About Upson beacon. (Thomaston, Ga.) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2024)
Page 2A UPSON BEACON ! Light & Krrping Hindi «i Wednesday, June 5, 2024 FLETCHER-DAY <3’funeral 0$€ome Since 1893 Obituary Line (706) 648-0008 or go to www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com for up-to-date information 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 24-Hour Obituary Line eUdl anytime - day or niyht 706-648-1111 Coggins Funeral Home 321 Hannah's Mill Rd. -Thomaston - 706-647-9681 www.cogginsfuneralhome.com BARNESVILLE MARBLE 8 GRANITE M COMP \Yi EST. 1908 DESIGNERS & MANUFACTURERS OF MARBLE, GRANITE & BRONZE MEMORIALS RAILROAD & MAIN STREET • BARNESVILLE 770-358-1470 WWW.BARNESVILLEMARBLE.COM. The Upson Beacon (ISSN or USPS 25625) June 5,2024 - Volume 17, Number 23 Published Weekly by Upson Newspapers, Inc. 219 Thomas Street, Thomaston, GA 30286. P: 706-646-2382 Subscription Price: $35 Per Year in Upson County $49 Per Year in State; $59 Per Year out of State Periodicals Postage Pending or Paid at Thomaston, GA Postmaster: Please send address changes to The Upson Beacon, 219 Thomas Street, Thomaston, Ga 30286 Debbie McClain Publisher & Advertising Director ■ dlord@upsonbeacon.com Bridge Turner General Manager & Editor in Chief ■ bturner@upsonbeacon.com Luke Haney Editor & Digital Media Coordinator ■ lhaney@upsonbeacon.com Kensie Adams Marketing & Sales Manager ■ kadams@upsonbeacon.com Mandi Mitcham Advertising Sales Manager ■ mmitcham@upsonbeacon.com Jean Render Office Manager & Human Resources ■ jrender@upsonbeacon.com Andrew Carroll Sports Editor ■ acarroll@upsonbeacon.com 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 dedication 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 designated by Associated Press style guidelines. Unsigned, libelous, or profane letters will not be published. Please limit letters to 400 words or less and to only two letters per month. Liability for errors in advertising will not exceed the space occupied by the error. We reserve the right to edit all submitted materials. Mrs. Lamandia Searcy Atwater Mrs. Lamandia Searcy Atwater, age 80, of High tower Street in Thomaston, passed away Friday, May 31, 2024. The family received friends at her residence. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 7, at 11 a.m. at Rising Star Baptist Church, 1010 Prater Street, Thomaston. Rev. Richo Williams is pastor and Rev. Ralph Searcy will be the eulogist. Interment will fol low in Southview Ceme tery, 942 S. Church Street, Thomaston. Mrs. Atwater was born on June 17, 1945, to Mr. Elvis Etren Searcy and Mrs. Louise Tiny Walker Searcy. She attended Mon roe G. Worthy Elementary School and Drake High School in Upson County. Raised in a Christian home, Mrs. Atwater joined Rising Star Baptist Church at age 12, where she served faithfully until her passing. She deeply cherished her church and its community. On June 6, i960, La mandia married the love of her life, Mr. Jimmy At water. They celebrated 50 years of marriage together. This union blessed them with three daughters: Shir ley Renae, Stephanie, and Kimberly. Mrs. Atwater was em ployed by Edenfield Food Service for over 20 years. She was an active member of the Mary and Martha Society and Welcome Grove Prayer 7 Lodge. Known for her elegant hats and gloves, Mrs. Atwater was always a noticeable fig ure. Additionally, she was affectionately known as "the cake lady" for her love of baking cakes. Mrs. Atwater was pre ceded in death by her par ents; her husband; her sisters, Virginia Searcy and Mazie Weaver; and brother-in-law, George Water (Laverne) of Balti more, MD. She leaves to cherish her memories: three chil dren, Shirley (Glen) Perry of Fairburn, Stephanie (Derek) Walker of Chester, Va., and Kimberly Atwater of Thomaston; four grand children, one she reared as her own, Jarret Griffin, Jo shua Perry, Jessica Perry, and Deion Walker; two great-grandchildren, Jo shua Wright and Josiah Wright; sisters and brothers, Annie Ruth Smith and Bobby (Kay) Searcy, both of Thomaston, Public Voting Notice Early Voting begins Monday, June 10, 2024 through June 14, 2024 at the Thomaston- Upson Civic Center. Hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm daily. There will no Saturday voting for this election. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is June 7, 2024. Election Day is June 18, 2024 - All Polling Precincts will be open. For more information regarding this election please contact the Elections Office at 706- 647-6259. Funeral Notices Lonnie (Dorothy) Searcy of Atlanta, Gwendolyn (San ford) Montgomery of East Point, Elvis Searcy of Thomaston, Horace Searcy of Atlanta, Dorothy Car- thon, Elaine (Tony) Walker, Naomi Wilson, and Rev. Ralph (Emma) Searcy, all of Thomaston; and a host of other relatives and friends that will miss her dearly. Bentley & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Robert Merrell "Robby" Brooks Mr. Robert Merrell "Robby" Brooks, age 68, of Thomaston, entered the gates of Heaven Sunday, May 19, 2024, at his res idence, surrounded by family. A celebration of life service was held Saturday, June 1, at Calvary's Light house Church, with Pastor Mark Mercer officiating. A memory basket will be pro vided at the church for anyone who would like to share a special memory of Robby. Robby was born June 11; 1955) in Thomaston, to the late Merrell Lewis Brooks and the late Madie Wade Brooks. He was a graduate of R.E. Lee Insti tute. After high school, he studied and became a master welder. He could fabricate anything using metal and a welding ma chine. He could often be found in his shop creating whatever his heart desired. He was employed by Thomaston Mills from 1978 until their closure in 2000. He then was em ployed by the Georgia De partment of Transportation from 2000 until his retirement in 2017. After retirement he enjoyed his passions of hunting, fishing, metal fab rication, gardening, cook ing, spending time with family, and ministering. He was very active in his church and was an or dained minister. He never met a stranger and readily shared his testimony of God's work in his life. Above all else, Robby's life was defined by sharing his joy in Christ. His absence will be felt by all who knew and loved him, and his leg acy will live on through ev eryone he touched. If you were fortunate enough to hear his testimony, you would surely be touched very deeply by the Holy Spirit that guided him. In addition to his par ents, Robby was preceded in death by his father-in- law, Frank Van Houten, and his mother-in-law, Ruby Van Houten. He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie Van Houten Brooks, and his de voted son, Shannon Brooks (Lori); three grandchil dren, Colton Brooks (Alisha), Kristen Brooks (Chris), and Matthew Brooks; four great-grand children, Madison Brooks, Camden Brooks, Riley Richardson, and Anna Kolllin Brooks; a brother, Bill Brooks (Vanessa); aunts, Marie Marshall and Martha Barfield; brother- in-law, Ronnie Van Houten (Glenda); two special nieces, Lisa Caldwell and Michele Harrell (Duane), who were excellent care givers; special cousins, Greg and Tonya Marshall, who were on the journey with us; nephew, John Van Houten ((Erika), and niece, Christy Futch. Many great nieces, great nephews, family members, and friends also survive. Robby's bonus family include Pastors Mark and Marsha Mercer; grandchil dren, Justin Mercer (Haley), Matthew Mercer, Hailey Brown (Chandler), and Maddie Mercer (Love Muffin); and great-grand children, Kinley, Kooper, Kam, Jax, Rhett Mercer, and Brantley Brown. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Thomaston Hospice for the excellent care and compassion shown to Robby and to us. In lieu of flowers, me morial contributions may be made to St. Jude Chil dren's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38205. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements. Con dolences and remem brances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneral- home.com. Mrs. Sandra Diane Franklin Herring Mrs. Sandra Diane Franklin Herring, age 81, of Thomaston, died Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Bright- moor Hospice in Griffin. Mrs. Herring was born March 28, 1943, in Thom aston, to the late Joseph Preston Franklin and the late Bessie Lenell Salter Spillers. She worked as a secretary for Dr. Gardner and attended East Thom aston Baptist Church. In addition to her par ents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Fran kie Franklin, and step father, Fred Spillers. Survivors include her husband, Henry Avery Herring of Thomaston; daughter, Sherri Lynn (Jo seph) Herring Miller of Thomaston; son, Henry Scott (Tammie) Herring of Thomaston; grandchil dren, Keith Herring, Katie (Jeremy) Bishop, Elizabeth Davis; great-grandchil dren, Hallie Kate Bishop, Alexander Herring, Ken dall Bishop, and Tripp Davis; sister, Bessie Wil liams; brother, Wayne Franklin; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 5, at 4 p.m. from Crystal Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wed nesday, June 5, from 3-4 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, me morial donations can be made to East Thomaston Baptist Church at P.O. Box 329, Thomaston, GA 30286. You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts with Mrs. Herring’s family by visiting the Coggins Fu neral Home website at cog- gin sfuneralhome.com. Coggins Funeral Home in Thomaston has the privi lege of assisting the family. Mr. Mark Lindsey Jones Mr. Mark Lindsey Jones, age 71, of Thomas ton, died Monday morning, June 3, 2024, at his res idence. In accordance with Mark's wishes, a celebra tion of life will be held at a later date. Mark was born June 12, 1952, in Thomaston, the son of the late Claude Jones and the late Eliza beth Johnson Jones. He was a 1970 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute. He was em ployed as an electrician with J.M. Clayton and L.F. Sanders until his retire ment. He was an avid fisher man and enjoyed fishing on the Flint River. Mark was a talented wood worker, with some of his many creations being acoustic guitars. He was also a private pilot and loved all things aviation. He was a loving husband, devoted father, proud papa, loyal friend, and will be forever missed by all who knew him. Mark leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 27 years, Julie M. Jones; his chil dren, Scott Jones, Dixie (Andrew) McKinney, and Ashley (Carter) Thompson; his grandchildren, Rhett Thompson, Kelsey (Jacob) Mazzara, Zachary Stock- well, Christopher (Alyssa) Stockwell, Jr., Layla Jones, and Liam Jones. In addition to his par ents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Claudia Jones. Mark loved the Flint River, and he would be pleased that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contrib utions would be sent to the Flint River Keeper, 102 Pine Avenue, Albany, GA 31701 or online at flintriv- erkeeper.org. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all ar rangements. Condolences and remembrances can be expressed at fletcherdayfu- neralhome.com. Mr. Jimmy Coulton Stripling Mr. Jimmy Coulton Stripling, age 83, of Thom aston, died Friday, May 31, 2024, at his residence. Mr. Stripling was born Jan. 5, 1941, in Tifton, to the late J.C. Stripling and the late Eddie Sue Wynn Stripling. He worked as a mechanic, and for Colonial Bread Company for over 20 years, and was known as the "Bread Man." He was a member of Fellow ship Baptist Church. In addition to his par ents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley Baldree and Nadine Hooks. Survivors include his daughters, Tina (Dwight) Smith and Ginger (Jackie) Smith; grandchildren, Brandy (Jimmy) Hansen, Jimmy (Samantha) Wil liamson, and Corey Thomas; and great-grand children, Brody Yates, Brynlee Yates, and David Williamson. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 4, from Fellowship Baptist Church. Burial followed at Fellow ship Baptist Church Ceme tery. The family received friends Monday, June 3, from Coggins Funeral Home. You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts with Mr. Stripling’s family by visiting the Coggins Fu neral Home website at cog- gin sfuneralhome.com. Coggins Funeral Home in Thomaston has the privi lege of assisting the family. See Funeral Notices, 8A
