DANIELSVILLE – Betty Ruth Wallace Fortson, 79, passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012, at the Cobb Health Care Center in Comer.
Born in Fulton County on April 12, 1933, she was the daughter of the late James Cooper and Ester Lee Milligan Wallace. She was a seamstress with Ila Sportswear and attended the New Hope Worship Center in Danielsville. Mrs. Fortson was preceded in death by her husband, John Lace Fortson.
Survivors include her children, Mike Fortson, Danielsville, Bobby Fortson, Commerce, Cheryl Brock, Lula and Linda Patrick, Danielsville; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and brother, James Marvin Wallace, Sugar Hill.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, at the New Hope Worship Center with the Revs. Mike Spence and Glenn Guest officiating. Burial will follow in the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.
The body is at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, May 14. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The family is at the home.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
jacksonheraldtoday
Marvin Bridges (5-13-12)
DANIELSVILLE – Marvin David Bridges, 89, passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens.
Born in Madison County on September 15, 1922, he was the son of the late Nim H. and Kate Meadow Bridges. He was a retired shop foreman with Oliver Rubber Company and was also retired from Madison County Hardware. He was a member of the John H. Jones Masonic Lodge, a member of the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church and was a United States Navy Veteran having served during World War II. Mr. Bridges was preceded in death by his daughter, Gail Bailey; brothers, Garland, Charlie and Donald Bridges; and sister, Grace Spearman.
Survivors include his wife, Ouida Dean Bridges, Danielsville; children, Connie Bridges-Morris, Athens, David (Judy) Bridges, Bowman, Doug (Kay) Bridges, Commerce; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and brother, Calvin Bridges, Comer.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, at the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church in Danielsville with Tom Elliot and Rev. Steven Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The body is at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, and the body will be placed in the church at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The family is at the home of Doug Bridges, 2555 Neese-Commerce Road, Commerce, GA 30530.
Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Hospice House, 1660 Jennings Mill Road, Bogart, GA 30622.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Madison County on September 15, 1922, he was the son of the late Nim H. and Kate Meadow Bridges. He was a retired shop foreman with Oliver Rubber Company and was also retired from Madison County Hardware. He was a member of the John H. Jones Masonic Lodge, a member of the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church and was a United States Navy Veteran having served during World War II. Mr. Bridges was preceded in death by his daughter, Gail Bailey; brothers, Garland, Charlie and Donald Bridges; and sister, Grace Spearman.
Survivors include his wife, Ouida Dean Bridges, Danielsville; children, Connie Bridges-Morris, Athens, David (Judy) Bridges, Bowman, Doug (Kay) Bridges, Commerce; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and brother, Calvin Bridges, Comer.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, at the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church in Danielsville with Tom Elliot and Rev. Steven Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The body is at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, and the body will be placed in the church at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The family is at the home of Doug Bridges, 2555 Neese-Commerce Road, Commerce, GA 30530.
Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Hospice House, 1660 Jennings Mill Road, Bogart, GA 30622.
Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.
Leita Nix
Leita Virginia Nix, daughter of William and Alma Nix, passed away.
She is survived by Lydia Allen, Gainesville, and a number of nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home on Monday, May 14. The Rev. Henry Webb will officate the service and she will be laid to rest at Woodbine Cemetery in Jefferson.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by Lydia Allen, Gainesville, and a number of nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home on Monday, May 14. The Rev. Henry Webb will officate the service and she will be laid to rest at Woodbine Cemetery in Jefferson.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
J.L. Watkins (4-22-12)
WINDER – J.L. Watkins, 84, died Sunday, April 22, 2012.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of the late James L. Watkins Sr. and Ruth Crook Watkins. He was a retired self-employed truck driver and a farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Connie L. Watkins, Winder; sons, Kenneth Watkins, Madison, and Mike (Beth) Watkins, Bishop; daughters, Judy (Sam) Wilkinson, Jan (Vernon) Mullins, Jenny (Steve) Beckham, all of Madison, Ada (Steve) Czajkowski, Winder, and Kim (Mike) Eaton, Fort Pierce, Fla.; 18 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother, Terrin (Pam) Watkins, Winder; and a sister, Mary (Royce) Jackson, Snellville.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 24, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Ned Davis officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Statham Cemetery.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, he was the son of the late James L. Watkins Sr. and Ruth Crook Watkins. He was a retired self-employed truck driver and a farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Connie L. Watkins, Winder; sons, Kenneth Watkins, Madison, and Mike (Beth) Watkins, Bishop; daughters, Judy (Sam) Wilkinson, Jan (Vernon) Mullins, Jenny (Steve) Beckham, all of Madison, Ada (Steve) Czajkowski, Winder, and Kim (Mike) Eaton, Fort Pierce, Fla.; 18 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother, Terrin (Pam) Watkins, Winder; and a sister, Mary (Royce) Jackson, Snellville.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 24, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Ned Davis officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Statham Cemetery.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Molene Anderson (4-17-12)
HOMER – Molene Anderson, 71, died early Tuesday morning, April 17, 2012, at her residence.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Andrew W. and Sally Belle Epps Gary.
Survivors include children, Lynn and Lamar Ayers, Homer, Nancy Anderson, Hull, Phillip and Cheryl Anderson, Jefferson, and David Anderson, Homer; siblings, Sally Wilson, Murrayville, and Albert Gary, Cornelia; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; along with “special grandchildren, nieces and nephews.”
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 19, at 1 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Tommy Childress officiating. Burial will be in the Gordon Chapel Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a Children’s Hospital of your choice.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Andrew W. and Sally Belle Epps Gary.
Survivors include children, Lynn and Lamar Ayers, Homer, Nancy Anderson, Hull, Phillip and Cheryl Anderson, Jefferson, and David Anderson, Homer; siblings, Sally Wilson, Murrayville, and Albert Gary, Cornelia; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; along with “special grandchildren, nieces and nephews.”
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 19, at 1 p.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Tommy Childress officiating. Burial will be in the Gordon Chapel Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a Children’s Hospital of your choice.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Gregory Ledford (4-16-12)
ILA - Gregory Harold Ledford, 49, died Monday, April 16, 2012 at his residence.
He was born in Jackson County, the son of Bobby and Willie V. LeCroy Ledford of Commerce. He attended Little Country Church. Mr. Ledford was a Boy Scout leader for 17 years and his boys were his life. He was also involved in the Clarke County Challenger League for special needs kids for 20 years and served as coach for the past 10 years. He was employed at Roper Pump Company.
Survivors in addition to his parents include his wife, Mary Jane Duncan Ledford, Ila; son, Gregory Ryan Ledford, Ila; brother, Marty Ledford, Commerce; and several beloved pets, including cats Buckwheat, Punkin and Dippy, and dogs Biz and Daisy.
“Greg loved life and everyone he met, and he never met a stranger,” his wife said.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 18, at Little Country Church with the Revs. Wes Bond and Swayne Cochran officiating. Interment was in Jackson Memorial Gardens. Eagle Scouts served as pallbearers and Boy Scouts served as honorary pallbearers.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Jackson County, the son of Bobby and Willie V. LeCroy Ledford of Commerce. He attended Little Country Church. Mr. Ledford was a Boy Scout leader for 17 years and his boys were his life. He was also involved in the Clarke County Challenger League for special needs kids for 20 years and served as coach for the past 10 years. He was employed at Roper Pump Company.
Survivors in addition to his parents include his wife, Mary Jane Duncan Ledford, Ila; son, Gregory Ryan Ledford, Ila; brother, Marty Ledford, Commerce; and several beloved pets, including cats Buckwheat, Punkin and Dippy, and dogs Biz and Daisy.
“Greg loved life and everyone he met, and he never met a stranger,” his wife said.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 18, at Little Country Church with the Revs. Wes Bond and Swayne Cochran officiating. Interment was in Jackson Memorial Gardens. Eagle Scouts served as pallbearers and Boy Scouts served as honorary pallbearers.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Jewell Miller (4-11-12)
SOCIAL CIRCLE - Jewell Gladys Miller, 89, died on Wednesday, April 11, 2012.
She was born in Dacula on October 3, 1922, the daughter of the late Jesse and Bertha Kidd Kiley. Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Miller; and a son, Joel Michael Miller.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Vivian Bush, Fountain, Fla., Evelyn and Ron Corn, Tucker, Alice Miller, Buffalo Valley, Tenn.; sons and daughters-in-law, Lewis and Kathleen Miller, Carmel, Ind., Aubrey and Glyniss Miller, Social Circle; sister, Carol Turk, Winder; brothers, Buck Kiley, Winder, and Clenton Kiley, Hoschton; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 13, at the chapel of Meadows Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Noth officiating. Interment will be on Saturday, April 14, at Bonifay City Cemetery in Bonifay, Fla.
Meadows Funeral Home, Inc., Monroe, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Dacula on October 3, 1922, the daughter of the late Jesse and Bertha Kidd Kiley. Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Miller; and a son, Joel Michael Miller.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Vivian Bush, Fountain, Fla., Evelyn and Ron Corn, Tucker, Alice Miller, Buffalo Valley, Tenn.; sons and daughters-in-law, Lewis and Kathleen Miller, Carmel, Ind., Aubrey and Glyniss Miller, Social Circle; sister, Carol Turk, Winder; brothers, Buck Kiley, Winder, and Clenton Kiley, Hoschton; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 13, at the chapel of Meadows Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Noth officiating. Interment will be on Saturday, April 14, at Bonifay City Cemetery in Bonifay, Fla.
Meadows Funeral Home, Inc., Monroe, is in charge of arrangements.
Pauline Morris (4-11-12)
WINDER – Pauline McDonald Morris, 89, died Wednesday, April 11, 2012.
Born in Winder, Barrow County, she was the daughter of the late Willis Jackson and Mary Cook McDonald. She was a member of Winder Christian Church and was retired from Empire Manufacturing Company. Her husband, James Harrell Morris, preceded Mrs. Morris in death.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Lorraine Morris, Winder; daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Gary Grizzle, Statham; grandchildren, Brian Morris, Scott Morris, Amanda Finn and Valerie Parks; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Bramlett, Auburn.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 14, at 2 p.m. from Smith Memory Chapel with Jim Morris officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Winder, Barrow County, she was the daughter of the late Willis Jackson and Mary Cook McDonald. She was a member of Winder Christian Church and was retired from Empire Manufacturing Company. Her husband, James Harrell Morris, preceded Mrs. Morris in death.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Lorraine Morris, Winder; daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Gary Grizzle, Statham; grandchildren, Brian Morris, Scott Morris, Amanda Finn and Valerie Parks; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Bramlett, Auburn.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 14, at 2 p.m. from Smith Memory Chapel with Jim Morris officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Ray Bridger (4-1-12)
GAINESVILLE - Ray E. Bridger, 80, entered his Heavenly Home on Sunday, April 1, 2012, surrounded by family, following an extended illness.
He was born July 22, 1931, the son of the late Hubert and Annie Mae Bridger of Jonesboro, Ariz. He was the owner of Bridger Insurance and Real Estate until his retirement in 1994. Ray was a member of North Metro First Baptist Church and a previous member of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker. He was also preceded in death by a son, Ray L. Bridger; and brother, Jack Bridger.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Alice Croom Bridger; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Marianne Bridger, Hoschton; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Larry Garmon, Gainesville; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Hettie Bridger, Roanoke, Va.; four grandsons; two great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, from the Tucker Chapel of Bill Head Funeral Home with interment following at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. The body will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at the funeral home. Frank Cox will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1552 Shoup Court, Decatur, GA 30033, www.cancer.org, or to North Metro First Baptist Church, 1026 Old Peachtree Road Northeast, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born July 22, 1931, the son of the late Hubert and Annie Mae Bridger of Jonesboro, Ariz. He was the owner of Bridger Insurance and Real Estate until his retirement in 1994. Ray was a member of North Metro First Baptist Church and a previous member of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker. He was also preceded in death by a son, Ray L. Bridger; and brother, Jack Bridger.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Alice Croom Bridger; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Marianne Bridger, Hoschton; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Larry Garmon, Gainesville; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Hettie Bridger, Roanoke, Va.; four grandsons; two great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, from the Tucker Chapel of Bill Head Funeral Home with interment following at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. The body will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at the funeral home. Frank Cox will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1552 Shoup Court, Decatur, GA 30033, www.cancer.org, or to North Metro First Baptist Church, 1026 Old Peachtree Road Northeast, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas Wilson (3-31-12)
Thomas Kelley Wilson, 98, passed peacefully from this world to his heavenly home on March 31, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospice House in Athens.
Born January 1, 1914 on the family farm in Banks County, he was an active member of Webbs Creek Baptist Church for 89 years, where he served as a deacon and in other positions of leadership. He also was a faithful member of the Gideon Ministry.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Eva Faulkner Wilson; her two sons, Bill Faulkner and Jerry Faulkner and their wives and children; nephew Clarence Lomas; six great-nephews and nieces, Tom Jones, Mary Pat Beckum, Linda Couey, Stephen Lomas, Susan Holcombe, and Sandy Lomas; eleven great-great nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind a beloved and faithful caregiver, Andrew Wiley.
Mr. Wilson was predeceased by his parents, Michael John Wilson and Pearl Kelley Wilson; his first wife, Guynelle Green Wilson; sisters, Laura Wilson DuPree, Cortez Wilson Lomas, and Rosalee Wilson Jones; and nephews, Jackson Jones and John Jones.
He graduated from Banks County High School in 1930, attended North Georgia Military College for three years, and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1934 with a BS in agriculture. He then began his career with the USDA in the AAA program started by President Roosevelt. In 1941 he was called to active duty with the United States Army as a transportation and supply officer and then fought with the 7th Army in France and Germany until the end of World War II, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1963. He returned home and worked with the USDA Farm Home Administration until his retirement in 1972.
Mr. Wilson served his community well for many years in numerous capacities. Organizations he served, many of which he presided over or chaired, include Banks County Commissioners, American Legion Post 215, Banks County Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Festival, AARP, Washington Lions Club, Georgia Mountain Development Authority, North Georgia Health System Agency, Bank of Banks Board of Directors, Hudson River Watershed Association, Banks County Development Authority, Banks County Sunday School Celebration, Community Brotherhood, Jackson EMC Board of Directors for 26 years, Masons and Shriners, Banks County Historical Society, Banks County Cattlemen's Association, and Meals on Wheels since its inception.
The family will receive visitors on Monday, April 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The celebration of life service will be on Tuesday, April 3, at Webbs Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Robert Beckum, Bob Hill and Wade Lott officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Gideons International at P.O. Box 225, Commerce, GA 30529, or to Webbs Creek Baptist Church at 647 Webbs Creek Rd., Commerce, GA 30529.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Born January 1, 1914 on the family farm in Banks County, he was an active member of Webbs Creek Baptist Church for 89 years, where he served as a deacon and in other positions of leadership. He also was a faithful member of the Gideon Ministry.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Eva Faulkner Wilson; her two sons, Bill Faulkner and Jerry Faulkner and their wives and children; nephew Clarence Lomas; six great-nephews and nieces, Tom Jones, Mary Pat Beckum, Linda Couey, Stephen Lomas, Susan Holcombe, and Sandy Lomas; eleven great-great nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind a beloved and faithful caregiver, Andrew Wiley.
Mr. Wilson was predeceased by his parents, Michael John Wilson and Pearl Kelley Wilson; his first wife, Guynelle Green Wilson; sisters, Laura Wilson DuPree, Cortez Wilson Lomas, and Rosalee Wilson Jones; and nephews, Jackson Jones and John Jones.
He graduated from Banks County High School in 1930, attended North Georgia Military College for three years, and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1934 with a BS in agriculture. He then began his career with the USDA in the AAA program started by President Roosevelt. In 1941 he was called to active duty with the United States Army as a transportation and supply officer and then fought with the 7th Army in France and Germany until the end of World War II, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1963. He returned home and worked with the USDA Farm Home Administration until his retirement in 1972.
Mr. Wilson served his community well for many years in numerous capacities. Organizations he served, many of which he presided over or chaired, include Banks County Commissioners, American Legion Post 215, Banks County Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Festival, AARP, Washington Lions Club, Georgia Mountain Development Authority, North Georgia Health System Agency, Bank of Banks Board of Directors, Hudson River Watershed Association, Banks County Development Authority, Banks County Sunday School Celebration, Community Brotherhood, Jackson EMC Board of Directors for 26 years, Masons and Shriners, Banks County Historical Society, Banks County Cattlemen's Association, and Meals on Wheels since its inception.
The family will receive visitors on Monday, April 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The celebration of life service will be on Tuesday, April 3, at Webbs Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Robert Beckum, Bob Hill and Wade Lott officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Gideons International at P.O. Box 225, Commerce, GA 30529, or to Webbs Creek Baptist Church at 647 Webbs Creek Rd., Commerce, GA 30529.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy