Albany Area Obituaries

Hugh L. Belcher Sr.

ALBANY — Hugh L. Belcher, Sr., of 702 Creekside Dr., Leesburg, died Saturday, August 16, 2008. Funeral service arrangements to be announced.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors
Albany 229/883-4152

Elizabeth F. Foreman

ALBANY — Ms. Elizabeth F. Foreman of Albany died on March 28, 2008 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. At her request, her body has been donated to science to continue her legacy of lifelong learning.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:30 a.m. at the chapel on the Marine Corps Logistics Base. A luncheon will be held following the memorial service at the Conference Center (formerly the Officer’s Club) on base. Please RSVP for the luncheon no later than September 8, 2008 to Carol Polk at 336/971-2985 or email cpolk@belldavispitt.com.

Memorials may be made to the Religious Offering Fund specifying “Foreman Flower Fund” in the memo field and mailed to The Religious Offering Fund, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Attn.: MCLB Chapel, 814 Radford Blvd., Albany, GA 31704.

You may sign the guestbook, share you special memories and RSVP for the luncheon by visiting Kimbrell-Stern’s website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors
Albany 229/883-4152

Jo Ann Cannon McClung

ALBANY — Mrs. Jo Ann Cannon McClung, 2724 Ledo Rd, died Saturday, August 16, 2008 at her residence. Her funeral service will be Wednesday 11 a.m. at Byne Memorial Baptist Church, with interment in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 5 to 7 p.m. at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors
Albany 229/883-4152

Martha Neerbasch

ALBANY — Martha Neerbasch of Albany, died Saturday August 16, 2008. A funeral mass will be held Monday 10 a.m. at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. Rev. Finbarr Stanton will officiate.

The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors, Sunday (today) from 6 to 7 p.m.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors
Albany 229/883-4152

Obadiah Samuel Poe

ALBANY — Obadiah Samuel Poe, 85, of 2821 Gillionville Rd. {pound}16, died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at his residence.

The funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2008 at the Episcopal Church of St. John and St. Mark, 2425 Cherry Laurel Lane. The Rev. Ann Heinemann will officiate.

Mr. Obadiah Samuel Poe was born October 12, 1922 in Bennettsville, SC, to the late Julius and Martha (Williams) Poe. The family relocated to Philadelphia, PA, where Obadiah grew up and matriculated in the Philadelphia School System.

With the outbreak of World War II, Obadiah joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably as a Radio Operator. He married Bettye Roundtree in 1948, and to this union two sons, Gregory and Eric, were born.

Obadiah, or Oby as he was called throughout his life, was an original member of the Montford Point Marine Association, which was established in 1943 to perpetuate the legacy of the first Black Marines who entered the United States Marine Corps from 1942-49. Today a chapter of this organization can be located in all 52 States.

On March 10, 1979 Oby married Lucy Newton at the House of Prayer Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA. Upon bringing his wife to Albany they joined Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church (now St. John’s/ St. Mark’s Episcopal Church) on Radium Springs and Holley Drive where today they remain faithful members.

Oby graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He also ran track while attending Temple, IN, addiction, Oby served as a deacon in his former church and as a Boy Scout leader. He received numerous individual and work-related awards and commendations throughout his lifetime such as the Toastmasters Award 1972-74, The Marine Corps Federal Length of Service Award for 30 years of service and a Certificate at as retirement on October 31, 1984 for 39 years and seven months of distinguished service.

Among those who will long cherish wonderful memories are his wife, Lucy; three sons, Gregory (Jo Allen) of Chicago, IL, Eric (Teresa) of King of Prussia, PA, and Clinton Newton (Dottie) of South Hampton, NY; a sister, Pauline Stokes of Philadelphia, PA; four granddaughters, Elizabeth and Alexandria Poe and Dianne and Cydney Newton; several nieces and nephews, and a multitude of relatives, friends and associates.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Episcopal Church of St. John and St. Mark, 2425 Cherry Laurel Ln., Albany, 31707 or American Cancer Society, 323 Pine Ave., Albany, GA 31701.

Poteat Funeral Home

Albany 229/436-3615

Charlene Stephens

SYLVESTER — Charlene Stephens, 36, 259 Pine St., Poulan, died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at New Beulah Grove Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Shepard Memorial Garden, both in Sylvester. The Rev. Karl Smith officiating.

Born on February 7, 1972, Mrs. Stephens was educated in the Worth County Public School System and graduated from Worth County High School. She was a machine operator at a textile plant. She was also a member of New Beulah Grove Baptist Church, Sylvester.

Survivors include her husband, Albert Lewis Jr.; three children, Issac Lewis, Itontis Lewis and Icis Lewis; two godchildren, Tevor Jackson of Sumner, and Whitley Stephens of Poulan; three sisters, Joyce Celestin, and Mary Lois Stephens, both of Poulan, and Gracy Jackson of Sumner; two brothers, James Stephens of Sumner and Johnny Ray Stephens of Albany; and mother, Parrie Lee Stephens of Poulan.

Shipp’s Funeral Home
Sylvester 229/776-1355

Southwest Georgia Obituaries

Mary Lue Foster

TIFTON — Mary Lue Foster, 82, of Tifton, died Tuesday, August 12, 2008. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 19 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Tift Memorial Gardens.

Southview Mortuary
ifton 229/387-7046

Dorothy Faye Soden

BAINBRIDGE — Dorothy Faye Soden, 77, of Bainbridge, died Thursday, August 14, 2008. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Trinity Baptist Church, with interment to follow in Roselawn Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held today (Sunday) from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at the funeral home.

Cox-Ware Funeral Home
Bainbridge 229/246-4411

Sara Baston Willingham

BAINBRIDGE — Sara Batson Willingham, 77, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Saturday, August 16, 2008. The family will receive friends today (Sunday, August 17, 2008) from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Ivey Funeral Home. A private graveside funeral service will follow at Roselawn Memory Gardens. Memorial donations, may be made to Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, P.O. Box 429, Bainbridge, GA 39818.

Ivey Funeral Home
Bainbridge 229/246-3232

James Young

MOULTRIE — James Young, 71, of Moultrie, died Friday, August 15, 2008 at Brownwood Health Care in Moultrie. Funeral arrangements to be announced.

Luke Strong and Son Mortuary
Moultrie 229/890-1717