Leonard Gene York

TIFTON — Leonard Gene York, 58, of Tifton, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002, at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. today at New River Baptist Church. The Rev. Larry Layfield will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery.

Powell Gaines, Don Pirkle, Wayne Morrow, Ray Goodman, J.H. White, Lynwood Denham, Perry Taylor, Gene Bannister and Charles Newell will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of New River Baptist Church, Robert Hammond, Mack Sirmans, Van Dow, Bobby Payne, Larry Hobbs, Mark York, Edward Gibbs, Freddy Walker, Tommy Stone, Danny York and Junior Lupo.

Born May 10, 1944, in Tift County, Mr. York was the son of Felix Homer York and Mary Elizabeth Morrow York, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Dan York.

A lifetime resident of Tift County, Mr. York was a 1962 graduate of Tifton High School. He was a former employee of Prince Chevrolet and Keenan Auto Parts, but his great love of the outdoors led him to raise and sell produce. Mr. York also worked as a hunting guide for the Ocklocknee Hunting Plantation.

He was a member of New River Baptist Church and the Tifton Fishing Club.

Mr. York was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He always had a smile and joke for everyone. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Mr. York was a former member of the Tifton Jaycees and the Board of Tiftarea Academy.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 38 years, Brenda Kennedy York of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Grant and Janice York of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Michael Bradshaw of Tifton; a very special sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wanda and Powell Gaines; a sister-in-law, Cleriece York; a special “sis” and brother, Ora and Joe Flynn; several aunts and uncles; and five grandchildren, Brittany York, Katy York, Hunter Pilkinton, Drew Pilkinton and Alexis Pilkinton.

Heaven has a special angel, our PaPa.

Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.



Bill Watson

NASHVILLE — William E. “Bill” Watson, 70, of Nashville, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, at South Georgia Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home. The Rev. Junior Swain and the Rev. Johnny Hendley will officiate. Burial will follow at Empire Cemetery.

Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. today with the family receiving friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Lovein Funeral Home.

Born Aug. 29, 1932, in Lanier County, Mr. Watson was the son of James Pleasant Watson and Osra Roberts, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by a son, Charles Lee Watson, who died in 1956, and a brother, James P. Watson Jr., who died in 1979.

Mr. Watson was retired from Civil Service and was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was a Master Mason affiliate with Lakeland Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Watson was a very loving husband and father who deeply loved his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Collins Watson of Nashville; three sons, Bobby Watson, Travis Watson and David Watson, all of Nashville; two sisters, Osra Blanton of Nashville and Idell Wetherington of Homerville; four grandchildren, Michelle Davis, Mellisa Watson, Chris Watson and Amanda Vickers; and one great-grandchild, Tristen Vickers.

Lovein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.