Obituaries 10-4
Published 12:18 am Saturday, October 4, 2008
Littleton Victor
Latham
FITZGERALD— Littleton Victor Latham, 64, of Fitzgerald died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Jimmy Cargle officiating. Interment will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Delphi employees will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mr. Latham was born Oct. 26, 1943 in Irwin County to the late Allen M. and Thelma Bryant Latham. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Hugh Latham, James Latham and Joe Latham.
He lived in Irwin County and Ben Hill County most of his life. He attended school in Irwin County and he attended Ben Hill-Irwin Technical School. Mr. Latham retired from Delphi Battery Plant after 31 years of service and was a member of the UAW local 2188. He was a farmer and a former employee of Rainbow Irrigation Systems and Paulk Manufacturing. Mr. Latham was a member of Westside Baptist Church and a former member of the Fitzgerald Jaycees. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved gardening, fishing, hunting, woodworking and spending time with his grandson.
Mr. Latham is survived by his wife, Gail Fussell Latham of Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law, Wesley Scott and Julie Latham of Irwinville; grandson, Wesley Scott Latham Jr. of Irwinville; brothers, Willis Latham of Tifton, Maynard “Bug” Latham and Larry Latham, both of Fitzgerald; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gail and Mackie Daniel, Myra and Charles Jones, all of Fitzgerald and Dolores and John Carter of Atlantic Beach, Fla., as well as several nieces and nephews.
To sign the online registry, go to www.paulkfuneralhome.com. Paulk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Patrick
Smith
TIFTON — Ruth Patrick Smith, 93, of Tifton passed away Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at Cypress Pond Assisted Living surrounded by her family, her good friend, Lucy Copeland and the wonderful staff of Cypress Pond, who so lovingly and attentively cared for her during her last days. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Omega Methodist Church, where she was a lifelong member and the Sunday School Class she taught for 25 years was named the “Ruth Smith Sunday School Class.” The Rev. Mike Hobbs and Van Smith will officiate with the burial to follow in Omega Cemetery. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Mrs. Smith was born on Nov. 5, 1914 in Tift County to the late Earnest Patrick and Eddith Merrimac Collier Patrick, formerly of Omega. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harry Van Smith; six sisters, Maude Westbrook, Earnestine Hornbuckle, Cleo Baker, Vivian Garrett, Bill Sells and Vines Pendley and one son-in-law, Cecil Hall.
She worked as an elementary school teacher in Omega for 23 years, beginning her career at the age of 40 after having been left a widow with two small children. Mrs. Smith retired from her teaching in 1987 and served as president of the local chapter of retired teachers. In addition, she has served as president of the 20th Century Library Club and was a member of the Tifton Women’s Club, Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teacher’s organization and Club 55.
She is a past president of the Tift Regional Medical Center’s Auxiliary and served as the group’s program chairman, awards chairman, orientation chairman and parliamentarian, as well as southwestern director of the Georgia State Auxiliary. She was a member of the council for the arts and entertainment series, the National Education Association, the Georgia Association of Educators and the International Reading Association, She was also named Outstanding Teacher of America in 1974 for her contributions to educational advancement.
In 1994, she was chosen as the 41st Exchange Club’s Golden Deeds Award winner for her quiet, good deeds as a woman who regularly donated her time to care for disadvantaged children and voluntarily instructing disabled persons. Ruth Smith loved people and was a friend to everyone she met. Lovingly named “Nana,” she will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Mrs. Smith is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Van and Jackie Smith of Cartersville; one daughter, Patty Hall of Tifton; one sister, Edith Keith of Tifton; six grandchildren and their spouses, Gina and Mike Hobbs, Ricky and Dell Smith, Rusty and Tammie Smith, all of Tifton, Greg and Cindy Hall, Jill and Brad Ellis and Kim and Tom Wagner , all of Atlanta; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
You may sign the online registry at www.bowen-donaldson.com. Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.
Clarence A.
Cleghorn
IRWIN COUNTY— Clarence A. Cleghorn Sr., 90, of Irwin County died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 in Fitzgerald following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Perry Funeral Home with the Rev. L.A. “Sonny” Pate and the Rev. Ken Kicklighter will officiate. Carolyn Troupe will play “Amazing Grace” on the piano for the congregation to sing. Burial will follow in the Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Sycamore.
He was born in Irwin County to the late Jacob Alexander and Polly Rachel Walker Cleghorn. He was a member of the Arp Baptist Church. He was a retired farmer and loved fishing. He was a resident of Turner and Irwin Counties all of his life.
Survivors include his children, Elise C. Evans and Polly C. Hogan, both of Irwinville, Louise C. Murphy of Augusta, Clarance Cleghorn Jr. and Aaron Cleghorn, both of Tifton, Charles Cleghorn of Ashburn, Alex Cleghorn of Youngville, N.C., Ricky Cleghorn of Sycamore and Robert Cleghorn of Pineville, La.; sister, Odette Fowler of Stockbridge; 18 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
You may sign the online guest book and share your special condolences and memories with the family by visiting Perry Funeral Chapel’s Web site at: www.perryfuneralchapel.com. Perry Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
The Rev. L. Rexford
Whiddon Sr.
COLUMBUS— The Rev. L. Rexford Whiddon Sr. 86, of Columbus died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Columbus with Dr. Jimmy Elder and the Rev. Charles Hasty officiating. Interment will be held at 5 p.m. at the Omega City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus.
The Rev. Whiddon was born in Ty Ty on Dec. 17, 1921, son of the late William Warren Whiddon and Mattie Lou Thompson Whiddon. He was educated in Sumner, attended College at Norman Park and Mercer University, and received the Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1950. Ordained to the ministry in 1942, Mr. Whiddon served numerous churches in Georgia and Tennessee, including an 18-year pastorate of First Baptist Church, Canton.
The Rev. Whiddon held leading positions in the Baptist demonination including President of the Georgia Baptist Pastor’s Conference; member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention; Board of Directors of The Christian Index; two terms on the Board of Directors of the Home Mission Board; and six years as Chairman of the Chaplain’s Committee of the Home Mission Board. He led two preaching missions to Chile, South America; participated in an Evangelistic Crusade in Australia sponsored by the Home Mission Board and served as the Inspirational Speaker for the state-wide Pastor’s Retreat, Rio, Brazil, South America. His beloved wife, Sarah Ellen Patrick Whiddon, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his two sons, Rex Whiddon Jr. and his wife, Lynn, of Columbus; Dale Whiddon and his wife, Joan of McDonough; a daughter, Millie Gomel and her husband, Walter of Atlanta; two sisters, Doris Ramsey of Athens, and Patsy Booth of Tifton; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rex and Sarah Whiddon Mission Fund, Georgia Baptist Foundation, 6405 Sugar Loaf Pkwy. Duluth, GA 30097-4092. Striffler-Hamby Mortuary located at 4071 Macon Road Columbus, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.