Obituaries for Saturday, July 2, 2005

Published 4:52 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005

Joseph Wesley Griffin Jr.

THOMASVILLE — Maj Gen (ret) Joseph Wesley Griffin Jr., 74, of Thomasville, died on Friday, July 1, 2005, at Hospitality Care Center of Thomas County. Born in Valdosta on Aug. 24, 1930, he was the son of the late Joseph Wesley Sr. and Leila Thelma Spivey Griffin. He played football with the Valdosta Wildcats under Coach Wright Bazemore. He graduated from high school in 1947, and attended Emory Junior College in Valdosta. In 1952, he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia.

Gen. Griffin began his military career on July 8, 1952, by enlisting in the U.S. Army. Upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School on Aug. 4, 1953, he was commissioned a second lieutenant, Infantry. He was reassigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) in early 1955.

In May 1955, he was appointed a first lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard. In December 1973, he assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry, where he remained until his reassignment in October 1976 to Executive Officer of the 48th Infantry Brigade. In February 1977, he transferred to the state headquarters and Headquarters Detachment as Chief of The Security, Plans, Operations and Military Support Branch. Eight months later, he was named commander of the 118th Field Artillery Group. In November 1978, he returned to the 48th Infantry Brigade, where he became deputy commander, then commander. On February 4, 1980, he received federal recognition as a brigadier general of the line.

He was appointed The Adjutant General, Georgia, and promoted to Major General in the State on Nov. 1, 1983. He received federal recognition as a major general, Adjutant General’s Corps, on Feb. 29, 1984.

Awards and decorations which he received include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and Georgia Service Medal. He was a member of the Adjutants General Association, National Guard Association of the United States and National Guard Association of Georgia. He retired in January 1991 from the U.S. Army as major general.

Other memberships include First Baptist Church of Thomasville, the Thomasville Rotary Club, the Historical Society, the Salvation Army Board and was a founder of the Sports Hall of Fame in Thomasville.

Preceded in death by his wife, Sallie Virginia (Ginger) House Griffin, Mr. Griffin is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Sallie Virginia and Bobby Mann of Fitzgerald, Anne Ernestine “Erni” and Alan Tucker of Thomasville; a son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Joseph Wesley (Jody) and Sheila Griffin of Kings Mountain, North Carolina; grandchildren, Beth and Michael Mann, Sara, Seth and Trent Tucker, Wesley, Martha and Anna Griffin; sister and brother-in-law, Sister and Everett Force of Valdosta; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Caroline and Tommy Morgan of Conyers.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2005, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Garland Basford and the Rev. Keith Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery with full military rites at the graveside. The family will receive friends on today at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2790, Thomasville, GA 31799, Archbold Hospital Foundation, 910 S. Broad St., Thomasville, GA 31792 or the National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10012. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the Obituary page at mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Georgia J. Rodgers

VALDOSTA — Sister Georgia J. Rodgers, 95, of 801 Lamar St., Valdosta, the sweet and loving daughter of the late George Jones and the late Minnie Adams Jones, was born Aug. 13, 1909, in Brooks County. She was reared by a devoted stepfather, the late Deacon Elbert Jones.

Sister Rodgers was educated in the county school system in Brooks County. Moving to Valdosta in 1926, she united with the Antioch Missionary under the pastorage of the late Rev. J.N. Johnson. Later moving to Miami, Fla., she continued in the Baptist faith. Upon returning to Valdosta, she reunited with the Antioch Baptist Church and served in many capacities until her health became impaired. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Nelms Davis and William Rodgers; her parents, her stepfather, one son, three sisters and five brothers.

On Saturday, June 25, 2005, a faithful servant of God answered the Master’s call to a land that is fairer than day and her eternal home at the South Georgia Medical Center.

She leaves to cherish her memories one son, Carroll Rodgers of Valdosta; six grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; three nephews, Clifford Bonner of Valdosta, Horace Allen of Miami, Fla., and Edward Jones of Avon Park, Fla.; two nieces, Mercy V. Allen of Detroit, Mich., and Linnie Rice of Oak Park, Mich.; a godchild, Ruth A. Chastang of Valdosta; a devoted friend, Georgia Johnson of Homerville; and a host of other nephews, nieces, cousins, sorrowing friends and church family.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 3, 2005, at 3 p.m. at First Antioch Baptist Church. The Rev. Albert Barfield, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary



Josh Cain

Josh Cain, 16, of Sparks died on June 30, 2005. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Assembly of God with the Rev. Chris Newbern and the Rev. Caryl Martinez officiating. Burial will be held in Sparks Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Hwy. 41 South. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel



Ozzie Lee Cowart Jr.

Ozzie Lee (Buster) Cowart Jr., 54 of Valdosta, died on Friday, July 1, 2005, at South Georgia Medical Center after a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2005, in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. John D. Belcher officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 3, 2005, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357-0669. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the Obituary page at mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Ellis Dunbar

Funeral services for Ellis Dunbar, 51, of Los Angeles, Calif., originally of Boston, Ga., will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 3, 2005, at Second Morning Star Baptist Church in Ham City, Dixie, Ga., with the Rev. J.F. Pinkney officiating. Burial will follow in the Pidcock Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman



Johnny Johnson

Funeral services for Johnny Johnson, 54, of Quitman will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, July 3, 2005, in the Stevens-McGhee Chapel with Bro. Jerome Travis officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman

James Selesta Lane

Funeral services for James Selesta Lane, 49, resided at 109 Project St., Ray City, will be at 3 p.m., today, July 2, 2005, at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 506 West 6th St. Adel. Burial will be held in Adel Cemetery. — Lane Memorial Chapel, Adel



Robert McCowan Sr.

Robert McCowan Sr., 75, of 522 Blue Springs Lane, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2005, at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Universal Church of Deliverance. Apostle Naomi McCowan, pastor; Pastor Horrace Solomon, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home



Frank Wood

Frank Wood, 38, of Lake City, Fla., formerly of Valdosta died suddenly on Friday, July 1, 2005, in Inverness, Fla. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Carson McLane Funeral Home.