Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 6 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 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 L. Milton ''Red'' Leathers Jr. Athens Photo: obits ____________________________________________________ [INLINE] L. Milton 'Red' Leathers Jr. ____________________________________________________ L. Milton ''Red'' Leathers Jr., 91, died March 3, 2000, at his home after a brief illness. Mr. Leathers always said that his obituary would begin: ''Although not a native Athenian, he had lived in this city since he was 1.'' He was born in Winder, Gwinnett County, Georgia, on December 16, 1908, the son of L.M. and Lottie Honea Leathers. His parents moved to Athens in 1910. Mr. Leathers graduated from Athens High School as the only athlete to letter in all four sports at old Athens High: football, basketball, baseball and track. At the University of Georgia, ''Red'' Leathers was one of the ''Flaming Sophomores'' of 1929 that defeated Yale in the dedication game for new Sanford Stadium and was so recognized this past October on it's 70th anniversary. He was named to several All Conference and All America teams, and is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Bulldog Wall of Fame. He is the recipient of the National Football Leagues' Distinguished Alumnus Award, having played for the Philadelphia Eagles. During World War II, while stationed at the Pentagon, Mr. Leathers distinguished himself by developing an ordinance distribution plan that the British government said, ''shortened the war by months.'' For this, Colonel Leathers received the Legion of Merit, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, as well as awards from the French and Russian governments. Returning to Athens after the war, Mr. Leathers joined the family business, L.M. Leathers' Sons, and along with his brothers, built the operation into a nationally and internationally known concern that traded to 18 foreign countries. Mr. Leathers' company held patents on several items invented and manufactured at the Pulaski Street plant and distributed around the world. He was also president of the Athens Terminal Company and was for forty years a director of the First National Bank of Athens, now SunTrust. In 1939, Mr. Leathers married Sarah Pharr Erwin, who survives her husband. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on December 16, 1999. Mr. Leathers is also survived by a daughter, Camilla Leathers Seabolt of Vienna, Va., and a son, Milton Leathers III of Athens and Yancheng, China. Mr. Leathers has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Mr. Leathers' brother, Claude McGinnis Leathers of Athens, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Leathers was active in the civic and community life in Athens and Georgia, holding positions in the Chamber of Commerce, as well as being on several Athens mayors' and Georgia governors' staffs. Over the years he held memberships in the Athens Country Club, the Gridiron Club (of Washington D.C. and Athens), the Bulldog Club, the Chi Phi Fraternity, the NFL Alumni Club, the Piedmont Driving Club, the Athens Touchdown Club, the Presidents Club and many others. Mr. Leathers was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens. Dr. Glenn Doak will officiate at a graveside service at Oconee Hill Cemetery on Tuesday, March 7, at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the family residence and at Bernstein Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, March 6. @obit tagline:Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 J.C. Cowart Hull J.C. Cowart, 75, of 585 Jack-Sharp Road, died Saturday, March 4, 2000. A native of Clarke County, Mr. Cowart was a son of the late Earnest and Annie Smith Cowart. He worked for the State Highway Department for the Department of Transportation and was a member of Edwards Baptist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Brown's Funeral Home, Danielsville, with the Rev. Dennis Kesler officiating. Burial will be in Hull Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Essie Whitehead Cowart; two daughters, Robin Doster, Colbert, and Susan Huff, Hull; two sons, Lewis Cowart, Hull, and Nelson Cowart, Cummings; a brother, Paul Cowart, Athens; four sisters; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Ronny Doster, Asa Huff, Clay Huff, and Grant Culbertson. Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Evelyn Torrence Hartwell Evelyn Ledford Torrence, 78, of 160 Lewis Drive, died Saturday, March 4, 2000. A native of Polk County, Mrs. Torrence was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Ledford. She was a member of the Hartwell First Baptist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. at Strickland Funeral Home with Drs. Kent Anglin and Hugh Kirby officiating. Burial will be in Nancy Hart Memorial Park. Survivors include her husband, Carl F. Torrence; a son, Larry J. Torrence, Sanford, N.C.; a sister, Clara Kapuschinsky, Ormond Beach, Fla.; and two grandchildren. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1 Coporate Square, Suite 127, Atlanta, GA 30329. Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Joseph Conway Pendergrass Gainesville Joseph Conway Pendergrass Sr., of 1283 Wessell Road, Gainesville, died Friday, March 3, 2000, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Pendergrass was the owner and CEO of Wallace Sheet Metal Works, Inc. and Wallace Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. of Gainesville, Ga. Mr. Pendergrass was 70 years of age. Born in Elberton, Ga., Mr. Pendergrass was the son of the late Alva Wesley Pendergrass and Cora Lee Pendergrass of Athens. He attended Athens High School and the University of Georgia. After an apprenticeship in Athens, Mr. Pendergrass became a skilled metal artisan and purchased Wallace Sheet Metal Works in 1954. In 1957 he moved his family to Gainesville and quickly expanded his business to include service and installation of heating and air conditioning systems for residential and commercial applications. Under his leadership, Wallace Sheet Metal Works, established 1898, continues to supply custom metal design and fabrication to industry. Working with regional utility companies, Mr. Pendergrass became interested in alternative energy sources in the early 1970's and was recognized by business and professional groups as a leader in energy conservation using solar and heat pump water heating technology. The focus of his experimentation and invention was to provide cost-effective, commercial solutions which performed as well in the field as in the laboratory. Mr. Pendergrass holds two U.S. patents in heat pump technology and received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to further his heat pump research and development. Throughout his career he served as consultant and adviser to municipal, trade and academic organizations in establishing codes and standards in the field of heating and air conditioning. Mr. Pendergrass was a life-long member of the Methodist Church with membership at Young Harris Methodist Church in Athens, Ga., and later in Gainesville at St. Paul Methodist Church on Washington Street. He was active in community affairs through his church work, the Gainesville-Hall County Chamber of Commerce and the Elks Club of Gainesville. Mr. Pendergrass is survived by his wife, Virginia Bishop Pendergrass, and four sons, Joseph C. Pendergrass Jr., Richard R. Pendergrass, Steven M. Pendergrass, and Allan D. Pendergrass. He is also survived by his brother, Col. Alva W. Pendergrass Jr. of Martin, Tennessee. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, March 6, 2000, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Methodist Church in Gainesville with the Revs. Mack Riley and Wesley Stephens presiding. Immediately after the funeral, the Rev. David Perkins will preside over interment at Antioch Christian Church in Watkinsville, Ga., at 1:30 p.m. The family will receive friends at Brewer & Riley Funeral Home, Gainesville, on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may do so to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 404 Washington St., N.W. Gainesville, GA 30501. Brewer & Riley Funeral Home of Gainesville in charge of arrangements. @obit tagline:Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Frank Bramblett Athens Willis Frank Bramblett, 77, of 285 Clarke Drive, died Sunday, March 5, 2000. A native of Forsyth County, Mr. Bramblett was the son of the late George Washington and Velvie Tribble Bramblett. During World War II, Sgt. Bramblett fought with the 317th Infantry of the 3rd Army in Europe for two years and helped liberate the concentration camp at Buchenwald. In 1946 he married Mary Sybil Mashburn of Wedowee, Ala., where they lived for 10 years, raised their son, and owned and operated a furniture store. The Brambletts lived in Athens for 26 years, where Frank worked as an Athletic Facilities Foreman in the Physical Education Department at the University of Georgia. He was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Green Acres Baptist Church. The Rev. Mark Babin will officiate. Interment will be in Athens Memory Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be the Jolly Elders, the Jubilee Fellowship Choir, and the Men's Sunday School Class of Green Acres Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Sybil Mashburn Bramblett of Athens; a son, Frank Bramblett Jr. of Plymouth Meeting, Penn.; a sister, Mrs. Wendel C. Ottwell of Cumming; two brothers, Edwin Bramblett of Eatonton, and Thad Bramblett of Cumming; and a grandson, Reid Bramblett of Plymouth Meeting, Penn. The family will receive friends Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1060 Gaines School Road, Suite B-2, Athens, GA 30605, or the Green Acres Baptist Church Building Fund, 2085 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA 30605. @obit tagline:Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Eddie Tomlin Atlanta Eddie M. Tomlin, 88, died Saturday, March 4, 2000. Formerly of White County, Mrs. Tomlin was the daughter of the late Matt and Mandy Gerrin Loggins. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Rev. John Humphries officiating. Burial will be in New Bridge Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Eva Mae Christmas, Stockbridge; six sons, Bobby Tomlin, Lithonia, John Tomlin and Billy Tomlin, both of McDonough, and L.G. Tomlin, Kenneth Tomlin, and David Tomlin, all of Atlanta; a stepson, Howard Tomlin, Atlanta; two brothers, Clyde Loggins and M.L. Loggins, both of Gainesville; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Ella McGahee Athens Ella Bell Walker McGahee, 55, of 270 Vine St., died Friday, March 3, 2000. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. McGahee was a daughter of the late President and Minnie Middlebrooks Walker. She was a member of Brooks Mission Church. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Winfrey's Mutual Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Bradford officiating. Burial will be in Clarke Grove Baptist Church cemetery, Stephens. Survivors include her husband, Bobby McGahee; two daughters, Minnie Bell Smith and Donna Davis, both of Athens; a son, Ronnie James Smith; a sister, Sally Tate, Bogart; a brother, James Walker, Stephens; and three grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 12-6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Thelma Potts Orr Signal Mountain, Tenn. Thelma Potts Orr, 91, of 100 James Blvd., died Saturday, March 4, 2000. A native of Madison County, Ga., Mrs. Orr was a daughter of Lester William and Vessie Alberta Hutchins Potts, and was the widow of Fred L. Orr. Formerly of Nicholson, she was a member of Nicholson Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Central High School, Chattanooga, Tenn., and the University of Chattanooga. She received a master's degree in education and a specialist's degree in education from the University of Georgia. She began her career as a teacher at Benton High School in Nicholson, then became county curriculum director for Jackson and Madison Counties. She ended her career as a vocational education specialist with the Georgia Department of Education. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. Allen Seagraves officiating. Burial will be Jackson Memorial Gardens. Survivors include a son, William J. Orr, Chattanooga, Tenn.; a granddaughter, Lori O. Stansell, Signal Mountain, Tenn.; a grandson, William J. Orr Jr., Austin, Texas; and four great-grandchildren, Trey Stansell and Will Stansell, both of Signal Mountain, Tenn., and Katie Orr and Mary Orr, both of Austin, Texas. The family will receive friends from 5-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. @obit tagline:Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Bill Standard Clayton Grover Wilson ''Bill'' Standard, 86, of 230 Stornoway Drive, Unit 2, died Friday, March 3, 2000. A native of Luella, Ga., Mr. Standard was the son of the late Grover Forrest and Lavonia Neal Standard. He was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran. He had lived in the Athens area for 41 years before moving to Clayton. He was retired from National Life and Accident Insurance Company and was a member of the First Christian Church of Athens. He was preceded in death by two sons, Jimmie and Jerry Standard; a grandson, Bryan Standard; two brothers, Forrest Standard and Ralph Standard; and a sister, Flora Caldwell. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, West, with the Rev. Ray Austin and the Rev. Mollie Douglass officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. Survivors include his wife, Mary Standard of Clayton; a son, David, and his wife Pat Standard of Clayton; a sister, Frances Chapman of Milner; two grandchildren, Amy and her husband Bill Pauls of Marietta, and Kevin and his wife Gina Standard of Marietta; two great-grandchildren, Ethan Standard and Haley Pauls; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of NE Georgia, P.O. Box 586, Clayton, GA 30525, or the First Christian Church Endowment Fund, 268 W. Dougherty St., Athens, GA 30601. @obit tagline:Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Mary Knox Commerce Mary Harper Knox, 83, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000. Services were held Saturday, March 4, 2000, at the New Faith Methodist Church, Commerce. Survivors include a sister, Charlie Ann Griffith, Cleveland, Ohio; a brother, Cepeus Harper, Commerce; and an adopted son, Arthur Miller, Atlanta. Mason's Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of the arrangements. Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:13 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000 Curt Young Comer Curt ''J.C.'' Young, 72, died Sunday, March 5, 2000. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mr. Young was a son of the late Shelton Barnett and Jesmer May Meadow Young, and was preceded in death by a son, Wayne Young. He was a forester and farmer and was a member of Collier Baptist Church. Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Arnoldsville Cemetery with the Rev. Terry Smith officiating. Survivors include his wife, Geneva Booth Young; two sons, Roy Young and Melvin Young, both of Comer; a sister, Louise Hilliard, Colbert; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Oglethorpe, is in charge of the arrangements. Athens Daily News, Monday, March 6, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc.