U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Mr. Ray Coleman Thigpen
Mr. Ray Coleman Thigpen, 84, of Grovetown entered into rest on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at his residence.
Mr. Thigpen was a native of Jefferson County, but had lived in Grovetown for many years. He was a retired heavy equipment operator and a member of New Life Church of God.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at New Life Church of God, with Pastor Wallace Banks and Rev. William Thigpen officiating. Burial was in the Waldens Cemetery, Avera.
Survivors include many nieces and nephews; two sister-in-laws, Louis Thigpen, Louisville, and Lorene Markins, Gibson; friend, Donna Sexton, Grovetown.
Pallbearers were his nephews.
Curtis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Etheridge D. “Bub” Williams Jr.
Mr. Etheridge D. “Bub” Williams Jr., 61, of Edgehill entered into rest on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at his residence.
A native of Louisville, Mr. Williams was a son of the late Etheridge D. Williams Sr. and Doris Padgett Williams. He worked for the City of Stapleton as the building and grounds keeper.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Avera, with Rev. Chris New officiating.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Ralph Milburn; and brother, Danny Milburn.
Survivors include cousins, Johnny Padgett, Elaine James, Wayne Padgett, Charles Padgett and Wade Brooks; nephews, Daniel Milburn, Matt Milburn and John Albright Jr.; niece, Angel Albright Pippin; and a sister-in-law, Debbie Milburn.
Pallbearers were Timmy Usry, Robbie Prescott, Kevin Prescott, Darryl Usry, David Doodle Padgett and Tommy Landrum.
Family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Sheppard Funeral Home, 57 College Place, Gibson, GA 30801.
Sheppard Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Michael David Thigpen Sr.
Mr. Michael David Thigpen Sr., 52, of Tennille entered into rest on Wednesday, March 8, 2011, at Washington County Regional Medical Center, Sandersville.
Mr. Thigpen was born in Atlanta, the son of the late Thomas David Thigpen. He had resided in Washington County for many years. Mr. Thigpen was an employee of Thiele Kaolin Company for 34 years. He was an emergency medical technician with the Washington County Ambulance Service and was the Fire Chief of the Ohoopee Fire Department. Mr. Thigpen was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church and attended Piney Mount United Methodist Church.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 11, 2011, at New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery, near Davisboro. A service of celebration was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2011, at Piney Mount United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Melissa Lord Thigpen of Tennille; children, Michael D. Thigpen Jr. of Harrison, and Michelle R. Thigpen of Harrison; stepchildren, Mallory Potter and Adam Potter; mother, Shirley M. Thigpen of Bartow; sister, Debra (Mike) Martin of Bartow; brother, Steven (JaNae) Thigpen of Bartow; two aunts, Frances Stone of Davisboro, and Mabel Mullis of Thomaston; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
May and Smith Funeral Directors were in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Maxine Phillips Wheeler
Mrs. Maxine Phillips Wheeler, 59, of Stapleton entered into rest on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at her residence after a long hard-fought battle with cancer.
Born to the late Julia Emily Thigpen Phillips and the late Frank E. Phillips, Mrs. Wheeler was a lifelong resident of the Jefferson and Glascock counties area. She was a nurse’s aide at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Augusta. Mrs. Wheeler also worked for the school systems for more than 20 years as a bus driver and para pro.
Funeral services were on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 11 a.m. at James Funeral Home Chapel, with Bishop Jason Burton officiating. Interment followed in Wrens Memorial Gardens.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Larry Phillips and Carolyn Phillips.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Tony Wheeler; three children, Roy Tony Wheeler Jr. (Amanda), Irene K. Kitchens (Gerald) and Philip Tony Wheeler (Tori); a brother, Wallace Phillips (Betty); eight grandchildren, Jennifer Wheeler, Joe Kitchens, Ben Wheeler, Ken Kitchens, Tristan Smith, Bryce Wheeler, Buck Wheeler and Barrett Wheeler; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Pallbearers were Donnie McGahee, A.G. Phillips, Mark Phillips, Randy Phillips, Pilcher Thigpen and William Wren.
Honorary pallbearers were the Jefferson County bus drivers and para pros.
Memorial contributions may be made to Concerned Citizens of Glascock County, c/o Corene Chalker, 3037 Bastonville Rd, Gibson, GA 30810, or to Heartland Hospice, 208 Pitcarin Way Ste A, Augusta, GA 30909.
James Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Ruel Carl Thigpen
Mr. Ruel Carl Thigpen, 93, entered into rest on March 18, 2011 at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home.
Mr. Thigpen was born Jan. 4, 1918, in Glascock County. He was a WWII veteran.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park Chapel, with Chaplain Richard Thigpen and Pastor Tim Pendrey officiating. Interment was in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Edna Murphy Thigpen; his wife of 12 years, Nellie Kell Thigpen; father, Ruel. W. Thigpen; mother, Nellie Peebles Thigpen; sister, Inez Thigpen; and brother, James W. Thigpen.
Survivors include one son, William ?Billy? (Jackie) Thigpen, Evans; two brothers, Thomas Thigpen, Martinez, and Earl Thigpen, Evans; one sister, Evelyn Sheppard, Avera; two grandchildren, Mark C. Thigpen, Greer, S.C., Michelle (Fred) Rose, Martinez; two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Brandon Rose.
Pallbearers were Dennis Thigpen, Gary Thigpen, Gary Thigpen Jr., Michael Thigpen, Chris Thigpen, Donald Sheppard and Kenneth Sheppard.
Honorary pallbearer was his nephew, the late Thomas R. Thigpen.
Family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, 1101 15th St., Augusta, GA 30901.
Thomas L. King Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Melvin Wade Ward
Mr. Melvin Wade Ward, 82, of Sardis entered into rest on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at University Hospital in Augusta.
Mr. Ward was born in Burke County and was a member of Sardis United Methodist Church. He was a master craftsman and builder and spent most of his adult life building custom homes throughout the CSRA. He later served as city superintendent for Sardis until his retirement. He was also a 32nd degree Mason.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at 3 p.m. at Thompson-Strickland-Waters Chapel, with Rev. Steve Sirmons officiating. Burial was in McBride United Methodist Church Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Fulcher and Earnestine Holland Ward.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Reddick Ward of Sardis; daughters, Dorene (Douglas) Holland of Augusta, and Deborah (Alan) Gelderman of Waynesboro; sister, Meredith W. (Ray) Chandler of Sardis; five grandchildren, Wade (Stephanie) Holland of Demorest, Daniel (Kara) Gelderman of Albuquerque, N.M., Kasey (Mitch) McGill of Louisville, Leah (Pete) Story of Grovetown, and Byron (Kristal) Gelderman of Waynesboro; nine great-grandchildren, Hunter Gilstrap, Layla Story, Ansleigh and Karleigh Holland, Gavin and Brennan Gelderman, Will Gelderman, Kade and Mailyn McGill; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Mike Chandler, Randy Chandler, Jutt Wynne, Jerry Reddick, Nelms Graham and Al Griffin.
Honorary pallbearers were Sean Conner, Cleckley Reddick, Tom Mobley, Johnny Hight, Clayton Weathers, Wayne Buxton, Don Cowart, Preston Conner, Carl Thames and Hubert Reddick.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Assn., c/o Ann Tyre, 101 Sylvan Circle, Sylvania, GA 30467.
Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements
Mr. Danny Ray Usry
Mr. Danny Ray Usry, 53, of Mitchell entered into rest on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, at University Hospital, Augusta.
He was a farmer and cattleman.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at Sheppard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Lonnie McCall and Rev. Mary Griswell officiating. Interment was in the Mitchell City Cemetery, Mtichell.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Snider Usry; and grandparents, Allen and Eva Denton Snider.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Lisa M. Usry; two daughters, Carrie Diane Usry of Mitchell, and Lacey Rene Usry of Gibson; father, Ray Usry of Mitchell; three sisters, Janie Usry of Mitchell, Debbie (Ronnie) Chalker of Mitchell, and Alaine Logan of Gibson; one grandson, Landon (Boomer) Pounds; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Ben Hadden, Jimmy Wilcher, David Logan, Grayson Harrell, Charles Bland, Thomas Davis and Ronnie Wood.
Memorials may be made to the Glascock County Concerned Citizens in care of Corene Chalker, 3037 Bastonville Rd., Gibson, GA 30810.
Sheppard Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. George T. “Buddy” Walden
Mr. George T. “Buddy” Walden of Clearwater, S.C., entered into rest on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011.
Mr. Walden was born in Jefferson County, to the late Fred Thomas and Lennie Usry Walden. He retired from Bath Mill, a division of United Merchants and Manufacturing, with 35 years of service and he attended Langley Church of God.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Langley Church of God, with Rev. Benny Burton and Rev. Eddie Toole officiating. Interment followed in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Graniteville, S.C.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Lester Walden.
Survivors include his wife, Vera “Pat” Wheeler Walden; a son, Jerry Walden (Rita), Bath, S.C.; two sisters, Vera Usry, Thomson, and Barbara Holmes, Hurst, Texas; two grandchildren, Chris Walden (Natalie) and Jeremy Walden (Brittany); and two great-grandchildren, Lauren Walden and Gracyn Walden.
Pallbearers were Randy Walden, Rickie Walden, Lamar Toole, Reggie Morgan, Jeremy Walden and Chris Walden.
Honorary pallbearers were his nephews.
Hatcher Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Mary Kathleen “Katherine” Wilson
Mrs. Mary Kathleen “Katherine” Wilson, 75, of Screven entered into rest on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, after an extended illness.
Mrs. Wilson was born in Lynchburg, S.C., and had lived in Screven for the last 57 years. She was a Baptist, retired from the Board of Education in the Food Service Department.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, at Rinehart and Sons Chapel, with Dr. Ron Wilcox and Rev. R.C. Mathis officiating. Interment was in the Screven City Cemetery, with Rev. Stan Todd and Rev. Bill Harper officiating.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Conward Wilson; a daughter, Ida Marie Wilson; great-grandson, Mason Clark; her parents, J.D. and Ida Mae Coleman; two brothers, Elbert and John Coleman; a sister, Ethel Coleman.
Survivors are four daughters, Etheleen (Buddy) Landon of Beaufort, S.C., Caroll (Randy) Ard of Screven, Jona (David) Clark of Offerman, and Tina (Lamar) Whitley of Jesup; a son, Emory (Letha) Wilson of Wrens; 26 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a sister, Annette Coker of Lynchburg, S.C.; four sisters-in-law, Carolyn Coleman and Liz Coleman, both of Lynchburg, S.C., Mary Goldwire of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lourine Altman of Reidsville.
Pallbearers were Terry Lanning, Mike Jennings, Wayne Landon, Ben Wilson, Matt Wilson, Adam Wilson, Robbie Parker, Danny Ard, David Ard, Jeremy Clark, Gene Clark, Perry Whitley and Lee Sapp.
Honorary pallbearers were Patricia Bennett, Dennis Harper, Ricky Harper, Dale Franklin, Josephine McBee, Charlotte Franklin, Annell Harper, Mike Harper, James Harper, staff of Care South and staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Gladys McGahee Willis
Mrs. Gladys McGahee Willis, 86, of Albany entered into rest on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at her residence
A native of Avera, Mrs. Willis had resided in both Worth County and Albany for the past 60 years. She was a graduate of the University of Georgia and was a second grade school teacher retiring from Palmyra Elementary School. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and Palmyra Road United Methodist Church.
Graveside funeral services were held on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, at 3 p.m. at Waldens cemetery in Avera, with Rev. Thomas Anderson officiating.
Survivors include a son, Johnny Willis (Patty), Albany; a daughter, Vangie Gilstrap (Wayne), Worth County; two grandchildren, Pamela Thompson and Jeffrey Thompson; six brothers, Melvin McGahee (Mary), Aiken, S.C., Ralph McGahee (Evelyn), Wrens, Harold McGahee (Marie), Stapleton, D.W. McGahee, Louisville, Edgar McGahee (Sharon), Okalahoma, and Lindsey Faye McGahee (Ann), Louisville; and a sister, Frances Bradley, Stapleton.
Mathews Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Felton Aubrey Tate
Mr. Felton Aubrey Tate, 76, of Augusta entered into rest on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at the Jefferson County Hospital.
Mr. Tate was born in Reidsville, N.C., to the late Raymond and Lillian Paschal Tate. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of Cross Roads Baptist Church of Matthews.
Graveside services were held on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Bellvue Memorial Gardens, with Rev. Albert Stroup officiating.
Survivors include his wife, Juanita Garner Tate; children, Dennis A. Tate of Hephzibah, Cynthia D. Tate of Martinez and Theresa T. Goins of Augusta; brothers, Clyde Tate of Greensboro, N.C., and Larry Tate of Reidsville, N.C.; sisters, Sadie Zimmerman and Vernie Stone both of Reidsville, N.C.; grandchildren, Christopher Landers, Staci Landers, Dawn Goins, Heather Tate, Justin Tate, Ryan Tate and Sean Goins; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Calvin Savage, Joey Savage, B.J. Woolwine, Christopher Landers, Sean Goins and Randy Tate.
Honorary pallbearer was Harlan Martin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1899 Central Ave., Augusta, GA 30904.
Chance and Hydrick Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
