Published: March 24, 2006 11:08 am      

February 1, 2006

Obituaries

Rebecca Eslinger

Mrs. Rebecca Lounette Eslinger, 83, of State College, PA., went to the Lord on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at the Fairways Brookline Village in State College.

Mrs. Eslinger was born June 5, 1922 in Jackson as the daughter of the late Walter D. Pope and Rebecca Knowles Pope. On December 26, 1947 she married Irvin C. Eslinger, who preceded her in death. She graduated from Jackson High School and the Federal Aviation Communication School in Atlanta. She worked for the FAA as an aircraft communicator, the Bendix Corporation, NIBCO retired from the Bayer Corporation (Miles Laboratories) in Elkart, Indiana. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Elkart, IN. She was best known for her love of people. She also enjoyed word search puzzles and talking books.

Survivors include her son, Steven Eslinger and his wife Kay, of State College, PA; stepdaughter, Margaret Mitchelson of Elkart, IN; brother, Sam F. Pope and his wife Betty, of Jackson; four step-grandchildren, Brian and Gary Mithchelsen, Lisa Etling and Julie DuVall and eight step-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one step son, Thomas Eslinger and one step-son-in-law, Glen Mitchelson, both of Elkart, IN. two sisters, Fannie Calloway and Ruth Sellers of Jackson and five brothers, John, O.B., and Walter Jr. Pope, all of Jackson, Lawrence Pope of Atlanta and Harris Pope of Thomasville. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., February 12, at the State College Evangelical Free Church, 1243 Blue Course Drive, State College, PA. A second memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. March 25, at the First Baptist Church 53953 CR 17, Bristol, IN. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at Praire Street Cemetery, Elkart, IN. In place of flowers, memorials contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church, 53953 CR 17, Bristol, IN, 46507; the State College Evangelical Free Church, 1243 Blue Course Drive, State College, PA, 16801; or The Carnegie Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped” c/o Kathleen Kappel, 4724 Baum BLVD., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213. A guest book can be signed or condolences to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com



James Grier

James Leevon Grier, 54, died Saturday, January 7, 2006 at the Sylvan Grove Hospital in Jackson.

Grier was born September 21, 1951 to the late Davie James Grier and Louise Foster Grier of Jackson. He joined the Zion Baptist Church at an early age and served faithfully on the Usher Board. He graduated from Henderson High School in 1969.

Grier joined the U.S. Army in 1969, where he served for three years. He also served in the army reserves for 21 years, receiving an honorable discharge. He was employed by General Motors in Doraville from February 2, 1972 until his retirement on August 31, 2004.

Survivors include his devoted wife, Laurette Denson Grier, two sons, Jegerrian L. Grier of Stockbridge, and Marcus J. Grier, and daughter-in-law Michelle J. Grier of Powder Springs; one grandson, Jaylin Stuart Grier of Union City; mother, Louise Grier of Jackson; two sisters, Sue Martin (James) of Atlanta, and Portia Respress (Early) of Decatur; two brothers, Eric Grier (Angela) and Ishmeal Grier, both of Jackson; mother-in-law, Lillie Mae Denson of Jenkinsburg; two sisters-in-law, Agnes Watson of Flovilla, and Ida Chambliss of Jackson; four brothers-in-law, Walter Conwell (Emma) of Monticello, Howard Conwell and Samuel Denson (Willene) of Jackson, and C.D. Denson of Jenkinsburg, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and a dedicated friend, Mr. Willie James Watson of Jenkinsburg.

Funeral services for James Grier were held Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Zion Baptist Church with Rev. R. L. Henderson officiating. The burial followed in the Rock Creek Baptist Church cemetery in Flovilla. Lewis Sims & Son of Jackson was in charge of arrangements.



Tommy Ireland

Mr. Tommy Ireland-Elijah Sun Dragon, 45, of Stone Mountain died Saturday, January 28, 2006 in Gwinnett County.

Mr. Ireland was born March 24, 1960 in Fulton County. He was a handyman and worked for a moving company. He was a happy, caring, generous Christian man who will be missed by many.

Survivors include his son, Lee McCullough of Americus; mother and step-father, Rebecca and Malcolm Copelan; sisters, Anita and Rocky Davis, Alise Copelan Futch and Alina Copelan, all of Jackson; brothers, Mac Copelan of Fayetteville, Charlie Copelan of San Diego, California, and Troy Copelan of Forsyth; aunts, many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by by his brothers, Donald and Scott Copelan.

Funeral services for Mr. Tommy Ireland-Elijah Sun Dragon will be held Thursday, February 2, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. from the Jenkinsburg First Baptist Church with Rev. Jack Pickle and Rev. Tyson Roach officiating. Friends may visit the family at the church from 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

The Sherrell, Wilson, Mangham Funeral Home of Jackson is in charge of arrangements.



James O’Neal

Mr. James Persons O’Neal, 72, of Dallas (formerly of Gwinnett County) died December, 26, 2005. He was a native of Butts County and was born on March 31, 1933 to the late William Floyd and Bessie Mae Jinks O’Neal. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Amphibian Forces. He attended the Providence Presbyterian Church in Paulding County.

Survivors include his sons, James P. O’Neal, Jr. and Billy and Karen O’Neal of Marietta, Chris and Suzette O’Neal of Powder Springs; daughter, Kelly O’Neal of Marietta, nine grandchildren, sisters, Annette Baldwin of Marietta and Jackie and Fred Hayes of Smyrna, several nieces and nephews and cousins. Nieces Linda Wall and Betsi Brooks survive him locally.

Funeral services for Mr. James P. O’Neal were held Sunday, January 22, 2006 in Dallas with Rev. John Hinkle officiating. The Cremation Society of Atlanta was in charge of arrangements.

Contributions may be made to the building fund of the Providence Presbyterian Church, 1054 Macland Road, Dallas, Georgia, 30132-5776 in Mr. O’Neal’s memory.



Ernest Washington

Ernest Franklin Washington, 88, of Magnolia Manor of Spartanburg, died on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare Center. Born March 28, 1917 in Jackson, Washington was the son of the late John Doyle and Dollie Davidson Washington and husband of the late Alice Powell Washington.

Washington grew up as a farmer, attended the National Youth Administration in Covington and retired from Arrow Automotive. He served as PFC in the U.S. Army during World War II stationed at Camp Croft where he was a furnace fireman and a truck driver. He was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. Washington was a member of the Clifton First Baptist Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Joyce Washington, two sons, Johnny Franklin Washington and friend, Rachel Gilreath of Chesnee, and Allen Wayne Washington of Los Angeles. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 28 at Bobo Funeral Chapel, and were conducted by Rev. Michael Bradley and Rev. Fae Walker. Interment will follow at Good Shepherd Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Clifton First Baptist Church, P.O. Box, Clifton, SC, 29324, or Mobile Meals, 419 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC, 29302. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bobofuneralchapel.com.



Sidney White

Mr. Sidney Alvin White, 69, of Atlanta died Friday, January 27, 2006 at the Spalding Regional Medical Center in Griffin.

Mr. White was born July 27, 1936 in Fulton County as the son of the late Malcolm Arthur White and late Bonnie Marie Allen White. He was retired from The City of Atlanta.

Survivors include his sons, Barry and Donald White; sisters, Jane Coleman and Sammy of Jackson and Jean Crane of Jackson; brother, Fred White and Betty of Jackson and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Sidney Alvin White were held Monday, January 30, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. from the Sherrell Memorial Chapel with Rev. Floyd Henderson officiating. Interment followed in the Forrest Hills Memorial Gardens in Forest Park.

The Sherrell, Wilson, Mangham Funeral Home of Jackson was in charge of arrangements.