Monday, Dec. 17, 2001: Mr. Stokes Thrift, 77, incomplete Mr. Woodrow Wilson Kirton, Sr., 84 (12-15-2001) Fargo native, (Music Funeral Home, Waycross) Woodrow Wilson Kirton, Sr. June 13, 1917 - December 15, 2001 Mr. Woodrow Wilson Kirton, Sr., 84, died Saturday (December 15, 2001) night in Satilla Regional Medical Center following a long illness. He was a native of Fargo but had lived most of his life in Ware County. He was married to the late Gladys Strickland Kirton and was son of the late S. R. Kirton, Sr. and Nora Jane Smith Kirton. He retired from the U.S. Post Office in 1972 and served in the Army Air Corp during World War II. The survivors include two sons, Woodrow W. Kirton, Jr. of Blackshear, William W. Kirton, Sr. (wife Stepheny) of Waycross; three grandchildren, Jessica Ann Kirton, Zell Morgan Kirton and William W. Kirton, Jr. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Music Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Pine Forest Cemetery in Homerville. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Monday night from 6 until 8 o'clock. Mrs. Lillie G. Gillis, 95 (12-16-2001) Axson native (Miles-Odum Funeral Home, Waycross) Lillie G. Gillis, 95, died Sunday morning (12-16-01) at the Baptist Village after an extended illness. She was a native of Axson, Georgia, daughter of the late Fisher Gaskins and Janie Wall Gaskins and the widow of the late John Leon Gillis. She was preceded in death by one son Norman L. Gillis and one daughter Leonelle Gillis. She had lived most of her life in Ware County and had been making her home at Baptist Village for the past year and was a member of the Jamestown Baptist Church. She is survived by one son Johnny W. Gillis of Atlanta, Ga.; four grandchildren Dale L. Gillis of Sebring, Fla., Norma Jean Ziebarth of Pearson, Ga., Bill Gillis of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Beverly Ann Sanders of Hoschton, Ga.; two great grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews including June Driggers of Kingsland, Ga. Jane Martin of Blackshear, Ga. and Jack Douglas of Waycross. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning (12-18-01) at eleven o'clock at the graveside in the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery near Axson, Ga. Family and friends will gather at the Miles-Odum Funeral Home at ten o'clock Tuesday morning to travel to the cemetery. Mr. Eddie Westberry, 37 (12-15-2001), Waycross native (Miles-Odum Funeral Home, Waycross) Eddie Westberry, 37, of Blackshear died at his residence after a brief illness. Born in Waycross, he lived most of his life in Ware County before moving to Blackshear. He was preceded in death by a brother Jimmy Westberry. He is survived by his parents Thomas Junior Westberry Sr. and Georgie Ann Westberry of Waycross, a sister Patricia Beckham and her husband Ronald of Blackshear, a brother Tommy Westberry and his wife Sherry of Waycross, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. A Graveside service will be held 11 AM Tuesday December 18, 2001 at the Enon Cemetery in Blackshear. The family will receive friends Monday evening at Miles-Odum Funeral Home from 6-8 PM. Adrianna Nichole Kinceley, 16-months, (12-14-2001) Waycross native (Music Funeral Home, Waycross) Adrianna Nichole Kniceley August 02, 2000 - December 14, 2001 Adrianna Nichole Kinceley, 16 months died suddenly Friday (December 14, 2001) in an accident in Mershon. She was a native of Waycross but resided in Mershon. The survivors in include her mother, Meranda Nichole Kniceley of Mershon; her sister, Taylor Leigh Price of Mershon; Grandmother, Brenda Fullard ( Fiancee Lewis) of Mershon; Grandfather Donnie Snyder, Sr. of Hoboken; Great Grandmother, Audrey Walker of Mershon; two Great Great Grandmothers, Dollie Strickland of Waycross and Annie Perminter of Jacksonville, Fla.; Several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday (December 18, 2001) at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. The burial will be in the Thomas Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at Music Funeral Home Monday evening from 6 until 8 o'clock. NOTE: Drowned in an oriental gold fish pond. Mrs. Kate Irene Morrell, 80 (12-14-2001) Coeburn, VA native (Music Funeral Home, Waycross) Kate Irene Morrell February 22, 1921 - December 14, 2001 Mrs. Kate Irene Morrell, 80, died suddenly Friday (Dec. 14, 2001) at Satilla Regional Medical Center. She is a native of Coeburn, VA, but she has resided in Waycross the past three years. She married her husband in Tennessee and moved to Virginia in 1942. After the Koren War, she moved to Ohio where she was a director on the Community Action Commission. In 1966, her and her husband moved to Edgewater, FL to enjoy retirement. She served in the United States Army during World War II in the 3rd service command as a cost accounting clerk. She was a member of the Christian Church, the Business Professional Women's Club, and the Women's Club all in New Smyrna, FL. She is the daughter of the late Samuel Ring and Nancy Hale Ring. She is survived by her husband, Ralph Morrell of Waycross; three daughters, Margaret Morgan of Conway, AR, Kathy Sayre (husband Jeff) of Columbus, OH, and Lisa Miller of New Smyrna, FL; a son, Ralph Rolland Morrell II (wife Sue) of East Wakefield, NH; six grandchildren, Michael Morrell, Melissa Morrell, Brent Medley, Erin Miller, Robbie Brown, and Natalie Brown; three great grandchildren; sister, Ellen Cern of Edgewater, FL; brother, Everett Ring of Gary, IN; numerous nieces and nephews. Memorialization will be by cremation. Mr. Clayton H. Cross, 57 (12-15-2001) Albany native (Fluker Funeral Home, Homerville) Mrs. France Lee, 77 (12-14-2001) Chatham Co. native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Mr. Henry "Bill" Gentry, pallbearers Mrs. Oletha Rowell Turner, pallbearers Mr. Franklin Boatright, pallbearers Mrs. Leona Godwin Beville, pallbearers Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001: Mr. Stokes Thrift, 77 Ware Co. native (Miles-Odum Funeral Home, Waycross) Stokes Thrift, 77, died Monday morning (12-17-01) at the Satilla Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. He was a life long resident of Ware County, son of the late George Washington Thrift and Vernon Davis Thrift. He was a member of the Piney Grove Pimitive Baptist Church and was retired from the Wainright Abattoir. He was preceded in death by his first wife He is survived by his wife Sarah Crosby Thrift of Waycross; two daughters Debra Tatum and her husband George, Evelyn Farrill all of Waycross; one son James W. Farrill of Springfield, La.; five grandchildren William Farrill of Nahunta, Ga., Timothy, Mark and Archie Gill and Greg Farrill all of Waycross, Ga.; four step-sons Cliff Gary and wife Jean, Bobby Mitchell and his wife Vicky all of Jacksonville, Fla., Danny Gibbs and his wife Angie of Savannah, Ga., Mike Gibbs and his wife Jodie of Waycross; one step-daughter Jean Lilly of Kingsland, Ga.; one Great Granddaughter, one Great Grandson, one Great Great Grandson, fifteen Step Grandchildren, One step great great grandchild and other relatives. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at eleven o'clock (12-19-01) in the chapel of the Miles-Odum Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Piney Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, The family will receive friends at the funeral home from six until eight o'clock Tuesday night. George Chyler Smiley, 75, incomplete Annette Bivins Givings, 41 (12-15-2001) Blackshear native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Mrs. Jannie Ruth Lee, 77 (12-14-2001) Waycross native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Miss Anna Kay Lovett, 19, (12-13-2001) Candler Co. native (funeral in Metter, GA) Mr. Fred Pittman, pallbearers Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001: Mr. Clayton Henry Cross, 57, (12-15-2001) Albany, GA native (Fluker Funeral Home, Homerville) Mr. George Chyler Smiley, 75 (12-17-2001) Pierce Co. native (Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home, Blackshear) Mr. James Gaskins, 59 (12-17-2001) (Lovein Funeral Home, Nashville, GA) Adrianna Nichole Kniceley, 16-months, (12-14-2001) (Music Funeral Home, Waycross) Mr. Woodrow Wilson Kirton, pallbearers Mrs. Lillie G. Gillis, pallbearers Mr. Eddie Westberry, funeral Tuesday Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001: Mr. William Lynn Platt, 95 (12-19-2001) Dorchester Co., SC native (Music Funeral Home, Waycross) William Lynn Platt October 21, 1906 - December 19, 2001 Mr. William Lynn Platt, 95, died Wednesday afternoon at Satilla Regional Medical Center after a short illness. He was a native of Dorchester County, SC but had lived in Waycross since 1945. He was the son of the late Tillman Harmon Platt and Georgia Fox Platt and the widow of the late Frances Graves Platt, also preceeded in death by a son Jerry L. Platt. He was retired with CSX railroad with 49 years of service. He was a member of Central Baptist Church, and a member of Masonic Lodge 305 F&AM for 52 years. The survivors include a daughter; Ellen Johnson husband Roger of Georgetown, FL, two sons; Arthur Platt wife Betty, Roy D. Platt wife Elizabeth both of Waycross, two sisters; Eunice Oliver of Charleston, SC, Ruth Doudiet of James Island SC, two brothers; LeRoy Platt of Walterboro, SC, Ellis Platt of Adams Run, SC, 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild. A service is planned for 11:00 am Saturday in the Music Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Kettle Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 o'clock Friday evening at the funeral home. Mr. John Wesley DuBose Sr., 59 (12-18-2001) Waycross native (Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL) Mr. George Chyler Smiley, 75 (12-17-2001) Pierce Co. native (Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home, Blackshear) Mrs. Annette Bivins Givings, 41, Blackshear native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Mr. Earl Stokes Thrift, 77, pallbearers Friday, Dec. 21, 2001: Mrs. Maebell Garnto Steptoe, 87 (12-19-2001) Johnson Co. native (Sims Funeral Home, Douglas) Mr. Jesse James Sanders, 79 (12-19-2001) Coffee Co. native (Perry Brothers Funeral Home, Waycross) Mrs. Jannie Ruth (Givings) Lee, 77 Chatham Co. native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Mr. William Lynn Platt, 95 (12-19-2001) Dorchester Co., SC (Music Funeral Home, Waycross) Mr. Goerge Chyler Smiley, 75, pallbearers Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001: Mr. Albert F. Williams, 96 (12-21-2001) (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Mrs. Lovie Harrus. Williams, 91 (12-20-2001) Pearson native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Mr. Esse Paul Parrish, 60 (12-20-2001) Leary, GA native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Ms. Marion J. Seadrow, 48 (12-21-2001) Waycross native (Fluker Funeral Home, Waycross) Mr. Paul Eulie Colson, 93 (12-21-2001) Blackshear native (Music Funeral Home, Waycross) Paul Eulie Colson February 29, 1908 - December 21, 2001 Mr. Paul Eulie Colson,93, died Friday morning (12-21-01) at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, TX after a short illness. He was a native of Blackshear and the son of the late Paul Charlton Colson and Emma Belle Sedgewick Colson and the husband of the late Joyce Mademont Colson. He was retired as a commerical artist with ABC TV. He was a US Navy Veteran serving during WWII. He was a member of Las Gatos - George E. Tutt masonic lodge 292 F&AM in San Jose CA, and a Scottish rite mason He is survived by a brother; Roy Glenn Colson of Tyler,TX., a sister; Madge Imburgia of Pembroke Pines,FL., several nieces and nephews. A graveside service is planned for 11:00 am Thursday (12-27-01) in Kettle Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Wednesday evening at Music Funeral Home. The family will gaither at Jeannette Phelan residence 1660 Huckaby Rd. Dr. Jackson Thomas Griffin Jr., 74 (12-21-2001) Ware Co. native (McMullen Funeral Home, Columbus, GA)