Obituaries for Thursday, May 5
Published 4:41 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Jennifer Cabaniss
STOCKBRIDGE — Jennifer Cabaniss, 56, of Stockbridge, passed away early Tuesday, May 3, 2005, afternoon in Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge after a lengthy illness. She was born Oct. 12, 1948, in Lowndes County to the late William and Verna (Godwin) Sewell. She worked for and was very proud to be a part of the Wal-mart stores.
Survivors include her husband, J.C. Cabaniss, Stockbridge; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Jimmy Sims, Jennifer Leigh and Jonathon Weaver, all of McDonough; son, Jeff Jeffery, Morrow; grandchildren, Taylor Sims and Jacob Jeffery; six sisters, Sara Hendrix, Billie Ann Suddeth, both of Valdosta, Laverne Prosser, S.C., Willene Morris, Nashville, Janice Vaughn, Lakeland, Ga., Betty Sue Pilon, Valdosta; four brothers, Harry Sewell, Valdosta, Errol Sewell, Flagler Beach, Fla., Ashley Sewell, Hahira, Gilbert Sewell, Nashville; 38 nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Friday, May 6, 2005, at 2 p.m. in Riverview Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Keith Lairsey officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. this evening at the Azalea City Church of God.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com — Music Funeral Services, Valdosta
Robert A. (Bob) Copeland
DASHER — Robert A. (Bob) Copeland, 78, of Dasher died on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at his residence. Born on March 2, 1927, in Dasher, he was the son of the late Virgil and Lilla Copeland. He farmed most of his life and retired as an instructor in Heating and Air Conditioning from the Correctional System. Mr. Copeland was a member of the Airport Church of Christ and served as an elder for many years.
Survivors are his wife of 56 years, Vera Copeland of Dasher; sons and daughters-in-law, Ron and Billie Copeland, Jamie and Vicky Copeland and Steve and Judy Copeland, all of Dasher; daughters and son-in-law, Sheila and Wayne Thompson of Lake City, Fla., Sue Hughes of Lake Park; 13 grandchildren, Sean, Brandon and Mindy Copeland, Nikki (Ryan) Warren, Kristin (Gabe) Dykes, Sarah Copeland, April (Greg) Dasher, Andrea (Rob) Chapman, Shane (Kristen) Copeland, Erik Copeland, Trey Copeland, Lee Bennett, Alan Bennett; seven great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Griff and Gretchen Copeland of Temple Terrace, Fla.; and a sister, Sarah Catherine Copeland, Plant City, Fla. He was preceded in death by four brothers, J.V. Copeland, Derrell Copeland, Prewitte Copeland and Julian Copeland.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2005, in the chapel of the McLane Lakewood Funeral Home with Keith Olbricht and David Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in Dasher Cemetery. The family will receive friends on today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Georgia Christian School, 4359 Dasher Road, Dasher, GA 31601 or United Hospice, 101 Northside Drive, Building C, Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences to the family may be conveyed at www.mclanefuneralservices.com on the Obituary page. — McLane Lakewood Funeral Home, Lake Park
Belle W. Cowart
HAHIRA — Belle W. Cowart, 84, of Hahira, died on Monday, May 2, 2005, at South Georgia Medical Center. Born in Burke County, on Feb. 14, 1921, she was the daughter of Bryant L. and Nellie Ponder Wilcher. Formerly of Waycross, she had been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, where she was a Charter Member of the Charles Wesley Sunday School Class, the UMW Circle 2 and the Church Altar Guild. For 36 years, she was associated with Walker McDonald Chevrolet in Waycross as bookkeeper and office manager. Mrs. Cowart and her husband had made their home in Hahira two years ago to be near their daughter and her family and she had moved her church membership to Hahira United Methodist Church.
A devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mrs. Cowart is survived by her husband of 64 years, Orvis J. Cowart; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Frank Pittman of Hahira; grandson, Tim Pittman and his wife, Julie of Hahira; granddaughter, Sandee Simmons and her husband, Tony of Valdosta; great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Kellie Pittman, Brooke and Ashlee Simmons; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. The Rev. Lynn Hurley and the Rev. Bob Willis will officiate. Burial will follow in McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. this evening. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454. Trinity United Methodist Church, 1005 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31503 or to the Hahira United Methodist Church, 100 E. Stanfill St., Hahira, GA 31632. Condolences may be conveyed online at obituaries at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home
Plimp Hightower
NASHVILLE — Plimp Hightower, 86, of Nashville died Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at Berrien County Hospital.
He was born on April 17, 1919, in Lowndes County to William and Ida Barker Hightower. He was a retired machinist for Metal Products and was a Army veteran of WWII. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Bell Thornton Hightower who died July 3, 1995; and a daughter, Gail Howze who died in 1997.
He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Richard Lane of Nashville; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 6, 2005, in the chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. John Hendley and the Rev. Johnny Smith officiating. Burial will be held in Cat Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. this evening. — Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville
Tracy D. Southerland
VALDOSTA — Tracy D. Southerland, 35, of Valdosta passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2005, in Brooks County Hospital after a sudden illness. He was born on Sept. 24, 1969, in Hahira. He worked as an electronic superintendent at Langboard, Inc. in Quitman. Mr. Southerland was an avid Nascar and baseball fan. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was his favorite driver. He also enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, whether it be fishing with his friends or bogging his 4X4 truck.
He was preceded in death by his father, Franklin Southerland.
Survivors include his wife, Tracy Southerland of Valdosta, three daughters, Heather Southerland, Amber Southerland, Taylor Gray, all of Valdosta; two sons, Trey Southerland, Justin Gray, both of Valdosta; mother, Jackie Southerland, Hahira; mother-in-law, Joanne Meyers, Valdosta; father-in-law, Robert Meyers, Pompano Beach, Fla., sister and brother-in-law, Dianne and Chad Palmer, Clyattville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeff and Vickie Southerland, Valdosta, Tim and Debbie Southerland, Valdosta; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rob and Terri Meyers, Toni and Jon Yates, all of Valdosta; and a number nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11a.m., Friday, May 6, 2005, in Fellowship Baptist Church with the Rev. Keith Lairsey officiating. Mr. Southerland will be at the church one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home.
Sympathy can be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com — Music Funeral Services of Valdosta
John Terry (J.T.) Smith
LAKE PARK– John Terry (J.T.) Smith, 92, of Lake Park, died on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, in Valdosta. Born on May 3, 1913, in Madison, Fla., he was the son of the late Francis Delano and Leila Terry Smith. He was a dairy farmer and retired from Smith Dairy in Ray City and was a member of Dairyco Co-op. Mr. Smith was a merchant Marine and a member of Sparks United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Adele Smith of Lake Park; daughters and sons-in-law, Wanda Jan and Johnnie Jenkins of Live Oak, Fla., Marilyn Maria and the Rev. Al Lewis of Sparks; stepson and his wife, James (Jay) and Margo L. Adams of Lake Park; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nell Griffin Smith in 1979; and a brother, Edwin Delano Smith.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2005, in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with his son-in-law, the Rev. Alvin Lewis and the Rev. Ted A. Sauls officiating. Burial will follow in New Ramah Cemetery in Ray City. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed at www.mclanefuneralservices.com on the Obituary page. — Carson McLane Funeral Home
Lucille Westberry
VALDOSTA — Lucille Westberry, 86, of Valdosta, passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at her residence after a lengthy illness. She was born June 11, 1918, in Miami, Fla., and had lived in Valdosta for the past 15 years. She was a very gifted artist and avid bowler and was a member of WIBC at Jac’s Lanes. She was preceded in death by a sister, Eunice Westberry Touchton; and a brother, Owen L. Westberry Jr.
Survivors are brothers and sister-in-laws, Jay and Fran Westberry Valdosta, Ray and Faye Westberry Valdosta; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2005, in the Morrison Baptist Church Cemetery near Barney. The family will receive friends between 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed at www.musicfuneralservices.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of South Georgia 205 Woodrow Wilson Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602. — Music Funeral Services of Valdosta
LOCAL DEATH
Jeffrie Metts Smith
Jeffrie Metts Smith, 80, of Sylvester, formerly of Nashville, died Wednesday at her residence. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Metts Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday. — Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville