Sherry Ann Morris Harvey
Bloomingdale – Sherry Ann Morris Harvey, 67, passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at Candler Hospital.
Sherry was born in Savannah, was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Laura Morris.
Survivors include: her children, Karen Smith of Rincon and Mike Harvey of Springfield; brother, Kenny Morris of Bloomingdale; four sisters, Eva Jean Hendrix and Brenda Morris both of Brooklet, Kaye Shuman of Faulkville and Faye Sanders of Ellabell, and four grandchildren.
Visitation was held Sunday evening, Dec. 28 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Graveside services were Monday, Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. in the Oak Hill cemetery in Meldrim.
Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James David Farmer
James David Farmer (Jimmy) passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, at his residence.
Mr. Jimmy was a loyal Christian and a member of Turkey Branch Baptist Church. His life was lived by being a loyal servant to his family and church and visiting the nursing home and shut-ins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John F. Farmer Sr. and Lillian Saxon Farmer; one brother, John F. Farmer Jr.; sister-in-law, Annie Mae Arnsdorff
Farmer Smith; nephew, Joseph A. Joyner and great niece, JoAnita Joyner.
He is survived by his caregiver and niece, Joyce Joyner Jenkins; great niece, Judy J. Fultz and husband Mark T. Fultz; great-great niece and nephew, Chase and Sydney Fultz; aunt, JoOllie Steed and special friends, Rachel and Ellis Wilson.
Funeral Services were held at Turkey Branch Baptist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 30, with burial following at Silverhill Methodist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Turkey Branch Baptist Church, 5944 Highway 21 South Springfield, GA 31329.
Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Cubalene Scott Briggs
Guyton — Mrs. Cubalene Scott Briggs, 86, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Briggs was born in Emanuel County and lived in Effingham County since 1954. She was retired and was a member of the Springfield Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Survivors include: three sons, Victor Briggs, Perry Briggs (Lou) and Stacy Briggs (Crystal) all of Guyton; two daughters, Vicky Little (Wayne) and Tiann Latimer both of Guyton; two brothers, Thomas Scott and Mickey Scott of Tombs County; four sisters, Ruby Rushing, May Powell (Lewis), Jean Gashaw all of Tombs County and Donna Johnson of Evans County; brother-in-law, Floyd Briggs of Hartford, Connecticut; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 24 in the chapel of Riggs Funeral Home. Interment: Guyton Cemetery
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Effingham Extended Care,459 Highway 119 South Springfield, Georgia 31329.
Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Donald Nelson Sr.
Springfield — Dr. Donald Nelson Sr., 70, passed away on December 21, 2014. Don was born in Birmingham, Ala. on Dec. 29, 1943.
Don earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Auburn University in 1966 and M.S. in Mechanical engineering from Auburn in 1968. He worked as an engineer at the Savannah River plant in Aiken, SC for three years before deciding to go to Dental School. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry in 1974 and then went to work in public health for a year. He moved to Springfield, Ga with his wife Louise in 1976 and began his dental practice where he worked for 30 years.
Don was dedicated to his patients and employees and put their needs above his own. He enjoyed truly getting to know his patients as individuals and would often sing to them while working for better or for worse.
After retiring from his dental practice in Springfield, Don’s love of dentistry and compassion for others sent him to Guatemala on three separate medical mission trips. He developed a special relationship with a group of orphans who knew him lovingly as “El Grande.”
He was a member of many dental organizations including the Savannah Dental Society, Southeastern District Dental Society where he served as president in 1988, the Georgia Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. In 1993, he was named an Honorable Fellow of the Georgia Dental Association. He served on the Dental Hygiene advisory board at Armstrong University from 1985-1987. He was a member of the Medical/Dental staff of Effingham County hospital from 1975-1994. He was an assistant clinical professor in the department of Oral Rehab at MCG. Don also served in the Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic for several years.
Don was a faithful and dedicated member of Bethel Lutheran Church where he served on the church council for several terms as secretary and chairman. He also taught Sunday School for many years. He loved the members of Bethel. They were near and dear to his heart. He considered them extended family.
He was a member and former president of the Springfield Lions Club. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Effingham County and then was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Effingham Sunrise, where he served as president in 2000 and became a Paul Harris Fellow.
Don was a member of the Board of Directors of the Truetlen House where he served as chairman for several years. The Truetlen House and the well being of the boys was important to him.
He took an active role in the boys’ lives by sharing his time with them and loved helping to make their Christmas special.
Don enjoyed many activities with family and friends. He loved to play golf and had three holes-in-one, which he often relived.
He enjoyed cooking for people and according to him everything he made was “world famous.” He often said if you leave hungry it was your own fault. He loved fishing and hunting and the camaraderie these activities allowed him to have with those he was close to. He was proud of once catching a large blue marlin. Don loved traveling.
A voracious reader, Don usually had a history book nearby. Don also enjoyed talking politics and hearing other people’s views as long as they weren’t too different from his. His biggest love outside his family and friends was Auburn Football. His mood on autumn Saturdays was often determined by his beloved tigers’ outcome. He was able to go the national championship game and cheer his Tigers to victory in 2011. WAR EAGLE!
Don was courageous, had a big heart, and loved his family and friends dearly. He was predeceased by his wife Louise Seckinger Nelson, his parents Bryce and Robbie Nelson, and his grandson Bryce Thomas Nelson. He is survived by sons Donald Bryce Nelson Jr. (Carrie) and Robert Dean Nelson(April), his grandchildren Parker, Natalie, Braydon, Blake, and Claire, his brother David Nelson, his sister Robbie Kimbrough, his loving faithful friend Jane Wall, numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 24 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church P.O. Box 1022 Springfield, GA 31329
Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Josephine Margaret Wolbert Shearouse
Guyton – Josephine Margaret Wolbert Shearouse, died early Sunday morning, Dec. 21, in the Effingham County Care Center at the age of 94. She was a member of Guyton Christian Church.
Born February 11, 1920 in the Bryan County Community of Eldora, Ga., the youngest child of August Wolbert, a German immigrant and Jessie Phillips Glisson Wolbert. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Wilton B. Shearouse, her parents, her brother, A.J. Wolbert, two half sisters, Bertie Ellis and Marie Neidlinger, and a half brother, William Glisson.
She received her early education in Bryan County Schools. In 1945 she graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. While in nursing school she was a member of the U.S. Cadet Corp Nursing Program.
Upon marrying and coming to Effingham, she was employed as an Effingham County Public Health Nurse for 34 years. During some of those years, she served as Home Service Chairman for Effingham County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
She has also been a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 209, Veterans of Foreign Wars Unit 7116, Georgia Salzburger Society, Historic Effingham Society, Springfield Garden Club, Guyton Women’s Club, and Effingham County Hospital Auxiliary.
In 2005 she was the recipient of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce annual Treutlen Award.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Joyce Ann and Jack W. Tuten Jr. of Guyton; two granddaughters and three great-granddaughters. The older granddaughter, Amy and Slade Helmly and their daughters, Annabeth and Saralyn of Rincon. The younger granddaughter, Vicki T. Renfroe and her daughter, Josi of Guyton. Also a step great-grandson, Ryan Renfroe and former grandson-in-law, Darien Renfroe of Reidsville.
Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 23 at Guyton Christian Church.
Interment followed in Guyton Cemetery.
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Harry Byrd Zittrouer
Springfield – Harry Byrd Zittrouer, 84, passed away Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at Effingham Extended Care Center.
The Effingham County native was retired from the Georgia Department of Public Health as an Environmental Health Superintendent. The U. S. Army veteran was a member of the Springfield United Methodist Church and the Bible Studies Sunday School Class.
Survivors include his nephew Jimmy Zittrouer (Jane), niece Shirley Palmer (Francis), several great nieces and nephews, several great-great nieces and nephews, and numerous special friends.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 23 at Springfield United Methodist Church. Interment followed in Springfield Cemetery.
Remembrances may be given to the Effingham County United Methodist Campground, 306 West First Street, Springfield, GA 31329
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Annette Laura Beebe
Guyton – Annette Laura Beebe,71, passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at her residence.
Mrs. Beebe was born in Metter, Ga., she was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal Faith.
Survivors include: husband, Howard Beebe of Guyton; mother, Ann Lanier of Guyton; daughters, Sherri Williams (Mike) of Springfield and Angie Altman of Pooler; son, Howard L. Beebe Jr. (Cindy) of Springfield; sisters, Carolynm Roberts of Pooler and Lois Aldrich of Bloomingdale; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 22 in the funeral home chapel of Riggs Funeral Home.
Interment: Springfield Annex
Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.