Mrs. Jewell Yarbrough Pitts

February 16, 1926 – February 12, 2013

Griffin resident

Mrs. Jewell Yarbrough Pitts, 86, of Griffin, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at Brightmoor Hospice.

Mrs. Pitts was born on Feb. 16, 1926 in Randolph County, Ala. to the late Charlie Yarbrough and the late Evie Stephens Yarbrough. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Hunter H. Pitts. Mrs. Pitts was a member of Union Baptist Church.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in- law, Larry H. and Ce Ce Pitts of Conway, Ark., Terry and Darlene Pitts of Griffin; daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Campbell, Renee and Larry Blankenship of Griffin, Jeana and Russell Wilson of Covington; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Martha Yarbrough of Ephesus, Ga., sister and brother-in-law, Eva and Jess Arnett of Silverton, Ore.; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Jewell Pitts will be conducted on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church. Pastor Tim Conort will officiate. Interment will be private in Moody Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit the family on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the building fund at Union Baptist Church in memory of Mrs. Jewell Pitts. Mrs. Pits will lie in state at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the service.

Heritage Funeral Home 1512 Williamson Rd. Griffin, GA 30224 is in charge of arrangements. www.heritagefhgriffin.com

Mrs. Nell Grubbs Buchanan Crawford

Nov. 27, 1914 -Feb. 13, 2013

Former Griffin resident

Mrs. Nell Crawford, 98, formerly of Griffin, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 due to a massive stroke suffered at Grandview Health Care Center in Jasper, GA, where she had been a resident for the last two years due to a broken hip.

She was born November 27, 1914 in Forsyth, GA, to the late William and Mamie Grubbs. Her family later moved to Griffin, where she lived for 85 years. She retired from Spalding Knitting Mill after 50 years of service. She sold Avon for over 30 years, earning her right to be a member of the President’s Club. She was a member of Devotie Baptist Church for over 50 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clark Crawford; son, William Larry Buchanan; brother, Jack Grubbs; sister, Hazel Martin; and granddaughter and husband, Connie and Ricky Dutton.

She is survived by her brother, Howell Grubbs; daughters-in-law, Florence Buchanan and Claudette McDonald; granddaughter, Crissy Buchanan; granddaughter and her husband, Debbie Buchanan McInnish and Barry McInnish, of Ellijay; grandson, Jeff Buchanan, of Warner Robins; great grandchildren, Autumn and Lynn Bruington of Seguin, TX; Jason and Angela Nalley of Dahlonega, GA; Ryan and Dana Dutton of Griffin. She also has six great, great grandchildren – Ryan Jr., Dalana, Kaylin, Anne Marie, James and Rhett – as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Mrs. Crawford will be on Saturday, February 16, 2013 from 11:00am until 12:00pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 12:30pm at Griffin Memorial Gardens.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com

Pfc. Bobby Ladon Byars

June 6, 1932 -Dec. 31, 1950

Pfc. Bobby L. Byars, 18, was killed in action on Dec. 31, 1950 defending his country during the Korean War.

Bobby was born on June 6, 1932 in Griffin to Carlton Dean Byars and Martha Louise Allen Byars. He enlisted in the National Guard of Griffin in February of 1949 and joined the United States Army in August of 1949. Bobby was sent to Fort Jackson, S.C. for basic training. Following his basic training, he was sent to Ft. Benning for further training in December of 1949. He was assigned to Ft. Lawton, Wis. in July, 1950 and was deployed to Korea in September, 1950. Pfs. Byars was assigned to Company M 31st Regimental Combat Team.

For many years, Bobby was listed as missing in action, but as a result of modern day technology and the persistence of the United States Army it has been determined that Pfc. Bobby Byars was killed in action. Regretfully his parents passed away before this determination was made. He also lost a brother and sisters-in-law during this time as well, James A. “Bud” Byars, Mae Ellen Bethune Byars, Mary Jane Sauls Byars and a niece, Donna Byars Rasbury.

Bobby is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles R. “Chuck” and Janice McGinn Byars of Williamson; nephews and their wives Jeffrey and Chris Byars of Lodi, Wis., and Keith Byars of RinggoldA, Barry and Carole Byars of Griffin; niece and her husband, Kelly Byars and Jerry Stanford of SenoiaA; step-brothers and sisters-in-law, Patrick and April McGinn of Williamson, Michael and Brandi McGinn of Athens; step-sister and brother-in-law, Kathy McGinn and Brad Gregg of Williamson.

Funeral services for Pfc. Bobby Byars will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Baptist Church. Pastor Chris Teasley will officiate. Full military burial honors will follow in the Veteran’s section of Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects on Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family will be available on Friday from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. to visit with friends.

Heritage Funeral Home 1512 Williamson Rd. Griffin, GA 30224 is in charge of arrangements. www.heritagefhgriffin.com

DEATH NOTICES

Funeral for Mr. Tommy H. Reeves will be Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Pastor Milton S. Goggins will officiate. Interment will follow in Westwood Garden Cemetery. Public viewing will be held at the funeral home Friday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to service. The cortege will assemble at 334 Dale Drive, Griffin at 10:15 a.m. McDowell’s Funeral Home, Inc., 305 N. Hill St., Griffin.

Mrs. Brandy English Beck, 28, of 188 Stony Brook Circle, Jackson died Sunday Feb. 10, 2013 at Sylvan Grove Hospital in Jackson. Funeral will be Saturday Feb. 16, 2013 at New Generation Christian Fellowship at 2 p.m. Apostle Mamie Smith will officiate and Pastor Gary Sheldon will render the eulogy. Interment will follow in Griffin Memorial Garden. Viewing will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The cortege will assemble at 1:15 p.m. from the funeral home. McDowell’s Funeral Home, Inc., 305 N. Hill St., Griffin.

Mr. Billy E. Pitts, age 76 of Griffin, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2012 at his residence. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February, 15, 2013 at 11:00 am in the new section of Oak Hill Cemetery. Reverend Argin Floyd will officiate. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:15 am on Friday. Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, is in charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com