Obituaries for Friday, Nov. 17, 2006

Published 8:30 pm Thursday, November 16, 2006

ADEL

Betty Lou Taylor Fletcher

Betty Lou Taylor Fletcher, 76, of 1235 Patterson Street, Adel passed away Nov. 16, 2006, at Adel Memorial Hospital.

She was born on March 8, 1930, in Cook County to the late Leonard and Molly Taylor. She was self-employed as a beautician and was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ulyss Milton Fletcher, daughter, Sibyl Warren, brothers, Raymond Taylor, Lonnie, Taylor and sister, Hazel Cox.

She is survived by her son, Tony Fletcher of Adel; daughter, Sharon Morris, Sharpsburg, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Paris Holden, Shelby Morris, Julie Morris, Kimberly Smith, Nicole Griner, Eric Warren and Jeremy Warren; six great-grandchildren, Beau Holden, Bret Holden, Trenton Smith, Carson Smith, Joshua Brady Smith, Sarah Ann Griner; and one sister, Mazella Dixon of Adel.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at Brushy Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Parker officiating. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery, Adel. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at Brushy Creek Baptist Church. — Cobb Funeral Chapel, Moultrie.



Valdosta

Mother Violet Rayford

Mother Violet Rayford was born Sept. 14, 1914, in Houston County, Ga., to the late Elijah and Beatrice Shiver. She had six siblings. Four brothers preceded her in death: Tony Shiver, Elijah Shiver, Amos Shiver and Colin Newberry.

Mrs. Rayford was married to the late Rev. Phillip Rayford. To this union 12 children were born: five sons and seven daughters.

She became a Christian at an early age. Ma Rayford (as she was fondly called) was a faithful member of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church. She was mother of the church and a member of the Pallbearers Society. She worked faithfully in the church until her health failed.

She was a loving person in the community. Ma Ray cared not only for her children but those of family members as well as children in the neighborhood.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006, at the age of 92, Jesus stretched out his hand and said “Welcome home, Violet.”

Cherishing the memory of her sweet, sweet spirit are her devoted children, Abraham Rayford (Althea) of Miami, Fla., Laverne Faulk (Albert), Mary Jones (James) of Valdosta, Ruby Shaw of Miami, Violet Ewell (Harold), Betty Mumford (Earl) of Valdosta, Harry Rayford (Lillie) of Thomasville, Willie Rayford (Patricia), John Rayford (Essie), Elijah Rayford (Gloria), Sherry Matchett (Benjamin) and Catherine Wright (John Cecil), all of Valdosta; loving sisters Ruth Marshall of Valdosta and Rosa Williams of Columbus; 28 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; also a great host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who also feel the void left at the Homegoing of Mother Rayford.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. William C. Morgan, pastor, and the Rev. Alvin Carter officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary Inc.



JASPER, FLA.

Luellen Claridy Robinson

Mrs. Luellen Claridy Robinson, 97, of Jasper, Fla., passed away Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006, at her residence following an extended illness.

Mrs. Robinson was born June 8, 1909, in Brooks County to the late Ernest Claridy Sr. and Estella Timmons Claridy. She was a dedicated mother, homemaker, and most of all a dedicated servant of God Almighty.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Sam Robinson and 10 siblings, Lennie Lee Jackson (Doll Baby), Sylvester Peterson, Nora Mae Lumpin, Alma T. Houston, Geneva Claridy, Allie Mae Newsome, Ester Lee Curry, Ernest Jr., Johnny B., and Willie B., devoted cousins, B.J. Johnson, Odessa Johnson Balloon, Bessie Johnson Clark, and Bertha Johnson Inman of Valdosta.

She is survived by six children, Bernice Jackson, Martha Gandy, Dotherine Pickett, Ester Mae Robinson, Robert Lee, and Sam Jr.; one sister-in-law, Daisy Mae Claridy; 25 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; cousins, Lena Mae Johnson, Gainesville, Fla., Thelma Johnson Branham, Dea. Booker T. Rose, the Rev. Booker T. Rose Jr., Maurice Johns, all of Valdosta, Sadie Williams of Monticello, Fla., Mary Coody Hopkins of Thomasville, Helen Davis of Tampa, Fla., and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at Jesus The Living of Deliverance Church, Jasper, Fla., with Irvin Augusta Donaldson Jr. officiating. — Hall’s Funeral Home, Jasper, Fla.



NASHVILLE

Lawton D. (L.D.) Westberry

Lawton D. (L.D.) Westberry, 69, of Nashville passed away Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, at his residence.

He was born on March 21, 1937 in Lanier County to Dewey L. and Burlie Harnage Westberry. He was a retired cabinet maker and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Arnold Westberry of Nashville; five daughters, Sherry Keeffe, Nashville, Teresa Longstreet, Thomasville, Mary Westberry, Jacksonville, Fla., Lynn Westberry, Jacksonville, Fla., Amanda Bristol, Nashville; three sons, Lawton D. Westberry, Jr., Ala., Gary Westberry, Tifton, Dewey Westberry, Nashville; several grandchildren; one sister, Francis Ping, Orlando, Fla.; one brother, Lewey Westberry, Nashville.

Graveside services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, in Nashville Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until the funeral hour. — Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville.



SILVER SPRINGS, FLA.

John Robert (Bobby) Newsome

John Robert (Bobby) Newsome, 74, of Silver Springs, Fla., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 at his residence.

He was a retired USAF/NAF Financial Management Officer for Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. He was a Southern Baptist and a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Artillery and Reserves.

Born in Bartow and moved to Ocala in 1935, he attended Ocala schools and graduated from Ocala High School, Class of 1950. He had lifetime memberships in NARFE, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, AKP, Alpha Kappa Phi Professional Business Fraternity; Florida State University and Valdosta State College Alumni Associations. He was preceded in death by his parents B.E. and Pearl Register Newsome, sister Pauline N. Gibboney and brothers E.J., Carl, and Everett Newsome.

Bobby is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Ashley (Lee) and Teresa, Silver Springs; sister, Lucille N. Cates, Sparr; and nine nieces and one nephew.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, at Highland Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Saturday, from 5-7 p.m. at Hiers Funeral Home, 910 S.E. Silver Springs Blvd. Memorial contributions may be made to March of Dimes, Ocala or Hospice of Marion County. — Hiers Funeral Home, Ocala, Fla.



VALDOSTA

Peggy Loveday Humphrey

Mrs. Peggy Loveday Humphrey, 64, departed this life on Nov. 13, 2006 in Valdosta.

Mrs. Humphrey was born on April 1, 1942 to the late Mr. Henry Lane and the late Mrs. Beulah Lane Wright.

She was joined in holy matrimony to the late John Loveday on June 3, 1958. On Sept. 28, 1979, she was joined in holy matrimony to the late Aubrey Humphrey.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter Beverly Loveday Bowman, sister Louise Lane, brothers Bobby Lane and Amos Lane, grandmother Luella Johnson Anderson, grandfather Johnnie Johnson Sr., and granddaughter Miranda Bowman Spencer.

She leaves to cherish her memories; four sons John B. Loveday of Jacksonville, Fla., Ronald K. Loveday and Matthew D. Loveday, both of Valdosta and Mark S. Loveday (Tiffany) of Lake Charles, La.; 20 loving grandchildren; and four very special grandchildren that she reared, Antionne Loveday Sr., Kerry Loveday Sr., and Kierra Bridges, all of Valdosta and Gerry Loveday Sr., of Atlanta; 17 great-grandchildren; three caring sisters, Molly Ponder (Mingo), Huntsville, Ala., Evelyn Newsome Ayinde and Lucille Saunders (George), all of Valdosta; two brothers, Willie James Lane of Huntsville, Ala., and Larry Lane of Frankfurt Germany; one very devoted godson Michael Marshall of Valdosta; one aunt Ruby Hollis of Valdosta; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at the Universal Deliverance Church. Bishop Naomi McGowan is the pastor and Min. Matthew Loveday will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Godfrey Funeral Home.



VALDOSTA

John F. Milohnick

John F. Milohnick, 53, of Valdosta left to go fishing with God on Nov. 14, 2006. He was a 23 year veteran with the U.S. Coast Guard.

He leaves his wife Cathy, son, John, daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Daniel Buss and his precious granddaughrer, Laytah to mourn his passing.

Memorial services will be held at noon Monday, Nov. 20, 2006, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Valdosta. — Moring Funeral Home, Melrose, Fla.



VALDOSTA

Jill Waters Smart

Jill Waters Smart, 40, of No. 3 Whitman Place, Valdosta, passed this life Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.

She was born on Sept. 14, 1966, in Tifton to Mary Sears Waters and the late Rev. E.L. Waters.

She leaves to lament her homegoing, her husband, Albert Mark Smart Jr.; two daughters, Takia Smart, Christian Faith Smart; one son, Albert Smart III; mother, Mary Waters, Tifton; eight siblings, Shirley Griffin (Willie), Poulan, Eddie Waters, Valdosta, Randolph Waters (Carolyn), Tifton, Cathleen Waters, Valdosta, Dinah Nixon (Clay), Tifton, Rabernard Paterson (Kimberly), Hazelhurst, Anatha (Mark) Sims, Clarksonville, Tenn., Angelia Wilcox (Larn), Valdosta; a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at Joyful Sound International Ministries Church in Valdosta. Apostle Julia Berry is the pastor and Pastor Sabrina Smith will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 8-9 p.m. at Godfrey Funeral Home Chapel, 636 River Street in Valdosta. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Salvation Army 320 Smithland Pl, Valdosta, Ga., 31601. — Godfrey Funeral Home.



VALDOSTA

Lela Mae Yeomans

Lela Mae Yeomans, 87, of Valdosta passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, 2006, in South Georgia Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

She was born Aug. 28, 1919 to the late Walter and Mary Solomon. Mrs. Yeomans retired from Levi Strauss and Company after more than 25 years of service. She was a member of Bemiss Road Baptist Church. Her husband, J.D. Yeomans, five brothers, one sister, one grandson, and one great-grandson preceded her in death.

Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Mildred Yeomans, Valdosta, Patricia and James Astles, Hahira, Mary Elizabeth and Ermon (Tom) Bentley, St. Augustine, Fla.; a son and daughter-in-law, Alton and Nell Yeomans, Valdosta; seven grandchildren, Teresa and Kevin Giles, Brenda and Jerry Mixon, Steve and Kelly Astles, Greg Poole, Darren Astles, Jeannie and Rick Hayes, Lee and Christina Bentley and Janice Astles; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-Grandchild; two brothers and sister-in-law, Jack Solomon, Jacksonville, Fla., and George and Joyce Solomon, Baldwin, Fla.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Nov. 18, 2006, in the Bemiss Road Baptist Church with the Dr. Danny Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Yeomans will lie in state one hour prior to service at the church. The family will receive friends tonight from 6-8 p.m. this evening, Nov. 17, 2006 at the funeral home.

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com— Music Funeral Services, Valdosta.



NOTICES

Louise Fulton

Mrs. Louise Fulton, 76, of Valdosta, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006, at the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.— Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.



Arthur Coffee

Funeral services for Mr. Arthur Coffee will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at 1 p.m. at Old Fashion Restoration Church in Fitzgerald, Ga. The Rev. Charles Bryant, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mountain Top Church Cemetery in Queensland, Ga. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary Inc.



Bessie Mae Griffin

Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Mae Griffin, 95, of Quitman will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at noon at Union Baptist Church in Dixie with the Rev. Floyd Demps officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.



Maggie Mae James

Mrs. Maggie Mae James, 90, of 610 E. Adair Street, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at her residence. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006 at 11 a.m. at New Jerusalem Baptist Church. The Rev. George Blount, pastor, the Rev. Charles Carr, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The viewing will be held on today from 1-9 p.m. at the funeral home.— Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.



Myrtice Lee James

Funeral services for Mrs. Myrtice Lee James, 68, of Valdosta will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at Summer Hill Baptist Church in Quitman with the Rev. Ralph White, Pastor and Bishop Horace Jefferson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.— Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.



Alma Frazier Jones

Mrs. Alma Frazier Jones, 92, of 106 1/2 W. Martin Luther King Dr., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at Crestwood Nursing Home. Funeral service will be held today at 2:30 p.m. at River Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Bobby Culbreth, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.



Loyce Rush

Mr. Loyce Rush, 77, of 801 Old Lake Park Road, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2006, at his residence. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at 3 p.m. at the Union Holiness Church. Elder Willie Fields, pastor, Elder John Henry Howell, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.



Jon Will Smith

Jon Will Smith passed this life Nov. 12, 2006. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home.