Obituaries for Friday, March 25, 2005

Published 4:30 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005

Betty Jane

Kimble Copeland

ALACHUA, Fla. — Betty Jane Kimble Copeland died Wednesday, March 23, 2005, in Tallahassee, Fla.

She was born in Quitman to the late Robert Berner and Rubye Williams Kimble on Feb. 10, 1928. She attended schools in Quitman and graduated in 1945 from Quitman High School. During her high school years, she served as president of the Beta Club, was a student council representative, served in the Drama Club, the Reading Club, and was a member of the girls’ basketball team. In 1948, she graduated from Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta. She was employed as a registered nurse in Georgia for 42 years before retiring in 1990. For many years she worked at South Georgia Medical Center, serving as a supervisor of nurses and as chief of infection control. In 1993, she and her husband, H. Talley Copeland, moved to Alachua, Fla. where he preceded her in death in March 1994. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in High Springs, Fla.

Survivors include three sons, three daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two sisters, Harry H. and Debbie Copeland of Orlando, Fla., with daughter, Daphne Lynne (Dee Dee) and her husband, Caleb Hellerman, and their child, Silas all of Atlanta, Robert Talley and Julie Copeland with Anthony Jon (A.J.), Parker Talley and Jordyn Rylee of Tallahassee, Fla., Tom Lindsey and Gracie Copeland with Logan Talley of Alachua, Fla. Surviving sisters are Mrs. Eugene Kimbrell (Peggy) of Vidalia and Mrs. John Dalton (Lenore) of Valdosta. Other Kimble siblings preceding Ms. Copeland in death were Mary Frances K. Knight, Juanita K. Simmons, Polly K. Ives and Kinch Kimble. Surviving sisters-in-law include Rhoda Chancy Coleburn of Quitman, Cleo Smith of Richmond, Va., Gladys Comus of Huntsville, Ala., Susie Copeland of Ft. Oglethorpe and Evelyn Marlowe and husband Harold of Ringgold. Brothers-in-law preceding Ms. Copeland in death were Ted L. Copeland and wife Clifford and Thomas Arthur Copeland and his wife, Orabelle.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2005, in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Alan Patz of First United Methodist Church of Alachua officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, (850) 878-5310. Condolences to the family may be conveyed at www.mclanefuneralservices.com on the obituary page. — Carson McLane Funeral Home, Valdosta.



Mary Ruth Rockey

VALDOSTA — Mary Ruth Rockey, 78, Valdosta, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Crestwood Nursing Home. She was born in Pekin, Ind., on April 26, 1926, to the late Isaac and Mable Lee Hiestand. She was a homemaker and a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Rockey is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip M. and Gladys R. Rockey of Live Oak, Fla., and Dick and Dena Rockey of Valdosta; one daughter and son-in-law, Donna J. and Tracy Bramlett of Valdosta; four grandchildren, Lisa Robertson, Heather Hudson, Brandi Passmore and Chris Rockey; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Rockey, one grandson, Phillip M. Rockey, Jr., one brother and one sister.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26, 2005, at 2 p. m. in the Messiah Lutheran Church with the Rev. Richard Pieplow officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p. m. this evening at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.– Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Willie Joe Sallet

WAYCROSS– Mr. Willie Joe Sallet, 72, Waycross, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005. He was retired from CSX Railroad and lived in Valdosta for several years.

Survivors include four sons, Larry J. Sallet (Nell) of Bellgade, Fla., Dexter Sallet (Darcey), Alfred Hart, both of Jacksonville, Fla., and Terrell Sallet (Julie), Alma; two daughters, Andrea Hart and Valorie Edwards, both of Jacksonville, Fla.; 14 grandchildren and other relatives.

Friends are being received at 503 Columbus Street, Waycross and from 6-7 p.m. this evening at Fluker Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church in Waycross. — Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross.



Chester Gladys

LAKE PARK– Chester Gladys, born Aug. 8, 1920, suffered a fatal heart attack on March 21, 2005. He came to Lake Park 19 years ago. His friendliness and good humor was extended to all who met him in Lake Park and Valdosta. He was so loved by his family and his many friends in Georgia and Michigan.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters and their husbands; six grandchildren and a sister and brother-in-law.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:10 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2005, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Father John O’Brien will officiate. Burial will follow in the Lake Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home in Valdosta with visitation continuing until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Chester Gladys’ name to the American Heart Association. Condolences to the family may be conveyed at www.mclanefuneralservices.com on the obituary page. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Leola Mobley Brinson

Funeral services for Mrs. Leola Mobley Brinson, 80, of Quitman, will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2005, at Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Quitman with Pastor Elick Dargon officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home, Quitman.



Rudolph Davis Jr.

Funeral services for Mr. Rudolph “Toot” Davis Jr., Lake Park, formerly of Quitman, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2005, at the Church of God In Unity Temple in Quitman with Pastor Chad Willis officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home.



Louelle Gunnels

Mrs. Louelle Gunnels, 79, Adel, died March 24, 2005, at South Georgia Medical Center after a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Don Martin and the Rev. Lee Moody officiating. Burial will be held in Folsom Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Hwy. 41 South. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel



Katie Mae Johnson

Mrs. Katie Mae Johnson, Valdosta, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.



Everlyena B. Nelson

Funeral services for Mrs. Everlyena B. Nelson, 69, Valdosta will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2005, at Greater Union Ministries Church, Wade S. McCrae, Pastor, Rev. Alphonso Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery in Hahira. Family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. this evening and from 11 a.m. until funeral time on Saturday at Greater Union Ministries. — Southview Mortuary, Tifton.



Willie Stephens

Funeral services for Mr. Willie (Iron Head) Stephens, 66, Adel, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2005, at Church of Christ, 503 N. Elm Street, Adel. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Lane Memorial Chapel of Adel. Burial will be held in Adel Cemetery. — Lane Memorial Chapel of Adel.



Lillie Mae Tiller

Mrs. Lillie Mae Tiller, 85, of 718 E. Cummings St., died Monday, March 21, 2005, at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2005, at Greater Pleasant Temple Missionary Baptist Church., Dr. Ronnie J. Mathis, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.