Adams, Brown, Kerr, Ledbetter, Hart, Kelley, Minish, Nelms, Smith, Tate, Wheeler, Wood - 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 *********************************************************************** All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Calvin C. Hart Calvin Crozzer Hart, 90, of Danielsville, died Monday, January 6, 2003. Born in Franklin County, Mr. Hart was the son of the late Oscar S. and Etter Rowland Hart. He was employed as a custodian with the Madison County Board of Education and was of the Holiness denomination. Mr. Hart was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Jannie Fortson Hart. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, at Meadow Baptist Church with the Revs. Steve Cole and Martha Hart Guest officiating. Burial was in Meadow Cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Hilda Strickland, Commerce, and Dallis Elaine Hart and Janie Lucille Hart, both of Danielsville; two sons, William Cecil Hart, Danielsville, and Lewis C. Hart, Comer; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren. Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Betty Wood Mrs. Betty Wood, 58, of Hull, died Wednesday, January 1, 2003. A native of Clarke County, Mrs. Wood was a daughter of the late James Alfred and Mozzell Gunter Harvey. She was retired from Superior Pants as a seamstress and was a member of Memorial Baptist Church, Watkinsville. Mrs. Wood was preceded in death by her husband, James Wood Sr. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 4, at Ross Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Townsend officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Charles Self, Jackie McNair, Tim Harvey, Scotty Harvey, Shane Harvey and Johnny Harvey Jr. served as pallbearers. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, James Wood Jr. and Treana Wood, Jefferson; sisters, Jean Self, Watkinsville, Sarah Terrell, Monroe, and Linda Powell, Statham; brothers, Calvin Harvey, Bishop, Edward Harvey, Jefferson, Thomas Harvey, Statham, and Johnny Harvey and Jimmy Harvey, both of Bogart; grandchildren, Jessica Hope Wood and James Franklin Wood; and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Blondine W. Nelms Mrs. Blondine Wood Nelms, 68, of Demorest, died Tuesday, December 31, 2002, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, following an extended illness. Mrs. Nelms was born February 25, 1934, in Madison County. She was a daughter of the late Dewey and Julia Davis Wood. Mrs. Nelms was a homemaker and attended the Cornelia Church of God. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2003, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, with the Rev. James Gunn officiating. Burial was in Yonah Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Nelms is survived by her husband, Frank Nelms, Demorest; two daughters, Donna Winn, Mt. Airy, and Carol Wilson, Alto; two step- daughters, Julie Killingsworth, Colbert, and Mimi Trest, Athens; five brothers, Charlie Wood, Bill Wood, Guy Wood, Herman Wood and Paul Wood, all of Demorest; one sister, Mary Gunn, Royston; three grandchildren, Scott Moore, Demorest, and Jody Wilson and Katie Wilson, both of Alto; four step-grandchildren, Jeff Trest, Quitman, Frank Trest, Athens, Julianna Trest, Raleigh, N.C., and Wendi Killingsworth, Colbert; three step-great-grandchildren, Griffin Trest and Chase Trest, both of Athens, and Steven Trest, Quitman. Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 William L. Smith William Lester Smith, 59, of Carlton, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002. A native of Pickens County, Mr. Smith was a son of the late Sam and Mae Adams Smith. He had been employed as a line technician with Galaxy Cable Vision. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 28, in the chapel of Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, with the Rev. Deland Roberts officiating. Burial was in Meadow Cemetery. Jo Jo Catlett, Randolph Coker, Troy Higdon, Dee Brewer, Shawn Bellah and Dean Rivenburg served as pallbearers. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Brenda Christian Smith, Carlton; daughter, Angela S. English, Danielsville; sons and daughters-in-law, Stacey Threlkeld, Atlanta, Alan and Lynn Smith, Lexington, and Daniel and Shizelle Threlkeld and Chad Threlkeld, all of Carlton; brothers, Neal Smith, Canton, and Robert Smith, Holly Springs; sisters, Montez Blalock and Deborah Killian, both of Woodstock, Inez Dunagan, Marie Bricker and Dale Henson, all of Canton, and Dorithey Wright, Holly Springs; and grandchildren, Michael Shane Bowling, Paige Hunsinger, Leslie Threlkeld and Wade Threlkeld. Brown Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 George W. Ledbetter George Washing-ton Ledbetter, 89, of the Hudson River Church Community, died Tuesday, December 31, 2002, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Athens. Mr. Ledbetter was born February 17, 1913, in Hart County, a son of the late John Raford and Alphia Lee Grubbs Ledbetter. Mr. Ledbetter was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a retired dairy farmer and school bus driver, and was a member of Hudson River Baptist Church, Commerce. Mr. Ledbetter passed away on his 54th wedding anniversary. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2003, in the Hudson River Baptist Church cemetery with the Rev. Ronnie Moon officiating. Mr. Ledbetter is survived by his wife, Velma Chandler Ledbetter, Danielsville; son and daughter-in-law, Col. George Hope Ledbetter and Col. Carmen Mezzacappa, Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Ester Ledbetter Wilson, Commerce; one brother; five sisters; and one grandson, Phillip Wilson, Commerce. Memorials may be made to the Hudson River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Ester Ledbetter, 91 Nowhere Road, Danielsville, GA 30633. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Irene Brown Mrs. Gladys Irene Fair Brown, 59, of Hull, died Tuesday, December 31, 2002. A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Brown was a daughter of the late Claude and Dollie Irene Sullivan Fair. She was employed as a sewing machine operator in the textile industry and was a member of Victory Baptist Church, where she was recently recognized for her loyalty and dedication. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Kenimer W. Brown, and a brother, Kenneth Fair. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2003, at Victory Baptist Church with the Rev. Elmer Butler officiating. Burial was in Arnoldsville City Cemetery. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Cindy Colley, Jefferson; sister, Shirley Jean Self, Colbert; brothers, Claude Fair, Larry Fair and Vernon Fair, all of Athens, and Crawford Fair, Bogart; grandchildren, Wesley Colley and Rusty Colley, both of Jefferson; a special friend, Vernon O’Kelley; and several nieces and nephews. Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Herschel Kelley Henry Herschel Kelley, 72, of Royston, died Wednesday, January 1, 2003, at his home. Mr. Kelley was born in Elbert County on April 7, 1930. He was a son of the late Henry Dillard and Elva Victoria Hill Kelley. Mr. Kelley was retired from the Georgia National Guard, with 24 years of service, and was a truck driver and a mechanic. He was a member of Freedom Congregational Holiness Church, where he served as a deacon for many years and was a former Sunday School Superintendent. Mr. Kelley was preceded in death by a brother, Gilbert Kelley, and four sisters, Lillian Higginbotham, Emily Jones, Mary Lou Thomas and Mavis Hill. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 3, at Freedom Congregational Holiness Church with the Revs. Paul Hood, Terry Fowler, Dugar Strickland and Darrell New officiating. Burial was in Franklin Memorial Gardens, South. Phil Allen, Dennis Brown, Chad Lawson, Stewart Seymour and Terry Brown served as pallbearers. Mr. Kelley is survived by his wife, Dorothy Nell Fleeman Kelley, Royston; son and daughter-in-law, Henry Lee and Lynn Kelley, Royston; grandchildren, Joshua Lee and Anna Kelley, Bowman, and David Kelley, Royston; and sisters, Pearl Roach, Easley, S.C., and Dorothy (Dot) Brown and Carolyn Fleeman, both of Bowman. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Ruby B. Adams Mrs. Ruby Belle Adams, 85, of Com-merce, died Monday, Jan-uary 6, 2003, at BJC Medical Center, Com-merce, of an extended illness. A native of Madison County, Mrs. Adams was the daughter of the late Griffin and Maude Adams. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 9, in the Wesley Chapel Church cemetery, Madison County, with Dr. Kent Cranford and the Rev. Ray Austin officiating. Mrs. Adams is survived by several cousins, Marlene Mashburn, Athens, Hoyt G. Adams, Grovetown, Willow Baxter, Commerce, Virginia Kell, Suwanee, Allen Crocker and Kevin Kell, both of Atlanta, Bette Gehr, Sykesville, Md., and Patty Williams, Augusta. The family was to have received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce. Ivie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Matthew Tate Edward Matthew Tate, 27, of Nicholson, died Saturday, January 4, 2003. A native of Madison County, Mr. Tate was a graduate of Madison County High School and was employed with Escoe Mechanical Industrial Company. He was an avid sportsman. Mr. Tate was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frances O. Tate, Herman Edward Tate and George Betts. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 6, in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, with the Rev. Robert Passmore officiating. Burial was in Oconee Hill Cemetery. Mr. Tate is survived by his father, Jimmy Tate, Athens; his mother and step-father, Kathryn Betts Tate Orr and Victor Orr, Nicholson; a brother, Michael Paul Tate, Athens; and grandmother, Eloise Dickerson Betts, Hull. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Rev. Bill Kerr The Rev. William Crookson “Bill” Kerr, 103, of Royston, died Friday, January 3, 2003, at Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston. A native of East Wemyss, Scotland, the Rev. Kerr was born June 7, 1899, the son of the late James and Robina Crookston Kerr. He was a retired minister and farmer and was a member of New Hope Worship Center, Madison County. The Rev. Kerr served in World War I. He was preceded in death by a son, David Lee Kerr. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 5, at New Hope Worship Center with the Revs. Dennis H. Kesler, Jonathan Randall and Ardis Anglin officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mr. Kerr’s grandsons served as pallbearers. The Rev. Kerr is survived by his wife, Willie Pauline James Kerr, Royston; two sons, William Compton Kerr, Carnesville, and James Dennis Kerr, Redondo Beach, Calif.; daughters, Dolores Elizabeth McCarley, Cumming, Bonnie Rubena Fields, Hartwell, and Peggy Diane Martin, Royston; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the New Hope Worship Center Building Fund, P.O. Box 355, Franklin Springs, GA 30639. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Joyce A. Wheeler Mrs. Joyce Ann Wheeler, 50, of Winder, died Monday, December 30, 2002. Born in Jackson County, Mrs. Wheeler was a daughter of Helen Brock, Hoschton, and the late Edward Harbin. She was a member of the Church at Winder. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2003, in Rose Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Donnie Pennington officiating. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include three daughters, Belinda Wheeler, Winder, and Melinda “Sissy” Wheeler and Crystal Wheeler, both of Monroe; one brother, Robert Harbin, Hoschton; three sisters, Rita Patterson, Jefferson, Jennifer Allen, Hull, and Gail Gordon, Franklin County; and seven grandchildren. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements. ------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, January 8, 2003 Reba H. Minish Mrs. Reba Hanley Min-ish, 81, of Commerce, died Wednes-day, January 1, 2003, at Athens Regi-onal Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Minish was a daughter of the late Charlie Lee Hanley and Minnie Hanley Hanley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Roland Minish, a daughter, Shirley Lackey, and a grandson, John Michael Bellew. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 3, at Erastus Christian Church, Commerce, with the Revs. Jim Jacobs and Robert Passmore officiating. Burial was in Minish Cemetery. Survivors include two sons, Ernest Minish and Leon Minish, both of Commerce; six daughters, Jeanette Ford and Sylvia Cochran, both of Commerce, Mary Jane Cadwell, Conyers, Helen Adams, Hull, June Bellew, Nicholson, and Naomi Denton, Charlotte, N.C.; two brothers, Paul Hanley and Bill Hanley, both of Commerce; three sisters, Cornelia Poe and Ruby Evans, both of Commerce, and Jane Schultz, Newnan; 21 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Minish Perpetual Care Cemetery Fund, c/o Jeanette Ford, P.O. Box 1496, Commerce, GA 30529. Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.