Mr. Hamlin
Henry Hubert Hamlin, age 77, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002. Funeral services were held Thursday, May 23 in the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. Rev. Rusty Smith and Dr. Michael Blizzard officiated.
Mr. Hamlin was born in Colquitt County and had lived in Macon for most of his life. He was a member of Rutland Lodge #298 F&AM and he served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a Baptist.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Hamlin of Macon; sons, Wayne Hamlin of Bonaire and Kendall Hamlin of Byron; daughter LaVerne Heath of Byron; 11 grandchildren; brother, Bobby Lee Hamlin of Ft. Valley; sisters Zora Plunkett of Sacramento, CA, Virginia Talcott of Gray, and Joann Page of Goldsboro, NC.
Crest Lawn Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Holland
Opal B. Holland, 84, died Friday, May 24, 2002. Services were held Monday, May 27 at Swift Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Leland Collins officiated.
A member of Swift Creek United Methodist Church for 61 years, Mrs. Holland served on the Board and was secretary of the Sunday School. She was predeceased by two children, Mettie Jenkins and Warren Holland, Jr.
Survivors include her children, Kye Kitchens, Patricia Russell and Benny Holland, all of Macon, and Tim Holland of Gray; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Hart’s Mortuary had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Strickland
Louise Funk Strickland died Thursday, May 23, 2002. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 24 at Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Gray with Rev. Alan Fennell officiating.
Mrs. Strickland was born in Kinstree, SC and had lived in Jones County for the past 46 years. She was the daughter of the late Charles Ernest Funk, St. and Annie Amelia Miller Funk. Mrs. Strickland was retired from Anderson Chemicals, where she was a secretary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Alvin Strickland, Sr.
Mrs. Strickland is survived by her daughter, Norma Jackson of Gray; a son, Jesse A. Strickland, Jr. of Perry; her brother, Walker Miller Funk of St. Stevens, SC; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Bridges Funeral Home in Gray had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Mathis
Lavada Garnto Mathis died Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at her residence. Funeral Services were held Thursday, May 23 in the Chapel at Hart’s Mortuary officiated by Sister Gladys Bell. Burial was at Middle Ground Cemetery in Chester, GA.
Mrs. Mathis was a member of Glad Tidings Tabernacle.
Survivors: Daughter, Emily Morgan of Gray, Daughter; Ruby Adams of Macon; Daughter, Reva Stuart of Macon; Son, Johnny Mathis of Twiggs County; Son, Arthur Lewis Mathis of Macon; Son Tonie Lee Mathis of Macon, Daughter, Rebekah Johnson of Macon; Sister, Rosa Lee Brady of Cochran; Sister, Gertrude Woodard of Florida; Sister, Levina Greenway; Sister, Virginia Cook of Lumber City; Sister, Katie Lou Kopp of Belglade FL; Sister, Louise Mathis of Cochran; 30 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren.
Mrs. Mercer
Minnie Mercer, 56, passed away May 18, 2002. Funeral services were held at the New Damascus Baptist Church, Hungerford Road Thursday, May 23 officiated by Rev. George C. Scott.
Mrs. Mercer was a native of the Jones County community and a devoted member of the New Damascus Baptist Church, Gray, GA. She was an outstanding, devoted nurse of 31 years at the Oconee Regional Hospital until retirement.
Survivors include a devoted husband, Ben Mercer, Jr.; daughters; Stephanie Hamilton and Demetrice Mercer; son-in-law Woodland M. Hamilton and grandson Woodland M. Hamilton, II. She was the daughter of Willie Bray, Sr. of Gray, GA, and Hattie Bray, Macon, GA. Brothers and sisters, Willie Bray, Jr., Lizzie Finney, Geneva Manning of Macon, Ga., Tony Bray and Juanita Jones of Gordon, Ga., as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Mr. Watson, Sr.
Gilbert Thomas Watson, Sr., 64, of Gray, died Wednesday May 22, 2002. Graveside services were held Saturday, May 25 at the Gordon Family Cemetery with Dr. G. Gil Watson officiating.
Mr. Watson, son of the late Romblus Lee Watson and the late Lessie Agnes Dunbar Watson, was born in Hyde County, NC and had lived in this area most of his life. He served in the U. S. Army, as well as the U.S. Navy and was a retired welder from Riverwood International, formerly Georgia Kraft.
Surivors include his wife, Ruth Jackson Watson; three children, Tommy Watson and Gilbert T. Watson, Jr. of Gray and Brian L. Watson of Atlanta; brothers, Preston W. Watson, Romlus Watson, Jr. and Elvin Watson, all of NC; sisters, Pearl Gage of FL and Jackie Meyers of Gray; and many nieces and nephews.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Dix
Dorothy Cook Dix, 75, of Upper River Road, died Monday, December 2, 2002. Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 4 in the Chapel of Bridges Funeral Home.
Mrs. Dix was a life long resident of Macon and a homemaker. She was the daughter of the late Clarence Cook and Eudell Lavender Cook.
Mrs. Dix is survived by her daughters: Kay Maddox and Cheryl Howard, both of Jones County; her son: Ricky Dix of Jones County; her brother C. L. Cook of Milledgeville; her sisters: Aldine Campbell of Milledgeville, and Elizabeth Bonner of Jones County; grandchildren: Sheila Payne, Amanda Maddox, Dana Ward, Heather Dix, Cliff Howard and Chris Howard; and her great-grandchildren: Kody Payne, Kayce Payne, and Chaise Ward.
Bridges Funeral Home in Gray had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Greene
Nora Holmes Malum Greene, 91, died Sunday, December 1, 2002. Services were held Monday, December 2 in Middle Georgia Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Greene was born in Wadley but lived in Gray before moving to Milledgeville. She was retired from Robins Air Force Base, a former columnist with The Jones County News, a member of Elam Baptist Church and the Eastern Star.
Survivors include her daughter: Mary Alice Collins of Milledgeville; five grandchildren: Ginger Lasseter, Bonnie Clark, Warren Collins, Jr., Christy Turner, all of Milledgeville, and Paul Collins of Ivey; and eight great-grandchildren.
Moore’s Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Harris
Nellie M. Harris, age 79, died Thursday, November 28, 2002. Services were held Tuesday, December 3, in Samuel’s Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. Harris was the daughter of the late Toy and Francis Stanley. She was a member of the Griswoldville Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband: Harold Harris of Jacksonville, FL; children: M.C. Harris, Jimmy Harris, Willie Harris, Grady Harris, Robert Harris, Tommy Harris, and Terry Harris, all of Macon; Mrs. Mary Wingfield of Milledgeville, Ms. Diane Thomas of Macon and Mrs. Nancy Richardson of Gray; sisters and brothers: Mobbie Stanley, Robert Stanley, Prinice Stanley, Wilkie Stanley, Clara Stanley, Mary Stanley, Beatrice Stanley, Lucindy Stanley, Hazel Stanley, Christine Stanley, Janice Stanley.
Samuel’s Memorial Funeral Home of Gray had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Neal
Lucille C. Neal, of Gray, formerly of Nashville, TN, died, Wednesday, November 27, 2002. Funeral services were held cryptside at Greenhill Memory Gardens in Richlands, VA on November 30.
Mrs. Neal was born in Tazewell County, VA and had lived most of her life in Nashville, TN, before moving to Gray. She was the daughter of the late T. M. and Ollie Mae Hall Cruey and the widow of Sam F. Neal. Mrs. Neal was retired from the State Offices of Tennessee.
Survivors include a daughter, Naomi Perry of Nashville, TN; three grandchildren: Cathy and John Liston of Gray, Tom and Jan Webb of Mansfield, TX, and Joe and Michelle Webb of Big Sandy, TN; four sisters: Audrey Whitt of Lynchburg, VA, Tommy Altizer of Kingsport, TN, Peggy Stull of Lynchburg, VA, and Bonnie Altizer of Flint MI.
Simpson-Childs Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Mr. Smoot
Clarence A. Smoot, age 76, of Hurley Circle, died Sunday, December 1, 2002 at his residence. Funeral Services were held Wednesday, December 4 in the Chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Burial I Glen Haven Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Smoot, a lifelong resident of Peach and Bibb counties, was born in Upson County to the late Emma Bankston Griffin. He was a 1942 graduate of Perry High School. Mr. Smoot was a World War II Veteran, having served in the Navy and retired from Robins Air Force Base after 30 years of service. His son, Clarence Ray Smoot, preceded him in death. Mr. Smoot will be remembered as a loving husband and a dedicated father and grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife and lifetime companion, Joann L. Smoot, of Macon; two daughters: Patricia Ann Smoot of Macon, and Beverly Jean and son-in-law Billy Brooks, of Haddock; son: Ira Joe and daughter-in-law Lisa Smoot of Perry; grand-children: Adam Smoot, Kristen Brooks, Michelle Smoot, Billy Brooks, III, and Grayson Smoot; brother and sister-in-law: Wilbur and Miriam Griffin of Byron.
Crest Lawn Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Ms. Asbell
Ethel Bennett “Bene” Asbell died January 27, 2003. Services were held January 31 in the chapel of Hart’s Mortuary in Macon.
Ms. Asbell was a Macon native, an artist working in diverse media, artistic director of the Work Hardening Center, and a cosmetologist.
Ms. Asbell was the daughter of Olin Lee Asbell and the late Ethel B. Lord Asbell. She is survived by her son, Olyn Lee McKinney of Haddock; her daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany McKinney Bowman and Derek Bowman of Athens; her sister and brother-in-law, Carla and Peter Dennis of Macon; brother, Wayne Asbell of Haddock, brother and sister-in-law, Markus and Adicia Asbell of Jones County, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Hart’s Mortuary had charge of arrangements.
Mr. Benton
Larry Wheeler Benton, 62, of Monticello Hwy, died January 26, 2003. Funeral services were held January 28 at Tattnall Square Baptist Church. Burial was at the Kite Cemetery in Kite, Georgia. Rev. Andy Oxford and Mr. Benjamin G. Porter officiated.
Mr. Benton was born, raised and educated in Kite, Georgia. While attending South Texas Junior College, he joined the Army and was assigned to the Army Security Agency. He moved to Macon after completing a tour overseas and went to work at a finance company. Later, he went to work for WCRY Radio and became Sales Manager. Five years later, Larry opened the first swimming pool retail/distributing company between Atlanta and Jacksonville. After 28 years he sold Aquaquip, Inc., then attended Missouri Auction and founded Auctions by L.W. Benton in 1995.
Mr. Benton was founder and past president of the Bibb County Jaycees. In 1980 the Jaycee of the Year Award was renamed the Larry W. Benton Jaycee of the Year Award. He formed the Mayor’s Presidents Club for Mayor Lee Robinson, which was made up of all the presidents and past presidents of all the civic and service clubs in Macon and Bibb County. Mr. Benton ran three city, county and state campaigns and was recognized as Outstanding Boss of the Year, Outstanding Young Man of the Year, and Outstanding President of the Year. He was featured in the Mayor’s Publication, Macon Magazine, The Macon Telegraph, state and local Jaycees publications and one of Bill Boyd’s books. Mr. Benton organized an $87,000 auction to buy automated external defibrillators for the Macon/Bibb County Fire Department fire trucks, chaired fund-raiser and raised $90,000 for the Middle Georgia Veteran Memorial Monument, chaired the Central Park Renovation Committee, chaired the building of an Olympic size swimming pool for the Carl Thomas Memorial Boys and Girls Club, and chaired the Cherry Blossom at Central City Park for two years. Mr. Benton served on the Board of Directors of the Macon Jaycees, Bibb County Jaycees, Optimist Club, Exchange Club of Macon, Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society. He served as director and vice president of the Georgia Auctioneers Association.
Mr. Benton was the son of the late William Ike and Nellie Wheeler Benton and was preceded in death by his sisters, Bonnie Strange and Frosty Felton, his brothers, Bill Benton and Ottis Benton.
He is survived by Donna S. Benton of Winder; daughter and son-in-law, Leah and Randy Lee of Suwanee; son and daughter-in-law, Larry W. (Bo) Jr. and Jenni Benton of Gray; two granddaughters, Savannah and Molly Lee of Suwanee; four sisters, Sylvia (Billie) McParland of Atlanta; Joni Newsom of The Woodlands, TX, Joy Hendrix of Metter and Fay Hide of Atlanta.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel of Macon, had charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Bishop
Mildred Bishop, 88, died January 30, 2003 at her residence. Funeral services were held February 2 in the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with burial in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. Charles Hanson and Mr. Todd White officiated.
Mrs. Bishop was born in Wilkinson County and has lived in Macon most of her life. She was a member of Parkway Assembly of God Church and was a homemaker.
Survivors include her children; Carl Wilson, Sr., Prew Wilson, Both of Macon, James Wilson of Gray, Ester Sorrow of Lizella, Ann Wright of Silver City, NM and Ouida Howell of Atlanta; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Crest Lawn Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Deen
Peggy Higdon Deen, 44, of Griffin Road died Saturday, February 01, 2003 in a local hospital. Graveside services were held Tuesday, February 04, 2003 in the Mosely Family Cemetery on Griffin Road in Bibb County. Majors Don and Daphne Vick officiated.
Mrs. Deen was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and had lived in Macon for the past thirty-nine years. She was the daughter of the late Hubert Roscoe Higdon and Ruby Humphrey Higdon. Mrs. Deen was a homemaker and was preceded in death by a sister, Susie Long, and by a granddaughter, Caitland Higdon.
Mrs. Deen is survived by a son: Tommy Higdon of Macon; brothers: Johnny Higdon, Jody Higdon, Charles Higdon and Ricky Higdon, all of Macon, and Bill Higdon of Lizella; sisters: Millie Arnold of Jeffersonville and Carol Mosely of Macon; and by a grandson: Nathan Higdon.
Bridges Funeral Home in Gray had charge of arrangements.
Mr. Epps
Clifford “Pete” Epps, 69, of Jones county, died Monday, February 3, 2003. Funeral services were to be held Wednesday, February 5 at Shurlington Baptist church with Rev. Darrell Watson officiating. Burial followed at Antioch Baptist church Cemetery.
Mr. Epps was a member of Shurlington Baptist church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a well known participant in local dirt track racing and was retired from Dry Branch Kaolin after 34 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Anita Epps of Gray; daughters: Teresa Epps and her husband, Gary Wilson of Warner Robins, Angie Hughes and her husband, Jim, of Gray; son, Randy Epps and his wife, Lyn, of Macon; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Hart’s Mortuary of Macon had charge of arrangements.
Mr. Henderson
H.P. “Sonny” Henderson, Jr., 72, died Monday, February 3, 2003 after a brief illness. Serves were to be held Wednesday, February 5 in the chapel of Hart’s Mortuary with Rev. Steve Waldorf and Rev. Paul Best officiating. Burial was to be in Macon Memorial Park.
Mr. Henderson was a graduate of Lanier High School and attended Mercer University until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Drama M. Henderson. He was a lifetime member of Cross Keys United Methodist Church, a member of The Key Class and a member and former director of the Chancel Choir. Mr. Henderson was a charter member of the Macon Chapter of the Society for the preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. A former Funeral Director at Hart’s Mortuary, he was retired from Wakefield Pharmaceuticals. He was s a member the Touchdown Club.
Survivors include his children: Kathy and Mike Walker of Norcross, Connie and Mike Hinshaw of Macon, Mary and Ken Long of Gray, and Sally and Steve Perdue of Gray; sisters: Ann Smollar of Macon an Janed Flournoy of Eatonton; brother-in-law, Buddy McMillan of Gray; 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and his very dear friend, Helen Wilson of Macon.
Hart’s Mortuary had charge of arrangements.
Mr. Howell
George Thomas “Tommy” Howell, 54, died Friday, January 31, 2003 at his residence. Private memorial services were held at Cornerstone Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Blizzard officiating.
Mr. Howell was a lifelong resident of Macon. He was the son of the late George Thomas Howell, Sr. and Edna Marie Palmer Howell. Mr. Howell was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church and a retired Assistant Manager of Palmer Tire Company.
Mr. Howell is survived by his wife: Diane Howell, Macon; sons: Joey Howell of Jones County, Tony Ewer and Lance Howell, both of Macon; two daughters, both residents of Macon; sisters and brother-in-law: Kate and Larry Cooper of Gray, Ann and Russell Howard of Monticello, Lydia and David Asbell of Ivey, Margaret and Harry Gaskill of Gray; brother and sister-in-law: Freddy and Janice Nixon of Gray; eight grandchildren; and a good friend: Sharon Shoemaker.
Bridges Funeral Home in Gray had charge of arrangements.
Mr. Palmer
Robert Ford Palmer, 67, died Wednesday, January 29, 2003. Services were held Friday, January 31 at Chamlee Memorial Baptist Church, with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Born in Taylor County, Mr. Palmer was retired from Blue Bird Body Co., and was a member of Chamlee Memorial Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife: Jean L. Palmer, Fort Valley; children: Rodney Palmer, Macon, Tammi Adams, Gray, Robert Bradshaw, Tommy Bradshaw, and Lisa Pearce, all of Fort Valley; sisters, Bonnie Bailey and Mary Cleveland, both of Reynolds; brother, Marvis and Ann Palmer, Macon; fifteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren.
Rooks Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Smith
LaVerne Millirons Smith of Macon died Wednesday, January 29, 2003. Services were held January 31 at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Macon. Rev. Gregg Kaufman officiated.
Mrs. Smith was a member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. She was the daughter of the late Bill and Massie Lee Millirons.
Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her son, Euel Thomas Smith. Survivors include her husband, Euel Charles Smith of Macon; children, Sherry and Bo Phillips of Haddock; Ricky Smith, LeeAnne and Stan Purvis, and Michelle and Bill Pratts, all of Macon, and Michael and Tami Smith of Lizella; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Hart’s Mortuary in Macon had charge of arrangements.
Mr. Vincent
Walter Edwin Vincent, 75, died Wednesday, January 29, 2003 in a local hospital. Funeral services were held at January 31 in the Chapel of Bridges Funeral Home, with burial at Haddock Baptist Church Cemetery. Dr. Ron McClung officiated.
Mr. Vincent was born in Jones County, had lived most of his life here, and had lived in Milledgeville for thirty-three years. He was the son of the late Walter Mack Vincent and one Marsh Vincent. Mr. Vincent was the owner of Vincent Men’s Shop in Milledgeville, was a member of the Milledgeville Masonic Lodge and the Woodmen of the World. He was also a member of Haddock Baptist Church.
Mr. Vincent is survived by his wife: Marie Vincent of Haddock; sons and daughters-in-law: Ralph and Lucy Vincent of Milledgeville, and Walter and Christy Vincent of Oxford, Alabama; a daughter and son-in-law: Wanda and Al Gunn of Wayside; five grandchildren; and his sister: BeBe Vincent of Haddock.
Bridges Funeral Home in Gray had charge of arrangements.
Mr. White
James (Jimmy) Edward White, 67, died Wednesday, January 29, 2003. Services were held February 1 at Snow’s Memorial Chapel in Macon with burial in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Macon. Rev. Steve Albanese officiated.
Mr. White was born in Macon and had lived in Gray for the past thirty-five years. He was the son of the late John Mercer White and the late Ruby Elizabeth Irby White. He was a graduate of Lanier High School, served in the United States Navy and attended Military Vo-Tech. Mr. White was with Engelhard Corporation for twenty years and was owner and operator of White Appliance Repair Service. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gray.
Mr. White was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Latralle Martin White, and his son, Stephen Martin White. Survivors include his son, Mark White (Lena) and his daughter, Jody Bender Ross (Donald), both of Macon; brother, John Mercer White (Lee) of Macon; five grandchildren; an aunt, Frances Mixon, and several nieces and nephews.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel in Macon had charge of arrangements.
