Fred Thomas

Fred Thomas, 76, Newnan, died July 23, 2003. He was born Feb. 26, 1927 in Banning, Ga., the son of Roy Broughton and Gertrude Lyles Thomas. He was graduated from Newnan High School and attended Perry Business School in LaGrange, Ga.

He was drafted in service in World War II, serving in Italy in the 88th Blue Devils Division of the Army. He served from 1945 to 1947, during which time he met General Dwight David Eisenhower during an inspection of his battalion.

Gen. Eisenhower asked him where he was from and when told Georgia, the general said “Good quail hunting down there.” He was retired from the James River Corporation in the accounting department in 1989.

He loved the Braves, baseball, home movies and music, as well as working around his home.

Service were at St. George Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Jorge Christancho officiating. Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery, Newnan.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine Sbrugnara Thomas, from Capriva, Italy, on April 9, 1947; daughters, Rita Thomas and Rick Melville, Newnan, and Lindas Thomas Cockrill, Marietta, Ga.; a brother, Bobby Thomas, Newnan; and a sister, Dorothy Huey, Canton, Ga.

McKoon Funeral Home, Newnan, was in charge.

Hettie McRae

Hettie Green McRae, 80, Newnan, died July 24, 2003. She was born Jan. 5, 1927 in Columbus, the daughter of the late Joseph and Lacy Rhodes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gartrell Joseph McRae, to whom she was married for 57 years. He died in 1997. She had moved from Columbus, to Atlanta where she worked for the Rich’s family until retirement in 1985. She lived Las Vegas for awhile and then settled in Newnan.

A memorial service is planned at a later date followed by interment at Riverdale Cemetery, Columbus, Ga.

Survivors include daughters, Barbara Toney, Newnan, Patricia and Dick Joiner, Duluth, and Sharon and Jim Ross, Stone Mountain; sisters, Bobby Beasley, Colonial Heights, Va., and Ruth and Tom Sweeney, Cape Coral, Fla.; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Jones Funeral Home, Newnan, was in charge.

Bobby Kirby

Bobby Kirby, 73, Sharpsburg, died July 24, 2003. He was born Jan. 12, 1930 in Carroll County, Ga.

Services were at the Parrott Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Ross Anderson officiating. Interment was at Holly Hill Memorial Park, Fairburn.

Survivors include his wife, Clara Kirby, Sharpsburg; sons, Jeff and Tammy Kirby, Hampton, and Richard and Teresa Kirby, Stockbridge; a daughter, Lee Ann and David Lyle, Carrollton; brothers, Thomas Kirby, Alford, Fla., Hermice Kirby, and Lewis Kirby, both of Douglasville, Murphy Kirby, Lithia Springs; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Parrott Funeral Home, Fairburn, was in charge.