Clarke Co. GA - Obits from the Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald 24 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 9:23 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Larry Donald Brown Elberton Larry Donald Brown, 48, of 1207 Old Hartwell Road died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. A native of Jackson County, Mr. Brown was a son of Marien Smith Brown, Elberton, and the late Noah Donald Brown. He was self-employed as a painter and was a member of Philomathea Masonic Lodge 25, Yaarab Temple and Granite City Shrine Club. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Vineyards Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Rice, Dr. Marshall Tribble and the Rev. Gary Purvis officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Masonic Rites. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include two daughters, Allison Brown and Crystal Brown, both of Lexington; two sons, Kevin Brown and Ryan Brown, both of Lexington; a sister, Nancy Lunsford, Elberton; a brother, Travis Brown, Elberton; and a grandson. Pallbearers will be Lance Brown, Ricky Brown, Joe Dutton, Billy Churney, Jimmy Booth and Travis Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be the Philomathea Masons. Memorials may be made the Philomathea Masonic Lodge or to the Granite City Shrine Club. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at Berry Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:23 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Mary Nell Edwards Commerce Mary Nell Edwards, 88, of 190 Harden Bridge Road died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. A native of Franklin County, Mrs. Edwards was a daughter of the late T.O. and Maude Segars Varner. She was a member of Bold Springs United Methodist Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Bold Springs United Methodist Church cemetery with the Revs. Eddie Gordon and Tom Arnold officiating. Survivors include two daughters, Cecelia Martin, Carnesville, and Melba Miller, Commerce; a son, Ronald Edwards, Carnesville; four sisters, Tharra Edwards, Marguerite Herbert and Betty Jean Gordon, all of Commerce, and Kathleen McCoy, Cornelia; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at Little-Ward Funeral Home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:23 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Willette Ankerich Dallas, Ga. Willette Ankerich, 51, formerly of Athens, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Mount Nebo Methodist Church, Dallas. Survivors include her husband, Sam Ankerich; her mother, Mabel Long, Franklin Springs; two sons, Matthew Long Ankerich and Paul Arthur Ankerich, both of Dallas; a sister, Teresa Sorrells, Franklin Springs. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. today at Bellamy Funeral Home, Hiram. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:23 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Wylie Rayton Hartwell Wylie Rayton, 56, of 89 Tefel Drive died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001. A native of Hart County, Mr. Rayton was a son of the late Cullen and Annie Clara DuBose Rayton and was the widower of Linda Diane Heard Rayton. He was a member of Rucker Grove Baptist Church, Elbert County. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Rucker Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. George Tate officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include 13 daughters, Valerie Rayton, Pattie Oglesby, Melissa Craft, Crystal Rayton and Renta Rayton, all of Hartwell, Tracie Rayton, Toccoa, Michelle Smith, Anderson, S.C, Denise Anderson and Tampa Glaze, both of Elberton, Beverly Rayton, Royston, Ann Bowman and Vicky Bowman, both of Lavonia, and Melissa Wells, Athens; four sons, Mitchell Marshall and Steve Rayton, both of Hartwell, Stacie Rayton, Toccoa, and Tracy Rayton, Gainesville; three sisters, Edna Hawkins and Dollie Maxwell, Hartwell, and Dean Heard, Elberton; five brothers, Fred Rayton, Ralph Rayton, Willie Rayton and Thomas Rayton, all of Hartwell, and Cullen Rayton, Elberton; and 26 grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Mack's Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Laodice Burt Crawford Laodice Burt, 92, of 342 North St. died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. A native of Oglethorpe County, Miss Burt was a daughter of the late Early Parks and Maggie Newsome Mathews Burt. She was a retired school teacher and was a member of Crawford Methodist Church, where she played the piano for a number of years. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, Oglethorpe Chapel. Burial will be in Crawford Cemetery. Survivors include two sisters, Rachel B. Jenkins, Hull, and Sybil B. Still, Kingsport, Tenn.; nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1-1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Mary Catherine Bray Flowery Branch Mary Catherine Bray, 51, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. A native of Clarke County, Mrs. Bray was a daughter of Stoy and Ruby Ward, both of Flowery Branch. She was employed as a typesetter by Reed Printing Co., Gainesville, was a graduate of North Gwinnett High School and was a member of the Fountain of Faith Congregational Holiness Church. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Fountain of Faith Congregational Holiness Church with the Revs. Fred Enlow, James Woods and Blake Ward Foster officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include her husband, Ferrell ''Cotton'' Bray; a daughter, Marcie McNatt, Jackson, Tenn.; two sons, Ferrell Shane Bray, Athens, and Ryan Scott Bray, Gainesville; four sisters, Louise Foster, Statham, Shirley Scogin, Colbert, Pat Martyn, Athens, and Deborah Jennings, Flowery Branch; two brothers, Johnny Ward, Fort Valley, and Jimmy Ward, Flowery Branch; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Foundation of Faith Congregational Holiness Church Cemetery Fund, 6743 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch, GA 30542. Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Ella Whitehead Athens Ella Virginia Wier Whitehead, 80, of 455 Clover St. died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Whitehead was a daughter of the late Charlie and Mattie Pinson Wier and was the widow of Willie B. Whitehead. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Martha Ann Baker. She was a homemaker and was a member of Corner Stone Christian Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Hal Tapp officiating. Survivors include two daughters, Virginia Mattie Sorrow, Athens, and Brenda Sue Carithers, Nashville; a son, Anthony Flores, Hull; two sisters, Inez Standridge, Jefferson, and Lounette Hardeman, Roopville; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Hasteen Dove Hartwell Hasteen Cobb Dove, 69, of 60 Race St. died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. A native of Hart County, Mrs. Dove was a daughter of the late Will and Dahlia Lewis Cobb and was the widow of L.G. ''Buck'' Dove. She was retired as a machine operator from Hartwell Co. and was a member of Hartwell Church of God, where she was a choir member, was president of the Ladies Ministry and was a former Sunday school teacher. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Strickland Funeral Home with the Revs. Lonnie Bennett, Barbara Sosby and Bernard Young officiating. Burial will be in Nancy Hart Memorial Park. Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Diane Griffiths, Hartwell; four sons, Roger Dale Dove and Jackie R. Dove, both of Hartwell, Billy Ray Dove, Port Richie, Fla., and Tony Byron Dove, Powder Springs; two sisters, Geneva Cantrell and Floy Floyd, both of Hartwell; a brother, Eugene Cobb, Pinellas Park, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence and will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Howard Marvin Byrd Lexington Howard Marvin Byrd, 66, of 190 Paradise Hogan Road died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. A native of Dawsonville, Mr. Byrd was a son of the late Charlie and Daisy Bruce Byrd. He was retired from Gulf Life Insurance Co. and was of the Baptist faith. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, Oglethorpe Chapel, with the Revs. Clifton Barrett and Larry Holmes officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Lee Byrd; a daughter, Gloria Arnold, Lexington; two sons, Anthony Byrd and Michael Byrd, both of Dawsonville; a sister, Mildred McAdams, Duluth; two brothers, Henry Byrd and Robert Byrd, both of Dawsonville; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Tony Byrd, Michael Byrd, George Stone, David Fields, James Arnold, Eddie Arnold, Joe Arnold and Curtis Farmer. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Dessie Watkins Garrett Jefferson Dessie Watkins Garrett, 97, of 1848 Storey Lane Road died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. A native of Union County, Mrs. Garrett was a daughter of the late Alfred and Rachel Gooch Watkins and was the widow of James Albert Garrett. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Eddie Ruth Johnstone and Lois Garrett, and by a son, James Edwin Garrett. She was a homemaker and was a member of Apple Valley Baptist Church. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Blalock and Dr. Gerald Mitton officiating. Survivors include a daughter, Willie Nell Garrett, Jefferson; sons, Roy Garrett, Jefferson, and Hoyt Garrett, Pendergrass; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Mildred L. Henry Gainesville Mildred Lenderman Henry, 78, of South Enota Avenue, formerly of Athens and Hall County, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Henry was a former bookkeeper for the Northeast Georgia Medical Center and was a member of Central Baptist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Little-Davenport Funeral Home. Survivors include a daughter, Amy Henry, Warner Robins; a son, David Henry, Restin, Va.; three sisters, Fannie Lee Grindle, Marietta, Claudine Green, Cornelia, and Lucile Fleming, Gainesville; and a brother, Douglas Lenderman, Stone Mountain. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, 785 Main St., Gainesville, GA 30501. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Michael Joe Bates Greensboro Michael Joe Bates, 63, 1660 Buckhead Dr. , died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2001. A native of Newton County, Mr. Bates was a son of the late John B. and Laura Nell Curtis Bates. He graduated from Newton County High School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was retired as foreman from the DeKalb Water and Sewer Department and worked at Granite Shoals Marina. He was a member of the Blue Lodge Masons, Decatur, and was of the Baptist faith. Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at McCommons Funeral Home with the Rev. Joe King officiating. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Juanita Drake Bates; sons, Lee Allyn Bates, Larry Shawn Bates and Lonnie Dean Bates, all of Loganville, and Michael Kelley Bates, Grand Prairie, Texas; sisters, Peggy Dunn, Duluth, and Bobbie Lev, Atlanta; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of choice. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Elvonia 'Bell' Hubbard Lexington Elvonia ''Bell'' Hubbard, 67, of 11 Watkins Farm Road died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2001. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Hubbard was a daughter of the late Robert and Ressie Huff Armstrong and was the widow of John M. Hubbard. She was retired from the University of Georgia and was a member of New Bethlehem Church, where she served on the mother board and as Sunday school secretary. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at New Bethlehem Church with the Rev. S.A. Bishop officiating. Survivors include a daughter, Magnolia Walter, Lexington; a stepson, Leroy Davenport, Athens; seven sisters, Cora Welbon, Athens, Shirley Hitcock, Eleanor Edwards and Annie Sue Armstrong, all of Crawford, Cassie Taylor and Jannie Waller, both of Lexington, and Mary L. Davenport, Comer; four brothers, Eddie Armstrong, Morris Armstrong and Reese Armstrong, all of Atlanta, and Lewis Armstrong, Crawford; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family is at the residence. Jones Lexington Funeral Chapel has charge of arrangements. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Eva Hassie Garrett Commerce Eva Hassie Garrett, 65, of 2835 Apple Valley Road died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. A native of Banks County, Mrs. Garrett was a daughter of the late Elijah and Bessie Smith Redmond. She was a member of New Hope Worship Center, Danielsville, and was a homemaker. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at New Hope Worship Center with the Revs. Dennis Kessler, Jonathan Randall and Walter Venable officiating. Survivors include her husband, Victor Garrett; two daughters, Patsy Garrett and Kathy Anderson, both of Commerce; a son, Ricky Garrett, Commerce; two sisters, Molly Parson and Daisy Shubert, both of Maysville; a brother, Richard Redmond, Maysville; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. today at Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Fred Holder Jefferson Fred Holder, 72, of 53 Holder Road died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001. A native of Jackson County, Mr. Holder was a son of the late William ''Doc'' and Endie Barrett Holder and was the widower of Barbara Phillips Holder. He was preceded in death by a son, Dale Holder. He was a retired truck stop owner and was a member of White Plains Baptist Church. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Hulon Hill officiating. Burial will be in White Plains Baptist Church cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Shirley Medley, Commerce, Brenda Holder, Athens, and Ann Holder, Atlanta; three sons, Freddy Holder, Maysville, Lewis Holder and Larry Holder, both of Atlanta; two sisters, Beatrice Varnum, Jefferson, and Eula Jean Whitehead, Danielsville; and six grandchildren. Athens Daily News, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc. OBITUARIES Story last updated at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 Birdell Mathis Stovall Toccoa Mrs. Birdell Mathis Stovall, 87, of Toccoa Nursing Home, died Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at Stephens County Hospital. She was born August 9, 1913 in Oconee County, S.C., a daughter of the late Carson and Mandy Richardson Mathis and was the last member of her immediate family. She was reared in the Toccoa Orphanage from age six. Mrs. Stovall was a homemaker and member of the Zebulon Baptist Church of Toccoa. She was the widow of Kermit W. Stovall. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jack D. and Margie Stovall, Bill and Gloria Stovall, a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Billy Jordan, all of Toccoa; four grandchildren, Regenna Beeks of Belton, S.C., Cindy Holcomb, Wally Jordan and Brent Stovall, all of Toccoa; three great-grandchildren, Tyler Holcomb of Toccoa, Jordan Beeks and Elizabeth Beeks, both of Belton, S.C. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Steve D. Stovall. Funeral services will be held at eleven o'clock Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001, from the Chapel of Whitlock Mortuary. Dr. Henry Fields and the Rev. Bill Evans will officiate. The Rev. Larry King will officiate at the graveside. Burial will follow at Stephens Memorial Gardens. The body is at the mortuary where the family will receive friends from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm Wednesday afternoon and evening. Flowers are optional. The family suggest memorials be made to the Steve D. Stovall Music Education Scholarship Fund. The family is at their respective homes. Whitlock Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. Athens Daily News/Banner-Herald , Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001 Šopyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc.