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The Paper | Thursday, February 5, 2015
Obituaries Virgil Adams
Died Jan,. 28, 2015 Virgil Emerson Adams, 91, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Virgil couldn’t remember when he didn’t garden, fish and play around with words. He grew up on a farm near the little town of McLemoresville, Tenn. He learned gardening and fishing from a daddy who was pretty finicky about the way to garden and fish. He learned to study, read, and write from a mama who was a pretty stern taskmaster. Virgil dropped out of high school and left the garden, the fishing hole and his tablet and pencil, and joined the U.S. Navy in January 1941. He was 17 and was supposed to get out the day he turned 21. World War II came along and changed that timetable. After the war, even though Virgil hadn’t graduated from high school, the G.I. Bill enabled him to enroll as a special student at Murray State College in Kentucky. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1949 and moved south with Mary, whom he met and married at Murray. Virgil enrolled at the University of Georgia to pursue a graduate degree. Virgil became an employee of the University (news editor with the Cooperative Extension Service) in 1950. In 1956, he earned his Master’s degree in journalism. The following year, Virgil left UGA to become personnel manager of Jefferson Mills. He also agreed to serve as editor of The Jackson County Herald for two weeks until the new owners of the paper could find an editor. The two weeks dragged out to two years, and Virgil became part owner of The Herald for his “untiring” efforts. In 1962 Virgil and a friend purchased The Hartwell Sun. It took only six months for Virgil to decide that ownership was not as much fun as writing and editing, so he sold his half of The Sun to his partner and returned to work at UGA until his retirement in 1982. After his retirement, Virgil wrote a weekly column for The Jackson Herald, and occasionally freelanced for various other publications. Virgil and Mary had lived in Jefferson since 1952, raised a daughter and three sons, enjoyed gardening, fishing and camping until Mary died of cancer in 1996. Virgil married Shirley Gentry in 1998. They lived in Athens where Virgil continued to go fishing and camping for a week in the spring and a week in the fall with the Clark’s Hill Gang; it was a 40-year-old tradition. One thing he missed about Jefferson was his garden. Virgil was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Smith Adams; son, Neal Adams; and daughter, Claire Byrd. Survivors include his second wife, Shirley Gentry; stepdaughter, Mary Beth Patat (Brice); sons, Shannon Adams (Myra), and Miles Adams (Helen); daughterin-law, Alberta Allen, sonin-law, Bill Byrd; grandchildren, Heath Byrd, Sara Adams, Selena Adams, Leah Adams, Kelsey Brunson (Daniel-Isaac), Hunter Patat and Elizabeth Patat; and great-grandchild, Elizabeth Pippin. A celebration of his life will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at Galilee Christian Church Family Life Center, located at 2191 Galilee Church Road in Jefferson. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Attn: Memorial Department, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (1-800-805-5856 stjude.org) Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Annie Laurie Childers Bass
Died Feb. 2, 2015 Annie Laurie Childers Bass, 84, of Jefferson, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. Born in Roberta, she was a daughter of the late J.A. and Annie Lessie Hortman Childers. Mrs. Bass was a Registered Nurse who worked at the Macon Hospital and later retired from the Robins Air Force Base. She was also a member of the Providence Primitive Baptist Church in Roberta. Survivors include her daughter, Laurie (Sidney)
Garner of Jefferson; sons, Dewaine (Betty) Bass and Farrell (Sarah) Bass, all of Byron; grandchildren, Annie Garner Holman, David Garner, Phydan Garner Sibcy, James Hunter Garner, Forrest Garner, John Walker Bass, Jacey Bass, Jennifer Bass Toivonen and Dwana Bass Clark; and eight greatgrandchildren. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, in the Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Vaughn Howington Jr., officiating. Burial will follow in the Macon Memorial Park. The visitation will be held on Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home, prior to the service. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Martha Ann Buffington
Died Jan. 26, 2015 Martha Ann Buffington, 68, of Commerce, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at Northridge Health and Rehab. Born in Canton, she was a daughter of the late Wayne McCellan and Nora Mae Hammontree Cantrell. She was a member of the Baptist Faith and was a homemaker. She was also preceded in death by her son, Michael Nations; and daughter, Candace Minish. Survivors include her husband, William Buffington; daughter, Christina Harper (Tom) of Roswell; sisters, Becky Mathis of Jasper and Kathryn Fallaw of Columbia, S.C.; and grandchildren, Michael and Ryan Minish. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Manus officiating. Interment followed in Ridgeway Baptist Church Cemetery. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Shelton C. Christian
Died Jan. 28, 2015 Shelton C. Christian, 85, of Winder, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. A native of Morgan County, he was the son of the late Shirley Christian and Mary M. Cobb Daws. He was the husband of the late Mildred Pope Christian and was preceded in death by his son, Jimmy Christian; and a grandson, Brian Kennedy. He was retired from the US Army. Survivors include his children, Judy Higdon, Diann Kennedy, Jean Phillips and Linda Eldred; sisters, Evelyn Godwin, Bulia Hunnicut, and Margaret Daws; seven grandchildren; 14 greatgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Smith Memory Chapel. Burial will follow at Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, and from 1 p.m. until the service time on Saturday, Feb. 7. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Baptist Church Building Fund. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Harry Compton
Died Feb. 1, 2015 Harry Compton, 74, of Buford and the New Bethany community, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, at his home, following a brief illness. Alifelong resident of Buford, he was a 1957 graduate of Flowery Branch High School, an Army veteran, retiree of General Motors Parts Division and a member of Crossview Baptist Church in Hoschton. He faithfully served Christ at both New Bethany Baptist Church in Buford and its church-start Crossview Church: for more than 50 years as a Deacon, as a Sunday School teacher and as church pianist. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alton J. and Harriett Holland Compton of Buford; and sister, Luana Compton of Buford. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Peggy Haney Compton; son, Kirk Compton, and daughter, Lorilee Compton, both of Buford; brother and sisterin-law, Jerome and Annette Compton of Flowery Branch; sister, Melinda Ridgeway of Buford; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, George and
Pinkie Pilgrim of Royston; brother-in-law and sisterin-law, Bubby and Teresa Haney of Lawrenceville; brother-in-law and sisterin-law, Butch and Tammy Haney of Buford; brother-inlaw, Sam Johnson of Canon; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, in the chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Ashworth officiating. Interment followed in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford. Memorial donations may be made to Crossview Church, 1219 Highway 124 – Braselton Highway, Hoschton, GA 30548. Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Buford The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Vickie Cline Davidson
Died Jan. 27, 2015 Vickie Cline Davidson, 60, of Oakwood, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. Born July 10, 1954, in Atlanta, she was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a homemaker and of the Christian faith. A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel with Pastor Michael Thorpe officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation at bbrfoundation.org. Survivors include her children, Kris Davidson of Boulder, Colo., and Natalie Davidson of Atlanta; fiancé, Bobby Culpepper of Gainesville; mother and stepfather, Polly and Pharris Acuff of Dacula; and sister, Judy Daniel of Suwanee. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Bettye Johnson Gantt
Died Jan. 27, 2015 Bettye Johnson Gantt, 81, of Braselton, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Mayes Gantt. Survivors include her children, Judith Wooten of Buford, Danny Wilson of Newnan, Patrick Murphy of Villa Rica,Michelle Swiech of Youngstown, Fla., and Cindy Hoskins of Braselton; grandchildren, Debbie Wooten, Sonia Roberts, Brittany Murphy, Cullen Murphy and Karina Rocher; greatgrandchildren, Brenna Roberts and Austin Roberts; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Born Jan. 16, 1934, in Macon, she was a hairdresser for 47 years and now retired. She was a member of St. Andrews Baptist Church in Panama City, Fla. A memorial service was held Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, in the chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Ferguson officiating. Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Buford The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Bertie Mae Ivester Gordon
Died Jan. 31, 2015 Bertie Mae Ivester Gordon, 72, of Commerce, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at University Nursing and Rehab. Born in Danielsville, she was a daughter of the late Lemmie and Eppsie Mae Cheek Ivester. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and was retired from Kendall. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Morris Gordon. Survivors include her daughters, Wanda Patrick of Commerce and Carey Lynn Hicks of Nicholson; sisters, Mary Whitlock of Commerce, Edith Morrison of Crawford and Betty McLendon of Commerce; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Douglas Duncan officiating. Interment will follow in Jackson Memorial Gardens. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
LaNell M. Haggard
Died Jan. 27, 2015 LaNell M. Haggard, 74, of Buford, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, after an extended illness. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel with Dr. Jim Fergu-
son and Pastor Joey Grizzle officiating. A private interment followed in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens with Jonas Wilson officiating. Memorial 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. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Dela Matthews. 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. Survivors include her husband of 53 years, George Haggard; cousins, Diane McCrillis and Jodi Bryant, both of Buford; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Roy and Annis Haggard of Winder and Howard Haggard of Charlotte, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 Dianna Lynn Lyles, 57, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 Arrangements are being handled by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Highway 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, www. lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966. The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Clyde Presley Jackson Jr.
Barbara Lynn Odom
Died Jan. 26, 2015 Clyde Presley Jackson Jr., 80, of Hoschton, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. Mr. Jackson was a Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed listening to jazz music and spending time on the Gulf Jackson beaches. He and his wife were one of the founding family members of Grace United Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Sara Jackson; sons, Steven Jackson and wife Sabrina of Suwanee and Jeffrey Jackson and wife Kete of Powder Springs; and grandchildren, Zackery Jackson, Jonathan Jackson and Kathryn Jackson. A family memorial will be held at their residence in Hoschton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia in Gainesville or a charity of your choice. Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Rubye Mae Keith
Died Jan. 28, 2015 Rubye Mae Keith, 90, of Flowery Branch, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Mrs. Keith was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy of Hoschton. She loved her family and enjoyed reading and watching western movies. She was known for giving out cards. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry T. Keith; parents, Charlie and Anna Ramey; sons, Larry Keith and Bobby Keith; brothers, Royce Ramey, Charlie Ramey and Morris Ramey; and sisters, Mildred Butler and Mary Waycaster. Survivors include her sons, Billy Keith of Hoschton, Jerry Keith and wife Sue of Pendergrass and Joel Keith of Hoschton; daughters, Shirley Tucker and husband Ray of Flowery Branch, Pam Keith of Talmo, Sandra Thomas and husband James and Angela Edge and husband Randy, all of Maysville; sister, Imogene Mills of Baldwin; sister-in-law, Mildred Ramey; 22 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at the Church of God of Prophecy of Hoschton with the Rev. Thomas Holmes and the Rev. Copeland Smith officiating. Interment will was held in Broadlawn Cemetery in Buford. Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
husband, Harlen Loggins; daughters, Sandra Brown of Braselton, Carol McDonald and Gwen Venable, both of Jefferson, and Janice Strickland of Commerce; son, Kenny Loggins of Jefferson; brother, Jimmy Cowart of Nicholson; sisters, Berdelle Lord and Betty Austin, both of Commerce, and Jenny Austin of Hull; six grandchildren and two great-randchildren. Funeral service was held Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Toby Dyer and the Rev. Donald Wilson officiating. Interment followed in the Howington Cemetery. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Dianna Lynn Lyles
Died Feb. 1, 2015 Barbara Lynn Odom, 54, of Winder, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. She was a veteran of the United States Air Force. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Margarette Walker Odom. Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Kenneth Rogers of Winder; and nephews, Rusty and Casey Rogers. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. John Burchfield officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. before the service. Smith Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Mickey Pugh
Died Feb. 1, 2015 Mickey Pugh, 62, of Buford, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, D’Ann Pugh; children, Jameson and Julianne Pugh of Buford, Jessica and Nik Argiro of Winder and Joshua and Cassandra Pugh of Buford; grandchildren, Emma Davis, GerriAlice Pugh and Lylah-Ann Pugh; mother, Agnes Hayes Pugh of Buford; sisters and brother-in-law, Teresa and Royce Owens and Sharon Hudson, all of Buford; and several nieces and cousins. Born Jan. 1, 1953, in Atlanta, he was a 1970 graduate of Buford High School and a graduate of Lanier Tech. He was employed in IT software sales with Hewlett-Packard for a number of years. He was a member of Lanier Island Community Church, a/k/a New Bethany Baptist Church, and was an avid tennis player. He was preceded in death by his father, R. A. Pugh. He requested no memorial service; instead, he wanted a celebration of his life which is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, at 4139 Kentwood Court in Buford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to www. terminalcancerfund.org, 3300 Hamilton Mill Road, Suite 102, Box 103, Buford, GA 30518. Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Buford The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Glenda Lee Shadburn
Died Feb. 2, 2015 Glenda Lee Shadburn, 56, of Jefferson, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. A daughter of Mary Voyles Lee of Dahlonega and the
late James Lee, she was of the Baptist faith and worked as a lab technician with Gibson Dental Design. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband , Harold Shadburn; sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Tonya Shadburn and Justin and Joy Shadburn, all of Maysville; sisters, Gail Loggins (Mark) of Dahlonega and Janie Cleghorn (Ricky), Carolyn Brown (Danny) and Connie Lee, all of Gainesville; brother, Mike Lee (Angelena) of Dahlonega; greatgrandmother, Eva Voyles of Jefferson; special friend; Sheila Satterfield of Jefferson; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Joel Shadburn officiating. Burial followed in Evans Memory Gardens with Caleb Shadburn, Jacob Faber, Brad Richards, Doug Simpson, Trevor Jones and Caleb Bailey honored as pallbearers. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Henrietta Sommer
Died Jan. 30, 2015 Henrietta Sommer, age 93, of Hoschton, GA passed away on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Born April 4, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was a life-long resident. She was a 1938 graduate of Bay Ridge High School in Brooklyn. She was a retired accountant with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. She was of the Catholic faith and attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Charles E. Sommer. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Merridee and Kenneth Michelsen; grandsons, Kenneth Michelsen (and former wife Elizabeth) of Woodbridge, Va., Keith and Wendi Michelsen of Loganville, Kyle Michelsen, Kurt and Megan Michelsen and Kacey and Aris Michelsen, all of Atlanta; and eight great-grandchildren. A vigil service was held Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in the stateroom of Flanigan Funeral Home with Father Eric Hill officiating. Interment will follow at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery on Staten Island, NY. Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Buford The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Marshall Dilmus Wall
Died Feb. 1, 2015 Marshall Dilmus Wall, 84, of Hawkinsville, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, at Taylor Regional Hospital. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at Clark Funeral Home in Hawkinsville with the Rev. Richard Soper officiating. Burial will be private for family only. Born in Winder, he was a member of the Hawkinsville First United Methodist Church. He was a retired sales representative for the Warren Featherbone Company. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Marsha Jean Wall. Survivors include his wife, Jean Wall of Hawkinsville; sons, Marshall Scott (Nancy) Wall of Hawkinsville, Aaron Niel Wall of Winder and Johnathan Frank (Donna) Wall of Hawkinsville; daughters, Julia Nadine Wall of Macon, Phyllis Carlette Wall (Tommy) Gibson of Hawkinsville and Sarah Frances Wall of Hawkinsville; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family requests that donations be made to the Methodist Children’s Home, 345 Pierce Avenue, Macon, GA 31204. Clark Funeral Home, Hawkinsville The Paper, Feb. 5, 2015
Bonnie Cowart Loggins
Died Jan. 27, 2015 Bonnie Cowart Loggins, 77, of Commerce, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Athens Regional Medical Center. Born in Commerce, she was a daughter of the late Hoyt and Mamie Williamson Cowart. She was a homemaker and a member of Full Gospel Holiness Church. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Curtis, James, Robert and J.L. Cowart. Survivors include her
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