Americus Times-Recorder

Gordon Barksdale, age 81, of Madison, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023. He is preceded in death by parents, John and Annie Claire Barksdale; grandparents, John and Sophie Barksdale, Lucien and Lizzie Kate Slappey; aunts, Katherine 'Kakie' Oates and Lucia 'Wuchie' Titshaw; daughters, Ellen Claire Barksdale and Amanda Leeann Barksdale. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Barksdale; son, Jeffrey and Ashley Barksdale; grandchildren, Adeline and Beckett Barksdale; brother Billy and Jane Barksdale; nephew, Bill and Jodie Barksdale; niece, Tracie Barksdale; cousins Claire Rutland and her sons Thad Howell, Will and Haley Howell. Mr. Barksdale was a member of the Georgia Bar Association for 49...

Lucile Bruner Garrison, 92, of Columbus, GA, formerly of Albany and Americus, GA, passed away Friday, October 28, 2022. Memorial services will be conducted Friday, November 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Aubrey Abbott will officiate. She was preceded in death by her parents, Beamon Bruner and Mary Ragland Bruner, her husband, Eugene F. Garrison and siblings, Mary Ragan, Robert Bruner, Ralph Bruner, Helen Lush Tanner, Edward Bruner, Henry Bruner, Thomas Bruner, Beamon Bruner and Dirlie Bruner. Survivors include her sons, Eugene "Kim" Garrison, Jr. (Kathi), Aloha, OR, James "Jimmy" Garrison (Edna), Happy Valley, OR, Chris Garrison (Brenda), Columbus, GA, Mark...

Brenda Ethridge Pace, 74, of Americus, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Langdale Hospice House. She was born in Tucson, Arizona on July 4, 1948 to the late Carl Wade Ethridge and Sarah Marie Morris Ethridge. Brenda moved to Phenix City, Al at an early age, and she graduated from Central High School before entering Auburn University. While at Auburn, Brenda received her Bachelor's in Mathematics Education. Later on, Brenda obtained her Masters' Degree. Brenda taught mathematics for nearly 20 years with 15 of those years being at Southland Academy in Americus prior to her retirement. Brenda loved traveling with her family and friends anywhere a boat, train, or plane would...

Heidi Christine Miller, 55, of Decatur, GA, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2022, surrounded by family and friends. Heidi was born in Americus, GA on June 27, 1967. She graduated from Americus High School and attended Bauder Fashion College. Heidi was preceded in death by her father, Carney O. Miller. She is survived by her mother, Patricia (Wayne) Herrington-Kirkland, brothers, Shannon (Kelli) Miller and Patrick Miller, nephews, Jonathan (Kaiti) Miller, Kolin Miller, niece, Peyton (Cody Dills) Miller and their children, and lifelong friends, Eileen Otwell, Jake Newell, and Susan Wilson Bates A celebration of life will be held on November 4, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at A.S. Turner &...

Bertie Watson Gay, age 79, or 1010 Askew Station Bend, Greensboro, GA, passed away October 6, 2022, at St Mary's hospital in Athens, GA, after a brief illness. A native of Dublin, GA, was born June 3, 1943, the daughter of Jack and Ethel Watson, who preceded her in death. Bertie was a graduate of Dublin High School. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church Americus, GA, where she made her home for 52 years before relocating to Lake Oconee, Greensboro, GA, and becoming a member of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church. Bertie enjoyed traveling and working in the construction rental and auction businesses with her husband of 52 years, the late Carlus Delmas Gay, Jr. Bertie loved spending...

Mr. Thomas H. Braswell, "Papa Tom", passed away on October 1st at the age of 88. Tom lived life to the fullest. Throughout his life, he set the bar high in all he undertook. His natural talent and hard work in high school athletics earned him a basketball scholarship to the University of Georgia, his love of country led him to honorably serve in the U.S. Air Force, and his respect for the rule of law and ability to lead others led him to an exemplary career with the Georgia State Patrol. Tom started out as a trooper (graduating first in his class) and retiring as Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. While Tom's accomplishments are exceptional, they pale in...

Cindi Pollock Avery went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, September 19th. She was born January 8, 1960, in Americus, Georgia, and raised on the family farm in Leslie. She was a 1978 graduate of Southland Academy and enjoyed her monthly lunch dates with her fellow alumni. In 1982, Cindi graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and Agricultural Economics. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and enjoyed lifelong relationships with her sorority sisters. While at UGA, she met her future husband, and after her graduation, they married and settled in Dublin, Georgia. After five years of marriage, they were blessed...

Jan Lee Mize, 84, of Johns Creek passed peacefully on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Jan was born in Americus, Georgia, April 6, 1938; the son of the late Annie Ruth Barton Mize and Hugh Milton Mize. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Ruth Greene Mize, brother, Hugh Milton Mize, Jr., and sister, Arthurene Mize Davis. Jan graduated from Americus High School in 1956, and from here he went on to achieve distinction in his life and career. He loved football, and he was an All-State guard his senior year in high school. He received a football scholarship to Duke University, but after an arm injury prevented him from playing, he still attended Duke under an academic scholarship. He...

William Douglas Grubbs ("Bill"), 82 of Wilmington Island GA, passed away peacefully in the hospital on July 22, 2022 after a battle with cancer, with his spouse and daughters by his side. Bill was born in Macon, GA, son of Johnnie Durham and Ethel (McKinley) Grubbs and was the youngest of five children. In 1958, Bill graduated from Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, GA. Following, he attended and graduated from University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. After serving in the Air National Guard, he began his work career which was spent, in large part, in the insurance field. He retired from his sales position with DuPont Corian Carapace Corporation in...

Bobby Gay, 79, of Dalton (formerly of Lake Oconee, GA), passed away at Hamilton Medical Center on Friday, July 8, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carlus and Georgia Mae Gay, and brothers, Carlus Delmus Gay and Dwayne Gay. Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Shirley; sons and daughters-in-law, Drew and Jill Gay and Ty and Whitney Gay; grandchildren, Ander Gay, Tyler Gay, and Luke Gay; and nieces and nephews, Tammy Woodward, Terrie Mountjoy, Tracy Gay, Skylar Gay, and Casey Gay. Bobby was a native of Dublin, GA, and graduated from the University of Georgia where he played football. He embraced life to the fullest and was known for the joy that was always a part of...

Edward Lee Pope III, 75, of Atlanta, GA, passed away June 30, 2022. He was born August 31, 1946 in Americus, GA to Edward Lee Pope II and Edra (Hutto) Pope. Ed earned his BS in Biology at Georgia Southwestern College. He was a stock broker for EF Hutton/Shearson Lehman Hutton, and owned Pope Land Company Brokerage and Realty. Ed was an Eagle Scout and proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a hunter, fisherman, and pilot. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Edward Lee Pope IV, and brother-in-law, Randy Cole. Ed is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sally Cole Pope, sister, Tallulah (Ray) Rogers, brother-in-law, Scott Cole, nephew, Ford (Mary Kathryn) Rogers,...

Mrs. Lana Turner Coble, 77, of Waynesboro, GA went home to her Savior on June 3, 2022. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. Family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at First Baptist Church of Waynesboro. Graveside service will follow at Burke Memorial Gardens. Lana was born on June 25, 1944 to Helen Miller Turner and James Clifford Turner in Norfolk, VA. Lana grew up in Walnut Grove, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. She was a graduate of Roebuck High School. She spent summers working in the family peach-packing business and used her earnings to pay for her elementary education degree from Winthrop College. She went on to teach first and...

James Oscar Loyd, 83, of Spencer, Indiana, passed away at home unexpectedly on April 13, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Virginia L. Loyd, also of Spencer, his former wife, Sandra B. Chappell of Terre Haute, Indiana, and their children, Greg Loyd (wife, Theresa) of Lafayette, Indiana, and Alan (wife, Jessica) Loyd, and grandsons Grigsby and Keaton Loyd, of South Bend, Indiana. Jim was born May 1, 1938, in Augusta, Georgia, to Hugh & Martha Loyd, growing up in Americus, Georgia. He loved playing baseball, was an Eagle Scout in Troop 21 and worked at the local country club where he taught a young child who couldn't see how to swim, something both boys were quite proud of. In addition...

Dr. John M. Bowen, 88, passed away peacefully at home on March 21, 2022. He was born on March 23, 1933, to Loy and Marjorie Bowen in Quincy, Massachusetts. Before moving to Durham, North Carolina, in 2017, John had been a resident of Athens for 54 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Athens. John lived in the Boston area until the age of 14, at which time his family relocated to Americus, Georgia. One of the reasons his father gave for the relocation, in addition to needing to help run the family farm, was that "John wanted a horse." Five years later, as a freshman at the University of Georgia in 1952, John and his horse would win the Grand Champion Showman...

Frank Eugene Virga, Age 72, of Americus, GA, passed away on February 21, 2022 at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, GA when he was not able to overcome a month long battle with the Coronavirus. His Funeral Mass Services and Celebration of Life will be held at Saint Teresa's Catholic Church on 421 Edgewood Lane in Albany, Ga on Saturday May 21, 2022 @ 11:30am ET. We, The Virga Family hope you can attend the service and look forward to seeing you. If you have any memories, words or photos you'd like to share, you can post them here: https://www.kimbrellstern.com/m/obituaries/Frank-Virga/Memories . We Love You and thank you all again so much. Frank was born on August 11th, 1949, to Vincent...

Frank Eugene Virga, Age 72, of Americus, GA, passed away on February 21, 2022 at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, GA when he was not able to overcome a month long battle with the Coronavirus. His Funeral Mass Services and Celebration of Life will be held at Saint Teresa's Catholic Church on 421 Edgewood Lane in Albany, Ga on Saturday May 21, 2022 @ 11:30am ET. We, The Virga Family hope you can attend the service and look forward to seeing you. If you have any memories, words or photos you'd like to share, you can post them here: https://www.kimbrellstern.com/m/obituaries/Frank-Virga/Memories . We Love You and thank you all again so much. Frank was born on August 11th, 1949, to Vincent...

Carol Marie Parker Wilcox, 82, of Lee County, GA, died January 31, 2022 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albany GA. Rev. Earl Steffens will officiate. The American Legion will provide Military Honors. Inurnment will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Americus, GA. Mrs. Wilcox was born in Dania, FL on January 10, 1940 to Marshall Lee Parker of Sumter County, GA. and Agnes Marie Hansen of Dania, FL. She was raised in Hollywood, FL and graduated 1958 from South Broward High School in Broward County FL. She also studied at Port Huron Junior College. Mrs. Wilcox joined the United States Air...

I, Faye Webb, say to you; Live well, Life is a journey. See the needs and respond. Look for helpers. Be a friend. Be honest. Make a difference. Above all, be kind. Take time for Prayer. Search for your purpose. Promote the good, the joy of one another. Use God's gifts to reach out and lessen the suffering of others, people and animals. Let love pour from your heart in words spoken. Three things will last forever-Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is Love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) Thank you for your Love and your Prayers. With heartfelt Gratitude and Love, Faye. W.C. and I began as best friends, married, stayed best friends. Now, together again, still best...

Gloria Florence Puckett, age 80 of Demorest, formerly of Conyers, died Monday, November 29, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Gordon Puckett; parents, Roy and Bertha Jones; and brother, Roy Thaxton Jones. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rennie and Kevin Bell; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Tiffany Puckett; grandchildren, Rhett, Lance, Lindsey, Jamie; and great-grandchildren, Jones, Garner Mae, Max. Mrs. Puckett was a member of First Baptist Church of Conyers and retired from General Motors. She enjoyed nature and flower gardening but loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, December...

Judy Parks Legg, 74, of Andersonville, GA, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Americus, GA. Rev. Keith Parks will officiate. Mrs. Legg was born April 25, 1947, in Montezuma, GA, to the late Fred and Minnie Lee Parks. She was a graduate of Macon County High School, class of 1965. Mrs. Legg was retired from the City of Americus with over thirty years of service. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Americus. In addition to her parents Judy was preceded in death by a brother Roger L. Parks. Survivors include her husband of fifty-five years,...

It is with profound sadness we mourn the loss of our father, James Owens, 87 of Birmingham, AL who died after a long illness on June 12, 2021. James was the youngest son of David and Dorothy Owens and was born in Buena Vista, GA on May 30, 1934. His father was a farmer and he worked with him in the fields at a young age, learning the values of perseverance and hard work. He would carry these traits throughout his life and instill them in his children. His family moved to Leslie, GA when he was 10 and he graduated from Union High School there. During high school, he began dating his wife, Mary, where they would share a seat on the bus to and from basketball games. They married in 1956 and...