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.
Jackson County - Topics 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.
‘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.
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.
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.
Barbara Harrell
JEFFERSON - Barbara Ann (Tew) Harrell, 73, died Thursday, November 25, 2010.
She was born in Phenix City, Ala., was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, and was a former member of the Mountain Park First Baptist Church for over 30 years. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, James Jackson (Jack) Harrell, Jefferson; children and their spouses, Jimmy and Lynn Harrell, Lawrenceville, Rhonda and Jim Holbrook, Eatonton, Cindy and Barry Daniels, Dublin, David and Terri Harrell, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Jimmy Holbrook, Brandon Harrell, Lisa Holbrook, Chelsea Daniels, Jonathan Harrell, Taylor Dickerson, Emily Harrell, Allison Daniels, Jackson Harrell and Abigail Harrell; sisters and their spouses, Joyce and Elmer Baldwin, Kay Cook and Clarence Cook, and Sally and Bill Tolbert, all of Alabama.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Barbara will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, at Wages Lawrenceville Chapel with the Revs. Robert Woodall, Mike Holt and Michael Helms officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Food Bank, 246 Washington St., (P.O. Box 395), Jefferson, GA 30549.
Wages Funeral Home, Lawrenceville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Phenix City, Ala., was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, and was a former member of the Mountain Park First Baptist Church for over 30 years. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, James Jackson (Jack) Harrell, Jefferson; children and their spouses, Jimmy and Lynn Harrell, Lawrenceville, Rhonda and Jim Holbrook, Eatonton, Cindy and Barry Daniels, Dublin, David and Terri Harrell, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Jimmy Holbrook, Brandon Harrell, Lisa Holbrook, Chelsea Daniels, Jonathan Harrell, Taylor Dickerson, Emily Harrell, Allison Daniels, Jackson Harrell and Abigail Harrell; sisters and their spouses, Joyce and Elmer Baldwin, Kay Cook and Clarence Cook, and Sally and Bill Tolbert, all of Alabama.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Barbara will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, at Wages Lawrenceville Chapel with the Revs. Robert Woodall, Mike Holt and Michael Helms officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Food Bank, 246 Washington St., (P.O. Box 395), Jefferson, GA 30549.
Wages Funeral Home, Lawrenceville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Edna Tooke
COMMERCE – Edna F. Tooke, 91, died Wednesday, November 24, 2010, at Southern Pines Assisted Living.
Born in Elbert County, she was the daughter of the late Paul T. and Alice Nelms Franklin. She was a housewife and was a member of First Baptist Church of Commerce. Mrs. Tooke was preceded in death by her husband, Charlton C. Tooke; brothers, Watson and Charles Franklin; and a sister, Ruth Evans.
Survivors include a son, Ronald Bond, Jefferson; daughters, Gwen Owens, Cleveland, Polly Mann, Norcross, Vivian Edwards and Linda Loggins, both of Watkinsville; sister, Ola Chastain, Elberton; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27, at 3 p.m., from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Joey Alfonso officiating. Burial will be in Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 1 to 3.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Elbert County, she was the daughter of the late Paul T. and Alice Nelms Franklin. She was a housewife and was a member of First Baptist Church of Commerce. Mrs. Tooke was preceded in death by her husband, Charlton C. Tooke; brothers, Watson and Charles Franklin; and a sister, Ruth Evans.
Survivors include a son, Ronald Bond, Jefferson; daughters, Gwen Owens, Cleveland, Polly Mann, Norcross, Vivian Edwards and Linda Loggins, both of Watkinsville; sister, Ola Chastain, Elberton; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27, at 3 p.m., from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Joey Alfonso officiating. Burial will be in Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 1 to 3.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Steven Chastain
CLEVELAND – Steven Eugene Chastain, 53, died Monday, November 22, 2010, at his residence following an extended illness.
Born in Polk County on May 18, 1957, he was the son of Gloria Morgan Chastain of Cleveland and the late Edgar Lee Chastain He spent most of his life in Jackson County and was a licensed electrician by trade. Mr. Chastain was preceded in death by a brother, Tony Jay Chastain.
Survivors include a son, Richard Melvin Perkins, Rockmart; sister and brother-in-law, Dixie and Ronnie Sosebee, Cleveland; nieces, Kristi Murdock, Cathy Mayne and Vanessa Mitchell; and a host of additional nieces, nephews and additional relatives.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 26, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with the Rev. Clinton Gooch and Elder Travis Nicholson officiating.
Alexander Funeral Home, Cleveland, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Polk County on May 18, 1957, he was the son of Gloria Morgan Chastain of Cleveland and the late Edgar Lee Chastain He spent most of his life in Jackson County and was a licensed electrician by trade. Mr. Chastain was preceded in death by a brother, Tony Jay Chastain.
Survivors include a son, Richard Melvin Perkins, Rockmart; sister and brother-in-law, Dixie and Ronnie Sosebee, Cleveland; nieces, Kristi Murdock, Cathy Mayne and Vanessa Mitchell; and a host of additional nieces, nephews and additional relatives.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 26, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with the Rev. Clinton Gooch and Elder Travis Nicholson officiating.
Alexander Funeral Home, Cleveland, is in charge of arrangements.
‘Doug’ Cunningham
JEFFERSON – Lewis Douglas “Doug” Cunningham, 86, died Sunday, November 21, 2010.
Born on February 20, 1924, in St. Paul, Va., he was the son of the late Charles Thomas and Eva Leah Culbertson Cunningham. He and his wife owned and operated Cunningham’s Collectibles in Jefferson. He was a United States Army Veteran serving during World War II and was a member of the St. Catherine’s Laboure Catholic Church in Jefferson. Mr. Cunningham was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Cunningham.
Survivors include his wife, Margarite Hennies Cunningham, Jefferson; daughter and son-in-law, Suzy and Arthur Violi, Ostrander, Ohio; sons and daughter-in-law, Thomas Cunningham, Hoschton, Dan and Judy Cunningham, Jefferson; sister, Eva Jane King, Castlewood, Va.; brother, Paul Cunningham, Virginia Beach, Va.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 24, at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Evans Memorial Gardens. The visitation will be held Tuesday, November 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the St. Catherine’s Laboure Catholic Church, 180 Elrod Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on February 20, 1924, in St. Paul, Va., he was the son of the late Charles Thomas and Eva Leah Culbertson Cunningham. He and his wife owned and operated Cunningham’s Collectibles in Jefferson. He was a United States Army Veteran serving during World War II and was a member of the St. Catherine’s Laboure Catholic Church in Jefferson. Mr. Cunningham was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Cunningham.
Survivors include his wife, Margarite Hennies Cunningham, Jefferson; daughter and son-in-law, Suzy and Arthur Violi, Ostrander, Ohio; sons and daughter-in-law, Thomas Cunningham, Hoschton, Dan and Judy Cunningham, Jefferson; sister, Eva Jane King, Castlewood, Va.; brother, Paul Cunningham, Virginia Beach, Va.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 24, at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Evans Memorial Gardens. The visitation will be held Tuesday, November 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the St. Catherine’s Laboure Catholic Church, 180 Elrod Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
‘Ronnie’ Archer
JEFFERSON – Charles Ronald “Ronnie” Archer Sr., 56, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010.
Born on September 14, 1954, in Chamblee, he was the son of Helen Potts “Tot” Archer of Jefferson and the late Billy D. Archer. He owned and operated Archer Used Oil. Mr. Archer was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Wayne Archer.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Aletta Pritchett Archer, Jefferson; a son, Chad Archer, Jefferson; daughter, Maranda Archer, Jefferson; brother, Ricky Archer, Mableton; aunt, Elizabeth Archer, Jefferson; grandchildren, Hagen, Raiden and Heeley Archer; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, November 21, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Doug Conwell and Tom Miles officiating. The visitation will be held Sunday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 10158, Atlanta, GA 30392-1508.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Born on September 14, 1954, in Chamblee, he was the son of Helen Potts “Tot” Archer of Jefferson and the late Billy D. Archer. He owned and operated Archer Used Oil. Mr. Archer was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Wayne Archer.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Aletta Pritchett Archer, Jefferson; a son, Chad Archer, Jefferson; daughter, Maranda Archer, Jefferson; brother, Ricky Archer, Mableton; aunt, Elizabeth Archer, Jefferson; grandchildren, Hagen, Raiden and Heeley Archer; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, November 21, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Doug Conwell and Tom Miles officiating. The visitation will be held Sunday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 10158, Atlanta, GA 30392-1508.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy