Brown, Deen, Fambro, Hart, Hill, Hitchcock, Little, Pearson, Ramsey, Rhodes, Thomason - Madison County, GA 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 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ********************************************************************** Thomas Dean Thomas Nelson Dean, 76, of Danielsville, died Sunday, September 28, 2003, at the Brown Memorial Convalescent Center in Royston. Mr. Dean was born in Madison County on April 27, 1927, the son of the late Claude Lee and Nancy Lee Adams Dean. His early and young years, he spent in Madison County and Athens. Mr. Dean participated in ROTC and graduated from Athens High School before entering the United States Navy during World War II. He was serving in the Pacific War during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Mr. Dean was a retired installer with Athens Glass & Mirror and was a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church. He and his wife were married July, 1947. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with Tim Peek and the Rev. Dennis Kesler officiating. Burial was in the Jones Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Mr. Dean is survived by his wife, Janie Ruth Ginn Dean, Danielsville; son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Kathy Dean, Danielsville; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Anthony Ray, Eatonton; and four grandchildren, Vincent Ray, Stephen and Marion Ray, Jennifer Dean and Nancy Ray. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Lomie W. Thomason Mrs. Lomie Wilbanks Thomason, 90, of Alto, died Tuesday, September 30, 2003, at a private nursing home following an extended illness. Mrs. Thomason was born on November 28, 1912, in Banks County. She was a daughter of the late William and Mary Stewart Wilbanks. Mrs. Thomason was a homemaker and a member of Mud Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Jones Thomason, a son, Milton Thomason, a son-in-law, Harold L. Wade, five sisters, Lavada W. Franklin, Etta W. Caudell, Annie Wilbanks, Essie Wilbanks and Lola Wilbanks, and two brothers, Gardner Wilbanks and Marlow Wilbanks. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 2, at Mud Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Clyde Garrison, Roy Lee Mitchell and Verner London officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Trudy Wade, Alto; son, Mannan J. Thomason, Alto; brother and sister-in-law, Ferd and Mellie Jo Wilbanks, Alto; five grandchildren, Matt Wade, Alto, Kevin and Sheila Thomason, San Francisco, Calif., Scott and Debra Thomason, Dallas, Texas, and Jennifer and Robert Ryan and Rebecca Thomason, all of Lockhart, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Julianna Thomason and Kara Ryan, both of Texas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lance and Lillian Thomason, Hull; and sisters-in-law, Fay T. Palmer, Demorest, Lucille T. Palmer, Baldwin, Perna Thomason, Gainesville, Janie Thomason, Cornelia, and Doris Thomason, Ed Couch, Texas. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The family was to have received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin. Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Louise G. Fambro Mrs. Louise Gary Fambro, 99, of Hull, died Sunday, September 28, 2003. Mrs. Fambro was a daughter of the late John C. and Annie Maude Eldridge Gary. She was the wife of the late Grady Fambro. Mrs. Fambro was retired from Thomas Textile and was of the Jehovah’s Witness faith. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Agnes Breighner, and two sons, Gus and Joe Fambro. Mrs. Fambro was affectionately known as “Grandmother,” “Mama Ease” and “Aunt Ease” by her family, it was stated. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Edwina Fambro Hollis and John D. Hollis Jr., Hull; daughter, Juanita Fambro Faulkner, Dothan, Ala.; sister, Mary Mercer, Highshoals; 10 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. A celebration of Mrs. Fambro’s life and burial will be held at a later date. Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Nellie M. Hitchcock Mrs. Nellie Mae Freeman Hitchcock, 93, of Commerce, died Monday, September 29, 2003. A native of Madison County, Mrs. Hitchcock was a daughter of the late George B. and Annie Ginn Freeman. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist denomination. Mrs. Hitchcock was preceded in death by two sisters, Grace Gordon and Dorothy Escoe, and four brothers, Lee, Frank, Clinton and S.B. Freeman. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 2, in the chapel of Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, with the Revs. Dayton Logan and Mike McLemore officiating. Burial will be in Danielsville Memorial Gardens. Stanley Watson, Dave Moon, Danny Smith, Jimmy Bird, Steve Whitington and Leon Swindell will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Hitchcock is survived by her husband, William Crawford Hitchcock; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ruth and Calvin Smith, Comer; son and daughter-in-law, William and Nina Hitchcock, Danielsville; brother, George B. “G.B.” Freeman, Danielsville; sisters, Gladys Rowland, Anderson, S.C., and Callie McLeskey, Hartwell; grandchildren, Renee and Dave Moon, Commerce, Patti and Danny Smith, Cordell, and April and Stanley Watson, Danielsville; great-grandchildren, Mandy and Michelle Smith, Kendell and Parker Moon and Adrianna Watson; and step-great-grandchildren, Adam and Chris Watson. The family was to have received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Brown Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Carrie Rhodes Mrs. Carrie Alice Rhodes, 77, of Royston, died Sunday, September 28, 2003, at Brown Memorial Convalescent Center in Royston. Mrs. Rhodes was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on November 15, 1925, a daughter of the late Elmer and Maude Lane Lovell. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Christian Church of Costa Mesa, Calif. She was also a member of the Elk’s Club. Mrs. Rhodes is survived by her husband, Paul Raymond Rhodes, Royston; son, Jack Wock, Royston; daughters, Lindy Rhodes and Paulette DeForeest, both of Royston, and Shari Sharp, Fullerton, Calif.; brothers, Frank Lovell, Utah, and Melvin Lovell, Des Moines, Iowa; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. The body was cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph’s Indian School, P.O. Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57325. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 LeRoy Pearson LeRoy Pearson, 72, of Nicholson, died Thursday, Septem-ber 25, 2003, at his residence. A native of Clarke County, Mr. Pearson was born January 4, 1931. He was a son of the late Harvey and Bertie Mae Goodrum Pearson. Mr. Pearson was retired from the United States Navy and was a member of Christian Life Worship Center. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 27, at Christian Life Worship Center with the Revs. Donald Elliott, John Ingham and Dan May officiating. Burial was in the New Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Pearson is survived by his wife, Alice Archer Pearson, Nicholson; two daughters, Tonya Busbin and Tammy Jackson, both of Nicholson; four brothers, Eugene Pearson and Harold Pearson, both of Athens, Frank Pearson, Royston, and Vince Pearson, Watkinsville; six sisters, Rebecca Bradberry, Winterville, Blenda Smith, Athens, Willette Jackson, Center, Lorene Sorrow, Elberton, Vonnie Parnell, Nicholson, and Kathryne Swindle, Ila; and two grandchildren, Andy and Kayla Sorrow, Nicholson. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Hugh D. Hart Hugh D. Hart, 81, of Commerce, died Thursday, September 25, 2003, at BJC Nursing Home, Commerce. A native of Franklin County, Mr. Hart was born June 21, 1922, the son of the late Claude and Lelia Slaton Hart. He was retired from Commerce Sportswear and was a member of the Commerce Church of Christ. Mr. Hart was preceded in death by a grandson, Kenneth Hart. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 27, at the Commerce Church of Christ with the Revs. Jeff Coalson and Ron Cope officiating. Burial was in Jackson Memorial Gardens, Commerce. Mr. Hart is survived by his wife, Alice Louise Pace Hart, Commerce; two sons, Danny Hart and Larry Hart, both of Commerce; two daughters, Peggy Evans, Rome, and Carol Wilkes, Jefferson; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Arnold Hill Arnold Richard Hill, 78, of Canon, died Friday, September 26, 2003, at his home. Mr. Hill was born March 7, 1925, in Franklin County. He was a son of the late Louis and Bell Alewine Hill. Mr. Hill was employed with J.H. Carter for 21 years and had been a self-employed pulpwood cutter and farmer for the last few years. He was of the Church of God denomination. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Hill, and a sister, Virginia Hill. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 28, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Revs. Johnny Stowe and Roby Wooby officiating. Burial was in Franklin Memorial Gardens, South. Todd Hill, Josh Harris, Scott Busby, Keith Hill, Kenny Hill and Kevin Busby served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Tommy Royston, Tony Royston, Brandon Hill, Ken Bond, Jeff Bond and Matthew Vaughn. Mr. Hill is survived by his wife, Ida Mae Hunter Hill, Canon; four sons, Richard, Dean, Jerry and Terry Hill, all of Canon; six daughters, Jane Bond and Judy Hill, both of Royston, the Rev. Barbara Vaughn, Carolyn Harris and Tammie Chappelear, all of Lavonia, and Nancy Busby, Canon; one brother, Robert Hill, Canon; four sisters, Macy Shiflet, Mary Shiflet and Estelle Kirkland, all of Canon, and Florence Murray, Bogart; 26 grandchildren and 30 great- grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, c/o Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Parks Little Bonnie Parks Little, 66, of Bowersville, died Sunday, September 28, 2003, at his home. Mr. Little was born September 25, 1937, in Hart County, a son of the late Bonnie and Mary McGarity Little. A United States Navy veteran, Mr. Little was a retired district manager for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Athens Daily News and the Anderson Independent. He was a member of Old Canon Baptist Church. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, in the chapel of Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, with the Rev. Eldon Massey officiating. Burial was in Bowers Memorial Gardens. Mr. Little is survived by his wife, Betty Mackey Little, Bowersville; daughter, Connie Berryman, Elberton; sister, Hazel Carlton, Canon; grandson, Jason Lee, Elberton; and granddaughter, Amber Berryman, Elberton. Memorials may be made to Old Canon Baptist Church, c/o Helen Chatham, 1066 Old Canon Church Road, Bowersville, GA 30516. Pruitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Bernice S. Ramsey Mrs. Bernice Smith Ramsey, 94, of Hartwell Health Care Center, formerly of N. Forest Ave., Hartwell, died Saturday, September 27, 2003, at the Hartwell Health Care Center. Born December 1, 1908, in Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Ramsey was a daughter of the late Luke L. Smith and Addie Murray Smith. She retired from the Hartwell Garment Company where she was a seamstress. She had formerly run the Salvation Army Clothing Store of Hartwell and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hartwell, where she taught Sunday School for 35 years. Mrs. Ramsey was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lovie T. Ramsey, a brother, Lewis J. Smith, and a sister, Damie Sue Glenn. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 1, in Nancy Hart Memorial Park with the Rev. Gary Thompson officiating. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Byron L. and Mary Ann Ramsey, Hull, and Bobby R. and Lenora Ramsey, Hartwell; sister, Juanelle Bowen, Hull; seven grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Joseph A. Strickland Funeral Home, Hartwell, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, October 1, 2003 Ruth C. Brown Mrs. Ruth Cannon Brown, 82, of Commerce, died Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at BJC Nursing Home, Commerce. Born May 12, 1921, in Rabun County, Mrs. Brown was a daughter of the late Raleigh and Lola Swafford Cannon. She was a homemaker and of the Methodist denomination. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Cecil Brown. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 26, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, with Jennifer Gooby officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery, Commerce. Survivors include two daughters, Yvonne Brannen, Loganville, and Rosalyn Wilson, Duluth; three sisters, Estelle Beavers, Conyers, Nora Mobley, Covington, and Doris Murphy, Gainesville; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Donations may be made to the United Hospice, 700 South Enota Street, Suite 202, Gainesville, GA 30501. Little-Ward Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.