Miscellaneous Beaufort County, South Carolina Obituaries

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Albert W. McGaha
Albert Wade McGaha died Jan. 11 at Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was born in Pickens County and lived in Savannah for 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 American Legion Post No. 660. He served on the Macon Island, Okinawa and Hawaii. He was a past commander of American Legion Post 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.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. today at Whitefield United Methodist Church, burial in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
REMEMBRANCES: Whitefield United Methodist Church, 728 E. 55th St., Savannah, GA 31405.

James McPherson Sr.
GARNETT, S.C. -- James McPherson Sr., 81, died Jan. 10 at Hampton Regional Center in Hampton. He was born in Hampton County and was a member of Mount Zion AME Church in Garnett. He was a logger/farmer.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Florence L. McPherson of Garnett; six sons, James McPherson and Clarence McPherson, both of Garnett, Randolph McPherson, John Edward McPherson and Frederick McPherson, all of Estill, and Sylvester McPherson of Arlington, Va.; four daughters, JoAnn Lonon of Newton, Ga., Shirley Simmons of Hilton Head Island and Brenda Housey and Mercedeen McPherson, both of Garnett; three brothers, Ben McPherson of Garnett, Sam McPherson of New Jersey and Richard McPherson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; four sisters, Dora Miller of New York, Edna Graves of Irvington, N.J., Catherine Upchurch of Garnett and Jannie Brown of Estill; 25 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. WAKE SERVICE: 7-8 p.m. today at Bostick Funeral Home, Ridgeland.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion AME Church, burial in Lawton Cemetery, Robertville.

Ilaree S. Pechmann
RINCON -- Ilaree S. Pechmann, 81, died Jan. 11 at Candler Hospital. She was born in Bulloch County and was a member of the Church of God.
SURVIVORS: three daughters, Anita Gayhart of Lignum, Va., Carolyn Gandy of Loxley, Ala., and Charlene Edwards of Springfield; a son, Richard P. Pechmann Jr. of Rincon; two sisters, Annie S. Ward and Genny Waldhauer, both of Savannah; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
VISITATION: 6-8 p.m. today at Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel.
FUNERAL: 10 a.m. Saturday at Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel, burial in Rincon Cemetery.

Adam M. Taylor
VIDALIA -- Adam Mercer Taylor, 80, died Jan. 11 at Meadows Regional Medical Center. He was born in Toombs County and lived in Florida for 30 years before returning to the Vidalia area in 1974. He was a retired farmer and of the Church of God faith.
SURVIVORS: a sister, Shellie Robinson of Vidalia; and several nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. today at Murchison Funeral Home, burial in Morris Cemetery, Montgomery County.

Kathleen J. Thomas
PATTERSON -- Kathleen Johns Thomas, 77, died Jan. 13 at Satilla Regional Medical Center. She was born in Long County and was a former resident of Savannah. She lived in Patterson since 1979 and was a member of Patterson Baptist Church, Faith Adult Sunday School Class and Order of the Eastern Star.
SURVIVORS: her husband of 60 years, Col. Eldridge Thomas of Patterson; a daughter, Maureen Bowers of Patterson; four sons, Robert Hugh Thomas of Newport News, Va., Phillip Thomas of Indianapolis, James Richard Thomas of Blackshear and Eldridge Thomas Jr. of Waycross; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and other relatives.
VISITATION: 6-8 p.m. today at Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home, Blackshear.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Saturday at Patterson Baptist Church, burial in Patterson Cemetery.

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. He was an Army veteran and retired from the Security Department of Union Camp Corp.
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 Matthews, N.C.; two grandchildren, Debbie Ayers and Terri Moose; and a great-grandson, Wesley Moose.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. today at Sipple Mortuary, burial in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park East.

Jon B. Williams
BRUNSON, S.C. -- Jon Beesinger Williams, 31, died Jan. 11 in Rincon, Ga. He was born in Savannah. He worked in the Shipping Department at Fort James Paper Co. in Rincon and attended the University of South Carolina (Salkehatchie Campus in Allendale) and Trident Regional Tech School. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Pamela Denise Reeder Williams of Brunson; a stepson, Mathew Dalton Brant of Brunson; his parents, Arthur Williams of Fairfax and Clara Hay Williams of Brunson; two sisters, Kandance and Kristine Leap, both of Yonges Island; and his paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. J. Otis Williams of Fairfax.
VISITATION: after 9 a.m. Saturday until the time of service at Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home, Hampton Chapel.
FUNERAL: 1 p.m. Saturday at Harmony Presbyterian Church, burial in the Crocketville Cemetery.

George W. Bradham
BRUNSWICK -- George William Bradham, 73, died Jan. 13 at Southeast Georgia Regional Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of Brunswick and a member of St. James Lutheran Church.
SURVIVORS: two brothers, Walter H. Bradham of Brunswick and Elliott F. Bradham of Woodbine; and several nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 7-9 p.m. today at Edo Miller & Sons Funeral Home.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Saturday at St. James Lutheran Church in Brunswick, burial in Palmetto Cemetery.

Quinton W. Cammack
GLENNVILLE -- Quinton W. Cammack, 59, died Jan. 13 at Evans Memorial Hospital in Claxton. He was a native of Tattnall County and a resident of Glennville most of his life. He was a retired farmer and was employed by Wayne's Mobile Homes the past 15 years. He was a member of Watermelon Creek Baptist Church.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Rachel Cammack of Glennville; a daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Romeo DeAlejandro of Glennville; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Greg Cammack, and Michael and Terri Cammack, all of Glennville; his mother, Bonnie Cammack of Glennville; a sister, Lennie Ruth Hart of Glennville; a brother, Earl Cammack of Glennville; and five grandchildren.
VISITATION: 6-9 p.m. today at Carter Funeral Chapel.
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Saturday at Watermelon Creek Baptist Church, burial in the church cemetery.

G.W. Cothern
ALMA -- G.W. Cothern, 73, died Jan. 12 at Bacon County Hospital. He was a native of Bacon County, a farmer and a member of Holtons New Congregational Methodist Church. He had served in the Army.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Louise Holton Cothern of Alma; two sons, Gary Cothern of Alma and Buddy Cothern of Nicholls; four daughters, Jeanette Cothern of Alma, Lucy Cothern of Jeff Davis County, Susie Bennett of Broxton and Cindy Carter of Nicholls; five brothers, L.G. Cothern, L.R. Cothern, Sammy Cothern and Wilton Taylor, all of Coffee County, and Seaborn Cothern of Waycross; three sisters, Anita Davis of Coffee County, Lavada Algier of Atlanta and JoAnn Shupe of Las Vegas; 16 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. today at Holtons New Congregational Methodist Church, burial in Holtons Cemetery. Crosby Funeral Home.

Jamitra E. Davis
Mrs. Jamitra N. Ector Davis, 30, died Jan. 8. She was born in Florence, Ala. She was a 1987 graduate of Hershel V. Jenkins High School and a 1991 graduate of Spellman College. She worked for the Glynn County Board of Education the past five years. She was formerly a teacher in the Chatham County public schools, at Myers Middle and Eli Whitney Elementary. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church in Savannah and served on the education committee.
SURVIVORS: a daughter, JaKayla Nibet Davis of Carneghan; her parents, Bettye Scott Ector of Carneghan and James Ector of Huntsville, Ala.; sisters, Tasheia Ector and Candice Ector, both of Huntsville; brothers, Derek Stanley and Frankie King, both of Atlanta, and Cedrick Ector of Huntsville; her grandmother, Lizzie Mae Scott of Carneghan; her godparents, Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Cooper of Darien; uncles, aunts and other relatives.
VISITATION: 2-8 p.m. today at Darien Funeral Home in Darien and 9-11 a.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church, burial in Hudson Cemetery in Meridian.
REMEMBRANCES: a fund in memory of Jamitra Davis has been established at the Bank of America for JaKayla by the Hershel V. Jenkins Class of 1987.

Bessie C. Dock
DARIEN -- Mrs. Bessie C. Dock died Jan. 9 at the home of her caregiver. She was born in Hardeeville and educated in the Jasper County, S.C., schools. She was a retired seafood worker and a member of St. John Baptist Church in Darien.
SURVIVORS: godchildren, Jerry Bradley and Cornelious Heidt, both of Darien; and a friend, Louise Sloan of Darien. SERVICE: 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Darien Funeral Home, burial in Upper Mill Cemetery.

Herman Hendrix
STATESBORO -- Herman Hendrix, 54, died Jan. 13 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah. He was a lifelong resident of Bulloch County and a Baptist.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Peggy Hendrix of Statesboro; a son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Shalah Hendrix of Statesboro; a daughter and son-in-law, Cathy Laricey and Steve McDaniel of Statesboro; a brother, Inman Hendrix of Eatonton; two sisters, Betty Jean Hall and Ann Reed, both of Statesboro; six grandchildren and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: 5-9 p.m. today at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home.
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Saturday at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home, burial in Eastside Cemetery.

Aletha B. Hernandez
TAMPA, Fla. -- Aletha Busby Hernandez died Jan. 8. She was born in Hampton County, S.C.
SURVIVORS: her husband, Jose Hernandez; four daughters, Rosita, Alyssa, Johnella and Janeva; her parents, Matthew and Ingram Busby of Lena, S.C.; two sisters, Melissa Davis of Sarasota, Fla., and Lasonia Gutierrez of Pasadena, Texas; four brothers, Anthony Busby of Ridgeland and Matthew, Bernard and Andrea, all of Estill; and her grandfather, Clyde Davis Jr. of Hendersonville, N.C.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Saturday at New Church Of Christ in Furman, S.C., burial in the church cemetery. Garvin-Garvin Funeral Home, Estill, S.C.

Jamie A. Lee
STATESBORO -- Mrs. Jamie Aldred Lee, 81, died Jan. 12 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. She was a native of Jefferson County and a resident of Bulloch County most of her life. She was a graduate of the University of Georgia. She retired as a bookkeeper for Altman Pontiac after 15 years. She was a member of Statesboro First United Methodist Church and the Crusaders Sunday School Class.
SURVIVORS: her husband, Turner Lee of Statesboro; three sons and daughters-in-law, Billy and Gayle Lee of Altus, Okla., John and Malvina Lee of Tampa, Fla., and Don and Teresa Lee of Hagan; and five grandchildren.
VISITATION: 5-8 p.m. today at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Saturday at Statesboro First United Methodist Church, burial in Eastside Cemetery.
REMEMBRANCES: Statesboro First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 534, Statesboro, GA 30459.

Evelyn A. Leese
ONAMIA, Minn. -- Evelyn Anna Leese, 84, died Jan. 13 at Hilton Head Medical Center and Clinics. She was born in Pierz, Minn. During World War II, she was employed in the design of aircraft in San Diego. She retired from Control Data in 1989. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wahkon.
SURVIVORS: four nephews, including Robert Carroll of Hilton Head Island; three nieces and several great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial services will be announced later. The Island Funeral Home, Hilton Head Island.
REMEMBRANCES: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, P.O. Box 68, Wahkon, MN 56386.

Esther L. Murphy
GLENNVILLE -- Esther Lou Murphy, 74, died Jan. 10 at Evans Memorial Hospital. She was born and educated in Liberty County. She was a cook and a member of First African Baptist Church in Glennville and a former choir member.
SURVIVORS: two sisters, Lessie Mae Roberson of Reidsville and Phyllis Johnson of Long Island, N.Y.
VISITATION: 7-8 p.m. Saturday at King and Sons Funeral Home. SERVICE: 2 p.m. Sunday at First African Baptist Church, burial in Macedonia Cemetery.

Veronica S. Smith
LYONS -- Veronica Sharpe Smith, 89, died Jan. 8 in Savannah. She was born and educated in Toombs County. She was a homemaker and a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Reidsville, served as Sunday school superintendent for years and was a class leader, a member of the Golden Beauty Court No. 122 and church mother.
SURVIVORS: her husband, Ernest Smith of Lyons; a daughter, Barbara Johnson of Reidsville; two sisters, Cecelia Sharpe and Ada Bell Harris, both of Buffalo, N.Y.; and two grandchildren.
VISITATION: 7-9 p.m. today at Smalley-Brown Funeral Home in Vidalia.
FUNERAL: noon Saturday at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, burial in Organy Mill Cemetery in Reidsville.

Jerry G. Taylor
MILLEN -- Jerry Gay Taylor, 59, died Jan. 12 at University Hospital in Augusta. He was born in Jenkins County. He was a retired manager of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a graduate of the University of Georgia. He was a deacon of Elam Baptist Church and the Men's Sunday School Class. He was a member of Bay Gall Hunting Club.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Judy Shepard Taylor of Millen; a son, Eddie Taylor of Millen; a daughter, Rene T. Hearn of Millen; his mother, Eileen G. Taylor of Millen; and a son-in-law, John Paul Hearn of Millen.
FUNERAL: 4 p.m. today at Elam Baptist Church, burial in Elam Cemetery in Millen. Crowe-Fields Funeral Home.
REMEMBRANCES: Elam Baptist Memorial Fund, 5199 Elam Road, Millen GA 30442.

William F. Young
BRUNSWICK -- William F. Young, 58, superintendent of the Glynn County school system, died Jan. 14 at Southeast Georgia Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Williamsport, Pa., and lived in Glynn County the past 23 years. He was a graduate of the University of Buffalo, where he received a Bachelor of Education degree. He received a Master of Education from State University of New York and a Doctorate of Education from Nova University of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was employed with the Glynn County Board of Education since 1977. He was director of Pupil Personnel Services from 1977-1993, assistant superintendent from 1993-1999 and became superintendent in 1999. He was a lifetime member of the Council for Exceptional Children, a member of the Brunswick Rotary Club, Phi Delta Kappa, Local Commission on Children and Youth Advisory and Southeast Regional Troubled Children's Committee. He was a member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 691. He received the National Exemplary Award on Interagency Collaboration in 1995, the National Award for Community Based Program for Mentally Disabled Students in 1995, Supervisor of the Year by Georgia School Counselors Association in 1993, School Administrator of the Year (1992) and Second annual Regional Friend of Children Award (1991). He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
SURVIVORS: his wife, Verna Young of Brunswick; a son, David T. Young of Atlanta; three daughters, Amy Abner and Elizabeth A. Young, both of Atlanta, and Ginger Hampton of Jacksonville, Fla.; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Young of Montgomery, Pa.; and five grandchildren.
VISITATION: 6-8 p.m. today at Chapman Funeral Chapel.
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, burial in Chapel Park Cemetery.

Mary Lee K. Dukes
ALLENDALE, S.C. -- Mrs. Mary Lee Kelly Dukes, 51, died Jan. 11 at John E. Harter Nursing Center in Fairfax. She was born in Allendale. She was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church.
SURVIVORS: her husband, Levi Dukes of Allendale; two daughters, Ulea L. Dukes of Savannah, Ga., and Patricia A. Dukes of Fairfax; a son, Johnny Kelly of Charleston; and six sisters, Marie Priester of Charleston, Estelle Carter, Louvenia Kelly and Rosa Gill, all of Allendale, Rose Mary Doe of Fairfax and Mary Jane Creech of Barnwell. SERVICES: noon today at Simpson United Methodist Church in Allendale, burial in Old Bentley Methodist Church Cemetery. Cave Funeral Service, Inc., Allendale.

Christopher M. Drummond
KINGSLAND -- Christopher M. Drummond, 31, died Jan. 11 at Southeast Georgia Regional Medical Center in Brunswick. He was born and raised in Camden County. He was educated in the Camden County School System. Prior to his death, he worked in food preparation.
SURVIVORS: his children, Christopher, Gene, Brittany, Dashia and Josh; his parents, Phyllis and Gene; sisters, Monica Wade, Ke'Shuna and Larissa; brothers, Carlton and Kevin; grandparents, Laurie and Lonnie Mae Drummond; his godmother, Ida Scott; a god sister, Stephanie Hamilton; a godchild, Kaven Walker; three nieces, two nephews and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and other relatives. SERVICE: 11 a.m. today at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Association Home in Woodbine, burial in Woodbine Cemetery. Myers Funeral Home, Woodbine.