Robert “Bob” Crackel
Robert “Bob” Crackel passed away October 26, 2009 at Palmyra Medical Centers from complications of vascular surgery.
Born Sept. 21, 1951 in Albion, IL to the late Mary Waterfield and Nile Eugene Crackel, Bob resided in Michigan before joining U.S. Marine Corps. He was a Vietnam veteran, served two tours of duty in Beirut, and was a dedicated employee of Albany MCLB.
Bob, generous and compassionate, loved spending time outdoors with family and friends, fishing and his horses.
He is survived by his wife, Joni Jacobs Crackel of Albany; his daughter, Crystal Hurley of Camilla; two sons, Phillip Crackel and his wife Kelli of Augusta, and Tony Crackel of Sylvester; a stepson, David Killebrew and his wife, Kelly of Jacksonville, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Veronnica Collins of LaGrange.; a sister-in-law, Karen Jacobs of Leesburg; two sisters, Bonnie Hays and her husband, Bobby, of Detroit, Mich., and Linda Trackey; a brother, Nick Crackel; and 11 grandchildren.
At Bob’s request, his remains have been cremated and no services will be held. A celebration to honor his life is being planned at a later date. Mathews Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Joe Morgan, his surgical team and the CCU staff of Palmyra Medical Centers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots at any of their locations; or the Salvation Army, 304 West Second Ave., Albany, GA 31702.
An online guestbook memorializing Mr. Crackel is at www.mathewsfuneralhome.com.
Esther R. James
GREENWOOD, S.C. — Esther R. James, 98, passed away Oct. 30, 2009 after a prolonged illness.
Born July 1, 1911 in Quakertown, Pa., she was the daughter of Rev. Norman Y. and Bessie Romich Ritter. She attended Perkasie High School and graduated with honors. After completing requirements for her college degree from Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa., she worked at the Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts doing biological research. She married Dr. Alfred Elmore James, a graduate of Penn State and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. The couple settled in Beavertown, Pa., where two sons were born, Richard N. James, who predeceased her in July 2008 and David R. James, who resides in Ormond Beach, Fla.
With the outbreak of World War II the family relocated to Atlanta, where Dr. James was inducted into the medical service and served three years in the Pacific Theater. After the war, the family moved to Albany. Mrs. James remained there until her retirement. She was active in the church choir and taught an adult Sunday school class most of her adult life. She moved to Atlanta and was active in the Peachtree Road Lutheran Church, writing tracts for the church bulletin every month. In failing health, she was moved to an assisted living facility in Greenwood in July 2007 where her son Richard lived. Suffering from dementia, her condition continued to deteriorate over the next two years. She had one sister, Ruth Ritter Baum, who passed away in 2008.
She is survived by a son, David R. James, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Arlington Memorial Park, Sunrise Chapel, Atlanta, with the Rev. Kirk P. Bridgers officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peachtree Road Lutheran Church, 3686 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30319.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory in Greenwood, is in charge of arrangements. Messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.
Richard Lamar Klein Sr.
Mr. Richard Lamar Klein Sr., 66, of Madison, Fla., formerly of Albany, died Thursday, Oct. 28, 2009 at his residence following a lengthy illness.
His funeral services were Sunday graveside at Riverside City Cemetery. Rev. Roy Johnson officiated. Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors handled the arrangements.
A native and lifelong resident of Albany, Mr. Klein moved to Madison a few months ago. He was a graduate of Albany High School and past owner of Klein Printing and Pawn City of Albany and Midway Auto Parts in Sylvester. He loved to work, especially with auto and furniture restorations. He was a loving father, grandfather and friend to all that knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rutherford I. Klein, Sr. and Martha Virginia Jones Klein, and his brother, Rutherford Eugene Klein.
He is survived by two sons, Rutherford Klein and Richard Klein Jr., and his daughter, Jania Klein, all of Madison; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Barbara Spivey and Linda Wright (John), all of Albany.
Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 225 S.W. Smith St., Madison, FL 32340. An online guestbook memorializing Mr. Klein is at www.kimbrellstern.com.
Bernice F. McFarland
Mrs. Bernice Fields McFarland, 70, of Albany, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at Palmyra Medical Center. Funeral services were held Monday at Palmyra Baptist Church Lee County, with Rev. Tommy Rivers officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Mother McFarland was born Sept. 6, 1939 in Lee County. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Gregory McFarland, and daughter-in-law, Gloria McFarland.
She joined Palmyra Baptist Church at an early age. She served as mother of the church, sang in the senior choir, and was the supervisor of the Young Adult Choir, Dining Committee, and other organizations of the church. She was a graduate of Monroe High School and worked as a crossing guard with the Dougherty County School System.
Mother McFarland was a devoted housewife and living mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family circle includes a devoted husband, Dea Johnny McFarland, Sr.; five sons, Elvis McFarland, Billy (Linda) McFarland, Dennis (Lutricia) McFarland, Amos (Regina) McFarland, and Johnny (Shawta) McFarland; one daughter, Christine McFarland; a brother, Min. Bobby (Bobbie) Davis; four sisters, Carolyn Shelton, Vivian Mallory, Eloise Davis, and Deborah Johnson; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Poteat Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Iva Doris Hatcher Ruenes
Iva Doris Hatcher Ruenes, 91, of Albany, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 at Palmyra Nursing Home.
Funeral services honoring the life of Mrs. Ruenes were conducted Saturday at Hall and Hall Funeral Home. Interment was at Floral Memory Gardens.
Iva Doris Hatcher Ruenes was born March 24, 1918 in Doerun to the late Rueben Jerry Hatcher and Ossie Mae Hatcher .She lived in Dougherty County most of her life and was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Ruenes was a homemaker, enjoyed cooking, sewing and gardening. She was greatly loved by her family and will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ruenes was preceded in death by her husband, Angel Ruenes; sisters, Juanita Hatcher and Hazel Alexion; brothers, William Hatcher and Julian Hatcher.
Survivors include a daughter, Betty R. Vaupel of Albany; two sons, James B. Richter and his wife, Lois of Peachtree City and Billy E. Richter and his wife Nancy of Alabaster, Ala.; five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Related posts:
