Aldridge Funeral Services

Mrs. Emily L. Smitherman, 91 of Americus, GA, passed away Wednesday February 17, 2021 at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Aldridge Funeral Services. To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family visit www.aldridgefuneralservices.com. Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.

Mr. William Billy White age 55 of Americus, passed away early Tuesday morning February 16, 2021 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, GA. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2021 at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Rev. Brad Gleeson will officiate. A visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18th at Aldridge Funeral Services. The family has requested all those that attend the visitation to please wear a ma...sk. William Harvey White was born March 24, 1965 in Lafayette, GA. He was the son of the late Leslie Evans White and the late Laura Genive McElhaney Melvin. He worked for Olam Industries as a Yard Manager. He was a member of Life Point Church of God. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Lee McAfee White of Americus, two daughters and sons-in-law Brandy Tatum (Chester) of Ellaville, Jessie Coleman (James) of Ellaville and two stepdaughters and spouses Tiffany Evans (Jay) of Americus and Whitney Kirk (Jeremy) of Rainer WA. Two sons and daughters-in-law, Blake White (Lauren) of Fortson, GA and Michael Jerkins (Maria) of Magnolia, TX. One sister Gail Mooney of Andersonville and four brothers, Donald Wooden, Kenneth McKinney of Andersonville, Steve White of Leslie and Alan White of Ellaville. Billy is also survived by eight grandchildren Jance Coleman, Justin Coleman, Laura Jordan, Daniel Jordan, Colton Tatum, Trout Jerkins, Kayden Hodges and Nathanael Evans. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, Mr. White was preceded in death by a brother David Wooden and two sisters Joyce Green and Kathy Hardee. To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family visit www.aldridgefuneralservices.com Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.

Gregory Hiram Buckelew was born on January 28, 1965 and passed away February 10, 2021 at the age of 56 years. Greg was born and raised in Cordele, Georgia and attended Crisp County Schools. Greg joined the United States Navy in 1983 and was stationed in Buford, South Carolina, during which time he was in the Naval Hospital Corp School at Great Lakes Naval Station in Waukegan, Lake Country, Illinois to train as a medic. Greg was on active duty during the United States and coal...ition countries invasion of Granada on October 25, 1983. Greg also served on the USS Conolly, a Spruance-class destroyer. Greg credited his military service as the most formative time of his life and was proud to have served his country. Greg is survived by his brothers, Timmy and Shane, his daughters Jessica and Tabitha, grandchildren Kaylee, Zachary and Adam. Greg was preceded in death by both his parents, his brother Will and Sister-In-Law Sheila. Left also to mourn his passing is his faithful, caring companion of 30 years, Clara; who provided this disabled veteran with housing, clothes, food and much more. Greg was fond of dogs and rescued many over the years, helping to find them forever homes. In doing so, Greg adopted several of the dogs. Greg coped, over the years, with the loss of his furry companions, Stump, Bocephus, and Oreo,. Living with Greg at the time of his death were his two furry medical alert companions, Secret and Junior, who were able to sense and let Greg know when his glucose levels were off and required Greg’s intervention with medications. Unfortunately, his dogs Secret and Junior were also escape artists causing havoc in the neighborhood. Interment will be at Andersonville National Cemetery, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, Georgia 31711 on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Please visit https://gofund.me/f6610f26 to help assist the family. To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family visit www.aldridgefuneralservices.com Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements. See more

Mr. Willard Bradley Muff Martin, 88 of Americus, passed away Monday, February 8, 2021 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, GA. Due to the current pandemic, a private family graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Steve Golden and Rev. Charles Stoops will officiate. Willard Bradley Martin was born January 15, 1933 in Macon GA. He was the son of the late Willard Ross Martin and the late Mary Louise Bradle...y Martin. Mr. Martin earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern. After serving two years in the army, he taught school for a short period of time and went to work for the Department of Defense in Warner Robins, GA., where he was employed for 34 yrs. He held a supervisor position in the Procurement Division until his retirement. He was very active in leadership roles with the Gideons International Americus Camp. He also served in a variety of roles for the Friendship Baptist Association, including Interim Associational Missionary. Mr. Martin was a devoted member of Bethel Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday School director, and teacher. He was a true man of God, with great faith and integrity. His love of the Lord, his family, his church, and his country were strong and abiding. He was always on mission for the Lord by sharing the plan of salvation. Many individuals came to know Christ as their Savior through his personal sharing. He always made everyone he met feel loved and accepted. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Willard Ross Martin and Susan of Suwanee, GA and Roy Charles Martin and Lisa of Cobb, GA. Three grandchildren and spouses, Bradley Martin of Atlanta, GA, Shelley Merrill and Brandon of Thomasville, GA and Elliott Coffee and Ellis of Americus, GA. Three great grandchildren including Amelia Lane Merrill, John Ellis Coffee and Janie Ruth Coffee also survive. In addition to his parents, Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia Judy Ross Martin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Gideons International Americus Camp P.O. Box 722 Americus, GA 31709. To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family visit www.aldridgefuneralservices.com Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements. See more

Mrs. Ann Barbaree Page, 82 of Preston, passed away Saturday January 30, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2021 graveside at Harmony Cemetery in Richland. Rev. Raymond Smith will officiate. Friends are welcome to visit the family at the residence of Jay and Julie Page 912 Sears Road Richland, GA. Ann Barbaree Page was born April 16, 1938 in Richland, GA. She was the daughter of the late Arthur David Barbar...ee and the late Louise Hicks Barbaree. Ann grew up in Richland and after high school she attended the University of Georgia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in special education. She also obtained a master’s degree from Columbus University. She taught in the Muscogee County School System, Richland Elementary School and Webster County Elementary. She retired after 32 years and loved and nurtured every child that came in her classroom. She loved to tell fun stories and reminisced a lot about her teaching days. After retirement, Ann took to the road traveling around the country on tours and she got to see just about every state. She had lots of fun stories about those trips as well. Some of her greatest memories were going on family vacations to the mountains in Maggie Valley and Pigeon Forge. She loved being around people, and she is best remembered for that jolly, fun spirit she had and was always out to have a good time. Ann was also a faithful member of Preston Baptist Church where through the years she served on many committees and taught Sunday School and GA’s. In her later years, she enjoyed the women’s ministry sewing and stuffing pillows for cancer patients and making bibs and lap blankets for nursing home residents. She was also a member of the Preston Women’s Club, and the Georgia Retired Educators Association. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, James Jay Page and Julie of Preston. A brother Earl Barbaree of Columbus, two sisters-in-law Ann Smith of Albany and Debbie Barbaree of Summerville S.C. A granddaughter Jessica Page and several nieces and nephews, and a host of special friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Page was preceded in death by her husband James M. Page, Sr., her brother James Jim Barbaree and a niece Shelly Taylor. Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Home Foundation 3000 Hwy 43 North McDonough, GA 30253 or to the Georgia Baptist Youth Homes 9250 Hutchesons Ferry Road Palmetto GA 30268. To sign the online guestbook and share your condolences to the family, visit www.aldridgefuneralservices.com Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.