Mary Rhodes Bagwell
Ms. Mary Rhodes Bagwell, 95, of Buford died Friday, Jan. 16, 2004.

Ms. Bagwell, a native of Bartow, taught public schools in Fulton County for 50 years. She was a graduate of Andrews College and Oglethorpe University and was a member of Duluth First Baptist Church where she served as pianist.

The funeral was Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. at Duluth First Baptist Church. Burial was in Duluth City Cemetery.

Survivors include a son, Jack Bagwell, Greenville, SC; a daughter, Carolyn Allen, Buford; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Bill Heal Funeral Home Duluth Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.


Annie Battle
Mrs. Annie Battle, 88, of Wadley died Friday, Jan. 16, 2004, at Jefferson Hospital.

Mrs. Battle, a lifelong resident of Wadley, was a homemaker. She was a member of Wadley United Methodist Church, Morning Circle, Kate Stokes Sunday School class and an honorary member of the Administrative Board.

The funeral was Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at Wadley First United Methodist Church with Dr. Larry Sauls officiating. Burial was in the Wadley Cemetery.

Survivors include her son, Wayne (Rebecca) Battle, Wadley; a daughter, Joanne (Bill) Blount, Meridian, Miss.; three sisters, Florence Masters, White Plains, NY, Marjorie Stevens, Wadley, and Roslyn Dobbs, McDonough; four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were grandsons and great-grandsons.

Memorials may be made to the Baptist Cemetery Fund, c/o Donna Lamb, P.O. Box 879, Wadley, GA 30477.

Smith Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.


Johnny M. "Big Red" Brown
Mr. Johnny M. "Big Red" Brown, 55, of Wrens died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004.

The funeral was Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. at Lofton AME Church with the Rev. Leroy Britt Sr. officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Survivors include his mother, Lucile Thompson-Brown; brothers, Eddie Hue Brown, Phil Brown and Gregory Brown; and sisters, Martha Jean Thomas-Goodson, Margaret Flournoy and Beverly Wilson.

Freeman Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.


Joseph Thomas "Tommy" Jackson Jr.
Mr. Joseph Thomas "Tommy" Jackson Jr., 42, of Jesup died Friday, Jan. 16, 2004.

Mr. Jackson was a former automobile mechanic. He was a 1980 graduate of Screven County High School and attended Ogeechee Tech in Statesboro. He had formerly served in the Georgia Air National Guard.

Graveside services were held Jan. 18 at 2:30 p.m. in the Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. James Carter officiating.

Survivors include a daughter, Crista Jackson, Anacoco, La.; his parents, Joe and Hilda Jackson, Louisville; a brother, Gary Jackson Sr., Jesup; a sister, Debbie Largen, Rock Hill, SC; maternal grandparents, Joe and Polly McSwain, Rock Hill; and several other relatives.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home, Jesup, was in charge of the arrangements.


Bert Norris
Mr. Bert Norris died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004.

Mr. Norris, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was the son of Bert Norris and Dorothy Morgan Norris. He was the founder of Security Fence Company and a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church and Green Meadows Golf Club.

The funeral was Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. at Elliott Sons Funeral Home, Lumpkin Road Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Gordon Robinson officiating.

Survivors include his wife, Catherine H. Norris; his sons, Ronald B. (Arlene) Norris, Amelia Island, Fla., Donald E. (Brenda) Norris, Athens, W. Alan (Arlene) Norris, Martinez, Joseph S. (Christy) Norris, Grovetown; a daughter, Saundra (Curtis) Marquis, Glen Rose, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

Elliott Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.


Lorenzo Thomas Sr.
Mr. Lorenzo Thomas Sr., 53, of Wrens died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, at Jefferson Hospital.

Mr. Thomas was a native of Jefferson County but lived in Florida for several years before returning to Jefferson County.

The funeral was Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. at Wrens Seventh Day Adventist Church with Elder Henry Lewis officiating.

Survivors include his children, Tammie Thomas and Lorenzo Thomas Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and David Thomas, Athens; his father, David Thomas Sr., Ft. Lauderdale; siblings, Willie Mae Thomas, Willie Thomas, Lillie Thomas and Harry Thomas, Louisville, Larry Thomas, Waynesboro, K.C. Thomas, Johnny Lee Thomas, Rosie Thomas, Jimmy Thomas and Jessie Thomas, Wrens, Katie T. Green, Hephzibah, Robert Thomas and Essie Hales, Wadley; seven grandchildren; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Davis Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.