WINDER - Debra Wilson, 54, died Friday, February 3, 2012.
A native of Winder, she was a hairdresser at Headquarters Beauty Salon.
Survivors include her husband, Jerry Wilson, Winder; daughters, Deanna Page and Dana Wilson, both of Winder; parents, Lolen and Edith Metcalf; brothers, Sidney and Doug Metcalf; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, from the Chapel of Carter Funeral Home, with Pastor Charles Reese officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Barrow County
Elmer Joe Hardegree (2-5-12)
WINDER – Elmer Joe Hardegree, 89, died Sunday, February 5, 2012 at his residence.
A native of Barrow County, he was the son of the late James Ernest (Dock) and Mary Elder Hardegree. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a military policeman during World War II. He also worked as a court crier/bailiff for three U.S. District Court Judges – Judge Robert Russell, Judge Neil Andrews and Judge Boyd Sloan, followed by employment as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Mr. Hardegree retired from the Federal Government in 1969 after an appointment by the court and President Lyndon Johnson as United States Marshal of the Northern District of Georgia.
He enjoyed his retirement years on his farm in Barrow County, raising poultry and cattle. He also enjoyed researching his many ancestors through census records, visitation of cemeteries and courthouses and travel to other states for personal interviews. Mr. Hardegree willingly shared his knowledge of genealogy with other researchers and contributed information to publishers of several family histories includig The Harris Family, The Segars Family, The Elder Family, The Wages Family and the Hardegree/Hardigree Family. Mr. and Mrs. Hardegree helped to survey over thirty cemeteries in Barrow County for inclusion in Barrow County Georgia Cemeteries’ book published in 2000. He was a member of Cattlemen’s Association, Barrow County Historical Society, East Georgia Genealogical Society and Chapel Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lema Wages Hardegree; children and spouses, Sue and John Sheats, Barbara and Jim Harwell, James and Sherry Hardegree, all of Winder and Debbie and Steve Johnson, Arnoldsville; eight grandchildren, Reed (Holly Sheats, Rory Sheats, Griffin Sheats, all of Winder, Audrey (Chuck) Neuschafer, Cimarron, Kan., Nathan (Tricia) Harwell, Cumming, Jennifer Hardegree, Beth (Phillip) Bell, all of Winder and Eli Johnson, Arnoldsville; two brothers, Donald (Doris) Hardigree and Jimmy Hardegree; and nine great-grandchildren, Luke and Tate Sheats; Drew, Katie and Sydney Harwell; Emma Neuschafer; Savanah Hardegree; Avery and J.P. Bell and three step-great-grandchildren, Alex, Kaleb and Blake Neuschafer. Mr. Hardegree was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Hardegree Mobley and a great-granddaughter, Sela Mae Sheats.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 8, at Chapel Christian Church, Winder, with the Rev. Jim Stephens conducting the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, at the funeral home.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Chapel Christian Church, 776 Chapel Church Rd., Winder, GA 30680.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Barrow County, he was the son of the late James Ernest (Dock) and Mary Elder Hardegree. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a military policeman during World War II. He also worked as a court crier/bailiff for three U.S. District Court Judges – Judge Robert Russell, Judge Neil Andrews and Judge Boyd Sloan, followed by employment as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Mr. Hardegree retired from the Federal Government in 1969 after an appointment by the court and President Lyndon Johnson as United States Marshal of the Northern District of Georgia.
He enjoyed his retirement years on his farm in Barrow County, raising poultry and cattle. He also enjoyed researching his many ancestors through census records, visitation of cemeteries and courthouses and travel to other states for personal interviews. Mr. Hardegree willingly shared his knowledge of genealogy with other researchers and contributed information to publishers of several family histories includig The Harris Family, The Segars Family, The Elder Family, The Wages Family and the Hardegree/Hardigree Family. Mr. and Mrs. Hardegree helped to survey over thirty cemeteries in Barrow County for inclusion in Barrow County Georgia Cemeteries’ book published in 2000. He was a member of Cattlemen’s Association, Barrow County Historical Society, East Georgia Genealogical Society and Chapel Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lema Wages Hardegree; children and spouses, Sue and John Sheats, Barbara and Jim Harwell, James and Sherry Hardegree, all of Winder and Debbie and Steve Johnson, Arnoldsville; eight grandchildren, Reed (Holly Sheats, Rory Sheats, Griffin Sheats, all of Winder, Audrey (Chuck) Neuschafer, Cimarron, Kan., Nathan (Tricia) Harwell, Cumming, Jennifer Hardegree, Beth (Phillip) Bell, all of Winder and Eli Johnson, Arnoldsville; two brothers, Donald (Doris) Hardigree and Jimmy Hardegree; and nine great-grandchildren, Luke and Tate Sheats; Drew, Katie and Sydney Harwell; Emma Neuschafer; Savanah Hardegree; Avery and J.P. Bell and three step-great-grandchildren, Alex, Kaleb and Blake Neuschafer. Mr. Hardegree was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Hardegree Mobley and a great-granddaughter, Sela Mae Sheats.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 8, at Chapel Christian Church, Winder, with the Rev. Jim Stephens conducting the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, at the funeral home.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Chapel Christian Church, 776 Chapel Church Rd., Winder, GA 30680.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Updated: Marvine Rider (2-3-12)
BOGART – Marvine Rider, 65, died Friday, February 3, 2012.
Born in Dahlonega, she was the daughter of the late Guy and Reba Bryant Rider. She was a member of Beech Haven Baptist Church in Athens. She was a honors graduate of Lumpkin County High School in 1964, attended North Georgia College, transferred to the University of Georgia, completed her bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in 1968 and 1970. She taught high school in Buford from 1970 to 1973, and then moved to Bowling Green, Ky. and completed a master of science in education. She served as the coordinator of orientation for new students at Western Kentucky University from 1975 to 1978. She then moved to the metropolitan D.C. area and was employed for two years at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, then for 23 years at the Library of Congress. She retired in March, 2005.
Survivors include sisters, Arlean Barrett, Dahlonega, and Verba Jean Gilreath, Athens; brother, Larry Rider, Winder; niece, Joan Barrett Greenwalt, Jacksonville, Fla.; and nephews, Stephen, Sean and C.J. Rider, all of Winder.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 5, at 2 p.m. from Smith Funeral Home with the Revs. A.B. Sawyer and Johnny Wright officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, February 4, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Dahlonega, she was the daughter of the late Guy and Reba Bryant Rider. She was a member of Beech Haven Baptist Church in Athens. She was a honors graduate of Lumpkin County High School in 1964, attended North Georgia College, transferred to the University of Georgia, completed her bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in 1968 and 1970. She taught high school in Buford from 1970 to 1973, and then moved to Bowling Green, Ky. and completed a master of science in education. She served as the coordinator of orientation for new students at Western Kentucky University from 1975 to 1978. She then moved to the metropolitan D.C. area and was employed for two years at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, then for 23 years at the Library of Congress. She retired in March, 2005.
Survivors include sisters, Arlean Barrett, Dahlonega, and Verba Jean Gilreath, Athens; brother, Larry Rider, Winder; niece, Joan Barrett Greenwalt, Jacksonville, Fla.; and nephews, Stephen, Sean and C.J. Rider, all of Winder.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 5, at 2 p.m. from Smith Funeral Home with the Revs. A.B. Sawyer and Johnny Wright officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, February 4, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Janis Foster (1-27-12)
LOGANVILLE – Janis Thornton Foster, 61, died Friday, January 27, 2012.
Janis was a very caring and loving Christian wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Snellville and was employed by Akins Ford for over 30 years.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, David Foster; children, Chris and Sarah Foster, Atlanta and Nicole and Brad Barrett, Snellville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Everett and Shirley Thornton and Donald and Lillian Thornton, all of Winder; grandchildren, Davis Foster, Addison Barrett and she was anxiously awaiting the birth of Baby Boy Barrett in June; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 29, in the Snellville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Alton Wilson officiating. Burial was at Barrow Memorial Gardens, Winder.
Donations may be made to Missions at First Baptist Church of Snellville, 2400 Main Street East, Snellville, GA 30078 or Gwinnett County Boys & Girls Club, www.bgcma.org.
Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Snellville, was in charge of arrangements.
Janis was a very caring and loving Christian wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Snellville and was employed by Akins Ford for over 30 years.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, David Foster; children, Chris and Sarah Foster, Atlanta and Nicole and Brad Barrett, Snellville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Everett and Shirley Thornton and Donald and Lillian Thornton, all of Winder; grandchildren, Davis Foster, Addison Barrett and she was anxiously awaiting the birth of Baby Boy Barrett in June; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 29, in the Snellville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Alton Wilson officiating. Burial was at Barrow Memorial Gardens, Winder.
Donations may be made to Missions at First Baptist Church of Snellville, 2400 Main Street East, Snellville, GA 30078 or Gwinnett County Boys & Girls Club, www.bgcma.org.
Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Snellville, was in charge of arrangements.
Walter Pearce (1-25-12)
Walter Ralph Pearce, 93, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at Bell Minor Nursing Home, following an extended illness.
He was born June 8, 1918, the son of the late Walter Beasley and Nellie Pearce. He served two years in the United States Navy prior to a career as a barber. Mr. Pearce was preceded in death by his wife, Ethelene Mildred Pearce; and a son, Walter B. Pearce.
Survivors include a daughter, Joy Dodge, Flowery Branch; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Memorial Park South Funeral, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born June 8, 1918, the son of the late Walter Beasley and Nellie Pearce. He served two years in the United States Navy prior to a career as a barber. Mr. Pearce was preceded in death by his wife, Ethelene Mildred Pearce; and a son, Walter B. Pearce.
Survivors include a daughter, Joy Dodge, Flowery Branch; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Memorial Park South Funeral, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Austin (1-21-12)
WINDER – Mary Frances Austin, 89, died Saturday, January 21, 2012.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of the late Albert E. and Mamie Ophelia Hardegree Flanigan. She was a member of the Winder First Presbyterian Church and was a waitress for many years at the Winder Soda Grill. Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Julie McGraw; two brothers and a sister, Hubert Flanigan, Randolph Wallace and Lois Gaffney.
Survivors include a son, Larry Haynes, Winder; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and W.F. Shaw, Hoschton, Kay and Paul Jones, Goose Creek, S.C.; grandchildren, Christopher Jones and Tammy Shedd; a sister and brother-in-law, Nell and Ernest Collins, Winder; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 24, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Brock Burnett officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Christian Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Winder First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 549, Winder, GA 30680.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Winder, she was the daughter of the late Albert E. and Mamie Ophelia Hardegree Flanigan. She was a member of the Winder First Presbyterian Church and was a waitress for many years at the Winder Soda Grill. Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Julie McGraw; two brothers and a sister, Hubert Flanigan, Randolph Wallace and Lois Gaffney.
Survivors include a son, Larry Haynes, Winder; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and W.F. Shaw, Hoschton, Kay and Paul Jones, Goose Creek, S.C.; grandchildren, Christopher Jones and Tammy Shedd; a sister and brother-in-law, Nell and Ernest Collins, Winder; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 24, at 11 a.m., from Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Brock Burnett officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Christian Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Winder First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 549, Winder, GA 30680.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Jimmy Blankenship (1-22-12)
FLOWERY BRANCH - Jimmy L. Blankenship, 61, died Sunday, January 22, 2012, following a sudden illness.
He was born May 28, 1950, the son of Gloria Blankenship of Flowery Branch and the late Bennett Jefferson Blankenship. He attended Chicopee Baptist Church. Mr. Blankenship was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Bennett Blankenship; and grandson, Jeffrey Blankenship.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include a son, Jeff Blankenship, Greenville, S.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Don Collins, Orlando, Fla.; brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Jane Blankenship, Orlando, Fla.; sister and brother-in-law, Benna and Keith Mangum, Flowery Branch; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, from the Chapel of Memorial Park South Funeral Home with entombment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery. Pastors Dean Blankenship and Jonathan Sosebee will officiate. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m., Thursday, January 26.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born May 28, 1950, the son of Gloria Blankenship of Flowery Branch and the late Bennett Jefferson Blankenship. He attended Chicopee Baptist Church. Mr. Blankenship was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Bennett Blankenship; and grandson, Jeffrey Blankenship.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include a son, Jeff Blankenship, Greenville, S.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Don Collins, Orlando, Fla.; brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Jane Blankenship, Orlando, Fla.; sister and brother-in-law, Benna and Keith Mangum, Flowery Branch; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, from the Chapel of Memorial Park South Funeral Home with entombment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery. Pastors Dean Blankenship and Jonathan Sosebee will officiate. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m., Thursday, January 26.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Steven LeBlanc (1-5-12)
Steven John LeBlanc, 51, died Thursday, January 5, 2012.
He was born in Waterbury, Conn., the son of Richard Joseph LeBlanc, Sr. and the late Sandra Mae LeBlanc. Steve, also locally known as "Mr. Fix It", was in the construction and remodeling business. He never met a stranger and everyone he worked for loved him and gave him great referrals. He was an avid fisherman and rock collector and loved the outdoors. Often if a lake he was fishing had rocks around it, he was torn between looking for rocks and catching fish.
Steve was preceded in death by a brother, Timothy J. LeBlanc.
Survivors in addition to his father, include his wife, Sheryl LeBlanc, Jefferson; a brother Richard J. LeBlanc, Jr.; in-laws, Billy J. and Sue Wall, Winder; and many friends.
Memorial services will be held at Lawson Funeral Home in Hoschton on Thursday, January 26, at 7 p.m. and at the First Baptist Church of Winder on Saturday, January 28, at 2 p.m.
Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born in Waterbury, Conn., the son of Richard Joseph LeBlanc, Sr. and the late Sandra Mae LeBlanc. Steve, also locally known as "Mr. Fix It", was in the construction and remodeling business. He never met a stranger and everyone he worked for loved him and gave him great referrals. He was an avid fisherman and rock collector and loved the outdoors. Often if a lake he was fishing had rocks around it, he was torn between looking for rocks and catching fish.
Steve was preceded in death by a brother, Timothy J. LeBlanc.
Survivors in addition to his father, include his wife, Sheryl LeBlanc, Jefferson; a brother Richard J. LeBlanc, Jr.; in-laws, Billy J. and Sue Wall, Winder; and many friends.
Memorial services will be held at Lawson Funeral Home in Hoschton on Thursday, January 26, at 7 p.m. and at the First Baptist Church of Winder on Saturday, January 28, at 2 p.m.
Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton, is in charge of arrangements.
Wayne Roberts (1-15-12)
OAKWOOD - Wayne M. Roberts, 69, died Sunday, January 15, 2012 following a brief illness at Southeast Georgia Health System.
He was born December 8, 1942, the son of the late Herschel and Veona Roberts. Wayne was a member of Cornerstone Assembly of God, where he was also the Maintenance Director following his retirement in 2002 from Savannah River Site. Mr. Roberts also participated in the Thursday Morning Prayer Group and in the Hall County Jail Ministry.
Survivors include his wife of 18 1/2 years, Marie Locke Roberts; son, David Roberts, Aiken, S.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Peter Ebenhack, Westminster, S.C.; stepdaughters, Lisa Thompson, Buckhead, and Cindy Shepherd, Flowery Branch; brothers, Ronald Roberts, Augusta, Gerald Roberts, Augusta, and Billy Roberts, Lawrenceville; sisters, JoAnn Dowds, Augusta, Carolyn Mason, Augusta, and Brenda Frommer, Aiken, S.C.; grandchildren, Brett Shepherd, Sarah Ebenhack and Elias Ebenhack; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 19, from the chapel of Memorial Park South Funeral Home. Pastors Steve Stewart and Jeff Lovell will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.
The family will also receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 19, at Poteet Funeral Home, 3465 Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta, Georgia. Graveside services will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 20, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Augusta with the Rev. Roland Smith officiating.
Flowers will be accepted, as well as donations to The American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067; Cornerstone Assembly of God, 3622 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch, GA 30542; and Epworth By the Sea, 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons, GA 31522.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born December 8, 1942, the son of the late Herschel and Veona Roberts. Wayne was a member of Cornerstone Assembly of God, where he was also the Maintenance Director following his retirement in 2002 from Savannah River Site. Mr. Roberts also participated in the Thursday Morning Prayer Group and in the Hall County Jail Ministry.
Survivors include his wife of 18 1/2 years, Marie Locke Roberts; son, David Roberts, Aiken, S.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Peter Ebenhack, Westminster, S.C.; stepdaughters, Lisa Thompson, Buckhead, and Cindy Shepherd, Flowery Branch; brothers, Ronald Roberts, Augusta, Gerald Roberts, Augusta, and Billy Roberts, Lawrenceville; sisters, JoAnn Dowds, Augusta, Carolyn Mason, Augusta, and Brenda Frommer, Aiken, S.C.; grandchildren, Brett Shepherd, Sarah Ebenhack and Elias Ebenhack; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 19, from the chapel of Memorial Park South Funeral Home. Pastors Steve Stewart and Jeff Lovell will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.
The family will also receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 19, at Poteet Funeral Home, 3465 Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta, Georgia. Graveside services will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 20, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Augusta with the Rev. Roland Smith officiating.
Flowers will be accepted, as well as donations to The American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067; Cornerstone Assembly of God, 3622 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch, GA 30542; and Epworth By the Sea, 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons, GA 31522.
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.
Johnsie McIntyre (1-13-12)
WINDER - Johnsie Lee McIntyre, 80, died Friday, January 13, 2012.
Born in Shackrag, she was the daughter of the late J. B. and Mamie Smith. She was a member of the Bold Springs United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Robert McIntyre, Winder; son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Regina McIntyre, Winder; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy McIntyre Reynolds and Steve Peppers; grandchildren, Brooke and Brittany McIntyre; and Tripp and Katie Reynolds; and two great-grandchildren, Jeremy and Issac Reynolds.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Frank Brock officiating. Buriel was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Hospice, 1660 Jennings Mill Rd., Bogart, Georgia 30622.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of the arrangements.
Born in Shackrag, she was the daughter of the late J. B. and Mamie Smith. She was a member of the Bold Springs United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Robert McIntyre, Winder; son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Regina McIntyre, Winder; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy McIntyre Reynolds and Steve Peppers; grandchildren, Brooke and Brittany McIntyre; and Tripp and Katie Reynolds; and two great-grandchildren, Jeremy and Issac Reynolds.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Frank Brock officiating. Buriel was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Hospice, 1660 Jennings Mill Rd., Bogart, Georgia 30622.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of the arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy