for Oct. 4, 2002



Haivard Copeland

VALDOSTA — Mr. Haivard Copeland was called home by God on Sept. 27, 2002. Haivard Copeland was born on Dec. 10, 1927, to Elijah Copeland and Lizzie Copeland. He was the youngest of five. He joined First Antioch Missionary Baptist Church at a young age under the leadership of Pastor Marion Johnson. He was a carpenter for many years a skill that he seemed to truly enjoy. Having fun with his family, he said that’s what he was living for. Two siblings preceded him in death, Henry Copeland and Warnell McCastle. He leaves to cherish his fond memories his devoted wife, Lillie Mae Copeland; one son, Haywood L. Copeland (Loretha) of Valdosta; three daughters, Martha K. Harris of Valdosta, Beverly White (Hazel) and Subrena M. Marshall (Tony) of Bamberg, Germany; nine grandchildren, Haywood L. Copeland, Jr., Reginald Thomas, Terrence William, William White, Tony Marshall Jr., Natasha Copeland, Razelenn White, Tiffany Marshall, and Hailey White; two great-grandsons; two sisters, L.E. Johnson and K.D. Roundtree; two brothers-in-law, Sylvester Mathis and Sam Bivins; one sister-in-law, Christine Copeland. He also leaves a host of loving nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A special thanks to Pearlman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hospice, South Georgia Medical Center and Doctors and staff. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today at First Antioch Baptist Church, the Rev. Willie Roberson will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary



Clifford Owens Griffin Sr.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta native Clifford Owens Griffin, Sr., 81, lovingly known as “Mr. Clifford,” passed away in his home early Monday morning on Sept. 30, 2002, from natural causes while asleep. Even though he was a quadriplegic for more than 30 years, there was nothing crippled about his optimistic outlook or heart. Anyone who was honored to know him was inspired by his infectious wit and charm. Mr. Griffin was born April 14, 1921, to the late Ophelia Larkin Griffin Bowens and the late Gaines Owens Griffin. He attended South Street Elementary and graduated from Dasher High in Valdosta. During World War II at the age of 21, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a mail clerk from Nov. 14, 1942, to Jan. 13, 1946. After an honorable discharge, he received the American Theater Ribbon, WW II Victory Medal, EA, Meritorious Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Griffin then entered Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Ala., majoring in interior decoration, and graduated with a B.S. in Industrial Arts and Education. While at Tuskegee, he met Sofiner Jones, whom he later married Dec. 14, 1952. To this union were born six children: Mitzi, Clifford II, Odell, Marcus, Odette, and Jason. He devoted 26 years to federal civil service as a civil engineer lead painter at Moody Field, until following an accident he became a quadriplegic. He joined Macedonia First Baptist Church in 1936, and has been a deacon for over 40 years. As a gifted artist, Deacon Griffin painted for Macedonia the “Last Supper” and the inscription “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth” above the pulpit. He was preceded in death by his parents Gaines and Ophelia Griffin; one son, Clifford O. Griffin, II; and one brother, Gaines Griffin. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of nearly 50 years, Sofiner Jones Griffin; sons, Odell Griffin (Cynthia) of Stone Mountain, Ga., Marcus Griffin (Carol) of Converse, Texas, and Jason Griffin of San Diego, Calif.; daughters, Mitzi Singleton (Vernon) of Lake City, Fla., Maphelia Odette Battle of Valdosta, and Taffia Hunt (Robert) of Columbus; daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann Scott Griffin of Jacksonville, Fla.; sister, Dorothy A. Mack of Ann Arbor, Mich.; brother-in-law, Odell (Peggy) Jones III; sisters-in-law, Ollie Jones Beasley of Tuskegee, Ala., Bessie (Mack) Jones Hall and Florae Jones Patrick, both of Detroit, Mich.; 18 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces, nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends





. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at Macedonia First Baptist Church at 715 J.L. Lomax Dr., Valdosta. The Rev. Skylan W. Hagin will officiate. Burial will follow at the family plot in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 7 p.m. this evening at the family residence. — Stevens Funeral Home



Harris Lee Caldwell, Jr., 32, of Valdosta died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 at South Georgia Medical Center from injuries sustained in an accident. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Mrs. Cora Cherry, age 62, of Quitman, Ga., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002, at the Brooks County Emergency Room in Quitman. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced at a later date by the Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman.



Funeral services for Mrs. Gladys T. Jones, 73, of Adel will be held at 2 p.m. today at Cottrell Chapel CME Church in Sparks. Burial will be held in Adel Cemetery. — Lane Memorial Chapel of Adel



Mr. Dewbell Richardson, age 88, of Quitman, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, at the Presbyterian Home of Quitman. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at 11 a.m. at the Simmon Hill Baptist Church in Dixie, Ga., with Rev. James Huewitt, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in the Simmon Hill Church Cemetery. Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home of Quitman is in charge of the arrangements.



Funeral services for Mr. Mack Sims, Jr. 69, of Valdosta will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002 at Pentecostal House of Prayer, 315 E. Central Ave.. Visitation will be held from 3-8 p.m. this evening at Lane Memorial Chapel, Adel. Burial will be held in Lenox Cemetery, Lenox, Ga. — Lane Memorial Chapel of Adel



Lucille Thomas, 85, of Valdosta passed this life Sept. 30, 2002, at the South Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Greater Day Spring Baptist Church and the Rev. Charlie Dunbar will officiate. Burial will follow in Butler Cemetery. Final rites are entrusted to Harrington Funeral Home