How these notable people who died this year made positive impacts on Columbus area

In ways as varied as their names, these folks connected to Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley lived notable lives and made a positive impact before they died in 2023:

January

Herbert King Cawthorne, 90, Jan. 12: Award-winning photographer and cofounder of Camera 1 store. His iconic image of Auburn defensive back David Langner’s interception return against LSU won 1972 Alabama Associated Press Class A Best Sports Photo. Had photos in Georgia Wildlife, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Quail Unlimited, Georgia Trend, Birders World and Brown’s Guide to Georgia. Helped residents preserve photos by digitally restoring deteriorating images taken on film. Founding member of Joseph House Gallery Cooperative. First recipient of Leonard E. Foote Memorial Award for Excellence in Environmental Photography, award by then-Georgia Gov. Zell Miller. Along with wife, Truman, of 69 years, hosted international students visiting Fort Benning, where he trained as a paratrooper and became a lieutenant in U.S. Army. As a scoutmaster, helped Boy Scouts earn Eagle badge. Boy Scouts of America awarded him Silver Beaver for contributions to scouting. Former president of East Columbus Rotary Club and Georgia Rotary Student Program trustee.

Ralph A. “Butch” Smith, 76, Jan. 12: Owned and operated Mr. B’s liquor store for 47 years. Served as board member for Georgia Alcohol Dealers Association and Glenwood School.

James Taylor Coppage, 76, Jan. 19: Served on board of Columbus-based Haskins Foundation, which annually honors top collegiate golfers. Former two-term president of Green Island Country Club. Member of Downtown Rotary Club. Vice president of Duval-Bibb Company.

Karol Bauer Barnes, 85, Jan. 22: Cofounder of Tot Shop in 1965. In 1970s, along with husband Warren Stanley Bauer, developed Water Wiz, one of nation’s first water parks, then expanded Veri Best Donut Shop into chain.

February

William Robert “Willy” Patterson, 59, Feb. 5: Pizza chef and manager at iconic Italian restaurant Deorio’s for 36 years, which closed in 2017. Known for his laughs and jokes as well as his food.

Mary Jane Perkins Galer, 98, Feb. 7: Elected in 1976 as Muscogee County’s second female representative in state legislature. Served for 12 years in Georgia House. Helped enact legislation that improved women’s rights, water sharing, guardianship for incapacitated adults, alimony, child support and rape victim support, grandparent visitation rights, strengthened child pornography laws and eliminated marriage tax. Worked as librarian at Fort Benning and Columbus College (also associate professor) and retired as library services director at Troy State University’s Fort Benning campus in 1994.

March

Charles Edward Clark Sr., 83, March 7: Worked in various leadership positions for more than two decades in Columbus, starting in early 1990s after retiring as administrator for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Local roles included senior vice president of Columbus Regional Healthcare System, vice president of Columbus Regional Medical Foundation, executive director of Junior Achievement and Aflac sales associate. Volunteered for Girls Inc. and Alzheimer’s Association. Former campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop.

John Chapiewski, 49, March 9: Known as Chef John, worked as culinary arts teacher for eight years at Central High School. Helped students run The Brick, the Phenix City school’s bistro that catered community events and gave them hands-on experience in the industry. Volunteer teacher of cooking classes at Open Door Community House.

Judy Howell King, 76, March 23: Servant leader for PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), ordained deacon at First Baptist Church and president of Columbus Technical College Board of Directors. Reading specialist at Fox Elementary School for 18 years. Previously taught at Columbus State University.

Charles “Chuck” Forbes Davis, 54, March 31: Past president of North Columbus Rotary Club. Volunteer at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. Worked at Interstate Johnson Lane and First Union Bank before joining father’s Allstate agency to lead investments services, then took over family business after father’s death in 2015.

April

Louise E. Patten, 81, April 6: Served as board member and secretary for Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition and traveling companion for several winners. Taught classes in Dale Carnegie Course. Also involved in Columbus Jaycettes, United Methodist Women, Winchester Garden Club and Columbus Council of Garden Clubs. Retired as government auditor in civil service at Fort Benning.

Claudia Vernice Calvin Stephenson, 78, April 21: Former president of Columbus Medical Auxiliary Society, Columbus Symphony Women’s Association and Achievement Academy. Served in multiple leadership positions for PTA at Clubview Elementary School, Richards Junior High School and Columbus High School. Ran the Halloween carnival at Clubview.

May

Suzanne Henry Saunders, 76, May 3: Among first female group executives at TSYS. Served on boards for Riverfest, St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary and Mercer University.

Archie Wayne Rainey, 82, May 8: Founder of Georgia Law Enforcement Command College at Columbus State University. From 1995-2016, directed college that serves as graduate school for public safety officers. Helped train more than 1,000 officers.

Kenneth Bemis Followill, 87, May 14: Presiding judge at trial of Columbus’ infamous “Stocking Strangler” serial killer in 1986. Career in law spanned half century. Elected in 1964 as part-time solicitor for Columbus City Court, now called Muscogee State Court, then full-time judge for that court in 1970. Appointed as Superior Court judge for Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit in 1978. Served as circuit’s chief judge. Upon retirement in 2008 to serve part-time as senior Superior Court judge, was longest-serving active judge in Georgia and in circuit’s 182-year history. In 1973, served as secretary (later chairman) on first Judicial Council of Georgia, establishing policies and guidance for state judges and recommending legislation to Georgia General Assembly. Past board member for First Federal Savings and Loan.

Sarah Eleanor Thomas Burnham, 92, May 15: First woman elected to serve on First Presbyterian Church of Columbus board of deacons and elected to serve as chair. Elected to serve as elder and clerk of session. Served as vice chair of arrangements committee when general assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA) met in Columbus in 1983. Served as board member for Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home (now Twin Cedars) and Cub Scouts leader. Member of La Sertoma Club and PHALO Study Club. Named to Best Dressed List in Columbus.

Donald Leroy “D.L.” Jordan, 88, May 15: Developed national endowment program through Columbus State University to help and inspire young writers to achieve artistic goals. Donald L. Jordan Prize for Literary Excellence established to continue in perpetuity. Other charitable contributions included providing water lines in remote areas of Africa. Member of First Baptist Church and former chairman of deacons at Wynnbrook Baptist Church. Served on numerous boards for banks and nonprofit organizations.

Bert Tyrone Coker, 67, May 30: Candidate for Columbus mayor in 2006 and citywide seat on Columbus Council in 2008 and 2010. Roofer by trade, known for wearing blue denim overalls and frequently criticizing establishment, whether questioning city government during council’s public agenda, speaking to radio talk show listeners via call-in segments or writing to Ledger-Enquirer readers in letters to the editor.

June

Minnie G. Hanneman, 89, June 1: Started catering business in 1973, specializing in weddings. Founded in 1986 popular meat-and-three lunch place Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant, receiving many Ledger-Enquirer Readers’ Choice awards. Business venture helped revitalize downtown Columbus. Active in St. Anne Catholic Church ministries. Diocese of Savannah’s Gartland Award recipient for years of service to parish and community.

Harvey Glance, 66, June 12: Phenix City native was part of Team USA men’s 400-meter relay team that won gold medal at 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Also that year, twice equaled world record of 9.9 seconds in 100 meters and won NCAA championship in that event and 200 for Auburn. Following year, again won NCAA title in 100. Broke junior world records of 10.12 and 10.11 over 100 meters. Won 14 SEC titles. First sprinter to qualify for U.S. Olympic track team three straight times. Coached track and field at Auburn (1991-96, university’s first Black head coach) and Alabama (1997-2011) as well as several national teams and Olympians, including gold medalist Kirani James. Won silver medal in 100 meters and gold medal as member of USA 4x100-meter relay team at 1979 Pam American Games. Won gold medals at 1985 World Cup, 1986 Goodwill Games, 1987 Pan American Games and 1987 World Championships.

Garnett Emory Ray Jr., 78, June 12: Principal of New Mountain Hill Elementary School for 31 years. Taught history. Retired in 2011 after 39 years as educator in Harris County School District. New Mountain Hill established Garnett E. Ray Jr. Distinguished Wildcat Award, annually given to two students who embody his qualities of leadership, encouragement, trustworthiness, dedication, steadfastness and kindness. Also served community as baseball and football coach and Boy Scouts leader.

William E. Dillard Jr., 97, June 27: Past president of Georgia-Alabama Council of Boy Scouts of America, Concharty Council of Girl Scouts, Columbus Association of Independent Insurance Agents, Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus and Georgia Psi chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Recipient of Silver Beaver award from Boy Scouts. Coach of Clubview Bulldogs when team won pee-wee football league city championship. Former board member for First National Bank of Columbus, Country Club of Columbus, Georgia Association of Independent Insurance Agents, Columbus Jaycees and Girls Club of Columbus. Served on board of deacons and finance committee for First Baptist Church of Columbus. Served in U.S. Navy for three years. Worked for 46 years as insurance agent.

July

Betty Jean Smallwood, 91, July 2: Director of secondary education for Muscogee County School District from 1986-94. Other positions in MCSD were secondary English consultant (1976-86), and English teacher at Hardaway High School (1967-76) and Arnold Junior High School (1961-67).

Kittye Crockett, 84, July 14: Director of Muscogee County Department of Family and Children’s Services from 1989 until retirement in 1998, when Ledger-Enquirer praised her in an editorial with these words: “For many thousands of residents of this city, she was the only help at hand, the only relief, the only friend.”

John Dittrich, 73, July 19: General manager of Columbus minor league baseball teams Indians and RedStixx from 1991-95.

August

M. Reid Thomas Jr., 78, Aug. 18: Past president of Georgia Society of CPAs Columbus chapter. Served on boards for Peach Little League, Boy Scouts Troop 24 and local chapters of Kiwanis Club, American Cancer Society and Salvation Army.

James Richard “Jim” Ballengee, 88, Aug. 23: Past president of Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Green Island Country Club. Retired national sales director for Westvaco. Also worked for W.C. Bradley Company. Served as elder at First Presbyterian Church.

William Edward Kent, 61, Aug. 25: Chairman of Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission. Retired as manager of environmental services for Columbus Water Works. Also involved in Help the Hooch, Rivers Alive, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center and Georgia Association of Water Professionals.

Jimmy Ray Napier Jr., 33, Aug. 26: Jordan Vocational High School teacher started construction equipment simulator program that allowed students to become certified in the industry before graduating.

September

Joseph Barrington Batastini Jr., 83, Sept. 17: Served as president of Chattahoochee Chatters CB Club. Reached rank of Grand Knight in Knights of Columbus and chaired state convention. Helped open Veri Best Donuts, where he worked for nine years. Worked as salesman for 40 years with Valley Produce and Auten Poultry.

October

Marvin R. Schuster, 86, Oct. 1: Considered to be among most significant servant leaders in Columbus. Started family business, Schuster Enterprises, which owns and operates more than 60 Burger Kings in Georgia and Alabama. In 2014, honored with wife, Ruth, as recipients of Sue Marie and Bill Turner Servant Leadership Award, presented by Pastoral Institute. United Way and Meals on Wheels were among many charitable organizations they supported. Often donated anonymously. Served as deacon and taught Sunday school at Edgewood Baptist Church.

Virgil Cecil Curtis, 98, Oct. 4: Retired district judge in Russell County. Previously judge in common pleas court. Charter member of First Presbyterian Church of Phenix City. Member of Sons of the American Revolution and Russell County Community Center.

November

C. Robert “Bob” Koon, 96, Nov. 2: Retired in 1990 as president and CEO of Swift Textiles, 43 years after starting there as billing clerk. Continued career in textile industry for next 25 years, first as CEO of QSC Finishing, then as consultant for Swift Spinning, Marubeni Denim and Denim North America. Served on boards for Piedmont Columbus Regional, Spring Harbor, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, American Textile Manufacturers Institute, Georgia Textile Manufacturers Association, Columbus State University, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Development Authority, Talbot County Development Authority, Valley Partnership, Georgia Council for Adult Literacy, Downtown Columbus Rotary Club, Jaycees and Miss Georgia.

F.L. “Bubba” Copeland Jr., 49, Nov. 3: Mayor of Smiths Station for seven years. Previously served as Lee County Board of Education member for eight years. Senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Phenix City and owner of Country Market in Salem.

Mitchi McKnight Wade, 45, Nov. 3: Served as president of Brookstone School Parents Association, chairwoman of Young Life Greater Columbus board and among leaders of Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens, a fundraiser for Columbus arts organizations. Worked for Outdoor Events.

James Thomas Milligan, 89, Nov. 7: Started as meat cutter and ended up buying struggling Piggly Wiggly in Baker Village. Transformed it into profitable store. Grew grocery company business into JTM Corporation, one of nation’s largest and longest family-held Piggly Wiggly franchise groups, with stores in West Georgia and East Alabama. Diversified company portfolio to include South Star Foods, U-Bag-It and Warehouse Foods, then expanded into industries such as shopping centers and residential real estate. Led effort to develop Phenix City’s first condominium complex, Bridgestone. Also created in 1980s Dixie Dog Showtime, a family/teen restaurant in Phenix City. Member of Columbus Jaycees. Supporter of The Salvation Army, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Columbus Soap Box Derby, Pop Warner Football and American Little League. Charter member of Green Island Country Club. Contributed to construction of Godwin Creek par-3 golf course in Bibb City, designed to introduce the game to beginners of all ages and backgrounds. Silent partner in groups that brought concerts to Columbus.

Sanford Isom, 82, Nov. 19: Coached football and track & field at Hardaway, Kendrick and Spencer high schools. Dell McGee, Oliver Davis and Homer Elias were among athletes he coached who played in NFL.

Roger “Lamar” Beck Sr., 87, Nov. 23: Former co-owner of Goo-Goo Car Wash. Assumed control of family business in 1970 from father, R.D. Beck, who founded it in Anniston, Alabama, in 1945. In 1972, bought Goo-Goo Car Wash in Columbus on site of former restaurant and drive-in with same name. Along with son Roger and partner Darren Bradham, expanded business into express car washes in 2001. Sold business to IMO Car Wash Group of Britain in 2017, when Goo-Goo had 53 express car washes in seven states. Kept eight Goo-Goo self-service car washes. Held leadership positions at First Baptist Church of Columbus, including deacon and youth department director. Victory Mission campus named in his honor. Became a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary.

John “Shelby” Amos II, 71, Nov. 30: With his wife, Wanda, co-owned Columbus minor league hockey team Cottonmouths 2001-17, winning Southern Professional Hockey League championship in 2005 and 2012. Retired in 2014 from Aflac board after 31 years as member to work in salaried position as market director for company cofounded by his father, John Beverly Amos. Former state sales coordinator for Aflac in Alabama, Louisiana and west Florida. Shelby and Wanda Amos Foundation supports Columbus Youth Hockey, John B. Amos Cancer Center, Elena Amos Breast Care Center, Children’s Miracle Network, Alzheimer’s Association, Aflac Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Hope Harbour Outreach for Battered Women, Girls Inc. and the Miracle Riders.

December

Gil J. Slouchick Sr., 67, Dec. 3: Retired in 2020 as assistant chief in Columbus Police Department. Served CPD for 44 years. Honored as CPD Officer of the Month and Officer of the Year in 1988. Former member of CPD’s SWAT team and pistol team and commander of special ops unit. Taught criminal law enforcement at Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

Rayna Florence Frank Goodman, 103, Dec. 15: Wife of the late Rabbi Alfred Goodman, who served Temple Israel in Columbus for 33 years (1950-83). Retired from Muscogee County School District as librarian at Beallwood School, where she worked for 21 years. Past officer of temple’s Jewish Ladies Aid Society (president), Board of Trustees (secretary) and Schwob Endowment Committee (secretary). Also played organ and piano for temple. Served as Women of Reform Judaism national board member. Past secretary of Southeastern Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Past president of Columbus Century Club. Founding member of Columbus Symphony Orchestra Women’s Association and former member of CSO’s violin section before it became fully professional. Received 1995 Ruth Schwob Service to Mankind Award. Selected as Gracious Lady of Georgia. And folks who attended temple’s Deli Day will tell you nobody in Chattahoochee Valley baked better cheesecakes.

Jack Basset, 82, Dec. 25: Served on Columbus Council from 1972-80. Was among group of rising community leaders who got involved in local politics through Junior Chamber of Commerce, known as the Jaycees. Consolidation of Columbus and Muscogee County governments was among reforms they pushed. That effort came to fruition in 1971. Was considered among best campaign strategists for local politicians. Helped fellow Jaycee members J.R. Allen (1969-73) and Bob Hydrick (1973-75) get elected as Columbus mayor. Successful advertising executive. Along with Bill Becker, founded Basset & Becker Advertising in 1989.

Peggy Usher Theus, 82, Dec. 25: Executive assistant for Columbus Mayor James Jernigan (1987-91) and executive secretary for Bradley-Turner Foundation. Helped bring downtown development projects, such as Chattahoochee Riverwalk and Columbus State University Coca-Cola Space Science Center, to fruition in 1990s. Served on Columbus Hospice board.

Mike Venable, 70, Dec. 26: Co-owned for 23 years with wife, Jill Tigner, Columbus and the Valley magazine and Valley Parent magazine before selling in January. Also co-owned with Jill from 1995-2002 Phenix Citizen weekly newspaper. They previously worked in Ledger-Enquirer advertising department. Blogged about his cancer battle, for which local chapter of American Cancer Society honored him at 2011 Crystal Ball. Served as chairman and board member for Columbus Regional Healthcare System Foundation (now Piedmont) and Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley. Past president of Phenix City Rotary Club and member of Rotary Club of Columbus. Co-owned Ride On Bikes with Buddy Nelms.