Lenard Smith, Sr.

Funeral services for Lenard Smith, Sr. will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, Troy, Alabama, with Rev. Sam Green officiating.

Burial will be at the Orion Cemetery under the professional and distinguished direction of George F. Grubbs Funeral Home.

Lenard Smith, Sr. was born on January 25, 1920 to the late Early and Jodie Eddie Smith in Pike County, Troy, Alabama.

At an early age he accepted Christ and attended Friendship Baptist Church.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Fannie Bell Shipman Smith and to this union seven children were born.

He was later united in Holy Matrimony to Solamie Mae Pollard on March 6, 1970.

He put on his traveling shoes and was called to rest on September 18, 2006.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Early and Jodie Eddie Smith; his first wife, Fannie Bell Shipman Smith; three children: Sarah Katherine Smith Moore, Fannie Mae Smith, and Scottie Smith; two brothers, and four sisters.

He leaves precious and loving memories with his devoted and loving wife, Solamie Mae Pollard Smith; four daughters: Clara (Otis) Smith Atkinson of Lynch, KY; Bernice Smith of Buffalo, NY; Rosa Lee Tolbert of Hamilton, OH; and Anna L. Woods of Troy, AL; three sons: Lenard Smith, Jr. and Benjamin Smith, both of Buffalo, NY; and Fred (Annie Ruth) Tolbert of Troy, AL; two sisters, Easer Dell Smith of Troy, AL; and Lula Mae Garrison of Dothan, AL. He was also blessed with thirty-seven grandchildren, thirty-four great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons and nephews, and the flower bearers will be the ushers of the church.

Nolan A. Barron

Nolan A. Barron, 68, of Troy, died at Troy Regional Medical Center, Wednesday, September 20, 2006. Visitation will be held at Dillard Funeral Home in Troy on Friday, September 22, 2006 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel in Troy on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Green Hills Memorial Park. The family request that memorials be made to the American Heart Association. The pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are employees of SAEC. He is survived by Wife, Janet B. Barron of Troy, 2 Sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip and Kim Barron of Troy, and Steve and Jennifer Barron of Troy, 3 Granddaughters, Audrey Barron, Ellie Barron, and Olivia Barron, 2 Step granddaughters, Leslie and Savannah Blazer, Sister and brother-in-law, Janis and Gary Allen of Milton, Florida, Niece and her husband, Michele and Carl May of Pace, Florida, Great niece, Lyndsay May, and Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gloria and Butch Bryan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Thelma Barron.

Margaret Catherine &#8220Kitty” Farris

Margaret Catherine &#8220Kitty” Farris, 61, of Columbus, Ga., died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 3006, at McMullen Funeral Home Chapel, 3874 Gentian Blvd., in Columbus with the Rev. Norman Dunlap officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church Cemetery in Midway. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

She was born July 26, 1945, in Roswell, N.M. to the late Hildreth Cole Farris and Randall Lee Farris Sr. She was a teacher for more than 30 years in the Muscogee County School District. The majority of those years were at Fox Elementary School as a special education teacher. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teacher's Sorority. She was involved for many years with the Special Olympics. She was foremost a loving Christian who had the special gift of ministering to others. She was a member of Christ Community Church.

She is survived by a brother, Ransall Farris, Jr.; a wife, Jill Farris of Montgomery; nieces Brandy and Kelly Farris of Pelham; nephew, Justin Farris of Pratville; extended family, Jerry Lee Benton and many special friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to American Cancer Society, 233 12th St., Columbus, GA 31901.

Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.

Dr. Earnest Duward Rigsby

Dr. Earnest Duward Rigsby, 81, died Sept. 20, 2006, at his home in Columbus, Ga.

He was a retired professor at Columbus State University, Troy State University and a visiting professor at Auburn University and George Peabody College, Florida Tech and the University of Puerto Rico. As a graduate of Tennessee Tech and George Peabody College, he spent a lifetime as a science educator with a special interest in aerospace education. As a member of the Crown Circle of the National Aviation and Space Education Organization, he was honored for his contributions to the field of aerospace education through his direction of teacher workshops, author of more than 400 publications, and diverse professional memberships. Other recognition included: charter member of Chattahoochee Valley Georgia Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, Hall of Honor of the American Aerospace Association, Ford Scholar and Kettering Fellow. Bibliographical listings appear in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in America, Leaders in American Science and others.

Prior to entering the service, he worked for the Manhattan Project. During his service in the Air Force, Col. Rigsby enjoyed assignments in the Pacific Rim with courier duties and as a weather officer in WWII. Though not a pilot, he enjoyed science and flying experiences related to aviation, which led to his professional interest for educaiotnal purposes. For more than 45 years, he was associated with the Civil Air Patrol and its educational efforts. From these experiences, he developed a love of travel and exploration of the world and its cultures.

He is survived by his wife, Dutchie; daughter Lyn and husband Oscar Gonzales; grandson, Eli; sister, Peggy (Doug) Thompson; sisters-in-law, Pat (Bill) Connell and Debbie (Rob) Star; aunt-in-law, Ann Sellers; nieces, nephews, cousins, god children, Chris and Mark Carlisle, several friends and students.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Pearl Durham; father, James Thomas Rigsby; and godmother, Faye Turner.

Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, from 5-7 p.m. at McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909.

Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.