Bray, Brewer, Graham, Massey, Minish, Parham, Phillips, Pulliam, Russum, Sanders, Sorrow, Strickland, Watkins, Williams - Madison Co, 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 http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ******************************************************************* The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 J.D. Parham J.D. Parham, 75, of Danielsville, died Sunday, January 4, 2004. A native of Walton County, Mr. Parham was a son of the late Homer B. and Florence Hardiman Parham. He retired from the United States Navy after 30 years of service. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, with the Rev. Hammond officiating. Burial was in the Ross Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Parham is survived by his wife, Fannie Wyatt Parham, Danielsville; daughters, Linda Hubbard, Watkinsville, and Gerrie Dee Parham, Goose Creek, S.C.; son, Tony Anders; sisters, Louise Montgomery and Pat Thomas, both of Monroe, Maybell Cole, Sebring, Fla., Mildred Jenkins, Largo, Fla., Jackie Cash, Good Hope, Judy Marlow, Madison, and Diana Smith, Atlanta; brothers, Jack Hamrick, Cape Coral, Fla., and James Hamrick, Joe Parham, Steve Parham and Jimmy Parham, all of Monroe; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Bernstein Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Gertrude Russum Mrs. Gertrude Lizzie Russum, 93, of Hull, died Monday, January 5, 2004. Born in Banks County, Mrs. Russum was a daughter of the late William and Ola Kiser Irvin. She was the wife of the late Luther Allen Russum. Mrs. Russum was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. “She enjoyed the Madison County Senior Center,” said family members. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, at Friendship Baptist Church with the Rev. Dayton Logan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Edward and Vivian Russum, Hull, and William and Mary Russum, Danielsville; two sisters, Gussie Mae Freeman, Danielsville, and Lois Bridges, Athens; four grandchildren, Douglas Russum, Glenda Parten, Allen Russum and Steve Russum; and three great-grandchildren, Jackson Russum, Clayton Russum and Kate Russum. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Nancy F. Pulliam Mrs. Nancy Faye Allen Pulliam, 90, of Royston, died Monday, December 29, 2003, at Cobb Memorial Hospital. Born in Franklin County on September 26, 1913, Mrs. Pulliam was a daughter of the late William Mose and Lucy Gaines Allen. She was a homemaker and a lifetime member of Royston Pentecostal Holiness Church. Mrs. Pulliam was preceded in death by her husband, W.P. Pulliam, a son, Erwin Pulliam, and a sister, Annie Mae Jordan. Funeral services were held at noon Wednesday, December 31, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Rev. Byron Greene officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Edwin and Faye Nell Pulliam, Greenwood, S.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Ned Jordan, Royston; brothers, Charlie Allen, Monroe, and William Allen, Greenville, S.C.; and sisters, Bessie Shealy, Franklin Springs, and Bernice McCurley, Mary Sue Scarborough and Louise Smith, all of Greenville, S.C. Memorials may be made to the Royston Baptist Church Family Life Center, 767 Church Street, Royston, Ga., or to Eastside Baptist Church, P.O. Box 907, Greenwood, SC 29648. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Reba S. Brewer Mrs. Reba Geneva Sorrells Brewer, 86, of Danielsville, died Tuesday, December 30, 2003, at Brown Memorial Convalescent Center in Royston. Mrs. Brewer was born in Madison County on March 5, 1917, a daughter of the late John Wilbern and Lovie Bell Carrington Sorrells. She worked as an inspector in the textile industry and was a homemaker. She was a member of Danielsville Baptist Church, where through the years she served as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, and was a member of the Baptist WMU. Mrs. Brewer was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Cleveland Brewer, a son-in-law, Garnett Lee Bailey, a brother, Dewitt Sorrells, and a sister, Mayo Evans. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2004, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Revs. Ray Jenkins and Brian Clark officiating. Burial was in Danielsville Memorial Gardens. Survivors include a son, Dr. Gene A. Brewer Sr., Bowman; daughter, Myra Bailey, Royston; daughter and son-in-law, Mildred and Brannon O. Jones, Danielsville; brother, Britt Sorrells, Canon; grandchildren, Chad and Alison Bailey, Gene A. Brewer Jr., Jonathan Lee Brewer and Mary Elizabeth Brewer; great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Drew Bailey; and caretakers, Shirley Craig and Willie Jo Alewine. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 James H. Watkins James Harold Watkins, 78, of Carlton, died Wednesday, December 31, 2003. A native of Madison County, Mr. Watkins was a son of the late James Vascoe and Alice Fowler Watkins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Virginia Gaddis Watkins, a grandson, Zachary Brown Watkins, five brothers, Herman Watkins, Horace Watkins, Perry Watkins, Clyde Watkins and Donald Watkins, and two sisters, Imogene Pendley and Louise Watkins. Mr. Watkins served in the United States Army during World War II with pride and honor, and was a member of Carlton Baptist Church. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2004, in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, with the Rev. Jack Lindsay officiating. Burial was in Carlton Cemetery. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Gale and Terry Scarborough, Colbert; son and daughter-in-law, Buck and Terri Watkins, Elberton; grandchildren, John and Donna Scarborough, Danielsville, Ben and Joy Scarborough, Comer, Chloe and Chad Burke, Athens, and Carmel and Robin Flanery, Okinawa, Japan; great-grandchildren, Steven, Leah and Blake Scarborough and Torii Flanery; brother, D.L. Watkins, Elberton; sister, Eva James, Athens; a number of nieces and nephews; and a close friend, Annie Lou Bradley, Athens. Contributions may be made to the Carlton Cemetery Fund, c/o Carlton City Hall, Carlton, GA 30627. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Mamie Strickland Mrs. Mamie Elizabeth Sorrow Strickland, 93, of Commerce, died Saturday, January 3, 2004. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Strickland was a daughter of the late Sandy and Lizzie Mae Hall Sorrow. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest H. Strickland, daughters, Bertha Mae and Margaret Emma Strickland, three grandchildren, four brothers and one sister. Mrs. Strickland was a homemaker and of the Baptist denomination. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 5, in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, with the Revs. Donald Wilson and Janice Loggins officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park. Mrs. Strickland’s grandsons served as pallbearers. Survivors include a son, Charles Strickland, Hull; daughters, Joanna Sutton, Winder, Betty Phillips, Hull, Sara Fisler, Lawrenceville, Tina Stephens, Athens, and Joyce Gabriel, Danielsville; step-daughter, Zara Cook, Winder; grandson, Keith Strickland, Colbert; granddaughter, Michelle Hannie, Atlanta; nine other grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Bernstein Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Hoyt F. Sorrow Hoyt Franklin Sorrow, 76, of Nicholson, died Saturday, January 3, 2004, at BJC Nursing Home, Commerce, of an extended illness. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 5, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. Henry Webb officiating. Burial was in Howington Cemetery, Nicholson. Mr. Sorrow is survived by his wife, Dollie D. Sorrow, of the home; three sons, Tim Sorrow, Toccoa, and Wyatt Sorrow and Hoyt Mitchell Sorrow, both of Commerce; two daughters, Linda Stukes, Commerce, and Tammy Chambers, Hull; two brothers, Gene Sorrow and Ambery Sorrow, both of Commerce; one sister, Ruth Swain, Commerce; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Sorrow was preceded in death by a son, Ken Sorrow. Ivie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Cleo Sanders Miss Cleo Bell Sanders, 87, of Athens, died Saturday, December 27, 2003. Miss Sanders was a daughter of the late Robert Toombs and Ora Lee Scogin Sanders. She sang with the Sanders Trio on WGAU from 1938 to 1939. Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, December 29, in Colbert Cemetery. Miss Sanders is survived by seven brothers and sisters, Robert Watson Sanders, Hoile Sanders Christian and Neal Clayton Sanders, all of Athens, Gilbert T. Sanders and Thomas R. Sanders, both of Brunswick, Bonnie Sue Huggins, Atlanta, and James Quillen Sanders, Mobile, Ala.; and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Mary Massey Mrs. Mary Massey, 88, of Royston, died Sunday, December 28, 2003, at Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston. Mrs. Massey was born in Hart County on January 5, 1915. She was a daughter of the late Lowery E. and Nobie Turman Randall. Mrs. Massey was a homemaker and a member of Canon Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, R.E. Massey, a son, Larry Massey, and a daughter, Ann Massey Little. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Rev. Eldon Massey officiating. Burial was in Oakview Cemetery. Survivors include three granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann Cheek, Marietta, Tracy Denise Johnson, Canton, and Jessica Melanie Meachum, Panama City Beach, Fla.; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Dorothy Rivers, Duluth. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 James Graham James Horace Graham, 64, of Bowman, died Wednesday, December 31, 2003, at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Athens. Born in Madison County on March 15, 1939, Mr. Graham was a son of the late James Willie and Alma Vinson Graham. He retired from Graham Fencing. Mr. Graham was preceded in death by a son, Travis Horace Graham, and a brother, William Graham. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with Sister Janice Loggins officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Bowman. Mr. Graham is survived by his wife, Azalee Fortson Graham, Bowman; son, Stewart James “Jamie” Graham, Royston; daughter, Donna Marie Graham, Bowman; brothers, Roy, Roger, Gene and Jimmy Graham, all of Royston, and Dennis Graham, Iva, S.C.; and sisters, Gladys Childers, Comer, and Louise Strickland, Ila. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Lera Phillips Mrs. Lera Wood Phillips, 94, of Elberton, of the Nancy Hart Nursing Center, formerly of Royston, died Tuesday, December 30, 2003, at Elbert Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Phillips was born May 26, 1909, daughter of William Edward and Carrie Wood Wood. She was a homemaker and a member of Double Branches Baptist Church. Mrs. Phillips was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo Phillips. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 1, 2004, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Rev. David Wilson officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Lavonia. Survivors include four cousins, Mrs. Blanche Thompson, Martin, Charles Wood, Bethlehem, James Wood, Lake City, and Mrs. Grace Van Dine, Patterson, N.J. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Agatha I. Minish Mrs. Agatha Ingram Minish, 84, of Commerce, died Monday, January 5, 2004. Mrs. Minish was the daughter of the late Buren and Ora Duncan Ingram. She was the wife of the late William Berry “Dub” Minish. Mrs. Minish retired from Blue Bell Manufacturing and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Commerce. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, at the First Baptist Church of Commerce with the Revs. Kent Cranford and Billy Owensby officiating. Burial was in Jackson Memorial Gardens, Commerce. Survivors include a daughter, Jestean Faulkner, Commerce; daughters and sons-in-law, Wilma and Thurmond Alewine, Watkinsville, Beverly and Dr. Lawerence George, Commerce, and Wanda and Robert Purcell, Lilburn; son, Wilburn Minish, Atlanta; brother, Waymon Ingram, Fairburn; special friend, Ed Shorpshire, Atlanta; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Commerce, 1345 S. Elm Street, Commerce, GA 30529. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Eugene Bray Arthur Eugene Bray, 70, of Royston, died Sunday, December 28, 2003, at Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston. Mr. Bray was born in Franklin County on December 28, 1933, son of the late Dozier and Emma Haley Bray. He worked as a logger in the pulp wood industry and also worked for Candlewick Yarns. Mr. Bray was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Minervia Bellamy Bray, a daughter, Carrie Bray, three brothers, Morris, Lloyd and Hubert Bray, and a sister, Linda Bray Brown. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Earl Goode officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Harvey Bray, Jason Bray, Little Roger Bray, Corey Hart and Tony Martin served as pallbearers. Survivors include two sons, Roger Bray, Carnesville, and Raymond Bray, Hartwell; two daughters, Jean Brawner, Commerce, and Mary Smith, Danielsville; one brother, Mitchell Bray, Colbert; one sister, Ludez Belk, Iva, S.C.; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 7, 2004 Elsie Williams Mrs. Elsie Carey Williams, 90, of Canon, died Friday, January 2, 2004, at Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston. Mrs. Williams was born in Franklin County on February 21, 1913. She was a daughter of the late Simeon Otto and Addie Parham Carey. Mrs. Williams was a former school teacher, having retired in 1979 after 37 years of service. She taught at Goldmine, Sandy Cross, Canon, Royston and Eagle Grove Elementary schools. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and a member of Royston Baptist Church. Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Odell Williams, four brothers, Jim, Burke, Bill and Junius Carey, and a sister, Exie Cromer. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 5, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston. Burial was in Nancy Hart Memorial Park. Survivors include a son, Ralph Carey Williams, Canon; daughter, Betty Jean Williams Barnes, Canon; sister, Elizabeth Johnson, Rocky Ford; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Royston Baptist Church, 767 Church Street, Royston, GA 30662. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.