JEFFERSON – Martha Bray Crawford, 80, died Monday, February 28, 2011.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Harold Franklin “Boots” and Christine Wilkes Dowdy. She was a retired clerk with the Jackson County Tax Commissioner’s office and a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church. Mrs. Crawford was preceded in death by husbands, Ralph “Pee Wee” Bray Jr. and Johnny Crawford; sister, Mary Bray; brothers, Charles and Ronnie Dowdy; and son-in-law, Tommy Adams.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Frankie and Kathi Bray, Jefferson; daughters and son-in-law, Debbie and David Lance, Jefferson, and Pam Adams, Commerce; sister, Joy Wood, Jefferson; brother, Jerry Dowdy, Cornelia; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2, at 11 a.m., from the Bethany United Methodist Church with the Revs. Bill Hayes and Mike McLemore officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Drew Bray, Ron Dowdy, Rod Dowdy, Steve Dowdy, Hal Dowdy, Mark Hardigree, Brayson Mitchell and Chase Mitchell honored as pallbearers. Don Burchett and Doug Waters will be honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are optional with memorials to be made to the St. Mary’s Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from February 2011
Bobby Wilson (2-27-11)
WINDER – Bobby L. Wilson, 68, died Sunday, February 27, 2011.
He was the son of the late Cecil Troy and Maude Smith Wilson. He was retired from Johns Manville and was a member of Faith Tabernacle Full Gospel Church.
Survivors include his wife, Hilda H. Wilson, Winder; daughter and son-in-law, Lynne and Robert Allen, Winder; granddaughter and husband, Aleisha and Eric Croy, Winder; brother, Cecil Wilson, Winder; and mother-in-law, Doris Hall, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Janice Sudderth officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, February 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Tabernacle, P.O. Box 66, Clarkesville, GA 30523, or the American Cancer Society, 2200 Lake Blvd., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30319.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
He was the son of the late Cecil Troy and Maude Smith Wilson. He was retired from Johns Manville and was a member of Faith Tabernacle Full Gospel Church.
Survivors include his wife, Hilda H. Wilson, Winder; daughter and son-in-law, Lynne and Robert Allen, Winder; granddaughter and husband, Aleisha and Eric Croy, Winder; brother, Cecil Wilson, Winder; and mother-in-law, Doris Hall, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Janice Sudderth officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, February 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Tabernacle, P.O. Box 66, Clarkesville, GA 30523, or the American Cancer Society, 2200 Lake Blvd., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30319.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
'Sonny' Garrison (2-24-11)
HULL - Harold "Sonny" Garrison, 71, died Thursday, February 24, 2011.
A native of Athens, he was the son of the late Trenton and Rosalie Lavender Garrison. Mr. Garrison was preceded in death by two sisters, Gail Murray and Sherry Thomas. He graduated from Athens High School in 1958 and worked at Westclox from 1958-1994. He coached football for the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department and was a member of East Athens Baptist Church.
Sonny was a loving husband to Mary, a great father to Jeff and adored his grandchildren, Tyler, Taylor and Tanner. He had a large and loving family, was active in his community, and was a great friend to all. You could always count on Sonny and he'll be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Nash Garrison; son, Jeff Garrison and wife, Jacki, Madison; grandchildren, Tyler, Taylor and Tanner Garrison, all of Madison County; five sisters, Sara Frances ╥Kay╙ Young, Harriet McCurley, Delores White and husband, John all of Winterville, Jenny Irby of Gray, and Cindy Huff and husband, Jerry, Athens; and two brothers, John Garrison and wife, Elaine and David Garrison and wife, Chris, all of Athens.
Services were held Sunday, February 27, in the chapel at Bernstein Funeral Home with the Revs. Brad Wilson and Ray Wuerzer officiating. Burial was at Evergreen Memorial Park. Pallbearers were nephews, Mike McCurley, Rodney Thomas, Mark Irby, Garry Huff, Eddie McCurley, Trent Arnold, Shannon Garrison, Kirby Murray and Chad Garrison.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.
Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.
A native of Athens, he was the son of the late Trenton and Rosalie Lavender Garrison. Mr. Garrison was preceded in death by two sisters, Gail Murray and Sherry Thomas. He graduated from Athens High School in 1958 and worked at Westclox from 1958-1994. He coached football for the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department and was a member of East Athens Baptist Church.
Sonny was a loving husband to Mary, a great father to Jeff and adored his grandchildren, Tyler, Taylor and Tanner. He had a large and loving family, was active in his community, and was a great friend to all. You could always count on Sonny and he'll be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Nash Garrison; son, Jeff Garrison and wife, Jacki, Madison; grandchildren, Tyler, Taylor and Tanner Garrison, all of Madison County; five sisters, Sara Frances ╥Kay╙ Young, Harriet McCurley, Delores White and husband, John all of Winterville, Jenny Irby of Gray, and Cindy Huff and husband, Jerry, Athens; and two brothers, John Garrison and wife, Elaine and David Garrison and wife, Chris, all of Athens.
Services were held Sunday, February 27, in the chapel at Bernstein Funeral Home with the Revs. Brad Wilson and Ray Wuerzer officiating. Burial was at Evergreen Memorial Park. Pallbearers were nephews, Mike McCurley, Rodney Thomas, Mark Irby, Garry Huff, Eddie McCurley, Trent Arnold, Shannon Garrison, Kirby Murray and Chad Garrison.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.
Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.
Joann Casper (2-27-11)
BETHLEHEM - Joann Casper, 69, died Sunday, February 27, 2011.
A lifelong resident of Barrow County, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Montine McDaniel Casper. She was preceded in death by a brother, Lamar Casper. Mrs. Casper was of the Pentecostal faith and was a retiree of Barrow Manufacturing Company.
Survivors include her husband, Joe Casper, Bethlehem; children, Bonnie Mize, Winder, Mark Casper and Marty Casper, both of Bethlehem; five grandsons; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Roberts and Sandra Lee, both of Winder; brothers, Loyce Casper, Bethlehem, and Paul Casper, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Carter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kyle Baber officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday February 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
A lifelong resident of Barrow County, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Montine McDaniel Casper. She was preceded in death by a brother, Lamar Casper. Mrs. Casper was of the Pentecostal faith and was a retiree of Barrow Manufacturing Company.
Survivors include her husband, Joe Casper, Bethlehem; children, Bonnie Mize, Winder, Mark Casper and Marty Casper, both of Bethlehem; five grandsons; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Roberts and Sandra Lee, both of Winder; brothers, Loyce Casper, Bethlehem, and Paul Casper, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Carter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kyle Baber officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday February 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Keith Jones (2-24-11)
JEFFERSON – Brian Keith Jones, 38, died Thursday, February 24, 2011, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Clarke County on March 29, 1972, he was the son of Leonard and Mary Ellen Bryant Jones of Jefferson. He was an electrician and of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors in addition to his parents include a daughter, Samantha Chase Jones, Gainesville; and a sister, Melissa Barron, Oakwood.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 27, from the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Revs. Joel Shadburn and Melvin Gooch officiating. Burial was in the Zidon Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Clarke County on March 29, 1972, he was the son of Leonard and Mary Ellen Bryant Jones of Jefferson. He was an electrician and of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors in addition to his parents include a daughter, Samantha Chase Jones, Gainesville; and a sister, Melissa Barron, Oakwood.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 27, from the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home with the Revs. Joel Shadburn and Melvin Gooch officiating. Burial was in the Zidon Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements.
Nita Glass (2-24-11)
WINDER – Nita D. Glass, 85, died Thursday, February 24, 2011.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of the late Atticus Walter and Kate Sims Doster. She was a member of Winder First Christian Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She was a lifetime member of the Winder VFW Women’s Auxiliary and had worked as the voter registrar for Barrow County. Mrs. Glass was preceded in death by her husband, Stinnie Nathaniel “Buck” Glass.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Cherry and Ronnie Stephens, Winder; grandchildren, Amy Smith, Andrew Stephens, Bryson Thomas Smith and Nathaniel Rebel Stephens; and a sister, Nell Gordon, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 26, at 2 p.m. from Smith Memory Chapel with the Revs. Jim Brooks and Hal Tapp officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, February 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Alzheimer’s Foundation, 1841 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of the late Atticus Walter and Kate Sims Doster. She was a member of Winder First Christian Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She was a lifetime member of the Winder VFW Women’s Auxiliary and had worked as the voter registrar for Barrow County. Mrs. Glass was preceded in death by her husband, Stinnie Nathaniel “Buck” Glass.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Cherry and Ronnie Stephens, Winder; grandchildren, Amy Smith, Andrew Stephens, Bryson Thomas Smith and Nathaniel Rebel Stephens; and a sister, Nell Gordon, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 26, at 2 p.m. from Smith Memory Chapel with the Revs. Jim Brooks and Hal Tapp officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, February 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Alzheimer’s Foundation, 1841 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Elaine Potts (2-23-11)
CENTER - Elaine Daniel Potts, 77, died Wednesday, February 23, 2011.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late William Tom and Cleo King Daniel. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver to her family. She was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church and worked in job roles that included secretarial duties in banking, the Federal Postal Inspector╒s Office, Post Master and a family owned Otasco business. Mrs. Potts was preceded in death by her husband, G. Robert Potts.
Survivors include a son, Robert Keith (Lynn) Potts, Jefferson; daughters, Shanon P. (Mike) Willard, Eatonton, Linda P. (Dusty) Brown, Dalton; sister, Bebe Daniel Wells, Winder; brother, Tom King Daniel, Jasper; seven grandchildren, Abby, Kevin and Carter Potts, Caleb and Kelly Willard, Brody and Emily Rose Brown.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 26, at 1 p.m. in the Bethany United Methodist Church with the Revs. Mike Willard and Mike McLemore officiating. The body will lie in state on Saturday from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m., in the church, prior to the service. The burial will follow in the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery with Brody Brown, Caleb Willard, Kevin Potts, Carter Potts, Dusty Brown and Mike Willard honored as pallbearers. Emily Rose Brown, Kelly Willard and Abby Potts will be honorary pallbearers. The visitation will be held on Friday evening, February 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, or the Church Cemetery Fund, 4569 Brockton Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549, or the American Cancer Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Rd., Athens, GA 30605.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late William Tom and Cleo King Daniel. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver to her family. She was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church and worked in job roles that included secretarial duties in banking, the Federal Postal Inspector╒s Office, Post Master and a family owned Otasco business. Mrs. Potts was preceded in death by her husband, G. Robert Potts.
Survivors include a son, Robert Keith (Lynn) Potts, Jefferson; daughters, Shanon P. (Mike) Willard, Eatonton, Linda P. (Dusty) Brown, Dalton; sister, Bebe Daniel Wells, Winder; brother, Tom King Daniel, Jasper; seven grandchildren, Abby, Kevin and Carter Potts, Caleb and Kelly Willard, Brody and Emily Rose Brown.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 26, at 1 p.m. in the Bethany United Methodist Church with the Revs. Mike Willard and Mike McLemore officiating. The body will lie in state on Saturday from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m., in the church, prior to the service. The burial will follow in the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery with Brody Brown, Caleb Willard, Kevin Potts, Carter Potts, Dusty Brown and Mike Willard honored as pallbearers. Emily Rose Brown, Kelly Willard and Abby Potts will be honorary pallbearers. The visitation will be held on Friday evening, February 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, or the Church Cemetery Fund, 4569 Brockton Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549, or the American Cancer Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Rd., Athens, GA 30605.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Philip Daniel Watta (2-23-11)
GAINESVILLE – Philip Daniel Watta, 71, died Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at Landmark Regional Hospital in Athens, following a brief illness.
Funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 25, at 12 p.m., at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Burial will be on Monday, February 28, at 11 a.m., in the Memorial Park South Cemetery. Father Nicholas Azar will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, February 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, c/o S.V.D.P., 1440 Pearce Circle, Gainesville, GA 30501.
Memorial Park Funeral Home South, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 25, at 12 p.m., at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Burial will be on Monday, February 28, at 11 a.m., in the Memorial Park South Cemetery. Father Nicholas Azar will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, February 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, c/o S.V.D.P., 1440 Pearce Circle, Gainesville, GA 30501.
Memorial Park Funeral Home South, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Melinda Locklear (2-23-11)
WINDER – Melinda Shelton Locklear, 40, died Wednesday, February 23, 2011.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of David and Mary Shelton of Statham. She was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, where she was minister of music and traveled around singing with the Shelton Sisters. She was a 1991 graduate of Oconee County High School, where she was in the marching band.
Survivors in addition to her parents include her husband, Dillard Locklear, Winder; a daughter, Grace Locklear, Winder; and a sister, Wendy Prather, Watkinsville.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Revs. Lee Hunter and Eugene Pritchett officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, February 24, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rev. David Shelton, P.O. Box 116, Bogart, GA 30622-0116.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of David and Mary Shelton of Statham. She was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, where she was minister of music and traveled around singing with the Shelton Sisters. She was a 1991 graduate of Oconee County High School, where she was in the marching band.
Survivors in addition to her parents include her husband, Dillard Locklear, Winder; a daughter, Grace Locklear, Winder; and a sister, Wendy Prather, Watkinsville.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Revs. Lee Hunter and Eugene Pritchett officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, February 24, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rev. David Shelton, P.O. Box 116, Bogart, GA 30622-0116.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Cynthia Ann Swain (2-20-11)
COMMERCE – Cynthia Ann Swain, 42, died Sunday, February 20, 2011, at Athens Regional Medical Center following an extended illness.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of Lilly Wright Baker of Canon and the late Steve Baker.
Survivors in addition to her mother include her husband, David Swain, Commerce; children, Lamar Cowart, Belton, S.C., Lawanda Baker and Megan Baker, both of Commerce, and Maranda Garrett, Piedmont, S.C.; a brother, David Peck, Canon; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 24, at 3 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Bowen officiating, after which the body will be cremated.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of Lilly Wright Baker of Canon and the late Steve Baker.
Survivors in addition to her mother include her husband, David Swain, Commerce; children, Lamar Cowart, Belton, S.C., Lawanda Baker and Megan Baker, both of Commerce, and Maranda Garrett, Piedmont, S.C.; a brother, David Peck, Canon; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 24, at 3 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Bowen officiating, after which the body will be cremated.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy