Obituaries

Published 2:23 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005

for Aug. 13, 2003



VALDOSTA — Robert H. (Bobby) Ferguson Jr., 81, of Valdosta, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was born on April 22, 1922, in Alta Vista, Va., to the late Robert Hancock Sr. and Lillian Lane Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson served during WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps and graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute. He was a life member of the Elks Club, Travelers Protective Association, a past member of the Valdosta Country Club and a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Don Plageman of Valdosta; two granddaughters and their husbands, Lane and Mike Sayre and Cindy and Robert McTier of Valdosta; two great-grandsons, Tripp Talley and Carlton McTier; one great-granddaughter, Maggie Sayre; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Courtney Sayre and Hailey Sayre. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Vonceil Bennett Ferguson, and one sister, Lucile Ferguson Stanaland.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 14 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Mac Weaver officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill 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 Hospice of South Georgia, P.O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603-9972 or First Baptist Church, 200 W. Central Ave., Valdosta, GA 31601. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



HOWELL — Evan Lee was born on March 25, 1941, in Howell to the late Ellison Lee, and the late Mrs. Willie B. (Boyd) Fears.

Evan was educated briefly in Dayton, Ohio, and he attended Pinevale High School in Valdosta. He married Autherene Sirmans, and to this union one child was born, Xavier Benjamin Lee. Evan confessed Christ at an early age and joined Morning Star Baptist Church in Valdosta.

Evan joined the U.S. Army, served for 20 years and retired honorably. During his military career, he held various jobs, but the job he loved most was Ranger Airborne Soldier. His second love was being a dog handler. Evan and his dog served conjointly and proudly in Vietnam for one tour. Evan attained the rank of PSG E-7. He was the recipient of the following medals: Bronze Star “V” Device, Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (Nureal 2), Vietnam Service Medal (with Bronze Star), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Bronze Star). He retired at his last duty station, Ft. Benning, Ga.

Evan was a 33rd degree Grand Inspector General Mason with the Prince Hall Lodge of Ft. Benning. He was also a member of the VFW and DAV of Ft. Benning.

After his retirement, he held several jobs: an insurance agent with Mutual of Omaha, a taxi driver, Park and Recreation driver, and a school bus driver for Muscogee County School District and several entrepreneurial businesses.

Evan leaves to cherish his memory four sons, Xavier B. Lee of Atlanta, Robert Thomas of Dayton, Ohio, Antonia Arnold of Valdosta and Joshua Ostermann of Columbus; two daughters, Tamarus Stokes of Dayton, Ohio, Chery Brown of Columbus; three brothers, W. James Lee of Weaver, Ala., Gene Lee of St. Petersburg, Fla., Buster Lee of Sylvania; a devoted brother-in-law, Isaac Davis of Killeen, Texas; three sisters, Laura M. Davis of Killeen, Betty Faircloth of Sylvania, Wilma Hardin of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a devoted cousin, Delores Addison of Valdosta, whom he was raised with; a very special friend and her daughters of Columbus; his beloved grandchildren; a host of devoted cousins, nieces and nephews, his neighbors, friends and specials friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Rosa Lissimore Boyd.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, in the main Post Chapel in Ft. Benning with Elder L.C. Clemons officiating. Burial was held in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, Ala. — Sconiers Funeral Home, Columbus



VALDOSTA — R.T. (Robert Taylor) Owens Jr., 66, of Valdosta, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at South Georgia Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He was born in Pelham on July 8, 1937, to the late Robert Taylor Owens Sr., and Florence Eugenia Simpson Owens. Mr. Owens was a retired regional supervisor for Southern Bell, was in the National Guard, a member of Crossroads Baptist Church, Telephone Pioneers, was a devoted husband, father and enjoyed gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Watson Harris Owens of Valdosta; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Lisa and Charlie Warren of Clarksville, Tenn., Angela and Kevin Robinson of Valdosta, Marni and C.J. Chesser of Cleveland, Ga., and Linda Singletary of Cordele; one son, Andy Harris of Valdosta, 11 grandchildren, one sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Mabery Carter of Albany. Mr. Owens was predeceased by one sister, Geraldine Carter.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Martin McLane Funeral Home in Hahira with burial in Spring Hill Cemetery in Ochlochnee. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p. m. today at the funeral home. — Martin McLane Funeral Home, Hahira

LOCAL DEATHS



Pablo V. Diaz, 71, Adel, passed away Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at Memorial Convalescent Center in Adel after a lengthy illness. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at Purvis Funeral Home and the service will begin at 8 p.m. with the Rev. Nelson Acosta officiating. Burial will be in Community Calvary Church Cemetery. — Purvis Funeral Home of Adel



Ruth E. Rentz, 88, Lenox, died Aug. 11, 2003, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Lakeview Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Pickern and the Rev. Gary James officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home Hwy 41 South. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home



Avan T. Adams Sr., 79, a former city commissioner in Quitman, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, after a lengthy illness. Graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the North End Cemetery in Quitman with the Rev. Dr. Horace L. Tucker officiating. — Stevens McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman