Mrs. Willie Mae Burke, age 67, Vidalia, died Sunday, October 17, 2004, in the Meadows Regional Medical Center of Vidalia after an extended illness.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Toombs County. She was a beautician and a member of Oasis Church of God.

Survivors include her husband, Herman Burke, Vidalia; two daughters and son-in-law, Debra and Gary Campbell and Lisa DeVore, all of Vidalia; three sisters, Faye Bradley, Harlem, Georgia, Judy Whiddon, Thomson, Georgia, and Karen Lemerond, Green Bay, WI; four grandchildren, Leslie Campbell Wallace, Hoboken, N.J., Melissa Campbell Hightower, Atlanta, Hope DeVore and Ben DeVore, both of Vidalia; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. in Ronnie L. Stewart Family Service Chapel of Vidalia with Rev. Gilbert Womack and Rev. Wallace Banks officiating. Interment followed in Sharpe Cemetery.

Pallbearers were James Bradley, William Bradley, Brice Whiddon, Barry Bryson, Billy McGaha and J.D. Collins, Honorary pallbearers were her business customers.

The Advance, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page 6A.

Mr. Buster Burnette, age 66, Oak Park, died Friday, October 15, 2004, in the Hospice of Savannah after an extended illness.

He was a native of Toombs County, living most of his life in Oak Park. He was retired from Seaboard Coastline Railroad.

Survivors include two daughters, Cindy Wilkins, Deltona, Florida, and Sherri Callahan, Ellabell; two sons, Kendall Burnette, Ellabell, and Darrell Burnette, Oak Park; one grandson, Cy Callahan, Ellabell; and one sister, Shirley Mosley, Charleston, South Carolina.

Graveside services were conducted Monday, October 18, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. in Oak Park Cemetery. Interment follwed.

Ronnie L. Stewart Family Funeral Service of Vidalia was in charge of the arrangements.

The Advance, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page 6A.

Mr. Henry Luther Downs, age 94, Vidalia, died Thursday, October 14, 2004, in Meadows Nursing Center in Vidalia after an extended illness.

He was a native of Johnson County, later moving to Vidalia. He was owner-operator of H.L. Downs Battery Company, a member of First Baptist Church of Vidalia and a member of the Men’s Bible Class.

Survivors include one daughter, Ruth Downs Snider, Vidalia; two grandchildren, Sabrina and Curtis Joel “Jobbie” Toole, both of Vidalia; two great-grandchildren Amber Michelle Toole, Ocala, Florida, and Joel Snider Toole, Vidalia; one sister, Marjorie Downs Johnson, Milledgeville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday, October 17, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Murchison Funeral Home with Rev. Don Moye and Rev. Bucky Kennedy officiating. Interment followed in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Vidalia Building Fund, P.O. Box 631, Vidalia, GA 30475 or the charity of choice.

The Advance, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page 6A.

Mrs. Ruthie Jo Johnson Forseth, age 75, Jacksonville, Florida, died Tuesday, October 12, 2004, in Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville after a short illness.

She was a native of Montgomery County, later moving to Jacksonville. She was a retired toll collector with the City of Jacksonville, and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include her husband, Fred P. Forseth, Jacksonville; one daughter, Jan Angela Bergenske, Ponce Inlet, Florida; three sons, Bobby Lloyd Calvert, Delton, Florida, Wayne Anthony Calvert, Jacksonville, and Jerron Franklin Calvert, Washington (state); two sisters; Doris Tharp and Louise Truesdell, both of Uvalda; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, October 16, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. in the Uvalda First Baptist Church with Rev. Joe Phillips officiating. Interment followed in Gibbs Cemetery near Uvalda.

Pallbearers were Bobby Lloyd Calvert, Wayne Anthony Calvert, Jerron Franklin Calvert, Roy Neilsen, Buddy Thigpen and Tullas Speer.

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

The Advance, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page 6A.

Mrs. Bertha Thigpen Morris, age 93, Lyons, died Monday, October 11, 2004, in Meadows Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

She was a native of Treutlen County, living most of her life in Toombs County. She was retired from Lyons Manufacturing Company, was a homemaker and was a member of East Gordon Baptist Church of Lyons.

Survivors include one daughter, Janice Johnston, Yulee, Florida; one son, Kendall Morris, Merritt Island, Florida; four grandson, Wade Durrence, Lyons, Keith and Kevin Johnston, both of Titusville, Florida, and Greg Morris, Merritt Island, Florida; one granddaughter, Valerie Cadle, Merritt Island; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, October 13, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Murchison Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Jones officiating. Interment followed in Lyons City Cemetery.

Pallbearers were grandsons, Wade Durrence, Keith Johnston, Kevin Johnston and Greg Morris.

The Advance, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page 6A.

Mrs. Marjorie Smith, age 86, Vidalia, died Tuesday, October 12, 2004, at her residence after an extended illness.

She was a native of Montgomery County. She was a homemaker and a member of Faith Baptist Church of Lyons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete Smith and one son, William Pete Smith.

Survivors include one sister, Lillie Mae Mosley, Uvalda; one nephew, Downie Mosley, Uvalda; one granddaughter, Christy Smith, Lyons; one grandson, Christopher Pete Smith, Lyons; one daughter-in-law, Tammy Smith, Lyons; one great-grandson, Tyler Luke; and a friend, Mellissa “Sunshine” Harrelson.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday, October 14, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. in Ronnie L. Stewart Family Funeral Service Chapel of Vidalia with Rev. Andrew Williams officiating. Interment followed in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

Pall bearers were David Beasley, Wesley Ward, Steve Weeks, Royce Fowler, Jaimey Braddy and Greg Horton.

The Advance, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page 6A.

Mrs. Mattie M. Summersett, Reidsville, died Tuesday, October 12, 2004, at her residence.

She was a native of Evans County.

Survivors include six sons, Jessie Summersett, Jr., Roy Summersett, and Bennie Summersett, all of Reidsville, Michael Summersett, Theron Summersett and Johnny Summersett, all of Plainfield, N.J.; eight daughters, Sara Carter, Joycie Wright, Janice Carswell, Denise Singleton, Michelle Summersett, and Daphine Summersett, all of Reidsville, Mary Ann Summersett, Vidalia, and Wanda Carter, Plainfield; one sister, Arni D. Huntley, Brooklyn, N.J.; 50 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, October 16, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church, Reidsville, with Bishop James Holland officiating. Interment followed in the Organy Mills Cemetery, Reidsville.

Vidalia Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

The Advance, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page 6A.