DANIELSVILLE – Jerry Odell Hart, 71, died Monday, May 25, 2009, at the Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Franklin County on July 5, 1937, he was the son of the late Jack and Katie Bell Haley Hart. He was a retired manager having worked in the auto body repair industry, a former body shop advisor for Athens Technical College, a former member of the Madison County Planning Commission, a former assistant coach of little league baseball, a former scout master for Troop 152, and served on various other committees. He was a member of the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the United Methodist Men’s Club, a member of the Happy Travelers Club, and a volunteer for the meals on wheels delivery. He was a United States Army veteran, having served during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Hart was preceded in death by a sister, Annie Ree Phillips.
Survivors include his wife, Elena Beard Hart, Danielsville; daughter, Karen Hart Myers, Danielsville; grandsons and spouse, Brandon Myers and Nathan and Leigh Anne Myers; brothers, Perry Hart, Canon, James Hart, Commerce, Barney Hart, Hartwell, and Jackie Hart, Lexington; and sisters, Mamie Lee Beard and Georgie Gibby, both of Royston, Bobbie Sue Boleman, Danielsville, Sara Nell Voyles, Carnesville, and Judy Pace, Nicholson.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 28, at 11 a.m., in the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Susan Taylor officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, May 27, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Flowers are optional. Memorials may be made to the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, 5601 Hwy. 29 N, Danielsville, GA 30633.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from May 2009
‘G.W.’ Marcus
DEMOREST – George William “G.W.” Marcus, 80, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, following an extended illness.
Born in Oconee County, S.C., on December 3, 1928, he was the son of the late George T. and Drucilla Heaton Marcus. He was retired from WebCo as a welder with 38 years of service and was a member of the Maysville United Methodist Church. Mr. Marcus was preceded in death by a sister, Maebelle Marcus; and brothers, Junior Marcus, Houston Marcus and Tommy Marcus. In his spare time, he enjoyed deer hunting, fishing with his grandchildren, wood working, and gardening, loved ones stated.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Geraldine Simmons Marcus, Demorest; daughters and sons-in-law, Patsy K. Buchwald, Colorado Springs, Colo., Linda S. and Lanny Cantrell, Baldwin, Peggy A. and Wayne Norton, Toccoa, Libby G. and Randall Albertson, Lavonia, and Rita F. and Floyd Stancil, Cornelia; sister, Mary Alice Ivester, Turnerville; brothers, Claude Marcus, James Marcus and J.C. Marcus, all of Clarkesville, and Charlie Marcus, Cornelia; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; adopted family, Michael and Denise Clarke and children, Demorest; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 30, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Dugar Strickland officiating. Burial will be in Yonah Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Michael Clarke officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, May 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Oconee County, S.C., on December 3, 1928, he was the son of the late George T. and Drucilla Heaton Marcus. He was retired from WebCo as a welder with 38 years of service and was a member of the Maysville United Methodist Church. Mr. Marcus was preceded in death by a sister, Maebelle Marcus; and brothers, Junior Marcus, Houston Marcus and Tommy Marcus. In his spare time, he enjoyed deer hunting, fishing with his grandchildren, wood working, and gardening, loved ones stated.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Geraldine Simmons Marcus, Demorest; daughters and sons-in-law, Patsy K. Buchwald, Colorado Springs, Colo., Linda S. and Lanny Cantrell, Baldwin, Peggy A. and Wayne Norton, Toccoa, Libby G. and Randall Albertson, Lavonia, and Rita F. and Floyd Stancil, Cornelia; sister, Mary Alice Ivester, Turnerville; brothers, Claude Marcus, James Marcus and J.C. Marcus, all of Clarkesville, and Charlie Marcus, Cornelia; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; adopted family, Michael and Denise Clarke and children, Demorest; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 30, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Dugar Strickland officiating. Burial will be in Yonah Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Michael Clarke officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, May 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Gregory Howard
COMMERCE – Gregory Howard Jr., 31, died Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Born December 16, 1977, he was the son of Joycelyn Howard and the late Gregory Howard Sr. He attended Commerce High School and was a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He was a joy to all that knew him and loved him, brought a smile to the heart of many by simply flashing that “golden smile,” was always ready and willing to do whatever he could to help anyone, and was known as the life of the party, loved ones stated. Mr. Howard was preceded in death by grandparents, John (Bookie) and Aileen Rollins, Joe Rich and Ruth Howard.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include a sister, Maranda Howard, Tallahassee, Fla.; brother, Derek Howard, Commerce; son, Master Jaiden Omari Anderson; aunts, Johnnie Mayfield, Commerce, Ruth Burns (Robert), and Cecelia Wheaton, Atlanta; uncle, Edward Howard, Atlanta; nieces, Chasiney D. Kilpatrick and Nydia K. Meadows; and many cousins and special friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 26, at Mt. Cavalry Church in Commerce.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
Born December 16, 1977, he was the son of Joycelyn Howard and the late Gregory Howard Sr. He attended Commerce High School and was a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He was a joy to all that knew him and loved him, brought a smile to the heart of many by simply flashing that “golden smile,” was always ready and willing to do whatever he could to help anyone, and was known as the life of the party, loved ones stated. Mr. Howard was preceded in death by grandparents, John (Bookie) and Aileen Rollins, Joe Rich and Ruth Howard.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include a sister, Maranda Howard, Tallahassee, Fla.; brother, Derek Howard, Commerce; son, Master Jaiden Omari Anderson; aunts, Johnnie Mayfield, Commerce, Ruth Burns (Robert), and Cecelia Wheaton, Atlanta; uncle, Edward Howard, Atlanta; nieces, Chasiney D. Kilpatrick and Nydia K. Meadows; and many cousins and special friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 26, at Mt. Cavalry Church in Commerce.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
‘Billy Boy’ Newton
JEFFERSON – William “Billy Boy” Newton, 61, died Sunday, May 24, 2009, at the VA Hospital in Atlanta.
He was a lifelong resident of Jackson County.
Survivors include sisters, Hazel Turner, Jefferson, Dianne Graham, Athens; brothers, Roger Newton, Jefferson, Stanley Larry Newton, Hampton, Anthony Gary Newton, Athens; and a daughter, Lequitta Stephens.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 28, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. R.E. Cooper officiating. Burial will be at Paradise Cemetery.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
He was a lifelong resident of Jackson County.
Survivors include sisters, Hazel Turner, Jefferson, Dianne Graham, Athens; brothers, Roger Newton, Jefferson, Stanley Larry Newton, Hampton, Anthony Gary Newton, Athens; and a daughter, Lequitta Stephens.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 28, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. R.E. Cooper officiating. Burial will be at Paradise Cemetery.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Pat Mathis
WINDER – Frances “Pat” Mathis, 78, died Friday, May 22, 2009, at her residence.
A native of Jackson County, she was a daughter of the late Lon and Minnie Burt Lee. She had resided in Barrow County most of her life and was a member of Bethabra Baptist Church. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, J.C. Mathis Sr., Winder; sons, J.C. Mathis Jr., Auburn, Dwight Mathis and Roger Mathis, both of Winder, and Lucky Mathis, Gainesville; daughter, Linda Tritt, Dahlonega; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and brother, Bud Lee, Talmo.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 26, in the chapel of Carter Funeral Home, Winder, with the Revs. Rudy Camp and Thomas Holmes officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
A native of Jackson County, she was a daughter of the late Lon and Minnie Burt Lee. She had resided in Barrow County most of her life and was a member of Bethabra Baptist Church. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, J.C. Mathis Sr., Winder; sons, J.C. Mathis Jr., Auburn, Dwight Mathis and Roger Mathis, both of Winder, and Lucky Mathis, Gainesville; daughter, Linda Tritt, Dahlonega; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and brother, Bud Lee, Talmo.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 26, in the chapel of Carter Funeral Home, Winder, with the Revs. Rudy Camp and Thomas Holmes officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
Tommy Brunson
JEFFERSON – Tommy Brunson, 59, formerly of Buford, died Sunday, May 24, 2009.
Born in Enterprise, Ala., on September 18, 1949, he was the son of the late Lewie and Lorraine Brunson. He was a 1967 graduate of Pompano Beach High School and was employed with American Honda Motor Company, Alpharetta. He was of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Cindy Chancey Brunson, Jefferson; daughters and son-in-law, Brandi and Anthony Davis, Swainsboro, and Brooke Brunson, Jefferson; sons, Brad Brunson and Blake Brunson, both of Jefferson; grandchildren, Jack Davis and Anna Claire Davis; sisters, Nina Stedman, Maryland, and Elaine Sabin, Atlanta; brother, Hutch Brunson, Hartwell; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Cessie and Greg Walls, Peachtree City, Connie and Steve Bennett, and Carol and Jim Weigher, all of Navarre, Fla.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walt and Sandi Chancey, Tampa, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 25, in the chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, with the Rev. Brandon Lail officiating. Burial followed in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens, Buford. Serving as pallbearers were: Walt Chancey, Steve Bennett, Stephen Puckett, Edward Jackson, Butch Zorn, Greg Walls, Bugs Dismukes and Keith Williamson.
Memorial donations may be made to Hi-Hope Center, Lawrenceville, or Odyssey Crisis Care, Athens.
Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Enterprise, Ala., on September 18, 1949, he was the son of the late Lewie and Lorraine Brunson. He was a 1967 graduate of Pompano Beach High School and was employed with American Honda Motor Company, Alpharetta. He was of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Cindy Chancey Brunson, Jefferson; daughters and son-in-law, Brandi and Anthony Davis, Swainsboro, and Brooke Brunson, Jefferson; sons, Brad Brunson and Blake Brunson, both of Jefferson; grandchildren, Jack Davis and Anna Claire Davis; sisters, Nina Stedman, Maryland, and Elaine Sabin, Atlanta; brother, Hutch Brunson, Hartwell; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Cessie and Greg Walls, Peachtree City, Connie and Steve Bennett, and Carol and Jim Weigher, all of Navarre, Fla.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walt and Sandi Chancey, Tampa, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 25, in the chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, with the Rev. Brandon Lail officiating. Burial followed in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens, Buford. Serving as pallbearers were: Walt Chancey, Steve Bennett, Stephen Puckett, Edward Jackson, Butch Zorn, Greg Walls, Bugs Dismukes and Keith Williamson.
Memorial donations may be made to Hi-Hope Center, Lawrenceville, or Odyssey Crisis Care, Athens.
Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, was in charge of arrangements.
Bessie Ward
CORNELIA – Bessie Martin Ward, 94, died Sunday, May 24, 2009.
Born in Banks County on February 9, 1915, she was the daughter of the late U.S. and Rilla Caudell Martin. Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, Broughton B. Ward; daughter and son-in-law, Geraldine and Lamb Davis; grandson, Douglas Davis; son-in-law, Ed Hannas; brothers, Ruthford, Hoyt, Bud, Lloyd and Vance Martin. She was a member of Cornelia Christian Church, where she served as the church’s food service coordinator for many years, and was retired from Chicopee Manufactory Company with 35 years of dedicated service.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Laverne and Efford Loudermilk and Glenda Hannas, all of Cornelia; son and daughter-in-law, Troy and Crete Ward, Cornelia; sister, Laurell Shockley, Toccoa; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 26, from the Cornelia Christian Church with David Terrell and Jason Blackburn officiating. Burial was in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Banks County on February 9, 1915, she was the daughter of the late U.S. and Rilla Caudell Martin. Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, Broughton B. Ward; daughter and son-in-law, Geraldine and Lamb Davis; grandson, Douglas Davis; son-in-law, Ed Hannas; brothers, Ruthford, Hoyt, Bud, Lloyd and Vance Martin. She was a member of Cornelia Christian Church, where she served as the church’s food service coordinator for many years, and was retired from Chicopee Manufactory Company with 35 years of dedicated service.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Laverne and Efford Loudermilk and Glenda Hannas, all of Cornelia; son and daughter-in-law, Troy and Crete Ward, Cornelia; sister, Laurell Shockley, Toccoa; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 26, from the Cornelia Christian Church with David Terrell and Jason Blackburn officiating. Burial was in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements.
Rev. ‘Jack’ Tatum
DEMOREST – Rev. Robert “Jack” Tatum, 92, died Friday, May 22, 2009, at his residence at Magnolia Hills Assisted Living in Demorest.
Born on March 26, 1917, in Palmetto, he was the son of the late Robert D. and Florence Jackson Tatum, and was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Edna Tomlinson. He was a graduate of Mercer University, Macon, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., and was ordained as a Baptist minister by the Rahmah Baptist Church in Palmetto in 1937. Churches he served include the Clarkesville Baptist Church, Clarkesville, First Baptist Church, Cornelia, First Baptist Church, Buford, Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Athens, and the Crawford Avenue Baptist Church, Augusta. Following his retirement, he served as interim pastor of several churches in Habersham and Stephens County. During World War II, he served as a United States Army Chaplain in the European Theater. Following the war he served in the United States Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Survivors include a niece, Jane T. Washington, Newnan; and a nephew, David E. Tatum Jr., Palmetto.
Memorial services were held Sunday, May 24, at the Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Revs. Tommy Stowe and Furman Lewis officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 329, Palmetto, GA 30268.
Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, was in charge of arrangements.
Born on March 26, 1917, in Palmetto, he was the son of the late Robert D. and Florence Jackson Tatum, and was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Edna Tomlinson. He was a graduate of Mercer University, Macon, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., and was ordained as a Baptist minister by the Rahmah Baptist Church in Palmetto in 1937. Churches he served include the Clarkesville Baptist Church, Clarkesville, First Baptist Church, Cornelia, First Baptist Church, Buford, Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Athens, and the Crawford Avenue Baptist Church, Augusta. Following his retirement, he served as interim pastor of several churches in Habersham and Stephens County. During World War II, he served as a United States Army Chaplain in the European Theater. Following the war he served in the United States Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Survivors include a niece, Jane T. Washington, Newnan; and a nephew, David E. Tatum Jr., Palmetto.
Memorial services were held Sunday, May 24, at the Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Revs. Tommy Stowe and Furman Lewis officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 329, Palmetto, GA 30268.
Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, was in charge of arrangements.
Christopher Gordon
COLBERT – Christopher Riley Gordon, 23, died Sunday, May 24, 2009.
A native of Athens, he was the son of Nancy and Fred Snailum, LaMirada, Calif. He had attended New Haven Bsptist Church.
Mr. Gordon was preceded in death by his father, Gary Riley Gordon and his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Gordon.
Survivors in addition to his mother and stepfather include his brother, John Corey Gordon, Commerce; sisters, Melissa (Roy) Reece, Hull, and Mary Beth (Nathan Drake) Gordon, Colbert; son, Tyson Riley Gordon, Colbert; girlfriend, Giesla Bray, Colbert; nieces and nephews, Kelsie Palmer, Lauren Reece, Alexis Reynolds and Bryson Drake; and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Palmero, California.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, in the chapel of Lord and Stephens Funeral Home East with the Rev. Derek Anglin officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service. Flowers will be accepted.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home East is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Athens, he was the son of Nancy and Fred Snailum, LaMirada, Calif. He had attended New Haven Bsptist Church.
Mr. Gordon was preceded in death by his father, Gary Riley Gordon and his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Gordon.
Survivors in addition to his mother and stepfather include his brother, John Corey Gordon, Commerce; sisters, Melissa (Roy) Reece, Hull, and Mary Beth (Nathan Drake) Gordon, Colbert; son, Tyson Riley Gordon, Colbert; girlfriend, Giesla Bray, Colbert; nieces and nephews, Kelsie Palmer, Lauren Reece, Alexis Reynolds and Bryson Drake; and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Palmero, California.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, in the chapel of Lord and Stephens Funeral Home East with the Rev. Derek Anglin officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service. Flowers will be accepted.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home East is in charge of arrangements.
‘Sybil’ Gilley
HULL – Mary “Sybil” Gilley, 84, died Sunday, May 24, 2009.
She was a native of Carroll County, but lived most of her life in Hull. She was a member of the Hull Baptist Church and the Danielsville Eastern Star and was the daughter of the late James and Rose Pearl Brown. Mrs. Gilley was preceded in death by her husband, SGT Grady W. Gilley, retired; a daughter, Brenda G. Shuler; sister, Mildred Henson; brothers, Garland, Clifton and Carlos Brown.
Survivors include sons, Brady Gilley and Bradford Gilley, both of Statham; daughters, Kaye Suddeth, Colbert, and Faye Seagraves, Watkinsville; brother, Curtis Brown, Bowden; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 27, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Bridges Funeral Home. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service.
Bridges Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
She was a native of Carroll County, but lived most of her life in Hull. She was a member of the Hull Baptist Church and the Danielsville Eastern Star and was the daughter of the late James and Rose Pearl Brown. Mrs. Gilley was preceded in death by her husband, SGT Grady W. Gilley, retired; a daughter, Brenda G. Shuler; sister, Mildred Henson; brothers, Garland, Clifton and Carlos Brown.
Survivors include sons, Brady Gilley and Bradford Gilley, both of Statham; daughters, Kaye Suddeth, Colbert, and Faye Seagraves, Watkinsville; brother, Curtis Brown, Bowden; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 27, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Bridges Funeral Home. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service.
Bridges Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy