Two new Town Council members will soon be representing Greenville: Calvin Malone will fill the Group 4 seat being vacated by Martin Lee, while Barbara Dansey will take over the Group 3 seat for Michael Halley. Both incumbents decided not to seek re-election, and Malone and Dansey ran unopposed. Read the rest of the story
Wilma Ruth “Ruthie” Ammons, age 91, died January 21, 2013 in the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Madison, Florida.
Funeral services will be Friday at 2:00 PM, January 25, 2013 in the chapel of Beggs Funeral Home in Madison with burial to follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Donations may be made to, Sharon Community Church Building Fund, PO Box 471, Greenville FL 32331.
She was born in Madison County, Florida and lived around the area of Sirmons, Perry and Greenville while growing up. After she graduated high school she taught school for a short while in Sirmons and Aucilla. She also worked for Metal Products in Madison and was a homemaker. She loved country music and dancing and was always on the go. She was a member of Sharon Community Church in Greenville.
She is survived by 1 son, Jimmy Barlow (Carol) of Greenville. 2 grandchildren, James Barlow, Jr.(Crystal) of Greenville and Michelle Alderman (Sean) of Lee, 5 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Dorothy Vivian Crews, 88, Greenville, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 17. Born in Leesville, S.C., she was one of 12 children of Henry Smith and Bessie Corley Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, and husband Floyd Crews. Mrs. Crews was a homemaker, residing in Fruitland Park, from the mid 1940’s until moving to Greenville in the late 1970’s. She was a member of Greenville Baptist Church and the Greenville Women’s Club.
She is survived by her longtime companion, Herman Melvin, Dowling Park; children, Lola Remson and husband Jack, Childersburg, Ala.; Barbara Rogers, Leesburg, Va.; Charlie Crews and wife Tarja, Williston; Pat Skok and husband Craig, Lawrenceville, Ga.; Joyce Sanders, Fort Walton Beach; and 19 grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Crews will be conducted on Saturday, January 26, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Beggs Funeral Home Chapel in Madison, FL, with Pastor Toney Hill from Greenville Baptist Church officiating. Viewing will be held in the Beggs Chapel at 10 a.m., and interment will be at Greenville Cemetery following the funeral service.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution in memory of Mrs. Crews may do so by sending to the Advent Christian Village, Camillia Court Unit, PO Box 4332, Dowling Park, FL 32064.
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Greenville Town Council was surprised Monday evening, Jan. 14, when both the Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk resigned.
Town Clerk Trish Hinton had already turned in her resignation and was not at the meeting.
Deputy Clerk Marsha Bass handed in her two-week notice at the meeting.
The resignations leave the town scrambling to find replacements for the positions, as well as a new town attorney. Their former town attorney was elected judge in the November election in Taylor County.
Hinton replaced former Town Clerk Sherry Roland, who was fire after money went missing from the town’s coffers. Roland was arrested on grand theft charges last year. Roland is scheduled to be arraignment in Circuit Court in Madison County on Feb. 7.
By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A ’78 fire truck’s in the big parade, with American Legionnaires close at hand…they were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos, the cream of all our high school bands (with apologies to composer Meredith Willson).
Aside from a really snazzy decked-out float, a fire truck is the most awesome ride there is in a town parade.
Now, the American Legion Post 131 of Greenville will have its very own fire truck to ride in parades and use for other public displays.
The 1978 Ford F700 is no longer reliable enough to operate in emergency conditions, and was no longer being actively used by the fire department. The local American Legion had asked for the 35-year-old vehicle at a Greenville Town Council meeting, and the Town Council voted to transfer the vehicle free of charge to American Legion Post 131, in honor of the Legion and the local veterans they represent.
Post Commander Roy Scott hopes to have the vehicle ready to go for Greenville’s Veteran’s Day Parade, if possible.
By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
It is a project that has been about a year in the making, made possible by a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant.
On a sunny Friday morning, Oct. 12, Greenville city employees and officials brought the city’s brand new well online.
Nestled among 100-year-old oaks trees off NW Riverine Way, the new well is operated via satellite and communicates the same way with the water plant in town, improving Greeneville’s water quality and ensuring that it has an adequate supply for its needs. The old well will be put on standby mode as a backup in case of an unforeseen emergency.
Patricia Hinton, the new city clerk for Greenville, actually grew up in a large three-storey farm house on the property where the new well is located, and recalled a childhood spent playing “Tarzan” with her brother, sister and friends Bill Kerr and Bobby Harrison, swinging on vines that dangled from the very same oaks that now surround the well structure.
Years later, after the house burned down, Hinton’s mother sold the property to Charles Roland. It passed through several more hands and was eventually donated to the city of Greenville, which used part of it to install the well
“Isn’t it funny how things come around,” she remarked, standing beside the large well structure with Greenville Mayor Kovacherich Arnold and Public Works Supervisor J.C. Fead and Greeneville Public Works employee Joseph Jackson.
After making sure everything was communicating properly and all the tests were completed, the men flipped the proper levers…and the new well was up and running.
Greenville: Zelma Bishop Thigpen, age 81, died May 6, 2012 at her home.
Graveside funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Evergreen Cemetery, Greenville, FL.
Donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, or to Gideons International, Capital City North Camp, PO Box 1245, Tallahassee, Florida
She was a lifelong resident of Greenville and graduated from Greenville High School. After graduation from Greenville High School she began working as a teller at the Florida National Bank at Madison. Later she transferred to the Bank of Greenville and was a vice-president at the time of her retirement in 1991. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Greenville and supported the Gideons International.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Bert Thigpen and her parents, Walt and O’Dessa Bishop and brother, John Edwin “Bo” Bishop.
She is survived by two daughters, Tempy Johnson (Rudy) and Lydia Charlene “Sheen” Thigpen, two granddaughters, Brittany and Jessie Johnson all of Tallahassee. A sister, Lynnette Ray of Tallahassee, A sister-in-law, Ruth Bishop of Greenville, and many nieces, nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.
Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel is in charge of arrangements 850-973-2258.
Greenville Country Christmas Calendar of Events
Click photo to enlarge.
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes many blessings. One blessing that many churches in the county choose to share are their Christmas Cantatas and plays. Below are the schedules of Christmas Canatas and plays at some of the churches in Madison.
Madison First Baptist will host their Christmas Cantata on December 11 at 6 p.m. followed by a church social. Their candlelight Christmas Eve service will begin at 5 p.m. and a special Christmas morning service on Christmas day at 11 a.m.
Midway Church of God will be hosting their Christmas play on December 18 at 6 p.m.
First United Methodist Church of Madison will be hosting their Christmas Cantata “Lead Me To Bethlehem” on December 11 at 11 a.m. They will be hosting a Christmas Eve candlelight and communion service at 6 p.m. and a Christmas morning service at 11 a.m. Christmas day.
Lee United Methodist will be hosting their children’s Christmas program on December 11 at 10 a.m.
Midway Baptist will have their Christmas program Wednesday evening, Dec. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Following a meal at 7, the program will begin. Also, the church will host a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m.
Greenville Baptist will be having a special candlelight service at 6 p.m on Christmas Eve.
New Home Baptist will be having their Christmas program at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening, Dec. 18.
Lee First Baptist will be holding their Christmas cantata Sunday evening, Dec. 18, a 7 p.m.
Madison Church of God will hold a cantata entitled The Night Before Christmas directed by Wayne Diamond on Sunday morning, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. and that evening at 6 p.m.
Anyone interested in getting the dates and times of their Christmas program in the newspaper can email them to Kristin@greenepublishing.com or call Kristin at (850) 973-4141.
Greenville: Ruth Clark, age 88, died Monday, November 21, 2011 at Haven Hospice in Lake City.
Graveside Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Friday, November 25, 2011 at Orange Baptist Church Cemetery, Live Oak, Florida. Visitation will be from 10:30 – 11:30 Friday at Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel.
She was born in Live Oak and lived in Lakeland for 40 years before moving to Greenville 25 years ago. She retired from Lakeland General Hospital as a Supervisor.
She is survived by 2 brothers: Nathan Newman of Greenville and Ronald Newman (JoAnn) of Swansboro, NC; 1 sister: Georgia Newman Braswell of Greenville and a host of nieces and nephews.
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 850-973-2258.
Greenville : Margaret Corine Simmons, age 82, died Friday, November 18, at her home in Greenville.
Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at Beggs Funeral Home with burial at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 6 – 9 PM at Beggs Funeral Home.
She was born and raised in Greenville and after graduating from high School she married James Simmons and moved to Quincy for a short time then moved back to Greenville where she lived the rest of her life. She was the owner of Simmons Auto and Farm Supply in Greenville. She loved to sing and help her church community. She and her husband organized Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Greenville.
She is survived by 1 son: Larry Simmons of Marianna’ 4 grandchildren; Merci Fitzgerald Brown, Kiera Brown, Caden Fitzgerald and Keith Davis, Jr; 2 Great grandchildren.
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements 850-973-2258.
Conservative Businessman, Farmer, Citizen-Legislator to Focus on Jobs, North Florida Values
Greenville, Florida – State Representative Leonard Bembry (D-North Florida) today announced his candidacy for United States Congress from Florida’s second district. He has filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and will begin traveling the district and building a campaign immediately. A formal announcement tour will follow.
“The priorities of this Congress couldn’t be more wrong for north Florida and our nation,” said Bembry. “While politicians in Washington fight with each other and refuse to address the big issues we face, real people everywhere continue to struggle with a stalled economy and poor job market that need a jolt charge and a runaway budget that needs to be responsibly controlled. Steve Southerland has not delivered on the political promises he made in 2010 to create jobs, change Washington, DC, and bring practical solutions that will put Floridians back to work and tackle the tough challenges we face.”
Leonard Bembry was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2008 and was re-elected last year. He is one of the most independent members of the legislature and perhaps the most conservative Democrat in the Florida House. In the legislature, Bembry quickly earned a reputation as an expert on budget, economic development and agriculture issues. He believes that creating new and better jobs, supporting small businesses by cutting taxes and regulations, protecting our seniors and Veterans, and preserving traditional values are the biggest issues facing America.
Bembry will energetically and faithfully serve the remainder of his term in the Florida House and looks forward to a busy and productive 2012 legislative session.
“I was a farmer and businessman for almost 40 years before I decided that it was my responsibility to pursue public service. I am grounded in north Florida because it’s always been my home. It is where I was raised and where Susan and I have chosen to raise our family. We love it here,” said Bembry. “I am concerned about the kind of future we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. The country is not on the right track and our elected leaders in Washington, DC are failing the test of true citizenship by playing politics instead of solving problems.
“If elected, I will go to Washington as a common-sense, honest, hard-working, conservative problem solver who believes that a dose of north Florida values and ‘can-do’ spirit is what we need to get this country moving again,” said Bembry.
Leonard Bembry and Susan, his wife of 44 years, have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. The Bembry family spans 4 generations in north Florida.
Robert E. “Bob” Pittman, age 82, passed away at his home in Greenville Friday morning.
Funeral service were held at the graveside in Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville, Sunday, October 23, 2011, at 3 p.m. The family received friends at Beggs Funeral Home in Madison, on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 5-7 p.m.
Bob was survived by his wife, Jo Ann Leggett Pittman of Greenville; two sons, Wesley Pittman of Franklin, N.C. and Dallas Booth of Woodville; two daughters: Pam Branch of St. Petersburg and Julie Jarrell of Savannah, Ga.; a brother, Eugene Pittman of Inverness; and two sisters, Edna Elbon and Christine Neal, both of Inverness; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Beggs Funeral home is in charge of arrangements, 850-973-2258
Obituary
J.H. Sever
Mr. J. H. Sever, age 82, died Wednesday, October 19, 2011 in Greenville.
Graveside funeral services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Walker Cemetery in Lamont. The family will receive friends 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Friday at T. J. Beggs, Jr. & Sons Funeral Home in Madison.
He was born in Madison County and was a lifelong resident. He was a farmer, logger and worked at Sherrod Lumber Co. He liked to hunt, fish and spend time with his family.
He is survived by 4 sons: Michael Sever Sr. (Rebecca) of Sirmans; Kevin Sever (Jenny) of Greenville; James Sever of Sirmans and Kenneth Sever of Greenville; 2 brothers: Jim Sever and Charlie Sever both of Jacksonville; 12 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Annie P. Hall Sever.
Bertha Norris Day of Greenville, Florida, passed away on September 15, 2011, at Lake Park of Madison Nursing Home, Madison, Florida.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 17, 2011, at Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel with Rev. John Ballard, Rev. Tom Ray Kelly, and Mr. Norman Bush officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Greenville, Florida. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 PM Friday, September 16, 2011 at Beggs Funeral Home.
She was born on December 24, 1926, at Hanson, Florida to the late Archie and Addie Norris.
Mrs. Day was a founding member of St. Johns’s Baptist Church where she served in many roles, including teaching Sunday School, VBS Director, Treasurer, Clerk and singing in the choir. She served her community as an active member of the Hamburg Lovett Volunteer Fire Department. She retired from Weeks Textile Company, Quitman, Georgia where she was employed for many years. She loved quilting as a hobby.
Mrs. Day is survived by her children: Gene Alan Day (Kathleen) of Greenville, Florida, Judy D. Webb (Coye) of Lee, Florida and Juanell D. Sherman of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Grandchildren: Gene A. Day, Jr. (Polly) of Greenville, Florida , Travis Day of Springfield, Illinois, Coye F. (Lin) Webb, Jr. (Shannon), Marc Webb (Candice) and Shawn Webb (Jessica), all of Lee, Florida and Ashley Sherman of Dahlonega, Georgia. Great-grandchildren: Ashton Day, Avery Day, Aubrey Day, Alivia Day, Blake Webb, Addison Webb, Gracie Galbraith, and Olivia Galbraith. One sister, Doris Norris Newman. In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Marcus M. Day, and two brothers, Herbert (Shorty) Norris and Gerald Norris.
Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel is in charge of arrangements, (850)973-2258.
Tallahassee – State Representative Leonard Bembry is pleased to announce the dates for the Legislative Delegation hearings that he is chairing. Because the 2012 Legislative Session will start early next year, beginning January 10th and ending March 9th, the hearings will be in September. Committee meetings begin mid-September through early December.
Representative Bembry stated, “I am convinced that delegation hearings present the general public and local government leadership with a tremendous opportunity to express their needs, and to allow an exchange of information. We can do more as your legislator if we better understand the local problems and concerns.”
Dixie County – Dixie County Commission Chambers located at 401 N. Cedar Street in Cross City, September 26, 2011 from 9:00 – 12:00am.
Levy County – Levy County Commission Chambers located at 355 South Court Street in Bronson, September 26, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:00pm.
Hamilton County – Hamilton County Commission Chambers at the Hamilton County Courthouse, located at 207 NE 1st Street, Jasper, September 28, 2011 from 10:00 – 12:00am.
Madison County – Madison County Courthouse Annex, Room 107, 29 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, September 28, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:00pm.
Franklin County – Franklin County Commission Room in the Franklin County Courthouse Annex Building, located at 34 Forbes Street, Apalachicola, September 29, 2011 from 4:00 – 6:00pm.
House District 10 is the largest geographical district in the state, and spans from Franklin County, east to Columbia County, and down the coastline to Levy County.
If any member of the public would like to address the delegation, please contact Teresa Watson in Representative Bembry’s office at (352) 493-6848 or teresa.watson@myfloridahouse.gov, to be placed on the agenda. Appearance cards will also be available at the hearing for anyone who wishes to be heard.
NOTICE REGARDING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD BEMBRY no later than seven (7) days prior to the proceeding at (352) 493-6848, Chiefland, Florida.
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By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A man has registered as a sexual offender with a Greenville address.
Jeffrey Jackson, a 45-year-old black male, registered with an address of 464 SW Tram Road, Greenville.
Jackson registered on Monday, Aug. 15.
Jackson stands 6’2” tall and weighs 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
Jackson’s qualifying offense was sexual battery with a weapon or force. He was found guilty and convicted in Lee County on May 20, 1991.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY IN FLORIDA…
WESTERN MADISON COUNTY IN FLORIDA…
* UNTIL 300 PM EDT
* AT 232 PM EDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DETECTED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR CAPPS…AND
MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
LAMONT AND AUCILLA
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
IN ADDITION TO HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS…FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY!
