COLBERT – Larry Payne, 62, died Wednesday, December 16, 2009.
A native of Hall County, he was the son of Eva Bagwell Gable and the late Ralph Payne. He was the owner and operator of Autos Unlimited in Colbert.
Survivors in addition to his mother include a son, Jimmy Payne; daughter, Callie Payne; sisters, Jean Madden and Carol Tankersley; brothers, Wayne “Cutter” Tankersley, Bobby Tankersley; and companion, Serena Baugh.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with the Revs. Henry Shelton and Bobby Cutter officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, prior to the service. Burial will be in Colbert Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Justin, Jose, Thomas, David, Chris and Rudy.
A special thanks to VA Hospital Downtown, Augusta, GA, Dr. Nayak with VA Hospital and Vista Care Hospice of Athens.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from December 2009
Evia Jane Maney
ALTO – Evia Jane Maney, 68, died Thursday, December 17, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following an extended illness.
Born in Banks County on March 7, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Garland White and Frannie White. She was retired from Belk with 33 years in retail sales. She was a member of Mt. Sinai Church, and enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Maney was preceded in death by brothers, Arthur, Tom, Howard, Gene and James White.
Survivors include her husband, Billy M. Maney, Alto; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Gina Maney, Marietta, and Ken and Jana Maney, Alto; a sister, Jeanette Craven, Alto; grandchildren, Collin, Kyle, Harrison, Kinley and Drew Maney.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Revs. Greg Baldwin and Paul Flynn officiating. Burial will be in Yonah C.H. Church cemetery with the Rev. Nathan Hewitt officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 19, 2009.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Banks County on March 7, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Garland White and Frannie White. She was retired from Belk with 33 years in retail sales. She was a member of Mt. Sinai Church, and enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Maney was preceded in death by brothers, Arthur, Tom, Howard, Gene and James White.
Survivors include her husband, Billy M. Maney, Alto; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Gina Maney, Marietta, and Ken and Jana Maney, Alto; a sister, Jeanette Craven, Alto; grandchildren, Collin, Kyle, Harrison, Kinley and Drew Maney.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Revs. Greg Baldwin and Paul Flynn officiating. Burial will be in Yonah C.H. Church cemetery with the Rev. Nathan Hewitt officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 19, 2009.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Seabolt
GAINESVILLE – Ronald O. Seabolt, 56, died Thursday, November 19, 2009.
A native of Jackson County, he had lived most of his life in Hall County. Born on September 29, 1953, he was the son of the last Foster Odell and Sara Doster Seabolt. He was with the City of Gainesville in the environmental control department and was of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Seabolt, Murrayville; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and John Bargar, Murrayville; sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Todd Sears, Buford; grandson, Jacob Bargar, Murrayville; uncle and aunt, Henry and Wanda Doster, Jefferson; aunt, Barbara Biddy, Columbia, S.C.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 21, in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home with the Revs. Ralph Smith and Phil Gilstrap officiating. Burial was in the Yellow Creek Baptist Church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lakewood Baptist Church Building Fund, 2235 Thompson Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30501.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
A native of Jackson County, he had lived most of his life in Hall County. Born on September 29, 1953, he was the son of the last Foster Odell and Sara Doster Seabolt. He was with the City of Gainesville in the environmental control department and was of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Seabolt, Murrayville; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and John Bargar, Murrayville; sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Todd Sears, Buford; grandson, Jacob Bargar, Murrayville; uncle and aunt, Henry and Wanda Doster, Jefferson; aunt, Barbara Biddy, Columbia, S.C.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 21, in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home with the Revs. Ralph Smith and Phil Gilstrap officiating. Burial was in the Yellow Creek Baptist Church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lakewood Baptist Church Building Fund, 2235 Thompson Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30501.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Jerry Smallwood
COMMERCE – Jerry Benson Smallwood, 63, died Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at the Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of Thomas B. Smallwood and the late Laura Oneda Sorrow Smallwood.
Survivors in addition to his father include his wife, Diane B. Smallwood, Commerce; sons, Tommy Smallwood, Gillsville, Tony Smallwood, Commerce, and Jody Seabolt, Danielsville; sisters, Martha Gail Smallwood, Nancy (Eddie) Bell Summers and Vickie Dru Worley, all of Commerce; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Revs. Jerry Smith and Lev Humphries officiating. Burial will be in the Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 9 p.m., and at other times at the home of Mr. Thomas Smallwood, 133 Spring St., Commerce.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of Thomas B. Smallwood and the late Laura Oneda Sorrow Smallwood.
Survivors in addition to his father include his wife, Diane B. Smallwood, Commerce; sons, Tommy Smallwood, Gillsville, Tony Smallwood, Commerce, and Jody Seabolt, Danielsville; sisters, Martha Gail Smallwood, Nancy (Eddie) Bell Summers and Vickie Dru Worley, all of Commerce; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Revs. Jerry Smith and Lev Humphries officiating. Burial will be in the Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 9 p.m., and at other times at the home of Mr. Thomas Smallwood, 133 Spring St., Commerce.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Rosa Fay Bennett
NICHOLSON – Rosa Fay Bennett, 76, died Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Bullock County, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Alma Buckner Lewis. She was a member of the Center United Methodist Church and was retired from the Jackson County School System. Mrs. Bennett was preceded in death by her husband, William Edwin Bennett.
Survivors include a daughter, Melody Nichols, Nicholson; sons, the Rev. Charles Bennett, Thomaston, Anthony Bennett, Maysville, and Timothy Bennett, Nicholson; sisters, Edith Williamson, Crawford, Tenn. and Gloria Hess, Stowe, Ohio; brothers, Steve Hess, San Antonio, Texas and Henry Hess, Gainesville; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 11 a.m., at the Center United Methodist Church with the Revs. Charles Bennett and Walter Coley officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Center United Methodist Church, 426 Old Commerce Rd. Ext., Athens, GA.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Bullock County, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Alma Buckner Lewis. She was a member of the Center United Methodist Church and was retired from the Jackson County School System. Mrs. Bennett was preceded in death by her husband, William Edwin Bennett.
Survivors include a daughter, Melody Nichols, Nicholson; sons, the Rev. Charles Bennett, Thomaston, Anthony Bennett, Maysville, and Timothy Bennett, Nicholson; sisters, Edith Williamson, Crawford, Tenn. and Gloria Hess, Stowe, Ohio; brothers, Steve Hess, San Antonio, Texas and Henry Hess, Gainesville; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 11 a.m., at the Center United Methodist Church with the Revs. Charles Bennett and Walter Coley officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Center United Methodist Church, 426 Old Commerce Rd. Ext., Athens, GA.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur Eubanks
Arthur Lee Eubanks, 70, died away Wednesday, December 16, 2009.
Born on December 23, 1938, in Banks County, he was the son of Tommy and Margie Crane Eubanks. He was a retired construction worker after 13 years with Sunbelt Construction. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and was presently attending the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Mr. Eubanks was preceded in death by a sister, Grace Eubanks Ervin; and a grandchild, Jessica Eubanks.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Ann Bennett Eubanks; a son, Jerry Eubanks, Commerce; grandchildren, Jennifer Culberson, Colbert, and Zachery Eubanks, Commerce; two great-grandchildren; brothers, George H. Eubanks, Gainesville, Bobby Eubanks, Johnny W. Eubanks, both of Commerce; sisters, Lillie Mae Eubanks Benton, Commerce, Sharon Eubanks Chamberlain, South Carolina, and Betty Eubanks Barrett, Nicholson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 11 a.m., from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Don McLain officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The family request in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Hwy. 51, Homer, GA 30547.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on December 23, 1938, in Banks County, he was the son of Tommy and Margie Crane Eubanks. He was a retired construction worker after 13 years with Sunbelt Construction. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and was presently attending the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Mr. Eubanks was preceded in death by a sister, Grace Eubanks Ervin; and a grandchild, Jessica Eubanks.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Ann Bennett Eubanks; a son, Jerry Eubanks, Commerce; grandchildren, Jennifer Culberson, Colbert, and Zachery Eubanks, Commerce; two great-grandchildren; brothers, George H. Eubanks, Gainesville, Bobby Eubanks, Johnny W. Eubanks, both of Commerce; sisters, Lillie Mae Eubanks Benton, Commerce, Sharon Eubanks Chamberlain, South Carolina, and Betty Eubanks Barrett, Nicholson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 11 a.m., from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Don McLain officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, December 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The family request in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Hwy. 51, Homer, GA 30547.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Dessie Rea Coile
COMER – Dessie Rea Chambers Coile, 90, died Monday, December 14, 2009, at the Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce.
Born in Franklin County on August 30, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Lou Vinnie Fowler Chambers. She was a seamstress having worked with Comer Manufacturing and was a member of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Coile was preceded in death by her husband, James Tarl Coile Sr.
Survivors include a son, James T. Coile Jr., Comer; daughter, Linda Phillips, Comer; brothers, Sidney Chambers, Royston, and James Chambers, Comer; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 17, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Rev. Reggie Vaughn officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, December 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family is at their respective homes.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Franklin County on August 30, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Lou Vinnie Fowler Chambers. She was a seamstress having worked with Comer Manufacturing and was a member of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Coile was preceded in death by her husband, James Tarl Coile Sr.
Survivors include a son, James T. Coile Jr., Comer; daughter, Linda Phillips, Comer; brothers, Sidney Chambers, Royston, and James Chambers, Comer; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 17, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Rev. Reggie Vaughn officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, December 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family is at their respective homes.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Annie Ruth Mason
GRIFFIN - Annie Ruth Mason, 74, died Sunday, December 13, at Spalding Regional Medical Center in Griffin.
She was born in Banks County on November 2, 1935, the daughter of the late Elmer and Bobbie Wood Davis. She was retired from Griffin Technical College and was a member of the Damascus Christian Church, Griffin.
Survivors include her husband, Walter Lee Mason; children and their spouses, Sandra and Buster Hicks, Ellen and James Crawford, Karen and Chris Rogers, all of Griffin, Gary and Monica Mason, Williamson; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Patsy Davis, Homer; sister-in-law, Vickie Davis, Homer; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 16, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, Griffin. The Rev, Glen Duncan and David Hill will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin.
Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Rd., Griffin, is in charge of the arrangements.
She was born in Banks County on November 2, 1935, the daughter of the late Elmer and Bobbie Wood Davis. She was retired from Griffin Technical College and was a member of the Damascus Christian Church, Griffin.
Survivors include her husband, Walter Lee Mason; children and their spouses, Sandra and Buster Hicks, Ellen and James Crawford, Karen and Chris Rogers, all of Griffin, Gary and Monica Mason, Williamson; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Patsy Davis, Homer; sister-in-law, Vickie Davis, Homer; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 16, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, Griffin. The Rev, Glen Duncan and David Hill will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin.
Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Rd., Griffin, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mattie Hayes
ELBERTON – Mattie Mabe Hayes, 84, died Monday, December 14, 2009.
A native of Rowan, N.C., she was the widow of Golden Hayes. She was preceded in death by sons, Sammy and James Witcher.
Survivors include children, Bruce (Linda) Witcher, Peggy (Leland) Milton; daughter-in-law, Lucy Witcher; brother, Otis Mabe; grandchildren, Amanda Thigpen, Bo Witcher, Shelia Wofford, Walton Witcher, Brandy Milton, Scott Strickland; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 17, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Thift officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, December 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Rowan, N.C., she was the widow of Golden Hayes. She was preceded in death by sons, Sammy and James Witcher.
Survivors include children, Bruce (Linda) Witcher, Peggy (Leland) Milton; daughter-in-law, Lucy Witcher; brother, Otis Mabe; grandchildren, Amanda Thigpen, Bo Witcher, Shelia Wofford, Walton Witcher, Brandy Milton, Scott Strickland; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 17, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Thift officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, December 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Harvey Gathright
JEFFERSON – Harvey Sidney Gathright Jr., 70, died Tuesday, December 15, 2009.
Born in Jefferson, he was the son of the late Harvey Sidney Gathright Sr. and Jessie Mae Barfield Gathright. He worked with CSX Transportation Railroad Company. He was a member of Jones Chapel Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, and was a member of Lincoln Masonic Lodge #62 of Athens.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred Brown Gathright, Jefferson; a son, Douglas Gathright, Jefferson; sisters, Mary Ann Jordan (Charlie), Decatur, Betty Jean Jordan (Summie), Smyrna, Linda Joyce Gathright and Judy Norwood (Doug), all of Jefferson; brothers, Billy Gathright (Ruby Nell), William Monroe Gathright (Jean), all of Jefferson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 2 p.m., from the Jones Chapel Baptist Church with the Revs. Bobby Pattman and R.E. Cooper officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Gathright will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. Saturday.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, December 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Jones Chapel Baptist Church, 5114 Waterworks Rd., Commerce, GA 30529.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jefferson, he was the son of the late Harvey Sidney Gathright Sr. and Jessie Mae Barfield Gathright. He worked with CSX Transportation Railroad Company. He was a member of Jones Chapel Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, and was a member of Lincoln Masonic Lodge #62 of Athens.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred Brown Gathright, Jefferson; a son, Douglas Gathright, Jefferson; sisters, Mary Ann Jordan (Charlie), Decatur, Betty Jean Jordan (Summie), Smyrna, Linda Joyce Gathright and Judy Norwood (Doug), all of Jefferson; brothers, Billy Gathright (Ruby Nell), William Monroe Gathright (Jean), all of Jefferson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, at 2 p.m., from the Jones Chapel Baptist Church with the Revs. Bobby Pattman and R.E. Cooper officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Gathright will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. Saturday.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, December 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Jones Chapel Baptist Church, 5114 Waterworks Rd., Commerce, GA 30529.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy