HARVEY P. HUNTER, JR.
June 1, 1929 – March 5, 2003

Harvey P. Hunter, Jr., 73, of Warm Springs, GA, died March 5 at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus. Graveside services were  held March 9 at Meriwether Memory Gardens with Reverend Sidney Tate officiating.

Mr. Hunter was born June 1, 1929 in Meriwether County, GA, a son of Dr. Harvey P. Hunter, Sr. and Mae Parker Hunter. He was retired as a real estate broker and was a member of Manchester First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Suzanne Twitty Hunter of Warm Springs, GA; two daughters, Vicki Ragan (Billy) of Columbus, GA and Amy Shattles (Billy) of Americus, GA; a son, Keith Hunter of Warm Springs, GA; three stepsons, Sheffie, Mitch and Marshall MacArthur, all of Atlanta, GA; seven grandchildren, Renee Ragan, Ellen Ragan, Bryan Hunter, Brandie Lane, Brooke Hunter, Erin Shattles, and Hunter Shattles; two great-grandchildren, Erica Lane and Madison Lane. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Enid Hunter.

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

Printed March 12, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: HUNTER, TATE, PARKER, TWITTY, RAGAN, SHATTLES, MAC ARTHUR, LANE.

MRS. CAROLYN C. RIGGINS
January 23, 1916 – March 5, 2003

Mrs. Carolyn C. Riggins, 87, of Woodbury, GA, died March 5 at Riverside Nursing Home in Thomaston. Funeral services were held March 9 at Woodbury Baptist Church with Reverend Drew Corbett officiating. Entombment followed in the Woodbury City Cemetery Mausoleum with Frank Fowler, Willis Godowns, Harold Gill, Alton Halliday, Guy Dawson and Mike Mills serving as pallbearers.

Mrs. Riggins was born January 23, 1916 in New Orleans, LA, the daughter of Ansel M. and Pearl Jacobs Caine. She married James W. Riggins in 1943 while he was stationed in New Orleans. He died in 1984.

Mrs. Riggins graduated from the Isadore Newman School in 1933 and Newcomb College in 1935, both in New Orleans. She received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor’s University, Waco, TX, in 1937, and attended the Graduate School of Social Work at Tulane University. She was employed in New Orleans and in Florida as a social worker. In 1942, she held a national security job with the U.S. Post Office.

After moving to Woodbury in 1950, Mrs. Riggins began Woodbury’s first kindergarten which was sponsored by the Women’s Club. For over twenty years she was the director of  medical social services at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. She served as a hospital auxiliary volunteer in the gift shop at the Upson Regional Medical Center in Thomaston for twenty-five years.

Mrs. Riggins is survived by her daughter, Ann Sapoznik, of Urbana, IL; two brothers, Curtis Caine of Jackson, MS and Paul Caine of Point Pleasant, PA; two grandchildren, Alexandria Sapoznik and Andrew Sapoznik. She was preceded in death by three brothers.

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

Printed March 12, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: RIGGINS, CORBETT, FOWLER, GODOWNS, GILL, HALLIDAY, DAWSON, MILLS, JACOBS, CAINE, SAPOZNIK.

JAMES MONROE WATKINS, SR.
August 22, 1936 – March 9, 2003

MRS. JEWELL R. BOWDEN
July 8, 1905 – March 6, 2003

Mrs. Jewell Robinson Bowden, 97, of Warm Springs, GA, died March 3 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Nursing Home in Warm Springs. Funeral services were held March 6 at Smith-Steele-Meadows Chapel with Reverend Gene Davis officiating. Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Cullen Clements, Sanford Bradshaw, Billy Rose, Paul J. Smith, Norman Funderburk, and William Crowder.

Mrs. Bowden was born July 8, 1905 in Carroll County, GA, daughter of the late Charlie and Mary Magdalene Smith Robinson. She had worked for Callaway Mills Co. and was a member of Mt. Hope Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, H.G. and Mary Eunice Bowden of Pine Mountain, GA; a niece reared by Mother Jewell, Penny Buchanan (Jimmy) of LaGrange, GA; six grandchildren, Harry Bowden (Debbie), Pam Branch (Joey), Patricia Ledger, Peggy Bryant (Eddie), Fayne Buchannan (Diana), Anita Buchanan; seven great-grandchildren, Kris Bowden (Tammie), Reppard Ledger, Zack Ledger, Joseph Daniel Branch, Nicki Christi, Heather Buchanan; a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Bowden.

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

Printed March 12, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: ROBINSON, BOWDEN, DAVIS, CLEMENTS, BRADSHAW, ROSE, SMITH, FUNDERBURK, CROWDER, BUCHANAN, BRANCH, LEDGER, BRYANT.

MRS. BETH CLAXTON POWELL
March 4, 2003

Mrs. Elizabeth “Beth” Claxton Powell died at her home March 4 after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by the family she loved.

Beth had been living in Wilmington, Delaware to be near her daughter, Carolyn Powell Corrozi (Jack Corrozi, Jr.) and two grandsons, Anthony and Dominic. Her son, T. Kevin Powell lived in Columbia, MD. Beth grew up in Georgia with love and guidance from her parents, Merle Bailey Claxton and E. Jack Claxton, Jr., who reside in Warm Springs, GA. She is also survived by her one sister, Cathi (Len) Landry of Rock Hill, SC; two brothers, Jack Claxton III (Monica) of Flowery Branch, GA and Bill Claxton (Anne) of Barnesville, as well as nine nieces and nephews.

Beth attended Tucker GA High School and later transferred and graduated from Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville, at which time she continued her education at West Georgia College. Prior to retiring to Delaware, she was employed by ADVO, Inc. for 17 years where she was a sales representative in the Washington, DC metro area. Her life-time priority was family. She also enjoyed world travel, painting, gardening, and fellowship with friends. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Hockessin, DE.

Memorial services were held March 9 at First Baptist Church, Warm Springs, GA, with Dr. Bob Patterson officiating. Music was provided by Jerry Levins, Brenda Roberson, Phillip Ford, Katy Folden and Glenn Dow. Private burial followed in the Warm Springs City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Warm Springs First Baptist Church, Warm Springs, GA 31830 or to Compassionate Care Hospice, 623 W. Newport Pike, Greystone Plaza, Wilmington,  DE 19804.

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

Printed March 12, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: CLAXTON, POWELL, CORROZI, BAILEY, LANDRY, PATTERSON, LEVINS, ROBERSON, FORD, FOLDEN, DOW.

MRS. BESSIE MAE COLLIER
July 20, 1910 – March 8, 2003

Mrs. Bessie Mae Collier, 92, of Manchester, GA, died March 8 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Nursing Home. Funeral services were held March 11 at Madeconia Baptist Church with Reverend John Simmons officiating, assisted by Reverend Andrew Hammack. Burial was in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Mark Collier, Bryan Collier, Danny Collier, Russell Reed, Mike Dixon, Mike Alewine, Wayne Moore and Jerry Moore.

Mrs. Collier was born July 20, 1910 in Meriwether County, GA, daughter of the late John and Pearl Turner Moore. She was a homemaker and a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.  

Survivors include three sons, Jimmie Enoch Collier and Jerry B. Collier, both of Manchester, GA and Jack Howard Collier of Tazwell, TN; one daughter, Betty L. McInvale, 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren. Mrs. Collier was preceded in death by her husband, Claude “Pete” Collier; one sons, Claude Rickard “Dick” Collier; and a daughter, Rachael C. Dixon.

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

Printed March 12.

SEARCH NAMES: COLLIER, SIMMONS, HAMMACK, REED, DIXON, ALEWINE, MOORE, TURNER, MC INVALE, DIXON.

Reverend Richard K. Shiver, 62, of LaGrange, GA, died March 14 at Hospice LaGrange. Funeral services were held March 16 from First Baptist Church on the Square with Dr. Paul Baxter and Reverend Tom Farr officiating. Interment was in Manchester City Cemetery.

Reverend Shiver was born February 19, 1941 in Manchester, GA,  the son of the late Charles Brinson and Lillie Mae Meadows Shivers. He was Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church on the Square and  a  member of the Optimist Club of LaGrange serving as local club president., District Lieutenant Governor, and Governot of the Optimists Clubs of Georgia from 1978-1979. He was a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church and Chairman of the Board of Deacons in 1990-1991.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Rachel Storey Shiver of LaGrange, GA; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth C. and Patricia Shiver of Carrollton, GA and Michael A. and Becky Shiver of LaGrange, GA; a grandson, Andrew Richard Shiver of Carrollton, GA; a brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Charles and Toni Shiver of Augusta, GA.

Donations in memory of Reverend Shiver may be made to Hospice LaGrange, 1510 Vernon Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 or a church that was very special to Reverend Shiver, Trinity Baptist Church, 501 Northside Drive, Carrollton, GA 30117

Striffler-Hamby Mortuary of LaGrange was in charge of arrangements.

Printed March 19, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: SHIVER, BAXTER, FARR, MEADOWS, STOREY

JAMES B. PIKE
January 13, 1920 – March 4, 2003

James B. Pike, 85, of Manchester, GA, died March 4 at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus. Funeral services were held March 6 at Northside Baptist Church, Manchester with burial at Meriwether Memory Gardens, with the Reverend Cullen Clements officiating, according to Cox Funeral Home, Manchester.

Mr. Pike was born January 13, 1920 in Marion County, GA, the son of O.L and Allie Pike. He was the retired fire chief for the Manchester Fire Department and a member of the Northside Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Samuel Pike.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Foster Pike of Manchester, GA; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Ben Eubanks of Shiloh, GA, Patsy and K. W. Arnold of Warm Springs, GA, and Jennifer and Robert Ray of Fort Valley, GA; a sister, Louise Foster of Buena Vista, GA; grandchildren, Tammy and Mike Thompson and Jimmy and Tina Mahaffey, all of Zebulon, GA and Jillian Eubanks of Auburn, AL; great-grandchildren, Justin Mahaffey, Morgan Mahaffey, Caylie Maheffey, Lindsey Thompson and Abbey Thompson, all of Zebulon, GA.

Printed March 19, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES:  PIKE, CLEMENTS, FOSTER, EUBANKS, ARNOLD, RAY, THOMPSON, MAHEFFEY

MRS. MILLICENT COLLINS GIBBS
March 1, 2003

Mrs. Millicent Collins Gibbs, 98, of Fort Pierce, FL, died March 1 at her home.  A graveside service was held March 5 at Shepherd Memorial park with the Reverend Harold McKinnish officiating.

Mrs. Gibbs was the daughter of the late John and Eliza Cordelia Harper Collins and the wife of the late Miles Logan Gibbs.

Survivors include a son, Norman Gibbs of Manchester, GA; a daughter, Audrey Barlowe of Fort Pierce, FL; six grandchildren, Rebecca Fahey, Kenneth Gibbs, Dawn O’Neal, Nancy Willard, Paul Gibbs and Elizabeth Barlowe; nine great-grandchildren, Derrick Scott Fahey, Brea Fahey, Nichol Seals, Kelly Koon, Jody O’Neal, Quinton Amerson, Benton Amerson, Brittney Davis and Heather Gibbs; and a great-great grandson, Zachery Seals.

Printed March 19, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: COLLINS, GIBBS, MC KINNISH, HARPER, BARLOWE, FAHEY, O'NEAL, WILLARD, SEALS, KOON, AMERSON, DAVIS

ALVA L. LEDFORD
February 10, 1929 – February 24, 2003

Alva L. Ledford, 74, of Woodbury, GA, died February 24 at his residence. Funeral services were held February 27 at Woodbury United Methodist Church with Reverend Jonathan Porter officiating, assisted by Angelo DeVivo and Reverend Herschel Phillips. Burial followed at Meriwether Memory Gardens with the following serving as pallbearers: Randy Brown, Larry Ledford, Timmy Ledford, David Whittle, Todd Dukes, John David Stickland, Ken Bulloch, Rocky Dukes, Jeff Dukes, Tim Dukes and Darrell Jones.

Mr. Ledford was born February 10, 1929 in Meriwether County, GA a son of Jessie T. Ledford and Lena Pearson  Ledford. He was retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation as a Foreman in the Third Division Maintenance Department. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was a member of Woodbury United Methodist Church, where he served on numerous committees. He was also a member of the Valley Vagabond Camping Club.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Dukes Ledford of Woodbury, GA; a daughter, Tammie Ledford, also of Woodbury, GA; a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Cindi Ledford of Greenville, GA; two brothers, J.W. “Buddy” Ledford of Hogansville, GA and Rufus Lamar Ledford of Sylvester, GA; a sister, Annie Ruth Brown of Woodbury, GA; two granddaughters, Ashley and Kelly Anne. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Traci Ann Ledford and a sister, Hazel Walden.

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

Printed March 19, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: LEDFORD, PORTER, DE VIRO, PHILLIPS, BROWN, WHITTLE, DUKES, STRICKLAND, BULLOCH, JONES, PEARSON, WALDEN

JOSEPH T. DURNING
March 31, 1920 – March 10, 2003

Joseph T. Durning, 82, of Jupiter, FL, passed away at 4:30 p.m. on March 10, in West Palm Beach, FL.

Durning was born on March 31, 1920 in Pawtucket, RI. He married Loretta Benoit in 1940, together the couple raised five children and in 1960, moved the family to Palm Beach County, FL. Durning later moved to Manchester where he resided for five years before returning to Florida. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Warm Springs, GA; Jupiter Loyal Order of Moose, Jupiter Fraternal Order of Eagles; and The American Legion.

Durning leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Clair Tessitore of Providence, RI; the mother of his five children, Loretta Durning of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; his children, Susan (Gerry) Purvis of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Carolyln Schwall of Jupital, FL, Joseph (Bonnie) Durning of Manchester, GA, Timothy (Cindy) Durning and Kathleen (Jeff) Stevens all of Dripping Springs, TX; 16 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations made in Joe’s name to: First Baptist Church Warm Springs, GA, 31830

Honoring his wishes, Joe’s ashes will be dispersed at sea off the coast of Florida in a private family ceremony. A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be at the Purvis home on Sunday, March 30, 2003, 6843 146^th Rd. N. Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Printed March 19, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: DURNING, BENOIT, TESSITORE, PURVIS, SCHWALL, STEVENS

MRS. LAURA MAE LANGFORD
April 17, 1919 – March 23, 2003

Mrs. Laura Mae Langford, 83, of Manchester, GA, died March 23 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Hospital, Warm Springs. Graveside services were held at Meriwether Memory Gardens March 26 with Reverend Carolyn Evans officiating.

Mrs. Langford was born April 17, 1919 in Meriwether County, GA, daughter of the late Laurie and Maudie O’Neal Gill. She had worked in the spinning room at Callaway Mills and had worked at Goody’s. She was a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one son, Dr. James Waldo Langford of Gainesville, GA; one sister, Lucille Argroves of LaGrange, GA; one brother, Allen Gill of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, Christi McDonald and Debbie Louie, both of Jackson, MS, and Bradley Langford of Atlanta, GA; four great-grandchildren, Brandon, Joy, Hope and Faith, McDonald. She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Langford.

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

Printed March 26, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: LANGFORD, EVANS, O'NEAL, GILL, ARGROVES, MC DONALD, LOUIE

MRS. BETTY PAGE STITCHER
March 1, 1930 – March 18, 2003

Mrs. Betty Page Stitcher, 73, of Woodbury, GA, died March 18 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Hospital, Warm Springs. Funeral services were held March 21 at Cover Baptist Church with Reverend C. L. Roberson officiating. Burial was at Meriwether Memory Gardens with her grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Mrs. Stitcher was born March 1, 1930 in Troup County, GA, daughter of Will Cosley and Maudie Berry Cosley. She was a former employee of Milliken and Thomaston Mills and was a member of Cove Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Mike Stitcher, Sr. (Charlene) and Ray Stitcher, both of Woodbury, GA; three daughters, Frances (David) Phillips of Thomaston, GA, Mickie Sharpe of Johnson City, TN, and Joann Stitcher of Manchester, GA; stepmother, Lucille Cosley of Odessadale; brothers Billy Joe Cosley of LaGrange and Harold Pressley of California; sisters, Eula Belle Pressley and Zelma Creed, both of LaGrange and Ellen Bright of Odessadale; 25 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray M. Stitcher and three sons, Jimmy Ray Stitcher, Danny Eugene Stitcher and Carlton Lee Stitcher.

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

Printed March 26, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: STITCHER, ROBERSON, COSLEY, BERRY, PHILLIPS, SHARPE, PRESSLEY, CREED, BRIGHT

JAMES F. CUDDINGTON
March 31, 1944 – March 22, 2003

James “Butch” Frederick Cuddington, 58, of Warm Springs, GA, died March 22 at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus. Funeral services were held at Manchester First Baptist Church March 24 with the Reverend Eddie Waller officiating, assisted by the Reverend Eugene Wiseman. Burial followed at Meriwether Memory Gardens with K.W. Arnold, Joe Crews, David Crews, Tom Crowder, Dennis Medders, and J.E. “Tootsie” Terry serving as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers were David Ward, Jr., Robbie Hall, Tommy Ward, Kary Eubanks, Donnie Lanier and John Lanier.

Mr. Cuddington was born March 31, 1944 in Nash County, NC, a son of the late James Edgar Cuddington and the late Gladys Brigman Cuddington. He was an engineer with CSX Railroad, member of Manchester First Baptist Church, member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and member of Stephens Masonic Lodge and a Shriner.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Popejoy Cuddington of Warm Springs, GA; one son, James (Cassie) Cuddington, also of Warm Springs, GA; daughter, Regina (Mark) Lott of Leesburg; sisters, Peggy Frazier of Sharpsburg, NC, Linda and Mike Hall of Columbus, GA and Paula and David Griffith of Manchester, GA; grandchildren, Brittany Cuddington, Ashley Cuddington, Trey Cuddington, Josh Lott, and Cody Lott; one stepson, Justin Culverhouse; one stepdaughter, Elizabeth Culverhouse. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas.

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

Printed March 26, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES:  CUDDINGTON, WALLER, WISEMAN, ARNOLD, CREWS, CROWDER, MEDDERS, TERRY, WARD, HALL, EUBANKS, LANIER, POPEJOY, LOTT, FRAZIER, HALL, GRIFFITH, CULVERHOUSE

MRS. JEANETTE M. MARTIN
September 21, 1925 – March 1, 2003

Mrs. Jeanette Moultrie Martin, 77, of Greenville, GA, died March 1 at Hospice LaGrange. Funeral services were held March 3 at Greenville United Methodist Church with the Reverend Bob Reynolds officiating, assisted by the Reverend Ron Capes. Burial followed at Meriwether Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers were Bill Nash, Bill Moultrie, Jaymie Brown, Clint Flynn, Darius Johnson and Claude Harmon. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Disciple Bible Study Group.

Mrs. Martin was born September 21, 1925 in Meriwether County, GA, daughter of the late Clyde and Mettie Watts Moultrie. She was a former manager of a department store, was a member of Greenville United Methodist Church and a former member of a square-dance group.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda George of Greenville, GA and Brenda Pickrell of Covington, GA; three sons, Hugh (Markie) Martin of Crestview, FL, Grant (Lynne) Martin of Warner Robins, GA and Don (Brenda) Martin of Simpsonville, SC; one sister, Clara Jackson of McDonough; one brother, William Moultrie of Greenville, GA; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a special extended family member, Bill Nash. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh (Chet) Martin.

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

Printed March 26, 2003.

SEARCH NAMES: MARTIN, MOULTRIE, REYNOLDS, CAPES, NASH, BROWN, FLYNN, JOHNSON, HARMON, WATTS, GEORGE, PICKRELL, JACKSON