Obituaries for
Published 3:32 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Thursday, July 29, 2004
William Archer ‘Bill’ Barden
DOUGLAS — William Archer “Bill” Barden, 69, of Douglas, passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2004, in Valdosta following an extended illness.
Mr. Barden, a native of Amelia County, Va., was born Feb. 26, 1935, the son of the late Richard Arthur and Mildred Lee Ranson Barden. He was an auto mechanic and the widower of the late Barbara Jean Fussell Barden.
Survivors include his son, William L. Barden, Ray City; grandson, Reese J. Madison, Marietta; sisters, Frances Beales, Barbara Ann Barden and Nancy Combs, Richmond Va.; brothers, Richard L. Barden, Charles E. Barden, Robert J. Barden, Thomas Raymond Barden and Roy S. Barden, Richmond Va.; brothers-in-law, Jackie Fussell, Broxton and George Fussell, Dalton; and sister-in-law, Janice F. Lewis of Douglas.
Funeral services held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, 2004, at Deberry Baptist Church with burial following in the Deberry Church Cemetery. — Sims Funeral Home, Douglas
Vera Weaver Chafin
NORMAN PARK — Vera Weaver Chafin, 81, of Norman Park died July 28, 2004, at Colquitt Regional Medical Center.
She was born on Oct. 4, 1922, in Colquitt County to the late Charlie Augustus and Ada Kendall Weaver. She was a homemaker and member of Cool Springs Freewill Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughters, Patsy (Darrell) Waites, Tomilyn (Ted) Wheeler, all of Norman Park, Jackie Shierling of Adel; five grandchildren, Marcie Shierling, Bonni Shierling, Toni Waites, Dylan Wheeler, Zac Wheeler, all of Norman Park; sisters, Trissie Jones of Jacksonville, Fla., Christine ( Don) Harper, Moultrie, Jeri Barnwell, Moultrie, Louise (Leroy) Williams, Sarasota, Fla.; and dedicated caregiver, Linda Bivins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom E. Chafin; son-in-law, Scotty Shierling; brothers, Charles Weaver, and Buster Weaver; sisters, Mary Lasseter, Eva Southwell.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 30, 2004, at Cool Springs Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Ron Burger officiating, assisted by the Rev. Tony Crawley and Michael Chafin. Burial will be held in Cool Springs Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Glen Chafin, Ronald Baker, Terry Baker, James Sutton, Michael Chafin, Mike Mercer, Stanley Harrod. Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. — Baker Funeral Home, Moultrie
Bernice Mobley Davis
HOMERVILLE — Bernice Mobley Davis, 63, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.
A native of Clinch County, she had lived in Sparks before moving back to Homerville in 1999. She graduated from Perry Business School and taught business for several years, her last employment was at the Kids Korner. She had attended the Lang Country Church and Victory Chapel Church of God of Prophecy of Homerville and is the daughter of Alma Gertrude Lockamy Mobley of Homerville and the late George Farley Mobley. She was the widow of James Wesley Davis.
Survivors other than her mother is one son and daughter-in-law, Michael E. and Chrissi Spence of Naylor; one step-daughter and son-in-law, Eva and Tommy Bell of Hahira; three stepsons and daughters-in-law, David and Diane Davis of Barney, William and Carmen Davis and Terry and Tracy Davis, all from Hahira; one sister and brother-in-law, Wenda and W.C. Fender of Homerville; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services for Mrs. Davis will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, July 30, 2004, at Homerville Congregational Methodist Church. Interment will be in Pine Forest Cemetery.
Mrs. Davis will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening. Mrs. Davis will be carried to the church one hour prior to the services. — Roundtree Funeral Home, Homerville
Louise (Granny) Mullis
LAKELAND — Louise (Granny) Mullis, 91, of Lakeland, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2004, in Louis Smith Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born in Putnam County to the late Fleetwood and Leona Bachelor Dennis and had lived in Lakeland most of her life. She retired from Moody AFB Exchange in 1975. Mrs. Mullis cared for many of Lanier County’s children in her home after retirement. She was a founding member of Southside Baptist Church. Preceding Mrs. Mullis in death, were her husband, Johnny Ralph Mullis; her parents; 3 brothers; 1 sister; and 2 grandchildren.
Survivors include five sons and daughters-in-law, Grady and Sarah Adair, Warner Robins, Frank and Shirly Adair, Jesup, James (Jimmy) and Margaret Adair, Cordele, Wayne Mullis, Lakeland, Jerry and Judy Mullis, Lakeland; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Clark Dennis, Camilla; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., today, July 29, 2004, in Southside Baptist Church with burial following in Burnt Church Cemetery. Mrs. Mullis will lie in state one hour prior to service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Burnt Church Cemetery Fund, c/o P. O. Box 426, Lakeland, GA 31635. Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com. — Music Funeral Services, Lakeland
Paul E. Smith
VALDOSTA — Paul E. Smith, 43, of Valdosta, died suddenly on Tuesday, July 27, 2004, in Valdosta. Born on Nov. 15, 1960, in Norfolk County, England, Mr. Smith was formerly the owner and operator of the Georgia Pit Stop and was employed by Linahan Farms as a truck driver. He was a member of Lee Street Baptist Church, now known as Crossroads Baptist Church.
Survivors include his fianc/, Robin Proctor of Valdosta; two sons, J. T. Smith and Joe A. Smith, both of Valdosta; his mother, Margaret Rivers of Valdosta; two sisters, Alice (Roy) Hall, Kim Cockran, Valdosta; a brother, Russell Smith, N. Augusta, SC; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, one great-nephew; several aunts, uncles; and a special friend, Bryan Cox of Valdosta. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Smith Jr.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 30, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Dorsett officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 7-9 p.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home
Eva Marion Wyche
VALDOSTA — Eva Marion Wyche quietly passed away July 24, 2004, in the home of her niece in Hinesville.
She was the eighth child born to the union of John H. Wyche and Lillie Golden Wyche of Hahira, Lowndes County, on Jan. 25, 1920.
Her church affiliation during her early years in Hahira was at Providence Missionary Baptist Church. Her father was one of the founders of Providence. She later moved to Saginaw, Mich., where she attended Saint Johns Episcopal Church. She returned to Valdosta in 1990, and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church until her death. Ms. Wyche was educated at Fort Valley Normal Industrial School receiving her high school diploma in 1937. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Education from Fort Valley University in 1954. She completed her master’s in education in 1957, from Indiana University. She continued her post graduate studies at Wayne State University.
She was a lifetime member of AKA Sorority, ETA Upsilon Omega Chapter. Additionally, she was an active member of the Valdosta Seniors Travel Club.
God, family and education were the foundation of her life. She was devoted to a daily prayer life. She always loved and enjoyed being near family. She taught school in Saginaw, Mich., for 24 years.
She was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers. Left to mourn her loss are many great-nieces, great-nephews, family and friends. The siblings and their children are as follows, Annie K. Howard (no children), James Roosevelt Wyche [Lillie, (Ralph) Rhyme, James R. Wyche Jr., Ruth Reed Bennett, Lola W. Moore, Dorothy Wyche Jones], Alice Copeland (Johnnie M. Carter), Gertrude W. Campbell (Vera W. Jones), Thomas T. Wyche [Mildred Brooks (deceased), Thomas T. Wyche Jr., John H. Wyche, Marjorie W. Hicks], Joseph H. Wyche (Juanita W. Slater), Lennon D. Wyche Sr. [Gloria (William) Wyche Moore, Lennon D. Wyche, Sheila (Curtis) Wyche Williams, L.C. Copeland (brother-in-law), and Beatrice Wyche (sister-in-law).
The family received guests at wake service from 6:30-9 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 707 W. Park St., Hahira.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., today, July 29, 2004, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1521 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, with the Rev. Peter Ingeman officiating. Entombment to follow immediately after the services in Wyche Cemetery, Morven Road, Hahira. — Stevens Funeral Home, Valdosta
LOCAL DEATHS
Rose F. Essling
Rose F. Essling, 98, of Hahira died July 27, 2004, at the Fellowship Home after a short illness. Catholic Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with Father Marvin Lafrois officiating. Burial will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Ill., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fellowship Home; 470 Fellowship Home Lane; Valdosta, GA 31602 or the charity of your choice. — Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel
Willie Joseph Freeman
Funeral services for Willie Joseph Freeman, 62, of Quitman will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 30, 2004, at Elam Missionary Baptist Church in Quitman with Trial Elder Gloria Wright officiating and the Rev. Robert Phillips, pastor. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. — Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman
George E. Jester
George E. Jester, 65, of Warner Robins, died on Sunday, July 25, 2004. Services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Calvary Chapel Heartland Church in Ft. Valley with burial and full military honors at 2:30 p.m. at Andersonville Cemetery. — McCullough Funeral Home