041908

For the complete obituary information, please see the printed edition.

James Robert Watson

Lt. Col. James Robert Watson, 82, died at home in Mont-gomery on April 15, 2008, surrounded by his family and caregivers. He was predeceased by his parents, William Jackson Watson and Georgia Mixon Watson, both from Georgiana and Montgomery, and his late wife, Geraldine Arledge Watson, of Chattanooga, Tenn. He is survived by his loving wife Jane Trousdale Watson; three daughters, Lynn Watson Ireland (Robert) of Tuscaloosa, Carol Watson Christian (Steve) of Birmingham, Nancy Watson Thomas (George) of Montgomery and one son, James Robert Watson Jr. (Lisa) of Decatur; two brothers, William Jackson Watson (Gina) of Georgiana and Jerry Carroll Watson (Judy) of McLean, Virginia; 11 grandchildren, Robert Burdette Ireland III (Danielle) of Jackson, Miss., Jeremy Stephen Christian (Rebecca) of Mobile, Phillip Quinn Christian of Birmingham, Jonathan Render Thomas of Montgomery, Virginia Anne Thomas of Montgomery, James Robert Watson III (Jessica), Andrew Samuel Watson, Elizabeth Anne Watson, Matthew Gilbert Watson, Mary Grace Watson and Sarah Faith Watson, all of Decatur, Alabama; two stepchildren, Joseph Turner Porter III and Reginald Goree Porter; two great grandchildren, Olivia Ashland Christian of Birmingham and Emily Daix Ireland of Jackson, Miss., and two nephews, Teddy Watson and Hunter Watson of McLean, Virginia.

Lt. Col. Watson was born in November 25, 1925 in Georgiana. He enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17 during WW II. His extensive combat duty included landing with the third wave at Iwo Jima. He returned home after the war and finished high school in Georgiana High School before attending college at Howard College, now Samford University, in Birmingham. There he met and married Geraldine Arledge Watson.

He was commissioned in the United States Army as a 2nd Lt. and was stationed in Japan at the outbreak of the Korean War. He was among the first to defend South Korea, where he served as company commander. He was awarded three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts for his service in Korea. Prior to his retirement in 1968, he volunteered to serve in Viet Nam. He was one of few veterans to serve in WW II, Korea and Viet Nam. Lt. Col. Watson was described by one of his fellow officers as a soldier's soldier. He went on to say, "When you judged Colonel, you can rest assured that the verdict will state that, here lies a man who saw even more to be done than his duty!"

After his retirement, he became the Executive Director of Southeastern Home Furnishings Association. Later, he and his wife, Jane Trousdale Watson, ran the Carriage House Restaurant and the Colonel's Rest Bed and Breakfast for many years. They were active members of the Family Motor Coach Association. He had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed having his family and friends around him at all times.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Southern Memorial Funeral Home with Father John-Michael van Dyke officiating. Visitation will be at 2:30 p.m. prior to the service. Donations may be made to the United States Army Aviation Museum Foundation, Inc., APO Box 620610-0610, Fort Rucker, Alabama 36330.

Hazel Hicks Sanders

Hazel Hicks Sanders, 87, of Cleveland, Miss., died Saturday, April 5, 2008 at her home after a prolonged illness. Funeral services were at 2 p.m., April 7, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church in Cleveland. Burial followed in North Cleveland Cemetery under the direction of Ray Funeral Home.

Mrs. Sanders was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on Boards of Directors of the Methodist Children's Home and the Delta State Wesley Foundation. She was a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland.

Mrs. Sanders was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Sanders, who died June 13, 1998.

Survivors include her son Mike Sanders (Nan) of Cleveland; daughter, Sallie Williamson (Warren), of Greenville, grandchildren, Ellen Voelkel (Tim) of Lutherville, Maryland, Amanda Turner (Jed) and Michael Sanders (Holly), both of Cleveland, Hayes Johnson (Nathan) of Birmingham, Alice Denton (Walton) of New York, NY and Leah Ellis (Henry) of Colorado Springs, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Ben Bailey, Lamar Taylor, Alan Morgan, Dr. Tom Wiggins, Marty Tubbs and Pemble Davis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Cleveland, the Jimmy and Hazel Sanders Sculpture Garden, c/o Delta State University Foundation or the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville.

Bernice S. Griffin

Bernice S. Griffin, age 74, a resident of Sandcutt Community near Georgiana, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 2008 from the Antioch West Baptist Church with the Rev. Watson Wasden officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with Harrison Funeral Home directing.

A visitation was held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 at the funeral home.

She is survived by: daughters Carol Lowe and Janice Corey, both of Georgiana and Jill Black of Greenville, and eight grandchildren.

James J. McGough

James J. McGough, 88, a resident of Honoraville died Wednesday April 16, 2008.

Funeral services was held on Friday April 18, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Spring Creek baptist Church with the Rev. Allen Winn officiating and Harrison Funeral Home directing.

Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mr. McGough is survived by his wife, Audrey McGough of Honoraville; daughters, Polly Foster, Fort Deposit and Linda Talley, San Antonio, Texas; brother, Foster McGough, Greenville; four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.

Betty Diane Taylor

Betty Diane Taylor, 48, died Friday, April 18, 2008. Chapel services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home with the Rev. Watson Wasden officiating and Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home directing.

Burial will follow at Antioch West Baptist Church Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday prior to service.

Taylor is survived by: a daughter, Heather Tuberville of Bay Minette; mother, Arlow Dennis of Robertsdale; father and stepmother, Odis (Winoma) Taylor of Bay Minette; brothers, Daniel Taylor of Robertsdale and David Taylor of Bay Minette; stepbrothers, Sean Luke of Houston, Texas and Kenneth Luke of Jacksonville, Fla.; stepsister, Robbin Hickman of Bay Minette and several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins in the Greenville area. Condolences may be made at dunklinanddaniels.com.