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.
Madison County - Topics from January, 2012
Amy Paige Strehler (1-26-12)
HULL - Amy Paige Thomas Strehler, 44, died Thursday, January 26, 2012.
She battled a mental disorder and health problems for many years and suffered a brain aneurysm on November 17, 2011, that ultimately claimed her life.
She was born August 6, 1967, in Athens and lived in the Sanford Community of Madison County. She attended school in Ila and Danielsville and worked many places. Paige was preceded in death by brothers, Cary Lamar Thomas and Ronnie Thomas (missing 29 years); and grandparents, Julia Mae and Andrew Thomas and Louise and Grady Fambro.
Paige had a deep love for God and Christ and attended many churches over the years, but considered Central Baptist her church home.
Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Edwina and John D. Hollis, Jr.; father and stepmother, Joseph and Marian Baker Thomas; daughter, Julia Mae Strehler; sons, Adam Coile Spivey and Hans Sebastian Strehler; brother, Byron Thomas; sister, Linda Bales; two stepsisters and three stepbrothers; step-grandmother, Fannie Belle Hollis; special niece, Stephanie Boatright; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Many thanks to ARMC, Emory University Hospital, Landmark Hospital and Grandview Care Center for the good care she received the last 2 1/2 months.
Memorial services were held Saturday, January 28, at Lord & Stephens Chapel, EAST, with the Rev. Bill Carpenter officiating.
Memorials may be made to an educational trust fund for Julia Mae Strehler at Athens First Bank and Trust, Account # 1002999843, or to a charity of choice.
She battled a mental disorder and health problems for many years and suffered a brain aneurysm on November 17, 2011, that ultimately claimed her life.
She was born August 6, 1967, in Athens and lived in the Sanford Community of Madison County. She attended school in Ila and Danielsville and worked many places. Paige was preceded in death by brothers, Cary Lamar Thomas and Ronnie Thomas (missing 29 years); and grandparents, Julia Mae and Andrew Thomas and Louise and Grady Fambro.
Paige had a deep love for God and Christ and attended many churches over the years, but considered Central Baptist her church home.
Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Edwina and John D. Hollis, Jr.; father and stepmother, Joseph and Marian Baker Thomas; daughter, Julia Mae Strehler; sons, Adam Coile Spivey and Hans Sebastian Strehler; brother, Byron Thomas; sister, Linda Bales; two stepsisters and three stepbrothers; step-grandmother, Fannie Belle Hollis; special niece, Stephanie Boatright; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Many thanks to ARMC, Emory University Hospital, Landmark Hospital and Grandview Care Center for the good care she received the last 2 1/2 months.
Memorial services were held Saturday, January 28, at Lord & Stephens Chapel, EAST, with the Rev. Bill Carpenter officiating.
Memorials may be made to an educational trust fund for Julia Mae Strehler at Athens First Bank and Trust, Account # 1002999843, or to a charity of choice.
W. Blanche Haley Sims (1-22-12)
HULL – W. Blanche Haley Sims, 84, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2012, at her residence.
She was the daughter of the late Chris and Mattie Haley and widow of Robert Clarence Sims.
Survivors include her daughters, Bobbie Robinson and Sara (Jack) Kyle; son, Don (Jackie) Sims; three sisters; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, at Lord & Stephens Chapel, Danielsville, with the Rev. Billy Owensby officiating
Pallbearers will be David Kyle, Tony Kyle, Chris Marsh, Colton Marsh, Wyatt Kyle and Donavan Sims.
Lord & Stephens, Danielsville is in charge of arrangements.
She was the daughter of the late Chris and Mattie Haley and widow of Robert Clarence Sims.
Survivors include her daughters, Bobbie Robinson and Sara (Jack) Kyle; son, Don (Jackie) Sims; three sisters; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, at Lord & Stephens Chapel, Danielsville, with the Rev. Billy Owensby officiating
Pallbearers will be David Kyle, Tony Kyle, Chris Marsh, Colton Marsh, Wyatt Kyle and Donavan Sims.
Lord & Stephens, Danielsville is in charge of arrangements.
Lester Whittle (1-23-12)
Lester W. Whittle, 95, passed away Monday, January 23, 2012.
Lester was a United States Army World War II veteran who proudly served his country in the Pacific. He worked for the John H. Harland Company from 1948 until his retirement in 1983. Lester never met a stranger and was a kind and gentle soul.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 41 years, Lillian Lowe Whittle; and his second wife of 21 years, Annie Chisenhall Whittle.
Survivors include a daughter, Leslie W. Johnson; granddaughters, Kaye (Todd) Hood, Lori (Gerry) Carroll, Mandy Johnson; great-granddaughters, Jamie and Jodie Hood; stepdaughters, Jackie (Mike) Smith, Sybil (Tommy) Walker and their families.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Mary Strickland, LaTashia Cade and the staff of United Hospice for their care and compassion.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday January 25, 2012 at 12:00 in Westview Cemetery, in Atlanta. The family will receive guest at the main entrance to Westview one hour prior to the service.
Donation may be made to ACCA Meals on Wheels, 135 Hoyt St., Athens, GA 30601.
Lord and Stephens, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Lester was a United States Army World War II veteran who proudly served his country in the Pacific. He worked for the John H. Harland Company from 1948 until his retirement in 1983. Lester never met a stranger and was a kind and gentle soul.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 41 years, Lillian Lowe Whittle; and his second wife of 21 years, Annie Chisenhall Whittle.
Survivors include a daughter, Leslie W. Johnson; granddaughters, Kaye (Todd) Hood, Lori (Gerry) Carroll, Mandy Johnson; great-granddaughters, Jamie and Jodie Hood; stepdaughters, Jackie (Mike) Smith, Sybil (Tommy) Walker and their families.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Mary Strickland, LaTashia Cade and the staff of United Hospice for their care and compassion.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday January 25, 2012 at 12:00 in Westview Cemetery, in Atlanta. The family will receive guest at the main entrance to Westview one hour prior to the service.
Donation may be made to ACCA Meals on Wheels, 135 Hoyt St., Athens, GA 30601.
Lord and Stephens, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Freddie Jason Martin (1-16-12)
COMER - Freddie Jason Martin, 50, died Monday, January 16, 2012.
A native of Athens, he was the son of Raymie Martin of Athens and Veronica F. Wilson of Commerce. He worked in Food Service Maintenance Department for the University of Georgia. He was of the Baptist denomination and has gone home to be with his lord.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Lynda Martin; son, Michael Jason Martin, Comer; daughter, Amanda Lou Martin, Comer; granddaughter, Hayleigh Grace Martin; and brother, Joe Martin, Watkinsville.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 19, at 3 p.m. at Lord & Stephens East Chapel with the Rev. Stan Hauntsman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, at the funeral home.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Athens, he was the son of Raymie Martin of Athens and Veronica F. Wilson of Commerce. He worked in Food Service Maintenance Department for the University of Georgia. He was of the Baptist denomination and has gone home to be with his lord.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Lynda Martin; son, Michael Jason Martin, Comer; daughter, Amanda Lou Martin, Comer; granddaughter, Hayleigh Grace Martin; and brother, Joe Martin, Watkinsville.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 19, at 3 p.m. at Lord & Stephens East Chapel with the Rev. Stan Hauntsman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, at the funeral home.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
Anthony Darrell Epps (1-15-12)
ILA - Anthony Darrell Epps, 55, died peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Commerce, on December 6, 1956, the son of Shirley Epps of Pocataligo and the late Clarence Epps. He was a lifelong resident of Madison County. He was Chairman of Deacons at Providence Baptist Church, Ila, where he was active in several ministries over the years, such as VBS, Youth Ministries, and Music Ministry. Mr. Epps also had a passion for nature and wildlife photography that led him to establish BlueRidge Imageworks.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Robin Doster Epps; daughter, Lindsay Holland; daughter and son-in-law, Leesa and Kevin Tuttle; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Nina Epps; grandchildren, Cerah Collins, Joseph Holland, Jacob Holland, Natalie Tuttle and Kathryn Tuttle; brothers, Tim Epps and Darien Epps; sisters, Deborah Willis and Tracy Willis, all of Ila; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 19, at 2 p.m. at Providence Baptist Church with the Revs. Tim Peek and Robby Brown officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Northeast Georgia Cancer Foundation or TJ & Friends Foundation.
Lord & Stephens, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Commerce, on December 6, 1956, the son of Shirley Epps of Pocataligo and the late Clarence Epps. He was a lifelong resident of Madison County. He was Chairman of Deacons at Providence Baptist Church, Ila, where he was active in several ministries over the years, such as VBS, Youth Ministries, and Music Ministry. Mr. Epps also had a passion for nature and wildlife photography that led him to establish BlueRidge Imageworks.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Robin Doster Epps; daughter, Lindsay Holland; daughter and son-in-law, Leesa and Kevin Tuttle; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Nina Epps; grandchildren, Cerah Collins, Joseph Holland, Jacob Holland, Natalie Tuttle and Kathryn Tuttle; brothers, Tim Epps and Darien Epps; sisters, Deborah Willis and Tracy Willis, all of Ila; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 19, at 2 p.m. at Providence Baptist Church with the Revs. Tim Peek and Robby Brown officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Northeast Georgia Cancer Foundation or TJ & Friends Foundation.
Lord & Stephens, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Jessie Mae Hilley (1-12-12)
DANIELSVILLE – Jessie Mae Collins Hilley, 78, died Thursday, January 12, 2012, at her residence.
Born in Madison County on March 27, 1933, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Etha Evans Collins. She was a homemaker and member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Royston. Mrs. Hilley was preceded in death by her husband, Waymon C. “Babe” Hilley.
Survivors include daughters, Jenny Parham, Danielsville, and Donna Hilley, Augusta; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Stefani Hilley and David and Marilyn Hilley, all of Danielsville; grandchildren and spouses, Mason Parham, John Parham, Kelly and Wayne Roach, Nicole and Cullen Bryant, Kayla Hilley, Michaela Jones and Montana Jones; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 15, from New Hope Baptist Church in Royston with the Rev. Brian David officiating. Burial was in the Bethel M Baptist Church Cemetery in Danielsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Hope Baptist Church, P.O. Box 679, Royston, GA 30662.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Madison County on March 27, 1933, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Etha Evans Collins. She was a homemaker and member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Royston. Mrs. Hilley was preceded in death by her husband, Waymon C. “Babe” Hilley.
Survivors include daughters, Jenny Parham, Danielsville, and Donna Hilley, Augusta; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Stefani Hilley and David and Marilyn Hilley, all of Danielsville; grandchildren and spouses, Mason Parham, John Parham, Kelly and Wayne Roach, Nicole and Cullen Bryant, Kayla Hilley, Michaela Jones and Montana Jones; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 15, from New Hope Baptist Church in Royston with the Rev. Brian David officiating. Burial was in the Bethel M Baptist Church Cemetery in Danielsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Hope Baptist Church, P.O. Box 679, Royston, GA 30662.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Bill ‘L.G.’ Kelley (1-9-12)
Bill Kelley peacefully left this world on Monday, January 9, 2012, following a long illness.
Bill was the founder of Critter Magazine and a gentle and generous friend to Athens area animal adoption organizations, as well as many others. Bill resided in Madison County with his two devoted dogs, Frog and Goose.
Survivors include his sister and spouse, Beth Kelley Zorbanos, Danielsville; and brother and spouse, David Kelley, Houston, Texas; as well as their children and grandchildren.
A memorial service is being planned.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (moaspets.org) or to your favorite area rescue organization.
Bill was the founder of Critter Magazine and a gentle and generous friend to Athens area animal adoption organizations, as well as many others. Bill resided in Madison County with his two devoted dogs, Frog and Goose.
Survivors include his sister and spouse, Beth Kelley Zorbanos, Danielsville; and brother and spouse, David Kelley, Houston, Texas; as well as their children and grandchildren.
A memorial service is being planned.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (moaspets.org) or to your favorite area rescue organization.
Wanda C. Cannon (01-07-12)
HARTWELL - Wanda C. Jordan Cannon, 84, died Saturday, January 07, 2012 at Hartwell Health Care Center.
Born on March 7, 1927 in Royston, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Thelma Edwards Jordan. She was a retired seamstress for Elberton Manufacturing Company and was a member of the Liberty Hill United Methodist Church. Mrs. Cannon was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin C. Cannon Sr.; a son, Lamar Cannon; sister, Lanora Dean; and two brothers, Madison Jordan and Kennister Jordan.
Survivors include three daughters, Joyce Foster, Hartwell, Kathy Hill and her husband Doug, Danielsville, and Debbie Trotter, Hartwell; two sons, Calvin Cannon Jr. and his wife Linda, Elberton, and Morris Cannon and his wife Hazel, Bowersville; two sisters, Condyce Phillips and her husband Jack, Marietta, and Martha Ginn, Hartwell; eleven grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 9, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with the Rev. Kathleen Deegan-Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Garden of Prayer.
Flowers are optional and memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1925 Century Blvd., Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345-3315, or Hospice Advantage, 2470 Daniel's Bridge Rd., Bldg. 100, Suite 171, Athens, GA 30606.
The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.
Born on March 7, 1927 in Royston, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Thelma Edwards Jordan. She was a retired seamstress for Elberton Manufacturing Company and was a member of the Liberty Hill United Methodist Church. Mrs. Cannon was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin C. Cannon Sr.; a son, Lamar Cannon; sister, Lanora Dean; and two brothers, Madison Jordan and Kennister Jordan.
Survivors include three daughters, Joyce Foster, Hartwell, Kathy Hill and her husband Doug, Danielsville, and Debbie Trotter, Hartwell; two sons, Calvin Cannon Jr. and his wife Linda, Elberton, and Morris Cannon and his wife Hazel, Bowersville; two sisters, Condyce Phillips and her husband Jack, Marietta, and Martha Ginn, Hartwell; eleven grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 9, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with the Rev. Kathleen Deegan-Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Garden of Prayer.
Flowers are optional and memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1925 Century Blvd., Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345-3315, or Hospice Advantage, 2470 Daniel's Bridge Rd., Bldg. 100, Suite 171, Athens, GA 30606.
The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.
Calvin Swain (01-08-12)
Calvin Lee Swain, 54, of 267 Jim Crittenden Road, Hartwell, died Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Hart County Hospital.
Born on March 9, 1957 in Seneca, S.C., he was the son of Juanita Bowen Swain and the late Walter C. Swain. He was a former singer for the Georgialina Band and sang at the Red Minnow and for private parties. He was preceded in death by two stepsons, Dennis Miller and William Brian Miller.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Theresa J. Swain; three stepsons, Michael Miller, Orlando, Fla., Robert Miller, Ocala, Fla., and Joseph Miller, Hartwell; one stepdaughter, Stephanie Cole, Hartwell; two brothers, David Swain, Danielsville, and Stanley Swain, Gillsville; two sisters, Becky Roberts, Maysville, and Annie Chamlee, Toccoa; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, at 1 p.m. at Victory Chapel Holiness Church, 1337 Bob Mann Rd., Maysville, GA, with the Revs. Donald Trammell and Davey Harris officiating.
The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.
Born on March 9, 1957 in Seneca, S.C., he was the son of Juanita Bowen Swain and the late Walter C. Swain. He was a former singer for the Georgialina Band and sang at the Red Minnow and for private parties. He was preceded in death by two stepsons, Dennis Miller and William Brian Miller.
Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Theresa J. Swain; three stepsons, Michael Miller, Orlando, Fla., Robert Miller, Ocala, Fla., and Joseph Miller, Hartwell; one stepdaughter, Stephanie Cole, Hartwell; two brothers, David Swain, Danielsville, and Stanley Swain, Gillsville; two sisters, Becky Roberts, Maysville, and Annie Chamlee, Toccoa; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, at 1 p.m. at Victory Chapel Holiness Church, 1337 Bob Mann Rd., Maysville, GA, with the Revs. Donald Trammell and Davey Harris officiating.
The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy