Samuel “Bo” Bethea
Mr. Samuel “Bo” Bethea died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at Golden Living Center.

Mr. Bethea was born on March 15, 1929, and raised in Jefferson County.

He attended the public school and worked many different jobs.

He was the son of the late Ike and Gastie Atkinson Bethea.

He joined Pine Hill Baptist Church at an early age.

The funeral was Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Alfonsa Dawson Mortuary Inc. in Atlanta.

Survivors include his sister, Ada Lee Smith, Stapleton; brothers, Ike Bethea Sr., and his twin, Sam Willie Bethea; an aunt, Lucille Blair Atkinson, Atlanta; and several other relatives.

Announcement courtesy of Davis Funeral Home.

Willie James Gibbons
Mr. Willie James Gibbons died Friday, July 27, 2007.

Mr. Gibbons, a native of Jefferson County, was born in Bartow.

He was the son of the late David Gibbons and Pearl Thompson Gibbons. He joined Old Purvis Church of God in Christ at an early age.

The funeral was Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. at Wadley Church of God in Christ and Purvis Church of God in Christ Cemetery in Bartow.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Joey Lee Gibbons, N.Y.; eight children, Jerome Harris, Milwaukee, Wis., Harold (Jeanette) Thompson and Sammy Gibbons, Louisville, Zynefo (Odessa) Roberson, Wadley, Judy (Anthony) Adams, Marainda Heard and Larry Price, Atlanta, and Johnny Gibbons, N.Y.; one sister, Mrs. Annie (George) Price; five brothers, Dave (Sylvia) Gibbons and Ray Gibbons, Wadley, Mr. Ben Gibbons, Swainsboro, Mr. Henry (Shirley) Gibbons, N.J., and Mr. John (Jeannie) Gibbons, Milwaukee, Wis.; one brother-in-law, Charlie Ponder, Wadley; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several other relatives.

Davis Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Annie McNeely
Mrs. Annie McNeely, 92, of Wadley died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007.

Mrs. McNeely, a native of Jefferson County, was a florist in Wadley for over 40 years.

She was a member of the Wadley First United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Morning Circle, Kate Stokes Sunday School class and the Board of Stewards.

She was also the oldest female member of the church and chairman of worship committee for many years.

The funeral was Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at Wadley First United Methodist Church with Dr. Larry Sauls officiating. Burial was in the Wadley Cemetery.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Annette M. (Tom) Matthews, Manning, SC; two grandchildren, Tommy (Joy) Matthews, Manning, SC, and Andrea M. (Scott) Jersey, Louisville; a sister, Ruby Bishop, Summertown; four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Smith Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Betty Ruth Means
Mrs. Betty Ruth Means, 76, of Louisville died Tuesday, July 31, 2007.

Mrs. Means was a life-long member of Waldens United Methodist Church where she served as musician and teacher.

She was a retired teacher.

She is preceded in death by her husband Grady Means.

The funeral was Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. at Waldens United Methodist Church with Dr. Bob Martin and the Rev. Tom Edwards officiating.

Burial was at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery.

Survivors include her daughter, Karen (Nelson) Hunter; a granddaughter, Melanie Hunter; a sister, Elsie (Charlie) Davis, Avera; two brothers, Buddy (Wilma) Martin, Bartow, Fla., and Bob R. (Jama) Martin, Newnan. Pallbearers were Bryan Davis, Eddie Martin, Buford Manning, David Sheppard, Wayne Means, Terry Means and Richard Sheppard. Honorary pallbearers were Billy Lamb, Helen Brown, Jean Huddleston, Alma Williams, Helen Landrum, Linda Howard, Margaret Rooks, Gary and Diane Rhodes, Glynn and Norman Wallace, Louie and Juliette Grimaud, and T.W. and Sara Bentley.

Memorials may be made to The Lydia Project, 1321 Arsenal Ave., Augusta, GA 30904.

James Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Linda Swann Newsome Smith
Mrs. Linda Swann Newsome Smith, 52, of Gibson died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007.

Mrs. Smith, a native of Jefferson County, was a member of Waldens United Methodist Church and a homemaker.

She is preceded in death by her father Joe Braddock, and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Williford.

A memorial service was held Aug. 3 at 4 p.m. at Walden’s United Methodist Church in Avera.

Survivors include her husband, James Monroe Smith; one son, Scott (Tangy) Newsome, Lincolnton; three grandchildren, Brittany and Danielle Carson and Shelby Newsome; mother, Vivian Braddock, Gibson; three sisters, Mitzie Braddock, Gibson, Tamela (Brian) Wells, Blythe, and Nicole (Mark) Brown, Avera; and two brothers, Joe (Emma) Braddock, Avera, and Glynn (Denise) Braddock, Gibson.

Memorials may be made to the Linda Smith Memorial Fund, c/o Sheppard Funeral Home, 57 College Place, Gibson, GA 30810.

Sheppard Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Andrew Timothy Tyner Jr.
Mr. Andrew Timothy Tyner Jr. of Louisville died Tuesday, July 31, 2007.

Mr. Tyner attended Jefferson County High School.

He was a member of Hardeman Springfield Baptist Church.

The funeral was Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. at Hardeman Springfield Baptist Church.

Burial was in the church cemetery.

Survivors include his mother, Patricia Tyner of Louisville; father, Andrew Timothy Tyner Sr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; sisters, Krishayla (Eric) Simpson, Augusta, Lashun Tyner, Lakasha Tyner, and LaTasha Tyner, Louisville; maternal grandmother, Georgia Stone, Louisville; and several other relatives.

Davis Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.