Death, Funeral, Obituaries

August 29, 1894

Mr. Austin Davis, Sr., one of the most prominent planters in Pike county, died Friday, after a few weeks’ illness of typhoid fever. [Source: Columbus Daily Enquirer]

August 29, 1894

A sad death occurred the other day near Isabella, in Worth county. A little 8-year-old girl, Lula Courtoy, the daughter of a widow, wandered into the cotton house to play, and was smothered to death in a pile of seed cotton, in a hole dug by her own little hands. When found only her tiny feet could be seen protruding from the cotton. The family is a highly respectable one and is getting a great deal of sympathy in that section. [Source: Columbus Daily Enquirer]

RETHA M. “NONI” PITTS

87, of Ruskin, died Thursday. She had lived in the Bay area since 1943, and was a member of the Wimauma Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church. She is survived by four sons, P. Haman and R. Wayne, both of Tampa, John R. of Apollo Beach and R. A. “Dickey” of Atlanta; two daughters, Geraldine P. Williams of Apollo Beach and Ruth Warren Williams of Sebring; 27 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Warren-Morris Funeral Home, Sebring.

DIED

At the Poor-House in this city, on the 2d inst., GILAM WATKINS, aged 72 years.

In Heard county, on the 9th ult., M. Maj. SAMUEL COLE.

In Charleston, S. C. on the 24th ult., Mrs. SARAH A., wife of Edward W. Matthews, and youngest daughter of the late Anthony Toomer, aged 27 years and 7 months.

In Augusta, Geo., DANIEL AUGUSTUS MIXER.

In Crawford county, at the residence of his Mother on the 21st of April, WM. R. ARMSTRONG, in the twenty sixth year of his age.

In Savannah, Geo., Mr. HARDY PITTS.

In Athens, Geo. on the 20 ult., Mrs. JANE B. HAILES, consort of Willey Hailes, in the 29th year of her age.

In Savannah, Geo., on the 28th March, Mr. HYERSON MURAT, aged 51 years.

[Source: Macon Telegraph, Tuesday, May 11, 1841.]

‘To God Be The Glory’
Rev. Sellars Passes.

The Douglas Enterprise was saddened Mondy, February 13, as we learned of the passing of a dear friend and great person, Rev. Amos Sellars. Mr. Sellars, who contributed to The Enterprise weekly with his column “To God Be The Glory” passed away around 11 a.m. on Monday, leaving his wife, Nancy, and four daughters, Angie, Mariah, Kim and Shanda. Sellars, 62, had been suffering from a chronic illness for several months and had experienced numerous heart attacks over the past few years, according to his family. Sellars was in good spirit over the past few weeks as Shanda had returned home from duty in the armed forces and Kim married on January 23. “Amos really enjoyed writing for The Enterprise, it’s something that brought him alot of happiness.” stated Nancy on Tuesday morning. “We really appreciate the response from the community in this time and we can’t say enough how much we appreciate The Enterprise, they have been great.” “He will be missed,” continued Nancy, “we will miss him and I know a lot of people in the community will miss him also. Right now, more than anything we need your prayers to make it through this rough time.” The family says that the funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 15 at 11 a.m. at Sims Funeral Home. Sellars will be buried at Calvary Full Gospel Tabernacle Cemetery immediately following the services at Sims’ Chapel. Several local businessmen have requested that in lieu of flowers, those concerned should give monetary donations to the family.

BENJAMIN T. SPIRES, JR.

Benjamin Tolbert Spires Jr., 61, 3125 N. E. 49th St., died Monday in Munroed Regional Medical Center. Born in Arabi, Ga., Mr. Spires came to Ocala from Miami eight years ago and was a retired letter carrier. He was a member of Wyomina Park Baptist Church and a U. S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Marion Spires of Ocala; a daughter Jacqueline Daniels of Miami; two sons, Ben T. Spires III and Ronald David Spires, both of Miami; a sister, Louise Young of Hialeah; a brother, William Spires of Quincy; and three grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

D. M. COLLINS DIES (Dorsey Monroe)

On November 6, at eight thirty o’clock, Mr. D. M. Collins passed away, leaving a host of friends and loved ones, who mourn his going. Mr. Collins had been in ill health the past several months suffering from heart trouble. At the time of his death he was visiting his brother-in-law, Mr. Walter Sellars. He was a man of noble character, a good husband and father. He was born in Dodge County at Eastman, October 4, 1899. Mr. Collins is survived by his wife, the former Miss Rosa Sellars and the following children, Zelma, Edith, Maloy, Donzell, Almon, Aniese, Delton and Keneth, all of Ashburn. The following sisters survive: Mrs. Otto Etheridge, Eastman; Mrs. A. D. McCranie, Mrs. J. D. McCranie, Lake Park; Mrs. L. C. Cannon, Bushnell, Fla.; Mrs. H. K. Anderson, Jaxsonville, Fla.; also two brothers, Mr. R. L. Collins and Mr. Milton Collins, both of Montivedo, Florida.[Source: Wiregrass Farmers & Stockman, December 7, 1939; Vol. 1 Page 3.]

JACKIE MIXON PITTS

Pitts, Jackie Mixon, 81, formerly of Homer Circle, Orlando departed for her eternal home on July 21, 2004. A Celebration of her departure will be held at North Park Baptist Church, 741 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, on Monday, July 26 at 11AM. Mrs. Pitts was a faithful and active member of North Park Baptist Church since 1955. Family and friends are invited to come and share in the memories of Jackie. Preceding her in death were her parents, Jay and Grace Mixon and Jackie’s husband of 50 years, Joe B. Pitts. Survivors are her sons, Gary Pitts and wife Karen of Asheville, NC and Dennis Pitts and wife Marianne of Casselberry; her sisters, Jessie Hawthorne of Canton, PA, and Mona Hester and husband Ed of Hazelhurst, GA; her grandchildren: Greg Pitts and wife Zina, Sharon Prawto and husband Andre, David Pitts and wife Bethany, Tamara, Erika, Beverly and Kelli Pitts and Mike and Chris DePol; and her great grandchildren, Scott, Shane and Taylor Pitts and Zachary, Gabriella and Olivia Prawto. Services are by WOODLAWN MEMORIAL PARK AND FUNERAL HOME [Source: Orlando Sentinel; 23 July 2004]

MRS. MARY ROOKS HAMAN

Mrs. Mary Rooks Haman, the aged widow of the late A. P. Haman, large land owner and prominent business man, died Feb. 26, at the old home at Amboy. She was the daughter of Isaac Rooks and his wife, Liza Sumner Rooks, prominent pioneers of Worth County. Mrs. Haman was a consistent member of Hopewell Primitive Baptist church. Her life was one of quiet, modest and beautiful consecration to the service of her Lord and Master. Of her it can be said, “Happy is the dead who died in the Lord.” “Yea, henceforth saith the spirit.” She rests from her labor, but the influence of her noble life lives on. She is survived by seven daughters and three sons: Mrs. A. D. Sellars, Columbus; Mrs. S. Mitchum, Ludowiel; Mrs. S. J. Taylor, Orlando, Fla.; Mrs. O. L. Hobby, Ashburn; Mrs. J. R. Pitts, Vero Beach, Fla.; Mrs. M. K. Wheeler, Palmetto, Fla.; Mrs. Thelma Harris, Ashburn; Perry Haman, Rebecca; J. M. Haman, Amboy; D. R. Haman, Palmetto, Fla. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Roberts of Buena Vista, her pastor. Interment was at Hopewell cemetery.

PERLENE SELLARS KELLY

COLUMBUS, GA-Mrs. Perlene Sellars Kelly, 88, of Columbus, GA, died Sunday, February 24, 2002 at the Columbus Hospice House. Funeral services will be 4:00 pm Tuesday, February 26, 2002 at Rose Hill Baptist Church, with a private interment in Parkhill Cemetery. Reverend Mike McBride and Reverend Scott Hutchins will officiate. Visitation will be this evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm according to McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA. Mrs. Kelly was born February 13, 1914 in Ashburn, GA, the daughter of the late Susie Harman [sic] Sellars and David Ashville Sellars. She was self-employed realtor. Mrs. Kelly lived in Columbus most of her life and was a life member of Rose Hill Baptist Church. She was a member of George Walton Chapter DAR and Salvation Army Auxillary. She was the widow of John N. Kelly, and was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Suzannah McBride. Survivors included two daughters, Mary (Richard) Carney, of Columbus, GA, Susan (Tommy) McBride, of Columbus, GA; two sons, Charlie (Celeste) Kelly, of Albany, GA, Benny (Dr. Frances) Kelly, of Waverly Hall and Cuthbert, GA; two sister, Gaynelle Rustin, of Phenix City, AL, Leona Holland, of College Park, GA; ten grandchildren, Kelly and Michael Cavanauga, Brian and Kelly Carney, Catherine Carney, Whitney McBride, Caroline and Andy Williams, Thomas R. McBride, Ashley Kelly, Stephanie Kelly, Nicholas Kelly, Sumner Kelly; five great-grandchildren, Michael Cavanauga, Madison Cavanauga, Mitchell Cavanauga, Suzannah Williams, Gabriel Williams; several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Columbus Hospice House, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909.

PITTS

RUSKIN–Retha M. (Noni) Pitts, 87, of Ruskin died Thursday. She was a member Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, Wimauma. She was preceded in death by husband J. Richard Pitts and a son Charles E. Pitts, Sr. Visitation will be held today 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. at Lewers Funeral Home Ruskin. Funeral service 11 a.m. Tuesday at Northside Baptist Church, North Ruskin with Reverend Jesse Albritton and Reverend Robert Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in Fellowship Cemetery, Wimauma. She is survived by her children, Dr. P. Haman Pitts, Tampa; John Raymond Pitts, Apollo Beach; Dr. R. Wayne Pitts, Tampa; R. A. (Dickey) Pitts, Atlanta, GA; Geraldine Pitts Williams, Apollo Beach; Ruth Warren Williams, Sebring; 27 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. LEWERS FUNERAL HOME, Ruskin and WARREN-MORRIS FUNERAL HOME, Sebring.

Mrs. Rosa Collins
Laid to Rest

Many friends throughout Turner County who had cherished her care and concern, her delightful wit and her devotion to her family were saddened to learn of the death Friday, March 9, of Mrs. Rosa Mae Sellers Collins. Mrs. Collins passed away at her residence, giving up a gallant battle against ill health which had brought concern to many in recent weeks. She was 77.

The funeral service was held Sunday, March 11, at the Perry Funeral Chapel at 3 p.m. with Elder-Daniel Bryant and Elder Rayborn Lord officiating, bringing words of appropriate tribute to her beautiful life.

A choir of voices sang a favorite “the Lord Has Been So Good to Me”, and the pallbearers were Glenn Ellerbee, Ken Collins, Gary Collins, Dorsey Hardage, Dorsey Lee Collins and Steve Harwell. Honorary pallbearers were Guy Pylant, Billy Green, Monroe Smith, Lester Brown, Leroy Caldwell, and Edgar Brown. Mrs. Collins was laid to rest at Hopewell Cemetery.

The daughter of the late A. D. Sellars and Susan Jane Haman Sellars who were among the earlier citizens of Turner County, Mrs. Collins was a native of Turner County, born March 23, 1901, and living her life-time here where she was married to the late Dorsey Collins.

A member of the Sycamore Primitive Baptist Church, Mrs. Collins was employed for many years as a nurse at the Turner County Hospital in Ashburn working competently and compasionately at her task of bringing comfort and cheer to others. She was immensely loyal to her family and counted good friends from all walks of life. She was marvelously charming and witty, a very well-informed and conscientious lady, and she never failed to place the welfare of others ahead of her own. Her life was an example of Christian understanding and help.

Survivors are her sons, Malony Collins of Milton, Fla., Kenneth Collins of Kennesaw, Chaplain Delton Collins, of Ft. Lews, Wash., the Rev. Oran D. Collins of Nashville, Tenn., and Almon Collins of Summerville, S. C.; her daughters, Mrs. Zelma Ellerbee of Ashburn, Mrs. Edith Hardage of Milledgeville, and Mrs. Annise Harwell of Mary Ester, Fla.; her sisters, Mrs. W. C. Garrett of Sycamore, Mrs. G. C. Morris of Ashburn, Miss Lottie Sellars of Columbus, Mrs. Charlie Holland of Atlanta, Mrs. Nathan Rustin of Phenix City, Ala., Mrs. Henry Brown of Columbus, Mrs. J. N. Kelly of Columbus, and Mrs. E. G. Miller of Memphis, Tenn. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and eight great great grandchildren.

Rev. Joe Jones Dead.

Cartersville, Ga., December 4.–Rev. Joseph Jones, evangelist and brother of Rev. Sam Jones, whose successful work in all parts of the country is so well known, died suddenly while sitting in a chair at the home of his brother tonight at 9 o’clock. He had been from his home to town and had stopped in to see his brother. Suddenly he began to gasp and died in a few minutes. He was in his fifty-seventh year and had been preaching fifteen years and had a forceful style on the line of his forceful brother. He went from the Methodist to the Baptist church several years ago, and had recently held a revival in Atlanta. Rev. Jones had an engagement to deliver a lecture at the opera house in Vienna, the night of the 12th, inst., on “Manhood and Womanhood.” [Source: The Vienna News, Saturday, December 6, 1902; Vol. 2 No. 50. Page 1.]

March 20, 2026

I will be adding these as I get to them.

HAZEL SELLARS HOLLAND

Date of Birth
December 26, 1909
Turner County, GA

Date of Death
December 4, 2003
Clayton County, GA.

Place and Time of Service
2:00 PM Saturday, December 6, 2003
Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home,
East Point, GA

Presiding
Elder Lloyd Blair

Interment
Saturday, December 6, 2003
College Park Cemetery
College Park, GA

OVEDA GARRETT BYERS

IN MEMORY OF
Oveda Garrett Byers

DATE OF BIRTH
May 11, 1919

DATE OF DEATH
April 28, 1982

PLACE AND TIME OF SERVICES
Brooksville Chapel
Turner Funeral Homes
10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 1, 1982

CLERGYMAN
Rev. Frazier P. Adamson

PLACE OF INTERMENT
Lake Lindsey Cemetery

ARRANGEMENTS BY
Turner Funeral Homes
Brooksville Chapel

My Family Links