Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 1 Dec 1998 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 Tuesday, December 1, 1998 Obituaries . . . Nathan T. Atkinson Hartwell Nathan Thomas Atkinson, 3, of 7694 Reed Creek Highway, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. A native of Anderson County, S.C., Mr. Atkinson was a son of John W. Atkinson, Hartwell, and Nikki Tupper Atkinson, Anderson. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Strickland Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris LeCroy officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Garden of Prayer. In addition to his parents, survivors include his stepmother, Jeanne E. Atkinson, Hartwell; two sisters, Brittany Tupper and Kimberly Atkinson, both of Hartwell; one brother, Tyler Nash Atkinson, Hartwell; three stepsisters, Bobbie Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy and Randie Kennedy, all of Hartwell; paternal grandparents, Herbert and Ann Atkinson, Hartwell; and maternal grandparents, Russell and Betty Tupper, Hartwell. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Frances Carey Danielsville Frances Elizabeth Patten Carey, 80, of Georgia Highway 106 North, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. A native of Madison County, Mrs. Carey was a daughter of the late Howard and Lavonia Haynes Patten and widow of William ''Bill'' Carey. She was preceded in death by one son, James Edward Carey. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. today at Trinity Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Albert Vaughn officiating. Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Carey and Dan Carey, both of Ila; two sisters, Helen Godfrey, Virginia Beach, Va., and Dorothy Christian, Kannapolis, N.C.; and one grandchild. The family is at the residence of Kenneth Carey, 235 Minish Lake Road, Commerce. Pruitte Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. William K. Coggins Elberton William Knox Coggins Jr., 58, of 830 Heard Drive, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998. A native of Griffin, Mr. Coggins was a son of the late William Knox Coggins Sr. and Ladie Madge Chambers Coggins. He was a retired Baptist minister and a member of Johnson Drive Baptist Church. Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Berry Funeral Home with the Rev. Calvin Coile officiating. Burial will be in the Fork Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Jackie Thompson Coggins; two daughters, Lisa Coggins Haynes, Elberton, and Cindy Coggins, Henderson, N.C.; one son, Curt Coggins, Elberton; two sisters, Edith Carol Webb, Gainesville, and Linda Allen, Elberton; two brothers, Martin Edmond Coggins, Stuarts Draft, Va., and Hollis Barrow Coggins, Elberton; and four grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Bob Goss, Barry Goss, Tony Harris, Gary Jarvis, Jeff Haynes, Jon Jarvis, Calvin Albea, David Coggins and Daniel Coggins. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at Berry Funeral Home. Mackie Ruth Davis Toccoa Mackie Ruth Hosea ''Mamma Davis'' Davis, 98, died Sunday Nov. 29, 1998. A native of Stephens County, Mrs. Davis was a daughter of the late Clem Thomas and Elsie Caroline Hosea and the widow of Thomas H. Davis. She was preceded in death by one son, Harry D. Davis. She was a member of Carnes Creek Baptist Church, and was active in the community. The dedication of her life to quietly helping and sharing with others was a testimony to her wisdom, deep faith and love. She taught Sunday school, was a leader of children's groups in the church and always had time to lend a had to family or friends. The legacy of her life lives on through the many who were impacted by her kindnesses as they sought her company for counsel, understanding or just a good time. Services will be 3 p.m. today at Whitlock Mortuary with the Revs. Tim Miller and Marvin Whitworth officiating. Burial will be in Carnes Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Charles E. and Inez Davis, Dunwoody; one daughter-in-law, Mildred T. Davis, Toccoa; three grandchildren and spouses, G. Gary and Sharon Davis, Athens, Karen R. Davis, Athens, and William H. and Tiffany Davis, Lavonia; three great-grandchildren and spouses, Stephanie D. and Brian Slate, Toccoa, Todd G. and Deneen Davis, Athens, Ben W. Davis, Greenville, S.C.; one great, great-granddaughter, Mackinlee Amelia Slate, Toc coa; two brothers, Clem C. Hosea and George M. Hosea, both of Toccoa; one sister, Cora Ann Garrett, Toccoa; and 11 nieces and five nephews. Pallbearers will be Gary Davis, Bill Davis, Todd Davis, Brian Slate, Ben Davis and Dean Taylor, and will meet at 2:30 p.m. today at the mortuary. The family will be at their respective residences. Lynn G. Finch Union Point Lynn Garland Finch, of 625 Woodland Court, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. A native of Greene County, Mrs. Finch was a daughter of Eugene Garland, Appling, and Phyllis Garland, Sparta, and was preceded in death by one son, Charles Richard Finch Jr. She was a graduate of John Hancock Academy and worked as a para-professional at Union Point Elementary. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Greensboro. Services will be 4 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, Greensboro, with the Rev. Dave Sandridge officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include her husband, Charles R. ''Chuck'' Finch; two daughters, Mary Margaret Finch and Brittany Lynn Finch, both of Union Point; one sister, Cherry G. Simpson, Union Point; two brothers, Gene Garland, Union Point, and Noel Garland, Nicholson; paternal grandparents, Noel and Elsie Garland, Sparta; and maternal grandparent, Thomas Smith, Sparta. Pallbearers will be Sedrick Garland, Brendan Garland, Troy Garland, Marty Dowdy, Scott Baynes and Casey Baynes. Memorials may be made to Lynn Finch Memorial Fund at Citizens Union Bank. McCommons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Charles R. Finch Jr. Union Point Charles Richard Finch Jr., of 625 Woodland Court, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. Mr. Finch was a son of Charles R. ''Chuck'' Finch and the late Lynn Garland Finch. Services will be 4 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, Greensboro, with the Rev. Dave Sandridge officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery, Union Point. In addition to his father, survivors include two sisters, Mary Margaret Finch and Brittany Lynn Finch, both of Union Point; maternal grandparents, Eugene Garland, Appling, and Phyllis Garland, Sparta; one aunt; two uncles; and great-grandparents. Pallbearers include Sedrick Garland, Brendan Garland, Troy Garland, Marty Dowdy, Scott Baynes and Casey Baynes. Memorials may be made to the Lynn Finch Memorial Fund at Citizens Union Bank. McCommons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Carl Free Comer Carl Branson Free Jr., 60, of 773 Winn Lake Road, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. A native of Clarke County, Mr. Free was a son of the late Carl and Lorna Lawrence Free. He was self-employed and was of the Baptist faith. Services will be held at a later date. Survivors include his wife, Betty Free; a sister, Lydia McMeekin, Tyron; and a nephew, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity. Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements. Sara J. Gunn Cornelia Sara Jane Gunn, 53, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. A native of Rabun County, she was a daughter of Arlissa Green Wheeler, Cornelia, and the late Virgil Wheeler. She was an extrusion technician for Ethicon Inc., Cornelia, and was of the Holiness faith. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Demorest Church of God with the Revs. David Joe Wheeler and Hoyt Skelton officiating. Burial will be in Yonah Memorial Gardens. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include two daughters, Tina Jones, Blairsville, and Leslie Michelle Owens, Cornelia; one son, Eddie Knotts, Cornelia; six sisters, Carol Sue Wilson and Joan Rogers, both of Buford, Linda Dyer, Hayesville, N.C., Kathy Ross, Mineral Bluff, Vickie Ledford, Murrayville, and Lola Mae Wilson, Hiawassee; four brothers, Larry Miles Wheeler, Hiawassee, Virgil Miles Wheeler Jr., Demorest, David Joe Wheeler, Hollywood, and Terry Michael Wheeler, Cornelia; and four grandchildren. The family is at the residence. McGahee-Griffin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Albert W. Lawrence Hartwell Albert Watson Lawrence, 88, of 462 Moore Road, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. A native of Banks County, Mr. Lawrence was a son of the late Jonah and Anna Luallen Lawrence. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Viola Clark. He was retired from Moore Paving Co. and was a member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church. Services will be 11 a.m. today at Strickland Funeral Home with the Revs. Randy Smith and Mike Bearden officiating. Burial will be in Nancy Hart Memorial Park. Survivors include his wife, Rosalee Segars Lawrence; six sons, Billy Lawrence, Canon, and John Lawrence, George Lawrence, Charles Lawrence, Eugene Lawrence and Jimmy Lawrence, all of Hartwell; six daughters, Kathleen Cantrell, Bowersville, Inez Holland and Betty Jo Carruth, both of Hartwell, and Evelyn Gaines, Annie Ruth Burrell and Faye Turner, all of Elberton; one brother, William Alfred ''Bud'' Lawrence, Hartwell; two sisters, Villie Bailey, Hartwell, and Lois Segars, Elberton; 32 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 12 step great-grandchildren; and three great, great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Minnie H. Lee Bowersville Minnie Harris Lee, 65, of 7905 Sheafer St., died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. A native of Habersham County, Mrs. Lee was a daughter of the late Henry C. and Elizabeth Towel Harris. She was preceded in death by one son, Randy Lee. She was a retired manager of Mini Burger, Lavonia, and a member of Flat Shoals Baptist Church. Services will be 2 p.m. today at Strickland Funeral Home with the Revs. Dan Bailey and Sid Newell officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Royston. Survivors include two sons, Thomas Lee, Alabama, and Eddie Lee, Bowersville; three daughters, Barbara Hilley, Royston, Debbie Cawthon, Bowersville, and Judy Lee, Martin; two brothers, James Harris and Henry Harris, both of Commerce; four sisters, Virginia Billings, Starr, S.C., Henrietta O'Dell and Mary Clark, both of Hartwell, and Betty Hulsey, Homer; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence of a daughter, Debbie Cawthon, 8365 Sheafer St., Bowersville. Arlene Lewis Sparta Arlene Lewis, 47, of Route 2, Box 122-H, died Friday, Nov. 27, 1998. Mrs. Lewis was a native of Athens and a homemaker. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hunt's Chapel Church with the Rev. Johnny Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include her husband, C.S. Lewis; two sons, Bobby L. Johnson, Taylorsville, and Christopher Lewis, Sparta; and three brothers, Frank Johnson and Samuel Brown, both of Athens, and Joseph Brown, Carrollton. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at Ingram Brothers Funeral Home. Odell Bridges Mines Union Point Odell Bridges Mines, 83, of 105 Pine Drive, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Mines was a daughter of the late Robert Ellis Bridges and Cora Jane Woods and was the widow of Walter Henry Mines. She was a retired textile worker for Chipman-Union Manufacturing and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Union Point. Services were 3 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Calvin Ward and David Key officiating. Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Joyce M. West, Washington, and Dorothy M. Powell, Greensboro; a son, George W. Mines, Union Point; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and three great, great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Evan Acree, Patrick Jacoby, Shelton West, Harold Finch, Mike Smith, and Johnny Whittes Callaway Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Era Sanders Bowersville Era Hemrick Sanders, 95, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. A native of Oconee County, Mrs. Sanders was a daughter of the late William Henry and Mary Sosbee Hemrick and was the widow of Walter Ray Sanders. She was a retired teacher from Hart County School system and was a member of the Hart County Retired Educators. She was a charter member of Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and a member of Bowersville Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pruitte Funeral Home with the Revs. Frank Owens and John D. Forbes officiating. Burial will be in Bowersville City Cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Ann Stancil and Dot Wood, both of Marietta, and Mary Benton, Winder; one son, Freeman Sanders, Doraville; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Pruitte Funeral Home. Mamie B. Standridge Gillsville Mamie Brown Standridge, 85, of 258 Hickory Flat Road, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998. A native of Cleveland, Mrs. Standridge was a daughter of the late John Henry Brown and Mamie Lou Turner Standridge and the widow of Ben Standridge. She was a homemaker. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Silver Shoals Baptist Church with the Revs. Perry Smith and David Bowen officiating. Burial will be at Standridge Family Cemetery, Clermont. Survivors include three daughters, Debra Hixenbaugh, Commerce, Delorse Meeks, Wrightsville, and Lillian Wurtz, Dry Pond; one son, Richard Standridge, Gillsville; a daughter-in-law with whom she made her home, Carolyn Standridge, Gillsville; 19 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends today at the residence. Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of the arrangements. Death Notices Keith Stovall Keith Stovall, 44, of 176 Turtle Creek Lane, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998. A native of Louisville, Ky., Mr. Stovall was a son of the late John and Pauline Jones Stovall. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia and was active in the Boys Club, Girls Club and Camp Kiwanis. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Survivors include a brother, Alan Stovall, Crossville; and two nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Kiwanis, 2613 Old Wildcat Bridge Road, Danielsville, Ga. 30633. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home East is in charge of arrangements. Roscoe M. Tweedell Buckhead Roscoe Milton Tweedell, 70, of 1001 Heidi Trail, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. A native of DeKalb County, Mr. Tweedell was a son of the late Roscoe and Stella Richardson Tweedell. He was a deputy clerk of DeKalb County Superior Court for 41 years. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Corinth Christian Church cemetery with the Rev. John McMillan officiating. Survivors include one sister, Gladys T. Perry, Decatur; and one brother, Jack Tweedell, Buckhead. Simmons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Garnett M. Wilder Athens The Rev. Dr. Garnett Marion Wilder, 68, retired United Methodist Church minister, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. Dr. Wilder served as a senior minister of Athens First United Methodist Church from 1992 until his retirement last year. He was taken ill while preaching a sermon at Decatur First United Methodist Church, and died immediately afterward. His last words were ''Trust in God.'' Dr. Wilder gave his life to Jesus when he was 8 years old under the preaching of evangelist Harry Denman. He was called to preach at 14 at Poplar Springs Camp Ground, Franklin County. He graduated from Royston High School, Reinhardt College and received a bachelor of divinity degree, cum laude, from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He studied in the Ph.D. program of Drew University, Madison, N.J., and received a doctorate in systematic theology from Emory University. He taught at Augusta College and in the University of Georgia system and taught theology at Candler School of Theology for 20 years. Dr. Wilder served the following United Methodist churches during his ministry: Center Charge; Buchanan; Celanese; Woodstock, N.Y.; Bowden; Woodlawn; Rome First; Decatur First; Snellville First; and Athens First. He also served as the district superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur Oxford District. He served as a member of the Commission on Higher Education, Deaconess Board, Bishop's Advisory Committee on Inter-jurisdictional Affairs, Board of Global Ministries, Commission on Finance and Administration, Trustee of Reinhardt College, and Board of United Methodist Children's Home and General Board of Higher Ministry. He served as chairman of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and was honored by the North Georgia Conference as delegate to the General Conference five times and the Jurisdictional Conference six times. Dr. Wilder is the author of three books, ''Promises to Keep.'' ''Between the Times'' and ''Using Your Emotions Creatively.'' He also published numerous articles and sermons. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Decatur First United Methodist Church. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be 3 p.m. Wednesday in Royston Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Marian Pinson Wilder, to whom he was married 48 years; three children and their spouses, Bruce and Melanie Wilder, Melody and David Wilson and Joey and Bobby Morgan; a sister, Sara Ruth Eubanks; a brother, Joseph B. Wilder; and eight grandchildren, Allison, Austyn and Katherine Wilder, Grace, Max, Sam and Hope Morgan, and Margaret Wilson. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, Decatur. A memorial fund has been established to direct financial assistance to causes of special interest to Dr. Wilder. Memorials may be made to the Wilder Memorial Fund in care of NationsBank P.O. Box 992, Athens, 30603. Jerome Gresham WINDER -- Jerome Gresham, 61, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998. Wise-Connolly Funeral Home will announce arrangements. Brian D. Robinson Brian David Robinson of 290 Sherwood Drive died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. Jackson-McWhorter will announce arrangements. Robert Willis TIGNALL -- Robert Willis, 83, of 110 Whitehall St., died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998. Davenport McLendon Mortuary will announce arrangements. online athensAthens Daily News/Banner Herald Šopyright 1998 Athens Newspapers Inc.