Obituaries for Friday, Feb. 16, 2007

Published 8:54 pm Thursday, February 15, 2007

PALM HARBOR, FLA.

Flora Jean Tomlinson

Flora Jean Tomlinson, 67, of Palm Harbor, Fla., and formerly of Adel and Valdosta, died on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at her home at Countryside Haven.

Born in Albany, Ga. on Sept. 25, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Flora Esther Wisenbaker and Charles Burpitt Tomlinson. Jean was a faithful member of Crystal Cove Community Church at Palm Harbor. She loved to travel, enjoyed visiting with her cousins and enjoyed volunteering and assisting with the elderly residents at Countryside Haven.

Preceded in death by her parents and her stepfather, Gordon Fowers, Jean is survived by her cousins, Ronnie Gray of Anderson, S.C., Donnie Gray of Easley, S.C., Teri Johnson of Clearwater, Fla., Carl B. Adams Jr. of South Boston, Va., Martine Williams of Palatka, Fla., Alex Wisenbaker and Jimmy Wisenbaker of Valdosta, caregivers, Jim Johnson and Marge Adams of Dunedin, Fla.

Services for Jean will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. The Rev. Robert Willis will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Family and friends may visit on Saturday at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until funeral time. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.



VALDOSTA

Elder Willie Fields Jr.

Elder Willie Fields Jr. was born Jan. 16, 1926 in Pelham, Ga., to the late Will and Lucy Fields. He had no formal education yet he was a man of great wisdom and compassion. He knew how to deal with people, he loved people and he never met a stranger.

In 1953, Elder Fields was saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, under the leadership of the late Elder Clarence Warren at Williams Temple Church of God in Christ. Elder Fields worked faithfully in his local church and held several positions in the District, including financial expediter of YPWW (Young Peoples Willing Workers).

He acknowledged his call to the ministry and his first pastoral ship was in Denton, Ga. God blessed Elder Fields and he was appointed pastor in Fargo, Ga. Elder Fields has served as interim at Campbell Street COGIC (Donaldson), Warren Temple COGIC (Donaldsonville), Broxton and Williams Temple COGIC (Valdosta).

On Aug. 19, 1961, God blessed him to be married to First Lady, Mother Essie Mae Fields. They reared four children and several grandchildren, and were married for 46 years. Elder Fields has paid off, established, built and was the first to purchase heating and air-conditioning systems for various churches in the community. He was a great fundraiser, and always helped when there was a need, no matter how great or small. Elder Field’s leadership of 30 years of guidance has proven to be successful and we sincerely thank God for the gift of such a great leader. He has many sons in the ministry. He delivered God’s word, he preached the truth, he administered his time, money, comfort, kindness and healing through the Holy Ghost to those who were sick, afflicted, and those who needed help. He was a powerful man of prayer. He stood by many in this community that needed his help, even through the passing of his own family members.

He would give his all to help anyone in need. He has stood by many families in the community through rough times, with financial assistance and his presence at the jail and in court. His focus was on helping people in the community and the education of young people.

Elder Fields worked for the Langdale Logging Company for many years. He then started his own wood yard, selling wood to neighbors and the community, which developed into his own successful logging company. In 1986, Elder Fields purchased Union Holiness Church of God in Christ, and paid for it with just a few members. Elder Fields taught saints to be faithful to God and their responsibilities at church, to their husbands, wives, children and community. His favorite quote was, “Be Real, in all you do Be Real for God.” He loved Union Holiness; he often stated, “She is my girlfriend” (meaning the church). Many days you would find him there praying and seeking God for guidance.

Elder Willie Fields Jr. leaves to cherish his memory a loving and beloved wife of 46 years Mother Essie Mae Fields; two daughters, Gloria Jeffery of Broxton, Ga., Patricia (Charles) Black of Detroit, Mich.; two sons, Ernest Jeffery of Broxton, Ga., Bruce (Felicia) Jeffery of Atlanta; a special niece, Verna Mae Reeves, Jersey City, N.J.; two sisters-in-law, Willie Pearl Hutchins, Savannah, Mary Ellis, Broxton; three brothers-in-law, Donald Harris and Felton Schley, Savannah, Wiley (Mary) Schley, Broxton; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, nephews, aunts, nieces, the saints of Union Holiness COGIC; and hosts of close friends and relatives.

The family will receive saints and friends at a memorial service on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, 6-8 p.m. at Union Holiness Church of God in Christ, 736 South Lee Street, Valdosta.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, 501 Holiday Street, Valdosta, where Elder Johnny Bradley is pastor. Officiating is Superintendent Freddie Spates and Elder Charles Sawyer. The Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

“On Feb. 11, 2007, the Lord called his faithful servant Elder Willie Fields, Jr. home to rest from his labor. His family and many in this community will surely miss him.” — Harrington Funeral Home.



VALDOSTA

Vera Mae Wrice

Vera Mae Wrice of Valdosta passed this life Feb. 8, 2007.

Mrs. Wrice was born Aug. 31, 1926 in Stockton, Ga. to the late Harry and Effie Beauford. She was married to Dolphus “D.V.” Wrice on Dec. 22, 1945. With that union, nine children were born. She was a loyal and dedicated Christian who tried to help all that she came in contact with. She was a member of the St. John AME Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Effie Beauford, brothers, Harry and Russell Beauford, sister, Edith Johnson, husband Dolphus V. Wrice, daughter, Marion P. Gilmore, and grandson, Larron A. Smith.

She leaves to mourn five daughters, Diann (Larry) Smith, Jackie (Thomas) Brinkley, Donna (Willie) Sanders, Latrell (Ernest) Brown, all of Valdosta, and Rita (John) Brown of Columbia, S.C.; three sons, Harry (Elaine) Wrice, Dannie Wrice, all of Valdosta, and Roddie (Amy), Wrice of Quitman; 21 grandchildren, Sedrick Smith of Waldorf, Md., Travis (Daphne) Lane, Lana (Donnie) Watson, all of Valdosta, Trampis (Jonna) Wrice of Papillion, NE, Corey (Rhonda) Battles of Valdosta, Terrance Wrice of Battle Creek, Mich., Felicia Nelson of Stockbridge, Ga., Sylvia Wrice, Justin Washington, Toccara Grier, Shanee’ Battles, all of Valdosta, Javier Brown, Columbia, S.C., Jacquinn Wrice of Hattiesburg, Miss., Shahogany Golden, Norfolk, Va., Brandon Wrice, Ft. Valley, Ga., Ebony Sanders, Tobias Wrice, all of Valdosta, McKenzie, Abria, and Alicia Wrice, all of Quitman; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Catherine Jackson, Valdosta; one brother, Henry Sirmans, Stockton; four special nephews, Willie Frank, Eric, Anthony, and Roddrick; seven brothers-in-law, George L. Wrice, Lakeland, John Wesley (Wilma) Wrice, Orangeburg, S.C., Owen (Bertha) Wrice, Quitman; Oren Wrice, Alfred (Lynette) Wrice, Willie (Anna) Wrice, and Enoch (Gwendolyn) Wrice, all of Brunswick; three sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Sermans, Geraldine Wrice, and Lillie B. of Lakeland; three devoted cousins, Arthoreen Homer, Valdosta, Edward Beauford, Stockton, Ga., and Jessie Mae Johnson of Apopka, Fla.; and a host of other nieces and nephews and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at the All Nations Deliverance Center, Elder Willie Flowers, pastor, and the Rev. George Vereen will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the Harrington Funeral Home Chapel. — Harrington Funeral Home.



NOTICES

Louvenia Dale Arnold

Louvenia Dale Arnold, 67, of Clyattville, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, P. O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices..com.— Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Duane Axdahl

Duane Axdahl, 79, of Valdosta passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 14, 2007, after a brief illness in Smith Northview Hospital. As per his wishes he will be cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later time. — Music Funeral Services, Valdosta.



Christy ‘Chris’ Bellamy

Funeral services for Ms. Christy “Chris” Bellamy, 50, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at noon at the House of God in Unity in Quitman with the Rev. T.B. Bellamy officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery in Quitman. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.



Wesley James Carter

Mr. Wesley James Carter, 67, of Naylor passed this life Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later by Godfrey Funeral Home.



Willie Fisher Jr.

Willie Fisher Jr. passed this life Feb. 12, 2007. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced later by Harrington Funeral Home.



Melvin Grace

Mr. Melvin Grace, 76, passed this life Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2007 at Godfrey Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Godfrey Funeral Home.



Lenora Hart Henderson

Mrs. Lenora Hart Henderson, 88, passed this life Feb. 8, 2007, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Feb. 16, 2007, at the Godfrey Funeral Home Chapel. Anthony L. Brown will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Church Cemetery on Whitewater Road. — Godfrey Funeral Home



Wade ‘Chick’ Johnson

Mr. Wade “Chick” Johnson, 86, of Dixie, Ga., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, at the Presbyterian Home of Quitman. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at 4 p.m. at the Beulah Hill Baptist Church of Dixie, Ga., with the Rev. Rodney Irvine, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Beulah Cemetery of Quitman. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.



Olive Mosher Mason

Olive Mosher Mason, 87, of Tampa, died on Jan. 11, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at University Community Hospital Chapel in Tampa, Fla. The Areme Chapter No. 147 Order of the Eastern Service will be in charge of services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music Ministry of Valdosta First Presbyterian Church, 313 North Patterson St., Valdosta, Ga. 31601, or the University Community Hospital Foundation for Diabetes, Tampa, Fla. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Thelpo Slater

Funeral services for Mr. Thelpo Slater, 85, of Adel, will be Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. at St. James AME Church, 315 N. Maple St., Adel, Ga. Visitation will be today from 1-6 p.m. Interment will be at Adel Cemetery. — Lane Memorial Chapel Inc. of Adel.



Henry Thompkins

Funeral services for Mr. Henry Thompkins, 63, of Quitman will be held by graveside today, Feb. 16, 2007, at the North End Cemetery in Quitman with Brother Gregory Hamilton officiating. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home.



Norman Walker Sr.

Funeral services for Brother Norman Walker Sr., 88, of Cecil, Ga., will be Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Church of Christ, 101 E. Park St., Hahira, Ga. Interment will be at Riverview Memorial Gardens, Valdosta, Ga. Visitation will be Saturday from 5-7 p.m. — Lane Memorial Chapel Inc. of Adel.



Naomi Wright

Naomi Wright of New York, N.Y. passed this life Feb. 7, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Harrington Funeral Home Chapel and Elder Elect Gloria Wright will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Vienna Cemetery. — Harrington Funeral Home.