The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA 30512

www.nganews.com

 

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

 

 

January 25, 2012                                 Page 13A

 

reba june dyer burks

 

           Mrs. Reba June Dyer Burks, age 70, of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away Thursday evening, January 19, 2012, in Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
           Reba June Burks was born Thursday, February 6, 1941 to Hub and Kate and to two brothers Ralph and Raymond. Later a younger brother, Royce, was born. She was born at home in the Choestoe area of Union County. When she was seventeen she left Union County for the big city of Atlanta. She worked there as a telephone operator then later in a dental office. It was there that she met Harvey Burks who was serving in the Army at Fort MacPherson. They were married and had a daughter - Mary Michelle - named for Mary Kate Dyer, Reba’s mother. Mary Michelle was soon shortened to Shelly. Harvey was transferred to Germany where he took his family and served for just over two years. Mitchell Jeffrey was born there and he and Shelly were raised in a home that was shared with a German family that also had children. Albert and Agnus raised the American children as much as they did their own. Shelly spoke German before she spoke English and would help translate for the families. Reba was able to see other parts of Europe and enjoyed her time there very much. Holland, with the beautiful tulips, was some of her favorite memories of the area.

           Harvey was transferred back to the States and Harvey Jay was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harvey Jay was named for his father - Harvey Jesse and for his grandfather - Harvey John. Soon after the Burks family was transferred back to Atlanta, Shelly started school there and Reba took care of the two boys at home.

           Harvey retired from the Army after 22 years and the family moved back to Union County, Reba’s home place and where parents and brothers still lived. They brought with them Harvey John - Reba’s father-in-law - and took care of him until his passing in 1972. Reba was a devoted wife and mother that took care of the home and children for many years. It was during this time that Andrew Gene was born. He was named for Reba’s father - Hubbard Gene. Reba and Harvey spent many evenings playing Rook and Aggravation with other families in the community.

           Harvey worked for the U.S. Postal Service and the children were all in school, so Reba began working at Alexander’s Store. She enjoyed her time and work there and worked there more than 10 years. Later, Jay started a business and she went to work for him. A couple of years later, he started the Sears store and Reba worked there with him and later with the new owner - her youngest son Andy - until just recently. Reba always enjoyed working and being around people.

           Reba was a wonderful caregiver to Harvey until his passing in 1994. She was a great cook and cooked many Sunday meals for her children and their families. Her specialities like fried squash, gravy biscuits and Thanksgiving Dressing are legendary in her family. She taught many how to make her favorite dishes. Reba believed in teaching her kids values and manners. Harvey and Reba raised their children with a strong belief in God and Christian values.

           Reba left this world on Thursday night to join Harvey and other loved ones in Heaven. She was surrounded by all her children and their spouses, some of her grandchildren, her pastor, and two of her cousins. Surviving family members include her children and their spouses: Shelly and David Breedlove; Jeff and Lori Burks, Jay and Kayce Burks, Andrew and Christal Burks, and Vicki and Mark Douglas, all of Blairsville; brothers and their spouses: Ralph and Jean Dyer, of Gainesville, Georgia; Raymond Dyer and Royce and Carol Dyer, all of Blairsville. Grandchildren: Melissa Adams, Anna Breedlove, Billy Breedlove, Logan Butt, Leia Breedlove, Alex Breedlove, Grizzle Breedlove, Rachel Breedlove, Adrian Breedlove, Burkley Breedlove, Kelly Burks, Kristian Burks, Ryan Burks, Nolan Burks, Jackson Burks, Jay Mitchell Douglas, and Megan Douglas, Funeral services for Reba were held on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at 3 p.m., in Union Baptist Church, with Rev. Benny Nix and Rev. Tommy Hunt officiating. The body lay instate at the church starting at 2:30 on the day of the funeral service. Special music was presented by the church choir. The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Phil Kelley, Tim Dyer, Joe Dyer, Jim Dyer, Scott Dyer, and David Ray Bryant. Burial was in Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home was held on Saturday evening, January 21, 2012, between the hours of 5 until 9 p.m.

           Reba often gave to charities and individuals whenever she saw their needs. To honor this, the family would like to give people the opportunity to give to a memorial fund to benefit the chemotherapy room where she spent a lot of time in the last year. During that time, Reba worried more about getting snacks and turbans for the other patients than she did for her own comfort. The fund is set up at the United Community Bank as the Reba Burks Memorial Fund.

     Arrangements are entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please share your fond memories and condolences with the family and view the Life Tribute Video on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com

REBA JUNE DYER BURKS
    Courtesy of Cochran Funeral Home

The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA 30512

www.nganews.com

 

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

 

 

January 25, 2012                                 Page 13A

 

e.l. cook

 

           Mr. E. L. Cook, of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away at the Union County Nursing Home on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Services were held at Track Rock Baptist Church in Blairsville, Saturday, January 21st at 11 am. Services were officiated by Rev. Wade Plott. Rachael Todd, Track Rock Quartet, and Track Rock Choir provided music. Pallbearers included grandsons: Oran, Daniel, Jeff and Matthew Cook and nephews: Kelvin Sexton and Gerald Cook. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were the deacons of Track Rock Baptist Church: Steve Hunter, Anthony Coker, Tracy Collins and Harold Collins. The body lay instate at the church starting at 10:30 on the day of the funeral, with burial in the church cemetery. Military honors were conferred by members of North Georgia Honor Guard and U.S. Air Force active guard.

           E. L. was born February 11, 1927, in Blairsville, Georgia, to Vina and Avery Cook. He was one of six boys: Herbert, Eugene, C.R., Albert, and James, and his sister is Verona Cook.

          E. L. served as a Deacon of Track Rock Baptist Church where he attended regularly until his recent admission to Union County Nursing Home. He served in the United States Air Force in Wilmington, Delaware and was awarded a World War II Victory Medal. The Farm Bureau Board was an important responsibility to him. E.L. felt honored to be a member of the Masonic Lodge. Top priorities in his life were church, taking care of his family, and farming with his blue Ford tractor. A special friend to E. L. was his dog, Rocky, who loved to accompany him on the tractor. Union County High School sporting events became an important scheduled on E. L. 's calendar in his later years. He loved watching basketball and football games, even when his health hindered his short walk from the car to the gym door or football field.

           E. L.'s wife, Ruth Cook, and his granddaughter, Keri Cook, preceded him in death. His parents, Vina and Avery Cook, and two brothers, Herbert and Travis Cook, also preceded him in death. Survivors include his sons and their wives: Kenneth and Eloise Cook, Tommy Cook, Jerry and Trish Cook, Troy and Shelly Cook, and Loy and Brenda Cook; grandchildren: Robin Cook, Misty Jones, Oran Daniel Rachael, Jeff, Kendra, Matthew, and Madeline Cook; great grandson, Cayden Cook.

           E. L. will be remembered as a hard worker, dedicated deacon, loving father, and a friend to many. The staff of Union County Nursing Home took excellent care of E L during his final days. He was showered with love, Christmas presents, and food from his nurses, who went beyond their responsibilities to take care of him.

           Visitation at the funeral home was held on Friday evening, January 20, 2012, between the hours of 6:00 until 9:00 p.m.

           If anyone wishes to do so, memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Cook may be made to The Gideons International, Blairsville Camp, P.O. Box 521, Blairsville, Georgia 30514.

          Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please share your condolences and fond memories and view Mr. Cook's Life Tribute Video on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA 30512

www.nganews.com

 

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

 

 

January 25, 2012                                 Page 13A

 

robert myers

           Mr. Robert Myers, age 100, of Tina’s Ct., Blairsville, GA passed away on January 20, 2012 in Union General Hospital. Bob was born in Mount Blanchard, Ohio November 26, 1911. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burt & Ethel Myers, and all five of his siblings; two brothers, Clifton and Garmin Myers; three sisters, Dorothy, Addie and Cletus, and first wife, Lottie Mae Seay Myers. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Blairsville, where he attended church services faithfully every Sunday until the last two weeks of his life. A 100th birthday party was held for him at the church in November, 2011 which pleased him very much and he enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends there.

He is survived by wife Lucille Hayes Myers, son Lamar Myers and his wife Jane of Americus, GA and step-daughter Jerryann and her husband Stan Larson who live in Blairsville, grandchildren Merritt Myers, Sabrina (Nathan) Bedford, Scott (Anita) Key; great grandsons Andrew (Thelma) Dickens, Brian (Katy) Earwood, Alex Williams, Cameron Key, Skyler Key; great granddaughters Wendi Owens and Nicole Williams; great-great grandchildren, Dakotah, Masen and Peyton Earwood, Lisa Bedford, Ariel and Keira Dickens all from central Georgia or central Florida areas, and nieces and nephews in both Albany, GA and Findlay, Ohio areas.

He met his first wife Lottie in Albany, GA and had 52 years of marriage together. Bob then worked for the U. S. Marine Corps Supply Center in Albany for awhile and later managed the body shop of the Chevrolet dealership there for many years. After Lottie’s death he married Lucille Hayes and they have been married for over 20 years, living in Blairsville for seven years at the time of his death.

           Bob had a fantastic mind with a photographic memory and loved to talk about his many early life and job experiences, having left home as a teenager, traveling across the USA and working at a variety of jobs to ‘earn his way’ as he went, including road building, circuses, as cook on a ship, various carpentry jobs and many more. He was an avid reader and also loved to work in his shop where he made furniture and other items including many of his own tools of both wood and metal. He was very knowledgeable about gardening and plants and kept a nice vegetable garden until his health began to slow him down.

Bob Myers was a great inspiration and a joy to know; a hard-working, generous, gentle and honest person with very high integrity. He treated everyone he met with great respect. Bob worked hard all his life and experienced many financial hardships and setbacks in his early years, but he always found a way to help others in need. His big contagious and friendly smile earned him the nickname “Smiley” from many who knew him, including those at his local doctor’s office at High Mountain Healthcare. He always greeted Dr. Cindy Libert with that big smile no matter what else was going on with his health and he loved the special attention she gave him. He was deeply loved by many friends and family and all who knew him will miss him greatly.

Services were held at Mountain View Funeral Home in Blairsville, GA on Tuesday, January 24th at 11 a.m. conducted by Dr. Fred Lodge, pastor of First Baptist Church, Blairsville. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to First Baptist Church Faith Builders Sunday School Class, who perform many kind services to those in need in our community. No graveside services will be held as interment will be in Albany, GA at a later date.

           Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com.

The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA 30512

www.nganews.com

 

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

 

 

January 25, 2012                                 Page 13A

 

Patricia Ann edstrom

           Mrs. Patricia Ann Edstrom, age 68, of Skeenah Highlands Road, Blairsville passed away Monday, January 16, 2012 at her home following an extended illness. Patricia was born March 2, 1954 in Chicago, IL daughter of the late Raymond and Mary Van Namee Vaught. She moved here 12 years ago from Lake Alfred, FL.

            Patricia had a special love for nature that was reflected in much of the poems and songs that she wrote and sung. She could often be seen walking at Meeks and Vogel Parks where she had met some of her closest friends from this area whom she cherished. An artist of music and songwriting, she also loved her family dearly which included her late husband, George Edstrom, of 33 years and father of her four children, Daniel Edstrom of Haines City FL, Lori Boucher (husband Robert) of Blairsville, Tina Pierce (husband Randy) of Young Harris, and Timothy Edstrom of Winter Haven, FL. She is also survived by siblings, Raymond Vaughn of Lake Wales, FL, and Jimmy Vaughn of Lake Alfred FL, five grandchildren: Sophia, Shyrese and Sara Boucher, Cotey and David Pierce and her cat, Claudia Sheba Sharpie.

           Memorial services will be held at a later date in Indiana. The family received friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Interment will be in Providence Church Cemetery in Paoli , IN.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

 

 

The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA 30512

www.nganews.com

 

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

 

 

January 25, 2012                                 Page 13A

 

kathryn patricia noland suttles

 

           Kathryn Patricia Noland Suttles, age 80, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away January 17, 2012 at her home in Blairsville following an extended illness. “Pat” was born in Atlanta on June 24, 1931 and was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Pat is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bill Suttles, Todd Suttles (son), Amanda Nesbit (niece), Kirk Graham (nephew), Dale Aldridge (nephew). She was preceded in death by her son Wade Suttles and two sisters: Jane Graham of Columbia, SC and Mary Ann Aldridge Fisher of Atlanta.

           In 1952 Pat received her Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Georgia where she was Phi Beta Kappa; and a member of Pi Beta Phi. Pat worked as an artist primarily in ceramics and her husband is a painter. In 2002, Pat and Bill realized a lifelong dream when they retired to the North Georgia Mountains to devote their time to their arts. They became actively involved in the Hiawassee Mountain Arts Association and The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association where a join showing of their art work is just concluding this month.

           Pat was by nature inquisitive and loved to learn. She would take up the cause of any animal or person in need. She expressed her love and passion for life in her art.

           No services are planned at this time. Interment will be in Arlington Cemetery, Atlanta GA. In lieu of flowers, memoriams may be made to The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, 420 W. Main St, blue ridge, GA 30513; or Regency Hospice, P.O. Box 494, Hiawassee, GA 30546.           

           Mountain View funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guestbook and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

            

 

 

 

The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA 30512

www.nganews.com

 

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

 

 

January 25, 2012                                 Page 13A

 

frederick donald allen

 

           Mr. Frederick Donald Allen, age 81, of Blairsville, GA, passed away Monday, January 16, 2012 at his home, following a brief illness.

           Mr. Allen was born in Lithia, FL, on Wednesday, March 5, 1930, a son of the late Elbert Allen and the late Angie Evers Allen. Mr. Allen had served his country in the U.S. Navy. For 35 years, Mr. Allen owned and operated drycleaners in Plant City, FL, and worked for five years at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Florida. He was an avid golfer, and loved politics and sports. Mr. Allen was a member of Faith Baptist Church. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.
           Mr. Allen will be missed especially by his loving family: his wife of 47 1/2 years, Dianna G. Allen, of Blairsville; son and daughter-in-law, Frederick Mark and Eva Allen, of Lakeland, FL; daughter, Donna Kay Inwood, of Tampa, FL; grandson, Jacob Mark Allen, of Lakeland, FL; and sister, Nita Norman, of Lithia, FL.

           Memorial services are scheduled for Friday, January 27, 2012 at 11 a.m., at Faith Baptist Church, located at 24 Faith Baptist Church Road, Blairsville. Members of North Georgia Honor Guard will confer military honors.

           Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Homes of Blairsville. Please send your condolences to the family by visiting our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

 

MARJORIE SMITH HALL
    Courtesy of Cochran Funeral Home