Marilyn Upton Stephens
Mrs. Marilyn Upton Stephens, age 72, of Rex, Ga., passed away December 17, 2020. She was born in Dothan, Ala., to the late Earl Vance and Edna White Upton. Marilyn was a graduate of Henry County High School and retired after 25 years with Ft. Gillem. She was a member of Oak Tree Baptist Church and was a founding member of MAM – Mother’s Against Methamphetamine. She loved horses, listening to country and gospel music and was a song writer. She was preceded in death by a son, Earl Stephens.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Gene Stephens; grandchildren, Casey Stephens and Shane Stephens; great-grandchildren, Parker Stephens, Maitland and Chesley Cunningham; brother, Joe Vance Upton.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Haisten Funeral Home Chapel. For those who wish to leave condolences, visit www.haistenfunerals.com. Haisten Funerals and Cremations, 770-914-8833.
Mr. William Levie (W. L.) Collins, Jr.
Mr. William Levie (W. L.) Collins, Jr., age 80, of Griffin, Ga., passed away on December 18, 2020, at his home. He was born in Jackson, son of the late William Levie Collins, Sr. and Bertha Lee Washington Collins. W. L. worked as a correctional officer for GA Diagnostic Center in Jackson and then for Henry County Public Works Department, where he retired. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. He was in several local bands, two of the most memorable were Country Confusion and Friday Night Pickers. W. L. could be found most weekends playing at the Music Barn and the Hollonville Opry House. In his younger years, he liked to drive race cars. He was a member of Carver Road Baptist Church in Griffin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Angie, two sisters, Rosie and Tenella, and a step-son, Marty.
He is survived by his wife: Margaret Collins; children and their spouses: Tempie and Bill Kitchens, Barry and Kathy Collins and Cindy and Timmy Raines all of Locust Grove; stepdaughters: Marcia Pyle and Rhonda Gunn both of Griffin; grandchildren and their spouses: Danny and Jennifer Kitchens, Benjamin Kitchens, Angela Smith, Lance and Boo Collins, Becky and Scott Whittle, Mac Gunn, Jeremy Gunn, Cody Pyle, Crystal Wynne; great-grandchildren: Logan Kitchens, Chandler Dunning, Jordan Grace Whittle, Kinleigh Kuijf, Abigail Wynne, Layla Wynne, Kara and Kylie Gunn.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 20 at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home with Pastor Brandon Foottit officiating. Burial followed in Moody Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, in memory of W. L. Moody-Daniel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Barbara Sue Duke Hutcheson
Barbara Sue Duke Hutcheson, age 88 of McDonough, Ga., quietly departed this life on Sunday, December 20, 2020.
Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
John Addison Lord, Jr.
John Addison Lord, Jr., age 86, of Stockbridge, Ga., quietly departed this life on Friday, January 3, 2021.
Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
Milton Edward Yancey
Milton Edward Yancey, age 90, of McDonough, Ga., quietly departed this life on, Saturday, December 19, 2020.
Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
Anita D. Paden
Anita D. Paden, age 90, of Locust Grove, Ga., quietly departed this life on, Tuesday December 22, 2020.
Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
Tommy Morris
Tommy Morris, age 83, of Locust Grove, Ga., passed away on December 22, 2020. Tommy was born on April 8, 1937 to Ira and Snow Morris in Atlanta, Georgia. He volunteered to serve his country straight from school with a four-year enlistment in the US Navy that included a tour in Guam. Following an honorable discharge, he started a 42-year career with Trans World Airlines, earning countless commendations of excellence including TWA’s Employee of the Year. His most treasured moment was meeting and marrying the love of his life, Peggy Morris. They were inseparable for 60 years, sharing life with four children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Tommy was predeceased by two brothers and a sister.
He is survived by a brother and a twin sister.
For those who wish to leave condolences, visit www.haistenfunerals.com. Haisten Funerals and Cremations, 770-914-8833.
Anita Reed Simpson
Anita Reed Simpson, age 80, of McDonough, Ga., died December 23, 2020, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Born in Atlanta to the late Frances Schilling Reed and Edward D. Reed, Anita was a lifelong Georgian. She attended Georgia Institute of Technology and majored in civil engineering. Following graduation, she joined the Georgia Department of Transportation as a highway engineer, the first woman engineer hired by the GDOT, paving the way for many others to follow. She retired from there in 1994 as Assistant Urban Design Engineer. Besides her professional work, Anita enjoyed gardening, reading, handicrafts and, during retirement, RV travel with her husband, Henry. She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Henry” Simpson, Jr., in 2020, and her first husband, Charles Thornton.
Survivors include her brother, Edward D. Reed, Jr. (Johanna Schmid), her stepdaughter, Denise Simpson Carter, her step-grandchildren, Robert Carter and Samantha Carter, and many cousins.
Anita will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta. For those who wish to leave condolences, visit www.haistenfunerals.com. Haisten Funerals and Cremations, 770-914-8833.
James Willie Dixon
Mr. James Willie Dixon, age 80, of Locust Grove, Ga., passed away December 29, 2020. He was born in Tennille, Ga., to the late Earnest and Lynett Allen Dixon. James faithfully served and retired from the United States Army. He received a Masters of Science degree from Georgia State University in 1976. He retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation after 32 years. He was known as a “Jack-of-all-trades” and was excellent caregiver of his wife.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Phyllis Dixon; son and daughter in law, Trey and Stacey Clark of McDonough; twin grandchildren, Austin and Addison Clark; siblings, Lewis and Diane Dixon of Douglasville, Joyce and Jack Carey of Gainesville and Ernestine Dixon of Sandersville; step-mother, Doris Dixon of Tennille; several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Locust Grove Cemetery. For those who wish, contributions are asked to be made to the Historic Military Museum at Heritage Park in memory of James. For those who wish to leave condolences, visit www.haistenfunerals.com. Haisten Funerals and Cremations, 770-914-8833.
Lois Marie Lowery Dilbeck
Lois Marie Lowery Dilbeck, age 82, of McDonough, Ga., passed away Friday, January 1, 2021. She was born in Valley Head, Ala., to Russell Lowery and Grace Lowery. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by brother, Leon Lowery and sisters, Lucille Cain and Barbara Tanner.
Lois is survived by husband, Edward Dilbeck; daughter, Kathy (Bronce Henderson) Lonergan; son, Perry (Deborah) Dilbeck; granddaughter, Brittany (Jonny) McMahon; brother, Milton (Paula) Lowery; sister, Mary Dale Carter.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors in McDonough, Ga., with Rev. Rick Statham officiating. Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
Raymond Leach, Jr.
Raymond Leach, Jr., 78, of Stockbridge, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 8, 2021 at 2pm in the Chapel of Wheeler Funeral and Cremation Services with Pastor Eddie Mason officiating. Interment will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park in McDonough. This service will be livestreamed through the link below https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160978704793387. Guests may sign the online register at www.wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
