Willie Carlton Griffin, 75, of Colquitt passed away August 14, 2005. There was a graveside service at 5:00 P.M. Monday, August 15, 2005 at Donley Cemetery with Rev. David Womack officiating.
Mr. Griffin was born May 31, 1930 in Miller Co. He was a farmer and a member of Bellview Free Will Baptist Church.
He is survived by four daughters, Wonde McConnell of Bainbridge, Vickie Smith of Camilla, Kathy Simmons of Roseboro, NC, and Deede Gary of States boro; one son, Willie Carlton Griffin, Jr. Of Damascus; four sisters, Eugenia Attaberry , Annie Lou Freeman, Pauline Kelly, & Martha (Dolly) Winn all of Colquitt; one brother, Tommy Griffin of Bainbridge; ten grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Ollie Mae Vespa, one brother, Robbie Griffin, and his parents, O. L. & Mattie Lou Griffin.

Dorothy Dixie Horn Norris, age 71 of Panama City Beach, FL and formerly of Donalsonville passed away, Thursday, August 24, 2005 at home.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 27, at 3:00 PM at Hebrew Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Milton Pate officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Norris was born in Seminole County on May 8, 1924 to the late Jack and Angie Barber Horn. She was married to Bill Norris who preceded her in death. She retired from Helping hands Home Nursing Service of Albany, she was named Employee of the Year in 1986. She was a member of Hebrew Freewill Baptist Church, and was loved by all her family and friends.
She leaves to cherish her memory three sons, William Tony Norris and his wife Linda of Eastman; Zack Eugene Norris and Kelvin Norris both of Panama City, FL; two daughters, Diane Heard of Camilla; Valerie Jean Norris of Donalsonville and Margie Batchelor of Camilla. Nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one sister Emma Jean Heard.

Wallace Jefferson “Jeff” Billings, age 46 of Colquitt died Sunday, August 21, 2005.
Mr. Billings was born November 11, 1958 in Miller County. H was an aerial applicator for Damascus Dusting Company and was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Graveside services were held Thursday, August 25 at 10:00 a.m. at Shepard Cemetery with Terry Pickle speaking.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Billings, Colquitt; one step-son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Teresa Lee, Edison; one step-daughter and step-son-in-law, Jamie and Scott McLeod, Albany; mother, Doris Callahan, Colquitt; two step-grandchidlren, Hannah McLeod and Nicholas McLeod.

David Wade, 45, of Jakin, died Friday, August 19, 2005, at the Donalsonville Hospital Emergency Room.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. at Jakin United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Harvey and the Rev. Ramon Hernandez officiating. Interment followed in Jakin City Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jason McCormick, Mark Wade, Bobby Addis, Tim Wade, Harold Cook, and Ricky Parker.

Mr. Wade was born in Miller County on October 10, 1959 to the late Aaron and Charlotte Marie Johnson Wade. He worked as a diesel mechanic with Early Tractor Company in Donalsonville. He was married to the former Mary Ann Addis and was of the Methodist faith. He was a loving and devoted grandson-in-law to Mrs. Ruth Lanton, “Big Mama.”

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Wade, of Jakin; one son, Jason McCormick of Jakin; two brothers, Mark and his fiancee Dawna Dejraw of Bainbridge and Timothy Wade of Donalsonville; one sister, Lisa Wade; one grandson, Tristan Lee McCormick; and several nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Nathan Wade and Frankie Wade.

Mrs. Mary Ruth Lanton, “Big Mama”, age 86, of Jakin passed away Friday afternoon, August 19, 2005 at the Donalsonville Hospital ER.
Funeral services for Mrs. Lanton was held on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 1:00 PM at the Jakin United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Harvey and the Rev. Ramon Hernandez officiating. Interment followed in the Jakin City Cemetery.
Mrs. Lanton was born in Clio, AL on August 2, 1919 to the late Bob and Annie Bell Childress Williams. She was married to Toy Lanton, was a homemaker, and was a member of the Jakin United Methodist Church. She was blessed to have her granddaughter, Mary Ann Wade and her husband David Wade, who took such wonderful care of “Big Mama”.
Mrs. Lanton leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Billy Williams and his wife Connie of Sunriver, Oregon, Larry Lanton and his wife Debra and Ted lanton and his wife Mary both of Jakin; one daughter, Glenda Addis of Panama City, FL; 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Annie Bell C. Williams, her husband Toy Lanton, and a son Daniel Lanton.
Pallbearers were Rushy Scott, Jack Sutton, Terry Lanton, Bruce Horn, Jimmy Sewell, and Tony Avery.

Week of August 21, 2005