Area Obituaries

Mrs. Arletha Ricketson Tate, 94, of the Snipesville, died peacefully Feb. 11. She was born Dec. 15, 1931, to Robert and Fannie Lott Ricketson as the ninth of 12 children and was the last surviving. Arletha devoted her life to caring for her family and her friends. She found immense joy in spoiling her grandchildren…

Mr. Stanford Little Tillman, 89, of Hazlehurst, passed away peacefully Feb. 2 at Lakeside Senior Living in Douglas, leaving this world much the way he lived in it: with grace, warmth and a smile. Mr. Tillman was born July 4, 1936, in Surrency to the late Herschel Tillman and the late Ruth Collins Tillman. Named…

Ms. Judy Lee Brown, 79, of Lumber City, passed away Feb. 2 at Hazlehurst Court Care and Rehabilitation Center under the care of Community Hospice. Judy was born onMarch 22, 1946, in Lumber City, to the late Clinton S. Webb and Lois Smith Webb. She was a native and lifelong resident of Lumber City and…

Mrs. Genella Hewett Baxley, 88, born Sept. 2, 1937, passed away peacefully at Appling County Pavilion, under the care of Comfort Care Hospice, after an extended illness. She was a native and long-time resident of Jeff Davis County. Genella was a retired seamstress, a member of Liberty Baptist Church of Hazlehurst. She loved sewing, crocheting,…

Mrs. Betty Ann Chambers Clark, 61, of Uvalda, died Jan. 22 at her home following an extended illness. She was a native of Montgomery County and lived near Uvalda all of her life. She attended Toombs Central School and was a 1982 graduate of Montgomery County High School. She retired after 30 years from the…

Mrs. Mary Ellen Finley Dixon, 95, of Bryan, Texas, passed away peacefully at home Jan. 23. She is survived by her children Maya Dixon (Gary), James Dixon (Lanore), Tana Ryan, Dawn Gaston (Bill) and Toby Dixon (Cynthia); sister Martha and brothers Arley and Art; 11 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by…

Mr. Jerry Edward Toler, 70, of Hazlehurst, passed away Jan. 30 at Jeff Davis Hospital. He was born April 10, 1955, in Jeff Davis County to the late Willie Edward Toler and Viola Rowell Toler. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 and proudly served during the Vietnam war. At…

Mrs. Rosa E. “Rose” Coleman was born Dec. 18, 1933, to John and Sadie Harris in Alston. She was the oldest of 10 children. After completing high school, she moved to Miami, where she began a fulfilling career with JC Penney as a bookkeeper, a position she held with pride until her retirement. Rosa married…

Mrs. Elaine Heath Graham, 79, of Hazlehurst, passed away Jan. 22 at her residence. Mrs. Graham was born Nov. 9, 1946, in Toombs County. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst and attended Brewton-Parker College in her younger years. She devoted many years of her professional life to Hazlehurst Mills, where…

Mr. George Edward Irwin Jr., 87, of Hazlehurst, passed away Jan. 20 at his home. Mr. Irwin was born Dec. 3, 1938, in Wilmington, Del., to the late George Edward Irwin Sr. and Florence McKeowen Irwin. He had lived in Hazlehurst for over 50 years and worked as an ironworker throughout his career. Through his…