Obituaries

Published 3:08 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005

for Tuesday, April 6, 2004



Judson B. Brinson

THOMASVILLE — Judson B. Brinson, Captain, USAF Reserve, died on April 3, 2004, as a result of a military aircraft accident in Savannah.

Originally from Thomasville, Captain Brinson was an instructor pilot flying the T-6A Texan II assigned to the 39th Flying Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga. Jud had a distinguished career as both a military and civilian pilot. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Valdosta State University in 1991, he went to USAF Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) at Randolph AFB, Texas under the sponsorship of the Georgia Air National Guard in Savannah. Graduating UNT in 1993, he was assigned to the 158th Airlift Squadron, Georgia ANG, as a C-130 transport aircraft navigator.

He excelled professionally and was chosen to attend USAF Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) and graduated in 1997. Jud then flew the C-130 in Savannah from 1997-2002, where he participated in combat missions including Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Joint Forge, Coronet Oak, and Uphold Democracy. In November 2002, he transferred to the 39th FTS, Air Force Reserve Command, at Moody supporting Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training and the 479th Flying Training Group. Jud became a T-6 instructor in January 2003, and was well regarded by fellow instructors and students alike.

As a guardsmen and traditional reservist, Jud pursued his dream of commercial aviation as first officer for JetBlue in the Airbus A320 aircraft. A senior pilot, Captain Brinson had more than 5,300 hours in the T-37, T-1A, Cessna 310, C-130, Airbus 320, and Boeing 737 aircraft. His decorations included the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, two Air Force Achievement Medals, two Combat Readiness Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; daughter, Karlyn; father, Olon Brinson Sr.; mother, Barbara Brinson, all of Thomasville; brother, Neil Brinson; sisters, Lucia Harden and Lorie English; nieces, Grace and Mary Brittain; nephews, Nicholas, Zachary, Jacob and Carson.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.



James ‘Frank’ Delk

LAKELAND — James “Frank” Delk, 72, of Lakeland passed away Monday, April 5, 2004, at Louis Smith Memorial Hospital in Lakeland after declining health. He was born in Homerville on March 21, 1932, and had lived most of his life in Lanier County. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army and retired from Civil Service. He was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Delk; brothers, Joe Delk and George Delk. He was a member of the Stockton Baptist Church.

Survivors include his brother, Hugh Delk, Stockton; and four nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2004, in the Lakeland Chapel of Music Funeral Services with burial following in Stockton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. Sympathy can be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com — Music Funeral Services of Lakeland



Betty J. Belcher Dickert

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Betty J. Belcher Dickert, 75, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away April 4, 2004, after a lengthy illness. She was a graduate of Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga., and a member of Mandarin Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Bob Dickert; daughter, Patti Cowart and her husband, Buster of Valdosta; son, Jim Dickert and his wife, Virginia of Jacksonville; granddaughters, Emily and Hilary Dickert of Jacksonville; several cousins, nieces and a nephew.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2004 with Dr. William Yeldell and Dr. Terry Gore officiating. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mandarin Baptist Church. Arrangements under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Mandarin Funeral Home; 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223; 904-288-0025. — Hardage-Giddens Mandarin Funeral Home, Jacksonville, Fla.



Pauline Alvis Griffin

BARNEY — Pauline Alvis Griffin, 91, Barney died Sunday, April 4, 2004, at the Presbyterian Home in Quitman after a lengthy illness. She was born on Feb. 7, 1913, in Brooks County to the late Will and Ella Norman Alvis and was a lifelong resident of Brooks County. Mrs. Griffin was a member of the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, James W. and Margaret Griffin of Quitman, Mabrey D. and Elaine Griffin of Valdosta, David R. and Marie Griffin of Holt, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Bruce Griffin of Valdosta, Tammy Jones of Morven, Tim Griffin of Thomasville, Angie Jodray, Kelly Pickett, both of Valdosta, Shannon Farmer of Marshall, Texas, Anna Griffin of Moultrie; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Nina Dixon of Dublin; sisters-in-law, Vera Alvis of Moultrie and Helma Alvis of Arab, Ala. She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Griffin; two brothers, James A. Alvis Sr. and Tennis B. Alvis; and six sisters, Nannie Lou Dell, Gladys Sapp, Georgia Sapp, Winnie Wade Henry, Willie Harris and Katie Calhoun.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Emery Carlton officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Cemetery. Mrs. Griffin will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the service. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. — Martin/McLane Funeral Home of Hahira



Richard L. Lahr

QUITMAN — Richard L. Lahr, 83, of Presbyterian Home in Quitman, died on Saturday, April 3, 2004, following a sudden illness. Formerly of Blair, Neb., he was born in Valparaiso, Neb., to the late John Paul and Marie Estelle Sears Lahr on Oct. 26, 1920. Mr. Lahr had lived in this area for the past four years. Mr. Lahr had been an insurance adjuster by trade and was a veteran of World War II. During the war, he had been a pilot of A-20s and B-25s in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Mr. Lahr won the Air Medal for his service and was honorably discharged after the war and then attended the University of Nebraska. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Fremont, Neb. Mr. Lahr was a loving, caring and joyful person who loved life, his family and friends and was faithful to his church.

Mr. Lahr is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, J. Stephen and Sherrill Lahr of Valdosta; granddaughter, Lisa M. (Jeff) Williams of Atlanta; grandson, Jeff (Stephanie) Lahr of Atlanta; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Anne Lahr, two brothers and a sister.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at St. James Episcopal Church in Fremont, Neb. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Park Avenue United Methodist Church Building Fund. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Mary Pauline Griffin McCoy

HOMERVILLE — Mary Pauline Griffin McCoy, 77, of Homerville passed away Sunday, April 4, 2004, at South Georgia Medical Center following a brief illness.

A native of Clinch County, she had lived 15 years in Douglas before moving back to Homerville. She retired from Brockway Standard. She was the daughter of the late Harry J. and Lou Elva Smith Griffin and the widow of Arthur McCoy. She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Lee; two sisters, Nettie Ruth Wilson and Mae Holmes; four brothers, Bill Griffin, Lester Griffin, Henry “Skinny” Griffin and Earnest Griffin.

Survivors are three daughters, Katherine Register of DuPont, Ga., Ruthleen Smart of Alma, Joyce Lomax, Jacksonville, Fla.; four sons, Paul McCoy, Homerville, Richard McCoy, Douglas, James Edward McCoy, Savannah; four sisters, Irma Booth, Ruby Rogers, Juanita Pittman and Emma Wilson, all of Homerville, 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several other relatives.

Services for Mrs. McCoy will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at Shiloh Southern Congregational Methodist Church. Burial will be held in Shiloh Church Cemetery.

Mrs. McCoy will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening. Mrs. McCoy will be carried to the church one hour prior to the services — Roundtree Funeral Home, Homerville



Thomas L. Moore IV

STATESBORO — Thomas L. Moore IV, Captain, USAF Reserve, died on April 3, 2004, as a result of a military aircraft accident in Savannah.

Originally from Statesboro, Capt. Moore was an instructor pilot flying the T-6A Texan II assigned to the 39th Flying Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.

Lee graduated from Statesboro High School with honors in 1990, then graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1994, as a member of the Golden Key Honor Society with a BBA in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation. From 1995-1996, “Leemo” accumulated over 1900 hours flying with the Georgia Forestry Commission and Southern Agriculture Aviation as a fire suppressor and crop-duster. Capt. Moore received a reserve commission from Officer Training School in April 1997, was selected to attend Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, and graduated in August 1998. He was selected to fly a C-17 transport aircraft after pilot training, the Air Force’s newest cargo aircraft, and attended C-17 Initial Qualification Training at Altus AFB, Okla., in October 1998. Capt. Moore flew the C-17 from 1998, until 2002, with the 317th Airlift Squadron (Reserve) at Charleston AFB, S.C. Lee was selected for early upgrade to aircraft commander and participated in combat missions including Operations Joint Guardian, Phoenix Banner, and Southern Watch.

In December 2001, Capt. Moore transferred to Moody AFB, Ga., to become one of the initial T-6 instructors in the 39 FTS supporting Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training and the 479th Flying Training Group. An exceptional officer and pilot, Lee was always ready and eager to fly, amassing more than 400 T-6 instructor sorties at Moody. An experienced pilot, Capt. Moore has more than 2,600 hours in the T-37, T-1A, and C-17 aircraft.

His decorations included the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

Capt. Moore is survived by his wife, Amanda; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Moore III; grandparents, CD and Ida Collins, and Sarah Lou Moore, all of Statesboro.



Alice Elizabeth Sims Rampley

VALDOSTA — Alice Elizabeth Sims Rampley, 80, of Valdosta, died on Sunday, April 4, 2004, at South Georgia Medical Center after a short illness. Born on Feb. 23, 1924, in Colquitt County, she was the daughter of the late Thomas L. and Lucille Grubbs Sims. Mrs. Rampley was a retired director of Family and Children’s Services in Echols, County and attended Forrest Street Church of God.

She is survived by her former husband, Joseph Berry “Happy Jack” Rampley; sons and daughters-in-law, Roger Rampley of Merritt Island, Fla., and Claudee Rampley of Valdosta, Steven and Kim Rampley of West Palm Beach, Fla.; son and his friend, Gary Rampley and Anita Selph of Valdosta; daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Jim Sloan of Columbia, Tenn.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry Sims of Decatur; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy and Norm Bishop of Bozeman, Mont., Barbara and Bob Belcher of Gwinette County, Ga., Lucy McMullen of Chatsworth, Ga.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2004, in the Riverview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends this evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



David L. Branch Jr.

Dr. David L. Branch Jr., M.D., 77, of Valdosta passed away on April 4, 2004, at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services for Dr. David L. Branch will be held at 11a.m., today, April 6, 2004, in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Dr. John L. McGowan officiating. A private family graveside service will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends today from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Salvation Army in his memory. — Carson McLane Funeral Home



Lillie Jones

Lillie Jones, 90, Quitman passes away Sunday, April 4, 2004, at the Brooks County Hospital in Quitman. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced later by Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home, Quitman.



Rose Hart Wheeler

Rose Hart Wheeler, 56, of Nashville, died Monday, April 5, 2004, at South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville.