Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 27 Feb 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 header ANET Options Ray Byram Sandy Cross Raymond Hardy Byram, 76, of Sandy Cross community, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998. A native of Elizabeth, N.J., Mr. Byram was a son of the late Addison Vance and Sarah Kaine Byram. He was a retired certified public accountant and a Naval Veteran of World War II. Mr. Byram was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, Elizabeth, N.J., and a graduate of Pace University, New York. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He was a beloved husband and father who will be remembered by all family and friends for his offbeat sense of humor, his unselfish attitude and his positive nature. Memorial mass will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Father Joe Chaleoux will officiate. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Mary Byram; a daughter, Mary Byram Tomlinson, Pittsburgh; two sons, John Byram, Sandy Cross, and Raymond Byram, Mableton; a sister, Kathleen Burgess, Albrightsville, Penn.; four grandsons; several nieces; and a nephew. The family will receive friends at the residence, 111 Echols Road, Carlton, Ga. 30627. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Parkinson's Association, 1365 Clifton Road N.E., Room 5102, Atlanta, Ga. 30322, or St. Joseph's Charities, 134 Prince Ave., Athens, Ga. 30601. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home East, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Joseph S. Carter Athens Joseph S. Carter, 67, of 133 Bonnie Lane, died Monday, Feb. 23, 1998. A native of Wilkes County, Mr. Carter was a son of the late Lucille Weems Willis and Joseph Carter. He was a member of Twin Oak Baptist Church in Washington. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Twin Oak Baptist Church with the Rev. Charlie Maddox officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Survivors include a son, Benjamin Carter; five sisters, Evelyn Easely and Lunell Coleman, both of Philadelphia, Ross L. Davis, Atlanta, Gloria Richardson, Athens, and Linda Wilkerson, Decatur; four brothers, Curtis Willis and Lawrence Willis, both of Washington, and Joe Louis Willis and Napoleon Willis, both of Philadelphia; seven aunts; and nieces and nephews. Mack & Payne Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Cram Martin Mary Charlotte Archer Cram, 72, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998. A native of Hector, N.Y., Mrs. Cram was a daughter of the late George Ormand and Mabel Chatfield Archer. Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Homer Alliance Church, Homer, with the Rev. George W. Tubbs officiating. Survivors include a daughter, Anita M. Joslyn, Toccoa; four sons, Marc Cram, Hornby, N.Y., Thomas Cram and Bruce D. Cram, both of Martin, and Eric Cram, Painted Post, N.Y.; a sister, Cathenne Jean Manning, Lavonia; and a brother, Richard D. Archer, New Port Richey, Fla. This announcement courtesy of Acree-Davis Funeral Home, Toccoa. Doris Cronic Hoschton Doris Cronic, 72, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998. Ms. Cronic was a daughter of the late A.L. and Loudell Orr Cronic. She was a retired seamstress, having worked at Dickie's and Carwood, and a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Smith Funeral Home, Winder, with the Rev. Barney Williams officiating. Burial will be in Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Survivors include a son, Doug Cronic, Bethlehem; seven sisters, Mildred Edge, Winder, Ruby Tatum and Janice Gregory, both of Hoschton, Carolyn Boggs, Auburn, Barbara Barrett and Martha Mundy, both of Buford, and Dale Crowe, Flowery Branch; two brothers, Andrew "Peewee" Cronic Jr. and Vernon Cronic, both of Hoschton; a stepsister, Ruth Bedingfield; two stepbrothers, Robert Willard and William Willard; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends after 2 p.m. today. Viola Dean Athens Viola "Nanny" Dean, 86, of 198 Macon Ave., died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998. A native of Wilkes County, Mrs. Dean was a daughter of the late Edward and Mary Heard. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Dorsey Tabernacle Baptist Church with the Rev. H.L. Dotson officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Survivors include a daughter, Martha L. Barnes, Athens; two sons, Edward Dean Jr., Middletown, Ohio, and Jethro Dean, Athens; three stepsons, Harold Dean and Henry Davis, both of Athens, and James Dean, Florida; a sister, Constance Glenn, Athens; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Hurley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lueallar Lewis Temple Lueallar Watts Lewis, 88, of 162 Shackleford Road, formerly of Union Point, died Friday, Feb. 20, 1998. A native of Taliaferro County, Mrs. Lewis was a daughter of the late Tom and Maylize (Peek) Watts. She was a member of Randolph Baptist Church, where she served on the Mother Board and was treasurer of the Missionary Board. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Randolph Baptist Church with the Rev. James Battle officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include a son, Willie James Lewis, Temple; a stepson, Luther (Tatum) Howard; nine grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-8 p.m. today at Watts Funeral Home, Union Point. Johnnie H. Maxey Watkinsville Johnnie H. Maxey, 83, of 1941 McRee Gin Road, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998. A native of Oconee County, Mr. Maxey was a son of the late John Andrew and Theresa Patrick Maxey and widower of Gladys Crawford Maxey. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ronda Victoria Maxey. A disabled Army veteran of World War II, he was retired from Coble Dairies and was a member of Athens Veterans of Foreign Wars and Memorial Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home West, Bogart, with the Rev. Darrell Gilmer officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. Survivors include four daughters, Grace Chandler, Athens, Carolyn Haley and Brenda Merola, both of Watkinsville, and Linda Bray, Crawford; three sons, Sam Maxey, Hull, and John A. Maxey and Ron Maxey, both of Watkinsville; a sister, Clara Mae House, Athens; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Sarah Milner Royston Sarah Burns Milner, 87, formerly of Monticello, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998. A native of Barnesville, Mrs. Milner was a daughter of the late David Caroll and Ona Akin Burns and widow of John H. Milner Jr. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Carolyn M. Keen. She was a graduate of A&M Academy in Barnesville and was a secretary of the A&M Alumni for many years. She was a member and Sunday school teacher of Monticello Baptist Church, a longtime president of the WMU and a RA director. She was a member of Pink Ladies, E.L. Club and Adult Literacy Program, was active in the Home Demonstration Club and 4-H, and served as Jasper County librarian. Prior to retirement she worked as a social worker for the Jasper County Department of Family and Children Services. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Monticello Baptist Church with the Rev. Kerry Bunn officiating. Burial will at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in West View Cemetery, Zebulon. Survivors include four sons, Richard Willis Milner, Gainesville, and John H. Milner III, George Burns Milner and Timothy Marshall Milner, all of Hartwell; a sister, Madge Akin, Tifton; two brothers, Jesse Burns, Albany, and Jack A. Burns, Sandy Springs; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. today at Jordan Funeral Home, Monticello. Hazelene H. Pitts Toccoa Hazelene Hilley Pitts, 59, of 757 Sunshine Church Road, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998. A native of Franklin County, Mrs. Pitts was a daughter of Eula Hardman Hilley of Toccoa and the late John B. Hilley. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lauren Corn. She was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church with the Revs. Mark Anthony and Marcus Martin officiating. Burial will be in Sunshine Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Ryan Seawright officiating. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Joe Pitts; three daughters, Kim McFarlin and Renee Conway, both of Toccoa, and Michelle Nunn, Commerce; four brothers, Charles Hilley, Carnesville, Jackie Hilley, Toccoa, and Pat Hilley and John Hilley, both of Columbus; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Pallbearers will be Nick McFarlin, Brandon Hardman, Jerry Simmons, Blake Bennett, Paskel Hilley and Tim Moore. The family is at the residence and will receive friends 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. today at Acree-Davis Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Collins Children's Home, Seneca, S.C. Sara Gonzalez de Proenza West Lafayette, Ind. Sara Gonzalez de Proenza, 96, formerly of Athens, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998. A native of Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, she was a daughter of the late Sara Rios Zertuche and Mariano Gonzalez and widow of Luis Proenza Abreu. She was owner and operator of an airport store, Plata de Taxco, which had two locations, one in Mexico City International Airport and one in Acapulco. After moving to Atlanta, she and her husband operated Peanut Shops of Georgia downtown. She helped establish Father Wasson's orphanage "Our Little Brothers" in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and later started and donated businesses to fund the development of a second orphanage in Acapulco, Mexico. In 1984 she joined her son, formerly professor and assistant to the president at the University of Georgia, and his wife in Athens and continued to live with them until her death. Survivors include a son, Dr. Luis M. Proenza, a neurobiologist and vice president for research at Purdue University, and his wife, Theresa Butler Proenza, both of West Lafayette; and a sister, Leonor Gonzalez de Martinez, Mexico City. In lieu of a service, her family has established a special scholarship in her name, The Sara Proenza Graduate Research Fellowship. Memorials may be made to the Purdue Foundation, 1800 Purdue Memorial Union, West Lafayette, Ind. 47907. Soller Baker Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements. Michael Schlegelmilch Toccoa Michael Schlegelmilch, 96, died Monday, Feb. 23, 1998. A native of Abtswind, Germany, Mr. Schlegelmilch was the widower of Dorothea Schlegelmilch. He was preceded in death by a son, Lothar R. Schlegelmilch. He was a major in the German Army for 24 years, served in Russia during World War II and was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Enterprise, Ala., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Toccoa. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Whitfield Funeral Home, Baldwin, with Pastor Greg Walton officiating. Survivors include a daughter, Christa D. Boesen, Daleville, Ala.; a son, Fred Schlegel, Toccoa; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a special memorial fund at Trinity Lutheran Church, Toccoa, or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 609, Dothan, Ala. 36302. Clara Bell Sims Athens Clara Bell Sims, 84, of 1220 Epps Bridge Road, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998. A native of Ozark, Ala., Mrs. Sims was a daughter of the late Sidney and Willie Sweet Gibson. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today at Bethel Baptist Church, Watkinsville, with the Rev. Samuel Pridgon officiating. Burial will be in Watkinsville City Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Phillip Sims Sr.; five daughters, Ethel Ford, Athens, Marie Antionette Lackey, Augusta, Carolyn Dean, Middletown, Ohio, Gwen Cooper, Watkinsville, and Karan Salary, Albany; three sons, Phillip Matthew Sims Jr., Decatur, Sidney Lanier Sims, Portmouth, Va., and Ronnie Lee Sims, Athens; a sister, Ella Brumby, Athens; 21 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. William Sims Jr. Madison William "Billy" Harrison Sims Jr., 46, of 1050 Crawford Road, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998. A native of Fulton County, Mr. Sims was a son of Betty Whitfield Sims of Madison and the late William H. Sims Sr. He was a truck driver for Hi-Rail. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. today at Bethany Baptist Church with the Rev. Tom Duff officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include two sons, B.J. Sims and Blake Sims, both of Madison; and a sister, Lyndell Daws, Madison. Simmons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Henry A. Walter Savannah Henry A. Walter, 86, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998. A native of Mulhausen, Thuringer, Germany, Mr. Walter was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich Alexander Walter. He studied chemistry in Sweden at the University of Lund, where he became fluent in the Swedish language. Returning to Germany, he prepared to finish his arbitur at the University of Breslau, Hanover and Guttinger. He began working as a chemist for Plastkon in Toledo, Ohio, upon his arrival in the United States in 1939. During World War II, he taught chemistry to Army special training students at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and after the war worked as a research chemist for Monsanto Chemical Co., Ludlow, Mass. He was awarded numerous patents for developments of plastics and was past president of Bourne Rotary Club, Bourne, Mass., a member of Woodshole Country Club, and member emeritus of the American Chemical Society. Private memorial services will be later. Survivors include his wife, Nellie R. Walter; a daughter, Nita W. McAdams, Portland, Ore.; three sons, Dr. Henry A. Walter, Jr., Richardson, Texas, Lamar C. Walter, Savannah, and Peter R. Walter, Northfield, Mass.; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Sipple Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Clarence Wilburn Athens Clarence Wilburn, 72, of 220 Rhodes Drive, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998. A native of Harris County, Mr. Wilburn was a son of the late Joe Clark and Mamie Lee Ransom Wilburn. He was employed with the Clarke County Board of Education and the University of Georgia for many years. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. David T. Batts officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Survivors include his wife, Myra Nolan Wilburn; a daughter, Virginia A. Edwards, Atlanta; a son, Arthur Aaron Wilburn, Atlanta; three sisters, Emma Lou Murphy, Riverview, Ala., Mary Lou Wilburn, West Point, and Elnora Character, Philadelphia; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Howard Williams Athens Howard Williams, 92, of 1252 W. Hancock Ave., died Monday, Feb. 23, 1998. A native of Taliaferro County, Mr. Williams was a son of the late Minnie Williams and widower of Kathleen Williams. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Springhill Baptist Church, Philomath, with the Rev. Lamar Davenport officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Survivors include four daughters, Ethel Collins, Minnie Williams Clark and Sarah Williams, all of Athens, and Dorothy Harris, Statham; three sons, Lewis Williams, Lexington, and Howard Williams Jr. and John W. Williams, both of Athens; 52 grandchildren; 89 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. today at Mack & Payne Funeral Home. Mamie Wynn Greensboro Mamie Louise Wynn, 81, of 60 Canaan Circle, died Monday, Feb. 23, 1998. A native of Greene County, Mrs. Wynn was a daughter of the late John and Julia King Dunn and widow of Jerry Moses Wynn Sr. She was a member of Pierce Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Pierce Chapel AME church with the Rev. B.L. Francis officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Annie P. Smith, Athens, and Julia E. White, Greensboro; two sons, Johnny R. Wynn Sr., White Plains, and Jerry M. Wynn Jr., Greensboro; a stepson, Eugene Wynn, Greensboro; a sister, Ollie Mae Mapp, Atlanta; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. The family is at the residence. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-8 p.m. today at Watts Funeral Home, Union Point. Inez Brooks Jefferson Inez Carlan Brooks, 74, of 81 Institute St., died Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998. The family will receive friends 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Evans Funeral Home, which will announce arrangements. Elizabeth Tillman Linwood, Mass. Elizabeth Tillman of 279 Union St., formerly of Athens, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998. Winfrey's Mutual Funeral Home, Athens, will announce arrangements. ______ ______________________________ Athens Daily News/Banner Herald Šopyright 1998 Athens Newspapers Inc.