Miscellaneous Beaufort County, South Carolina Obituaries

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Billy J. Deal
STATESBORO -- Billy Joe Deal, 66, died Jan. 12 at Bulloch Memorial Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Bulloch County. He owned and operated Deals Stop & Shop for 31 years and served as the chief magistrate judge for the past 15 years. He was a member of Statesboro Shrine Club, Statesboro Kiwanis Club and Ogeechee Lodge No. 213 F&AM. He was an Army veteran of the Korean conflict and a chaplain's assistant.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Billie Jane Deal of Statesboro; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Wayne Brannen, and Gina and Lewis Spivey, all of Statesboro; his father, Roger Deal of Statesboro; a sister, Eldora Barnes of Statesboro; two brothers, Tommy Deal of Statesboro and James Deal of Overland Park, Kan.; two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. VISITATION; 5-8 p.m. today at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Friday at Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church, burial in Middleground Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
REMEMBRANCES: Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church Building Fund, 4 S. Zetterower, Statesboro, GA 30458; or Trinity Christian School, 571 East Main St., Statesboro, GA 30458.

June Z. Durrence
GLENNVILLE -- Mrs. June Zorn Durrence, 83, died Jan. 11 at Evans Memorial Hospital in Claxton. She was a native of Tattnall County. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church and a former Sunday school teacher and pianist at Watermelon Creek Baptist Church and Gospel Baptist Temple.
SURVIVORS: two sons and daughters-in-law, Juan and Patricia Durrence of Glennville, and Ed and Patricia Durrence of Suwanee; a daughter and son-in-law, Nell and James Bagwell of Lexington, S.C.; a son-in-law, George McNair of Lyons; a sister, Sarah Ruth Jones of Glennville; a brother, Dan Zorn of Glennville; an aunt, Annie C. Bruner of Glennville; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 6-9 p.m. today at Cobb Funeral Home.
FUNERAL: 1 p.m. Friday at Cobb Funeral Home, burial in Watermelon Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Lee Anderson Gay
Lee Anderson Gay, 47, died Jan. 11 in North Palm Beach, Fla. He was a native of Savannah. He graduated from Savannah Country Day School and Emory University. He attended Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He was retired chief financial officer and a member of the Board of Directors with Builders Transport and a past board member of Savannah Country Day School. He was a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.
SURVIVORS: two sons, Hawkins Clark Gay and Joseph Usher Gay, both of Savannah; a daughter, Rebecca Parsons Gay of Savannah; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark Gay Sr. of Dahlonega; and a brother, Charles Clark Gay Jr. of Sullivan's Island, S.C.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, burial in the church memorial gardens. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall after the services. Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
REMEMBRANCES: Savannah Country Day School, 824 Stillwood Drive, Savannah, GA 31419.

Dolores F.W. Kelly
Delores F.W. Kelly died Jan. 9. She was a native of Savannah and a member of First African Baptist Church of East Savannah. She was a graduate of Beach High School, Savannah State College and City College in New York City. She was a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y., for many years and worked as an education director at Graham-Windham Child Care Center in Brooklyn.
SURVIVORS: her husband, Irving Kelly of Brooklyn; two daughters, Cheryl R. and Tamara Kelly, both of Brooklyn; her mother, Addie Mae Washington of Savannah; two sisters, Ethel Walker of Newark, N.J., and Melvina W. Parker of Savannah; three brothers, Leroy Washington of Dorchester, Mass., and Lewis Washington Jr. and Larry Washington, both of Savannah; two adopted sons, Tarik Holmes and Reginald Parker, both of New York City; a goddaughter, 12 nieces, four nephews, 11 grandnieces, six grandnephews and other relatives. Sexton-Hall Mortuary.

Doreen A. Lambert-Binns
HILTON HEAD ISLAND -- Doreen Anastasia Lambert-Binns, 61, died Jan. 8 at Life Care of Hilton Head. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She was educated in the Catholic schools of Kingston and moved to Hilton Head Island five years ago. She was a Catholic.
SURVIVORS: a daughter, Clare Ann Marie Binns of Hilton Head Island; six brothers, Lloyd, Franklin, Donovan, Kelvin, Derrick and Calvin Lambert, all of Kingston; and four grandchildren. FUNERAL MASS: 1 p.m. Friday at St. Francis By The Sea Catholic Church on Hilton Head Island, burial in Pinefield Cemetery on Hilton Head Island. Marshel's Wright-Donaldson Home For Funerals, Beaufort.

Billy M. McElmurray Sr.
SCREVEN -- Billy Marvin McElmurray Sr., 69, died Jan. 11 in Gaffney, S.C., of an apparent heart attack. He was a native and former resident of Taylor County and a resident of Wayne County for 10 years. He was former owner of Billy Mac's Service Center in Jesup. He was owner of McElmurray's Cleaning Service and owner and developer of Diamond M. Ranch of Screven. He was a Mason, a Shriner and a member of Scottish Rite Lodge and the Clown Unit of Macon. He was an veteran of World War II and served in the Army and Air Force.
SURVIVORS: three daughters and sons-in-law, Belinda and Bobby Evans of Kathleen, and Vicki and Al DeGraw of Fort Valley, and Denise and Steve Smith of Reynolds; a son, Billy M. McElmurray Jr. of Screven; his fiancee, Linda Strickland Poppell of Jesup; and seven grandchildren.
VISITATION: 6-9 p.m. today at Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home in Jesup.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2 p.m. Friday in Roberta City Cemetery in Roberta.
REMEMBRANCES: The Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

Albert W. McGaha
Albert Wade McGaha died Jan. 11 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was born in Pickins County and lived in Savannah a number of years. He was a retired mechanic. He was a member of Whitefield United Methodist Church and George Whitefield Sunday School Class. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 660. He served in the Macon Island, Okinawa and Hawaii. He was a past commander of American Legion Post No. 440 in Barnesville and president of the Little League Baseball Association in Barnesville.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Jane Meyer McGaha of Savannah; a son, Wade Albert McGaha of Tampa, Fla.; a stepson, David Wilson of Atlanta; a sister, Ruth Payne of Atlanta; two granddaughters, Michelle McGaha Crawford of Fayetteville and Allison McGaha of Tampa; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Friday at Whitefield United Methodist Church, burial in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

Dottie Montford
VIDALIA -- Mrs. Dottie Montford, 78, died Jan. 11 at home. She lived in Toombs County most of her life. She retired from Oxford Industries after 25 years. She was a homemaker and a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and Busy Bee Sunday School Class.
SURVIVORS: two sisters, Maudie Francis Williamson Rimes of Vidalia and Evelyn Kersey of McRae; three nephews, Clyde Rimes Jr. of Miami, William Norman Rimes of Panama and Randall Wayne Rimes of Atlanta; and a niece, Mary Rebecca Miller of Tallahassee, Fla.
VISITATION: 7-9 p.m. Friday at Murchison Funeral Home.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Saturday at Tabernacle Baptist Church, burial in Williamson Cemetery in Normantown.

George H. Rockwell Jr.
George Harrison Rockwell Jr. died Jan. 12 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of Savannah and a pipefitter with the Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters Local No. 188 for 30 years. He was a former member of the Georgia Air National Guard and attended St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.
SURVIVORS: his children, Angela, Chris and Ashley Rockwell and Becca Anderson, all of Savannah; his mother, Velma Rockwell of Savannah; a brother, Danny Rockwell of Savannah; sisters, Patty Corish of Savannah, Ruth Griffin of Alpharetta, Janet Roberts of Lilburn, Ellen Sims of Savannah and Barbara Kinsaul of Enterprise, Ala.; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 5-8 p.m. today at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel with a Christian wake service at 6:30 p.m.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Wilmington Island, burial in Bonaventure Cemetery.
REMEMBRANCES: American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15515, Savannah, GA 31416-2215; or St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 7020 Concord Road, Savannah, GA 31410.

William C. Scarboro
LYONS -- William C. "Bill" Scarboro, 90, died Jan. 11 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was a native of Emanuel County and a resident of Toombs County most of his life. He was a merchant in Lyons and a member of Lyons First United Methodist Church and the Men's Bible Class.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Thelma C. Scarboro of Lyons; a daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Tascau Williams of Griffin; grandchildren, Trey Williams of Charlotte, N.C., and Martha W. and Joseph Maddox of Seminole, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Josh and Anna, both of Seminole; a half sister, Robbie Harper of Douglas; a sister-in-law, Virginia Lindler of Sylvester; and several nieces and nephews. VISITATION; 6-8 p.m. today at Jones-Stewart Funeral Home.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Friday at Lyons First United Methodist Church, burial in Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Vidalia.

John Z. Waters
John Ziegler Waters, 92, died Jan. 12 at home. He was born in Screven County. He was a member of Bull Street Baptist Church and Agoga Sunday School Class.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Gertrude Freeman Waters of Savannah; two daughters, Gwen Walker of Hilton Head Island and Margie Lee of Cary, N.C.; a son, Norm Waters of Matthew, N.C.; and three grandchildren, Debbie Ayers and Terri and Wesley Moose.
VISITATION: 6-8 p.m. today at Sipple Mortuary.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Friday at Sipple Mortuary, burial in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park East.

Helen C. Wellbrock
Helen C. Wellbrock, 90, died Jan. 12 at St. Joseph's Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Savannah. She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and the W.E.L.C.A. Circle No. 6. She retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
SURVIVORS: a sister and brother-in-law, Wilma W. Siebert and T. Charles Siebert Jr. of Savannah; a niece, Katherine W. Tillman of Savannah; and two great-nieces, Julia Katherine Tillman of Washington and Lisa Ansley Tillman of Decatur.
VISITATION: 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
FUNERAL: 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, burial in Hillcrest Abbey East.
REMEMBRANCES: St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 W. 31st St., Savannah, GA 31401.

Ruby J. Williams
Ruby Jones Williams, 73, died Jan. 11 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. She was a native of Savannah and a member of Bethel Apostolic Holiness Church.
SURVIVORS: daughters, Eva Scott and Shirley Butler, both of Savannah; a stepdaughter, Carrie Ealy of Hartford, Conn.; sisters-in-law, Willie M. Williams of Savannah and Evangeline Wright of Atlanta, six grandchildren, a great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. Sidney A. Jones Funeral Home.

Stephen Wilson
Stephen Wilson, 49, died Jan. 10 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was a native of Savannah and attended the public schools of Chatham County.
SURVIVORS: his mother, Lillie Mae Wilson of New York City; a sister, Ernestine Frazier of Savannah; a brother, Charlie Wilson Jr. of Savannah; three daughters, four grandchildren, two aunts, an uncle and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Speed and Smart Funeral Home.

Shirley S. Blake
GARNETT, S.C. -- Mrs. Shirley Ann Shiggs Blake died Jan. 8 at Hampton Regional Medical Center in Varnville. She was a member of St. Mark AME Church and served with the Usher Board and Junior Choir.
SURVIVORS: her husband, Willie Blake of Garnett; two sons, Melvin Shiggs of Bellport, N.Y., and Leon Shiggs of Garnett; four sisters, Mary Lou Duncan, Edna Mae Duncan and Thelma Shiggs, all of Garnett, and Gloria Jean Williams of Tybranch; five brothers, Lee Allen Shiggs of Estill, Jessie Shiggs and Calvin Shiggs, both of Garnett, Willie Bee Shiggs of Clyo and Benjamin Shiggs of Stamford, Conn.; an uncle, 14 grandchildren, a godchild, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
VISITATION: 7-8 p.m. today at Garvin-Garvin Funeral Home, Estill.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark AME Church, burial in Paul Hill Cemetery, Garnett.

Ronald W. Brown
Ronald W. "Ronny" Brown, 32, died Jan. 12 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of Savannah, a self-employed construction worker and a Baptist. He attended Savannah Christian Preparatory School and graduated from H.V. Jenkins High School, where he played football.
SURVIVORS: his parents, Ernest and Ouida Brown of Savannah; his grandmother, Nannie Brown of Parrish, Fla.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
VISITATION: 6-8 p.m. today at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Massey Chapel, Garden City.
FUNERAL: 1 p.m. Saturday at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Massey Chapel, Garden City, burial in Hillcrest Abbey West.

Jessie L. Cox
GLENNVILLE -- Jessie L. Cox, 56, died Jan. 8 at Glenvue Nursing Home. He was born in Long County, Sandhill community, and attended county schools. He was a logger in the pulpwood industry.
SURVIVORS: a daughter, LaGranda Graham of Glennville; his father, Prince A. Cox of Glennville; four sister, Minnie C. Davis of Atlanta, Jacqueline C. Gibbs, Mary C. Hall and Nadine C. Moody, all of Glennville; five brothers, Willie Cox, Tommy Cox, Paul Cox and Arthur Cox, all of Glennville, and Martin Cox of Metter; and several grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 4-7 p.m. today at Harper's Funeral Home, Claxton.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Saturday at Green Cypress Baptist Church, Claxton, burial in Green Cypress Cemetery.

Lamon E. Davis
Lamon Eugene Davis, 29, died Jan. 8. He was a native of Chatham County and spent most of his life here. He was a member of St. John Baptist Church, where he sang in the Sons of Zion Male Choir and served on the Youth Committee.
SURVIVORS: two daughters, Lamonica Davis and Jakayla M. Davis, both of Savannah; three sons, Lamon Davis Jr. and Tory Davis, both of Savannah, and David Greer of Brunswick; his parents, Markland Davis of Savannah and Winefred E. Brown Vail of Screven; seven sisters, Felisha Davis, Vanessa Davis and Demetria Harrison, all of Brunswick, Latasha Wood of Jacksonville, Fla., Chivitia Vail of Screven, Lolitha Lewis of Sterling and Pamela Vail of Texas; two brothers, Thomas Wood III and Markland Davis III, both of Savannah; his paternal grandmothers, Ruby Davis of Savannah and Ruthie M. Vail of Screven; his maternal grandmother, Mattie Brown of Jesup; great-aunts, a great-uncle and a host of other relatives.
VISITATION: 6-8 p.m. today at Royal Funeral Home in Jesup.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Saturday at Greater St. James Holiness Church in Screven, burial in Screven City Cemetery.

Edward Gordon
SCREVEN -- Edward "Buddy" Gordon, 69, died Jan. 13 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was a native of Wayne County and a member of O'Quinn Baptist Church. He was a retired CSX Railroad switchman and an Army veteran.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Delane Cason Gordon of Screven; two daughters, Buffy and Donna Gordon, both of Screven; two sisters, Marilyn Rogers and Carolyn Solomon, both of Jesup; a brother, James L. Gordon of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 6-9 p.m. today at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home in Jesup.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Saturday at O'Quinn Baptist Church, burial in O'Quinn Cemetery.

Tracey T. Hockenbury
Mrs. Tracey Taminelli Hockenbury, 40, died Jan. 3 at home. She was a native of New York and lived in Bowie, Md., before moving to the Savannah area. She was a part-time horticulturist.
SURVIVORS: her husband, Earl Hockenbury of Savannah; her parents, Robert and Bettina Taminelli of Bowie; five sisters, Pam, Desiree and Lesley Taminelli, Casandra Ashley and Sheryl Freeman; and a brother, Robert Taminelli.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 3 p.m. Saturday at the home of Leonard and Faye Kramer, 1124 John Carter Road, Bloomingdale. Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, West Chatham Chapel, Pooler.

Vallee C. Ivey
JESUP -- Vallee Colvin Ivey, 63, died Jan. 12 at home. He was born in Wayne County and was a former resident of Atlanta. He was a 1954 graduate of Jesup High School and retired as a lead operator in the finishing department of Rayonier. He was a Marine Corps veteran.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Sue W. Ivey of Jesup; three sons, Vallee Ted Ivey of Odum, Chris Ivey and Jade Ivey, both of Jesup; two sisters, Betty Jean Baxter of Atlanta and Pat Deloach of Jesup; two brothers, Preston Ivey of Jesup and Kenneth Ivey of Macon; four grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 6-8 p.m. today at Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home, Jesup.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 3 p.m. Saturday in Pinecrest Cemetery.

Mae Johnson
BAXLEY -- Mae Johnson, 71, died Jan. 12 at Appling Health Care System. She was born in Darlington, S.C., and lived in Appling County the past 10 years. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church.
SURVIVORS: her guardian, Janice Thomas, and the Thomas family, Jim, Kevin, Kim, Kendra, Heather and Hope, all of Baxley.
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. today at Midway Baptist Church, burial in the church cemetery. Swain Funeral Home, Baxley.

The Rev. George L. McCall
SURRENCY -- The Rev. George L. McCall, 78, died Jan. 13. He was a native of Appling County. He had pastored numerous churches in Georgia and was a member of Surrency Baptist Church. He was a veteran of World War II and a retired rural letter carrier. He was a member of the Rural Letter Carrier Association and was named Rural Letter Carrier of the Year in 1990.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Elizabeth McCall of Surrency; three daughters, Ileene Eunice of Bristol and Doris Hutcheson and Hazel Highsmith, both of Jesup; two brothers, Arleese and Willie McCall, both of Surrency; two sisters, Maudina Phelps and Bonnie Black, both of Baxley; five grandchildren, a great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 5-8 p.m. today at Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home in Jesup.
FUNERAL: 10 a.m. Saturday at Mount Vernon Baptist Church on Hwy. 15 in Baxley, burial in the church cemetery.