Burke RFD

By Bonnie Taylor

August 29, 2001

I received an e-mail from Lynn Dixon who informed me that Mee-Maw (Edith) Ellison's daughter, Gloria Loner, had died. MeeMaw kept children in her home for many, many years, here in Waynes-boro.

MeeMaw will mark her 90th birthday on Sept. 20. She is pretty fragile these days and is having a tough time dealing with her daughter's death. Please keep her in your prayers.

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Jeff Godbee, son of our beloved Anne Godbee, has been named to the Newberry College Hall of Fame. Jeff sent me an e-mail recently to tell me about his honor.

I was elated and I know his mother would have been so proud. Our dear Anne passed away earlier this year. We have sort of become Jeff's extended family and we all are beaming from ear-to-ear with pride.

Jeff played for Edmund Burke Academy under Coach Don Marchman where he learned "fundamental football." Jeff has a trophy case full of honors at EBA, including all-region and all-state awards his junior and senior years, MVP for 1982, and SEAIS All-State first team and selection by the SEAIS coaches to represent the state in the Georgia-South Carolina All-Star game.

Jeff quickly made a name for himself at Newberry and found fame when he became their first player in the history of the college to be named to consecutive All-American first teams. He finished his career at Newberry by being named to the NAIA All-American first team.

By the time he graduated, he had also received the coveted Jacob's Blocking trophy for "the best blocker in the state of South Carolina" as voted by the media of South Carolina and was named first team All-SAC and All-NAIA District 6 for the third consecutive season. He achieved all of this and a degree, too ... a bachelor of business administration and industrial safety.

Jeff resides in Lexington, S.C., and works for Michelin. Congratulations, Jeff, we love you!!!

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William R. Hillis' name has been added to our list of World War II survivors. Please continue to let us know names to be added.

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My heartfelt sympathy is extended to the family of Milledge DeLaigle who passed away last Friday.

Mr. DeLaigle was 83 years old and served his country proudly. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 2nd Battalion, 509 Parachute Infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division and was wounded in the Battle of Oran in North Africa in November 1943. He was a faithful member of Botsford Baptist Church.

He will be sorely missed by his brother, Herbert L. DeLaigle, and sister, Celeste Wheeler, nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

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As I was writing this column, we received word that Mr. Leon Mims died this afternoon.

Mr. Mims was a longtime Waynesboro City Councilmen and owner of Mims Service Station at the corner of Liberty and 9th streets. I met Mr. Mims when I first moved to Waynesboro in 1967.

At that time his service station had a special. You received a set of dishes when you purchased a certain amount of gasoline. I remember the china had a small rose pattern and I believe my mother still has a few pieces. Gosh, that seems like ages ago.

Mr. Mims was well thought of in the community. He spent his last days at the Blue Goose in Augusta. Mr. Mims, too, was a great U.S. patron, serving in 509 Parachute Infantry, U.S.Army Airborne Division. He was also a Mason, and a member of the Brinson Coleman Sunday School Class at the First United Methodist Church.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Idel, and sons, Jerry and J.T. Mims.