for Sept. 18, 2001



Ruby L. Bracewell

VALDOSTA — Ruby L. Bracewell, 83, of Valdosta, passed away Sunday evening, Sept. 16, 2001, at the South Georgia Medical Center after a lengthy illness. She was born in Moultrie and had lived in Valdosta for most of her life. She was a member of the First Assembly of God in Valdosta. Survivors include one sister, Alice Meadows of Valdosta; one sister-in-law, Mona Summerlin of Valdosta; a number of nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta. The family will receive friends form 6-8 p.m. today at Music Funeral Services of Valdosta. — Music Funeral Services of Valdosta



William L. Conrad

CAMDEN, Dela. — William L. Conrad of Camden, died on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford, Dela. He was 74 years old. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Georgia; two daughters, Mary Beth and her husband Charlie of Millsboro, Dela., and Anne and her husband Paul of Valdosta; one son, Jeff and his wife Michaela of Georgetown, Dela.; eight grandchildren, Angela, Zachary, Lexi, Gabby, William, Cole, Parker and Ben; and one great-grandchild, Drew. Bill, as he was known by friends and family, graduated from John Harris High School, Harrisburg, Pa., in 1946 where he was recognized for his academic and athletic achievements. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty in West Germany. Following military service, he entered Lebanon Valley College in 1948, and later transferred to Juniata College where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During that period, he married the former Georgia Anne Wolfhope on Aug. 27, 1950. His first professional employment experience following graduation from college was as a science teacher at Wicomico High School in Salisbury, Md. While employed as a teacher, Bill volunteered his time to coach three sports: football, basketball and track. That was followed by a six-year period of employment as a personnel director for DelMarVa Power and Light. In the late 1950’s, he made the decision to return to the field of education where he felt he could truly make a lasting impact. He reentered teaching at Newark High School where he also resumed coaching duties. He subsequently went on to complete advanced academic coursework at the University of Delaware and Temple University. As an educator, Bill transitioned from teaching to a position as a school psychologist and later as the assistant superintendent of what was then the DelaWarr School District. He finished the last 20 years of his career in education as the principal of the Charlton School in the Caesar Rodney School District. He found his professional niche at the Charlton School and forged lasting relationships that sustained him as a practicing educator and throughout his retirement. It was during his time at Charlton that he became heavily involved with the Delaware Special Olympics and worked with children across the disability spectrum. His retirement in 1989 was a gala affair and attended by many friends and family. Most recently, family and friends again gathered to celebrate Bill and Georgia’s 50th wedding anniversary. Bill loved his family and the staff and students of the John S. Charlton School. He enjoyed spending time discussing local and global affairs with his friends at local eating establishments and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He volunteered his time serving young people throughout his life. Bill and his wife Georgia were often winter residents of Valdosta where he made many new friends among area seniors, neighborhood friends, and as a supporter of the Valdosta State University athletic and music programs. Bill was a Mason and a member of the Golden Seniors and the Moose. He was a loving father, husband and friend and will be greatly missed. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 East Lebanon Road, Dover, Dela. Friends may call at the funeral home, (302) 734-3341, from 7-9 p.m. today





. A graveside service will follow the funeral on Wednesday at the Veterans Cemetery near Stockley in Sussex County. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the William L. Conrad Memorial Fund to benefit the Charlton School. Letters of condolence may be sent to delmarvaobits.com/torbert — Torbert Funeral Chapel of Dover



Joy E. Coppage

VALDOSTA — Joy E. Coppage, 50, of Valdosta, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, at South Georgia Medical Center after a sudden illness. She was born on Dec. 13, 1950, in Sardis to Maude Hurst Elliott Ellison and the late G.W. Elliott. Mrs. Coppage was an administrative assistant for the City of Valdosta Water and Sewer Department and was a Methodist. Survivors include her husband, Herman Coppage; two sons and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Stacie Ply, Justin Ply; one grandchild, Kelsey Ply, all of Valdosta; her mother, Maude Ellison of Sardis; one sister and brother-in-law, Jo and Richard Harden of Brandon, Fla.; two nephews and their spouses, Rad and Andrea Johnson of Seffner, Fla., Jason and Michelle Johnson of Brandon, Fla.; three great-nieces, Jaycie, Haley and Skyler Johnson. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Ross Hudson officiating. Entombment will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Derick Rodney Goodson

THOMSON — Derick Rodney Goodson, 58, of Thomson, died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001. Born in Mitchell County, he was the son of Lee Roy and Nina Voncile McLendon Goodson. He was a retired sergeant for the Department of Natural Resources, having served in the Thomson area for more than 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Kara Goodson of Thomson; one daughter, Tara (Bill) Irwin of Augusta; mother, Susie Goodson of Barwick; two sisters, Sandra Lanzillotti of Snellville; Betty G. (Wayne) West of Hawkinsville; two brothers, Roy D. (Ruth) Goodson of Leesburg, and Ronnie L. Goodson of Panama City, Fla.; father-in-law, Thad Selman of Barwick; two brothers-in-law, Zack (Judy) Martin of Barwick, Roy (Lee) Petrey of Thomasville; and a sister-in-law, Janice Martin of Barwick. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Barwick Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Elders officiating. Burial will follow in Rosewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of floral tributes, those desiring may make contributions to Barwick Baptist Church or First Baptist Church of Thompson. — Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home



Ruth Carolyn Graham

BARNEY — Ruth Carolyn Graham, 81, of Barney, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, at Archbold Memorial Hospital after a brief Illness. Born in Brooks County, she was the daughter of Wallace Alfred and Essie Bowen Powell. She was a retired case worker for the Department of Family and Children Services, a homemaker and member of Morrision Baptist Church. She is survived by one daughter, Peggy Morgan of Nashville, Tenn.; one son, Jim Graham of Tifton; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; a sister, Louise Willis of Quitman; and a brother, A. J. Powell of Quitman. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. today in Morrison Church Cemetery with the Rev. Carlton Owens officiating.– Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home



Wilmer O. Langford

JASPER, Fla. — Wilmer O. Langford, 68, of Jasper, passed away Saturday, Sept. 14, 2001, at his home. The Hamilton County native was a retired heavy equipment operator with the Hamilton County Road Department. He is survived by two sons, Wilmer David Langford, MacClenny, Fla., and Timothy Neal Langford, Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Patricia Gail Carr, Jacksonville, Fla. and Joanna Beth Dortch, Baldwin, Fla.; four brothers, Collen and Shelton Langford, both of Madison, Fla., Carlton Langford, Cherry Lake, Fla., and Carroll Hysmith, Jasper, Fla.; eight sisters, Annie Fuller, Lake City, Fla., Margaret Monk, Valdosta, Gwendolyn Hurst, Jacksonville, Fla., Yvonne Grimsley, Cleveland, Annette Ball, Jacksonville, Cynthia B

ullington, Fargo, N.D., Sally Hysmith, Jasper, and Patty McCarroll, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, in the chapel of Harry T. Reid Funeral Home where Dr. Fritz Fountain officiated. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery. — Harry T. Reid Funeral Home



Billy Wayne Evans



Billy Wayne Evans, 44, of Valdosta, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001, at South Georgia Medical Center. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Lake Park Cemetery. — McLane Lakewood Funeral Home