The Ocilla Star Feb.26,1997 Lucy S. Padgett The funeral service for Lucy S. Padgett of Macon, who died Sunday, February 23, 1997 at Macon Healthcare was held Wednesday, February 26 at Mt. Paron Primitive Baptist Church in Berrien County. She was 85. Pastor Charles Barnard officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service with interment in the church cemetery. The deceased was born January 20, 1909 in Irwin county to Jack and Lydia Griffin Solomon. A retired seamstress and waitress and member of White Oak Freewill Baptist Church in Macon, she was the widow of Zelna "Red" Padgett. Mrs. Padgett had lived in Macon since 1955 after residing in Fitzgerald and Enigma. She is survived by three sons:Jack Webb and Jerry Webb, both of Macon, and Mitch Webb of Jacksonville, FL; two daughters: Wydine Cone of Fitzgerald and Vernice Burnette of Las Vegas, NV; stepmother: Annie Solomon of Milan; one sister:Dorothy Field of Leesburg, FL; 26 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Ocilla Star Feb.26,1997 Ashley E. Parrish Mr. Ashley E. Parrish, 78, of Mystic, GA passed away Friday, February 21, 1997 at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald. Mr.Parrish was born August 11, l918 in Wheeler County and had lived in this community since 1928. He was the son of John W and Susie Paulk Parrish. A former resident of Berrien county, GA, Mr. Parrish was a retired school bus driver and farmer. He worked at Robins Air Force Base in the Engine Repair Shop during World War II. He was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church where he was a member of the Men's Sunday Schosl Class. He was also a member of Woodmen of the World. Survivors include his wife,Lurene D. Parrish of Mystic; three sons, William (Billy) Parrish of Irwin county, Edward Parrish of Fitzgerald and Allen Parrish of Rhine; two brothers, Elbert Parrish of Warner Robins and Harold Parrish of Mystic; five sisters,Louise Harper of Albany, Katherine Dubrewiel of Austell, Retha Rawlins of Barnesville, Vera Holston of Macon and Carolyn Hester of St. Mary's; 7grandchildren, 4 great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Parrish was preceded in death by a daughter, grandson and brother. Funeral services were held Sunday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. at Big Creek Baptist Church with Rev.Ed Reeves and Rev. Wayne McCrimmon officiating. Interment followed in Big Creek Cemetery. Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Ocilla Star Feb 26,1997 Mary Prater The funeral service for Mary Pressley Prater of Ocilla, who died February 15, 1997 at Irwin County Hospital, was held Thursday,February 20 at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church in Ocilla. She was 94. Rev. George Vereen officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service with interment in Ocilla Cemetery. Pallbearers were Nathaniel McClain, Michael Poole, David Prater, Jr., Gerald Prater, Anthony Prater and Timothy Prater. The deceased was born in South Carolina, Williamsburg county, on June 6,1902 to Mango Pressley and Lula Pressley McCutchen. The widow of Dane Prater, Sr., who resided in Irwin county for 60 years. Mrs.Prater retired as a school lunchroom worker in 1970 and was a member of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, also the Home Protection Lodge, the Willing Workers Union and the Ocilla Neighborhood Center. She is survived by eight children: James T. Prater, Jannie Poole, Bertha McMath, Evelyn Maxwell, Lillie Demps, Helen Deberry, Robert Prater and Sammie Lee Prater, all of Miami,FL; three sisters: Ethel Prater of Ocilla, Alice Garcia of Ft. Pierce,FL and Susie Williams of Ft.Pierce; 33 grandchildren, 62 great granchildren and 30 great-great grandchildren. Davis Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Ocilla Star Feb.26,1997 Stella Strivings Mrs. Stella Strivings of Ocilla passed away Thursday, February 20 at Hospice of Atlanta in Atlanta,GA. Mrs. Strivings was born November 9, 1926 in Irwin county,lived in Louisiana for 34 years, and moved back to Ocilla 9 years ago.She was the daughter of Charles and Alice Dixon Roberts. Mrs. Strivings was a retired cashier and attended Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin county. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Strivings and is survived by one daughter, Indy Keefover of Douglasville, a brother, Arthur Roberts of Wellborn, FL; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 22, 1997 at l:00 p.m. at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla, with Rev. Charles Tyson officiating. Interment followed in Old Valley Grove Cemetery in Irwin county. Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.