Bond, Brightwell, Brock, Brown, Burroughs, Chandler, Dove, Epps, Franklin, Graham, Gunnin, Mealor, Odom, Smallwood Obituaries from The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 ***************************************************************** 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/ Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net Thanks to The Madison County Journal and Mike Buffington for his permission to upload the obituaries to the Madison County GAGenWeb Archives - 23 April 2001 http://www.mainstreetnews.com/Active/Mad.html ***************************************************************** The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Donald E. Epps Donald Eugene "Donny" Epps, 55, died Friday, February 2, 2001. A native of Athens, Mr. Epps was a son of Ann Huff Brown and the late Eugene "Gene" Epps. He served as a deputy sheriff in Clarke County for 15 years, and worked for his late uncle, Sheriff H.T. "Tommy" Huff. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 4, at Hull Baptist Church to celebrate Mr. Epps' life, with the Rev. Randy Crowe officiating. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Janet Andrews Epps; two sons, Tommy Epps and Andy Epps; one daughter, DeAnn Tolbert; two brothers, Dwayne Epps and Dwight Epps; two sisters, Denise Seagraves and Deana Shields; and two grandsons, Westley Thomas Epps and Clayton Michael Tolbert. Memorials may be made to Hull Baptist Church, 39 Charlie Bolton Road, Hull, GA 30646. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Edna R. Dove Mrs. Edna Ray Dove, 86, of Royston, wife of the late Rev. Hoyt Garner Dove, died Saturday, February 3, 2001, at Cobb Memorial Hospital, Royston. Mrs. Dove was born in Madison County on November 11, 1914, a daughter of the late Thomas Gordon and Essie Bond Ray. She was a homemaker and a member of New Hope Worship Center. Mrs. Dove was preceded in death by two sons, Garner Dove and Jimmy Eugene Dove. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, at New Hope Worship Center with the Revs. Dennis Kesler, Buford Lockman and John Ingham officiating. Burial was in Franklin Memorial Gardens, South. Lee Carey, Randy Dove, Brent Dove, David Ingham, Eric Dove, Rodney Dove, Rex Norton and Joe Lockman served as pallbearers. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Ray and Becky Dove, Danielsville, and Oral and Judy Dove, Athens; daughters and sons-in- law, Marlene and Omer Lee Carey, Royston, Frances and Edward Hicks, Hartwell, and Joan and Buford Lockman and Rita and John Ingham, all of Athens; daughter-in-law, Mrs. Garner (Judy) Dove, Royston; two brothers, Boyd Ray and Billy Ray, both of Royston; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to New Hope Worship Center, P.O. Box 355, Franklin Springs, GA 30639. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Lonnie M. Graham Mrs. Lonnie Meryle Graham, 69, of Athens, died Sunday, February 4, 2001. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Graham was a daughter of the late Lonnie and Panola Smith Booth. She was a retired activity director with Athens Community Council on Aging Adult Day Care. Mrs. Graham was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Smith. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens. Survivors include two daughters, Connie Hardigree, Watkinsville, and Reginia Hatfield, Athens; one sister, Shirley Bell, Comer; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1060 Gaines School Road, Athens, GA 30605. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 June Chandler Mrs. June Chandler, 63, of Commerce, died Monday, February 5, 2001, at her residence. Mrs. Chandler was born May 23, 1937, in Thomas County, a daughter of the late Robert and Mary Miller Odom. She was employed as a nurse with BJC Medical Center, Commerce, and was a member of Berea Baptist Church, where she served as an Adult Ladies Sunday School class teacher. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 8, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Revs. Grady Jordan and Terry James officiating. Burial will be in Jackson Memorial Gardens, Commerce. Mrs. Chandler is survived by her husband, James J. Chandler Sr., Commerce; one son, James Chandler, Commerce; one daughter, Malinda Chandler, Gainesville; and one brother, Burton Odom, Conyers. The family was to have received friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Little-Ward Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Aretha L. Brown Mrs. Aretha Lucille Brown, 82, of Commerce, died Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at BJC Medical Center, Commerce. Mrs. Brown was born June 4, 1918, a daughter of the late Sam and Cora Chastain Waldroup. She was the wife of the late Telford Brown. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 1, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. Lonnie Bennett officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery, Commerce. Survivors include two daughters, Stella Mullinax and Annie Lee Waldroup, both of Commerce; one brother, Ralph Waldroup, Commerce; one sister, Katie May Wilson, Charleston, S.C.; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Ivie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Lois S. Smallwood Mrs. Lois S. Smallwood, 78, of Loganville, died Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at Life Care Center of Lawrenceville. Mrs. Smallwood was born October 13, 1922, in Jackson County. She was a homemaker and was a member of Blacks Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Smallwood was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Aubrey Smallwood, and a son, Capt. Jackie Smallwood, who was reported missing in action in 1973. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 2, at Blacks Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Bill Carpenter and Lee Hunter officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery, Commerce. Survivors include son, Danny Smallwood, Lawrenceville; three brothers, Noble Sorrow, Brunswick, Charles Sorrow, Conyers, and Claude Sorrow, Crawford; three sisters, Montine Hardman, Commerce, Johnnie Spray, Crawford, and Grace Toney, Atlanta; and several nieces and nephews. Ivie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 John O. Mealor John Otis Mealor, 60, of Royston, died Monday, February 5, 2001. Mr. Mealor was born March 1, 1940, in Madison County. He was a son of the late John Boyd and Florence Horne Mealor. Mr. Mealor was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a truck driver. He was a member of the Red Hill Masonic Lodge and was of the Baptist denomination. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Revs. Paul Creason and Johnny Ashworth officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Than Royston, Jerry Bennett, Randy Spears, Kermit McGee, Bobby Singleton, Douglas Fowler, Ernest Fowler, Ronny Adams, Hugh Roach, Herbert Adams and Henry Rice served as pallbearers. Mr. Mealor is survived by his wife, Myrtle Garner Mealor, Royston; one daughter, Rhonda Beasley, Canon; two sons, Roger Mealor, Canon, and Rodney Mealor, Royston; one sister, JoAnn Pilgrim, Royston; one brother, Charles Mealor, Commerce; and six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, 3300 N.E. Expressway Building 9, Atlanta, GA 30341. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Evie P. Bond Mrs. Evie Phillips Bond, 94, of Danielsville, died Thursday, February 1, 2001. A native and lifetime resident of Madison County, Mrs. Bond was a daughter of the late John and Mattie Carithers Hardman. She was a homemaker and was a member of Moon's Grove Baptist Church for over 70 years. Mrs. Bond was preceded in death by her first husband, Grady Phillips, and her second husband, Ezra Bond. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 3, in the Moon's Grove Baptist Church cemetery with the Revs. Dayton Logan and Tony Lee officiating. Mrs. Bond is survived by two sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews. Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Rosa Odom Mrs. Rosa Frances Odom, 73, of Hull, died Thursday, February 1, 2001. Mrs. Odom was born in Kershaw, S.C., a daughter of the late Fred Faulkenberry and Lula Hendrix Williams. She had served as a substitute teacher and worked as a library aide for Madison County Middle and High Schools. Mrs. Odom had also worked as a waitress with Granny's Kitchen, Oglethorpe County. She was a homemaker and a member of Hull Baptist Church. Mrs. Odom was preceded in death by her husband, Jack A. Odom, and a son, Keith Odom. Burial was in Danielsville Memorial Gardens. Survivors include one daughter, Deborah Odom, Hull; one sister, Dorothy Williams, Kershaw, S.C.; two grandchildren, Kelli Odom and Kristi Odom; one great-grandchild, Natalie Grace; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West End Baptist Church, 890 Boulevard, Athens, GA 30601, or to St. Mary's Hospice, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604. Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Ruth Burroughs Mrs. Ruth Burroughs, 81, of Hull, died Thursday, February 1, 2001. A native of Madison County, Mrs. Burroughs was a daughter of the late D.I. and Pinkie Martin Burroughs. She was a retired seamstress and was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Burroughs was preceded in death by a brother, Charlie Burroughs, and a sister, Lillian Waller. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 4, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Jenkins officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Burroughs' nephews will serve as pallbearers. Survivors include one brother, James Burroughs, Athens; and several nieces and nephews. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Darlene L. Franklin Miss Darlene Linda Franklin, 42, of Comer, formerly of Elberton, died Wednesday, January 31, 2001. A native of Louisville, Ky., Miss Franklin was a daughter of Charlene Young Cleveland, Elberton, and the late Don Franklin. She was a truck driver and was a member of Vans Creek Baptist Church. Graveside services were held at 4 p.m. Friday, February 2, at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her step-father, Windell Cleveland, Elberton; one sister, Audrey Johnson, Elberton; one brother, Chris Cleveland, Elberton; and one niece. Hicks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 William L. Brock William Luther Brock, 80, of Commerce, died Thursday, February 1, 2001, at Georgia Veterans Home, Milledgeville. A native of McMinn County, Tenn., Mr. Brock was a son of the late George and Laura Williams Brock. He was retired from the U.S. Army, with 22 years of service, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Inglewood, Tenn. Mr. Brock was also a member of the VFW. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 3, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. Henry Webb officiating. Burial was in Jackson Memorial Gardens, Commerce. Mr. Brock is survived by his wife, Betty Saxon Minish Brock, Commerce; four sons, Carter Brock, Rogersville, Mo., Kerry Brock, Springfield, Mo., Robert Brock, Belton, Texas, and William L. Brock Jr., Madisonville, Tenn.; three daughters, Carolyn Estes and Teresa Thompson, both of Athens, Tenn., and Darla Lord, Champaign, Ill.; step-sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Teresa Minish and Ricky and Angie Minish, all of Commerce; step-daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Charles Fouche, Hull; two sisters, Lee Holland, Miami, Fla., and Sue Middleton, Cape Coral, Fla.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Little-Ward Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Henry D. Gunnin Henry D. Gunnin, 74, of Athens, died Friday, February 2, 2001. A native of Madison County, Mr. Gunnin was a son of the late David and Etta Dudley Gunnin. Having made his home in the Athens area, where he lived all of his life, Mr. Gunnin was a self-employed wallpaper contractor for 30 years and was a member of Moon's Grove Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Smith Gunnin. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 5, in Evergreen Memorial Park with the Rev. Ray Jenkins officiating. Mr. Gunnin is survived by his wife, Rosetta Fuller Gunnin; step- daughter, Glenda Culbertson; grandson, Greg Martin, Colbert; and a number of cousins. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, February 7, 2001 Jackson T. Brightwell Jackson Thomas Brightwell, infant son of Thomas Jackson Brightwell III and Sarah Nanette Starr Brightwell, died Wednesday, January 31, 2001. He was born January 15, 2001. A private family graveside service was held with burial in Sunset Cemetery, Maxeys. In addition to his parents, he is survived by one sister, Sarah Elizabeth "Ella" Brightwell, 4, of the home; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Juanita George Brightwell, Royston; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leland E. Starr Jr., Sandy Cross Community; and paternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Evelyn Sanders Brightwell Hunter, Madison. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Thomas J. Brightwell Jr. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Madison Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.