Beck, Cromer, David, Melton, Sims, Swords, Young - Madison County, GA Thanks to The Madison County Journal and Mike Buffington for his permission to upload the obituaries to the Madison County GAGenWeb Archives - 23 April 2001 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/Active/Mad.html Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** The Madison County Journal, April 16, 2003 Gracie R. Sims Mrs. Gracie Rucker Sims, 52, of Ila, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at Athens Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness. Born in Jackson County on September 21, 1950, Mrs. Sims was a daughter of Willie Mae Brown, Jefferson, and the late Frank Rucker. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ. Graveside services were held at noon Monday, April 14, in Evans Memory Gardens, Jefferson, with the Rev. Charles Stabnow officiating. In addition to her mother, Mrs. Sims is survived by her husband, Alvin Sims, Ila; sons, Orenthal Jermaine Sims, Jefferson, and Dexter Leon Wingfield, Erie, Pa.; sisters, Hazel Mack, Jefferson, and Debra Sue McCluskey, Hoschton; brothers, Jerry Rucker, Gainesville, and Steve Rucker, Jefferson; and a grandson, Nathaniel Leon Wingfield. Evans Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------ The Madison County Journal, April 16, 2003 Edna P. Melton Mrs. Edna Payne Melton, 81, of Colbert, died Friday, April 11, 2003. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Melton was a daughter of the late Ralph and Edna Wilks Payne. She was a retired painter and a member of Hull Baptist Church. Mrs. Melton was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Elaine Melton. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at Hull Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Crowe officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. David Huth, Chris Everett, Albert Loggins, Don Townley and David Blackwell served as pallbearers. Mrs. Melton is survived by her husband, Robert Melton, Colbert; two sons, Tommy Melton, Colbert, and Steve Melton, Statham; one sister, Eleanor Kimbral, Fayetteville, N.C.; one brother, George Payne, Arnoldsville; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Bridges Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------ The Madison County Journal, April 16, 2003 Larry Swords Larry Swords, 59, of Winder, died Sunday, April 13, 2003. Mr. Swords was born in Barrow County, a son of the late Paul C. and Ila Bell Miller Swords. He was a retired security guard and a member of New Covenant Worship Center, Athens. Mr. Swords served in the U.S. Navy for six years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Swords. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in Smith Memory Chapel of Smith Funeral Home, Winder, with the Rev. Howard Conine officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Survivors include six sons, Brian Swords and Brad Crowe, both of Winder, Paul Swords, Bogart, Daniel Jones and Chad Adkins, both of Athens, and David Jones, Comer; two brothers, Nolan Swords and Milton Swords, both of Winder; one sister, Joyce Stowe, Columbus; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to New Covenant Worship Center, Attn: Howard Conine, 1425 Newton Bridge Road, Athens, GA 30607. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------ The Madison County Journal, April 16, 2003 Charles Beck Charles William Beck, 79, of Royston, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. Mr. Beck was born in Hart County on March 15, 1924, a son of the late James William and Lula Ellen Slaton Beck. He retired from Yellow Freight Company, where he worked as a truck driver, and was of the Baptist denomination. Mr. Beck was a member of the Local Teamster Union, the Royston Harrison McCreary V.F.W. Post 4828 and the Royston Masonic Lodge #52. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Mr. Beck was preceded in death by a brother, J.W. Beck, and seven sisters, Evelyn Payton, Elizabeth Stewart, Frances Reynolds, Felecia Miles, Clara McLane, Ina Beck and Mabel Warren. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Rev. Byron Greene and Dr. Danny Barton officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mike Kennedy, James Bernard Reynolds, Billy Bond, Rex Kennedy, David Beck and Barry Ginn served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Royston Masonic Lodge #52 and the Royston Harrison McCreary V.F.W. Post #4828. Mr. Beck is survived by his wife, Ruth Rousey Beck, Royston; sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Anthony and Lettie Beck, Anderson, S.C., Franky and Carol Beck, Hartwell, and Bob and Marsha Beck and Greg and Barbara Beck, all of Royston; daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Jerry Drake, Royston; sisters, Rachel Ginn, Canon, Eloise Jones, Elberton, and Ila McAlister, Anderson, S.C.; nine grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Royston Baptist Church Family Life Center, 767 Church Street, Royston, GA 30662. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------ The Madison County Journal, April 16, 2003 Allen David Samuel Allen David, 83, of Royston, died Sunday, April 13, 2003, at Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston. Mr. David was born in Hart County on February 12, 1920, a son of the late Samuel and Mattie Ruby Daniel David. He was the owner and operator of Sinclair Service Station for 25 years and was Royston Fire Chief for 42 years. He was also a former employee of the City of Royston and served as a former Royston City Council Member. Mr. David was a member of the Royston First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clifford David. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Royston First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brian Clark officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Royston. Mr. David’s nephews served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Royston Volunteer Fire Department and members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. Mr. David is survived by his wife, Lois Cornelia Hanley David, Royston; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Belle David, Hartwell; granddaughter, Tara Evans, Dewy Rose; great-grandsons, Austin and Zack Evans, Dewy Rose; brother, Bobby David, Royston; and sisters, Eunice Beck and Mary Scott, both of Kannapolis, N.C., Dorothy Dawkins, Lavonia, and Reba Rousey, Royston. Memorials may be made to the Royston First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 137 Franklin Springs Street, Royston, GA 30662. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------ The Madison County Journal, April 16, 2003 Loran Young Ellis Loran Young, 60, of Crawford, died Saturday, April 12, 2003. A native of Oconee County, Mr. Young was employed with Food Machinery Sales of Athens for 27 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves. Memorial services were held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East. Mr. Young is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary Ann Price Young; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark Ellis and Tammy Gayle Belle Young, Comer, and William Joseph “Joey” and Tammy Joe Smith Young, Crawford; his parents, Tildon and Floy Lovern Young, formerly of Watkinsville; brothers, Julius T. Young, Bishop, and Clarence Ivy Young, Smithville, Tenn.; sisters, Lila Driggers, Brooklet, Joan Thompson, Athens, and Diana Coker, Neece; seven grandchildren, Kayla Young, Kalip Young, Cody Young and Trey Young, all of Nicholson, and Blake Rogers, Courtney Young and Haley Young, all of Comer; several nieces and nephews; and many caring friends. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------ The Madison County Journal, April 16, 2003 Jack Cromer Wiley Jack Cromer, 59, of Hartwell, died Tuesday, April 8, 2003. A native of Hart County, Mr. Cromer was a son of Iber Phillips Cromer, Hartwell, and the late Henry Keifer Cromer. Mr. Cromer was a welder for a metal fabrication company and was a member of Goldmine Church of God. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Goldmine Church of God with the Rev. Gary Thompson officiating. Burial was in Nancy Hart Memorial Park. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Dorothy Adams Cromer; two daughters, Cathy Cromer, Charleston, S.C., and Ashley Cromer, Anderson, S.C.; three sons, Cris Cromer, Joseph Cromer and Austin Cromer, all of Hartwell; seven sisters, Cornelia Goldsmith, Martha Ashworth and Rebecca Thomas, all of Hartwell, Bonnie Partain, McDonough, Janie Hughes, Royston, Sarah Willis, Gainesville, and Glenda Parham, Danielsville; two brothers, James “Hawk” Cromer and Kenneth “C.T.” Cromer, both of Hartwell; and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Austin Cromer Scholarship Fund, c/o A thens First Bank, Hartwell, GA 30643. Strickland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.