Habersham County Obituaries
May 2002
Davidson, Ruby Powell
Funeral services for Ruby Powell Davidson, 90, of Alto were held Saturday,
May 11, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of McGahee- Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home.
The Rev. Kenneth McEntire officiated with burial in Yonah Congregational
Holiness Church Cemetery. Mrs. Davidson died Thursday, May 9, 2002, at Northeast
Georgia Medical Center, Lanier Park Campus, following a sudden illness. Born in
Banks County on July 12, 1911, she was a daughter of the late Martin Luther and
Lora Greenway Powell. Mrs. Davidson was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Davidson; daughter, Mildred
Malone; sons, James Davidson, Daniel Davidson; brothers, Arthur Powell, Charlie
Powell, James Pete Powell, Swayne Powell, Willie Powell; and sisters, Minnie
Parson and Rosie Parson. Survivors include her sons, Gerald Davidson of Alto,
Douglas Davidson of Homer; brothers, Ernest Powell of Lula, John Powell of
Elberton, Thomas Tom Powell of Royston; five grandchildren and nine
great-grandchildren. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home in Cornelia was
in charge of arrangements.
Tanksley, Evelyn Sosebee
Funeral services for Evelyn Sosebee Tanksley, 81, of Clarkesville were held
Saturday, May 11, at 11 a.m. at Habersham Baptist Church. The Rev. Tim Burpee
officiated with burial in Habersham Cemetery. Mrs. Tanksley died Thursday, May
9, 2002, at the Habersham County Medical Center following a brief illness. Born
on Sept. 10, 1920, in Habersham County, she was a daughter of the late Ernest
and Ione Gastley Sosebee. She was preceded in death by her husband, S.V.
Tanksley; brothers, Dewey Sosebee and James A. Sosebee. Mrs. Tanksley was
retired from Habersham Mills. She was a member of Habersham Baptist Church, the
Young at Heart and Ladies II Sunday school class. Survivors include her sisters,
Christine Spivey, Grace Burton, both of Clarkesville; sisters and
brothers-in-law, Gail and Charles Kastner of Powder Springs, Annette and Clyde
Tench of Clarkesville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Julie Sosebee of
Las Vagas, Nev., Tony and Linda Sosebee of Clarkesville; several nieces and
nephews. Memorials may be made to Habersham Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O.
Box 412, Habersham GA 30544. Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel in Demorest,
was in charge of arrangements.
Cahill, Betty Whitmire
Funeral services for Betty Whitmire Cahill, 71, of Clarkesville will be held
Wednesday, May 15, at 11 a.m. at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel. Burial
will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Cahill died Sunday, May 12, 2002, at
her residence following an extended illness. Born on March 5, 1931, in Dawson
County, she was a daughter of the late William McKinley and Lula Carolyn Carnes
Whitmire. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lillian Whitmire; and
brother, William Whitmire. Mrs. Cahill had worked with the United Cerebral Palsy
Association and with the handicapped. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church
in Dawsonville. Survivors include her husband, Francis A. Cahill of
Clarkesville; daughter, Desiree Cahill of Margate, Fla.; stepdaughter,
Jacqueline Klima of Philmont, N.Y.; sons, Lonnie Smith of Colorado Springs,
Colo., Matthew Cahill of Clarkesville; sisters, Ellen Hammond, Opal Hammond,
Martha Jean Johns, Darlena Church, Joy Dixon, Lynn Sims, all of Clarkesville,
Josephine Nix of Gainesville; brothers, Talmadge Whitmire, Gerald Whitmire,
Jerry Whitmire, all of Mt. Airy, Emmitt Whitmire of Demorest; seven
grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family will receive friends at
Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today, May 14.
Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, is in charge of arrangements.
Santa, Jessie Paolantino
Funeral services for Jessie Paolantino Santa, 87, of Clarkesville were held
Sunday, May 12, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral
Home. Mrs. Santa died Friday, May 10, 2002, at Habersham County Medical Center
following an extended illness. Born in Connecticut of Nov. 15, 1914, she was a
daughter of the late Fred and Marie Paolantino. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Arthur Edward Santa. She was a homemaker and of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include her sons, Ray Santa of Clarkesville, Edward Santa of Kennesaw;
brother, Albert Paolantino of Providence, R.I.; sister, Teresa Buco of
Providence, R.I.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. McGahee-Griffin
& Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
Parris, Edith
Funeral services for Edith Parris, 72, of Demorest will be held today, May
21, at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of McGahee- Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home.
The Rev. John Ayers will officiate with burial in Level Grove Cemetery. Mrs.
