Smith, both of Pelham, Ala., and Brittany Montez and Brandi Montez, both of Winter Park, Fla.; one nephew, Dale Smith; one niece, Malana Smith of Broxton, Ga.
Funeral services were held on Monday, August 18, 2003, 2 p.m., at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Joey Copeland officiating. Rick Marks, soloist, sang, "Amazing Grace" and "I'll Fly Away," with Ronnie Chaney accompanying at the piano. Burial followed in the Girtman Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Cecil Newell, Johnny Cecil, Brad Mobley, Cliff Mobley, Jr., Neal Girtman, Daniel McSwain, Guy Smith, and David Atkinson.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Lonnie E. Myers
Mr. Lonnie Edward "Eddie" Myers, age 38, of Nicholls passed away suddenly Saturday night, August 9, 2003, following injuries received in an auto accident, near Broxton.
Mr. Myers, a native and resident of Coffee County, was self employed as a carpenter.
Survivors include: one daughter, Heather Kaloni Myers of Douglas,Ga.; his parents, Lonnie C. and Addie Mae Todd Myers of Ambrose, Ga.; three sisters, Sharon Brown of Broxton, Ga., Sandra Cole and Sabrina Laster, both of Douglas, Ga. A special friend, Pam Spires of West Green, Ga.; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, August 13, 2003, at 11 a.m., at the chapel of Ricketson Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Carl Davis and Rev. Foy King officiating. Special musical selections, "Someone's Looking for Me," was presented by Jimmy Carl and Beverly Davis, Mel and Linda Maitland, with Don Harrell accompanying at the piano; "Go Rest High On That Mountain," was presented by soloist Shanda Jowers, with taped music, and taped music of "Free Bird" was played at the conclusion of the service.The interment followed in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, in Jefff Davis County.
Active Pallbearers were: Shahee Jump, Keith Wright, Dan Vaughn, III, Bruce Newell, Alan Thomas, Mike Mosely, Emilio Ortiz, and Chris Zanders.
Honorary Pallbearers were: Wayne Rish, Ricky Myers, Tony Myers, Lawrence Lott, Terry Myers, Ricky Lee, Hardy Thrift, Bernie Forth, Jeremy Myers, Jeremy Harrell, Greg Griffis, Randy Meeler, and Stewart Thrift.
Ricketson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Ivy Touchton Tarrance
Mr. Ivy Touchton Tarrance, 91, of West Green, Ga., passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga.
Mr. Tarrance, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born October 6, 1911, the son of the late Josh and Martha Chaney Tarrance. He was a retired farmer and the widower of the late Lula Kirkland Tarrance.
Survivors include: one son, Touchton Tarrance and wife, Jackie, of West Green, Ga.; two daughters, Ivylyn T. Townsend of Jacksonville, Fla., and Evelyn Tarrance of West Green, Ga.; three grandchildren, Donna Deen and husband, Bruce, Rhonda Vethune and husband, D.J., and Ivy Townsend; two great-grandchildren, Hannah Deen and Curtis Robinson; and one granddaughter-in-law, Arleen Tarrance. Mr. Tarrance was preceded in death by one grandson, David Tarrance.
Funeral services were held at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bill Burkett and Rev. Jesse Hathaway officiating. Chris Purvis, Lois Mills, and Carolyn Wright sang "I'll Be Waiting at the River For You" and "I Want Us To Be Together In Heaven," with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the Chatterton Church Cemetery at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 14, 2003.
Active pallbearers were Clyde Kirkland, Jr., Jerry L. Kirkland, Donald Lott, Ronald Lott, Kerry Van Moore, and Harvey Corbitt.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Shelton Paulk
Mr. Shelton Paulk, 80, of Ambrose, Ga., passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2003, Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga.
Mr. Paulk, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born December 10, 1922, the son of the late Mitchell V. and Ella Griffin Paulk. He was a retired farmer, a past Mayor and City Councilman of the City of Ambrose, Ga., and a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Irene Vickers Paulk of Ambrose, Ga.; one son, Winston S. Paulk and wife, Doralyn, of Ambrose, Ga.; one daughter, Molinda Maxheimer and husband, John, of Richmond Hill, Ga.; four grandchildren, Daniel Paulk and wife, Michele, John Maxheimer and wife, Jeanette, Stephen Maxheimer and wife, Colby, and Stephanie Porter and husband, John; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers, Rufus Paulk, Dan Paulk, and Jerome Paulk, all of Ambrose, Ga.; two sisters, Roberta Moorman of Ambrose, Ga., and Hilda Duren of Port Saint Joe, Fla.; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Paulk was preceded in death by one son, Wayne Paulk, and one grandchild, Lisa Marie.
Funeral services were held 11 a.m., on Friday, August 15, 2003, at New Hope Baptist Church, Ambrose, Ga., with Rev. Ernest Harper officiating. Stacie Current, soloist, sang "Peace Speaker," and Virginia Lewis, pianist, provided soft music for the prelude and postlude. Burial followed in the New Hope Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Don Paulk, Rhett Royal, Jerry Paulk, Dennis Paulk, Dr. O. R. Vickers, Ashley Paulk, Sr., Dr. Ross Moorman, and Eddie Vickers.
Honorary pallbearers were Clarkie Leverette, Brad Vickers, Levon Reives, Bobby Leverette, Henry Ralph Milhollin, Judge Earl McRae, Bernie Evans, Mary Vickers, Sheriff Rob Smith, James Vickers, Warn Fowler, Billy Carver, James Arthur Griffin, George Ashley Griffin, Vickers Smith, Shelton Shrouder, Robert Jordan, Billy Ray Vickers, Joe Reives, Austin Harper, Troy Paul, Robert Hurst, and Herbert Mote.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
John "Baby John" D. Tobler
"Baby John," as he was affectionately called, was born on March 25, 1951 in Jeff Davis County to Alsalean Tobler Smith and the late Wright "Duke" Smith. He was the oldest of eight children.
He attended Jeff Davis County Schools. Early in life, he joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and served as an usher. He later moved his membership to Macedonia Baptist Church where he served until his health began to fail. He was employed with Dutch Quality (under different management) for approximately thirty years.
"Baby John" was joined in holy wedlock to Virginia Johnson on March 25, 1995.
"Baby John" was called to eternal rest on Monday, August 11, 2003 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. One sister, one step-daughter, one uncle, and mother-in-law preceded him in death.
He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Virginia Tobler of Douglas, Ga.; one son, Kunta Kenta (Laholmen) Johnson of Douglas, Ga.; mother, Alsalean Tobler of Hazlehurst, Ga.; one step-son, Sinatra (Gloria) Brewton of Douglas, Ga.; two sisters, Mary Francis Smith and Ann Smith of Hazlehurst, Ga.; four brothers, Perry Smith, Craig Smith, James Smith, and Roy (Tammy) Smith of Hazlehurst, Ga.; three grandchildren, Kanecia, Lashannon, and Kadaja Johnson of Douglas, Ga.; two uncles; two aunts; three sister-in-laws; three brother-in-laws; a special God-daughter, Consuela Atwater of Douglas, Ga.; two special friends, Sue Mizell and David Brewton; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 16, 2003 at 2 p.m., at Macedonia Baptist Church with Rev. Frank Robinson, II officiating.
Active pallbearers were Bro. Lewis Clyde Johnson, Bro. James Johnson, Bro. George Johnson, Bro. Curtis Hicks, Bro. Rick Davis, and Bro. Nehru Robinson.
Honorary pallbearers were Deacons of Macedonia Baptist Church.
Harrell's Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of the arrangements.
Thomas Hubert Frier, Sr.
Mr. Thomas Hubert Frier, Sr., 85, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Monday, August 4, 2003, at Coffee Regional Medical Center, Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mr. Frier, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born June 23, 1918, the son of the late William Ryan and Maxine Thomas Frier. He was the widower of the late Stella Ruth Crumley Frier.
The owner/editor/publisher of the Douglas Enterprise for over 50 years, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during WWII. He was a charter member of the Douglas Rotary Club and a member of Douglas First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon.
Survivors include: one son, Thomas H. Frier, Jr., of Douglas, Ga.; one sister, Marjorie Stubbs of Augusta, Ga.; five grandchildren, Russ Frier, Molly Frier, and Lucy Frier, all of Decatur, Ga., Ryan Frier and Katilynn Ruth Frier, both of Gray, Ga.; one niece, Maxine Stubbs of Augusta, Ga.; one nephew, Will Frier Stubbs of Seattle, Wa. Mr. Frier was preceded in death by one son, James David Frier.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at Douglas First Baptist Church, with Rev. Shep Johnson officiating. The congregation, led by Bobby Stevenson, sang "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art," with Lois Mills accompanying at the piano. Burial followed at the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dr. Ed Jackson, Dr. Sid Cottingham, Russ Frier, Ryan Frier, Harry Moody, Wendell Duncan, Carlos Lankford, and Dr. Bo Dockery.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Douglas Rotary Club.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Irma Lou Adams Taylor Harrell
Mrs. Irma Lou Adams Taylor Harrell, 67, Ray City, Ga., passed away Sunday, August 3, 2003, at South Georgia Regional Medical Center, Valdosta, Ga., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Harrell, a native of Coffee County, Ga., was born June 30, 1936, the daughter of the late Warren Lee and Wannell Davis Adams. She was a homemaker and a retired office manager.
Survivors include: her husband, Leon Edward Harrell of Ray City, Ga.; three sons, Eddie Taylor and Eric Taylor, both of Valdosta, Ga., and Tony Taylor of Brunswick, Ga.; one sister, Kathy Darr of Douglas, Ga.; one brother, Jackie Adams of Douglas, Ga.; one step-son, Anthony E. Harrell of Valdosta, Ga.; one step-daughter, Beverly Kincaid of Melbourne, Fla.; five grandchildren, Travis Taylor, Trey Taylor, Trent Taylor, Seth Taylor, and Zach Taylor; one great-granddaughter, Haley Taylor.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at Sims Funeral Home Chapel, Douglas, Ga., with Rev. Jim Schappaugh officiating. Trey Taylor gave the Eulogy. Sybil Benson, soloist, sang "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone." Henry Branch, soloist, sang "Meet You On The Other Side of Jordan," with Lois Mills, pianist, providing soft music for the prelude and postlude. Gravesite services with Sally McKendree performing with bag pipes and entombment followed at the Douglas Community Mausoleum in the Douglas City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Trey Taylor, Trent Taylor, Travis Taylor, Seth Taylor Warren Vickers, and Phillip Adams.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.
Linda S. Jefferson
Mrs. Linda S. Jefferson, 48, of Orange Park, Fla., passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at her home in Orange Park, Fla.
Mrs. Jefferson, a native of Coffee County, Douglas, Ga., was born February 6, 1955, the daughter of Arsulia "Sue" Strozier Jackson and the late Arder Styles. She attended public schools in Coffee and Clay County and was employed with the Comfort Inn of Clay County as supervisor of housekeeping.
Survivors include: her husband, Allen Jefferson; three daughters, Jennifer Jones and husband, Arthur, Angela Thomas and husband, Sam, and Symara Joseph and husband, Devon; her mother, Arsulia "Sue" Jackson and step-father, Elder Jackson; five grandchildren, Nicolette, Precious, Samuel, and Paris Thomas, and Kyrie Jenkins; one God-daughter, Mary Walker; four sisters, Brenda Brown and husband, Walter, Elaine Cobb, Chevelle Paulk, and husband, Tony, and Bridgette Dean and husband, Pat; three brothers, Leon Simpson, Cornelius Styles, and Carl Hodge; six aunts, Gertrude Collins, Rebecca Pace and husband, James, Aretha Strozier, Janie Johnson, Nora Strozier, and Amanda Gaskins and husband, Woodrow; two uncles, Edwmond and Charlie Strozier; one who loved her like a father, Nathaniel Simpson; special friends, Della McDower and Mae Dennis; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and acquaintances.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 2, 2003, at 1 p.m., at St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church in Orange Park, Fla., with Rev. C. Edward Preston officiating. Special musical selection was a solo by Sis. Rosa M. Brown. Interment followed at Jacksonville Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers were Bro. Earl Wright, Bro. Harry Roache, Bro. Wilbur Carter, Bro. Carlton Fraizer, Bro. Randy Johnson, and Bro. Andre Gooden.
Holmes-Glover-Solomon Funeral Directors, Inc., of Jacksonville, Fla., was in charge of the arrangements.
