NICHOLSON – Amanda Kathy Howell, 52, died Monday, May 23, 2011.
Family and friends notified.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from May 2011
Hailey Rochelle Gill (5-28-11)
JEFFERSON - Hailey Rochelle Gill, 32, of Jefferson died Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Athens Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born December 12, 1978 in Decatur, she is a daughter of George and Sheila Watford Gill of Statham. Mrs. Gill was employed with Barrow County Department of Family and Children Services as a social worker. She was a member of New Community Church.
In addition to her parents, survivors include her husband, James Michael Atwell, Jefferson; a daughter, Colleen McKenzie Gill, Jefferson; and sister, Heather (Mike) Swint, Jefferson; and numerous cousins.
Funeral services will be Tuesday May 31, at 2 p.m. at New Community Church, 3955 Highway 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, with the Rev. Chris Hoffman and David Moss officiating. Interment will be at Woodbine Cemetery in Jefferson. The family will receive friends on Tuesday May 31, from 12 until 2 p.m. at New Community Church.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486. Houston, TX 77210-4486.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Born December 12, 1978 in Decatur, she is a daughter of George and Sheila Watford Gill of Statham. Mrs. Gill was employed with Barrow County Department of Family and Children Services as a social worker. She was a member of New Community Church.
In addition to her parents, survivors include her husband, James Michael Atwell, Jefferson; a daughter, Colleen McKenzie Gill, Jefferson; and sister, Heather (Mike) Swint, Jefferson; and numerous cousins.
Funeral services will be Tuesday May 31, at 2 p.m. at New Community Church, 3955 Highway 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, with the Rev. Chris Hoffman and David Moss officiating. Interment will be at Woodbine Cemetery in Jefferson. The family will receive friends on Tuesday May 31, from 12 until 2 p.m. at New Community Church.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486. Houston, TX 77210-4486.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Vonder L. Smith (5-28-11)
COMER - Vonder L. Smith died peacefully in her sleep, Saturday, May 28, 2011.
Born in Madison County in 1920, she lived her entire life on the seventh generation family farm. She was the daughter of the late Melvin and Effie Dudley Thompson of Comer. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Charles H.S. Smith Jr.; and a brother, Rudolph Thompson. She worked her younger years on the family farm and later retired from Rockwell Automation. In her retirement years she became an avid flower gardener with a particular love for roses.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Charles M.(Jack) Smith and Jerri Smith, Comer; four grandchildren, Dr. Charles M. (Chuck) Smith, Jr. (Ashley), Hartwell, Jeff Smith (Kerith), Stephen Smith and Lisa West (Tommy), Comer; nine great–grandchildren, Charles M.(Chad) Smith, III, Mary Kate Smith and Sophia Smith, all of Hartwell, Shelby Smith, Mark Smith, Jessica Smith, Makayla West, Chase West and Olivia West, all of Comer; and two step-grandchildren, Charlie Milford and Maggie McGee, Hartwell.
Mrs. Smith requested that no formal services be held, however a private remembrance of her will be held at a later date at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Charles M. Smith.
A special thanks is extended to St. Mary’s Hospice Care for making her last days as pleasant as possible. Also a special thanks goes to her caregivers, Missy Hale, Joyce Loden and Daisy Williford.
Lord & Stephens, Madison Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Madison County in 1920, she lived her entire life on the seventh generation family farm. She was the daughter of the late Melvin and Effie Dudley Thompson of Comer. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Charles H.S. Smith Jr.; and a brother, Rudolph Thompson. She worked her younger years on the family farm and later retired from Rockwell Automation. In her retirement years she became an avid flower gardener with a particular love for roses.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Charles M.(Jack) Smith and Jerri Smith, Comer; four grandchildren, Dr. Charles M. (Chuck) Smith, Jr. (Ashley), Hartwell, Jeff Smith (Kerith), Stephen Smith and Lisa West (Tommy), Comer; nine great–grandchildren, Charles M.(Chad) Smith, III, Mary Kate Smith and Sophia Smith, all of Hartwell, Shelby Smith, Mark Smith, Jessica Smith, Makayla West, Chase West and Olivia West, all of Comer; and two step-grandchildren, Charlie Milford and Maggie McGee, Hartwell.
Mrs. Smith requested that no formal services be held, however a private remembrance of her will be held at a later date at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Charles M. Smith.
A special thanks is extended to St. Mary’s Hospice Care for making her last days as pleasant as possible. Also a special thanks goes to her caregivers, Missy Hale, Joyce Loden and Daisy Williford.
Lord & Stephens, Madison Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Earl Reid Hudspeth (5-27-11)
JEFFERSON - Earl Reid Hudspeth, 79, did on Friday, May 27, 2011.
Born in Gastonia, N.C., he was the son of the late James Earl and Daisy Belle Presley Hudspeth. Mr. Hudspeth was a veteran of the United States Navy from June 1948 to February 1950, and in the Army Paratrooper Division from September 1954 to August 1957. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Antonio Hudspeth; sisters, Tula Lipsomb and Sarah Smith; and a brother, Fred Hudspeth.
Survivors include his wife, Eugenia Brown Kaylor Hudspeth, Jefferson; stepsons, John Richard Kaylor IV and his wife, Pelar Flores Kaylor, Hampton, Va., and Michael Zackary Antonio and his wife Gaye; two step-grandchildren, Michael and C.J. all of Roswell; and a sister, Elline Hudspeth Queen, Hopewell, Va.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 29, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Lawson officiating. The visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m., prior to the service. Earl will be laid to rest beside his first wife in the Jackson Memorial Park in a private family service on a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Jackson County Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Jackson Trail Christian School, 371 Hope Haven Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Gastonia, N.C., he was the son of the late James Earl and Daisy Belle Presley Hudspeth. Mr. Hudspeth was a veteran of the United States Navy from June 1948 to February 1950, and in the Army Paratrooper Division from September 1954 to August 1957. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Antonio Hudspeth; sisters, Tula Lipsomb and Sarah Smith; and a brother, Fred Hudspeth.
Survivors include his wife, Eugenia Brown Kaylor Hudspeth, Jefferson; stepsons, John Richard Kaylor IV and his wife, Pelar Flores Kaylor, Hampton, Va., and Michael Zackary Antonio and his wife Gaye; two step-grandchildren, Michael and C.J. all of Roswell; and a sister, Elline Hudspeth Queen, Hopewell, Va.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 29, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Lawson officiating. The visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m., prior to the service. Earl will be laid to rest beside his first wife in the Jackson Memorial Park in a private family service on a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Jackson County Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Jackson Trail Christian School, 371 Hope Haven Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Nancy Sue Brown (5-27-11)
MONROE – Nancy Sue Brown, 65, died Friday, May 27, 2011.
Born in Grayson, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Ray and Dorothy Dutton Bentley. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Monroe where she taught the kindergarten Sunday School, along with many other youth programs. She furnished child care out of her home for many years.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry Ray and Dawn Brown, Longmont, Colo., and Zack and Jennifer Brown, Monroe; three grandchildren, Heather, Skyler and Chylie; one brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Carol Bentley, Dacula; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Sandra and Melvin Dillard, Loganville, and Elaine Bentley, Monroe.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 31, at 2 p.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Chris Conner officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, May 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 1789 Georgia Hwy. 11 NW, Monroe, GA 30656.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Grayson, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Ray and Dorothy Dutton Bentley. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Monroe where she taught the kindergarten Sunday School, along with many other youth programs. She furnished child care out of her home for many years.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry Ray and Dawn Brown, Longmont, Colo., and Zack and Jennifer Brown, Monroe; three grandchildren, Heather, Skyler and Chylie; one brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Carol Bentley, Dacula; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Sandra and Melvin Dillard, Loganville, and Elaine Bentley, Monroe.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 31, at 2 p.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Chris Conner officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, May 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 1789 Georgia Hwy. 11 NW, Monroe, GA 30656.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Andrew Stephens (5-20-11)
WINDER – Andrew Christopher Stephens, 31, died Friday, May 20, 2011.
Born in Fulton County, he was the son of Ronnie and Cherry Glass Stephens of Winder. He graduated from Winder Barrow High School in 1998 and was employed by Pilgrims Auto Repair as a mechanic.
Survivors include a son, Nathaniel Rebel Stephens, Flowery Branch; sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Thomas Smith; and a nephew, Bryson Smith.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 23, from Smith Memory Chapel with the Revs. Hal Tapp and John Burchfield officiating. Burial was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Nathaniel Rebel Stephens Fund, c/o Community & Southern Bank, Winder, GA.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Fulton County, he was the son of Ronnie and Cherry Glass Stephens of Winder. He graduated from Winder Barrow High School in 1998 and was employed by Pilgrims Auto Repair as a mechanic.
Survivors include a son, Nathaniel Rebel Stephens, Flowery Branch; sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Thomas Smith; and a nephew, Bryson Smith.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 23, from Smith Memory Chapel with the Revs. Hal Tapp and John Burchfield officiating. Burial was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Nathaniel Rebel Stephens Fund, c/o Community & Southern Bank, Winder, GA.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Gordon (5-26-11)
DANIELSVILLE – Emma Ruth Sartain Gordon, 73, died Thursday, May 26, 2011, at the Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville.
Born in Madison County on May 12, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Lee and Ina Mae Martin Sartain. She was a homemaker and a farmer. Mrs. Gordon was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Danielsville. Mrs. Gordon was preceded in death by brothers, Earl, Sam and Paul Sartain; and a sister, Ann Scarborough.
Survivors include her husband, Sammy Gordon, Danielsville; a son, Mike Gordon, Danielsville; daughters, Donna Brooks and Alice Herring, both of Danielsville; brothers, Neal Sartain, Grayson, and Max Sartain, Danielsville; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 28, at 2 p.m., at the Trinity Baptist Church in Danielsville with the Revs. Robbie Brown and David Bailey officiating. Burial will be in the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The body is at the funeral home where the family will receive friends Friday, May 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The family is at home.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Madison County on May 12, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Lee and Ina Mae Martin Sartain. She was a homemaker and a farmer. Mrs. Gordon was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Danielsville. Mrs. Gordon was preceded in death by brothers, Earl, Sam and Paul Sartain; and a sister, Ann Scarborough.
Survivors include her husband, Sammy Gordon, Danielsville; a son, Mike Gordon, Danielsville; daughters, Donna Brooks and Alice Herring, both of Danielsville; brothers, Neal Sartain, Grayson, and Max Sartain, Danielsville; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 28, at 2 p.m., at the Trinity Baptist Church in Danielsville with the Revs. Robbie Brown and David Bailey officiating. Burial will be in the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The body is at the funeral home where the family will receive friends Friday, May 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The family is at home.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Samuel L. Oliver (5-25-11)
Gainesville has lost another person whose contributions to this community and to his family can never be measured.
Samuel L. Oliver passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Emory University Hospital, after a short battle with leukemia, at the age of 68.
Sam was a member of the law firm of Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP and specialized in the areas of corporate and business law, estate planning and banking.
While working his way through college, Sam was an honors graduate with an A.B. from the University of Georgia. He earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law while serving as editor of the Georgia Law School Law Review publication.
Following graduation from law school, Sam served in the United States Navy as a judge advocate general, and upon his discharge in 1969, he joined the law firm of Kenyon, Gunter, Hulsey, Sims and Oliver, currently known as Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP.
Sam was a founding director of GB&T Bancshares and its predecessor, Gainesville Bank & Trust, serving on the board from its beginning until the bank's acquisition by SunTrust.
Sam served on numerous local, community and civic boards. He served for 12 years (1980–1992) as a member of the Gainesville Board of Education, chairing this board from 1983–1986. He also was a member and chairman of the Northeast Georgia Community Foundation and the Gainesville College Foundation.
Sam was a former trustee of the Quinlan Arts Center, past member of the Gainesville Planning Commission, and as a member of Kiwanis, he was a past president and lieutenant governor. He also was a member of Chattahoochee Country Club, serving as a past president.
As a member of Grace Episcopal Church, he served on the governing board for three terms and as senior warden for two terms. Sam currently is a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Hayesville, N.C., where he serves as senior warden for the vestry.
As committed as Sam was to his career and to his community, nothing exceeded his commitment and love for his family. His first priority was to be a role model and mentor for his children and grandchildren. He was totally successful in meeting this goal, and they are his continuing legacy.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 495 Herbert Hills Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904. The Revs. John Rice and Don Harrison will officiate.
Sam was born May 31, 1942, in Toccoa, Ga., the son of the late Lamar Oliver and Mary (Chandler) Oliver.
Sam is survived by his loving wife, Jane Oliver of Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Jammie Oliver; daughter and son-in-law, Susan (Oliver) and Scott Brown; son, David Oliver and Shauna Delong, all of Gainesville; grandchildren, Sloan Oliver, Sam Oliver, Ethan Dodds, Sawyer Brown, Samuel Rhett Brown and Kaelan Delong; and brother, Bob and Jean Oliver of Braselton, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following charities: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Development Office, 1762 Clifton Rd., Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322, Designate "In Memory of Samuel L. Oliver;" Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 677, Hayesville, NC 28904; North Georgia Community Foundation, 615 Oak St. NW, Gainesville, GA 30501.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 27, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St., N.E., Gainesville.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Samuel L. Oliver passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Emory University Hospital, after a short battle with leukemia, at the age of 68.
Sam was a member of the law firm of Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP and specialized in the areas of corporate and business law, estate planning and banking.
While working his way through college, Sam was an honors graduate with an A.B. from the University of Georgia. He earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law while serving as editor of the Georgia Law School Law Review publication.
Following graduation from law school, Sam served in the United States Navy as a judge advocate general, and upon his discharge in 1969, he joined the law firm of Kenyon, Gunter, Hulsey, Sims and Oliver, currently known as Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP.
Sam was a founding director of GB&T Bancshares and its predecessor, Gainesville Bank & Trust, serving on the board from its beginning until the bank's acquisition by SunTrust.
Sam served on numerous local, community and civic boards. He served for 12 years (1980–1992) as a member of the Gainesville Board of Education, chairing this board from 1983–1986. He also was a member and chairman of the Northeast Georgia Community Foundation and the Gainesville College Foundation.
Sam was a former trustee of the Quinlan Arts Center, past member of the Gainesville Planning Commission, and as a member of Kiwanis, he was a past president and lieutenant governor. He also was a member of Chattahoochee Country Club, serving as a past president.
As a member of Grace Episcopal Church, he served on the governing board for three terms and as senior warden for two terms. Sam currently is a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Hayesville, N.C., where he serves as senior warden for the vestry.
As committed as Sam was to his career and to his community, nothing exceeded his commitment and love for his family. His first priority was to be a role model and mentor for his children and grandchildren. He was totally successful in meeting this goal, and they are his continuing legacy.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 495 Herbert Hills Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904. The Revs. John Rice and Don Harrison will officiate.
Sam was born May 31, 1942, in Toccoa, Ga., the son of the late Lamar Oliver and Mary (Chandler) Oliver.
Sam is survived by his loving wife, Jane Oliver of Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Jammie Oliver; daughter and son-in-law, Susan (Oliver) and Scott Brown; son, David Oliver and Shauna Delong, all of Gainesville; grandchildren, Sloan Oliver, Sam Oliver, Ethan Dodds, Sawyer Brown, Samuel Rhett Brown and Kaelan Delong; and brother, Bob and Jean Oliver of Braselton, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following charities: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Development Office, 1762 Clifton Rd., Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322, Designate "In Memory of Samuel L. Oliver;" Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 677, Hayesville, NC 28904; North Georgia Community Foundation, 615 Oak St. NW, Gainesville, GA 30501.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 27, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St., N.E., Gainesville.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Dewey Paul Hill (5-25-11)
NICHOLSON - Dewey Paul Hill, 82, died Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at his residence.
Born in Franklin County, he was the son of the late Richard and Magalee Clark Hill. He retired from Ashland Oil and was a member of Nicholson Baptist Church. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Roberts.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Ann Reynolds Hill, Nicholson; sons, Danny and Mark Hill, both of Nicholson; brothers, Dwayne, Claude and Clinton Hill, both of Carnesville; a sister, Mildred McFarland, Carnesville; grandchildren, Greg and Dillon Hill, Patrick Roberts, Leigh Ann Linn, and Dee Dee Sanchez; great-grandchildren, Gabe and Eli Hill; step-grandchildren, Josh and Ross Burkhalter; and a number of step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 28, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Stowers officiating with the interment following in Howington Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday night, May 27, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Franklin County, he was the son of the late Richard and Magalee Clark Hill. He retired from Ashland Oil and was a member of Nicholson Baptist Church. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Roberts.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Ann Reynolds Hill, Nicholson; sons, Danny and Mark Hill, both of Nicholson; brothers, Dwayne, Claude and Clinton Hill, both of Carnesville; a sister, Mildred McFarland, Carnesville; grandchildren, Greg and Dillon Hill, Patrick Roberts, Leigh Ann Linn, and Dee Dee Sanchez; great-grandchildren, Gabe and Eli Hill; step-grandchildren, Josh and Ross Burkhalter; and a number of step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 28, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Stowers officiating with the interment following in Howington Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday night, May 27, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Julia Isaac (4-30-11)
Julia Harris Isaac, a Georgia native and longtime Alaska resident, died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at her home in Douglas, Alaska.
An Alaskan pioneer who never lost her Southern sensibilities (or accent), Julia was the third of six children born to Robert and Claudia Harris on December 14, 1919, in rural Winder. Her parents and brothers Dana, Hugh, and Robert Harris predeceased her.
Julia graduated from Winder High School in 1937 and attended the University of Georgia. She was a reporter for the Walton Tribune in Monroe until age 22, when she enlisted with the Women’s Army Corps, joining three of her brothers serving overseas.
A decorated World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Staff Sergeant Harris served in the South Pacific Theater until her discharge in 1945. Following that, a thirst for adventure and cooler climates took her to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she enrolled under the GI Bill at the University of Alaska to study Russian. There she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Isaac, a fellow veteran. They were married May 25, 1949, in Fairbanks, Alaska.
In 1952, the couple made Douglas their home, and Julia worked for the Territorial Legislature. After the birth of their two children, Julia returned to work as a secretary for several state agencies and the local school district before retiring in 1976.
In Alaska, Julia was a member of nearly 60 years in the Douglas Community United Methodist Church. Throughout the years she was also active in many local organizations including Douglas Island Women’s Club, Toastmistresses, Civil Air Patrol, and Pioneers of Alaska.
After retirement, Julia and Bob spent many months out of each year at the home they built in Winder, where they were members of the Winder First United Methodist Church. Julia had also been an active member of the Winder Woman’s Club, and participated in local civic activities including Winder’s Veterans Day ceremonies. During summer months back in Alaska, Julia and Bob operated the Windsock Inn Bed and Breakfast out of their Douglas home for 15 years.
In the 1970s, Julia (“JJ the Clown”) and several friends formed the Juneau Joeys/Clowns for Christ, a charitable clowning organization dedicated to spreading cheer and goodwill throughout the community.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Robert (Sue) Isaac of Oviedo, Fla. and Amy (John) Miller, of Douglas and Madison, Conn.; grandchildren, Sarah and Robert Isaac, and Robin Miller; brother and sister-in-law, Claude and Harriet Harris, Bethlehem; and sister and brother-in-law, Martha Sue and George Breedlove, Winder; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service took place May 5, 2011 in Douglas, Alaska.
Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 240509, Douglas, AK 99824 or to a charity of choice.
Alaskan Memorial Park and Mortuary Carter, Juneau, was in charge of arrangements.
An Alaskan pioneer who never lost her Southern sensibilities (or accent), Julia was the third of six children born to Robert and Claudia Harris on December 14, 1919, in rural Winder. Her parents and brothers Dana, Hugh, and Robert Harris predeceased her.
Julia graduated from Winder High School in 1937 and attended the University of Georgia. She was a reporter for the Walton Tribune in Monroe until age 22, when she enlisted with the Women’s Army Corps, joining three of her brothers serving overseas.
A decorated World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Staff Sergeant Harris served in the South Pacific Theater until her discharge in 1945. Following that, a thirst for adventure and cooler climates took her to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she enrolled under the GI Bill at the University of Alaska to study Russian. There she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Isaac, a fellow veteran. They were married May 25, 1949, in Fairbanks, Alaska.
In 1952, the couple made Douglas their home, and Julia worked for the Territorial Legislature. After the birth of their two children, Julia returned to work as a secretary for several state agencies and the local school district before retiring in 1976.
In Alaska, Julia was a member of nearly 60 years in the Douglas Community United Methodist Church. Throughout the years she was also active in many local organizations including Douglas Island Women’s Club, Toastmistresses, Civil Air Patrol, and Pioneers of Alaska.
After retirement, Julia and Bob spent many months out of each year at the home they built in Winder, where they were members of the Winder First United Methodist Church. Julia had also been an active member of the Winder Woman’s Club, and participated in local civic activities including Winder’s Veterans Day ceremonies. During summer months back in Alaska, Julia and Bob operated the Windsock Inn Bed and Breakfast out of their Douglas home for 15 years.
In the 1970s, Julia (“JJ the Clown”) and several friends formed the Juneau Joeys/Clowns for Christ, a charitable clowning organization dedicated to spreading cheer and goodwill throughout the community.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Robert (Sue) Isaac of Oviedo, Fla. and Amy (John) Miller, of Douglas and Madison, Conn.; grandchildren, Sarah and Robert Isaac, and Robin Miller; brother and sister-in-law, Claude and Harriet Harris, Bethlehem; and sister and brother-in-law, Martha Sue and George Breedlove, Winder; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service took place May 5, 2011 in Douglas, Alaska.
Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 240509, Douglas, AK 99824 or to a charity of choice.
Alaskan Memorial Park and Mortuary Carter, Juneau, was in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy