MainStreetNewsObits

Eddie Rue Stephens, 85, of Winder, died Sunday, May 29, 2008.

Born in Barrow County, she was the daughter of the late W.C. and Estie Dunagan McElhannon. She was a driver for the Barrow County Senior Center and was preceded in death by her husband, Edward E. Stephens.
Survivors include sons, Lyndal Stephens, Suwannee, Terry Stephens, Bethlehem, and Ronnie Stephens, Winder; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 31, at Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Larry Winn and Mac Palmer officiating. Burial was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 235, Bethlehem, GA 30620.

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

Evareen Whitfield Brown, 81, of Banks County, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at The Oaks at Limestone Nursing Facility.

She was born in Banks County on July 14, 1926, the daughter of the late Joseph and Mae Stowe Whitfield and was a member of Leatherwood Baptist Church. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Brown Sr.; and a son, Johnny Brown Sr.

Survivors include a daughter, Martha Samples, Commerce, and Jeannette Smith, Gainesville; sons and daughters-in-law, Tommy Brown Jr. and Karen Brown, Lithia Springs, and Cliff and Marsha Brown, Euharlee; sisters and brother-in-law, Lois Savage, South Georgia, Linda and Lilburn Newsome, Baldwin, Margie Lou Broome, Homer; brother, Harold Whitfield, Clarkesville; ten grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 31, at Whitfield Funeral Home with Dr. Kenneth Franklin and the Rev. Mike Mayfield officiating. Burial was in the Cross Roads Baptist Church cemetery.

Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements.

Kim King, 50, of Nicholson, died Friday, May 20, 2008, at her residence.

Born in Hamilton County, Ohio, she was the daughter of Gloria Durben Reade of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the late Robert Reade.

Survivors include her husband, John Dethlefs, Nicholson; daughters, Amy King, Atlanta, Monica Fulkes, Acworth, Kathryn Alexander, Commerce, Carissa Dethlefs and Sarah Dethlefs, both of Nicholson; sisters, Carol Seigel, Susan Vandever and Linda Wickman, all of Cincinnati, Ohio; brothers, Jeffrey Reade, Jacksonville, Fla., and Steven Reade, Cincinnati, Ohio; and a grandson, Jacob Alexander.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 3, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, after which the body will be cremated. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, June 2, from 6 to 8 p.m.

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

Laura Mealor Chandler, 79, of Commerce, died Friday, May 30, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.

She was born in Jackson County, the daughter of the late Moody Mem and Mary B. Marvin Mealor. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Commerce and was a retired real estate broker. She was a member of the Jolly Agers and the Lost Arts Club.

Survivors include her husband, Stoy Chandler, Commerce; a daughter, Mary Ann Upchurch, Waterloo, La.; brothers, John D. Mealor and James H. Mealor, both of Commerce; sister, Virginia M. Barnes, Commerce; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 2, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Lee Ritchie officiating. Burial will be in Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday night, June 1, from 6 to 8 p.m.

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

James Curtis “Curt” Blackwell, 87, of Jefferson, died Friday, May 30, 2008.

Born in Jackson County, he was the son of the late Henry and Mary Lynn Blackwell and was retired from Jefferson Mills. Mr. Blackwell was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Ricks Blackwell.

Survivors include a son, Michael Blackwell, Hartwell.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 2, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Dennis Kesler officiating. Burial will be in Woodbine Cemetery in Jefferson. The family will receive friends Sunday, June 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Evans Funeral Home Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.

James Eugene “Gene” Meeks, 69, of Lula, died Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, following a brief illness.

He was born in Habersham County on September 12, 1938, the son of the late Clyde E. and Mary Corinthia Hurt Meeks.

He was retired from the Georgia Department of Agriculture in the fuel and measurement division as a meter calibration inspector with 26 years of dedicated service. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Juanita Meeks; and a niece, Carrie Meeks. Mr. Meeks enjoyed fishing, camping, sports, and was an avid NASCAR fan.

Survivors include his wife, Mary-Jo “Jodi” Meeks, Lula; step-daughters and spouses, Vickie and Tony Casper and Julie and Brett Rogers, all of Flowery Branch; step-son, Rusty Bar, Clayton; brothers and sisters-in-law, William L. and Sue Meeks and Henry Joe and Cheryl Meeks, all of Mt. Airy, Roy H. Meeks, Cornelia; step-grandchildren, Courtney, Brandon and Stephen Rogers and Matthew Casper; niece, Kim Culpepper; nephew, Billy Sellers; great-nieces, Rebekah, Rachel, Carrie and Leah Culpepper; and great-nephew, Jesse Culpepper.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, June 3, at 11 a.m., at Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Bradley Elliott officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 2.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the James Meeks Memorial Fund established at any Wachovia or Habersham Bank location.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.