Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
James Virgil Knight
Services for James Virgil Knight, 84, of Thomasville, are 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at Dawson Street Baptist Church, where he was a member since 1950. The Rev. Lee Waller and Pastor Mack Luke will officiate and interment is in Big Creek Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Harold Knight, Lyndall Knight, Bobby Knight, Sean Knight, Jimmy Knight and Calvin Knight. Honorary pallbearers are Masons from Lodge No. 369. Mr. Knight died April 15 at Golden Living Center. Born April 19, 1922 in Lakeland, Fla., he was the son of the late James Henry and Bessie Strickland Knight. On Nov 22, 1940, in Tallahassee, Fla.., he married Lola Inez Phinazee Knight, wife of 66 years, who survives. Mr. Knight was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served in the Pacific Theater with the 96 ordnance in heavy maintenance, retired from Sunnyland Foods after 48 years, a member of Blue Lodge No. 369 and a Shriner. Other survivors include son and daughter-in-law: Dennis Virgil and Joann Knight, of Ochlocknee; daughter, Donna Marline Griffin, of Thomasville; brother and sister-in-law, F.L. and Anna Knight of Thomasville; sister and brother-in-law, Joye and Al Moses, of Hampton; grandchildren, Dr Jason Griffin and wife Pam, Jill Wilder and husband Charles, Jennifer Smallwood, Joni Griffin, Derek Knight, Victoria Sellers and husband Jason; great-grandchildren, J.J. Michaels, Maggie Smallwood, Morgan Smallwood, Ellie Griffin, Griffin Wilder all of Thomasville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Brothers Jewell Knight, Cody Knight, Jack Knight; and sister, Naumdine Faulk preceded him in death. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 1925 Century Blvd., Suite 10, Atlanta, Ga., 31707. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., today at the funeral home. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home
Grady Emory Lutes
Services for Grady Emory “PaPa” Lutes, 85, of Thomasville, are at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at Pineland Baptist Church. The Rev. Harold Thomaston and the Rev. Johnny Cooper will officiate and internment is in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Chris Lutes, Jimmy Lutes, Jeff Lutes, Danny Hatchell, Leon Harrison and James Clifton. Honorary pallbearers are James Cleveland and James Williams. Born on Jan. 22, 1922, in Screven County, he was the son of Leroy M. and Mattie Lou Broxton Lutes. He was married to Bonnie (Johnnie Mae) McTier Lutes, who preceded him in death. Mr. Lutes was retired from Independent Life Insurance Co. He was a member of First Baptist Church, a past member of Thomasville Masonic Lodge No. 369, a past member of the Shrine Temple in Albany, where he was designated as Grand Justice and he was a past president of the American Cancer Society. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Marion June Lutes Noel and Lytt Noel of Tallahassee, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Emory and Vickie McMath Lutes of Thomasville; grandchildren, Laurie Lutes Donovan and Benjie Donovan, Marty and Charity Jinright Lutes of Thomasville, Lakey Noel, of Tallahassee; great-grandchildren, Jake and Cole Donovan; Anne Martin Lutes; a brother Jim Lutes of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews and many children he claimed as his own. He was preceded in death by brothers, Roy Lutes, Bill Lutes, Ladson Lutes; a sister, Marion June Lutes; and a grandson Ladd Noel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P O Box 1201, Albany, Ga. 31707 or Pineland Baptist Church World Hunger Fund, 2031 E. Clay St, Thomasville, Ga. 31792. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home
Annie Elizabeth Touchton
Services for Annie Elizabeth Touchton, 57, Moultrie, are at 3 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at Morrison Baptist Church. The Rev. James Sellers will officiate and interment is in the church cemetery. Mrs. Touchton died Sunday, April 15 at her residence. Born in Brooks County, she was the daughter of E.L. and Maude Thompson Childers. She was a bank teller at Commercial Bank of Thomasville and member of Morrison Baptist Church. Survivors include her daughter, Sherri (Chris) Newton of Bulloch County; a son, Steve Jones of Thomasville; stepdaughter, Sheri Touchton of South Carolina; five grandchilden, Cortnee and Ashlynn Newton, Daniel Cunningham, Zachery and Allyssa Trotter; two sisters, Edna Connell of Moultrie, Nancy Hallford of Tennessee; three brothers, Noel Childers of Barney, Wilbur Lynn Childers of Texas, William “Buckshot” Childers of Tennessee; and her beloved dog, Bessie. - Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home
Woodson Shelton “Woody” Chapman
Services for Woodson Shelton (Woody) Chapman, of Statesboro and formerly of Cairo, are at 4 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2007, at First United Methodist Church in Cairo. The Rev. Richard Soper will officiate and interment is in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Climax. Active pallbearers are Max Mayo, Bryan Stovall, Frank Giddings, Mike Talisky, Lewis Gainey, Jimmy Douglas, Dan Steele, Dick Porter and T.D. David. Mr. Chapman died Wednesday, April 11 in Statesboro. Born Sept. 9, 1943, in Cairo, he was a son of the late Woodson Shelton and Emma Sapp Chapman. On Oct. 24, 1964, he married Peggy Smith Chapman who survives. Mr. Chapman was actively involved in recreational football, basketball and track, the United Way and the American Cancer Society. He was a 1961 graduate of Cairo High School and attended the University of South Carolina on a track scholarship and graduated in 1967. He coached football, basketball, track and tennis for a total of 15 years, serving Jesup High School, Southwest High School in Macon and Cairo High School. He and his wife, Peggy, moved to Statesboro in 1990 where he became the human resource director for the Torrington Company and in 1994 became the human resource manager for the city of Statesboro. Other survivors include a daughter, Courtney Chapman of Atlanta; son, Brice Chapman of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Philip Shelfer of Cairo. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 515 Denmark St., Suite 500, Statesboro, Ga. 30458 or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, Ga. 30459. - Clark Funeral Home
Josephine Franklin
Services for Josephine Franklin, 73, Meigs, are at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Estelle Arrington will officiate and interment is in Meigs Sunset Cemetery. Mrs. Franklin died April 6 at Archbold Hospital. Born July 30, 1933, in Thomas County, she was a daughter of the late Castior McCraw and Ethel Mae Dixon. She was married to the late George Franklin Sr. Survivors include five sons, Jerry Franklin (Rubileen), Lugean Franklin of Meigs, George Franklin (Gail), William Franklin (Rhoda), James Franklin (Beverly) of Richmond Hill; four daughters, Carolyn Jones (Rayford), Betty Usher (Horris), Gladis James (Donald) of Meigs, Christen Simon (Jim) of Alma; two brothers, Lawrence Dixon of Orlando, Fla., Tony Williams of Thomasville; two sisters, Minnie Price of Orlando, Fla., Sadie Bostick of Pelham; three aunts, Hannah McCraw, Leola Harris, Roxie Coleman of Pelham; sister-in-law, Pearl Alexander; 22 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. - Nathaniel Thomas and Son Home for Funerals
Orlando Frazier
Services for Orlando Frazier, Pine Park, are at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Bethel M.B. Church, where he was a member, in Pine Park. The Rev. Elex German pastor officiating and interment is in Mt. Nebo cemetery. Active pallbearers are James Reynolds, Isiah Lurry, David Cuffie, Barnell Thomas, Curtis Guyton and Paul Tucker. Mr. Frazier died April 10. Born in Decatur County, he was a son of the late Preston and Susie Williams Frazier. On Aug. 13, 1960, he married Fannie McIntyre. He attended Decatur County public schools. Survivors include his wife, Fannie Mae Frazier of Pine Park; daughters Clara Brown of Stockbridge, Rhodenia Edwards (Carlton) of Apopka, Fla., Janice Billingsley (Darin), Leslie Myers (Demetri) all of Conyers; sons, Ronnie Frazier (Pearl) of Thomasville, Jerome Frazier of Newark, N.J., Timothy Frazier of Pine Park; brothers, Oscar Frazier (Victoria) of Bainbridge, Sam Frazier (Brenda) of Pine Park, Willie Frazier (Sally) of Albany, N.Y., Eddie Frazier (Melissa) of Leesburg; sisters, Mary Smalls, Stella Bess (James), Pearl Drake all of Albany, N.Y.; aunt, Estella Smith of Bainbridge; 16 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. - Weston’s Funeral Home
T.W. “Tommy” Griffin
Services for T.W. “Tommy” Griffin, 84, Bainbridge, are at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Rev. Danny Shepard will officiate and interment is in Mt. Zion Baptist Church cemetery. Active pallbearers are grandsons. Mr. Griffin died Thursday, April 12 at Archbold Hospital in Thomasville. Born Oct. 16, 1922, in Miller County, he was a son of the late O.L. Griffin and Mattie Lou Addison Griffin. He was a farmer, member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he served many years as chairman of the board of deacons and a past president of Decatur County Farm Bureau. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Lillian G. Griffin of Bainbridge; two sons, James E. Griffin and wife, Kaye of Bainbridge, Stuart Griffin and wife, Becky of Bainbridge; two daughters, Janice “Sissy” Sims of Tampa, Fla., Linda Gail Brown and husband, George of Bainbridge; three sisters, Lou Freeman, Martha Winn, Pauline Kelly all of Colquitt; eight grandchildren, Jim Griffin, Barry Webb, Zane Griffin, Bo Griffin, Cory Webb, John Griffin, Tom Griffin, Mollie Griffin; two great-grandchildren, Jacob Webb and Grayson Griffin. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robbie Griffin, Willie Griffin; and two sisters, Ollie Mae Vespa and Eugenia Attaberry. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 243 Mt. Zion Church Rd., Bainbridge, Ga. 39817. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m., today at the funeral home. - Ivey Funeral Home
Thedis R. Musselwhite
Services for Thedis R. Musselwhite, 81, Vienna, are at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 14, 2007, in the chapel of Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home in Vienna and interment is in Vienna City Cemetery. Mrs. Musselwhite died Wednesday at her residence. Born in Thomas County, she was the daughter of the late William Wesley Rudd and Adele Berry Rudd. She was a member of Vienna United Methodist Church, a retired LPN and a foster parent. Survivors include her husband, Luther Musselwhite of Vienna; sons, David Musselwhite (Gail) of Vienna, Danny Musselwhite of Fort Valley, Billy Musselwhite of Vienna; daughters, Nancy Herndon (Wendell) of Vienna, Winnie Davis (Bruce) of Pinehurst, Lee Abernathy (Sam) of Hawkinsville; brothers, Frankie Rudd of Byromville, Vernon Rudd (Louise) of Duebach, La., Fraser Rudd (Lavada) of Five Points, Ala.; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A son, Luther Musselwhite Jr. preceded her in death. Memorials may be made to Vienna UMC, 313 Church St., Vienna, Ga. 31092. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., today at the funeral home. - Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home
Cartha C. Fykes
Services for Cartha C. Fykes, of Thomasville, are 2 p.m. Monday at Allen & Allen Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Dan Spencer will officiate and interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Patrick Brown, A. J. Brown, Alan Fykes, Ferris Fykes, Bruce Fykes, Jr. Hurst and David Hurst. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Knight, Grady Bonner, Jackie Reynolds, Jackie Billingsly and Jerry Funk. Mr. Fykes was born Oct. 12, 1918, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to the late Posey R. and Mary Cline Fykes. On July 25, 1952, in Quitman, he married Myrtice Shealey Fykes, who survives. Mr. Fykes was a United States Army veteran and was a mechanic for 35 years for Faulk Chevrolet and Roy Campbell Chevrolet. Mr. Fykes died Saturday at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Other survivors include son, Richard Earl Fykes of Thomasville; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Bobby Brown of Thomasville; grandchildren, Chris Fykes, Leann Fykes, Alan Fykes, Patrick Brown, A. J. Brown; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Billy Fykes of Bethpage, Tenn.; and, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Charles Ray Fykes; brother, Hobert Fykes; and, sister Velta Maniscalso. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home
William L. ‘Bill’ Miller
Services for William L. “Bill” Miller, 78, 1801 4th St. S.E., Moultrie, are 2 p.m. today at Cobb Funeral Chapel. The Dr. Michael Helms and Mr. Jim Hardy will officiate and interment is at Cobb Suncrest Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are James Grogan, Homer Salter, Rob Gilchrist, Jeffery Miller, Joe Roberts, Cecil Law, Jason Miller and Brad Shealey. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Alex Hall Sunday School Class. Miller was born in Colquitt County on Dec. 6, 1927, to the late Beulah Price Clark and David F. Clark. He was a butcher for 44 years and retired from Swift & Co. Miller was a member of Trinity Baptist church and served as Secretary of the Alex Hall Sunday School Class and was a Sunday school teacher. He was a veteran of World War II. Miller served in the 11th Airborn Division during Army occupation of Japan as a lineman and was 1st SGT. in the Army National Guard for six years. He died Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Survivors include wife of 55 years, Dorothy Roberts Miller of Moultrie; sons, David Miller and wife Susan of Valdosta and William E. “Bill” Miller and wife Cathy of Moultrie; daughter, Cheryl Ann Miller of Orange Park, Fla.; sister, Virginia Beverly and husband John T. of Moultrie; brother, Leamon Miller of Atlanta; grandchildren, Jeffery Miller, Jason Miller, Tyler Moser, Melanie Turner, Amy Miller and Savannah Miller; and, great-grandchildren Brooke Turner, Alex Turner, Alexis Turner and Jaina Turner. Memorials may be made to Children’s Advocacy Center of Colquitt County. - Cobb Funeral Chapel
Delano G. Smith
Services for Delano G. Smith “BeyBey,” 58, of Thomasville, are 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mark AME Church in Thomasville. The Rev. E.X. King, pastor, will officiate and Rev. Isaiah Waddy will deliver the eulogy. Interment is in Peaceful Rest Cemetery. Pallbearers are classmates of Douglass High School Class of 1964, American Legion Post 519. Smith was born on March 30, 1047, in Thomas County to parents Hazel and Joe Smith. He was a 1964 graduate of Douglass High School, where he excelled as a trumpet player in the school band. Smith furthered his education in music by attending Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Fla., and Albany State University in Albany. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged from the Marines with the rank of Corporal E-4. Smith was a member of St. Mark AME Church. He died Thursday at Brownwood Nursing Home in Moultrie. Survivors include his parents of Thomasville; daughter, Montresa Hawkins of Springfield, Va.; granddaughter, Haley Breaux of Springfield, Va.; sister, Hazel Beaty (J.P.) of Fayetteville; brothers, Joseph Smith (Louise) of Riverdale, Md., Jerome Smith (Doaries) of Beachton and Rudolph Smith of Atlanta; uncles, Ralph Hall of Washington, D.C. and Adam Hall of Thomasville; and, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Viewing is Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Grooms Funeral Home and at St. Mark AME Church on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., preceding the service. - Grooms Funeral Home
Russell H. Williams
Services for Russell H. Williams, 67, of Anniston, Ala., are 12 p.m. Wednesday at 17th Street Baptist Church in Anniston. The Rev. Hersey Taylor will officiate and interment is in Eden Hills Cemetery. Active pallbearers are funeral directors and Thomas A. Williams, Elks Lodge #1668. Mr. Williams was born in Thomasville on April 27, 1938, to the late Earl and Flossie Williams. He was a graduate of the Douglass High School Class of 1956. Mr. Williams was a United States Army Veteran and a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Anniston. He owned and operated Anniston and Pell City Funeral Services. Mr. Williams died Wednesday at Regional Medical Center. Survivors include brothers, Earl (Faye) Williams and Clarence Williams, both of Thomasville; and a host of nieces and nephews. Anniston Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements. - Hatcher-Peoples Funeral HomeCartha C. Fykes
Services for Cartha C. Fykes
Services for Cartha C. Fykes, of Thomasville, are 2 p.m. Monday at Allen & Allen Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Dan Spencer will officiate and interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Patrick Brown, A. J. Brown, Alan Fykes, Ferris Fykes, Bruce Fykes, Jr. Hurst and David Hurst. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Knight, Grady Bonner, Jackie Reynolds, Jackie Billingsly and Jerry Funk. Mr. Fykes was born Oct. 12, 1918, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to the late Posey R. and Mary Cline Fykes. On July 25, 1952, in Quitman, he married Myrtice Shealey Fykes, who survives. Mr. Fykes was a United States Army veteran and was a mechanic for 35 years for Faulk Chevrolet and Roy Campbell Chevrolet. Mr. Fykes died Saturday at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Other survivors include son, Richard Earl Fykes of Thomasville; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Bobby Brown of Thomasville; grandchildren, Chris Fykes, Leann Fykes, Alan Fykes, Patrick Brown, A. J. Brown; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Billy Fykes of Bethpage, Tenn.; and, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Charles Ray Fykes; brother, Hobert Fykes; and, sister Velta Maniscalso. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home
