The Tifton Gazette

Edwin undefinedEdundefined Joseph Bacon, 80, passed away on July 19, 2022 at Tift Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family. "Good show!" said the man who was no myth, but forever a legend, to those who knew him. Ed made it four score on this earth, and boy did he pack a lot of living, laughs and adventure into those years. Everybody knew Ed Bacon. Everybody. A casual conversation at a BBQ shack in Texas could (and once did) lead back to Ashburn, Georgia and undefineda man named Ed Baconundefined. Ed had connections all over the country, from Michigan to Florida, as well as internationally, trading equipment and lumber with contacts in Peru and Argentina over the years. Ed was born the...

Gary D. Hale, 59, passed away to his heavenly home on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Born in Tifton, GA on May 15, 1962, he was the son of Carolyn Janice Hale of Watkinsville and the late Albert Eugene Hale. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Kevin Lee Hale and Van Smith Hale. Gary retired from the United States Postal Service as a Mail Carrier for the Statham Post Office and coached Little League for many years. In addition to his mother, Gary is survived by two children: Justin G. Hale of Athens and Breanna J. Hale of Watkinsville and his four legged friend Theo. A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 22, 2022, at 3PM at Lord and Stephens West Chapel. The family will receive...

Beverly B. Slaughter age 83, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Beverly was born in Griffin, Georgia, on January 28, 1939. She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert G. and A. Jewel Bryant; brothers, D. Gene Bryant and Russel E. Bryant; brother-in-law, Meredith Paschal; sister-in-law, Rosie Bryant; and nephew, Terry Bryant. Beverly is a graduate of Griffin Spalding County High School Class of 1957. She retired from Diversified Enterprises of Tifton where she worked for 45 years and was on their Advisory Board for many years even after her retirement. Beverly collected angels, loved shopping, reading and puzzles. She was a faithful servant of the Lord for 67...

Charles Reese Pittman, 73, passed away peacefully in Charlotte on April 4, following complications from abdominal surgery. Charlie was born on October 2, 1948, in Tifton, Ga., to Dr. and Mrs. Carl S. Pittman, Jr. He lived an idyllic childhood in this small rural South Georgia community, where his father and grandfather taught him to hunt and fish and where they spent many memorable days together in the fields or on the water. His summers were full of working on area farms harvesting tobacco or vegetables and mowing neighborhood yards. Charlie worked hard to make sure he was remembered as "the best slingshot shooter in the county" and could hit a pinecone at 20 yards almost every...

David Lowell Hetzel passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022. David was predeceased by his father, Lowell Hayward Hetzel and mother, Ray Miller Hetzel, and his sons, Douglas Allen Hetzel and Patrick Warren Hetzel. He is survived by his two brothers, Dr. Glenn Hetzel (Nancy) and Donald Hetzel (Sherry), three daughters, Kimberly Welty, Sharon Tuinder (Tim), Julie Thumbtzen (William), and two daughters-in-law, Harriet Hetzel (Doug), and Joann Hetzel-Clugsten. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Dave never met a stranger or neglected to have a story to tell. He was a distinguished Alumnus of Harpers Ferry High School. He completed the ROTC program while attending West...

Charles Reid Bowen, age 74, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2022, at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. He was born December 20, 1947, in Tifton, Georgia to Dr. Samuel Reid Bowen and Mrs. Cornelia Phillips Bowen of Tifton formerly of Soperton. He attended Tift County High School, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, in which he then transferred to the University of Georgia, where he received a Bachelor's in Business Administration in June of 1971. In 1977, he met a woman in Albany, Georgia who swept him off his feet by the name of Betty MacDonald, and in March of 1978, they got married. Charles made his life working as a banker. He worked at Citizens and Southern, NationsBank, Farmers and...

GySgt John Lee Hughes, 85, of Albany, peacefully passed away on Monday morning, January 17, 2022. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 20, 2022, in the chapel of Hall and Hall Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Following the funeral, Mr. Hughes will be laid to rest in the Crown Hill Cemetery with military honors. Rev. Steve Brooks will officiate. Born August 23, 1936, in Sumter, S.C., Mr. Hughes was the son of the late Wilson Hughes and Clara Wynn Hughes Westbrook. He proudly served our country in The United States Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant and served during the Vietnam Era. John married the love of his life, Martha,...

Dr. Ernest Dale Threadgill, 79, beloved by all who knew him, passed away surrounded by his family on December 4th, 2021, in Watkinsville, GA. Born in Tallassee, AL, to Lucy Pemberton Threadgill and Thomas Wilson Threadgill on June 26th, 1942, Dr. Threadgill was a graduate of Auburn University. He enjoyed a 45 year career in academia, including 7 years at Mississippi State University, and the remaining 38 years at the University of Georgia, ultimately retiring in 2013 as Founding Dean of the College of Engineering. Dr. Threadgill is survived by his wife, Anne Cox Threadgill, his two sons, Thomas Clifford (Mary) of Watkinsville, Michael Scott (Paula), two grandsons, Dylan Sage and Logan Kai,...

Randall L. Jordan, 69, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. He was born in Tifton, GA to LC and Imogene (Walker) Jordan. He served in the GA Air National Guard. In 1976, Randy graduated from The University of Georgia with a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics and married Nancy Aughinbaugh in Athens, GA. Throughout his professional career, he worked in Agricultural Sales and Financial Management retiring in 2013. Randy was a member of Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children: Faith (Liam) Kenny of Greenwich, CT and Brad (Megan) Jordan of Jacksonville, FL; his mother, Imogene Jordan; and brother, Don Jordan of...

Robert Lewis Coleman, age 84, of Marietta, Georgia passed away on Friday, October 29,2021. Robert was born July 28, 1937 to his late parents, Edgar and Grace Coleman. In addition to his parents his was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Coleman. Bob grew up in Tifton, Georgia where he was a star football and baseball player. He had many friends there that he kept in touch with through out his life. He was an avid golfer where he also made many life long friends. He loved spending time with all his grand children and family. He lived a very fulfilling life and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Bob is survived by his son, Mark Lewis Coleman of Woodstock, GA; his...

Elizabeth Ann Morrow, age 82, of Jefferson passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021. Mrs. Morrow was a member of White Plains Baptist Church and the M&M Group. She was born the first of five children to Avis and Vera Goodman on June 9, 1939. She loved gospel and piano music, flowers, cooking and taking trips to the mountains.Elizabeth was retired from the Lee County School System and the Georgia Department of Corrections where she provided her skills as an excellent cook in food services. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Wayne Morrow; sons Timothy Morrow and wife Olesya of Braselton; Michael Morrow and wife Ashley of Jefferson; daughter Catherine Elizabeth (Beth) Martin of...

Wayne C. Kilgore, cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021, at the age of 76. Born in Gwinnett County, he was the son of the late Kermit William Kilgore and Maggie Puckett Kilgore. Wayne graduated from Buford High School and from the University of Georgia. He also retired from the University of Georgia and was a Veteran of the United States Army. Wayne was co-founder of Kilgore's Kids which is a Non-Profit organization, helping physically challenged kids overcome and rejoice in God's great outdoors. He enjoyed woodworking, leatherworking, hunting, fishing; and most importantly, he was a Christian man of Faith who thrived on time...

Thomas (Tommy) Willingham Tift, Jr passed away peacefully on October 1, 2021 at the age of 94 years old. Tommy was born in Atlanta on January 8, 1927 to Thomas Willingham Tift, Sr. originally of Tifton, Georgia and Catherine Terrell Tift originally of Greenville, Georgia. His mother was the niece of Joseph Meriwether Terrell the Governor of Georgia from 1902 to 1907. He was a member of a well-known fourth generation Georgia family and was the grandson of Henry Harding Tift, the founder of Tifton, Tift County Georgia and Bessie Willingham Tift for whom Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia was named. He was also the great great nephew of Nelson Tift the founder of Albany, Georgia and Asa F. Tift...

Mary Lena Green Mayberry A host of angels escorted Mary Lena Green Mayberry to her heavenly home on September 27, 2021. Born in Wray, Georgia on November 5, 1929, to Lilliana and Charles Green, Mary graduated from Ocilla High School, received her BA in education from Tift College, and earned her master's degree in education from East Tennessee State. At age 17, Mary began teaching high school English and history in rural Georgia. Ten years later, she moved to Haines City to teach English and reading at Haines City High School and later at Haines City Junior High, where she taught for 25 years. In total, she taught school for 37 years, retiring in 1982. During her first year in Haines...

James C. Kirk, 90, of Albany, died Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. The visitation and funeral service was held Monday, September 27, 2021 at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors beginning at 1 pm with the service at 2 PM. Rev. Butch Knight officiated. Interment followed at Crown Hill Cemetery. A native of Carroll County, Georgia, Mr. Kirk was born to the late Leon and Willie Kirk. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon since 1964. Mr. Kirk also served as a Sunday School teacher for thirty years and a Training Union leader for five years. He was a member of the National Association of Federal Retired Employees, Golden Key Club,...

Frances was born in Indiantown, FL on December 30, 1930 to the late, Lora Mae Mancil and Pearley Parker. She graduated from Leon High School. She retired from FSU in 1994 as a staff assistant. Frances was predeceased by her mother and father, as well as her stepmother, Jemaine Newman Parker. She is also predeceased by her husbands, Cecil Judson Jones and Leonard Blanchard. Frances was the sole survivor of her large and loving family of sisters and a brother. She is survived by one sister, Fredicia Parker Hardy and numerous nieces and nephews. Frances was a member of Seminole Baptist Church and was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Funeral service will be held on...

Reverend Coleman Ray Hill, age 79, of Locust Grove, Georgia passed away Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Piedmont Henry Hospital. Brother Ray was born on Thursday, October 30, 1941, in Harpersville, Alabama to the late Johnny Goldman Hill and the late Helen Brown Hill. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Hill; sisters, Faye Vick, Grace Thomas; brother, Thurmond Paul Hill. Brother Ray had a passion for preaching and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He was a great friend to everyone. Brother Ray is survived by his children and their spouses, Jeff and Terri Hill, Paul and Tonda Hill, Lisa and Kenneth Doster, and Todd and Charlotte Hill; nine...

Darien James Pridgen, 54, of Camilla, GA passed away Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, GA surrounded by family. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Bruce English will officiate. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, GA. Born in Fitzgerald, GA, Mr. Pridgen was a graduate from Tift County High School. He then joined the US Army and after completing his services he returned to south Georgia and was a professional truck driver for 26 years. He enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends and truly loved everyone from the heart. His favorite people called...

Mr. David Haynes Burkett, 84 of Saint Simons Island, formerly of Worth County, died on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Magnolia Manor in Saint Simons Island. The graveside service was held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the Hillcrest Cemetery. The Rev. Grady Morey officiated. Mr. Burkett was born on May 24, 1936 in Worth County, to the late Clyde Linter Burkett and Frances Kimbro Burkett Hobby. He had lived Saint Simons since 2018, moving there from Chula where he had lived since 1977. Mr. Burkett was an entrepreneur and owner of the Burger Chef. He enjoyed woodworking, home improvements and reading, but most importantly spending time with his friends and family. Mr. Burkett was a...

John E. Marchant 100, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away April 29, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years Shirley Marchant. He was a son of the late William and Jessie King Marchant. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Virgil Marchant, and sister, Ruth Beatty. Mr. Marchant was a US Army Air Corps WWII Veteran having served in the South Pacific. He is survived by 2 sons, Jay Lowrey (Andra) Marchant, of Mulberry and Scott E. Marchant of Lakeland, daughter, Catherine Roberts of Merritt Island, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren 3 great great grandchildren, sister, Janelle Orrico (Charles) of Springville, VA, 5 nieces and 2 nephews. Services will be conducted...

On Sunday, April 11, 2021, Eva Ruth Justice Ellis, 79, went home to be with her Lord and Savior. Born in Tifton, GA, she was the daughter of the late Monroe Justice and Lucy Butler Justice. In addition to parents Eva was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie William Ellis. They were married on April 24, 1959. She was also preceded in death by her daughter: Kay Bernales; grandson: Jordan Ellis and two brothers: Bobby and Carlton Justice. Eva retired from Southeastern Testing Lab after 39 years and was a member of Bishop Baptist Church. She was a founding member and past president of the Oconee County Little League and member of the Golden Girls. Survivors include her son and...