Obituaries

Funeral services for Ima Griffin Stephens of Cordele will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010 in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Service.  The committal service will conclude after the service in the chapel.  The family will greet friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Mrs. Stephens passed away  Monday at her residence.  She was born in Worth County and was the daughter of the late Miles Lafayette, Sr. and Carrie Middlebrooks Griffin.  She was a graduate of Warwick High School where she was a member of the Debate Team and the basketball team, and was validictorian of her 1938 graduating class.  Ima was a warm, bright, and multi-talented lady and was well known for her exceptional talents as a seamstress.  She was a long-time member of Arabi United Methodist Church.  Before her declining health, she had taught Sunday School for over 40 years and had been an active member of the Methodist Women's Society.  She was a member of several community clubs and for many years had been a part of the Billy Clary Band as they ministered at various clubs and nursing homes.  Mrs. Stephens is survived by her husband of 72 years, Henry David Stephens of Cordele; two daughters and their husbands, Imogene and Joel Gilliam of Cordele and Marie and Bill Tuton of Brandon, FL; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.  She was preceded in death by a brother and four sisters.  The family may be contacted at the home of Imogene and Joel Gilliam, 915 Azalea Circle, Cordele.