Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Frank A. Baker
Frank A. Baker, 86, of Waynesboro died Thursday, March 6, 2003.
Graveside services were 2 p.m., Sunday, March 9, at Burke Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Wayne Dixon officiating. Mr. Baker, a native of New York, had lived in Florida until 1979 when he moved to Way-nesboro. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was a retired self- employed business owner. He owned and operated a service station and auto parts company, was a Methodist and attended First United Methodist Church of Waynesboro. Survivors include his widow, Louise Hannah Baker of Waynesboro and a number of nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Waynesboro First United Methodist Church, Liberty Street, Waynesboro, Ga. 30830.
Joel L. Jones
Joel L. Jones died Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 at his residence.
His funeral was 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at Phinazee and Son Funeral Home, with the Rev. Clary Dishmond Jr. officiating. Burial was in Jones Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Jones was a native of Burke County and a construction worker.
Survivors include a son, Lawrence Reed of Waynesboro; four brothers and two sisters-in-law, Eugene and Evonne Jones of Newark, N.J., Lonnie Jones, Sammie Jones and Donel and Juanita Jones, all of Ft. Lauderdale; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Patricia and Willie Walker of Miami, Melodine Jones, Minnie Pearl and Clyde Thompson, and Monique Jones, all of Ft. Lauderdale; and his father, Eugene Jones of Ft. Lauderdale. Pallbearers were friends.
Josie Cotton Bessent
Josie Cotton Bessent, 83, of Norfolk, Va., and formerly of Waynesboro died Saturday, March 8, 2003 at Sentara Bayside Hospital. Her funeral was noon, Saturday, March 15, at Fellowship Baptist Church. Burial was in Portersville Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Bessent attended Burke County Public School and completed courses at the University of Georgia. She was self-employed on her farm and had work experiences as a teacher, a nurse assistant and as a child care staff member for 20 years at the Augusta Youth Development Center. Committed to community enrichment and spiritual development, she was very active and held numerous leadership positions in the following organizations: Davisville Community Development Organization, Davisville Benevolent Society, New Aurora #60 Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary and Brambleton Senior Citizens. For her service to the church and community, she received awards and recognitions including selection as “Family of the Year” by Lamar Carter Consistory #321 in 1979 and several ribbons for Senior Olympics in the 1990s. She joined Fellowship Baptist Church as a youth and was a chorister as well as founder and first president of the missionary circle and was active in the Walker Baptist Association Women’s Convention where she served as matron for young women. After moving to Norfolk in 1985, she joined Messiah Presbyterian Church where she was an ordained deacon and a member of the chancel choir and Presbyterian Women. She was preceded in death by her parents, Moses and Alavan Shellman Coleman Cotton, and her husband, Oscar S. Bessent. Survivors include two sons and two daughters-in-law, William M. and Loretha Bessent of Goldsboro, N.C. and Oscar W. and Felicia Bessent of Sacramento, Calif.; a daughter and son-in-law, Helen B. and Shedrick Byrd of Norfolk, Va.; two protégés, Mary Cotton Freeman of St. Albans, N.Y. and Neil Tyrone McCloud of Norfolk; two sisters, Rosa C. Harding of Philadelphia and Lillian C. Jones of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two brothers, Aaron Cotton of Springfield Gardens, N.Y. and Norris Cotton of St. Petersburg; four sisters-in-law, Pauline Coleman of Monroeville, Pa., Lucy Coleman of St. Petersburg, Theodoshia B. Jones of Waynesboro and Hattie B. Carpenter of Atlanta; two brothers-in-law, W.E. Bessent of Gough and Thomas Bessent of Augusta; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Louise R. Royal
Louise R. (Bragg) Royal, 83, died Saturday, March 8, 2003 at Burke Medical Center in Waynesboro. Her funeral was 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at Waynesboro Church of God, with the Rev. Joey Grizzle officiating. Burial was at Burke Memorial Gardens in Waynesboro. Mrs. Royal was a native of Screven County but had resided in Burke County all of her adult life and was a retired seamstress for Burke Manufacturing Company. She was a member of the Waynesboro Church of God and was affectionately known as “Granny.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Frank Royal, and a son, Jerry Ray Barefield. Survivors include two daughters, Myrtie B. Rogers of Way-nesboro and Connie R. William-son of Savannah; a son, Donnie Royal of Waynesboro; a brother-in-law, Thomas Elliott; six grandchildren, Brenda Eden-field, Greg James, Douglas James, Michelle Flakes, Jennifer Salemi, Donnie Royal Jr. and Wanda Harbuck; and seven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Lonnie Baxley Sr., Mark Quick, Steven Quick, Robert L. Quick Jr., Johnny Johnson and Ralph Marion Hillis. Honorary pallbearers were Manuel McWhorter, Marion Hillis, Michael Salemi Jr. and Joshua Quick.
Emma Whitaker
Emma Hayes Whitaker, 79, of Hephzibah died Monday, March 10, 2003 at the Keysville Nursing Home. Her funeral will be 11 a.m., Thursday, March 13, at DeLoach-Kennedy Funeral Home, Hephzibah Chapel, with the Revs. Bill Perkins and Terry McLaughlin officiating. Burial will be at Keysville Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Whitaker, a native of McDuffie County, had lived in the Hephzibah area all of her adult life. She had retired from Keller Industries in Waynesboro and was a Baptist and a member of the New House of Worship in Keysville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Davies Whitaker and a daughter, Rosa Lee Hayes.
Survivors include two daughters, Judy Taylor of Augusta and Eva Jarrell of Hephzibah; four sisters, Ruby Stevenson and Mary Baker, both of Augusta, Dorothy James of Hephzibah and Virginia Williams of Keysville; a brother, Walter Carl Hayes Jr. of Hephzibah; and nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends tonight (Wednesday) from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home in Hephzibah.
Thomas Greenway Sr.
Thomas Eugene Greenway Sr., 71, of Louisville died Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at Jefferson County Hospital after an extended illness. His funeral was 2 p.m., Thursday, March 6, in the chapel of Peebles-Curry-Durden Mortuary, with the Revs. Marian Jay and Larry Montgomery officiating. Burial was in Hawhammock Baptist Church Cemetery in Swainsboro. Mr. Greenway, a native of Emanuel County, was a retired operating engineer with Walsh Construction Co. and was a cattle farmer. He was a Baptist and attended Macedonia Baptist Church in Greene County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fed and Sally Mae Gay Greenway. Survivors include his widow, Joyce Snipes Greenway of Louisville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy Jean and David Williams of Appling, Glenda and Ray Holmes of Augusta and Becky and Wayne Pooler of Louisville; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Eugene Jr. and Michelle Greenway of Heph-zibah; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Marjorie and John Driscoll of Augusta and Martha Saul of Swainsboro; a brother and sister-in-law, Emory and Gail Greenway of Swains-boro; and 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Tommy Williams, Berry Wren, Edward Salter, Danny Braddy, Don Mast, Thomas Fryberger, David Greenway and Kelvin Turner.
Honorary pallbearers were Earl Brown, Rick Leopard, Allen Coleman, Jeff Greenway, Mike Johnson, Knotty Braddy and Colon Hendrix.
Metz Hackle
Metz “Poonk” Hackle of Waynesboro died Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at Burke Medical Center. His funeral was 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at McKinnie Branch Baptist Church, with the Rev. L.E. Jones officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Hackle, a native of Burke County, was a machine operator and had retired as a Castleberry employee after 32 years. He was a member of McKinnie Branch Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Survivors include his widow, Annie M. Hackle of Waynes-boro; a son and daughter-in-law, Hymond and Ethel Merri-weather of Waynesboro; six daughters and four sons-in-law, Gloria Jean Hope of Augusta, Cynthia and Theodore Williams, Dorothy and Ronald Long, Sandra Hackle, Shelia and Ricky Roberson, all of Waynesboro, and Angela and Terry Sharpe of Jonesboro; a brother, Henry Hackle Sr. of Lompoc, Calif.; and grandchildren. Pallbearers were Albert Bonner, Tony Hackle, Lewis Carter, Brodrick Proctor, Lindsey Fielding and Herman Ruffin. Honorary pallbearers were co-workers and deacons of the church.
Rufus Lee
Rufus Eugene Lee, 73, died Friday, March 14, 2003 at Burke Medical Center in Waynesboro.His funeral was 3 p.m. Monday, March 17, at McBean Baptist Church, with the Revs. Clayton Galloway and Cecil Rice officiating. Burial was in the Burke Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Lee, a resident of Burke County since 1966, retired from International Paper after 35 years of service. He served in the United State Army during the Korean conflict. He was a member of the Rod and Gun Hunting Club and was a charter member of McBean Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, trustee and Sunday School superintendent. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Elester Lee and Ethel Douglas Lee; a son, Douglas E. Lee; several brothers and sisters, Reginal Lee, Miriam Kellett, Pauline Crosby, Ruth Davis, Marvin Lee; and a grandchild, Misty Tinley. Survivors include his widow, Betty J. Strickland Lee; two daughters and a son-in-law, Teri Lee and Brenda and Dale Williamson, all of Waynesboro; three sisters, Wannell Andrews of Pennsylvania, Delores Parrot of Houston, Texas and Carrie Dibble of Acworth; a brother, Edsel C. Lee of Waycross; three grandchildren, Jeremy Tinley, Joshua Tinley and Amanda Perkins Wesley; and three great-grandchildren, Jeremy Tinley Jr., Cody Lee Tinley and Austin Taylor Waller. Pallbearers were David Williams, Everett Caraway, Jerry Swearingen, Eddie Gay, Allen Boland, Ken Broadwater, Joe Crozier and Joshua Tinley. Honorary pallbearers were the Rev. Younce Lively, Walt McCoy, Frank Clement, Virgil Abshire, Rollis DeBow, Richard Balkcum, Bubba Westbrook and Art Fanwell. Memorials may be made to the McBean Baptist Church Building Fund at 4457 Highway 56 North, Waynesboro, Ga. 30830.
Thomas S. Elliott
Thomas Steadman Elliott, 75, of Waynesboro died Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at University Hospital in Augusta. A memorial service was held at 5 p.m., Thursday, March 13, at DeLoach-Kennedy Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Joey Grizzle officiating.
Mr. Elliott, a native and lifelong resident of Burke County, was born in Sardis and was of the Baptist faith. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and had retired as an employee of the Railroad, Hamburg Industries. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Bragg Elliott and his parents, Charles “Yank” and Bonnie Elliott. Survivors include his daughter, Deborah Elliott of Way-nesboro; a son, Justin Johnson of Waynesboro; and two brothers, Norman and Charles Elliott, both of Sardis.
Lois A. Williams
Lois A. Williams, 86, of Baxley died Thursday, March 13, 2003 in the Appling Healthcare System after an extended illness. Her funeral was 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the chapel of Swain Funeral Home in Baxley, with the Revs. Ernest Dyal and Gary Page officiating. Burial was in Omega Cemetery. Mrs. Williams, a native of Jeff Davis County, had lived in Appling County most of her life. She was a member of Baxley Freewill Baptist Church and was a retired seamstress. She was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick Henry Arnold and Bessie Mobley Arnold; and her husband, James Arthur Williams. Survivors include three daughters, Lucille White of Baxley, Doris Branch of Springfield and Patricia Smith of Waynesboro; two sons, James Walter Williams of Savannah and Jerry Williams of Baxley; three sisters, Louise Haynes and Sallie Mae Claxton, both of Baxley, and Opal Davis of Savannah; and 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were John Duncan, Jamie Duncan, Wendell White, Jeffrey White, Kevin Williams and Michael Willoughby.Honorary pallbearers were the staff of Appling Convalescent Center and all those in attendance.
Sadie Wallace
Sadie Wallace Lynch died Saturday, March 1, 2003 in Chicago, Ill.
Her funeral was 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Lord’s House of Praise with Elder Lerone Lewis officiating. Burial was in Pines Cemetery. Mrs. Lynch was a native of Burke County. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Joseph and Satira Wallace of Milwaukee, Wi. and Paul Adams of Waynesboro; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Tim Mack of Waynesboro; a brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Deloise Wallace of Augusta; six sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary and Robert Chance of Waynesboro, Maggie Wallace and Annie and Leroy Webster of Boston, Mass., Mary Ann Wallace of Augusta, Georgia Daniels of Miami and Corene Lambert of Tennessee; and five grandchildren. Pallbearers were Eugene Jones, Willie Mack, Oliver Chance, Lee Reid, Leroy Gran-dison Jr. and William Grier.
Fletcher Watters
Fletcher Watters, 84, died Friday, March 14, 2003 at Brentwood Terrace Health Center in Waynesboro. Mr. Waters, a native of Burke County, had retired from the City of Waynesboro, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.K. Watters and Mary L. Watters.
Survivors include his widow, Lottie Watters of Sardis; a son, Richard Watters of Brentwood, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Ernest Johnson Jr. of Sardis and Kathy Watters of Twin City, Ga.; seven great-grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews, Patricia Watters, Brenda Bradley, Wayne Watters, Lorrie Lanier and Peggy Collins.
Albert Oglesby
Albert R. Oglesby, 74, died Sunday, March 16, 2003.
Graveside services were held 2 p.m. Monday, March 17, at the Millen Cemetery, with the Rev. Perry Hearn officiating. Mr. Oglesby was a retired long-haul truck driver. He was a Baptist. Survivors include a brother, Bobby Oglesby of Millen; a sister, Kate Baxley of Waynesboro; and several nieces and nephews.
Virginia A. Sharo
Virginia A. Sharo, 71, died Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at Burke Medical Center in Waynesboro. A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waynesboro, with Father Larry Goulding officiating.
Mrs. Sharo, a native of Euclid, Ohio, was a resident of Burke County. She was an employee of McDonald's Corporation, where she served as hostess for children's birthday parties and dressed as a clown.
Survivors include two sons, Ronald R. Gravelle of Blythe and Christopher R. Gravelle of Wildwood, Fla.; a sister, Norma Sieferd of Ohio; four grandchildren, Robert Gravelle, Michelle Ratliffe, Chris Gravelle and Billy Gravelle; and two great-grandchildren, Britney and Bridgett Ratliffe
