Obituaries
Albany Area

Willie C. Crafton Sr.

ALBANY — Willie C. Crafton Sr., 101, of 1502 Avalon Ave., died Friday, April 11, 2008 at his residence. Funeral arrangements to be announced.

Meadows Funeral Home
Albany 229/439-2262

Delia Griffin Peterman Davenport

ALBANY — Delia Griffin Peterman Davenport, 86, of 2307 Joel Dr., who died Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2008 at First United Methodist Church, Walden Chapel, with burial in New Hope Cemetery in Clay County. Dr. Eugene G. Sherman will officiate.

Mrs. Davenport was much loved by her family and many friends. Mrs. Davenport graduated with honors with a B.A. degree from Albany State University, Albany, and a M.A. degree from Atlanta University, Atlanta.

Mrs. Davenport retired after 45 years of service as a teacher, librarian and media arts specialist in Atlanta and Ft. Gaines. She was preceded in death by her parents, six siblings, and husband, the late Dr. Carl W. Peterman Sr.

Mrs. Davenport was a member of the West Town United Methodist Church in Albany, where the Rev. Leslie Thomas, serves as Pastor. During the last two years of life, she joined her daughter, by affiliating, under Watch-Care, with the Institutional First Baptist Church of Albany, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. E.G. Sherman Jr. We owe thanks to God for her longevity, faith, strength and courage. She never feared even during the last hours. She left here with prayer in her heart and a word of “Thanksgiving” on lips. She rests in peace with her Heavenly Father.

Left to cherish fond memories are her children, Carl Peterman of South Orange, NJ (wife, Phylis Peterman) and Obzeine Peterman Shorter of Albany (husband, Farris Shorter); grandchildren, Chad Peterman of Brooklyn, NY (wife, Damali Peterman), Melanie Shorter Jones of Warner Robins (husband, Jarius Jones) and Carla Peterman of Berkeley, CA; brother, John Griffin of Miami, FL (wife, Ruth Griffin); host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and their spouses, as well as caregivers and friends.

Poteat Funeral Home
Albany 229/436-3615

Kathleen Mize DuPree

ALBANY — Kathleen Mize DuPree, 81 of Albany, GA died Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Palmyra Nursing Home. Arrangements to be announced by Mathews Funeral Home.

Mathews Funeral Home
Albany 229/435-5657

Kathryn W. Gunnels

ALBANY — Kathryn W. Gunnels, died Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Palmyra Nursing Home.

Her funeral services will be Monday, 2 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery.

A native of Jefferson, GA, Mrs. Gunnels owned and operated along with her husband, P.W. Gunnels, Coachman Park Food Center until 1980. She graduated from Doerun High School and was a member of Byne Memorial Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Kathy Diane Gunnels of Albany; nephews, Max Ladson of Albany, Donald Ladson of Moultrie, and Lonnie Ladson, AL.

The family will receive friends Monday, from 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m. at Kimbrell-Stern.

You may sign the guestbook and share your memories with the family of Mrs. Gunnels by visiting Kimbrell-Stern’s website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors
Albany 229/883-4152

Bennie James Hicks

ALBANY — Bennie James Hicks, 63, of 2000 N. Riverview Circle, died Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements to be announced.

Meadows Funeral Home
Albany 229/439-2262

Leon F. Kimbro

ALBANY — The funeral service of Leon F. Kimbro,74, of 104-B National Court, Albany, GA who died Saturday, April 12, 2008 at his residence will be conducted Monday at 3:00 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. The Rev. Ken Myers will officiate. Interment will follow in Floral Memory Gardens.

A native of Brantley, AL, Mr. Kimbro had resided in Albany since 1983 moving from Columbus, GA. He was a meat cutter at Harvey Supermarket, East Albany Store and an Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam Conflict. Mr. Kimbro was member of Rose Hill Masonic Lodge {pound} 484 F&AM, Columbus, GA, Loyal Order of Moose {pound}1285, a member of Avalon United Methodist Church and a member of the Disciples Sunday School Class.

Survivors include his wife, Nellie Kimbro of Albany; three daughters, Susan K. Woodall and her husband, Scott of Gainesville, GA, Sandra K. Buczek of Columbus, GA and Rita Cline of Albany, GA; four sons, Richard L. Brown and his wife, Donna, Russell A. Brown and his wife, Lisa, and Roger S. Brown, all of Albany, GA, and Ronnie W. Brown and his wife, Mary of Youngstown, FL; three sisters, Bessie Gibson, Ruth Napper and Mary Smallwood, all of Columbus, GA; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends today (Sunday) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home.

To sign our online registry or to send condolences to the family, you may visit Mathews’ website at www.mathewsfuneralhome.com

Mathews Funeral Home
Albany 229/435-5657

Henry Lee Lewis

ALBANY — Henry Lee Lewis, 50, of 8301 Presidents Dr., Hummelstown, PA, died Thursday, April 10, 2008 at Harrisburg Hospital in Harrisburg, PA. Funeral arrangements to be announced. Family will receive friends at the residence of Kimberly Oates, 2306 Stuart Ave.

M.L. King Funeral Directors
Albany 229/435-4813

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