Mr. Walter Frank Byrd, age 79, Alston, died Thursday, November 25, 2004, at his residence after an extended illness.

He was a native and lifelong resident of Toombs County. He was a retired carpenter and a member of Lyons Free Will Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosella Slocum Byrd, and one son, Walter Frank Byrd, Jr.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Rosa and Glenn Allen, Alston, and Christine and Kelly Keen, Richmond Hill; one son, Jerry Byrd, Milledgeville; two sisters-in-law, Maudie Byrd, Vidalia and Cecilia Byrd, Louisville, Kentucky; six grandchildren and spouses, Michael and Kim Keairns, Cedar Crossing, Tony Byrd, Vidalia, Jason Byrd, Eatonton, Melanie and Jason Best, Halzehurst, Jamie and Jessica Allen, Alston, and Jessica Poole, Richmond Hill; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, November 27, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. in Lyons Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Wilson officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Larry Byrd, Monty Collins, Buddy Paradise, Alan Coursey, Darwin Murray, Allen McCoy, Chris Johnson and Ronald Stephens.

Murchison Funeral Home of Vidalia was in charge of the arrangements.

The Advance, Vol. 107, No. 47, Wednesday, December 01, 2004, page 6A.

Mrs. Christine Padgett Moore, Ailey, died Thursday, November 25, 2004, in Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin after an extended illness.

She had resided in Treutlen County Nursing Home for several years. She helped operate L.T. Moore’s Garage and a small farm near Higgston. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel Rowe Padgett and Eulis Plummer Padgett and her husband, Ladson Tillman Moore.

Survivors include one daughter, Jane Dianne Moore, Ailey; two sisters, Johnnie Padgett Morrison, Ailey, and Mildred Padgett Fountain, Mt. Vernon; one brother, Joe Bryant Padgett, Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, November 27, 2004, at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of Murchison Funeral Home with Dr. Fred Swann officiating. Internment followed in Pinecrest Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Levi Gilber, Chris, Jimmy, David and Terry Fountain and Barry Bryson.

Mrs. Betty Eidson Piper, age 76, North Augusta, South Carolina, died Tuesday, November 23, 2004, in the University Hospital of Augusta after an extended illness.

She was a native of Toombs County, living in the Augusta area for many years. She was a retired schoolteacher and member of the Saint Bartholomew Episcopal Church of North Augusta.

Survivors include two daughters, Phyllis Piper and Cathy Morgan, both of North Augusta; one son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Debbie Piper, North Augusta; one sister, Barbara Eidson, Vidalia; and three grandchildren, Christine Eyton, Miranda Piper and Serena Morgan, all of North Augusta.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, November 27, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Murchison Funeral Home with Father Ron Southerland officiating. Interment followed in Lakeview Memorial Gardens near Vidalia.

Pallbearers were Will Thomas Whatley, Eddie Tyson, James Brantley, Dan Gordon and Benjamin Piper.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the CSRA Humane Society, P.O. Box 14667, Augusta, GA 30919.

Mrs. Hattie Charetha Royal, Vidalia, died Saturday, November 20, 2004, in the Candler Hospital, Savannah.

Survivors include one daughter, Betty Williams, Vidalia; one sister, Lillian Simpson, Vidalia; two brothers, Clarence Simpson, Vidalia, and Sonny Simpson, Baxley; her mother, Estelle Simpson, Vidalia; one aunt, Evelyn Gerald, Jacksonville, Florida; one uncle, James Gerald, Jacksonville, six grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, November 27, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. in the East Park Church of God in Christ Church of Vidalia with Superintendent Jimmy Lee Hall officiating, Interment followed in the Eternal Glory Gardens of Vidalia.

Vidalia Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. John Wallace “J.W.” Sapp, age 87, Lyons, died Sunday, November 28, 2004, in Toombs Nursing Home of Lyons after an extended illness.

He was a native of Tattnall County, living in Toombs County most of his life. He was a retired plumber and farmer.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Shirley Hutcheson and Gary Horne, Soperton; one son, Edro Sapp, Lyons; two grandchildren and spouses, Mickey and Dana Hutcheson and Terry and Tina Hutcheson; two great-grandchildren, Emily and Drake Hutcheson, both of Soperton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, November 30, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Murchison Funeral Home with Rev. Jason Corbett officiating. Interment followed in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

Active pallbearers were Mike and Larry Dickerson, Louie Spratlin, Glenn Sewell, John McDonald, John Kea, Elton and Terry Callaway and Charles Coleman. Honorary pallbearers were Ralph Wilson, Dr. Ben Merritt, Herbert Callaway, L.E. Knight, Sanford Anderson, Bill Dickey, Don Selph, Richard Thompson, Roger Marsh and Wayne Williamson.

Mrs. Alice Marie Wells, Ailey, died Friday, November 19, 2004, in the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.

She was a native of Montgomery County.

Survivors include three sons, Alvin Wells, Birmingham, Alabama, Ashley Wells, Hampton, Georgia, and Eric Wells, Smyrna, Georgia; four daughters, Barbara Smith, Jonesboro, Georgia, Ethel Mathis, Atlanta, Cathy Lester, Marietta, and Cassie Wells, Vidalia; one brother, Billie Adams, Bronx, N.Y.; three sisters, Lizzie Whitehead, Vidalia, Brenda McMillan, Jonesboro, and Shirley Bennett, Elizabeth, N.J.; 19 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Monday, November 22, 2004, at 12:00 p.m. in the New Mt. Ararat Holiness Church, Ailey, with Prophesist, Nana Bell Fodfrey officiating. Interment followed in the Live Oak Cemetery, Ailey.

Vidalia Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

The Advance, Vol. 107, No. 47, Wednesday, December 01, 2004, page 6A.