LULA – Martha Coley Harris, 71, died Thursday, February 26, 2009, at Lanier Park Hospital in Gainesville, following an extended illness.
Born on July 17, 1937, in Hall County, she was the daughter of the late Noah W. and Verdie Peggy Davis Coley. She was owner and operator of a tax service and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Survivors include sisters and brothers-in-law, Ethel and Cotton Harris, Lula, and Judy and Garnett Stephens, Demorest; brothers and sister-in-law, Jack and Sandra Coley, Gainesville, Gary W. Coley Sr., Hayesville; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Howard Collins officiating. Burial will be in Alta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, February 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers will be accepted, but contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Hall County, 845 West Ridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30501.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Banks County - Topics from February, 2009
‘Ben’ Etris
MAYSVILLE – Benjamin Franklin “Ben" Etris, 66, died Thursday, February 26, 2009.
He was the son of Hettie Hubbard Etris of Homer and the late Oscar Etris. He was a retired welder and owned his own business, C&M Western Wear. He was a member of the American Legion Post 215 in Homer, an elder of the Homer Presbyterian Church, and served four years on the S.S. Jenkins 447 during Vietnam. He enjoyed horseback riding with friends, better known as “The Sacketts”, loved ones added. Mr. Etris was preceded in death by daughters, Evette and Tracy Etris; brother, Oscar Ferd Etris; and sister, Lois Nicholson.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include his wife, Gladys Crane Etris, Maysville; daughter and son-in-law, Naja and Edward England, Maysville; grandchildren, Jeremy England, Maysville, Josh Denton and fiancé, Naomi, Commerce, Kristi and spouse, Matt Ryczek, Roswell; great-grandchildren, Noah, Nyland and Nallie Denton; brother and sister-in-law, Mackie and Kathy Etris; sisters, Louise Cain and Brenda Chambers, all of Banks County; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Ford officiating. Burial will be in the Homer Presbyterian Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, February 28, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
He was the son of Hettie Hubbard Etris of Homer and the late Oscar Etris. He was a retired welder and owned his own business, C&M Western Wear. He was a member of the American Legion Post 215 in Homer, an elder of the Homer Presbyterian Church, and served four years on the S.S. Jenkins 447 during Vietnam. He enjoyed horseback riding with friends, better known as “The Sacketts”, loved ones added. Mr. Etris was preceded in death by daughters, Evette and Tracy Etris; brother, Oscar Ferd Etris; and sister, Lois Nicholson.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include his wife, Gladys Crane Etris, Maysville; daughter and son-in-law, Naja and Edward England, Maysville; grandchildren, Jeremy England, Maysville, Josh Denton and fiancé, Naomi, Commerce, Kristi and spouse, Matt Ryczek, Roswell; great-grandchildren, Noah, Nyland and Nallie Denton; brother and sister-in-law, Mackie and Kathy Etris; sisters, Louise Cain and Brenda Chambers, all of Banks County; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Ford officiating. Burial will be in the Homer Presbyterian Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, February 28, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Nickolas Turpin
LULA - Nickolas Casey Turpin, known to his family and friends as Casey Turpin, 23, died Thursday, February 26, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, following injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born in Hall County on February 12, 1986, he was the son of Otho Leroy Jr. and Carol Smith Turpin. Casey was a member of Main Street Gospel Church and was employed with Southern States and Timeless Rods and Custom Cars. He enjoyed RC cars, flying model airplanes as well as working on his truck and restoring old cars. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Otho Turpin Sr.; maternal grandparents, Jesse Carl and Eliose Dills Smith.
In addition to his parents survivors include fiancé, Amy Norrell, Gillsville; brothers and sister-in-law, Shannon and Christina Turpin and Corey Turpin, all of Lula; sister and brother-in-law, Shonnie and Darrell Griggs, Lula; grandmother, Virginia Turpin, Lula; nieces, Kayla Marie Williams-Turpin of Orlando, Fla., Ashley Dockery, Jefferson, Taylor Dockery, Kelly Mae Dockery, Ally Turpin and Rylee Turpin, all of Lula; nephew, Ethan Turpin, Lula.
A Celebration of Life was held Monday, March 2, 2009, from Main Street Gospel Church in Lula, with the Revs. Buster Autry and Doug Morris officiating. Burial was in Westview Cemetery.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Hall County on February 12, 1986, he was the son of Otho Leroy Jr. and Carol Smith Turpin. Casey was a member of Main Street Gospel Church and was employed with Southern States and Timeless Rods and Custom Cars. He enjoyed RC cars, flying model airplanes as well as working on his truck and restoring old cars. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Otho Turpin Sr.; maternal grandparents, Jesse Carl and Eliose Dills Smith.
In addition to his parents survivors include fiancé, Amy Norrell, Gillsville; brothers and sister-in-law, Shannon and Christina Turpin and Corey Turpin, all of Lula; sister and brother-in-law, Shonnie and Darrell Griggs, Lula; grandmother, Virginia Turpin, Lula; nieces, Kayla Marie Williams-Turpin of Orlando, Fla., Ashley Dockery, Jefferson, Taylor Dockery, Kelly Mae Dockery, Ally Turpin and Rylee Turpin, all of Lula; nephew, Ethan Turpin, Lula.
A Celebration of Life was held Monday, March 2, 2009, from Main Street Gospel Church in Lula, with the Revs. Buster Autry and Doug Morris officiating. Burial was in Westview Cemetery.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
Franklin Gaddis
GAINESVILLE – Franklin Curtis Gaddis, 71, died Monday, February 23, 2009, at his residence following an extended illness.
Born on June 24, 1938, in Hall County, he was the son of the late Roscoe and Cordelia Smith Gaddis. He lived in Gainesville all his life and worked at Gainesville Mill, Milliken Mill and Chicopee Mill. Mr. Gaddis was preceded in death by one sister; and one brother.
Survivors include a daughter, Dedrah Gaddis, Gainesville; sons, Curtis Gaddis, Cleveland, and Timothy Gaddis, Lula; grandchildren, Samatha Gaddis, Anthony Gaddis, Lonzo Bryan, Brooke Gaddis and Steven Gaddis; great-grandsons, Jacob Steed and Jrayke Bryan; two sisters; and two brothers.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 26, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Perry Smith officiating. Burial will be in Chestnut Mountain Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on June 24, 1938, in Hall County, he was the son of the late Roscoe and Cordelia Smith Gaddis. He lived in Gainesville all his life and worked at Gainesville Mill, Milliken Mill and Chicopee Mill. Mr. Gaddis was preceded in death by one sister; and one brother.
Survivors include a daughter, Dedrah Gaddis, Gainesville; sons, Curtis Gaddis, Cleveland, and Timothy Gaddis, Lula; grandchildren, Samatha Gaddis, Anthony Gaddis, Lonzo Bryan, Brooke Gaddis and Steven Gaddis; great-grandsons, Jacob Steed and Jrayke Bryan; two sisters; and two brothers.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 26, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Perry Smith officiating. Burial will be in Chestnut Mountain Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Evelyn Cagle
LULA – Evelyn Laverne Cagle, 76, died Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at New Horizons West Nursing Home, following an extended illness.
Born in Hall County, she was the daughter of the late William Jep and Ola Harris Cagle. She was a member of White Hall Baptist Church. Ms. Cagle was preceded in death by brothers, Artis, Ralph, Travis, Virgil and Norman Cagle.
Survivors include a sister, Gwen Cagle Chapman, Lula; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 20, in the chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Howard Collins officiating. Burial was in White Hall Baptist Church cemetery.
Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Hall County, she was the daughter of the late William Jep and Ola Harris Cagle. She was a member of White Hall Baptist Church. Ms. Cagle was preceded in death by brothers, Artis, Ralph, Travis, Virgil and Norman Cagle.
Survivors include a sister, Gwen Cagle Chapman, Lula; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 20, in the chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Howard Collins officiating. Burial was in White Hall Baptist Church cemetery.
Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
‘Wimp’ Lewallen
‘Wimp’ Lewallen
BALDWIN — Wilford L. “Wimp” Lewallen, 72, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 at a private care facility.
Mr. Lewallen was born on March 13, 1936, in Anderson, S.C. to the late Freeman and Maime Pritchett Lewallen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Waymon Lewallen, and his sisters, Francine Dailey and Marie Pruitt.
He was a mechanics graduate of North Georgia Technical Institute. Mr. Lewallen was of the Baptist faith and was a retired mechanic with 40 years of dedicated service.
Survivors include: his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Jamie McWilliams, Baldwin; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Tracy Lewallen, Lula; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Morris Stockton, Franklin, N.C.; grandchildren, Ron, and wife, Kathy Carey; Brandon Carey; Brooke Lewallen; Danielle Lewallen; Chastity, and husband, Cheyenne Chastain; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, with the Rev. O. L. McCullough and Rev. Austin Kelley officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday, at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made “For Her Glory” to the North Georgia Community Fund, P.O. Box 1583, Gainesville, GA 30503.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
BALDWIN — Wilford L. “Wimp” Lewallen, 72, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 at a private care facility.
Mr. Lewallen was born on March 13, 1936, in Anderson, S.C. to the late Freeman and Maime Pritchett Lewallen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Waymon Lewallen, and his sisters, Francine Dailey and Marie Pruitt.
He was a mechanics graduate of North Georgia Technical Institute. Mr. Lewallen was of the Baptist faith and was a retired mechanic with 40 years of dedicated service.
Survivors include: his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Jamie McWilliams, Baldwin; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Tracy Lewallen, Lula; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Morris Stockton, Franklin, N.C.; grandchildren, Ron, and wife, Kathy Carey; Brandon Carey; Brooke Lewallen; Danielle Lewallen; Chastity, and husband, Cheyenne Chastain; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, with the Rev. O. L. McCullough and Rev. Austin Kelley officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday, at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made “For Her Glory” to the North Georgia Community Fund, P.O. Box 1583, Gainesville, GA 30503.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Ann Campbell
LULA – Ruth Ann Henikman Campbell, 85, died Saturday, February 21, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, following complications from open heart surgery.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 13, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Erma Voll Henikman. She was a homemaker and was Catholic. Mrs. Campbell was preceded in death by her husband, Charles F. Campbell. She enjoyed cooking, decorating, was an animal enthusiast, a loving grandmother, and an avid supporter of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, loved ones stated.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Geralyn Campbell, Lula, Shawn and Paul Knight, Cornelia; grandchildren and spouses, Heather and Carsie Bogue, Chriss and Lon Nichols, Paul and Bonney Knight, and Whitney Knight; and a great-grandchild, Logan Bogue.
Graveside services will be held at a later date in Cleveland Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Ronnie Green Heart Center, 743 Spring St., Gainesville, GA 30501.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 13, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Erma Voll Henikman. She was a homemaker and was Catholic. Mrs. Campbell was preceded in death by her husband, Charles F. Campbell. She enjoyed cooking, decorating, was an animal enthusiast, a loving grandmother, and an avid supporter of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, loved ones stated.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Geralyn Campbell, Lula, Shawn and Paul Knight, Cornelia; grandchildren and spouses, Heather and Carsie Bogue, Chriss and Lon Nichols, Paul and Bonney Knight, and Whitney Knight; and a great-grandchild, Logan Bogue.
Graveside services will be held at a later date in Cleveland Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Ronnie Green Heart Center, 743 Spring St., Gainesville, GA 30501.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Frank Vetrano
LULA - Frank Vetrano Jr., 62, died Friday, February 20, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a brief illness.
He was self-employed and owner of Gainesville Tile Company, a member of the Alto Congregational Holiness Church, and a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Buffington Vetrano; son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Sandra Vetrano, Cleveland; daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanna and Shawn Alsup, Atlanta, Michele and Steve Hallford, Carnesville; stepdaughters and stepson-in-law, Tracy Cape, Cleveland, Kelly and Kurt Hewell, Lula, Jessie and Ralph Odom, Richmond Hill; and 17 grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 23, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
He was self-employed and owner of Gainesville Tile Company, a member of the Alto Congregational Holiness Church, and a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Buffington Vetrano; son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Sandra Vetrano, Cleveland; daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanna and Shawn Alsup, Atlanta, Michele and Steve Hallford, Carnesville; stepdaughters and stepson-in-law, Tracy Cape, Cleveland, Kelly and Kurt Hewell, Lula, Jessie and Ralph Odom, Richmond Hill; and 17 grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 23, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
James Walden
CLERMONT – James Harold Walden Sr., 82, died Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, following an extended illness.
Born in Crisp County, he was the son of the late Thomas Marion and Hattie Bell Clark Walden. He was a farmer and member of Skitts Mountain Baptist Church. Mr. Walden was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Irene Jarrard; sisters, Sara Rogers and Annie Bell Motes; brothers, Thomas Walden Jr., Spencer Walden, Eugene Walden and Louis Walden; sister-in-law, Mary Walden; and brother-in-law, W.L. (Apple) Savage.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and David Sullens, Gainesville, and Johnnie Sue and Jeff Cowart, Cleveland; sons and daughters-in-law, James and Nancy Walden, Ricky and Robbie Walden, Jason and Missy Walden, all of Clermont; sisters and brother-in-law, Hattie Walden and Loraine Savage, both of Lula, Louise and Dennis Pierce, Gainesville; brothers and sisters-in-law, L.B. and Mildred Walden, Lula, Hugh and Bobbie Walden, Maysville; sister-in-law, Dorothy Walden, Lula, Mary Hansard Walden, Maysville, and Mattie Walden, Gainesville; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 20, at 2 p.m., at Skitts Mountain Baptist Church with the Revs. Kyle Savage, Michael Irvin and Nick Adams officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, 1926 Century Blvd., NE, Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345-3315.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Crisp County, he was the son of the late Thomas Marion and Hattie Bell Clark Walden. He was a farmer and member of Skitts Mountain Baptist Church. Mr. Walden was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Irene Jarrard; sisters, Sara Rogers and Annie Bell Motes; brothers, Thomas Walden Jr., Spencer Walden, Eugene Walden and Louis Walden; sister-in-law, Mary Walden; and brother-in-law, W.L. (Apple) Savage.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and David Sullens, Gainesville, and Johnnie Sue and Jeff Cowart, Cleveland; sons and daughters-in-law, James and Nancy Walden, Ricky and Robbie Walden, Jason and Missy Walden, all of Clermont; sisters and brother-in-law, Hattie Walden and Loraine Savage, both of Lula, Louise and Dennis Pierce, Gainesville; brothers and sisters-in-law, L.B. and Mildred Walden, Lula, Hugh and Bobbie Walden, Maysville; sister-in-law, Dorothy Walden, Lula, Mary Hansard Walden, Maysville, and Mattie Walden, Gainesville; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 20, at 2 p.m., at Skitts Mountain Baptist Church with the Revs. Kyle Savage, Michael Irvin and Nick Adams officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, 1926 Century Blvd., NE, Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345-3315.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, is in charge of arrangements.
‘Bill’ Echols
LULA – William Clyde “Bill” Echols Sr., 85, died Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at his residence.
Born on October 19, 1923, in Lula, he was the son of the late Timothy D. and Cordelia Duncan Echols. He was a member of the Mt. Carmel Christian Church and the Lula Masonic Lodge F.& A.M. Mr. Echols was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Echols; brothers, James, George and Talmadge Echols; sisters, Lois Sims and Beulah Tribble. He was a United States Marine Corps veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart of Valor, serving in Iwo Jima during World War II. He was a retired correctional officer with 30 years of dedicated service with the Atlanta Federal Prison.
Survivors include his wife, Glenda Pond Echols, Lula; daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Brooke Bittinger, Conyers; sons and daughter-in-law, William C. “Billy” Echols Jr., Jasper, Charles Glen “Charlie” and Edie Spence, Murphy, N.C.; grandchildren, Sarah Echols, Elise Echols, Josie Spence, Noah Spence, Clay Bittinger and Beau Bittinger.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Whitfield Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the Enon Baptist Church cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Habersham County American Legion Post #84, the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, and the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15. The family will receive friends at the South Chapel Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on October 19, 1923, in Lula, he was the son of the late Timothy D. and Cordelia Duncan Echols. He was a member of the Mt. Carmel Christian Church and the Lula Masonic Lodge F.& A.M. Mr. Echols was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Echols; brothers, James, George and Talmadge Echols; sisters, Lois Sims and Beulah Tribble. He was a United States Marine Corps veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart of Valor, serving in Iwo Jima during World War II. He was a retired correctional officer with 30 years of dedicated service with the Atlanta Federal Prison.
Survivors include his wife, Glenda Pond Echols, Lula; daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Brooke Bittinger, Conyers; sons and daughter-in-law, William C. “Billy” Echols Jr., Jasper, Charles Glen “Charlie” and Edie Spence, Murphy, N.C.; grandchildren, Sarah Echols, Elise Echols, Josie Spence, Noah Spence, Clay Bittinger and Beau Bittinger.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Whitfield Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the Enon Baptist Church cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Habersham County American Legion Post #84, the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, and the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15. The family will receive friends at the South Chapel Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy