Obituaries for Thursday, June 7, 2007

Published 12:10 am Thursday, June 7, 2007

ADEL

Rocky Neal Thompson Sr.

Rocky Neal Thompson Sr., 55, of Adel passed away June 6, 2007, at his residence. He was born April 8, 1952, in Tift County to Grady M. Sr. and Jean Connell Thompson. He lived in Cook County for the past 20 years. He was a farmer and in Agri-Business and was a member of Adel United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Fresh Thompson of Adel; three daughters and sons-in-law, Jeannie and Mark Paulk, Adel, Cassie and Travis Wallace, Fuquay Varina, N.C., Haley Thompson, Adel; parents, Grady M. Sr. and Jean Connell Thompson, Tifton; two granddaughters, Harley and Ansley Paulk, both of Adel; six brothers, Grady Thompson Jr., Melvin Thompson, Danny Thompson, all of Tifton, Jimmy Thompson, Norman Park, Jack Thompson, Clyde Thompson, both of Tifton; two sisters, Martha Flohe, Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Ginger Jordan of Tifton. He was preceded in death by one son, Neal Thompson Jr.; and a nephew, Andrew Thompson.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Adel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Land and the Rev. O.L. Stokes officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery Annex. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Hwy. 41 South. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Neal Thompson Scholarship Fund c/o Cook Community Bank; 206 E. 4th St., Adel, GA 31620 or Adel United Methodist Church, 214 S. Hutchinson Ave., Adel, GA 31620. Boone-Lipsey Funeral Home, Adel



ELBA, ALA.

James Gardner Clark Jr.

James Gardner Clark Jr., 84, of Elba, Ala., departed this life Monday, June 4, 2007, at Elba Nursing Home in Elba. Funeral services will be held at Hayes Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, June 8, 2007, at 11 a.m. with Min. Philip B. Box officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Elba. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Hayes Funeral Home. The Clark family is accepting flowers or contributions may be made to Elba Church of Christ, P.O. Box 269, Elba, AL 36323.

Mr. Clark was preceded in death by his parents, James Gardner Clark Sr. and Ettie Lee Clark; a son, Stephen Lee Clark; daughter, Lillian Lee Clark; and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Clark was a veteran serving in the Army — Air Force during WWII. He served as an engineer/gunner on B-25s while stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He was the former sheriff of Dallas County in Alabama from 1955 – 1966; lifetime member of the Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch Builders Club and the American Legion; served as first vice president of the National Sheriffs Association, and past president of the Alabama Sheriffs Association.

Survivors include two daughters, Joanna Clark Miller (Edward) of Selma, Ala., Jan Clark Buster (Robert) of Birmingham, Ala.; three sons, Jimmy Clark (Marie) of Grove Hill, Ala., Jeff Clark of Luverne, Ala., Johnny Clark (Pam) of Quitman; sister, Nelle Hause of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Charles Clark (Merrill) of Birmingham, Ala.; three granddaughters, Jennifer Clark, Amy Young, (Steve), Catherine Ray (Adam); grandsons, Michael Clark (Alethia), Matthew Clark, Jamie Clark; granddaughter, Libby Moody, (Josh); grandson, Scott Clark, (Summer); grandson, John Miller; granddaughter, Mallory Miller; granddaughter, Susan Clark; grandson, Andy Buster. Mr. Clark is also survived by his former wife, Louise Clark of Selma, Ala. — Hayes Funeral Home, Elba, Ala.



RAY CITY

Betty B. Starling

Betty B. Starling, 65, of Ray City passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2007, at South Georgia Medical Center. She was born on July 16, 1941, in Berrien County to Myrtle Verona Taylor and the late Charlie Bryan.

She was a homemaker and clerk with the Berrien County Tax Commissioner’s Office, an avid gardener and was a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the Humane Society. On May 23, 2007, Hank and Betty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

She is survived by her husband, Hank Starling of Ray City; one daughter, Sonya (Chris) Sabo of Calendonia, Miss.; one son, Lee Starling, Ray City; four grandchildren, Marissa Martini, Shad Starling, Leigh Ann Starling, Rachel Starling; mother, Myrtle Bryan, Nashville. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Bryan; and a sister, Barbara Frontera.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2007, in the chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with Father John O’Brien officiating. Interment will be in Westview Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. today. — Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville



VALDOSTA

John Allen Byrd

John Allen Byrd, 87, of Valdosta died Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at home. He was born on July 20, 1919, in New Brockton, Ala., to the late James B. and Elizabeth Lamons Byrd. Mr. Byrd was retired from Owens-Illinois, was a member of the Redland Baptist Church and a member of St. John the Baptist Masonic Lodge No. 184. During the WWII, he was employed by the U.S. Navy at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for a period of 30 months where his services contributed to the mission of the Pacific Naval Base in support of the U.S. Fleet.

Survivors include his wife, Edna M. Byrd; a daughter, Rebecca Barnes; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Reese Adams Fletcher and Walter Fletcher; great-grandchildren, John Riccio Green, Marianne Green and Catherine Green; one brother, Elmer Byrd, all of Valdosta; one sister, Mary Hinson of Alabama. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Byrd; and sisters, Gladys Martin, Bertha Frill and Mildred Crabtree.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2007, at Redland Baptist Church with the Rev. Jay Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens with Masonic rites at the graveside. The family will receive friends on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.



VALDOSTA

Emma Sylvia Davis

Emma Sylvia Davis, 74, of Valdosta, was born on April 15, 1933, in Early County, to the late Osben and Charity Perry.

At the early age of eight, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. At the age of 12, she joined the Thomas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Butler. She remained a faithful member there for more than 62 years. She loved the Lord and demonstrated it by actively serving in many different auxiliaries. Prior to her illness, she served as the Women’s Mission president, Sunday School teacher and a Senior Board usher for Thomas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She also proudly served as a Sunday School teacher for the Western Division Union Meeting.

She attended Dasher High School and graduated in the Class of 1951. On Aug. 16, 1952, she met and married Harvey Davis Sr. and to this union two children were born, Harvey Jr. and Virginia Louise.

She worked for more than 50 years as a domestic worker. She was currently employed by dear friends Mrs. Camille Peeples and The Mackeys, up until her illness.

On Tuesday, May 29, 2007, God called Emma Sylvia Davis home to rest. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, six sisters and two brothers.

She leaves to cherish her memories; one son, Harvey Davis Jr. (Mary); one daughter, Virginia Morrison (Eugene); one sister, Rutha Lee Gillard (Frederick); a nephew raised as a brother, Pocahontas Collier, all of Valdosta; four sisters-in-law, Lillie Bee Cohen of Houston, Texas, Mae Nora White (Clarence) and Beatrice Edmondson, both of Valdosta, and Marietta Sauls (Willie) of St. Augustine, Fla.; three brothers-in-law, Howard Davis (Willie Mae) of Valdosta, Aroy Davis of Opalocka, Fla., and Albert Cofield of Tallahassee, Fla.; one aunt, Chillie Bailey of Hilton; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; also a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2007, at Thomas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Edgar Roberts, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Scott and Roberts Mortuary



VALDOSTA

William L. ‘Bill’ Sasser

William L. “Bill” Sasser, 76, of Valdosta passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at South Georgia Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 25, 1930, in Lowndes County to the late Creed Davis and Janie Cleo Read Sasser. He was a retired truck driver; Air Force veteran and of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his two daughters, Donna Crosby of Madison, Fla., Cindy Higgins, Biloxi, Mass.; one son, Keith Sasser, Macon; four grandchildren; one sister, Martha (Vernon) Sansberry, Valdosta; special niece and nephew, Janice Avery and Johnny Sansberry; and his dog, Buster. He was preceded in death by a son, John Kevin Sasser; and a grandson, Chris Sasser.

Graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., today, June 7, 2007, in Sunset Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Michael Bass officiating. — Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville



Death Notices:

Walter Thomas Warren

Walter Thomas Warren, 57, of Lakeland, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at South Georgia Medial Center after a brief illness. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 9, 2007, at 10 a.m. in the Lakeland Chapel of Music Funeral Services. As per his wishes, he will be cremated. Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com. — Music Funeral Services of Lakeland is serving the Warren family.