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About Jackson herald. (Jefferson, Jackson County, Ga.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2023)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 THE JACKSON HERALD PAGE 11A Obituaries Patricia Stanley Bennett WINDER — Patricia Stanley Bennett, 89, Winder, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Pat was bom October 30, 1933, in Kathleen, Florida, arriving into this world as the fourth daugh ter of five in a row with one brother to follow. She moved with her family to Pensacola during World War H. It was there in the War rington area where she met her future husband, Floyd. They were nine years old and quickly became third grade sweethearts. Pat and Floyd lived an endless love story as witnessed by their children, family members, and all their friends. They were married on June 30, 1951, at the Warrington Baptist Church. Later, along with both sets of family members, they became charter members of the Beach Haven Baptist Church, where both Pat and Floyd served in leadership roles. It was in 1952 that Pat and Floyd welcomed their first child, Diane. Ricky was bom a year and a half later. Four years after that, Cathy joined the party. Pat was a great cook, a tireless loving mother and captain of the household. The young family moved to Miami, Florida in 1961. Besides the busy job of raising a family, during this time Pat joined a league and became an avid bowler. She also learned to create beautiful ceramics at a near by city park. She so enjoyed entertaining loads of fam ily and friends who would visit them in Miami. Being her mother’s child, Pat wanted to be with her mother as often as possible so that meant the family would often travel the nearly 700-mile journey back to Pensacola for a weekend. But her greatest pleasure was spending cherished evenings with her Floyd in the Florida room. Floyd’s job took him to Atlanta in 1969. Pat and the kids followed. Pat was supremely happy to be out of the crowded south Florida city and move back to what they called “God‘s Country”. Floyd was bom near Gainesville and had many fam ily members living near them, so the constant flow of visiting and entertaining did not slow down for Pat. Pat was proud to volunteer at her local hospital and she also assisted in teaching kindergarten children. The four years Pat and Floyd lived in north Georgia, were among Pat’s favorite years of her life. Ever the opti mist, ever the happy one, ever strong and resilient, Pat was always the greatest blessing to her husband and children. Eventually, Floyd’s work took them to Brandon, Florida, where they lived for more than 20 years. Pat saw many good years in Brandon, living about 20 miles from Kathleen, Florida, where she spent her ear ly years. Pat and Floyd developed a great desire to research their ancestral history. She provided proof which earned her membership in the Daughters of the Amer ican Revolution (DAR) and went on to prove she had an ancestor who came to America on the Mayflower. It was during this time that Pat served as the chairper son of the Florida Pioneers Descendants Committee of the Florida State Genealogical Society. In this role, she helped others prove they were ancestors of original Florida Pioneers. Of course, Floyd and Pat toiled in this work together. They also traveled often as they researched their an cestry. They spent a good bit of time and some amount of money cleaning up and restoring gravestones in var ious cemeteries. Another obsession that Pat and Floyd shared is Sacred Harp music, specifically Fa So La, which is a time-honored American singing style. Eventually they moved to their lovely new home in Winder. Once again, they were so near to family and Floyd’s ancestral home. Pat is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters; and her husband of 63 years, the love of her life, Floyd Newman Bennett. She is survived by her children, Patricia Diane Ben nett Frederick (Frank), Hoschton, Floyd Richard Ben nett (Frankie), Bay Springs, Mississippi, and Cath erine Marie Bennett, Pensacola, Florida; her brother, Howard Floyd Stanley, Cleveland; her grandchildren, Richard Ellis Bennett (Allie), Charles Howard Fred erick (Sarah), Jonathan Stanley Bennett, Micki Ellen Bennett Atkinson (Andy) and David R. Creach (Ash ley); and great-grandchildren, Cort Augustine Bennett, Catherine Julita Creach, Alice Olivia Atkinson, Dakota Ellis Bennett and Asher Eutaw Atkinson. Funeral service: Saturday, May 13,2023, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Reverends Lowell Brown and Andy Atkinson officiating. The burial will follow in the Walnut Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers are Rich- aid Bennett, Charles Fredrick, Jonathon Bennett, Da vid Creach, Andy Atkinson and Daniel Brown. Family to receive friends: Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 12 until 1 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia. Online condolences at www.evans- funeralhomeinc.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of May 14-20 Esta Merle Jordan Booth DANIELSVILLE — Esta Merle Jordan Booth, 92, Danielsville, passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Comer Health and Rehabilitation Center in Comer. Mrs. Booth was bom in Danielsville, on June 5, 1930, daughter of the late Oscar Jordan and the late Susie Powers Jordan. She was a supervisor having worked at Boaz and was a member of Bluestone Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Andy Powers Booth. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Kerry and Bobbie Jean Booth, Danielsville, Mike Booth, Comer, and Steve and Connie Booth, Dan ielsville; sister, Clara Bond, Danielsville; five grand children and five great-grandchildren. Graveside service: Monday, May 15, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the Bethel M. Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Doug Conwell officiating. Pruitt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.pmittfhroyston.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of May 14-20 Wayne Thomas Crane HARLEM — Wayne Thomas Crane, 78, Harlem, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Wayne graduated from Banks County High School as the first four- year letterman in bas ketball in 1962 and held numerous school awards for decades. After high school, he joined the Air Force then attended Tam pa College. Mr. Crane served four years in the United States Air Force and was honor ably discharged as an airman. During his time as a military police officer, he earned the distinction of an expert marksman. He worked for over 30 years with Delta Airlines in ground operations, winning numerous customer service awards, and was honored in their flight maga zine. While employed with Delta, he proudly earned his pilot’s license in his 30s. He was an armored car courier for Brinks and worked as a detective for then- high value shipments, assisted in receiving gold ship ments for the roof of the Georgia State Capitol Build ing. Wayne was a courier for the CNN Presidential Press Pool for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. His company, C&W Trucking, handled all of CNN press equipment for both of their inaugurations. Papa enjoyed salmon fishing and bird and nature watching. In his younger years he played tmmpet at church services and for his family and friends. Papa thoroughly enjoyed spending treasured times with his family. He was a “lovable Grump” who will be deeply missed. Mr. Crane was preceded in death by his parents, Taradell and Paul Crane; and brothers, Billy Crane, Bunion Crane and Cecil Crane. Papa is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jayne Cochran Crane; two children, Audrey Jayne (Jerry) Dickerson and Lt. Colonel Anthony Wayne (Mere dith) Crane, United States Air Force; grandchildren, Daniel Lant (Rebekah) Dickerson, MacKenzie Leigh Dickerson, Donald Wayne Dickerson, Lauren Taylor Crane and Ethan Wayne Crane; great-grandchildren, Oliver Malcolm Dickerson and Emerald Zoey-Grace Dickerson; sister, Charlotte Crane Payne; as well as other beloved extended family members and dear friends. Funeral service: Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Harlem Baptist Church. Interment will be held at a later date at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Ceme tery in Milledgeville. Family to receive friends: Tuesday, May 16, 2023, from 10-11 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Harlem Baptist Church Pre-K in Papa’s memory. Starling Funeral Home, Harlem, is in charge of ar rangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of May 14-20 Sybil Marybelle “Big Bossy” Watkins Highfield LULA — Sybil Marybelle “Big Bossy” Watkins Highfield, 86, Lula, entered rest Tuesday, May 9, 2023. With her loving family by her side our mama, gran ny, big bossy, your heiness and Syb, the few names she was called, met daddy at their heavenly home Tuesday morning, May 9, 2023, at 1:10 a.m. Mama was her happiest cooking Sunday lunch for her fam ily, working at the community center and watching the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Braves. We prob ably should have listed Trae and Acuna Jr. as a sib ling. Her 14 grand and 12 great were another shining light for her and she kept up with all 26 of them. She always knew which ones were missing at the family gatherings. Go rest high granny, your work is done. We will do our best to carry on the tradition you and daddy taught us. Mrs. Highfield was born in Maysville, a daughter of the late George Turner Watkins and the late Essie Jane Brown Watkins. Mrs. Highfield was a member of Harmony Hall Baptist Church and worked as a receptionist for Hall County Parks and Lei sure. In addition to her par ents, Mrs. Highfield is preceded by her husband of 68 years, Ernest Willie Highfield Jr.; all her siblings, Reba Thompson, Virginia Moore, Dot Kent, Nita Watkins, Buck Watkins and Doug Watkins; and a grandson, Owen Sudderth. Survivors include five daughters, Sherry Smith, Charlene Gazaway (Doug), Sharon Davidson (Tony), Sheila Armstrong (Ken) and Shauna Sudderth (Rus sell); two sons, Darren Highfield (Michelle) and Keenan Highfield (Kim); grandchildren, Heath Smith (April), Taylor Duncan (Graham), Jeremy Gazaway (Sarah), Caleb Davidson (Cayla), Cody Davidson (Casey), Chelsie Stinson (Kyle), Sam Highfield (Leslie), Drew Highfield, Austin Schirtzinger, Anna Wise (Josh), Bailey Armstrong (Grant), Andrew Armstrong and Evan Sudderth; great-grandchildren, Ty and Colton Smith, Theo Duncan, Cayde and Mila Davidson, Kennadi, Avaleigh and Haylee Stinson, Charleston and Collins Davidson, Oliver Roper and Baby Highfield. Funeral service: Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Reverends John Kinsey and Tommy Hunt officiating with burial in the Unity Christian Church Cemetery. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers are Sam Highfield, Caleb Davidson, Cody Davidson, Evan Sudderth, Drew Armstrong, Heath Smith, Drew Highfield, Jer emy Gazaway and Nick Harkins. Honorary pallbear ers will be Kyle Stinson, Graham Duncan and Grant Simonds. Family to receive friends: Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 2-4 and 5-7 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home. Flowers are optional, memorials may be made in memory of Mrs. Sybil Watkins Highfield to Harmo ny Hall Baptist Church, 4160 Mangum Mill Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30507. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condo lences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of May 14-20 Mark Alan Rickman AUBURN — Mark Alan Rickman, 61, Auburn, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023. A son of the late Hugh N. and Geneva Herriman Rickman, he was bom February 7, 1962 in Atlanta. Mr. Rickman was employed with Arrow Exterminat ing. Surviving are siblings, Rhonda (Larry) Hewatt, Auburn, and Michael (Pat) Rickman, Woodstock; two nephews, Nicholas Hewatt, Auburn, and David Rickman, Acworth; and two uncles, Forrest Allred, Braselton, and Anthony Upchurch, Lawrenceville. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Carter Funeral Home of Winder, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.carterfhwinder.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of May 14-20 Judy Kay Watrous Judy Kay Watrous, 74, passed away on Tuesday, May 9,2023. Judy was the daughter of the late Elmer and Fran ces Garrett Giles. Judy was preceded in death by her husband Clifford “Cliff’ Edward Watrous Sr. Judy was retired from the Barrow County School System as a teacher. Survivors include her children. Clifford Edward Watrous Jr. and Christine (Mark) Whiddon; sister, Connie (Ricky) Hopper; grandchildren, Emily (Ca leb) Murphy and Matthew Whiddon; great-grandchild, Mason Murphy; niece, Trade Hopper; nephew, Shane (Ashley) Hopper; and great-nieces, Finley and Fallon Hopper. Graveside service: Thursday, May 11,2023, at 3 p.m. at Barrow Memorial Gardens. Family to receive friends: Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Health Care. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, has charge of arrange ments. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of May 14-20
