Camilla, Georgia.
Funeral services were held Sunday, 12 Nov 1961, at
2:00 PM at the Hopeful Baptist Church here in Mitchell County for Byron B. Maples, age
61, Decatur Prison Branch Warden, who died of a heart attack Friday, 10 Nov 1961. The
Rev McKnight, of Bainbridge, prison chaplain, conducted the funeral services and
interment took place afterwards in the Hopeful Cemetery. Active pall bearers were Gene
Palmer, Robert Rackley, James Robert Smith, and W. S. (Pete) Hilliard. Forming an
honorary escort were Roy Rackley Jr., Robert Culpepper, I. Macey, Joe T. Spence, H. L.
Wingate, and C. C. Spence. Bramlett Funeral Home of Camilla had charge of funeral
arrangements. Captain Maples became ill Friday morning while at work as warden of the
prison branch at Bainbridge. Deputy Warden C. H. Tison said a doctor was summoned,
and treated the warden in his quarters at the prison camp. Tison said Maples' condition
improved, but shortly before noon he apparently suffered another heart attack which
proved fatal. Captain Maples returned to his duties about two months ago after several
weeks illness due to a heart condition, Tison said. Captain Maples was associated with
the State Highway Department and State Board of Corrections most of his life. He had
served as warden of the Bainbridge camp for approximately three years, and was a
member of the Evergreen Baptist Church in Mitchell County, the Peace Officer's
Association of Georgia and a Mason. Survivors include his wife, the former Miss
Elizabeth Smith; three sons, Byron B. Maples Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., Dan Maples of
Louisiana; and Bill Maples of Camilla; three daughters, Mrs. Butch Roubaud of
Bainbridge, Mrs Charles Grant of Louisiana and Miss Mary Maples of Camilla; two
sisters, Mrs. John Cook of Pelham and Mrs. H. D. Culpepper of Jacksonville; a brother,
James Maples of Leary; and eight grandchildren.

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