Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 4 Sep 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/ *********************************************************************** Willie Cullars Sr. Washington Willie Cullars Sr., 70, of 308-R Whitehall St. died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998. A native of Wilkes County, Mr. Cullars was a son of the late Marshall and Ida F. Cullars. He was a member of Springfield Baptist Church, where he served on the deacon board. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Springfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Norman Williams officiating. Burial will be in City West Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Marion Cullars; five daughters, Bobbie J. Hall, Kansas City, Kan., and Cherry L. Reid, Bobbie A. Canady, Clarice McLendon and Linda Cullars, all of Washington; four sons, Willie Cullars Jr., Robert Cullars and Roscoe Cullars, all of Kansas City, Kan., and Nathaniel Cullars Sr., Washington; six sisters, Anna Jackson, Philadelphia, Ressie Mahoney, Thomson, Lillie P. Cullars and Evelyn Danner, both of Washington, and Grace Parks and Viola Freeman, both of Lincolnton; four brothers, Nelson Cullars, L.D. Cullars, Robert Cullars and Jim Cullars, all of Washington; and 13 grandchildren. Davenport-McLendon Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Roger L. Dancz Athens Roger L. Dancz, who directed University of Georgia bands for 36 years and hosted a popular statewide jazz radio program, died in Athens Sept. 1, 1998. Mr. Dancz, 68, died at St. Mary's Hospital following a brief illness. No formal funeral service will be held. A musical celebration of his life will be held later. Mr. Dancz became director of UGA's Redcoat Band in 1955 and is credited with building the group into one of the nation's top collegiate bands. He also started a jazz studies program at UGA, directed the university's symphonic band, and created a jazz festival and music festival that brought thousands of high school students to UGA. "By any standard, Roger Dancz was the foremost figure in the band movement in Georgia from 1955 to the present," said Dwight Satterwhite, UGA's current director of bands. "For the university's band program, and for band programs throughout the state, this is a deep personal and professional loss." Mr. Dancz created a weekly radio program of jazz music and commentary called "Invitation to Jazz" that was broadcast statewide over the Peach State Public Radio. The first program aired the week Athens public radio station WUGA went on the air in August 1987. Mr. Dancz subsequently broadcast more than 500 programs, missing only one because of illness. Born May 25, 1930, in Ludington, Mich., Mr. Dancz began playing trumpet when he was six years old. By the time he was 14, he had formed a nine-piece band that played at school dances. He received a bachelor's degree in music from Stetson University, where he was captain of the band, and a master's in music from George Peabody Teacher's College. He also studied trumpet under Everett Kissinger, Donald Yaxley and Robert Bays. Mr. Dancz came to UGA in 1955 after playing with the Third Army Band at Fort McPherson in Atlanta and writing arrangements for the Georgia Tech band. Twenty-five people showed up for his first rehearsal of the Redcoat Band. By the time he retired in 1991, the band included some 300 musicians, twirlers, dancers and support staff. During his tenure, the Redcoats made several records, appeared many times on national television at bowl games, and marched in President Jimmy Carter's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. A hallmark of the Redcoats under Mr. Dancz was spectacular halftime shows at football games. Working with his late wife, Phyllis, who directed the twirling and dancing units, Mr. Dancz created shows marked by intricate marching formations, soaring music and colorful costumes and props. In the early 1970s, Mr. Dancz established a jazz studies program and formed several jazz performance groups. He directed Jazz Band I, which performed throughout Georgia. He also organized the Jazz Festival of Champions, an annual competition for high school bands that brought top professional jazz musicians to UGA as teachers and clinicians. He started an annual music festival, held each January, and a summer music workshop for high school students - programs that helped recruit many of the state's best high school musicians for UGA's band program. For many years, Mr. Dancz directed the UGA Symphonic Band, which performed classical and semi-classical music. He was nationally recognized as a pioneer in the programming of original music for wind instru ments. Thousands of students played in UGA bands during Mr. Dancz's tenure, and in 1974 he began giving them a chance to perform again in an alumni band. From an initial group of 130, the alumni band has grown to more than 300 musicians who perform at the Homecoming football game each year. Mr. Dancz served as president of the Georgia Music Educators Association, the southern division of the College Band Directors National Association, and the Georgia chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators. He was president of the Georgia chapter of Phi Beta Mu music honor society and was elected to its Bandmasters Hall of Fame. He was a member of a number of other professional and honorary groups, and was listed in a number of biographies including "International Who's Who in Music," "Who's Who in Entertainment" and "Who's Who in the World." Survivors include his son, Steve, a professional musician, daughter-in-law Vicki and granddaughter Nicole, all of Athens; his mother, Viola Dancz, Ludington, Mich.; and a brother, Gary Dancz, also of Ludington. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Roger Dancz Scholarship Fund and sent to the University of Georgia Foundation, 824 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Ga. 30602. Bridges Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements. Gladys Forbe Springfield, Mass. Gladys Louise Jackson Forbe, formerly of Athens, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 1998. Mrs. Forbe was a daughter of the late Clifford and Georgia Mae Jackson. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Survivors include Alice Hunter, Athens, Carrie Jackson, Emma Ruth Jackson and Shirley Ann Moore, all of Springfield, and Bobby Jean Ware, Boston; two brothers, Clifford Jackson and Harry Lee Jackson, both of Springfield; and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Announcement courtesy of Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home, Athens. Rebecca Gordon Athens Rebecca Richardson Gordon, 84, of 175 Lavender Road died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Gordon was a daughter of the late Myles and Emma Richardson. She was retired from Sun Beam Cleaner and a member of Clarke Grove Baptist Church, Lexington. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Clarke Grove Baptist Church with the Revs. Abraham Mosley and Willie Z. Harris officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Dave E. Gordon; two daughters, Dorothy Duke and Velma Daniel, both of Athens; a son, David E. Gordon, Lithonia; two sisters, Mary Nash and Emma Mitchell, both of Stephens; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. The family is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Larinza Duke, 245 Lavender Road, and will receive friends 7-8 p.m. today at Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home. Dr. Paul M. Halverson Columbus Dr. Paul M. Halverson, 86, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998. A native of Omaha, Neb., Dr. Halverson was a son of the late Rev. Melvin W. Halverson and Ruth Peterson Halverson. He was a former professor of education at Syracuse University and the University of Georgia, retiring in 1977. He was a member of Edgewood Presbyterian Church, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and Phi Delta Kappa Honorary. Private memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with the Rev. Barry Ferguson officiating. Survivors include his wife, Julie Halverson; two sons, Dr. John Halverson, Syracuse, N.Y., and Dr. Steve Halverson, Columbus; a sister, Leila Ellingson, Federal Way; and six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Edgewood Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, Columbus, Ga. 31907. Pelham Johnson Hartwell Pelham Johnson, 84, of 1104 W. Franklin Place died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998. A native of Hart County, Mr. Johnson was a son of the late Joel and Hester Johnson and was the widower of Eula Mae John son. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at New Hope Full Gospel Church with the Rev. T.L. Jackson officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include four children, Lillie Mae Johnson, Willie Mae Johnson and J.C. Johnson, all of Hartwell, and Bobby Stanford Johnson, Lavonia; 23 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. The family is at the home of Regina Johnson, 99 Springdale Drive, Hartwell, and will receive friends 7-8 p.m. Sunday at Mack's Funeral Home. Ludell Murray Elberton Ludell Murray of 1012 Oglesby Blvd. died Monday, Aug. 31, 1998. Mr. Murray was a son of Nettie Lou Turman Murray Dubose and the late Ampt Murray. He was a member of Cades Chapel Baptist Church, where he was a member of the deacon board and treasurer of the finance committee. He was employed by Hulme Advertising Co. for 36 years. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Cades Chapel Baptist Church with the Revs. Joe Cannon and Herman Glaze officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Ledonia Wall Murray; a daughter, Emory Jean McCalla, Elberton; three sons, Melvin Murray, Dennis Lee Murray and Ludell Murray Jr., all of Elberton; three sisters, Mattie Lou Moss and Inez Johnson, both of Easley, S.C., and Annie Williams, Glastonbury, Conn.; three brothers, Willie E. Murray, Elberton, and Ampt Murray Jr. and Frankie Dubose, both of Easley, S.C.; a stepsister, Mary Alice Hawk, Cleveland, Ohio; a stepbrother, Richard Dubose, Elberton; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Eddie Howard, Thomas Easley, Charles Moon, Sylvester Ardister, James Allen and Ben Wills. Flower bearers will be nieces Betty Graham, Shirley Hughes, Lois Rucker, Debra Ann Howard, Laura Dye and Betty Moss. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Cade's Chapel Deacon Board. Honorary flower bearers will be members of Cade's Chapel Mother Board. The family is at the residence. C.W. Phelps Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Nora Norris Toccoa Nora L. Gibson Norris, 91, of Queen Street died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998. A native of Oconee County, S.C., Mrs. Norris was a daughter of the late Joseph E. and Margaret Eugenia Myers Gibson. She was preceded in death by a son, Joe Frank Norris. She was a homemaker and a member of Toms Creek Baptist Church and the Sunshine Sunday School Class. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Whitlock Mortuary with the Revs. Clack Stubbs and Virgil Merck officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Jewel Elrod, Toccoa, and Frances Slaton, Smyrna; four sons, Herman Norris, Toccoa, Haskell Norris, Eastanollee, and Alton Norris and Odis Norris, both of Martin; 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Haskell Norris, Eastanollee School Road. Fidelia Reed Toccoa Fidelia "Dee-Dee" Reed, 42, of 283 Craig St. died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998. A native of Hall County, Mrs. Reed was a daughter of Margaret Scott Reed and the late Grady Reed. She was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles M. White officiating. Burial will be in Toccoa City Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include a son, Clifton Reed, Toccoa; and two brothers, Recardo Reed Sr., Gainesville, and Robert Reed, Toccoa. The family will receive friends 7-8 p.m. today at Moss-Stovall-Neal Funeral Home. William Schlotzhauer Athens William Stokes Schlotzhauer, 60, of 3495 Old Lexington Road died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998. A native of Philadelphia, Mr. Schlotzhauer was a son of Sarah Schlotzhauer. He graduated from Providence College, R.I., and was a research chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Patri cia Schlotzhauer; and two sons, Jon Schlotzhauer and Cory Schlotzhauer. The family is at the residence. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity. The Cremation Society of the South, Atlanta, is in charge of arrangements. Lila E. Wills Athens Lila E. Wills, 91, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998. A native of Oconee County, Mrs. Wills was a daughter of the late Robert E. and Olivia O'Kelly Edwards and was the widow of James Marvin Wills. She was a homemaker and a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church. Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Ricketts officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. Survivors include several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends 1-3 p.m. today at the funeral home. Thomas D. Youngblood Elberton Thomas D. Youngblood, 14, of 2701 Rockbranch Road died Sunday, Aug. 30, 1998. A native of Elbert County, Thomas was a son of Ralph Youngblood, Elberton, and Rachel Robinson Youngblood, Indiana. He was a student at Elbert County Middle School and was of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints faith. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Berry Funeral Home with James Altman officiating. Burial will be in Rockbranch Baptist Church Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his grandmother, Minnie Youngblood, Elberton; three sisters, Lisa Hall, Elberton, Sharon Kilgore, Florida, and Donna Burch, New York; and two brothers, Chad Youngblood and Joshua Youngblood, both of Elberton. Pallbearers will be W.T. Youngblood, Shane Duncan, Chad Youngblood, Dave Hall, Bruce Robinson, Ben Watson and Martin Carithers. The family is at the home of Minnie Youngblood, 2560 Anderson Highway, and will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Elbert County Middle School in memory of Thomas D. Youngblood. Rev. Arthur Givens Bowman The Rev. Arthur Givens, 50, of 165 Jackson St. died Thursday, Sept. 3, 1998. Mack's Funeral Home, Hartwell, will announce arrangements. John 'J.W.' Lyles Winder John Willie "J.W." Lyles, 56, of 838 Lodgeview Drive died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998. Eberhart & Son Mortuary will announce arrangements. Jeanie W. Rakestraw Athens Jeanie W. Rakestraw of 161 Merlin Drive died Thursday, Sept. 3, 1998. Winfrey's Mutual Funeral Home will announce arrangements. ______ ______________________________ Athens Daily News/Banner Herald Šopyright 1998 Athens Newspapers Inc.