Ayers, Berryman, Bridges, Brunson, Clifton, Fish, Hudson, King, Nickels, Pethel, Toney, Ward - Madison Co, 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 ******************************************************************* The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004 Annie Bell Berryman Annie Bell House Berryman, 89, of Winter Garden, Fla. formerly of Danielsville, died Friday, August 13, 2004. She was born in Madison County, March 29, 1915 the daughter of the late Pat L. and Bertha L. Hiley House and was preceded in death by her husband, Taft Berryman, and a daughter, Florence Wood. Mrs. Berryman was a retired seamstress. Survivors include a son, L.T. Berryman, Bowman; one brother, Ethridge House, Athens; four sisters, Gladys Dove, Danielsville, Willa Lee Moore, Bowman, Kathleen Moore, Royston, and Betty Jo Bridges, Anderson S.C.; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 13 great great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. from Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Merritt Waters officiating. Burial will follow in the Jones Chapel U.M.C. Cemetery. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. John Fish John Calvin Fish III died August 8, 2004 in an ocean boating accident. He was a former resident of Madison County and was a 1991 graduate of Madison County High School. A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in Shadydale, at the Rodeo Grounds on Highway 83. For additional information call 706-354-8609 or 706-207-0577. In lieu of flowers a fund has been set up for John’s five year old daughter, Madison Christine Fish, at the Bank of Montecello. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Patrick Ayers Patrick Stuart Ayers, 74, of Comer, died on Saturday, August 14, 2004 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born October 22, 1929 in Hartford, Calif., and was the son of the late George and Gladys Ayers. He was retired and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda, Fla., attended Comer United Methodist Church and also sang in the choir. Mr. Ayers was a decorated veteran of WWII serving in Germany and Japan and had a mechanical engineering degree. Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Shelnutt Ayers, Comer; two sons and daughter-in-law, Scott and Julie Ayers, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., and Patrick Ayers Jr., LaPlace, Louisiana; two granddaughters, Kyla and Kara Ayers, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla; one great-granddaughter, Ava Ayers, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; step-sons and step daughters and spouses Ken and Dale Ross and granddaughter, Erin Ross, all of Comer, Frank Jr. and Lori Del Nero, Swiftwater, PA, Tommy and Cindy Logan, Canton; and grandchildren, Robbie and Nikki Logan, Cumming, William and Jonathan Logan, Canton. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2004 followed by a memorial service in the Brown Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike McLemore officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society. Brown Funeral Home, Danielsville, is in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Betty Brunson Elizabeth C. (Betty) O’Neal Brunson, 75, of Royston, died Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at Cobb Memorial Hospital, Royston. She was born in Clarke County, December 4, 1928, the daughter of the late Charles Bowden and Clara Bell Presnell O’Neal. She worked as a school secretary at Royston Elementary School and was a member of the Royston First United Methodist Church. Mrs. Brunson was a member of Woodmen of the World, Women of Georgia Power, and T.O.P.S. She was preceded in death by her husband, LaMoyne Arthur (Lee) Brunson and a brother, George Oliver O’Neal. Survivors include two sons, LaMoyne A. Brunson, Covington, and Charles A. Brunson, Royston; and three grandchildren. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 5, 2004 at the Royston First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Brian Clark and Malcolm Herndon officiating. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Royston First United Methodist Church, 137 Franklin Springs Street, Royston, Georgia 30662. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Willie Nickels Willie Lee Simmons Epps Nickels, 87, of Hull, died Friday, August 13, 2004. A native of Madison County, she was the daughter of the late Hollis E. and Lucy Dean Simmons and was preceded in death by her first husband, Thurston Epps, and daughter, Sarah Milton. She was retired from Chicopee Mills and was a member of the First Christian Church of Athens. Survivors include her husband, Robert Rice Nickels; son, Jimmy Epps; daughter, Eddie Mae England; stepchildren, Christopher, Todd, and Tony Nickels; a brother, John Mell Simmons; two sisters, Joan Burgess, and Mary Dilbeck; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were Sunday, August 15, 2004 in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville with the Revs. Ray Austin and Patrick Chandler officiating. Burial was in the Meadow Baptist Church Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were the employees of the Athens Regional Library. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Dennis Bridges Dennis Bridges, 52, Watkinsville, died Saturday, August 14, 2004 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Eugene Bridges and a brother, Hershel Eugene Bridges. Mr. Bridges was a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, a network engineer at St. Mary’s Hospital and was a veteran of the United States Army. Survivors include his wife, Cathy Barbee Bridges; his mother, Edna Wheless Bridges, Carlton; one brother, Stuart Bridges, Carlton; a sister, Frances White (Charles), Danielsville; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clyde and Connie Barbee, Dublin; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Monday, August 16, 2004 at the chapel of Lord and Stephens, WEST, with the Rev. Doug Nix officiating. Burial was in the Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, Lexington. Pallbearers were Rick Barbee, Chris Compton, Eric Doolittle, Boyce James, Lucius Malcolm, Albert Rhodes and Chuck White. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick and Joan Staiger. Memorials may be made to Vista Care Hospice Foundation, 767 Oglethorpe Ave., Athens, Georgia 30606. Lord and Stephens, WEST, was in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Beverly King Mrs. Beverly Lynette Brown King, 41, of Colbert, died Friday, August 13, 2004, at Athens Regional Medical Center. Mrs. King was born in Greene County, August 30, 1962, daughter of L.C. and Frances Meadows Brown, Danielsville. She was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, survivors include a daughter and son-in- law, April and Phillip Wiley, Lula; a son, Dusty King, of the home; a brother and sister-in-law, Rodney and Esther Brown, Danielsville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Kimberly and Daniel Dyer, Danielsville, and Jennifer and Bob Belcher, Bogart; and two grandchildren, Dylan and Ethan Wiley, both of Lula. Funeral services were held Sunday, August 15, 2004, at the New Haven Holiness Church with the Revs. Larry Dyer and Ellis Cooper officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Bobby Toney Bobby L. Toney, 72, died August 14, 2004. Born in Clarke County, he was the son of the late James Hobert and Essie Hunt Toney and was preceded in death by two brothers, Hubert and Jimmy Toney, and a sister, Lucy Schultz. Having served in the United States Army, he was a veteran of the Korean Army Conflict and was retired in 1986 as Assistant Chief of Athens-Clarke County Fire Department with 30 years of service. Following his retirement, he founded and operated T & O Fire & Safety Equipment Sales. He was a member of Moon’s Grove Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Bobbie Ann Stewart Toney; daughter and son-in-law, Laveda and Rick Rabern, Newnan; two grandchildren, Adam and Ryan Rabern; one niece; two nephews; two great nieces; and four great nephews. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at Moon’s Grove Baptist Church with the Revs. Dan Fuller, Tony Lee and Tom Dial officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Gene Hayes, Ray Berryman, Richard Gordon, Ronnie Ogletree, Tommy Morrow, Clarence Pope, Louis Ford and L.H. Lewis. Honorary pallbearers were the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department Honor Guard, Clarke County retired firefighters and members of Madison County Volunteer Fire Department. Lord and Stephens, EAST was in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Mike Ward Mike Ward, 55, of Clayton, formerly of Nicholson, died Wednesday, August 11, 2004. He was born August 3, 1949 in Jackson County, the son of Annie Ruth Palmer Ward and the late Pat Ward, and was a former Boy Scout and former City Councilman, Nicholson. Mr. Ward is a Veteran of the United States Army having served in the Vietnam War, he was a graduate of Commerce High and attended the University of Georgia and was employed as a helicopter pilot. Survivors in addition to his mother, are a companion, Judy Davenport, Clayton, one son, Michael Ward, Snellville; two daughters, Michlynn and Annie Beth Ward, both of Snellville; one granddaughter; one brother, Farold Ward, Nashville, Tenn.; two sisters, Myra Helton, Nicholson, and Marsha Dukes, Laurens, S.C. Memorial services are to be held Sunday, August 22, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. from the River of Life Worship Center with the Rev. Dennis Kesler officiating. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Lucille Hudson Margaret Lucille Andrews Spears Hudson, 90, of Carnesville, died Friday, August 13, 2004 at her home. Born June 30, 1914 in Franklin County, she was the daughter of the late Doc and Lilly Junkins Andrews. She was preceded in death by her first husband Roy E. Spears and by her second husband Allen Hudson. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Joy Adams, Osteen Murphy, and Blanche Owens. She was a retired textile inspector and a member of the Liberty Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Harry Spears, Chattanooga, Tenn.; a daughter, Marie Hilley, Danielsville; a sister, Mozelle A. Ward, Carnesville; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were held Monday, August 16, 2004 at the Liberty Baptist church with the Revs. Todd West and Kirt Mitchell officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Ginn Funeral Home, Carnesville, was in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Haskel Pethel Mr. Haskel Pethel, 89, of Gainesville, died August 16, 2004. He was a native and lifelong resident of Hall County and was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Myrtle U. Pethel. He was a self employed contractor and builder and worked for Davis Washington Lumber Company, Gainesville, before retiring. Mr. Pethel was a member of Community Baptist Church. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Charles H. Pethel, Robert and Inez Pethel, all of Gainesville, John Wesley and Martha Pethel, Danielsville, Billy Joseph and Gloria Pethel, Cleveland; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald H. and Mary Lou Pethel, Austin and Lessie Pethel, all of Gainesville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Minnie Hix, Virginia and Jimmy Lewallen, all of Gainesville; seven grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 18, 2004 in the chapel of McDonald & Rogers Funeral Home, Gainesville, with the Rev. Dean Bryant officiating. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery. McDonald & Rogers Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of the arrangements. -------------------------------------------- The Madison County Journal, August 18, 2004. Johnnie Clifton Johnnie Gillard Clifton, 91, of Greensboro, died Friday, August 13, 2004 at Heardmont Nursing Home in Elberton. He was a lifelong resident of Geeene County and was born December 10, 1912, the son of the late Omer Cleveland and Reva Evereen Carey Clifton. During his career he drove a gas truck for eighteen years and the bus for Nathanael Greene Academy for three years. He was a member of Siloam Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Sherrell Clifton, Greensboro; two sons, John Cleveland Clifton, Walnut Grove and Richard Carey Clifton, Comer; one daughter, Patsy Ruth Bell, Decatur; three step-children, Gail Turner, Washington, Sandra Barnes, Decatur, and Charlie Stansell, Loganville; one sister, Hilda Carter, Bostwick; nine grandchildren; six step grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; nine step great- grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Monday, August 16, 2004 at McCommons Chapel with the Rev. Lem Clark officiating. Burial was in the Siloam Cemetery. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Steve Bell, John Clifton Jr., Richard Clifton, Steve Clifton, Rodney Clifton, and Chad Clifton. McCommons Funeral Home, Greensboro, was in charge of the arrangements.