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Thursday, March 4, 2021
The Upson Beacon
24-Hour Obituary Line
Oatt angiime - dag or night
706-648-1111
Coggins Funeral Home
321 Hannah's Mill Rd. -Thomaston - 706-647-9681
www.cogginsfuneralhome.com
Crystal Hill Monument Co.
Let us help you create a fitting
tribute to a loved one.
706-647-9685
A division of Coggins Funeral Home
Call Ryan Fulghum or Kenny Coggins
FLETCHER-DAY
funeral QtfCome
Since 1893
Obituary Line
(706) 648-0008
or go to www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com for up-to-date information
BARNESVILLE
Marble & Granite Company
Serving Middle Georgia for 112 Years
Designers
& Manufacturers of
Marble, Granite
and Bronze
Memorials
Since 1908
Owned and Operated by
George and Janice Moore
770.358.1470
124 Railroad Street • Barnesville
The Upson Beacon (ISSN or USPS 25625)
March 4,2021 - Volume 14, Number 9
Published Weekly by Upson Newspapers, Inc.
108 East Gordon Street, Thomaston, GA 30286
P: 706-646-2382
Subscription Price:
$29 Per Year in Upson County
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Postmaster:
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The Upson Beacon, 108 East Gordon Street, Thomaston, Ga 30286
Debbie McClain
Publisher & Advertising Director
dlord@upsonbeacon. com
Bridge Turner
General Manager & Managing Editor
bturner@upsonbeacon. com
Luke Haney
Graphics/Photography/Lifestyle Editor
lhaney@upsonbeacon.com
Jacob Stewart
Sports Editor & Photographer
sports@upsonbeacon.com
Jean Render
Office Manager & Human Resources
The Upson Beacon is proudly published for the citizens of Upson County by
Upson Newspapers, Inc., locally owned and operated by Debbie McClain and Bridge
Turner. Our goal is to produce quality, community-oriented publications of which our
readers can be proud. We will attain that goal through diligence, teamwork, and ded
ication to printing the truth in an accurate, fair, balanced, and objective manner.
Policies: Signed letters to the editor are welcomed and encouraged. We do not
edit for content, only grammar, spelling and punctuation when necessary, as des
ignated by Associated Press style guidelines. Unsigned, libelous, or profane letters
will not be published. Please limit letters to 400 words or less. Liability for errors in
advertising will not exceed the space occupied by the error. We reserve the right to
edit all submitted materials.
Sidney L. Beach
Sidney L. Beach was
bom Sept. 3,1941 in Talbot-
ton, Talbot County, to the
late Jeff Beach and Eunice
Bertha King Beach. He
passed over to eternity Feb.
4, 2021.
Sidney was a graduate of
Drake High School in Thom
aston. He joined the United
States Navy in June 1961,
where he served for four
years.
After the Navy he at
tended West Los Angeles
College, where he earned an
associate degree. He con
tinued his college education
at Savannah State Univer
sity, earning a bachelor’s de
gree in business
administration and eco
nomics. He went on to earn
a master’s degree in occupa
tional health and safety engi
neering at the National
University in San Diego,
Calif.
He worked as a mechan
ical engineer at Berkshire
Hathaway. He was a certi
fied Bible instructor at Be
thany Christian Bible
College in Los Angeles, Calif,
for many years. At the time
of his death, Sidney held the
elected position of soil and
water conservation district
supervisor.
Accepting Christ at an
early age, he loved the Lord
deeply, and served faithfully.
He was an active member of
Macedonia Baptist Church,
where he served and taught
Sunday school and Bible
study. He was very passion
ate about his community.
Especially those in need of a
little help. His ministry in
cluded providing food boxes
at Thanksgiving and Christ
mas.
His passion was riding
on his tractor and tending
the cattle on the farm. He
enjoyed singing and was a
member of the male choir.
Sidney enjoyed gospel
music. He treasured warm
and deep relationships and
was grateful to serve the
Upson County community.
Most of all, he loved his
family.
Sidney leaves a loving
legacy to cherish his mem
ories and celebrate his life:
his children, Frederick L.
(Lakeitha) Ellerbee of
Thomaston, Cheryl Beach
Walker of Stockbridge, Sid
ney A. (Kimberly) Beach of
Warner Robins, Jonathan
Beach of Los Angeles, Calif.,
Jason Beach of Los Angeles,
Calif, and Caleb Beach of
McDonough; siblings, two
sisters and two brothers,
Daisy Thornton of Thomas
ton, Marcia Acey of San
Diego, Calif., Rev. William H
(Rev. Earlene) Beach of
Hampton, and Arthur J.
Beach of Thomaston; his
aunt, Nettie (Charlie) King
Our staff
is"A"mazing!
We're proud to announce
we scored an A for our
Leapfrog Safety Score.
At Upson, our patients' safety is always a critical component in everything we do.
This dedication to keeping our patients safe has just been recognized with a Leapfrog Score of"A"for safety.
Patient safety and our resulting A Score means protecting our patients from errors, injuries,
accidents, and infections. And to that end, two major accomplishments we've attained are:
No Ventilator Associated Events or Hospital Acquired C.Diff cases.
Receiving such a high score makes us proud. Keeping you safe also makes us very happy.
HOSPITAL
SAFETY
FALL2020 GRADE
Funeral Notices
of Detroit, Mich.; his seven
grandchildren, Tamieka
Jones Davis, Brian Jones,
Natasha Jones, Nerissa El
lerbee, April Ellerbee, Keld-
rick Ellerbee, and Adrianna
Beach; seven great-grand
children, Brianna, Braylen,
Precious, London, and Pres
ton; and a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, dear
friends, and associates.
His beloved sister, Annie
R. (Melvin) Ellerbee, pre
ceded him in death.
His children would like
to say a very special thank
you to his brother, Arthur
Beach.
In tribute to Sidney, do
nations may be sent to King
Chatman Cherry Memorial
Scholarship Fund. He pas
sionately served on the
board of directors. The mail
ing address is as follows:
King Chatman Cherry Me
morial Scholarship Fund,
P.O. Box 432, Thomaston,
GA 30286.
Mrs. Mary
Osbolt Brannon
Mrs. Mary Osbolt Bran
non, age 96, of Thomaston,
died on Sunday, Feb. 21,
2021.
Mary was born in Ben
ton, Ala. Dec. 15, 1924. She
lived on a farm in lower Ala
bama, the daughter of a local
farm girl and a hardworking
1907 Croatian immigrant.
Later her family moved to
Thomaston, where she grew
up and lived the rest of her
life. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Wil
liam Brannon; her son, Billy
Brannon; her grandson, Tra
vis Brannon, and three
siblings.
She is survived by her
children and daughter-in-
law, Nita Brannon, Tom
(Mary) Brannon of Thomas
ton, Kenny (Eleanor) Bran
non of Wedowee, Ala.,
Donny (Karen) Brannon of
Hoschton; grandchildren,
Wendy (Troy) Brooks, Mi
chelle (Gary) Kilby, Jeff
Brannon, Bill (Stacey) Bran
non, Sam Brannon, Keeley
(Nick) Grow, Scott (Hillary)
Brannon, Rachael (Matt)
Solik, and Mitchell (Jacklyn)
Brannon.
She was a proud mother
of four boys, a loving
mother-in-law, grandmother
of nine, and great-grand
mother of 15. So many
others claim Mimi as their
second mother, an honor she
cherished. Mary was a de
voted Christian who never
wavered in her faith and love
for her church. She wor
shiped at Shiloh Baptist
Church for many years, and
then Silvertown Baptist
Church, where she sang in
the choir and supported the
soup kitchen by regularly
baking cornbread. Mary
worked for BF
Goodrich/Martha Mills for
many years. After retire
ment, she shared her many
talents and love for people as
an employee keeping records
and supporting social activ
ities at Providence Nursing
Home until she once again
retired at 80 years old. She
then regularly volunteered at
Upson Regional Medical
Center and organized class
reunions and Silvertown
Community reunions. She
loved people and people
loved her. She often hosted
bunco and bridge at her
home and is remembered by
her longtime friends as a
fierce competitor. She was
an avid fan of the Georgia
Tech Yellow Jackets and the
Atlanta Braves. Mary was af
fectionately known as Mimi
by her family and by most of
those who knew her. She had
a natural talent for making
everyone she met her family.
She was a gracious hostess
who welcomed all into her
home. Mimi was a precious
gem to all she encountered,
and a true southern woman.
She was laid to rest in a
private graveside service of
immediate family. Later this
year, all loved ones and
friends will be graciously
asked to a local celebration
of her life and an outpouring
of love from those who were
so loved by our beloved
Mimi.
While our family is
heartbroken, they know she
impacted so many lives
through her Christ led exam
ple and take comfort know
ing that she is walking with
and rejoicing in the presence
of the Lord. The family
would like to express appre
ciation to the nurses and
staff of Riverside Health and
Rehab for the love and care
given her during the last 19
months following her devas
tating stroke in 2019 and
Thomaston Hospice during
her last three weeks of fight
ing the good fight before
going home to the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, the
family asks the contributions
be made to Silvertown Bap
tist Church in her memory.
You may sign the online
guest book and share your
own special thoughts with
Mrs. Brannon’s family by
visiting the Coggins Funeral
Home website at cogginsfu-
neralhome.com.
Coggins Funeral Home
in Thomaston had the privi
lege of being entrusted with
the arrangements.
Mr. William E.
"Dick” Chambley
Mr. William E. "Dick"
Chambley, age 83, of Rob
erta died Monday, Feb. 22,
2021 at Upson Regional
Medical Center.
Mr. Chambley was born
Sept. 14, 1937 to the late
Alvah Chambley and the late
Ruby Teal Chambley. He
was formerly employed with
Warner Robins Air Force
Base where he worked as an
Aircraft Mechanic for more
than 30 years, and retired
from Timco after 20 years.
Mr. Chambley was a Mason.
He served his country in The
United States Air Force. Mr.
Chambley attended Presby
terian and Baptist churches.
In addition to his par
ents, he was preceded in
death by his wife, Sandra
Jean Chambley; and
brothers Charlie Chambley,
Allen Dean "Deelum" Cham
bley, and Rhodon Chambley.
Survivors include his
daughters, Kembley (Scott)
Lingelbach of Tarversville,
Tracy (Tim) Pancake of
Macon, and Christy Renee
Chambley of Roberta;
brother, Ronnie Chambley
of Griffin; seven grandchil
dren and 10 great grandchil
dren.
Graveside services were
held Saturday, Feb. 27, from
Crystal Hill Cemetery.
You may sign the online
guest book and share your
own special thoughts with
Mr. Chambley’s family by
visiting the Coggins Funeral
Home website at cogginsfu-
neralhome.com.
Coggins Funeral Home
in Thomaston had the privi
lege of being entrusted with
the arrangements.
Leonard Alton
Dawkins
Leonard Alton Dawkins
died March 1, 2021 at his
residence.
He was devoted to God,
his faith, and his family.
Leonard was born Sept. 9,
1936 to the late Franklin
Thomas Dawkins and Myrtle
Mae Dawkins. He was pre
ceded in death by his par
ents; his eldest sister, Mary
Dawkins Johnson (Curtis),
Pauline Dawkins Agnew
(James); his brothers, James
Franklin Dawkins (Betty),
Robert Lee Dawkins (Grace),
Paul Lamar Dawkins, and
Cleonard Albert Dawkins,
his twin.
Leonard is survived by
his sisters, Frances Dawkins
Deal (Richard) and Fairy
Dawkins Jackson (James).
He is also survived by sev
eral nieces and nephews.
Leonard never missed the
chance to celebrate birth
days and holidays with his
family.
Leonard retired from
Peachtree Orthopedics. He
received training in radiol
ogy at Grady Memorial Hos
pital before going into the
army. In the army he was de
ployed to Walter Reid Hos
pital. There he served on a
VIP medical team to treat
Presidents, former Pres
idents and First Ladies, as
well as other officials.
Leonard was a humble
man. He attended Mt. Paran
Church of God for many
years and was active in
Faithful Men. His passion
was serving his Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. His
message for everyone was,
“It is all about lifting up
Jesus.”
Leonard was called by
God to serve Him on short
term mission trips around
the world. For over 31 years
he traveled with a team to
various countries, many
times in dangerous situ
ations, to share the Word of
God. Leonard’s strength and
direction came from his un
wavering dedication to
prayer, totally trusting God,
staying in His Word and
being obedient to Him.
Leonard said of his mis
sions, “It’s been an incred
ible journey. I never
dreamed I would go into so
many countries, see so many
different cultures, and meet
so many wonderful people. I
never dreamed that I would
see the Holy Spirit move like
He has moved and is still
moving in these countries.”
There are many who
have been influenced by his
faith, his example and his
Godly devotion. His entire
life was an incredible jour
ney.
A memorial service will
be held for Mr. Dawkins
March 13 at 2 p.m. at Mt.
Paran Church.
For those who are inter
ested in making memorials,
please consider Marilyn
Hickey Ministries, a ministry
that Leonard was devoted to.
The address is P.O. Box
6598, Englewood, Colo.
80155-6598.
Carmichael Funeral
Home in Smyrna is in charge
of arrangements, carmi-
chaelcares.com.
Mr. Marion
Carey Goins
Mr. Marion Carey Goins,
81, of Thomaston, died Sun
day, Feb. 28. 2021 at his
home.
Mr. Goins was born in
Columbus July 29,1939, the
son of the late J.E. and Mary
Hand Goins. He and his
family moved to Thomaston
in 1966 and he was em
ployed as an operator for
Southern Natural Gas. He
and his wife also operated
the Country Heart Collec
tions for nine years, where
he served as chief operating
officer.
Mr. Goins was a member
of First Baptist Church and
served as a deacon. He was
also the maintenance super
visor for the church.
Mr. Goins is survived by
his wife, Betty Payne Goins;
two children, Lynda (Frank)
Jones and Marcus (Cindy)
Goins, both of Thomaston;
four grandchildren, Nathan
(Jessica) Jones, Heather
Carmona, Matthew (Helen)
Goins, all of Thomaston, and
Haylee (Bobby) Bandoji of
Franklin; and 17 great
grandchildren. He was pre
ceded in death by a
grandchild, Christopher
Frank Jones.
The family will hold a
private service at a later
date.
Memorial contributions
may be made to the First
Baptist Church TV Ministry,
208 South Church Street,
Thomaston, GA 30286.
Fletcher-Day Funeral
Home is in charge of ar
rangements. Condolences
and remembrances may be
expressed at fletcherdayfu-
neralhome.com.
Funeral Notices
Continued on Page 7A