U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Marguerite Copelan
Marguerite Copelan, 62, president of the Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011, after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was a childhood resident of Decatur, and graduated from Lakeside High School in 1967. During the summer while 16 years old, she traveled to Holland, where she toured and lived near the University of Utrecht with her uncle. She went on to attend the University of Tennessee and was a member and chapter advisor of the Delta Zeta sorority. She lived in Knoxville, Tenn., until 1971. During that time, she was married and later received a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising and Textiles. During the three years of her husband’s military deployment, she resided in Frankfurt, Germany, where she made many friends and built lasting memories.
After returning from Germany, she worked for several years as a partner in Bette's Boutique in Marietta, among other things. She moved to Madison in 1982, where she immediately became active in social and civic activities. She and her husband worked for several years to restore a house on North Main Street. Her career work in Madison began as a salesperson, and she later became head of the outdoor pool and leisure products division for Wellington Puritan. In 1991, she left Wellington to start her own successful outdoor products company, Dixie Leisure. She sold that enterprise to her partner in 1995 to begin work on a tour of homes in Madison for the 1996 Olympics.
She was long valued for her congenial and effective business style, and especially for her imaginative, entrepreneurial spirit. Her friends and business associates for many years identified her with Madison and tourism. She began her work in tourism for Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce in 1996. During that time, she helped Madison, the chamber of commerce and the county win numerous state, regional, national and international awards and honors, including Best Small Tourism Town in America in 2001. She also developed and expanded the Christmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by the chamber bi-annually, and started and developed the annual Taste of Madison event and the bi-annual Fall Kitchen Tour. She promoted and brought significant international tourism to Madison. She expanded Morgan County’s position in the film industry by bringing numerous projects to the area.
In addition to her work, she was a sought-after volunteer. She served two terms on the board of directors of Steffan Thomas Museum of Art, including a stint as chairperson. She additionally served a term on the board of directors of Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. She served on the state board for Convention and Visitors Bureaus, as president of the Antebellum Trail Association, president of Treasures along I-20 Association, president of U.S. 441 Heritage Corridor, and was a founder of Georgia’s Lake Country Association.
Marguerite loved cooking and serving her food to others. During the last 30 years, she has had several opportunities to attend renowned cooking schools, including Le Cordon Bleu in France and the Greenbrier in West Virginia. In addition to her effective work for the chamber of commerce, she promoted five popular and well-attended music festivals, and was widely sought in her private catering business, Table of Contents, which she partnered for 12 years with her sister, Kathy Nimmo. Her clientele ranged from tea parties for little girls to gourmet meals served to hundreds of people as far away as metro Atlanta.
In 1994, Marguerite moved to Buckhead to live on Lake Oconee. She became president of Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce in 2006, where she continued to be a driving force in the development of both Madison and Morgan County. She received the Tom Kilgore Award from the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus in September 2010. The loss of her imagination, energy, sound judgment and positive attitude is a setback that will extend far beyond her family.
Survivors include Preston Small and his daughter, Ginnie Small of Madison; sister, Kathleen Nimmo and her husband, James, of Social Circle, and their children, Troy and Gina Nimmo of Auburn, Ala., Travis and Jana Nimmo of Athens, and Katie and Jodie Long of Dallas; sister, Patricia Baker and her husband, Arch, of Lilburn, and their children, Eliese Baker of Portland, Ore., and Charles Baker and his wife Alison, of Norman, Okla.; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.
June 30, 2011
John Otis Gardner
John Otis Gardner, 75, of Madison, died Friday, June 24, 2011, at his residence.
John Gardner was born in Monticello. His parents were the late John Berry Gardner and Kathryn Jones Gardner. He retired from the U.S. Air Force and was a retired Volusia County, Fla., deputy sheriff after 14 years of service. John's passion was gardening and farming and he operated God's Garden Farm in Madison for the past 10 years. He was a member of Sugar Creek Baptist Church of Madison, and attended New Hope Baptist Church in Greshamville.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Goddard Gardner of Madison; children, Bradford Berry Gardner of Delaware, Jovette Gardner and Cheryl Stephens, both of Loganville, Nylynn Gardner Siczak of Riverview, Fla., and Michael John Gardner of Bluffton, S.C.; mother of his children, Yvette; grandchildren, Brandon Ryan, M'Chelle Ryan, Kyle Gardner, Allison Gardner, Travis Joseph Siczak, and Kaitlyn Siczak; step-children, Valerie Clark and Tina Stone, both of Woodstock, and Robert Bryan Hicks of Shenandoah, Virginia; 7 step-grandchildren; 4 step-great grandchildren; and sister, Lynn Collins of Bowling Green, Fla.
A graveside service was held Sunday, June 26, at West View cemetery" target="_blank">Cemetery in Monticello. The Rev. Gene McCullough officiated.
The family suggests donations to the Compassionate Care Hospice, 2340 Prince Avenue, Suite B, Athens, Georgia 30606.
Jordan Funeral Home of Monticello was in charge of arrangements. For more information, please visit its website wwwjordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.
Deborah Redd
Ms. Deborah Redd of 106 Putnam Avenue, Eatonton, was the youngest child born to the union of Thomas and Hazel Redd in Eatonton, Ga., on April 15, 1951. She departed this life Saturday, June 18, 2011, at her residence, two months after her mother's transition to eternal rest.
Deborah was baptized at an early age at Ebenezer Baptist Church. She attended and graduated from Butler-Baker School, class of 1969, and continued her education at Massey Business College. Deborah began her extended professional career as an administrative assistant, office manager and finally retiring as a graphic designer. Some of the highlights of her career were working for UGA, Georgia Tech, Coca-Cola, Turner Broadcasting and Atlanta Gas-Light Company, traveling to Argentina with GE and ending her career working on the fifth runway project at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
She enjoyed her family, career and traveling with her sister Pamela Hill.
Deborah leaves to mourn a doting great-aunt, Judy Jacobs; a loving aunt, Thedora Redd; a devoted and loving sister, Pamela Hill (Clifford); sisters, Doretta Redd, Haneefah (Uwannah) Taufeeq; brother, Averall Redd of Chicago, Ill.; loving nieces, Lucy R. Davis (Phillip) of Decatur, Channelle Massirnellie of Chicago, IL, Latoya Hill of Eatonton, Clifford Hill, Jr. (Monique) of Griffin, Shawn Hill (Vickie) of Moultrie; great nieces, Keyanna Bonner, Keneesha Bonner (Joshua), Clinecia Hill, Brittany Hill, Damesha Hill, Angel Hill, Jasmine Hill; great nephews, Erek Frye, Jamal McDonald, Chanai Hill; great- great nieces, Breanna Harris, Camile Chapman; a host of cousins, other family and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 25, 2011, at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Eatonton, with Rev. Matthew Dennis, Jr., Pastor, eulogist; Rev. Elisha Lester, officiated. Burial followed in Eastside Eatonton City cemetery" target="_blank">Cemetery.
Bernard's Family Funeral Care, LLC, 103 Willie Bailey Street, Eatonton, GA 31024, (706) 485-4494, www.bernardsfamilyfuneralcare.com.
Ronald Newberry
Mr. Ronald Newberry of 121 Hoot Owl Lane, Eatonton, Ga., departed this life on Monday, June 20, 2011, at his residence.
Ron was born September 25, 1940 in Brown County, Ohio. He was a lifelong self-employed plumber in Ohio and Georgia. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and best friend, Ron was a superb influence in the lives of many.
Ron's memory will be cherished by his wife, Debbie; sons, Ronald Lee "Buddy" of Marysville, Ohio, and Leland (Ericca) of Cincinnati; daughter, Lori (Dan) of Lancaster, Ohio; brother, Richard Newberry (Janet) of London, Ohio; grandsons, Simon and Ethan; and many loving and caring friends.
A service of Love and Remembrance was held Sunday, June 26, 2011, at Harmony Baptist Church in Eatonton.
After the Memorial Service the family hosted a small gathering at the residence to celebrate Ron's life.
Bernard's Family Funeral Care, LLC, 103 Willie Bailey Street, Eatonton, GA 31024, (706) 485-4494. Express tributes and condolences online at www.bernardsfamilyfuneralcare.com.
Ernest Nelson McDonald Sr.
Ernest Nelson McDonald Sr., 71, of Eatonton passed away June 18, 2011.
Mr. McDonald was born March 28, 1940.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi McDonald of Eatonton; sons Ernest Nelson McDonald Jr. of McMinnville, Tenn., and Stacey McDonald of Mineral Wells, Texas; brothers John McDonald of Eatonton, and Tommy McDonald of Oxford, Ga.; a sister Nancy McDonald of Eatonton.
A memorial service will be held July 18 at 12:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial cemetery" target="_blank">Cemetery in Milledgeville.
Billy Harris
Mr. Billy Harris, 79, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Funeral Services were conducted Friday morning, June, 24 in the Central Methodist Church with Rev. Carol Davis officiating.
Mr. Harris was a native of Deepstep, Ga. He had lived in Milledgeville for most of his life, had spent several years in Rossville, and had lived in Putnam County for the past 17 years.
Mr. Harris was the son of the late Louie and Nellie Peavey Harris and was preceded in death by his wife Patsy Ann Davis Harris. He retired from the Georgia Department of Corrections and was a member of the Central Methodist Church.
Survivors include his sons, Ricky Harris, Andy Harris, and Danny Harris all of Milledgeville; step children, Mike Culbertson of Fayetteville, N.C., Diane (Vann) Hanson of Eatonton, Peggy Stone of Ringold; a sister Juanita (Bobby) Prosser of Sandersville; a brother Thomas (Jimmie Lou) Harris of Milledgeville; plus a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces also survive.
For those who wish, the family request memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Foundation.
Williams Funeral Home & Crematory of Eatonton had charge of arrangements.
June 23, 2011
Barbara J. McCullough
Barbara J. McCullough, 73, of Eatonton passed away at her home on Monday, June 13, 2011. A memorial service was held for Mrs. McCullough on Saturday, June 18, at Vining Ivy Hill Chapel. Barbara is survived by her husband James (Jim) McCullough; sons Steve Reid and wife Lesia, and Alan Reid and wife Ginger, all of Eatonton; daughter Joy Coleman and fiancé John Wilson of Madison; grandchildren Eric Reid, Jill Reid, Matthew Reid, Kristen Reid, Reid Coleman, and Collin Reid; and her sister, Geraldine Perry of Thomasville, Ga.
Vining Ivy Hill Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
Donna Rae Davis Mitchem
Donna Rae Davis Mitchem, 61, of Eatonton, died Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at Putnam General Hospital in Eatonton.
Donna Mitchem was born in Porterdale, Ga., and raised in Monticello. Her parents were the late Ray Davis and Shirley Cunard Davis. She moved to Eatonton in 1984. She attended Freedom Church in Milledgeville and was a counselor with the Jeremiah's Way Ministry. She was a retired middle school teacher for Georgia Military College and taught and coached at Piedmont Academy and Gatewood Academy for a number of years. She loved to ride horses, coach, and play the piano and organ.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Tommy Mitchem of Eatonton; sons and daughters-in-law, Jody and Tracy Mitchem of Houston, Texas, and Wesley and Brooke Mitchem of Warner Robins; grandchildren, Avery Mitchem, Logan Mitchem, Connor Mitchem, Blakley Mitchem, and Jocelyn Mitchem; and sisters, Sandra Brown and Lisa Batchelor, both of Monticello.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 18, at the Monticello First United Methodist Church in Monticello. Burial is in West View cemetery" target="_blank">Cemetery in Monticello. Pastor Tim Thomas and Rev. Wendell Thomas officiated.
Serving as pallbearers were Will Perry, Ben Perry, Robbie Batchelor, Paul Batchelor, Jonathan Cunard, and Bobby Batchelor.
The family suggests donations to the church of one's choice or Freedom Church, 500 Underwood Road, Milledgeville GA 31061.
Jordan Funeral Home of Monticello was in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit website www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.
Sarah Brigman
Ms. Sarah Elizabeth Lee Brigman, 83, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2011. Funeral services were held Monday, June 20, in Williams Funeral Home Chapel of Milledgeville. Interment followed in Friendship Church cemetery" target="_blank">Cemetery in Statesboro.
Ms. Brigman grew up in Savannah, attending school in Pooler, Ga. She moved her family to Eatonton before settling in Milledgeville in 1984. She was the daughter of the late Hamp Lee and Susie Skinner Lee and was preceded in death by her grandsons Joseph Lee Kersey and William "Billy" Morris Johnson, Jr. Ms. Brigman attended Freedom Church.
She is survived by her daughters Marie (Chris McCoy) Kersey of McIntyre and Mary (Joe) Price of Sylacauga, Ala.; grandchildren Josh Kersey, Bradley Kersey, Bobby Johnson, and Lisa Johnson; and four great-grandchildren.
Williams Funeral Home of Milledgeville had charge of arrangements.
Geoff Taylor
Funeral services for Geoffery C. "Fats" Taylor, 41, who passed away Saturday, June 18, 2011, will be conducted Tuesday in Baldwin Memorial Gardens.
The family received friends Monday at Williams Funeral Home, Milledgeville.
Taylor was life-long resident of Baldwin County and was employed by the Georgia Dept. of Corrections. Survivors include a sister April Harris; father Herman Taylor; mother Margie Morris McCoy; uncle Randall Taylor, all of Milledgeville.
Express online condolences at www.williamsfuneralhome.net
Williams Funeral Home & Crematory of Milledgeville had charge of arrangements.
Rosemary B. Boger
Rose Boger, 80, of Waxhaw, N.C., died at a local Charlotte hospital on Friday, June 17, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend to all that knew and loved her.
She was born on December 15, 1930, in Greensboro, N.C. She attended Appalachian State University, was a member of the ASU Cheerleading Squad, and received her Bachelors Degree in Library Science in 1953. From there, she worked as a Media Specialist in Eatonton, Fairmont, N.C. and Charlotte, N.C. The majority of her career was in the Mecklenburg School System at Smith Junior High and Carmel Junior High. Rose was a longtime member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Charlotte. One of the great joys in her life was ASU football and being a member of the Appalachian State Yosef Club.
Survivors include her husband Fred Boger of Waxhaw, N.C.; two daughters, Gail Carnahan and her husband John of Fairbanks, Alaska; Alane Tershel of Waxhaw, N.C.; 3 grandchildren, Ola Carnahan and Riley and Meredith Tershel.
A graveside service was held at Sharon Memorial Park cemetery" target="_blank">Cemetery, on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, with Rev. Jack Knoespel officiating under the direction of McEwen Pineville Chapel. Memorials may be made to Best Friends Animal Society and Appalachian State Former Athletes Association. Online condolences can be made at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.
Gloria Stapp
Mrs. Gloria Atkinson Stapp, 71, passed away Friday, June 10, 2011. Funeral services were held Sunday, June 12, in Marshall Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. John McMillian Sr. officiating. Interment followed in Eatonton Memorial Park.
Mrs. Stapp was a native of Morgan County and had lived in Putnam County for most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Herman and Louise Jones Atkinson.
She is survived by her husband William Stapp; sons Rex Stapp and Roger (Trinia) Stapp, all of Eatonton; daughter Janet (Scott) Prevatte of Greenwood, S.C.; grandchildren Angela (Shane) Hurst, Richard Stapp, Alisha Herring-Fuston, Danielle Stapp, and Daniel Stapp; and great-grandchildren Jan Fuston, Haley Hurst, Mason Fuston, and Kaley Hurst.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Williams Funeral Home of Eatonton had charge of arrangements.
