OBITUARIES

Violene Willis

Nov. 9, 1942 — March 4, 2013

The youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Willis, Viola drew her first baby breath as she was born on Nov. 9, 1942, in Jackson, Ga. On Monday, March 4, 2013, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., she drew her last breath as she left this world behind her.

When her family moved to Griffin, Ga., from Jackson, Violene attended schools there, graduating in 1960 from Fairmont High School, which she never forgot, attending class reunions as often as she could to be with her friends and classmates. She also at an early age joined the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church as a member. In 1968-69 Violene moved with her family including her mother to work at Grady Memorial Hospital in the Chemistry Lab, where she served with distinction, helping to save numerous lives by her efforts there for a number of years until her retirement in 2003.

Violene was preceded in death by three grandchildren, her elder brother George “Jack” Willis, and his wife Esther in recent years.

She is survived by three children Carlos “Mendez”, Brenton “Brent” and Gina “Vicky”; granddaughter, Keyanah Cherissa; two brothers, James “Bo” Willis (Rachel), and Rudolphus “Doc” Willis (Flossie); nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives.

The public viewing service will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, from 1 until 8 p.m. at Speer & Speer Funeral Home, 97 Old Griffin Road, McDonough, Ga., 770-957-3019.

A memorial service in honor of Violene Willis will be held Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Towaliga County Line Baptist Church, Jackson, Ga., at 1 p.m.

Mrs. Ruth Smith Stringer

Aug. 4, 1925 – March 8, 2013



Ruth Smith Stringer, age 87, died on March 8, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter A. and Mae Hill Smith and grandson, Mason Edward Adair. Ruth held a variety of administrative positions during her working life: Secretary to the President of the Medical College of Georgia, Griffin School System office positions, Office Manager for Cherokee Casket Company as well as Stringer & Associates. She loved to sew, garden and paint china, creating many works of art for family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 66 years, John Edward Stringer; daughter, Marian Stringer Adair and husband Chuck; granddaughter, Jessi Ruth Adair Shuler and husband Greg; great-grandson, Dylan Mason Shuler and a great-granddaughter due to arrive very soon.

Burial will be in Westview Cemetery in Augusta, Ga., with a memorial service to be scheduled later at Brightmoor Nursing Center where she received loving care during the final years of her life. Ruth was a lifelong animal lover. Memorial donations can be made to Best Friends Animal Society or the animal welfare organization of your choice.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com

Mr. Michael E. Captain

Jan. 2, 1965 - March 6, 2013

Mr. Michael E. Captain, age 48 of Griffin, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at Brightmoor Hospice.

Michael was born Jan. 2, 1965. He graduated from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Va., and from New Hampshire College with a degree in culinary arts and was a practicing chef for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Marcia and Elwood Mathes; paternal grandfather, Nicholas Captain and uncle, Robert Toughill.

Survivors include his parents, Lee and Bill Captain of Sun City, Griffin, Ga.; paternal grandmother, Maria Captain of Henderson, N.V.; brother, Michael Wernsman of Milan, Ill.; sister, Mary Clare Delmore of Milwaukee, Wis.; aunt and uncle, Jim and Cheryl Mathes of Garnet Valley, Pa.; aunt, Gini Mathes of Haverhill, Mass., and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Michael.

To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmccullough.com. The Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Grant Whitfield

March 25, 1951 - March 7, 2013

Mr. Grant Whitfield, age 61 of Griffin, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2013, at the Spalding Regional Hospital.

Mr. Whitfield was born March 25, 1951, to the late Robert Lee Wood and the late Mary Johnson Gay. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a truck driver. Grant was preceded in death by a brother, Sandy Glen Wood.

Survivors include his long-time companion, Gerald Baggs of Griffin; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lora and Saad Al-Sheikh of Saudi Arabia, Donna and Gary Sparrow of Conley, Stacey Crawford of Molena; brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Shanda Wood of Griffin; aunts and uncles, Mike and Brenda Lynch of Griffin, Linda Carr of Griffin and James Johnson of Amarillo, Texas. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

A private family service will be held at a later date in Ludowici, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Pkwy., Suite 1, Marietta, GA 30067 in memory of Mr. Whitfield.

To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmccullough.com. The Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements.

DEATH NOTICES

Mr. Luther Norwood, age 77, of Sarah’s Lane, Locust Grove, Ga., passed Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at Sacred Journey Hospice. Funeral service for Mr. Norwood will be conducted Monday, March 11, 2013, at Towaliga County Line Baptist Church in Jackson, Ga., at 11 a.m., with Pastor Eddie Collier officiating. Internment will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Pine Hill Cemetery in High Spring, Fla. Public viewing will be held at McDowell’s Funeral Home Sunday, March 10, 2013, from noon until 8 p.m. His remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. The cortege will assemble at the residence at 10 a.m. Sympathetic service rendered by McDowell’s Funeral Home, Inc., 305 North Hill St., Griffin, Ga., www.mcdowellsfuneralhome.org.