Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Lula Bryant
Mrs. Lula Bryant, age 87 of Jasper, passed away at her daughter’s residence in Ball Ground Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004.
Survivors are her daughters and sons-in-law, Helen Pearson, Cumming, Beth and Randall Ingram, Ball Ground, and Shirley and Howell Edwards, Douglasville; son-in-law, Bill Cornelison, Jasper; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Inez Poole, both of Jasper. Ten grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild also survives.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles O. Walker officiating. Interment followed in Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Danny, Jerry, Larry, Ray and Steve Poole and John Bryant. The family did accept flowers or donations may be made to the Georgia Mountains Hospice.
Lealon Greene
Mr. Lealon Greene, age 62 of Talking Rock, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 at Kennestone Hospital. He was a US Army veteran, retired from Lockheed and a member of Masonic Lodge #77, Mechanic Union Lodge #709 and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Greene, Talking Rock; sons, Kyle and Keith Greene, both of Canton, and Chipper Kelley of Valdosta; daughters, Dianna Hodgin of Dallas, Pamela Livingston of San Diego, Ca. and Samantha Rutledge of Douglasville; brother, Melvin Greene of Jasper; sisters, Marie Lewis and Linda Faye Cox, both of Canton, Laverne Roper of Ball Ground and Dianne King of Waleska. Twelve grandchildren also survive.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 from Sunrise Memorial Gardens with the Masons in charge of graveside services. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Lung Association. Sosebee Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Allen Stephens
Mr. Allen Stephens, age 82 of Canton, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003 at Portsbridge Hospice in Dunwoody.
Mr. Stephens was a retired Col. in the US Army and also a WW II war veteran. He was a charter member and founder of the Canton National Guard. He was a past master of the Canton Masonic Lodge #77 and a member of the Cherokee Shrine Club and Yaarb Temple. Mr. Stephens was the past high priest of the Canton Chapter of the Royal Arch Mason #135 and a founding member of the Elk Lodge. He was also retired from Lockheed and a member of the Riverdale Baptist Church.
Survivors include his sons, the Rev. Jimmy Stephens and Phillip Stephens, both of Canton; brother, Robert Stephens of Lawrenceville; sister, Cammie Porterfield of Seymour, Tn. Four grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survives.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday from Riverdale Baptist Church with the Revs. Bobby Segars, Edwin Weaver, Joey Dubois and Buddy Roper officiating. Interment followed in Cherokee Memorial Park with DAV military honors and Masonic graveside services. Sosebee Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Alvin Gibson
Mr. Alvin Gibson, age 50 of Marble Hill, passed away suddenly Jan. 4, 2003.
Surviving are his wife, Linda Gibson, Marble Hill; mother, Edna Gibson, Dawsonville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Angel Gibson, Ball Ground, and Terry and Julia Gibson, Marble Hill; one daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and William Bell, Marble Hill; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Bobby and Joyce Gibson, Dawsonville, Jeff and Teri Gibson, Talking Rock, and Jim and Betty Ann Gibson, Marble Hill; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Peggy Gibson, Tate, Sue and Lindsay Petty, Marble Hill, Ann and Joe Clark, Jasper, and Oma and Tony Tribble, Cumming. Three grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7 from Yellow Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Roy Blackwell and Dozier Henderson officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were: Greg Gibson, David, Gary and Bradley Pearson, Wes Clark and Jerry Wright. Cagle Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Patricia Holloway
Mrs. Patricia “Pat” Ann Holloway, age 58 of Dawsonville, passed away Jan. 10, 2003 at her residence.
She is survived by her husband, Lee Roy Holloway of Yellow Creek Community; mother, Lillie Mae Mincey of Stone Mountain; sons, Robert Pruitt of Oconee and Joseph Holloway of Yellow Creek; daughters, Wanda Hutchison and Tammy Smith, both of Bethlehem, Delleene Worley of Yellow Creek and Rosa Turner of Ducktown; brother, Jerry Mincey of Covington; sisters, Sylvia Miller of Covington and Linda Baker of Stone Mountain. Ten grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday from the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. John Henderson officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Johnny Archer, Rusty and Jack White, Jody Johnson, Jeff Miller and Jeff Lewis. Roper Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Virgie Morgan
Virgie Mae Morgan, age 104 of Etowah, Tn., passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003 at her home.
A native of Monroe County and a resident of Etowah for 67 years, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was a daughter of the late Robert and Venie Malone Raper. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Ollie Morgan; four sons, J.B., Charles, Reed and Glenn Morgan; six grandsons; and one granddaughter.
Survivors include four daughters and two sons-in-law, Hazel Dean of Ball Ground, Geraldine and Bill Watts of Sarasota, Fl., Betty Watson and Olliemae and George Rayburn, all of Etowah; one sister, Ruth Lacewell of Sweetwater. Sixteen grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 27 great-great-grandchildren also survive.
The graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday from McMinn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. James Atkins officiating. Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah was in charge of the arrangements.
Wilma Moss
Mrs. Wilma B. Moss, age 89 of Jasper, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 at Mountainside Medical Center.
She is survived by one brother, Willard Sosebee, Jasper, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Revs. Buddy Roper and Gene Childers officiating. Interment followed in Old Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery in Cherokee County. The following served as pallbearers: Scott Evans, Lee and Mike Sosebee, Rex Roden and Marty Dorsey.
Richard Williams
Mr. Richard “Benny” Williams, age 64 of Ellijay, passed away Jan. 11, 2003 at the VA Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Mattie Hood Williams; mother, Odella Williams of Buchanan, Ga.; son, Richard Glen Williams of Boise, Id.; daughters, Dee Dettman and Denise Tullis, both of Gainesville, Ga.; brothers, Osborn and Leon Williams, both of Jasper; sister, Gladys Johnson of Woodstock. Six grandchildren and the mother of Mr. Williams’ children, Shirley Evans, of Ellijay, also survive.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with the Rev. Sam May officiating. Interment followed in Talking Rock Baptist Church Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Tinsley and Tim Jones, Michael Carter, Todd Jarrett, Scott Fortenberry and Allen Johnson.
Vernon Meek
Mr. Vernon Meek, age 53 of Jasper, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2003 at Mountainside Medical Center.
Surviving are his wife, Brenda Castleberry, Jasper; mother, Peggy Meek, Newnan; one son, Dwight Castleberry, Jasper; three daughters, Charity Hurt, Locust Grove, Brook Meek, Austell, and Sherry Edmonson, Ellijay; two brothers, Roy and Bill Meek, both of Newnan; two sisters, Connie and Brenda. Three grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10 from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Revs. Dozier Henderson and Troy Milford officiating. Interment was in the Ophir Baptist Church Cemetery with Local #47 DAV in charge of military graveside services. Serving as pallbearers were: Bill and Ray Meek, James Thompson, Dwight Castleberry, Charles and Justin Cantrell, Kevin Hurt and Chris Buchanan.
Tim Haley
Tim Haley, age 34 of the Clayton Community, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003 at his residence. He was employed by Amicalola Electric of Jasper.
Tim is survived by his wife, Beth; daughters, Emily and Breanna; parents, the Rev. Donald and Bonnie (Raynes) Haley; and brother, Jeff Haley, all of Canton.
The service was held Sunday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery. The Revs. Donald Smith, Buck Parker and Max West officiated. Huey Funeral Home of Canton was in charge of the arrangements.
Francis Colding
Mr. Francis Colding, age 77 of Gay, Ga., passed away Dec. 29, 2003 at Kindred Hospital in Atlanta after complications from respiratory failure. Mr. Colding was a rancher and was born in Hillsborough County, Fl. to the late Walter Lee and Eva Pringle Colding.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Bell Colding of Gay; daughters, Peggy Wright, Kentucky, and Becky Thigpen, Wrens, Ga.; brothers, Sam Colding, Naples, Fl., and Wade Colding, Immokalee, Fl.; sisters, Dorothy Stanaland, Plant City, Fl., and Betty Williams,Coral Gables, Fl., .
The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with Pastor Roy Stanaland officiating. Entombment followed in Lake Forest Memorial Park Mausoleum. Roper Funeral Home of Jasper was in charge of the arrangements.
James Watkins
James Harold Watkins, age 78 of Carlton, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003.
A native of Madison County, he was the son of the late James Vascoe and Alice Fowler Watkins, and was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Virginia Gaddis Watkins; grandson, Zachary Brown Watkins; brothers, Herman, Horace, Perry, Clyde and Donald Watkins; sisters, Imogene Pendley and Louise Watkins. Mr. Watkins was a member of Carlton Baptist Church and served in the US Army during WW II with pride and honor.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Gale and Terry Scarborough, Colbert; son and daughter-in-law, Buck and Terri Watkins, Elberton; grandchildren, John and Donna Scarborough, Danielsville, Ben and Joy Scarborough, Comer, Chloe and Chad Burke, Athens, and Carmel and Robin Flanery of Okinawa, Japan; great-grandchildren, Steven, Leah, Blake Scarborough and Torii Flanery; brother, D.L. Watkins, Elberton; sister, Eva James, Athens. A number of nieces, nephews and a close friend, Annie Lou Bradley of Athens, also survive.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2 from the Chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home in Danielsville with the Rev. Jack Lindsey officiating. Interment was in the Carlton Cemetery.
Dalton Francis
Infant Dalton Cole Francis, 5 days old, passed away on Friday, Jan. 2, 2004. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Hazel Francis, and a grandfather, Cecil Reece.
Survivors include his parents, Amanda and Robby Francis, Jasper; brother, Shaun Wilkie, Jasper; half-sister, Isabella Bradbeer, Murphy, N.C.; grandparents, Joe Francis and Judy and Richie Sawyer, all of Murphy; great-grandparents, Jack M. Francis, Murphy, and Ora Reece, Marietta; uncles, Eric Francis of Andrews, N.C. and John Reece of Jasper.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4 from Sosebee Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Shannon Helton officiating. Interment followed in Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery.
Gertrude Estes
Mrs. Gertrude Estes, age 70 of Jasper, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 at Mountainside Medical Center.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Harrison and Judy Estes and Doug and Sonia Estes, all of Jasper; daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Dirk Blain, Clarksville, Tn., Wanda Buckner, Talking Rock, and Donna and Joe Wigington, Jasper; brothers, Willie Wilson, White, Ga., and Benny Wilson, Chatsworth. Twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Revs. LarryKelly and Joe Wigington officiating. Interment followed in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were: David Estes, Daniel Blain, Michael Childers, Chad Wigington, Dustin Buckner and Charles Little.
Jimmie Lee Bryant
Mrs. Jimmie Lee Bryant, age 77 of Marietta, passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2004.
Mrs. Bryant lived most of her life in Marietta and worked in medical records at Kennestone Hospital for 25 years. She was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Lester Bryant, Marietta; sons, Dwight Bryant, Tate, and Terry L. Bryant, Marietta; daughter, Bonnie Giddens, Flowery Branch; brothers, John Quarles, Marietta, and J.T. Quarles, Holly Springs; grandchildren, Larry and Kristin Bryant and Justin Giddens; great-grandchildren, Mattie and Luke Bryant. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home in Kennesaw with the Rev. Bobby Therrell officiating. Interment was in Pine Ridge Memorial Park in Kennesaw.
Rev. Horace E. Reece
The Rev. Horace E. Reece, age 88 of Talking Rock, Ga., passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004.
Rev. Reece was born April 24, 1915 in Pickens County, son of the late William and Julia James Reece. He was married to the late Agnes McJunkins Reece, was retired from Georgia Marble and was an ordained Baptist minister having pastored many churches in Gilmer, Pickens and surrounding counties. He was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Morris and Sue Reece, Jasper, Billy and Betty Reece and Larry and Anne Reece, all of Whitestone; daughters and sons-in-law, Alice and Jim Lowe, Vickie and Michael White and Becky and Garry Fountain, all of Jasper, and Sandy and Billy Bernhardt, Ellijay; sister, Stella Byrd Dale, McCaysville. Twenty-two grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild also survives.
The funeral service was held Sunday at 2 p.m. from Mountainview Baptist Church with the Revs. Edmund Miller, Larry Reece, Ben Langley and David Parks officiating. Music was by The Mountainview Trio, Lisa Pulliam, Julie Childs, Sam, Allison and David Holmes, Barry Scott and Jan Moody. Pallbearers were: William, Keith, Mike and Ricky Reece, Adam Lowe, Jason and Jonathan Bernhardt and Matt Fountain. Interment was in Yukon Cemetery under the direction of Bernhardt Funeral Home.
Clora Reavis
Mrs. Clora Reavis, age 92 of Jasper, passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004 at Mountain Health Care.
Survivors include brothers, Sam Wehunt, Jasper, Kenneth Wehunt, Barnesville, Ga., and Sherman Wehunt, Ball Ground; sisters, Oveda Reavis, Nelson, and Lois Stewart, Opelika, Al. Four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Revs. Grant Wade and Clyde Brock officiating. Interment was in Four Mile Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Johnny Ransom, Phil Stead, Jimmy, Jeff and Tony Wehunt.
Wanda Allen
Wanda Ruth Massey Allen, age 74, educator and minister’s wife, died at her home in Big Canoe in the North Georgia mountains on Nov. 13, 2003. She was the wife of Jimmy R. Allen, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1978-79) and chaplain for a decade at Big Canoe Chapel.
Born in Duncan, Ok., she graduated from high school in Wichita Falls, Tx. Earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard Payne University (1949), she also attended Texas Wesleyan University and Texas Christian University. Teaching speech arts and second grade for 23 years in public schools in Dallas and San Antonio, Tx., she chose to work in racially-changing communities and in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. She delighted in helping Hispanic children in South San Antonio. She often had 6 a.m. parent conferences to assist them fulfill their dreams for the children to achieve their goals. During the early 1960s, including the tragic times of Nov. 22, 1963, she dealt with racially tense times in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. With humor, grace and determination, she helped her children discover the meaning of justice and fairness in a democracy.
A significant part of Allen’s life experience was reflected in her role as grandmother of two children who died of HIV/AIDS. In the early 1980s the two little boys, Bryan and Matt, were infected by contaminated blood transfusions. Bryan’s House, the first pediatric agency for AIDS children in the nation, was named for her grandson who was the first baby of record to die of HIV/AIDS in Dallas. Her courage, commitment and devotion to her family are documented in the book Burden of a Secret.
Some of Allen’s many achievements included work as an entertainer and after-dinner speaker. She was widely known for her sense of humor. Winning acclaim in her student years in intercollegiate competition, she starred in dramatic productions. Active with Texas Baptists, in addition to her work in her local church, she led Young women’s Auxiliary, a missions organization for young women.
Assisting in creating program ideas for the ACTS Cable TV network, Allen was in the People’s Republic of China in the earliest days of normalization of relationships as part of the team that produced a documentary, “China: Walls and Bridges.” When it was presented on ABC TV Network, the program won a Daytime Emmy as the Best Special Program for the year 1988-89.
Her passion and love for people distinguished her as a person who will be deeply missed. She leaves behind touched lives that will never forget her.
Mrs. Allen is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jimmy R. Allen; three sons, Michael Wayne Allen of San Antonio, Stephen Ray (Skip) Allen of Dallas and Kenneth Scott Allen of Sydney, Australia; one grandchild, Diana Allen of Laredo; sister, Mrs. Wilma Durtschi, Brownwood, Tx.; and a nephew, Charles Durtschi, Grand Prairie, Tx.
A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17 at Big Canoe Chapel. Burial will be in the afternoon in the Chapel Cemetery in the Jimmy R. Allen Meditation Park. Memorial gifts may be sent to Bryan’s House, PO box 35868, Dallas, Tx. 75235 or Big Canoe Chapel, 10455 Wolfscratch Dr., Big Canoe, Ga. 30143. McDonald & Son Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.
