The piney woods of deep South Georgia went silent with sadness on Saturday morning, Aug. 16, 2008. Theo Titus III passed away peacefully after a long illness. He was born in Thomasville March 12, 1920 to Theo Titus Jr. and Margaret Crovatt Titus. He is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 68 years, Camille. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Margaret Garnett, his brother Joe Titus and his son, Michael Titus. His large, loving and devoted family include: Theo IV of Tallahassee, Fla., and his family Tamara, Everett and Russell; Camille Albert (Don) of Indialantic, Fla., and her family Ed, Danielle, Mandy and Carrie; Margaret Titus of Thomasville and her family Arden, Jessica, Mary and Joe; Owen Titus of Mooresville, N.C. and his family, Rebecca; Gilda Williams of Thomasville and her family Lyle, Ashlyn and Neal; Eleanor Titus (Rob) of Portland, Ore., and her family Luke and Michael and his sister, Mary Dailey. There are great-grandchildren too numerous to name but he knew and loved every one of them. Theo served in World War II in the Army Air Corps (now the Air Force), owned and ran Titus Cadillac Co. for 20 years; served another 20 years with FEMA and then followed the family history by serving for 10 years in the Georgia House of Representatives. He will be most remembered for his 20-year career as a columnist for the Thomasville Times-Enterprise, retiring in 2006. His more than 1, 000 columns — mostly about nature — read like letters to friends and people adored them according to his daughter Margaret. They were compiled into a book called An Outdoor Heritage — stories from a South Georgia Life that will be re-published in the fall. Private graveside services were held Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, with military honors following at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Thomasville. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008. in the sanctuary of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The service will be followed by a celebration of his life at 11 a.m., in the church parish hall. The public is welcome to attend. Friends wishing to make memorial gifts are encouraged to send them to the Thomas County Public Library, 201 N. Madison St., Thomasville, Ga. 31792, or to Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 Meridian Rd., Thomasville, Ga. 31792, attn: Kathleen Brady. Guests may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com. — Allen & Allen Funeral Home