U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Sara Skelton
ROYSTON-Sara Geneva Dove Skelton, 63, of 401 Dovetown Rd., died Jan. 22, 2003 at her home.
A native of Franklin County, she was born July 16, 1939 to the late Grady and Mandy Busby Dove, and she was the wife of George Devant Skelton. She was a seamstress and a member of the Grace Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, George Devant Skelton, Royston; sister, Jean Carey, Danielsville; brothers, Rayford Dove, Royston, and Raymond Dove, Hartwell; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by brothers Robert, Lee and Howard Dove.
Funeral services were held Jan. 24, 2003 at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Andy Huff officiated. Burial followed in the Rose Hill Cemetery.
Letcher Campbell
COMER-Letcher Campbell, 84, of Route 2, died Jan. 22, 2003 at the Comer Healthcare Center in Comer.
A native of Madison, County, he was born April 10, 1918 to the late Richard and Donnie Fowler Campbell. He was the husband of the late Dessie Lou Simmons Campbell and was a carpenter. He was a past member of the National Coon Hunter Association.
Survivors include two sons, Paul Campbell, Cuthbert, Sharon Campbell, Alvaton; sisters, Annie Sue Christian, Royston, Rhea Beard, Athens, Joyce Campbell, Danielsville, Frances Childs, Royston, and Decie Lee Bryant, South Carolina; one granddaughter and one great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were held Jan. 24, 2003 at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Ray Jenkins officiated. Burial followed in the Bluestone Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mary Faye Minter
GRAY-Mary Faye Minter, 60, of Greenwood Dr., died Jan. 21, 2003.
A native of Glascock County, she was born to James Albert Howell and the late Emma Ozine Story Howell. She was the wife of Leonard T. “Bubba” Minter and had worked in sales at Parisian in the Colonial Mall in Macon. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and had lived most of her life in the Macon area.
Survivors include her husbamd, Leonard T. “Bubba” Minter of the home; her father, James Albert Howell, Milledgeville; a daughter, Angela James, Macon; two sons, Gary Minter, Macon and Chris Minter, Haddock; three sisters, Rachel McDaniel, Warner Robins, Betty Marsh and Martha Howell, both of Milledgeville; seven brothers, James E. Howell, Warner Robins, Ezra W. Howell and Carey Story, both of Milledgeville, David W. Howell, Lavonia; Tim Howell, Union City, Tenn., Dennis Johnson, Atlanta, Danny Howell, Macon; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 25, 2003 from the chapel of Bridge Funeral Home in Gray. The Revs. Ron Crump and Ralph Story officiated. Interment followed in the Ramah cemetery in Wilkinson County.
Myrtie A. Wooten
ROYSTON-Myrtie A. Wooten, 98, of 10 King’s Place, died Jan. 23, 2003 at the Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston.
A native of Franklin County, she was born Aug. 23, 1904 to the late James and Susie McCollum Wooten. She was retired from Swift Company after 32 years in sales. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Atlanta and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was preceded in death by brothers Ezra, Alex, and Frank Wooten; and sisters Lillie Wooten, Montine Street and Tinie Wooten.
Funeral services were held Jan. 26, 2003 at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Eldon Massey officiated. Burial followed in the Redwine United Methodist Church Cemetery.
David F. Eaves
ATHENS-David Franklin Eaves, 48, of 275 Saxon Woods Dr., died Jan. 24, 2003.
A native of Hart County, he was the son of Frank D. and Edith McCannon Eaves and the husband of Alice Brown Eaves. He was a 1972 graduate of Hart County High School and attended Reinhardt College in Waleska; and the University of Georgia. He graduated from Atlanta Tech as a certified sheet metal journeyman, was president of RyZach Industrial, and worked for other general contractors in Athens. An avid sportsman, he was a founding member and past chairman of the Appalachian Foothills Chapter of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a member and officer of Athens Area Ducks Unlimited, and a member of Three Rivers Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation. He was a member and Trustee of Chapelwood United Methodist Church.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Alice Brown Eaves, Athens; sons, Ryan Eaves and Zachary Eaves, both of Athens; sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Larry Wood, Bowersville, and Karen and Mike Stacks, Hartwell.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Wayne Eaves.
Funeral services were held Jan. 26, 2003 at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Dr. Thom Shores and the Rev. Peggy Little officiated. Burial followed in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The Sanctuary Renovation Fund of Chapelwood United, 100 Janice Dr., Athens, GA 30606 or to the American Cancer society, 1060 Gaines School Rd., Ste. B@, Athens, GA 30606.
Albert R. Simmons
TOCCOA-Albert Russell Simmons, 84, of Camp Michael Rd., died Jan. 24, 2003 at his residence.
A native of Franklin County, he was born March 31, 1918 to the late Russell O. and Maude Crenshaw Simmons. He was the husband of Jane S. Simmons and was owner and operator of the Toccoa Welding Shop. He had worked at Letournea and had served on the Board of Trustees for the Stephens County School System. He was a member of the Liberty Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Jane S. Simmons of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Cille and Ed Murdock, Lavonia; four sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Becky Simmons, Mark and Cindy Simmons, all of Toccoa, Eddie and Carolyn Simmons, Dillard, and Terry and Pam Simmons, Blairsville; ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald Simmons, Toccoa; one sister, Mattie Mullinix, Toccoa; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Louise Russell Simmons, brothers Morris and Howard Simmons, and sisters Lucille Collins, Irene Brady and Dot Ledford.
Funeral services were held Jan. 26, 2003 at Liberty Hill Baptist Church. The Revs. Ken Fennell and Richard Ivester officiated. Interment followed in Stephens Memorial Gardens.
Charles G. Langston
LAVONIA-Charles G. Langston, 65, 252 Mtn. View Dr., died Jan. 23, 2003 at his residence.
A native of Franklin County, he was born Oct. 25, 1937 to the late Ralph Carlton and Sarah Viola Holcomb Langston. He was the husband of Kathleen Yates Langston and a member of Sunnyside Baptist Church in Toccoa. He had served in the U.S. Navy and was retired from Delta Airlines, after many years as a mechanic.
Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Yates Langston of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Ingra Langston, Lavonia; grandchildren Rhett and Abby Langston; a brother, Don Langston, Clarkesville; one sister, Ellen Broom Becker, Stone Mtn.; brother-in-law John Yates, Ellenwood; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Diane and Marvin Moore, Jonesboro; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Jan. 25, 2003 at the Hillcrest Chapel of the Acree-Davis Funeral Home. The Rev. Rick Lane officiated. Interment followed in Stephens Memorial Gardens.
Odie Lee Bentley
CARNESVILLE-Odie Lee Bentley, 92, of the Hunter’s Creek community, died Jan. 25, 2003 at the Brown Convalescent Center in Royston.
A native of Franklin County, she was born May 22, 1910 to the late Morgan and Elzora Jordan Brown and was the wife of the late Lester John Bentley. She was a homemaker and caretaker for the elderly and was an active member of the Hunter’s Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law Johnnie Sue Busby, and Roger and Beverly Bentley, all of Carnesville; son-in-law, Alton McDaniel, Auburn; seven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son Robert Bentley, daughter Aldean McDaniel; brothers, Marvin, Lloyd and Omer Brown; and sisters, Annie Ruth Thomason, Omie Mae Bentley and Amy Garrison.
Funeral services were held Jan. 27, 2003 at Hunter’s Creek Baptist Church. The Revs. Craig Brown, Fred Young, and Malcolm Hearndon officiated. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Richard Aubrey Mears Sr.
LAVONIA-Richard Aubrey Mears Sr., 48, of 25 Laurel Circle, died Jan. 26, 2003 at Hart County Hospital in Hartwell after a sudden illness.
A native of Lake City, Fla., he was the son of Aubrey Mears of Lake City and Irene Crawford Horne of Valdosta. He was the husband of Sherry Anne Cloud Mears and a U.S. Armed Forces veteran. He was a blasting technician with Orica USA in Homer and a member of Ruhamah Pentecostal Holiness Church.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Sherry Anne Cloud Mears of the home; sons, Richard A. Mears Jr., Valdosta, Thomas Williams and Tristian Richey Mears, both of the home; one sister, Vicki Carmona, Claxton; and a brother, Robert Horne Jr., Tallahassee, Fla.
Services were held Jan. 28, 2003 from the sanctuary of the Ruhamah Pentecostal Holiness Church. The Rev. Jimmy Wilson officiated. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Richard Aubrey Mears Sr.
LAVONIA-Richard Aubrey Mears Sr., 48, of 25 Laurel Circle, died Jan. 26, 2003 at Hart County Hospital in Hartwell after a sudden illness.
A native of Lake City, Fla., he was the son of Aubrey Mears of Lake City and Irene Crawford Horne of Valdosta. He was the husband of Sherry Anne Cloud Mears and a U.S. Armed Forces veteran. He was a blasting technician with Orica USA in Homer and a member of Ruhamah Pentecostal Holiness Church.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Sherry Anne Cloud Mears of the home; sons, Richard A. Mears Jr., Valdosta, Thomas Williams and Tristian Richey Mears, both of the home; one sister, Vicki Carmona, Claxton; and a brother, Robert Horne Jr., Tallahassee, Fla.
Services were held Jan. 28, 2003 from the sanctuary of the Ruhamah Pentecostal Holiness Church. The Rev. Jimmy Wilson officiated. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Huey Alfred “Popa Huey” Patterson Sr.
BALDWIN-Huey Alfred “Popa Huey” Patterson Sr., 68, of Baldwin, died March 25, 2003 at Athens Regional Medical Center.
A native of Franklin County, he was born May 5, 1934 to the late J.D. and Minnie Andrews Patterson. He was the husband of Myrtle Wetherington Patterson and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was retired from Florida Power and Light Company after 20 years and was retired as a sergeant after 22 years with the Cornelia Police Department.
Survivors include his wife, Myrtle Wetherington Patterson of Baldwin; daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and William Knight; and son and daughter-in-law, Huey Jr. and Cynthia Patterson, all of Cornelia; sisters Ruville Beck, Sara Patterson and Bernice Drake, all of Athens, Bobbie Wade, Gainesville, and Dorothy Benson, Toccoa; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held March 27, 2003 at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel. The Rev. Paul Wright officiated. Burial followed in Cross Roads Baptist Church cemetery in Carnesville.
Bill Bryant Sr.
JACKSON, MISS.-William Burton (Bill) Bryant Sr., 94, of 1263 Plantation, Jackson, Miss., formerly of Franklin Springs St., Royston, died March 25, 2003.
A native of Franklin County, he was born Oct. 22, 1908 to the late Bolin and Augusta Jane Stovall Bryant and was first married
to the late Lucile McDaniel Bryant and second to the late Pat Hobbs Bryant. He was owner and operator of Royston Coal Company, was a cattleman and was a member of the Royston United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Jane Morrison of Jackson; two sons, Hallman Bryant, Clemson, S.C., and Burton Bryant, Royston; 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son Paul Bryant; brothers Joe, Clarence, Paul, and Frank Bryant; and sister Kate Bryant Bell.
The Rev. Brian Clark officiated at the graveside services held March 28, 2003 at the Rose Hill Cemetery..
Memorials may be made to Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Boulevard, Ridgeland, Miss. 39157.
Mary Seymour
CARNESVILLE-Mary Willard Hilley Seymour, 78, of 12834 Hwy 106, Carnesville, died March 27, 2003 at the Stephens County Hospital.
A native of Franklin County, she was born Jan. 25, 1925 to the late Inman and Eva Cobb Hilley. She was the wife of Robert E. Seymour and was a member of Sunshine United Methodist Church, the UMW and the Adult Sunday School Class.
Survivors include her husband, Robert E. Seymour of the home; son Bill J. Seymour of Union City; granddaughter Megan Seymour; three sisters, Demie Rumsey of Cotton Town, Tenn., Mildred Hardman of Franklin County, and Betty Jenkins of Hart County.
She was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister.
Funeral services were held March 29, 2003 at Sunshine United Methodist Church. The Revs. Walton McNeal and Marcus Martin officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Al Brautigam
BOWERSVILLE-Albert Clay Brautigam, 61, of 1568 Lavonia Hwy, Bowersville, died March 27, 2003 at Elbert County Hospital.
A native of Sidney, Ohio, he was born April 4, 1941 to Daniel and Beulah Brautigam and was the husband of Loretta Cleveland Brautigam. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was employed with the Information Technology Center at Clemson University. He was a member of the Flat Shoals Baptist Church, a former deacon, and Sunday School Teacher of the Friendship Class.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Loretta Cleveland Brautigam and sister, Marian Desch of Sidney Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his brother John Phillip Brautigam.
Funeral services were held March 30, 2003 at Flat Shoals Baptist Church. The Revs. Mitch Ash and Jerry Stowe officiated. Burial followed in the Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Flat Shoals Baptist Church Building Fund, 2999 Bowersville Hwy, Bowersville, GA 30516; The American Heart Association, Hart County Branch, P.O. Box 517, Hartwell, GA 30643; or American Diabetes Association, 1 Corporate Square, Suite 127, Atlanta, GA 30329.
