Mr. Roger Powell Vest, age 71, passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2012 in the Union General Hospital following a brief illness. Mr. Vest was born on Nov. 21, 1940 in Jumping Branch, WV, the son of the late Oral Vest and the late Dexter Lowe Vest. Roger was a veteran of the US Army of the Vietnam War. He enjoyed hunting and traveling. He was a loving husband, father and brother. He was preceded in death by his parents and by two sisters, Elnora Conner and Sharon McFern. Mr. Vest was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Mr. Vest are his loving wife of twenty-two years, Jeanette Townsend Vest of Blairsville, two sons and one daughter-in-law, Scott and Timmi Vest and Matt Vest all of Tucson, AZ, stepson, Tim and Wen Cable of Vancouver, Canada, step daughter, Jennifer and Tim Mulkey of Young Harris, five brothers and sisters-in-law, Clyde and Juanita Vest of Beckley, WV, Jack and Nancy vest of Beckley, WV, Richard and Alice Vest of Lenoir City, TN, Donald and Joann Vest of KY, Jerry and Ann Vest of Charleston, WV, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 2 p.m. from the Mountain View Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Vest officiating. The following gentleman served as pallbearers, Rogers’s nephews. Interment followed in Union Memory Gardens Cemetery with North Georgia Honor Guard conducting military honors. The family met with friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-9 p.m.

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

ROGER POWELL VEST
Courtesy of Mountain View Funeral Home

Mrs. Rebecca Lamb Conkle, age 72, of Emerine Rd., Blairsville passed away on Friday, August 31, 2012 in the Union General Hospital following an extended illness. Mrs. Conkle was born on Feb. 12, 1940 in Jackson, MS, the daughter of the late Clifton Glenwood Lamb and the late Mary Stowell Lamb. Rebecca received her Undergraduate Degree in music education/voice major from Murray State and a Graduate degree in Special Education from Auburn University. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. Mrs. Conkle was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Blairsville.

Surviving Rebecca are her loving husband of twenty-four years, John Conkle of Blairsville, six children, Cecil and Kimely Conkle of Redwood City, CA, David and Deborah Conkle of Mobile, AL, Susan Furgus of Haltom City, TX, Ruth and Barry Klukoff-Hamilton of St. Petersburg, FL, Barabara Crook of Durham, NC, Will Crook of Sylacauga, AL, three brothers and two sisters-in-law, William and Marilyn Lamb of Portland, OR, Clifton and Nancy Lamb of Indio, CA, Herb Lamb of Marshall, NC, eight grandchildren: Sarah, Brooks, Hannah, George, Jacob, Noah, Mason and Cade, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service will be held at a later date with interment to follow in the Marble City Cemetery in Sylacauga, AL. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Union County Senior Center in memory of Mrs. Conkle.

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

REBECCA LAMB CONKLE
Courtesy of Mountain View Funeral Home

Herbert M. Pennington of Blairsville, GA passed away August 28, 2012 at his home following an extended illness. Herb was born April 3, 1928 at Baptist Hospital in Atlanta, GA to Elvie Peed and Herbert M. Pennington. Herb grew up in Atlanta where he graduated from Tech High school. Herb was a member of Saint Johns Methodist Church. At age 18, he began his career in the automotive parts industry with Genuine Parts. In 1976, Herb moved to Perry, GA where he continued in the automotive parts business working for Cassidy Auto Parts in Macon, GA; later retiring from Cassidy Auto Parts. Herb was happiest when he was working on cars. Herb proudly served his country in the United States Army, serving a tour of duty in Germany after WWII. Herb retired in 1997 and he and his wife, Hellen made plans to build their dream home in Blairsville GA. After moving to the North Georgia Mountains you could always find Herb and his beloved dog Baxter, tending his garden and sharing his vegetables with his neighbors. Herb dearly loved the mountain life and spent his remaining years enjoying the beauty of the North Georgia Mountains.

Mr. Pennington is survived by his loving wife, Hellen Pennington and children: Robert Lee Pennington, wife Leslie, Charles Herbert Pennington, wife Holly, Terry Lane Pennington, Virginia Lynn Pennington Norman, husband Ronald, and Thomas Hugh Pennington. Herb was also survived by his step-children, John E. Berry, wife Cori, and Francine B. Whittaker, husband Bill. Herb was survived by his grandchildren: Robert Lee Pennington Jr., Bonnie Jeanne Pennington, Alyssa Pennington, Caitlin Pennington, Hannah Pennington, James Wesley Norman, Thomas M. Norman, Andrew H. Norman, Jennifer Dollar, husband Billy, Elizabeth Berry-Branan, husband Cason, Trey Whittaker, Lena Berry, Natalie Berry, and Benjamin Whitten. He was also survived by his great grandchildren Micah Norman, Aedyn Norman, Isabelle Dollar, Thomas Dollar, and Caden Whittaker.

There was a Memorial Service at Mountain View Funeral Home on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM in Blairsville, GA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Herb’s name to The American Cancer Society or United Hospice of Blue Ridge, 5004 Appalachian Hwy., Suite 3A, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

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

HERBERT M. PENNINGTON
Courtesy of Mountain View Funeral Home

At age 86, Miguel Antonio Echemendia's life's journey ended peacefully early Friday morning, August 24, 2012. His final days were spent surrounded by his family and the compassionate, caring staff of the Union County Nursing Home in Blairsville,
GA. Mr. Echemendia was a native of Cuba, arriving in the United States in 1962 on one of the last Pan Am flights off the Island. He and his wife of 65 years, Amelia, have enjoyed living at Branan Lodge in Blairsville since 2007, having moved here from Spring City, TN. A retired mechanical engineer, Mr. Echemendia could fix anything! If he couldn't find a part, he would create one. He was always ready to help family and friends with home projects. Gardening was his hobby, as he enjoyed his collaboration with Mother Nature. Strong in his faith, he was a Seventh Day Adventist. Over the years his faith touched many lives. In his last years, he was involved in a mail prison ministry. Mr. Echemendia's genuine, warm smile will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

His memory will be cherished by his loving family: wife, Amelia, of Blairsville; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Maria Echemendia, of Deer Lodge, TN; daughter and son-in-law, Mabel and Jose Zapater, Miami, FL; and daughter and son-in-law, Dalila and Doug Davenport, of Blairsville; two sisters: Juana Echemendia, of Havana, Cuba, and Caridad Gonzales, of New York City, NY; three grandchildren: Samuel Echemendia, Joseph Zapater, and Madeline Ojeda; honorary granddaughters: Shawna R. Watkins, Melanie Rymer, and Megan Gribble; great grandchildren: Elijah Echemendia, Enoch Echemendia, Valentina Zapater, Angelina Zapater, Jonathan Ojeda, Julian Ojeda, Jean Paul Ojeda, Suzanna Echemendia, and Sarah Echemendia.

MIGUEL ANTONIO ECHEMENDIA
Courtesy of Cochran Funeral Home

Mr. Mark Alan Muir, age 54, of Muir Glen, Blairsville passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA following an extended illness. He was born April 24, 1958 in Savannah, GA. Mark moved to this area in 1996. He loved animals and was an avid chess player. He was involved in computer research and helped design Guidance Systems for Cruise Missiles. Mark was a loving son, brother, nephew, and was a generous, caring and very considerate person. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Anna Neilson, his paternal grandparents, George and Ann Muir, and uncle Dr. Tony Muir.

Survivors include his parents, Dr. John and Joyce Muir of Blairsville, GA, brother and sister-in-law, Todd and Cecilia Muir of Denver, CO, sister and brother-in-law, Wendy and Jonathan Dennis of Ventura, CA, aunts, Ann Manley of Hillsborough, NC, Katherine Harper of New York City, NY and Mary Walker of Lawrenceville, GA.

No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers make memorials to the Union County Humane Society Mountain Shelter in Mark’s memory.

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

MARK ALAN MUIR
Courtesy of Mountain View Funeral Home

Mr. John Lexie Evans, age 73, of Gumlog Circle, Blairsville passed away Friday, August 31, 2012 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA following an extended illness. John was born December 18, 1938 in Winter Haven, FL son of the late Willard and Ida Harvey Evans. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He retired from Standard Telephone Company in 1998. John was a Bluegrass music fan, and loved bass fishing and golf. He was a member of Young Cane Masonic Lodge # 597 F&AM. John was preceded in death by a sister, Reba Ann McMillan in 1973. He was of the Baptist Faith.

Survivors are his wife of 48 years, Shirley Evans of Blairsville, son John Lexie Evans, Jr. of Athens, GA, brothers, Thomas and Hedie Evans of Sylvania, GA, Leon and Devona Evans of Warthen, GA and Terrell and Debbie Evans of Statesboro, GA, sister, Judy Burke of Sylvania, GA, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 2 p.m. from Young Cane Masonic Lodge with Chaplain Junior Graham officiating. Music will be by Forgiven. In lieu of flowers make memorials to Young Cane Masonic Lodge. The family will receive friends at the Lodge on Saturday from 1:30 until 2 p.m. prior to the service.

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

JOHN LEXIE EVANS
Courtesy of Mountain View Funeral Home