Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 3 Mar 2000 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 Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Eileen W. Bova Athens Eileen W. Bova, 71, of 469 Millstone Circle, died March, 1, 2000. A native of Baltimore, MD, she was a daughter of the late Leonard and Mildred Wagner. She was a secretary with Hope Haven for several years. Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 4, 2000, at 11:00 AM at Athens Memory Gardens. Rev. Buford Lockman will officiate. Survivors include a husband, Donald L. Bova; daughter, Leslie Konrad of Cary, NC; son, Mark Bova of Athens; brother, Russell Wagner of Baltimore, MD; three grandchildren, Katie, Carey and Zachary Konrad. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Georgia Option, 185 Ben Burton Circle, Bogart, Ga 30622 or Hope Haven, 795 Newton Bridge Road, Athens, Ga 30607. Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, is in charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald , Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 J.J. Reneaux Athens J.J. Reneaux (Storyteller, Writer, Musician) J.J. Reneaux first told a story professionally at a branch library in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1983; her final performance was at the International Graz (Austria) Storytelling Festival in 1999. Over the course of this brief sixteen-year career, she became a specialist in the folklore of the Deep South, especially of her native Cajun culture. She was admired throughout the North American storytelling community ''for the authenticity of her material, the charm of her Cajun accent, and the energy of her performance'' (Jimmy Neil Smith). She also had many admirers in Europe, especially in the German-speaking countries, where she sometimes toured for the U.S. Information Agency as a Cultural Ambassador of the South. Her five recorded collections of stories (August House Audio) earned distinguished awards, among them two Parents' Choice Gold Awards and an AudioFile Earphones Award. In the 1990's, Reneaux turned increasingly to writing books for children and young adults and to recording original songs for older audiences. Her best-known book, ''Cajun Folktales'' (August House), won the Anne Izard Storytellers's Choice Award. ''Haunted Bayou'' (August House), a collection of Cajun ghost stories, received the Public Library Association's Best New Book for New Readers Award. Her latest book, ''How Animals Saved the People'' (illustrated by Caldecott winning artist James Ransome), is at press with HarperCollins. As a singer and songwriter, she recorded in the mid-1990's for Brambus Records in Switzerland. Her CD ''Cajun, Country and Blue'' was distributed throughout Europe. By the time her recent illness made it impossible for her to continue singing, she had already laid the instrumental tracks for a new CD of original songs, to be entitled ''Life Line.'' Plans are being made to complete the project, with the vocals being sung by her daughter, Tess. Reneaux was born in Beaumont, Texas, on December 11, 1955, to Marlin and Ruby Covington, and lived part of her life in Southwest Louisiana. The rich gumbo of Cajun, Creole, African-American, Scots-Irish, and Native American customs native to the area, particularly the colorful use of language and narrative invention, was basic to her craft. Critics described her storytelling as ''lively and energetic'' (School Library Journal) and remarked on its characteristic ''pacing, style, and wit'' (Booklist). She began her professional life as a singer-songwriter, appearing on the Louisiana Hay Ride and other regional showcases before moving on to the club circuit around Austin, Texas. She was cast, along with the Balfa Brothers, in a small role in Walter Hill's now classic film ''Southern Comfort.'' Music drew her to Nashville in 1982. There she met and married Max Reinhart, a studio musician, and honed her skills as a songwriter and performer. But her extraordinary natural gift as a raconteur began to attract national attention by the late 1980s. In 1987-88 she was an artist-in-residence for the state of North Carolina. During the 1990's she was regularly invited as a special guest at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and performed at major venues in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe. Reneaux's method was entirely her own, for the most part eschewing books and imitation in favor of telling exclusively from personal or family experience. She herself one summarized her natural approach to storytelling: ''For me, these tales are not museum pieces whose time was and is no more. They are alive and vigorous, brimming with 'joie de vivre,' the zest for life that is the essence of Cajun culture. Reneaux died in the early hours of February 29, 2000, after nearly a year's battle with cancer. She leaves a grief-stricken family: a daughter, Tess (16); a son, Jack (11); and her husband, Max, all of Athens, Georgia; her mother, Ruby, and a sister, Chandice, of Detroit; a brother, Robert, and a sister, Linda, of Dallas. She also leaves a much larger family of artists and musicians who mourn the loss of one of America's most unique storytellers. A memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Sunday, at her beloved Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Athens. A reception will follow at the church. This event will include impromptu performances by a number of Reneaux's storyteller friends from around the country. Visitors will also be welcome later in the evening at the home of her family (RSVP at 549-7212). Because it was always a dream of hers to be able to assist young storytellers in their careers, a national developmental fund has been established in her name. Please send contributions to: the J.J. Reneaux Young Artist Fund, Storytelling Foundation International, 116 West Main, Jonesborough, TN 37659 (ph. 1-800-952-8392). Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald , Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Ruth Virginia Flade High Shoals Ruth Virginia Flade, 100, died Thursday, March 2, 2000. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Flade was a daughter of the late Theodore and Matilda Hummel Moeller. She was the widow of Charles F. Flade and was preceded in death by a grandson, Charles F. Flade, III. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Mrs. Flade was a member of the Tuckston Methodist Church in Athens, and the Rebekkah Lodge in Brecksville, Ohio. Private family services will be held. Survivors include a daughter, Norma Ruth McNair, Athens, GA, and a son, Charles F. Flade, II, Arnoldsville, GA and three grandchildren, Matthew McNair, Pamela McNair and Amy McNair. Mrs. Flade was a lifelong reader and as a young woman enjoyed many hours in the Cleveland Public Library. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cleveland Public Library, 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114. The Cremation Society of the South, Austell, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald , Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Cora Lee Eberhardt Elberton Cora Lee Eberhart, 82, of 100-B Mill St. died Monday, Feb. 28, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mrs. Eberhart was a daughter of the late Johnny and Alice Rose Browner Allen and was the widow of David Eberhardt. She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Quincy Fortson officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Lincoln Heights Cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Alice Walker, Elberton; a sister, Lillie Steadman, Atlanta; three grandchildren, of which Keith Shepard, Elberton, was raised in the home; and a great-grandchild. The family is at the residence. McKinney-Neal Mortuary has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Bonnie Duncan Brooks Conyers Bonnie Louise Duncan Brooks, 96, formerly of Center, died Wednesday, March 1, 2000. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Brooks was a daughter of the late Gus and Mattie Martin Duncan and was the widow of Walter Luther Brooks. She was a retired seamstress and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Atlanta. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Center United Methodist Church cemetery with the Rev. Richard Cathy officiating. Survivors include a daughter, Jeanette B. Smith, Commerce; two sons, Jerry J. Brooks, Norcross, and Talmadge J. Brooks, Winder; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Eddie Fred Williams Winder Eddie Fred Williams, 85, formerly of Atlanta, died Wednesday, March 1, 2000. Mr. Williams was a native of Fulton County. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Macedonia Baptist Church, Rutledge, with the Rev. Franklin Clark officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Union Spring Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include two sisters, Agnes Ivery and Mary Dean, both of Winder. Eberhart and Son Mortuary has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Daisy Taylor Crawford Daisy Taylor of 885 Smokey Road died Wednesday, March 1, 2000. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Taylor was a daughter of the late Annie L. Jones and was the widow of Willie Taylor. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Florence Brown, and a son, Elbert Gene Taylor. She was a member of A.M.E. Zion Church. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at A.M.E. Zion Church with the Revs. William Habersham and Mark Yancy officiating. Burial will be in Arnolds Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include four daughters, Annie M. Rogers, Maryland, Rozeileen Echols, Lexington, Doris Smith, Athens, and Mozell Collins, Decatur; two sons, Willie Taylor, Miami, and Richard Taylor, Crawford; 32 grandchildren, of which nine were raised in the home; 41 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Winfrey's Mutual Funeral Home, Athens, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 David H. Allison Alto David H. Allison, 44, of Mount Zion Road died Wednesday, March 1, 2000. A native of Gwinnett County, Mr. Allison was a son of Barbara Gunter Savage, Lula, and the late William H. Allison and was the widower of June Allison. He was employed by Allison Dump and Trailer Co. and was formerly employed by Advanced Security. He was a member of Old Southside Baptist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, with the Revs. William Baker and Mark Gunter officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Baptist Church cemetery with the Rev. William Simmons officiating. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his stepfather, Grady Savage, Lula; a daughter, Hope Allison, Alto; two sons, Matthew Allison and Jeremiah Allison, both of Alto; a stepbrother, Jimmy Savage, Lula; a half brother, Eugene Allison, Lorton, Va.; and two grandchildren. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Hasseltine Bennett Royston Hasseltine Edwards Bennett, 76, died Wednesday, March 1, 2000. A native of Banks County, Mrs. Bennett was a daughter of the late E. Childress and Hasseltine Byrd Edwards and was the widow of Jim V. Bennett. She was a retired supervisor with Wright's Garment Co. and was a member of Franklin Springs Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher. She was active in Wright's, Fifty-Plus, Lions and Travel clubs, YMCA and TOPS. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Franklin Springs Baptist Church with the Revs. Frank Bearden, Bobby Anthony and Paul Vickery officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Norma Bennett Brice, Royston; and a sister, Sara Sartain, Anderson, S.C. Memorials may be made to Royston-Franklin Springs Lions Club, P.O. Box 436, Royston, GA 30662. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at Pruitt Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 R.L. Wade Manhattan, N.Y. R.L. Wade, 82, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000. A native of Oconee County, Mr. Wade was a son of the late Harry and Pearl Wade. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Watkinsville, with the Rev. Abraham Mosley officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Martha Ann Wade; two daughters, Linda Ann Wade, Athens, and Pearlie Mae Wade, Manhattan, N.Y.; six sons, Caesar Wade, Ronnie Wade and Isaac Wade, all of New York, N.Y., Columbus Wade, Billy J. Wade and William Wade, all of Athens; two sisters, Mary Parrish and Willie Mae Parrish, both of Athens; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. The family is at the residence of Martha Ann Wade, 248 Rockspring Homes. Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home, Athens, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Floyd Ray Singleton Toccoa Floyd Ray Singleton, 67, of 316 Buena Vista Drive Extension died Wednesday, March 1, 2000. A native of Stephens County, Mr. Singleton was a son of the late John Wesley and Maude Sims Singleton. He was employed by Trogdon Furniture Co. and was of the Baptist faith. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Acree-Davis Funeral Home with the Revs. Ray Bohannon and Roy Rogers officiating. Burial will be in Zebulon Baptist Church cemetery with the Rev. Ernest Ivester officiating. Survivors include his wife, Jimmie Bohannon Singleton; four daughters, Debbie Singleton, Martin, Lora Powers and Connie Adams, both of Toccoa, and Cynthia Nix, LaGrange; two sons, Ricky Singleton, Martin, and Lloyd Singleton, Toccoa; four sisters, Gertrude White and Barbara Worley, both of Hartwell, Alma Sexton and Elaine Thomas, both of Toccoa; four brothers, Larry Singleton, Lavonia, Randy Singleton, Toccoa, Doyle Singleton, Hartwell, and Mack Singleton, Norcross; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Charles Richards, Aaron Worley, Wayne Bohannon, James Thomas, Dwayne Bohannon and Mike Gosnell. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Rena Sanders Hartwell Rena Cleveland Sanders, 81, of 3885 Reed Creek Highway died Wednesday, March 1, 2000. A native of Hart County, Mrs. Sanders was a daughter of the late Albert and Nellie Byrum Cleveland. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Strickland Funeral Home with the Revs. Ted Kelly and Tim Harris officiating. Burial will be in Nancy Hart Memorial Park. Survivors include her husband, Hugh Dorsey Sanders Sr.; two daughters, Joyce McCurley and Mary Nell Yeargin, both of Hartwell; two sons, Hugh D. Sanders Jr. and Robert Sanders, both of Hartwell; two sisters, Sara Eaton and Margie Alexander, both of Hartwell; six grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Don Sanders, Hugh Cleveland, Alton Eaton, Inman Eaton, James Alexander and Wayne Alexander. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Essie Burns Jefferson Essie Burns, 92, of 134 Borders St. died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Burns was a daughter of the late Charles and Myrtle Miller Stephens and was the widow of Jesse Bennett Burns. She was a member of Paradise A.M.E. Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Paradise A.M.E. Church with the Revs. F.J. Wilson, J.B. Lester, R.E. Cooper, Sandra Miller and William Jennings officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include a son, Charles Davis, Jefferson; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Hurley Funeral Home, Athens, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Clarence Heard Athens Clarence Heard, 93, of 130 Parkview Homes died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000. A native of Bogart, Mr. Heard was a son of the late Babe and Perline Heard and was the widower of Henrietta Heard. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home with the Rev. George Maxwell officiating. Burial will be in Mount Sinai Church cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Mary Lumpkin, Athens, Mildred Clark, Bogart, and Marneida Sullivan, Brandon, Fla.; six sons, Clarence Heard Jr., Brooklyn, N.Y., Curtis Heard, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Charles Heard, Vallejo, Calif., Aaron Heard, Athens, Curtis Heard Sr., Decatur, and Frank Heard, Griffin; a sister, Madeline Booker, New York; 31 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. The family is at the residence of Monica Huff, 655 Rivermont Road. Athens Daily News, Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:03 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2000 Francis C. (Doot) Smith Watkinsville Francis Colclough (Doot) Smith, age 83 of Watkinsville died March 1, 2000. A lifelong resident of Watkinsville, he was the son of the late Dr. Robert Hugh Smith and Lila Colclough Smith. He was married to the late Marjorie Robie Smith who died in 1997. He was a graduate of Georgia Military Academy in College Park and served in the European Theatre with the 5th Army. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday in the Watkinsville City Cemetery. The Rev. Richard Hoard will officiate. Surviving are a daughter and son in law: Mary S. and Eddie Mills of Watkinsville; a son and daughter in law: Bob and Laura Smith of Watkinsville; one sister, Sarah Scheider of Annandale, VA; five grandchildren: Lynn Mills Crosland, Julie Mills, Robert Smith, Matthew Smith and Shearron Smith. Those desiring are requested to make donations to the Ashford Memorial Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 344, Watkinsville, GA 30677 or to the Watkinsville Library. Arthur Bowick's Oconee Chapel, Watkinsville, GA. Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald , Friday, March 3, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc.