MainStreetNewsObits

Melzie S. Aaron, 71, of Jefferson, died Monday, June 30, 2008.

Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Lee Earnest “Pete” and Floella Gee Self. She was a homemaker and was Baptist. Mrs. Aaron was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Boone; second husband, Skeets Aaron; and a son, Bobby Veal.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Sandy and Harold Beck, Pendergrass, Debbie and Larry Wilson and Lynn and Jimmy McCollugh, all of Jefferson, Dianna and Wayne Painter, Dahlonega, Patsy Ferguson, Braselton, and Skeeter Byrd, Monroe; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Cindy Boone, Jefferson, Wayne and Flora Aaron, Winterville, and Danny and Vickie Boone, Commerce; a brother and sister-in-law, the Rev. Robin Self and Ruth Self, Winder; special friend, Joyce and Randy Jones, Jefferson; 26 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Bo Robinson and Robin Self officiating. Burial will be in the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.

James Pinkney Roberts, 91, of Hoschton, died Thursday, June 26, 2008.

Born in Jackson County, he was the son of the late Guy and Lillie Pirkle Roberts. He was a field representative with the Agricultural Soil Conservation Service, was a member of the Rockwell Lodge #191 for over 50 years, and the Hoschton United Methodist Church. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his wife, Dora Lee Reid Roberts.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Luella Ledford, Jasper, Kenneth and Karen Ledford, Toccoa, and Joe and Sherry Ledford, Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, LaJuana and Gary Duck, Braselton; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nieces and spouses, Linda and David Sloyer, Gainesville, Annie and Ronald Dickson, Monroe, La.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 29, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Mike Phillips and Louis Ortiz officiating. Burial was in the Hoschton City Cemetery. Members of the Rockwell Lodge were pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephen Ledford Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Jasper United Methodist Church, 85 W. Church St., Jasper, Ga. 30143.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.

Adelle Hammond Ferguson, 88, of Winder, died Sunday, June 29, 2008.

Born in Barrow County, she was the daughter of the late Richard Franklin and Florence Wall Hammond. She was a member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. William Carl Ferguson; and a granddaughter, Abby Ledbetter.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Rhondal H. and Debbie Ferguson, Winder, Philip and Ann Ferguson, Statham; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Charles Walden, Winder, Kathie and Tommy Ledbetter, Winder; sister, Lanelle Mitchell, Bold Springs; sister-in-law, Frances Hammond, Statham; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 1, at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Shuford Jones officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 25, Statham, Ga. 30666, or Cedar Creek Baptist Church, 403 Cedar Creek Rd., Winder, Ga. 30680.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.

Idolene Margaret Rankine, 64, of Maysville, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, following an extended illness.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Rankine Sr., Maysville; son, Robert Rankine Jr., Maysville; brothers, David Stevson, Tustin Ranch, Calif., and Harold Stevson, Greenville, N.C.; sisters, Pamela Barbato, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., and Jacqueline Tauriello, McKees Rock, Pa.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Gregory Huggins Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, July 1, from 12 noon until 3 p.m. and Wednesday, July 2, from noon until the funeral hour.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.

Terry Lynn Roberts, 57, of Jefferson, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008.

Born on September 5, 1950, in Lucas County, Iowa, he was the son of the late Johnnie and Twila Neal Roberts. He was employed with MCI as a fiber optics installer. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by brothers, Gary, Larry, Jimmie and Donald Roberts; and sisters, Joyce Pfrimmer and Patricia “Patty” West.

Survivors include sons, John Roberts and Larry Roberts, both of Iowa; daughter, Nikki Roberts, Rock Falls, Ill.; a brother, Jerry Roberts, Bettendorf, Iowa; sisters, Sherri Cupit, Jefferson, Linda Isom, Killeen, Texas, Barbara Cain, Republic, Mo., Beverly Thompson, Wedowee, Ala.; and three grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Abby Hospice, 215 Azalea Court, Social Circle, Ga. 30025.

Little-Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Ruth Wilson, 77, of Commerce, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Peachtree Village.

She was born in Banks County, the daughter of the late Dillard and Agnes Ray Wilson and was retired from First Commerce Bank.

Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Judy Wilson, Commerce; sister and brother-in-law, Annie Bob and Gene McDuffie, Commerce; nieces and nephews, Tim and Tammy Wilson, Todd Wilson, Tommy and Stacey Wilson, Greg McDuffie and Agnes McDuffie.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 1, at 3 p.m., at Webbs Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Henry Webb and Bill Ford officiating. Burial will be in Webbs Creek Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, June 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Little Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.

Shirley Chastain Thompson, 68, of Gainesville, died Monday, June 23, 2008, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, following a brief illness.

She was born in Thomas County, the daughter of the late William Alton and Dorothy Benton Chastain. She was a retired registered nurse and was Roman Catholic. Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Harris Thompson.

Survivors include a son, Frank Markwith; and grandsons, William Markwith and David Markwith, all of Gainesville.

Memorial services were held Friday, June 27, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Sammy Harben officiating.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Lou Aaron, 56, of Commerce, died Friday, June 27, 2008, at her residence.

She was born in Clarke County, the daughter of the late Edgar and Elberta Hooten Denton. She was preceded in death by a sister, Missie Teet.

Survivors include her husband, Clarence Aaron; daughters, Robbie Sims and Becky Austin, both of Toccoa, Jessica Wilder, Commerce; sons, Terry Lankford, Craig Lankford and Shawn Lankford, all of Commerce, James Smith, Habersham County, Ronnie Smith, Ila, Raymond Smith, Talmo; brothers, David Moats, Jonesboro, Donald Denton, Elberton, Tony Denton, Athens; sisters, Linda Casper, Colbert, Janie Bowles, Commerce; 18 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. Burial was in Howington Cemetery.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Joseph Albert Minish, 84, of Commerce, died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at his residence.

Born in Madison County on Christmas day, he was the son of the late Walter and Florence Hix Minish. He practiced dentistry in Commerce for 32 years and served as mayor of Commerce for over a decade. Following retirement from his dental practice, he established and managed Jackson County Realty for nearly 30 years. A pillar in the Commerce community, Dr. Minish was a Mason, a Shriner, and served on the Regions Bank Board of Directors. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II, and in the Georgia State Senate.

He was a lifetime member of Erastus Christian Church in Madison County, serving as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, and board member. He received a 16 year perfect attendance pin the last Sunday he attended church.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Betty Nelson Minish; daughters and sons-in-law, Sadie and Roger Beauchamp, Elizabeth and Greg Cunningham and Lee and Billy Myers; grandchildren, Joel and Stacey Beauchamp; and a sister, Hazel Benton.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 29, at Erastus Christian Church in Madison County with the Revs. Billy Glosson and Carl Beckman officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery in Commerce.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Erastus Christian Church Building Fund, 2050 Neese-Commerce Rd., Commerce, Ga. 30530.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.