Obituaries

for Tuesday, June 8, 2004



James E. ‘Jimmy’ Branch

STOCKTON — James E. “Jimmy” Branch, 74, of Stockton, passed away at his residence due to an accident early Sunday afternoon, June 6, 2004. Mr. Branch was born in Hahira to the late Dr. William Henry Branch Sr. and Jewel Omega Sims Branch. Mr. Branch was an honorable discharged World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, with numerous medals of recognition for services rendered. He retired from Civil Service, Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta after 21 years of faithful federal service as a personal flight equipment specialist. Mr. Branch was also a self-employed well driller. He was especially known to the Lanier County Community for many years of volunteer services rendered. Mr. Branch was instrumental in various community projects. Mr. Branch was responsible for obtaining property for Stockton Cemetery, establishing the Volunteer Stockton Fire Department, and rendering active volunteer services for 15 years. In recognition to his dedication toward his country, Mr. Branch was credited toward erecting the Veterans Memorial for Lanier County, Nov. 16, 2000. Mr. Branch was a member and deacon of Stockton Baptist Church.

Mr. Branch was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William Henry Branch Sr. and Jewel Omega Branch; his wife of 46 years, Jean Juanell Branch, whom he loved dearly; a daughter, Betty Ann Branch; a granddaughter he cherished, Traci Michelle Ross; a brother he admired, William (Bill) Henry Branch Jr.; two sisters, Gloria Darby and Mary Wilson; two brothers-in-law, Harry Livingston and J. C. Livingston, and son-in-law, Grant Cecil Register.

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie and Marsha Branch, Mike and Sheila Branch, all of Stockton; two daughters and son-in-law, Becky Register of Lakeland and Lila and Raleigh Haynes of Tifton; grandchildren, Scotty, Wesley, Mikey, and Belinda Branch, Teresa and Lisa Branch, all of Stockton, Josh and Racheal Haynes, Sid Ross, Tifton; Clint Register and Ashley Register Spikes, Lakeland; four great-grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Livingston of Naylor and David Darby of Adel; sister, Margaret Stalvey of Valdosta; two sisters-in-law, Nadine Branch and Katherine Livingston, both of Stockton; several nieces and nephews, as well as many very special friends whom he valued.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in Stockton Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in Stockton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening at Music Funeral Services.

Sympathy may be expressed on-line at www.musicfuneralservices.com –Music Funeral Services, Lakeland



Willard Parrish Dugger

VALDOSTA — Mrs. Willard Parrish Dugger, 82, of Valdosta died on Sunday, June 6, 2004 at South Georgia Medical Center. Born on Dec. 30, 1921, in Valdosta, she was the daughter of the late C. E. and Julia Parrish. Mrs. Dugger was a charter member of Crossroads Baptist Church. A graduate of Valdosta State University, she was a dedicated teacher who loved children and taught in several local elementary schools. She loved flowers and gardening.

Mrs. Dugger is survived by her husband, John R. (Bobby) Dugger of Valdosta; three daughters, Diane Bonar of Morristown, N.J., Beth Herrin of Brunswick, Julia Dugger of Valdosta; three sons, Tommy Dugger of Brevard, N.C., Jimmy Dugger of St. Augustine, Fla., Glenn Dugger of Hubbardston, Mass.; five grandchildren, Suzanne Dugger, Lt. Chad Krug, James Dugger, Jessica Dugger, Brittany Dugger; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Tom Daniel, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Voytelle Miller Gardner

VALDOSTA — Voytelle Miller Gardner, 41, of Valdosta passed this life on June 6, 2004, at Shands Hospital.

She was born on March 8, 1963, in Valdosta. She was the youngest child of Frank and Arletha H. Miller. Voytelle was educated in the Lowndes County Public School System and graduated from Valdosta Technical College in 1981. She worked for Georgia Legal Services for 18 years and most recently worked in medical records at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.

Voytelle met her groom, Pastor Kendrix James Gardner, in February 1991, and were married on Sept. 26, 1991. She loved and shared life faithfully for 13 years of marriage. Two beloved children of grace came to them, Seth James and Joshua James. Her family was the joy of her life.

As a pastor’s wife, Voytelle touched many lives in every congregation her husband served. Church members always felt comfortable in her presence.

She leaves to rejoice in her life her devoted husband of 13 years, Kendrix James Gardner; two children, Seth James Gardner, Joshua James Gardner; her father, Frank L. Miller of Valdosta; her mother, Arletha H. Miller, Valdosta; father-in-law, Calvin James Gardner, mother-in-law, Mary L. Gardner, Valdosta; sisters, Claytis Carter Knox, Valdosta, Barbara C. Bailey (Rev. Thomas), Waycross, Cassandra M. Murray, Augusta; brothers, Earl D. Carter (Ella), Macon, Edward G. Carter (Shirley), Valdosta; three aunts, Vivian B. Hill, Valdosta, Rosa M. McShan, St. Louis, Mo., Sarah F. Hester, Valdosta; two uncles, Lee L. Miller, Valdosta, George L. Miller, Jacksonville, Fla.; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; Christian Love Ministries Church family, brothers and sisters in the Lord of all the other area churches and beyond and the many friends. — 1 Corinthians 16:24 — My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

We, the family, thank God for allowing an angel to be with us as long as you did.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at the Christian Love Ministries Church and Pastor Kendrix J. Gardner is pastor and Bishop Wiley Jackson will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home



Dennis Y. ‘D. J.’ Jacobs

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Dennis Y. “D. J.” Jacobs, 62, of Live Oak, Fla., passed away early Sunday night, June 6, 2004, in the North Florida Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla., after a lengthy illness. He was born in Alexandria, Va., and lived in the Live Oak area for the past 20 years. He was an auto salesman, being one of the most highly ranked in the United States. He was employed with Walt’s Live Oak Ford Mercury in Live Oak, Fla.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Jacobs of Live Oak, Fla.; three sons and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Christy Jacobs, Lakeland, David Jacobs, Live Oak, Fla., Don Jacobs, Valdosta; granddaughter, Chrissy Jacobs, Valdosta; brother, Billy Jacobs, Branford, Fla.; four sisters, June Leman, Okla., Virginia Segars, Ala., Doris Whidden, Arcadia, Fla., Mary See, Punta Gorda, Fla.; a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2003, in Live Oak United Methodist Church with burial following in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed on-line at www.musicfuneralservices.com — Music Funeral Services, Lakeland



Jewell D. Pearce

VALDOSTA — Mrs. Jewell D. Pearce, 87, of Valdosta, died on Sunday, June 6, 2004, at South Georgia Medical Center. Born on June 16, 1916, in Berrien County, she was the daughter of the late Willis and Flossie McMillan Dorminey and the widow of Cleveland Gus (C. G.) Pearce. Mrs. Pearce was of the Primitive Baptist faith.

She is survived by her children, Carolyn and J. B. Jones, Athens; Janie and Robert Sheffield, James and Mary Pearce and Claudette and Jack C. Morgan Jr., all of Valdosta; grandchildren, Donna Jones (John), Brad Jones, Tina S. and Mark Welch, Bobby F. and Carol Sheffield, Gina L. and Edward Dungan, Janet and Greg Bennett, Jimmy and Kaye Pearce, Jack C. Morgan III, Jill S. and Tim Brady; great-grandchildren, Paige, Bree and Aften Welch, Gretchen Sayers, Gabriel Dungan, CeeGee Bennett, Megan Bennett, Emily Pearce, Timothy Brady, Morgan Brady; and a great-great grandchild, Haley Padgett. Mrs. Pearce was also preceded in death by 8 brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Elder Raybun Lord officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends this evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Patricia Thompson

LAKELAND — Patricia Thompson, 63, of Lakeland passed away late Friday night, June 4, 2004, at her daughter’s residence after a lengthy illness. She was born in Chippawah Falls, Wis. and lived in Madison, Fla., before moving to Lakeland a short time ago. She was a member of Lakeland United Methodist Church. She was a VIP blood donor for the American Red Cross for 2003. Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Thompson, and a daughter, Patrice Tamayo.

She is survived by a daughter, Edith Thompson, Lakeland; son, Charles Thompson, Miami, Fla.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; brother, H.J. Karew; sister, Joann Olguin; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Lakeland Chapel of Music Funeral Services.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday until funeral time.

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com. — Music Funeral Services of Lakeland



Ken Causey

Ken Causey, 61, of Adel passed away Monday, June 7, 2004, at Emory University in Atlanta. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. — Purvis Funeral Home of Adel



Mattie Mae Johnson

Mattie Mae Johnson, 78, of Valdosta passed this life on Thursday, June 3, 2004, at her residence. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 12, 2004, at Antioch Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Antioch Family Cemetery in Oglethorpe. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta is handling local arrangements and Meadows Funeral Chapel is serving the family in Oglethorpe