Issuu

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015 • 9A

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Coaches

•From Page 1A one on the list until they’ve attended a breakfast and there are some invitations that are still unclaimed. The first breakfast was at IHOP and it later moved to the Peachtree Cafe, but this month the group moved to Sweet Baby Jane’s because it offers more space. The vast majority of the coaches have ties to Gwinnett and/or DeKalb County football, and most are in their 70s and 80s. Jack Britt, 89 and the coach of Lawrenceville High’s first football team in 1952, and James Estes, 88, are two of the oldest. The youngest is former Gwinnett assistant Jim Tiller, known from his time as Collins Hill’s offensive coordinator. “Yeah, they decided I’m the baby,” Tiller said. “A 55-year-old baby.” Plenty of those in attendance still live nearby, or at least close enough to make

the trip worthwhile. Others don’t mind making a trek. Charlie Winslette, a 260game winner who lives in Eatonton, has made the last two meetings. Former Gwinnett coaches Larry Williamson and Wayne

Pierce carpool down from Jasper every month. Other Gwinnett area coaches on Hunter’s list of attendees include Tally Johnson (Central Gwinnett), Charlie Jordan (Shiloh), Larry Sherrill

Dewey Alverson, right, laughs at a story told by fellow former DeKalb County coach Roy Sparks, left, during a breakfast for retired football coaches at Sweet Baby Jane’s Home Cooking on Thursday in Lawrenceville. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

(Collins Hill), Bob Pridgen (Berkmar), Dennis Watson (Parkview), Kenny Reese (Duluth, Parkview), Ron Green (Norcross), Roy “Chief” Massey (Parkview), Joe Windham (Brookwood) and Tommy

obituaries LAWRENCEVILLE

Lois Britt The Lord called Lois Knight Melton Britt age 91 of Lawrenceville, GA, home on Wednesday January 28, 2015. Lois lived a long and full life. She enjoyed her family and they all loved her dearly. She grew up in the Harbins Community near Dacula and graduated from Dacula High School in 1941. She worked as long as her health would permit, retiring at the age of 77 from her final job at J.C.’s Biscuits Restaurant. Lois was preceded in death by her parents Dewey and Pearlie Knight, her brother Ernest Paul Knight, her sister Ruby Knight Edwards, her first husband John Chester Melton and her second husband William Austin Britt. She is survived by her sons Ernest Melton and his wife Delane Melton, Ricky Melton and his wife Helen Melton, Mike Britt and his wife Brenda Britt, Rick Britt and his wife Dale Britt, Joe Britt, Kenneth Britt’s wife Darlene Britt, brother, James Dewey Knight and wife Winky, and sister-in-law, Blanche Knight. She is also survived by many loving Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel with Dr. Lamar Holley officiating. Interment to follow at 2:00 P.M. at Gwinnett Memorial Park. Family will receive friends on Friday, January 30, 2015 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Online condolences can be expressed at www. wagesandsons.com.

LAWRENCEVILLE

James Coffey James Marion Coffey, age 62, of Lawrenceville, GA, born July 9, 1952 in Dayton, OH entered Heaven January 24, 2015. James (Jim) served his country in the Navy with pride for 6 years, January 1973–January 1979. He was 2nd Class Petty Officer, ETN-2 aboard the US Naval Submarine USS Shark 591, a fast-attack nuclear submarine. His civilian career began

at Michelin Tire’s Production Plant in Dothan, AL. He moved to Atlanta, GA in 1983, working for The Southern Company from which he retired as Sr. Network Engineer in 2001. At the time of death he was employed as Sr. Network Engineer for Comforce at the GA DOT, a job he enjoyed immensely. He was well respected for his work ethics and great sense of humor. His deep love and devotion for his family was a living testimony to everyone. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 40 years, Deborah L. Coffey, and their devoted sons, Brian C. Coffey & Michael W. Coffey of Hoschton, GA, his sister, F. Charlene Hogge of Arvada, Co, and his sweet mother-in-law Fay (Noble) Sowers of Lawrenceville, GA, Brothersin-law and Sisters-in-law, Larry & Wanda Sowers of Dayton, Ohio and Fred & Sue Buchholtz of Benton, LA, and many loved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. James was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Delbert Coffey and Thelma May Coffey, his father-in-law, Louis Elwood Sowers and nephew whom he loved dearly, Joshua M. Sergent. Jim is so greatly missed. He was highly intelligent, kept a positive attitude and even through times of great physical suffering, he never complained. He enjoyed bowling, billiards, playing poker, debating politics, and studying the Bible. His greatest love was that of our Heavenly Father and through that love, he loved all others. His memorial is planned to be held on March 7, 2015 at 2pm at the Clay City United Methodist Church in Clay City, KY. Final internment will be in the Clay City Eaton Cemetery in Clay City, KY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gwinnett County Senior Services. BUFORD

Grady Day Grady M. Day, age 72, of Buford, GA, passed away on January 29, 2015. Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA 770-932-1133 www. flaniganfuneralhome.com

BUFORD

LaNell Haggard LaNell M. Haggard, age 74 of Buford, GA died Tuesday, January 27, 2015 after an extended illness. Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Hamilton Mill Memorial

Chapel. Dr. Jim Ferguson and Pastor Joey Grizzle will officiate. A private interment will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens with Jonas Wilson officiating. The Family will receive Friends Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 1-2 PM at the funeral home. The Family request in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 222, Gainesville, Ga 30501 or the Gwinnett or Hall County Humane Society. LaNell was preceded in death by her Parents, Harvey and Dela Matthews. She is survived by her Husband of 53 years, George Haggard, Buford. Cousins, Diane McCrillis, Buford and Jodi Bryant, Buford. Brother In-law and Sister In-law, Roy and Annis Haggard, Winder, GA. Brother In-law, Howard Haggard, Charlotte, NC. Several Nieces and Nephews. LaNell was born and lived most of her life in Buford. She was a graduate of Buford High School Class of 1959. She retired as co-owner of Haggard Enterprises and later worked as office administrator for Tara Fine Jewelry and was a member of Ivy Creek Baptist Church. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of LaNell at hamiltonmillchapel.com.

CUMMING

condolences can be made at www.crowellbrothers. com. Arrangements by Crowell Brothers Funeral Home and Crematory Peachtree Chapel, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross/Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092. 770-448-5757.

Harley Jones Harley Walker Jones, age 68, of Grayson, GA, passed away January 28, 2015. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company”, Snellville Chapel 770979-3200. www.wagesfuneralhome.com

FLOWERY BRANCH

Rubye Keith Rubye Mae Keith, age 90, of Flowery Branch passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2015.

LOGANVILLE

Nanny Moon Nanny Moon, age 93, of Loganville, GA, passed away on January 26, 2015. Tim Stewart Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, 300 Simonton Rd. SW Lawrenceville, GA 30045. 770-962-3100

LAWRENCEVILLE

Donny Moulder age 54 of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015. Funeral service will be held 2 PM, Friday, January 30, 2015 in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Gwinnett Memorial Park, Lawrenceville. Rev. Charles Dispain, Rev. John Cheek, and Rev. Mike Freeman will officiate. Mr. Moulder is a member of Eastside Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Donny was employed with Gwinnett County School System and he was preceded in death by: Daughter: Shae Moulder and Daddy: Donald Moulder. He is survived by Mother: Mary Moulder of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Daughter; KaleeAnne Moulder of Beaver, West Virginia; Grandson: Remington; and several Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. Flowers accepted or memorial contributions to Eastside Baptist Church, 309 Chestnut Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. The family will receive f

Ext.1162 or Ext.1163

BUFORD

He was survived by his special friends Raymond and Susan Reynolds of Winder. Memorial Services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Nazareth United Methodist Church, 622 Dee Kennedy Road, Winder, GA, 30680. Rev. Hugh Shirley and Rev. Brock Burnette will be officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the church. Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA, 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.

Gregory Pass

Francis Kathleen Ives, age 92, of Cumming, GA passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015. She was born in Ontario, Canada and was an avid reader, golfer, painter who played the piano and enjoyed shopping. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home. Inurnment will take place afterwards at Peachtree Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 2:00 am to 3:00 pm at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home. Francis is preceded in death by her husband Walter Jesse Ives; parents, Wilbur and Edna Mulligan. She is survived by her sons, Tom Ives, Don Ives, Jim Ives, and Ted Ives; daughters, Janet Bell and Caroline Poppe; sister, Claire McCready; 10 grandchildren. On-line c

Call for details

friends from 4 PM to 8 PM on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Tim Stewart Funeral Home: 300 Simonton Road, SW, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. 770-962-3100. Please leave online condolences at www.stewartfh.com

GRAYSON

Donny Moulder

770.963.9205

every week,” Hunter said. “I try to introduce people and get it going.” Whether the coaches are old or new friends, there is never a lack of conversation. Football obviously is a major topic, as are things that happened in the hallways of schools over the years. They discuss just about everything, from their families to news events to the suddenly surging Atlanta Hawks. “I just love how they play as a team,” McFerrin said of the Hawks on Thursday. McFerrin, a 317-game winner, knows plenty about what makes a successful team. It’s a trait he shares with the other coaches at the monthly breakfast, who pack loads of wins, championships and stories into one restaurant. “It’s a good time for fellowship,” Hunter said. “We all have a big time.”

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Francis Ives

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Stringer (Loganville). Guys like Braswell, Dewey Alverson (Southwest DeKalb) and Phil Knight (Lithonia) are among those in the group with heavy DeKalb coaching backgrounds. “I have a lot of fun with these guys,” Braswell said. “We used to go against each other and now we talk about it.” “Everybody talks about games they played against each other,” Hunter said. “I remember talking to one of Sparks twins (Roy and Terry) about the Dunwoody-Peachtree rivalry. You talk about a rivalry. It was like the BrookwoodParkview rivalry. It was intense. It’s funny now but it wasn’t then.” Even those who didn’t know each other from their coaching pasts have become friends thanks to the breakfasts. “I try to encourage them not to sit with same people

Rev. Gregory L. Pass, age 55, of Buford, GA passed away on Monday, January 26, 2015. He was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Pass; and sister, Lisa Pass. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Kathy Cannon Pass; children, Tony and Laura Pass, and Jason and Beth Pass; five grandchildren, Chase, Georgia, Kasey, Hannah, and Austin; mother, Laverne Anglin Burton and husband Doug, Richmond, KY; brothers and sisters-in-law, Phillip and Cindy Pass, Clarkesville, GA, Lawrence and Crystal Burton, KY, Scott Pass, Hoschton, GA, and Paul Walk, LA; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Pass was born May 5, 1959. He was a 1976 graduate of North Gwinnett High School and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was a home builder and member of Church of God. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 30, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. at Buford Church of God, Buford, GA. Interment will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens, Buford, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www. flaniganfuneralhome. com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133.

LOGANVILLE

Margie Sears

Margie Sears, age 92 of Loganville, GA, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2015. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Lenora Baptist Church in Snellville, GA. Burial will follow at Snellville Historical Cemetery. Margie was a former member of Snellville Baptist Church and a current member of Lenora Baptist Church. She lived in Snellville all of her life and was a member of The Ladies Bible Class for over 40 years. Margie was preceded in death by her first husband: Rutledge Blake Moon, second husband: Dewey M. Sears, daughter: Phyllis Moon, and several brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son and daughterin-law: Marlin and Pat Moon of Buckhead, GA, daughter and son-in-law: Sandra and Roger Sartor of Cleveland, GA; son and daughter-in-law: Stanley and Kathy Moon; brother: James Melvin Jones of Snellville, GA; sisters: Rosa Lee Pace of Smyrna, GA and Margaret Neese of Lawrenceville, GA; six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Lenora Baptist Church. Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 2246 Wisteria Drive Snellville, GA 30078. 770979-5010. Please leave an online condolence at www.Stewartfh.com.

WINDER

Robert Pippin Robert Richard Pippin, age 73, of Winder passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015. Mr. Pippin was an United States Army Veteran. He was a very cheerful person, a loyal friend and loved farming. H