Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 20 Dec 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 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Mae T. Witcher Athens Mae T. Witcher, 75, of 795 Helican Springs Road died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Witcher was a daughter of the late Hattie Pittman and was the widow of James Roe Witcher. She was a retired nurse assistant for Athens Heritage Nursing Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Fairplay Baptist Church, Hull, with the Rev. Gazzara Mitchell officiating. Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Lumpkin, Athens, and Michelle Witcher, Jacksonville, Fla.; five sons, Robert Witcher, James David Witcher, Amory Dwight Witcher Sr., James Witcher Jr. and Johnny Roe Witcher, all of Athens; a brother, John S. Pittman, Commerce; LaShanda Witcher, raised in the home; 28 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Lucille Love Norris Ragsdale Athens Lucille Love Norris Ragsdale, 84, of Lot H20, 1495 Highway 29 N. died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000. A native of Washington County, Tenn., Mrs. Ragsdale was a daughter of the late Aaron P. Norris and Bessie Love Norris and was the widow of Marion Alex Ragsdale. She was a retired employee of Seaboard Farms and was a member of Athens Bible Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, with Dr. Buhl Cummings officiating. Burial will be in Colbert Cemetery. Survivors include two sons, John Ragsdale, Colbert, and Bob Ragsdale, Charleston, S.C.; a sister, Margaret Capron, Rockford, Mich.; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Tommy Ragsdale, Johnny Ragsdale, Kelly LaCount, Cody LaCount, Matt Sartain and Jason Sartain. The family is at the residence of John Ragsdale, 603 Colbert Grove Church Road, Colbert, and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Danny McAdams Carnesville Daniel Lee ''Danny'' McAdams, 19, of 4161 Georgia Highway 326 died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000. A native of Tacoma, Wash., Mr. McAdams was a son of David H. Sr. and Sharon Lee Buchanan McAdams. He was a student at Franklin County High School and was a member of Bold Springs United Methodist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Bold Springs United Methodist Church with the Revs. Tommy Childress and Tom Arnold officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include two sisters, Shawn Michelle McAdams, Carnesville, and Melissa Marueen Croker, Baltimore; two brothers, David Henry McAdams Jr. and Drew Charles McAdams, both of Carnesville; his grandparents, Brad and Jerry Sebastian Johnson and I. Gary Buchanan, all of Tacoma, Henry and Evelyn Keever, Ellijay; and his great-grandmother, Dee Buchanan, Puyallup, Wash. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. today at Ginn Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Harris Donald Cofer Elberton Harris Donald Cofer, 71, of 1017 Country Club Drive died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000. A native of Wilkes Country, Mr. Cofer was a son of the late Harris Martin Cofer and Lois Hackney Cofer. He was a member of Elberton First Baptist Church and was a retired OMS Shop Chief of the Georgia National Guard, Washington. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Berry Funeral Home with Dr. C.E. Jackson officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Francia Dawkins Cofer; two daughters, Dixie Fran Watkins, Braselton, and Cynthia Lynn Rogers, Elberton; a brother, Lamar Cofer, Washington; and three grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Roger McCannon, Kevin Clary, Mark McCannon, Jim Faust, Brandon Clary and Robert A. Bond. Honorary pallbearers will be Ernie Parham, Carlton Mills and the Victory Sunday School Class. Memorials may be made to Elberton First Baptist Church Building Fund. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Floyd Seaborn Dye Jr. Elberton Floyd Seaborn Dye Jr., 76, of 1757 Washington Highway died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mr. Dye was a son of the late Floyd S. Dye Sr. and Ruby Smith Dye. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and Elbert County Saddle Club and was a self-employed machinist. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Berry Funeral Home with the Revs. Gary Purvis and Wayne Barger officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Survivors include his wife, Leila Sheridan Dye; two sons, Floyd L. Dye, Dewy Rose, and Billy R. Dye, Elberton; six sisters, Betty Bond, Mary Ann McGee and Sara McCannon, all of Elberton, Kathleen Griffith, Jonesboro, Ester Woodward, Jacksonville, Fla., and Linda Bennett, Pace, Fla.; a brother, Dora W. Dye, Elberton; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Randy Lane, Ricky Johnson, Allen McCannon, Anthony Dye, Allen Lee and Chuck Almond. Honorary pallbearers will be Cope Butler, George Martin Dixon, Loyd Garrett, S.J. Butler, Tookie Swords, Wade Clark, Robert Andrews and Norris Almond. Memorials may be made to Dewy Rose Baptist Church Building Fund. The family is at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Dye, 2890 Calhoun Falls Highway, and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Ralph Ottoway Turner Greensboro Ralph Ottoway Turner, 62, of 1520 Shady Oak Lane died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000. A native of Danville, Va., Mr. Turner was a son of the late Ace Van Turner and Clara Craig Turner. He was married to Teresita Boado Turner. He was a truck driver. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Cornerstone Christian Center with the Rev. Brenda Trammell officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Morgan Memorial. Survivors include two daughters, Julie Finney, Henderson, N.C., and Janet Taylor, Atlanta; three sons, Ralph Turner, Henderson, Mike Turner, Linwood, N.C., and Curtis Turner, Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Lena Davis, Charlotte; three brothers, Frank Turner, Alber Al Turner and Ace Turner, all of Charlotte; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Simmons Funeral Home, Madison, has charge of arrangements Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Deacon Mascus Thomas Athens Deacon Mascus Thomas, 91, of 1910 Danielsville Road died Friday, Dec. 15, 2000. A native of Madison County, Mr. Thomas was a son of the late John Henry Thomas and Rebecca Thomas and was the widower of Marie Farmer Thomas. He was a retired custodian with the University of Georgia and was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Hull. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. David Sims Jr. officiating. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Angela Thomas Barnett and Jacqueline Sim Chester, both of Athens; four grandchildren, three of which were raised in the home, Marcus Thomas, Simmie Ed Barnett Jr. and India Barnett; and a great-grandchild. The family is at the residence. Winfrey's Mutual Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Rosemary Nativi Elberton Rosemary Caldwell Nativi, 85, of 243 Sunnyside Ave. died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mrs. Nativi was a daughter of the late George W. and Rosa Snellings Caldwell and was the widow of Joe Nativi. She was retired from Elberton Manufacturing Co. and was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Forest Hills Memorial Park with the Rev. Russell Bruce officiating. Survivors include a daughter, Gloria Jean Mauldin, Hartwell; a son, Ronald Nativi, Bella Vista, Ark.; a brother, George Oscar Caldwell, Anderson, S.C.; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandchild. Pallbearers for the funeral service will be Jerry Mauldin, Ronald Nativi, Chip Mauldin, Kirk Nativi, Mark Reed and Jimmy Gunnells. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. today at Hicks Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Georgia Louise Johnson Cosby Elberton Georgia Louise Johnson Cosby, 86, of 305 North Oliver St. died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mrs. Cosby was a daughter of the late John Thomas Johnson and Addie Elizabeth Dunbar Johnson and was the widow of Clifford Barrow ''Fat'' Cosby. She was preceded in death by a son, John Roger Cosby. She was retired from Elberton Manufacturing Company and was a former Pink Lady of the Ladies Auxiliary of Elbert Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Elberton First Methodist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Berry Funeral Home with Dr. Wallace E. Wheeles officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Survivors include four sisters, Ruby Hammond, Mary Vickery and Margaret Hall, all of Elberton, and Estelle Thurmond, Washington. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Tommie Gaines Elberton Tommie Lee Taylor Gaines, 78, of 1623 Coldwater Road died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mrs. Gaines was a daughter of the late S. Olin and Bessie Turner Taylor. She received a degree in early childhood education from the University of Georgia and taught school at Beaverdam Elementary School for 13 years. She was a member of Coldwater United Methodist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Coldwater United Methodist Church with the Revs. Stan Hamilton and Albert Askew officiating. Survivors include her husband, Winford A. Gaines; a daughter, Jane McCall, Elberton; a son, the Rev. Phil Gaines, Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Frances Goolsby, Fitzgerald, and Betty Poole, Atlanta; a brother, John Taylor, Atlanta; and two grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Pete Taylor, Bobby Poole, Jeff Poole, Chris Smith, Ralph Adams and Joel Turner. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Coldwater United Methodist Church. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at Hicks Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Arthur Edward Godwin Madison Arthur Edward Godwin, 71, of 376 Poplar St. died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000. A native of Ware County, Mr. Godwin was a son of the late Will C. and Daisy Barrall Godwin. He was a retired cotton and dairy farmer. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Simmons Funeral Home, Madison, with the Rev. Mike Pritchett officiating. The body will be placed in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Rehobeth Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Hunnicutt Godwin; a daughter, Anne Stephens, Madison; three sons, Edward Godwin, Don Godwin and Mike Godwin, all of Madison; and seven grandchildren. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:53 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 Mary H. Schwartz Athens Mary Hollingsworth Schwartz, 76, of 100 Skyline Drive died Monday, Dec. 18, 2000. A native of Alabama, Mrs. Schwartz has lived in Athens for the past seven years. She was a daughter of the late H.O. and Flossie Hale Hollingsworth and the widow of the late David J. Schwartz. She was also preceded in death by her son, David Jefferson Schwartz. She was a retired teacher, writer and homemaker. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday at Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Luther Fouche officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Michelle Schwartz, Jefferson; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Neola and Webster Cleveland, Rebecca and Charlie Harrell, Patsy and Vic Herring; a brother and sister-in-law, O'Neill and Alma Hollingsworth; a sister-in-law, Johnnie Faye Hollingsworth; three grandchildren, David J. Schwarz, Sara Ann Schwartz and Abilgil Schwartz. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm prior to the services. Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For further information and guest book see www.legacy.com Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc.