Ellen Varner

Ellen Frances Phillips Varner, 96, of the Bold Spring Community, died Wednesday, December 10, 2008.

Born September 23, 1912, in Franklin County, she was the daughter of the late William Oscar and Jessie Hamilton McConnell Phillips. She was a 1936 graduate of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Junior College and later attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Piedmont College. She was a teacher for 30 years in the Sandy Cross, Bold Spring and Carnesville Elementary Schools. She was an active member of Franklin County Retired Teachers and Franklin County Historical Society. She was a lifelong member of the Bold Spring United Methodist Church, where she held numerous church offices, taught Sunday School, and was active in the United Methodist Women’s Organization.

Survivors include children, Johnny and Helen Varner and Linda and Doug Coggins, all of Carnesville, and Lowell and Beth Varner, Pauline, S.C.; grandchildren, Lisa and Anthony Godfrey, Wesley and Jennifer Varner, Bill and Alyson Varner, Ben and Amanda Coggins and Mary Ellen Coggins; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Eugene J. Phillips, Columbus, N.C., and John F. and Kim Phillips, Fletcher, N.C.; a sister, Virginia Nix, Weaverville, N.C.; and sister-in-law, Cady Lou Varner Roberts, Rome.

Funeral services were held Friday, December 12, at the Bold Spring United Methodist Church with the Rev. George Wright officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Ginn Funeral Home, Carnesville, was in charge of arrangements.