PENDERGRASS – Geraldine Elrod, 93, died Tuesday, November 30, 2010, following a period of declining health.
Born in Hall County, she was the second oldest daughter of John and Eula Whitehead Elrod. She was a devoted member of Pendergrass Baptist Church for 73 years and faithfully served as treasurer for over 50 years. Miss Elrod had a strong passion for serving her Lord and Savior and was a great supporter of the North American Mission Board with an emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Elrod; sisters, Grace Elrod Benson and Martha Lee Elrod Sheridan; and brother-in-law, H.M. Benson.
Survivors include a brother, Bruce Elrod, and sister-in-law, Annie Laura Elrod, both of Pendergrass; nephews, Dennis Elrod, Pendergrass, Donald Sheridan, Commerce, Reginald Sheridan, Buford; and a niece, Diane Reed, Gainesville.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 2, at 11 a.m., from the Pendergrass Baptist Church with the Revs. Kevin Burgess, Charles Jenkins, Vince Mercardante and Ripp Goss officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Honored as pallbearers will be Barry King, Joe McMullan, Stephen Greeson, Benny Stansel, Randy Weatherford and Horace Maddox. Wilbur Cole will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, December 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorials to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at Pendergrass Baptist Church, c/o Linda McMullan, 1405 Glenn Abby Lane, Talmo, GA 30575.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from November 2010
Thomas Hamilton
LAVONIA – Thomas Newton Hamilton, 81, died Monday, November 29, 2010, at Athens Regional Medical Center.
Born in Carroll County, he was the son of the late Walter C. and Susan Ellen Stitcher Hamilton. He was a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Hamilton was a retired Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Army.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley J. Summerville Hamilton, Lavonia; sons, Steve Hamilton and Andrew Hamilton, both of Maysville, and Paul Hamilton, Commerce; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 2, from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Joe Renfro officiating. Entombment will follow in Franklin Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, December 1, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Carroll County, he was the son of the late Walter C. and Susan Ellen Stitcher Hamilton. He was a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Hamilton was a retired Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Army.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley J. Summerville Hamilton, Lavonia; sons, Steve Hamilton and Andrew Hamilton, both of Maysville, and Paul Hamilton, Commerce; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 2, from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Joe Renfro officiating. Entombment will follow in Franklin Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, December 1, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
‘Ken’ Smith
WINDER – Charles Kenneth “Ken” Smith, 49, died Friday, November 26, 2010.
Born in Franklin County, he was the son of Betty Smith of Winder and the late Charlie Smith. He was employed by Arbor Terrace.
Survivors in addition to his mother include a son, Joshua Smith, Winder; brothers, Roger Smith and Joel Smith, both of Winder.
Funeral services were held Monday, November 29, from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Robbie Black officiating. Burial was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Born in Franklin County, he was the son of Betty Smith of Winder and the late Charlie Smith. He was employed by Arbor Terrace.
Survivors in addition to his mother include a son, Joshua Smith, Winder; brothers, Roger Smith and Joel Smith, both of Winder.
Funeral services were held Monday, November 29, from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Robbie Black officiating. Burial was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Alice Sanders
WINDER – Alice Emily Bowlan Sanders, 86, died Sunday, November 28, 2010.
Born in Anderson, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Thomas Guy and Mary Hood Bowlan. She was an active member and served in many ministries of the First Baptist Church in Winder. Mrs. Sanders was preceded in death by her husband, Charles M. Sanders Sr.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Mallory and Judy Sanders, Monroe, Tom and Nancy Sanders, Winder; daughters, Emily Ann Hamden, Murrell’s Inlet, S.C., and Susie Parker, Winder; grandchildren, Taylor and Beth Hamden, Charleston, S.C., Chad Hamden, Cheraw, S.C., Holly Hamden, Murrell’s Inlet, S.C., Sidney and Thomas Sanders, Winder; granddaughter, Mary Alice and Steven Lathem, Smyrna; and great-grandchild, Hunter Hamden.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 1, at 11 a.m., from First Baptist Church of Winder, with John Talley officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Winder, 625 Jefferson, Winder, GA 30680.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Anderson, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Thomas Guy and Mary Hood Bowlan. She was an active member and served in many ministries of the First Baptist Church in Winder. Mrs. Sanders was preceded in death by her husband, Charles M. Sanders Sr.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Mallory and Judy Sanders, Monroe, Tom and Nancy Sanders, Winder; daughters, Emily Ann Hamden, Murrell’s Inlet, S.C., and Susie Parker, Winder; grandchildren, Taylor and Beth Hamden, Charleston, S.C., Chad Hamden, Cheraw, S.C., Holly Hamden, Murrell’s Inlet, S.C., Sidney and Thomas Sanders, Winder; granddaughter, Mary Alice and Steven Lathem, Smyrna; and great-grandchild, Hunter Hamden.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 1, at 11 a.m., from First Baptist Church of Winder, with John Talley officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Winder, 625 Jefferson, Winder, GA 30680.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
‘Tony’ Howington
NICHOLSON – Gerald Anthony “Tony” Howington, 53, died Sunday, November 28, 2010, at Heritage Healthcare of Athens.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of Gerald Douglas Howington of Florida and Shirley Lovell Neff of Nicholson. He was employed by CMC as a machinist. Mr. Howington was preceded in death by his wife, Tammy Buff Howington.
Survivors in addition to his parents include a son, Charlie Howington, Nicholson; daughter, Holly Beale, Virginia; brother, Greg Howington, Nicholson; grandsons, Gavin and Mark Howington, both of Nicholson; and nephew, Zach Howington, Nicholson.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, December 1, at 11 a.m., at Jackson Memorial Park with the Rev. Bobby Ivester officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, November 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of Gerald Douglas Howington of Florida and Shirley Lovell Neff of Nicholson. He was employed by CMC as a machinist. Mr. Howington was preceded in death by his wife, Tammy Buff Howington.
Survivors in addition to his parents include a son, Charlie Howington, Nicholson; daughter, Holly Beale, Virginia; brother, Greg Howington, Nicholson; grandsons, Gavin and Mark Howington, both of Nicholson; and nephew, Zach Howington, Nicholson.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, December 1, at 11 a.m., at Jackson Memorial Park with the Rev. Bobby Ivester officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, November 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Vera Louise Carter
HOMER – Vera Louise Newton Carter, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 27, 2010.
A native of Bulloch County, “Mamaw” as she was lovingly known by her family, was the daughter of David Hines and May Louise Griner Newton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; and granddaughter, Sonja Cronia. After retiring as a supervisor from Blue Bell, Mrs. Carter lived an active life giving back to the community through her involvement with local Red Cross blood drives and the AARP. She was an active member for many years of Homer Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and participated in the Women’s Missionary Union.
With a life’s motto, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” she will always be known as a genuine Christian lady whose love for God reflected in her sweet spirit and the kindness she showed to others.
Survivors include her children, David Carter Sr., Barbara King and Gale Allen; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation for the family will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ivie Funeral Home in Commerce on Tuesday, November 30. She will lie in state at Homer Baptist Church from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, with a celebration of life to follow at 2 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Bulloch County, “Mamaw” as she was lovingly known by her family, was the daughter of David Hines and May Louise Griner Newton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; and granddaughter, Sonja Cronia. After retiring as a supervisor from Blue Bell, Mrs. Carter lived an active life giving back to the community through her involvement with local Red Cross blood drives and the AARP. She was an active member for many years of Homer Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and participated in the Women’s Missionary Union.
With a life’s motto, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” she will always be known as a genuine Christian lady whose love for God reflected in her sweet spirit and the kindness she showed to others.
Survivors include her children, David Carter Sr., Barbara King and Gale Allen; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation for the family will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ivie Funeral Home in Commerce on Tuesday, November 30. She will lie in state at Homer Baptist Church from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, with a celebration of life to follow at 2 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Dorothy Graves
HOSCHTON – Mary Dorothy Cox Graves, 89, died Friday, November 26, 2010.
Born on May 1, 1921, in Gwinnett County, she was the daughter of the late Ozias and Anna Lou Wells Cox. She was a nurse and was retired from DeKalb Medical Center. She was a member of Walnut Fork Baptist Church. Mrs. Graves was preceded in death by her husband, Hazel Truitt Graves.
Survivors include daughters, Sandy Graves Collins, Tucson, Ariz. and Sally Graves Adamson, Hoschton; sons, Jack Graves and David Graves, both of Hoschton; brothers, Bud Cox, Loganville, and Bill Cox, Fayetteville; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 29, at 1 p.m., from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Todd Coble officiating. Burial will be at Haynes Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Loganville.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on May 1, 1921, in Gwinnett County, she was the daughter of the late Ozias and Anna Lou Wells Cox. She was a nurse and was retired from DeKalb Medical Center. She was a member of Walnut Fork Baptist Church. Mrs. Graves was preceded in death by her husband, Hazel Truitt Graves.
Survivors include daughters, Sandy Graves Collins, Tucson, Ariz. and Sally Graves Adamson, Hoschton; sons, Jack Graves and David Graves, both of Hoschton; brothers, Bud Cox, Loganville, and Bill Cox, Fayetteville; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 29, at 1 p.m., from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Todd Coble officiating. Burial will be at Haynes Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Loganville.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Estelle Simmons
BALDWIN – Estelle Brock Simmons, 93, died Friday, November 26, 2010.
Born on June 28, 1917, in Habersham County, she was the daughter of the late John and Fannie Higgins Brock. She was preceded in death by her husband, Silvia B. Simmons; sisters, Cora Lee Simmons and Lessie Simmons; and brothers, Roy, Estees and J.W. Brock. Mrs. Simmons was a retired poultry farmer with 45 years of service and owned and operated Simmons Fish Bait for a number of years. She was the oldest member of Mt. View Baptist Church and a former member of the Georgia Poultry Association.
Survivors include daughters, Jean S. Miller and Brenda Boling, both of Baldwin; sons and daughters-in-law, Bevis and Elizabeth Simmons, Winder, and Mack and Donna Simmons, Flowery Branch; sister, Addie Lene Segars, Baldwin; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, November 28, from Whitfield Funeral Home South Chapel with the Revs. Luther Williams and James Harvey officiating. Burial was in Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements.
Born on June 28, 1917, in Habersham County, she was the daughter of the late John and Fannie Higgins Brock. She was preceded in death by her husband, Silvia B. Simmons; sisters, Cora Lee Simmons and Lessie Simmons; and brothers, Roy, Estees and J.W. Brock. Mrs. Simmons was a retired poultry farmer with 45 years of service and owned and operated Simmons Fish Bait for a number of years. She was the oldest member of Mt. View Baptist Church and a former member of the Georgia Poultry Association.
Survivors include daughters, Jean S. Miller and Brenda Boling, both of Baldwin; sons and daughters-in-law, Bevis and Elizabeth Simmons, Winder, and Mack and Donna Simmons, Flowery Branch; sister, Addie Lene Segars, Baldwin; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, November 28, from Whitfield Funeral Home South Chapel with the Revs. Luther Williams and James Harvey officiating. Burial was in Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements.
Roger Williams
HOMER – Roger Williams, 70, died Friday, November 26, 2010.
Born on April 9, 1940, in Canon, he was the son of Gladys Pierce of Martin and the late Don Williams. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Samantha Williams. Mr. Williams was a member of Phi Delta Lodge # 148 Homer, and proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. He was the owner and operator of Central Pump and Well.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Genell Williams, Homer; a daughter, Becky Williams, Commerce; sons, Keith Williams, Commerce, and Danny Williams, Homer; sister, Virginia Emmitte, Houston, Texas; brother, John Neal, Royston; grandchildren, Mary, Sammy, Kelli, Kirkland, Nikolas and Megan; and great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Austin.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 29, at 2 p.m., from Whitfield Funeral Home with the Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Burial will be at Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites conducted by Phi Delta Lodge # 148 Homer.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on April 9, 1940, in Canon, he was the son of Gladys Pierce of Martin and the late Don Williams. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Samantha Williams. Mr. Williams was a member of Phi Delta Lodge # 148 Homer, and proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. He was the owner and operator of Central Pump and Well.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Genell Williams, Homer; a daughter, Becky Williams, Commerce; sons, Keith Williams, Commerce, and Danny Williams, Homer; sister, Virginia Emmitte, Houston, Texas; brother, John Neal, Royston; grandchildren, Mary, Sammy, Kelli, Kirkland, Nikolas and Megan; and great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Austin.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 29, at 2 p.m., from Whitfield Funeral Home with the Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Burial will be at Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites conducted by Phi Delta Lodge # 148 Homer.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Garrison Wood
BRASELTON - E. Garrison Wood, formerly of Lynchburg, Va., died Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., at The Olive Branch personal care home.
Born on July 6, 1915, in Campbell County, he was the son of the late Grover C. and Alberta Scott Wood of Salem, Va. He graduated from Salem High School in Salem, Va., attended Roanoke College and later Florida Southern College. He was a graduate of NABAC School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He was associated for many years with the Exchange National Bank, now Bank of America, in Winter Haven, Fla. In 1964 he joined the Financial General Corporation in Washington, D.C. and later the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from which he retired.
During the era of World War II, he served for eight years as a B-24 bomber pilot, and flew 65 combat missions with the 376th Heavy Bomb Group in Europe. For this service, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with seven clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation and ten Battle Stars. He was also awarded the title of Honorary Member of the former Royal Yugoslav Air Force.
Following the end of WWII, he continued his military service in the Pacific where he served as air base commander on both Saipan and Iwo Jima. He later left the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel to pursue his civilian career in banking.
Garrison was a charter member and registrar of the Patrick Henry Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and later a member of the Fincastle Resolution Chapter. He was also a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and a member of the Lynchburg Rotary Club for which he was a Paul Harris Fellow.
During his years in Winter Haven, Fla., he was an active member and trustee of the Beymer Memorial Methodist Church and a charter member of the Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. In addition, he was a frequent participant in his son’s school and Boy Scout activities.
After leaving Florida to relocate to Fairfax, Va., he continued to be active in Veterans affairs as a life member of the American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
Upon retiring in Lynchburg, Va., he became a member of the First Christian Church and remained active in the Rotary Club activities for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Arington Jessee Wood; stepson, Ernest Fillmore Jessee III and his wife Valera, Braselton; grandson, Daniel Garrison Jessee and his wife Julie of Atlanta; and nephew Marcus Scott Wood Jr., Chatham, N.Y.
Garrison was preceded in death by a brother, Marcus Scott Wood Sr.; and sister, Mildred Coalter Wood.
Memorial services by the Rev. David Cobb were held Saturday, November 27, at the Diuguid Chapel, Wiggington Rd., Lynchburg, Va. Private interment followed at Spring Hill Cemetery.
Born on July 6, 1915, in Campbell County, he was the son of the late Grover C. and Alberta Scott Wood of Salem, Va. He graduated from Salem High School in Salem, Va., attended Roanoke College and later Florida Southern College. He was a graduate of NABAC School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He was associated for many years with the Exchange National Bank, now Bank of America, in Winter Haven, Fla. In 1964 he joined the Financial General Corporation in Washington, D.C. and later the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from which he retired.
During the era of World War II, he served for eight years as a B-24 bomber pilot, and flew 65 combat missions with the 376th Heavy Bomb Group in Europe. For this service, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with seven clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation and ten Battle Stars. He was also awarded the title of Honorary Member of the former Royal Yugoslav Air Force.
Following the end of WWII, he continued his military service in the Pacific where he served as air base commander on both Saipan and Iwo Jima. He later left the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel to pursue his civilian career in banking.
Garrison was a charter member and registrar of the Patrick Henry Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and later a member of the Fincastle Resolution Chapter. He was also a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and a member of the Lynchburg Rotary Club for which he was a Paul Harris Fellow.
During his years in Winter Haven, Fla., he was an active member and trustee of the Beymer Memorial Methodist Church and a charter member of the Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. In addition, he was a frequent participant in his son’s school and Boy Scout activities.
After leaving Florida to relocate to Fairfax, Va., he continued to be active in Veterans affairs as a life member of the American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
Upon retiring in Lynchburg, Va., he became a member of the First Christian Church and remained active in the Rotary Club activities for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Arington Jessee Wood; stepson, Ernest Fillmore Jessee III and his wife Valera, Braselton; grandson, Daniel Garrison Jessee and his wife Julie of Atlanta; and nephew Marcus Scott Wood Jr., Chatham, N.Y.
Garrison was preceded in death by a brother, Marcus Scott Wood Sr.; and sister, Mildred Coalter Wood.
Memorial services by the Rev. David Cobb were held Saturday, November 27, at the Diuguid Chapel, Wiggington Rd., Lynchburg, Va. Private interment followed at Spring Hill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy