Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 24 Jan 1997 Thanks for permission from the Athens Daily News /Banner-Herald http://www.onlineathens.com/ ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Obituaries Lola L. Anthony Washington Lola L. Anthony, 74, of 121 McLendon Drive died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1997. A native of Taliaferro County, Mrs. Anthony was a daughter of the late Johnny and Lillie Lowe Binns. She was a retired cafe owner. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Flinthill Baptist Church with the Rev. Lamar Davenport officiating. Survivors include a daughter, Loretta A. Fanning, Washington; a sister, Rosa Allen, Rayle; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Davenport-McLendon Mortuary Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Wade Bortle II Danielsville Wade Hampton Bortle II, 56, of Route 1, Box 1232, died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997. A native of New Haven, Conn., Mr. Bortle was a son of the late Wade A. and Gladys E. Blatchley Bortle and was preceded in death by a brother, Frank B. Bortle, Staten Island, N.Y. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served as lance corporal in the 5th Marine Division. Following this, he returned to serve several years with the New York City Police Department. He then moved to a farm in North Dakota where he raised his family. After settling in Madison County, he owned and operated Exterior Products Construction Co. Until 1995, he served as security guard with St. Mary's Hospital during which he was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. A funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Joe Chaloux officiating. Burial will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Bortle, Danielsville; a son, Wade J. Bortle III, Danielsville; two daughters, Tracey Walsh, Dacula, and Sharyn Bor- tle, Athens; a sister, Ruthanne O'Donnell, Holtsville, N.Y.; three granddaughters; and nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. today at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East. Flowers are optional; donations may be made to the Wade Bortle Fund at The Bank of Danielsville, which will be distributed to a favorite charity at a later date. Virginia K. Hammock Washington Virginia Fanning Kennedy Hammock, 82, of 725 Courtground Road died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997. A native of Wilkes County, Mrs. Hammock was a retired inspector at Royal Manufacturing Co. and was a member of Beaverdam Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. Clifton Barrett, Thomas Epps, Roy Cates and Joe Hethcoat officiating. Burial will be in Bethel United Methodist Cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Martha Hall, Rubye Armour and Joan Echols, all of Rayle; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The family will be at the residence and will receive friends 7-9 p.m. today at Hopkins Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Fannie Higginbotham Cornelia Fannie Dooley Higginbotham, 84, of Galloway Street died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997. A native of White County, Mrs. Higginbotham was a daughter of the late Jim and Laura Allen Dooley and was the widow of James L. Higginbotham. She was a retired supervisor at Carwood Manufacturing Co. and worked in food services at Clarkesville Elementary School. She was a member of Habersham Chapter 480 OES and Cornelia First Baptist Church where she was a member of Volunteer Sunday school class and the Susan Anderson WMU Group. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Gary Morris officiating. Burial will be in Yonah Memorial Gardens. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Bennett, Jacksonville, Fla.; a son, Joe Higginbotham, Cornelia; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at Whitfield Funeral Home. Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to the church, P.O. Box 96, Cornelia, Ga. 30531. Virginia R. Hood Athens Virginia Zenania Ryan Hood, 74, of 110 Devereux Drive died Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997. A native of Youngstown, Ohio, and formerly of Hubbard, Ohio, and Sharon, Pa., Mrs. Hood was a daughter of the late William and Zenania L. Ryan. A homemaker, she lived in Athens for 29 years. She was a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church where she was involved in the United Methodist Women Love & Laughter Support Group, the Homick Sunday school class and the Got More or Less Senior Group. She was past president of the Athens Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and the Athens Country Club Women's Golf Association and past M.C.O. of Aut Mori Caldron, Youngstown, Ohio. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. today at the church with the Rev. Peggy Little officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. Survivors include her husband, Lyle E. Hood, Athens; a daughter, Judi H. Barr, Athens; two grandchildren, Amanda Barr and Jason Barr, both of Athens; and nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jason Barr, David Eaves, Ken Lessard, Joe Turnell, Roy Wood and Robert Yongue. Honorary pallbearers will be the Athens Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and Susannah Wesley Circle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church's memorial fund, 100 Janice Drive, Athens, Ga. 30606. Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Elnoria F. Huff Statham Elnoria Faust Huff, 84, died Saturday, Jan. 18, 1997. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the chapel of Eberhart & Son Mortuary, Winder, with the Rev. Joe L. Mayweather officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 9 a.m. Survivors include a son, William Huff, Winder; two daughters, Annie L. Shields and Georgia Huff, both of Statham; a brother, James R. Faust, Connecticut; two sisters, Daisy Adkins, Lexington, and Cindy M. Hanes, North Carolina; and 10 grandchildren. Ozzie Long Commerce Ozzie Long, 90, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1997. A native of Jackson County, Mr. Long was a son of the late Willie and Vedia Jackson Long and was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with the Rev. L.T. Dubose officiating. Burial will be in Johntown Cemetery. Survivors include a sister, Geveva Timberland, Jamaica, Queens, N.Y.; and a brother, Lester Long, Commerce. James E. Lunsford Elberton James Edward Lunsford, 74, of 174 S. McIntosh St. died Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997. A native of Elbert County, Mr. Lunsford was a son of the late Carswell James and Emma Cordell Lunsford and was a stepson of the late Effie Skelton Lunsford. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Elberton VFW and Elberton First Baptist Church. He was a merchant and was retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Elmhurst Cemetery with the Rev. Stephen Fenlon officiating. Survivors include his wife, Frances Lunsford, of the home; a daughter, Susan Stanberry, Sylva, N.C.; two grandsons; and two great-grandchildren. Family members will be at their respective homes and will receive friends 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday at Berry Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Wallace E. Nelson Sr. Commerce Wallace Edward Nelson Sr., of 308 Dogwood Trail died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997. A native of Pickens County, Mr. Nelson was a son of the late Steven Tate and Minnie Lee Comfort Sosebee Nelson. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of Deer Trail Country Club and a graduate of Piedmont College. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church of Commerce with the Revs. Scott Hearn and Keith Ferguson officiating. Burial will be in Jackson Memorial Gardens. Survivors include his wife, Sarah D. Nelson, Commerce; two sons, Robert D. Nelson, Commerce, and Wallace E. Nelson Jr., Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; a daughter, Melinda J. Nelson, Commerce; two sisters, Virginia Walker, Sandy Springs, and Veneita Withers, Camden, S.C.; and two grandchildren. Flowers are optional; donations may be made to the Commerce Public Library. Little-Ward Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ralph 'Chris' Rucker Toccoa Ralph Christopher "Chris" Rucker, 33, of 368 S. Alexander St. died Monday, Jan. 20, 1997. A native of Stephens County, Mr. Rucker was a son of the late Alvin and Ollie Ruth Tabor Rucker and the nephew of Lois Wofford, Toccoa. A graduate of Stephens County High School, he was employed at Toccoa Sheet Metal Finishing and was a member of King Branch Baptist Church, Carnesville. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. James Ramey officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his aunt, include a brother, Samuel Rucker, of the home; and a sister, Priscilla Mathis, Commerce. The family will receive friends 7-8 p.m. today at Moss-Stovall-Neal Funeral Home. Jesse E. Smith Toccoa Jesse Ernest Smith, 74, of 440 Stovall Lane died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1997. A native of Stephens County, Mr. Smith was a son of the late Theo and Rosie Smith. He was a member of Fair Play Baptist Church and AMVETS where he had served as a state officer. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Robert Blackwell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth F. Smith; four sons, Harold Smith, Julious Smith and Morris Arthur, all of Toccoa, and Horace Smith, Athens; five daughters, Emma Gillerson, Mary Dooley, Sandra Gober and Betty Brown, all of Toccoa, and Patricia Johnson, Augusta; a brother, Willie B. Smith, Toccoa; 21 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. today at Moss-Stovall-Neal Funeral Home. Veronica Swinney Athens Veronica Wise Swinney, of 1658 E. Broad St. died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1997. A native of Clarke County, Mrs. Swinney was a daughter of the late Wade and Carrie Wise. She was a member of East Friendship Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. James Kendrick, B.S. Jackson, Curtis Dixon and A.R. Killian officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Survivors include her husband, James Swinney, Athens; two daughters, Edythe A. Smith, Athens, and Joyce M. Beckwith, Japan; two sons, Jesse Archibald, Athens, and Vincent Archibald, Pensacola, Fla.; a sister, Stella Blades, Athens; a brother, Howard Wise, Athens; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. J.B. Turner Sr. Detroit J.B. Turner Sr., 66, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997. A native of Greene County, Mr. Turner was a son of the late Kate Watts and Robert Lee Turner. He was a retired machinist with Chrysler Corp. and was a member of Randolph Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. C.M. Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Survivors include two sons, J.B. Turner Jr., Milwaukee, and Jimmie L. Turner, Detroit; three brothers, Willie Carter and Johnny B. Carter, Union Point, and Walter Carter, Athens; five sisters, Helen Thomas, Annie K. Carter and Sandy Weaver, all of Union Point, Joann H. Sheet and Willie Mae Brown, Athens; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Watts Funeral Home, Union Point, is in charge of arrangements. Erie D. Wade Lula Erie Duncan Wade, 43, of Hawks Nest Lane died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997. A native of Hall County, Mrs. Wade was a daughter of Dollie S. Duncan, Lula, and the late Paul Herman Duncan. She was a personnel manager with the state's community services. She was a member of Living Mission United Methodist Church where she served as church pianist, taught the adult Sunday school class, was a former youth director and was a member and pianist for the Duncan Sisters Quartet. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel of Whitfield Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Revs. Edwin Smith and John Herrin officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with the Rev. Boyd Ervin officiating at the graveside. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Charles H. Wade, Lula; a daughter, Courtney Wade, Lula; three sisters, Martha Meaders and Jeanette Crocker, both of Lula, and Carol Wade, Alto; and two brothers, Broadus Duncan, Gainesville, and the Rev. James Duncan, Lula. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to the church's building fund, c/o Carol Wade, 1471 Payne Norton Road, Alto, Ga. 30510. Tommy L. Walton Athens Dr. Tommy L. Walton Jr., 76, of 535 Riverhill Drive died Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997. A native of Columbus, Dr. Walton was a son of the late Ellen Walton Thompson and Tommie L. Walton Sr. and spent much of his youth in the Pelham area. He was married for 55 years to the former Mary George Denton, Bronwood. Dr. Walton served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-45. He received a technical degree from Dar Aero Tech, Albany, in 1942, a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in agriculture from the University of Georgia, in 1949 and 1952 respectively. He earned a doctorate in education from Cornell University in 1962. Dr. Walton joined the Cooperative Extension Service as an assistant county agent in Cobb County, serving there 1949-51. He transferred to UGA as an extension economist, community development specialist in 1951 and retained that position until appointed state 4-H leader in 1954. In 1972, he was appointed assistant director of Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development Programs and held that position until his retirement in 1976. After his retirement, he continued to serve as director of Georgia 4-H Foundation until 1978 as well as assuming the position as director of fund development with St. Mary's Hospital. He remained active in the 4-H movement and at St. Mary's until his death. Dr. Walton was recognized for his accomplishments through his participation in Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Zeta, Sigma Phi, National Association of 4-H Agents, National County Agents Association, Board of Trustees of the National 4-H Foundation and the Georgia Committee on Children and Youth. He was honored by selection as the distinguished faculty member in the College of Agriculture in 1969 and as an Outstanding Educator of America in 1972. He was cited by the Georgia House of Representatives and was elected to Who's Who in the South and Southwest. Dr. Walton was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Fellowship Sunday school class. His membership there included service as chairperson of numerous committees including two terms as chairman of the administrative board. He was also a member of Athens Noon Kiwanis Club and the Athens Industrial League. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. Drs. Grady Wigley and Garnett Wilder officiating. Burial will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a son and daughter-in-law, Tommie L. "Larry" Walton III and Mary Ellen Walton, both of Watkinsville; two granddaughters and a grandson-in-law, Andra Smith, Wendi Walton and Roy Smith, all of Watkinsville; and two great-granddaughters, Alexandra Smith and Tayrn Smith, both of Watkinsville. Pallbearers include Jean Cogburn, Harold Darden, Gerald Duke, Burney Goolsby, T.G. Williams, Don Cowan, L.W. Eberhart and Edward J. Fechtel Jr. Other pallbearers are Bill Edwards, Tom Davis, Melvin Davis, Roger Carr, Walker Robinson, Morris Little, Marion Fisher, Martha Jones, Marguerite Daniel and Rhalyn Lowery. Honorary pallbearers will be the membership of the Noon Kiwanis Club, the Fellowship Sunday school class and the administrative staff of St. Mary's Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the hospital, the Georgia 4-H Foundation, UGA or the church. Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Sarah L. Watson Athens Sarah Lois Watson, 62, of 103 Lake Place Drive died Monday, Jan. 20, 1997. A native of Madison County, Mrs. Watson was a daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Curry. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Waggoner Grove Baptist Church with the Revs. William Jennings, C.O. Quinn and R. Gantt officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Survivors include her husband, Hoppie Watson, Athens; a son, Lorenzo Watson; five sisters, Geneva Foote and Mattie E. Jennings, both of Hull, Annie R. Curry and Margie R. Johnson, both of Athens, and Diane Hitchcock, Decatur; six brothers, Samuel Curry Jr., James E. Curry and Willie C. Curry, all of Hull, and John H. Curry, Darris Curry and Larry Moon, all of Athens; and nieces and nephews. Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Robert E. Whitaker Mansfield Robert Earl Whitaker, 32, of 2690 Keencheefoonee Road died Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997. A native of Morgan County, Mr. Whitaker was a son of Barbara Sue B. Simmons, Madison, and Marvin P. Whitaker, Mansfield. He worked in maintenance at Bruce Farms. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at Simmons Funeral Home, Madison, with the Rev. W.T. Booth officiating. Burial will be in Sewell Church Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a brother, Dennis Whitaker, Rabun Gap; two sisters, Marlene Elliott and Lynn Whitaker, both of Snellville; a paternal grandmother, Mrs. Earl Whitaker, Mansfield; and two maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Brown, Rutledge. DEATH NOTICES Maydell Hunter COMMERCE - Maydell Hunter died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1997. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Mason Funeral Home. (C)opyright 1996 Athens Banner Herald/Daily News