Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Lillie Mae Chester
Services for Lillie Mae Chester, 89, 125 Wright St., Thomasville, are at 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004 at Tower Street Church of Christ, 121 Tower St., Thomasville. Brother Clay Phillips will officiate and interment is in Peaceful Rest Cemetery. Active pallbearers are John Murphy, Ira Flowers, Tony Harris, Flint Mathis, James Broadnax, David Mitchell, Spencer Wilson and Willie Varnedoe. Honorary pallbearers are Tried Stone Masonic Lodge No. 1 members. Mrs. Chester died Dec. 9 at Glen-Mor Nursing Home in Thomasville. Born Feb. 15, 1915 in Thomas County, she was a daughter of the late Jake and Hester Bryant. She was married to Nathaniel Chester Sr. who preceded her in death on Nov. 10, 1962. She was a member of Tower Street Church of Christ, Rainy Day Club and Tabitha No. 31 Order of Eastern Star. She was a homemaker and foster grandparent. Survivors include daughters, Rosa Mae Harris, Marie Bennett, Louise Brown all of Thomasville; sons, Nathaniel Chester Jr., Edward Chester (Dorothy) all of Buffalo, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Joyce Chester of Thomasville; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowing friends. A daughter, Gladys Diggs, preceded her in death. The viewing is from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home and from noon until the service Thursday at the church. The procession will assemble at 1 p.m., Thursday at 125 Wright St. - Hadley’s Funeral Home
Edwina Hancock Faulk Cox
Services for Edwina Hancock Faulk Cox of Thomasville and Chicago are at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004, at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Thomasville. Graveside internment service will be private. Mrs. Cox died Friday, Dec. 10, following a lengthy struggle with lung cancer. She had been a resident at Arbor Terrace in Decatur for almost two years. She was fondly known by all of her friends and family as “Wina.” Edwina was born on April 30, 1922, in Fitzgerald and was the daughter of the late Lillie Reed Hancock and Henry Edwin Hancock. She grew up in Florida where she met her future husband John Hughey Faulk Jr., of Chipley, Fla. At the end of World War II, Johnny and Edwina made their home for more than 25 years in Cairo, where her husband became a prominent civic leader, automobile dealer and building contractor while they raised their five children. Edwina was a dedicated homemaker and an amazing mother and was known throughout the community for her artistic talent, good design sense and ardent gardening knowledge. Her landscaping and garden design skills created a well known home and yard which was frequently honored with awards for outstanding landscaping. She was generous with volunteering her time and talents to the community as a library volunteer, Cairo Women’s Club, Camellia Garden Club, and a founding member of The Grey Ladies Hospital Auxiliary. In 1967, her engaging and outgoing personality made her the perfect candidate for her new career as the first Welcome Wagon Lady promoting the Cairo Chamber of Commerce businesses to new residents. In 1969, she was promoted to the SE Georgia District Manager for Welcome Wagon. Following the death of her husband in 1973, Edwina joined with the Grady County Textile Mills as their Director of Personnel. It was in 1975 she married William “Bill” Cox of Chicago and Thomasville, a local plantation owner and wildlife enthusiast. During their marriage the couple traveled extensively until his death in 1987. Edwina and Bill were founding members of the All Saints Episcopal Church in Thomasville. As an avid and passionate gardener, Edwina devoted her interest to the gardens on the church grounds and added to their beauty with her contribution of a Victorian wrought iron gazebo in memory of her husband, William D. Cox. In honor of her late husband, she continued his generous legacy to endow the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wy., Field Museum in Chicago and Ducks Unlimited in Memphis. Her local memberships included the Thomasville Cultural Center, Thomasville Landmarks, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and Thomas County Historical Society. Mrs. Cox is survived by her children: three sons, John Hughey Faulk III, of Griffin; Michael Faulk of Colorado; and Leslie Faulk of Atlanta; two daughters, Jan Faulk Rogers of Griffin; and Catherine Faulk Dorn of Atlanta; and son-in-law, Robert Rogers, Griffin. She is also survived by five granddaughters: Jana Rogers O’Neil of Lake Forest, Ill. ; Angela Dorn Winckler of Atlanta; Rebecca Rogers Benincosa of Griffin; Anna Melissa Dorn of Atlanta, and Rachel Edwina Faulk of Atlanta; and great-grand children, Georgia Margaret O’Neil of Lake Forest, Ill., and Samuel Edwin Winckler of Atlanta. Other survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Jack Powell of Atlanta; three sisters-in-law, Jane Faulk Watt, Juanita Faulk Robinson and Martha Faulk. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Thomas County Historical Society. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home
Charles Ray Fykes
Services for Charles Ray Fykes of Thomasville are at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at Allen & Allen Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Dan Spencer and the Rev. Mack Luke will officiate and interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Chris Fykes, Shawn Tipton, Patrick Brown, A.J. Brown, Chase Connally and Allen Donalson. Honorary pallbearers are Francisco Hernandez, Wayne McNeil, Ronnie Tanner, Carl Ragan, Lamar Thompson, Rickey Criswell and Michael Chesnutt. Mr. Fykes died Dec.10, 2004, at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Born Sept. 15, 1956, in Thomasville, he was the son of Cartha C. Fykes and Myrtice Shealey Fykes who survives. On June 10, 1977, in Thomasville, he married Carol Luann Worthy Fykes, who survives. He was a truck driver for Casual Carriers. Mr. Fykes was a loving father and brother. Other survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer LeAnn and Richard Edward Hines; son, Ray Alan Fykes and his fiancé, Lynnette Oliver all of Thomasville; grandchildren, Jaiden Alynn Bailey, Kendall Jolie Fykes and Hali Jayde Hines; brother, Richard Earl Fykes; sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Bobby Brown, all of Thomasville and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the funeral chapel from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home
Bascom Sonny Norton
Services for Bascom Sonny Norton, 60, of Cairo are at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at the Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. He died Friday, Dec. 10, at his residence. Norton was an auto mechanic and served for 25 years in the Army National Guard. He is survived by his wife, Kay Wimberly Norton of Cairo; children Sherry Dee Williams and husband Everett of Locus Grove, Va., Michael Jody Norton and wife Michele of Cairo, Sunny Marie Collier and husband Chris of Cairo; mother Inez Godwin and husband Carroll of Cairo; brother J.D. Norton of Cairo; sisters Clara Nell Mayan of Elkin, N.C., and Becky Baggett of Cairo; grandchildren Drake and Tristin Norton-Williams of Locus Grove, Va., Haylee Norton of Cairo and Tanner Collier of Cairo. Family will receive friends after the memorial service at the Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Georgia, 808 Gordon Ave., Thomasville, Ga. 31792. - Heritage Funeral Home
Floyd Green
Services for Floyd Green, 83, are at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004, at Clark Funeral Home Chapel in Cairo. The Rev. John Paul Hasick will officiate, and interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Active pallbearers include Larry R. Green, Robert Earl Walden, Jr., Joe Gwaltney, Randy Gwaltney, Keith Gwaltney, Wayne Gwaltney. Honorary pallbearers include Bill Sikes, Tommy Lawrence, William Owens, Frank Jones, Mike Chapman, Raymond Green, Buzz Green, William Godwin, and Maurice Rykard. Green died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004 in Cairo. Born Aug. 13, 1921, in Grady County, he was the son of the late William N. and Effie Lee Owens Green. Green was a retired commercial truck driver with Kraft, and was a member of Gordon Heights Baptist Church in Cairo and Woodmen of the World. He was married to Dina Gwaltney Green, who preceded him in death Dec. 10, 2003. Survivors include daughters Barbara Glenda Erdman and husband John of Rushford, MD.; step children Robert Earl (Bobby) Walden and wife Scarlett of Bainbridge, Judy Rich and husband Mark of Cairo; brother W.R. (Snooks) Green and wife Virginia of Cairo; grandchildren William Keith Chapman, Sr. and wife Julie of Butler Indiana; great-grandchild William Keith Chapman, Jr. of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; great-great-grandchild; William Keith Chapman, III of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, granddaughter Sheila Ann Keith and sister Mabel Louise Green. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at Clark Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the American Heart Association or to Gordon Heights Baptist Church General Fund, 1355 Fifth Street S.E., Cairo. - Clark Funeral Home
Pollie Ola Williams Bullock
Services for Pollie Ola Williams Bullock, 72, St. Petersburg, Fla. are at noon, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at St. John AME Church in Boston. The Rev. Roy Brown Jr. and the Rev. Clement Choice will officiate with interment in Magnolia Cemetery. Mrs. Bullock died Dec. 2 in St. Petersburg. Born March 2, 1932 in Thomas County, she was a daughter of the late Manassah and Pollie Williams. She was married to Mallist Bullock who preceded her in death on May 31, 1965. She was a 1949 graduate of Boston High School and a member of Greater Mount Zion AME Church in St. Petersburg. She moved to St. Petersburg in 1950 and retired from the City of St. Petersburg Customer Service Department. Survivors include her son, Philbert Hamm of Brooklyn, N.Y.; brother, Walter Williams of Perth Amboy, N.J.; sisters, Lucille Graham (Roscoe) of Perth Amboy, Jessie Brown (Robert Sr.) of Boston, Mamie Law of Boston; sisters-in-law, Claudia S. Williams of Quitman, Elizabeth Williams of Boston, Ada M. Williams, Alberta T. Williams both of St. Petersburg, Marie Williams of Orlando, Fla.; special friends, Hattie M. Campbell, Ruth Carter; and a host of neices, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Lois Williams; brothers, Orllis Williams, John W. Williams, Andrew Williams, Alfred J. Williams and James Williams. The viewing is from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at the church with no viewing after the eulogy. - Hatcher-Peoples Funeral Home
Vinia Conner
Services for Vinia Conner, 70, Atlanta, are at 11 a.m., Dec. 11, 2004 at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Magnolia Street, Thomasville. The Rev. E.C. Virgil will officiate and Interment is in Peaceful Rest Cemetery. Active pallbearers are her nephews. Mrs. Conner died Dec. 2 at Southwest Community Hospital in Atlanta. Born May 9, 1934 in Grady County, Beachton, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Mary and Richard Lawyer Sr. She was married to Ralph Conner who preceded her in death on Sept. 7, 1986. She was a 1995 graduate of Liberty High School in Beachton. She had lived in Atlanta for nine years after moving from Inkster, Mich. She was an arrest cart assistant at the University of Michigan Hospital and a member of Brown Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Lake Iamonia, Fla. Survivors include a son, Curtis Lawyer (Terryan) of Fayetteville; brothers, Richard Laywer Jr. (Crotel) of Thomasville, James Lawyer (Zeda) of Thomasville; sisters, Emma (Bertram) Cooper of Tallahassee, Fla., Mattie (Thomas) Andrews of Thomasville, Beatrice Lawyer of Atlanta, Yvonne Wright of Bartow, Fla.; brothers-in-law, Eugene (Charity) Conner of Thomasville, Leroy (Jan) Conner of Atlanta; sister-in-law, Jewel Thomas of Thomasville; brother-in-law, Jerry Conner of Inkster, Mich.; two grandchildren; four godchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by brothers, Moses (Gloria McClutchen) Lawyer, Lawrence (Leola) Lawyer, Erid Lawyer, Noah Lawyer; and a sister, Carolyn (Ned Sr.) Smith. - Hatcher-Peoples Funeral Home
Emma Grace Brown Dobard
Graveside services for Emma Grace Brown Dobard, 71, 826 N.W. 7th St., Hallandale, Fla. are at noon, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at Peaceful Rest Cemetery, north Pinetree Boulevard, Thomasville. The Rev. E.H. Hopkins, pastor of Mother Easter Baptist Church, Moultrie, will officiate. Mrs. Dobard died Dec. 6 at Hollywood Medical Center. Born July 5, 1933 in Thomas County, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Corrina Ingram Washington. She was married to Sammuel Dobard Jr. who preceded her in death in 1966. She was a 1953 graduate of Douglass High School and a member of Springhill M.B. Church. She had lived for 51 years in Hallandale before moving to Thomasville and was a retired child care worker. Survivors include sons, Sammuel Dobard III, Daryl Dobard, Ronald Dobard all of Hallandale; daughters, Janet C. Dobard, Janice C. Dobard both of Hollywood, Fla., Cheryl Dobard of Hallandale; caregivers, Liz Copeland of Hallandale, Mary Washington of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; 23 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends. Preceding her in death were a daughter, Sandra Dobard; grandson, Shaking Peterson; and a granddaughter, April Dobard. The viewing is from 2 to 8:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home and from 9:30 a.m. until the services Saturday. The procession will assemble at 11:15 a.m., Saturday at 724 N. Broad St. - Hadley’s Funeral Home
Ricky Jerrell Harris
Services for Ricky Jerrell Harris, 28, 1329 MLK Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, are at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at Disciples of Jesus Ministries Inc., 228 Augusta Ave., Thomasville. The Rev. Dr. Isreal Blake, pastor, and Evangelist Sharon Edwards officiating with interment in Peaceful Rest Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Autreil Austin, Matthew Simmons III, Johnny Cooper, Ernest Simmons, Gerod Solomon and Keith Cooper. Mr. Harris died Dec. 5 in Atlanta. Born Jan. 16, 1976 in Thomasville, he was a son of Idella Denise Harris and Johnnie Payne. He was a 1995 graduate of Thomasville High School and a 1999 graduate of North DeKalb College. He was a professional truck driver, member Mount Sinai Church in Newnan and resided in Atlanta for five years after moving from Thomasville. Survivors include his mother, Idella Denise Harris of Thomasville; his father, Johnnie Payne of Miami, Fla.; grandmother, Frances Harris of Thomasville; sisters, Sharon Harris Davis (Kendrick) of Pope Air Force Base, Fayetteville, N.C., Keyon Harris of Albany; nephews, Kendrick Davis Jr. of Fayetteville, N.C., Markevious Harris of Albany; niece, Shaniah Bass of Albany; aunts, Ada Harris, Patricia Pate (Vincent), Sandra Thomas (Alvin) all of Thomasville, Belvin Solomon of Douglasville, Gladys Shotwell, Barbara Payne both of Thomasville; uncles, Matthew Simmons III, Ross Payne, Kenny Payne, Work Payne all of Thomasville; friend, Nancy Vickers of Thomasville; special friend, Kayla Walton of Altanta; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. The viewing is from 1 p.m., until 8:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and from 1 p.m. until the service at the church Saturday. After interment, repast will be at Family and Friends Baptist Church, 400 Colton Ave., Thomasville. The procession will assemble at 1:15 p.m., Saturday at 118 Neel St. - Hadley’s Funeral Home
Rose Renee Leverette
Services for Rose Renee Leverette, 32, are at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at Good Shepherd Holiness Church. Pastor Green of Miracle Temple Church will officiate and interment is in Peaceful Rest Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Steve Mickens, Arthur Jones, Brandon Coone, Larry Toles and Jujuan Jackson. Mrs. Leverette died Dec. 8 at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Born Oct. 14, 1972 in Thomas County, she was a daughter of the late Gloria Mickens and Johnny Lovejoy. She is a graduate of Central High School and a member of True Vine Deliverance Church where she was choir director of her church. Survivors include husband, Ephriam Leverette Jr. of Thomasville; daughters, Kiera Cooksey, Elisia Leverette both of Thomasville; sisters, Annie Brinson (Tommy), Dorothy Lovejoy, Angela Curry (Herman), Lavern Mickens (Steve), Yvonne Stringer (Juan) all of Thomasville; brother, Earnest Mickens Jr. (Telisa) of Thomasville; grandmother, Millie Tigner of Greenvile; mother-in-law, Ann T. Mickens of Thomasville; sisters-in-law, Annie Mickens and Frances Sparrow both of Thomasville; two stepsisters, Deena Davis, Geena Dunbar; stepbrother, Keith Rollins; two sisters-in-law, Ann Mickens, Frances Sparrow; two step-brothers-in-law; a step-sister-in-law; stepmother, Catherine Lovejoy; stepfather, Earnest Mickens; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. The viewing is from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour at the church. - Hatcher-Peoples Funeral Home
Victor E. McCray
Services for Victor E. McCray, of Whigham, are at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Whigham. The Rev. Harry Mitchell will officiate and interment is in Crestview Cemetery in Cairo. He died Saturday, Dec. 4 at Archbold Hospital in Thomasville. Brother McCray was born Jan. 24, 1943 in Jacksonville, Fla. He attended the Grady County School System. At an early age he became a member of Piney Grove M.B. Church where he served faithfully. He was married to the late Jeanette Scott. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Jeanette Scott of Thomasville; parents, Deacon Lester and Mother Margaret Hall of Whigham; two brothers, Sylvern Hall (Teresa) of Conyers, Arther Hall (Mamie) of Climax; four sisters, Gwendolyn Robinson (Thomas) of Covington, Peggy Harden (Renard) of Tallahassee, Fla., Dorothy Borden of Covington, Betty Strawbridge (Eric) of Jeffersonville, Ind.; a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. The viewing is from 11 a.m. Saturday until the funeral hour at the church. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. - Williford’s Funeral Home
