John Frank Mealor Sr.
John Frank Mealor Sr., 59, of Madison, died Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at his residence. He was born October 26, 1945, in Morgan County, the son of Neal McCoy Mealor and Lula Henrietta Aaron.
He was a mechanic at Youngblood Motor Company.
Funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 20, at Vining Ivy Hill Chapel in Eatonton with the Rev. Frank Bruce officiating. Interment
was in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Myers of Madison, son, John Frank Mealor Jr. of Athens; sisters, Ruth Gentry of Atlanta, Bobbie Jean Henry of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Fanneal Landrum of Milledgeville; grandchildren, Ashley Myers and Brandy Myers, both of Madison, Lexy Mealor and Blake Mealor, both of Athens.
Pallbearers were Wendell Combs Jr., Daniel Combs, Derrick Mealor, Mark Mealor, James Black and Alan Black.
Memorials may be made toward the funeral cost.
Vining Ivy Hill Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Lula Bell Peters
Lula Bell Peters, 87, died August 14, 2005. She was born December 31, 1917 to John and Katie Cox. Her mother died while she was an infant and she was raised as an only child by her aunt, Lula Lockett (Ma Lula).
She was married to William Peters Sr. on April 7, 1935 and they were blessed with 15 children. He died in January 1999. They have been married 64 years.
Three of her children preceded her in death, Leroy Peters, James Peters and Lucy Peters-Robertson.
She was a member of Smyrna Baptist Church where she served faithfully in various capacities throughout her life.
In addition to raising a large family, working on a farm, she traveled for years to work at the former Belvedere Motel and Georgia Regional Hospital in Decatur.
She was also employed in Madison at the Beverly Enterprise Nursing Home for 18 years, retiring in 1987.
She is survived by 12 children, eight sons and four daughters; (Ret.) CSM William Peters Jr. (Elizabeth) of Hampton, Va., Maggie Peters-Jeffries (Hubert) of Madison, Thelma Peters-Kelly of Newark, N. J., (Ret.) SGM Johnny E. Peters (Evelyn) of Covington, Marvin Peters of Madison, Charlie Peters of Atlanta, Curtis Peters (Karen) of Madison, Gloria Peters of Ellenwood, Patricia Peters-Cabil of Conyers, CSM Michael Peters (Sharon) of Ft. Knox, Ky., Leon Peters (Pat) of Madison; SFC Ricky Peters (Toni) of Ft. Bliss, Texas, a devoted grandson, Stanley Peters (Yvette) of Riverdale; 26 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; a son-in-law, Walter Robertson of Stone Mountain; one sister-in-law, Sallie Mae Pettigrew of Atlanta, devoted life-long friends, Mrs. Irene Gordon, Mrs. Mattie Mae Durden and Mrs. E. Harper; caretakers, Mrs. Venilus Binion and Harriett Munford and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 19 at Springfield Baptist Church with Rev. Franklin Clark, Rev. Milton Broughton, Rev. W. J. Reid, Rev. Alfred Murray and Rev. Harlon Heard officiating. Interment
was in Springfield Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Tony Jeffries, Robert Kelly, Bernard Peters, Bobby Peters, Charles Peters Jr., Johnny Peters Jr., Travis Peters and Walter Peters.
Flower ladies were Nicky Battle, Brittany Cabil, Kimberly Murray, Aretha Peters, Chervicia Yvette Peters, Kionna Peters, Lesley Peters and Vanessa Peters.
Mapp-Gilmore Pyramid Funeral Service, LLC was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond Hinton Brown
Raymond Hinton Brown, 83, of Madison died Monday, August 29, 2005, at Madison Health and Rehab. He was born January 1, 1922 in Newton County, to the late Augustus Alexander Brown and the late Dessa Maude Hinton.
He was a member of Madison Lodge No. 376, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the Madison Chapter of Eastern Star.
He is survived by his wife, Helen M. Brown of Madison, a son, Raymond H. (Buddy) Brown of Covington, a daughter, Beverly Jane Russell of Conyers, and four grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 1, at Simmons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Ross and Rev. Wayne Ghann officiating. Interment
will be in Madison Memorial Park.
Simmons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bryan Wesley Gage Jr.
Wesley Gage Jr., 16, of Madison died Friday, August 26, 2005 at his home. He was born August 19, 1989 in Rockdale County to Bryan and Sue Gage. He lived all of his life in Morgan County.
He was a student at Morgan County High School in Madison.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family. He was a young man always ready to work and loved to help his grandparents around their farm. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Covington.
He is survived by his parents, Bryan Wesley Gage Sr. and Sue Becknell Gage, two brothers, Jason Becknell and Taylor Gage, a sister, Lynsey Gage Bruce and her husband Tommy, all of Madison; maternal grandparents, Ronnie and Neelie Becknell of Rutledge and paternal grandparents, Juanita and Jim Cottrell of Davis, Okla., and Kenneth and Louise Gage of Columbus; and a nice, Karley Welch of Madison.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Covington. Interment
was at Madison Memorial Park
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Wesley Gage Memorial Fund, care of The Bank of Madison, P. O. Box 271, Madison, GA 30650.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marty Lund
Marty Lund, 60, of Monroe died Sunday, August 28, 2005
Born in Rockford, Ill., she was the daughter of J. R. McDaniel and the late Thelma Larson McDaniel. A music major graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, she taught piano and was very involved in numerous music programs. She was an active member of Mars Hill Baptist Church, Watkinsville. Her strong faith and love of the Lord was unmistakable to everyone she met.
Funeral services will be Friday, September 2, at 2 p.m. at Mars Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Rob Carleton officiating. Interment
will be in Evergreen Memorial Park.
Survivors in addition to her father include her daughters, Charlotte Bowden (Donnie) of Social Circle and Alice Lund Whitlock (Bryan) of Bostwick; a sister, Gayle R. Carleton of Morning Sun, Iowa and two grandchildren, Bethany and Megan Bowden.
Lord and Stephens, West is in charge of arrangements.
Martha Kathryn Williams Passman
Martha Kathryn Williams Passman, 79, died August 23, 2005. She was born on January 27, 1926. She was a native of Madison and was preceded in death by her husband, Otto E Passman, U.S. House of Representatives (retired); parents, Addie Mae Malone and Roy W. Williams, Madison; and a sister, Mary W. Aurelio of Ventura, Calif.
She began her career in Washington, D.C. and served there as a Congressional Staffer until her retirement. She resided in Dallas, Texas for the last 12 years.
She is survived by a brother, John E. Williams of Madison and two sisters, Louise W. Connor of Naples, Fla., and Doris W. Dunlap of Marietta; four nieces and four nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 29, at 1:30 p.m. from the Pennington United Methodist Church in the Pennington Community of Morgan County with Rev. Linda Evans officiating. Interment
followed in the church cemetery.
J. C. Harwell & Son of Covington were in charge of arrangements.
Lula Bell Peters
Mrs. Lula Bell Peters, age 87 of Madison died Sunday, August 14, 2005. Homegoing services for Mrs. Peters was held Friday, August 19, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Springfield Baptist Church, 2140 Bethany Church Road, Madison; Rev. Harlon Heard, Pastor of Smyrna Baptist Church officiated. Interment
followed in church cemetery. She leaves to cherish her never-ending memories, twelve children: (Retired) CSM William Peters, Jr. (Elisabeth); Maggie Jeffries (Hubert), Thelma Kelly, (Retired) SGM Johnny Peters (Evelyn), Marvin Peters, Charlie Peters, Curtis Peters (Karen), Gloria Peters, Patricia Peters-Cabil, CSM Michael Peters (Sharon), Leon Peters (Pat), SFC Ricky Peters (Toni) and a devoted grandson Stanley Peters (Yvette).
She also leaves to cherish her memories 26 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild; son-in-law, Walter Robertson; sister-in-law, Sally Mae Pettigrew and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends and other relatives.
David P. Belcher III
David P. Belcher III, 57, of Madison died September 11, 2005 at Athens Regional Medical Center. He was born August 6, 1948 to D. Pearce Belcher Jr. and Mary H. Belcher. He grew up and lived in Morgan County.
Mr. Belcher graduated from Marion Military Institute and later the University of Georgia with a degree in Forestry. He went on to serve in the United States Army where he reached the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Belcher then began his career with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. There he served as a senior wildlife biologist and managed timber for the state of Georgia. He retired from the State in October of 2004.
Mr. Belcher was a member of Madison Baptist Church, the Georgia Christmas Tree Association and was a Registered State Forester. He was a true outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish, which he did semi-professionally. He was known for his love of dogs and the ability to train hunting dogs. He was especially fond of his Labrador retriever, Mr. Bear.
He is survived by his wife Teresa and three children, Rebecca B. McCants and Howard McCants III of Bogart, Wesley Belcher and Deborah Hawkins and Greg Hawkins, all of Madison; a sister, Elizabeth Fears of Madison and a granddaughter, Meg Hawkins of Madison and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday morning at Madison Baptist Church. Dr. Jim Ross will officiate along with Dr. John Taylor and David Waller.
In memory of David P. Belcher III donations may be made to The Arch Foundation, Memo: College of Veterinary Medicine. Mail to Office of Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7371.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Evelyn Jordan
Margaret Evelyn Jordan, 71, died September 12, 2005 at her home in Madison. She was born June 19, 1934 in Franklin County to the late Thomas and Mildred B. Fowler. Soon after her birth her family moved to Morgan County where Mrs. Jordan lived out her life.
Mrs. Jordan married O. L. "Junior" Jordan on December 18, 1949. Together they raised their three children. Mrs. Jordan was a long-time member of Sugar Creek Baptist Church. She most recently worked for the Morgan County Board of Education at Morgan County High School. She also worked along side her husband managing their dairy and running their store in Greene County. Mrs. Jordan enjoyed sewing, cooking and working in the garden but most of all she loved to spend time with her family.
She is survived by her husband of almost 56 years, O. L. "Junior" Jordan and their children, Michael L. Jordan and Cyndi, Rudy Jordan, all of Madison, and Rosemary Jordan of Covington; a sister, Tommie Jean Griffith, and three grandchildren, Amy J. Osborne and Randy, Michael Jordan Jr. and Amanda Jordan, and two great grandchildren, Sydney Osborne and Meg Osborne.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, in the Chapel at A. E. Carter Funeral Home with interment
at Sugar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ann Preston Malcom
Ann Malcom Preston, 90, died Friday, September 9, 2005 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Athens following an extended illness.
Mrs. Malcom was born March 8, 1915 in Bostwick, daughter of the late Ella Wheelis and James M. Preston. She was the widow of Beeson H. Malcom and was preceded in death by a brother, Dick Preston and a sister Ruby Preston Malcom.
She was a devoted, life-long member of Bostwick Methodist Church. She served in various ways and was especially active in the United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was honored to be the Queen of the Cotton Gin Festival in 1995.
She is survived by three children, Barnett H. and Drusilla Malcom of Bostwick, Ruby M. and Russell Field of Athens and Bebe M. and Marvin Ruark of Bostwick; 11 grandchildren, Stacy and Stan Nabors, Sandy and Jimmy Warbington, Bucky Malcom, Jim and Tonya Malcom, Beth and Fred Denson, Bonnie and Gerald Pouncey, Babs and Paul Bowers, John Ruark, Deanne Ruark, Agnes and Bobby Jones, Andrea and Rhett Burruss, 19 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her very loving and devoted caregivers, Dorothy Brown, Lorene Clark and Carrie Moon.
Interment
was Sunday, September 11 at 2:30 p.m. in Bostwick Cemetery. A celebration of her life was held at 3 p.m. at Bostwick Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Jordan officiating. Her grandsons served as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Bostwick Methodist Church, P.O. Box 257, Bostwick, GA. 30623.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.
Johnny Lee Pettigrew
Johnny Lee Pettigrew, 72, died September 2, 2005. He was born November 17, 1932 to Clarence and Sallie Mae Pettigrew in Morgan County.
His father, Clarence Pettigrew Sr. and brothers Eugene and Larry Pettigrew Sr. and sisters, Gladys and Mary Pettigrew preceded him in death.
He was a farmer, brick mason and a gardener. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorable discharged.
He was the father of 12 children; two preceded him in death, Johnny Jr. and Ronny Pettigrew.
He is survived by four daughters, Robyn (Bobby) Jones of Cibolo, Texas, Judy Douglas of Atlanta, Wanda (Reggie) Hammond of Alexandria, Vir., and Judy Hall (Nortrom) of Ohio; six sons, Greg Pettigrew, Stanley Pettigrew of Miami, Fla., Keith (Dot) Pettigrew of Tampa, Fla., Danny (Tina) Pettigrew of Cleveland, Ohio, Wayne (Michelle) Pettigrew of Orlando, Fla., and Eugene Pettigrew of Ohio; his mother, Sallie Mae Pettigrew of Madison, three sisters, Marie (George) Parker, Doris Ross of Detroit, Michigan and Linda Pettigrew; four brothers, Clarence Pettigrew Jr. of Ohio, Joseph Pettigrew of Atlanta, Jeffrey (Barbara) Pettigrew of Decatur, and Rev. Jimmy (Kate) Smith; an aunt, Velvaroe Pettigrew; a special friend, Karen Tatum; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Pettigrew, Lucy Bell, Mozelle Pettigrew, Beverly Pettigrew and Willie Mae Ross; 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service was held at Springfield Baptist Church with the Rev. W. J. Reid, Pastor officiating, assisted by the Rev. Michael Ross, Minister Barbara Pettigrew and Minister Doris Booker. Interment
was in the Springfield Society Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were his nephews, Mark Pettigrew, Joseph Pettigrew Jr., Tory Pettigrew, Steve Pettigrew, Larry Pettigrew Jr. and Michael Ross Jr. Honorary pallbearers were Jeffery Pettigrew Jr., Clarence Pettigrew III, Jerryal Pettigrew, Trent Pettigrew, and Adams Ross. Flower ladies were his nieces, Patricia Garrett, Rasha Pettigrew, Chantel Lewis, Valeria Pettigrew, Chandra Pettigrew, Charmea Pettigrew, Cheverly Gordon, Charie Pettigrew and Dorcelyn Ross.
Mapp-Gilmore Pyramid Funeral Services, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.
Ret. BTCM Millard Carwell Sketo
Ret. BTCM Millard Carwell Sketo, 67, of Sevierville, Tenn., died Wednesday, August 31, 2005. He was born May 9, 1938 in Bonifay, Fla. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 until 1983. After retiring from the Navy he worked for the University of California and retired in 1995.
He joined the Masons May 30, 1972 and was an active member of the Masonic Lodge in Madison.
Funeral service was held September 6, 2005 at the Marion Ownby Cemetery in Sevierville, Tenn. for his cremated remains.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Sketo, and she will receive family and friends September 15 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at their home, 1091 Heidi Trail, Buckhead.
Edna Margie Burke Richardson
Edna Margie (Duke) Burke Richardson, 67, died September 9, 2005. She was born August 4, 1937 to the late Rev. John C. Burke and Mrs. Gussie Mae Harris Burke.
She was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Buckhead. She was married to John T. Richardson on March 26, 1956. She is survived by her husband, John T. Richardson of Greshamville; two daughters, Ms. Jacqueline A. Richardson and Lisa (Clifford) Richardson Colbert; one son, Orlando S. Richardson of Fairburn; three brothers, Johnny (Mattie Sue) Burke, Theotis Burke and William R. Burke, all of Madison; two sisters, Mrs. Ella Mae Clark of Waterbury, Conn., and Mrs. Doris Johnson of Columbus, Ohio; one uncle, Young Harris of Youngstown, Ohio; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. A son, John T. Richardson Jr., a sister, Sarah Lee Burke Mack and a brother, Lamar Burke, preceded her in death.
The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 17, at Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Timothy Kindell, Pastor, officiating with interment
in Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. Flower bearers were Sylvia Tiller, Janice Alexander, Mary Richardson, Carolyn Woodard and Barbara Ingram. Casket bearers were Michael Peterson, Patrick Peterson, Clifford Colbert, Ronald Sawyer, Willie Campbell and Cedric Richardson.
Mapp-Gilmore Pyramid Funeral Service, LLC was in charge of arrangements.
Winfred Boyd Brown
Winfred Boyd Brown, 83, of Covington, died Sunday, September 18, 2005.
Mr. Brown was born October 17, 1921 in Rabun, a son of the late James R. Brown and Carrie Hensley Brown. He was the owner and operator of Brown’s Upholstery in Porterdale for 40 years. After his retirement he enjoyed selling things at his booth at the Repairers of the Breach Thrift Center in Covington. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching the Atlanta Braves and playing his guitar. He is survived by four daughters, Judy Wilson of Covington, Jane Harvard of Madison, Carrie Brown and Holly Dowdy, both of Covington; five sisters, three brothers, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Ruby Eloise Turpin Brown in 2002 and a son, Kenneth Brown in 1993. Funeral service was held Wednesday, September 21, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Wheeler Funeral Home. Interment
was at Liberty Cemetery, Porterdale. The Rev. Ray Turpin officiated.
Arrangements were by Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory.
Agnes Lomax Childs
Agnes Childs, 88, of Madison died September 28, 2005. She was born October 2, 1916 in Greene County to James and Annie Mae Lomax.
Mrs. Childs lived most of her life in Morgan County. She worked for 52 years as a hairdresser and cosmetologist. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and BTU. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and the National Hairdressers Association. Mrs. Childs was very involved in community and charitable work. She often volunteered her time and talents as a hairdresser to the State Mental Hospital and to the Masonic Children’s Home. She also played the piano for various churches around Morgan County.
Mrs. Childs is survived by her daughter Nina Harrison and son-in-law, Ken Harrison; two sisters, Dorothy L. Flanigin and Jane L. Evans and one sister-in-law, Ida Kate C. Ruark; three grandchildren, Megan Nash McDaniel and Eddie, Leslie Nash Nueffer and Walter Charles Nash, Jr., five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held at 2 p.m. in the chapel of A.E. Carter Funeral Home. Interment
followed at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation be made to the Eastern Star, Chapter 335 in Madison.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
William G. Swarner, Ph.D.
William "Bill" Swarner, 74, of Rutledge died September 27, 2005. He was born March 13, 1931 in Basil, Ohio to the now late William H. Swarner Jr. and Kathryn Roley Swarner.
He was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he was a radar specialist. He graduate summa cum laude from Ohio State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in 1959. In 1962 he earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, also from Ohio State University.
He later married Carol Swarner, together they raised three sons. In 1985 the Swarner family moved to Lawrenceville and then to Rutledge in 1998. Mr. Swarner was retired but had worked for Ohio State University as a research scientist. In Georgia he was employed by Scientific-Atlanta, Georgia Tech Research Institute and The Howland Company. He was a member of Grace Pointe Church of The Nazarene in Loganville, Gideons International and the NRA. He also belonged to the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association, Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi and Phi Eta Sigma Fraternities.
Mr. Swarner is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carol D. Swarner and three sons, William Mark Swarner and Carolyn of Buford, Robert Stephen Swarner of Madison and Jonathan David Swarner and Jaime of Covington; one granddaughter, Laura Kathryn Swarner and a sister, Mona E. Ruff and Donald.
Funeral service was held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of A.E. Carter Funeral Home. Interment
was in Lawnwood Memorial Park in Covington.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sarah L. House
Sarah L. House, 71, of Godfrey died Sunday, October 9, 2005 at Newton Medical Center.
She was born May 21, 1934, in Morgan County, to the late William Frances House and the late Annie Cotton House. She was a retired seamstress.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, at Antioch Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Pennington and the Rev. Bill Tribble officiating. Interment
was in Brownwood Church Cemetery.
She is survived by five sisters: Mattie Gillman, Clarcie House, Pearl House and Louise Sanders, all of Godfrey; and Patricia Peters of Monroe.
Simmons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ben Malcom
Ben Malcom, 58, of Madison died Monday, October 17, 2005.
He was born August 3, 1947 to Bennie and Mildred Malcom.
He is survived by his parents, a son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Lisa Malcom of Hampton; grandchildren, Lindsay Malcom and Gregory Malcom, both of Hampton.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, at Sandy Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Butch Lee officiating. Interment
followed at Prospect United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Meadows Funeral Home, Inc. Monroe was in charge of arrangements.
Sarah McHan Smith
Sarah McHan Smith, 81, of Snellville, died Friday, October 7, 2005.
Funeral services were held Monday, October 10 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home in Snellville.
Rev. Chris Conner officiated. Interment
was in Madison City Cemetery.
Mrs. Smith was the daughter of the late James N. and Josie J. McHan of Madison. Her husband, Horace Leon Smith, preceded her in death.
She is survived by a daughter, Sondra White of Loganville; sons, James Ashe of Lawrenceville, Donald Smith and Raymond Smith, both of Snellville, David Smith of Loganville and Michael Smith of Covington; sisters, Lois Huff of Conyers, Billie Hall of Batesburg, S. C. and Betty Garrison of Madison, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
