Ronald Lewis Bryant, 54, of Belvedere, S.C., died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at his residence.
He was the son of Mildred Bryant of Crawford and father and step-mother, Bud and Jean Bryant of Lexington. He was a retired maintenance supervisor with Castleberry Foods and was a member of Belvedere First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Carol McDaniel Bryant; sons, Ron Bryant, Athens, and Greg Bryant, Crawford; daughters, Rhonda Bryant, Belvedere, S.C., Heather Gibbs, Keysville, and Brandy Wall, Blythe; brothers, Terry Bryant, Lexington, Randy Bryant, Winterville, Robbie Bryant, Carlton, and Barry Gee, Lexington; sisters, Rita Honea, Winterville, and Deborah Coker, Athens; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 10, at Belvedere First Baptist Church with the Rev. John Meyer officiating. Burial was at Pineview Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Robert Kirby, Lester Florence, Dan Moon, Richard Parker, Bill Schlipp, Lynne Sanders, Michael Proctor, Gary Moseley and Bill Wheeler. Honorary pallbearers were past and present Castleberry employees.
Rowland Funeral Home, Belvedere, S.C., was in charge of arrangements.
Entries from July 2008
Oscar Norwood
Oscar Frankland Norwood, 83, of Commerce, died Friday, July 11, 2008, at Peachtree Christian Hospice in Atlanta.
He was born in Poplar Grove, Ariz., the son of the late Oscar E. and Laura M. Tomerlin Norwood. Mr. Norwood was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Crews Norwood; and a son, Michael Norwood.
Survivors include a daughter, Patty Lord, Commerce; brother, Carl Norwood; grandchildren, Denise Fuller, Teresa Wilhite, Jeanna Skelton, Sybil Oliver and Adam Norwood; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with Randy Wilhite officiating. Direct burial was conducted on Friday, July 11, but the family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Poplar Grove, Ariz., the son of the late Oscar E. and Laura M. Tomerlin Norwood. Mr. Norwood was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Crews Norwood; and a son, Michael Norwood.
Survivors include a daughter, Patty Lord, Commerce; brother, Carl Norwood; grandchildren, Denise Fuller, Teresa Wilhite, Jeanna Skelton, Sybil Oliver and Adam Norwood; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with Randy Wilhite officiating. Direct burial was conducted on Friday, July 11, but the family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Darrell McGinnis
John Darrell McGinnis, 57, of Dublin, died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Fairview Park Hospital.
He was born in Jackson County on July 9, 1951, the son of Harold and Kathleen Sparks McGinnis of Commerce. He attended Dudley Baptist Church and was the executive director in the credit administration at Farmers Furniture Company.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include his wife, Betty McGinnis, Dublin; sons, Alex McGinnis and Aaron McGinnis, both of Dublin; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sheila and Aubry Scoggins and Cindy and Clark Cutler, all of Commerce; mother-in-law, Mildred Crumpton, Woodstock, Ala.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jackie and Danny Frederick, Woodstock, Ala.; nephews, Nick Scoggins, Chad Scoggins, Sam Cutler, Joel Frederick and Bryant Frederick; nieces, Ann Cutler and Julie Fondren; and a number of great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12, at 10 a.m. at Dudley Baptist Church with the Revs. Randy Mimbs, Joel Frederick and Josh Meadows officiating. Burial will be at Dublin Memorial Gardens. Active and honorary pallbearers will be associates of Darrell’s at Farmers Home Furniture. The family will receive friends Friday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Mr. McGinnis to a Trust Fund for Alex and Aaron McGinnis in care of Bank of America at 2101 Veterans Blvd., Dublin, Ga. 31021.
Stanley Funeral Home of Dublin is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Jackson County on July 9, 1951, the son of Harold and Kathleen Sparks McGinnis of Commerce. He attended Dudley Baptist Church and was the executive director in the credit administration at Farmers Furniture Company.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include his wife, Betty McGinnis, Dublin; sons, Alex McGinnis and Aaron McGinnis, both of Dublin; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sheila and Aubry Scoggins and Cindy and Clark Cutler, all of Commerce; mother-in-law, Mildred Crumpton, Woodstock, Ala.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jackie and Danny Frederick, Woodstock, Ala.; nephews, Nick Scoggins, Chad Scoggins, Sam Cutler, Joel Frederick and Bryant Frederick; nieces, Ann Cutler and Julie Fondren; and a number of great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12, at 10 a.m. at Dudley Baptist Church with the Revs. Randy Mimbs, Joel Frederick and Josh Meadows officiating. Burial will be at Dublin Memorial Gardens. Active and honorary pallbearers will be associates of Darrell’s at Farmers Home Furniture. The family will receive friends Friday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Mr. McGinnis to a Trust Fund for Alex and Aaron McGinnis in care of Bank of America at 2101 Veterans Blvd., Dublin, Ga. 31021.
Stanley Funeral Home of Dublin is in charge of arrangements.
Ernest Fowler
Ernest Lee Fowler, 68, of Royston, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at the Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston.
Born in Franklin County on September 14, 1939, he was the son of the late Hoyt and Lois Hill Fowler. He was a truck driver and was a member of Freedom Congregational Holiness Church. Mr. Fowler was preceded in death by brothers, Jude and D.J. Fowler; and sisters, Nobie Lee Fowler and Peggy Fowler.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Fleeman Fowler, Royston; a daughter, Judy Brown, Bowman; brother, Douglas Fowler, Bowersville; and one grandson.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Revs. Donald Vaughn and Marshall Vaughn officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Memorial Gardens-South.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Franklin County on September 14, 1939, he was the son of the late Hoyt and Lois Hill Fowler. He was a truck driver and was a member of Freedom Congregational Holiness Church. Mr. Fowler was preceded in death by brothers, Jude and D.J. Fowler; and sisters, Nobie Lee Fowler and Peggy Fowler.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Fleeman Fowler, Royston; a daughter, Judy Brown, Bowman; brother, Douglas Fowler, Bowersville; and one grandson.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Revs. Donald Vaughn and Marshall Vaughn officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Memorial Gardens-South.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Shelby Meeks
Shelby Jean Burdette Meeks, 68, of Anderson, S.C., died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at her daughter’s residence in Williamston, S.C.
Born in Oconee County, S.C., on December 19, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Mary Lou Burdette Blalock. She was a homemaker and formerly employed with Ellenburg Nursing Home. She was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Temple, and had cousins, family and friends in Commerce.
Survivors include sons, Jerry Floyd Powell, Columbia, S.C., and Billy Guy Powell, Anderson, S.C.; daughters, Glenda Marie Rollins, Anderson, S.C., and Debra Jean Dean, Williamston; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Calvin Massey, Anderson, S.C.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home with the Rev. Sam Duncan officiating. Burial will be in New Silverbrook Cemetery.
She will be taken to the home of her daughter, Debra Jean Dean, 119 Gray Drive, Williamston, S.C., and will receive friends from 1 p.m. on Friday, July 11, until 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, and also at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
The McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson, S.C., is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Oconee County, S.C., on December 19, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Mary Lou Burdette Blalock. She was a homemaker and formerly employed with Ellenburg Nursing Home. She was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Temple, and had cousins, family and friends in Commerce.
Survivors include sons, Jerry Floyd Powell, Columbia, S.C., and Billy Guy Powell, Anderson, S.C.; daughters, Glenda Marie Rollins, Anderson, S.C., and Debra Jean Dean, Williamston; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Calvin Massey, Anderson, S.C.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home with the Rev. Sam Duncan officiating. Burial will be in New Silverbrook Cemetery.
She will be taken to the home of her daughter, Debra Jean Dean, 119 Gray Drive, Williamston, S.C., and will receive friends from 1 p.m. on Friday, July 11, until 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, and also at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
The McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson, S.C., is in charge of arrangements.
‘Zac’ Gardiner
John Zachary “Zac” Gardiner, 26, of Homer, died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at BJC Medical Center in Commerce.
He was the son of Johnny and Connie Gardiner of Maysville, and Patricia Meeks Gardiner and Alan Farmer of Homer. He was born in Hall County.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include a sister, Jill Allen, Lula; and grandparents, Pledger and Bonnie Gardiner, and Ferd and Betty Meeks..
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m., at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with the Rev. Ralph O. Smith officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
He was the son of Johnny and Connie Gardiner of Maysville, and Patricia Meeks Gardiner and Alan Farmer of Homer. He was born in Hall County.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include a sister, Jill Allen, Lula; and grandparents, Pledger and Bonnie Gardiner, and Ferd and Betty Meeks..
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m., at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with the Rev. Ralph O. Smith officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Willie Maxey
Willie Saye Maxey, 93, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at her residence.
Born in Madison County, she was the daughter of the late Delow and Claudia Willingham Williams. She was a member of Bluestone Baptist Church. Mrs. Maxey was preceded in death by sons, David, Harry and Tommy Maxey; a brother, James Williams; and sisters, Elizabeth Autry and Mamie Hewett.
Survivors include children and their spouses, Lois and R.G. Payne, Hull, Richard Maxey, Colbert, Beverly and Lester Dove, Danielsville, Kathy and Gary Keene, Colbert; sister, Jennie Ree Dixon, Athens; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m., at Bluestone Baptist Church with the Revs. Ray Jenkins and George Lovely officiating. Her grandson, Lamar Scarborough, will also be speaking. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Grandsons will be pallbearers.
Flowers will be accepted.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Madison County, she was the daughter of the late Delow and Claudia Willingham Williams. She was a member of Bluestone Baptist Church. Mrs. Maxey was preceded in death by sons, David, Harry and Tommy Maxey; a brother, James Williams; and sisters, Elizabeth Autry and Mamie Hewett.
Survivors include children and their spouses, Lois and R.G. Payne, Hull, Richard Maxey, Colbert, Beverly and Lester Dove, Danielsville, Kathy and Gary Keene, Colbert; sister, Jennie Ree Dixon, Athens; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m., at Bluestone Baptist Church with the Revs. Ray Jenkins and George Lovely officiating. Her grandson, Lamar Scarborough, will also be speaking. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Grandsons will be pallbearers.
Flowers will be accepted.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Leroy Smith
Leroy Smith, 95, of Lula, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at a local medical center.
He was born in Banks County on July 25, 1912, the son of the late William “Bill” and Thanie Cagle Smith. He was a member of Belton Baptist Church and was a retired employee at Southern Railway with 31 years of service. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a son, Edgar Smith; brothers, Enos Smith, LJ Smith; sisters, Idell Saxon, Mozelle Worley, Vernie Echols, Lillie Bell Smith and Essalene Wheeler.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ruth Crumley Smith, Lula; sons and daughters-in-law, Royce and Mary Alice Smith, Murrayville, Willard and Joyce Smith, Baldwin, Baxter and Shirley Smith and Joel Smith, all of Lula; sister, Lucille Smith, Lula; brother, Troy Smith, Lula; grandchildren, Bradley Smith, Tabitha Sims, Deane Dyer, Jennifer Moore, Ryan Smith, Amanda Gaddy and Leslie McClure; and great-grandchildren, Tiffany Sims, Kyle Smith, Maggie Dyer, Luke Moore and Isaac Moore.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 2 p.m., at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, with the Revs. Paul Morris and Cecil Thomas officiating. Burial will be in the Belton Baptist Cemetery with the Rev. Shane Wehunt officiating.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Banks County on July 25, 1912, the son of the late William “Bill” and Thanie Cagle Smith. He was a member of Belton Baptist Church and was a retired employee at Southern Railway with 31 years of service. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a son, Edgar Smith; brothers, Enos Smith, LJ Smith; sisters, Idell Saxon, Mozelle Worley, Vernie Echols, Lillie Bell Smith and Essalene Wheeler.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ruth Crumley Smith, Lula; sons and daughters-in-law, Royce and Mary Alice Smith, Murrayville, Willard and Joyce Smith, Baldwin, Baxter and Shirley Smith and Joel Smith, all of Lula; sister, Lucille Smith, Lula; brother, Troy Smith, Lula; grandchildren, Bradley Smith, Tabitha Sims, Deane Dyer, Jennifer Moore, Ryan Smith, Amanda Gaddy and Leslie McClure; and great-grandchildren, Tiffany Sims, Kyle Smith, Maggie Dyer, Luke Moore and Isaac Moore.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 2 p.m., at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, with the Revs. Paul Morris and Cecil Thomas officiating. Burial will be in the Belton Baptist Cemetery with the Rev. Shane Wehunt officiating.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Judith Gibson
Judith Lynn Gibson, 66, of Alto, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at a private care facility.
She was born in Robinson, N.C., on February 19, 1942, the daughter of the late Roland and Vashti Britt Rowan. She was Baptist and was retired from Fieldale. Mrs. Gibson was preceded in death by a daughter, Samantha Lynn Gibson.
Survivors include her husband, Marshall Lee Gibson, Alto; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Lynn and Steve Betsinger, Bozeman, Mont.; sons and daughter-in-law, Ronald Calvin and Terri Smith, Cleveland, Richard Bryan Smith, Bozeman, Mont.; sister, Annette Rowan, Euless, Texas; brothers, Edmond Rowan, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Kevin M. Smith, Randy A. Smith, Kelley L. Smith and Sherry L. Smith.
No funeral services are planned at this time.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Robinson, N.C., on February 19, 1942, the daughter of the late Roland and Vashti Britt Rowan. She was Baptist and was retired from Fieldale. Mrs. Gibson was preceded in death by a daughter, Samantha Lynn Gibson.
Survivors include her husband, Marshall Lee Gibson, Alto; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Lynn and Steve Betsinger, Bozeman, Mont.; sons and daughter-in-law, Ronald Calvin and Terri Smith, Cleveland, Richard Bryan Smith, Bozeman, Mont.; sister, Annette Rowan, Euless, Texas; brothers, Edmond Rowan, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Kevin M. Smith, Randy A. Smith, Kelley L. Smith and Sherry L. Smith.
No funeral services are planned at this time.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Lloyd Echols
Lloyd Andrew Echols, 70, of Gillsville, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at his residence.
Survivors include his wife, Mary B. Savage Echols, Gillsville; a son, Charles Echols, Alto; stepsons, Billy Whitfield and Horace Whitfield, both of Gillsville; daughter, Michelle Echols Waite, Dawsonville; brothers, David and Jimmy Echols; and sisters, Nancy Ledford and Dot Hill.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Swayne Carlan officiating. Burial will be in the Solid Rock Baptist Church cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Mary B. Savage Echols, Gillsville; a son, Charles Echols, Alto; stepsons, Billy Whitfield and Horace Whitfield, both of Gillsville; daughter, Michelle Echols Waite, Dawsonville; brothers, David and Jimmy Echols; and sisters, Nancy Ledford and Dot Hill.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 11, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Swayne Carlan officiating. Burial will be in the Solid Rock Baptist Church cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy