Obituaries
Published 9:33 pm Monday, December 5, 2005
for April 18, 2003
Samantha Beasley
VALDOSTA — Samantha Beasley – 79, of Valdosta passed away Thursday April 17, 2003, at Crestwood Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. She was born in Swainsboro, Ga. and had lived in Lowndes County most of her life. She was Church of God of Prophecy by faith. Mrs. Beasley was preceded in death by her husband, H.C. Beasley.
Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Lehman of Valdosta, Peggy Anderson, Pell City, Ala..; son, William Beasley, Valdosta, six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, James Harrington, Satellite Beach, Fla. a number of nieces and nephews
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday April 19, 2003 in the Valdosta Chapel of Music Funeral Services with Morris Graybeal officiating. Burial will follow in Lake Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time on Saturday April 19, 2003 at the funeral home.– Music Funeral Services of Valdosta
Theron Howell Chambers
HAHIRA — Theron Howell Chambers, 62, of Hahira died Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born on Feb. 3, 1941, in Hahira and was retired from TCI Cablevision in Valdosta. Mr. Chambers was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Joy Chambers of Hahira; step mother, Annabelle Chambers of Hahira; two daughters and sons-in-law, Denise and George Bass of Lynn Haven, Fla., Christie and Davey Register of Valdosta; two step daughters and step sons-in-law, Amanda and Ryan Waldrep of McRae, Tanya and John Grey of Lenox; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Gray Chambers and his mother, Annie Laura Howell Bell.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, April 18, 2003, at Salem United Methodist Church with Pastor Charlie Merwin and the Rev. Roscoe Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery. — Martin/McLane Funeral Home, Hahira
Clement Alfred Rogers III
Clement Alfred Rogers III, 64, of Boston, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at his residence after a lengthy illness.
Born in Dade County, Fla., he was the son of Clement Alfred Jr. and Elizabeth Eastman Rogers. Mr. Rogers had been a resident of Brooks County since 1970 moving here from Dade County, Fla. He was a master electrician for IBEW No. 349, Miamia, Fla., and a member of Evergreen Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Ann Rogers of Boston, Ga.; oen daughter, Ann Elise (Anthony E.) Thomas of Villa Rica, Ga.; two grandsons, Heath Anthony Thomas and Tyler Nathan Thomas.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. in Evergreen Baptist Church with Rev. Sherman Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday night from 7-9 p.m. — Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary ‘Baby Doll’ Hodge Cohen
VALDOSTA –Mrs. Mary “Baby Doll” Hodge Cohen, 67, Valdosta, died on Thursday, April 17, 2003, at her residence after a brief illness. She was born on Aug. 30, 1935 in Quitman to the late Gary Paul and Lois Berry Hodge. Mrs. Cohen was a life member of the Hadassah International Jewish Women’s Organization and co-owner/operator of Southern Salvage Company downtown Valdosta and was a member of the Temple Israel.
Mrs. Cohen is survived by her husband, Harold F. Cohen, Valdosta; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Dan Siegler; grandchildren, Ben Siegler and Blair Siegler, all of Atlanta; brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Gretchen Hodge, Valdosta; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Morris Zeiler, Valdosta; daughter-in-law, Tammy Daniels Cohen; special nieces and nephews, Billy Hodge, Kathy Fondren, Keith Hodge, Allen Shaw, Kevin Shaw, Katrina Steward, Michael Singer, Janet Fulton; special friends, Wallace and Betty Allbritton, Faye and Tom Culpepper, Tip and Annalaura Culpepper, Dot Polonsky; and special cousins, Kim and Laura Perlman. She was preceded in death by her son, Brad Cohen and brother, Paul Hodge.
Graveside services will be on today April 18, 2003, at 10 a.m. in Sunset Hill Cemetery with Rabbi Moshe Elbaz officiating. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Israel, 511 Baytree Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602 or to Hospice of South Georgia, P.O. Box 1727, Valdosta, Georgia 31603.– Carson McLane Funeral Home
Timothy Howling
VALDOSTA — Mr. Timothy Howling, 62, of Valdosta passed away Wednesday April 16, 2003, at his sister’s residence following a short illness.
A native of Ware County, he lived in Fountain, Colo., since 1965. He was a member of the First Methodist Church in Fountain, Colo. and was retired from the U.S. Army with service during the Vietnam War. He was the son of Mary Lee Howling of Homerville and the late Jimmy Howling. Two sisters, Mary Lou Howling and Zelphia Beckham, preceded him in death.
Survivors other than his mother are 10 children, Tim Howling, Jr., T.J. Howling, Toby Howling, Talia Dunum, Brandi Howling, DaShaun Howling, Niko Howling, Allana Howling, Aniya Howling, Michael Howling, all of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his ex-wife, Troy Howling, Colorado Springs, Colo.; four sisters, Sarah Beverley, Homerville, Nettie Lou Carter, Lake Park, Annie Roberts and Lou Kinchen, both of Valdosta; two brothers, Elven Howling, Warner Robins, and Jimmy Lee Howling, Okeechobee, Fla.; four grandchildren; and several other relatives.
Funeral services for Mr. Howling will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at Argyle Church of God. Burial will be held in Shiloh Church Cemetery.
Mr. Howling will be carried to Mrs. Sarah Beverley’s residence at Rt. 2, Homerville at 2 p.m. today and will remain there until time for service. — Roundtree Funeral Home, Homerville
Margaret Smith Lauber
VALDOSTA — Mrs. Margaret Smith Lauber, 91, of Valdosta died on Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at South Georgia Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born in Rice Township Wisconsin to the late Frank Smith and Lillian Carlson Smith Rupprecht, she was retired from Nickoloff Insurance Agency and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hibbing, Minn. She has been a resident of Valdosta for the past 12 years, living with her daughter and son-in-law, and attended the Messiah Lutheran Church locally.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, JoAnne and Terance Cawley of Valdosta; five grandchildren, Melissa (George) Dick, Susan (Thomas) Bartlett, Pamela Milling, Sarah Cawley, and Kevin Cawley; eight great-grandchildren, Lauren and Jordan Dick, Mary Corrine, India, and Terry Milling, Emily, Parker, and Blair Bartlett. Mrs. Lauber was preceded in death by her husband, Louis J. Lauber, and one sister, Helen Smith.
Services for Mrs. Margaret Lauber will be held at a later date in Hibbing, Minn., Anderson-Daniels Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There are no locally scheduled services. Memorials may be made to the Messiah Lutheran Church of Valdosta. — Carson McLane Funeral Home
Herbert Lester
VALDOSTA– Bro. Herbert Lester was born on Feb. 13, 1931 to the late Mr. Napoleon Lester and Mrs. Rosa Lee Burgman Lester in Delma. He was one of eight children, five of whom preceded him in death. Albert (Hester) Lester, an uncle and aunt, who raised him as their own son, also preceded him in death.
He grew up in Waycross and attended the Waycross School System and graduated from Center High School on May 28, 1948. He rendered commendable and honorable service to this country by serving in the United States Air Force from 1948 to 1970. He fought in the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict, earning military medals of valor.
he was later employed with Valdosta Drug Company and Moody AFB Dining Facility, retiring when his health began to decline. Christian beliefs and values were instilled within him at an early age. Bro. Lester served faithfully as a Trustee and a member of the Usher Board. He was united in holy matrimony to Sis. Lottie Mae Paschall Lester on May 1, 1951, in Savannah. To this 51-year union, six children were born. Bro. Lester was a master Mason with the Sons of Solomon Grand Lodge 151, Valdosta.
Bro. Lester departed this life on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lake City VA Medical Center, Fla. , after a 10-year admission.
Mr. Lester leaves to lament his passing a virtuous and loyal wife, Sis. Lottie Lester, Valdosta; his devoted children, Kenneth James Lester, Valdosta, Herbert Lee Lester, Tampa, Fla., Fadia Maria Lester-Gatlin, Jacksonville, Fla., Donna Anita (Alfred) Head, Jacqueline Allene (Willie) Head, both of Valdosta, and Darrell Andre (Kimberly) Lester, Okinawa, Japan; three sisters, Elsie Minder, Valdosta, Sarah Walker, Tallahassee, Fla., and Edna Boykin, Tallahassee, Fla.; 14 grandchildren, Marie McMillan and Renee (Richard) Copeland, Savannah, Kenneth Lester, Jr., Camp Zuma, Japan, Andre and Jason Lester, Fort Worth, Texas, Christopher Upkins, Greensboro, N.C., Neaconia (John) Johns, Shayla Head and LaTasha Head, Valdosta, Anitra (Derek) Smith, Shreveport, La., Keith Lester, Atlanta, Derek and Quinton Lester, Valdosta, Jordan Lester , Okinawa, Japan, and Kelvin Lester (Heaven); 10 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Thomas Paschall, McDonough, Ga.; three sisters-in-law, Mary Paschall, McDonough, Ga. and Ora Burke, Miami, Fla., and Viola “Sessie” Lester (Heaven); and a host of many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Herman, Sylvester, James “Buddy”, and Johnnie Lester, one sister Napienola Butler, grandson, Kelvin Lester and nephew, Bennie Lester.
Services for Mr. Lester will be held at St. James Missionary Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003 with Prophtess Fadia Lester-Gatlin officiating. Burial will follow in the Harrington Rest Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home
Curtis H. Lucas Sr.
VALDOSTA — Curtis H. Lucas Sr., was born in Lowndes County on April 28, 1937, to the late Robert J. Lucas and Essie Mae Sermons Lucas. He received his formal education in the Lowndes County School system. he moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he was trained in aircraft maintenance. He moved to San Francisco. Calif., where he worked for United Airlines until his retirement. He served as shop steward for the Maintenance Workers Union of United Airlines of the San Francisco Airport.
Curtis was dedicated to freedom and equal opportunity. He spent a great deal of his adult life fighting for these causes, beginning with the March on Washington, D.C. in 1964. He also participated in Greenpeace, migrant workers, and the anti-war movement of Vietnam as well as the Gulf War.
He is survived by two sons, Curtis H. Lucas, Jr., (Vivian) of Mt. Rainier, Md. and Oliver Lucas (Lowanna) of Savannah; one daughter, Maya Lucas, San Francisco, Calif; six brothers, Bishop Edward Lucas (Laura), Mayo Lucas, Ivory Lucas (Martha), Arney Lucas (Christine) and Clifford Lucas (Margie) of Hahira, Lawrence Lucas (Tonya) of Seattle, Wash.; one sister, Odella Pearson, Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Mary Lucas, Cleveland, Ohio, Charlotte Lucas, Macon; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Curtis Lucas Sr. will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003, at Jesus Christ by Faith Ministry, 3577 Val Tech Rd. Burial will be held in Rocky Hill Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home
Clarence Bernard Moody Sr.
ATLANTA — Clarence Bernard Moody Sr., 59, passed this life April 13, 2003, after a long battle with cancer. He was born April 9, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Houston and Mary Moody. Clarence was raised and finished high school in Laurel, Miss. Clarence had a devoted stepfather, Earl Lee Breland, who taught him to fish and hunt. He became an avid fisherman and a collector of fish. Clarence later joined the United States Air Force where he served and received an honorable discharge. He moved to Atlanta, in 1969 and resided there until his death. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined the New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur.
Clarence was a person who was always willing to help others and never met a stranger. You could always find him on a fishing bank or cleaning out his two aquarums.
He leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife, Sharon Elaine Moody; two sons, Clarence Moody Jr. (Erica) of Valdosta and Terence Moody of Clarkston; two daughters, Barbara Ponder (Johnny) of Valdosta, and Debra Holley (Gregory) of Tampa, Fla.; three step sons, Alan Earl Roberts (Hun) of Calif., Kevin Shivers of Decatur, and Jarrell McNeal (Pasandra) of Alphretta, Ga.; four brothers, Darryl Breland (Janie), Oliver Terry (Ruby), Jerry Breland (Barbara), and Ray Breland (Nancy); three sisters, Rose Mary Maye, Christella Denise Breland, and Patricia Pugh, all of Laurel, Miss.; a devoted ex-wife, Bobbie Jean Moody of Valdosta; a special nephew, Lewis Harris of Atlanta; and special friends, Bryant, Al, Albert, Richard, and Pastor Rowland; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003 at New Greater Union Missionary Baptist Church with Bishop Wade S. McCrae officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home
John W. VanLandingham, Sr.
CAIRO — John W. VanLandingham, Sr., 70, of Cairo, died Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at his residence.
He was born on Dec. 28, 1932 in Grady County to the late John Edward (J.E.) and Ruth Lane VanLandingham.
He was a member of the U.S. Air Force for 21 years, retired, a clerk with Stone’s, a flight instructor and member of Gordon Heights Baptist Church, Cairo. He was an ordained deacon.
Mr. VanLandingham is survived by his wife, Barbara Miller VanLandingham, Cairo; sons and daughters-in-law, Tim and Brenda VanLandingham, Valdosta, John Walter, Jr. and Melinda VanLandingham, Cairo, Mark VanLandingham, Cairo, Daniel VanLandingham, Cairo; grandchildren, David, Hannah and Rebekah VanLandingham, all of Valdosta, Dean VanLandingham and Allison VanLandingham, both of Cairo; sisters and brothers-in-law, Christine and Bob Voyles, Cairo, Charlotte and Richard Schapp, Havana, Fla., Jean Scott, Havana, Fla. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law, Joe Scott.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003 at Gordon Heights Baptist Church, Cairo with the Rev. John Paul Hasick, and the Rev. A.C. Gilliard officiating. Burial will be held in Greenwood Cemetery, Cairo. — Clark Funeral Home, Cairo
Edith Irene Whitley
SEFFNER, Fla. — Edith Irene Whitley, 79, of Seffner, Fla. died Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at her residence.
She was born on Sept. 20, 1923 in Berrien County to Isaac and Mary Alice Richardson Moore. She was a homemaker and member of Clair-Mel Assembly of God. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Thomas Whitley, who died Oct. 27, 1995.
She is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Brotzman, Seffner, Fla., Bevelyn Streetman, Riverview, Fla.; one son, Hubert D. Whitley, Seffner, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Christine Richardson, Chula, Betty Devotie, Greenville, Tenn., Wydene Carter, Hahira.
Funeral service will beheld at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003 at the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home the Rev. John Raburn officiating. Burial will be held in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. — Lovein Funeral Home, Member By Invitation of Selected Independent Funeral Homes
Ms. Janice D. Bartee, 24, of Quitman passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2003, at the South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced later by Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.
Sarah Jean Luke, 76, of Valdosta passed away Thursday (April 17, 2003) at Fellowship Home after a lengthy illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.
Graveside service for Baby Jabaris Porter, 4 months-old of Ray City will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003 in the St. John Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Gregory Lofton, pastor and Bishop Willie C. Brown will officiate. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary