JEFFERSON – Winfield W. Ward III “Buz”, 59, died Saturday, June 20, 2009.
Born in Detroit, Wayne County, Mich., on November 9, 1949, he was the son of the late Winfield Webb Ward II and Louise Newton Ward. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jeanne W. Sauban; and brother-in-law, Martin L. Johnson.
Buz spent 30 years in the music industry, traveling the world and making friends wherever he went. He settled in Jefferson in 2003, in his ideal home, an antique in a small town. He is considered the county historian and advocate for preserving the history of Jefferson, most recently serving as vice chair of the Jackson County Historic Restoration Committee and the Chair of the Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission. True heroes, like Buz, strive and labor daily in anonymity against the world’s inequities as we spectators watch safely from the bleachers, loved ones stated.
Survivors include sisters, Sue W. Johnston, Douglasville, and Karen W. Thomas, Alpharetta; brothers, John F. Ward, Marietta, and Mark G. Ward, Woodstock; nieces, Ashli M. Thomas and Amanda J. Flores; nephews, Joseph I. Johnston, Matthew E. Thomas, Shane C. Ward and Wryan W. Ward; brother-in-law, James “Ed” Thomas; and sisters-in-law, Mindy F. Ward and Anna A. Ward.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 26, at 2 p.m., at the Jefferson City Park and Clubhouse. Attire for service is casual.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking donations be made at Regions Bank to the Buz Ward Memorial Fund to continue Buz’s historic restoration work.
Entries from June 2009
Frank Gilbert
JEFFERSON - Frank Clay Gilbert, 71, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
He was born on August 6, 1937, in Jackson County, a son to the late Farris and Annie Sue Smallwood Gilbert.
Mr. Gilbert was a retired Regional Sales Manager with Carhartt Manufacturing and a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson where he served as a Sunday School Teacher. He was a Gideon, the first Eagle Scout of Jefferson Boy Scout Troop 158 in 1953, a Boy Scout District Commander, a scout leader in Winder for a number of years, was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, one of Boy Scouting's highest honors, and was part of the original crew that worked to build Camp Rainey Mountain Scout Camp near Clayton in 1954.
He was also a Little league Coach and Midget Football Coach.
Mr. Gilbert was a history enthusiast, especially regarding the Revolutionary War and Civil War periods. He often spoke to school groups and other organizations about those eras and would sometimes wear period attire when speaking to groups to show how soldiers had dressed and lived.
Survivors include wife, Joyce Duke Gilbert, Jefferson; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Becky Gilbert, Athens (South Jackson), daughter and son-in-law, Karyn and Keith Wilburn, Jefferson; grandsons, Shane and Brannan Wilburn and Brantley and Kolby Gilbert.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Jefferson with Minister Tom Plank, the Rev. Hillier Duke and the Rev. Michael Helms officiating.
Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, June 24, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 395, Jefferson, GA 30549, or The Gideons International, Jackson West Camp, P.O. Box 755, Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born on August 6, 1937, in Jackson County, a son to the late Farris and Annie Sue Smallwood Gilbert.
Mr. Gilbert was a retired Regional Sales Manager with Carhartt Manufacturing and a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson where he served as a Sunday School Teacher. He was a Gideon, the first Eagle Scout of Jefferson Boy Scout Troop 158 in 1953, a Boy Scout District Commander, a scout leader in Winder for a number of years, was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, one of Boy Scouting's highest honors, and was part of the original crew that worked to build Camp Rainey Mountain Scout Camp near Clayton in 1954.
He was also a Little league Coach and Midget Football Coach.
Mr. Gilbert was a history enthusiast, especially regarding the Revolutionary War and Civil War periods. He often spoke to school groups and other organizations about those eras and would sometimes wear period attire when speaking to groups to show how soldiers had dressed and lived.
Survivors include wife, Joyce Duke Gilbert, Jefferson; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Becky Gilbert, Athens (South Jackson), daughter and son-in-law, Karyn and Keith Wilburn, Jefferson; grandsons, Shane and Brannan Wilburn and Brantley and Kolby Gilbert.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Jefferson with Minister Tom Plank, the Rev. Hillier Duke and the Rev. Michael Helms officiating.
Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, June 24, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 395, Jefferson, GA 30549, or The Gideons International, Jackson West Camp, P.O. Box 755, Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Rev. William Wilson
LULA – Rev. William Shane Wilson, 49, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, following a brief illness.
Born on August 10, 1959, in Hall County, he was the son of William J. and Ciella Wilson. He was a shift leader at Brose, a boiler grower, and a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include a brother, Mark Wilson, Lula.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m., at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Banks County with the Revs. James Duncan and Phil Parks officiating. The body will lie in state from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the church before the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on August 10, 1959, in Hall County, he was the son of William J. and Ciella Wilson. He was a shift leader at Brose, a boiler grower, and a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include a brother, Mark Wilson, Lula.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m., at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Banks County with the Revs. James Duncan and Phil Parks officiating. The body will lie in state from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the church before the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Brown
WINDER – Dorothy Brown, 89, died Monday, June 22, 2009.
Born in Fulton County, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin G. and Maude Rush Brown. She was a homemaker, member of Whistleville Christian, and had worked for The Atlanta Journal & Constitution in her early years. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Sherman Johnson Brown.
Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Betty Hood, Winder, and Steven Brown; daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Ronald Jones, Austell, Janet and Leon Parr, Cornelia, Sherry Brown, Winder; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Dayle Brown, Fayetteville.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m., at Smith Memory Chapel with Lynwood Smith officiating. Burial will be in Carl Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Fulton County, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin G. and Maude Rush Brown. She was a homemaker, member of Whistleville Christian, and had worked for The Atlanta Journal & Constitution in her early years. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Sherman Johnson Brown.
Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Betty Hood, Winder, and Steven Brown; daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Ronald Jones, Austell, Janet and Leon Parr, Cornelia, Sherry Brown, Winder; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Dayle Brown, Fayetteville.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m., at Smith Memory Chapel with Lynwood Smith officiating. Burial will be in Carl Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Vickie Couch
ATHENS – Vickie Lorene Couch, 75, died Monday, June 22, 2009.
A native of Athens, she was the daughter of the late Clinton Ruben and Jenny Mae Williams Bales. She was retired from Oconee County School System and was a member of the Princeton United Methodist Church. Mrs. Couch was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Bruce Couch.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Shaefer Heard, Bishop; son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Kim Couch, Mt. Airy; brothers, Jimmy Bales, Flowery Branch, Lee Bales, Paoli Community, and Mike Bales, Danielsville; sisters, Lois Wilson, Opp, Ala., Peggy Wier and Susie Cabe, both of Danielsville, Pam Page, Colbert, Janie Page, Hull, and Rita Hooper, Statham; grandchildren and spouses, Justin and Breanna Couch, Amanda and Shawn Tibbs, Cristin and Callie Heard, Andrew and Bridget Shirley; great-grandchildren, Avery Heard, Bowie and Brady Couch and Emma Stratton; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Russell Repeski officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Princeton United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2390 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30606.
Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Athens, she was the daughter of the late Clinton Ruben and Jenny Mae Williams Bales. She was retired from Oconee County School System and was a member of the Princeton United Methodist Church. Mrs. Couch was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Bruce Couch.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Shaefer Heard, Bishop; son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Kim Couch, Mt. Airy; brothers, Jimmy Bales, Flowery Branch, Lee Bales, Paoli Community, and Mike Bales, Danielsville; sisters, Lois Wilson, Opp, Ala., Peggy Wier and Susie Cabe, both of Danielsville, Pam Page, Colbert, Janie Page, Hull, and Rita Hooper, Statham; grandchildren and spouses, Justin and Breanna Couch, Amanda and Shawn Tibbs, Cristin and Callie Heard, Andrew and Bridget Shirley; great-grandchildren, Avery Heard, Bowie and Brady Couch and Emma Stratton; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Russell Repeski officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Princeton United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2390 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30606.
Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
James Mayhue
FLOWERY BRANCH - James Thomas Mayhue, 56, died Saturday, June 20, 2009, at his residence.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of James Calvin Mayhue and the late Mildred (Boss) Mayhue. Mr. Mayhue was a veteran of the United States Army. He loved his family, was an avid gardener, and loved building bird houses.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Lee (Smith) Mayhue, Flowery Branch; sons, James William Mayhue, Pendergrass, and John Royce Mayhue, Davenport, Iowa; daughter, Manda Dale Mayhue, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Chris Dunwoodie, Taylor Mayhue and Jacob Mayhue; and a sister, Mary Threlkeld, Commerce.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 8 p.m., at Memorial Park South Chapel in Flowery Branch with the Rev. Chandler Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., prior to the service.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of James Calvin Mayhue and the late Mildred (Boss) Mayhue. Mr. Mayhue was a veteran of the United States Army. He loved his family, was an avid gardener, and loved building bird houses.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Lee (Smith) Mayhue, Flowery Branch; sons, James William Mayhue, Pendergrass, and John Royce Mayhue, Davenport, Iowa; daughter, Manda Dale Mayhue, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Chris Dunwoodie, Taylor Mayhue and Jacob Mayhue; and a sister, Mary Threlkeld, Commerce.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 8 p.m., at Memorial Park South Chapel in Flowery Branch with the Rev. Chandler Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., prior to the service.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Telford Oliver Jr.
LULA – Telford Rogers Oliver Jr., 64, died Sunday, June 21, 2009 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following an extended illness.
He was the son of the late Telford Oliver Sr. and Minnie Ruth Pittman Oliver and was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Natalie and Chris Jenkins, Melissa and Wesley Lawrence and Tammie and Mike Kocjan, all of Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Evan and Taylor Waggoner, Austin and Emilee Lawrence, Makenzie and Brealyn Kocjan; and a sister, Nell Wiley, Lula.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 3 p.m., in the chapel at Memorial Park South Funeral Home with the Rev. Earl Pirkle officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cross Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, June 24, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
He was the son of the late Telford Oliver Sr. and Minnie Ruth Pittman Oliver and was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Natalie and Chris Jenkins, Melissa and Wesley Lawrence and Tammie and Mike Kocjan, all of Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Evan and Taylor Waggoner, Austin and Emilee Lawrence, Makenzie and Brealyn Kocjan; and a sister, Nell Wiley, Lula.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 3 p.m., in the chapel at Memorial Park South Funeral Home with the Rev. Earl Pirkle officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cross Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, June 24, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
T.J. Cotton
COLBERT – Terry “T.J.” Cotton, 39, died Sunday, June 21, 2009.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of Robert Cotton (Sandra) and Mollie Haynes Kohl. He was a selfemployed painter.
Survivors in addition to his parents include children, Morgan Cotton, Ansley Cotton, Terry Blake Cotton and Joshua Cotton; and stepdaughter, Morgan Gilreath.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Lee officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of Robert Cotton (Sandra) and Mollie Haynes Kohl. He was a selfemployed painter.
Survivors in addition to his parents include children, Morgan Cotton, Ansley Cotton, Terry Blake Cotton and Joshua Cotton; and stepdaughter, Morgan Gilreath.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Lee officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Henry Peterman
COMER – Henry Gerald Peterman, 66, died Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Athens Regional Medical Center.
Born in Oglethorpe County, he was the son of Eddie Forrester Carnes of Comer and the late Henry Lee Peterman. He was a carpenter by trade and was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Castelle Peterman.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include sisters, Wanda Kay McFall, Sandersville, Delores Cardenas, Jacksonville, Fla., and Susan Jean Harris, San Antonio, Texas; stepchildren, Renaee Spicey and Reece Castelle; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 2 p.m., at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. William Anglin officiating. Burial will be at Clouds Creek Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers will be accepted.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Oglethorpe Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Oglethorpe County, he was the son of Eddie Forrester Carnes of Comer and the late Henry Lee Peterman. He was a carpenter by trade and was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Castelle Peterman.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include sisters, Wanda Kay McFall, Sandersville, Delores Cardenas, Jacksonville, Fla., and Susan Jean Harris, San Antonio, Texas; stepchildren, Renaee Spicey and Reece Castelle; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 2 p.m., at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. William Anglin officiating. Burial will be at Clouds Creek Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers will be accepted.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Oglethorpe Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Brunson Anderson
ROYSTON – Brunson Cobb Anderson, 71, died Sunday, June 21, 2009, at the Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Palm Harbor, Fla., on February 6, 1938, he was the son of the late John Harland and Amelia Holland Anderson. He was employed by Ty Cobb Memorial Hospital and was a member of the Unity Baptist Church. Mr. Anderson was a United States Navy veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Merle Hurst Anderson, Royston; a son, Dane Anderson, Royston; daughter, Carla Corbett-Carey, Royston; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Unity Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, June 24, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Palm Harbor, Fla., on February 6, 1938, he was the son of the late John Harland and Amelia Holland Anderson. He was employed by Ty Cobb Memorial Hospital and was a member of the Unity Baptist Church. Mr. Anderson was a United States Navy veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Merle Hurst Anderson, Royston; a son, Dane Anderson, Royston; daughter, Carla Corbett-Carey, Royston; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Unity Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, June 24, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy