Habersham County Obituaries
March 2003
Ballew, Charles Travis
CLEVELAND - Funeral services for Charles Travis Ballew, 65, of Sautee-Nacoochee,
were held at 2 p.m. Thursday at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold
Gaines officiating. Burial followed in Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Ballew died Monday, March 10, 2003, at his home following injuries sustained
in a bulldozer accident. Mr. Ballew was born in Fairmount, the son of the
late Mr. and Mrs. Oliver C. Ballew of Marietta. He was a veteran, serving in the
United States Navy. He was the owner of Yonah Pawn and Music Store and attended
New Hope Baptist Church, Cornelia. He is survived by his wife, Linda
Hulsey Ballew of Sautee-Nacoochee; son, Mickiel Ballew of Acworth; daughters,
Rebecca Chastain of Cartersville, Lea Poth of White; stepdaughters, Julie
Garrett, Rachael Meggitt, Anita Allison and Amy Cantrell, all of Cleveland;
stepson, Wayne McKinney of Cleveland; grandson, Christopher Chastain of
Cartersville; brothers, Lanier Ballew and Neal Ballew, both of Carrollton;
sisters, Virginia Greene of Marietta, Vera Jo Warren of Smyrna and Elizabeth
Williams of Powder Springs; and 11 step grandchildren. Barrett Funeral
Home, Cleveland, was in charge of arrangements.
Blalock, Harold Thomas
Funeral services for Harold Thomas Blalock, 80, of Helen will be held at 2
p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Helen First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Holmes
officiating. Burial will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens. Mr. Blalock
died Wednesday, March 12, 2003. Born on June 7, 1922, in Fulton County, he
was the son of the late Luther and Nellie Bailey Blalock. He was a U.S. Army
veteran of World War II, serving in China, Central Burma and India. He was
also a retired salesman for Raley Brothers Food Brokers, with 33 years of
service. He was a member of Helen First Baptist Church. Survivors include his
wife, Martha Jo Blalock of Helen; two daughters, Susan Blalock of Rex and Jean
Rogers of Mt. Airy, Md.; sister, Mary Blalock of Atlanta; one grandchild, Seth
Rogers of Mt. Airy, Md. The family will receive friends at Whitfield Funeral
Home, North Chapel, in Demorest from 6-9 p.m. today, March 14. The body
will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Memorials
may be made to Helen First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 626, Helen, GA 30545.
Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, is in charge of arrangements.
Brooks, John Doyle
Memorial services for John Doyle Brooks, 74, of Baldwin, will be held at 2
p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Tates Creek Baptist Church. The Rev. Jerrell Beatty
will officiate. Mr. Brooks died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at his
residence following a sudden illness. Born in Jefferson County, Ala., on
June 21, 1928, he was the son of the late John W. and Effie McCormack Brooks. He
was a graduate of Corner High School and was a retired truck driver with the
U.S. Postal Service with 20 years of service. Mr. Brooks was a member of Tates
Creek Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy A. Brooks of
Baldwin; sons, Gary D. Brooks of Vienna, Va., Steven D. Brooks of Atlanta;
sisters, Louise DePalma of Brockton, Mass., Martha McCurry of Warrior, Ala.; and
brother, Jimmy Brooks of Warrior, Ala. Memorials may be made to Tates
Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 4258 Highway 184, Toccoa, GA 30577.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Bruce, Maggie
Funeral arrangements for Maggie Bruce, 82, of Maysville are incomplete at
this time. Mrs. Bruce died Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at a private nursing
home. Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of
arrangements.
Cathey, Robert H. Jr.
Graveside services for Robert H. Cathey Jr., 80, of Clarkesville, were held
at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Clarkesville Memorial Cemetery. Claude Hall
officiated. Mr. Cathey died Monday, March 10, 2003, at his residence
following a brief illness. Born in Habersham County on Nov. 5, 1922, he
was the son of the late Robert H. Sr. and Annie Dover Cathey. He was a retired
carpenter and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville.
Survivors include his wife, Olean Franklin Cathey of Clarkesville; daughter,
Mary Jane Cathey of Nicholson; daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Kent Murray of
Cornelia; brother, Odell Cathey of Clarkesville; sisters, Mary Anderson of
Lilburn, Louise Dover of Mt. Airy, Sally Rayner of Clarkesville, Virginia Carter
of Clarkesville; grandchildren, Lynn Carpenter, Rebecca Parham, Lisa Wilson,
Lori Watts, Mike Martin Jr., Philip Murray, Deanne Belford; four
great-grandchildren; and a very dear friend, Floyd Barron. Hillside
Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Chastain, Lessie Mae Shirley
Funeral services for Lessie Mae Shirley Chastain, 93, of Cornelia, were held
at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Hillside Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Tom Gragg
officiated, with burial in Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery,
Turnerville. Mrs. Chastain died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at Habersham
County Medical Center following an extended illness. Born in Habersham
County on May 20, 1909, she was the daughter of the late Sebastian Cabot and
Eliza Jane Dover Shirley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Verlin
Chastain; and son, Bill Chastain. Mrs. Chastain was a homemaker and a
member of Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church. Survivors include her
granddaughter, Jane Chastain DeMore of Baldwin; great-granddaughter, Ginger
DeMore of Baldwin; great-grandson and great-granddaughter, Trent and Tracy
DeMore of Mt. Airy; great-great-granddaughters, Peyton LeeAnn Wall and Anna Mae
DeMore; and three nieces. Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, was in
charge of arrangements.
Church, Marler Garrison
Funeral services for Marler Garrison Church, 87, of Clarkesville were held
at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, in the chapel of Church and Son Funeral Home.
The Rev. Furman Lewis and the Rev. David B. Turner officiated, with burial in
the family lot in Clarkesville Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Church died Monday,
March 10, 2003, at his residence in Habersham Terrace West. Born on Dec.
28, 1915, he was the son of the late Cornelius E. and Callie Hames Church. He
served in the U.S. Army, was very active in the Order of the Eastern Star, was a
32nd degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason, was a member of the Yaarab Shrine Temple
and was an Emeritus member of Clarkesville Masonic Lodge No. 325. Mr. Church was
a member of Clarkesville Baptist Church, where he served as treasurer and Sunday
school teacher for many years. He was a volunteer for the American Red Cross.
Mr. Church worked in the family appliance store and service station. His father
started the Church Funeral Home in the 1930s in the upstairs of the family
store. Mr. Church was a 1939 graduate of Gupton Jones School of Embalming
in Nashville, Tenn.; he received an AA grade on his state board exam in Georgia,
and was past president of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia. In
1939, Mr. Church joined his father in the funeral home. In 1950, the Church and
Son Funeral Home was constructed as the first funeral home outside of Atlanta to
be built as a funeral home from the ground up. Mr. Church and his father ran the
funeral home until the death of his father, Cornelius E. Church, in 1955.
Mr. Church continued operating the funeral home until February 2001, when his
health began to fail. He then moved to Habersham Terrace West. The funeral home
has been under the direction of Stanley H. Powell since then. Church and Son
Funeral Home is the oldest funeral home in Habersham County. Mr. Church
was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Loggins Church; sister and
brother-in-law, Tom and Fannie Head; and nephew, Edward Head. Survivors
include his nephew and wife, Paul and Tammy Head of Amelia Island, Fla.; and
beloved friend and former employee who has served as his administrator for the
past three years, W. M. Gilbert and his wife, Patsy, of Lavonia. Mr. Gilbert
referred to Mr. Church fondly as “Pappy,” and had a special friendship that
spanned more than 50 years. Memorials may be made to Children’s Health
Care Foundation of Atlanta, formerly Scottish Rite Hospital, 1001 Johnson Ferry
Rd. N.E., Atlanta, GA. Church and Son Funeral Home, Clarkesville, was in
charge of arrangements.
Crawford, Laura Davis
Funeral services for Laura Davis Crawford, 90, of Toccoa, will be held at 1
p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Hillcrest Chapel of the Acree-Davis Funeral
Home. The Rev. Claude Smithmier, the Rev. Ryan Seawright and the Rev. Jim Bocian
officiating. Burial will follow in Stephens Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Jack
Lamb officiating at graveside. Mrs. Crawford died Monday, March 17, 2003,
at Stephens County Hospital. Born May 23, 1912, in Franklin County, she
was a daughter of the late Walter Grey and Sue E. Ledbetter Davis. She lived
most of her life in Stephens County, was a homemaker and was a member of First
United Methodist Church in Toccoa. She was an honorary member of the Horti-Floral
Garden Club and was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde C. Crawford, and a
daughter, Mary C. Charles. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law,
Virginia and Jack Smith of Toccoa; daughter, Sherry Pitts of Baldwin;
son-in-law, Byard Charles of Toccoa; six grandchildren, Kerri Hogsed, Jacki
Smith, Traci Stephens, Matt Charles, Amanda Queen and John Pitts; 10
great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. The family will receive
friends at Acree-Davis Funeral Home today, March 18, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 429 E. Tugalo St.,
Toccoa, GA 30577. Acree-Davis Funeral Home, Toccoa, is in charge of
arrangements.
Crosby, Carrine Purcell
Graveside services for Carrine Purcell Crosby, 77, of Jacksonville, Fla.,
were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, Fla.
The Rev. Braxton Hunter and the Rev. Alvin Polland officiated. Mrs. Crosby
died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.,
following a brief illness. Born in the Broad River community of Banks
County, she graduated from Baldwin High School in 1943. Some years later the
family moved to Baxley in south Georgia. Mrs. Crosby was a homemaker, a member
of Lake Forest Baptist Church and a volunteer at Riverview Senior Center. She
was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Darris W. Crosby; parents,
Hancel and Hattie Purcell of Baxley; and sister, Estelle Purcell Kesler of
Baxley. Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, Fla., was in charge of
arrangements.
Gregory, Mary Edna Corn Turpin
Funeral services for Mary Edna Corn Turpin Gregory, 78, of Demorest will be
held at 2 p.m. today, March 7, at Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home,
Cleveland. The Rev. Jamie Smith will officiate, with burial in Alta Vista
Cemetery, Gainesville. Mrs. Gregory died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at her
daughter’s residence following an extended illness. Born in Hall County on
Dec. 26, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Edd and Mary Corn of the
Gainesville Mill area. She was preceded in death by her brother, Vernon Corn;
and son, C. W. Bill Corn. Mrs. Gregory was a homemaker in Habersham County
with her beloved husband, the late James Ray Turpin of Rabun County, a wonderful
man of God. After her marriage to Fred Gregory, she continued to be a blessing
to many hearts. Survivors include her husband, Fred Gregory of Demorest;
daughters, Marsha Sims of Demorest, Rosemary T. Dixon of Clayton;
daughter-in-law, Judy Turpin of Jasper; grandchildren, Dale, Donnie and Donna
Dixon, Clint, Kevin and Gina Turpin; six great-grandchildren; a number of nieces
and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Center of
Atlanta, The Pallisades Building, 3200 Downwood Circle, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA
30327; or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454;
or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Inc., 1250 Hylan Blvd., Suite
4B, Staten Island, NY 10305-1946. Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home,
Cleveland, is in charge of arrangements.
Hall, Wilma B.
Funeral services for Wilma B. Hall, 66, of Clarkesville, will be held at 11
a.m. Saturday, March 8, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel. The Rev. Byron
McEachern will officiate, with burial in Yonah Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Hall
died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at Joan Glancy Hospital following an extended
illness. Born in Boyd County, Ky., on May 17, 1936, she was the daughter
of the late Owen Riffe and Lucy Doyle. She was preceded in death by her sister,
Gladys Sloan; and brother, Earl Riffe. Mrs. Hall was retired from Bell South and
was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include her husband, James O. Hall of
Clarkesville; daughters, Denise Hunt of Auburn, Jerri L. McIlwain of Dacula;
son, James O. Hall Jr. of Duluth; sisters, Betty Grant of Cocoa Beach, Fla.,
Virginia Frazier Wilson of Lincoln, Ind., Nola M. Oren of Clarkesville; and
three grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today,
March 7, at the funeral home. Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel,
Demorest, is in charge of arrangements.
Head, Tom
Funeral services for Tom Head, 82, of Clarkesville were held at 11 a.m.
Thursday, March 6, at the Cornelius E. Church Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. The
Rev. David B. Turner officiated, with burial in the family lot of Clarkesville
Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Head died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at
Banks-Jackson-Commerce Hospital, Commerce. Born in Clermont, he was a
veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. For his service, he received
the EAMET Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and Purple Heart.
Mr. Head was a resident of Clarkesville for more than 60 years, where he and his
late wife, Fannie Church Head, owned and operated Clarkesville Furniture Company
and Custom Corner Ceramics. He was a former member of the Clarkesville Housing
Authority and the Clarkesville Industrial Authority for a number of years.
He was a member of Clarkesville Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for
many years, was a former music director, choir member and was called upon to do
a great deal of musical solos over the years. He was a former member of the
board of trustees and was a former assistant organist. Mr. Head was a highly
respected licensed funeral director in Georgia and was associated for a number
of years with Church and Son Funeral Home. In addition to his wife, Mr. Head was
preceded in death by his son, Edward Head. Survivors include his son and
daughter-in-law, Paul and Tammy Head of Amelia Island, Fla.; sisters, Hazel Ann
DeLong, Sally Usher and Nellie Belle Nix, all of Clermont; grandchildren,
Matthew Head, Lacey Head and Michele Head, all of Athens; several nieces,
nephews and a host of friends. Memorials may be made to Clarkesville
Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 667, Clarkesville, GA 30523.
Stanley H. Powell and the Cornelius E. Church and Son Funeral Home,
Clarkesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Hernandez, Delores Rabon ‘Nanu’
Memorial services for Delores Rabon “Nanu” Hernandez, 71, of Baldwin, were
held at 4 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel. The
Rev. Pendleton Brown, Charles Honea and Gordon van der Noord officiated.
Mrs. Hernandez died Thursday, March 13, 2003, at the Banks-Jackson-Commerce
Medical Center from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born in
Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 20, 1931, she was raised in Florida, moving to Fulton
County for 29 years before moving to Banks County in 1986. Mrs. Hernandez was
retired from the Fulton County Board of Education as a bus driver with 21 years
of service. She was retired from Sears with 27 years of service. Mrs. Hernandez
was an employee at the Banks County Senior Citizens Center, where she worked
with Legacy Link. She was a member of Free Chapel Worship Center. Mrs.
Hernandez was preceded in death by her father, Henry Williams; mother, Johnnie
D. Crane; and husband, Sam Hernandez. Survivors include her daughter and
son-in-law, Rasene and Ken Pickle of Toccoa; daughters, Samantha Miller of
Baldwin, Carlette Skiver of Mableton; grandchildren, Jerome Morgan, Ashley
Morgan, Raybon Miller, Della Miller, Lee Mac Catoe, Shawn Catoe, Johnathon May,
Nick Pickle, Shannon Pickle; three great-granddaughters; and many other family
members and special friends. Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel,
Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements
Hulsey, Linda Grace
CLEVELAND – Funeral services for Linda Grace Hulsey, 55, of Cleveland, will
be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral
Home. The Rev. Chris Anderson and John Anderson will officiate, with burial in
Gateway Memory Park. Mrs. Hulsey died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at
Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Born in White County, she was a lifelong
resident. Mrs. Hulsey was a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church and attended
White County schools. She was preceded in death by her father, Lester Anderson.
