Darby Lyn Pilkinton

SYCAMORE — Darby Lyn Pilkinton, 17, of Sycamore, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Bethel Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery.

Born in Tift County, Miss Pilkinton was the daughter of Terry and Phyllis H. Pilkinton of Sycamore. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Morris B. and Tiny Pilkinton.

A lifetime resident of Turner County, Miss Pilkinton was a senior at Tiftarea Academy, where she was Captain of the Lady Panthers basketball and softball teams. She was also a member of the Track and Cross Country team, the GISA State Champion Girls softball team, president of the Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, member of the Key Club, Prom Committee, Student Council, the Spanish Club and the Y-Club.

Miss Pilkinton was also Miss Tiftarea of 2002-2003, 2002 Tiftarea Homecoming Queen and a senior superlative. Her honors and awards included All Region Softball, All Region Basketball, Softball MVP, Basketball MVP, Softball Best Offensive Award, Basketball Lady Panther Award, Tri-Athlete Award and Scholar Athlete Award. She was a nominee for High School Heisman and was recognized for Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

Miss Pilkinton participated in the Blood Drive, Jump Rope for Heart, Elementary Field Day, the Kindergarten Pal Program and Buddies in School Program. She also was an Elementary P.E. Assistant.

Miss Pilkinton was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Bethel Baptist Youth Group and the Youth Choir. She participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the Care for Kids Program, as well as being a volunteer for Fiesta del Pueblo.

Along with her parents, Miss Pilkinton is survived by one brother, Derek Pilkinton of Sycamore; and her maternal grandparents, Charles and Jackie Hardy of Sycamore.

Perry Funeral Chapel in Ashburn is in charge of arrangements.



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Chris Mathis

WARNER ROBINS — Christopher Byron Mathis, 34, of Warner Robins, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Bibb County,

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home. The Rev. Junior Swain and the Rev. Warner Guthrie will officiate. Burial will follow at Poplar Springs Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Lovein Funeral Home.

Born July 16, 1968, in Berrien County, Mr. Mathis was the son of Virgil and Mary Sutton Mathis of Nashville.

He was a sheet metal fabricator with Timco Corp. and was a former member of the Georgia National Guard.

Along with his parents, Mr. Mathis is survived by two daughters, Ashley Mathis of Nashville and De-Iah Mathis of Mechanicsburg, Ohio; one sister, Elissa Griffis of Nashville; his grandmother, Ada Beauchamp of Nashville; his grandfather, L. G. Sutton of Nashville.

Lovein Funeral Home in Nashville is in charge of arrangements.



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William E. Baldree

TIFTON — William E. Baldree, 76, of Tifton, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, in Ashburn.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Chapel Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. The Rev. Chuck Yzenski will officiate. Burial will follow at Tift Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Mike Delk, Joel Delk, Dale Delk, John Delk, Justin Baldree, Loren Smith Jr., Lee Goddard and Julius Luke.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mitch Smith, Henry Bostick, Alfred Johnson, Ashley Johnson and Joe Kearce.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.

Born Dec. 28, 1926, in Berrien County, Mr. Baldree was the son of William Baldree and Idaline Eunice Baldree, both deceased.

He was a retired interstate foreman for the Department of Transportation and a member of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Baldree was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his wife, Imogene Delk Baldree of Tifton; one son, Steven Earl Baldree of Tif





ton; one daughter, Wanda Roberts of Ashburn; one brother, Thomas Baldree of Valdosta; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

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



Eddie Bennett Sr.

WEST BERRIEN — John Edmond “Eddie” Bennett Sr., 92, of West Berrien, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Salem Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Dwight Marshall and Elder Thad Marshall will officiate. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Church Cemetery.

The body will lie in state one hour prior to services.

Pallbearers will be Rodney Bennett, Johnny Revels, Ferrell Wood, Mitch Bennett, Morty Wood, Steve Bennett and Adam Bennett.

Honorary pallbearers will be Grady Bryan, H. W. Lott, Doc Sumner, Daniel Connell, Oklan Myers, Arlie Purvis Jr., Clarence Purvis, Billy Connell, Ernest Sumner, Felton Purvis and Billy Bryan.

Born Nov. 14, 1910, in Berrien County, Mr. Bennett was the son of John Edmond and Elva Griner Bennett, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by one son, Eston Bennett, who died Feb. 4, 1964; one brother, Leon Drawdy; one sister, Idell Sumner Harper; and one grandson, Scott Bennett.

Mr. Bennett was a member of Salem Primitive Baptist Church and was a retired farmer. He had an interest in genealogy and wrote poetry.

He is survived by his wife, Bertie Purvis Bennett of West Berrien, to whom he married Aug. 22, 1931, and recently celebrated 71 1/2 years of marriage; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Maston and Joyce Bennett, Dothan Bennett and John E. Bennett Jr. of West Berrien and Betty Bennett Driggers; three daughters and one son-in-law, Dot Revels of Lenox, Jean Wood and Connie and John Mosley, all of West Berrien; one sister, Ida Mae Golden; 12 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Purvis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.