Obituaries for Friday, December 9, 2005

Published 11:02 pm Thursday, December 8, 2005

ADEL

Alma F. Cook

Mrs. Alma F. Cook, 77, of Adel died Dec. 8, 2005 at Memorial Convalescent Center of Adel after a long illness.

She was born on Dec. 12, 1927 in Berrien County to the late Little Charlie and Maddie Belle Fender Duren. She lived in Cook County most of her life. She was retired from Metal Products and was a member of Pinegrove Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Cook and one daughter, Debra Davis.

She is survived by one daughter, Linda Hancock of Cecil; three grandchildren, Kathy Robinson of Adel, Brenda Newbern and Brian Hancock, both of Hahira; three great-grandchildren, Kenneth Meeler, Savanna Davis, both of Adel and Adriona Newbern, Hahira; two brothers, Donald Duren, Adel, Bobby Duren, Brunswick; four sisters, Grace Smallwood, Perry, Fla., Jewel Newbern, Hazel Duren, both of Adel and Jackie Wallace of Albany.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Hendley officiating. Burial will be held in Pinegrove Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. this evening at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Hwy. 41 South. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel.



HAHIRA

Barbara Ann Bruce

Barbara Ann Bruce, formerly Barbara McGill of Nashville, Ga., 59, took leave of this world entering into immortality with our Lord Jesus Christ and a host of other loved ones who greeted her arrival on Dec. 7, 2005.

Barbara’s death was unexpected by all. She leaves this world with a host of family and friends who will so desperately miss her beautiful heart she shared with so many. Most of all, her husband of many years Randall Foy Bruce also known as Randy Bruce and her two daughters and their husbands of whom she was so proud of, Cindy and Bill Pegg, and Carmen and Mark Booth.

Her warm and loving nature can easily be found in any of the hearts of her family members. She leaves behind her friend and brother Randy Joe McGill and her sister-in-law Ronnie McGill, who was really her sister if you asked her.

Her giving spirit and intense love for her family and close friends can be easily seen in her little brother, “Bubba” Freddie McGill and his wife Martha.

Her laughter, personality, and other great and talented skills can be found among her sisters who learned so much from her, Sherry (Sissy) McGill, Melissa (Missy) McGill Clyatt and Amy McGill Smith. All three sisters carry her will and spirit in their hearts. Her brothers-in-law, Jeff Smith and Scott Stauffer can speak of her goodness and love for her family. But, the most powerful evidence of her existence and the impact she left upon this world will and is demonstrated by the children she so desperately loved, her grandchildren, Georgia Booth, and Taylor Jackson, and William Pegg. They lit up her life with an everlasting burning which will always burn in their hearts as she was their ‘Bebe.’ She so desperately loved each and every one of them. “Bebe” served as a grandmother to others as well, including many of her 15 nieces and nephews. Barbara’s life was spent working hard for their family and keeping a warm beautiful home. Her work as a first grade teacher spans over many years, as she had almost reached retirement. She loved her first grade teachers at Berrien Primary school and her first grade children.

Barbara, ‘Bebe,’ ‘Mama,’ ‘Mother,’ ‘Sister,’ ‘Friend,’ and ‘Mrs. Bruce’ will be sorely missed by her family and friends. That is….Until we meet again Bebe, your words and love will strengthen us until then”. Barbara McGill Bruce was the daughter of the late “Buie” Randall Levin McGill and the late Mildred Griffin McGill of Nashville. Today, she was reunited with the ones she so loved.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 in the chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with interment to follow in Westview Cemetery. Mr. Jimmy McGill will officiate. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. this evening. — Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville





VALDOSTA

Ruth Naomi Baker

Ruth Naomi Baker, affectionately known as “Little Sister”, was born to the union of George and Leira Townsel on July 28, 1922 and departed this life on Dec. 3, 2005.

She was raised in Valdosta and then moved to the Bronx in New York where she met and married Eddie Baker. After her husband passed away she moved back to Valdosta and lived with her grandmother, aunt and finally her sister Dorothy. She then moved to Holly Hill Nursing Home where she finally departed us. Even though all the children were not there, she was loved by them very much and will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eddie Baker, her grandmother, the late Georgia Jackson-Taylor, her parents, great- aunt Inez Butler, aunt Selena Taylor-Williams, uncle Carlton Jackson, sisters Georgia, Madel, Rozena, and Dorothy, one brother, cousins, James and Johnny Williams.

She leaves behind to celebrate her memories, her daughters Lillie V. Mitchell, Vera Benjamin “BaBoo”, and Josephine Edmonds “Tiny”; also left to celebrate her memories are 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at St. Johns AME Church and Pastor George Vereen will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home



VALDOSTA

Beverlyn Robinson

On Dec. 6, 2005, God called Beverlyn Robinson to rest with him. She was born April 29, 1958. She was the seventh child born to the late Mr. John A. Thomas and Mrs. Alberta Thomas Irvin.

Beverlyn was a lifelong residence of Lowndes County, Ga. She was a graduate of Lowndes High School and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she chose nursing as her profession.

She practiced her nursing skills at South Georgia Medical Center, Crestwood Nursing Home and Parkwood Nursing Home until she was disabled by her illness. Beverlyn was a member of the National Nursing Association. She was the core organizer of events that held the Thomas family together. All of her nieces and nephews held her in high esteem because she devoted her time and energy in a caring and compassionate manner. Her nieces and nephews affectionately knew her as “Auntie Bessie.”

Beverlyn dedicated her life to Jesus Christ at an early age. She was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church where she was a faithful member until her health began to decline.

She was devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She was preceded in death by her father, Mr. John A. Thomas, and brother Mr. John Wesley “Pee Wee” Thomas.

She leaves to lament her passing a son, Herschel Robinson; two daughters, Tawanna L. Thomas, and LaToya S. Thomas, all of Valdosta; one granddaughter, Destiny Makala Robinson, Valdosta; a devoted mother, Mrs. Alberta Irvin and step father, Mr. Richard Irvin, Valdosta; three sisters, Mrs. Clemmie Jean Sams, Mrs. Barbara J. Carter (Marcellous), Valdosta, Ms. Alma J. Yusuff, Stone Mountain, Ga.; five brothers, Jimmy L. Thomas (Grace), Jack Thomas (LaVerne), Larry Thomas (Wanda Faye), Paul Thomas, and Billy W. Thomas (Pandora), all of Valdosta; a devoted aunt and uncle, Willie Mae and Luther Thompkins, Madison, Fla.; special friends, Linda S. Hart, Cynthia Peak, Gloria Ector, Creacy Sermons, Wanda Rhym and Sis. Altamese Morgan; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 at Morning Star Baptist Church. Pastor William C. Morgan will officiate. Burial will follow in Pallbearers’ Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at Godfrey Funeral Home LLC. — Godfrey Funeral Home LLC



VALDOSTA

Willie Bell Thomas

Mother Willie Bell Thomas, 94 of Valdosta was born March 20, 1911 in Lowndes County, Ga. to the late Mr. Berry Thomas and Mrs. Rannie Corn. She was educated in the Lowndes County School System.

She was married to the late Mr. Joseph Thomas. She was a member of the Thomas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as mother of the church until her health failed.

On Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005 in Cambridge Nursing Home South in Franklin, Mich., God stretched out His hand to Willie Bell and welcomed her home, wrapping His gently arms and rocked her in His bosom for eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her parents, hr husband Joseph Thomas and five sisters.

She leaves to cherish her memorial, three children Samuel Thomas (Louise), Artie Mae Johnson (Sidney) and Wilford Thomas (Evelyn); eight grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and caring friends.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at Thomas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Edgar Roberts, pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Pallbearer Cemetery. — Scott And Roberts Mortuary



VALDOSTA

Peggy Elizabeth Witherspoon

Peggy Elizabeth Witherspoon, 59 and a life long resident of Valdosta died on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005 at her residence. Born on Feb. 12, 1946 in Valdosta, she was the daughter of Sara Smart Fletcher and the late Cone Freeman Fletcher. Mrs. Witherspoon was a bookkeeper and a member of the Swilley Hill Church of God.

Other survivors include her husband, Morris Witherspoon of Valdosta; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Troy Tapley of Tampa, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Christy Witherspoon of Valdosta; grandchildren, Jennifer Tapley and Daniel Witherspoon; her mother, Sara Smart Fletcher of Valdosta; sisters, Vivian Parrish and Maxine Martin both of Valdosta; brothers and sisters-in-law, Little Free Fletcher, Raymond and Maryanne Fletcher, Bobby and Virginia Fletcher, Foster and Virginia Fletcher all of Valdosta; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Frier and the Rev. Gerry Russo officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pearlman Cancer Center or to Odyssey Hospice. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the Obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. —Carson McLane Funeral Home



WHITE SPRINGS, FLA.

Huey ‘Buddy’ Cook, Jr.

Huey “Buddy” Cook, Jr., 55, of White Springs, Fla. passed away Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 at Shands of University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. Buddy, as he is known to family, neighbors and friends, was born in Plant City, Fla. on April 12, 1950 and was raised and lived most of his life in Hamilton County, Fla. He owned and operated Circle C Automotive and Transmission Repair. His other work included Occidental Chemical Co. and Steve’s Amoco. Buddy enjoyed fishing, history, traveling and collecting. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Cook and a brother, Ted Smith.

He leaves behind a loving and faithful wife of 38 years, Janice Register Cook, White Springs, Fla.; three children, Allan Cook and Scott Cook (Sharon), all of Lake City, Fla. and Amy Cason (Dale), White Springs, Fla.; his father, Huey Cook Sr., Ozark, Ala.; three sisters, Lucy Stephens, Diane Hallford, and Linda Shelley, all of Ozark, Fla.; two brothers, Donald Smith, Jacksonville, Fla. and Paul Cook, Gainesville, Fla.; three grandchildren, Ashley, Aireal and Powell Cook.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 in the chapel of Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Jasper, Fla. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, White Springs, Fla.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. — Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Jasper, Fla.



Death Notices:



Leroy ‘Desert Bird’ Aikens

Funeral services for Mr. Leroy “Desert Bird” Aikens, Sr., 54 of Quitman will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Madison, Fla. with Elder Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery in Cherry Lake, Fla. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman is in charge of arrangements.



Willie Lee Gibbs

Funeral services for Mr. Willie Lee Gibbs, age 57, of College Park, Ga., formerly of Lenox, Ga., will be Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Rose Hill Baptist Church, La Counte, Ga. Visitation hour will be this evening. Interment is at the church cemetery. — Lane Memorial Chapel Inc. of Adel



Wayne Mitchell Jr.

Wayne Mitchell Jr.‚ 27, of Lakeland passed away Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005 at his residence. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Music Funeral Services. — Music Funeral Services of Lakeland



Myrtis Taylor

Mrs. Myrtis Taylor, 60, passed this life Dec. 3, 2005 at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at 1 p.m. at River Street Church of Christ. Bro. Lewis Wright is Min. and will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Final arrangements have been entrusted to Godfrey Funeral Home LLC.