Upson County Georgia Obits Feb 2002 Thomaston Times File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Floozie479185599@aol.com Jean Harton Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/upson.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm The Thomaston Times February 2, 2002 Obits Funeral services for Mr. George Elmo Hammond, 69, of Williamson, will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Coggins Funeral Home with Dr. Rex King and niece, Glenda Mercure officiating. Burial will follow in Hatchett Family Cemetery, in Williamson. Mr. Hammond died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002 at Spalding Regional Hospital. Coggins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Hammond was a native of Upson County, but had resided in Williamson for a number of years. He was retired from Robbins AirForce Base with 27 1/2 years of service as the supervisor of supply maintenance. He was also previously employed with Wells Fargo as a site supervisor. Mr. Hammond was a member of the Masons, Pinta Lodge #88 of Barnesville and a member of Mt. View Baptist Church. George and Sarah Hatchett Hammond were married for 47 years. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Sarah Hatchett Hammond of Williamson; a son, Mr. Philip Hammond of Thomaston and five grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Wayne Eugene Bowers, 59, of Hannahs Mill Apt., were held Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Coggins Funeral Home with Dr. Rex King officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Hill Cemetery. Mr. Bowers died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Bowers had worked for Thomaston Mills as a doffer and was a Veteran of the United States. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ruth Bowers of Thomaston; sons, Mr. Don Buchanan, Mr. Steve Buchanan both of Thomaston and Mr. Johnny Grassin of Greenville, S.C.; daughters, Mrs. Tracy Grassin of Greenville, S.C., Mrs. Patsy Hood and Mrs. Rita Rohleder both of Thomaston; brothers, Mr. Doug Bowers of Montgomery, Ala., Mr. Ross Bowers of Greenville, S.C.; sisters, Mrs. Christine Steinbeck of Piedmont, S.C., Mrs. Geraldine Campbell of Pelzer, S.C. and 13 grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. James Quinton Dingler, 82, Griffin, were held Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Moody Funeral Home in Zebulon with Dr. Ted Moody officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery in Brooks. Mr. Dingler died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002 at Brightmoor Nursing Center. Moody Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Dingler enjoyed repairing old cars and lawnmowers and was preceded in death by his parents Noah and Frances Blackman Dingler, Coriene Lee Dingler and a sister Vera D. Bassett. Survivors include the mother of his children, Vadie Dean Dingler; sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby James Dingler of Miami, Fla., J.C. and Sally Dingler of Griffin and Tim and Sherri Dingler of Williamson; daughters and sons-in- law, Peggy and Eddie Jones, Kaye Henson, Faye and Ronnie Garvin and Quinnette and Keith Goen all of Griffin; sisters, Margaret D. Woodson of Thomaston and Mildred D. Helms of Griffin; 12 grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and special friends, Nannie Buchanan of Griffin and the nurses at Brightmoor. Funeral services for Mrs. Vera Lackey, 87, of Griffin, will be held Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Moody Funeral Home with Dr. Ted Moody officiating. Burial will follow in Moody Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Lackey died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002 at Spalding Regional Hospital. Moody Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Lackey was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Lackey, her son, William James Lackey and 11 brothers and one sister. Survivors include her son, Albert Lackey of Griffin; a daughter and son-in-law, Nellie and Monty Johnston of Milner; 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Friends may visit the family on Friday and Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Montgomery Charles Jr. Funeral services for Mr. Charles Montgomery Jr., 45, of Triune Mill Road will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Welcome Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. J.H. Matthews officiating assisted by the Rev. Cliff Respress. Burial will follow in Midway Cemetery. Mr. Montgomery died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002. Trice Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Montgomery was born in Taylor County but lived his adult life in Upson County. He was formerly employed with Martha Mill Textiles and Thomaston Mills. Survivors include his father, Mr. Charles Montgomery Sr. of Thomaston; his mother, Mrs. Annie Lue Montgomery of Thomaston; his wife, Mrs. Jessie Mae Collins Montgomery of Thomaston; a brother, Mr. Richard (Brenda) Montgomery of Norfolk, Va.; and sisters, Ms. Patricia Montgomery, Mrs. Mary (Tommy) Lockhart and Ms. Priscilla Montgomery, all of Thomaston. Thomaston Times, Upson Co., Ga February 6, 2002 Obits Funeral services for Mrs. Frances Ruth Long, 84, of Macon, will be held Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 at 11 a.m. at Snow's Memorial Chapel in Macon with the Rev. Howard Alford and the Rev. John Prettyman officiating. Burial will follow in the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery in Thomaston. Mrs. Long died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 at her residence. Snow's Memorial Chapel of Macon is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Long was born in Eatonton and had lived in Macon most of her life, moving there from Thomaston. She was the daughter of the late Robert Homer and Clara B. Jackson Bledsoe. She and her late husband, Augustus T. Long were married for more than 61 years. Mrs. Long was a member of Central Fellowship Baptist Church where she was the founder of the "Forever Young" Sunday School class. She was a retired bookkeeper, a member of Westside Homemakers Club and the grandmother of the late Tonya Long. Survivors include her daughter, Rita Long of Macon; a son, Tony Long of Macon; four grandchildren, Tony Long Jr. of Fisherville, Va., Kate Long of Macon, Jennifer Long of Portland, Ore. and Christy Long of Chicago, Ill.; two brothers, Homer Bledsoe Jr. of Macon and Thomas Bledsoe of Thomaston; devoted friends, Nadine Simpson, Lonnie James and Sylvia Williams. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Central Fellowship Baptist Church, 8548 Hawkinsville Road, Macon, GA 31216. Funeral services for Mrs. Hortense Pounds Rogers, 68, of Marietta, were held Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Holt Road Baptist Church in Marietta, with Rev. Alton Miller and Rev. Jim Carlson officiating. Burial followed in Culloden, Ga. Mrs. Rogers died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002 at residence. Hay-Gantt Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Rogers was a native of Upson County, but had resided in Marietta all her married life to her surviving husband, Mr. Charles E. Rogers, also a native of Upson County. She retired from the Coca Cola Company a few years ago where she had worked for many years. Hortense and Charles were married for 50 years this June of 2002. She was a devoted member of Holt Road Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Mr. Charles E. Rogers of Marietta, a son, Timothy G. Rogers of Kennesaw, Ga.; daughters, Debbie Rogers of Marietta, and Angela Rogers White of Snellville; sister-in-law, Mildred Rogers Smith of Thomaston; five grandchildren and one great- grandchild. Funeral services for Mrs. Bettye Owen McLaurin, 73, of Molena, were held Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the Pasley-Fletcher Chapel with the Rev. Bill McGeath officiating.. Burial followed in Crystal Hill Cemetery. Mrs. McLaurin died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. McLaurin was a native of Meridian, Miss. She was a retired office administrator and also a homemaker. She had formerly made her home in Jackson, Ga. for 15 years and had been a resident of Upson County for five years. Mrs. McLaurin was a member of Flovilla United Methodist Church in Flovilla, Ga. Survivors include her daughters, Miss Jere McLaurin of Molena and Mrs. Helen Miliken of St. Charles, Mo.; sons, Mr. Harbert James (Bert) McLaurin Jr. of Bolton, Miss. and Mr. William Mike McLaurin of Nashville, Tenn.; a brother, Mr. David Owen of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a friend, Amy Heard of Molena. Funeral services for Mrs. Sadie Morris Birdsong, 97, of G Loop, were held Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Thomaston Church of God, with Rev. Edward Rigby officiating. Burial followed in Smyrna Baptist Cemetery. Mrs. Birdsong died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Birdsong was a native of Pike County and a resident of Upson County for most of her life. She retired from Thomaston Mills and was the oldest member of the Thomaston Church of God. Survivors include her sons, Mr. Leonard E. (Gene) Birdsong of Thomaston, and Mr. James Streetman of Yatesville; brothers, Mr. Wilbur Morris and Mr. Travis Morris both of Thomaston; grandsons, Mr. Steve Birdsong of Dover, DE. and Mr. Mike Streetman of Thomaston and five great- grandchildren. Graveside services for Mr. Horace Douglas Hogan, 78, of L Street, were held Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002 at 11 a.m. at South View Cemetery, with Rev. Keith Johnson officiating. Mr. Hogan died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 at Emory University Hospital. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Hogan was a life long resident of Thomaston. He retired from the Bleachery Division of Thomaston Mills in 1989 as a Shift Foreman. He was a Veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army and later served during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ann R. Hogan of Thomaston; son, Mr. Brian Hogan of Cartersville; a granddaughter, Madeline Hogan and grandson Ethan Hogan both of Cartersville. Funeral services for Mrs. Annie Will Walker Childs, 66, of Thomaston will be held Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the Raymond Memorial Chapel of Bentley & Son's Funeral Home. The Rev. McArthur Childs will officiate. Burial will follow in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Survivors include a sister and two brothers, Mrs. Jacquelyn Walker of Thomaston, Mr. Larry Walker of Atlanta and Mr. Nathaniel (Rose) Walker of Jonesboro; a host of nieces, nephews and close friends who will miss her. Mrs. Bettye Sue Prather, 52, of Woodbury died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002 at her residence. Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Bentley & Sons Funeral Home. Survivors include her four children, Cynthia Renee Prather, Malinda (Darnell) Alford, all of Greenville, Freda Prather and Travis Geddis of Woodbury; two sisters, Patricia Prather of Greenville and Margaret Prather of Woodbury; three brothers, Willie James Prather, Eddie B. Prather and Micky Prather of Woodbury; an uncle and aunt, Rev. George (Bernice) Prather of Woodbury and Yvonne Prather of Atlanta; a dear friend, Mr. Tommie Lee Bell and a devoted niece, Mrs. Sarah (Pete) Thompson of Woodbury and a host of other relatives and close friends who will miss her. Mrs. Edna Earl Heath Salter, 85, formerly of 12th Avenue, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home FEBRUARY 11, 2002 Funeral services for Rev. Thomas K. Anderson, 48, of Pickard Road were held Monday, Feb. 11, 2002 at 1 p.m. at Faithful Christian Church with Dr. George Lewis, Bro. Michael Norman and the Rev. L.S. Anthony officiating. Burial followed in Faithful Christian Church Cemetery. Rev. Anderson died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002 at his residence. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Rev. Anderson was born in Fulton County in 1953 and had lived in Upson County for the past several years. He retired from Dundee Mills in Griffin and was the former owner of Thomaston Tees. He was currently serving as the Pastor of Faithful Christian Church on Pickard Road. Survivors include his wife, Janice Anderson of Thomaston; his mother, Christine Anderson of Lawrenceville; a daughter, Rebecca Leigh Lewis of Norcross; four sons, Thomas K. Anderson Jr. of Suwanee, Christopher J. Anderson of Buford, Tony Evans and Jimmy Evans, both of Thomaston; a sister, Cherre Mayhue of Loganville; a granddaughter, Victoria Brady of Loganville and a grandson, Austin Brady of Loganville. Funeral services for Mrs. Annie Will Walker Childs, 66, of Thomaston were held Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002 in the Raymond Memorial Chapel of Bentley & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. McArthur Childs officiating. Burial followed in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Mrs. Childs died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002 at Peach Regional Medical Center in Fort Valley. Bentley & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Survivors include a sister and two brothers, Mrs. Jacquelyn Walker of Thomaston, Mr. Larry Walker of Atlanta and Mr. Nathaniel (Rose) Walker of Jonesboro and a host of other relatives and close friends who will miss her. Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Jimerson Hardage, 88, of L Street will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert W. Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Upson Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Hardage died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002 at her residence. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Hardage was born in the Lifsey Springs community of Pike County and had lived in Thomaston for 60 years. She was a former employee of Martha Mills, B.F. Goodrich Company. She also worked with Eidson-Greene Furniture Company and later retired from Greene Propane Gas Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. William Oscar Hardage. Mrs. Hardage was a member of First United Methodist Church and was active in the Tumlin Sunday School class and United Methodist Women. Survivors include three nieces, Mrs. Jane Storey Swift of Macon, Mrs. Judy Greene Brannon and Mrs. LeAnna Jimerson Morgan, both of Thomaston; seven nephews, Mr. Fred Greene of Forsyth, Mr. Bruce Greene of Hiawassee, Mr. Carey M. Greene and Mr. R. Donald Jimerson, both of Thomaston, Mr. Jimmy Hardage of Yatesville, Mr. James M. Jimmerson of Barnesville and Mr. Ronnie Storey of Lincolnton, N.C. Visitation will be tonight from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services for Mr. Herman Highsmith Camp, 89 of Meansville will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Moody Funeral Home with the Rev. Ryan Linkous officiating. Burial will follow in Lamar Memory Gardens in Barnesville. Mr. Camp died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002 at Providence Health Care. Moody Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Camp was a member of the Mt. Gap Pentecostal Holiness Church and had lived in Meansville for 25 years. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Estelle Camp; son, Ed Camp of Griffin; daughter, Gloria Andra of Arlington, Tx.; grandson, Timothy Edward Camp of Gainesville and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services for Mrs. Carolyn Pearman Ross, 75, of The Rock were held Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002 in the chapel of Haisten-Martin Funeral Home with the Rev. Cleve McSwain officiating. Burial followed in Lamar Memory Gardens. Mrs. Ross died Friday, Feb. 8, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Haisten-Martin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Ross was a lifelong resident of Lamar County. She was the daughter of the late Monroe Pearman and the late Sarah Birch Pearman. She was a member of The Rock Methodist Church and the C&A Heritage Inn. Survivors include a son, James Russell "Jimmy" Ross Jr.; a daughter, Deborah Ross Davis of The Rock; a brother, Joe Pearman of Barnesville; sister-in-law, Imogene Ruffin; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral services for Oscar Hilton Tillman, 81, of Andrews Chapel Road will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002 at 11 a.m. at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Yatesville with Elder W.H. Durrence officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Primitive Baptist Church cemetery. Mr. Tillman died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002 at the University Nursing Home in Athens. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Tillman was born in Adrian, Ga. in 1921 and had lived in Thomaston most of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and retired from the Bleachery Division of Thomaston Mills. Mr. Tillman was a member of Grace Primitive Baptist Church. Survivors include his son, Gary Tillman of Marietta; a son and daughter-in-law, Kim and Starr Tillman of Athens; granddaughter and grandson, Kimberly Tillman and Chazz Tillman of Athens and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. February 13, 2002 Funeral services for Mr. Ruffs Neal, 69, of Talbotton, were held Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 at 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Talbotton with the Pastor F. R. Smith officiating. Mr. Neal died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 at the Muscogee Manor Nursing Home in Columbus.Bentley & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Sarah Worthy Neal of Talbotton; four children, Mr. Christopher Neal of Talbotton, Mr. Gregory (Jackie) Neal of Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. Yolanda (Andy) Perry of Thomaston and Mr. Zackery Neal of Atlanta; and a host of other relatives who live in Talbot County. The Neal and Worthy famililies can be contact at their residence on Maxwell Road. Mrs. Daisy Ivey Williams, 88, of Highway 80 in the Salem Community in Upson County, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002 at her residence. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Bentley & Sons Funeral Home. Survivors include her daughter, Mrs. Beatrice (Willie Frank) Harvey of Macon; sons, Mr. Jimmy Lee (Mattie) Williams and Mr. Joe Lewis Williams, both of the Salem Community; three generations of grandchildren; two brothers, Mr. Wilbert Roy Ivey of Atlanta and Mr. Avant Ivey of Pittsburgh, Penn.; and a host of other relatives who will miss her. Mrs. Lorene C. Campbell, 86, of Roland Road, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002 at Thomaston Health & Rehab. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Coggins Funeral Home. The Thomaston Times February 18, 2002 Bobby C. Smith Funeral services for Mr. Bobby C. Smith, 73, of Hill Street will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Barber and Dr. Edwin L. Cliburn officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Mr. Smith died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 'Bobby C.' loved Thomaston and Upson County and spent much of his life in service to the community - and in pursuing and sharing information regarding the area's history. Mr. Smith was a life-long resident of Thomaston and Upson County. He was a member of the 1945 class of R.E. Lee Institute and attended Georgia Tech. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Mr. Smith served as president of the Upson County Historical Society for two terms. He also was a member of the Board of Realtors and was a past member Kiwanis Club and past Civil Air Patrol Commander. He served on Thomaston City Council, playing a key role in the renovation of the R.E. Lee campus into government offices. Mr. Smith was a Mason and a member of Al Sihah Temple and Morning Star Lodge No. 27, a member of the Bi-Racial Committee, Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Covered Bridge Association, Past Supervisor for Upson County Towaliga Water & Soil Conservation and a member of American Legion Pete Thurston Post 81. When the 1994 flood hit Upson County, Mr. Smith watched as the Achumpkee Creek Covered Bridge collapsed in the rushing water. He pledged to work toward seeing the structure rebuilt and was instrumental in that process. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Mrs. Edna Atwood (Tuby) Smith of Thomaston; daughters, Mrs. Pat Smith of Thomaston and Dr. and Mrs. Bert (Kim) Wall of Barnesville; sons, Mr. Jeff Smith of Charlotte, N.C. and Mr. Scott Smith of Thomaston; his mother, Mrs. Frances T. Smith of Thomaston; and his sister, Mrs. Hugh (Elaine) Ellerbee of Thomaston and three grandsons, Josh Wall, Ben Wall and Max Wall, all of Barnesville. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Upson Historical Society or the Thomaston/Upson Archives. Marcus Dingler Edwards Funeral services for Marcus Dingler Edwards, 81, formerly of Meansville, were held Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Moody Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Dearing officiating. Burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin. Mr. Edwards died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 at Lakeshore Heights Nursing Center in Gainesville. Moody Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mr. Edwards was in the Army during World War II and retired as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Martin Edwards of Gainesville; sons and daughters-in-law, Jack and Wendy Martin of Concord, Jimmy and Gloria Martin of Forest Park, Joe and Liz Martin of Clarksville, Johnny Martin of Atlanta and Gerald Ray and Mattie Martin of Zebulon; daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Fred Castles of Atlanta, Jerry and Bobbi Meyers of Conyers, Janie Grant of Fayetteville, Janet and Jim Mungun of Kingston, Penn. and Jeanie and Jimmy Talent of Blairsville; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Larry Davis Hillman Funeral services for Mr. Larry Davis Hillman, 42. of Glendale Road, will be held Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002 at 2 p.m. at the Macedonia Baptist Church with the Pastor Gregory Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Hillman died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Bentley & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include two children, Ms. Candice Hillman and Mr. Jarrett Davis, both of Thomaston; his father, Mr. Jammie T. Edmondson of Thomaston; sisters, Mrs. Virginia (Barry) Westbrook and Ms. Shelia Enadaghee, both of Atlanta, Ms. Elaine Davis, Ms. Diane Marshall and Mrs. Sylvia (Nathaniel) Stroud, all of Thomaston, Ms. Mary Lue Graham of Dayton, Ohio and Ms. Michelle Office of Fountaine, Calif.; brothers, Mr. Billy Calvin Hillman of Atlanta, Mr. Stoney Marshall, Mr. Randy Marshall, Mr. Carey Prather and Mr. Rickey (Darlene) Harris, all of Thomaston; and a host of other relatives who will miss him. Visitation will be held Tuesday at the funeral home. Elizabeth Wright Sparks Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Wright Sparks, 73, of G Circle, were held Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Coggins Funeral Home with the Rev. Keith Adams officiating. Burial followed in Southview Cemetery. Mrs. Sparks died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002 at her residence. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Sparks was a native of Moultrie, Ga., but lived most of her life in Upson County. She worked for over 30 years in the Thomaston Mills Twister Room. Survivors include her sons, Mr. Billy Hammock of Thomaston and Mr. Glenn Legg of Dooley County; a daughter, Mrs. Jackie Allen of Barnesville; brothers, Mr. L.J. Wright of Wyoming and Mr. Eugene Wright, Mr. Junior Lee Wright, Mr. James Lee Wright, Mr. Wiley J. Wright and Mr. William Conger, all of Moultrie; sisters, Mrs. Mary Nell Hall and Mrs. Kathleen Corley, both of Thomaston and Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman, Mrs. Connie Tucker, Mrs. Linda Gunn and Mrs. Shirley Odom, all of Moultrie; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Henry C. Ussery Funeral services for Mr. Henry C. Ussery, 77, of Peachtree Street, were held Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Coggins Funeral Home with the Rev. Dean Hemphill officiating. Burial followed in Crystal Hill Cemetery. Mr. Ussery died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mr. Ussery was born in Laurens County, Ga., but lived most of his life in Upson County. He was employed for over 40 years with Thomaston Mills as the Spinning Room Supervisor. Mr. Ussery was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Survivors include his wife, Freeta Ussery of Thomaston; sons, Mr. Ben Ussery of Byron and Mr. Dave Ussery of Thomaston; a brother, Mr. Jeff Ussery of Thomaston; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Clifford Buchanan Mr. Clifford Buchanan, 86, of Zebulon, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002 at the Sadie G. Mays Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Bentley & Sons Funeral Home. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Essie Carriker Buchanan of Zebulon; sons, Mr. Roland (Eloise) Buchanan of Miami, Fla., Mr. Eddie (Linda) Buchanan of Mableton and Mr. L. T. (Karen) Buchanan of Atlanta; daughters, Ms. Bessie Buchanan Campbell and Ms. Odessa Buchanan Mathis, both of Atlanta; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Mr. L. T. Buchanan of Alcoa, Tenn.; four sisters-in-law, Mrs. Martha L. Buchanan of Manchester, Mrs. Inez Buchanan of Tennessee, Mrs. Bessie L. Jenkins of Zebulon and Mrs. Mattie Parker of Concord; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives who will miss Mr. Buchanan dearly. Elizabeth Williamson Bell Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Williamson Bell, 57, of Jeff Davis Road, were held Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Coggins Funeral Home with the Rev. Dean Hemphill officiating. Burial followed in Crystal Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Bell died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 at her residence. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Bell was a native of Pike County. She was the owner/operator of Dixie Oil Service Station and Dixie Wrecker Service in Thomaston. Mrs. Bell was the sponsor of the Dixie Oil Vikings. Survivors include her daughter, Minnetta Woods of Thomaston; sons, Gerald Burkett and Kenneth Woods, both of Thomaston; step-daughters, Sonia Bell and Sandy Bell, both of Chicago, Ill. and Sherry Dukes of Georgia; a brother, Harold Williamson of Thomaston; sisters, Ruby Cochran of Thomaston, June Payton of Newnan and Frances Moody of Live Oak, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and her companion, Ernest Hamby of Thomaston. Sheila Pam Kelly Mrs. Sheila Pam Kelly, 41, of Warm Springs, died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 at her residence. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Harper's Funeral Home of Manchester. Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Lila Guice Martin of Warm Springs; four sisters, Mattie (Roger) Steed of Decatur, Ann LeFlore of Phoenix City, Ala., Mary Ann Martin of Warm Springs and Jill Buchanan of Fort Knox, Ky.; four brothers, Winston Martin of College Park, Coronicia (Marria) Martin of Chula Vista, Calif., Alvin (Octavia) Martin of Shiloh and Craig Martin of Warm Springs; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends that mourn her passing. Halley K. Gilbert Funeral services for Mrs. Halley K. Gilbert, 71, of Grantlin Street, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002 at 1 p.m. at the True Church of God in Christ on Old Talbotton Road with the Elder Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in the Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery. McDowell's Funeral Home of Griffin is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Halley K. Gilbert was born on Sept. 8, 1930 in Lamar County, Ga. to the late Mr. Charlie Brown and Felmar (Thelma) Williams-Drake. She joined Fellowship Baptist Church at an early age and in later years she became a member of True Church of God in Christ. She attended Booker T. Washington High School in Chicagao, Ill. and was the first African-American foster parent in Thomaston, Ga. for over 30 years. She was united in holy matrimony to Tommy J. Gilbert on Feb. 12, 1950. Survivors include her husband, Mr. Tommy J. Gilbert of Thomaston; four sons, Larry Gilbert of Columbus, Anthony and Emma Gilbert of Atlanta, Westly and Helen Gilbert of Atlanta and Lewis and Antoinette Gilbert of Savannah; a daughter, Ms. Angela Gilbert of Thomaston; two sisters, Beverly Brown of Barnesville and Namreh Handy of Atlanta, a brother, Mr. Hayes Drake Jr. of Atlanta; an uncle, Mr. Joe Williams of Thomaston; nine grandchildren, Demetrius Gilbert, Gwen Kendall, Bran Gilbert, Kibibi Pettway, Antron Gilbert, Ebony Gilbert, Courtney Dallas, Sandrel Williams and John Gilbert; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. Louise Smith Hoyal McWaters Funeral services for Mrs. Louise Smith Hoyal McWaters, 80, of Park Lane, were held Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Coggins Funeral Home with the Rev. Pete Strals officiating. Burial followed in Upson Memorial Gardens. Mrs. McWaters died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. McWaters was a native of Pike County but had resided in Upson County for most of her life. She was retired from Thomaston Mills with 25 years of service in the Weave Department. She was a member of Hightower Memorial United Methodist Church were she was president of the United Methodist Women. Mrs. McWaters graduated from Molena High School in 1939. She was Woman of the Year at Hightower Memorial United Methodist Church in 2001. Survivors include her husband, Grady McWaters of Thomaston; a son, Mr. Eddie Hoyal of Marietta; a daughter, Mrs. Patricia Webb of Americus; a step-son, Mr. Steve McWaters of Thomaston; and grandchildren, Karen Hoyal and Shelly Hoyal, both of Marietta, Warner Webb and J.C. Webb, both of Americus and Eric McWaters and Andy McWaters, both of Thomaston. Contributions may be made to Hightower Memorial United Methodist Church, Park Lane, Thomaston, GA 30286. Jackie Smith Funeral services for Miss Jackie Smith, 71, of Valley, Ala., were held Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 at First Baptist Church of Shawmut, Ala. Miss Smith died Monday, Feb. 11, 2002 at West Georgia Health Systems Hospice Hospital in LaGrange, Ga. Miss Smith was born in Shawmut, Ala. and worked for Johnson Industries for 50 years. She was inducted into its' elite "Fifty-Year Club" upon her retirement in November 2000. Miss Smith was very active in the First Baptist Church of Shawmut, where she was a member of the Joy Sunday School Class, the choir and served on numerous committees. Survivors include her sister, Martha S. (E.C.) Bass of Carrollton; three nieces, Kathy A. Bass of Carrollton, Judy B. (William) Baisden of Madison, Miss. and Mimi B. (Kenworth) Morgan of Thomaston; a nephew, E.C. Bass III of Carrollton; four great-nephews, including Andrew and Ben Morgan of Thomaston; and one great-great-niece. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the "Challenge to Build" program at First Baptist Church of Shawmut, 2300 23rd Drive, Shawmut, AL. 36854 or West Georgia Health Systems Hospice, 1510 Vernon Road, LaGrange, GA 30240. Teresa Renee Harris Hammonds Ms. Teresa Renee Harris Hammonds, 39, of Triune Ave., died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Harper's Funeral Home of Manchester. The family can be contacted at the home of her sister, Janet Raines, at 511 Whittle Row. The Thomaston Times, Upson Co., GA Feb. 25, 2002 Funeral services for Miss Brittaney Nicole LEWIS, age 8, of Hiley Belle Drive, were held Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002 at Emory's Chapel Baptist Church with Dr. Edwin Cliburn and Elder Edward McIntyre officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Brittaney died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Jacqueline Lewis of Thomaston; her grandfather, Mr. Calvin Lewis of Thomaston; her grandmother, Mrs. Lula Evans of Thomaston; her foster mother, Mrs. Francis Fennell of Thomaston; a brother, Shane Lewis of Atlanta; sisters, Sherry Gore, Wendy Jackson, April Martin and Mendy Lewis, all of Thomaston; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. BOYT Funeral services for Mr. Roscoe Thomas Boyt, 70, of Arrowhead Lake Road, were held Monday, Jan. 25, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the Pasley-Fletcher Chapel with Dennis Hudgins officiating. Burial followed in Upson Memorial Gardens. Mr. Boyt died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mr. Boyt was a lifelong resident of Upson County. He was RETIRED FROM THE U.S. AIR FORCE WITH 20 YEARS SERVICE AND LATER SERVED TWO YEARS IN THE U.S. ARMY. WHILE SERVING IN THE AIR FORCE, MR. BOYT SERVED TWO TOURS OF DUTY IN VIETNAM AND RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS AND MEDALS INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART. He was of the Baptist Faith. Survivors include his son, Mr. Frank Stephen Boyt of Houston, Texas; his sister, Mrs. Neal (Wynette) French of Thomaston; brothers, Mr. Frank V. Boyt and Mr. Gordon B. Boyt, both of Thomaston; a brother-in-law, Mr. Preston Blanton of Thomaston; and several nieces and nephews. MILNER Mrs. Doris Clemons Milner, 82, of Barnesville, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 at Spalding Regional Medical Center in Griffin. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Bentley & Sons Funeral Home. Survivors include her husband, Mr. Frank Milner of Barnesville; a son, Mr. Freddie Milner of Barnesville; a sister, Mrs. Carolyn (Robert) Jones of Dayton, Ohio; four grandchildren, Shakela Milner, Tamikia Warner and Larisma Milner, all of Barnesville and Kevin Milner of Griffin; a great-grandchild, Jurvonte Warner of Milner; and a host of other relatives who will miss her dearly. The Milner and Clemons families can be contacted at their residence on Grove Street in Barnesville. HIGGS Funeral services for Mrs. Kathryn Spires Higgs, 50, of Old Alabama Road, were held Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 at 3 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Claude Turner and the Rev. Steve Ferguson officiating. Burial followed in Upson Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Higgs died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Higgs was born in Ocilla, Ga. She was employed with Southern Mills as an inspector. Mrs. Higgs attended New Hope Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Tony Higgs of Thomaston; her mother, Mrs. Inez Spires of Thomaston; her brother, Mr. Rusty Spires of Thomaston; daughters, Mrs. Wendy Ferguson, Mrs. Ashely Gooden and Mrs. Robyn Lee, all of Thomaston; and six grandchildren. Feb. 27, 2002 HOBBS Held Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church with Elder Walter Lee Crook officiating assisted by the Rev. Jimmy Lyons, Pastor Mary Davis, and the Revs. Alfred Davis, Cliff Respress and Otis King Jr. Burial followed in Fellowship Cemetery. Mrs. Hobbs died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Trice Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Hobbs was a lifelong resident of Upson County. She was a retired housekeeper. Survivors include her daughters, Mrs. Annie Lucille Gates, Mrs. Rita Mae (Melvin) Green and Mrs. Regina (Edward) Cunningham, all of Thomaston; sons, Mr. Romas Hobbs of Thomaston and Mr. Kenneth Hobbs of Barnesville; 15 grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; a brother, Mr. Charlie (Nettie) King of Detroit, Mich.; sisters, Ms. Florence King, Mrs. Hannah Ellerbee, Mrs. Eunice Beach and Mrs. Mozelle Buckner, all of Thomaston; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Emma Hobbs and Mrs. Darlene Ferguson, both of Thomaston; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Minnie Pearl King of Thomaston; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. EPPINGER Mrs. Lillie Thompson Eppinger, 77 of Molena, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 at the Molena Nursing Home. Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Bentley's and Sons Funeral Home of Thomaston. Survivors include her husband, Mr. Dave Eppinger, Sr. of Molena; two children, Shirley Eppinger and Dave H. Eppinger both of Molena; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; amd a host of relatives and friends who will miss her, dearly. MILNER Funeral services for Mrs. Doris Clemons Milner, 82, of Barnesville, were held Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002 at 2 p.m. at West Mount Sinai Baptist Church, with Rev. Horace Fuller, Jr. officiating, Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Milner died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 at Spalding Regional Hospital. Bentley's and Son's Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Survivors include her husband, Mr. Frank Milner of Barnesville; a son, Mr. Freddie Milner of Barnesville; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; a sister, Mrs. Carolyn (Robert) Jones of Dayton, Ohio; and a host of sisters and brothers-in law, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends who sorrowfully mourn her passing. PATTILLO Graveside services for Mrs. Pinkie Olivia Barrett Pattillo, 79, of Thomaston, were held Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Crystal Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Philip Thompson officiating. Mrs. Pattillo died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002 at Thomaston Health and Rehab. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Pattillo was a native of Morgan County, Ga. She had resided in Thomaston for most of her life. She was retired from Martha Mills with 37 years of service as a spooler. Mrs. Pattillo was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Thomaston. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mr. James Pattillo. Survivors include her brothers, Mr. Bobby Barrett of Thomaston, Mr. James "Tommy" Barrett of Jackson, Mr. Carl "Sonny" Barrett of Seoul, Korea; sisters, Mrs. Jacqueline Stinchcomb of Thomaston, Mrs. Mary Terrell of Concord, Mrs. Frances Brown of Stockbridge, and Mrs. Rudene Wade of Riverdale; also several nieces and nephews. DELOACH Funeral services for Mr. Edward Talmadge DeLoach, 76, of LaGrange, formerly of Thomaston, will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Church in Warner Robins, with pastor David Brighton officiating, Entombment will follow in the Magnolia Park Cemetery in Warner Robins. Mr. DeLoach died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002 at Florence Hand Nursing Home. Striffler-Hamby Mortuary of LaGrange is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. DeLoach was born Dec. 1, 1925 in Thomaston and was the son of the late Theodore and Rosebud McSwain DeLoach. He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and was the recipient of the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart. Mr. DeLoach was of the Lutheran faith and attended the Mt. Calvary Church in Warner Robins. Survivors include his eight children, Rilaine and Lynn Johnson of Surprise, AZ, Dr. Patricia Salter of LaGrange, Derrell DeLoach of Hendersonville, Tenn., Steven and Barbara DeLoach of Rio Rancho, N.M., Christopher and Mary DeLoach of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Cynthia and Bill Gosse of Nashua, N.H., James and Carol DeLoach of Louisville, N.E., Kenneth and Misty DeLoach of Lebanon, Tenn.; 18 grandchildren, a sister and brother-in-law, Toiee and Bobby Smith of Thomaston; a brother, Mike DeLoach of Macon. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral services at the Mt. Calvary Church in Warner Robins. HARTSFIELD, SR. Mr. Henry L. Hartsfield Sr., 69, of Chicago, Ill., died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002 at his residence. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by Trice Funeral Home. Higgs Funeral services for Mrs. Kathryn Spires Higgs, 50, of Old Alabama Road, were held Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 at 3 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Claude Turner and the Rev. Steve Ferguson officiating. Burial followed in Upson Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Higgs died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Coggins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Higgs was born in Ocilla, Ga. She was employed with Southern Mills as an inspector. Mrs. Higgs attended New Hope Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Tony Higgs of Thomaston; her mother, Mrs. Inez Spires of Thomaston; her brother, Mr. Rusty Spires of Thomaston; daughters, Mrs. Wendy Ferguson, Mrs. Ashely Gooden and Mrs. Robyn Lee, all of Thomaston; and grandchildren, Brook, Blake and Brad Berguson, the late Kaylee Shiflet, Summer Shiflet, Marcie Nycole Lee and Zackary "Zack Man" Gooden. ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============