Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Tommy Melvin Griffin
CORDELE - Funeral services for Tommy Melvin Griffin were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services. The Rev. Eve Tomberlin and the Rev. Jan Conner conducted the service.
Jill B. Gibbs, pianist, played “How Great Thou Art” as the prelude and accompanied Vicky Cape as they sang “Sweet, Sweet Spirit.” She also accompanied the congregation as they sang “Amazing Grace” and played “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic” as the postlude.
Pallbearers were Christopher Cape, Michael Griffin, James Woodward, Sonny Sangster, John Causey and Charles Stephens.
Interment was in Sunnyside Cemetery. The service closed with “Taps.”
Cindy Renee Wilkinson
CORDELE - A graveside service for Cindy Renee Wilkinson, 36, was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at Cedar Creek Cemetery in Crisp County. The Rev.. Tim Clark conducted the service.
Mrs. Wilkinson died at Crisp Regional Hospital Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004.
Rainey Family Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.
Thelma Marie Pearce
CORDELE - Funeral services for Thelma Marie Pearce, 90, were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Union Presbyterian Church in Scottsville, N.Y. Pastor Jane Bender conducted the service. Interment was in Oatka Cemetery.
Mrs. Pearce died at Crisp Regional Hospital Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004. Born Sunday, Nov. 16, 1913, in Buffalo, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late John Leroy Bradfield and Edna Anna Josephine Lange Bradfield and the widow of Ralph Benjamin Pearce, Jr. Mrs. Pearce was a past member of Gates-Chili Women’s Auxiliary, Scottsville Women’s Auxiliary, Monroe County Fire Exempts and the Wheatland Senior Citizens Group. She was also a volunteer at the Danforth Center in Rochester, N.Y. and Pali Momi in Hawaii.
She is survived by her children, Judy Pearce of Pearl City, Hawaii, Richard Pearce and his wife, Ruth Ann of Rochester, N.Y. and Nancy Peck and her husband, Chet of Cordele; grandchildren, Timothy Pearce and wife, Connie, and Todd Pearce and wife, Tracy, all of Rochester, N.Y. and Karri Ann Newman and husband, Chris of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and five great-grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Scottsville Fire Department in Scottsville, N.Y. 14546. Local arrangements are being handled by Rainey Family Funeral Services, Inc. Friends may register online at www.raineyfuneral.com.
Annie Louise Brewer
CORDELE - A memorial service for Annie Louise Brewer, 59, was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Service. Leo Pouliot conducted the service. Bobby Usry, soloist, sang “Sheltered In The Arms Of God.” Interment was in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Americus.
Mrs. Brewer died at her residence Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004.
Rainey Family Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.
Ernest Andrew Stilwell, Sr.
CORDELE - A graveside service for Ernest Andrew Stilwell, Sr. was held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Danny Stilwell conducted the service. A taped rendition of “Angel” was played.
Mr. Stilwell, 70, died at Crisp Regional Hospital Friday, Nov. 5, 2004. He was born Saturday, April 28, 1934, in Turner County and was the son of the late Virgil Clarence Stilwell and Martha Jemima Kennedy Stilwell. He was a farmer and a member of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by two daughters, Tina Peavy of Cordele and Barbara Newman of Brewton, Ala.; two sons, J. C. Stilwell and Andrew Stilwell, both of Cordele; two brothers, Albert Stilwell of Arabi and Milton Stilwell of Lakeland, Fla.; three sisters, Louise Pate of Lakeland, Fla., Bertha Arnett of Cordele, and Ann Sills of Cusseta; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Johnny Stilwell.
The family received friends at the funeral home Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, from 2 p.m. until time for the service.
Arrangements by Rainey Family Funeral Services, Inc. Friends may register online at www.raineyfuneral.com.
Catherine Rose ‘Katie’ Allen
CORDELE - Funeral services for Catherine R. “Katie” Allen were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Cordele First Baptist Church. Dr. John G. Smith, III conducted the service.
The eulogy was given by Ed Northrop. Organist, Beth Watson, played soft music. Billy White, soloist, sang “I Can Only Imagine” and “Sweet Beulah Land". Mrs. Watson accompanied Mr. White as he sang “The Lord’s Prayer” at the close of the service.
Pallbearers were M.H. Allen, Danny Spires, Brent Northrop, Todd Northrop, R.C. Chatting and Leonard Fletcher.
Interment was at Sunnyside Cemetery. Rainey Family Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.
Carolyn Jackson Hendley
RIDGETOP, Tenn. - Carolyn Jackson Hendley, 70, of Ridgetop, Tenn., died at Ridgetop Villa Haven Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
She was born Saturday, Aug. 25, 1934, in Cordele, the daughter of the late James Artis Jackson and Celie Florine Bolin Jackson. Mrs. Hendley was retired from Civil Service.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services. Interment will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery.
She is survived by her daughters, Denise Strickland of Norman Park, and Elaine Butler and Kay Parks both of Nashville, Tenn.; son, Joe Hendley of Cordele; a brother, Harold Jackson of Cordele; a sister, Louise Odom of Warwick; and grandchildren, Robert and Jessica Meisner, R.J. Strickland, Richard and Mishelle Butler, Lacey Dillard, Dwayne Sword and his fiance, Melissa Knight, Michael Parks and his fiance, Shantae Robinson, Joey Parks and Jessica Parks and her fiancé, Matthew Knight; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, James Jackson; a grandson, Jamie Butler; and a son-in-law, Ronnie Parks.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 6-8 p.m.
Friends may register on-line at www.raineyfuneral.com.
Arrangements by Rainey Family Funeral Services Inc.
Lillian Beasley Bass
SYLVESTER - Funeral services for Lillian Beasley Bass, 79, will be held at 11 a.m. today, Nov. 10, 2004, at Perry Funeral Chapel in Ashburn. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ashburn. An online registry is available at www.perryfuneralchapel.com. Perry Funeral Chapel of Ashburn has charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Bass died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany following a lengthy illness.
Gerald L. Owens
FITZGERALD - Funeral services for Gerald L. Owens, 63, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, in the chapel of Paulk Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Owensboro. Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. An online registry is available at www.paulkfuneralhome.com. Paulk Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Owens died Monday, Nov. 8, 2004, in Coliseum Medical Center in Macon.
Benny Lee Cole
SYCAMORE - Funeral services for Benny Lee Cole, 55, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, in Bethel Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery.
Mr. Cole died Monday, Nov. 8, 2004, at his residence following a lengthy illness.
Born in Lowndes County, he had resided in Turner County for the last 25 years. He was the son of the late Leroy and Ossie Lee Ganas Cole. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and was retired a retired Georgia Department of Transportation Permit Inspector Engineer.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Solomon Cole of Sycamore; one son, Jason Cole of Sycamore; one daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Monty Pate of Sycamore; two grandchildren, Lexi and Ally Pate both of Sycamore; and one brother, Bobby Cole of Lake Park.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Cole, and a sister, Betty Shelley.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
An online registry is available at www.perryfuneralchapel.com. Perry Funeral Chapel of Ashburn has charge of the arrangements.
Aberdeen ‘Dean’ Parks
CECIL - Funeral services for Aberdeen “Dean” Parks, 75, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, in the chapel of Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home in Adel. Burial will follow in Fellowship Church Cemetery with military honors. The Revs. James Young, Terry Colon and Roscoe Bennett will officiate the services.
Mr. Parks died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004, in South Georgia Medical Center.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Cecil City Council, chiefs of Volunteer Fire Departments and the City of Adel Chief.
Born Jan. 25, 1929, in Rochelle, he had lived in Cecil since 1953. He was the son of the late William Russell Furman Parks and Ruby Odessa Allison Parks Garner. He was a member and deacon of Cecil Baptist Church and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was retired from Parks Portable Welding and was chief of the Cecil Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He also served on the Cecil City Council and was a veteran of the U.S. Airforce, achieving the rank of Airman 1st Class.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Moore Parks of Cecil; a son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Amanda Parks of Cecil; three daughters and sons-in-law, Jenny Parks Longden of Cecil, Sherry and Lonnie Roberts and Marlene and Richard Webb all of Sparks; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Ricky Parks; one brother, four sisters and his step-father, W.S. “Sam” Garner.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, at the funeral home.
Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home of Adel has charge of the arrangements.
Russell M. Vaughan
CORDELE - Graveside services were held at the Vienna City Cemetery for Russell M. Vaughan at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004. The Rev. Cham White officiated the service.
Pallbearers were Murphy Head, Brandon Vaughan, Caleb Vaughan, Alfred Davis, Pat Ayers and Johnny Davis.
“Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “Drinking From My Saucer” were played during the service.
An online guestbook is available at www.hughesandwright.com. Hughes & Wright Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.
-- Kelvin Black, 66, of Pinehurst died Monday, Nov. 8, 2004, in Pinehurst. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by J.W. Williams Funeral Home of Cordele.
John R. Barentine
ROCHELLE - Funeral services for John R. Barentine, 79, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004, in Pope City Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Pope City Cemetery. The Revs. Dwane Newsome and Tim Hill will officiate the services.
Mr. Barentine died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, in the Carl Vinson Medical Center in Dublin.
Born in Ben Hill County on Dec. 11, 1924, he was the son of the late Robert Barentine and Amanda McDowell. He had lived the greater part of his life in Wilcox County and was a member of the Abbeville First Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Rochelle Masonic Lodge #190 and the Wilcox County Farm Bureau. He was retired from the Harris Group in Cordele with 20 years of service. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Katherine, in 1979.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Will Pope Barentine of Rochelle; sons, Bobby (Farellyn) Barentine of Dublin, and Ronnie Barentine of Rochelle; and two grandchildren, Perry and Paige Barentine of Dublin.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Frazier & Son Funeral Home of Rochelle has charge of the arrangements.
Helen Davis Story
SYLVESTER - Funeral services for Helen Davis Story, 87, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004 at the First Baptist Church in Sylvester. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Dr. Tom Jacobs will officiate the services.
Mrs. Story’s nephew will serve as active pallbearers.
Mrs. Story died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Born in Worth County on Nov. 28, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Henry Gordon Davis, Sr. and Lillie Elizabeth Wingate Davis. She returned to Sylvester from Pelham where she resided since 1948 and served as bookkeeper and office manager for three Pelham School superintendents covering a span of 32 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sylvester and she attended Sunday School at Pine Shadows Retirement Manor, where she was a resident. She is preceded in death by her husband James L. Story Sr. and her parents. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Story was preceded in death by her brother, William H. Davis, Sr. and her sister, Vernita Davis Greene.
Survivors include two daughters; Beth Mullis and husband Ray of Sylvester, Claire Miller and husband Frank Sr. of Cordele; one son, Dr. James L. Story, Jr. and wife Carolyn of Thomasville; two sisters, Agnes Davis King of Sylvester and Lillian Davis Williams Burnett of Sumner; two brothers, Albert H. Davis of Montezuma and Dr. H. Gordon Davis, Jr. of Sylvester; grandchildren, James Mullis, Darrell Mullis, Amy Hollis, Frank Miller, Jr., Brinley Helen Miller, James L. Story, III and Shawn Marie Story and seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Banks Funeral home in Sylvester.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Pelham or the First Baptist Church of Sylvester.
Banks Funeral Home of Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.
-- Lanier Beasley, 80, of Hawkinsville, a former pastor of Northern Heights Baptist Church in Cordele, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004. Clark Funeral Home of Hawkinsville has charge of the arrangements.
Yolanda Regina Lucas Curry
CORDELE - Funeral services for Yolanda Regina Lucas Curry, 38, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, 2004, in the sanctuary of Shady Grove Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery. The Rev. Isaac H. Owens will officiate the services.
Ms. Curry died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004.
Survivors include her children, Sanchez K. Lucas, Ashley S. Felton, Charles A. Felton Jr. and Synia S. Curry all of Cordele; her parents, Willie Frank and Jessie Walker of Cordele; sisters, Lawana Davis and Latressa (Rodney) Taylor both of Cordele, and Ashley Dowdell of Atlanta; brothers, Jefery (Michelle) Lucas of Lithonia, Roderick (Keyon) Walker and Latravius Walker both of Cordele, and Cory Darden of Miami, Fla.; grandparents, Sarah Dowdell and Willie Dowdell both of Jacksonville, Fla.; aunts and uncles, Mary Appling, Debra (Dennis) Armstrong, Bonita Appling, Mary Bynes Appling, Ida Ruth Bryant, Lawrence Stokes, Dorothy Lucas, Quincy Lucas and Larry Appling all of Cordele, Francine (Kenneth) Sheffield and Michael (Tyra) Appling both of Albany, Jerry Dowdell and Lonza Mae Fenn both of Atlanta, AK2 Rolita Appling, Jesse Dowdell, Nathaniel (Maxine) Dowdell, George (Minnie) Dowdell, Eddie (Laverne) Dowdell, Curtis Dowdell, Sarah (J.C.) Brown and Charlie Dowdell all of Jacksonville, Fla., Priscilla Lucas, Catherine Lucas, Valeria Lucas and Marbis Lucas all of Chicago, Ill.; and one grandchild, Ashley Felton of Cordele.
J.W. Williams Funeral Home of Cordele has charge of the arrangements.
Lula Whiddon Pate
OCILLA - Funeral services for Mrs. Lula Whiddon Pate, 85, of Ocilla will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 19, 2004 at the Harmony Baptist Church in Turner County. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Pate died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004 at the Irwin Co. Hospital following an extended illness.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Perry Funeral Chapel.
-- Willie B. Carter of Cordele died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004, in Crisp Regional Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bentley Carson Memorial Funeral Home of Cordele.
Jeanette Rosetta Marie Thérése Desmarais Bringman
CORDELE - Funeral services for Jeanette Rosetta Bringman were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services. The Rev. Brett Jarriel conducted the service.
Daniel Horne, pianist, played soft music. Lynn Harward, Mrs. Bringman’s daughter, sang “Blessed” and Mollie Jarriel sang “It’s True.” Mrs. Bringman’s other daughters, Kerrie Wills and Sherrie Horne, and Mrs. Harward sang “Amazing Grace.” Her son, Les Bringman, read a poem entitled “Today, Tonight.”
Pallbearers were Lamar Wills, Scott Harward, Daniel Horne, Mike Hughes, Larry Price and Thomas Clack.
Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Ashburn.
Rainey Family Funeral Services of Cordele had charge of the arrangements.
George Edward Ethridge Jr.
AMERICUS - George E. Ethridge Jr., 67, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004.
A native of Sumter County, Mr. Ethridge was the son of George Edward Ethridge Sr. and the late Effie Holley Ethridge. He was service manager with Erickson's Forklift, was volunteer of the year for Easter Seals in the early 1980’s, loved motorcycles, car racing and spending time on his tractor on his farm. Mr. Ethridge served in the National Guard from 1959-1965 and was of the Baptist faith.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov.18, 2004, in the chapel of Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel with the Revs. Damon Fountain and Tommy McConnell officiating. Interment followed in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Survivors other than his father, George Edward Ethridge Sr., include his wife, Thelma E. Ethridge of Americus; one daughter, Tammy Ethridge Chapman of Americus; a son-in-law, Gregory Scott Duncan of Americus; his mother-in-law, Jennie O’Neal of Americus; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronald Holley Ethridge and Sally, Reagan Spencer Ethridge and Linda all of Americus; three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Joe Manders of Arabi, Ted Early Manders and Donna of Savannah, Todd Manders and Brenda of Cordele; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Southeast Affiliate, 1685 Terrell Mill Road, Marietta, Ga., 30067-8320.
Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
