for Nov. 13, 2002



Kenneth Eugene Coombs

HAHIRA — Kenneth Eugene Coombs, 69, of Hahira, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, at Memorial Hospital in Adel. He was born on May 3, 1933, in Cook County to the late W.J. and Ida Mae Eunice Coombs and was a lifelong resident of this area. Mr. Coombs was a retired farmer and mechanic and veteran of the U.S. Army. He was of the Episcopal faith. Survivors include three sons, Larry Coombs of Bonifay, Fla., Gene Coombs of California City, Calif., and Peter G. Cowart of Valdosta; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Marion Coombs of Valdosta and Robert F. Coombs of Hahira. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 14 in Fellowship Cemetery in Cecil with the Rev. Roscoe Bennett officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. — Martin/McLane Funeral Home of Hahira



Carolyn L. Fritz

HAHIRA — Carolyn L. Fritz, 60, of Hahira, passed away Sunday evening, Nov. 10, 2002, due to an accident. She was born in Duluth, Minn., and had lived in Hahira for the past 13 years. She was Catholic by faith. She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Franik. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Beth Tyman, Manhattan, Ill., Bryan and Annette Tyman, Hobart, Ind.; daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Bill Ebert, Hahira; mother, Carol Clark, Duluth, Minn.; four grandchildren, Ashley Tyman, Billy, Cody and Makenzie Ebert; brother, Richard Franik; three sisters, Donna Hughes, Linda Clark, Jean Hinneakamp; a number of nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. today in the Valdosta Chapel of Music Funeral Services with the family receiving friends immediately following the service. — Music Funeral Services of Valdosta



Barney C. Pipkins

LAKE PARK — Barney C. Pipkins, 96, Lake Park, died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at a local nursing home in Valdosta. He was born in Lake Park on Nov. 8, 1906, to the late George C. and Pearly Mae Pipkins. Mr. Pipkins was a lifelong resident of Lowndes County, joined the Sardis Baptist Church on the second Sunday in August of 1927, and held a lifelong love for his chosen occupation of farming. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Norman and Mamie Pipkins, Echols County; a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and James Young, Long County; five granddaughters, Brenda P. Corbett, Beverly P. Highsmith, both of Echols County, Deborah Y. Watford, Lowndes County, Linda Y. Carter, Echols County, Cheryl Y. Dasher, Cartersville; a grandson, Gregory Young, Echols County; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Blanche Wisenbaker, Valdosta, Ava Nell Dennis, Lowndes County; and a host of other family members and friends. Mr. Pipkins was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Bessie McLane Pipkins; infant son, James Cleveland Pipkins; two brothers, Cleo Pipkins, Roy Pipkins; and two sisters, Louise King and Imo McLane. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15 at the Sardis Baptist Church with the Rev. James O. Young and the Rev. Marvin Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Hickory Grove Cemetery. Mr. Pipkins will be carried to his residence at 6378 George Road, Lake Park, on Thursday afternoon for the visitation. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Sardis Baptist Church. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



John Henry Touchton Jr.

LOWNDES COUNTY — Commander John Henry Touchton Jr., U.S. Navy Ret., 67, of Lowndes County, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002. He was born on Nov. 8, 1935, in Cat Creek to the late John Henry Sr. and Emma McDonald Touchton. After graduating from Pine Grove High School in 1953, he attended Abraham Baldwin Junior College in Tifton for two years, graduated in 1955 and entered into the service of his country as a naval aviation cadet. He received his commission and his naval wings in May 1957. He married the former Sara L. Dasher on May 24, 1958, and had three children, Leigh, John and Mike. Commander Touchton went on to fly the F3D





Skynight, F2H4 Banshee, A3D Skywarrior and the RA5C Vigilante. While serving in the U.S. Navy, he earned a B.A. in international relations from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, an M.S. in international affairs from The George Washington University, and was also a graduate of the Naval War College’s Command and Staff School. His highest decorations were two Distinguished Flying Crosses earned for heroism on June 15, 1966, and June 11, 1972. Other decorations include 11 Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Survivors include his wife; one daughter and son-in-law, Leigh Touchton and Rob Plumb, Valdosta; two sons and one daughter-in-law, John and Machele Touchton, Abilene, Texas, Michael Touchton, Lowndes County; three grandchildren, Sara and Henry Touchton, Kathryn Plumb; one sister and brother-in-law, Nell and Wayne Daniel, Lowndes County. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Touchton. Funeral services for Commander John Henry Touchton will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 14 at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Van Landingham and the Baptist Navy Chaplin officiating. Burial will follow in New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 5206 New Bethel Road, Valdosta, Ga. 31605. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Jewel Wise

JASPER, Fla. — Jewel Wise, 93, of Jasper, passed away Monday, Nov. 11, 2002, at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla. Jewel was born on Dec. 20, 1908, to the late A.L. and Jeanette Wise. Upon graduation, she taught school at Glen St. Mary and Mayo, Fla. She later attended Florida State College for Women where she received her master’s degree in administrative education and returned to Mayo where she took over as principal until 1975. She retired with 51 years of service to the teaching profession. She was a gifted pianist and shared her talent with many. Wise was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, was a 52-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and faithful member of Jasper First United Methodist Church. Survivors include one brother, Woodrow Wise, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14 at Jasper First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Jasper. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. today at Harry T. Reid Funeral Home. — Harry T. Reid Funeral Home



Horace Rutherford, 84, of Sparks, died Nov. 11, 2002, at South Georgia Medical Center. Graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. today in Sparks Cemetery with the Rev. Al Lewis and the Rev. Elbert Cox officiating. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel