Thursday, May 08, 2008

Dewey Edward Waters
Dewey Edward Waters Dewey Edward Waters, 82, died Tuesday morning (May 6, 2008) at Satilla Regional Medical Center after a short illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Waycross. He was the son of the late Harley Waters and Molly Sturgess Waters. He was a member of University Boulevard Church of God and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class. He was a mechanic for King Brothers Ford for 21 years and for the City of Waycross. Survivors include his wife, Alphine Waters, of Waycross; four sons, Donnie Price, David Russell (wife Paulette) and Charles Waters (wife Patty), all of Waycross, and Billy Waters (wife Francis), of Blackshear; six daughters, Debbie Haney (husband Tony), of Douglasville, Linda Strickland (husband Buddy), Geneva Cox (husband Gideon), Hazel King (husband Bill), Mary Lee Waters and Wanda Faye Cox, all of Waycross; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. A funeral will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday at University Boulevard Church of God. Burial will follow in Kettle Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 tonight at Music Funeral Home. The Senior Adult Sunday School Class is requested to meet at the church Friday at 2:10 p.m. to serve as honorary pallbearers. Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com

Mary Helen Gowen
MACON - Mary Helen "Nana" Cross Gowen, passed away peacefully Wednesday (May 7, 2008) at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Macon. She had been in declining health for several years. A native of Ooltewah, Tenn., she moved from Albany to Blackshear with her husband and daughter in 1956, and then to Waycross in 1971 before relocating to Macon in March to reside with her daughter and family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Sheppard A. Gowen; five siblings, Wilbur, Herbert, Clark, Elizabeth and Dorothy. She was the daughter of the late Newton Banks Cross and Nancy Ida Hicks Cross, of Ooltewah, Tenn. She was a homemaker known for her talents as a gifted seamstress and an outstanding Southern cook. She was a longtime member of Brooks United Methodist Church. Her favorite pastime was volunteering weekly at the church's thrift shop. Those left to cherish her memory are daughter, Nancy Thornton (husband Warren), of Macon; grandchildren, Marla and Anson Farris, of Macon, David Thornton, of Eugene, Ore., Matthew Thornton (fiancee Rhonda Cabral), of Middletown, N.Y.; great-grandchildren, Celine Farris, of San Diego, Calif., and Amelia Farris, of Macon; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. The burial will follow at the Traders Hill Cemetery in Folkston. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com Donations may be made to the American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75231 or Hospice Satilla, 317 Plant Ave., Waycross, Ga. 31501.

Travis Duff
BLACKSHEAR - Travis Duff, 58, passed away Wednesday morning (May 7, 2008) at his residence following a short illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Pearson-Dial Funeral Home.

Betty H. Williamson
PATTERSON - Betty Henley Williamson, 72, passed away Wednesday morning (May 7, 2008) at the Satilla Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Pearson-Dial Funeral Home.

James Roy Thigpen
James Roy Thigpen, 92, of Waycross, died Tuesday (May 6, 2008) evening at Baptist Village following an extended illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Ware County. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Carter Thigpen; a son, Billy Thigpen; his parents, Joseph Lester Thigpen and Annie James Thigpen; two sisters, Ruby Thigpen and Emma Thigpen; and a brother, Joe Thigpen. He was retired as a clerk from CSX Railroad and also farmed for many years. He was a charter member of Pineview Baptist Church in Waresboro where he served as chairman of the deacons for many years, church treasurer and on the building fund committee. He was later became a member of Sweat Memorial Baptist Church and was a member of the church at his death. He was a past master Mason of Frank C. Folks Lodge 192, serving as grand supreme representative to the Supreme Lodge for several years. He was a member of Eastern Star No. 474 and Woodmen of the World where he held many state offices. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Clerks. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Army. He is survived by a sister, Louise Cox, of Burly, Idaho; two brothers, Robert Thigpen (Jackie) and Huey Thigpen (Clara Faye), all of Waresboro; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Mitchell Chapel at Baptist Village. Entombment will be in Oakland Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the chapel at Baptist Village. Online condolences can be expressed at www.smithfuneralhome.us In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sweat Memorial Building Fund. Smith Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of the arrangements.

Edith Eunice Woodard
A funeral for Edith Eunice Woodard took place Wednesday afternoon at Music Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Derwin Griffin officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Steve Youmans, Bill James, Dick Eunice, William Eunice, James Eunice and Lamar Bowen.

'Jackie' Riggins
BLACKSHEAR - Funeral services for Jacqueline "Jackie" Howard Riggins, 69, were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the First United Methodist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Freddie Wheeler and the Rev. Roger Mays. Interment was in the Blackshear Cemetery. Pearson-Dial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.