ANOTHER WITNESS GONE

I'm sorry to report the death of a very nice old lady, Mrs. Herbaline Rich, an interesting witness to the history of the church where Willie's mother, and later half-brother, are buried in Statesboro GA. Her testimony is used on pages 159-160 of Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes. Her funeral takes place today.

The following, courtesy of Del Presley, is from the local Statesboro paper:

Mrs. Herbaline Rich, age 91, passed away peacefully at her residence after a short illness. She was the daughter of the late Mrs. Gertrude Everett and a native of Bulloch County. She lived in Newark, N.J., for many, many years before returning to Statesboro in the early 80s.
She was a member of the Historical First African Baptist Church and was retired from the US Postal Service in New Jersey.

She is survived by an adopted daughter, Mrs. Carolyn Lee, Newark, N.J.; a sister, Mrs. Katherline Coleman, Savannah; and a devoted care giver, Ms. Betty Robbins, Statesboro; and other relatives and friends.

The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Rich will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 26, 2009, at Historical First African Baptist Church. The Rev. E. Charles Lee, pastor. The Rev. Stanford Anderson, eulogist. Burial: Bulloch Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour. No viewing. James R. Barnes Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, December 24, 2009