Dearly Departed 2000s and Unknowns

  Year                         ????

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Randy  Barrett

          Sarah Ayers Beatty

            Sarah Ayers Beatty, 23, died July 21, 2000, from injuries received in an auto accident in Ware County. Mrs. Beatty

            was born in Orlando, Fla., and had lived in Valdosta for many years. She was an LPN at South Georgia Medical

            Center in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit. She was a graduate of Lowndes High School and was enrolled in the

             nursing program at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Mrs. Beatty was a member of the Kingdom Hall

            Jehovah's Witness. She is survived by her father, Edward Ayers, Valdosta; two sisters, Sophia Lourine Fuhrman,

            Valdosta, and Cathy Mabe, Bowling Green, Fla. Memorial services for Mrs. Beatty will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at

            the Passmore-Sumner Chapel with Clyde Bjorkman officiating. -- Passmore-Sumner Funeral Chapel, Valdosta

          Lester Earl Carter

            2-8-81  8-16-03 - passed away of tragic death at his home in Statenville Ga. He was employed at Greenleaf

            products in Lakepark as a heavy Equip. operator. He is survived by Son Tyler Austin Gauge Carter {2} and

            daughter Stormy Ashton Renee Carter {1) Fiance' Crystal Renee Criswell Two brothers Derrick Carter and Wesley

            Carter.Three sisters Stacey Carter, Alexis Walker, Meranda Walker. Mother Beverly Carter Father Edward E Carter

            Aunt Sandra Trouille and uncle Jimmy Deloach. Bestfriend Allan M. Hughes. He was much loved and will be missed

            always but carries on in the eyes of his children. For any contacts for lester email me at

                                                Crystal Carter [Criswell]                                     Emotdisturbed816@yahoo.com

          Stacey A. Colston [Johnson]

            Stacey A. Colston was born Aug. 23, 1968 in Berrien County, Ga., to Joe and Vivian Johnson. The good Lord called

             her home on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008. She attended Lowndes County School System, also Valdosta Technical

            College. She was employed at Chic-Fil-A of Waycross, Ga. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph

            Johnson, three brothers, Robert Wright, Michael Richardson and James Taylor, three sisters, Alfeda Richardson,

            Joe Beth Johnson and April Taylor. She leaves to cherish her memories a daughter, McKennzie A. Colston; her

            mother, Vivian Wilkerson (Vernon).; her brother, Steve Johnson; four sisters, Deidre Collier, Vontella Johnson,

            Veronica Phillips and Candace Watts (Wayne); three aunts Elizabeth Jackson, Dot Hudson and Frankie Lee

            Goodman; a special friend, Bernard Benson II; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services

            will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Jerusalem Baptist Church and the Rev. George Blunt will

            officiate. Burial will follow in the Eastview Cemetery in Nashville, Ga. — Harrington Funeral Home

          David Lee (Bubba) Coody Jr.

            David Lee (Bubba) Coody Jr., 34, of Valdosta, died on Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Echols County. Born in Valdosta,

            on June 29, 1973, he was a graduate of Lowndes High School and Valdosta Technical College and he was

            employed as an electrician at Langboard. David was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. He was an

            avid runner and bicyclist and was in training for the Walt Disney Marathon. David was known for his yellow running

             shoes. Survivors are his parents, David and Sandra Coody; sister, Jennifer Coody; two nieces, Madison S. Swain

            and Annaleigh T. Coody; nephew, Zachary T. Coody, all of Valdosta; maternal grandmothers, Faye Taylor of Cook

            County and Lois Lawson of Valdosta; several loving aunts and uncles; numerous cousins and many close friends.

            He was preceded in death by grandparents, J.B. Coody Jr. and Marjorie Phillips Coody, Claude U. Taylor and James

            A. Lawson. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 30, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane

            Funeral Home. The Rev. Nate Lehman, the Rev. Sam Vernon and Jason Boykin will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt.

            Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Condolences may

            be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to

            the American Cancer Society. — Carson McLane Funeral Home

          Billy Joe Cribb

            Billy Joe Cribb, 51, of Valdosta, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 24, 2007, at his residence after a sudden

            illness. He was born March 8, 1956, in Hahira to the late John Yancey Cribb Sr. He served proudly in the United

            States Army for 12 years. He was a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church on Bemiss Road.  Survivors Include his

            wife, Belinda Jeanne Cribb of Valdosta; two daughters, Jennifer Lynn Andrews of Atlanta, and Belinda Dawn

            Thorpe of Valdosta; three sons, Billy Joe Cribb Jr., Christopher Todd Cribb and Edward Russell Nesmith, all of

            Valdosta; four grandchildren, Stephen Kyle Andrews, Kaden Dallas Andrews, both of Atlanta, Preston Thorpe,

            Paris Thorpe, both of Valdosta; his mother and stepfather, Velma Cribb and Mack McRae, both of Adel; three

            brothers, Johnny Y. Cribb Jr. of Valdosta; Jimmy W. Cribb of Ringgold, Ga., and Bobby Cribb of McDonough, Ga.;

            and a number of nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at the

            Lighthouse Baptist Church with Pastor Jimmy Burt officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Sympathy

            may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com. — Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.

          Wade  Culpepper

          Odis L. Denton

            Tech. Sgt. (retired) Odis L. Denton was born on Dec. 9, 1948, in Lowndes County to Ms. Odessa G. Denton and the

             late Lenwood M. Denton. He passed this life on Nov. 1, 2005, at the age of 56 at South Georgia Medical Center. He

            received an education in the Lowndes County School System and upon graduation attended Lincoln Business

            College in Jacksonville, Fla. He served in the United States Air Force for 22 years before retiring in Colorado

            Springs, Colo. as Tech. Sgt., later settling in Valdosta. In Valdosta, he served with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s

            Department and worked at South Georgia Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his father, Lenwood M.

            Denton; two grandmothers, Corine Griffin and Daisy P. Denton; and two grandfathers Silas Griffin, Sr. and Edgar

            Payton Denton. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of wife of 35 years, Diane Denton of Valdosta;

            two children, Odis Leonard Denton II (Sabrina) of Killeen, Texas and Schavonne Diane Denton, of Valdosta; his

            mother, Odessa G. Denton, Valdosta; five brothers and sisters, Lonnie M. Denton (Linda), Edgar R. Denton (Lillie),

            Avia Thomas (Willie), Wanda McFarland, all of Valdosta and Teresa D. Mance (Eric) of Stone Mountain, Ga.; mother-

            in-law, Emma Lue Boyd Cohen of Valdosta; two sisters-in-law, Georgia Anne Boyd of Valdosta, and Shirley Lue

            Burns (James) of Warner Robins; one uncle, Silas H. Griffin, Jr. of Valdosta; one aunt, Clarice Armstrong of

            Crawfordville; three great-aunts, Artie B. Scriven and Doreatha Woods (Eula) of Valdosta and Lenora Henderson

            of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.

            Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, at Second Oak Grove Baptist Church. Dr. Curtis Sermons officiating. Burial will follow in

            Forrest Grove Cemetery. — Godfrey Funeral Home.

          Johnny Lee House

            passed away on Feb. 24, 2002, in Lake City, Fla. Mr. House resided at 703 College St. in Valdosta. He was born on

            June 25, 1954, in Stockton to the union of Willie James Speed and Susie Dell House. Johnny Lee House attended

            Lowndes County High School and upon completion, joined the U.S. Army where he received an honorable

            discharge. He attended Central Business College and Valdosta Technical College. He was employed by Atlanta Life

            Insurance Company as an agent until his illness. Johnny was a member of Love of God Temple where he attended

            until his illness. He leaves to mourn his passing his mother, Susie Dell Brown of Valdosta; stepfather, Douglas

            Griffin of Valdosta; one son, Johnny Jr. of Carrollton; three brothers, Henry E. Merritt Jr. of Killeen, Texas, Gary

            McQueen, Lake City, Fla., and Willie James Speed of Tallahassee, Fla.; four sisters; Mae Dell Merritt of Valdosta,

            Mary Francis Merritt of Tallahassee, Bonnie R. Walker of Orlando, Fla., and Carolyn Speed of Valdosta. He also

            leaves five aunts, Josephine Richardson of Naylor, Julia M. Robinson of Valdosta, Mae Bell Bibbins of Orlando,

            Barbara Ann Johnson of Tallahassee, and Mary Lee Speed, Orlando; three devoted cousins, Samuel Robinson of

            Cairo, Tommy Speed of Valdosta, and Joel Robinson; special friends, Keith Marshall of Valdosta and Dino Roberts

            of Valdosta. He also leaves a devoted nephew, Johnny E. Merritt of Valdosta; a niece, Angela Merritt of Valdosta;

            and a host of other cousins and friends. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Union Holiness Church.

            Elder Willie Fields is the pastor and the Rev. Natalie Thomas will officiate. Burial will be in Foreman Cemetery,

            Stockton. -- Stevens Funeral Home

          Tonya Lorraine Mikell

            Miss Tonya Lorraine Mikell, 20 of Valdosta resided at 1268 Hodge Avenue in Charleston, S.C. She was born July

            14, 1984 in Valdosta to Tony L. and Brenda Mikell. She attended Lowndes High School.  She departed this life on

            Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004 at Medical University of S.C.  She was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward

            Charles Berrian, Jr. and Tony L. Mikell, Jr., one sister, Salina Y. Mikell and grandfather John Williams.  She is

            survived by her loving parents, Tony L. and Brenda Mikell; one sister, Salenthia Y. York of Charleston, S.C.; one

            brother, Norvell Bernard Roberts of Atlanta; grandparents, Eugene and Pinkie Mikell and Luvenia Williams; eight

            aunts, Diane Shuman (Edwardo), Sharonda Jones, Gloria Myers (Wiley), Mary Moore, Eula Howell (Harry, Sr.), Ree

            Omie Howell (Kenneth), Linda Bryant (Bobby, Jr.), Nina Bell (Lent, Sr.); six uncles, Billy Mikell (Pearl), Danny Mikell

            (Shonda), Jason Mikell, Alfonza Williams, Ted Williams (Windell), Stan Williams (Charlotte); special cousins, Tammy

            Scott, Taj'na Williams, Jasmine Williams, Omillya Qutaishat, Bobby Bryant, III, Tiffany Cowens, Malik Rogers and

