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.
Jackson County - Topics from February, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Eva Jo Sailers (2-22-11)
COMMERCE – Eva Jo Potts Sailers, 76, died Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Landmark Hospital.
Born in Commerce, she was the daughter of the late J.D. and Lucile Potts. She was a member of Commerce Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Sailers was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Thomas Sailers; and a brother, Thomas Potts.
Survivors include sons, Eric (Joann) Sailers, Commerce, and Ethan (Holly) Sailers, Carrollton; a brother, J.D. Potts, Commerce; sisters, Shirley Wilson, Athens, and Kathy Perry, Grayson; grandsons, Michael (Stephanie) Sailers, Lula, and Ethan Sailers Jr., Carrollton; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 24, at 11 a.m., at Jackson Memorial Gardens with Brian Stowe officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, February 23, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Commerce, she was the daughter of the late J.D. and Lucile Potts. She was a member of Commerce Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Sailers was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Thomas Sailers; and a brother, Thomas Potts.
Survivors include sons, Eric (Joann) Sailers, Commerce, and Ethan (Holly) Sailers, Carrollton; a brother, J.D. Potts, Commerce; sisters, Shirley Wilson, Athens, and Kathy Perry, Grayson; grandsons, Michael (Stephanie) Sailers, Lula, and Ethan Sailers Jr., Carrollton; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 24, at 11 a.m., at Jackson Memorial Gardens with Brian Stowe officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, February 23, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Bernice Edwards (2-22-11)
MAYSVILLE – Bernice Crane Edwards, 84, died Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at the St. Mary’s Hospice House in Bogart.
Born in Maysville, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Ella Mae Presley Crane. Mrs. Edwards was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Edwards.
Survivors include a daughter, Ruby (Buddy) Stockton, Commerce; siblings, Howard Crane, Jimmy Crane and Gladys Etris, all of Maysville, Edgar Crane, Nevada, Margie Drake, Arcade, and Eva Guidry, Dunwoody; grandchildren, Jamie Shackford, Florida, and Heather Stockton, Commerce; and great-grandchildren, Owen, Ryleigh and Raegan Shackford, all of Florida.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, February 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Maysville, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Ella Mae Presley Crane. Mrs. Edwards was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Edwards.
Survivors include a daughter, Ruby (Buddy) Stockton, Commerce; siblings, Howard Crane, Jimmy Crane and Gladys Etris, all of Maysville, Edgar Crane, Nevada, Margie Drake, Arcade, and Eva Guidry, Dunwoody; grandchildren, Jamie Shackford, Florida, and Heather Stockton, Commerce; and great-grandchildren, Owen, Ryleigh and Raegan Shackford, all of Florida.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, February 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Lottie Bell Richardson (2-21-11)
JEFFERSON – Lottie Bell Richardson, 90, died Monday, February 21, 2011, at her residence.
Born in Jefferson, she was the daughter of the late Ben and Sadie Hawkins Phillips. She was a retired poultry farmer and was a member of White Plains Baptist Church. Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Royce Richardson.
Survivors include a daughter, Terry Hogan, Jefferson; sisters, Frances Martin and Irene Hamilton, both of Jefferson; four grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 23, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Cary Pittman officiating. Burial will be in the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 12 to 2 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jefferson, she was the daughter of the late Ben and Sadie Hawkins Phillips. She was a retired poultry farmer and was a member of White Plains Baptist Church. Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Royce Richardson.
Survivors include a daughter, Terry Hogan, Jefferson; sisters, Frances Martin and Irene Hamilton, both of Jefferson; four grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 23, at 2 p.m., from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Cary Pittman officiating. Burial will be in the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 12 to 2 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Fred Phelps (2-20-11)
Fred Lewis Phelps, 91, loving and devoted husband to Betty Van Leuvan Phelps, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Steve Fulmer in Hoschton, following a brief illness.
He was the son of the late Paul and Ellie Maude Jones Phelps of Union Point, and was a member of Wedgefield Baptist Church in Wedgefield, S.C. He diligently served his country for 26 years in the United States Air Force. Upon retirement from Shaw Air Force Base 9th HQ, he and his family made Sumter, S.C. their home.
In his later years he enjoyed sharing his homegrown blueberries with friends and family. He met many needs in the surrounding community, never wanting others to go in want.
Survivors include four daughters, Phyllis Dianne Phelps, Carson City, Nev., Mary Jane Yancey (Chris), Travelers Rest, S.C., Sandra Louise Wilson (Eddie), Sumter, S.C., Elizabeth Phelps Fulmer (Steve), Hoschton; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Sara M. Moon and A. Louise Moody.
A loyal servant is now in the presence of his Master.
Mr. Phelps was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Edsall Phelps; and siblings, Ruby E. McKinley, Claude E. Phelps, W. Florence Phelps, Robert L. Phelps, Ellie Mae Finch and Benjamin P. Phelps.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, February 23, from the Sumter Cemetery in Sumter, S.C., with Pastor Paul Goff officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Wedgefield Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 265, Wedgefield, SC 29168.
Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton, is in charge of arrangements.
He was the son of the late Paul and Ellie Maude Jones Phelps of Union Point, and was a member of Wedgefield Baptist Church in Wedgefield, S.C. He diligently served his country for 26 years in the United States Air Force. Upon retirement from Shaw Air Force Base 9th HQ, he and his family made Sumter, S.C. their home.
In his later years he enjoyed sharing his homegrown blueberries with friends and family. He met many needs in the surrounding community, never wanting others to go in want.
Survivors include four daughters, Phyllis Dianne Phelps, Carson City, Nev., Mary Jane Yancey (Chris), Travelers Rest, S.C., Sandra Louise Wilson (Eddie), Sumter, S.C., Elizabeth Phelps Fulmer (Steve), Hoschton; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Sara M. Moon and A. Louise Moody.
A loyal servant is now in the presence of his Master.
Mr. Phelps was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Edsall Phelps; and siblings, Ruby E. McKinley, Claude E. Phelps, W. Florence Phelps, Robert L. Phelps, Ellie Mae Finch and Benjamin P. Phelps.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, February 23, from the Sumter Cemetery in Sumter, S.C., with Pastor Paul Goff officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Wedgefield Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 265, Wedgefield, SC 29168.
Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton, is in charge of arrangements.
Willis Leach (2-19-11)
COMMERCE – Willis H. Leach, 78, died Saturday, February 19, 2011.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jane Leach; five daughters, Lorna Leach Lester, Commerce, Bonnie (Keith) Phagan, Homer, Teresa (Bill) Cullinan, Braselton, Tracy (Mauricio) Ramirez, Jefferson, and Tanya (Jeff) Barrett, Danielsville; two sisters, Christine Bowles and Delores Leach; 11 grandchildren, Michelle (Ricky) Wood, Scott (Kristi) Lester, Corey Phagan, Kayla (Justin) Roberts, Courtney Phagan, Drake, Ben and Sarah Cullinan, Madelyn Leftwich, Ann Ramirez and Lyla Barrett; and great-grandchildren, Skyer Westmoreland, Taylor Wood and Mason Lester.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, February 22, from Blacks Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jane Leach; five daughters, Lorna Leach Lester, Commerce, Bonnie (Keith) Phagan, Homer, Teresa (Bill) Cullinan, Braselton, Tracy (Mauricio) Ramirez, Jefferson, and Tanya (Jeff) Barrett, Danielsville; two sisters, Christine Bowles and Delores Leach; 11 grandchildren, Michelle (Ricky) Wood, Scott (Kristi) Lester, Corey Phagan, Kayla (Justin) Roberts, Courtney Phagan, Drake, Ben and Sarah Cullinan, Madelyn Leftwich, Ann Ramirez and Lyla Barrett; and great-grandchildren, Skyer Westmoreland, Taylor Wood and Mason Lester.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, February 22, from Blacks Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Samuel Billy Parson (2-20-11)
COMMERCE – Samuel Billy Parson, 79, died Sunday, February 20, 2011, at his residence.
Born in Maysville, he was the son of the late Bynum and Oradean Emmett Parson.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Smith Parson, Commerce; children, Billy (Glenda) Parson, Samantha Gonzalez and Michael Parson, all of Commerce, and Jackie Sorrow, Tennessee; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Dairl Parson and Steve Parson, both of Maysville, and Waymon Parson, Commerce; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 22, from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Revs. Brian Stowe, Swayne Carlan and Donald Wilson officiating. Burial was in the Jackson County Memorial Gardens.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Maysville, he was the son of the late Bynum and Oradean Emmett Parson.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Smith Parson, Commerce; children, Billy (Glenda) Parson, Samantha Gonzalez and Michael Parson, all of Commerce, and Jackie Sorrow, Tennessee; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Dairl Parson and Steve Parson, both of Maysville, and Waymon Parson, Commerce; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 22, from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Revs. Brian Stowe, Swayne Carlan and Donald Wilson officiating. Burial was in the Jackson County Memorial Gardens.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy