for September 20, 2002



Shirley Bradley

Shirley Bradley, 46, departed this life Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at Health Park Rehabilitation Center in Fort Myers, Fla. Ms. Bradley was born Oct. 25, 1955, in Statenville to the late Evelina Green Bradley and Samuel Bradley. She resided in Valdosta, Atlanta, and Fort Myers, Fla. She was married to Freddie Lee Lockhart. She graduated from Lowndes High School in 1973 and Southwest Florida College in Fort Myers, Fla., in September 2001. She was employed by the Shady Rest Nursing Home for 10 years and the Department of Family and Children Services (PAS Supervisor) Gulf Coast Center at the time of her demise. In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by her twin brother, Samuel M. Bradley Jr., and sister Ossie Bradley. She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter, Lethonia Thomas Herring; adoptive sons, Milton Curry, Tyrell Curry of Fort Myers, Fla.; adoptive nieces, Concetta Bradley, and Shameeka Bradley of Fort Myers, Fla.; special nephew, Coy Wyche III of Jacksonville, Fla.; loving grandchildren, Kannesha Thomas, Michael, Quintavius and Jordan Herring, all of Valdosta; her father, Samuel Bradley (Rebecca) of Stockton, Ala.; brothers, Elder Johnny Bradley (Annie), Walter Bradley, all of Valdosta; Ulysses Bradley of Pearl, Ms.; Willie J. Bradley of Fort Myers, Fla.; sisters, Joyce M. Davis, Wanda S. Rhym, both of Fort Myers, Fla.; Annie Joyce White (Bernard) of Jacksonville, Fla.; aunts, Lula Maxwell-Woodruff (Hosea) of Gainesville, Fla.; Bernice Lee of Valdosta; great aunt, Johnnie Mae Donaldson of Valdosta; uncle, Adam Roe. Special friends, Earl Thomas of Atlanta, Carolyn Smith of Fort Myers, Fla.; Judith Gay and Ann Whitehead, both of Valdosta; and a host of other family members, loving friends and a special church family, New Salem Baptist Church of Fort Myers, Fla. Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. at Tabernacle Church of God in Christ with Elder Johnny Lockhart officiating. Burial will follow at Howell Cemetery in Howell. Final rites are entrusted to Harrington Funeral Home.



Stephanie June Burns

Sis. Stephanie June Burns, 42, of Valdosta was born in Lowndes County on Nov. 13, 1959, to Bro. Leroy Sherman Jr. and the late Sis. Evelyn Sherman. She attended public schools in the Valdosta City School System. Sis. Burns was baptized at an early age at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and then later joined Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor William C. Morgan. Sis. Burns suffered many illnesses in this life. She resided at 16 Hudson Dockett, Valdosta, Ga., until the day, which only God knows, her name was called. Sis. Burns leaves to cherish her memories two children, Brandy Nicole Burns and Nicholas Hobbs; her loving father and his devoted wife, Leroy and Bernice Sherman; three sisters, Deborah Tompkins of Orlando, Fla., Cassandra Sherman and Elizabeth Williams (Stephan), both of Valdosta, Ga.; two brothers, Michael and Jason Sherman, both of Valdosta, Ga.; three aunts, Ida Sherman of Atlanta, Ga., Ruth Hardy of Valdosta, Ga., and one very special aunt, Elnora Newton of Valdosta, Ga.; two uncles, Samuel Newton (Candy) of Long Island, N.J., and Charles Newton of East Orange, N.J.; a special friend and cousin, Sandra Newton Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and also the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Family. Funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor William Morgan will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Scott and Roberts Mortuary is in charge of all arrangements.



Johnnie E. Crosby

Johnnie E. Crosby, 79, of Nashville died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002 at Berrien Nursing Center. He was born Jan. 24, 1923 in Coffee County to Joe Allen Crosby and Mary Jane Lindsey. He was a retired Orange Grove Farmer and a Navy Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Betty Frances Lowe Crosby of Nashville; one daughter, Gail Mott of Orlando, Fla.; two sons, Robert Mullins of Bellaire,





Md. and Bill Dalsky of Serviceville, Tenn.; two sisters Ruth Newmans of Valdosta and Edna Mussells of Jacksonville, Fla.; a brother, Wilber Crosby of Douglas and one grandson. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 in the chapel of Lovein Funeral Home in Nashville with the Rev. Steve Pickern officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, Sept. 21 from 7-9 p.m. Interment will be at Nashville Memorial Gardens.



Elizabet Harris Evans

ALAPAHA — Mrs. Elizabet Harris Evans, 72, of Alapaha, Ga., departed this life Monday, Sept. 16, 2002, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga., after an extended illness. Mrs. Evans was born Dec. 28, 1929, in Geneval, Ga., to the late Will and Louella Harris. She leaves to mourn her husband Jessie Evans Sr. of Alapaha, Ga.; seven children, Oscar (Louise) Osborne of Eminga, Ga., Patricia Wells and Jessie Evans Jr., both of Nashville, Ga., Charlotte Harris and Wanda Jackson, both of Alapaha, Ga., Georgia Henry (Linda) Harris of Augusta, Ga., and Thelma (Charles) Richardson of Fitzgerald, Ga.; two brothers, Will (Ilene) Jackson of Geneval, Ga., and Andrew Jackson of Douglas, Ga.; one sister, Mary (Bob) Brown of Cross City, Fla.; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; also, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends. Visitation will be today from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at New Hope Baptist Church in Alapaha, Ga., Rev. Willie Frank Mitchell, pastor, with Pastor Frank Lindsey officiating. Burial will follow in West Fletcher Cemetery in Alapaha, Ga. — Black and Son Funeral Home, Nashville



Effie Mae Folsom

Effie Mae Folsom, 84, of Adel died Sept. 19, 2002, at Memorial Hospital of Adel after a long illness. She was born April 15, 1918, to the late Daniel Cleveland Overstreet and the late Fannie Belle Connell Overstreet Avert, in Cook County, where she lived all her life as a homemaker. She was a member of Springhead Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bryant Mitchell “B” Folsom and a daughter, Sarah Henderson. She is survived by her sons, Henry Folsom of Adel; A.J. Folsom of Lewiston, Idaho; and Mike Folsom of Morristown, Tenn., and a daughter, Naomie Paige of Moultrie, and fifteen grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held today at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home on Hwy. 41-S with the Rev. Robert Lawrence and the Rev. Harris Whitman officiating. Interment will be at Folsom Cemetery.



Jane G. Keene

Jane G. Keene, 87, of Kingsland died at her resident after an extended illness. She was born to the late William and Angela Grimes on Sept. 2, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pa. She has been a resident of Kingsland since 1952, coming from Brunswick. She established the first kindergarten class in Camden County in 1953. Jane was the oldest surviving member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church and was a former member of the Kingsland Woman’s Club. She is preceded in death by her husband, Adger F. Keene. Jane is survived by three daughters, Loretta Keene Benton and husband Doug of Kingsland; Cathy Keene Trednick and husband Don of Kingsland; Maryann Keene Martin and husband Bryant of Valdosta; two sons Delma Keene and wife Vickie of St. Marys; Pat Keene and wife Kathie of Pascagoula, Miss.; 16 grandchildren and eight grandchildren. The family will receive friends Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edo Miller-Dekle-Wainwright Funeral Home. Funeral services for Jane will be Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 106 E. Dillingham, St. Marys, Ga., at 11 a.m. with Father William Leahy officiating. Interment will be in Lawnwood Cemetery. The family requests anyone wishing to make any contributions to make them to: First Baptist Church of Kingsland, c/o Home Bound Ministry, 295 E. Chester Ave., Kingsland, Ga. 31548. Edo Miller-Dekle-Wainwright Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.



Lois Lindsey

Lois Lindsey, 85, of Nashville passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, at Berrien Nursing Center in Nashville,

Ga. She was born in Coffee County and lived in Nashville most of her life. She was a member of Flat Creek Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fisher and Ethel Purvis; two sons, Talmadge Lindsey and Norman Clyde Lindsey; four brothers, Virgil Purvis, Everett Purvis, Otto Purvis, and Hollis Purvis; and one sister, Aline Giles. Survivors include her husband, Mack Lindsey of Nashville; one son, Gerald Lindsey of Nashville; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dorothy and Wayne Evans of Nashville and Carolyn and Robert Cornelius of Thomasville; two brothers, Clayton Purvis of Douglas and Heshel Purvis of Alabama; nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, at Purvis Funeral Home in Adel from 6-8 p.m. and the service will be Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at Flat Creek Baptist Church in Berrien County at 4 p.m. and burial will follow at Pine Grove Baptist Church. The body will lie in state an hour prior to the service. Purvis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



Naida G. MaKuch

Naida G. MaKuch, 70, of Adel passed away Sept. 18, 2002, at Memorial Hospital of Adel after a lengthy illness. She was born Jan. 25, 1932, in Jesup to the late Luther Green and Pearle Sharpe. She was a retired motel auditor. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Loran Green and Bobby Green, and a sister, Louise Davis. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Pat MaKuch of Sparks; Pete and Wands MaKuch of Warner Robins; and Lanny and Linda Rowe of Winter Haven, Fla.; her daughters, Paula and Henry Browning of Adel and Pam MaKuch of Byron; her brothers, N.J. Green of Screven; and Jimmy Green of Fort Valley; her sisters, Betty Ledbetter of Register, Letta Mae Humphries of Adel, and Morine Baker of Screven; three grandchildren, Holly Harrell, Kim Vickers, and Phillip MaKuch, and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be tonight from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel of Purvis Funeral Home with burial at Screven Cemetery in Screven at 3 p.m. Purvis Funeral Home of Adel is in charge of arrangements.



Ernest Joseph McCrae

Elder Ernest Joseph McCrae, 77, of Lakeland, departed this life on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002 at South Georgia Medical Center. Elder McCrae was born on Jan. 18, 1925 in Nashville to the late John and Hattie McCrae. He was married to Lola Mae McEady McCrae. He received his educational background in the Berrien County School System. He served his country from 1943 until 1946 in the United States Army. He was a member of the 186th Engineer Aviation Battalion while serving in Guam in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. Bro. McCrae served at the Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church where he taught Sunday School for 48 years, being Superintendent for 15 years. He was a member of E.H.O.P.D.C., Inc. Temple of Love where he taught Sunday School as well as Bible Study and was ordained as Presiding Elder July 1, 2001. He was preceded in death by one son Ernest McCrae Jr., one granddaughter, Charlotte L. Miller, one grandson, Marquette Miller, four sisters and three brothers. He leaves loving memories to his devoted wife of 51 years, Lola Mae McCrae of Lakeland; his daughters, Charlie Mae Bryant (Wilkerson), Pastor Ernestine McCrae, Cheryl McCrae all of Lakeland; his sons, Glenn McCrae, Darryl McCrae of Lakeland; two spiritual sons, Bro. Ernest Trussell of Columbus and Overseer Ron Williams of Waycross; one sister, Lelia Mae Jones of Dale City, Calif.; grandchildren, Constance Murray, Ray Bryant (Tanisha) of Valdosta; M.Sgt. Bruce Bryant (Blanquita) of Honolulu, Hi., Kim Lacey (Arthur), William Miller, Kisha McCrae, DeVonte McCrae all of Lakeland, Rodney Bryant (Tammy) of Colorado Springs, Co., Jason McCrae (Akeiyss) of Miami, Fla., Charlie McCrae of Macon. Eight great-grandchildren including two very special ones, Marquette and Nigeria McCrae; two very special nieces, Cynthia McCrae and Pastor Roshelle McCrae and a host of other relatives and friends. Servi

ces will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. at E.H.O.P.D.C. Inc. Temple of Love Church in Lakeland with Ron Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Charles Knight Cemetery in Lakeland. Final arrangements are entrusted to Harrington Funeral Home Inc.



Marcus H. “Mark” Strawder

Marcus H. “Mark” Strawder, 75, passed away at his home Monday, Sept. 16, 2002 after an extended illness. Born in Tampa, Fla., he came to Crescent City in 1957 from Hahira. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served his country with the U.S. Army. Mr. Strawder was a retired commercial fisherman and was a past member of the Organized Fishermen of Florida and the V.F.W. Post 10177. He was fond of telling jokes and one couldn’t be around him without laughing. He loved being with his grandchildren, family and friends, eating and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie Mack and Cora Strawder; a brother, Mack Strawder and nephews Carroll Smith and Kenneth Crawford. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Doris Strawder of Crescent City, Fla.; a daughter, Marsha Strawder of Ormond Beach, Fla.; a son, Jimmy Strawder of Georgetown, Fla.; a sister, Mildred Smith of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; three brothers, Loran Strawder of Germany, June Strawder of Hahira, and Bobby Strawder of Lake City, Fla.; three granddaughters, Kristin Strawder of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and Hailey and Camie Strawder, both of Georgetown, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at the funeral home with Pastor Gene Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Eden Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 6-8 p.m. At the family’s request, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Camp, P.O. Box 1000, Barberville, Fla. 32015. Clayton Frank and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



George Wilbur Thomas (Bill)

