C The Covington News N Sunday, June 28, 2015 Page 8B Mrs. Hattie Florence Hardeman Lester Lackey & Sons Funeral Home Mrs. Hattie Florence Hardeman a.k.a. "sook" was born October 1, 1937 in Jasper County to the late Mr. Troy Lee Fears and Ms. Anna Lou Maddox. Hardeman She attended Jasper County Schools briefly before joining the workforce to help support her family. She joined the family of Lithonia Lighting, where she was employed for 25 years and retired. Hattie met and married the love of her life, Mr. Doyle D. Hardeman and they shared a happy life together for 52 years. They shared four children; Linda, Kathryn, Betty and Doyle Jr. She was a loving member of the community, a faithful employee, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was called to rest June 6, 2015, she's eagerly awaited at Heaven's Gates by two daughters, Mrs. Linda E. Smith and Mrs. Kathryn Cullins, two brothers, Mr. Levi (Bubba) Maddox and Mr. Limb Norwood. Mrs. Hattie Florence Hardeman leaves a legacy of love to her husband, Mr. Doyle D. Hardeman, children, Mr. & Mrs. Darrell (Betty) Harris and Mr. & Mrs. Doyle (Renea) Hardeman, Jr., sisters, Ms. Cynthia Maddox, Ms. Emma J. Maddox, Ms. Susie Griffin and Ms. Annie Howard, brothers, Mr. Michael Maddox and Mr. Willie F. Ross and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The funeral for Mrs. Hardeman was held Wednesday, June 10 at Springfield Missionary Baptist church with Minister Harry Hardeman as Eulogist. She was interred at Lawnwood Memorial Park with nephews and nieces as pallbearers and flower ladies. The family of the late Mrs. Hattie Florence Hardeman would like to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, visits, floral tributes and other acts of kindness. May God continue to bless each of you. Mr. W.R. (Bill) Durden Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home W.R. (Bill) Durden, 90, of Covington, passed away June 25, 2015. He was born in Walton County, and graduated from Monticello High School, where he was a basketball star. He lived in Covington and was a member of
OBITUARIES
the First Baptist Church of Covington for the past 60 years. He retired from American Mutual Insurance Company, and enjoyed golf, bowling, traveling and spending time with family. Mr. Durden was a US Army veteran of World War II, enlisting right out of high school. He landed on Utah Beach on D-Day plus-6 and served the duration of the war. He served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe, receiving the WW II Victory Medal, and American Theater Ribbon. Mr. Durden was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Hurst and Georgia Lee (Adcock) Durden, and his wife of 66 years, Virginia P. (Jenny) Durden. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Lynn Durden of Covington; daughters and sons-in-law, Delaine and Bill Reeder of Augusta, Gina and Skipper Kitchens of Birmingham, Susan and Bill Richey of Augusta; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services for Mr. Durden will be held Sunday, June 28, 2015 at 3 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Covington, with Rev. Cody McNutt, Rev. Ralph Meeker, Rev. Charles Reynolds, and Rev. Tim Barnes officiating. Interment will follow in Covington City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, Saturday, June 27, from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church - North Campus Fund, 1139 Usher Street, Covington, GA 30014. Visit caldwellandcowan.com to place online condolences or call 770786-7062. Mr. Gayle F. Jolley Gayle F. Jolley, of Covington, died peacefully at his home on June 12, 215 at the age of 78. He was born in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late Albert F. Jolley and Lonnie “Jewell” Brown Jolley. He is preceeded in death by his wife Geraldine Shinault Jolley of 54 years and his grandson Sam R. Scherkenbach. Mr. Jolley retired from the Navy after 20 years. He worked on civil service jobs from San Diego to Oklahoma. His last job was with the Evans Company in Conyers. His passions were guns and ammo and wood working. He was a loving father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, and the time with him was cherished by all. Survivors include his son Gayle F. Jolley Jr, and special friend Lou Carrol l of Geneva, Alabama; daughter and son-in-law Frankie Scherkenbach and Don Scherkenbach
of Newborn. Daughter and son-in-law Serena Rinkleib and Michael Rinkleib of Temecula, California. He has five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Gaither’s United Methodist Church, 1375 Newotn Factory Bridge Road, Covington, Ga. 30014. Instead of flowers please donate in his memory to Wounded Warriors Project at 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256. Mr. William Ronald Pendley Jordan Funeral Home William Ronald Pendley, age 43, of Covington, died Saturday, June 20, 2015, at his residence. Billy Pendley was a lifelong resident of Covington. His mother, Kathy Lynn Alexander Pendley preceded him in death in 1991. Billy’s talents included writing poems, and making short films and music. He is survived by his father and step-mother, Roland Wayne and Virginia Tollison Pendley of Braselton; grandmother, Katherine Alexander of Covington; Fiancée, Mandy Williams of Covington; daughter, Kayla Dale of Conyers; grandson, Kevin Millwood of Conyers; and sisters and brothers, Sandra Hinkelman and Chasen Mote of Braselton, and Tanya Robinson and Frankie Mote of Talmo. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at the Chapel of Jordan Funeral Home in Monticello. Interment will be held in Williams Payne Cemetery in Monticello. Sue Leazer will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at Jordan Funeral Home 264 Hillsboro Street, Monticello, Georgia 31064. Jordan Funeral Home of Monticello, is in charge of arrangements. Please visit our website at www. jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com. Mr. Sam Grant Wheeler Funeral Home Mr. Sam E. Grant, 89 of Covington, passed away June 23, 2015 at Riverside Nursing Home. Mr. Grant was born in Porterdale to the late George W. and Mae Tuggle Grant and was a lifelong resident of Newton County. He proudly served his country during WWII and the Korean Conflict serving in the United States Army, Navy and Air Force from 1943 to 1951. He loved playing golf, enjoyed baseball and playing poker. Mr. Grant
was a volunteer firefighter in Rocky Plains for many years and he loved his dogs. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Harold Grant, his grandson Bryan H. Grant and his great-grandson Andrew Minard. He is survived by his daughters Rita A. Prier of Kansas City, Missouri., Helen J. Todd of Ozark, Alabama, and Jennifer Lawson of Butler; grandchildren Reene Smith of Ariton, Alabama, Stacy Grant Todd of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Pvt. 1st Class Max A. Prier of Alaska; great-grandchildren Haile Prier, Zoe Martin, Laura Minard and Rachel Smith; and two great-great-grandchildren. A graveside funeral service will be held on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 11 a.m. at County Line Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Clifton Brown officiating. Mr. Grant’s family will receive friends Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at Wheeler Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online register at wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory 11405 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington 770-786-7111. Mr. Otis Harper Wheeler Funeral Home Otis Harper, 78 of Covington, passed away Friday, June 26, 2015 at Abbey Hospice. Mr. Harper was born in Rutledge, Georgia to the late Archie Frank and Annie Knight Harper. Mr. Harper has lived in the Covington area since 1975 and was a member of Solid Rock Baptist Church for over 20 years. He proudly served our country for over 20 years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War doing a tour in Thailand. After retiring from the Air Force he served in the Newton County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years. Mr. Harper loved the outdoors, collecting knives, working on old cars and building things. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son Barry Keith Harper and his brother Ralph Harper. He is survived by his loving wife Sandra Harper of Covington.; daughters Beverly (David) Grattenthaler of Roswell, Georgia., Vivian (Oliver) Ramsey of Covington and Marsha Kay Forrester of Covington; son Otis Wayne (Belinda) Harper of Conyers; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister Sara Nell of Abilene, Texas., brothers William (Joyce) Harper of Oxford, Georgia., Richard (Sheila) Harper of Snellville, Jimmy Harper of Covington, Archie Frank (Louise) Harper Jr. of Conyers; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Harper will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Solid Rock Baptist
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Church with Pastors Mike Franklin and Darrell Allen officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, June 29, 2015 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Make-A- Wish Foundaton, 4742 N. 24th Street, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ. 85016-4862, or at Wish. org. Guests may sign the online register at wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory 11405 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington, GA. 770-786-7111. Mr. Elzie ‘Ed’ Dees Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home Elzie (Ed) Dees, of Oxford, passed away June 25, 2015, at the age of 85. Ed was born in Douglas. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 and was a veteran of the Korean War. He retired from Ryder Truck Lines with 44 years of service. Ed and Maxine thoroughly enjoyed spending time and being involved with their church group. Ed was also a proud and dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge for the past 51 years. He was presently a member with Pace Masonic Lodge No. 558. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maxine Dees, son and daughterin-law, David and Debbi Dees; daughter and sonin-law, Cindy and Bill Carrington; grandchildren, David Dees, Jason Dees, Jayne Dees, Brady Carrington and wife Jennifer; sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Allan Simmons; sister-in-law and brotherin-law, Annie and Roger Thrift; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Carolyn Prescott; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Prescott; as well as several nieces, nephews and special friends. Funeral services for Mr. Dees will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2015, 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Covington, with Dr. Cody McNutt and Dr. Alan Posey officiating with interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, Monday, June 29, from 6–8 p.m.. In lieu of flowers donations may be made, in Mr. Dees memory to First Baptist Church of Covington Building Fund, 1139 Usher Street, Covington, GA 30014. Visit caldwellandcowan.com to place online condolences or call 770786-7062. Mr. Donald ‘Don’ Russell Griffin Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home Donald Russell Griffin “Don”, age 82, of Oxford, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015. He was born November 11 1932, in Covington County, Alabama to the late Grover Cleveland and Lera Lorene Powell Griffin, the ninth of 11 children. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Air Force as an airplane mechanic. He married his high school sweetheart, Lois Jean Grimes, in 1952. They soon became proud par-
ents of Jerry, Kathryn and Rebecca. After leaving the Air Force, Don attended Pensacola Junior College to obtain his electrical engineering certification and began a career with Chemstrand Chemicals, Monsanto Corporation in Pensacola, Florida and Headland, Alabama. Don and Lios moved to Atlanta to continue his electrical education at Georgia Tech, eventually settling in Covington, where he was employed with Hercules. Don loved to “fix things” which lead to his and Lois’ decision to build their own business, Electric Motor Service. One of the highlights of his career was when he developed a water pump valve that has been used commercially throughout the Southeast. They also purchased their dream farm on Gum Creek Road in Oxford. After Lois’ passing, Don semi-retired, selling Electric Motor Service, and built his beloved “Griffin Hills Farm” home where he began his cattle business in 1984. Don married the former Jo Ann Osborne in 1989, gaining four stepchildren, Dennis, Terry, Toni and Jeff. Don and JoAnn resided at Griffin Hills Farm and changed the direction of his cattle business to Purebred Hereford Cattle. Don received many awards for his “cows” including Piedmont Cattlemen’s Association “Cattleman of the Year” in 2001 and 2012. Don was a great advocate for the youth program of the Cattlemen’s Association and worked with many of the FFA youth, allowing them to use the farm and learn the responsibility of cattle. He also received the Outstanding Service Award from the Newton County FFA Alumni 2004-2005 and in 2008 and 2012, the Southeast Empire Show, held at the Gwinnett County Fair, awarded one of his bulls the Reserve Champion Herford Bull of the year. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Jean Grimes Griffin, parents, seven siblings, one son-in-law, and four nieces and nephews. Don is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Griffin; son, Jerry Griffin (Teresa); daughters, Kathryn Morgan, Becky Clemens (Jon); brother, Harold Griffin (Linda); sisters, Elsie Gulsby, Shirley Wiggins; step-sons, Dennis Jones (Myra), Jeff Lamb (Robin); step-daughters, Terry Coggin, Toni Eason; seven grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; 24 nieces and nephews; special friends, Dr. Mark Dennis, Dale Dylong, and the Piedmont Cattlemen’s Association. Funeral Services for Mr. Griffin will be held at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, Sunday, June 28, 2015, 2 p.m. A graveside service will follow in Lawnwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, June 27, from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Don’s memory to the Piedmont Cattlemen’s Association Youth Program, c/of Abigail Coggin, 1615 River Cove Road, Social Circle, GA 30025. Visit caldwellandcowan.com to place online condolences or call 770786-7062.