Jeanne B. Fessenden

Columbus, Ga.

Jeanne B. Fessenden, 81, passed away on Sat., Dec. 10, 2016.

The burial service and Eucharist will be held at 2 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 17, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Prior to the service, a private interment of ashes will be in the St. Thomas Columbarium. All guests are invited to a reception in the St. Thomas Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

A loving, devoted, and generous daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she shared her faith, talents and heart with everyone she met.

She was born Mabel Jeanne Binion Oct. 4, 1935 to the late William Thomas Binion and Mabel Hoskin Binion in Brewton. She graduated from T. R. Miller High School in 1953.

She studied the next four years at the University of Alabama, receiving a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She later received a master of arts in education from Alabama. She played clarinet in the Million Dollar Band from 1953 to 1956 at the University, where she met her future husband, Charles Arthur Fessenden. She was also a member of Delta Gamma Sorority.

After graduation, she began teaching in Montgomery. She and Chuck were married on June 7, 1958, and had two daughters, Laura Jeanne Fessenden in 1963, and Julia Anne Fessenden in 1966. After moving to Columbus, Ga., in 1967, she began teaching at East Highland Elementary School, where she taught until it was closed and demolished. She began teaching in the program for gifted students and remained with that program until her retirement in 1998.

She was an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an International Honorary Teachers’ Sorority, for more 50 years and was still a member at her death.

In 1997, she was honored as one of WTVM’s Special Friends. She was also honored as one of five women by the Columbus Branch of The National League of American Pen Women.

She was actively involved with Odyssey of the Mind (an International Program of Creative and Problem-Solving students from Kindergarten through college) coaching teams from 1988 through 2000. Many of her teams went on to compete at World Finals held on various college campuses around the United States. After retiring, she became the State Director of Odyssey of the Mind, an organization she continued to support as an active board member until 2015.

She and her husband loved to travel. They visited all 50 states, Europe and China. Her love for National Parks took them to many places; visiting two-thirds of the Parks over the years.

She was a volunteer at the Springer Opera House for more than 25 years. She also volunteered at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, receiving a plaque in December 2012 for over 2,000 volunteer hours of service. She was a long-time volunteer with the Wynnton Neighborhood Network as well.

She was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and served as an usher and Lay Eucharistic Minister.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and only sibling, her brother William Thomas Binion Jr.

Survivors include Chuck, her husband of 58 years; two daughters, Laura Ruffner (Sam) and Julia Slater (Steve); and four grandchildren, whom she adored, Hayley Walker, Winston Walker and twins Stephen and William Slater.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church (2100 Hilton Avenue, Columbus, GA 31906) or to the Fessenden Fund, a scholarship established by Georgia Odyssey of the Mind in memory of Jeanne (Checks payable to Georgia Odyssey of the Mind, memo: Fessenden Fund, 1216 West Lakeshore Drive, Dalton, GA 30720.

Laura Jo Dailey Hataway

Shiloh, Ill.

Laura Jo Dailey Hataway, 83, passed away peacefully Fri., Dec. 9, 2016.

Funeral services will take place at 3 pm on Fri., Dec. 16, 2016 at Pollard Methodist Church in Pollard, followed by burial at Hillcrest Cemetery with the Rev. Tony McCullough officiating.

She was born on May 24, 1933, in Pollard, to Birdie Fuller and James Marvin Dailey II. She was also the granddaughter of Laura Kelly and James Marvin Dailey.  She is preceded in death by a brother, James Marvin Dailey III; and a sister Anne Hale Brown.

Known for her sweet disposition and southern accent, she lived at Cedarhurst of Shiloh in Illinois.  She enjoyed getting to know fellow residents, playing bingo and participating in seasonal activities.  She was a prayerful woman, who loved the Lord with all her heart.  She was married for 64 years to Wilton T. “Moose” Hataway, who passed away in June 2015.  The two met in high school and lived in married student housing at Auburn University.  When Moose joined the U.S. Air Force as a civilian engineer, they would spend the next 47 years on assignments at various bases. They had seven children.  She loved to sew, read, and cook, making everything from scratch, even salad dressing.

She is survived by sons, George (Debbie) Hataway of Gulfport, Miss., Joel (Susan) Hataway of Lee’s Summit, Mo., John (Aisha) Hataway of Shiloh, Ill.; daughters, Laura Anne (Joe) Smith of Bowling Green, Mo., Leah (Bill) Gleason of Elmhurst, Ill., Linda (Dan) Findley of Destin, Fla., and Lisé Hataway of Windermere, Fla.; as well as grandchildren, Jacob, Bella and Maya Hataway; Jaime, Lucie and Alan Gleason; Allison Hataway; Andrew Hataway; Katherine (Nick) Becchina; Wesley Shumack; Jennifer (Jason) Weber; and Cassie Zingery; as well as sister, Carolyn Watson (Joey) Liles of Pensacola, Fla.; and sister-n-law, Sue Richards Dailey of Fairhope.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of choice.

Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.

Jerry Louis Garrett

Brewton

Jerry Louis Garrett, 61. of Hwy. 41, passed away Mon., Dec. 5, 2016, at a family member’s resident of after a brief illness.

He was a native and life long resident of Brewton. He was of the Baptist faith, served in the Army National Guard, and was a mechanic. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and cooking.

He is survived by his mother, Georgie Little Garrett of Castleberry; wife, Starline Sullivan of Brewton; three daughters, Jaimie Garrett of McKenzie, Michele Blackburn of Flomaton and Shannon Garrett of Brewton; four brothers, George (Linda) Garrett, Jr. of Foley, and Chester Garrett, David Garrett and Timmie Garrett, all of Castleberry; one sister, Judy Miniard of Georgiana; and five grandchildren, Christina Robinson, Tyler Robinson, Jadin Harper, Cade McCarley and Garrett McCarley.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Garrett; and a brother, Ricky Garrett.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Mary Agnes Halford McKissack

Orange Park, Fla.

Mary Agnes Halford McKissack, 84, of Orange Park, passed away Tues., Dec. 6, 2016, in a Jacksonville, Fla. nursing facility after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Tues., Dec. 13, at noon at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Avon Fowler officiating. Interment followed in Bradley Church Cemetery, in the Bradley Community with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

She was a wonderful wife, mother and homemaker who spent her life devoted to God, her family and her home. She was a very sweet and kind-hearted person who cherished life. Her favorite times were spent with her husband and her family. She also enjoyed cooking, an occasional fishing trip, gospel singings and tending to flowers and gardens she and Lamar had a knack for growing. She passed peacefully after several years battling Alzheimers. She is loved and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by two sons, Grady Lamar McKissack Jr. (Stella) of Kansas City, Mo., and Bart McKissack (Jodi) of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Jean Gibbs of Brewton and Edna Owens (Jerry) of Pensacol, Fla.; a brother, Ed Halford (Bonnie) of Cantonment, Fla.; and three grandchildren, Lauren McKissack, Haley McKissack and Kara McKissack, all of Jacksonville.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Grady “Lamar” McKissack; and a sister, Patricia Ann Halford Harrelson.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Eula Travis-Culliver

Brewton

Eula “Eula Mae” Travis-Culliver, died Dec. 3, 2016, at a local hospital.

Funeral services were held Sat., Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at Baptist Hill Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Eric T. Andrews and the Rev. Bruce McCreary officiating. Burial followed at Old Spring Hill Cemetery with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.

She was born in Brewton, to the late Annie Aggie-Travis and late George Travis. She confessed her life to Christ at an early age and united with Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church in Brewton.

She attended Boykin High School in the Boykin community. In her 10th grade year her family moved to New Orleans, La., where she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School.

After the completion of her graduation, her true love, Jerry, asked her to take his hand in marriage and he pursued on with his military career with the support of his wife.

During many travels and tours in the military, she was able to experience many people, cultures and was blessed to explore the world.

After having her last child she decided to take up a trade of her own and studied Positive Psychology and attended the University of Missouri.

She worked at L-S Incorporated in Ft. Benning, Ga., for more than 10 years and decided to resign after learning of the sickness of her mother. She took care of her dear mother until the day of her demise.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Culliver in 2007; son, Jerry Andre Culliver in 2011; and a daughter, Annie Pauline Culliver in 2014. She was also preceded in death by her parents, George and Annie Travis; sisters, Cora Lee White, Irene Coleman, Cora L. White and Jacqueline Jones; brothers, Roosevelt Travis and George Travis Jr.; and a special nephew, Kenny White.

Cherishing her life and memories are her loving sister, Bertha Jones of New Orleans, La.; devoted daughters, Carol Ann Smith (Eric) of Birmingham, and Stephanie McGhee (Ronald) of Tampa, Fla.; three loving sons, Joseph Culliver (Stephanie) of Homerville, Freddie Culliver and Malcom Culliver (Shondra), both of Columbus, Ga.; a devoted niece, Janice White of Brewton; a dear mother-in-law, Pauline Culliver of Brewton; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Elbert Lee Chambers Sr.

Brewton

Elbert Lee Chambers Sr. was born May 19, 1922 in Brewton, to the late James and Sophronia Chambers.

Funeral services were held Tues., Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. at First St. Siloam Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul D. Lee officiating. Burial followed at Baptist Hill Cemetery with Presley Fluker Funeral Home directing.

He grew up in Pollard, confessed Christ at an early age and joined St. Peter Baptist Church in Pollard. He was educated in the Oak Grove-Pollard School System. At the age of 19 he was inducted into the United States Army on Jan. 9, 1942 at Fort McClellan and he was honorable discharged from military service at Camp Claiborne, La., at the rank of Private, Co ‘A’ 1st Provisional Training Battalion, Engineer Unit Training Center.

On November 15, 1946 he married Ida Mae Farrish Chambers (deceased). They were married for 64 years.

He drove trucks for the City of Brewton for 25 years before he retired in June of 1987. Before that he worked in logging.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

He leaves to cherish his memories five daughters and two sons, Ella (Rollie) Holmes, Rosie Chambers, Clara Chambers, Edna (Aaron) Anderson, Mary (Rodney) Gantt, Elbert Chambers Jr. and Albert (Allison) Chambers; one sister, Margaret Bailey; three sisters-in-law, Pearlie F. Ruffin, Gustine Chambers and Frances Chambers; one brother-in-law, Herman Farrish; grandchildren, Tammy Howard, Richard Howard, Michael Howard, Brandon Chambers, Whitney Chambers, Mar Keif Wright, Bryant Chambers, Aaliyah Anderson and RodneySha Gantt; great grandchildren, Asia Davis, Precious Howard, Randi Kemp and RodneySha Gantt; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Lamar Eugene Stowers

Brewton

Lamar Eugene Stowers, 85, of McGougin Road of Brewton passed away Mon., Dec. 5, 2016, at his residence after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Fri., Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Zion Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Gerald Burch and the Rev. Jim Blair officiating. Interment followed in Zion Hill Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

He was a native of Castleberry, and a life long resident of Brewton. He was a member of the Zion Hill Baptist Church where he was active and had many church activities. He was a retired crane operator from Jefferson Smurfit with 35 years of service.

He is survive by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn O’Farrell Stowers of Brewton; two sons, Elton Stowers and Ronald (Dianne) Stowers, both of Brewton; daughter, Corrie (Randy) Pittman of Brewton; brother, Royce Lee Frederick of Brewton; six grandchildren, Matthew Colvin, Blake Colvin, Patrick Stowers, Heath Pittman, Elton Stowers, Jr., and Julee Stowers; and six great grandchildren, Brooke Pugh, Ethan Pugh, Roux Pittman, Towen Pittman, Alyssa Jeffries and Sean L. Stowers .

He is preceded in death by brother, Charles Miniard; sister, Phyllis Lizenby; and granddaughter, Amelia Pugh.

Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

Patricia A. Smith

Pensacola, Fla.

Patricia A. Smith, 78, of Pensacola, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Sun., Dec. 11, 2016. She was born in Gilbert, La., and was employed as a Childcare Giver for more than 30 years.

She attended First Presbyterian Church in Brewton.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Joseph Casey; mother, Vera Agnes Casey; husband, Raymond E. Smith; sister, Linda Casey Rigdon; and granddaughter, Jennifer A. Mullen.

She is survived by her son, John B. Smith (Kimberly); daughter, Linda A. Smith; four grandchildren, Heath, Michelle, Noah and Samuel; and three great grandchildren.