for Jan. 26, 2003



Arrie Copeland Folsom

HAHIRA — Arrie Copeland Folsom, 101, of Hahira, died Friday evening, Jan. 24, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Adel. She was born on Dec. 2, 1901, in Echols County to the late William and Sallie Cowart Copeland. Mrs. Folsom obtained her teacher’s certification in 1922 from Georgia State Women’s College (Valdosta State College) and began her teaching career in a one-room school teaching grades 1-8. In 1926, she served as principal of the Salem Community School and while serving as principal she met Lewis James Folsom and later became his wife to whom she was married for 71 years until his death in 1997.

Survivors include two sons and daughter in law, Jesse Lee and Virginia Folsom and Raymond J. Folsom, all of Hahira; six grandchildren, Roger Folsom, Randy Folsom, Lynn Johnson, Gail Fleming, Carol Stracener and Kevin Folsom, nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27, 2003 at Hahira United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lynn Hurley and Elder Thad Marshall officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. Mrs. Folsom will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the service. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. — Martin/McLane Funeral Home



George Washington Lewis Jr.

ARLINGTON — George Washington Lewis Jr., 83, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at Palmyra Medical Center in Albany. Born in Early County on May 16, 1919, to the late George Washington Lewis Sr. and the late Mary Ella Fincher Lewis, Mr. Lewis was a lifelong resident of the Rowena Community and was a retired farmer.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Hartley Lewis; one daughter, Gail Murchison of Hahira; three grandchildren, Christopher Scott Murchison, of Auburn, Ala., Steven Andrew Murchison, of Birmingham, Ala., and Joseph Brian Murchison, of Atlanta. He was preceded in death by one son, George Ritchie Lewis; one brother, Floyd Lewis and two sisters, Ruth Lewis Barlett and Dorothee Lewis Harrell.

Memorial graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. , Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, in Oak Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Poplin officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. — Manry-Jordan-Hodges Funeral Home



Clarice M. Radley

VALDOSTA — Clarice M. Radley, 83, recently of Valdosta and formerly of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., died on Friday, January 24, 2003 at the Presbyterian Home in Quitman. Born on March 18, 1919 in Winfield, Kan., she was the daughter of the late Golda Marie Thomas and Clarence Lovejoy Hall. Mrs. Radley was a homemaker and widow of Morris Jackson “Jack” Radley. She was a member of First Christian Church, Winfield. While living in Ft. Walton Beach, she was a member of the New Neighbors Club and a resident of El Matador Condominiums.

Survivors are her daughter and son in law, Janice and Charles Newton of Valdosta; grandchildren Jacquie (Shane) Stikeleather of Otto, N.C., Kevin (Janet) Newton of Hahira, Cristie (Danny) Oien of Satellite Beach, Fla.; sister Oma Lou Beattie of Emporia, Kan.; six great grandchildren, Rachel and Julia Stikeleather of Otto, Alexis and Logan Newton of Hahira, Matthew and Maegan Oien of Satellite Beach; several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by three sisters.

Graveside services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. central standard time at Beal Memorial Cemetery, Ft. Walton Beach. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to a charity of your choice. — Carson McLane Funeral Home, Valdosta



Norvell Spearman Sr.

HAHIRA — Norvell Spearman Sr., 86, of Hahira passed away Friday morning, January 24, 2003, at his residence after a brief illness. He was born and had lived in the Hahira area all of his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Spearman and son Norvell Spearman Jr.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Spearman of Atlanta and Jon Spearman of Hahira; four grandchildren, Etta Sparks Stanley Norvell Spearman, Lewie Spearman and Simeon Spearman





; one great grandchild, Michelle Spearman and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2003, in the Valdosta chapel of Music Funeral Services with burial following in Friendship Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Music Funeral Services of Valdosta is serving the Spearman Family. — Music Funeral Services, Valdosta



William J. “Bill” Strickland

HOMERVILLE — Mr. William “Bill” Strickland, 83, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003 in the South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta, following an extended illness.

Mr. Strickland was born in Clinch County on April 19, 1919. He was reared in the Manor District of Ware County and helped build liberty ships in Brunswick during World War II. He was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp and attended the Prospect Primitive Baptist Church and was self-employed in the turpentine, farming and service station business. He was the son of the late Samuel A. and Maggie Henderson Strickland. Survivors are his wife of 59 years, Eloise Stalvey Strickland whom he married on July 25, 1943. He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Olive and William H. “Bill” Cribbs, Valdosta, one grandson, Will Cribbs, Valdosta; two brothers, Henry M. Strickland and T.E. Strickland (wife Mollie Faye) all of Waycross; four sisters, Gertrude Hewett, Aileen Minchew Collins and Blanch Taylor all of Waycross and Mary Lou Inman, Manor; his mother-in-law, Elma K. Stalvey, Homerville; two sisters-in-law, Juanita Smith, Homerville and Geraldine Strickland, Waycross and several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mr. Strickland will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. from the Prospect Primitive Baptist Church. Officiating will be Elder E.L. Wood and Rev. George O’Berry. Burial will be in the North Cemetery near DuPont. Mr. Strickland will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends Monday night from 7-9 p.m. with visitation after 5 p.m. Mr. Strickland will be carried to the church one hour prior to the services. Roundtree Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. — Roundtree Funeral Home



Thomas Cowart, 75, of Lakeland passed away Saturday evening, January 25, 2003 at South Georgia Medical Center after a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Music Funeral Services of Lakeland. — Music Funeral Services of Lakeland