Parris died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at her daughters residence following a brief
illness. Born in Copper Hill, Tenn., on June 25, 1929, she was the daughter of
the late Robert and Florence Rhodes. She was a carpet mill worker and a member
of Eastside Fellowship. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther John
Parris; daughter, Audrey Parris; and son, John Parris. Survivors include her
daughters, Helen Crowe of Demorest, Bonnie Parris of Covington; sons, Jerry Lee
Parris of Alabama, Neal Parris of Chatsworth; 10 grandchildren; several
great-grandchildren and several great-great- grandchildren. McGahee-Griffin
& Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Brownlee, Martha N. Eller
Memorial services for Martha N. Eller Brownlee, 59, of Zephyrhills, Fla.,
will be held at a later date. Mrs. Brownlee died Friday, May 17, 2002, at
Hernando/Pasco Hospice Care Center in Dade City, Fla., following a long illness
with cancer. A native of Cornelia, she moved to the Zephyrhills area in 1980
from Clarkesville. She was preceded in death by two sisters. Survivors include
her parents, Jacob Andy and Hazel Inez Vinson Eller of Haines City, Fla.;
daughters, Cindi Frankum of Clarkesville, Roxanne Ellerbee of Wesley Chapel,
Terri Dawn Brownlee of Zephyrhills; grandchildren, Bobby Frankum, Stephanie
Frankum, Amanda Gano, Zachery Derrick; sisters, Eunice Rich of Canton, Ohio,
Sharon Norman of Paris, Ohio; and brothers, Jack Eller, David Eller, both of
Canton, Ohio, Joseph Eller of Kissimmee, Fla. Coleman and Ferguson Funeral Home,
Richey Chapel, Kissimmee, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Duncan, George
Funeral services for George Duncan, 87, of Alto will be held today, May 21,
at 3 p.m. in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home. The Rev.
Kenneth McEntire and the Rev. Scott Ledbetter will officiate with burial in the
B.C. Grant Cemetery. Mr. Duncan died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at Habersham County
Medical Center following an extended illness. Born in Carroll County on June 18,
1914, he lived most of his life in Habersham County. He was preceded in death by
his wife, Maggie Gailey Duncan. Mr. Duncan was a poultry farmer and a member of
B.C. Grant Baptist Church. Survivors include his nieces, Noyl Goodson, Angie
Pritchett, Ona Bell Bohanna, all of Alto. Mr. Duncan was the last surviving
member of his immediate family. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home,
Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Porter, Brenda Pardue
Funeral services for Brenda Pardue Porter, 58, of Spartanburg, S.C., were
held Monday, May 20, at 11 a.m. at Floyds Greenlawn Chapel. Dr. James Jackson
officiated. Entombment was in Yonah Memorial Gardens with a committal service at
4 p.m. conducted by the Rev. Dwayne Benefield. Mrs. Porter died Saturday, May
18, 2002, at Mary Black Memorial Hospital. A native of Clarkesville, she was the
daughter of the late George and Sally Herclean Pardue. She was employed by
Spartanburg School District Seven and White Rabbit Gift Shop for many years. She
was a member of Clarkesville United Methodist Church. Survivors include her
husband, Jack Porter; daughters, Melissa Porter of Chesnee, S.C., Tammara Porter
of Sutherland, Va.; sisters, Aileen Ray, Ernestine McEntire, Geraldine Holcombe,
all of Clarkesville. Memorials may be made to Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box
7669, Atlanta, Ga. 30357. Floyds Greenlawn Chapel, Spartanburg, S.C., was in
charge of arrangements.
Burke, Alley
Funeral services for Alley Burke, 87, of Clarkesville were held Saturday,
May 18, at 2 p.m. at Cool Springs United Methodist Church. The Rev. Steve
McIntyre, the Rev. Garvis Kinsey and the Rev. Charles Black officiated with
burial in Clarkesville City Cemetery. Mr. Burke died Thursday, May 16, 2002, at
Habersham County Medical Center following an extended illness. Born in White
County on May 28, 1914, he was the son of the late Taylor and Lillie Robertson
Burke. Mr. Burke was a retired farmer and a member of Cool Springs United
Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Holcomb, Jessie
Lee Loyd, Lula Bell Colley, Flora Tatum, Ethelene Masterpol; and brothers,
Hubert Burke, Albert Burke, Robert Burke. Survivors include his wife, Frances
Giddens Burke of Clarkesville; daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Kenneth Skelton
of Cleveland; sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Eugenia Burke of
Clarkesville, Charles and Gail Burke of Clarkesville; eight grandchildren; and
17 great- grandchildren. Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, was in charge
of arrangements.
Tench, Rev. Hoyt
Funeral services for the Rev. Hoyt O. Tench, 79, of Alto will be held today,
May 28, at 2 p.m. at Level Grove Baptist Church. The Rev. Billy Burrell and the
Rev. John Humphries will officiate with the Rev. Terry Rice officiating at
graveside in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30
p.m. The Rev. Tench died Sunday, May 26, 2002, at a private nursing home
following an extended illness. Born on Aug. 4, 1922, in Habersham County, he was
a son of the late George W. and Dora Erwin Tench. He was preceded in death by a
son, Tony Tench; brothers, Ted Tench, J.C. Tench, Bobby Tench; and sister,
Mildred Smith. The Rev. Tench was a U.S. Army World War II veteran. He was a
retired minister having pastored and helped form several churches in Georgia and
Virginia. He had also been on mission trips to Arizona ministering to Native
Americans. The Rev. Tench was retired from Southern Railway as an engineer with
30 years of service. He was also employed by the Tallulah Falls Railway as an
engineer and fireman. The Rev. Tench was a member of the Cornelia Masonic Lodge
F&AM No. 92, and the Mountaineer Shrine Club. He was a member of the
International Police Chaplains and one of the first chaplains to serve at the
Habersham County Medical Center. He was also a board member on the Depot
Restoration Committee and a board member of Rails to Trails in Tallulah Falls.
The Rev. Tench was a chaplain for the Habersham Chapter No. 480 Order of the
Eastern Star and was the grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. Survivors
include his wife, Catherine Dalton Tench of Alto; daughters, Linda Denmon of
Powder Springs, Cheryl Gordon of Demorest; sisters, Cleo West of Cleveland, Ora
Lee Nicholson of Clarkesville, Marie Ledford of Gastonia, N.C., JoAnn Meloy of
Lawrenceville; brothers, George Lester Tench of Gastonia, N.C., Mike Tench of
Belmont, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be
made to the Rails to Trails, Tallulah Falls. Whitfield Funeral Home, South
Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.
Newton, Jimmie
Funeral services for Jimmie Newton, 56, of Clarkesville were held Saturday,
May 25, at 11 a.m. at New Hope Full Gospel Church, in Hartwell. The Rev. Thomas
L. Jackson officiated with burial in the church cemetery. Mr. Newton died
Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
Born in Fulton County, he was the son of Mozelle McGruder Newton and the late
Willie James Newton. He was a member of New Hope Full Gospel Church. Survivors
include his wife, Mary Elizabeth Brown Newton of the home; mother, Mozelle
McGruder Newton of Atlanta; sisters, Katie Mae Harmon of Atlanta, Jackie Newton
of Atlanta. Moss-Stovall-Neal Funeral Home Inc., Toccoa, was in charge of
arrangements.
Watts, Donnis
Funeral services for Donnis Watts, 55, of Clarkesville will be held
Wednesday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at Hollywood Baptist Church. The Rev. Ken Fonclara
will officiate with burial in the church cemetery with full military honors
provided by Rabun County DAV Chapter 15. Mr. Watts died Sunday, May 26, 2002, at
Habersham County Medical Center following a brief illness. Born on April 24,
1947, in Habersham County, he was a son of the late Stewart Watts. He was a U.S.
Army veteran, having served during the Vietnam conflict. Mr. Watts was an auto
body repairman and a member of Hollywood Baptist Church. He was preceded in
death by his sister, Isabell Watts. Survivors include his wife, Annette Franklin
Watts of Clarkesville; daughters, Lisa Lenard of Washington, N.C., Kelli Miller
of Florida, Amanda Watts of Clarkesville; sons, Brent Watts of Clarkesville,
Eric Watts of Clarkesville; mother, Sally Simmons Starr of Hollywood; brothers,
Terry Watts of Turnerville, Jerry Watts of Hollywood; sister, Andrea Williams of
Toccoa; and six grandchildren. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home,
Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
Hicks, Wayne J.
Funeral services for Wayne James Hicks, 71, of Clarkesville were held
Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m. at Hillside Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Donald Grizzle,
the Rev. Bill Trotter and the Rev. Kenneth Pilcher officiated with burial in
Clarkesville City Cemetery. Mr. Hicks died Friday, May 24, 2002, at Habersham
County Medical Center following an extended illness. Born on Feb. 23, 1931, in
Polk County, Tenn., he was the son of the late Johnson and Leona Shook Hicks. He
was retired from Chicopee Manufacturing Company, was of the Baptist faith and
had lived in Habersham County for 35 years. Survivors include his wife, Rebal
Underwood Hicks of Clarkesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Ron
Ledford of Cornelia, Denise and Frank Taylor of Clarkesville; sisters, Donnie
Berrong of Hiawassee, Janie Hicks of Hiawassee; four grandchildren; and one
great- grandchild. Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
Yearwood, Estelle Smith
Funeral services for Estelle Smith Yearwood, 87, of Mt. Airy will be held
today, May 28, at 11 a.m. at Hillside Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Johnny Thomas
and the Rev. Ronnie Thurmond will officiate with burial in Glade Creek Baptist
Cemetery, Mt. Airy. Mrs. Yearwood died Saturday, May 25, 2002, at Habersham
County Medical Center following an extended illness. Born on June 14, 1914, in
Stephens County, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Hester Smith. She
was a member of Glade Creek Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded
in death by her husband, Kermit Yearwood; and a son, Morris Yearwood. Survivors
include her son and daughter-in-law, John and Denise Yearwood of Mt. Airy; son,
Horace Yearwood of Mt. Airy; and granddaughters, Miranda and Desieé Yearwood,
both of Cornelia. Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, is in charge of
arrangements.
DuBois, Joy B.
Funeral services for Joy B. DuBois, 47, of Demorest will be held today, May
28, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of McGahee- Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home. The
Rev. Albert Whitlock and the Rev. Randolph Beaty will officiate with burial in
Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, Lula. Mrs. DuBois died Sunday, May 26, 2002
at the residence of her foster parents in Gainesville following a brief illness.
Born on April 5, 1955, in Oceanside, Calif., she was the daughter of the late
Clifford Hugh and Imogene Beasley. She worked in pre-assembly at Piedmont
Automotive and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include her husband, John
Benjamin DuBois of Demorest; son, Michael Toby DuBois of Demorest; foster
parents, Bethel and Ruth Bonds Midgett of Gainesville; sisters, Sheila Robertson
of Gainesville, Petina Barrett of Gainesville, Robin Buck of Vici, Okla., Carol
Deason of Carrollton; and granddaughter, Andrea Kay DuBois. McGahee-Griffin
& Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
DeJarnette, Lottie Wiggins
Memorial services for Lottie Wiggins deJarnette, 89, of Pensacola, Fla.,
will be held Saturday, June 1, at College Park First United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Claude Smith Meyer and the Rev. Jim McRea III will officiate. Mrs.
deJarnette died Saturday, May 25, 2002. Born in Cornelia, she lived in North
Georgia before marrying and moving to Atlanta, and was a member of Cornelia
First Baptist Church. Mrs. deJarnette was retired from the Federal Record Center
in East Point, where she served with distinction for many years. Mrs. deJarnette
was a longtime member of College Park United Methodist Church prior to her move
to Pensacola in 1990, where she transferred her membership to Perdido Bay United
Methodist Church. She was active in the United Methodist Women and served as
president of her local units on several occasions. She was preceded in death by
her husband, John Thomas Jack deJarnette Sr. Survivors include her children and
their spouses, the Rev. Jack and Beverly deJarnette of Pensacola, Fla., Martha
and Sam Varney of Pensacola, Fla., Frank and Debbie deJarnette of Carson City,
Nev.; five grandchildren; six great- grandchildren; and sister, Mary Wiggins
Cathey of Jacksonville, Fla. Memorials may be made to Perdido Bay United
Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.
Adair, Dr. George T.
Funeral services for Dr. George T. Adair, 100 years and 11 months, of
Cleveland were held Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Alexanders
Gateway Chapel Funeral Home, Cleveland. The Rev. Leland Bagwell and the Rev.
Ross Sparks officiated with burial in Bowman City Cemetery, Bowman. Dr. Adair
died Saturday, May 25, 2002, at his residence following a period of declining
health. Born in 1901 in Elberton, he was the son of the late Dr. S. B. and
Gussie Thornton Adair. He was a graduate of Gibson- Mercer Academy, The
University of Georgia and The University of Georgia College of Veterinary
Medicine, class of 1931. He began his practice in Elberton before relocating to
the Old Logan Mill on Town Creek, White County, in 1937. For many years he was
the only licensed veterinarian in the seven counties of Northeast Georgia. Prior
to his retirement in 1976, Dr. Adair was instrumental in the founding of the
White County Farmers Exchange and the White County Farm Bureau. Dr. Adair will
long be remembered for his tireless efforts and unflagging zeal to improve the
state of agriculture in the Northeast Georgia mountains. Dr. Adair was a known
philanthropist among the colleges and universities of the South, and a devoted
champion and regular contributor to countless conservative causes. Even in his
very last days, he was much concerned about the state of the nation and the
future of its young people. Dr. Adair was preceded in death by his wife of 62
years, Sewell Wallis Adair, formerly of Elberton. Survivors include his devoted
niece, Virginia Brookshire of Charlotte, N.C.; and his boys, Albert Taylor Sr.
and Jerry McAfee, both of Cleveland. After a long and fruitful life, Dr. Adair
leaves behind a multitude of friends and admirers who have been warmly touched
by his extraordinary life and works. Alexander's Gateway Chapel Funeral Home,
Cleveland, was in charge of arrangements.
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