for Dec. 7, 2001



Jorene B. Coody

VALDOSTA — Jorene B. Coody, 69, of Valdosta, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at South Georgia Medical Center after a short illness. She was born on Dec. 18, 1931, in Wilcox County to the late Joseph Pope and Georgia Pauline Gammage Brown. Mrs. Coody was a housewife, a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and a member of the Eastern Star. She had lived in Lowndes County for the past two years, moving here from Sumter County. Mrs. Coody is survived by her husband, the Rev. Willie Joe Coody of Valdosta; her children and their spouses, Paula and Bobby Gillis of Lake Blackshear, Danny and Mary Jane Coody of Palmetto, Fla., Judy and Donnie Allen of Rincon, Ricky J. and Kim Coody of Brandenton, Fla., and Rita J. and Sam Counts of Union Grove, N.C.; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, James L. Brown of Port Wentworth, Albert L. Brown of Greenville, S.C., and William L. (Bill) Brown of Hawkinsville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Sam Vernon and the Rev. Mike McAfee officiating. Burial will be held in Mt. Zion Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Donna Thomas Reed

TIFTON — Donna Thomas Reed, 40, of Tifton, formerly of Valdosta, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at her residence. She was born on Jan. 2, 1961, in Waycross to Jewellee Harris Thomas of Ocilla and the late Jule Edward Thomas. She was a graduate of Valdosta State College in 1982; attended Irwin County Schools; graduated in 1979; member of American Society of CPA’s and Georgia Society of CPA’s, several honor societies in college; graduated cum laude from Valdosta State College; was a CPA for Health Systems Management and had worked for several years at Allen, Pritchet and Bassett, CPA’s; and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Tifton. She is survived by her husband, Paul Aaron Reed of Tifton; mother, Jewellee Harris Thomas of Ocilla; one sister and brother-in-law, Tamara and Charles C. Dennis of Valdosta; grandmother, Izora Thomas, Ocilla; and several uncles, aunts and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church, Tifton, with the Rev. Willie Beasley, the Rev. Sam Rogers and the Rev. Gerald Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Paulk-Magnolia Cemetery in Irwin County. Pallbearers will be Crisp Gatewood, Alan Swann, Mark Hendon, Chuck Baldwin, Jimmy Pope, Rick Pierzchajlo, Tom Riddle and Richard Hawkins. — Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors-Tiftarea Chapel



Arthur Lee Reid Jr.

VALDOSTA — On May 16, 1926, in Webster County, Plains, we were blessed with the spiritual life of Bro. Arthur Lee Reid Jr. He was the only child of the late Bro. Arthur Lee Reid Sr. and Sis. Bertha Stephens Reid. Sis. Bertha was later married to Bro. David Mabry Sr. and Arthur was joined by two brothers, Bro. David Mabry Jr. and Bro. Henry Thomas (Katie) Mabry; and one sister, Sis. Brenda Joyce (Rudy) Walker. Bro. Arthur was a free-spirited man, who led a respectful stylish life. He spread happiness and joy to all who encountered him. On Dec. 1, 2001, Bro. Arthur departed this life from his loving family and friends to go home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Arthur Lee Reid Jr. was our father, our friend and our mentor. Through his teachings, he helped us to develop characteristics that enabled us to be comfortable with out unique identities. We thank God for the wonderful gift of allowing us to see our father grow closer to Him. An oak tree is planted and it grows to bear fruit and stands strong. Our father was our oak tree. The fruits of his tree are Mary Kathryn-Tomlin, Glady Reid Latimer, Betty Ann Reid, Arthur Lee Reid III (Phyllis), Brenda Reid Stinson (deceased) Yolanda M. Reid, Rodney C. Sams Sr., Felicia Sneed Saal (Jimmy) and Lavern Reid. Bro. Arthur was blessed to have a host of close relatives and friends. Additional close family members and friends are Lilly B., Mary, Mickey, Lottie and Edie. B





ro. Arthur also leaves to cherish his memories a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout various communities. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Morningstar Baptist Church. The Rev. William Clay Morgan, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home



Bernice Keeling Shaw

VALDOSTA — Bernice Keeling Shaw, 73, of Valdosta, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at South Georgia Medical Center. Formerly of Meridian, Miss., she has been a resident of Valdosta for the past 13 years. Born to the late Clayton and Florence Griffin Keeling, she was retired from the Clerk of the Court’s office in Meridian, Miss., and was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Jerry Harris of Madison, Fla., and Sharon and Dewayne Leslie of Pinetta, Fla.; one sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Howard Magee of Gainesville, Fla.; one brother, Willie Keeling of Pinetta, Fla.; five grandchildren and spouses, Lynn and Michael Hanners of Pinetta, Fla., Amy and Steven Ratliff of Madison, Fla., Tammy Leslie of Pinetta, Fla., Josh and Amber Harris of Cherry Lake, Fla., and Kevin Leslie of Pinetta, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Ethan Ratliff of Madison, Fla., and Jacob Hanners of Pinetta, Fla.; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Shara Shaw of Valdosta; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Shaw was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. E.D. Shaw. Services for Mrs. Bernice Keeling Shaw will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Willis and the Rev. Murrell Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. today at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Betty J. Sapp Smithson

VALDOSTA — Betty J. Sapp Smithson, 62, of Valdosta, died on Dec. 4, 2001, at South Georgia Medical Center. She was born on Feb. 17, 1939, in Donaldsonville to the late Ivory and Ara Mae Brown Sapp. She was employed by the Puritti Corporation for 25 years. She is survived by her husband, Maurice Smithson; four daughters and sons-in-law, Inez and Johnny Cummings of Sarasota, Fla., Jackquelin Sapp (Johnny); Pamela (Willie) Williams, Inga Smithson (Travis), all of Valdosta; six sons, Maurice Smithson, Robert Smithson, both of Indiana, Ind., Randy Smithson of New Jersey, Tim M. Sapp, Carl Smithson, Andrea Smithson (Wanda), all of Valdosta; stepmother, Hattie King-Sapp; step grandmother, Mary Alice Brown; six sisters, Annie Doris Peterson, Morris Gosier, Sandra Sapp, Annette Gordon (Ronlad), Jeannette Sapp, Marion Griffith (David); two stepsisters, Fannie Tillman and Geneva King, both of Valdosta; four brothers, Ivory Sapp Sr. (Janet) of Wilmington, Dela., Nicky Sapp (Janice) of Valdosta, William Sapp, and Charles Sapp, both of Oakland, Calif; half brother, Kenneth King (Myra) of Valdosta; two aunts, Gladys Marie Bryant (Bobby), Lucinda Brown, both of Valdosta; one uncle, Willie C. Brown (Clotel) of Somerset, N.J.; 15 grandchildren; two special grandchildren; Archantis and Ariel; one special niece, Salena Parrish (JC) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; one special great-niece, Sierra Parrish; seven godchildren, Patricia Walton, Kaye Jones, Veronica Donaldson, Tonya Black, Rickey Allen, Vincent Donaldson and Ashley Gator; four special friends, Verdell Hall, Loren Berrian, Lois Sermans and Gladys Simpson. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Greater Union Ministries Church with the Rev. Wade S. McRae officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home



Elijah Cole, 73, of Valdosta, passed this life on Nov. 30, 2001, at the South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at the West Hill Church of Christ. Bro. Zebedee Moore will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home



Mildred M. Waters of Valdosta passed this life on Dec. 6, 2001, at her residence. Funeral services are incomplete and

will be announced later by Harrington Funeral Home.