Sidney Sinclair Griffith, Sr., 69, of LaGrange, died June 29. Funeral services were held July 3 at Manchester First United Methodist Church with Reverend Bobby Boswell, Assistant Executive Director of the GA Baptist Convention, officiating, assisted by Reverend Bruce Bunten, pastor of First United Methodist Church. Burial followed in Manchester City Cemetery with Matt Boswell, Matthew Hay, David Griffith, Jr., Greg Griffith, Lee Griffith, Dan Grubb, Raymond Mayfield serving as pallbearers.

Mr. Griffith was born August 18, 1931 in Manchester, a son of George Welby Griffith and Georgie Sinclair Griffith. He was retired as a Clerk of Federal Court and had served as a Trooper with the Georgia State Highway Patrol, and had been a US Deputy Marshall. He attended the University of Georgia, was a US Marine veteran of the Korean War era, and was a member of Manchester First United Methodist Church and the GA Peace Officers Association.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Geni and Charles Boswell of Manchester, and Celia and Buddy Hay of Peachtree City; one son and daughter-in-law, Sid, Jr., and Lisa Griffith of Columbus; one brother, David Griffith of Manchester; five grandchildren, Matt Boswell, Ryan McArthur, Ragan Griffith, Sid Griffith III, and Matthew Hay. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Moran Griffith.

Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: GRIFFITH, BOSWELL, BUNTEN, HAY, GRUBB, MAYFIELD, SINCLAIR, MCARTHUR, MORAN

MRS. ARLESTER FERGUSON
February 27, 1942 - June 29, 2001

Mrs. Arlester Ferguson, 59, passed away June 28 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Funeral services were held at New Hope Baptist Church in Manchester July 3 with Reverend J. D. Walker officiating.

Serving as pallbearers were Solomon Kerr, Aaron Muckle, George Ellison Jr., Curtis Bussey, Willie Wortham, and James Thomas. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Ferguson was born February 27, 1942 in Meriwether County, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Ellison. She was employed with the Meriwether County School System and was a faithful and devoted member of New Hope Church where she served as an usher and as church custodian.

In addition to her parents, survivors include two children, Angela Kerr Muckle (Aaron) of Stone Mountain and Solomon Kerr (Pamela) of Manchester; one grandson, Nicholas Kerr of Manchester; two sisters, Minister Mary Staples (David) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Barbara Thomas (James) of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother, George H. Ellison Jr., (Evelyn) of Charleston, South Carolina; two aunts, Annie L. El of Athens and Louise Barnes of Manchester; a host an nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and a devoted friend, Mr. Jessie Marshall of Manchester. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Ferguson.

Anderson & Marshall Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: FERGUSON, WALKER, KERR, MUCKLE, ELLISON, BUSSEY, WORTHAM, THOMAS, STAPLES, EL, BARNES

MRS. MILDRED SEAY ESTES
April 16, 1913 - July 7, 2001

Mrs. Mildred Seay Estes, 88, of Gay, passed away July 7 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Nursing Home. Graveside services were held at Crouch Cemetery in Gay July 9 with Thomas Boyd officiating.

Mrs. Estes was born April 16, 1913 in Meriwether County, daughter of the late Jack Seay and the late Sinnie Knight Seay. She was a former school bus driver for Meriwether County, was a member of Gay First Baptist Church and a member of Gay Co-Op Club.

Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Carol F. Estes of Molena; one brother, Charles Seay of Fayetteville; two grandchildren, Amber Rowland and William Harper Estes II; eight great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, William Harper Estes.

Donations in memory of Mrs. Estes may be made to Gay First Baptist Church.

Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: SEAY, BOYD, KNIGHT, ESTES, ROWLAND

ROBERT FARLEY
August 28, 1911 - July 1, 2001

Robert Farley, 78, died July 1 at Alvista Nursing Home in Greenville. Funeral services were held July 7 at St. Paul C.M.E. Church in Shiloh with Reverend John Pollard officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Farley was born August 28, 1911, son of the late Elijah and Luevonia (Overtree) Farley in Lamar County.

He joined the Shiloh Baptist Church in Milner at an early age and later transferred his membership to St. Paul C.M.E. Church.

Survivors include five children, Barbara, Annice, Betty, Julia and Johnnie; three sisters, Katherine Willis, Willie M. Scott and Mattie Berry, all of Atlanta; two brothers, J.W. (Carrie) Farley and Jimmy (Anita) Farley, all of Atlanta; one brother-in-law, Hanson Hardnett of Shiloh; 18 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Turner Farley, and a son, Robert Lee.

Anderson & Marshall Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: FARLEY, POLLARD, OVERTREE, WILLIS, SCOTT, BERRY, HARDNETT, LEE

MRS. RUBY PEARSON LITTLE
November 4, 1917 - July 13, 2001

Mrs. Ruby Pearson Little, 83, of Pine Lake Community in Harris County, died July 13 at Providence Health Care in Thomaston. Funeral services were held July 15 at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel in LaGrange with Reverend Drew Corbett officiating. Burial followed in Woodbury City Cemetery.

Mrs. Little was born November 4, 1917 in Greenville, daughter of the late Homer Lee and Lucille Beall Pearson.

She was a self-employed seamstress, was of the Methodist faith and was a member of Pine Lake Chapel.

Survivors include two sons, Melvin Wade Little of Thomaston, and Joseph Chester Little, Jr. of Marietta; three sisters, Allene Todd of LaGrange, Agnes Walton of Woodbury, and Alice Garner of Alvaton; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Chester Little, Sr., a daughter, Joyce Evans and a grandson, Michael Evans.

Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home of LaGrange was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: LITTLE, CORBETT, BEALL, TOOD, WALTON, GARNER

MRS. MAGDALENE RENDER CLARK

May 11, 1929 - June 26, 2001

Mrs. Magdalene (Mag) Render Clark, 72, passed away June 26. Funeral services were held at Springfield Baptist Church in Greenville June 30 with the Reverend J. D. Daniel officiating, assisted by the Reverend Charles E. Williams.

Interment was in Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery in Alvaton.

Mrs. Clark was born May 11, 1929 in Meriwether County, daughter of the late Frank and Ruth Render Parham.

She joined Springfield Baptist Church at an early age and later joined Shiloh Baptist Church with her husband and children.

Survivors include her husband, Gilbert Clark, Sr., 11 children: Mr. and Mrs. Willie (Jack) M. Clark (Rozene), East Point, Mr. and Mrs. Etrus Williams (Minnie) of Gay, Lamar (L.C.) Clark of Stone Mountain, Harvey (Duke) Clark, also of Gay, Gilbert Clark Jr., of Gretna, Louisiana, Mr. and Mrs. James Clark (Pat) of Newnan, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark (Jackie) of Riverdale, Bobby Clark of College Park, Ms. Eula Bennett of Conley, Mr. and Mrs. Errol Simmons, Sr., (Tanya) of East Point and Ms. Evelyn Clark of Atlanta; 24 grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; a loving sister, Frankie Lee Williams of Greenville; two brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law, J. C. Clark, Arthur Clark, Sr., Ms. Mattie Jewel Clark, Ms. Savannah Sinkfield, Ms. Essie Clark, and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Character, Sr., (Daisy); a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends, including two special friends, Ms. Dorothy Lyons and Ms. Daisy M. Render. One sister, Barbara Evans, preceded her in death.

Hills’ Funeral Home of Greenville was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: CLARK, DANIEL, WILLIAMS, RENDER, PARHAM, BENNETT, SIMMONS, SINKFIELD, CHARACTER, LYONS, EVANS

MRS. MARIE D. SWANSON
May 22, 1908 - May 31, 2001

Mrs. Marie Darden Swanson, 93, passed away May 31. Funeral services were conducted June 9 at White Plain United Methodist Church in Hogansville with Elder H. G. Ellison officiating. Interment was at Olive Branch Cemetery in St. Mark community.

Mrs. Swanson was born May 22, 1908 in Meriwether County, daughter of the late Ruben and Carrie Darden.

She was educated in the Meriwether County School System, was the wife of the late George Swanson and the mother of seven children.

She was the oldest missionary in Northern Georgia Jurisdiction and was licensed by the late Bishop J. Howard Dell and Mother Mamie Bivins.

She served in the Columbus District under the late Superintendent C. Pullins and Missionary G. Whittlesey. She was the founder of Freeman Hill Sanctified Church. She served as a missionary and church mother until her health declined. The church is now called The Greater Friendly Church of God In Christ.

Survivors include two daughters, Ms. Lula Mae Favors of Cleveland, Ohio and Ms. Carolyn Williams of Chattanooga, Tennessee; one son, A. J. Swanson of Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters, Fannie L. Graham of Greenville and Magaline (Eddie) Samuel of New York; 12 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by four children.

Hills’ Funeral Home of Greenville was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: SWANSON, ELLISON, DARDEN, DELL, BIVINS, PULLINS, WHITTLESEY, FAVORS, WILLIAMS, GRAHAM, SAMUEL

MRS. BETTY SUE SLATON DENNIS
July 6, 2001

Mrs. Betty Sue Slaton Dennis, 63, of Woodland, passed away July 6 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Hospital in Warm Springs. Funeral services were held July 12 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Woodbury. Burial followed in the Walker Cemetery.

Mrs. Dennis was born and reared in Woodbury. She was the daughter of the late Ralph Slaton and the late Dassie Campbell.

After marrying, she moved to Woodland. She was a lifelong member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Woodbury.

Survivors include her husband, Alonzo Dennis of Woodland; three children, Kathy Sue Dennis of Talbotton, Marie Dennis of Tampa, Florida, and Ralph Alonzo Dennis, Jr.; 11 grandchildren, one great grandchild.

Bentley & Sons Funeral Home of Thomaston was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: DENNIS, SLATON, CAMPBELL

NATHANIEL HARRIS, SR.
September 2, 1927 - July 6, 2001

Nathaniel Harris, Sr., 73, passed away July 6. Funeral services were held at Cane Creek Baptist Church in Woodbury with the Reverend G. A. Black officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mr. Harris was born September 2, 1917 in Greenville, son of the late Shorty and Nora Harris. He was a member of Cane Creek Missionary Baptist Church, served on the Deacon Board and was chairman until his death.

He was also well known throughout Meriwether County as a barber in the area for more than 25 years.

Survivors include his wife, Julia Harris; five children, Dora M. Caldwell (Bobby), Bertha Harris, Nathaniel Harris Jr. (Cathy), Calvin Harris (Gwendolyn), Stanton L. Harris (Bella), and LaShana T. Harris (considered as a daughter); three sisters, Susie Clemons, Mildred Blalock, and Rosa Walker (James); sister-in-law Mattie Harris; three brothers, Willie "Pete" Harris (Nancy) of Hawkinsville, Bennie Frank Harris (Mattie) of Greenville, and Lewis Harris (Marie) of Atlanta; 17 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, J. L. Harris of Atlanta.

Hills’ Funeral Home of Greenville was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: HARRIS, BLACK, CALDWELL, CLEMONS, BLALOCK, WALKER

MRS. CLOIE PINYON CASTILE
December 13, 1908 - July 20, 2001

Mrs. Cloie Pinyon Castile, 92, of Manchester, passed away July 20 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Nursing Home. Funeral services were held July 22 from Trinity Baptist Church with Reverend Jimmie Chapman officiating. Interment was at Manchester City Cemetery.

Pallbearers were her grandsons, Jimmy Coyer, Dale Castile, Dean Castile, David Castile, Justin Castile, and Bryan Williams.

Mrs. Castile was born December 13, 1908 in Cherokee County, daughter of the late Levi Pinyon and the late Katie Lingflet Pinyon. She was retired from Callaway Mills Spinning Room and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Thelma Cromer of Manchester, Fannie Joyce Coyer of Madisonville, Kentucky, and Peggy Williams, also of Manchester; two sons, Harold Castile of Middleburg, Florida, and Billy Castile of Warm Springs; 24 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doctor J. Castile and two sons, Johnny and J.B.

Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: CASTILE, CHAPMAN, COYER, WILLIAMS, PINYON, LINGFLET, CROMER

WAYNE LAMAR "JOE" THOMPSON
June 18, 1939 - July 17, 2001

Wayne Lamar "Joe" Thompson, 62, of Manchester, passed away July 17 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Memorial Hospital in Warm Springs. Graveside services were held July 20 at Meriwether Memory Gardens with Reverend Jimmie Chapman officiating, assisted by Reverend Kyle Woodfin.

Mr. Thompson was born June 18, 1939 in Meriwether County, son of Ruby Lanier Thompson and the late Julian B. Thompson. He was a machine operator for International Playtex and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.

Survivors include his mother, Ruby L. Thompson of Manchester; wife, Nancy Brown Thompson, also of Manchester; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Tammy Thompson of Griffin, and Matt Thompson of Nashville, Tennessee; one daughter, Lynn Thompson of Manchester; one sister, Ann Sistrunk, also of Manchester; one brother, Jim Thompson of Roswell, New Mexico; two granddaughters, Lindsey Thompson and Abbey Thompson.

Those who desire may make contributions to: Activities Fund at Georgia Baptist Nursing Home, Warm Springs, Georgia.

Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: THOMPSON, CHAPMAN, LANIER, BROWN, SISTRUNK

OLDEN BEDELL
May 12, 1954 - July 13, 2001

Olden Bedell, 47, passed away July 13 at South Fulton Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were conducted from Concord Baptist Church in Woodland July 19 with Reverend Joseph Colquitt officiating. Interment was at Flint River Cemetery in Woodland.

Mr. Bedell was born May 12, 1954, son of Willie C. and Marie Bedell. He joined the Flint River Baptist Church at an early age.

Survivors include his parents, Willie C. and Marie Bedell of Woodland; one son, Morris Bedell of Riverdale; seven brothers and three sisters, Willie James (Yvonne) Bedell of Twinsburg, Ohio, Mike (Tammy) Bedell of Atlanta, Vickie Prather of Woodland, Truide (Stanley) Childs of Manchester, Waymon Bedell of Atlanta, Travis (Karen) Bedell of Thomaston, Rickey Bedell of Woodland, Mickey Bedell of Atlanta, Tammy (Joseph) Jones of Ellerslie, Anthony (Valarie) Bedell of Manchester; three grandchildren, Brianna, Morris, Jr., and Brittney Bedell, all of Atlanta; grandmother, Carrie Holt of Woodland; a very devoted loved one, Brenda Rice; a host of aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Anderson & Marshall Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: BEDELL, COLQUITT, PRATHER, CHILDS, JONES, HOLT, RICE

MRS. PRINCESS LENITA SHIVER
October 17, 1930 - July 17, 2001

Mrs. Princess Lenita Shiver, 70, of Manchester, passed away July 17 at Columbus Medical Center. Funeral services were held at Northside Baptist Church July 19 with Reverend Tommy Harris, her former pastor, officiating, assisted by Stan Cartwright, her son-in-law. Burial was in Manchester City Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Ron Pilkington, Chad Pilkington, Hollis Upchurch, Rocky Cartwright, Harold Garrett, and Edwin Braddy. Honorary pallbearers were Russell Allen, Lloyd Hay, Billy Bryant, Skeeter Wilson, Terrell McCord, Jerry Hendrix, Jeff Smith, James Hall, Don Hainline, Andy Beck, Juby Shiver and James Elwell.

Mrs. Shiver was born October 17, 1930 in Meriwether County, daughter of the late J. B. and Alma Allen Wright. She was a retired cloth inspector with Milliken Mills and was a member of Northside Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, James Shiver of Manchester; one daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Stan Cartwright of Warm Springs; one sister and brother-in-law, Nadra and Leonard Pilkington of Manchester; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bradford and Sylvia Wright of Woodbury, and Isham and Margaret Wright of LaGrange; one grandson, Chance (Sallie) Cartwright of Warm Springs; one granddaughter, Callie Cartwright of Warm Springs; and one great granddaughter, Caylee Cartwright, also of Warm Springs.

Cox Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: SHIVER, HARRIS, CARTWRIGHT, PILKINGTON, UPCHURCH, GARRETT, BRADDY, ALLEN, HAY, BRYANT, WILSON, MCCORD, HENDRIX, SMITH, HALL, HAINLINE, BECK, ELWELL, WRIGHT

RANDY LAMAR GASKIN
July 19, 2001

Randy Lamar Gaskin, 45, of Thomaston, died July 19 at his residence. A memorial service was held July 22 in the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home.

Mr. Gaskin was born in Carroll County, but had lived in Upson County for a number of years. He was a teacher with the Bibb County Board of Education, teaching grades 10-12 at Southeast High School in Macon.

Survivors include his father, Herbert Gaskin of Savannah; mother and stepfather, Lena and Fred Jordan of Thomaston; two brothers, Dean Gaskin of Carrollton, and Randal Gaskin of Thomaston; and one sister, Maureen Dieckbrader of Warm Springs.

Coggins Funeral Home of Thomaston was in charge of arrangements.

SEARCH NAMES: GASKIN, JORDAN, DIECKBRADER

MRS. ELEANOR S. NEELY
July 29, 1926 - July 23, 2001

Mrs. Eleanor S. Neely, 74, of Manchester, died July 23 at Alvista Care Home in Greenville. Graveside services were held July 24 at Manchester City Cemetery. The Reverend Craig Williamson officiated, according to Cox Funeral Home of Manchester.

Mrs. Neely was born July 29, 1926 in Meriwether County, daughter of the late Charles Luther Strickland and the late Edna Mae Strickland, She was the retired administrator for the former Royal Elaine Nursing Home in LaGrange. She was also the secretary and treasurer of Georgia Health Care, Inc. Mrs. Neely was a member of Manchester First Baptist Church and had lived in Meriwether County all of her life.

Survivors include a daughter, Julie Neely Boatwright of Manchester; one son, Charles Lee Neely of Warm Springs; one brother, Charles Strickland, Jr., of Luthersville; five granddaughters, Lauren Neely, Brittany Neely, Shannon Neely, all of Warm Springs, and Jamie and Jenifer Boatwright, both of Manchester. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Elmer Neely, Sr., a son, Roy Elmer Neely, Jr., daughter Isabel Elaine Neely, and a brother, Walt Strickland.

SEARCH NAMES: NEELY, WILLIAMSON, STRICKLAND, BOATWRIGHT

MRS. WILLIE RUTH TODD
January 21, 1910 - July 16, 2001

Mrs. Willie Ruth Todd, 91, of Gay, died July 16 at her home. Funeral services were held July 18 at Bethel Baptist Church in Rocky Mount Community. Burial was in the Crouch Cemetery in Gay. Reverend Powers Witcher officiated the service and serving as pallbearers were Nelson McCoy, Johnny Rowe, Norman Rowe, Thomas Todd, John Rowe, David Rowe and Randall McCoy.

Mrs. Todd was born January 21, 1910 in Wilkinson County, daughter of the late Isaac and Lucinda Hooks. She was a homemaker and a member of Bethel Baptist Church. She had lived in Meriwether County since 1932 and was the widow of Solon Byron Todd.

Survivors include one son, Byron Todd of Gay; one daughter, Lucy Todd Hughie of Douglasville; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren.

Cox Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.