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The True Citizen, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 — Page 7
OBITUARIES
Mrs. Leona Loretta Hargrove-Simpson
Retired Educator
On July 22,1943, the world was introduced to Leona Loretta
Hargrove. She was the only daughter bom from the union
of Eleanor Hargrove (Blount-
Crews) and Griffin Hargrove.
Her presence was welcomed and
brought so much joy to all of her
family. Leona's upbringing was
unique as she had the opportu
nity of being raised, not only by
her parents, but by her beloved
Grandmother, Ms .Estelle Blount
and her loving, protective aunts,
Ms.Rethema Blount (Aunt Sis)
and Ms. Hortense Blount (Aunt
Tense). These women were the
epitome of strength who molded and shaped Leona into the
strong, determined woman that she was. No obstacle stood in
her way that she didn't conquer!
At an early age, Leona accepted Jesus Christ as her per
sonal savior at Mt. Cilia A.M.E. Church in Carnegie, GA. As
a little girl after church service, she would follow the pastor
after services thus earning her the affectionate nickname of
little "Sis Rev." Her eagerness to serve and spread the word of
God at such a young age was a stepping stone for her future
endeavors and works of faith.
Leona attended public schools in Cuthbert, GA. While in
High School, her faith was strong and her desire to help people
became evident. She developed a love for nursing. After High
School, she continued her nursing studies at Albany State Uni
versity in Albany, GA upon where she received a Bachelor's
of Science in Nursing. It was during this time when she met
a handsome young soldier who was stationed at Turner Air
Lorce Base in Albany. Her passion was nursing and her court
ship didn't interfere with her studies. She was determined to
become a Registered Nurse and that goal was achieved. Then
the love story began...
On Sept. 2, 1967, Leona Loretta Hargrove gave her hand
in marriage to that handsome Air Lorce soldier, Harrison Hill
Simpson. On this day, she became Mrs. Leona Simpson. She
proudly wore that title for 56 years. The couple made their
home in Waynesboro, Ga. To this union, two sons were bom,
Darryl Howard Simpson and Damon Lamont Simpson.
Leona began her career in Waynesboro at Blakeney Junior
High as a Career Education teacher. She was transferred to
Waynesboro High School where she served for 30 years as
the first Health Occupation teacher ever in Burke County
Public Schools. She served as the head of VICA, a vocational
club where she prepped students who showed an interest
in the medical held. She also served as the school nurse at
Burke County Comprehensive High School. While working
full time as a teacher, for years Leona also worked at Burke
County Hospital as one of the first black Registered Nurses.
Her unwavering passion for nursing and helping people was
never-ending. During her time off, she served as her family
and friends’ personal nurse and medical advisor. She gave of
herself unselfishly. Lrom giving family and friends advice to
telling you just like it is, she didn't hold her tongue and would
laugh that infectious laugh of hers that brought happiness to all.
Leona served diligently in the community of Burke County.
She was an active member of the social club, The Sapphirettes,
The Retired Teachers Association, The American Legion
Auxiliary, Albany State University Alumni, and the Area on
Aging Committee through the Burke County Commissioners.
Her religious affiliation included being a faithful member and
servant of Neely Grove CME. She wore many hats at Neely
Grove and never faltered. Leona was the Superintendent of
Sunday School, a Bible School teacher, and Chairman of the
Steward Board. She gave her all to each organization and af
filiation she committed to until her health began to fail her.
Her leadership abilities did not go unnoticed. Leona received
the Georgia Retired Educators Leadership Award from Sena
tor Jesse Stone.
Leona Loretta Simpson lived her life loving and serving
God. She was a true representation of a virtuous woman with
commendable qualities that made her admirable and inspiring
to those whose lives she touched. She was trustworthy, wise, a
hard worker, compassionate, a positive influence, cared about
health, was faithful to God, and was a loving wife, mother,
grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend.
Leona's story will continue to be told by the ones she leaves
to cherish her memories: her husband of 56 years, Harrison
H. Simpson, two sons, Darryl (Deirdra) Simpson and Damon
(KeryAnn) Simpson, five granddaughters, Brittasia (Davonte)
Jenkins, Jataria (Da-Quan) Woodson, Sasha Simpson. Dalayla
Simpson, and Kendal Simpson, a special cousin Christine
(Raymond) Rice, cousins, Wanda Blount, Kurt Blount, Doug
las Blount, Anthony Blount, Jr. and Wilson Blount, three
sisters-in-law, Hazel (the late Alphonso) Andrews, Cheryl
(Maurice) Clay, and Glenda (Kenneth) Jones, five nieces,
Harriet Andrews, Ashton Jones, Pamela Simpson, Monica
Simpson, and Cherelle Clay, four nephews, Roderick Andrews,
Kenneth H Jones,Eric Simpson, and Maurice Clay II, a special
great-niece, Jadyn Andrews, a special God-Daughter,Luzzola
(Gary) Hunt, God-Grandchildren , Aaliyah and Ashley Hunt,
special friends, Joseph (Lena) War, extended family, Leleith
Martin, Karen Rennie, Sheldon DeSouza, Dianna Goulboume,
Walter Goulbourne, Lucy Manasse, Sean Andrews, Alisa
Jackson, Kingston DeSouza, Hasani and Namaari Goulboume,
2 more God-Daughters, several Great-Grands, several Great-
Nieces, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Homegoing Services for Mrs. Leona Loretta Hargrove-
Simpson will be held Saturday, May 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at
Waynesboro Deliverance Evangelistic Church, 938 Old Millen
Hwy, Waynesboro, GA 30830 with Pastor William MacLarland
officiating. Interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, 703
West 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA. The family will receive im
mediate family at Phinazee & Son Luneral Home, 404 West 8th
Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830 on Lriday,
May 26,2023 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.
Phinazee & Son Luneral Home is in
charge of services.
In lieu of flowers, please make dona
tions to the Leona Hargrove-Simpson
Scholarship Lund at Lirst National Bank,
Waynesboro, GA.
James Edward Surrsson, Jr.
John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Mr. James Edward Surrsson, Jr., 82, was born on October
9th, 1940. He transitioned from this earth on May 20th, 2023
at Piedmont Augusta Hospital.
Pamily visitation will be held
Lriday, May 26,2023 from 1 LOO-
12:00 noon and public viewing
will be held from 3:00-7:00
p.m. at Phinazee and Son Lu-
neral Home, 404 West 8 th Street,
Waynesboro, GA 30830.
Luneral services will be held
Saturday, May 27, 2023, 2:00
p.m. at El Bethel Apostolic
Church, 441 West 7th Street,
Waynesboro, GA 30830. Inter
ment will be held in the Pines
Cemetery. 711 West 6th Street,
Waynesboro, GA 30830.
Phinazee & Son Luneral Home i
in charge of the services.
Michael Middleton
Mr. Michael Middleton, 34, of
Statesboro, Georgia, entered into
eternal rest on May 19,2023. Luneral
arrangements will be announced at a
later date.
Phinazee and Son Luneral Home
will be in charge of the services.
Broadband construction
to begin January 2024
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Senator Max Bums recently
met with representatives of
both Burke County and Com
cast Corp.
Although the County con
tracted with Planters to re
mediate the broadband issue,
the State of Georgia awarded
Comcast a $16.7 million grant
to be applied to expanding in
ternet capabilities throughout
Burke County.
“The plan is to do above
ground, fiber-coaxial hybrid,”
reported County Manager
Merv Waldrop. “They are
telling us they plan on doing
the engineering between now
and December and beginning
construction in January.”
The project must be com
pleted by Lebmary 2026. Addi
tionally, the County has asked
Comcast for a quote of what
it would cost to supply fiber
optical to every home and the
cost of underground.
Governor Brian Kemp an
nounced grant awards to pro
vide service to nearly 77,000
locations in 28 counties last
January. Comcast got nearly
$67 million overall, the larg
est single winner among 12
cable, telephone and electric
cooperatives getting money in
this round.
Life in Georgia
leading up to WW1
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
The 1890s were financially
difficult times for farmers. A
major panic hit the country in
1893, followed by an economic
depression that lasted until near
the close of the decade.
According to Kenneth Cole
man in his book “A History
of Georgia,” cotton prices
plunged to less than $.05 per
pound and not until 1898 did
they exceed 7 cents. Merchants
were forced to restrict credit,
causing farmers to pay greater
attention to gardening and
livestock processes.
After the turn of the century,
cotton prices rose again and
remained high during the next
two decades. The increase in
spired more Georgians to farm
cotton. Cotton crops multiplied
from 3.5 million acres in 1900
to more than 5 million in 1916.
The United States declared
war on Germany April 16,
1917, thereby entering World
War I. Lor about two years,
Georgia’s newspapers had
been writing against the war
because of its negative impact
on the state’s economy, yet
almost overnight the media
changed their tune, becom
ing anti-German and strongly
patriotic.
President Woodrow Wilson
soon realized that volunteerism
alone could not sustain an army
capable of defeating Germany,
so on May 18, 1917, he ap
proved the Selective Draft Act
(Selective Service Act) to rem
edy the problem. All of Geor
gia’s and the nation’s eligible
men, ages 21-30, were required
to register for the draft.
The war stimulated Geor
gia’s commercial production
of corn, wheat, hay, potatoes,
tobacco, oats, peanuts and live
stock. However, cotton produc
tion increased so greatly, that
the movement for agricultural
diversification hardly made a
dent in the state’s cotton econ
omy, according to Coleman.
“Cotton culture remained
unmechanized, and few people
tried to use enlightened meth
ods of farming,” he wrote.
“Nor did the war alter those of
tenancy. By the end of the war
in 1918 most farmers lived as
they always had in unpainted
houses, traveling in wagons
over unpaved roads, lighting
their home by oil lamps, and
drawing water from wells by
hand.”
Mr. John W. Wimberly Jr., age 70 of Waynesboro, Ga. en
tered into eternal rest on Lriday May 20,2023.
Celebration of Life for Mr. Wimberly will be held on Sat
urday May 27,2023 12:00 p.m. at Bark Camp Baptist Church
1327 Magruder Rd. Midville, Ga.
Interment Church Cemetery. Visita
tion will be held on Thursday May
26, 2023 from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Chavous B. Johnson Luneral Service
885 Waters St. Waynesboro, Ga. 30830
(706)554-7843
Chavous By ohnson & Reid
Funeral <7 Home
CHANCE &HYDRICK
^i/vzclows/
Reuben Chance ■ Phil Hydrick
Locally Owned & Operated
706.790.8567
www.chanceandliydrick.com
| ^—^DcLoach —
McKerley-Prescott
FUNERAL HONE
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220 East 6th Street - P.0. Box 595
Waynesboro, GA 30830
706-554-3531
www.deloachfuneralhomes.com
Val Prescott, Steve Sirmons, Jason McKerley
Burke Memorial Funeral Home
www.burkememorial.com
“A Home o/ Dependable Seruice"
842 Liberty Street, Waynesboro, GA
Family owned 8, operated
George DeLoach
706-833-9867 or 706-551-5100
SERVING
BURKE,
RICHMOND &
SURROUNDING
COUNTIES
SINCE
1919
WE ARE PROUD TO EMBRACE TRADITIONAL VALUES AND
DIVERSITY SPECIALIZING IN HONORING THE SPIRIT AND
LIFE LIVED WITHIN THE FAMILIES WE SERVE. WE
CURRENTLY SERVE FAMILIES IN THE COUNTIES OF
BURKE, RICHMOND, COLUMBIA AND THROUGHOUT THE
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404 WEST 8TH STREET WAYNESBORO,GEORGIA 30830
OFFICE:706-554-5500 FAX:706-554-5525
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