HOMER - Lola Mae Moss Maney, 97, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013.
Born in Banks County on February 16, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Alonzo and Ida Payne Moss. She was a homemaker who enjoyed farming, gardening, quilting, and crocheting. Mrs. Maney was preceded in death by her husband, William Coil Maney; daughter-in-law, Evia Jane Maney; son-in-law, Broadus Martin; and several brothers and sisters.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include a daughter, Betty Jean Martin, Homer; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara M. and Billy Thomas, Lula; son, Billy Maney, Alto; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, May 19, at the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart with the Revs. Gene Todd and Swayne Cochran officiating. Interment was in the Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia was in charge of arrangements.
Banks County
William Massey (5-4-13)
LILBURN - William H. Massey, 95, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2013.
He was one of the oldest members of Maranatha Baptist Church. Mr. Massey was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, Reba Turner, Esther Green, Mamie White, Hubert Massey, Gene Massey, and Edward Massey.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Euna Chambers Massey; sons, William Michael Massey and Phillip Thomas Massey; one granddaughter, Carly Massey; and siblings, Mae Jones, Myrtle Crenshaw, Floyce Duckett, Betty Meeks, and Vernell Hix.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, in Eternal Hills Chapel with Pastors Jim Stallings and Jim Hyatt officiating. Interment will be in Eternal Hills Memory Gardens. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, May 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Eternal Hills Funeral Home, Snellville, is in charge of arrangements.
He was one of the oldest members of Maranatha Baptist Church. Mr. Massey was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, Reba Turner, Esther Green, Mamie White, Hubert Massey, Gene Massey, and Edward Massey.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Euna Chambers Massey; sons, William Michael Massey and Phillip Thomas Massey; one granddaughter, Carly Massey; and siblings, Mae Jones, Myrtle Crenshaw, Floyce Duckett, Betty Meeks, and Vernell Hix.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, in Eternal Hills Chapel with Pastors Jim Stallings and Jim Hyatt officiating. Interment will be in Eternal Hills Memory Gardens. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, May 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Eternal Hills Funeral Home, Snellville, is in charge of arrangements.
William Austin (5-3-13)
MAYSVILLE - William Sampson Austin, 79, died Friday, May 3, 2013 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
He was born in Ila, the son of the late Wiley and Mary Scoggins Austin. He was a member of Maysville Baptist Church and was retired from Fresh Frozen Foods. Mr. Austin was a former mayor and councilman of Maysville.
Survivors include his wife, Lorene Doris Ingram, Maysville; daughters, Wanda Austin Smith and Pam Austin Keefe, both of Maysville; son, William Kenneth Austin, Commerce; sisters, Susie Cobb, Seneca, S.C., and Minnie Turner, Newry, S.C.; brother, Melvin Austin, Easley, S.C.; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 5, at Maysville Baptist Church with Brian Stowe and the Rev. David Sharpton officiating. Interment will follow in Jackson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, May 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Ila, the son of the late Wiley and Mary Scoggins Austin. He was a member of Maysville Baptist Church and was retired from Fresh Frozen Foods. Mr. Austin was a former mayor and councilman of Maysville.
Survivors include his wife, Lorene Doris Ingram, Maysville; daughters, Wanda Austin Smith and Pam Austin Keefe, both of Maysville; son, William Kenneth Austin, Commerce; sisters, Susie Cobb, Seneca, S.C., and Minnie Turner, Newry, S.C.; brother, Melvin Austin, Easley, S.C.; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 5, at Maysville Baptist Church with Brian Stowe and the Rev. David Sharpton officiating. Interment will follow in Jackson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, May 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Lurlene Payne (5-1-13)
BALDWIN - Lurlene Ward Payne, 85, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.
She was born on February 4, 1928, in Banks County, the daughter of the late Silas and Grace Caudell Ward. Mrs. Payne was preceded in death by her husband, David E. Payne; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Joe White; granddaughter, Melissa Leigh Payne; and brother-in-law, Loyd Meeler. She was a graduate of Baldwin High School and was a retired poultry farmer and homemaker. She was a member of Line Baptist Church. Lurlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, loved ones stated.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and Tim House, Gillsville, and Kim and Andy Harris, Baldwin; son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Jane Payne, Clarkesville; sister, Ruby Meeler, Cornelia; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Janice Ward, Mt. Airy; grandchildren and their spouses, Daphne and Matthew Moon and Holly and Ashley Little; grandchildren, Nicholas Harris, Michelle Payne, and Andrea Harris; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Moon, Emily Moon, Sara Moon, and Ella Little.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, with the Revs. Tim House, Roy G. Rogers, and Kenneth McEntire officiating. Interment will follow in Line Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, at the funeral home.
Those wishing to express online condolences to the Payne family may do so by visiting
www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born on February 4, 1928, in Banks County, the daughter of the late Silas and Grace Caudell Ward. Mrs. Payne was preceded in death by her husband, David E. Payne; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Joe White; granddaughter, Melissa Leigh Payne; and brother-in-law, Loyd Meeler. She was a graduate of Baldwin High School and was a retired poultry farmer and homemaker. She was a member of Line Baptist Church. Lurlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, loved ones stated.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and Tim House, Gillsville, and Kim and Andy Harris, Baldwin; son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Jane Payne, Clarkesville; sister, Ruby Meeler, Cornelia; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Janice Ward, Mt. Airy; grandchildren and their spouses, Daphne and Matthew Moon and Holly and Ashley Little; grandchildren, Nicholas Harris, Michelle Payne, and Andrea Harris; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Moon, Emily Moon, Sara Moon, and Ella Little.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, with the Revs. Tim House, Roy G. Rogers, and Kenneth McEntire officiating. Interment will follow in Line Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, at the funeral home.
Those wishing to express online condolences to the Payne family may do so by visiting
www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
‘Ed’ Dorsey (4-21-13)
GILLSVILLE – Edsel “Ed” JC Dorsey, 77, died Sunday, April 21, 2013.
He was born in White County, the son of the late Chester and Wilma Glass Dorsey. He was employed as a construction worker and was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Mr. Dorsey was preceded in death by a son, Edsel JC Dorsey Jr.; brother, Earl Dorsey; and sister, Unzell Palmer.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Randy Brooks, Nicholson; ex-wife, Kathleen Dorsey, Gillsville; sisters, Betty Jo Esford, Cleveland, and Louise Savage, Lula; and grandchildren, Ansley Brooks, Carly Brooks and Walker Brooks.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday April 24, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The Revs. Ralph O. Smith and James Duncan will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent online at wardsfh.com.
Ward's Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in White County, the son of the late Chester and Wilma Glass Dorsey. He was employed as a construction worker and was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Mr. Dorsey was preceded in death by a son, Edsel JC Dorsey Jr.; brother, Earl Dorsey; and sister, Unzell Palmer.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Randy Brooks, Nicholson; ex-wife, Kathleen Dorsey, Gillsville; sisters, Betty Jo Esford, Cleveland, and Louise Savage, Lula; and grandchildren, Ansley Brooks, Carly Brooks and Walker Brooks.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday April 24, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The Revs. Ralph O. Smith and James Duncan will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent online at wardsfh.com.
Ward's Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Lillian Yarber (4-7-13)
CORNELIA - Lillian Lewallen Yarber, 96, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 7, 2013, from Habersham Home East.
She was born in Baldwin on September 3, 1916, the daughter of the late Felton and Ora Hill Lewallen. Mrs. Yarber was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Yarber; daughters, Reba Martin and Jeanette Martin; sisters, Ruth James and Vivian Martin; brother, Vernon Lewallen; and sons-in-law, Vernon Maney and Charles Cross. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was retired from Chicopee Manufacturing Company and was formerly employed with Short Manufacturing Company.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Chris and Joe Walker, Cornelia, and Sharon and Brantley Watkins, Alto; daughters, Ora Maney, Smyrna, and Sarah Cross, Baldwin; son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Phillip Yarber and Janet, Mt. Airy; sisters, Purney Dockery, Palm Coast, Fla., Bunice Smith, Cornelia, and Ramona Hill, Baldwin; brothers, Blakely Lewallen, Soperton and Robert Lewallen, Orlando, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 10, at Grace Baptist Church with the Revs. Phillip Yarber, Gene Todd and Billy Burrell officiating. Interment will follow in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at the funeral home.
Those wishing to express online condolences to the Yarber family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin.
She was born in Baldwin on September 3, 1916, the daughter of the late Felton and Ora Hill Lewallen. Mrs. Yarber was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Yarber; daughters, Reba Martin and Jeanette Martin; sisters, Ruth James and Vivian Martin; brother, Vernon Lewallen; and sons-in-law, Vernon Maney and Charles Cross. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was retired from Chicopee Manufacturing Company and was formerly employed with Short Manufacturing Company.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Chris and Joe Walker, Cornelia, and Sharon and Brantley Watkins, Alto; daughters, Ora Maney, Smyrna, and Sarah Cross, Baldwin; son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Phillip Yarber and Janet, Mt. Airy; sisters, Purney Dockery, Palm Coast, Fla., Bunice Smith, Cornelia, and Ramona Hill, Baldwin; brothers, Blakely Lewallen, Soperton and Robert Lewallen, Orlando, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 10, at Grace Baptist Church with the Revs. Phillip Yarber, Gene Todd and Billy Burrell officiating. Interment will follow in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at the funeral home.
Those wishing to express online condolences to the Yarber family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin.
Roy Merck (4-7-13)
HOMER - Roy Venable Merck, 74, died Sunday, April 7, 2013 at Habersham County Medical Center.
He was born in Commerce, the son of the late Albert and Allene Morris Merck. He was a member of the Homer United Methodist Church and a United States Air Force veteran. He was also the former owner of Maysville Fish House.
Survivors include his wife, Dixie Shubert Merck, Homer; daughters, Ashley Dilbeck and Tanya Fountain, both of Homer; sons, Marcus Merck, Lula, and Fredrick Dilbeck, Homer; brother, Brad Merck, Vidalia; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, at the Homer United Methodist Church with the Rev. James McLendon officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, April 8, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The family has asked that all flowers be omitted and contributions be made to the Homer United Methodist Church.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Commerce, the son of the late Albert and Allene Morris Merck. He was a member of the Homer United Methodist Church and a United States Air Force veteran. He was also the former owner of Maysville Fish House.
Survivors include his wife, Dixie Shubert Merck, Homer; daughters, Ashley Dilbeck and Tanya Fountain, both of Homer; sons, Marcus Merck, Lula, and Fredrick Dilbeck, Homer; brother, Brad Merck, Vidalia; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, at the Homer United Methodist Church with the Rev. James McLendon officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, April 8, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The family has asked that all flowers be omitted and contributions be made to the Homer United Methodist Church.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Martha Tubbs (4-2-13)
TOCCOA - Martha Jenny Kowles Tubbs, 93, died Tuesday, April 2, 2013.
She was a member of Toccoa First Alliance Church, served as a Missionary for 24 years, a pastor's wife for 42 years, and a Sunday School teacher for a number of years.
Survivors include her husband, the Rev. George W. Tubbs; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Nancy Tubbs and Rev. Paul and Edie Tubbs; daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Rev. Steve Van Valkenburg; sister, Regina Moore; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Friday, April 5, at the First Alliance Church of Toccoa with Scott Borderud and the Rev. George Tubbs officiating. Burial will follow at Roselane Cemetery. The body will lie-in-state at the church Friday, April 5, from 12 noon until the funeral. The family will receive friends at Whitlock Mortuary Thursday, April 4, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Homer Alliance Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 367, Homer, GA 30547.
Whitlock Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
www.whitlockmortuary.net
She was a member of Toccoa First Alliance Church, served as a Missionary for 24 years, a pastor's wife for 42 years, and a Sunday School teacher for a number of years.
Survivors include her husband, the Rev. George W. Tubbs; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Nancy Tubbs and Rev. Paul and Edie Tubbs; daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Rev. Steve Van Valkenburg; sister, Regina Moore; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Friday, April 5, at the First Alliance Church of Toccoa with Scott Borderud and the Rev. George Tubbs officiating. Burial will follow at Roselane Cemetery. The body will lie-in-state at the church Friday, April 5, from 12 noon until the funeral. The family will receive friends at Whitlock Mortuary Thursday, April 4, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Homer Alliance Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 367, Homer, GA 30547.
Whitlock Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
www.whitlockmortuary.net
Stacy Lee Jenkins (3-28-13)
MAYSVILLE - Stacy Lee Jenkins, 34, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2013.
He was born in Savannah, the son of Jack Jenkins Sr. and Judy Thigpen Jenkins of Rincon. Mr. Jenkins was the Water Services Manager with the Jackson County Water Authority for several years. He was a member of Grove Level Baptist Church in Maysville. Stacy loved the Lord and loved his family. There was no place he would rather be than with his family camping and boating. Mr. Jenkins was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Lamar and Ruby Murray; maternal grandfather, Rudolph Thigpen; and niece, Ellie Brooke Jenkins.
In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Martha Hope Jenkins, Maysville; children, Maddie and Wyatt Jenkins, Maysville; sisters, Mandi Jenkins, Rincon, and Tammie English, Rincon; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Amy Jenkins, Rincon; maternal grandmother, Betty Jo Thigpen, Rincon, GA and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 30, at 4 p.m. at Grove Level Baptist Church, 1702 Grove Level Rd., Maysville, with the Revs. Jeff Appling, John Wood, and Buddy Thigpen officiating. The family will receive friends at Grove Level preceding the funeral beginning at 1 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at Rincon Baptist Temple, 305 Weisenbaker Rd., Rincon, on Monday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The Revs. Thomas Terry and Joe Springer will be officiating, and the family will receive friends at the church beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Effingham Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Maddie and Wyatt Jenkins College Fund, in care of Regions Bank, P.O. Box 247, Homer, GA 30547, or at any Regions location.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Savannah, the son of Jack Jenkins Sr. and Judy Thigpen Jenkins of Rincon. Mr. Jenkins was the Water Services Manager with the Jackson County Water Authority for several years. He was a member of Grove Level Baptist Church in Maysville. Stacy loved the Lord and loved his family. There was no place he would rather be than with his family camping and boating. Mr. Jenkins was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Lamar and Ruby Murray; maternal grandfather, Rudolph Thigpen; and niece, Ellie Brooke Jenkins.
In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Martha Hope Jenkins, Maysville; children, Maddie and Wyatt Jenkins, Maysville; sisters, Mandi Jenkins, Rincon, and Tammie English, Rincon; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Amy Jenkins, Rincon; maternal grandmother, Betty Jo Thigpen, Rincon, GA and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 30, at 4 p.m. at Grove Level Baptist Church, 1702 Grove Level Rd., Maysville, with the Revs. Jeff Appling, John Wood, and Buddy Thigpen officiating. The family will receive friends at Grove Level preceding the funeral beginning at 1 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at Rincon Baptist Temple, 305 Weisenbaker Rd., Rincon, on Monday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The Revs. Thomas Terry and Joe Springer will be officiating, and the family will receive friends at the church beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Effingham Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Maddie and Wyatt Jenkins College Fund, in care of Regions Bank, P.O. Box 247, Homer, GA 30547, or at any Regions location.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Joel Watkins (3-25-13)
HOMER – Joel Watkins, 52, died Monday, March 25, 2013, at his residence following a brief fight with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 13, 1960, the son of Inez Watkins of Homer and the late Roy Watkins. Joel Watkins was preceded in death by his father, Roy Watkins; and a sister, Janice Watkins.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Cheryl Watkins; children, Renee Streetman, Commerce, Jennifer Sansevirino and son-in-law Brian, Gillsville, Brittany McGlohon and son-in-law Chad, Athens; grandchildren, Adam and Ava Streetman, Collin, Alysia and Lydia Sansevirino, Ella McGlohon; sister, Carol Hulsey; and brothers, David and Keith Watkins.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 27 at 1 p.m. in the Diamond Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Greg Poole officiating. Burial was in Diamond Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
He was born July 13, 1960, the son of Inez Watkins of Homer and the late Roy Watkins. Joel Watkins was preceded in death by his father, Roy Watkins; and a sister, Janice Watkins.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Cheryl Watkins; children, Renee Streetman, Commerce, Jennifer Sansevirino and son-in-law Brian, Gillsville, Brittany McGlohon and son-in-law Chad, Athens; grandchildren, Adam and Ava Streetman, Collin, Alysia and Lydia Sansevirino, Ella McGlohon; sister, Carol Hulsey; and brothers, David and Keith Watkins.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 27 at 1 p.m. in the Diamond Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Greg Poole officiating. Burial was in Diamond Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy