Claude M. Davis

TIFTON — Claude Montgomery Davis, 74, of Tifton, died Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at his home after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the First Baptist Church Memorial Chapel. Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. Paul Thomas will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dr. F. Morris Davis, Lester Howard Davis, Homer Davis Allison, Grady G. Davis, Billy T. Davis, Dr. Joel Johnson, James Johnson and Roger Thornhill and Frank Morris Davis Jr. The first five listed of these cousins were pallbearers for his father, James H. Davis in 1954.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.

Born July 31, 1928, in Tifton, Mr. Davis was the son of James Howard Davis and Mollie Lee Hayes Davis, both deceased. He was the grandson of the late James Montgomery Davis and the late Minerva Hurst Davis, who came to Tifton in 1905 and were charter members of Tifton Primitive Baptist Church. He was also preceded in death by one son, Richard Montgomery Davis, and two sisters, Betty Davis Moore and Mary B. Davis Mumford.

Educated in Tifton public schools and also a graduate of Georgia Military College, Mr. Davis served two years in the U.S. Navy receiving honorable discharge in 1950. He was married to the former Carol Ann Cooper June 25, 1950.

In his young adult days, Mr. Davis was associated in business with his father in the operation of Davis Plant Farms and served as Postmaster and physical plant manager at Abraham Baldwin College under Dr. Pete Donaldson. For 40 years, he was an owner/partner of Davis Nursery along with his wife. Additionally, Mr. Davis was the proprietor of Gazebo Antiques and a member of First Baptist Church of Tifton, having joined as a youth.

He was a kind and gentle person who helped many people in his lifetime.

Mr. Davis had a love for American History, especially the Civil War years and was a knowledgeable numismatist. His wonderful sense of humor was displayed bravely to the end. His memory will be loved and cherished by his family and friends.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife; one son, Howard Brooks “Dave” Davis and wife Yancey Atwater Davis; one daughter, Bonne Davis Cella; one daughter-in-law, Vicky Davis Gordy; seven grandchildren, Kimberly “Kim” Lee Davis Carey and husband, Greg, Jennifer Michelle “Jenny” Davis Garrett and husband, Jon, Nancy Rebecca Davis, Katie Elizabeth Davis, John Montgomery Davis, Anthony “Tony” James Cella and Christopher “Chris” Montgomery Cella; three great-grandchildren, Mollie Carey, Hannah Carey and Ryan Davis Garrett; one sister, Sara Davis Majeski (Charlie); two brothers, Robert J. “Bob” and Martha Ann Davis and James A. “Jim” and Hilda Davis; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

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



Robert Eugene Tyson

NASHVILLE — Robert Eugene Tyson, 67, of Nashville, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home. The Rev. Clarence Luke, the Rev. Fred Hesters and the Rev. Mark Swain will officiate. Burial will follow at Long Bridge Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be held after 5 p.m. today with the family receiving friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Lovein Funeral Home in Nashville.

Born Sept. 16, 1934, in Berrien County, Mr. Tyson was the son of Robert Tyson and Onnie Elizabeth Rowan, both deceased.

A retired Master Sergeant, he was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War.

Mr. Tyson is survived by his wife, Charlotte Turner Tyson of Nashville; four daughters, Pam Tyson and Renee Bodin, both of Ocean Springs, Miss., Sherry Merek of Mountain Rest, S.C., and Tina Stalnaker of Nashville; two sons, Glenn Tyson of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Bill Sutton of Nashville; one sister, Elizabeth Simms of Macon; one brother, James Tyson of Nashville; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Lovein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



Erma O. Denham

SYCAMORE — Erma O





. Denham, 86, of Sycamore, died Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at Tift Regional Medical Center after a long illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Bethel Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2245 Bethel Road, Sycamore.

A native and lifelong resident of Turner County, Mrs. Denham was the daughter of George A. Owen and Marietta Lathem Owen, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Arthur N. Denham, and two sons, Tommy Denham, who died March 12, 1968, and George Denham, who died Oct. 14, 1988.

Mrs. Denham was a homemaker and a member of the Bethel Baptist Church and the Lydia Sunday School class.

She is survived by three grandchildren, Tondra Denham and Spencer Denham, both of Sycamore and Jeremy Denham of Tifton; one great-grandchild, Tiffany Denham of Sycamore; and one sister, Mrs. Exa Donahoo of Sycamore.

Perry Funeral Chapel in Ashburn is in charge of arrangements.



Mary Connell

TIFTON — Mary Jane Harrell Connell, 73, of Tifton, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at Southern Care Assisted Living Residence.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Church of the Nazarene. The Rev. T. Manuel Johnson will officiate.

Mrs. Connell donated her body to science to help find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to make memorial donations to the First Church of the Nazarene Building Fund.

Born March 7, 1929, in Nashville, Mrs. Connell was the daughter of John A. Harrell and Susie Isley Rowe Harrell, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Flem J. Connell, and five brothers.

A resident of Tifton for 52 years, Mrs. Connell was retired from J. P. Stevens and was a member of First Church of the Nazarene. She was also a former employee of ABAC Dining Hall, where she was elected by ABAC students as “Favorite Employee of the Month.”

Mrs. Connell is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Tina Connell of Riverdale; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Alice and Everett Griner of Moultrie; one brother, Clifton Harrell of Ray City; three grandchildren, Julie Wise of Bluffton, S.C., Mitch and Joanne Britt of Shiloh and Alysia and Bobby Lambert of Chicago Heights, Ill.; two great-grandchildren, Matthew Wise and Bryce Britt; three step grandchildren, Angie Newsome, David Griner and Amy Griner; three step-great-grandchildren, Trey and Cameron Newsome and Trent Griner.

Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors, Tiftarea Chapel is in charge of arrangements.