Category: Obituaries

Dr. Allen Davis Binns, 63, died Monday evening at his home after being diagnosed with glioblastoma in August of 2005. Dr. Binns, a Columbus native was born on August 9, 1943, the son of Alice King Binns and the late Dr. Joseph Marion Binns. He was preceded in death by his father, his only son, Allen Davis Binns, Jr. and his niece, Erika Marie Binns. He attended Columbus schools and graduated from Darlington School in Rome, Georgia in the Class of 1961. After graduating from Emory University in 1964, he entered Emory University School of Dentistry from which he graduated in 1969. He served as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corp during the Vietnam War. Upon completing his military service he returned to Columbus and in 1971 established the dental practice to which he dedicated the next 35 years of life. Dr. Binns continued a lifetime of learning and became a specialist in the treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. He cared for each of his patients and loved the opportunity to meet and serve so many. In 1979, Dr. Binns came to faith in Christ and from that time devoted his life to the service of others through many regional and international mission trips. Dr. Binns was involved in numerous organizations including The Columbus Quarterback Club, Young Life of Columbus, and United Way. His professional memberships included being a member and past president of the Western District Dental Society, a member and past president of the Georgia Academy of General Dentistry, a lifetime member of the American Dental Association and a long time member of the Georgia Dental Association and its’ House of Delegates. He was a staff member at the Medical Center and served on the Advisory Board of Columbus Technical Institute’s Hygiene Program and Indigent Care Program. He was both a Fellow and a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry. He was a faithful member of Wynnbrook Baptist Church. The enjoyment of fishing, which captured him at a very young age, continued to be his passion until he became disabled. He loved spending time with his family and friends at his lake home on Lake Harding. Dr. Binns said he would like to be remembered as a good Christian, a good dentist, and a good family man. Dr. Binns is survived by his mother, his wife of 27 years, Susan Nevels Binns of Columbus, Georgia, his daughters Elizabeth Binns Henley of Columbus, and Mary Railey Binns of Charleston, South Carolina, son-in-law Michael Nebinger Henley of Columbus, and his only grandchild, Michael Nebinger Henly, Jr. Dr. Binns is also survived by his siblings, Joseph Marion Binns of Atlanta, Georgia, Cathy Binns Johnpeer of Columbus, and Dr. Michael John Binns of Marietta, Georgia, two sisters-in-law, Carol Mobley Binns and Susan Black Binns. He is also survived by his father-in-law, William Harold Nevels of Columbus, four nephews and a niece. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2006 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the Conference Center at Wynnbrook Baptist Church. The memorial service will be at Wynnbrook Baptist Church on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Dr. Allen Davis Binns Memorial Mission Fund, c/o Wynnbrook Baptist Church, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus, Georgia 31904. Dr. Binns’ family expresses gratitude to Vincent Smith, Christina Farley, Clarice Boden, the wonderful staff of Columbus Hospice, the physicians and staff of the John B. Amos Cancer Center and the Duke University Brain Tumor Center. Arrangements by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA.

Arleen’s maiden name was Patricia Eleanor Arleen King, daughter of Big John King and Mary Elizabeth Powell.

Arleen King Beasley died on Monday, July 23, 2018 in Chester, MD. She was 75 years old.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. Arleen will be buried near her parents and family in Riverdale Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia.

Arleen was a Columbus, Georgia native born on September 28, 1942. She was the daughter of the late B. John and Elizabeth (Powell) King of Columbus and Chattahoochee County, Georgia. She was the paternal granddaughter of the late Dr. Gary Wood King and his wife Catherine Alice. Dr. King was known as the cotton king of Georgia. He owned thousands of acres of land until his death in 1925. A large portion of that land and the King Cemetery are now part of the Ft. Benning Army Post. Arleen’s paternal great-grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth (Lee) King, were pioneer settlers of Chattahoochee County. Elizabeth Lee King, born July 8, 1795, was one of the Lees of Virginia. Arleen was the maternal granddaughter of the late William Everett Powell and his wife, Alma Virginia (Jackson) of Alexander City, Alabama and Georgia.
Arleen was the mother of Beth Beasley from Brunswick, Georgia and John Beasley and his wife, Monica (Smith) Beasley of Chester, Maryland. She is also survived by 3 beloved grandchildren, Ryan Beasley of Richmond, Virginia, Ashley Beasley of Corning, New York and Jessica Beasley of Chester, Maryland. Arleen also has 3 great grandsons, Cayden, Everett and Camren.

She was predeceased by half-brothers Wood, Dean and Jack King (former Georgia representative) and half-sisters Mary Allen (King) Thomas, Alice (King) Binns, Pat (King) Jefferson and a nephew, Gary King, all of Columbus. She is survived by a half-sister, Shirley Long of Columbus, Georgia and a half-brother, Henry Lee (Harry) King of Dunedin, Florida and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arleen was an honor graduate of Cusseta High School. She was president of the honor society, secretary of the senior class, a member of the student council, safety council and center forward on the basketball team. She was also selected to be a National Merit Scholar. She was an alumnus of Columbus College and Georgia Southern College. She was a member of the college newspaper and yearbook staffs, the Wesley Foundation and glee club. While at Columbus College, she wrote a column entitled, “Campus Chatter” for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper. She was also a contestant in the 1961 Miss Columbus Pageant.

In 1962, she married Fenn Coffin Beasley, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and member of a Richland, Georgia family. For over 20 years, they lived in Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, California and finally ending up in Virginia Beach after 18 moves in 12 years. After divorcing, she continued her career with the Virginian Pilot and Ledger Star for over 30 years.

Arleen’s extensive vacation travels took her to Japan, Hawaii, France, Germany and Austria. In addition to traveling, her interests included playing the piano, reading, gardening, photography, genealogy and going to estate sales.

It was Arleen’s desire that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in her memory to the Living Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 6099, Columbus, GA 31917.

From the Albany Herald, July 25, 2001. From the King-Fisher Sisters’ Collection.

 Helen King Thompson

ALBANY – Helen King Thompson died of leukemia at her home at 1823 Robin Hood Road on Tueasday, July 24, 2001.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Thad Haygood officiating.

Mrs. Thompson is a native of Cusseta, she was the daughter of the late Geronimo W. and Mattie Foster King. She had lived in Albany since 1956. She was a graduate of the University of Georgia, a member of the Arts Student League and Alpha Gamme Delta Sorority, A member of the First United Methodist Church and a former Sunday School teacher, she was a member of the UMW and the Elnora Hawk Sunday School Class. She was also a member of the Doublegate Ladies Golf Association.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce and her four children and their families; Michael Bruce Thompson and wife, Gail of Albany and their children, Hannah, Al, and Karrie; Martha Kimberly Seay and her husband, Bob of Roswell and their children, Robert, Helen, and David; Susan King Thompson and her husband, Bill Slugg of Albany and children, Casey Powell and Andrew Slugg; son, Hal Geron Thompson and wife Kimberly of Leesburg and their children, Jessica, Sarah, and Taylor. She is also survived by a sister, Virginia Robertson and husband, Paul of Albany; a brother, Hal King and his wife, Jeane of Leesburg; several nieces and nephews.

Those desiring please make memorials to American Cancer Society, Dougherty-Lee Unit, P.O. Box 1201, Albany, GA 31702.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors Albany 229/883-4152

From the Albany Herald, September 23, 1964. From the King-Fisher Sisters’ Collection.

Ex-Cusseta Mayor Dies Here at 77

G. W. King, 77, of Cusseta died this morning in Phoebe Putney Hospital.

Born Oct. 24, 1886, in Chattahoochee County, he was the son of Catherine Alice King and Gary Wood King and had been a lifelong resident of Chattahoochee County. Prior to his retirement he had served for 26 years as county school superintendent of Chattahoochee County, was a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives from Chattahoochee County, served as state senator of the 24th District of Georgia and was a former mayor of Cusseta.

Mr. King is survived by his wife, the former Miss Mattie Foster of Chattahoochee County; two daughters, Mrs. Bruce Thompson and Mrs. Paul B. Robertson, both of Albany; a son, Hal F. King of Albany; a brother, B. J. King of Cusseta; two sisters, Mrs. E. W. Stephens of Columbus and Mrs. W. W. McCook of Shreveport, La., and 2 grandchildren.

The funeral service will be conducted Thursday at 2:30 p. m. in Cusseta Baptist Church by the Rev. D. P. Jenkins. Interment will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Cusseta. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p. m.

Kimbrell-Stern is in charge of arrangements.

From the Albany Journal, April 28, 2011.

Mr. Jay Paul Hiers, of Atlanta died Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

His funeral service Saturday 2 PM at First United Methodist Church with interment in Crown Hill Cemetery. Dr. Don Adams will officiate. The family will receive friends Friday 5 to 7 PM at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors.

A native of Albany, he was a 1990 graduate of Albany High School and a 1994 graduate of Savannah College of Art and was a talented artist. Jay was a member of First United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by his grandfather Paul B. Robertson.

Survivors include his mother, Jill Robertson Hiers, Phenix City, AL, his father, Earl “Bubba” Hiers, Savannah, sister, Corrie Hiers Rooks and her husband Brian, Savannah, grandmother, Virginia King Robertson, Albany and numerous aunts uncles and cousins.

From the Columbus Enquirer-Sun, February 13, 1901.

MR. HENRY KING DEAD: Brother of Mr. Jos. King Dies in Chattahoochee County.

Cusseta, Ga., Feb. 12.—Mr. Henry King died last night at his residence three miles north of here at the advanced age of 62. He was never married, and is survived by one brother, Mr. Joseph King, of Columbus, and two sisters, who reside in Texas. During the civil war he enlisted as a private,and his record was gallant and creditable.

His remains were brought here this afternoon and interred in Mt. Olive cemetery.

There are many Henry Kings in this family. This particular Henry was the son of Charles King and Pheribe Moore. He was a bachelor and lived his entire life, excepting his service for the Confederacy during the Civil War, in the Cusseta area.

From the New Orleans Time-Picayune, June 29, 2007.

William R. McCook, Sr. passed on Sunday, June 24, 2007 in New Orleans, LA. Born in Columbus, Georgia he lived 83 years raising a family, teaching, acting in Community Theater, working and spent many days in the sun and rain playing tennis. William (Bill) served his country in the Army, graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport, LA and received his Master’s from Tulane University in 1950.

He is loved and missed by 2 children: Bill Jr. and Ann; 2 grandchildren: Elizabeth and Kate; his brother and sisters; 2 sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews whose lives he influenced with his love, integrity and education. He will be missed.

Services will be held in Shreveport, Louisiana on Friday, July 6th, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. in Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Avenue, through Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport, Louisiana. In his memory, donations may be sent to Tulane University with memo to the William R. McCook Sr. Memorial Fund, attn: Gift Acounting, 3439 Prytania St., Ste. 200, New Orleans, LA 70115.

From the San Antonio Light, April 7, 1968.

Mrs. Dicie King, age 86, of 203 W. Ridgewood, died Friday at a local hospital.

Survivors: Daughters, Mrs. Cecil Mauldin, San Antonio, Mrs. C. G. Bare, Denver, Colo., Mrs. Florence Roberts, Monroe, La., Mrs. Dee King, Batesville, Tex.,; a number of grandchildren including, Velion Moore, Edward Moore, Floyd Moore, Donald Moore, Mrs. Wade Wiley, all of San Antonio; and a number of great-grandchildren.

The body will be sent Sunday morning to the Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe, La. for service Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Interment in Riverview Cemetery, Monroe, La.

From the Sabine County Reporter, April 6, 2011.

Mrs. Inez Sparks was born January 31, 1926 in Hemphill, Texas, to Bronson and Marie (Patterson) King. She entered into rest on March 30, 2011 in a Tyler Hospital.

She was retired from San Augustine ISD where she had worked for many years as a teachers aid. She was a member of the Bridge Club and a member of First United Methodist Church in San Augustine.

She is survived by her son H.B. Sparks and his wife Charlotte of Center; daughter Debra Adkins of Tenaha; grandchildren Ashley Golden and D.D., Hillary Sparks, Tanya Byley, Clifton Byley and Amanda, Winter Ogeda, Tiffany Anderson, Timothy; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Charlotte Walker and Trent of Lufkin; sisters-in-law Betty Jean Cartwright, Frances Maxwell, Claudine Selden, Agnes Sparks; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents; husband Hugh Sparks.

Funeral services will be Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. in Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel with Sara Barbaree and Bro. Jim Moss officiating and burial in Liberty Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday April 2, 2011 from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home.

From the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, February 17, 2012.

PATRICIA KING JEFFERSON died on February 14, 2012 at Southwest Christian Care, Union City, Ga. Pat, one of seven children, was born May 20, 1923 to BJ and Marie Allen King of Columbus, Ga. She is preceded in death her husband Reverend Hugh M. Jefferson; sisters; Mary Allen King Thomas, and Catherine Alice King Binns; brothers; Gary Wood King, John Allen King, and G. Dean Allen King and 2 nephews. She is survived by her brother Henry Lee (“Harry”) King of Clearwater, FL, 15 dearly beloved nieces and nephews whom she nurtured as her own; 27 great nieces and nephews and 6 great-great nieces and nephews.

Pat attended Wynnton Elementary and Columbus High School (CHS) and was a long time member of Wynnton Methodist Church. She was active with lead rolls in CHS plays and later directed The Christian Fellowship productions. She was a Drama Major at the University of Georgia, graduating in 1945. She went on to study at the University of North Carolina, Northwestern U and in New York City. She then returned to Columbus where she worked in sales at WRBL and was the star in the radio program: “Chat with Pat”. After many years, she became a speech teacher at Andrew College, in Cuthbert, GA where she met and married Hugh Jefferson, a retired Presbyterian Minister who was also on the faculty. Their greatest joys together were serving in Camp Fartherest Out, a Christian Lay organization. Since her husband’s death, Pat has worshipped at the First Baptist Church, Cuthbert.

A memorial services will be held on Sunday February 19, 2012 at 3:00PM at First Baptist Church of Cuthbert with Reverend Tom McClendon officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the music ministry of First Baptist Church, Cuthbert.