George Wilbur Thomas (Bill), Col. U.S. Army retired, of Wilmington, N.C., died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, in Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center following a recent illness. He was born in Wilmington, N.C., the son of the late Joseph Lee and Virginia Riser Thomas Benton, and was preceded in death by stepfather, Marvin E. Benton; and an infant son, George Wilbur Thomas Jr. Mr. Thomas attended New Hanover High School and graduated from Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. He received his BS degree in civil engineering from the University of South Carolina and was a licensed NC professional engineer. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy. He retired in 1987 from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of colonel and received the John J. Pershing Award as a Distinguished Graduate of the Command General Staff School. Mr. Thomas retired in 1987 with 35 years of service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he worked on many federal projects, including both the Falls of Neuse and Jordan Lake Reservoirs. He also worked for the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County during his career. He was a lifelong Communicate of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served as the first acolyte, and a member of the Church Council, having served as president and treasurer. He was a member of the Usher Committee and various men’s groups. He was also a very active member of the Hanover Seaside Club. Surviving are his wife, Melrose Straughan Thomas; his daughters, Karen Thomas of Valdosta, Ga., Betsy Thomas Doss and husband, Lee of Raleigh, N.C., and Nancy Thomas Morris and husband, David of Valdosta, Ga.; his son, Bobby Thomas and wife, Cheri of Wilmington, N.C.; his grandchildren, Kristen and Leigh Ann Doss, Andrew and Rebecca Morris, Shawn, Brandon, and Bailey Bennett; and his cousins, Nita Mercer and Miriam Grabmeyer, both of South Carolina, and Mary Lib Phillips of Florida. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church by the Rev. Mark Opgrand, the Rev. John Misenheimer and the Rev. Frank Perry. Interment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens. Pa

llbearers will be Al Cheatham, Billy Mason, George Fick, John Von Oesen, Calvin Doss and Hoyt Bradshaw. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Vithalani, Jim Carper, Lawrence Crawley, Larry Nissen, Joe Reaves, Calvin Lane, Jay Taylor, Clarence Hales and Mike Michaelis. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center, 1406 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, N.C. 28401. — Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel



Orville J. Tidwell

Orville Jackson Tidwell, 84, of Tifton died Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Berrien Nursing Home in Nashville. He was born Oct. 20, 1917 in Winfield, Ala., to the late Andrew Jackson Tidwell and the late Nora Davis Tidwell. He was a member of the Believers Baptist Church in Tifton. An avid fisherman and longtime resident of Tifton, Mr. Tidwell was retired from the Coastal Plain Experiment Station where he was a research assistant. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lola Inez Stephenson Tidwell, his second wife, Lucille Franks Burgess Tidwell, his step-daughter, Barbara Hill, one brother, five half-brothers, and five half-sisters. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Hilda Tidwell of Ray City, and Jackie and Linda Tidwell of Nashville; his step-sons, Joe Burgess Jr., of Rome, Carson Burgess of Summerville, S.C., Walter Burgess of Tifton, and Dennis Burgess of Nashville, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren and many step great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Friday, Sept. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors-Tiftarea Chapel. Services will be held in the chapel of Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 with the Rev. Mitchell Deems officiating. Interment will be at Oakridge Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wayne Bennett, Ronnie Bennett, Dennis Burgess, Mike Jillcot, Jackie Tidwell Jr., Jimmy Powers, and Van Powers. Honorary pallbearers will be James Greer, Jim Greer, M.C. St. John, Curtis Edwards, Johnny Johnson, and Frank Sutton. Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors – Tiftarea Chapel is in charge of arrangements.



Joe Houser Collins, 62, of Augusta, widower of Suzanne Paine Collins, died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002 at his residence. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21 at Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Walter Gosier Sr., 59, of Dixie passed away Sept. 16 at his residence. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. at First A.B. Church in Barwick with the Rev. Robert Wheeler, pastor, and the Rev. Estelle Arrington, officiating. Burial will follow in Barwick Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday at the funeral home from 6-7 p.m. Washington Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.



Graveside services for Ms. Roy Mae Miller, 76, of Bronx, N.Y., will be held Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at 3 p.m. at the Charles Knight Cemetery in Lakeland, Ga. Rev. Willie Roberson will officiate. Scott and Roberts Mortuary is in charge of all the arrangements.



Funeral services for Mr. Jerome Singletary, 91, will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from Fluker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Amos Lee officiating. He was a native of Orlando, Fla., but lived most of his life in Valdosta before becoming a patient at Sunbridge Care and Rehab Center in Homerville in recent months. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Singletary. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Burial will be in Pine Forest Cemetery.



Funeral services for Mr. Aubrey Smith of Quitman, Ga., will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at 3:30 p.m. at the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Quitman with Rev. Mose Smith Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Quitman. Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman is in charge of arrangements.



Funeral services for Mrs. Hattie Smith of Morven, Ga., will be held today, Sept. 20, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Dillinoy C.M.E. Church in Morven, Ga., with Rev. Henry Davis, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in the Pineview Cemete

ry in Morven. Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman is in charge of arrangements.



Funeral services for Mr. Willie J. Wilson of Quitman, Ga., will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at 1 p.m. at the Church of God In Unity in Quitman with Elder Warnell Parker, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery in Quitman. Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman is in charge of the arrangements.