Obituaries for Friday, May 20, 2005
Published 4:44 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Viola Renora
Scott Anderson
JASPER, Fla. — Viola Renora Scott Anderson was born on Dec. 5, 1921, in Moultrie to Mr. Will and Mrs. Alberta Scott. She attended Colquitt County Schools and moved to Jasper at a young age.
There she met and united in holy matrimony to J.P. Anderson. They were married for 47 wonderful years until God called him home in 1989.
Affectionately, she was known as “Big Mama” and we would all grew to know that this name suited her-for she had the biggest heart and greatest love for her family, friends and most of all, her Lord and her church.
On Sunday, May 15, 2005, a servant’s work was required in Heaven. She slept peacefully away at the South Georgia Medical Center, leaving precious memories with us all.
She leaves to cherish her memory two devoted sons, Lenorris Anderson, Gerone Anderson (Cherlyn); one devoted daughter, Sarah Higginbotham, who cared for her until the end; her loving grandchildren, Kimberley (her pride and joy), Mary, Bernard, Willie, Nathaniel, Sharon, John, Rossie (Marcus), Gerone Jr. (Mr. Gee), Stan, Carmie (Darryl), Donna, Cherwander, Scott, Kari, Phillip, Dwan, Sheridan, Gail, Carol, Bernadette, David, Derek (Shirley), Pierre, Ciera, and Jasmine; 17 great-grandchildren; three special daughters, Ann Britt Anderson, Janice Vaughn, Lula Johnson; and a host of cousins, many dear friends and the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church family.
Two sons and one daughter preceded her in death: Willie James Scott, David Anderson, and Annie Pearl Wade.
The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. this evening at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2005 at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Jasper, Fla. with moderator George Francis, Pastor officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. — Charles T. Hall Funeral Home, Eric A. Brown LFD, Live Oak, Fla.
Lewis Nathan Christmas
CHERRY LAKE, Fla. — Lewis Nathan Christmas, 67, of Cherry Lake, Fla., passed away May 17, 2005 after a brief illness.
Born Oct. 25, 1937 in TyTy, he was the son of Elbert Daniel and Anna Lee Calhoun Christmas. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army for two years, in the Army National Guard for seven years, and an avionics design engineer for Gables Engineering, Inc. for 35 years. He was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather who retired from Miami, Fla. to Cherry Lake, Fla., in Nov. 2003.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dorothy Fay Barrow Christmas of Cherry Lake, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Rochelle Connie and Kenny Velez of Middleberg, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Renee Diane and Craig Guadagni of Miami, Fla.; a son, Lewis N. Christmas II of Cherry Lake, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel Irvin and Jiselle Christmas of Omaha, Neb.; eight grandsons, Michael Lewis Christmas, Benjamin Leevi Christmas, Jesse Brian Velez, Eric William Velez, Christopher Felix Rodriguez, Cameron Joseph Guadagni, Lewis N. Christmas III, Zachery Alan Christmas; and one granddaughter, Amelia Danielle Christmas; one brother, James Christmas LaBelle, Fla.; and a sister, Susie Kyle of Boston, Mass.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2005, at the Maxwell-Miller Chapel in Quitman with the Rev. Philip Hudson officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Church Cemetery in TyTy. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Sunday. — Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home, Quitman
Elizabeth Louise Jackson Darnell
VALDOSTA — Elizabeth Louise Jackson Darnell, 80, of Valdosta, died on Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at her home. Born in Schley County on June 12, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Hampton and Annie Delphia Bellew Jackson. Mrs. Darnell was a homemaker and member of Benevolence Baptist Church.
Survivors are her son and daughter-in-law, William A. and Gay Darnell of Batesville, Miss.; grandchildren, William Duff Darnell and his wife Carla of Destin, Fla., Mary Dana Reubenstein and her husband, Ryan of Ocean Springs, Miss.; sisters, Mary G. Myers of Valdosta, Addie Mae Phillips of Dublin, N.C.; brother, Arthur Franklin Jackson of Valdosta. Mrs. Darnell was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Darnell, and a son, Kenneth Wayne Darnell, a sister, Mavis Simmons of Valdosta and two brothers, Latimer Jackson of Clyattville and Lloyd C. Jackson of Valdosta.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Benevolence Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. David Paulk will officiate. Condolences may be conveyed online at obituaries at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Memorial may be made to the Benevolence Baptist Church or to the American Cancer Society. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.
Bertha Mae Mitchell Fields
JENNINGS, Fla. — Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2005, at 1:10 p.m. at North Florida Regional Medical Center, Gainesville, Fla., the death angel stopped by to say “Bertha you have fought a good fight, you finished your course and you have kept the faith, come on and receive your crown of righteousness which the Lord has promised to you.” She answered the call and accepted the opportunity to be with the Lord.
Mrs. Bertha Mae Mitchell Fields was born on March 11, 1939, in Bellville, Fla. to the late Adolphus and the late Lucie Mae Gibson-Mitchell.
She was educated in the public school system of Hamilton County. She confessed Christ at an early age. She was converted, baptized and served faithfully at Bethel AME Church. In 1963, she left home to pursue the journey of adulthood. She stayed in Deland, Fla. for a short time before moving to Orlando, Fla., where she firmly planted her feet at New Bethel AME Church where, for the past 30 years, she was a good and faithful member. She served on the Stewardess Board and The Lilly Still Women’s Missionary Society until her failing health would no longer allow. She was a member of the Ebony Women’s Social and Civic Club of Orlando, where in 1988 she received recognition for her work in various community improvement activities. She retired from Pantry Pride Supermarket after 23 years of employment.
We love you and will miss you deeply, your loving family; son, Terry Anthony Mitchell, Orlando, Fla.; a devoted niece, Vanessa Curry-Moore, Loxahatchee, Fla.; granddaughters, Tara Elizabeth Mitchell-Willis, Cocoa, Fla., Terrica Mitchell, Orlando, Fla.; grandson, Terrance Adolphus Mitchell, Orlando, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Warren Odean Gibson and Latesha Lashay Willis, both of Cocoa, Fla., Teyonc’e Telisia Mitchell, Orlando, Fla.; sisters, Mary Spencer and Blossie Curry (Sylvester), both of Bellville, Fla.; brothers, Elmer Mitchell, St. Petersburg, Fla.; O’Dell Mitchell, Bellville, Fla.; aunt, Nella Mae Fields, Orlando, Fla.; brother-in-law, Curtis Rayam Sr., Orlando, Fla.; goddaughter, Angela Rolle, Orlando, Fla.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowing friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2005, at New Bethel AME Church, Bellville, Fla. with the Rev. Albert Bevins, officiating. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. this evening at Hall’s Memorial Chapel, Jasper, Fla. — Charles T. Hall Funeral Home, Eric A. Brown LFD, Live Oak, Fla.
Cleone S. Hazen
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Cleone S. Hazen ended her battle with Alzheimer’s disease and went to be with the Lord on May 18, 2005, at Fellowship Home in Valdosta. She was born on May 31, 1916, in Alachua County, Fla., the daughter of Henry and Telitha McDavid Sowell. Mrs. Hazen was married to Vascoe V. Hazen until his death in 1970.
Mrs. Hazen was a retired bookkeeper for a jewelry store in Gainesville, Fla. Before she began a career, she was very active in the Woman’s Club, Garden Club and Hospital Auxiliary in Starke, Fla. Mrs. Hazen was very active in her church, Brooker Baptist, until her health declined.
Mrs. Hazen is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Marcia H. Martin and Jim Martin of Valdosta; a son and daughter-in-law, James E. Hazen, Sr. and Diane M. Hazen, of Gainesville, Fla. She had five grandchildren, Bill Furlong, Lakeland, Fla., Debra Roberson and Valerie Edwards, both of Live Oak, Fla., James E. Hazen, Jr. and Jeffrey Marvin Hazen, both of Tallahassee, Fla. Mrs. Hazen also leaves behind six great-grandchildren and her remaining sister, Doris Kelley, of Brooker, Fla.
Services will be handled by Milam Funeral Home of Gainesville, Fla. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at Milam Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. May 21, 2005, at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery in LaCrosse, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Odyssey Hospice HealthCare, 1001 Williams St., Valdosta, Ga., 31602 or Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD, 20871. — Milam Funeral Home, Gainesville, Fla.
Amanda
McMillan Perry
QUITMAN– Funeral services for Amanda McMillan Perry, age 34, 3375 Duncan Road, Quitman, Georgia will be held Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Sturgeon Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Sturgeon Creek Road, in Fitzgerald with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Amanda died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at South Georgia Regional Medical Center from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Amanda was born on April 11, 1971, in Ben Hill County and was the daughter of Ralph and Carol Turner McMillan of Fitzgerald. She had resided in Brooks County for ten years. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health/Physical Education, Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine, and a Masters degree in Physical Education from Valdosta State University. Amanda was a P.E. teacher at Quitman Elementary School. She attended Sturgeon Creek Primitive Baptist Church all of her life. Amanda was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed working in her yard and walking the family farm.
Amanda is survived by her husband of nine years, Charles H. “Bucky” Perry of Quitman, Georgia, and her children Charles McMillan “Mac” Perry and Anna Carolyn Perry, both of Quitman; her parents, Ralph and Carol McMillan of Fitzgerald; her paternal grandmother, Arthur Mae McMillan and Vernon Revill of Fitzgerald; her two sisters, Jennifer and Andrew Thompson of Morven and Tori and Ray Smith of Palatka, Fla. She is also survived by several aunts, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. today at Walker Street School Auditorium, 400 North Walker Street in Quitman. Visitation will also be held Saturday at 11:30 a.m. until time of service at Sturgeon Creek Primitive Church.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Sturgeon Creek Primitive Baptist Church or their favorite charity.
For those who wish, you may sign the online guest book and share your special condolences and memories with the family by visiting Perry Funeral Chapel’s website at: www.perryfuneralchapel.com– Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home of Quitman, Carson McLane Funeral Home of Valdosta, and Perry Funeral Chapel of Ashburn are in charge of arrangements.– Perry Funeral Chapel, Ashburn.
Ruth Harris
Pinckney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ruth Harris Pinckney was born to the late Sarah and Robert Harris on April 25, 1913, in Magnra, N.C.
“Nana Boat” as she was affectionately known grew up in Lake Park, where she received her schooling. Later she moved to Jasper, where she met and married J.P. Anderson. To that union, three children, David, Annie Pearl, and Sarah June, were born. She later met and married Benjamin Pinckney of Quincy, Fla. To that union came Lottie, Marrion, Robert, Linda, and Sharon.
Mother Ruth leaves to cherish her memories an older brother, Willie Harris of Tampa; her children, Sarah Higginbotham and Marrion Green of Jasper; Lottie Edmonds, Robert Pinckney (Edith), Michael, Erwin, and Kenny Swinson of Rochester, N.Y., Linda Pinckney and Sharon Jordan (Keith) of Calif.; 52 grandchildren; a host of great-grand; great-great-grand, and many adopted children who were a natural part of her life and testimony; many other family members and devoted friends.
Two children, David Rufus Anderson and Annie Pearl Wade, preceded her in death.
Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Jasper, Fla. with the moderator George Frances officiating. Burial will follow in the Lake Park Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 7:30 p.m. this evening at the Hall’s Memorial Chapel. — Charles T. Hall Funeral Home, Eric A. Brown LFD, Live Oak, Fla.
Joshua Leon Scaff
JASPER, Fla. — Joshua Leon Scaff, 3, of Jasper, Fla., passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at Shands of Gainesville. Joshua was born on Dec. 12, 2001, in Gainesville to Mark and DeNese Bembry Scaff.
Survivors include his parents Mark and DeNese; one brother, Matthew Scaff; two sisters, Jessica and Hannah Scaff; paternal grandparents, John Allen Scaff and Dorothy Goolsby Lombardi; maternal grandmother, Mary Bembry, all of Jasper.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, May 20, 2005, at New Hope Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. — Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Jasper, Fla.
Jean R. Sheppard
VALDOSTA — Jean R. Sheppard, 75, of Valdosta, died on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at a local nursing home after a long illness. Born in Savannah, Tenn., on June 9, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Roberta Linam Riddell. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Mrs. Sheppard was retired from Sears and was a member of Northside Baptist Church.
Survivors are her husband, Harold R. Sheppard of Valdosta; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia S. (Kevin) Boyette of Apopka, Fla., Phyllis S. (Clyde) Wolfe of St. Augustine, Fla.; sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas M. (Rosemary) Sheppard of Valdosta, David A. (Suzanne) Sheppard of Phenix City, Ala.; eight grandchildren; one step grandchild; two step great-grandchildren; sister, Roberta Neil of Turkey Creek, Tenn.; preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Douglas Reddick and the Rev. Robert Willis officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home.
Condolences may be conveyed online at obituaries at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Flowers are acceptable but contributions to Northside Baptist Church Continued Vision Program or to United Hospice are preferred. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.
William Herber DeVane Jr.
William Herbert DeVane Jr., 64, of Saudi Arabia, formerly of Quitman, died in Saudi Arabia. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Maxwell-Miller Chapel. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. — Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home.
Ella Mae Stevens
Mrs. Ella Mae Stevens, 76, of 205 Chandler St., passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at her residence. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.
James Berrian Turner Jr.
James Berrian Turner, Jr. 66, of Quitman, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at Shands University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 22, 2005 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with burial to follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.
Lula B. Williams
Mrs. Lula B. Williams, 93, of 6904 Jumping Gulley Road, passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2005, at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Charles E. Vinson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Clyattville. — Stevens Funeral Home.
Lucille Davis
Funeral services for Mrs. Lucille Davis of Quitman will be held Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Walker Street Auditorium with the Bro. John Pritchett officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home, Quitman.
Ronald Sirmans Sr.
Funeral services for Mr. Ronald Sirmans Sr. of Dixie will be held Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 1 p.m. at the Simmon Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Dixie with the Rev. James Huewitt officiating. Burial will follow in Simmon Hill Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.
Helen Head
Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Head of Thomasville will be held Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 3 p.m. at the Sweetfield Missionary Baptist Church in Coolidge with the Rev. Alfred Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Centennnial M.B. Church Cemetery in Thomasville. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home.