Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 9 Jan 2001 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 8:54 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 John H. Thomason Jr. Elberton John Henry Thomason Jr., 81, of 1994 Hartwell Highway died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001. A native of Elbert County, Mr. Thomason was a son of the late John H. Sr. and Elizabeth Wansley Thomason. He was a member of Elberton First Baptist Church, was a graduate of the University of Georgia with a business degree and was a retired real estate agent. He was a U.S. Armed Forces veteran of World War II and served as a clerk typist in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Elmhurst Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Fenlon officiating. Survivors include his wife, Katherine M. Thomason; a daughter, Jan Hopkins, Flowery Branch; a son, Jack Thomason, Lawrenceville; a sister, Bette Ruff, Elberton; a brother, Bobby Thomason, Elberton; and two grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mary Jean H. Ginn, P.O. Box 603, Elberton, GA 30635. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Berry Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Roy Watson Thomason Edcouch, Texas Roy Watson Thomason, 70, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000. A native of Habersham County, Mr. Thomason was a son of the late William M. and Ila Free Thomason. He worked in a shirt plant in Baldwin and in an automobile factory in Detroit. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, was a farmer, and was retired as a U.S. rural postal carrier after 20 years. He was a member of Edcouch First Baptist Church. Memorial services were Dec. 15, 2000 at Edcouch First Baptist Church with the Revs. Frank Quesada and Ken Soles officiating. Survivors include his wife, Doris Wade Thomason; three sons, Dr. William O. Thomason, Mesquite, Lee Roy Thomason, Suffolk, Va., and Paul Milton Thomason, Lewisville, Texas; two sisters, Fay Palmer and Lucile Palmer, both of Demorest; a brother, Lance Thomason, Hull; nieces and nephews. McCaleb Funeral Home, Weslaco, Texas, had charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Mary Walton Donovan Savannah Mary Walton Newton Donovan, formerly of Atlanta, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001. A native of Madison, Mrs. Donovan was the widow of Lawrence M. Donovan. She was a graduate of the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She was a member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, the Colonial Dames of America, Madison Town Committee and the Junior League of Atlanta. She was instrumental in forming the Junior League's Sustaining Transfer group. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Madison Cemetery, Madison. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Walton Donovan, Atlanta; a son, Lawrence Michael Donovan Jr., Savannah; two brothers, John T. Newton, Griffin, and Floyd C. Newton Jr., Madison; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, or to a charity of the donor's choice. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m. today at Fox and Weeks Funeral Home, Hodgson Chapel, Savannah. Simmons Funeral Home, Madison, has charge of local arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Ralph White Elberton Ralph White of 1328 Georgia White Road died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001. Mr. White was a son of the late Jim and Willie White and was the widower of Azalean White. He was a member of White's Chapel C.M.E. Church. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at White's Chapel C.M.E. Church with the Rev. W.L. Whelchel officiating. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include four daughters, Carolyn White, Atlanta, Susie Allen, Lithonia, Jo Ann Brown, Athens, and Brenda Saddler, Dewy Rose; two sons, Harold White, Nashville, Tenn., and Ralph R. White, Atlanta; a sister, Georgia White, Elberton: two grandchildren, raised in the home, Fredrick White, Huntsville, Ala., and Anthony Adams, Lithonia; 19 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Clyde Burton, Tommie Downer, Frank Eberhardt, Harold Downer and Lazarus Alexander. Flower-bearers will be granddaughters and nieces. Honorary flower-bearers will be Genell Tolbert, Jackie Porter, Barbara Heard, Virginia Thompson and Fannie Rucker. C.W. Phelps Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Karissa Leigh Palmer Lawrenceville Karissa Leigh Palmer, 5, formerly of Marietta, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta. The body will be placed in the church at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Bowman. Survivors include her parents, Grant and Janis Lynn Palmer, Lawrenceville; three sisters, Cheri Olinger, Melbourne, Fla., Tanya Palmer, Little Rock, Ark., and Keela Palmer, Lawrenceville; her grandparents, Earl and Corinne Palmer, Jackson, Miss., Raymond and Joyce Hunter, Royston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sibley Heart Center, c/o Children's Health Care of Atlanta, Egleston, 1405 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. today at Wages and Sons Funeral Home, Lawrenceville. Announcement provided by Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Mary B. Pool Winder Mary B. Pool, 81, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001. Mrs. Pool was a daughter of the late Frank Raymond and Lillia Bryant and was the widow of Ernest V. Pool Jr. She retired from Piedmont Regional Library in 1984 after 23 years and served on the library's board of directors for a number of years. She was a member of Winder First Baptist Church, where she helped establish a church library. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Winder First Baptist Church with the Rev. John Talley officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in Barrow Memorial Gardens. Survivors include three sons, Timothy D. Pool, Kingsport, Tenn., Jimmy N. Pool, St. Charles, Miss., and Vanderver R. Pool, Statesboro; and five grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Winder First Baptist Church Library Fund, P.O. Box 340, Winder, Ga. 30680, or to Piedmont Regional Library, 189 Bellview St., Winder, GA 30680. Smith Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Eunice C. Lunsford Elberton Eunice Corine Parham Lunsford, 78, of 651 Rhodes Drive died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001. A native of Elbert County, Mrs. Lunsford was a daughter of the late Amos Lester Sr. and Fannie Bond Parham and was the widow of Elmer Eugene Lunsford. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Betty Bradford and Donna Radant, and by a son, Marvin Wayne Lunsford. She was a retired seamstress with Elberton Manufacturing and was a member of Concord United Methodist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Concord United Methodist Church with the Revs. Billy Pittman and Jim Parham Jr. officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Martha Joyce Cole, Elberton; a son, Mike Lunsford, Elberton; and 11 grandchildren. The family is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Cole, 1044 Plantation Road, Elberton. Hicks Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Carlton Giles Sr. Toccoa Carlton Giles Sr., 82, of 348 Brown St. died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001. A native of Banks County, Mr. Giles was a son of the late Clem and Hattie Thomas Giles. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles White officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Toccoa City Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Inez Gholston Giles; two daughters, Virginia Sherred, Roosevelt, N.Y., and Ceri Williams, Atlanta; four sons, Mitchell E. Giles and Dale Giles, both of Toccoa, Carlton Giles Jr., Spring Lake, N.C., and Dwayne Giles, E. Hartford, Conn.; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Moss-Stovall-Neal Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Hulda Grace Howell Athens Hulda Grace Howell, 86, of 135 Austin Drive died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001. A native of Athens, Mrs. Howell was a daughter of the late George and Ida Hillsman Geter and was the widow of Ralph Howell Sr. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Howell Hodges. She was a member of Springfield Baptist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Springfield Baptist Church with the Revs. Charles Mack and Jerry Alexander officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Survivors include a son, Ralph ''Pim'' Howell Jr., Decatur; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Suite 127, Corporate Square, Atlanta, GA 30329. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. today at Winfrey's Mutual Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Tommie Sue O'Dillon Watkinsville Tommie Sue O'Dillon, 74, of 1050 Pine Hill Circle died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001. A native of Clarke County, Mrs. O'Dillon was a daughter of the late James Willie and Clyde Adams Roberts and was the widow of J.W. O'Dillon. She was retired from Thomas Textiles after 47 years and was a member of Whitehall Baptist Church. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Whitehall Baptist Church with the Rev. Buford Lockman officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. Survivors include a daughter, Sharlyn H. Tate, Athens; two sons, Keith O'Dillon, Watkinsville, and Scott Tate, Athens; there sisters, Jean McAllister, Athens, Faye Coward, Hull, and Connie Culbertson, Danielsville; two brothers, Charles C. Roberts, Virginia, and Ruby Roberts, Keystone Heights, Fla.; two granddaughters; nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Howell O'Dillon, Ellis Cowart, Robert Culbertson, Dennis Coker, Calvin Barber and Kenneth Barber. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:59 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Sue Hughes Conger Cornelia Sue Hughes Conger, 64, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001. A native of Swain County, N.C., Mrs. Conger was a daughter of the late Winfred and Mae Burchfield Hughes. She was preceded in death by a son, Harvey Charles Conger. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at McGahee-Griffin and Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Walter Burrell officiating. Burial will be in Level Grove Cemetery. Survivors include her husband, Harvey J. Conger; and a brother, Orris Hughes, Bryson City, N.C. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Ruth Williams Athens Ruth S. Williams, 88, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2001. A lifelong resident of Athens, Mrs. Williams was a daughter of the late Barney Odell and Nora Smith Sisk and was the widow of Charlie Williams. She owned and operated Pinecrest Lodge for a number of years. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, with Dr. Paul W. Downey, Dr. James Sexton and the Rev. Rick Veal officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. Survivors include a daughter, Norma I. Shirah, Athens; and three grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Nathan Williams, Mike Williams, Ed Sexton, Jimmy Day, Auburn Adams and Tommy Patton. Memorials may be made to East Athens Baptist Church Building Fund or to Temple Baptist Church. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Mamie C. Sturgis Washington Mamie C. Sturgis, 76, of 204 New Hope Church Road died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001. A native of Washington, Mrs. Sturgis was a daughter of the late Willie Reed and Mary Lizzie Stone and was the widow of John Henry Sturgis. She was a member of New Hope C.M.E. Church. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at New Hope C.M.E. Church with the Rev. Kenneth Griffin officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Lessie Hampton, Athens, and Lillie Ruth Sturgis, Washington; a stepdaughter, Donna Butler, Washington; a son, Leroy Sturgis; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. McLendon Memorial Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Maurice Duncan Cornelia Maurice Duncan, 57, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2001. A native of Habersham County, Mr. Duncan was a son of May Tench Duncan, Demorest, and the late Frank Duncan. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of Habersham County Gideons and of Cornelia Christian Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cornelia Christian Church with David Terrell and Randy Farmer officiating. Burial will be in Harvest Christian Church Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Shirley Dyer Duncan; a daughter, Sheila Thomason, Cornelia; a son, Mike Duncan, Cornelia; two sisters, Ann Dean, Mount Airy, and Ellen Diaz, Hartsville, S.C.; three brothers, Randolph Duncan, Cornelia, A.C. Duncan, Young Harris, and Steven Duncan, Demorest; and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Cornelia Christian Church Family Life Center, c/o Johnny Ayers, 157 Crabapple Lane, Cornelia, GA 30531. The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. today at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 O.C. Harland Royston O.C. Harland, 73, of 50 Saylor St. died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001. A native of Franklin County, Mr. Harland was a son of the late Joe Henry and Sudie Alexander Harland. He was a member of Melvin Hill C.M.E. Church and was retired as a school bus driver from Franklin County Board of Education. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Melvin Hill C.M.E. Church, Franklin County, with the Rev. Thomas L. Jackson officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Ida Ruth Heart Harland; two daughters, Ida L. Harland, Royston, and Peggy A. Brewer, Hartwell; three sons, Jimmy C. Harland, Baltimore, Robert L. Harland Sr., Dewy Rose, Joe N. Harland, Royston; two sisters, Pauline Harland, Royston, and Henrietta Brown, Baltimore; a brother, James Harland, Baltimore; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Mack's Funeral Home, Hartwell, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 8:53 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2001 Gail E. Lester Athens Gail E. Lester, 39, of 1520 Tallassee Road, Athens died Sunday, January 7, 2001. A native of Clarke County, Ms Lester was the daughter of Albert James (Doc) and Virginia E. Lester of Athens. She was employed by Flowers Inc. Balloons and a member of Oconee Heights Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 3:00 pm at Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tom Lang and the Rev. Mike Purdy officiating. Burial will follow at Prospect United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Freddie Hunt, Keith Hambrick, Milton Eades, Gene Smith, Donald Mashburn, and Earl Dean Mashburn. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Flowers Inc. Balloons. Survivors in addition to her parents include a sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Alan Marrs, Tallahassee, FL; a nephew, Jeremy Pate, Hinesville, GA; and a special pet, Yogi. (She was preceded in death by a sister, Sara Ruth (Ruthie) Cash.) Those desiring to do so may make memorial contributions to the St. Mary's Hospice, P.O. 6588, Athens, GA 30604. Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald , Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc.