Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 25 Aug 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 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Roy Franklin Burke Jr. Greensboro Roy Franklin Burke Jr., 48, of 9 Eastview Circle died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Greene County, Mr. Burke was a son of Mildred Jernigan Burke, Greensboro, and the late Roy Franklin Burke Sr. He attended Greensboro High School and was a supervisor and equipment operator for Sweetapple Plastics and NIBCO. He was a member of Greensboro First Presbyterian Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Greensboro First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ford G'Segner officiating. Burial will be in Greensboro City Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include a daughter, April Burke, Gainesville; four sons, Robbie Burke, Houston, Texas, Richie Burke, Conyers, Benjamin Burke, Eatonton, and James Burke, Greensboro; two sisters, Jane B. Epps, Greensboro, and Sue B. Rayburn, Blythe; two grandchildren. Pallbearers will be D.J. Epps, Justin Epps, Kenny Rayburn, Mike Adams, Jimmy Finch, Johnny Satterfield Jr., Jerry Parker and Dennis Garner. McCommons Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Peggy Melinda Brittian Washington Peggy Melinda Brittian, 31, of 2802 Sharon Road died Monday, Aug. 21, 2000. A native of Wilkes County, Miss Brittian was a daughter of the late Jimmie C. and Elma B. Brittian. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Rocky Mount Baptist Church with the Rev. Roy D. Andrews officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include three sons, Kevin Brittian, William Brittian and Andrew Brittian, all of Washington; two sisters, Jody King, Washington, and Jamie Glaze, Elberton; and six brothers, Donnell Brittian, Antonio Brittian, Fred Brittian, Patrick Brittian, Joseph Hardin and Roy Brittian, all of Washington. Davenport-McLendon Mortuary has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Thomas William Smith Clayton Thomas William Smith, 76, of Screamer Street, died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Habersham County, Mr. Smith was a son of the late Maebird Smith Knox. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Yvonne Keener. He was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Hollywood. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with the Revs. Billy J. Jenkins and W.I. Gober 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 Brown Smith; a daughter, Marilyn Jones, New Jersey; a son, Tommy Eugene Smith, Clayton; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Moss-Stovall-Neal Funeral Home, Toccoa, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Lonnie 'Joe' Cole Winder Lonnie ''Joe'' Cole, 77, of 19 W. New St. died Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000. A native of Barrow County, Mr. Cole was a son of the late Sam Hinton Cole and Dellie Mae Manders. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Lee Peek. He was a mechanic, was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was of the Baptist faith. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Carter Hill Christian Church Cemetery with the Rev. Mike Mim officiating. Survivors include his wife, Azzie Arnold Cole; two sons, Lonnie Ray Cole and Larry Joe Cole, both of Winder; a sister, Louise Manders, Athens; a brother, J.H. Cole, Bethlehem; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; nieces and nephews. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. today at Wise-Connolly Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Roy E. Gearing Bogart Roy E. Gearing, 56, of 1041 Kenway Drive died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Clarke County, Mr. Gearing was a son of Louis Butler Gearing, Athens, and the late Martin Gearing. He owned and operated Alps Shoe Repair and was a past master of Mount Vernon Lodge 22. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Evergreen Memorial Park with the Rev. Elmer Butler officiating. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Miriam Turner Gearing; a daughter, Teresa Forrest, Athens; two sons, Rick Hardy, Cary, N.C., and Ken Hardy, Asheville, N.C.; three sisters, Martha Bennett, Crawford, Janie Brown, Athens, and Patricia Hunter, Hull; two brothers, Pete Gearing, Winterville, and Charles Gearing, Jefferson; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Mount Vernon Lodge 22, P.O. Box 989, Athens, GA 30603. Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 John B. Gamble Tuscaloosa, Ala. John B. Gamble, 76, died Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000. A native of Athens, Mr. Gamble was a son of the late John Bonner and Mabel Turner Hodgson Gamble. He graduated from Athens High School and attended the University of Georgia College of Agriculture. He retired as an insurance executive with Security Life Insurance Co. of Georgia in Tuscaloosa. He was a lifetime member, deacon and elder of the Presbyterian Church and was a Boy Scout leader. Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Oconee Hills Cemetery, Athens. Survivors include his wife, Ella Martha Elder Gamble; two daughters, Mabel Anne Kincheloe and Martha G. Johns; two sons, John B. Gamble Jr. and James Q. Gamble; 10 grandchildren; a great-grandson. Crowell Brothers Funeral Home, Norcross, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Bennie Gerald Johnson Winder Bennie Gerald Johnson, 46, died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. Mr. Johnson was a son of the late Clarence Newton and Mary Lois Mills Johnson. He was a truck driver who owned and operated his own rig. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in Bethabra Baptist Church Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Debra Johnson; three sons, Bennie Gerald Johnson Jr., Tim Johnson and Jason Duane Johnson, all of Winder; a sister, Judy Johnson, Eatonton; two brothers, Clarence Rayborn Johnson, Winder, and Mark Anthony Johnson, Alabama; and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Burial Fund for Bennie Johnson, c/o Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 561, Winder, GA 30680. The family will receive friends all day today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Edna K. Wall Winder Edna K. Wall, 83, died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Jackson County, Miss Wall was a daughter of the late Emmett and Maybelle Miller Wall. She was a member of Chapel Christian Church and was a retired cafeteria employee at Winder-Barrow High School. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Barrow Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Jim Stephens officiating. Survivors include cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chapel Christian Church, 776 Chapel Church Spur, Winder, GA 30680. Carter Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Rosa B. Dillard Lexington Rosa B. Dillard, 78, of 40 Fairground Road died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Dillard was a daughter of the late Alfred and Susan Watkins. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Grace Dillard. She was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Stephens. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Thankful Baptist Church, Stephens, with the Revs. John F. Dillard, Dwight Sims, Estee Sanford and Robert Burgess officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include her husband, Charlie Dillard; three daughters, Susie Carreker and Ruth Lewis, both of Atlanta, and Thelma Gray, Kingsbay; and four sons, Charlie Dillard, Atlanta, John F. Dillard, White Plains, Jerry Dillard and Reginald Dillard, of Lexington. Watts Funeral Home, Union Point, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 G.T. Wilbanks Baldwin G.T. Wilbanks, 84, of Georgia Highway 105 died Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000. A native of Banks County, Mr. Wilbanks was a son of the late Gilliam and Samantha Payne Wilbanks. He was a poultry and cattle farmer, was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was a member of Tates Creek Baptist Church. Services will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Tates Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Garry Garrison and Mike Robertson officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ayers Wilbanks; a daughter, Linda W. Harris, Demorest; three sons, Kenneth Wilbanks, Marshall Wilbanks and Franklin Wilbanks, all of Baldwin; six sisters, Vernice Wilkinson, Cornelia, Avoline Chitwood, Lavonia, Estelle Newsome, Elsie Mae Andrews, Ruby Gailey and Christine Wilbanks, all of Baldwin; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Henry Wendell Little Atlanta Henry Wendell Little, 63, of 1196 Crestwood Drive S.E. died Thursday, Aug. 17, 2000. A native of Putnam County, Mr. Little was a son of Thomas Little and Rachel Walker. He was a concrete finisher. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Meadows Funeral Home, Atlanta, with Rev. Glovate Jones and Evangelist Liole Jones officiating. Burial will be in Southview Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Helen Ruth Little; a daughter, Ruth Elaine Broughton, Atlanta; three sisters, Odessa Arnold, Valley Sims and Barbara Sims, all of Athens; a brother, Willie Dallis Little; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Announcement provided by Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home, Athens. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Lula Mae Saggus Woodville Lula Mae Saggus, 62, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2000. A native of Greene County, Mrs. Saggus was a daughter of the late Jack and Rosa Curry. She was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, where she served as church clerk. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul Baptist Church with the Rev. Brince C. Benford officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include her husband, Joseph Saggus; two daughters, LaTanji Saggus, Greensboro, and Millicent Thomas, Woodville; three sisters, Pinkie Hackney, Loraine, Ohio, Gloria Curry, Marietta, and Theresa Smith, Woodville; five brothers, Jack Curry Jr., Greensboro, James Curry, Decatur, Walter Curry and William Curry, both of Atlanta, and Curtis Curry, Watertown, N.Y.; and five grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. today at Watts Funeral Home, Union Point. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 James Cecil Hyde Maysville James Cecil Hyde, 59, of 825 Freeman St. died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Wallace, W.Va., Mr. Hyde was a son of the late Roy and Minnie Steir Hyde. He was an electrician. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, with Minister Jeff Coalson officiating. Burial will be in Grey Hill Cemetery, Commerce. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Elizabeth Hyde; two daughters, Mary Jo Moore, Sardis, W.Va., and Linda M. Waldrop, Ila; three sons, David R. Hyde, Fayetteville, Michael L. Hyde, Locust Grove, and Patrick J. Hyde, Commerce; two sisters, Marilyn Murdock, Tulsa, Okla., and Mary Orme, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; three brothers, David Hyde, Tallahassee, Fla., Robert Hyde, Houston, Texas, and Roger Hyde, Tempe, Ariz.; and 12 grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Cosby Vaughn Benfield Martin Cosby Vaughn Benfield, 67, of 381 Horse Trail died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Habersham County, Mr. Benfield was a son of the late Marlor Lee and Sallie Ivester Benfield. He was a longtime employee of Southern Bell and AT&T in Atlanta and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Norcross First Lutheran Church and Toccoa Elks Lodge. He was a mason. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hamby Funeral Home, Lavonia, with Pastor John Heyer officiating. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Blount Benfield; two daughters, Pam Thomason, Lawrenceville, and Alicia Eramo, El Paso, Texas; a son, Martin Benfield, Dacula; a stepson, Jeff Mixon, Atlanta; three sisters, Doris Sims, Alto, Audrey Duncan, Clarkesville, and Selma Watkins, Rockmart; three brothers, Curtis Benfield, Lewis Benfield and Larry Benfield, all of Hollywood; and five grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Andrew Scott Mitchell Canon Andrew Scott Mitchell, 8, died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Stephens County, Andrew was a son of Scott and Denise Mitchell. He was a member of the early elementary class at Lavonia Church of God. He completed first grade at Lavonia Elementary School, where he received an award for Achievement of Outstanding Participation in the Accelerated Reader Program and was nominated for the Eagle Award. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Lavonia Church of God with the Rev. Willard R. Fitzpatrick officiating. Burial will be in Franklin Memorial Gardens, North. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a brother, Alex Mitchell, Canon; and his paternal grandparents, Harry and Polly Mitchell, Lavonia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, 1835 Savoy Drive, Suite 316, Atlanta, GA 30341, or to the Children's Wish Foundation International, 8615 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at Hamby Funeral Home, Lavonia. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Remonda Highfield Jefferson Remonda Highfield, 28, of 458 Arcade Park Road died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Highfield was a daughter of the late Bobby and Ellen Martha Barrett Highfield. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. David Strickland officiating. Burial will be in Jackson Memorial Gardens, Commerce. Survivors include her husband, Jerry Thompson; two daughters, Courtney Baker and Renee Baker, both of Commerce; a sister, Gail Ramsey, Danielsville; and three brothers, Jason Highfield, Eatonton, John Highfield and Wayne Highfield, both of Danielsville. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Margaret Rosenberg Elberton Margaret Powell Gaines Rosenberg, 88, of 1080 Kathwood Drive died Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mrs. Rosenberg was a daughter of the late Ben and Belle Powell and was the widow of Tinsley Gaines. She was a bookkeeper and secretary. She was a member of the Elks Auxiliary and Elberton First United Methodist Church. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Berry Funeral Home with the Rev. Wallace Wheeles officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Survivors include her husband, Harry Rosenberg; a daughter, Sylvia Gaines, Elberton; a son, Powell Gaines, Tifton; two stepdaughters, Joan Bury, Columbia, Md., and Barbara Kirschenbaum, Harrisburg, Pa.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Pallbearers will be Don Avery, Van Powell, Larry Guest, Jim Gaines, Mick Carbo and Marc Kirschenbaum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospice, Athens. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Benny Johnson Monroe Benny Johnson died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000. A native of Walton County, Mr. Johnson was a son of Mamie Lee Jones of Monroe and the late James L. Johnson. He was a general contractor and carpenter. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Tabernacle Baptist Church with the Rev. M.P. Jackson officiating. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include a daughter, Anjanette Williams, Athens; four sons, Benjy Williams, Bethlehem, Roderick Williams, Eric Johnson and Christopher Johnson, all of Monroe; a sister, Mary J. Roberts, Monroe; five grandchildren. Young Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2000 Helen Benton Bennett Gainesville Mrs. Helen Benton Bennett of Bennett Lane Gainesville, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, August 22, 2000. Mrs. Bennett retired in 1987 following a thirty-plus year career as a senior home economist for the Hall County Extension Service. She began as an assistant home economist immediately after graduating with honors from the University of Georgia. She spent half of her career working with the 4-H Program and the other half heading up the Adult Program. She was noted for her newspaper columns and radio programs, which were referred to as ''Helen's Hints.'' During her service as Home Economist she served as Chairman of the Hall County Nutrition Committee as well as the Georgia House Economists Association for Area I. Her peers recognized Mrs. Bennett with the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Association of Home Economists in 1969, the Outstanding Extension Home Economists and Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension Home Economist in 1973. As a part of her service as a Home Economist she co-sponsored scores of Ladies Day Programs with the Jackson EMC, and conducted the Weight Off Wisely program, the Quilters Guild, and hundreds of sewing and canning classes. She was active in the Hall County Homemakers Council, 4-H, Nutrition, and various health care programs co-sponsored with local hospitals and the health department. Mrs. Bennett was active in the Pilot Club, honored as Pilot of the Year in 1979, serving as Pilot President in 1982-83. Her memberships included Northeast Georgia Medical Center Auxiliary, the Azalea Garden Club, the Wednesday Morning Study Club. She was a member of the Air Line Baptist Church, serving as President of the Women's Missionary Union, and as a Sunday School Teacher. Mrs. Bennett attended Tift College and earned a B.S. in Home Economics from the University of Georgia. She taught at the elementary level at Lyman Hall and Lanier Schools. A native of Madison County, Mrs. Bennett was the daughter of Samuel Nathaniel and Bertha Whitworth Benton of Colbert, Georgia. Her husband, Osee Vinson Bennett, and two brothers, Joe D. Benton and Walter N. Benton precede her in death. Her survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law: Carolyn B. and Burns O. Severson, Marquette, Michigan, Cathryn B. and James Carroll Smith, Gainesville; two grandsons: Burns O. Severson IV, Marquette, Michigan and Nicholas Bennett Smith, Gainesville; two sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday August 26, 2000 at the Air Line Baptist Church with Rev. Bradley Elliott and Rev. Doug Saxon officiating. Interment will be in the Air Line Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday Evening from 7-9 p.m. at the Little-Davenport Funeral Home. The family request that in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Air Line Baptist Church, 3368 White Sulphur Rd., Gainesville, Ga. 30501 or a favorite charity of your choice. For more information see legacy.com. Little-Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald , Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc.