Obituaries

Velma Barber, 72, died Saturday, January 15, 2011 at The Serenity Place in Dublin. She was born in Polk County, Florida on June 1, 1938 to the late Owen Pitts and the late Nancy Partin Pitts. She had resided in Baxley for the past 29 years. Velma was a homemaker and a member of Ferry Road Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

Willie Baxley, Sr., 85, died Sunday, January 16, 2011 in Appling Healthcare System. Mr. Baxley was born in Appling County Jan. 9, 1926 to the late Estell and Bertha Buckins Baxley. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean Conflict and was a member of Faith Baptist Church. Willie was a member of Appling County Blue Glass Band. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Louise Hand Baxley and two sons, Buddy and Larry Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Murle Teems Harrison, 75, died Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Appling Healthcare System. Mrs. Harrison was born Sept. 17, 1935 to the late Henry and Dorothy Teems. She was a native and lifelong resident of Baxley. Murle was retired from Southern Bell and a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Harrison, two brothers, Alton and Larry Teems and a niece, Linda Gruber. [Full Story »] 

Funeral services were held for Thelma B. H. Isom, who died Saturday, January 8, 2011. The services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 at St. James A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Kevin Moore, officiating. Eulogy was given by the Rev. Douglas Stinson. Interment and dove ceremony (Bettye, Darrell and Gedell) followed in Baxley Cemetery. [Full Story »] 

Kenazjah Jakiyah Jackson died Friday, January 7, 2011. Kenazjah was born April 24, 2008 to William Sharpe, Jr. and Tranethia Jackson of Baxley. She loved her baby sister. Kenazjah was a brave little girl and a very special little angel. She loved Dora the Explorer. She was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Rose Lee Freeman. [Full Story »] 

John Philip Jenkins, 71, of Bishop, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Mr. Jenkins was a native of Winter Beach, FL, and was the son of the late John and Evelyn Floyd Jenkins. He graduated from the Naval Academy and commissioned in the Air Force attaining the rank of Captain. During his Air Force career he served in the Vietnam War flying 232 missions. His actions in combat earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Later, Mr. Jenkins was a Captain for Delta Air Lines from 1967-1999, where he flew MD-11s. He devoted much of his life to the Christian Faith and was influential in leading others to Christ. He was a member of Grace Fellowship Church of Watkinsville. [Full Story »] 

William “Bill” McMillan, of Hartsville, Tennessee, passed from this life suddenly on January 9, 2011 in the presence of our Lord during church services at the Providence Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Hartsville, Tennessee. [Full Story »] 

Ruby O’Berry Morris, 77, of Surrency, died Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross. Mrs. Morris was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County and she was born Dec. 4, 1933 to the late Marshall Gordon and Mary Dykes O’Berry. She was a member of Ephesus Church of God. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Lee Morris, sisters, Lula Smith and Nell O’Berry, brothers, Ben and Ermond O’Berry and great-grandchildren, Devin Shaye Calhoun and Amber Elizabeth Thomas. [Full Story »] 

Azariah Jeremiah Stone died January 7, 2011. Azariah was born July 3, 2007 to Rosby B. Stone, Sr. and Shirley Jackson of Baxley. Azariah was a good child and he was a “sweet baby.” He loved to play football and with his power wheel toy. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mozell Stone, Buddy Banks and Tommy Lee Jackson. [Full Story »] 

Jack Thomas, 83, died Sunday, January 16, 2011 in Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin. Mr. Thomas was born Jan. 4, 1928 in Appling County to the late Paul and Nantie Mae Herrington Thomas. He was a retired truck driver and a member of First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst. [Full Story »] 

Mack Otis Thomas, 65, of Baxley, died Wednesday night (January 19, 2011) at Community Hospice in Vidalia after an extended illness. Mr. Thomas was born in Jesup and his parents were Melvin and Ella Mae Wasdin Thomas. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Nola Mae Lee and a brother, Carroll Thomas. Mack served in the United States Army and was a farmer. He also enjoyed fishing. [Full Story »] 

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Tootle, 67, died Tuesday, January 18, 2011 in Appling Healthcare System. Jackie was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County and was born June 11, 1943 to the late Lawrence and Fannie Marie Hendrix Copeland. She was a member of Philippi Baptist Church. Mrs. Tootle was retired from Ship & Shore and was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. [Full Story »] 

Betty Dean Sellers Beck, 81, died Friday, January 7, 2011 at her residence. Betty was born to the late Issac and Pearl Deen Sellers in Appling County and had lived here most of her life. She was retired and has been employed by King Edward Cigar Company of Jacksonville, FL and Ship and Shore Manufactory of Baxley before her retirement. She was a member of Consolation Baptist Church. Mrs. Beck was preceded in death by her husband, A. E. (Gene) Beck, a sister, Cornellia Roberson and three brothers, Cecil, Wilton and Gerald Sellers. [Full Story »]