Tragic Loss on the Bowdon-Wedowee Highway

Two Lives Lost, One Injured

The town of Bowdon mourns the tragic deaths of Arlin D. Richardson and Fred Lovvorn, two brother-in-laws whose lives were closely intertwined. The pair met their untimely deaths in a devastating automobile accident late Saturday night, October 20, 1945, on the Bowdon-Wedowee Highway. The crash also injured Jack Culpepper, who is now recovering at Jubal Watts Memorial Hospital with a broken arm, leg lacerations, and a broken foot.

Arlin Richardson and Fred Lovvorn were more than just family; they were lifelong friends, born three days apart in September 1910. They grew up together, married sisters, and lived lives of service and dedication to their families and community. Their double funeral was held on Monday, October 22, at Ranburne Baptist Church, officiated by Reverend Herman Caldwell, Reverend Ed Caldwell, and Reverend J.D. Halliday. The two men were laid to rest in the same grave at the church cemetery.

According to investigating officers Corporal R.H. Burson and Trooper C.W. Haley, Arlin Richardson was driving one of the cars involved in the collision. He attempted to pass a parked coupe but collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Jack Culpepper. Richardson was found deceased behind the steering wheel, while Lovvorn was partially ejected from the car.

Remembering Two Lives

Arlin D. Richardson, born on September 7, 1910, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lon Richardson of Newnan. A devoted husband to Mollie Lovvorn and father of four, he was a partner in a Bowdon garage business. A member of Ranburn Baptist Church since 1930, Richardson was respected and well-loved in his community. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, and two sisters.

Fred Lovvorn, born on September 10, 1910, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Newton “Boss” Lovvorn of State Line. He married Fannie Weaver in 1934, and together they had two sons, Billy Joe, aged seven, and William Stanley, just seven months old. Lovvorn was a member of Midway Church and lived near Dot, Georgia. He is survived by his wife, sons, one brother, and three sisters.

"Arlin Richardson & Fred Lovvorn, Brother-In-Laws, Loose Lives In Accident Jack Culpepper, Injured Is Improving At the Jubal Watts Memorial Hospital Double funerals for Arlin D Richardson and Fred Lovvorn, brother-in-laws, who were killed in and automobile accident in Bowdon on the Bowdon-Wedowee Highway Saturday night at about 10:15, were held Monday morning at 11 0'clock at the Ranburn Baptist Church. The Rev. Herman Caldwell, assisted by the Rev. Ed Caldwell, and the Rev. J .D. Halliday, officiated. Both men were 35 years of age, their birthday anniversaries being only three days apart. They grew up together, were close friends and later related by marriage. They met their deaths in a head on collision near the E.A. Causey home. Jack Culpepper was injured, but is improving at the Jubal Watts Memorial Hospital. He is reported to have a broken arm, lacerations of the leg and a broken foot. Corporal R.H. Burson, who, with Trooper C.W. Haley, of Villa Rica, investigator of the accident, said that Mr. Richardson, the driver of one of the cars, was attempting to pass a coupe believed to be parked on the side of the road, when he collided with the automobile driven by Mr. Culpepper. He said that Mr. Richardson was found dead under the steering wheel, while Mr. Lovvorn was thrown partly from the car. Mr. Richardson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lon Richardson of Newnan. He was born September 7, 1910 and joined the Ranburn Baptist Church August 30, 1030. He was in the garage business in Bowdon, being a partner with Travis Daniel. His wife was the former Mollie Lovvorn. They had two sons and two daughters. Other survivors include two brothers, Buford Richardson of Newnan and Ivy Richardson and two sisters, Mrs. Spence Lovvorn and Mrs. Myrtle Saxon, Newnan. Mr. Lovvorn, who lived near Dot, was born at State Line September 10, 1910. In September of 1934 he was married to Miss Fannie Weaver, who survives, also two sons, Billy Joe, seven years of age, and William Stanley, a seven month old baby, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Newton, "Boss" Lovvorn, 1 brother, Bert Lovvorn of near Dot and three sisters, Mrs. Arlin Richardson, Mrs. Vernon Estes of Anniston and Miss Drevennar Lovvorn. He was a member of Midway church. Both young men were buried at the Ranburn Church Cemetery in the same grave. Yates Funeral Home and Aycock Funeral Home were in charge. This was copied from THE BOWDON BULLETIN Volume Thirty One issued on 10-25-1945 by Tammy Beaman, Arlin's granddaughter, complete with misspelled names."