MAYSVILLE - Luke Langford Fyffe, 14, died Sunday, January 29, 2012 at his residence.
He was born in Fulton County, the son of William Fyffe of Commerce and Lynn Langford of Maysville. He was a student at East Jackson Middle School. Luke was on the East Jackson High School junior varsity soccer team, East Jackson Middle School football team and band. Luke is preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Faith Fyffe, Jr.; and grandmother, Patricia Pittman Langford.
Survivors in addition to his parents include a sister, Storey Fyffe, Commerce; grandfather, Richard Langford, Maysville; aunts, Ann Hopkins (Ron), Maysville, Cindy Steinbrecher (Daniel), Braselton, and Jill Daniel (Scott), Fayetteville; and six cousins.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1 at the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Jeff Williams officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday night, January 31, from 5 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Luke's grandparents.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from January 2012
Sean Kilker (1-18-12)
HOMER - Sean Kilker, 48, died Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at his residence.
He was the son of Gerry Moran.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Samantha Kilker; son, Kyle Shea; daughters, Ashley Mediate and Heather Shumaker; brother; George Kilker; and two grandchildren.
Young's Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
He was the son of Gerry Moran.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Samantha Kilker; son, Kyle Shea; daughters, Ashley Mediate and Heather Shumaker; brother; George Kilker; and two grandchildren.
Young's Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Jack H. Blair (1-27-12)
GAINESVILLE - Jack Harold Blair, 79, passed away Friday, January 27, 2012 at Embracing Hospice, Cumming.
Born in Fayetteville, Georgia, he was the son of Jesse Eugene Blair and Ethel Morrow Blair. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He lived most of his adult life in the Alpharetta area and was retired at the time of his death.
Mr. Blair was an avid sports fan and closely followed racing, college football and many other sports. He also enjoyed travel and had visited all 50 states over the years.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Myrna Hockersmith Blair, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Linda Blair Stooksbury and Tom Stooksbury; and granddaughter, Anna J. Stooksbury, Roswell; daughter and son-in-law, Denise Blair Buffington and Mike Buffington; and grandsons, Blair M. Buffington and Clark T. Buffington, Jefferson.
A private memorial service will be held by the family.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Embracing Hospice Foundation, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Suite D580, Atlanta, GA would be appreciated.
Born in Fayetteville, Georgia, he was the son of Jesse Eugene Blair and Ethel Morrow Blair. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He lived most of his adult life in the Alpharetta area and was retired at the time of his death.
Mr. Blair was an avid sports fan and closely followed racing, college football and many other sports. He also enjoyed travel and had visited all 50 states over the years.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Myrna Hockersmith Blair, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Linda Blair Stooksbury and Tom Stooksbury; and granddaughter, Anna J. Stooksbury, Roswell; daughter and son-in-law, Denise Blair Buffington and Mike Buffington; and grandsons, Blair M. Buffington and Clark T. Buffington, Jefferson.
A private memorial service will be held by the family.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Embracing Hospice Foundation, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Suite D580, Atlanta, GA would be appreciated.
William King (1-28-12)
ATHENS - William Dabney King, 89, died Saturday, January 28, 2012.
A native of Colbert, he was the son of the late Henry Grady King and Lillie Estelle King.
A graduate of Colbert High School, Athens Business College and the American Institute of Banking, "Bill" King's life was changed forever - and, he always said, for the better - when after briefly working for the Madison County Board of Education he entered the United States Army in World War II, serving in the Transportation Corps in Europe. Stationed in the town of Abergavenny, Wales, in the run up to D-Day, he met and became engaged to a Welsh girl, Mary Elizabeth Primrose Parry, known as Mollie. His permission to marry was signed by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. But before they could get married the invasion of France was under way and he ended up stationed in Paris.
Thus was launched one of the great adventures of Mr. King's life. Wanting to get married in the fall of 1944 and with furloughs not available, he volunteered for courier duty and flew over the English Channel with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist to deliver it to London. Once there, he obtained verbal permission from a captain to travel by train to Wales and get married, but the officer warned him, "If you get picked up by MPs, your papers say London, so you'll be considered AWOL and I never heard of you."
Nonetheless, Mr. King made it to Wales, the wedding took place and by that evening he was back in London and then headed back to Paris.
After the war, the couple settled in Athens, where Mr. King began work for C&S National Bank on June 1, 1946. During his 37 years with C&S, he worked in operations, was manager of the Installment Loan Department, pioneered bank charge cards in Athens as manager of the C&S Charge Account Service, was longtime manager of the Prince Avenue branch, was a banking officer and wound up his career as manager of sales finance operations and was named an assistant vice president of the bank before his retirement in 1983. On his retirement, Mr. King was feted by the local car dealers he'd worked with at a party thrown by the bank.
Golf was a major passion of Mr. King's, and he was for many years a member of the Athens Country Club. When anticipating possible retirement, he told one of his sons that he didn't know whether he could "play golf five days a week," but he did indeed do that for 20 years.
But in retirement Mr. King also kept busy running the Optimist International Junior Golf Tournament for Evening Optimist Club of Athens. Mr. King served as president of the club and for many years was its finance chairman. He was named Optimist of the Year and was granted a Life Membership in Optimist International.
Mr. King was always heavily involved in the civic life of Athens, serving as president of the Athens Jaycees and the Downtown Athens Merchants Council and on the board of the local branch of the American Heart Association. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Athens, where he had served as chairman of the Sunday School department.
Mr. King was also a lifetime supporter of the Georgia Bulldogs, with one of the most notable highlights of his fandom coming in the national championship season of 1942 when Mr. King attended a major game without a ticket and an assistant coach took pity on him and gave him a sideline pass as a "high school prospect." Mr. King eventually sent all three of his sons to the University of Georgia.
After 64 years of marriage, Mr. King's wife Mollie, a longtime columnist for The Athens Observer, died in November 2008. Mr. King was also preceded in death by a brother, Joe Neal King of Columbus.
Survivors include a brother, Larry Wayne King, Lexington, and wife Sheila Tiller King; three sons, William Parry King and wife Leslie Thornton King, Decatur, Jonathan Parry King and wife Lisa Young King, Watkinsville, and Timothy Parry King, Snellville; five grandchildren, Jennifer King Rudd and husband John Rudd of Statham, Melissa King, Watkinsville, Caroline King, Athens, William King, Washington, D.C., and Olivia King of Decatur; and one great-grandson, Gabriel Rudd, Statham.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 1, at the First Baptist Church of Athens with Jon Appleton officiating. The family will receive friends at Bernstein Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 31.
Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Colbert, he was the son of the late Henry Grady King and Lillie Estelle King.
A graduate of Colbert High School, Athens Business College and the American Institute of Banking, "Bill" King's life was changed forever - and, he always said, for the better - when after briefly working for the Madison County Board of Education he entered the United States Army in World War II, serving in the Transportation Corps in Europe. Stationed in the town of Abergavenny, Wales, in the run up to D-Day, he met and became engaged to a Welsh girl, Mary Elizabeth Primrose Parry, known as Mollie. His permission to marry was signed by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. But before they could get married the invasion of France was under way and he ended up stationed in Paris.
Thus was launched one of the great adventures of Mr. King's life. Wanting to get married in the fall of 1944 and with furloughs not available, he volunteered for courier duty and flew over the English Channel with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist to deliver it to London. Once there, he obtained verbal permission from a captain to travel by train to Wales and get married, but the officer warned him, "If you get picked up by MPs, your papers say London, so you'll be considered AWOL and I never heard of you."
Nonetheless, Mr. King made it to Wales, the wedding took place and by that evening he was back in London and then headed back to Paris.
After the war, the couple settled in Athens, where Mr. King began work for C&S National Bank on June 1, 1946. During his 37 years with C&S, he worked in operations, was manager of the Installment Loan Department, pioneered bank charge cards in Athens as manager of the C&S Charge Account Service, was longtime manager of the Prince Avenue branch, was a banking officer and wound up his career as manager of sales finance operations and was named an assistant vice president of the bank before his retirement in 1983. On his retirement, Mr. King was feted by the local car dealers he'd worked with at a party thrown by the bank.
Golf was a major passion of Mr. King's, and he was for many years a member of the Athens Country Club. When anticipating possible retirement, he told one of his sons that he didn't know whether he could "play golf five days a week," but he did indeed do that for 20 years.
But in retirement Mr. King also kept busy running the Optimist International Junior Golf Tournament for Evening Optimist Club of Athens. Mr. King served as president of the club and for many years was its finance chairman. He was named Optimist of the Year and was granted a Life Membership in Optimist International.
Mr. King was always heavily involved in the civic life of Athens, serving as president of the Athens Jaycees and the Downtown Athens Merchants Council and on the board of the local branch of the American Heart Association. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Athens, where he had served as chairman of the Sunday School department.
Mr. King was also a lifetime supporter of the Georgia Bulldogs, with one of the most notable highlights of his fandom coming in the national championship season of 1942 when Mr. King attended a major game without a ticket and an assistant coach took pity on him and gave him a sideline pass as a "high school prospect." Mr. King eventually sent all three of his sons to the University of Georgia.
After 64 years of marriage, Mr. King's wife Mollie, a longtime columnist for The Athens Observer, died in November 2008. Mr. King was also preceded in death by a brother, Joe Neal King of Columbus.
Survivors include a brother, Larry Wayne King, Lexington, and wife Sheila Tiller King; three sons, William Parry King and wife Leslie Thornton King, Decatur, Jonathan Parry King and wife Lisa Young King, Watkinsville, and Timothy Parry King, Snellville; five grandchildren, Jennifer King Rudd and husband John Rudd of Statham, Melissa King, Watkinsville, Caroline King, Athens, William King, Washington, D.C., and Olivia King of Decatur; and one great-grandson, Gabriel Rudd, Statham.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 1, at the First Baptist Church of Athens with Jon Appleton officiating. The family will receive friends at Bernstein Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 31.
Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
Francine Farmer (1-15-12)
ATHENS – Francine Wardlaw Farmer, 95, died Sunday, January 15, 2012.
A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Dewitt and Eula Porterfield Wardlaw. She was a member of New Harmony Baptist Church in Nicholson. Mrs. Farmer was preceded in death by her husband, J.E. “Ed” Farmer.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy and Mary Sue Farmer and Jerry and Louise Farmer, all of Athens; four grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 19, from New Harmony Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Brooks officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Bridges Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.
A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Dewitt and Eula Porterfield Wardlaw. She was a member of New Harmony Baptist Church in Nicholson. Mrs. Farmer was preceded in death by her husband, J.E. “Ed” Farmer.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy and Mary Sue Farmer and Jerry and Louise Farmer, all of Athens; four grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 19, from New Harmony Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Brooks officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Bridges Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.
Michael Harris (1-28-12)
GAINESVILLE - Michael Paul Harris, 32, died Saturday, January 28, 2012.
He was born in Huntington, W. Va., the son of Tammy and stepfather Leon Moses of Gainesville, and father and stepmother, Paul and Brenda Harris of Rockmart. He was an operator in industrial construction.
Survivors in addition to his parents include sisters, Michelle Free, Maysville, and Paula Harris, Rockmart; a stepbrother, Tripp Moses, Pooler; grandparents, Madeline and Delaney Wellman, Midkiff, W. Va., and Glenna Harris, Huntington, W. Va.; and a niece and nephew, Taylor and Kyle Freeman.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 31, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Scott Lance and Terry Page officiating. The burial will follow in the Revival Baptist Church Cemetery with Steven Lovejoy, Jason Lovejoy, Brandon Lovejoy, Billy Freeman, Roger Messinger and Mark Harris honored as pallbearers. The visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Huntington, W. Va., the son of Tammy and stepfather Leon Moses of Gainesville, and father and stepmother, Paul and Brenda Harris of Rockmart. He was an operator in industrial construction.
Survivors in addition to his parents include sisters, Michelle Free, Maysville, and Paula Harris, Rockmart; a stepbrother, Tripp Moses, Pooler; grandparents, Madeline and Delaney Wellman, Midkiff, W. Va., and Glenna Harris, Huntington, W. Va.; and a niece and nephew, Taylor and Kyle Freeman.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 31, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Scott Lance and Terry Page officiating. The burial will follow in the Revival Baptist Church Cemetery with Steven Lovejoy, Jason Lovejoy, Brandon Lovejoy, Billy Freeman, Roger Messinger and Mark Harris honored as pallbearers. The visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Sarah Lee Bailey
ATLANTA - Sarah Lee Bailey, has passed away.
She was born and raised in Jefferson and graduated from Bryan High School. She was a wonderful cook and devoted mother.
Survivors include a daughter, Eleanor Denise (Bradley) Lovering, Rome; three grandchildren, Brandon and Amber Lovering, both of Rome, and Brian Lovering, Americus; one great-grandchild, Ava Claire Lovering, Rome; three sisters, Cenetta Johnson, Dallas, Gladys Browner, Jackson, Mich., and Betty Richardson, Stone Mountain; nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
The cortege will assemble at the residence at 11 a.m. Homegoing celebration for Ms. Sarah L. Bailey (66), of 3381 Greenbriar Parkway, Atlanta, will be held Friday, February 3, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul First Baptist Church, 573 Gordon St., Jefferson, with the Rev. Marvin Simmons, Pastor and Eulogist. The remains will be placed instate at 11 a.m. at St. Paul First Baptist Church. Interment will be at Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, 4214 Athens Hwy., Jefferson. Visitation services will be held Thursday, February 2, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. from the chapel of Gus Thornhill's Funeral Home, 1315 Gus Thornhill Jr. Drive, East Point, Ga.
Gus Thornhill's Funeral Home of East Point, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born and raised in Jefferson and graduated from Bryan High School. She was a wonderful cook and devoted mother.
Survivors include a daughter, Eleanor Denise (Bradley) Lovering, Rome; three grandchildren, Brandon and Amber Lovering, both of Rome, and Brian Lovering, Americus; one great-grandchild, Ava Claire Lovering, Rome; three sisters, Cenetta Johnson, Dallas, Gladys Browner, Jackson, Mich., and Betty Richardson, Stone Mountain; nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
The cortege will assemble at the residence at 11 a.m. Homegoing celebration for Ms. Sarah L. Bailey (66), of 3381 Greenbriar Parkway, Atlanta, will be held Friday, February 3, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul First Baptist Church, 573 Gordon St., Jefferson, with the Rev. Marvin Simmons, Pastor and Eulogist. The remains will be placed instate at 11 a.m. at St. Paul First Baptist Church. Interment will be at Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, 4214 Athens Hwy., Jefferson. Visitation services will be held Thursday, February 2, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. from the chapel of Gus Thornhill's Funeral Home, 1315 Gus Thornhill Jr. Drive, East Point, Ga.
Gus Thornhill's Funeral Home of East Point, is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Johnson (1-27-12)
JEFFERSON - Barbara Hanson Johnson, 69, died Friday, January 27, 2012.
She was born in Jackson County, the daughter of the late Marvin and Roberta Whitehead Hanson. She was a homemaker and a member of the Galilee Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School for 16 years. Mrs. Johnson was a 1960 graduate of Jefferson High School, where she served as Class President.
Survivors include her husband, Jerry Johnson, Jefferson; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Darrell Eavenson, Carnesville; son, Rodney Johnson, Jefferson; sisters, Joan Perry and Dianne Pruitt, both of Jefferson; brother, Jimmy Hanson, Winder; grandchildren, Rachel and Reed Haga; and step-grandchildren, Cindel and Collin Eavenson, Commerce.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 30, in the Galilee Christian Church with Minister Tom Plank officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Henry Asbury, Grant Seibert, Billy Carruth, Jim Brewer, Jim Mason and Ernest Martin honored as pallbearers. Dewey Johnson, Tabby Love and Don Childers were honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the Galilee Christian Church Building Fund, 2191 Galilee Church Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was be in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Jackson County, the daughter of the late Marvin and Roberta Whitehead Hanson. She was a homemaker and a member of the Galilee Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School for 16 years. Mrs. Johnson was a 1960 graduate of Jefferson High School, where she served as Class President.
Survivors include her husband, Jerry Johnson, Jefferson; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Darrell Eavenson, Carnesville; son, Rodney Johnson, Jefferson; sisters, Joan Perry and Dianne Pruitt, both of Jefferson; brother, Jimmy Hanson, Winder; grandchildren, Rachel and Reed Haga; and step-grandchildren, Cindel and Collin Eavenson, Commerce.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 30, in the Galilee Christian Church with Minister Tom Plank officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Henry Asbury, Grant Seibert, Billy Carruth, Jim Brewer, Jim Mason and Ernest Martin honored as pallbearers. Dewey Johnson, Tabby Love and Don Childers were honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the Galilee Christian Church Building Fund, 2191 Galilee Church Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was be in charge of arrangements.
Opal Patterson (1-27-12)
JEFFERSON - Opal Foster Patterson, 86, died Friday, January 27, 2012.
Born in Griffin, she was the daughter of the late Zona Lawson and Mary Vinson Foster. Mrs. Patterson was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, and was a member of the Samaritan Sunday School Class. Mrs. Patterson was also a member of the Norcross Woman's Club. Mrs. Patterson was preceded in death by her husband Reuben Thomas "R.T." Patterson; and brothers, James L. Foster, Virgil A. Foster and Charles A Foster.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Mari Beth and Sonny Hartsock, Pendergrass; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Debbie Patterson, Jefferson; grandchildren, Matt and Ashley Hartsock, Augusta, Micah and Amy Hartsock, San Antonio, Texas, and Andrew Patterson, Emma Patterson and Anna Patterson, all of Jefferson; and a great-grandson, Micah Hartsock, San Antonio, Texas.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 29, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Larry Montgomery, Derek Watson and Michael Helms officiating. The burial was in the Evans Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, P.O. Box 395, Jefferson, GA 30549, or the Eagles Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502-0500.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Griffin, she was the daughter of the late Zona Lawson and Mary Vinson Foster. Mrs. Patterson was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, and was a member of the Samaritan Sunday School Class. Mrs. Patterson was also a member of the Norcross Woman's Club. Mrs. Patterson was preceded in death by her husband Reuben Thomas "R.T." Patterson; and brothers, James L. Foster, Virgil A. Foster and Charles A Foster.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Mari Beth and Sonny Hartsock, Pendergrass; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Debbie Patterson, Jefferson; grandchildren, Matt and Ashley Hartsock, Augusta, Micah and Amy Hartsock, San Antonio, Texas, and Andrew Patterson, Emma Patterson and Anna Patterson, all of Jefferson; and a great-grandson, Micah Hartsock, San Antonio, Texas.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 29, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Larry Montgomery, Derek Watson and Michael Helms officiating. The burial was in the Evans Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, P.O. Box 395, Jefferson, GA 30549, or the Eagles Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502-0500.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
George Emory Merk (1-29-12)
COMMERCE - George Emory Merk, 83, died Sunday, January 29, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospice House.
He was born in Jackson County, the son of the late Hoyt and Alva Garrison Merk. He was a member of Oconee Baptist Church and was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Merk was a farmer and school bus driver. Mr. Merk was preceded in death by grandchildren, Jessica Martin and Chris Merk.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Shirley Merk, Commerce; sons, Mike Merk (Joni), Maysville, and Phillip Merk (Ali), Commerce; daughter, Gloria Martin (Jerry), Winder; sisters, Dorothy Brewer, Statham, and Janette Johnson, Jefferson; and grandchildren, Thomas Chad Merk (Marla), Jarrett Emory Martin (Ashley), Gabriel Emory Merk and Vivi Ann Pearl Merk.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, at Oconee Baptist Church with the Revs. Ken Barrett and Gene Carlan officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday night, January 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Oconee Baptist Church or St. Mary's Hospice House.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Jackson County, the son of the late Hoyt and Alva Garrison Merk. He was a member of Oconee Baptist Church and was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Merk was a farmer and school bus driver. Mr. Merk was preceded in death by grandchildren, Jessica Martin and Chris Merk.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Shirley Merk, Commerce; sons, Mike Merk (Joni), Maysville, and Phillip Merk (Ali), Commerce; daughter, Gloria Martin (Jerry), Winder; sisters, Dorothy Brewer, Statham, and Janette Johnson, Jefferson; and grandchildren, Thomas Chad Merk (Marla), Jarrett Emory Martin (Ashley), Gabriel Emory Merk and Vivi Ann Pearl Merk.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, at Oconee Baptist Church with the Revs. Ken Barrett and Gene Carlan officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday night, January 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Oconee Baptist Church or St. Mary's Hospice House.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy