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October, 2002
obituaries printed in the Manchester Star-Mercury, Manchester, Ga.
Submitted by Wanda Wilhelm

Obituaries

sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Jesse Newton
     “Buddy” Champion

sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Robert Lee Copeland
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Robert Wesley Day
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Mrs. Mildred Hays
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Mrs. Stella Mae Hurley
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Ulysses Jackson
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Jessie Marshall
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Mrs. Mattie Nell McCorkle
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Frank (Frankie) R. Pike
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Ms. Sybil M. Revels
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Mrs. Lillian N. Smith
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) Mrs. Millie Ruth Welch
sdi_gr.gif (870 bytes) R. B. Jim Willingham

 

 

 

 

Robert Wesley Day
July 5, 1935 – September 24, 2002

Robert Wesley Day, 67, of Alvaton, died September 25, at West Georgia Medical Center. Funeral services were held September 27 at Open Door Baptist Church with Reverend Steve Smith officiating. Interment was at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Day was born July 5, 1935 in Floyd County, Texas. He was a dispatcher for a trucking company and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda Day of Alvaton; six daughters, Diane Branch of Fitzgerald, Karrie Day of Louisville, Texas, Lori O’Neal of Barnesville, Debbie Robinson of Alpharetta, Renea Scarbury of Fitzgerald and Denise Turner of Alvaton; two sons, Chuck Reynolds of Smithville, Tennessee and Robert Reynolds of Barnesville; two brothers, Bill Day of Minga, Texas and Ron Day of Knoxville, Tennessee; two sisters, Jan Evans of Laughlin, Texas and Lavern Ford of Clearwater, Kansas.

McKoon Funeral Home of Newnan was in charge of arrangements.

Printed October 2, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Day, Smith, Branch, O’Neal, Robinson, Scarbury, Turner, Reynolds, Evans, Ford.

Mrs. Stella Mae Hurley
June 28, 2002

Mrs. Stella Mae Snow Hurley, 78, of Glendale, Kentucky, passed away June 28 at her residence. Funeral services were held July 1 at Manakee Funeral Home in Sonora, Kentucky with Brother Joe Brothers officiating. Entombment was at the Resthaven Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mrs. Hurley was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, daughter of the late Harmond Snow and Arvie (Robinson) Snow. She had worked at the Roosevelt Rehabilitation Center in Warm Springs as a manager for over 40 years. She was a member of the Heartland Church of Christ in Elizabethtown.

Survivors include a son, Bobby Hurley of Glendale, Kentucky; brothers, Elbert Snow of Lynchburg, Virginia, Jim Snow of Las Vegas, Nevada and Richard Snow, also of Lynchburg; sisters, Helen Crockett of Tazwell, Virginia, Adel Iron of Grundy, Virginia, Ruth Oaks of Newark, Delaware, Jeanie Ellington of Cedar City, Utah and Brenda Hamlett of Powhatan, Virginia; two grandchildren; two great grandchildren.

Manakee Funeral Home of Sonora, Kentucky was in charge of arrangements.

Printed October 2, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Snow, Hurley, Robinson, Brothers, Crockett, Iron, Oaks, Ellington, Hamlett.

Ulysses Jackson
September 23, 2002

Funeral services for Ulysses Jackson, 44, of Atlanta, formerly of Woodbury were held September 28 from the Stinson-Walker Memorial Chapel of Harper’s Funeral Home in Manchester. Burial followed in the Woodbury City Cemetery. Evangelist Renita Loveless officiated.

Mr. Jackson was born in Meriwether County and spent most of his life in Atlanta.

Survivors include his mother, Ms. Evelyn Jackson of Atlanta; brothers, Bruce Jackson and Jarone Jackson of Atlanta; several other relatives and friends.

Harper’s Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of arrangements.

Printed October 2, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Jackson, Loveless.

Mrs. Mattie Nell McCorkle
June 26, 1912September 27, 2002

Mrs. Mattie Nell McCorkle, 90, of Newnan, and a former resident of Manchester, died September 27 at Newnan Hospital. Graveside services were held at Bethesda Church Cemetery in Manchester September 29 with Reverend Jimmy Fleming officiating, assisted by Reverend Jimmy Chapman.

Mrs. McCorkle was born June 26, 1912 in Meriwether County, daughter of the late Charter and Ella Briley Smith. She was retired as supervisor at Goody Products and was a member of Elm Baptist Church.

Survivors include one so and daughter-in-law, William T. McCorkle, Jr. and Rhett McCorkle of Moreland; granddaughter Wendy Fuller; grandson William T. McCorkle, III; two great grandchildren.

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

 Printed October 2, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: McCorkle, Fleming, Chapman, Briley, Smith, Fuller.

Frank (Frankie) R. Pike
January 10, 1944October 1, 2002

Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Frank (Frankie) R. Pike, 58, of Manchester, died Tuesday, October 1, 2002 at his home under hospice care after a long battle with colon cancer.

Memorial services for Mr. Pike will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2002 at the First Baptist Church in Manchester with military honors. Reverend Craig Williamson will officiate the service. Visitation will be Friday evening from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Cox Funeral Home. Both the church and the funeral home are located on Second Street in Manchester.

Mr. Pike was born January 10, 1944 in Mauk, Georgia, the son of Sara Hall Pike and Herbert Pike. He grew up in Manchester, leaving at the age of 17 to join the Navy. Mr. Pike retired as a Chief Petty Officer with the U.S. Navy in 1961, having served in the Vietnam War. In 1992, he retired from Civil Service with a 100% service-connected disability from the Naval Home in Gulfport, Mississippi. Mr. Pike returned to Manchester in 1994 and was very active in his community. In April the Georgia State House of Representatives honored Mr. Pike with  House Resolution 1602  for his remarkable service to his community and his contributions to society. He was an avid photographer, gardener, bird watcher, and a computer enthusiast. He was a lifetime member of both the First Baptist Church of Manchester and the Disabled American Veterans. He was preceded in death by his parents and by sister Dorothy (Dot) Harrington.

                Survivors include his wife Lani A. Pike of Manchester; a daughter Charlotte Elm of Oak Harbor, Washington; three stepsons Michael Yacksyzn II of Biloxi, Mississippi, Paul Yacksyzn and David Yacksyzn, both of Las Vegas, Nevada; a sister, Mary Ellen Youngblood of Manchester; two brothers, Thomas Pike and Calvin Pike, both of LaGrange; five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Pike requested contributions to First Baptist Church in Manchester or the Salvation Army.

Printed October 9, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Pike, Williamson, Hall, Elm, Yacksyzn, Youngblood

Jesse Newton “Buddy” Champion
May 26, 1919October 7, 2002

Jesse Newton “Buddy” Champion, 83, of Pine Mountain died Monday, October 7, 2002 at Hospice, LaGrange.

Funeral services for Mr. Champion were held at 1 PM Wednesday, October 9, at First Baptist Church, Pine Mountain, with Reverend Wayne Holloway officiating and assisted by Reverend Paul Fowler. Serving as pallbearers were his grandsons: David L Moore, Jr.,  Daniel Newton Moore, Jonathan Amanuel Moore, Timothy Todd Moore, Shack McDaniel, Jr., Mike McDaniel, Patrick M. Anderson, Merritt Lee Singleton and Collin C. Wheeler. Burial was in the Pine Mountain City Cemetery.

Mr. Champion was born May 26, 1919 in Meriwether County, the son of  Jesse and Fannie Lou Champion. He was the Assistant Manager of Building Supply in Pine Mountain. Mr. Champion worked in the PX at Fort Benning during World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Pine Mountain, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent for 12 year and Sunday School teacher for eight years.

Survivors include his wife, Constance Smith Champion; son, William Jesse “Bill” Champion; four daughters, Maria Champion Dorrill, Carol Champion Richardson, all of Pine Mountain; Susan Champion Anderson of Appling, Georgia, and Jean Champion Wheeler of Barnell, Georgia; one brother, John Elmer Champion of Tallahassee, Florida; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice LaGrange.

Cox Funeral Home in Hamilton was in charge of the arrangements.

Printed October 16, 2002. 

SEARCH NAMES: Champion, Holloway, Fowler, Moore McDaniel, Anderson, Singleton, Wheeler, Smith, Dorrill, Richardson.

Mrs. Millie Ruth Welch
July 22, 1924October 15, 2002

Mrs. Millie Ruth Garrett Welch, 78, of Pensacola, Florida, died October 15, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. A memorial service was held October 22 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, Pensacola with the Reverend John Stacey officiating.

Mrs. Welch was born July 22, 1924, the daughter of Reverend Joseph Leroy Garrett and Alver Elizabeth Mitchell Garrett.

Survivors include three daughters, Janet Wright of Addis, Louisiana, Jean Bell Nichols of Dallas, Texas and JoAnn Welch of Pensacola; three sisters; Dot Malouin and Lois Phillips, both of Warm Springs, and Mary Goss of Chiefland, Florida; six grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; several great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas Edward Garrett and Joseph Leroy Garrett, and two sisters, Doris Garrett Olson and Viola Garrett Fithian.

Oak Lawn Funeral Home of Pensacola was in charge of arrangements.

Printed October 23, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Welch, Garrett, Stacey, Garrett, Mitchell, Wright, Nichols, Malouin, Phillips, Goss, Olson, Fithian.

Mrs. Mildred Hays
December 18, 1912October 16, 2002

Mrs. Mildred Davis Hays, 89, of Manchester, died October 16. Graveside services were held October 18, at Manchester City Cemetery with the Reverend Craig Williamson officiating, assisted by the Reverend Charles Qualls.

Mrs. Hays was born December 18, 1912, daughter of the late Lewis C. Davis, Sr., and the late Beatrice Fowler Davis. She was a homemaker, charter member of First Baptist Church, Manchester and was a participant at the Manchester Senior Center.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Don and Betty Boynton of Manchester; one granddaughter, Donna Elizabeth Qualls of Atlanta; one sister, Julia Griffin of Manchester; four nieces, Judy Burton of Vienna,  Sandra Gibson of Talbotton, Kaye Bryant of Shiloh and Jean Bufford of Pine Mountain; several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Donations in memory of Mrs. Hays may be made to the Elevator Fund at First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 528, Manchester, GA 31816.

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

Printed October 23, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Hays, Davis, Williamson, Qualls, Fowler, Boynton, Griffin, Burton, Gibson, Bryant, Bufford.

Robert Lee Copeland
July 4, 1939 – October 14, 2002

Robert Lee (Punk) Copeland, 63, died October 14. Funeral Services were held October 19 at St. Paul C.M.E. Church in Shiloh with the Reverend John Pollard officiating.

Mr. Copeland was born July 4, 1939 in Talbot County, son of the late Edward Copeland, Sr., and Mrs. Jessie Mae Copeland. At an early age he became a member of St. Paul C.M.E. Church.

Survivors include his wife, Eunice Copeland; mother, Mrs. Jessie Mae Copeland of Manchester; two sons, Reginald Bernard Copeland of Shiloh and Phillip Lamonte (Angela) Copeland of Columbus; three daughters, Renea Sherell Copeland of Shiloh, Valerie Sherree (Christopher) Jackson and Tara Lynn (Tharris) Blount, all of Manchester; two grandchildren, Kierra Janaye Jackson of Manchester and Phillip Brendan Copeland of Columbus; four sisters, Shirley Mae Copeland, JoAnn Watt, Martha (Bishop) Prather and Bernice (Darrin) Parks, all of Manchester; four brothers, Edward (Betty) Copeland, Jr., of Waycross, Willie James Copeland of LaGrange, Eddie L (Ruby) Copeland and James Edward Copeland, all of Manchester; 13 aunts, seven uncles, five sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law; 21 nieces, 23 nephews, 19 great-nephews, 33 great-nieces, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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

Printed October 23, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Copeland, Pollard, Jackson, Blount, Watt, Prather, Parks.

Mrs. Lillian N. Smith
April 28, 1911October 13, 2002

Mrs. Lillian Norton Smith, 91, of Columbus, died October 13 at Pine Manor Nursing Home in Columbus. Graveside services were held October 15 at Evergreen Memory Gardens in Columbus, according to Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home in Manchester.

Mrs. Smith was born April 28, 1911 in Grady County, a daughter to Zaddock E. Norton and Clara G. Palmer Norton. She retired from Kirven’s downtown department store, where she was employed for 27 years as a sales clerk, and had worked in the credit office there. She was a member of Hilton Terrace Baptist Church, and for several years, had taught Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carey Wayne Smith.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Roberta and Jack Smith of Manchester; two granddaughters, Debbie S. Gibson of Maryville, Tennessee and Becky S. Probus of Manchester; three great grandchildren, Bradley Probus and Robert Probus, both of Manchester and Jonathan Gibson of Maryville, Tennessee; several nieces and nephews.

Those who desire may make donations to Vistacare Hospice, 850 Brookstone Pkwy., Suite 200, Columbus, Georgia 31904, or to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 528, Manchester, Georgia 31816.

 Printed October 23, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Smith, Norton, Palmer, Gibson, Probus.

R. B. Jim Willingham
October 19, 2002

R. B. Jim Willingham, 74, of Sulphur, Louisania, died October 19 at his home. Funeral services were held October 21 at Hixson-Sulphur  Memorial Funeral Home with Reverend Charley Watson and Reverend Harvey Kieffer officiating. Graveside services were held October 24 at Harris City Cemetery, Harris City, Georgia.

Mr. Willingham was a native of Fulton, Kentucky, and had lived in Sulphur since 1967. He was a boilermaker and a pipefitter for Local 106 for 41 years. He was a member of the Maplewood First Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” James Willingham of Sulphur; one son, Daniel Patrick Willingham of Hampton, Virginia; one daughter, Diana Maryla Muir of Austin, Texas; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Brady James, Jr. of Kennesaw, Cecil and Peggy Pearson of Kennesaw, Bill and Dot Wiley of Lauren, South Carolina, Nancy Bell of Merritt Island, Florida; Laura Dees of Marietta and Barbara Glazier of Manchester; three grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a niece and two nephews.

Cox Funeral Home of Manchester was in charge of local arrangements.

 Printed October 30, 2002.

 SEARCH NAMES: Willingham, Watson, Kieffer, James, Muir, Pearson, Wiley, Bell, Deese, Glazier.

Ms. Sybil M. Revels
August 26, 1935October 24, 2002

Mrs. Sybil M Revels, 67, died October 24 at Georgia Baptist Meriwether Memorial Hospital. Memorial services were held October 27 at the Chapel of Cox Funeral Home, Manchester with the Reverend Glen Waddell officiating.

Mrs. Revels was born August 26, 1935 in Coffee County, Alabama, daughter of the late Marvin and Irrie Parnell Edwards. She was retired from Southern Bell, Columbus as an Information Operator, was the widow of George Raymond Revels, and enjoyed crocheting and needlework.

Survivors include three daughters, Shelia Johnson of Manchester, Regina Satterfield Wheelus of Carrabelle, Florida, Dixie Leigh Anderson of Lawrenceville; one son, George Shelton Revels of Manchester; three grandsons, David Yianueva of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Earl Raymond McFall of Rockford, Illinois, Peter Revels of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; two great grandchildren, Divinity Kidd of Manchester and Justin McCall of Rockford, Illinois.

Printed October 30, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Revels, Waddell, Parnell, Edwards, Johnson, Satterfield, Wheelus, Anderson, Yianueva, McFall, Kidd.

Jessie Marshall
December 2, 1916(October 24, 2002 approx.)

Funeral services for Jessie Marshall were held at New Hope Baptist Church October 26 with the Reverend J.D. Walker officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Marshall was born December 2, 1916 in Meriwether County, son of the late Jake and Emma Bell Marshall. He spent his youth in the Manchester and Woodbury communities.

Mr. Marshall retired from the Veterans Administration Hospital in New York City after thirty years of service where he was a certified Licensed Practical Nurse.

Survivors include three sons, Jessie Jr., Bennie and Earnest; a devoted son-in-law, Thomas L. Coleman; niece, Thelma Lee Harris; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. His wife, Louise Jordan Marshall and three children, Charles, Geraldine and Winston preceded him in death.

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

Printed October 30, 2002.

SEARCH NAMES: Marshall, Walker, Bell, Coleman, Harris.