Obituaries
Albany Area

Elizabeth Allen

ALBANY — Elizabeth Allen, 73, of 613 Heard Ave., died Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements to be announced.

M.L. King Funeral Directors
Albany 229/435-4813

Benny P. Giafaglione

LEESBURG — Mr. Benny P. Giafaglione, 77, of 221 Willow Lake Dr., in Leesburg, GA, died Thursday, July 3, 2008 at Lee County Health Care.

Funeral services will be Wednesday 10 a.m. at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Ray Levreault officiating. Interment will follow in Crown Cemetery with military honors.

A native of Philadelphia, PA, Mr. Giafaglione has lived in Albany 32 years where he was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, 52 year 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and worked 10 years civil service at Albany Marine Corp. Logistics Base. Mr. Giafaglione proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict and Vietnam retiring with 23 years of service. He also was a member of the Air Force Sgt.’s Association, American Legion and VFW.

Survivors include his dear wife of 51 years, Maris Giafaglione of Leesburg; his loving children, Marisa Harvey and her husband, Bill of Brunswick, GA, Richard Giafaglione and his wife, Sofia of Jacksonville, NC, Amy Cox and her husband, Billy of Columbus, GA and Linda Netherton and her husband, Jeff of Tallahassee, FL; the joy of his life his grandchildren, Jacob Cox, Katelyn Giafaglione, Samantha Giafaglione, Richard Giafaglione, Daniel Giafaglione, Grace Netherton and Lillith Netherton; brother, Vincent Giafaglione and his wife, Dot of Philadelphia, PA; sister, Rita Cozzo of Marlton, NJ; sister-in-law, Dolly Giafaglione of Cherry Hill, NJ; brothers-in-law, Randal and Malcolm Martin and his wife, Doreen of the UK; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Salvatore Giafaglione and sister, Frances Grosso.

There will be a rosary service Tuesday 6:00 p.m. at Kimbrell-Stern with visitation to follow until 8:30 p.m..

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus Charities, 2009 Gillionville Rd., Albany, GA 31707.

You may sign the online guestbook and share your own special thoughts with the family of Mr. Giafaglione by visiting Kimbrell-Stern’s website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors
Albany 229/883-4152

Lawrence E. Shirley

SYLVESTER — Lawrence E. “Larry” Shirley, 51, of Sylvester, died Friday, July 4, 2008 at his residence.

A memorial service will be held at the Banks Funeral Chapel on Monday at 11 a.m.. The remains were cremated and will be interred in Davenport, Iowa. Dr. Ben Bush and friends will speak.

Born in Davenport, Iowa on April 5, 1957, Mr. Shirley was the service manager for Steadley’s Transmission in Leesburg. He enjoyed boating, fishing and photography.

Survivors include a daughter, Sarah E. Shirley of Roswell; parents, Dr. Joseph Carlton and Sue P. Shirley of Sylvester; brother, Daniel Joseph Shirley (Bethina) of Dallas, GA; sister, Gail Diane Shirley of Winston Salem, NC; sister-in-law, Patsy Shirley of Albany; fiancee, Pamela Berson of Sylvester; former wife, Debbie Shirley of Valdosta; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Shirley was preceded in death by his brothers, James Mark Shirley and David Michael Shirley and a son, Matthew Carl Shirley.

The family will receive friends today (Sunday) from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Banks Funeral Home.

Banks Funeral Home
Sylvester 229/776-2055

Sheryl Koch Wingate

ALBANY — Sheryl Koch Wingate, of Albany, died Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at her residence.

The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors Monday from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and will follow at the residence of Mrs. Patricia Koch her sister’s house at 1906 Lynwood Ln. Albany, GA 31707.

A native of Bowden, GA, Ms. Wingate was born to Thurston Crawford and Colleen Currie Crawford. She had lived in Albany for the past 30 years. Ms. Wingate was an avid Bingo player at the Moose Lodge and loved to spend time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents and Robert “Bobby” Graham Koch.

Ms. Wingate is survived by her daughter, Tiffany Koch Newell of Leesburg; a son, Rodney Brian Casey and his wife, Christi of Sylvester; two brothers Bill Crawford and Greg Crawford; five grandchildren, Leslie Casey, Logan Casey, Kayla Tucker, Kameron Newell, and Brooks Collins; six brothers and sisters, Rosemary Currie, Greg Currie, Jeff Currie, Phillip Currie, Karen Whitten, and Patricia Koch; her mother and father-in-law, Mary and Lewis Ailstock of Tallahassee; and a host of other family members in Tallahassee.

Those desiring make memorial contributions to the family, c/o Tiffany Newell, 111-B Henrietta Ct., Leesburg, GA 31763.

You may sign the online guestbook and share your own special thoughts and memories with the family of Ms. Wingate by visiting Kimbrell-Stern’s website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors
Albany 229/883-4152

David Thomas Wright

ALBANY — David Thomas Wright, 76, of 2301 Hawthorne Dr., died Friday, July 4, 2008 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements to be announced.

Meadows Funeral Home
Albany 229/439-2262

Southwest Georgia Obituaries>>