Survivors include her husband, Rondal Hulsey of Cleveland; daughters and
sons-in-law, Matilda and Adrian Hall of Clermont, Lynn and Elgin Westmoreland of
Helen; mother, Hazel Anderson of Cleveland; brothers and sisters-in-law, Melvin
and Brenda Anderson of Alto, Royce and Susan Anderson of Dahlonega, Kenneth and
Margaret Anderson of Cleveland; son, Nekurvis Anderson of Cleveland; sisters and
brothers-in-law, Mardelle and Delmar White of Dahlonega, Teresa and Harve
Johnson of Cleveland; grandchildren, Austin Thomas, Mason Westmoreland, Mandy
Hall, Matthew Hall; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150
Limestone Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501. The family will receive friends
from noon-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today, March 14, at the funeral home.
Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home, Cleveland, is in charge of
arrangements.
Lynch, Louise Baugh Free
Funeral services for Louise Baugh Free Lynch, 101, of Lula, were held at 4
p.m. Friday, March 14, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel. The Rev. Scott
Ledbetter officiated, with burial in Whitehall Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Lynch died Thursday, March 13, 2003, at a private nursing home. Born
in Hall County on Sept. 23, 1901, she was a homemaker and the oldest member of
Whitehall Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Willie Free
and Arthur Lynch; daughter, Lillie Mae Campbell; son, Donald Free; and brothers,
Ernest Baugh, Julian Baugh, Hedley Baugh and Wiley Baugh. Survivors
include her stepdaughter, Rudene Turner of Carrollton; daughter-in-law,
Geraldine Free of Lula; stepsons, Lamar Lynch of Dahlonega, Jarrell Lynch of
Dover, NH, and Lafayette Lynch of Lula; sisters, Viola Bates and Elsie Wilson,
both of Lula; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two
great-great-grandchildren. Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin,
was in charge of arrangements.
Mangum, Gladys ‘Dell’
Funeral services for Gladys “Dell” Mangum, 74, of Gainesville, will be held
at 11 a.m. today, March 14, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel. The Rev.
Sanford Kimbrell will officiate, with burial in Oak Grove Baptist Church
Cemetery, Gainesville. Mrs. Mangum died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at her
residence following an extended illness. Born in Floyd County on April 8,
1928, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Lydia Watkins McDougald and
was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Mangum. She was a homemaker and a
member of Sugar Hill Baptist Church, Gainesville. Survivors include her
daughters, Juanita Dyer and Sandra Ivie, both of Gainesville; sons, Gilbert Lee
Mangum of Gainesville, Chris Marvin Mangum of Habersham Mills; sister, Betty
Jean Humphries of Gainesville; brother, Joseph William McDougald of Commerce;
eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Whitfield Funeral
Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Owenby, Ethel Davis
Funeral services for Ethel Davis Owenby, 72, of Mt. Airy, will be held at
2:30 p.m. today, March 18, at Hazel Creek Baptist Church. The Rev. Trent Smith
and the Rev. Billy Burrell will officiate. Burial will follow in the church
cemetery, with Dr. B. V. Franklin officiating at graveside. Mrs. Owenby died
Sunday, March 16, 2003, at Stephens County Hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Habersham County on Nov. 4, 1930, she was the daughter of the late
Dorsey D. and Georgey Roberts Davis. She was a homemaker, a seamstress, an avid
gardener and camper. Mrs. Owenby was a member of the Golden Apple Club at
Community Bank & Trust. She was a member of Hazel Creek Baptist Church, where
she was active in the men and ladies Sunday school class. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Thomas Clyde Owenby; and brothers, Earl W. Davis and Perry
L. Davis. Survivors include her daughter, Shirlean Smith of Martin; son, Thomas
Lee Owenby Jr. of Mt. Airy; brothers, Glen C. Davis and Kermit B. Davis, both of
Mt. Airy; sisters, Gladys D. Pitts, Pauline Underwood, Juanita Lovell, Agnes
Moore and Mildred Stephens, all of Mt. Airy, Elane Echols of Alto, Anna Quillen
of Romulus, Mich.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. McGahee-Griffin
& Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Palmer, Chester
Funeral services for Chester Palmer, 80, of Demorest, were held at 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 16, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home. The
Rev. David Nix, the Rev. Brian James, the Rev. Connie Berry and the Rev. John
Humphries officiated, with burial in Yonah Memorial Gardens. Full military
honors were provided by Rabun County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 and
the Habersham County American Legion Post 84. Mr. Palmer died Friday,
March 14, 2003, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a brief illness.
Born in Habersham County on June 1, 1922, he was the son of the late Wiley
Robert and Frances Effie Herring Palmer. He was a U.S. Army veteran having
served in World War II and was a recipient of three Bronze Stars. Mr.
Palmer was employed with the state of Georgia for 20 years and was an avid
fisherman. He was a charter member of Victory Baptist Church and served as a
deacon. He was preceded in death by his brother, Howard Palmer; and
brother-in-law, J. R. Moody. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ell Bramlett
Palmer of Demorest; daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Emory Waycaster of Buford;
sister, Lorene Moody of Cornelia; sisters and brothers-in-law, Evelyn and
Kenneth Jarrell of Clarkesville, Frances and Jerry Farmer of Toccoa;
granddaughter, Heather Austin; granddaughter and husband, Charity and Steve
McKee; and two great-grandsons. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home,
Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
Parham, Betty Taylor
COLUMBUS – Funeral services for Betty Taylor Parham, 72, of Columbus, were
held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Macon Road
Chapel. Dr. Kevin Calhoun officiated, with burial in Parkhill Cemetery.
Mrs. Parham died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at the Columbus Hospice House.
Born in Habersham County on May 27, 1930, she was the daughter of the late
Myrtle N. and Guillard B. Taylor. She had lived in Columbus since 1951, and was
a member of Hilton Terrace Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband,
William Howard Parham Sr. of Columbus; children, Bill Parham of Villa Rica, Bob
Parham of Houston, Texas, Mike Parham of Hammond, La; sisters, Avanelle Ivester
of Hollywood, Elaine Waldrop of Winston, Lynn Nichols of Cleveland;
grandchildren, Brandon Parham, Katie Parham, both of Houston, Texas, Lauren
Parham, Courtenay Dykes, both of Columbus, Ryan Parham, Seth Parham, both of
Hammond, La., Sallie Parham, Taylor Parham, Haley Parham, Trey Parham, all of
Villa Rica; and one great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to the
American Lung Association, 4570 Reese Road, Columbus, GA 31907, or Hilton
Terrace Baptist Church, 2236 Warm Springs Road, Columbus, GA 31904.
Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Inc. Macon Road Chapel, Columbus, was in charge of
arrangements.
Peters, Suzanne Schmidt
Funeral mass for Suzanne Schmidt Peters, 36, of Boynton Beach, Fla., was
held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lantana,
Fla. Father Kevin MacGabhann officiated; graveside services were officiated by
Father Kevin Johnson at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Tallahassee, Fla., at 10 a.m.
Monday, March 10. Mrs. Peters died Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at her
residence following an extended illness. Born in Tallahassee, Fla., on
March 3, 1967, she was the daughter of Robert J. “Bob” Schmidt and the late
Therese Ann Sprenger Schmidt. She was a 1986 graduate of Leon High School in
Tallahassee, Fla., a legal assistant and a member of Holy Spirit Catholic
Church. She was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 21 and had a heart
transplant at the age of 28. She was diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago.
Throughout it all, she never once complained or asked, “Why me?” She just smiled
and thanked God for every day he gave her. She was preceded in death by a
brother, Paul David Schmidt. Survivors include her husband, John Peters of
Boynton Beach, Fla.; daughter, Danni Leigh Peters of Boynton Beach, Fla.; son,
Johnny Peters of Boynton Beach, Fla.; father, Bob Schmidt of Tallahassee, Fla.;
sisters and brothers-in-law, Penny and Jerry Scruggs, Christine and Bill Kimmons,
Martha and Mike Crow, Ann Marie and Terry Ivester, Mary K. and Dennis Parker,
Dorothy and Sam Gochnauer, all of Tallahassee, Fla.; brother, Dennis Schmidt of
Ft. Pierce, Fla.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Larry Schmidt and Brenda Pardee,
Mike and Flo Schmidt, all of Tallahassee, Fla., Doug and Lorretta Schmidt of
Houston, Texas, Pat and Sandy Schmidt of Bridgeport, Texas, Chuck and Robbin
Schmidt of Newberry, Fla., Jimmy and Kristi Schmidt of Demorest; 25 nieces and
nephews; 10 great-nieces and great-nephews. Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral
Home of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Culley’s Funeral Home of Tallahassee, Fla.,
were in charge of arrangements.
Pruitt, Cora Lee
Funeral services for Cora Lee Pruitt, 80, of Cleveland, were held at 11 a.m.
Monday, March 17, at Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home. The Rev. Dave
Fortner, the Rev. Jack Pierce and the Rev. Robert Nix officiated, with burial in
Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Pruitt died Saturday, March 15,
2003, at a private nursing home following a period of declining health.
Mrs. Pruitt was a native and lifelong resident of White County and was a member
of Mt. View Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and was preceded in death by her
husband, Floyd Pruitt. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law,
Dorothy and Bill Pierce of Gainesville; Gertrude and Allen Abernathy of
Clarkesville; Janie and Wesley Nutting of Gainesville; daughter, Yvonne
Westmoreland of Gainesville; sons and daughters-in-law, L.C. and Trilla Pruitt
of Cleveland and Ricky and Debbie Pruitt of Cleveland; brothers, Loy Palmer and
Jimmy Palmer, both of Cleveland; sisters, Nell Palmer of Cleveland, Lois Brodnax
of Thomaston; nine grandchildren; two step grandchildren, four
great-grandchildren; and one stepgreat-grandchild. Memorials may be made
to the Gideons or the Baptist Children’s Home. Alexander’s Gateway Chapel
Funeral Home, Cleveland, was in charge of arrangements.
Stankewich, Margaret Barker Byars
Graveside services for Margaret Barker Byars Stankewich, 72, of Peachtree
City, were held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Red Bank Baptist Church Cemetery,
Red Bank, S.C. The Rev. James Truesdale officiated. Mrs. Stankewich died
Friday, March 14, 2003, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Lanier Park campus
following an extended illness. Born in Charlotte, N.C., on March 25, 1930,
she was the daughter of Grace Truesdale Roof and the late Claude L. Barker. She
was a retired sales associate with J.C. Penney and a member of Red Bank Baptist
Church. Survivors include her husband, Robert J. Stankewich of Peachtree
City; mother, Grace Truesdale Roof of Lexington; sons, James Rogers Byars Jr. of
Rocksprings, Wyo., Joe Byars of Chapin, S.C.; daughter, Claudia Bell of
Cornelia; sister, Louise Hall of Cayce, S.C.; five grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was
in charge of arrangements.
Watkins, Willie Pearl
Funeral services for Willie Pearl Watkins, 84, of Demorest, were held at 3
p.m. Saturday, March 15, at New Bridge Baptist Church. The Rev. Lloyd Martin and
the Rev. Verner London officiated, with burial in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Watkins died Thursday, March 13, 2003, at a private healthcare facility
following an extended illness. Born in White County on April 11, 1918, she
was the daughter of the late D. J. “Doc” and Mary Elizabeth Sosebee Freeman.
Mrs. Watkins was the owner and operator of the Country Inn Restaurant for
several years, as well as a homemaker and member of New Bridge Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Barney Lewis Watkins; brothers,
Talmadge Freeman and Millard Freeman; sisters, Cora Powell, Ruby Wilbanks and
Margie Crow; and son-in-law, Earl Lovell. Survivors include her daughter,
Janice Lovell of Batesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Elaine and Charles
Rumpel of Tampa, Fla., Lanell and Scott Woodall of Demorest, and Betty and
Telford Dalton of Demorest; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Elora Watkins of
Cornelia; brother, J.C. Freeman of Cleveland; sister, Lola Freeman of Tennessee;
seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
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