Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Benjamin Smith
Benjamin Smith, 43, died Sunday, February 16, 2003, at Englewood Hospital, New Jersey. The Tattnall County native lived in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was born on February 17, 1959, in Reidsville to Mrs. Catherine Smith and the late Mr. Herschel Smith. His paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Brad and Janie Smith and his maternal grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Lester and Jadie Mae Costen.
At an early age, under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. J.R. Rice, Bennie made a spiritual commitment with Bethel A.M.E. Church in Collins. After moving to Teaneck, NJ, he became affiliated with Ebenezer Baptist Church, Teaneck, NJ.
Bennie was educated in the public school system of Tattnall County and attended Collins Elementary School, Tattnall Industrial, and Reidsville High School. He mastered his culinary skills and became one of the most accomplished chefs in the area.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Catherine Smith of Teaneck, NJ; four brothers and a sister-in-law, Lamar Smith, Quinton and Helen Smith, Donnie Smith, and Clifford Smith all of Teaneck, NJ; two nephews, Rolland Smith of Rock Hill, SC, and Allan Smith of Long Island, NY; one niece, Miss Janelle Smith of Long Island, NY; six aunts, Leslie Boyd of Reidsville, Julie (Lyman) Bailey of Atlanta, Frances (Alphonso) Borden of Englewood, NJ, Jessie (Alton) Goodman of Elmont, NY, Evelyn Costen of Collins, and Helen McKinnon of Pembroke; five uncles, Lorae Smith and Marvin Smith both of Reidsville, Dewitt Smith of Vidalia, and Willis Costen and Collins Costen both of Collis; and a host of loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 22, 2003, at 12:00 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Collins with Rev. William M. Eason and Rev. Brenda N. Brown officiating. Interment followed in Ogden Mill Cemetery in Reidsville.
Harper Funeral Home of Claxton was in charge of the arrangements.
Angel Arce Acevedo, 81
Angel Arce Acevedo, 81, died on Sunday, June 1, 2003, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He was a resident of Aguada, Puerto Rico.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rosa M. Arce of Aguada, Puerto Rico; four daughters, Elba Arce and Elsie Arce of Puerto Rico, and Esther Serrano and Ana R. Suarez of Reidsville; one brother, Juan L. Arce of Aguada, Puerto Rico; and five grandchildren, Angel Suarez, Jennifer Suarez, Cristina Suarez, Xiomara Serrano and Jasmin Serrano all of Reidsville.
He was buried with Military Honors at the National Cemetery in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
James Ledfore Driggers, 84
James Ledfore Driggers, 84, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at his residence. The Tattnall County native had lived in Orlando, Florida, for many years moving back to Glennville in 1984. He was a retired Master Electrician, and was one of the original employees that helped build the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, a 50 year member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Glennville V.F.W. Post #8379 and a member of Northside Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Jerelle Casteen Driggers of Glennville; daughter, Gail D. Tye of Jacksonville, FL; sons, Merrill Driggers of Eustis, FL, Don Driggers of Manerva, OH, and Keith Driggers of Mooresville, NC; sisters, Madie Smiley of Glennville and Mary Nell Kennedy of Savannah; brother, Lyndell T. Driggers of Lake Helen, FL; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at Carter Funeral Chapel with Rev. Oscar Rowe, Jr. officiating. Burial followed in Glennville City Cemetery with Military Honors.
Pallbearers were Denver Barrow, Mark Brewton, Tim Dubberly, Joe Brewton, Ricky Kicklighter, and Gary Banks.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the V.F.W. Post #8379.
Carter Funeral Chapel of Glennville was in charge of the arrangements.
Eva Mae Oglesby, 77
Eva Mae Oglesby, 77, died Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at Hospice Savannah. The Tattnall County native was a homemaker and a member of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Collins. She sang for several years with the M.E.L. Tones. She and her husband, Rev. Robert Oglesby, were married for over 49 years. She preceded her husband in death by 13 days.
She is survived by her sister, Mary C. Hernandez of Savannah; aunt, Laura M. Ulrich of Angier, NC; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Sunday June 29, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. at Odum Family Cemetery in Lyons with Rev. Greg Smith officiating.
Pallbearers were Bobby Stevens, Richard Higgs, Christopher Stevens, Therrell Sapp, and Will Sutton.
Cobb Funeral Home, Reidsville Chapel, was in charge of the arrangements.
Robert James “Bob” Tucker, 53
Robert James “Bob” Tucker, 53, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at the VA Hosptial in Augusta.
The Kissimmee, FL, native had lived in Reidsville since 1991. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.
He is survived by his wife, Chu Cha Tucker of Reidville; one daughter, Melissa Tucker of Orlando, FL; one son, Bob Tucker of Orlando, FL; his mother, step-father, a brother and a sister also survive.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Richmond Hill.
Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elder William Harry Anderson, 90
Elder William Harry Anderson, 90, devoted husband and father, died July 6, 2003, at his secondary home in Garden City. The Toombs County native lived most of his life in Savannah, with his work taking him to Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta. After retiring from Reynolds Metal Co. in 1974, he moved to Bellville in Evans County. He was ordained into the Primitive Baptist ministry in 1981. He served Bethesda Primitive Baptist Church in Atlanta and Emmaus Primitive Baptist Church in Evans County. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Christine Anderson and Yvonne A. Drummond both of Savannah.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Tyra Sapp Anderson of Bellville; one daughter and son-in-law, Jean A. and Harold Clifton of Savannah; a son-in-law, Sonny Drummond of Savannah; one brother, Jim Anderson of Manassas; three sisters, Janie Boyette, Olga Lee Thompson and Hilda Thomas all of Savannah; five grandchildren and spouses, Pamela C. and Ray Shores and Shellie D. and Steve Sasser all of Richmond Hill, Stacie D. and Bruce Baker, of Richmond, VA, Gina C. and Perry Mincey of Rincon, and Sherrie D. and Eric Breen of Savannah; eleven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home Chapel with Eld. Jack Anderson and Eld. Hubert Hendrix officiating. Burial followed in Anderson Church Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers were Fellow Elders of Primitive Baptist faith.
J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Lewis J. Cobb, 77
Lewis J. Cobb, 77, died Sunday, July 6, 2003, at his home. The Tattnall County native lived in Savannah for 25 years before moving back to Collins in 1966. While in Savannah, he was employed as a carpenter with W.J. Teston Construction and was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was an avid fisherman and of the Primitive Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lynn Cobb of Collins; son and daughter-in-law, J.H. and Paula Cobb of Glennville; daughters and sons-in-law, Lizzie Ellen and Ben Rodriguez of Ellabell and Wanda Faye and Calvin Shuman of Collins; brother, Clayton Cobb of Claxton; six grandchildren: and eight great-grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services were conducted Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at Sunlight Cemetery in Cobbtown with Rev. Lewis Cobb officiating. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Pallbearers were his grandchildren, Ken Faust, Brian Shuman, Steven Shuman, Michael Cox, Lewis Cobb, Calvin Cobb, and Stephanie Cox-Faust.
Kennedy-Morgan Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel, was in charge of the arrangements.
Clifford Collins, 77
Clifford Collins, 77, died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah. The Tattnall County lifelong resident was a retired farmer and Army veteran of World War II. He attended Elza Baptist Church, was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Modrea Hackle Collins of Collins; sons and daughters-in-law, Floyd and Polly Collins of Kite and Billy and Tammy Collins of Collins; daughters and sons-in-law, Minnie and Larry Bowers and Lynette and Randy Woodcock all of Statesboro, and Sandra and Mike Kelshaw of Newnan; step-mother, Laura Collins of Metter; brother, J.H. Collins of Lyons; sisters, Loree Anderson of Claxton, Adell Sapp and Bertha Shuman of Collins, and Janie Sikes of Metter; grandchildren, Sonja and Mike Elia, Melissa Ann Bowers, Matt Kelshaw, Wendy Kelshaw, Cliff Collins, Sara Collins, Ben Collins, and Katie Collins.
Funeral services were Friday, July 4, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at Kennedy-Morgan Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel, with Rev. Kyle Oglesby officiating. Burial followed in the Cedar Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wendell Hackle, Alan Hackle, Jerome Provence, Calvin Shuman, Glenn Shuman, and Kyle Sapp.
Remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Kennedy-Morgan Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
Janelle Stubbs Durrence, 72
Janelle Stubbs Durrence, 72, died Saturday, July 5, 2003, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. She was born in Jacksonville, FL, and lived in Glennville most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Loves Chapel Primitive Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Raleigh Hugh Durrence, and parents, Elder H.C. and Danella Stubbs.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Angela and Gene Williams and Danna Merriell Durrence all of Glennville; sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Valerie Durrence and Bruce and Beth Durrence all of Glennville; sisters and brother-in-law, Mary Alice Branan of Glennville and Lucy and Bob Forrest of Poquoson, VA; brothers and sisters-in-law, H.C. and Joyce Stubbs of Glennville, Dan and Winnie Stubbs of Waynesboro, VA, Francis and Barbara Stubbs of Reidsville; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at Loves Chapel Primitive Baptist Church with Elder W.H. Durrence officiating. Burial was in the Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Garrett Durrence, Heath Smith, Evan Durrence, Matthew Durrence, Herschel Durrence, and Bo Stubbs.
Honorary pallbearers, Billy Jarriel & Deacons of Loves Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.
Remembrances can be made to Georgia Camp Hillview Primitive Baptist Youth Camp c/o Amelia Deal, 4031 Longbranch Rd. Bristol, GA 31518.
Carter Funeral Chapel of Glennville was in charge of the arrangements.
Melba Boyette Kennedy, 75
Melba Boyette Kennedy, 75, died Friday, July 4, 2003, at her residence surrounded by her family and under the care of Hospice Savannah Home Care. The Tattnall County native had lived in Savannah since 1942. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She is survived by her husband, W.R. Kennedy of Savannah; sisters, Flora B. Wilson of Glennville, Marie B. Wilson of Reidsville, and Lavern B. Bradley of Reidsville; brothers, Dillon Boyette of Savannah, and Noah Boyette of Soperton; special nephews, Buster Wilson and Andy Wilson, Jr.; and several other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 6, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home, Glennville Chapel, with Rev. Jesse Browning and Rev. Gregg Usry officiating. Burial followed in the Glennville City Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ronnie Boyette, Dale Boyette, Randy Bradley, Frank Bradley, Richard Bland, and Lewis Boyette.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
Cobb Funeral Home, Glennville Chapel, was in charge of the arrangements.
Evon Kicklighter Smith, 87
Evon Kicklighter Smith, 87, died Tuesday July 1, 2003, at Evans Memorial Hospital. The Tattnall County native had been a life member of Beard’s Creek Primitive Baptist Church. She was a homemaker, thoughtful friend and loving mother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Zeddie H. Smith, and a son, James D. Smith.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Dannis and Reba Smith of Claxton; two brothers, Dwight Kicklighter of Sandersville and Raiford Kicklighter of Glennville; three sisters, Kathleen Kirkland and Gwineth Speir, both of Glennville, and Bobbie Jones of Claxton; two granddaughters and husbands, April and Andy Brown of Claxton and Brooke and Bryan Roberts of Calhoun; one grandson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of California; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 3, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at Beard’s Creek Primitive Baptist Church with burial in Beard’s Creek P.B. Church Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to Beard’s Creek P.B. Church, Hencart Road, Glennville, GA 30427.
J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Sanford “Sandy” Spikes, 69
Sanford “Sandy” Spikes, 69, died Sunday, July 6, 2003, at Candler Hospital in Savannah. The Tattnall County native had lived in Pooler for the past thirty-two years. He was a retired Lieutenant with Coastal State Prison in Garden City. He was a member of The Holy Church of God in Savannah and was an avid fisherman.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mrs. Grace Morgan Spikes of Pooler; three daughters, Gwen Spikes and Sandra Stanhope both of Pooler, and Deborah Frady of Mooresville, NC; three sons, Dennis Spikes of Brooklet, Randy and Brian Spikes both of Pooler; four sisters, Inez Crews of Reidsville, Cora Lee Garrett of Pineora, Jennie Morgan of Savannah, and Joan Howard of Swainsboro; three brothers, George Edwin Spikes and Charles Spikes both of Reidsville, and Terry Spikes of Lyons; three grandchildren, James Stanhope, and Amber and Arron Frady; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. at Elza Baptist Church. Interment followed in the Reidsville City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association.
Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Cuba Lee Wrenn, 87
Cuba Lee Wrenn, 87, of Jesup, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, in Altamaha Health and Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. The Tattnall County native had lived in Wayne County the past 55 years and was a homemaker. She was a member of Jesup Church of God and former Sunday School Teacher. She was predeceased by her husband, Barney Wrenn, and son, John B. Wrenn.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Ernest Teston of Jesup; son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Janet Wrenn of Tampa, FL; a brother, W. Clifton Collins of Lincolnton, NC; a daughter-in-law, Ida Wrenn of Bonaire; seven grandchildren, Jeanine Hauger, Brenda H. Stanfield of Jesup, Steven Wrenn of Warner Robins, Debbie Huff of Bonaire, Sandra Brown of Bonaire, Nannette W. Watson of Tampa, FL, and Kelvin Wrenn of Kingwood, TX; nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Saturday, July 5, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. at Jesup Church of God with Rev. Leroy Spivey, Rev. Chubby Griffis, Rev. Archie Griffis, and Rev. Jimmy Dowdy officiating. Interment followed in Sunlight Cemetery in Tattnall County.
Pallbearers were members of Jesup Church of God. Honorary pallbearers were the staff of Altamaha Convalescent Center
The Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of the arrangements.
Howard Dowdy, 79
Howard Dowdy, 79, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at Tattnall Health Care Center in Reidsville. The Tattnall County native was a retired Department of Corrections employee, a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of Orlando Baptist Temple.
He is survived by his wife, Doretha Knight Dowdy of Glennville; daughter, Angie Anderson of Brooklet; son, David Hodges of Reidsville; sister, Audrey Cox of Orlando, FL; brother, Derrell Dowdy of Alexandria, LA; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday, July 10, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home, Glennville Chapel, with Rev. Brian Patrick officiating. Interment followed in Harmony United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wilbert Knight, Wayne Kennedy, Tony Kennedy, R.L. Dasher, Dane Dowdy, and Gene Lee.
Cobb Funeral Home, Glennville Chapel, was in charge of the arrangements.
Ms. Celia Bell (Slaughter)-Wiley
Ms. Celia Bell (Slaughter)-Wiley, daughter of the late Perry and Emily Slaughter was born in Pulaski, GA, on March 3, 1927. She left this earth to serve her father on July 9, 2003, at 9:05 a.m. She attended the public schools of Bulloch County. At an early age, she moved to Savannah, GA ,where she met and married the late Mr. Elmore Wiley in 1958. She then moved to Glennville, GA, in the late 1960’s where she attended school, received her GED, nursing assistant and catering diplomas. Her favorite pastimes were fishing, sewing, and cooking.
She is survived by her four children, Valerie (Eugene) Eason of Glennville, Norman Slaughter of Claxton, Leslie Morales of Glennville, and Barbara Wiley of Glennville; nine grandchildren, Cecelia Jeanine Williams, Norman Kennedy, Terrell Slaughter, Timothy Slaughter, Melissa Morales, Demeshia Moore, Tashela Slaughter, Monique Slaughter, and Lakeem Graham all of Glennville; two great-grandchildren, Demond and Desmond Kennedy both of Glennville; brother, Eugene (Chaney) Slaughter of Savannah; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
Two very special families that were dear to her are the Rollins Family of Savannah and the Harwick’s of Amelia Islands, FL.
