JASPER – Jeanette Smith Wall, 70, died Saturday, May 19, 2012.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late John and Pearlie Smith. She attended Nicholson Baptist Church, was retired from Scientific Atlanta, and had worked at Carwood Manufacturing, and R & R Manufacturing. Mrs. Wall was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Wall; and a daughter, Elaine Siggelkow.
Survivors include a daughter, Wanda Dorreia, Jasper; grandchildren, Chase Siggelkow and Morgan Siggelkow; brother, Jimmy Smith, Nicholson; and a sister, Johnnie Skinner, Oakwood.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 22, at 2 p.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Terry Smith officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Jackson County
‘Dink’ Elrod (5-19-12)
TALMO - Harris Denver "Dink" Elrod, 71, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2012.
He was born in Pendergrass, the son of the late Clyde Harrison and Sadie Oliver Elrod. He was retired as owner of Elrod Builders and was a member of the Pond Fork Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Elrod was preceded in death by a son, Donald Harris Elrod; sister, Jennie Gee; and brothers, Pete and Herbie Elrod.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Jean Haynes Elrod, Talmo; sons, Clyde H. (Deborah) Elrod, Athens, and Casey A. (Blaire) Elrod, Gainesville; daughters, Sondra Renee (Joe) Davis, Hoschton, and Michelle (Anthony) Gaddis, Braselton; a sister, Mary Helen Livsey, Grayson; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 22, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Larry Elrod and Johnny Knight officiating. The visitation will be held on Monday, May 21, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are optional with memorials made to the Pond Fork Baptist Church, c/o Johnny Knight, 104 Gordon Rd., Commerce, GA 30530.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Pendergrass, the son of the late Clyde Harrison and Sadie Oliver Elrod. He was retired as owner of Elrod Builders and was a member of the Pond Fork Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Elrod was preceded in death by a son, Donald Harris Elrod; sister, Jennie Gee; and brothers, Pete and Herbie Elrod.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Jean Haynes Elrod, Talmo; sons, Clyde H. (Deborah) Elrod, Athens, and Casey A. (Blaire) Elrod, Gainesville; daughters, Sondra Renee (Joe) Davis, Hoschton, and Michelle (Anthony) Gaddis, Braselton; a sister, Mary Helen Livsey, Grayson; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 22, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Larry Elrod and Johnny Knight officiating. The visitation will be held on Monday, May 21, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are optional with memorials made to the Pond Fork Baptist Church, c/o Johnny Knight, 104 Gordon Rd., Commerce, GA 30530.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Margie Barrett (5-18-12)
ATHENS - Margie Lord Barrett, 75, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2012.
She was born in Miami, Fla., the daughter of the late Cecil and Myra Boone. She worked at General Time/Westclock in Athens and was a member of Mt. Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Barrett is preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Barrett; and daughter Linda Waters.
Survivors includes a daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Jerry Wright, Hoschton; sons, Brad Lord, Athens, and Barry Lord, Winterville; brother, James Boone, Commerce; grandchildren, Jody Denton, Stephanie Burson, Roger Wright, Brandy Allen, Telna Richardson, Hannah Eavenson, Brittany, and Destiny Lord, Wade, Jamie and Josh Lord, Michael, Misti and Mandy Reidling; 23 great-grandchildren; and 31 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 20, from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Dillard officiating. Burial was in the Pittman Cemetery with Wade and Jamie Lord, Brantley Crumley, Justin, Jody and Tristan Denton honored as pallbearers.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Miami, Fla., the daughter of the late Cecil and Myra Boone. She worked at General Time/Westclock in Athens and was a member of Mt. Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Barrett is preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Barrett; and daughter Linda Waters.
Survivors includes a daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Jerry Wright, Hoschton; sons, Brad Lord, Athens, and Barry Lord, Winterville; brother, James Boone, Commerce; grandchildren, Jody Denton, Stephanie Burson, Roger Wright, Brandy Allen, Telna Richardson, Hannah Eavenson, Brittany, and Destiny Lord, Wade, Jamie and Josh Lord, Michael, Misti and Mandy Reidling; 23 great-grandchildren; and 31 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 20, from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Dillard officiating. Burial was in the Pittman Cemetery with Wade and Jamie Lord, Brantley Crumley, Justin, Jody and Tristan Denton honored as pallbearers.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
Otis Pittman (5-18-12)
COMMERCE – Otis C. Pittman died Friday, May 18, 2012.
He was a lifelong resident of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Judy Ann Wiley Pittman; two sons, Reginola and Andrey Pittman; two brothers, Marvin Pittman and Truman Dukes; and a sister, Susie Webb.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 21, from the Rogers Chapel Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
He was a lifelong resident of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Judy Ann Wiley Pittman; two sons, Reginola and Andrey Pittman; two brothers, Marvin Pittman and Truman Dukes; and a sister, Susie Webb.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 21, from the Rogers Chapel Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Updated: Mary Turpin (5-18-12)
COMMERCE – Mary Turpin, 91, died Friday, May 18, 2012, at the Northridge Health and Rehab Center in Commerce.
Born in Banks County, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Leila Massey Whitfield. Mrs. Turpin was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Turpin; a son, Edward Turpin; and granddaughter, Tracey Lynn Turpin.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Charlie and Sharon Turpin and Earnest and Joyce Turpin, all of Homer; grandchildren, Dina Turpin Gailey, Tina Turpin Kelley, Amanda Turpin, Douglas Turpin, Lisa Turpin Whitehead, Colby Turpin and Robby Turpin; 10 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rose Leachman, Commerce.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 20, at 3 p.m., from the Bethany Christian Church in Homer with the Revs. Vaughn Howington and William Campbell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home and at other times at the residence of Earnest and Joyce Turpin located at 397 Berlin Rd., Homer. She will lie in state at the church for 30 minutes prior to the service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Banks County, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Leila Massey Whitfield. Mrs. Turpin was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Turpin; a son, Edward Turpin; and granddaughter, Tracey Lynn Turpin.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Charlie and Sharon Turpin and Earnest and Joyce Turpin, all of Homer; grandchildren, Dina Turpin Gailey, Tina Turpin Kelley, Amanda Turpin, Douglas Turpin, Lisa Turpin Whitehead, Colby Turpin and Robby Turpin; 10 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rose Leachman, Commerce.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 20, at 3 p.m., from the Bethany Christian Church in Homer with the Revs. Vaughn Howington and William Campbell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home and at other times at the residence of Earnest and Joyce Turpin located at 397 Berlin Rd., Homer. She will lie in state at the church for 30 minutes prior to the service.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Updated: ‘Big Joe’ Lewis (5-14-12)
JEFFERSON – Joe Lewis “Big Joe” Longstreet died Monday, May 14, 2012, following a brief illness.
Survivors include four sisters, Margret Parham, Gladys Glasper, Edna Jackson and Irene Jackson, all of Gainesville.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 18, at 12 o’clock, from the Maxey Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. R.E. Cooper officiating.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include four sisters, Margret Parham, Gladys Glasper, Edna Jackson and Irene Jackson, all of Gainesville.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 18, at 12 o’clock, from the Maxey Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. R.E. Cooper officiating.
Forestglen Mortuary, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Bonnie M. Harris (5-15-12)
JEFFERSON - The family of Bonnie Marion Harris, 90, is saddened to announce his passing on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 17, at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. Bonnie's son In-law, Marshall Gunn, officiated. Interment followed at the old Sardis United Methodist Church Cemetery, Thompson Mill Rd., Buford, GA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rescue Me Ministries, 4350 Pable Professional Ct., Jacksonville, FL 32224.
Bonnie was born February 7, 1922 in Suwanee, the son of the late Lowell and Bertha Waycaster Harris.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Jessie and Winton; and sisters, Dorothy Lewis and Hazel Garner.
Bonnie resided in Gwinnett County for over 45 years and moved to his current home in Jefferson in 2006. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery in World War II. As part of the 82nd Airborne Division, he deployed into Normandy in a glider.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Ethleen Duncan Harris, Buford; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Marshall Gunn, Jacksonville, Fla., and Shelley and Jerry Prather, Lilburn; son and daughter-in-law, Lamar and Cathy Harris, Jefferson; granddaughters, Michelle Moore and Julie (Justin) Fuller; four great-grandsons; and a number of nephews and nieces, including Freda (Darrell) Henderson.
He was a self-taught, hardworking father and provider who loved his family very much. His sense of humor prevailed up to the very end. For years, he carried a poem in his pocket. He lived this poem every day, as long as he was able:
Help all the People you can
In all the Places you can
In all the Times you can
In all the Ways you can
By all the Means you can
For as Long as you can
Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford, was in charge of arrangements.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 17, at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. Bonnie's son In-law, Marshall Gunn, officiated. Interment followed at the old Sardis United Methodist Church Cemetery, Thompson Mill Rd., Buford, GA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rescue Me Ministries, 4350 Pable Professional Ct., Jacksonville, FL 32224.
Bonnie was born February 7, 1922 in Suwanee, the son of the late Lowell and Bertha Waycaster Harris.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Jessie and Winton; and sisters, Dorothy Lewis and Hazel Garner.
Bonnie resided in Gwinnett County for over 45 years and moved to his current home in Jefferson in 2006. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery in World War II. As part of the 82nd Airborne Division, he deployed into Normandy in a glider.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Ethleen Duncan Harris, Buford; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Marshall Gunn, Jacksonville, Fla., and Shelley and Jerry Prather, Lilburn; son and daughter-in-law, Lamar and Cathy Harris, Jefferson; granddaughters, Michelle Moore and Julie (Justin) Fuller; four great-grandsons; and a number of nephews and nieces, including Freda (Darrell) Henderson.
He was a self-taught, hardworking father and provider who loved his family very much. His sense of humor prevailed up to the very end. For years, he carried a poem in his pocket. He lived this poem every day, as long as he was able:
Help all the People you can
In all the Places you can
In all the Times you can
In all the Ways you can
By all the Means you can
For as Long as you can
Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford, was in charge of arrangements.
Allen Wilbanks (5-10-12)
JEFFERSON - Allen Eugene Wilbanks, 76, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2012.
He was born in Jefferson, the son of the late B.H. and Dessie Turk Wilbanks. He was retired from construction and was a member of the Brockton Road Baptist Church. Mr. Wilbanks sister-in-law, Iris Carter, preceded him in death.
Survivors include sisters, "Dottie" Addie Dills and Joyce Fowler, both of Jefferson, Sue Dalton, Bowman; brothers, Benny Wilbanks, Wayne Wilbanks, Jarrell Wilbanks, all of Jefferson, and Jimmy Wilbanks, Monroe.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 11, at 2 p.m. at the graveside in the Jackson Memorial Park with the Rev. Jesse Mealor officiating. The visitation will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the funeral home, prior to the graveside service.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Jefferson, the son of the late B.H. and Dessie Turk Wilbanks. He was retired from construction and was a member of the Brockton Road Baptist Church. Mr. Wilbanks sister-in-law, Iris Carter, preceded him in death.
Survivors include sisters, "Dottie" Addie Dills and Joyce Fowler, both of Jefferson, Sue Dalton, Bowman; brothers, Benny Wilbanks, Wayne Wilbanks, Jarrell Wilbanks, all of Jefferson, and Jimmy Wilbanks, Monroe.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 11, at 2 p.m. at the graveside in the Jackson Memorial Park with the Rev. Jesse Mealor officiating. The visitation will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the funeral home, prior to the graveside service.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Peters (5-8-12)
COMMERCE - Shirley Elizabeth Greene Peters, 71, died Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Athens Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Walton County, the daughter of the late Thomas Alton and Maggie Lee Howard Greene. She was a member of Rogers Baptist Church and a retired school teacher. Mrs. Peters was preceded in death by two brothers, Al and James Greene.
Survivors include her husband, Carlton Harry Peters, Commerce; a son, Luke Peters, Charlotte, N.C.; brothers, Lee Greene, Winder, Richard Greene, Braselton, and John Greene, Monroe; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 11, at 3 p.m. at Rogers Baptist Church with the Rev. John Webber officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Cemetery, Monroe. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday night, May 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Walton County, the daughter of the late Thomas Alton and Maggie Lee Howard Greene. She was a member of Rogers Baptist Church and a retired school teacher. Mrs. Peters was preceded in death by two brothers, Al and James Greene.
Survivors include her husband, Carlton Harry Peters, Commerce; a son, Luke Peters, Charlotte, N.C.; brothers, Lee Greene, Winder, Richard Greene, Braselton, and John Greene, Monroe; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 11, at 3 p.m. at Rogers Baptist Church with the Rev. John Webber officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Cemetery, Monroe. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday night, May 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Hammett (5-3-12)
COMMERCE - Betty Gilliam Hammett, 83, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Commerce.
She was born January 26, 1929, in Wheelwright, Ky. and lived most of her life in the Southwest Virginia area. She was a graduate of J.I. Burton High School in Norton, Va. and Union College in Barbourville, Ky. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Big Stone Gap, Va.
Mrs. Hammett was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth Sturgill; brothers Jack and Jim Sturgill; her first husband, William Alvarow Gilliam; and her second husband, Glenn Hammett.
Survivors include a daughter, Donna Burton and husband Tom, of Jefferson; sons, William (Bill) Gilliam, Big Stone Gap, Va. and Robert (Bob) Gilliam and wife Robyn, Big Stone Gap, Va.; one sister, Annette Aikman, Montgomery, Ala.; grandchildren, Destiny Baker, Robin Collins, Heather Gilliam, Robbie Gilliam, J.T. Burton and John Burton; and great-grandchildren, Kyleigh, Jack and Lucy.
Graveside services were conducted at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 7. Pallbearers were J.T. Burton, John Burton, Robbie Gilliam, Jessee Baker, Jarred Collins and Darrell Wells.
Gilliam Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, Va. was honored to serve the Betty Gilliam Hammett Family.
She was born January 26, 1929, in Wheelwright, Ky. and lived most of her life in the Southwest Virginia area. She was a graduate of J.I. Burton High School in Norton, Va. and Union College in Barbourville, Ky. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Big Stone Gap, Va.
Mrs. Hammett was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth Sturgill; brothers Jack and Jim Sturgill; her first husband, William Alvarow Gilliam; and her second husband, Glenn Hammett.
Survivors include a daughter, Donna Burton and husband Tom, of Jefferson; sons, William (Bill) Gilliam, Big Stone Gap, Va. and Robert (Bob) Gilliam and wife Robyn, Big Stone Gap, Va.; one sister, Annette Aikman, Montgomery, Ala.; grandchildren, Destiny Baker, Robin Collins, Heather Gilliam, Robbie Gilliam, J.T. Burton and John Burton; and great-grandchildren, Kyleigh, Jack and Lucy.
Graveside services were conducted at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 7. Pallbearers were J.T. Burton, John Burton, Robbie Gilliam, Jessee Baker, Jarred Collins and Darrell Wells.
Gilliam Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, Va. was honored to serve the Betty Gilliam Hammett Family.
Expressions of sympathy