Sympathy Saturday

 

Sympathy Saturday will be where I share the obituaries and my condolences for members of my family tree who passed recently.  When you get to be a certain age, you begin to read the obituaries every day.  As the days go by, you read about more and more of your friends and family members who have died.  You compare their age to your own and get a jolt. "That could have been me." 

    For genealogists, checking obituaries and visiting cemeteries is as normal as breathing. I learn so much from an obituary, i.e., maiden names, parents' names; children's' and grandchildren's' names, funeral and burial locations, sometimes even a cause of death.  I want to learn these things not for any purpose but to put it on the family tree for future generations to see and learn about the family that went before them. I admit, most of these relatives I have never met, but I think it is important to share that they were here on this Earth, and they were important.

    So I am signed up with at least three funerals homes from Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Wrightsville to get daily notices of obituaries sent to my email.  Every day, I peruse them and with the help of the family tree, figure out who is related to me and add any new information to the tree. Some weeks there are several, and some weeks there are none. This week there are two.

    Please join me in offering condolences to their families and holding them in the light.

Sheila Tapley Woodle
August 04, 1961 - September 12, 2026

Sheila Tapley Woodle, 65, a longtime resident of Vanndale, departed this life, Saturday, September 12, 2026. She was born on August 4, 1961, in Wynne, the daughter of Richard Henry and Betty Jean Caslaman Tapley.

A 1979 graduate of Cross County High School, Sheila was a homemaker who devoted the last twenty years to caring for her husband. She enjoyed playing cards and dice games, picking pecans, and, above all, spending time with family and friends. Known for her generosity, caring nature, and wonderful sense of humor, she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents: Richard and Betty Tapley, husband: Fell “Hillbilly” Woodle, and a great grandchild: Riggs Williams. Survivors include four daughters: Kristie Jarrett of Vanndale, Hollie Ray of Pocahontas, Stacey (Jason) Wiley of Searcy, Mitzi (Floyd) Godair of North Little Rock, one brother: Ronald (Joy) Tapley of Searcy, one sister: Becky (Jeff) Gahr of Wynne, seven grandchildren: Lauren Clevenger, Colton Jarrett, Hailey Williams, Addi Jarrett, Kawner Kercheval, Kameron Kercheval, Ryker Marshall, three great grandchildren: Aubree and Judson Williams, Winsley Jarrett, her dog: Dave, and a host of other relatives and numerous friends. Funeral services will be held, Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Vanndale Baptist Church, friends may visit prior to the service from 10:00 until service time. Burial will follow in Vanndale Cemetery. If you would like to assist the family with funeral expenses, please visit Sheila’s obituary page on our website and click on the donation button at the top of the page and follow the instructions. Cross County Funeral Service & Crematory is privileged to handle the services for the Woodle family. 870-587-0565, www.crosscountycremationsandfuneralservice.com

Patricia Ann 'Pat' McDonald Fuqua

February 08, 1954 - September 16, 2026

Graveside funeral services for Patricia Ann Fuqua, age 72 will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, September 18, 2026, at Dublin Memorial Gardens. Rev. Milton Thomas will officiate.

Mrs. Fuqua was born February 8, 1954, in Wrightsville, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Harold Lee McDonald, Sr. and Mary Ann Chalker McDonald. She was a retired nurse at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. She was a member of Olivet Baptist Church. Mrs. Fuqua passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at her residence surrounded by family.

Mrs. Fuqua is survived by her husband, Mike Fuqua; a son Bryan Monore; 3 daughters, Valerie Brantley (Charles), Michelle Williamson (Jerome), and Amy Self; a brother, Rickey McDonald (Yvonne); 3 sisters, Sandra Sweeten, Susan Kelly, and Elizabeth “Lisa” Goff; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Charles Brantley, Jacob Newsome, Damien Newsome, Jerome Williamson, Timothy Coleman, Michael Stanfield, and Reuben Self.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 2:30 P.M. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the funeral home.

Stanley Funeral Homes and Crematory/Dublin Chapel has charge of funeral arrangements.