            Rajayce Rogers; God sister, Eureka Bell; God mother, Nina Bell; special aunt, Linda Bryant; and a host of other

            relatives. Special friends, Shayla Norwood, Lataria Corbett, Marissa, Felicia, Marshea, Melissa and Calandra; and a

            host of other friends.  Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004 at Woodlawn Forrest Church

            of Christ. Bro. Leroy Butler Jr., pastor and Bro. Andre Norwood will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill

            Cemetery. -- Scott And Roberts Mortuary

          Michael Eugene Miller

            23, Hahira, died Saturday, Dec 18, 1999 at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born Aug. 10, 1976 to John

            Henry Covington and Annie Mae Miller. He was a member of Magnolia Baptist Church of Hahira. He attended Hahira

            Middle School and graduated from Lowndes High School. He was employed at Scruggs Company in Mineola. He

            was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Miller, Hahira, and Fannie Lou Covington, Adel. He

            leaves to cherish his memories, a loving mother Annie Mae Miller, Hahira; father, John Henry Covington Jr., Adel;

            one sister, Shirley Ann Miller, Hahira; three brothers, Mario Leon Miller, Alexander Miller and Calvin Lewis Miller, all

            of Hahira; one stepsister, Sherrita Covington; one stepbrother, Jonathan Covington; grandfather, John Henry

            Covington Sr., Adel; one nephew, Gary West Jr.; 17 aunts; 12 uncles; special friend, Raquel Patterson; devoted

            aunt Clementine Miller; devoted friends, Lawrence Roundtree Jr., John Henry Jones, Andy, Scott, Chris, Matt, Zant,

            Gerald and James Graham; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends. Funeral services were held

             at 2 p.m. Friday at Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church in Hahira with the Rev. James Hobbs Jr., pastor, officiating.

            Burial was in Miller Cemetery, Hahira.  --Scott & Roberts Mortuary

          Cathy  Miller

          Tonya Renee Miller-Smith

            VALDOSTA -- Tonya Renee Miller-Smith, 28, of Valdost, was born Feb. 12, 1975, in Lowndes County. She was a

            graduate of Lowndes High School. She was employed by the Wal-mart Super Center. She departed this life on

            Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at the South Georgia Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her sister, Cathy

            Miller.  She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Steven Bernard Smith; one son, Steven Bernard Smith II of

             Valdosta; her parents, Chancey and Addie Miller of Hahira; five sisters, Betty (Ben) Washington, Debra (Melvin)

            Brandon, and Gwendolyn Tyler, all of Valdosta, Arletha (Bobby) Hall of Vineland, N.J., and Patricia Miller of

            Jacksonville, Fla.; one brother, David (Angela) Miller of Valdosta; two sisters-in-law, Doris Gordon and Alecia

            (Virgil) Williams, both of Miami, Fla.; 10 nieces, Sharon, Latasha, Sabrina, Krystal, Ebony, Natoya, Tia, Kamisha,

            Malinda and Brittany; four nephews, Roderick, Joe, David Jr., and Jordan; two great-nieces, Jada and Ashanti; and

            a host of relatives and friends.  Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 21 at Magnolia Missionary

            Baptist Church in Hahira. The Rev. James Hobbs, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Miller Cemetery in

            Hahira. -- Scott and Roberts Mortuary

          Dustin  Ortlieb

            Lets not forget Dustin Ortlieb killed in a four wheeler accident you are never forgotten.

                                                Crystal Carter [Criswell]                                     Emotdisturbed816@yahoo.com

          Bubba  Riley

            I would just like to say I'm sorry to the family of Bubba Riley (Kristy and Son) I truly know your pain and know what

            it feels to lose someone so close to your heart. C.R.C.C.

                                                Crystal Carter [Criswell]                                     Emotdisturbed816@yahoo.com

          Brad  Rowan

          Shannon  Sapp

          Willie Thomas Small

            Mr. Willie Thomas Small, 65, was born April 7, 1940, to the late Mr. Thomas Smal and Mrs. Louisa Ward of Valdosta.

            He attended elementary and high schools in the Lowndes County school system. He departed this life on

            Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at Kindred Hospital, Central Tampa, Fla. He was a retired truck driver.  He leaves to morn

             his passing his mother, Louisa Ward, Valdosta; one son, James Miller, Valdosta; three brothers, John Paul

            Habersham, Valdosta, Felton Small, Jacksonville, Fla., Moses Small of San Diego, Calif.; one aunt, Alice Hicks, N.J.;

            and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins. He also leaves to mourn his passing a very special friend, Frank Crum

             of Tampa, Fla.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at Morning Glory Funeral Home

            Chapel in Tampa, Fla. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tampa, Fla. Morning Glory Funeral Home of

            Tampa is in charge of arrangements. Godfrey Funeral Home LLC of Valdosta is assisting the family locally. —

            Morning Glory Funeral Home Chapel in Tampa, Fla. and Godfrey Funeral Home of Valdosta.

          Jerrod  Stump

          John Wesley (Pee Wee) Thomas

            Mr. John Wesley (Pee Wee) Thomas was born on Sept. 17, 1953, in Brooks County, Ga., to the late Mr. John A.

            Thomas and Mrs. Alberta Irvin. He was the fifth child born to this union.  He received his formal education in the

            public schools of Lowndes County. After leaving school, he entered into the military for a brief period of time. He

            enjoyed tilling in the soil and reaping the benefit of his labor. He worked in many areas of Lowndes County, doing

            farm work as well as being a handyman for those in need of his help. Pee Wee was good-natured and well-known

            within his community. He enjoyed sharing the word of God with his circle of friends. He attended Beulah Hill Baptist

            Church in Quitman, Ga. His favorite saying was “I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can

             save anybody.”  He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. John A. Thomas. He leaves to lament his passing a

            son, Mr. Eric Conoway Manning of Washington, D.C.; three grandchildren, Landon Manning, Alexis Manning, Bishop

            Manning; his mother, Mrs. Alberta Irvin, and stepfather, Mr. Richard Irvin; four sisters, Ms. Clemmie Jean Sams, Mrs.

            Barbara J. Carter (Marcellous), Ms. Beverly Robinson, all of Valdosta, Ga., and Ms. Alma J. Yusuff, of Atlanta, Ga.;

            five brothers, Mr. Jimmy L. Thomas (Grace), Mr. Jack H. Thomas (LaVerne), Mr. Larry Thomas (Wanda Faye), Mr.

            Paul Thomas, and Mr. Billy W. Thomas (Pandora), all of Valdosta, Ga.; one aunt, Mrs. Willie Mae Thompkins (Luther),

            Madison, Fla.; and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.  Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Oct.

            30, 2005, at noon at Morningstar Baptist Church, Valdosta, Ga., officiated by Rev. William C. Morgan. Burial will

            follow in Pallbearers Cemetery. The family will receive family, friends and guests on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. at

            Godfrey Funeral Home, LLC. Condolences can be made at Godfreyfuneral1@bellsouth.net.

          Justin  White

            Lets not forget Justin White killed in an auto accident you are never forgotten.

                                                Crystal Carter [Criswell]                                     Emotdisturbed816@yahoo.com

          John Paul Winston

            John Paul Winston, 52, of Valdosta died Sunday, March 21, 2004, at South Georgia Medical Center after a long

            illness. Mr. Winston was born on Oct. 7, 1951, in Tifton and moved to Valdosta in 1952. He graduated from

            Lowndes County High School and worked in broadcasting and law enforcement.  He is survived by his mother,

            Clara Puckett Winston of St. Joseph, Mo.; three sisters, Lane Winston Smith of Valdosta, Peggy Winston McDonald

            of St. Joseph, Mo., Elizabeth Winston of Tampa, Fla.; a brother, Richard Kinnebrew Winston, Jr. of Leesburg; five

            nieces and nephews, Louis Jamison McDonald of Springfield, Mo., Elizabeth Lane McDonald of Portland, Maine,

            Clara Elizabeth Winston of Leesburg, Henry Briggs Smith, Jr. of Marietta and Richard Winston Smith of Atlanta. Mr.

            Winston was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Richard Kinnebrew Winston Sr.  Graveside services will be at 2

            p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at Sunset Hill Cemetery with Dr. Charles Adams, First United Methodist Church

            officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a gift to the Break Bread Program, in care of the

            First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 807, Valdosta, 31601 or to the charity of your choice. -- Carson McLane

            Funeral Home.

  Year                         2000

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Josh David Knowles                                                                                      Picture

            Josh David Knowles, 25, of Valdosta, died Thursday, January 25, 2007 from injuries he received in an automobile

            accident. He was born on September 14, 1981 in Grand Forks, ND to David Braxton Knowles and Victoria Lowe

            Knowles. Josh was a member of Pine Grove Community Baptist Church, was a loyal friend, an avid fisherman and

            was employeed at Roadway Express.  He is preceded in death by his father, David Brxton Knowles and is

            survived by his mother, Victoria (Vicki) Knowles, one sister and brother in law, Kim Knowles Hill and Robert Hill,

            one niece, Braxton Victoria Hill, all of Valdosta, his grandparents, Bobby and Alva Lowe, Uncle, Michael Knowles,

            all of Saraland, AL and several other uncles, aunts and cousins.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, January

            27, 2007 at four p. m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Reverend Mike Nelligan officiating.

            Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday from six until eight p. m. at

            the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at mclanefuneralservices.com.

  Year                         2001

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Matthew Allan Pennington

            Matthew Allan Pennington was going to be a graduate of the class of 2001. He was a great friend to many people.

            It didn't neccesarily matter to him if you were a "loner," a "redneck," or a "skater." He was your friend because of

            who you were not what you were. He died tragically in the presence of other students that fateful day our

            freshman year. There was a tree planted in front of "A-wing" in rememberance of him. I will forever miss him.  Matt

            was survived by his parents Craig and Teresa Pennington as well as his brother William Ryan Pennington.

                                                           Lisa Ashworth                                         lashworth913@hotmail.com

          Amanda Leigh Player                                                                                     Picture

            Amanda Leigh Player, 20, of Valdosta, died on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at Keaton Beach, Fla. She was born in

            Hahira on June 20, 1983.  Amanda was a 2001 graduate of Lowndes High School where she was a bat girl for the

            baseball team. She had attended Valdosta State University and Georgia Military College and was a member of Zeta

            Tau Alpha Sorority. Amanda was employed by Hutchinson Construction and Mike and Melinda Ruff. Amanda was a

            member of Corinth Baptist Church. She was greatly loved by her family and friends and especially her grandmother,

             Beatrice "Granny Bea" Folsom.  Survivors are her father and stepmother, Dell and Becky Player of Valdosta; her

            mother, Elizabeth Player of Florence, Ala.; her friend and baby sister, Amelia Player; sister, Amber Painter of

            Valdosta; brother, Austin Davis of Valdosta; grandparents, Beatrice and James Folsom of Hahira, Donald Player of

            Valdosta, Ralph and Sara Hendrix of Valdosta, Judy Prestidge of Florence, Ala.; special aunts and uncles, Marcia

            and Roger Dodd of Lake Park, Patricia Young of Hahira, Steve and Montye Player of Lake Park; great-grandmother,

            Effie Huff of Hahira; her babies," Maggie and Reagan Ruff; "special cousins," Kristen McLeod, R.J. Young, Kyle

            Young; numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins; special friend, Maranda Brogdon; and her ZTA Sorority sisters

            and her "woman's best friend," Bakus. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Bob "Papa Bob" Johnston. 

            A memorial service will be held for Amanda and her fiancé Matt Hutchinson on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at 4 p.m. at

             Crossroads Baptist Church. The Rev. Clyde Stokes will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

            Four Friends Memorial Fund c/o Regions Bank. — Carson McLane Funeral Home

  Year                         2002

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Leslie  Chatelain                                                                                           Picture

            Our daughter Leslie returned to the arms of her Heavenly Father Sept. 6, 2006. Leslie was a burst of sunshine and

            cool delight to our family. She loved spending time with children and her beloved Maltese, Bruiser. She would

            always brighten the hearts of loved ones with her keen insight, contagious laughter, mischievous pranks, and won

            greatly missed by her parents, Edward and Margie Chatelain of Valdosta; her brother, Court and his wife Sarah of

            Atlanta; grandparents, LaRae Chatelain, Logan; Patsy Baldwin, George Baird and Tawakul Baird of Salt Lake City;

            her very special friend, John Poulter; her many aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as her many friends and loved

            ones in Valdosta.  A special memorial service was held at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City,

            Utah on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, at 3 p.m.

                                                                  Jeri Floyd                                                  jj_floyd@hotmail.com

          Curtis  Copeland III

            born on Dec. 21, 1983, in Atlanta to Mechelle and the late Dr. Curtis Copeland Jr. Time to serve: Curtis was a senior

            at Lowndes High School, Class of 2002. During his time at LHS, Curtis played football in 1998-1999, with the

            Lowndes County Vikings. Time to rejoice: Curtis left this life to be with his heavenly father on Nov. 21, 2001. He

            leaves to remember him a loving and devoted family which includes his mother, Mechelle Copeland; his brother,

            Christopher; his sister, Carrie; two grandmothers, Carrie Scales and Beaulah Copeland. He also leaves four aunts,

            Harriet Linder (Rufus), Sheila Henderson (Antonio), Phyllis Copeland and Beverly Hampton (Ivory); two uncles,

            Michael Copeland (Linda), Preston Copeland; and godparents, Reverend and Trene Brown; and a host of other

            loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church on West

            Gordon Street. The Rev. Hopkins is the pastor and Mr. Williams of LHS will officiate. Interment will be in Sunset Hill

            Cemetery. The body of Curtis Copeland III can be viewed after 3 p.m. today at Stevens Funeral Home. -- Donald

            Trimble Mortuary of Atlanta and Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta

          Matthew (Matt) Michael Jones                                                                         Picture

            Matthew (Matt) Michael Jones, 20, of Valdosta died Friday, March 11, 2005, from a motorcycle accident. He was

            born April 11, 1984, in Utica, N.Y., to Steve and Natalie Laneve Jones. Matt was a graduate of Lowndes High

            School and was currently a student at Valdosta State University. He was a member of the Faith Baptist Church and

             employed at Elliano’s Coffee Shop.  Survivors include his parents, Steve and Natalie Jones of Lake Park; sister,

            Tiffany Jones of Lake Park; nephew, Michael Matthew Jones of Lake Park; fiancé, Stephanie Emery of Valdosta;

            paternal grandparents, Robert and Melba Jones of Utica, N.Y.; maternal grandparents, Dominick and Tina Laneve of

            Margate, Fla.; two uncles, Gary Laneve, Pompano Beach, Fla., and Peter Laneve, Utica.  Memorial services will be

            held at the Faith Baptist Church on Sunday, March 20, 2005, at 2 p.m. Pastor Mickey Wisehart will officiate.

            Condolences to the family may be conveyed at www.mclanefuneralservices.com on the Obituary page. — Carson

          Julie Ann Tyler                                                                                             Picture

            Julie Ann Tyler, 25, of Hahira died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Worth

             County. She was born in Valdosta on March 28, 1984 and was a lifelong resident of this area. Julie was a

            Christian who was involved with the activities of the church and a very giving person. She held an associate

            degree in photography, was currently a photographer with Life Touch. She enjoyed photographing nature and

            people and was a light in a dark world. Julie was a very creative person who enjoyed writing stories and lived

            every moment of life to its fullest. She was very close with her sister, Jennifer and a close friend to Fred and Ellen

            Carlo and their sons, Seth and Eli. She was currently beginning the process of building her own home. Survivors

            include her parents, Jimmy and Susan Tyler of Hahira; her sister and fiancé, Jennifer Elaine Tyler and Sean

            Strickland of Valdosta; her grandparents, Bob and Ann Harris, Velma Tyler, her aunts and uncles, Judy and John

            Pike, Amy Tyler, Janet and Ricky Register, Steve and Kim Harris all of Hahira and many cousins. She was preceded

             in death by her grandfather, Carol C. Tyler. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at

            Charity Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Graham officiating. Burial will follow in the Friendship Cemetery. The family

             will receive friends on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online

             at www.mclanefuneralservices.com— Martin/McLane Funeral Home of Hahira

  Year                         2003

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Melissa Ann "Missy" Hodges

            Melissa Ann "Missy" Hodges, 15, of Hahira died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, from injuries sustained in an automobile

            accident. She was born on July 21, 1986, in Valdosta and was a lifelong resident of the area. Missy was a student

            at Lowndes High School where she was a member of the FFA. She was a member of the Hahira First Baptist

            Church and the Youth Group. Missy had been a contestant in the Miss Honey Bee Pageant for many years.

            Survivors include her parents, Marvin and Kim Hodges of Hahira; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Brandon

            Hodges of Hahira, Paul and Amelia Hodges of Copenhagen, Denmark; one sister and brother-in-law, Chrissy and

            Eion Vandekerkhoff of Rockford, Mich.; grandmothers, Ella Wheeler of Hahira and Clyta Chambers of Bitely, Mich.;

            aunts and uncles, Donnie and Carolyn Cundiff of Rocky Mount, Va., Doug and Samantha Hodges of Nashville, Ga.;

            numerous other aunts and uncles in Michigan. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Earl Wheeler and

            Jerry Chambers. Missy was also preceded in death by her special friend, Matt Newell. Funeral services will be held

             at 11 a.m. Friday at the Hahira First Baptist Church with the Rev. David Gordon and Mr. Paul Johnson officiating.

            The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be

            made to the Missy Hodges Memorial Fund at Commercial Banking Company in Hahira. - Martin/McLane Funeral Home

            of Hahira

          Matt  Newell

            Auto Accident - September 2001

  Year                         2004

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Kevin DeMarcus Acree                                                                                   Picture

            One day the Lord said to us, “I will send you a peacemaker to increase the love in your family.” He sent a bundle of

            joy and we named him, Kevin DeMarcus Acree.  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children

            of God.; Matthew 5:9.  Kevin was born May 20, 1985 to the union of Henry Jr. and Cheryl Acree at Maxwell Air

            Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. Very early in life we discovered that Kevin was indeed that special peacemaker

            that the Lord had promised us. Kevin was a world traveler from an early age, traveling to South Carolina, Italy,

            Germany, England and in 1995 made Valdosta, Ga. his home. He was educated in the Lowndes County School

            system where he graduated from Lowndes High School in 2004. Kevin attended Valdosta Technical College and

            graduated with a diploma in Car Audio Installation in 2006. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents,

            Annie and Jessie McCall, paternal grandfather, Henry Acree, Sr., paternal uncle, Melvin Acree.  He leaves to

            cherish his loving memories, parents Henry Jr. (Doralene) and Cheryl Acree; two brothers, Donterio (Verinia)

            Acree, and Adrian Acree; one step sister, Jayla Joseph; one niece, Dominique Acree; two nephews, De’Vante

            Carter, Shonne Carter; paternal grandmother, Betty Acree; godmother and aunt, Deborah McCall; paternal aunts and

             uncle, Kelvin Acree, Albany, Ga., Cassandra (Larry) James, Albany, Ga., Clemmie (Norris) Jones, Atlanta,

            Gwendolyn (Jessie) Hunt, Albany, Ga., Katrina (Bennie) Wilson, Albany, Ga., Arpeja Acree, Albany, Ga.; maternal

            aunts and uncles Jesse McCall, Montgomery, Ala., Belinda (James) Charles, Enterprise, Ala., Felicia (Douglas)

            Robinson, Stockbridge, Ga., Lawrence McCall, Anita Lane, Montgomery, Ala., Juanita Woods, Austin, Texas,

            Leonard (Jacqueline) McCall, Smith Station, Ala., Reba (Bruce) Wilson, Montgomery, Ala.; a host of great-aunts,

            great-uncles, cousins and special friends.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 11 a.m. at

            Morning Star Baptist Church. The Rev. Clay Morgan is the pastor and Pastor David Adams will officiate. Burial will

            follow in Floral Memory Garden in Albany, Ga. The family will receive friends this evening from 6-7 p.m. in the

            Chapel of Godfrey Funeral Home. — Godfrey Funeral Home

          Tiffany Ann Wilson                                                                                        Picture

            Tiffany Ann Wilson, 17, of Valdosta died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, at her home after a lengthy illness. She was

            born on Feb. 19, 1986, in Valdosta and was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church. Tiffany was a student at

            Lowndes High School.  Survivors include her mother, Ann Herring Wilson of Valdosta; her father and stepmother,

            David and Elizabeth Wilson of Cairo; her brother, Daniel Wilson of Valdosta; her grandmother, Clara Belle Herring of

            Valdosta; aunt, Jean Miley, uncles, Jimmy Herring and Willie Jo Herring, both of Valdosta; several other aunts,

            uncles and cousins.  Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at Corinth Baptist Church

            with Dr. Henry Cannington, Jr. and Rev. Bruce McCracken officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery.

            The family will receive friends on this evening from 7-9 p.m. at the McLane Lakewood Funeral Home in Lake Park. --

             McLane Lakewood Funeral Home.               Tiffany is dearly missed by her family.

  Year                         2005

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          James Matthew Coody

            James Matthew Coody, 16, of Valdosta, died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at his residence.  Born in Lowndes County,

             he was the son of Charles Robert and Sandra Kaye O'Dell Coody. He was a student in the Lowndes County

            School System and was of the Baptist faith.  He is survived by his mother, Sandy Coody of Valdosta; his father,

            Charles Robert (Marie) Coody of Quitman; maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Taylor of Valdosta; maternal

            grandfather, Wayne Taylor of Valdosta; one brother, Justin Coody of Valdosta; two stepsisters, Pam June of

            Greenwich, Ohio, Becky Guthrie of Adel; aunts, Kay (Ronald) Coody, Patricia Gaddis, Lisa O'Dell, Karen (Randy)

            Jarvis, and Buddy (Cathy) Taylor.  Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., today, Sept. 13 at the Philadelphia Baptist

            Church with the Rev. John Paige officiating. Burial will follow in Philadelphia Church Cemetery. The family will

            receive friends from 2-4 p.m. today at Philadelphia Baptist Church. -- Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home, Quitman

          William "Will"  McArthur III

            William "Will" McArthur III, 16, of Valdosta, passed away late Friday evening, March 21, 2003. He had lived in

            Valdosta for the past five years before moving here from Quitman. Will was a member of the Providence United

            Methodist Church, the Lowndes High Graduating Class of 2005 and Lowndes County Future Farmers of America.

            He loved to hunt and fish and was very active in his church serving as an usher and volunteering for every special

             activity.

           

            Survivors include his father and mother, Mac and Nikki McArthur of Valdosta; sister, Kayla McArthur of Valdosta;

            paternal grandparents, Ernest and Freda Lechner of Valdosta; maternal grandparents, Larry and Janice Taylor of

            Valdosta; two great-grandmothers, Mary Craven, Valdosta, Rosa Lee Taylor, Quitman; uncles and aunts, Jason

            and Julie Taylor of Valdosta, David and Susan McArthur, Washington State, Steven and Susan Bailey, Valdosta;

            and a number of great-aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.

           

            Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at the Providence United Methodist Church,

            Hwy. 133 West, with burial following in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at

            the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to the Fellowship of Christian Peace

            Officers, P.O. Box 1521, Valdosta, Ga. 31603-1521. -- Music Funeral Services of Valdosta

  Year                         2006

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          John W. Longmire                                                                                         Picture

            John W. Longmire, 15, of Valdosta died Friday, October 31, 2003 from injuries sustained while assisting a child trick

             or treating. He was born in Lowndes County on February 13, 1988 and was a freshman at Lowndes High School.

            John was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church and the youth group. He was a Red Cross Volunteer with the

            347th Medical Group at Moody Air Force Base.  Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Susan and Robert

            Yeager of Valdosta; his father and stepmother, John and Helena Longmire of Columbus, Miss.; sister and brother-

            in-law, Heather and Jimmy Sellers of Newnan, Ga.; two brothers, James Longmire and Daniel Longmire, both of

            Columbus, Miss.; maternal grandparents, Bob and Sue Collins of Valdosta; paternal grandmother, Pearl Longmire of

            Galt, Ca.; maternal great-grandmother, Beatrice Cook of Plain Dealing, LA. He was preceded in death by his paternal

             grandfather, Duane Longmire.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 4, 2003 at Crossroads

            Baptist Church with the Rev. Tom Daniel and the Rev. Richard Jones officiating. Burial will follow in McLane

            Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. John will lie

            in state at the church for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John

            Longmire Memorial Fund in c/o Crossroads Baptist Church. -- Carson McLane Funeral Home.

          John W. Longmire                                                                                         Picture

            John W. Longmire, who was a student at LHS, class of 2006, who was unfortunately struck and killed by a truck

            on Halloween night 2003 while assisting a child trick or treating. My life has forever changed since his death and

            we miss him terribly.    I am told that the school annual has some dedications in it for that school year for several

            classmates lost that year.  I would be very interested in acquiring one of those year books.  If anyone knows how I

            might come across one I would be most appreciative.  We never received John's school photos for that school year

             so I don't even know if he had one made.  If any of Johns classmates have photos or memories they don't mind

            sharing, please e-mail me.

                                              Susan C. Yeager [Collins]                                                yeagersr@mchsi.com

          Jonathan Frances Murphy

            Jonathan Frances Murphy, 15, of Valdosta, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003, at Shands Hospital in

            Gainesville, Fla. Jonathan died from complications after being struck by lightning on Sunday. Jonathan accepted

            Christ in 1997 and attended church regularly. Jonathan was a sophomore at Lowndes High School. He enjoyed

            reading and spending time with his family, friends and pets. Survivors include his father and mother, Mike and Helen

             Scott of Valdosta; twin sister, Jackie Murphy, Valdosta; sister, Beth Murphy, Valdosta; three brothers and sisters-

            in-law, Abe and Jenny Scott, Ben and Nikki Scott, all of Ames, Iowa, Jason Murphy, Valdosta; and grandmother,

            Elisabeth Scott of Valdosta. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003, in the Valdosta Chapel of

             Music Funeral Services with burial following in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at

             the funeral home. -- Music Funeral Services of Valdosta

          Jennifer Paige Stone                                                                                     Picture

            Jennifer Paige Stone, 19, of Hahira died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile

            accident. She was born on June 20, 1988, in Valdosta and was a lifelong resident of this area. Jennifer was a

            member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and loved life, water skiing, sports and being with her family and

             friends. She was a sophomore at Valdosta State University, where she was a member of the Honor Society and

            employed in patient care at South Georgia Medical Center.  Survivors include her mother, Sonya Stone of Hahira;

            father and stepmother, Wilson Lee, Jr. and Deborah Stone of Nashville; her sister, Heather Stone of Hahira;

            maternal grandparents, Gene and Verna Tucker of Hahira; step grandmother, Elaine Stone of Nashville; great-

            grandmother, Catherine Harper of Nashville; uncles and aunts, Kirby and Tina Tucker of Hahira, Sharon and Jimmy

            Reeves of West Palm Beach, Fla., Pam and Tim O’Neal of Hahira, Brenda and Buck Warren of Nashville, numerous

            other aunts, uncles and cousins.  A visitation will be held today, Feb. 5, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. at the Martin/McLane

            Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. —

            Martin/McLane Funeral Home of Hahira.

  Year                         2007

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Scarlett Mikhaela Barker

            Scarlett Mikhaela Barker, 14, of Nashville passed away Sunday, June 27, 2004, in Berrien County due to injuries

            sustained in a four-wheeler accident.  She was born on July 2, 1989, in Tift County to Samuel Marvin Barker and

            Glenda Gail Holbrook Barker. She had completed 9th grade at Lowndes High School.  She is survived by her father

            and stepmother, Marvin and Wanda Barker of Nashville; mother, Gail Barker of Valdosta; paternal grandmother, Lois

             Barker of Archdale, N.C.; paternal stepgrandmother, Carol O'Berry, Nashville; four brothers, Michael Eason,

            Asheboro, N.C., Tracy Green, Buford, Scott Green, Jacksonville, Fla., and Corey Green of Lake Park.  Funeral

            service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Pickern and

            the Rev. Roscoe Bennett officiating. Burial will be held in Westview Cemetery. Visitation will be held after 4 p.m.

            today with the family receiving friends from 7-9 p.m. -- Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville

  Year                         2008

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Christopher Wayne (Chris) Exum

            Christopher Wayne (Chris) Exum, 18, of Valdosta, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, in an automobile accident. He was

            born in Valdosta, the son of Arthur Wayne and Ruth Ann Hunter Exum. He was a member of First Baptist Church, a

            student of the Lowndes County School System. He was a kind-hearted boy and outdoorsman that loved to hunt

            deer and go fishing.  Survivors include his sister, Kara Ann Exum of Valdosta; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Trapnell

            (Ruth) Hunter; aunts and uncle, Janice and Ronnie Pittman, Charles and Lama Exum, all of Valdosta. He was

            preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Trapnell Hunter, paternal grandparents, Eugene and Cleo Exum.  A

            funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with

            Pastor Mac Weaver officiating. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive

            friends Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may

            be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanefuneralservices.com. — Carson McLane Funeral

  Year                         2010

        Name                                 Obituary/Eulogy

          Keira Shavon Johnson

            Keira Shavon Jaohnson was born on May 9, 1992, in Valdosta, Ga., to Melissa Wright and the late Kenneth Hart.

            After a brief ilness, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, at Smith-Northview Hospital, Keira closed her precious eyes. 

            She attended Lowndes County schools and was a member of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church.  Keira was

            preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Hart.  She leaves to cherish her memories her mother, Melissa Wright of

            Valdosta; four sisters, Onesha Johnson, Aleshia Wright, Jahnia Wright and Shakira McClendon of Valdosta; two

            brothers, Fabin Johnson and Kendrick Morrison of Valdosta; devoted and loving grandparents Debra and Russell

            McCoggle and Sandy Hart of Valdosta and Robert Lewis and Aggie Johnson of Enigma; great-grandmothers Hellon

            Green and Florence Clemons of Valdosta; four uncles, Roy Hart (Renee), Anthony Hart, Michael Johnson

            (Charolette) and Christopher Johnson of Valdosta; two aunts, Mutisha Dennis (Marcus) of Valdosta and Vanessa

            White of Enigma; and caring great-uncles, great-aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special registered

            nurses Tonya Thompson and Morgan Snipes of Egleston Children’s Hospital, Atlanta; and other special caregivers. 

            Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at New Greater Union Ministries Church, 1050 East

            Hill Ave. Bishop Wade McCrae is the pastor and the Rev. George Blunt will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary

            Baptist Church, 3798 White Water Road. The family will receive family and friends this evening from 7-8 p.m. at the

            chapel of Godfrey Funeral Home, 636 River Street, Valdosta. — Godfrey Funeral Home.

                                                                                             Updated   Monday, January 18, 2010