MainStreetNewsObits

The Braselton community sadly lost a dear friend, Dana Wilfred Dow, 81, on Feb. 14, 2019, following a long illness.
Dana was one of four sons of Wallace and Annie Trafton Dow of Mapleton, Maine. After graduation from Mapleton High School in 1955, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s in Business from Husson College in Bangor, Maine.
Dana met his wife of 53 years, Jo Ann Cascio, in 1964 while they worked at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. Following his service in the U.S. Army, Dana's entire work life was spent in the retail credit field with Equifax, formerly the Retail Credit Corporation.
He held a number of sales and management positions in Washington, Philadelphia, Albany, New York City, and Columbia, S.C. In 1985, he was called to corporate headquarters in Atlanta where he served as VP-Decision Power Services and VP-System Affiliate Services.
He was a director of both the International Credit Association and Society of Certified Credit Executives. He also was honored with the Award of Excellence from Husson College where he was a member of the varsity basketball squad.
Dana was very active as a volunteer in the several communities where he and his family put down roots. He was an avid amateur basketball player until the age of 60 and participated in four events in the National Senior Olympics. He was always looking for a good game of poker or billiards with his neighbors, and had a front row seat at his grandchildren’s activities.
After retirement, he and wife Jo Ann were involved in the development of land in the Braselton area.
Dana is lovingly remembered by his wife, Jo Ann; daughter, Debi Huckaby (Clay); their children, Ben, Carter, and Henry; his daughter, Robin Dow-Washington (Damani) and their children, Zaylan, Covin and Carmela; brothers, Duane and Larry (Barbara). Dana was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald (Donna). He will be forever remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Memorial service: Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church, 1450 Pine Rd., Dacula.
Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131 in memory of Dana Dow or the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltsburg Road, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15239 in honor of his granddaughter, Carmela.
In charge of arrangements: Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkinsville. www.lordandstephens.com

Blanche Leonia Porterfield Fortson, 90, of Danielsville, passed away on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019 at Northridge Medical Center in Commerce.
Mrs. Fortson was born on August 30, 1928 in Danielsville, daughter of the late Iva Lee Porterfield Long. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Curtis Fortson and son, Curtis Wayne Fortson.
Survivors include sons, Larry Fortson (Connie), David Fortson (Barbie), both of Danielsville, Ricky Fortson (Becky) of Scottsboro, Ala; daughters, Deborah Dove (Ronnie) of Comer, and Cheryl Fortson of Athens; grandchildren, Todd Fortson, Kelly Tomasie, Crystal Rolley, Alex Roncadori, Ty Roncadori, Chase Roncadori, Anthony Fortson and Beth Ingram.
Funeral services: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at 2 p.m. in the Pruitt Funeral Home with the Rev. Greg Gilliam officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethel M Baptist Church.
Visitation: Family to receive friends at Pruitt Funeral Home on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 6-8 p.m.
The family is at 155 Old Royston Rd., Danielsville.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Northridge Nursing facility.
Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pruittfhroyston.com.
In charge of arrangements: Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston.

Taurus Antonio Carruth, 43, of Commerce, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2019 at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Mr. Carruth was born in Commerce to Jerry Carruth of Commerce and Peggy Bailey Carruth of Arcade. He was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church and was employed with Diana Foods.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Carruth is survived by his fiancé, Christa McConnell of Commerce; daughter, Kyla Carruth of Commerce; sister, Taffy Carruth of Atlanta; and brothers, Trimane Carruth of Winder, Dexter Wood of Commerce and Rod Jarrells of Athens.
Funeral services: Saturday, February 23, at 1 p.m. at Galilee Christian Church with Minister Kathy Borders, Pastor Jeff B. Chandler and the Rev. Ellis Rucker officiating. Interment to follow in Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation: Family to receive friends at the funeral home Friday, Feb. 22, from 5-8 p.m.
In charge of arrangements: Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce.

Randy Adams, 50, of Statham, passed into eternity Feb. 16, 2019. Randy was born October 29, 1968 to Randall “Buck” Adams and the late Jackie Steed Adams. He had resided in Barrow County for all of his life and was a 1988 Graduate of Winder-Barrow High School. Randy was an employee of the Barrow County Water Authority and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
Surviving are wife, Patricia Turner Adams; daughter, Taylor Ann Adams both of Statham; father and stepmother, Buck and Rita Adams of Winder; step-siblings, Kim and Andy Dyer of Monroe, Mary and Larry Harrison and their children of Hay Market, Va.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Gloria Turner and Bobby “Shoats” Doster, of Stephens; and good friend, Jerry “Buck” Wheeler of Winder.
Visitation: Family to receive friends Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, from 12-2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral Service: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Johnny Wright officiating.
Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to The American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Boulevard Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813.
In charge of arrangements: Carter Funeral Home of Winder. Online condolences may be expressed at www.carterfhwinder.com.

Bobby K. Wilbanks, 76, of Hoschton, formerly of Homer, passed away on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, following an extended illness.
Born in Toccoa on April 11, 1942, he was a son of the late Martin Estes Wilbanks and Ruby Freeman Wilbanks. Bobby started his working career with Coats of America and retired after many years of poultry farming with Fieldale Farms Corporation. He enjoyed fishing, family, his church and football. Bobby was a deacon and member of Line Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Alice Faye Caudell Wilbanks.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Alicia and Jason Graves of Hoschton; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Jean Wilbanks; sisters and brothers-in-law, Brenda and Dale Jones, Doris and Jimmy Whiten, all of Toccoa; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth McEntire officiating. Interment to follow in Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation: Family to receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 5-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Line Baptist Church Awana Program, c/o Lisa Williams –Treasurer, 245 Todd Weaver Rd., Alto, Georgia 30510.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com
In charge of arrangements: McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706-778-8668).

Reathel Whelchel Allison, 96, died at her home in Winder on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019.
She was born on January 25, 1923, in Leo (White County). She grew up in Gainesville, where she met and married Homer Allison. They moved to Winder in 1956, where she helped organize Girl Scout Troops and was employed by the Barrow County School System until retirement. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.
She was a dedicated church member who volunteered countless hours at the Winder First United Methodist Church youth pumpkin patch.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Homer Allison; parents, Johnnie May Meaders Whelchel and Robert E. Whelchel; sister, Mary Lockhart; brother, Kary E. Whelchel, and many others whose memories were held near in her heart.
She is survived by her daughters, Jane Blount (David), Judy Turnbull (Jerry), Teeny Allison, and Amy Hagin (Jay); three granddaughters, Kacy Bowman (John), Leigh White (Steve), and Lauren Bellew (Jason); and grandsons, Davy Blount, Boone Garmon, Marshall Hagin, and Brad Hagin; three great-granddaughters, Shea, Abigail, and Kathleen White; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service to honor and celebrate the life of Mrs. Reathel Whelchel Allison: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Winder First United Methodist Church with Mr. Todd McCain and the Rev. Calvin Haney officiating. Mrs. Allison will lie in state in the sanctuary of the church from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.  Burial to follow the service at Barrow Memorial Gardens, Winder.
Visitation: Family to receive friends on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, from 5-8 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home.
Entrusted with arrangements: Smith Funeral Home, Winder.

Marjorie (Marge) Helen Scott Demery, 82, of Jefferson, passed away on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019. Marge was born in Matawan Township, N.J., on September 25, 1936, the fifth and youngest child of the late William Scott and Henrietta Conk Scott. Marge graduated from Matawan High School in 1954.  In 1974, she relocated to Dunwoody, and in 2006 settled in Jefferson. Marge was retired from Bank of America where she was Assistant Vice President.
Survivors include her daughters, Iris Mullins and her husband Jim of Stone Mountain, Maryanne Waddell and her husband Neal of Cleveland; son, Ronald Demery of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Cameron Demery of Raleigh, N.C., and John Waddell of Cleveland, also survive.
Marge was an avid bird watcher and had a passion for gardening and trips to the beach.  She also loved her Georgia Bulldogs and until 2012 regularly attended football games in Athens.
According to her wishes, her body was cremated and there will be no public service. At a later date, her family will have a small private gathering to spread her ashes.
The Lord said to Marge “Do not be afraid, I am with you.  I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.”
In charge of arrangements: Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Hwy., Jefferson. 706-367-5467.
Online condolences may be shared at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com.