U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Mr. John Edward Koch
Mr. John Edward Koch, age 82, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Laura Hadden Bragg Koch of Dean Street in Gibson, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007 at the McDuffie Regional Medical Center.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the family residence, 196 Dean Street in Gibson.
Mr. Koch a native of La Porte, Ind., had been a Glascock County resident since 1985. He was a retired carpenter. Mr. Koch was a U.S. Army veteran serving in WWII Luzon Philippine Island Campaign. He was awarded two bronze stars, a combat infantry badge, and a WWII victory medal.
After his discharge from the U. S. Army, Mr. Koch continued his service as a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve.
His family said he will be remembered as a good-hearted man who was always willing to help his neighbors.
Survivors include three daughters, Lynn Garcia, Gibson, Sheila K. Bailey, Thomson, and Sonia A. Koch, Gibson; one son, John Craig (B.B.) Koch, Thomson; one stepson, James H. Bragg, Gibson; one sister, Ellanora K. (Charlie) Wilson, Lonan, MN; two brothers, Herman W. E. (Pat) Koch, Hamlet, IN, and Glenn Koch, Amarillo, TX; 18 grandchildren, Lauri D. (Chad) Aycock and Danny Lee (Tasha) Dinger, all of Thomson, Jason Tarr, Joshua Tarr, Jamie Tarr, Gregg Tarr, Jr., Keith Tarr, Jarvis Tarr, Dustian Tarr, Amanda Tarr, Kyle Tarr, Alyssa Tarr and Abigayle Tarr, all of Gibson, Robert Wineseleski, James Wineseleski, and Thomas Wineseleski, all of La Porte, IN, Lucinda Garcia, of Clument City, IL, and Jane B. (BoBo) Massey, Thomson, and many great-grandchildren.
Mr. Koch was preceded in death by a grandson, Cole Tarr two sisters, Ruby Berg and Ruth Koch and a step-son, William H. Bragg.
Lowe Funeral Home, of Warrenton, was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Susie Lawson McAfee
Mrs. Susie Lawson McAfee, 97, wife of the late Ivey W. McAfee, the daughter of the late John Allen Lawson and Minnie Lee Lawson, entered into rest Nov. 28, 2007 at her home.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, Nov. 30, at Wrens Baptist Church with Dr. Mason Davis officiating. Burial followed at the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, Bartow.
Mrs. McAfee was the oldest member of the Wrens Baptist Church. Mrs. McAfee was a member of Eastern Star and a retired teacher of 41 years.
Survivors include two sisters, Fannie Futch of Wrens and Helen Bundrick of Cordele and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. McAfee was the sister of the late Marie Lawson Cobb and the late Curtis Lawson.
Pallbearers were her great-nephews, Tony Stavely, Donnie Cobb, Barry Cobb, Charles Smith, Jr., Keith Hall, Andy Cobb and Michael Cobb.
James Funeral Home of Wrens was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Floyd K. Rabun
Retired Navy Captain Floyd K. Rabun 78, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, after an extended illness.
Mr. Rabun was the son of Samuel B. (Bose) Rabun and Delia Neal Rabun of Stapleton.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn J. Rabun, a son, Floyd Kelley Rabun, Jr. and a daughter, Melissa Ann Rabun.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Jennifer Michelle Rabun and Sandra Lynn Edwards. He is also survived by two brothers, Joe L. Rabun, Louisville, and Michael C. Rabun, Goldsboro, N. C. and three sisters, Doris R. Nash, Givhans, S.C., Faye D. Rabun, Thomson, and Martha R. Foss, Louisville, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Billie Rabun and Jack N. Rabun.
Floyd received a bachelor’s degree from Martha Berry College in Rome, Ga., and did graduate work at Emory University in Atlanta.
He served his country in the Navy for 30 years with assignments in Korea and Vietnam. He received a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam. Upon retirement from the Navy, he worked as a Military Sealift Commander in the San Francisco Bay area.
A memorial service was held at Stapleton Baptist Church, Dec. 2.
Mr. Gordon C. "Carl" Stapleton
Mr. Gordon C. “Carl” Stapleton, 80, entered into rest Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at his home in Wrens.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 4, at James Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Julian West officiating. Burial followed at the Wrens Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Stapleton was born on Nov. 25, 1927, in Wrens. He was the son of the late 2nd Lt. Gordon C. Stapleton and the late Marietta S. Stapleton of Wrens.
Mr. Stapleton was a retired mechanical engineer and graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Mr. Stapleton served honorably for the United States Army from 1950 to 1952. He retired as an engineer with Monsanto Textiles in Pensacola, Fla. and returned to Wrens in 1984.
Mr. Stapleton was an active attending member of the Wrens Baptist Church where he taught the Walter Jacobson Sunday School class. He was a member of the Wrens Kiwanis Club and a direct descendant of the Pilgrims of the MayFlower. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 229 and a world traveler.
Survivors included his first cousins, Mildred S. Jordan, Barbara A. Whitaker, and Lorene A. Spence; also cousins, Jere R. Jordan, J. Brian Whitaker, William E. Avera, Katelin A. Whitaker, Shelby A. Whitaker, Ellen S. Cochran, and Kathy S. Fitzhugh.
Pallbearers were the Walter Jacob Sunday School Class, Oliver Gay, Emory Clement, Lent Braswell, Herbert Anderson, Charles Davis, Ray Huff, John Norton, Ed Perdue, Gordon Perdue, George Pope, Gene Prescott, Jack Roberson, Bob Swan, Billy Wren.
Honorary Pallbearers were American Legion Post 229.
In lieu of flowers, memorials could be made to Wrens Baptist Church, P.O. Box 217, Wrens, Georgia 30833.
James Funeral Home of Wrens was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Paul Frederick Thiele
Paul Frederick Thiele died, at the age of 93, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, at the University Hospital in Augusta, of respiratory failure.
At passing, Mr. Thiele was the most revered leader in the kaolin industry. He was born on Aug. 5, 1914, in Appleton, Wis. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in Engineering, Mr. Thiele established the Thiele Kaolin Company.
Since its founding in 1946, Thiele Kaolin has grown to be one of the world’s largest kaolin mining and processing companies. At his passing, Mr. Thiele served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thiele Kaolin. Mr. Thiele prided himself on serving his adopted home of Sandersville.
During 1968, he took the lead in developing the Georgia Surface Mined Land Use Act in 1968, which contributed to environmental preservation. In 1973, Paul Thiele co-founded the Georgia Mining Association. He also co-founded the Georgia Association of Independent Colleges and has been a strong supporter of the Mercer University Engineering Department.
Beyond establishing one of the largest employers in Washington County, Paul Thiele was active in the Washington County Historical Society, the Community Concert Association, Chairman of the Memorial Hospital Authority and was a member of the Tennille United Methodist Church where he was a board member and choir director.
Paul F. Thiele is survived by his wife, Loretha Akins Thiele. Paul and Loretha Thiele were local philanthropists in the areas of education, religion and industry.
Mr. Thiele was especially renowned for his extensive support of local churches. Paul Thiele was a member of the Sandersville Music Club, as well as a board member of the Georgia Federation of Music Clubs.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Tennille Methodist Church, P.O. Box 265, Tennille, Georgia 31089 and the Georgia Mining Foundation Paul F. Thiele Scholarship Fund, 113 Arkwright Landing, Macon, Georgia 31210.
Funeral services for Mr. Thiele were held Saturday, Dec. 1, in the First Baptist Church of Sandersville with the burial in the Brownwood cemetery in Sandersville.
May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville was in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Doris White
Funeral services for Ms. Doris White, age 61 of Wrens were held on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at the Thompson Springhill A.M.E. Church, Matthews, with the Rev. Robert Edwards, presiding, and Rev Willie J. White, eulogist.
Interment was in the church cemetery.
Survivors are four devoted daughters, Shanta (Eddie) Wallace, Cassandra Davis, Valerie White, all of Augusta, Charlotte Andrews, Wrens; three devoted sisters, Willie Mae White Stone, Barbara Ann White, both of Wrens, Glennis White, Hephzibah; two grandchildren, Kelsh Ariel Grant, and Tyrone Davis Jr. both of Augusta; very special friend, Morris Andrews, Wrens; sister-in-law, Joann White of Atlanta and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Freeman Funeral Home, Wrens, was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Jean Crowder Athearn
Jean Crowder Athearn of Augusta died on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Poteet Funeral Homes South Chapel. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Nov. 28, at 11 a.m. at Poteet Funeral Homes South Chapel.
Mrs. Athearn was a native of Augusta. She had retired after 32 years as a bus driver for special needs children for the Richmond County Board of Education and was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church.
She is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Jean Whitener of Hephzibah, Elizabeth Faye Tebow of Waynesboro; sons, Ricky Athearn and his wife Cathy of Stapleton, and Michael Athearn and his wife Shawnna of Wisconsin; her brother, William F. Crowder of Atlanta; six grandchildren, John, Joshua, Jessica, Brian, Nathan and Ashley Jean.
Mrs. Athearn was preceded in death by her husband, Warren “Smiley” Athearn in 2000 and her daughter, Gwendolyn Elaine Gilreath in 2007.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to help with the expenses that have been incurred.
The Poteet Funeral Homes South Chapel of Augusta was in charge of the funeral arrangements.
Mr. Joseph Alex "JA" Avera
Mr. Joseph Alex “JA” Avera, 93, the husband to the late Eliza Jane Young Avera and the son to the late Willie Gordon Avera and Plexie Stapleton Avera, entered into rest Friday, November 23, 2007, at Gibson Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services will be held Sunday Nov. 25 2007 at 3 p.m.. at James Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Julian West officiating. Burial will follow at the Wrens Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 P.M. till time of service.
Mr. Avera was a native and life time resident of Wrens. Mr. Avera was a well known automobile mechanic. He operated out his own garage in Wrens for many years. He was a member of Wrens Baptist Church where he was a member of the Walter Jacobson Sunday School Class.
Survivors include his son, William Edgar Avera, Slidell, LA.; two sisters, Lorene A. Spence of Anderson, S.C. and Barbara Whitaker of Wrens; niece, Sue S. Seabolt of Anderson, S.C. and nephew, J. Brian Whitaker of Wrens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial could be made to Wrens Baptist Church, P.O. Box 217, Wrens, GA 30833.
James Funeral Home of Wrens was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Clifford A. Brown
Mr. Clifford A. Brown, 64, entered into rest on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 28, at noon at Stone Springfield AME Church with Rev. Michael Ephram officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Survivors include wife, Mary Ann Clark Brown; four sons, Dwayne (Belinda) Richardson, Clifford Brown Jr., James (Tangerae) Brown, Anthony Brown; five daughters, Cathy (Duke) Flowers, Clorissa Brown, Barbara (Chuck) Patterson, Sabrina (Mike) Thomas and Annette Smith; six brothers, Thomas Brown, James Brown, Donnie (Connie) Brown, Bill (Sherri) Brown, Robert Irby Brown and St. John (Melissa) Irby; seven sisters, Carrie Calderia, Lula (James) Gardener and Betty (James) Felder, Mary (Sheldon) Randolph, Shirley (James) Thomas, Helen Irby, Annette Brown and Sharon Irby; grandmother Jessie Bell Brown; 21 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.
Burnett Funeral Home in Wrens was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Sarah Cooper DeLaigle
Sarah Cooper DeLaigle, 79, entered into rest Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at Brentwood Terrace Health Center.
She was born August 14, 1928 in Glascock County to the late Augustus Cooper and Nancy Wilkins Cooper.
Mrs. DeLaigle was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Mr. Ray DeLaigle. Mr. and Mrs. DeLaigle raised three daughters.
Prior to her illness, Mrs. DeLaigle was active in the former American Legion Post #120 Ladies Auxiliary, Waynesboro Shrine Club Ladies Auxiliary, Jane Ellis’ Sunday School Class and the Spares and Pairs Sunday School Class of the First Baptist Church where she had been an active member for many years.
She is survived by three daughters, Belinda DeLaigle Baker (Cliff) of Waynesboro, Dottie DeLaigle Morris (Tyron) of Waynesboro, and Robin DeLaigle Newsome of Albany, Ga.; three sisters, Helen Drew, Tippy Usher, and Dot Quick, all of Waynesboro; four grandchildren, Tara Wasden of Mooresville, N.C., Chrissy Posey (Jay) of Waynesboro, Jodi Morris of Aiken, S.C., and Ron Morris, Jr. (Angel) of Waynesboro. Mrs. DeLaigle is also survived by her great-granddaughter, Karsyn Posey; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 23 at the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro with Dr. G. Al. Wright, Jr. and Mr. Tom Bugg officiating. Interment was at Magnolia Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Billy Hopper, Nicky DeLaigle, Charlie DeLaigle, Bobby DeLaigle, Ron Morris, Jr., Ricky Quick, David Story, Tim Drew, David Usher, Jeff Quick, and Dean DeLaigle.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 853 Liberty Street, Waynesboro, Ga. 30830.
DeLoach-Kennedy Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Annie Bell Dunn
Mrs. Annie Bell Dunn entered into rest Friday, November 23, 2007.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Burnett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lois Boatwright officiating. Interment: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Hephzibah.
Survivors include two daughters, Johnny Mae Fuller and Diane Adams; son, Willie Ward; two grandchildren, Willie Lucky Hearing and Sharisse Hearing.
Burnett Funeral Home in Wrens, was in charge of arrangements.