Ruth Peavey Spence
Services for Ruth Peavey Spence of Thomasville are at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at Allen & Allen Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Milton C. Gardner will officiate and interment is in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Spence died Dec. 8 at the age of 79 after a lengthy illness. Ruth Peavey Spence was born Ruth Ellen Peavey on July 25, 1925 in Unadilla, Ga. She was the firstborn daughter of James Kinney Peavey and Rosalie Patterson Peavey. Mrs. Spence graduated from Unadilla High School in 1942. She was an accomplished pianist and played the piano for educational and church functions throughout her life. Her college years were spent at Georgia State College for Women, now Georgia College in Milledgeville. She graduated from there in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Following her graduation, she found employment as a school teacher in Dublin, where she taught high school business courses. She later taught at Glynn Academy in Brunswick. While in Brunswick, she lived on St. Simons Island, where she met her husband, Ernest Spence in 1949. They were married in Unadilla on Sept. 18, 1949 by the Rev. T. F. Calloway, former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Thomasville. She moved to Thomasville, following her marriage to Ernest Spence. There she joined the First Baptist Church, where she was active in the Sunday School Program and the Women’s Missionary Union and was the accompanist for the Junior Sunday School Department. She gave birth to Kay Frances Spence (Jordan) on Sept. 12, 1950 and to William Ernest Spence Jr. (Rocky) on March 19, 1954. During her children’s formative years, she was involved in their activities, which included Girl Scouts, school activities and sports. She was also an avid gardener and grew beautiful roses. She was awarded for her flower arrangements and outdoor Christmas displays. She was a kind and compassionate friend to all. She was a frequent visitor to the nursing homes as well as to the homes of friends, who were ill or in need of companionship. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Spence; her sister, Carol Peavey; and her brother, Jimmy Peavey. Her surviving relatives include her son, Rocky, his wife Julie and their children, Katie and West of Thomasville; her daughter, Kay, her husband, John and their daughter, Ashton of West Columbia, S.C.; her sister-in-law, Joyce Peavey of Thomasville as well as five nieces and one nephew. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077-7491 or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 66, Thomasville, Ga. 31799. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. - Allen & Allen Funeral Home
Celesta Simpson
Services for Celesta Simpson are at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10, 2004 at Redeeming Life Church, 188 Airport Rd., Cairo, where she was a member. Bishop Kevin Hindsman will officiate and interment is in Crestview Cemetery in Cairo. She was born March 4, 1963 in Quincy, Fla., to the late Brother Frank and Sister Clara Stallworth, who survives. She received her early educational training in the Gadsden County school system. The family later moved to Cairo and she graduated in 1977 from Cairo High School. She was married to David Simpson and to this union one son was born. Survivors include a son, Markeethe Odell Simpson (Lucretricia) of Cairo; six grandchildren; her mother, Clara Stallworth of Cairo; sisters, Annie G. Herring (Wayne), Addie Bowden (Eunice), Berna D. Washington (Michael), Gloria D. Addison (Bobby) all of Cairo, Dorothy L. Sutton (Leon) of Pelham, Christine Welch (Gregory) of Texas, Frankie Stallworth of Alabama, Mary Ann Stallworth of Jacksonville, Fla.; brothers, Stanley Hall of Cairo, Major Hall of North Carolina, Ulysses Edwards of Atlanta, Wesley Mays Jr. (Aida) of New York, Fred Stallworth (Dot) of Whigham, George Stallworth (Essie) of Alabama; a host of nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and sorrowing friends. Her father and a brother preceded her in death. The viewing is from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at the church. - Williford’s Funeral Home
