Obituaries for Friday, April 1, 2005
Published 4:32 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Willie Lee Butler
VALDOSTA — Mrs. Willie Lee Butler of Valdosta passed this life at South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta, at 7 a.m. on March 29, 2005, after a fatal heart attack.
She was born on Dec. 3, 1920, in Brooks County to Irene Laws Simmons and Eddie Mack (Pete) Miller.
On July 3, 1940, she was joined in holy matrimony to Lee Roy Butler Sr., and to this union was born three children.
She was retired after a long and diverse career of work ranging from domestic and factory work to care giver. She enjoyed the challenge of learning new things and was an avid reader.
Mrs. Butler touched the lives of many people through her years of service to the public and to her church. She was called upon frequently to “do the obituary” and handle the “Response From The Family” at numerous funerals.
She obeyed the gospel at an early age (11) and was baptized into Christ around October of 1932 at what was then the West Adair Church of Christ in Valdosta. She was a faithful member of the Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ, serving on several ministries and assisting with teaching duties in the Thursday evening Ladies Bible Class. She was well-known for her love of poetry and her gift of oratory and singing. She was a diligent student of the word and was sought out by young and old for her wise counsel. She loved to sew and knit and made gifts of several of her artful creations to grateful friends and family.
Many of the nurses and staff at Heritage House Nursing Home where she was a resident remember her as the “kindest person I have met”.
She leaves to rejoice in her life three beloved sisters, Marie Smith (Mose), Connie Cason, and Bernice Miles (Walter); three sons, Charles L. Woods (Ann), Dr. W.F. Washington, Sr. (Deloris), Evangelist Leroy Butler, Jr. (Gloria); two daughters, Barbara Jean Ragland, and Maxine Brown; 16 grandchildren, Carolyn L. Reese, Claudia L. Lum (Gary), Frank R. Woods (Denise), Willie Washington (Niermala), Antonio Washington, Marquite Washington, Soncyarai Heyward (Orpheus), Todd D. Ragland, Tyrhone D. Ragland (Susie), Torace D. Ragland (Louella), Thaddeus D. Ragland, Clarence L. Pickett, Darryl M. Pickett (Akilah), Fadwa D. Brown, Tyrah N. Butler, and Desdamona M. Butler; 23 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews; special and devoted friends, Vienna Irvin; a great company of spiritual brothers and sisters and other children who claimed her as mom.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ Church, Bro. Leroy Butler, Pastor, Dr. W.F. Washington will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will meet friends at Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ, 1515 N. Forrest St. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. this evening.
Cindy ‘Robin’ Frieden
VALDOSTA — Cindy ‘Robin’ Frieden, 52, Valdosta, formerly of Illinois City, Ill., died Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2005, at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home. The Rev. Mike Wells of New Covenant Church of Valdosta, Georgia will officiate. Burial will be held in Illinois City Cemetery. Visitation for Robin will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2005, from 4-7 p.m. at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home. A memorial has been established at the funeral home in Robin’s name. Sympathy notes may be left for the Frieden family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.
Robin Fuhr was born on April 7, 1952, in Rock Island, Ill., the daughter of Robert W. and Mary Eileen O’Brien Fuhr. On June 21, 1974, Robin was united in marriage to John E. Frieden at the Zion Lutheran Church in Edington, Ill. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western Illinois University. Robin was devoted to her husband, their seven children, and spreading the Word of God. Robin always wore red to celebrate when loved ones went to live with the Lord.
Robin will be deeply missed by her husband, John; her children, Aundrea “Andi” Frieden and her husband, Joe Gulley of Houston, Texas, Michelle Frieden of Houston, Texas, Jonathan Frieden of St. Paul, Minn., Robert Frieden and his wife, Kristen of Valdosta, Liz James and her husband, Benn of Valdosta, Daniel Fuhr Frieden of Valdosta and Isaac Samuel Frieden of Valdosta; three sisters, Terri Fuhr of Springfield, Ill., Penny Blaser and her husband, Brad of Taylor Ridge, Ill. and Susan Scholl and her husband, Eric of Minneapolis, Minnesota.– Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home, Muscatine, Iowa.
Shirley F. Griffin
ADEL — Ms. Shirley F. Griffin, 56, Adel, died March 30, 2005, at her residence. She was born on Nov. 17, 1948, in Cook County to the late Ernest Felton and Jeannette Wiggins Griffin where she lived most of her life. She was a long time employee of the City of Adel and retired from the State Department of Education as an executive assistant. She was saved in April 1965 and joined Harney First United Methodist Church. Shirley loved the Lord with all her heart.
She is survived by her step mother, Ovie Handley Griffin of Nashville; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Debbie Griffin of Nashville; one sister, Patricia Saunders, Adel; nieces and nephews, Amy and John Jack, Hahira, Wendy Griffin, Tallahassee, Fla., Mitch and Dawn Griffin, Nashville, Andy Griffin, Dusty Griffin, and Kelly Griffin, all of Nashville, Amanda Griffin, Callahan, Fla., Rena Griffin, Callahan, Fla., Alan Griffin, Tallahassee, Fla.; great- niece and nephew, Nathan and Emma Jack, Hahira. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald C. Griffin and Donald Griffin.
Funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. this evening at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Mrs. Jean Jack, Associate Pastor officiating. Visitation will follow the service. In keeping with Ms. Griffin’s wishes, cremation will follow. The family will accept flowers or donations may be made to: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309 — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel
Marjorie Louise Hitchcock
GILROY, Calif. — Marjorie Louise Hitchcock of Gilroy, Calif., Valdosta, and San Diego, Calif. died Monday, March 28, 2005 in Gilroy, Calif.
Marge was born to George and Anastasia Mains in Waltham, Mass. on Sept. 23, 1921 and graduated from high school and nursing school in Massachusetts before joining the Naval Nursing Corps during World War II. Her nursing career was interrupted when she met and married William Osler (Bill) Hitchcock of Moultrie. on Aug. 6, 1944. A large family followed, as well as moves to San Diego, Calif. and Valdosta.
Mrs. Hitchcock was predeceased by her husband, Bill, in April, 1975, and is survived by her 10 children and their spouses, Skip and Nancy Hitchcock of Lakeside, Calif., Pat and Marco Renella of Gilroy, Calif., Judy Hawk of Huntington Beach, Calif., Bobbie and Jay Leishman of San Diego, Calif., Sue and Joe Bilotta, of Fayetteville, Nancy and Wayne May of Las Vegas; Beth and Jack Sullivan of Tallahassee, Fla., Steve and Laura Hitchcock of Fairlawn, Ohio; Paul and Anita Marie Hitchcock of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Jill and Frank Roca of Winter Springs, Fla.; as well as 26 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Irene Reedy and her sister-in-law, Ann Mains.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gilroy, Calif.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2005 in Riverview Memorial Gardens. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.
Willice Searcy
VALDOSTA — On Friday night March 25, 2005, God called Willice Searcy, 56, Valdosta to enter the Heavenly Garden of peaceful rest and everlasting life.
Willice Coleman Searcy was born April 18, 1948, in Hahira to the late Mr. Coleman Searcy and Agnes Jones Searcy. He was baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of twelve. His paternal grandparents were the late Anderson Searcy and Matilda Tillman Searcy. His maternal grandparents were the late Charlie Jones and Rosie Williams Jones. He attended Pinevale High School and was active in the sport programs. He continue his education in the Job Corp, he lived many years in the state of Washington before returning back to his beloved state, Georgia.
With precious memories he leaves to lament his homegoing; three sons, Michael Blair Searcy, Bernard Searcy, both of Valdosta, Leandre Searcy, Seattle, Wash.; two daughters, Renee Searcy, Rachelle Searcy, both of Seattle, Wash.; 12 precious grandchildren; one sister, Erma Howard of Kennesaw; wife for many of years, Jayleen Searcy of Seattle, Wash.; three uncles, Louis Jones, Valdosta, Bishop Clarence Wells, Valdosta, Bishop Willie L. Green, Sr., Forest Park; six aunts, Eliza Tipton , Dayton, Ohio, Iona Wright, Valdosta, Etta Mae Dorsey of Aaron, Ohio, Charlie Mae Green, Forest Park, Mary Kelsie, Valdosta, Fannie B. Jones of Valdosta; also a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2005, at Prayer Temple Holiness Church. Bishop Clarence Wells, Pastor and Bishop Willie L. Green officiating. Burial will follow in Pallbearer Cemetery. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary.
Sara
Hagan Strickland
DIXIE– Sara Hagan Strickland, 91, Dixie, died Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at Brooks County Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Born in Thomas County, she was the daughter of William Rufus and Emma Hancock Hagan. She was a retired retail department store manager and was a member of the Dixie Baptist Church where she served as the WMU Secretary for many years. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, The Quitman Garden Club, The Historical Society and Brooks County Cultural Center.
She is survived by two daughters, Joan Weir of Hilton Head, S.C., Marcelle Higgins of Easley, S.C.; one son, Leighton Singletary of Dixie; 13 grandchildren; 25 great- grandchildren; one sister, Valerie Engle of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; and two brothers and sisters-in-law, LeRoy and Sara Rubye Hagan of Quitman and Ed and Irene Hagan of Dixie. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Strickland, a son, Harry Strickland, granddaughter, Buffy Leigh Singletary, brothers and sisters, W.R. Hagan, Jr., Marie DeLoach, and Theresa Mion.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2005, in Dixie Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Voyles officiating.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. In lieu of floral tributes, those desiring may make contributions to the Dixie Baptist Church or the charity of your choice. — Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home, Quitman
Destiny LaShay Nicole Crumitie
Destiny LaShay Nicole Crumitie, 2, of Valdosta passed this life March 30, 2005, at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later by Harrington Funeral Home.
Holt Barber
Holt Barber, 49, of the West Berrien Community died Thursday at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville.
Willie Hall
Willie Hall of Madison, Fla. passed away March 29, 2005, in Valdosta. Memorial services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2005, in Oakridge Cemetery, Madison, Fla. — Beggs Funeral Home, Madison, Fla.
Willi Mae Johnson
Mrs. Willie Mae Johnson, 92, of 1405 Old Lake Park Road, passed away on Thursday, March 31, 200,5 at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.
l Hardy Scott Jr., 49, of Valdosta passed this life on March 28, 2005 at the Adel Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church. The Rev. Aaron Hopkins , Pastor and Pastor Wayne Scott will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home.