JEFFERSON - Chad Archer, 36, died on Thursday, September 29, 2011 following a brief illness.
Born in Atlanta, he was the son of Aletta Archer of Jefferson and the late Ronald Archer. He graduated from Jackson County High School in 1994. Chad had worked for the family business, Archer Used Oil Company, where he was the third generation family member in the business.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Kim Archer, Jefferson; sons, Hagen Archer and Raiden Archer, both of Jefferson; a sister, Maranda Archer, Jefferson; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will held be Sunday, October 2, at 2 p.m. from Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Cameron officiating. Interment will be at the Redstone United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday Oct. 1, at the funeral home from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from September 2011
Nell Townsend (9-29-11)
MAYSVILLE - Nell Gunter Bradshaw Townsend, 83, died on Thursday, September 29, 2011.
She was born in Elbert County, the daughter of the late David Gibson and Georgia Hickenbottom Gunter. Mrs. Townsend was preceded in death by her husbands, John Franklin Townsend and W.C. Bradshaw; and children, Janice Nell Bradshaw, Billy Ray Bradshaw and Donald Allen Bradshaw. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors include children, Shirley and Hinton Patrick, Watkinsville, John Bradshaw and Diane and Willie Marlow, all of Maysville, David and Pam Bradshaw, Bogart, and Faye and Dale Fountain, Arcade; seven brothers and sisters; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 3 p.m. in the Victory Baptist Church in Hull with the Rev. Rick Lewis officiating.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Elbert County, the daughter of the late David Gibson and Georgia Hickenbottom Gunter. Mrs. Townsend was preceded in death by her husbands, John Franklin Townsend and W.C. Bradshaw; and children, Janice Nell Bradshaw, Billy Ray Bradshaw and Donald Allen Bradshaw. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist denomination.
Survivors include children, Shirley and Hinton Patrick, Watkinsville, John Bradshaw and Diane and Willie Marlow, all of Maysville, David and Pam Bradshaw, Bogart, and Faye and Dale Fountain, Arcade; seven brothers and sisters; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 3 p.m. in the Victory Baptist Church in Hull with the Rev. Rick Lewis officiating.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Myrtle Lyle (9-27-11)
WINDER - Myrtle Lyle, 92, died Tuesday, September 27, 2011.
A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Lenora Vaughn Clark. She was the widow of Edwin Lyle. Mrs. Lyle was the oldest member of the New Pentecost United Methodist Church. For many years she was the lunchroom manager at Winder-Barrow High School.
Survivors include sons, Bobby Lyle and Jimmy Lyle, both of Winder; four grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Carolyn Carter, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 30, at 11 a.m. from the New Pentecost United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Billy Pittman and Mike McLemore officiating. The remains will be placed in state at the church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the New Pentecost United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home.
Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to the New Pentecost United Methodist Church, 1323 Highway 211, N. E., Winder, GA 30680.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Lenora Vaughn Clark. She was the widow of Edwin Lyle. Mrs. Lyle was the oldest member of the New Pentecost United Methodist Church. For many years she was the lunchroom manager at Winder-Barrow High School.
Survivors include sons, Bobby Lyle and Jimmy Lyle, both of Winder; four grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Carolyn Carter, Winder.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 30, at 11 a.m. from the New Pentecost United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Billy Pittman and Mike McLemore officiating. The remains will be placed in state at the church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the New Pentecost United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home.
Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to the New Pentecost United Methodist Church, 1323 Highway 211, N. E., Winder, GA 30680.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Carrenia Bonds (9-28-11)
Carrenia Pritchett Bonds, 92, formerly of Baldwin, died Wednesday, September 28, 2011, at Habersham Home following an extended illness.
Born on November 26, 1918 in Banks County, she was the daughter of the late Morgan and Carrie Jordan Pritchett. Mrs. Bonds was preceded in death by four sons-in-law; six sisters; and one brother.
Mrs. Bonds lived most of her life in Banks County and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church. She was a retired seamstress with Blue Bell Manufacturing in Commerce. Her energy level was boundless and her biscuits will be sorely missed.
Survivors include a daughter, Claudette Griffin, Hiawassee; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbrann and Frank Gordon, Gillsville, Faye and Sammy Cunningham, Baldwin, Joan and L.C. Parks, Lula; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Louise Pritchett, Smyrna; sister, Elizabeth Oakes, Lula; nine grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 30, from the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with Franklin Pritchett and the Rev. Danny Burch and Linda Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 29.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 747 Rock Springs Rd., Lula, GA 30554.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.
Born on November 26, 1918 in Banks County, she was the daughter of the late Morgan and Carrie Jordan Pritchett. Mrs. Bonds was preceded in death by four sons-in-law; six sisters; and one brother.
Mrs. Bonds lived most of her life in Banks County and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church. She was a retired seamstress with Blue Bell Manufacturing in Commerce. Her energy level was boundless and her biscuits will be sorely missed.
Survivors include a daughter, Claudette Griffin, Hiawassee; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbrann and Frank Gordon, Gillsville, Faye and Sammy Cunningham, Baldwin, Joan and L.C. Parks, Lula; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Louise Pritchett, Smyrna; sister, Elizabeth Oakes, Lula; nine grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 30, from the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with Franklin Pritchett and the Rev. Danny Burch and Linda Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 29.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 747 Rock Springs Rd., Lula, GA 30554.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.
Ralph Swafford (9-28-11)
GAINESVILLE – Ralph J. Swafford died Wednesday, September 28, 2011, at the Kindred Hospital in Atlanta.
Born in Gwinnett County, he was the son of the late Joe and Mary Lou Phillips Swafford.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Keller Swafford, Gainesville; children, Cindy Baughcum, Sheila Blankenship, Tina Bullock and Scott Swafford, all of Gainesville, Tracey Curry, Auburn, and Brandon Swafford, Lawrenceville; stepchildren, Melinda Chatham, Dacula, and Winfred Pass, Commerce; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and brothers, Joseph Martin Swafford and Harold Ray Swafford, both of Pendergrass.
The body was cremated and memorial services are scheduled for Friday, September 30, at 3:30 p.m. from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Gwinnett County, he was the son of the late Joe and Mary Lou Phillips Swafford.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Keller Swafford, Gainesville; children, Cindy Baughcum, Sheila Blankenship, Tina Bullock and Scott Swafford, all of Gainesville, Tracey Curry, Auburn, and Brandon Swafford, Lawrenceville; stepchildren, Melinda Chatham, Dacula, and Winfred Pass, Commerce; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and brothers, Joseph Martin Swafford and Harold Ray Swafford, both of Pendergrass.
The body was cremated and memorial services are scheduled for Friday, September 30, at 3:30 p.m. from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
‘Gene’ Halski (9-28-11)
Eugene “Gene” Halski, 91, died peacefully Wednesday September 28, 2011 at his assisted living residence in Athens.
Listening to his polkas, he was surrounded by loving family and many caring staff of Silverleaf.
Born in Makew, Ukraine on December 25, 1919, he was the son of Ivan and Anastasia Huzhalsky . He immigrated to the United States in 1950 by way of Germany, where he resided after World War II ending as a displaced person at Camp Lysenko. He met and married Lisa Shabkov at the camp. Through the Lutheran Church Eugene and his family, including their three-year-old son, Walton, were sponsored to come to Georgia in September 1950. They ultimately settled in Georgia buying a small farm in Talmo. They became American citizens and built a cattle and broiler farm business. Gene was passionate about living and dancing. After working hard, he loved any opportunity to dance. He was said to be the best polka dancer in Georgia and ladies would wait in line to dance with him.
Gene is lovingly survived by four children, sons, Walton Halski (Peggy), Alto, and Toni Halski, Sanibel Island; daughters, Wanda Neislar (Ron), Athens, and Sweetlana Stewart (Dean), Kennesaw; grandchildren, Lisa Halski, Lewis Halski, Ranie Neislar Hayes, Lindsey Neislar, Glen Stewart, Alex Stewart, Ellen Stewart, and Hayley Halski; and three great-grandchildren; a longtime companion, Rosemary Woodel; and the mother of his children, Lisa Halski.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 11 a.m. in the Talmo Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee McNeil officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday evening, Sept.30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to your favorite charity or the Alzheimer’s Association-Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Listening to his polkas, he was surrounded by loving family and many caring staff of Silverleaf.
Born in Makew, Ukraine on December 25, 1919, he was the son of Ivan and Anastasia Huzhalsky . He immigrated to the United States in 1950 by way of Germany, where he resided after World War II ending as a displaced person at Camp Lysenko. He met and married Lisa Shabkov at the camp. Through the Lutheran Church Eugene and his family, including their three-year-old son, Walton, were sponsored to come to Georgia in September 1950. They ultimately settled in Georgia buying a small farm in Talmo. They became American citizens and built a cattle and broiler farm business. Gene was passionate about living and dancing. After working hard, he loved any opportunity to dance. He was said to be the best polka dancer in Georgia and ladies would wait in line to dance with him.
Gene is lovingly survived by four children, sons, Walton Halski (Peggy), Alto, and Toni Halski, Sanibel Island; daughters, Wanda Neislar (Ron), Athens, and Sweetlana Stewart (Dean), Kennesaw; grandchildren, Lisa Halski, Lewis Halski, Ranie Neislar Hayes, Lindsey Neislar, Glen Stewart, Alex Stewart, Ellen Stewart, and Hayley Halski; and three great-grandchildren; a longtime companion, Rosemary Woodel; and the mother of his children, Lisa Halski.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 11 a.m. in the Talmo Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee McNeil officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday evening, Sept.30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to your favorite charity or the Alzheimer’s Association-Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Bradford (9-27-11)
Virginia Elizabeth Brooks Bradford died Tuesday, September 27, 2011, following a brief illness.
She was preceded in death by sisters, Kathleen Murphy and Nell Evans; and a brother, James Brooks.
Survivors include her husband, William C. “Bill” Bradford; sons and daughter-in-law, Michael Joseph Bradford, Mark William Bradford, Mitch Alan and Stephanie Bradford, all of Conyers; sisters, Emma Dennis, Atlanta, and Patricia Maddox, Statesboro; brothers, Emory Brooks, Lawrenceville, Bill Brooks, Smyrna, and Davis Brooks, Rome; grandchildren, Laurie, Mollie, Tyler, Daniel, Andrew, Jarrett, Davis; and great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Beth.
Mrs. Bradford was born in Jackson County on November 9, 1929 the daughter of the late Earnest and Rose Haggard Brooks. Her mother died when she was 11 years old, leaving a family of nine children. Her father later married the children's first grade teacher, Hester Tanner, who became an important figure in her life. She graduated high school in 1948 from the Berry Schools in Rome and studied Early Childhood Education at Berry College. After leaving Berry, she was employed by The First National Bank of Atlanta in the bookkeeping department. It was in Atlanta that she became reacquainted with Mr. Bradford who had been a high school classmate at Berry. They met again at the old Plaza Drugstore on North Highland Avenue and discovered their apartments were only a few miles apart with hers in the old Candler Mansion in Inman Park and his in a home on Springdale Road. They eventually married on October 30, 1955. In 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford and their two young sons, Mike and Mark, moved from Atlanta to Conyers to live on the old family farm home place of Mr. Bradford's mother, Belle Wilson Bradford. Third son Mitch was born in 1965. In 1963, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford established the first professional child care center in the county, and operated Bradford's Day Care for ten years before selling the successful business. It is still in operation. Following a few years of early retirement, Mrs. Bradford began a new career as substitute teacher for the county and then as permanent teacher for the Rockdale Head Start program. For many years she utilized her love for teaching small children and her skill for leading a disciplined classroom for the benefit of hundreds of children. Her exceptional wit and sense of humor was also important to her success in the classroom as well as to the enjoyment of family, friends and all who met her. She finally retired at the age of 75, and enjoyed traveling with her husband as well as trips with her beloved four sisters. Her family was the most important thing in her life, and she will be missed by each and every one.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Rockdale Baptist Church, 1295 Smyrna Road, Conyers, GA 30094 the with Revs. Fred Maddox and Billy Moss officiating. Burial will be at Green Meadow Memorial Gardens.
Family will receive friends Friday, September 30, from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those who wish may honor her memory by contributing to a favorite charity.
Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com.
Scot Ward Funeral Services, Conyers, is in charge of arrangements.
She was preceded in death by sisters, Kathleen Murphy and Nell Evans; and a brother, James Brooks.
Survivors include her husband, William C. “Bill” Bradford; sons and daughter-in-law, Michael Joseph Bradford, Mark William Bradford, Mitch Alan and Stephanie Bradford, all of Conyers; sisters, Emma Dennis, Atlanta, and Patricia Maddox, Statesboro; brothers, Emory Brooks, Lawrenceville, Bill Brooks, Smyrna, and Davis Brooks, Rome; grandchildren, Laurie, Mollie, Tyler, Daniel, Andrew, Jarrett, Davis; and great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Beth.
Mrs. Bradford was born in Jackson County on November 9, 1929 the daughter of the late Earnest and Rose Haggard Brooks. Her mother died when she was 11 years old, leaving a family of nine children. Her father later married the children's first grade teacher, Hester Tanner, who became an important figure in her life. She graduated high school in 1948 from the Berry Schools in Rome and studied Early Childhood Education at Berry College. After leaving Berry, she was employed by The First National Bank of Atlanta in the bookkeeping department. It was in Atlanta that she became reacquainted with Mr. Bradford who had been a high school classmate at Berry. They met again at the old Plaza Drugstore on North Highland Avenue and discovered their apartments were only a few miles apart with hers in the old Candler Mansion in Inman Park and his in a home on Springdale Road. They eventually married on October 30, 1955. In 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford and their two young sons, Mike and Mark, moved from Atlanta to Conyers to live on the old family farm home place of Mr. Bradford's mother, Belle Wilson Bradford. Third son Mitch was born in 1965. In 1963, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford established the first professional child care center in the county, and operated Bradford's Day Care for ten years before selling the successful business. It is still in operation. Following a few years of early retirement, Mrs. Bradford began a new career as substitute teacher for the county and then as permanent teacher for the Rockdale Head Start program. For many years she utilized her love for teaching small children and her skill for leading a disciplined classroom for the benefit of hundreds of children. Her exceptional wit and sense of humor was also important to her success in the classroom as well as to the enjoyment of family, friends and all who met her. She finally retired at the age of 75, and enjoyed traveling with her husband as well as trips with her beloved four sisters. Her family was the most important thing in her life, and she will be missed by each and every one.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Rockdale Baptist Church, 1295 Smyrna Road, Conyers, GA 30094 the with Revs. Fred Maddox and Billy Moss officiating. Burial will be at Green Meadow Memorial Gardens.
Family will receive friends Friday, September 30, from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those who wish may honor her memory by contributing to a favorite charity.
Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com.
Scot Ward Funeral Services, Conyers, is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Sears (9-14-11)
COMMERCE – Mary Sears, 73, died Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at her residence following an extended illness.
Survivors include two sons, Brian Sears, Commerce, and David Sears, New Orleans, La.; a daughter, Julie Garret, Commerce; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, September 17, from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Vickery officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Brian Sears, Commerce, and David Sears, New Orleans, La.; a daughter, Julie Garret, Commerce; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, September 17, from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Vickery officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Frances Ware (9-25-11)
HULL – Frances W. Ware, 85, died Sunday, September 25, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospice House in Bogart.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Lessie Bone Watson. Mrs. Ware was preceded in death by her husband, Hal Garnett Ware; a son, Garnett Lee Ware; and two brothers, James Watson and Walter Lee Watson.
Survivors include daughters, Sandra Coile, Renee Ware and Baxster (Lisa), all of Hull, and Marie Davis, Carolyn Smith and Ellen Ware, all of Danielsville; brothers, W.A. Watson, Roy Watson and Roger Watson, all of Danielsville; sister, Barbara Dove, Danielsville; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday, September 28, at 1 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Madison County Chapel in Danielsville, with grandsons Jason Davis and Pastor Joe Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Danielsville Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, September 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. and other times at 9102 Hwy. 72 in Hull.
Ivie Funeral Home, Madison County Chapel, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Lessie Bone Watson. Mrs. Ware was preceded in death by her husband, Hal Garnett Ware; a son, Garnett Lee Ware; and two brothers, James Watson and Walter Lee Watson.
Survivors include daughters, Sandra Coile, Renee Ware and Baxster (Lisa), all of Hull, and Marie Davis, Carolyn Smith and Ellen Ware, all of Danielsville; brothers, W.A. Watson, Roy Watson and Roger Watson, all of Danielsville; sister, Barbara Dove, Danielsville; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday, September 28, at 1 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Madison County Chapel in Danielsville, with grandsons Jason Davis and Pastor Joe Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Danielsville Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, September 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. and other times at 9102 Hwy. 72 in Hull.
Ivie Funeral Home, Madison County Chapel, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Steven Allen (9-25-11)
MAYSVILLE – Steven Floyd Allen, 63, died Sunday, September 25, 2011.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Jeanne Allen, Maysville; a daughter, Kelley Gerrin, Monroe; son, Christopher Floyd Allen, Raytown, Mo.; two sisters, Sue Ann Renfore, Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Mary Shields, Kansas City, Mo.; and three grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, September 29, at 2 p.m. from Ivie Chapel. The family will receive friends after the service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Jeanne Allen, Maysville; a daughter, Kelley Gerrin, Monroe; son, Christopher Floyd Allen, Raytown, Mo.; two sisters, Sue Ann Renfore, Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Mary Shields, Kansas City, Mo.; and three grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, September 29, at 2 p.m. from Ivie Chapel. The family will receive friends after the service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy