Mathews Funeral Home

Ruby (Lee) Kaufman Burnfin, 89, of Albany, GA entered into eternal rest Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Dublinair Health and Rehab in Dublin, GA. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Jerome Granade will officiate. Interment Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery. Born in Dawson, GA, Mrs. Burnfin grew up in Cuthbert, GA and was a 1951 graduate of Randolph County High School. Upon graduation, she moved to Albany, GA to attend night school. She was invited on a blind date to the Marine Corps Ball with a dashing young marine, Mearl J. Burnfin, whom she eventually married. Together they had four children. Mrs. Burnfin retired from the...

Thomas "Herbert" Phillips, 93, of Albany, GA passed away November 21st, 2023 peacefully at his home. The family will have a private memorial at Floral Memory Gardens. Born on July 27th, 1930, to the late Albert and Idaline Phillips of Baker County, GA, Herbert served 5 years enlisted in the US Navy. He then went on to work at Miller Coors where he spent 15 years before retiring. Family held a special place in Herbert's heart. He enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren dearly. In his earlier years before his illness, Herbert appreciated all things outdoors. His garden was something he loved working in with his wife, Evelyn. When they weren't home, you would assume they were...

Mary Sue Durden, 78, of Albany, GA passed away Monday, November 20, 2023 at her residence. Funeral services were conducted Friday, November 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Albany First Free Will Baptist Church. Rev. David Postlewaite will officiate. Interment followed on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Aline, GA. Born in Metter, GA, on January 25, 1945, Mrs. Durden graduated from Metter High School in 1965 with a Cosmetology license. She and her husband, Wiley P. Durden, were married on December 25, 1963, and over their 60 year marriage they were blessed with 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She and Wiley moved to Albany in...

Mary Sue Durden, 78, of Albany, GA passed away Monday, November 20, 2023 at her residence. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Albany First Free Will Baptist Church. Rev. David Postlewaite will officiate. Interment will follow on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Aline, GA. Born in Metter, GA, on January 25, 1945, Mrs. Durden graduated from Metter High School in 1965 with a Cosmetology license. She and her husband, Wiley P. Durden, were married on December 25, 1963, and over their 60 year marriage they were blessed with 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She and Wiley moved to...

Mrs. Henrietta Jean White, 95, of Albany, passed away on November 20, 2023 at the Willson Hospice House. Jean, as she was commonly known as, was born January 10, 1928 in Consett County Durham England. She emigrated with her family to the United States when she was four years old and resided in Carteret, NJ during her youth. She graduated form Carteret High School in 1944, became a citizen at 21 and was employed for several years as a Lab Technician for Merck and Company where she met her husband Alan whom she married in 1960. She and her family resided for four years in Elysburg, PA prior to moving to Albany in 1975. She was an avid sewer and also loved to paint and do various craft...

Jarrell Sidney Ray, 85, of Baker County, GA, passed away on November 18, 2023 at Willson Hospice House. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm at The Arlington Methodist Church. Rev. Charles Puryear will officiate. A private interment will follow at Christ Methodist Church Cemetery. Jarrell was born at home on his family's farm in Baker County, GA, on February 16,1938, to Callie Mae and Charles Ray. Growing up in the Baker County community, he graduated from Arlington High School in 1955. He was a Bulldog through and through and proudly graduated from The University of Georgia in 1959 with a degree in agronomy and animal science. It was there that he fell in...

Jackie "J.D." Darrell Halstead, 81, of Lee Co., GA, died November 17, 2023 at Wynfield Park Health and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 21st at 10:00 am at The First Baptist Church of Leesburg. Rev. Josh Posey, Rev. Bobby Harrell and Rev. Douglas Halstead will officiate. Committal services will be held at 3:00 pm at The Greenwood Cemetery in Cairo, GA. Darrell was born in Cairo, GA on July 20, 1942 to Reuben and Bobbie Halstead. He grew up there and graduated from Cairo High School in 1961 during high school he was an active member of the FFA and in 1959 he won Grand Champion in the calf show. Upon his high school graduation, he enlisted and served...

Willie "Tuck" Vaughn Pickle Jr., 73, of Albany GA, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 16, 2023 at his residence. Funeral services will be held Monday November 20, 2023 at Mathews Funeral Home at 12:30 PM. Rev. Marion Sizemore will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army and The American Legion. Born on December 13, 1949, in Miller County, GA, to the late Wille V. and Julia Ann Richardson Pickle. Tuck's journey began in a small town that would shape his character and values. He graduated from Miller County High School and later attended Albany Tech, where he further honed his skills and acquired knowledge in his field of interest. Notably, Tuck served the nation...

Thelma Dozier Harris, 98, of Leesburg, GA died Monday, November 13, 2023 at her residence. Graveside funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 10:00 am at Sunnyside Cemetery in Cordele, GA. Born in Gwinnett Co., GA, Mrs. Harris grew up in Wilcox Co., GA and moved to Warwick, GA living there a number of years before moving to Leesburg, GA. She loved to travel, work cross word puzzles and through the years she was very active with the bowling league. She was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, James William Dozier and Sallie Gordon Dozier, her husband, Alton William Harris, daughter, Marilyn Harris Thompson, son-in-law, Dale Thompson and...

Edith Ann Thrower, 93, of Lee County, GA formerly of Albany, died November 10, 2023 at her residence. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Dalton Smith will officiate. Interment will follow in Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. Thrower was born in Wilmington, NC on February 19, 1930 to Julius and Elsie Grimes. She grew up Charlotte, NC and graduated from Oakhurst High School. She married Ralph C. Thrower in 1950 and they along with their young family, moved to Albany, GA from Augusta, GA in 1954. Mrs. Thrower was a member and former Treasurer of Avalon United Methodist Church. She was a homemaker, active in The...

Patricia Ann Day, 53, of Lee County, GA, died November 9, 2023 at the Willson Hospice House. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 13, 2023 at 11:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Justin Friar will officiate. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Patricia was born on February 12, 1970 in Arlington, GA to William Joseph and Patsy Delores Roach. She lived in Baker County, GA until she was 10 and moved with her family to Albany, GA. Patricia attended Albany Schools and lived in Albany and Lee County all of her adult life. She was employed with Mama Jean's Restaurant for many years and was employed with Homerun Foods and Little Ceasars. Patricia attended Grace City...

Michael "Mike" Eldridge Yerby, 69, of Lee County, GA, passed away at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family and loved ones on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 13, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Friendship Baptist Church of Leesburg. Interment will follow to Crown Hill Cemetery. Rev. Mark Spraggins will officiate. Born on April 12, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Mike was the son of the late Freddy and Eva Nell Yerby. From a young age, he demonstrated a strong work ethic and a passion for helping others. These traits would guide him throughout his life and contribute to his success as a business owner. He was the owner and CEO of The Staffing...

Michael "Mike" Eldridge Yerby, 69, of Lee County, GA, passed away at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family and loved ones on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 13, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Friendship Baptist Church of Leesburg. Interment will follow to Crown Hill Cemetery. Rev. Mark Spraggins will officiate. Born on April 12, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Mike was the son of the late Freddy and Eva Nell Yerby. From a young age, he demonstrated a strong work ethic and a passion for helping others. These traits would guide him throughout his life and contribute to his success as a business owner. He was the owner and CEO of The Staffing...

Christopher "Chris" John Hall, 47, of Albany, GA passed away Wednesday, October 31, 2023 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Graveside funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery. Rev. Debbie Cone will officiate. Born in Albany, GA, Chris was educated in the Dougherty County School System. He was employed with Engineering and Equipment in Albany, GA before is health would not let him continue. Chad had two loves in his life: his family and music. He was really drawn to the piano and at a young age he could listen to a song and play it. He also played drums and guitar. When his physical health took a turn for the worse, and he...

Shirley Ann Horne, 88, of Albany, GA, died October 31, 2023 at Willson Hospice House. A visitation will be held Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Sherwood Baptist Church Atrium from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm. Following the visitation, a private family graveside service will be held at Leesburg Cemetery. Rev. Tom Pollock and Rev. Ken Bevel will officiate. Shirley was born in Big Stone Gap, VA on May 23, 1935 to Bascom and Roberta Messer and was the first of eleven children. She graduated from Powell Valley High School and moved to Albany, GA in 1962. She was employed with Sherwood Baptist Church for thirty three years. Shirley was a member of Sherwood Baptist Church and after her...

Stuart Alan Allison, 62, of Albany, GA, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023 at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home. Barry Hall will officiate. The family will receive friends at the Manor House at Merry Acres immediately following the service. Stuart was a beloved father, son, poppy, brother, cousin, and friend. He was a devoted family man and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He took pride in his work and was regarded as an industry expert in the construction field throughout his career spanning 40+ years at LRA, Great Southern, and NorSouth to name a few. Stuart was respected...

Stuart Alan Allison, 62, of Albany, GA, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023 at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the Manor House at Merry Acres immediately following the service. Stuart was a beloved father, son, poppy, brother, cousin, and friend. He was a devoted family man and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He took pride in his work and was regarded as an industry expert in the construction field throughout his career spanning 40+ years at LRA, Great Southern, and NorSouth to name a few. Stuart was respected as a black-belt martial...

C. Melvin Chapman, age 94, passed away October 27, 2023, just one week shy of his 95th birthday. Services will be held at First Baptist Church Albany on Tuesday. October 31, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Internment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Sylvester. GA. Dr. William E. "Butch" Knight will officiate. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mynette May Chapman, his parents, Cecil and Mary McDonald Chapman, his sister, Nell Shiver, and his brother, Bennett Chapman. He is survived by his two daughters, Carla Chapman Pless (Thomas) of Greensboro, NC, and Joan Chapman Kelley (Carlton) of Nashville, NC. He is also survived by his sister, Vivian Chapman Nandrasy (Carl), and brothers Wayne...

William Jessie Griffin, 80 of Leesburg, GA., died Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Pruitt Health Sylvester. Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. Mr. Ross Powell will officiate. A native of Fitzgerald, GA. Mr. Griffin was a self-employed residential carpenter. He loved to fish and hosting fish fry's for family and friends. Mr. Griffin is preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann Griffin, three sisters, Aline "Tootsie" Ferguson, Alice Odel Owens and Nancy Faye Bruce and two brothers Grover "Buddy" Griffin and Steve Gary Griffin. Survivors include his son Jessie Wayne Griffin (Anna) his daughter Theresa Carol Prejean (Ricky), three brothers,...

Mollie Ann Hamby, 89, of Albany, GA, passed away October 25, 2023, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, October 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Sherwood Baptist Church Chapel. Rev. John Spencer and Mr. Ross Powell will officiate. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Mollie was born on November 20, 1933, in Natchez, MS to Eugene and Annie Carlson. She graduated from Albany High School in 1950. She met and married William "Bill" Hamby in 1952 and traveled with him and her family to various military stations until he retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1969. The same year, she and her family moved from Okinawa, Japan to Albany, GA. She...

Grace Lee Hall Denby, 94, of Newton, Georgia passed away peacefully Monday, October 23, 2023. Her funeral service will be 3:00 PM Friday, October 27, 2023 at Mathews Funeral Home with interment to follow in Floral Memory Gardens. Rev. Jamie Sanders will officiate. Grace was a devoted Christian with the most precious soul. She loved her family and God endlessly, especially her grands, great-grands, and great great-grands. She worked in the textile industry at Newton Manufacturing and RMC for many years. Grace is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years Bevis Oscar Denby, daughter Emily (Terry) Farmer, her parents Joseph Cleveland Hall and Emmie Pitts Hall, brothers Grover Hall,...