Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 27 Jan 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 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 'Dub' Kesler Toccoa William Asbury ''Dub'' Kesler Sr., 81, of 9095 Dix Hill Parkway died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. A native of Stephens County, Mr. Kesler was a son of the late William and Myrtle Collins Kesler and was the stepson of the late Tressie Power Kesler. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Claudine Nichols. He was employed by Hartwell Mills and was retired from Reigel Mills. He was a member of Hill Street Baptist Church, the James Sunday School Class and The Happy Age Fellowship Group. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Acree-Davis Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Garrison officiating. Burial will be in Stephens Memorial Gardens. Survivors include his wife, Idell Anderson Kesler; two daughters, Peggy Cain, Commerce, and Phyllis Davis, Toccoa; a son, William A. Kesler Jr., Toccoa; two sisters, Geneva Nix, Nicholson, and Helen Brewer, Commerce; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be James Adams, Dennis Brewer, Marvin Carter, Odell Coker, Don Shirley and Steve Worthy. Honorary escort will be the James Sunday School Class. The family is at the residence where they will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. today. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Maude Weaver Short Commerce Maude Weaver Short, 85, formerly of Raford Wilson Road, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. A native of Orlando, Fla., Mrs. Short was a daughter of the late Hampton Weaver and Lara Taylor and was the widow of Charles Franklin Short. She was a homemaker and was a member of Dry Pond United Methodist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Altamonte Springs, Fla. Burial will be in Glenhaven Memorial Park. Survivors include two daughters, Norma Jean Weagraff and Sheila Marie Gilbert, both of Orlando; two sons, Charles Houston Short, Orlando, and Dennis William Short, Baldwin; a sister, Delaray Weaver, Jefferson, N.C.; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence of Charles Houston Short in Orlando. Jackson Funeral Home, Jefferson, has charge of local arrangements. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Sarah Vickery Whitlock Toccoa Sarah Vickery Whitlock, 94, of Brookhaven Circle died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000. A lifelong resident of Franklin County, Mrs. Whitlock was a daughter of the late James Harrison and Mary Ellen Smith Vickery and was the widow of Bob T. Whitlock. She was a homemaker and was a member of Rock Creek Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Whitlock Mortuary with the Rev. Leon Miller and Clarence Davis officiating. Burial will be in Rock Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Wynelle Kelley, Toccoa; three sons, Bobby J. Whitlock, Dwayne Whitlock and Gerald Whitlock, all of Toccoa; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandsons; nieces and nephews. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family is at their respective residences and will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today at the mortuary. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Kenneth Johnson Atlanta Kenneth ''Jackson County Red'' Johnson, 39, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2000. Mr. Johnson was the son of Herman and Ruby Johnson, Jefferson. He was self-employed. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mack and Payne Funeral Home, Athens, with the Rev. William Jennings officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Debora Johnson; two sons, Travis Johnson, Athens, and Jarvis Lee, Winder; three sisters, Glenda Harrison, Maysville, Sharon Richardson, Jefferson, and Marcia Pearson, Woodstock; a brother, Herman Laray Johnson, Jefferson; and his grandmother, Lula Cox, Jefferson. The family is at 4549 Jefferson River Road. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Frances M. Gerlach-Stein East Lansing, Mich. Born August 26, 1916 in Grand Rapids; Died January 25, 2000, at 83. Mrs. Stein took great joy in her family, gardening, and nature. She was a lifelong resident of East Lansing; one of the first members of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, East Lansing; and served as a member of Sparrow Hospital Service Auxiliary for 25 years. Mrs. Stein was preceded in death by her first husband, Carl S. Gerlach (1973). Surviving are her husband Thomas D.; daughter, Polly (David) Diehl of Holland; son, C. Fred (Mary Jo) Gerlach of Athens, GA; grandchildren, Heidi (Dr. Jeff) DeMoss of Holland, David Diehl (Rebecca Murray) of Minneapolis, MN, and Fred C. Gerlach of Athens, GA; as well as great-grandsons, Andrew and David DeMoss. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1315 Abbott Rd., East Lansing, with the Rev. William Love officiating. The family will receive friends in the Church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to: Critter Alley Wildlife Care Center, 4340 E. St. Joseph Highway, Grand Ledge, 48837; Sparrow Hospital Service Auxiliary, c/o E.W. Sparrow Hospital, 1215 Michigan Ave., P.O. Box 30480, Lansing, 48912; or Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are being made thru the Gorsline-Runciman Co. East Chapel, East Lansing. Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Murphy C. Watkins Toccoa Murphy Candler Watkins, 88, of Myrtle St. died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. A native of Chamblee, Mr. Watkins was a son of the late Riley Stewart and Ola Myra Echols Watkins. He was of the Baptist faith and was retired from WABCO. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Whitlock Mortuary with Lee Sullens officiating. Burial will be in Stephens Memorial Gardens. Survivors include his wife, Martha Smith Watkins; two daughters, Loretta Watkins Dodd, Mount Airy, and Cindy Watkins Ledford, Homer; a son, Michael Alan Watkins, Sumter, S.C.; two sisters, Minnie Stovall and Wilma Watkins, both of Atlanta; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the mortuary. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Dorothy L. Thackston Greensboro Dorothy Louise Channell Thackston, 62, of 2330 Union Point Highway died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. A lifelong resident of Greene County, Mrs. Thackston was a daughter of Bertie Ruth Channell, Greensboro, and the late Calvin Henry Channell. She was a bookkeeper for Southeastern Uni-loader, Greensboro, and was a member of West End Baptist Church. She was a 1955 graduate of Greensboro High School. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at West End Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne Usry officiating. Burial will be in Greenview Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Larry C. Thackston, Conyers; two daughters, Candace T. Lawson, Union Point, and Kelly D. Thackston, Augusta; two sons, Zack Thackston, Bethlehem, and Matt Thackston, Greensboro; and four grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Brian Channell, Scott Channell, Howard Channell Jr., Jim Thurmond, Jimmy Thurmond and Clifford Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Denard, Shand Denard, Mike Channell, Curtis Tanner, Frank Finch, Boyd McNair, Troy Waldrop, David Snipes and Jeff Snipes. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. today at McCommons Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Reba L. Patterson Hull Reba L. Patterson, 90, of 310 Piedmont Road died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Patterson was a daughter of the late Robert and Viola Patton Carter. She was the widow of Wayne Lance and of Cleo Patterson. She was a retired seamstress, was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and attended Joy Baptist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, with the Revs. Ric Veal and Bill Wood officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Black, Hull; three sons, Bill Lance, Bob Lance and Tom Patterson, all of Hull; two sisters, Geneva Gunnells, Athens, and Eunice Strickland, Colbert; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be David Black, Barry Black, Malcolm Lance, Gabriel Black, Bobby Hardy and Bo Lance. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Maude Lorene Maddox Hoschton Maude Lorene Bowles Maddox, 100, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. Mrs. Maddox was a daughter of the late William Andrew and Mary Lillian Jones Bowles and was the widow of Herschel Wendell Maddox. She was a homemaker. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Smith Funeral Home, Winder, with the Rev. John Talley officiating. Burial will be in Westview Cemetery, Atlanta. Survivors include a granddaughter, Claudia Reynolds, Winston; a grandson, Lamar Reynolds, Hoschton; and two great-grandchildren, Shawn and Kristy Reynolds, both of Hoschton. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Zachariah E. Seymour Laurens, S.C. Dr. Zachariah Ernest Seymour, 59, of 103 Lemon Tree Trail, formerly of Bowman, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mr. Seymour was a son of Ollie Burton Seymour, Bowman, and the late Horace Wilkes Seymour. He was a doctor of veterinary medicine for 33 years and was owner of Laurens County Animal Hospital. He was Laurens County Coroner for 21 years. He was a member of Laurens First Baptist Church and was former president of S.C. State Coroners Association. He was a member of the Laurens Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Shrine Club and was a Mason. He received the Order of Silver Crescent in Nov. 1999 from members of the Laurens Delegation and was a board member of Hospice of Laurens County. Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Rehoboth Baptist Church cemetery, Bowman, with the Rev. Sam Mathura officiating. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Ramona Ponce Seymour; a daughter, Lori Lee Seymour, Atlanta; two sons, Zachary Gregg Seymour, Anderson, S.C., and Clint Thurmond Seymour, Columbia, S.C.; a sister, Jane Seymour Coker, Bowman; two brothers, Morris Seymour, Meridian, Miss., and Kenneth Seymour, Bowman; and two grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Laurens County, P.O. 178, Clinton, SC 29325. The family is at the residence in Laurens and will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. today at the church and from noon to 4 p.m. Friday at the residence. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, and Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens, have charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 John Victor Grimes Elberton John Victor Grimes, 39, of 1214 Crestview Drive died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000. A native of Elbert County, Mr. Grimes was a son of Barbara Booth Robinson, Elberton, and the late Douglas Walton Grimes, and was the stepson of Bailey Robinson, Elberton. He was a member of Elberton First Baptist Church and was self-employed in the granite industry. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Berry Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Eaton officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his mother and stepfather, include a son, Kyle Grimes, Wooster, Ohio; a sister, Nancy Grimes Hinckley, Missoula, Mont.; a brother, Douglas Grimes, Elberton; and his grandmother, Mildred Booth, Elberton. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Annie Chancey Mitchell Winder Annie Chancey Mitchell, 98, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. Mrs. Mitchell was a daughter of the late Seaborn and Jannie Blizzard Chancey and was the widow of Asa C. Mitchell. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeanette Parten. She was a retired seamstress and was a member of Bethlehem First Baptist Church. Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Smith Funeral Home with the Revs. John Burchfield and Hal Tapp officiating. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. Survivors include a daughter, Jean Morris, Winder; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 1841 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 Don Jack McKinney Jefferson Don Jack McKinney, 59, of 202 B. Whitfield Road died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. A native of Skelton, W.Va., Mr. McKinney was a son of the late Marion McKinney and Ray Sloan and was the widower of Dorothy McKinney. He was the stepson of Ester Sloan, Pennsylvania. He was a control operator for an electrical power plant. Memorial services will be held at a later date in California. Survivors, in addition to his stepmother, include his wife, Barbra Ann Nolan McKinney; two daughters, Patricia Burnworth and Melinda McNaughton, both of Holtville, Calif.; a son, Thomas McKinney, Holtville; five sisters, Carol Riley, New York, Margaret Saunder, Ohio, Arbutus Ness and Marie Fisher, both of Pennsylvania, and Rajean Durschlag, Florida; and six grandchildren. Evans Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 Šopyright 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc.