He was a bi-vocational Baptist Minister, who was a Major Medical, life and health insurance broker. He was my father. He has a military headstone, having served in Korea. He married in 1955 to Martha Nell Cunningham, and had 2 adopted children, Wyndy and David, 25 Aug 1963 - 08 Jan 2018.
My daddy used to tell me all the time that the reason the Vidalia onions were so sweet was because that's where he was born. And of course, I believed him! He never met a stranger, talked about his Lord to everyone, and loved his family dearly and deeply. He and my mother would hold hands when they walked anywhere. He was funny, and loved to sing. When the song would get too high, he would drop the octave and sing the melody there; it tickled me (and him) so much. He loved Hank Williams, Sr., as do I to this day, even though I don't listen to country music. I can listen to that and hear him singing in the car.
My father had faults, as does anyone I suppose. However, he was so sweet, and kind, and loving and supported my mother and me & my brother as long as he lived. He was a faithful Christian and great servant who preached the Word from the pulpit. He was respected by so many business associates all over Mississippi and loved by so many church members and family.
He was a son of William Melton South and Lera Loree Cribbs, linked to this memorial.
He was the paternal grandson of William Melton South and Ida Wildes. William Melton b. 16 Nov 1872; d. 10 Jul 1936 in Orlando, Orange Co., FL. He is buried in the Winter Garden Cemetery, Winter Garden, Orange Co., FL. Find a Grave Memorial #100609239. Ida Wildes, was a daughter of James Christopher Wildes, one of the only 4 surviving children of Maximillan Wildes (Wilds) and Samantha Cowart, in the last Seminole Massacre in Ga 22 Jul 1838 in Waycross, Ware Co., GA. She is buried in the Orange Hill Cemetery, Tampa, Hillsborough Co., FL; Old Section, Garden of Divinity, Lot 588, Center 1/3; Find a Grave Memorial #12171623.
His paternal great grandparents were: James Cason South b. 07 Oct 1851 Laurens Co., SC; d. 17 Sep 1940 in GA, buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Reidsville, Tattnall Co., GA near the Reidsville State prison (Find A Grave Memorial# 47666827) and his first wife, Mary White, b. 1855 in SC and d. after 1910. Her son's census for 1930 lists his mother's birth place as South Carolina. She is enumerated on 05 Jun 1900 as Mary, wife of James. Her burial is unknown to me as Cason is buried beside his 2nd wife, Eliza Jarrell South. These are the only two South surnames buried in all of Tattnall County, GA.
His paternal great great grandparents were James Benjamin South, b. 14 Oct 1825 Laurens Co., SC, d. 15 Apr 1875, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #8156996) and Sarah Elizabeth Smith Puckett, b. 01 Jan 1829 d. 23 Dec 1863, both in Laurens Co., GA. He is buried in the Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Hickory Tavern, Laurens Co., SC. There is a controversy about her burial. Christine South Gee, a family historian, and writer of the family history (I own a personal copy dated 1963), states she is buried in the Medlock Cemetery, Princeton, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #107474612). Her Memorial page is included in the Medlock Puckett Knight Cemetery in Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., GA. James Benjamin (buried as J. B.) is buried beside his 2nd wife, Mary Rankin Simpson, b. 15 Aug 1844; d. 25 Oct 1912. Their graves are so close to the road on a hill. The stones are new and were placed by the DAR.
His paternal ggg grandparents were Gabriel South b. 1807 Bedford Co., VA; d. bef. 03 Dec 1867 in Pontotoc, Pontotoc Co., MS (Actually community of Cherry Creek--burial is not known but diligently searched for), and Martha Norwood, b. 1810 and d. 11 May 1853. It is believed by Christine South Gee, and hasn't been denied as of yet, that Gabriel moved to Mississippi after his wife died. He was murdered for his money.
His paternal gggg grandparents were William South, b. 1760 Berkley Co., VA; d. abt. 1844 in Laurens Co., SC (recently researched extensively in Laurens Co., by me) and Katherine Daniel (d/o John Daniel & Sarah Montague), b. 1765; d. 1857. Both are buried in the Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., SC. William: Find A Grave memorial #8286945; and Katy: Find A Grave Memorial# 8286944. I have extensive information about them, their family, photos of their stones.
His paternal gx5 grandparents, Zedekiah South & Nancy Violett. Zedekiah was b. 1726 Middlesex Co., VA and d. 13 Sep 1813 in Carrollton, Carroll Co., KY. Nancy, a daughter of Thomas Henson Violett and Unknown Ashford, was b. 1738 in VA; and d. abt. 1796 in either Woodford or Gallatin Co., KY. At this time, burial is unknown.
His paternal gx6 grandparents were John South & Mary Elizabeth Smith South. John was b. abt. 1689 in Middlesex Co., VA; d. 03 May 1783 at Estill's Defeat, Estill Co., KY. Mary was b. 20 Mar 1695 in Middlesex Co., VA and d. 1731 in either VA or KY. Burial and parents are unknown.
Maternal grandparents: William E. Cribbs and Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs. William was a pastor of the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Collins, Tattnall Co., GA. William "Billy" was b. 1852 and d. 14 May 1934 in Toombs Co., GA. Mary Ann was b. 11 Jul 1871 and died totally blind 30 Jan 1963 in Chatham Co., GA. They are both buried in the Little Flock Cemetery. William (Find a Grave Memorial #11480601) and Mary Ann (Find a Grave memorial #11480605).
Maternal great grandparents: Paul James Algerine Colson, b. 14 Jun 1841 Tattnall Co., GA; d. 09 Feb 1928 Toombs Co., GA (Find a Grave memorial #34690518) and Mary Ann Elizabeth Sapp, b. 18 Apr 1847, Tattnall Co., GA; d. 15 Dec 1933 (Find a Grave memorial #38475321). Both are buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D Collins, Tattnall Co., GA as Mary Ann Sapp Colson and P. J. A. Colson.
Maternal great great grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, b. 22 Mar 1796; d. 29 Mar 1881 (Find a Grave memorial #37498994) and Mary Ann Maranda Daniel Colson, b. 29 May 1805; d. 26 Jan 1884 (Find a Grave Memorial #37498797), both buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D as B.M. Colson and Mary Ann M. Colson.
Maternal ggg grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, Sr., b. 1760, Effingham Co., GA and d. 1798 near the Savannah River. Wife was Hannah Goldwire, d. 1840. Burial is unknown for both.
His siblings include:
Sister: (Mary) Opal South, b. 24 Feb 1925; d. 16 Jul 1995, Lugoff, Kershaw Co., SC. Buried in the Reidsville City Cemetery Section D1 (Find a Grave Memorial #59003204) beside her first husband, Roy Vance Cowart, Find a Grave memorial #59002737, b. 07 Aug 1918; d. 20 Nov 1976. Second husband was Leroy Tyson, buried next to Betty Jean Tyson, his last wife.
Brother: William Melton "Bill" South, Jr., b. 29 Mar 1929; d. 11 Mar 2019, buried in Mount Kenton Cemetery, by his first wife, LaFaye Smith South, Paducah, McCracken County, KY. Find a Grave memorial #197519289; LaFaye: Find a Grave Memorial #86516020.
Audrey Ann South, b. 12 Oct 1934; d. 17 Feb 1938, her burial is unknown, but presumed to be in the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church Cemetery, Dodge Co., GA (a.k.a. McMillan Cemetery, from Chauncey, go South, turn left on the Jay Bird Springs Road, go 2 miles right at Jay Bird Dirt Road paved road CR227) turn right go 1/2 mile to cemetery). My mother remembers going here many times when I was a small child (in the 1960s). The cemetery has changed greatly since then; we visited it in 2010. It is not known why she is presumed buried here, but my granny's sister, (Edna) Utah Cribbs is buried there with her husband, as is an infant child of Willie and Sylvania Colson Cribbs. Sylvania was a sister to my great grandmother, Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs, and Utah's and my grandmother's aunt. Find a Grave memorial #80125346.
Sister: Betty Jean South Tyson, buried in the Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, Elgin, Kershaw Co., SC. Find a Grave Memorial #110105076. Betty Jean had several spouses so for now, I will just list their names. James Stanfield, Gene Moody, Allen Michaels, Burl Payne and Leroy Tyson. She is buried by Leroy Tyson. She had three children by Gene Moody (one deceased) and had two children by James Stanfield and one by Allen Michaels.
Sister Linda Carol South UPDATE: b. 10 Jan 1943; d. 05 Jan 2015. She died of advanced early onset frontal lobe dementia. She had an infectious laugh and loved my daddy, her big brother. She was a beautiful lady and a great mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her Find A Grave Memorial #141014232. She grew to look like my grandmother as did both of her sisters, Betty Jean and Opal. I miss her very much.
Brother Dwight Dallin South; UPDATE: b. 16 Dec 1945; d. 22 Mar 2017. He died due to the complications from Parkinson's. He died 7 days and 10 hours after my mother, Martha South. He was born in Georgia, served in Vietnam 1964-1970 in the 855th Medical Corps. All of his life he was a "finance" man. He sold cars, sold mortgages and insurance. He was a licensed airline pilot for small aircrafts. Since 1995, excluding a few months, he was a resident of Pearl and Ridgeland, MS. He died in the Mississippi State Veteran's Home in Jackson having been a resident there since December, 2015. He was cremated and his cremains were returned to me. Find a Grave Memorial #177934911.
My daddy used to tell me all the time that the reason the Vidalia onions were so sweet was because that's where he was born. And of course, I believed him! He never met a stranger, talked about his Lord to everyone, and loved his family dearly and deeply. He and my mother would hold hands when they walked anywhere. He was funny, and loved to sing. When the song would get too high, he would drop the octave and sing the melody there; it tickled me (and him) so much. He loved Hank Williams, Sr., as do I to this day, even though I don't listen to country music. I can listen to that and hear him singing in the car.
My father had faults, as does anyone I suppose. However, he was so sweet, and kind, and loving and supported my mother and me & my brother as long as he lived. He was a faithful Christian and great servant who preached the Word from the pulpit. He was respected by so many business associates all over Mississippi and loved by so many church members and family.
He was a son of William Melton South and Lera Loree Cribbs, linked to this memorial.
He was the paternal grandson of William Melton South and Ida Wildes. William Melton b. 16 Nov 1872; d. 10 Jul 1936 in Orlando, Orange Co., FL. He is buried in the Winter Garden Cemetery, Winter Garden, Orange Co., FL. Find a Grave Memorial #100609239. Ida Wildes, was a daughter of James Christopher Wildes, one of the only 4 surviving children of Maximillan Wildes (Wilds) and Samantha Cowart, in the last Seminole Massacre in Ga 22 Jul 1838 in Waycross, Ware Co., GA. She is buried in the Orange Hill Cemetery, Tampa, Hillsborough Co., FL; Old Section, Garden of Divinity, Lot 588, Center 1/3; Find a Grave Memorial #12171623.
His paternal great grandparents were: James Cason South b. 07 Oct 1851 Laurens Co., SC; d. 17 Sep 1940 in GA, buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Reidsville, Tattnall Co., GA near the Reidsville State prison (Find A Grave Memorial# 47666827) and his first wife, Mary White, b. 1855 in SC and d. after 1910. Her son's census for 1930 lists his mother's birth place as South Carolina. She is enumerated on 05 Jun 1900 as Mary, wife of James. Her burial is unknown to me as Cason is buried beside his 2nd wife, Eliza Jarrell South. These are the only two South surnames buried in all of Tattnall County, GA.
His paternal great great grandparents were James Benjamin South, b. 14 Oct 1825 Laurens Co., SC, d. 15 Apr 1875, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #8156996) and Sarah Elizabeth Smith Puckett, b. 01 Jan 1829 d. 23 Dec 1863, both in Laurens Co., GA. He is buried in the Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Hickory Tavern, Laurens Co., SC. There is a controversy about her burial. Christine South Gee, a family historian, and writer of the family history (I own a personal copy dated 1963), states she is buried in the Medlock Cemetery, Princeton, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #107474612). Her Memorial page is included in the Medlock Puckett Knight Cemetery in Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., GA. James Benjamin (buried as J. B.) is buried beside his 2nd wife, Mary Rankin Simpson, b. 15 Aug 1844; d. 25 Oct 1912. Their graves are so close to the road on a hill. The stones are new and were placed by the DAR.
His paternal ggg grandparents were Gabriel South b. 1807 Bedford Co., VA; d. bef. 03 Dec 1867 in Pontotoc, Pontotoc Co., MS (Actually community of Cherry Creek--burial is not known but diligently searched for), and Martha Norwood, b. 1810 and d. 11 May 1853. It is believed by Christine South Gee, and hasn't been denied as of yet, that Gabriel moved to Mississippi after his wife died. He was murdered for his money.
His paternal gggg grandparents were William South, b. 1760 Berkley Co., VA; d. abt. 1844 in Laurens Co., SC (recently researched extensively in Laurens Co., by me) and Katherine Daniel (d/o John Daniel & Sarah Montague), b. 1765; d. 1857. Both are buried in the Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., SC. William: Find A Grave memorial #8286945; and Katy: Find A Grave Memorial# 8286944. I have extensive information about them, their family, photos of their stones.
His paternal gx5 grandparents, Zedekiah South & Nancy Violett. Zedekiah was b. 1726 Middlesex Co., VA and d. 13 Sep 1813 in Carrollton, Carroll Co., KY. Nancy, a daughter of Thomas Henson Violett and Unknown Ashford, was b. 1738 in VA; and d. abt. 1796 in either Woodford or Gallatin Co., KY. At this time, burial is unknown.
His paternal gx6 grandparents were John South & Mary Elizabeth Smith South. John was b. abt. 1689 in Middlesex Co., VA; d. 03 May 1783 at Estill's Defeat, Estill Co., KY. Mary was b. 20 Mar 1695 in Middlesex Co., VA and d. 1731 in either VA or KY. Burial and parents are unknown.
Maternal grandparents: William E. Cribbs and Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs. William was a pastor of the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Collins, Tattnall Co., GA. William "Billy" was b. 1852 and d. 14 May 1934 in Toombs Co., GA. Mary Ann was b. 11 Jul 1871 and died totally blind 30 Jan 1963 in Chatham Co., GA. They are both buried in the Little Flock Cemetery. William (Find a Grave Memorial #11480601) and Mary Ann (Find a Grave memorial #11480605).
Maternal great grandparents: Paul James Algerine Colson, b. 14 Jun 1841 Tattnall Co., GA; d. 09 Feb 1928 Toombs Co., GA (Find a Grave memorial #34690518) and Mary Ann Elizabeth Sapp, b. 18 Apr 1847, Tattnall Co., GA; d. 15 Dec 1933 (Find a Grave memorial #38475321). Both are buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D Collins, Tattnall Co., GA as Mary Ann Sapp Colson and P. J. A. Colson.
Maternal great great grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, b. 22 Mar 1796; d. 29 Mar 1881 (Find a Grave memorial #37498994) and Mary Ann Maranda Daniel Colson, b. 29 May 1805; d. 26 Jan 1884 (Find a Grave Memorial #37498797), both buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D as B.M. Colson and Mary Ann M. Colson.
Maternal ggg grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, Sr., b. 1760, Effingham Co., GA and d. 1798 near the Savannah River. Wife was Hannah Goldwire, d. 1840. Burial is unknown for both.
His siblings include:
Sister: (Mary) Opal South, b. 24 Feb 1925; d. 16 Jul 1995, Lugoff, Kershaw Co., SC. Buried in the Reidsville City Cemetery Section D1 (Find a Grave Memorial #59003204) beside her first husband, Roy Vance Cowart, Find a Grave memorial #59002737, b. 07 Aug 1918; d. 20 Nov 1976. Second husband was Leroy Tyson, buried next to Betty Jean Tyson, his last wife.
Brother: William Melton "Bill" South, Jr., b. 29 Mar 1929; d. 11 Mar 2019, buried in Mount Kenton Cemetery, by his first wife, LaFaye Smith South, Paducah, McCracken County, KY. Find a Grave memorial #197519289; LaFaye: Find a Grave Memorial #86516020.
Audrey Ann South, b. 12 Oct 1934; d. 17 Feb 1938, her burial is unknown, but presumed to be in the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church Cemetery, Dodge Co., GA (a.k.a. McMillan Cemetery, from Chauncey, go South, turn left on the Jay Bird Springs Road, go 2 miles right at Jay Bird Dirt Road paved road CR227) turn right go 1/2 mile to cemetery). My mother remembers going here many times when I was a small child (in the 1960s). The cemetery has changed greatly since then; we visited it in 2010. It is not known why she is presumed buried here, but my granny's sister, (Edna) Utah Cribbs is buried there with her husband, as is an infant child of Willie and Sylvania Colson Cribbs. Sylvania was a sister to my great grandmother, Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs, and Utah's and my grandmother's aunt. Find a Grave memorial #80125346.
Sister: Betty Jean South Tyson, buried in the Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, Elgin, Kershaw Co., SC. Find a Grave Memorial #110105076. Betty Jean had several spouses so for now, I will just list their names. James Stanfield, Gene Moody, Allen Michaels, Burl Payne and Leroy Tyson. She is buried by Leroy Tyson. She had three children by Gene Moody (one deceased) and had two children by James Stanfield and one by Allen Michaels.
Sister Linda Carol South UPDATE: b. 10 Jan 1943; d. 05 Jan 2015. She died of advanced early onset frontal lobe dementia. She had an infectious laugh and loved my daddy, her big brother. She was a beautiful lady and a great mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her Find A Grave Memorial #141014232. She grew to look like my grandmother as did both of her sisters, Betty Jean and Opal. I miss her very much.
Brother Dwight Dallin South; UPDATE: b. 16 Dec 1945; d. 22 Mar 2017. He died due to the complications from Parkinson's. He died 7 days and 10 hours after my mother, Martha South. He was born in Georgia, served in Vietnam 1964-1970 in the 855th Medical Corps. All of his life he was a "finance" man. He sold cars, sold mortgages and insurance. He was a licensed airline pilot for small aircrafts. Since 1995, excluding a few months, he was a resident of Pearl and Ridgeland, MS. He died in the Mississippi State Veteran's Home in Jackson having been a resident there since December, 2015. He was cremated and his cremains were returned to me. Find a Grave Memorial #177934911.
He was a bi-vocational Baptist Minister, who was a Major Medical, life and health insurance broker. He was my father. He has a military headstone, having served in Korea. He married in 1955 to Martha Nell Cunningham, and had 2 adopted children, Wyndy and David, 25 Aug 1963 - 08 Jan 2018.
My daddy used to tell me all the time that the reason the Vidalia onions were so sweet was because that's where he was born. And of course, I believed him! He never met a stranger, talked about his Lord to everyone, and loved his family dearly and deeply. He and my mother would hold hands when they walked anywhere. He was funny, and loved to sing. When the song would get too high, he would drop the octave and sing the melody there; it tickled me (and him) so much. He loved Hank Williams, Sr., as do I to this day, even though I don't listen to country music. I can listen to that and hear him singing in the car.
My father had faults, as does anyone I suppose. However, he was so sweet, and kind, and loving and supported my mother and me & my brother as long as he lived. He was a faithful Christian and great servant who preached the Word from the pulpit. He was respected by so many business associates all over Mississippi and loved by so many church members and family.
He was a son of William Melton South and Lera Loree Cribbs, linked to this memorial.
He was the paternal grandson of William Melton South and Ida Wildes. William Melton b. 16 Nov 1872; d. 10 Jul 1936 in Orlando, Orange Co., FL. He is buried in the Winter Garden Cemetery, Winter Garden, Orange Co., FL. Find a Grave Memorial #100609239. Ida Wildes, was a daughter of James Christopher Wildes, one of the only 4 surviving children of Maximillan Wildes (Wilds) and Samantha Cowart, in the last Seminole Massacre in Ga 22 Jul 1838 in Waycross, Ware Co., GA. She is buried in the Orange Hill Cemetery, Tampa, Hillsborough Co., FL; Old Section, Garden of Divinity, Lot 588, Center 1/3; Find a Grave Memorial #12171623.
His paternal great grandparents were: James Cason South b. 07 Oct 1851 Laurens Co., SC; d. 17 Sep 1940 in GA, buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Reidsville, Tattnall Co., GA near the Reidsville State prison (Find A Grave Memorial# 47666827) and his first wife, Mary White, b. 1855 in SC and d. after 1910. Her son's census for 1930 lists his mother's birth place as South Carolina. She is enumerated on 05 Jun 1900 as Mary, wife of James. Her burial is unknown to me as Cason is buried beside his 2nd wife, Eliza Jarrell South. These are the only two South surnames buried in all of Tattnall County, GA.
His paternal great great grandparents were James Benjamin South, b. 14 Oct 1825 Laurens Co., SC, d. 15 Apr 1875, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #8156996) and Sarah Elizabeth Smith Puckett, b. 01 Jan 1829 d. 23 Dec 1863, both in Laurens Co., GA. He is buried in the Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Hickory Tavern, Laurens Co., SC. There is a controversy about her burial. Christine South Gee, a family historian, and writer of the family history (I own a personal copy dated 1963), states she is buried in the Medlock Cemetery, Princeton, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #107474612). Her Memorial page is included in the Medlock Puckett Knight Cemetery in Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., GA. James Benjamin (buried as J. B.) is buried beside his 2nd wife, Mary Rankin Simpson, b. 15 Aug 1844; d. 25 Oct 1912. Their graves are so close to the road on a hill. The stones are new and were placed by the DAR.
His paternal ggg grandparents were Gabriel South b. 1807 Bedford Co., VA; d. bef. 03 Dec 1867 in Pontotoc, Pontotoc Co., MS (Actually community of Cherry Creek--burial is not known but diligently searched for), and Martha Norwood, b. 1810 and d. 11 May 1853. It is believed by Christine South Gee, and hasn't been denied as of yet, that Gabriel moved to Mississippi after his wife died. He was murdered for his money.
His paternal gggg grandparents were William South, b. 1760 Berkley Co., VA; d. abt. 1844 in Laurens Co., SC (recently researched extensively in Laurens Co., by me) and Katherine Daniel (d/o John Daniel & Sarah Montague), b. 1765; d. 1857. Both are buried in the Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., SC. William: Find A Grave memorial #8286945; and Katy: Find A Grave Memorial# 8286944. I have extensive information about them, their family, photos of their stones.
His paternal gx5 grandparents, Zedekiah South & Nancy Violett. Zedekiah was b. 1726 Middlesex Co., VA and d. 13 Sep 1813 in Carrollton, Carroll Co., KY. Nancy, a daughter of Thomas Henson Violett and Unknown Ashford, was b. 1738 in VA; and d. abt. 1796 in either Woodford or Gallatin Co., KY. At this time, burial is unknown.
His paternal gx6 grandparents were John South & Mary Elizabeth Smith South. John was b. abt. 1689 in Middlesex Co., VA; d. 03 May 1783 at Estill's Defeat, Estill Co., KY. Mary was b. 20 Mar 1695 in Middlesex Co., VA and d. 1731 in either VA or KY. Burial and parents are unknown.
Maternal grandparents: William E. Cribbs and Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs. William was a pastor of the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Collins, Tattnall Co., GA. William "Billy" was b. 1852 and d. 14 May 1934 in Toombs Co., GA. Mary Ann was b. 11 Jul 1871 and died totally blind 30 Jan 1963 in Chatham Co., GA. They are both buried in the Little Flock Cemetery. William (Find a Grave Memorial #11480601) and Mary Ann (Find a Grave memorial #11480605).
Maternal great grandparents: Paul James Algerine Colson, b. 14 Jun 1841 Tattnall Co., GA; d. 09 Feb 1928 Toombs Co., GA (Find a Grave memorial #34690518) and Mary Ann Elizabeth Sapp, b. 18 Apr 1847, Tattnall Co., GA; d. 15 Dec 1933 (Find a Grave memorial #38475321). Both are buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D Collins, Tattnall Co., GA as Mary Ann Sapp Colson and P. J. A. Colson.
Maternal great great grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, b. 22 Mar 1796; d. 29 Mar 1881 (Find a Grave memorial #37498994) and Mary Ann Maranda Daniel Colson, b. 29 May 1805; d. 26 Jan 1884 (Find a Grave Memorial #37498797), both buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D as B.M. Colson and Mary Ann M. Colson.
Maternal ggg grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, Sr., b. 1760, Effingham Co., GA and d. 1798 near the Savannah River. Wife was Hannah Goldwire, d. 1840. Burial is unknown for both.
His siblings include:
Sister: (Mary) Opal South, b. 24 Feb 1925; d. 16 Jul 1995, Lugoff, Kershaw Co., SC. Buried in the Reidsville City Cemetery Section D1 (Find a Grave Memorial #59003204) beside her first husband, Roy Vance Cowart, Find a Grave memorial #59002737, b. 07 Aug 1918; d. 20 Nov 1976. Second husband was Leroy Tyson, buried next to Betty Jean Tyson, his last wife.
Brother: William Melton "Bill" South, Jr., b. 29 Mar 1929; d. 11 Mar 2019, buried in Mount Kenton Cemetery, by his first wife, LaFaye Smith South, Paducah, McCracken County, KY. Find a Grave memorial #197519289; LaFaye: Find a Grave Memorial #86516020.
Audrey Ann South, b. 12 Oct 1934; d. 17 Feb 1938, her burial is unknown, but presumed to be in the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church Cemetery, Dodge Co., GA (a.k.a. McMillan Cemetery, from Chauncey, go South, turn left on the Jay Bird Springs Road, go 2 miles right at Jay Bird Dirt Road paved road CR227) turn right go 1/2 mile to cemetery). My mother remembers going here many times when I was a small child (in the 1960s). The cemetery has changed greatly since then; we visited it in 2010. It is not known why she is presumed buried here, but my granny's sister, (Edna) Utah Cribbs is buried there with her husband, as is an infant child of Willie and Sylvania Colson Cribbs. Sylvania was a sister to my great grandmother, Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs, and Utah's and my grandmother's aunt. Find a Grave memorial #80125346.
Sister: Betty Jean South Tyson, buried in the Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, Elgin, Kershaw Co., SC. Find a Grave Memorial #110105076. Betty Jean had several spouses so for now, I will just list their names. James Stanfield, Gene Moody, Allen Michaels, Burl Payne and Leroy Tyson. She is buried by Leroy Tyson. She had three children by Gene Moody (one deceased) and had two children by James Stanfield and one by Allen Michaels.
Sister Linda Carol South UPDATE: b. 10 Jan 1943; d. 05 Jan 2015. She died of advanced early onset frontal lobe dementia. She had an infectious laugh and loved my daddy, her big brother. She was a beautiful lady and a great mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her Find A Grave Memorial #141014232. She grew to look like my grandmother as did both of her sisters, Betty Jean and Opal. I miss her very much.
Brother Dwight Dallin South; UPDATE: b. 16 Dec 1945; d. 22 Mar 2017. He died due to the complications from Parkinson's. He died 7 days and 10 hours after my mother, Martha South. He was born in Georgia, served in Vietnam 1964-1970 in the 855th Medical Corps. All of his life he was a "finance" man. He sold cars, sold mortgages and insurance. He was a licensed airline pilot for small aircrafts. Since 1995, excluding a few months, he was a resident of Pearl and Ridgeland, MS. He died in the Mississippi State Veteran's Home in Jackson having been a resident there since December, 2015. He was cremated and his cremains were returned to me. Find a Grave Memorial #177934911.
My daddy used to tell me all the time that the reason the Vidalia onions were so sweet was because that's where he was born. And of course, I believed him! He never met a stranger, talked about his Lord to everyone, and loved his family dearly and deeply. He and my mother would hold hands when they walked anywhere. He was funny, and loved to sing. When the song would get too high, he would drop the octave and sing the melody there; it tickled me (and him) so much. He loved Hank Williams, Sr., as do I to this day, even though I don't listen to country music. I can listen to that and hear him singing in the car.
My father had faults, as does anyone I suppose. However, he was so sweet, and kind, and loving and supported my mother and me & my brother as long as he lived. He was a faithful Christian and great servant who preached the Word from the pulpit. He was respected by so many business associates all over Mississippi and loved by so many church members and family.
He was a son of William Melton South and Lera Loree Cribbs, linked to this memorial.
He was the paternal grandson of William Melton South and Ida Wildes. William Melton b. 16 Nov 1872; d. 10 Jul 1936 in Orlando, Orange Co., FL. He is buried in the Winter Garden Cemetery, Winter Garden, Orange Co., FL. Find a Grave Memorial #100609239. Ida Wildes, was a daughter of James Christopher Wildes, one of the only 4 surviving children of Maximillan Wildes (Wilds) and Samantha Cowart, in the last Seminole Massacre in Ga 22 Jul 1838 in Waycross, Ware Co., GA. She is buried in the Orange Hill Cemetery, Tampa, Hillsborough Co., FL; Old Section, Garden of Divinity, Lot 588, Center 1/3; Find a Grave Memorial #12171623.
His paternal great grandparents were: James Cason South b. 07 Oct 1851 Laurens Co., SC; d. 17 Sep 1940 in GA, buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Reidsville, Tattnall Co., GA near the Reidsville State prison (Find A Grave Memorial# 47666827) and his first wife, Mary White, b. 1855 in SC and d. after 1910. Her son's census for 1930 lists his mother's birth place as South Carolina. She is enumerated on 05 Jun 1900 as Mary, wife of James. Her burial is unknown to me as Cason is buried beside his 2nd wife, Eliza Jarrell South. These are the only two South surnames buried in all of Tattnall County, GA.
His paternal great great grandparents were James Benjamin South, b. 14 Oct 1825 Laurens Co., SC, d. 15 Apr 1875, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #8156996) and Sarah Elizabeth Smith Puckett, b. 01 Jan 1829 d. 23 Dec 1863, both in Laurens Co., GA. He is buried in the Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Hickory Tavern, Laurens Co., SC. There is a controversy about her burial. Christine South Gee, a family historian, and writer of the family history (I own a personal copy dated 1963), states she is buried in the Medlock Cemetery, Princeton, Laurens Co., SC (Find A Grave Memorial #107474612). Her Memorial page is included in the Medlock Puckett Knight Cemetery in Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., GA. James Benjamin (buried as J. B.) is buried beside his 2nd wife, Mary Rankin Simpson, b. 15 Aug 1844; d. 25 Oct 1912. Their graves are so close to the road on a hill. The stones are new and were placed by the DAR.
His paternal ggg grandparents were Gabriel South b. 1807 Bedford Co., VA; d. bef. 03 Dec 1867 in Pontotoc, Pontotoc Co., MS (Actually community of Cherry Creek--burial is not known but diligently searched for), and Martha Norwood, b. 1810 and d. 11 May 1853. It is believed by Christine South Gee, and hasn't been denied as of yet, that Gabriel moved to Mississippi after his wife died. He was murdered for his money.
His paternal gggg grandparents were William South, b. 1760 Berkley Co., VA; d. abt. 1844 in Laurens Co., SC (recently researched extensively in Laurens Co., by me) and Katherine Daniel (d/o John Daniel & Sarah Montague), b. 1765; d. 1857. Both are buried in the Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Ware Shoals, Laurens Co., SC. William: Find A Grave memorial #8286945; and Katy: Find A Grave Memorial# 8286944. I have extensive information about them, their family, photos of their stones.
His paternal gx5 grandparents, Zedekiah South & Nancy Violett. Zedekiah was b. 1726 Middlesex Co., VA and d. 13 Sep 1813 in Carrollton, Carroll Co., KY. Nancy, a daughter of Thomas Henson Violett and Unknown Ashford, was b. 1738 in VA; and d. abt. 1796 in either Woodford or Gallatin Co., KY. At this time, burial is unknown.
His paternal gx6 grandparents were John South & Mary Elizabeth Smith South. John was b. abt. 1689 in Middlesex Co., VA; d. 03 May 1783 at Estill's Defeat, Estill Co., KY. Mary was b. 20 Mar 1695 in Middlesex Co., VA and d. 1731 in either VA or KY. Burial and parents are unknown.
Maternal grandparents: William E. Cribbs and Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs. William was a pastor of the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Collins, Tattnall Co., GA. William "Billy" was b. 1852 and d. 14 May 1934 in Toombs Co., GA. Mary Ann was b. 11 Jul 1871 and died totally blind 30 Jan 1963 in Chatham Co., GA. They are both buried in the Little Flock Cemetery. William (Find a Grave Memorial #11480601) and Mary Ann (Find a Grave memorial #11480605).
Maternal great grandparents: Paul James Algerine Colson, b. 14 Jun 1841 Tattnall Co., GA; d. 09 Feb 1928 Toombs Co., GA (Find a Grave memorial #34690518) and Mary Ann Elizabeth Sapp, b. 18 Apr 1847, Tattnall Co., GA; d. 15 Dec 1933 (Find a Grave memorial #38475321). Both are buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D Collins, Tattnall Co., GA as Mary Ann Sapp Colson and P. J. A. Colson.
Maternal great great grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, b. 22 Mar 1796; d. 29 Mar 1881 (Find a Grave memorial #37498994) and Mary Ann Maranda Daniel Colson, b. 29 May 1805; d. 26 Jan 1884 (Find a Grave Memorial #37498797), both buried in the Anderson Church Cemetery, Section C1D as B.M. Colson and Mary Ann M. Colson.
Maternal ggg grandparents: Benjamin Martin Colson, Sr., b. 1760, Effingham Co., GA and d. 1798 near the Savannah River. Wife was Hannah Goldwire, d. 1840. Burial is unknown for both.
His siblings include:
Sister: (Mary) Opal South, b. 24 Feb 1925; d. 16 Jul 1995, Lugoff, Kershaw Co., SC. Buried in the Reidsville City Cemetery Section D1 (Find a Grave Memorial #59003204) beside her first husband, Roy Vance Cowart, Find a Grave memorial #59002737, b. 07 Aug 1918; d. 20 Nov 1976. Second husband was Leroy Tyson, buried next to Betty Jean Tyson, his last wife.
Brother: William Melton "Bill" South, Jr., b. 29 Mar 1929; d. 11 Mar 2019, buried in Mount Kenton Cemetery, by his first wife, LaFaye Smith South, Paducah, McCracken County, KY. Find a Grave memorial #197519289; LaFaye: Find a Grave Memorial #86516020.
Audrey Ann South, b. 12 Oct 1934; d. 17 Feb 1938, her burial is unknown, but presumed to be in the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church Cemetery, Dodge Co., GA (a.k.a. McMillan Cemetery, from Chauncey, go South, turn left on the Jay Bird Springs Road, go 2 miles right at Jay Bird Dirt Road paved road CR227) turn right go 1/2 mile to cemetery). My mother remembers going here many times when I was a small child (in the 1960s). The cemetery has changed greatly since then; we visited it in 2010. It is not known why she is presumed buried here, but my granny's sister, (Edna) Utah Cribbs is buried there with her husband, as is an infant child of Willie and Sylvania Colson Cribbs. Sylvania was a sister to my great grandmother, Mary Ann Missouri Colson Cribbs, and Utah's and my grandmother's aunt. Find a Grave memorial #80125346.
Sister: Betty Jean South Tyson, buried in the Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, Elgin, Kershaw Co., SC. Find a Grave Memorial #110105076. Betty Jean had several spouses so for now, I will just list their names. James Stanfield, Gene Moody, Allen Michaels, Burl Payne and Leroy Tyson. She is buried by Leroy Tyson. She had three children by Gene Moody (one deceased) and had two children by James Stanfield and one by Allen Michaels.
Sister Linda Carol South UPDATE: b. 10 Jan 1943; d. 05 Jan 2015. She died of advanced early onset frontal lobe dementia. She had an infectious laugh and loved my daddy, her big brother. She was a beautiful lady and a great mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her Find A Grave Memorial #141014232. She grew to look like my grandmother as did both of her sisters, Betty Jean and Opal. I miss her very much.
Brother Dwight Dallin South; UPDATE: b. 16 Dec 1945; d. 22 Mar 2017. He died due to the complications from Parkinson's. He died 7 days and 10 hours after my mother, Martha South. He was born in Georgia, served in Vietnam 1964-1970 in the 855th Medical Corps. All of his life he was a "finance" man. He sold cars, sold mortgages and insurance. He was a licensed airline pilot for small aircrafts. Since 1995, excluding a few months, he was a resident of Pearl and Ridgeland, MS. He died in the Mississippi State Veteran's Home in Jackson having been a resident there since December, 2015. He was cremated and his cremains were returned to me. Find a Grave Memorial #177934911.
