for August 30, 2002



Marilyn F. Humma

VALDOSTA — Marilyn F. Humma, 77, of Valdosta, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002, at Herman Hospital in Houston, Texas. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 3, 1924, to the late Frank and Eulalie Brobst Fitzgerald. Mrs. Humma has lived here since 1993 and is formerly of Atlanta. She was a homemaker, a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, a member of ACBL, a member of Valdosta Duplicate Bridge Club, a member of Valdosta Country Club Bridge Club, a member of the Daughters of the American Colonist and The Retired Army Wives Association. Mrs. Humma is survived by three daughters, Marilyn H. Wagner of Ann Arbor, Mich., Michele H. Stiebling of Atlanta and Melissa H. Baggett of Valdosta; seven grandchildren, Melanie O’Rourke, William Wagner, Kristen Wagner, Lauren Wagner, Robert Wagner, William Christopher Baggett and Cole Baggett; two great-grandchildren, Brittani Garrett and Dakin O’Rourke. She was predeceased by her husband, William Johnston Humma on Sept. 25, 2001. Going home services will be held Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with Father John O’Brien officiating. A rosary service will be held Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. with visitation following until 9 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society or to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church building fund. She will be loved and missed by her family and friends. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Rev. Daniel ‘Big D’ Holmes

VALDOSTA — The Rev. Daniel “Big D” Holmes, 70, died Aug. 22, 2002, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta after a lengthy illness. He was born April 18, 1932, in Brooks County to the late Jack Jr. and Mandy Holmes. He gave his life to Christ at an early age and was a member of St. James Baptist Church. He attended the Brooks County Public Schools. He was retired from Owens-Illinois Mill. He was one of 11 children and was preceded in death by one sister, Ardie Washington; four brothers, Robert Manning, Richmond Holmes, Bill Holmes and Elizah Holmes; one grandson, John Lee Tillman Jr. He leaves to cherish his memories four daughters, Sylvia Ann Rayford, Helen Holmes, Diane Smith (P.J.), and Patricia Berry, all of Valdosta; 10 grandchildren, Randy, Letisha, Carl, Deidra, Chenoa, Terry, Kendrick, Letia, James Henry (Boo-Boo) and Bill; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; one goddaughter, Shirley Straughter (James); three sisters, Nollie Mae Byrd of Valdosta, Mary Knowling and Lila Miley both of Miami, Fla; two brothers, Jack Holmes of Atlanta and Dred Lee Holmes of Gainesville, Fla.; one sister-in-law, Helen Holmes of Jacksonville, Fla., three brothers-in-law, Boysie Byrd of Valdosta, Tommy Washington and Willie Miley Jr., of Miami, Fla., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church, 104 1/2 Wisenbaker Lane in Valdosta with the Rev. T. J. Haynes officiating. Burial will be in Second Elizabeth Baptist Church Cemetery in Quitman. — Harrington Funeral Home Inc.



Thomas ‘Tommy’ Edward Lane

VALDOSTA — Thomas “Tommy” Edward Lane, of Valdosta, was the youngest of four children born to Mrs. Sophie (Key) Lane and the late Mr. Leroy Lane. He was born in Valdosta on Dec. 7, 1954. He was a member of the River Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he joined under the leadership of the late Rev. T.H. Williams. He served on the usher board. He was educated in the Lowndes County public school system. He was called to eternal rest on Monday, Aug. 26, 2002 at his home. He was 47 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Pearl McCormick Lane, and father, Mr. Leroy Lane. His memories will always be cherished by a loving mother, Mrs. Sophie Lane of Valdosta; one devoted sister, Florestine Larry of Valdosta; two brothers, Mr. Theodis (Jack) Sharpe and Mr. Arthur Lee Larry, both of Valdosta; two aunts, Mrs. Hattie Gay and Mrs. Eva Lane, both of Valdosta; two great au





nts, Mrs. Marie Thomas of Valdosta and Mrs. Eva Mae Lane of Florida; two nieces, Cassandra Larry and Samantha Larry; six nephews, Roger Larry, Arthur Larry, Zackery Larry, Theodis Sharpe Jr., Marvin Sharpe and Jeffrey Sharpe; a host of great-nieces, cousins, special friends, relatives and caring friends. Funeral service will be held Sunday, Sept. 1, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Thomas Chapel Baptist Church. The Rev. Edgar Roberts, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Pallbearer Cemetery. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary



Alpha McCoggle

VALDOSTA — Alpha McCoggle was born March 6, 1916. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Sally McCoggle; children, Alpha Jr. and Igyloh; siblings, Annie Mae, Eunice, Lena, Gladys, Marvin, Catherine and Fred. He is survived by his wife, Vester McCoggle of Lakeland; children, William McCoggle (Bertha) of Miami, Fla., Rufus McCoggle (Irma) of Valdosta, Margarita Smith of Elizabeth, N.J., Loverette McEady (Erasmus) of Fayetteville, N.C., Jerushia James of Valdosta, Renette Berry (David) of Lakeland, Donna Sirmans (Arthur), Lakeland, Ben McCoggle of Newark, N.J., and Andwina McCoggle of Lakeland. He also leaves 30 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and one loving sister, Alma Daro of Lakeland; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Mae Johnson of Newark, N.J.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, 11 a.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church. The Rev. Gerald Copeland, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in Charles Knight Cemetery in Lakeland. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta



Rev. Dr. W.H. Ross Sr.

VALDOSTA — The Rev. Dr. W.H. Ross Sr., 68, of Valdosta, was born June 15, 1934, in Corrigan, Texas, to Mr. Jessie Ross and Mrs. Ellen Legington. He graduated from Johnson High School in Corrigan, Texas, in June of 1952. Then he went on to begin his military career in the U.S. Air Force in which he served 20 years and five months and made several academic and religious achievements in that course of time. The Rev. Ross received his associate’s degree in marketing and management from Valdosta Tech and Valdosta State College. He received a degree in theology and a master’s of divinity from St. Gregory Theological Seminary. He received a doctorate of divinity from Colorado State College. The Rev. Ross has many civic affiliations. He was a member of the Small and Minority Business Committee for the State of Georgia. He headed the campaign committee for Jesse Jackson as candidate for president. He received a Humanitarian Award from the State of Georgia Education Association. These are just a few of his political and community achievements to be mentioned. The Rev. Ross was charged to preach the Word in 1969. He served as pastor for St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church of Hahira and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Valdosta. Rev. Ross has 32 years of pastoring and leadership experience in his past. He served as president of the 11th District Convention for the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia for 10 years. He also served as auxiliary chaplain at Moody Air Force Base for 10 years. He spent 26 of the 32 years as the pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church until his health declined and doctors gave him no choice but to resign reluctantly. Rev. Ross married Ms. Edith Lane of Hahira, Ga., June 16, 1973. The Rev. Dr. W.H. Ross Sr., departed this life Aug. 25, 2002, at his residence. He is survived by his wife, Edith Lane Ross. He also has four sons, Willie Ross Jr., the Rev. Christopher Ross and Sterling Ross, all of Houston, Texas, and Gary Ross of Gainesville, Fla. He also has five daughters, Thersia Ross and Eleanor Ross, both of Houston, Texas, Sanita Ross of Augusta, Rhoda Ross Williams of Hahira and Hilda (Stephon) Edgerton of Valdosta. He is survived by three brothers, the Rev. Jim (Lena) Legington, Issard C. Legington, and Jessie Ross Jr., all of Houston. He also has five sisters, Mable Lewis, Vivian Darratt, Maria White, Josephine Ross and Phillippi Richardson, all of Houston. The Rev. Ross is survived by a host of grandch

ildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church. The Rev. Aaron N. Hopkins is the pastor. Burial will follow at the Sunset Hill Cemetery. There will be a wake at the New Hope Baptist Church on Friday, Aug. 30, from 7-9 p.m. Scott and Roberts Mortuary is in charge of all the arrangements.





Sandra J. Wallace

Sandra J. Wallace, 39, 610 E. Ann St., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002, following a lengthy illness. Ms. Wallace, a native and lifelong resident of Valdosta, was the daughter of Mr. Sam Ferrell Jr. and the late Mrs. Jessie Mae Ferrell. She was educated in the Valdosta City School System. Survivors include a son, Tyrone Z. Wallace, Columbus, Ga.; daughter, Shantel J. Newsom and son, Joshua H. Wallace, Valdosta, Ga.; three sisters, Shirley Moore, Brenda Walker, Carolyn L. Ferrell, Valdosta; and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeffery and Rebecca Jones, Sam and Gereldene Fairell of Valdosta and Marilyn Ferrell of Orlando, Fla.; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held at New Life Missionary Baptist Church, 1401 Cypress St., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, at 3 p.m., with interment at Sunset Cemetery. Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta is handling professional arrangements.





Mrs. Eloise Foster passed this life on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002, at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral service is incomplete and will be announced later by Scott and Roberts Mortuary.



Ann Freeman, 60, passed this life Aug. 25, 2002. Funeral services will be held Saturday at noon at the graveside in Sunset Hill Cemetery with Brother John W. Iverson officiating. Local arrangements entrusted to Harrington Funeral Home Inc.



Ralph L. Griner, 80, of Homerville passed away early Friday (Aug. 23, 2002) in the VA Medical Center in Lake City, Fla. He was born in Clinch County and lived in the Fort Pierce, Fla., area many years before coming back to Homerville for retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 1, 2002) in the Pine Forest Cemetery in Homerville. Music Funeral Services of Valdosta is serving the Griner family.



Baby boy Travis McKinney passed this life Aug. 29 at the Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla. Graveside funeral services are at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sunset Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Timothy Riser officiating. Harrington Funeral Home



Mrs. Ella Rice of 1010 N. Troup St., a member of Greater St. Peter A.M.E. Church, departed this life on Aug. 26, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pa., while visiting her children. A brief memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday at St. Peter A.M.E. Church. Local arrangements are entrusted to Harrington Funeral Home Inc.



Dyron Vincent Riley, 31, passed this life Aug. 25. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Greater Union Baptist Church and Bishop Wade S. McCrae and Pastor Julia Berry will officiate and burial will follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Final rites are entrusted to Harrington Funeral Home Inc.



Willie David Smith Jr., 74, passed this life Aug. 23, 2002, at his residence. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Evangel Temple Church and Chief Apostle Henry Wright will officiate and burial will follow at the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Final rites are entrusted to Harrington Funeral Home Inc.



Funeral services for Mr. Jack Statum Sr. will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, N.C., Rev. Sidney A. Locks Jr., pastor officiating. Roundtree and Associates Funeral Home is in charge of all the arrangements.



Elinor W. Strickland, 91, formerly of Lakeland, Fla., died at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, Mi., Thursday, Aug. 29. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home is serving the family.



Billy R. Tomlinson, 61, of Lake Park passed away Wednesday morning (Aug. 28, 2002) at his sister’s residence after a lengthy illness. He was born in Lanier County and had lived in Lake Park fo

r the past 26 years. He was a member of Frances Lake Baptist Church in Lake Park. He was a self-employed distributor for Tom’s Snack Food for 32 years. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday (Aug. 30, 2002) at Wayfare Cemetery in Echols County. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of South Georgia, 205 Woodrow Wilson Drive, P.O. Box 1727, Valdosta, Ga. Music Funeral Services of Valdosta is serving the Tomlinson family.