Martha Ann Coody, 85, passed away Sunday January 24, 2010 at the Presbyterian Home in Quitman, Georgia.

Mrs. Coody was born in Madison, Fla. the daughter of Vera and Lem Crandell. She married the late Albert Coody in 1947. They were the parents of Florence, Charles, Frank, and Pat. Mrs. Coody was a homemaker and pianist and played for LaMoyne's School of Dance as well as for activities at Madison Elementary School during the years of attendance of her children. She was pianist at May Fetes on the Court House Square in Madison for many years. In later years Mrs. Coody was a florist.

Mrs. Coody is survived by her children, Florence Harrell and Frank Coody of Cairo, Ga., and Pat Coody of Pinetta; her granddaughter, Susan Dunn of Adel, Ga.; her grandson, Joseph Coody of Cairo, Ga., her great grandchildren Taylor, Kaleb and 'Bekah of Adel; and a wonderful dear cousin, Richard Plant of Tallahassee.

Memorial services were held Wednesday January 27, 2010 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Episcopal Church with Rev. Ben Pfeil officiating.

Condolences may be conveyed online at www.maxwellmillerfuneralhome.com

Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home in Quitman, Ga. was in charge of arrangements.

Linda Dawn (Sanders) Bowden went home to heaven on January 20, 2010, at 8:36 a.m. in Langdale Hospice House. She was born in Lynchburg, VA, on April 4, 1958. Her parents are Rodger A. Sanders of McMinnville, Tenn. and Dot Wiggins of Valdosta, Ga.

Linda attended first grade in Hahira, Ga., and then lived in Montana for several years. She returned to Ga. for her senior year and graduated with honors from Lowndes High School in Valdosta. While at Lowndes High School, she was a member of the Lowndes High Swing Choir. Linda loved music and had a beautiful voice, which she used for the glory of the Lord. One of her favorite songs she enjoyed singing for her friends was "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Linda also enjoyed her hobbies of crocheting and cross stitching. She enjoyed traveling and especially liked going to the beach.

Linda's career in banking spanned over 32 years. She worked at Citizens Bank of Hahira, Ga.,First State Bank of Valdosta and the last 15 years at Commercial Banking Co. Valdosta. Linda enjoyed her career and was a loyal, devoted employee and loved the people she worked with.

Linda met Robert (Bobby) Bowden when they were both members of the choir at Morningside Baptist Church. After being friends for about two years, they were married on May 15, 2004. They have both been faithful members of Morningside for many years. Linda and Bobby both were avid fans of the Lowndes High football team as well as the VSU Blazer teams.

Linda is survived by her husband Robert (Bobby) Bowden; her parents Dorothy (Kelley) Wiggins of Valdosta, and Rodger A. (Martha) Sanders of McMinnville, Tenn.; two children, April (Brian) Gant of Hahira; Robert Sumner, Jr. of Hahira, and one grandson, Jacob Gant; two brothers, Gregory A. (Cheryl) Sanders of Peoria, Ariz. and Leland Scot Hutto of Barney, GA; and one sister, Lydia H. (Darrell) Register of Hahira; also, nieces and nephews Michael Sanders, Katy Sanders, Wade Register, Brianne Register, Brittney Register and Travis Hutto.

Survivors also include her husband's children; Micki Lynn (George) Bogart of Dothan, Ala. and their children Jason Newman (Jennifer) of Dothan AL, Jenifer Newman Miller (Joe) of Fayetteville, NC, Jared Newman of Charleston, SC; Tony (Gogi) Bowden and their children Chaz, Seth, Caleb, and Kaylin of Valdosta and Robert D. Bowden of Lakeland, Tenn.

Linda also leaves behind her step father, Leland D. Hutto of Valdosta and the father of her two children, Robert Sumner, Sr. of Alabama and many special friends including Margie Spearman Blanton of Valdosta and Debbie Hernandez of Valdosta, as well as the ladies in her Sunday School class and co-workers at the bank. All those who knew and loved Linda, witnessed her life-long testimony of serving God, caring for others and her unconditional love for her family.

She was preceded in death by grandparents: J Lynn and Ada Kelley of Valdosta; William P. and Viola Sanders of Virginia and R. L. and Irene Hutto of Hahira

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010 in Morningside Baptist Church Worship Center with Dr. Carrol Joye and Pastor Wayne Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens. Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to Langdale Hospice, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA. 31602 or Morningside Baptist Church, 2604 Bemiss Road, Valdosta, GA. 31602

Sympathy can be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com

Music Funeral Services of Valdosta is serving the Bowden family.

Patricia Ann Mess, 71, of Lee, passed on Jan. 15, 2010 at Shands Memorial Hospital in Gainesville.

A Memorial Service will be held on Jan. 30, 2010 at Lee United Methodist Church in Lee at 2 p.m.

She is survived by three sons; Jeff Hahn in Atlanta, Ga. Michael Luther in Collegeville, Pa., and Dr. Karl Leibensperger in Spring Hill, two brothers, Richard and Donald, two nieces Kim, Tracy, two nephews Ricky, and Scott grandchildren Shannon and Denny Hahn, Brian and Amanda Luther, Ariel and Ian Leibensperger and great grandson Michael Hahn.

Patricia Ann Mess

"Pat"

Born on Sep. 18, 1938

Called home Jan. 15, 2010

God saw you were getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So He put His arms around you

And whispered, "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched,

And saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating.

Hard working hands at rest.

Our hearts were truly broken,

But in His arms you're blessed.

Corine Hampton Sapp, age 80, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at her home.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, at 3 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home, Madison Chapel, with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home.

She was born in Pavo, Ga. and lived in Madison for the past 50 years. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by two sons, John and Clarence Sapp, both of Madison; six daughters, Sylvia Linton, Evelyn Plain and Kathy Register of Lee, Norman Jean Daniels of Texas, Lorine McNamara of Iowa, Irene Shaw of Perry; one sister, Christeen Zavasky of Madison; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Sapp, and her parents, Frank and Zanora Hampton.

Mrs. Mary Lou Swilley, 77, of Madison died Friday, January 15, 2010 in Tallahassee. She was a retired laborer and long time member of Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Madison.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, January 23, 2010, at Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist. The wake will be 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2010, at the Ganzy Funeral Home.

Survivors include her children, Jeanette Walker (Amos), Miami, Vernice Garden (Larry), Madison; five grandchildren, Micheal Hall (Carol), Miami, Sharon Siplin (Antoine), Madison, Anthony Hall (Lisa), Miami, Darrell Wallace (Keisha), Orlando, and Leah Walker, Miami; 13 great-grands; three brothers, Richard Thompson (Bonnie), Tallahassee, Jesse Thompson (Sarah), Orlando, Clarence Thompson, Anchorage, Ak; one sister, Alice Davis (Albert), Sumpter, S.C., a very special and loving friend, Leon Powell of Madison.

In loving memory of Elsie Young born December 27, 1943 in Jefferson County, to the late Willie Scurry and Elsie W Scurry. She attended Jefferson County public school. Elsie also attended Suwannee River Junior College where she received her Associate of Arts. She continued her education and received her Bachelors and Masters in Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She devoted over 30 years as a teacher in Madison County and as an employee of Jefferson County Kennel Club in Monticello.

On July 28, 1982, she was united in Holy matrimony to George Young, who preceded her in death.

Elsie Young was preceded in death by siblings, Adam Scurry, Henry Scurry, Charlie Scurry, Willie Scurry, George Scurry, Virginia S. Brown, Louis Scurry, and Amelia S. Webb.

Elsie is survived by two loving children, Mable Consuella Young and Rafiel Remond Young, both of Monticello, two brothers, Morgan Scurry, Sr. of Monticello, and Robert Scurry of Austin, Tx; one sister, Sarah Salem of Sarasota; eight sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann Scurry, Dorothy Scurry, Ola Young, Vermell Brooks, Juanita Harris, Kathy Wright, Burnette Knight, and Dorothy Knowles; three brothers-in law, Joseph Brown, Sr., Leotis Webb, and Charles Wright; one Goddaughter, Rashunda Denson.

She became a mother to many including her step-children, nieces, nephews, cousins and the students she taught in Madison. She was a woman of incredible strength and character that will remain respected and loved by many.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23 at 2 p.m. at Hickory Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Monticello.

Tillman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lucile Balloon Aikens gently departed her earthly home on Jan. 8, 2010, and entered the Gates of Splendor to reach her eternal home. She was born on Aug. 1, 1924 ,in Madison County to Rev. Dozier John Balloon, Sr. and Leona Thompkins Balloon.

Lucile accepted Christ at a very early age and became a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in the Cherry Lake Community. From this experience and her parents' religious instruction, she learned the true meaning of Christianity and made Christ a vital part of her daily life.

Because her parents believed in educating their children, Lucile attended the Mt. Zion Church School and received her first eight years of training. They encouraged her to further her high school education, and made great sacrifices for her to attend Madison County Training School by allowing her to live away from home during the week. As a result, her next milestone in education was attaining her diploma and becoming one of thirteen graduates in the Class of 1944. Mt. Zion awarded a scholarship for her to attend Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, where she earned her two-year degree. Because of the lack of cosmetologists in Madison, and knowing Lucile's interest in this vocation, one of her professors worked to make this dream a reality by encouraging her to accept a scholarship to study cosmetology at Nixon School of Beauty in Jacksonville. She completed the course and became a licensed cosmetologist.

Lucile returned to Madison and married her high school sweetheart, Augustus Davis (A.D. "Sonnyboy") Aikens, Sr. on Sept. 5, 1946.

She later attended Florida A&M University, where she pursued her elementary education degree. She did so by teaching school during the week and taking classes at night and on Saturdays to earn her Bachelor and Masters degrees. Lucile traveled extensively across the country to attend numerous professional workshops, seminars and classes during the summer months to keep abreast with changing teaching techniques. She attended the University of Miami, St. Leo College, Florida State University, University of Colorado, University of Hawaii and University of Delaware to name a few.

In 1967, she desegregated the public school system of Madison County by becoming the first black assigned to teach at Madison High School. She taught reading there until she became the Reading Diagnostician for the county. In 1976, she returned to Madison Middle School (formerly Madison County Training School) as a reading instructor and remained in that position until she retired in 1995, after rendering 47 years of untiring service to the Madison County School System. During these years of teaching, Lucile received "Teacher of the Year" recognitions but what was most important to her was the outward display of love and respect she received from numerous students whose lives she touched throughout her career. She was a mentor in the "Take Stock in Children" Mentoring Program and served on the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education. Lucile was a member of many reading and professional organizations as well.

After retirement, Lucille worked tirelessly for several years in the Adult Education program at North Florida COmmunity College. Her love for teaching continued when she accepted the position as an adjunct professor through the college for the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC), thus giving her over 50 years of dedicated teaching.

Lucile was a faithful and dedicated member of Mt. Zion-Cherry Lake Church her entire life. Her faith in God had always been important to her. Not only attending but being actively involved in church was something established in her at an early age. She instilled these same values in her children as she taught them that in order for them to be successful, God must be first and foremost in all things.

Lucile enthusiastically served as the president of the Usher Boards, secretary of the Trustee and Stewardess Boards, church school member and missionary. She received her greatest joy when she co-chaired the Church Renovation project to enlarge and beautify the sanctuary. She also took much pride and enjoyment in decorating and landscaping the edifice.

Likewise, Lucile was a dedicated member of the Valdosta (Ga.) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she held many positions including treasurer, sorority house renovation committee member and member of numerous committees.

She also enjoyed traveling each summer to sorority conventions throughout the United States and the Bahamas. Not only did she attended sorority conventions, but also accompanied her son, Chester, and his family, to numerous National Dental Association Conventions.

Following the footsteps of her mother, Leola Balloon and mother-in-law, Minnie Aikens, Lucile was a member of the Coleman Household of Ruth #3897 in Madison, where she served as the Right Noble Governor.

Lucile believed in hard work and would spend hours a day in her yard, garden and on the family farm. Her hobbies included cooking, sewing, planting flowers, growing vegetables and African violets, gardening, decorating, traveling and spending time with her family.

Lucile and A.D. were the parents of five children, and they taught each one the necessities of life to earn an education. In addition to her husband of over 63 years, A.D., Lucile is survived by her children, Barbara Aikens-Stephens of Orlando, Judge Augustus Aikens, Jr. (LaGrande) of Tallahassee, Dr. Chester Aikens (Jean) of Jacksonville, Rhonda Lucile Moore (Ronnie) of Madison and Katrina Aikens (Jerome) of Madison.

The joy of her life was her 12 grandchildren whom she cherished: JaWanda, Arters "Tip," Jasmine and Shaka Stephens of Orlando; Kaneitra Stephens Williamson (Keith) of Winter Haven; Rev. Augustus D. Aikens III (Brandy) of Tallahassee; Tara (Ismail) Jihand of Atlanta, Ga.; Adrienne (Alfred) Greer of Summerville, S.C.; Brice Aikens, Esp., of Orlando; Karel Aikens of Tallahassee; and Chet and Chae' Aikens of Jacksonville.

Her great-grandchildren include Hope, Aniyah and Madison Aikens, Khalil, Khamal and Ruth Jihad, Chance, Jade, Janae and Amari Stephens, Aiden, Aldan and Ashton Greer.

Other survivors to cherish her memories include brothers: Rev. Dozier John Balloon, Jr. (Lillian) of Mdison; Ulysses "Buddy" Balloon of Tampa; and sisters, Lillie B. Nesbitt of Madison and Leola Garvander (Arne) of Richfield, Minn.; brother-in-law, Daniel G. Aikens (Irene) of Daytona Beach; and sisters-in-law, Mattie A. Bowles of Madison and Nellie Balloon of Tampa..

Additional survivors are goddaughter, Maxine W. Phillips of Jacksonville; god-granddaughter, Fontella Monlyn of Take Stock in Children mentee and JaVonte Gibson of Madison.

Lucile will be greatly missed by her family, the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church family and the entire community. Preceding her in death were her parents, Rev. and Mrs. Dozier J. Balloon, Sr.; siblings, Nehemiah (Roy) Balloon, Valdora Keene, Marian "Doretha" McGhee, Jessie L. Hobbs, Juanita Knight, Ulus "Bud" Balloon and Enoch Balloon.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, from 4-6 p.m. at Mt. Zion-Cherry Lake A.M.E. Church, 407 N.E. Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church Avenue, Madison, FL 32340. (850) 929-4355.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. at Van H. Priest Auditorium, Madison, FL 32340.

Robert T. Whitaker (Tam) entered into rest on Sunday, January the 3rd of 2010 at his home.

Tam was born in Miami, Florida on February 22, 1945. After serving in the US Coast Guard and receiving an honorable discharge, he resided most of his life in Florida where he was a truck driver.

He is survived by his children; (daughters) Cindy and Vance Rogers of Florida, Kimberly and Mike Lakner of Florida, Donna and Jamie Free of Tennessee, (sons) Kenneth and Emily Whitaker of Oklahoma, Dennis & Valynn Johnson of Utah. Tam is also survived by 17 grandchildren and two great grandchildren along with his many friends and family.

His family and friends met in remembrance of him on Saturday, January 9, at 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall (Post #91) just north of Trenton at 4200 S. US Hwy 129, Bell, Florida 32619.

Flowers and condolences can be sent care of Cindy Rogers, 6860 SW 85th Place, Trenton, Florida 32693.

Frank A. "Butch" Zipperer, age 63 died Tuesday December 29, 2009, at North Florida Regional Medical Center. Butch was born in Madison, FL. and his family moved to Gainesville in 1947. He is a graduate of Gainesville High School and Santa Fe Community College.

Butch worked for the Crom Corporation for 30 years. His interests were teaching hunting safety courses, Nascar, and Gator football. Butch served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Corps.

Butch was preceded in death by his father, Pennywell Zipperer, his brother,"Buddy" Zipperer and three sisters, Ginia Zipperer, Helen Zipperer, and Snookie Zipperer. He is survived by his mother, Rosa V. Green Zipperer of Gainesville, FL., daughter, Lisa Lanelle Paulson, son, Samual Alex Zipperer, six grandchildren, Brandon Tate, Virginia, twins Aaron & Andrew Zipperer, and Jolie & Lana Paulson.

Funeral Services were held Saturday at 11 a.m.. with a visitation from 10 - 11 a.m. in the Milam Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, FL.

David Emanuel Studstill, age 86, passed away December 30, 2009 in Valdosta Ga.

Funeral services were held Saturday January 2, 2010 at 11 a.m.. at Cherry Lake Baptist Church Madison, Florida. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the Church. Interment will follow the service at Cherry Lake Baptist Church cemetery.

Mr. Studstill was a native of Lakeland Georgia and a former resident of Homerville, Georgia and had lived in Madison for over 55 years. He was self-employed as a Timber Broker. He served in the WW II and was one of the last survivors at the battle of Iwo Jima. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Cherry Lake Baptist Church, Madison.

Mr. Studstill is survived by his wife Mary of Cherry Lake, two sons, David (Cathy) of Cherry Lake and Alec (Vicki) of Cedar Park, Texas; one daughter, Patricia "Pat" Harris (Leonard) of Cherry Lake, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.