Henrietta Callaway

Funeral services for Henrietta Sisk Callaway, 80, of Sunset Drive, Washington, were held Saturday, September 15, 2007, at the First Baptist Church, Washington, with Rev. Chris Townsend officiating. Interment was in the Callaway Family Cemetery at Rayle. She died Thursday, September 13.

Mrs. Callaway was born April 25, 1927, in Greensboro, and was the daughter of the late Meva Edgar Sisk and Eloise Smith Sisk. She was the widow of Robert Eugene Callaway of Washington. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Washington where she had served as a Sunday School teacher for many years and as a leader in the jail ministry of the church and in the ministry to shut-ins.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Edgar Turner Callaway and Dorothy Chandler Callaway; two daughters and sons-in-law, Laura Callaway Hart and Edward Garner Hart of Columbia, S.C., and Katherine Callaway Patterson and Dr. Steven Griffin Patterson of Orangeburg, S.C.; four grandchildren, Russell Callaway Hart, Katherine Callaway Hart, Laura Callaway (Cally) Patterson, and Anne Griffin Patterson; three stepgrandchildren, James E. Blackwell, David A. Blackwell, and Matthew C. Blackwell; and two step-greatgrandchildren, Andrew Blackwell, and Brittany Blackwell.

Pallbearers included Smythe Newsome, C.H. Randall Jr., Jim Reynolds, Lawrence Burton, Jim Burton, Allen Burton, Brian Baldwin, and Dr. Charles Wills Jr.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 603, Washington 30673; or the Callaway Cemetery Inc.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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James Hart Hendry Jr.

Graveside services for James Hart "Bill" Hendry Jr., 87, of Washington were held Thursday, September 27, 2007, in Resthaven Cemetery with Rev. Chip Wilson officiating. He died September 24 in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Augusta.

Mr. Hendry was a native and lifelong resident of Wilkes County. He was the son of the late James Hart Hendry and Georgia M. Jackson Hendry. He was the widower of Charlotte Hendry. He was an engineer and fireman for the Georgia Railroad and later a shipping supervisor at Almar Manufacturing Co. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the F&AM Lafayette Lodge #23 for over 60 years and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5899. He served in the United States Army during World War II.

Survivors include a son, James Hart "Jim" Hendry III, Washington; two daughters, Debbie Engen, Newberry, S.C., and Sally Bufford, Lincolnton; two sisters, Grace A. Hendry, Washington, and Virginia Rountree, Riverdale; nine grandchildren and fivegreat-grandchildren.

Pallbearers included grandsons, Chad Aycock, Sam Bufford, Matt Engen, Jay Hendry, Cliff Russell, Robert Phillips, and Travis Gunn. Members of Lafayette Lodge #23 served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Washington.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Charles Edward Wills Jr.

Dr. Charles Wills dies at 83; his deeds stand for themselves

Dr. Charles Wills could never be accused of coddling a patient or spouting worn platitudes to a family member.

He was a matter-of-fact kind of man. Cancer was cancer. Although his delivery was honest and direct, and his feelings were nowhere near his sleeve, his patients knew the heart of the man.

Medicine was not only his Dr. Wills' vocation; it was his ministry. The low key, seemingly detached physician had a rare willingness simply to listen, a driving thirst for knowledge, and an abiding concern for the wellbeing of his patients.

When the call came, Dr. Wills was there whether it was 3 a.m. or tee time at the country club. He visited countless homes where all hope had faded. He was there when many drew their last breath.

Throughout the years, it was Dr. Wills who stitched up our cuts, set our broken arms, took out our gall bladders, delivered our babies, and until the very day he retired, visited us at home. He came along before the day when there was a specialist for every body part; he could do anything.

Dr. Wills passed away Thursday, October 4, at the age of 83. He had retired just a few days earlier.

A life-long resident of Wilkes County, Dr. Wills earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia. After completing a one-year residency at a hospital in New York, he and his wife, Tut, moved back home where he received further instruction in the art of medicine from his father, Dr. C. Edward Wills; Dr. Addison Simpson; Dr. Addison Simpson, Jr.; and Dr. Robert Stephens.

His practice was interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at the hospital at Fort Benning in Columbus.

Dr. Wills then returned to Washington to stay. He and his wife had seven children, one girl and six boys, and 19 grandchildren.

The Wills' son, Joe, is a surgeon in Thomson, and grandson Henry Garrard is a pediatrician in Athens.

It is difficultto say good-bye to Dr. Wills. We will not see the likes of him again.

In addition to being a devoted physician, he was a deeply spiritual person, with an extraordinary sense of humor.

However, being the modest, private man that he was, he would recoil at every word written here. He would simply want his reputation and deeds to stand for themselves, and so they do.
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Graveside services for Dr. Charles E. Wills Jr. of Washington were held Saturday, Ocboter 6, 2007, at Resthaven Cemetery with Rev. Albert W. Huyck Jr. officiating. He died Thursday, October 4, at his home on Spring Street.

Dr. Wills was a native of Wilkes County and was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Charles Edward Wills.

Survivors include his wife, Adrienne (Tut) Wills of Washington; seven children and their spouses; a sister; and 19 grandchildren.

Grandchildren served as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Wiggins

Betty Jean Henderson Wiggins, 75, of Mallorysville Road, Tignall, died Thursday evening, October 25, 2007, at her home. A private memorial service will be conducted at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C., at a later date.

Mrs. Wiggins was born in Denton, N.C., the fifth of six children, to the late Ross and Annie Mae Henderson. She was a devoted Marine wife for 25 years, and moved into retirement with her husband to Tignall where they became members of the Independence United Methodist Church. She taught the Primary Sunday School Class there for many years and was a longtime member of the choir. Mrs. Wiggins enjoyed dancing and was a longtime member of the Cajun French Music Association, Acadiana Chapter, and of the Athens, Georgia, Folk Music and Dance Society..

Survivors include her husband, Thomas B. Wiggins of Tignall; two sons, Thomas Boyd Wiggins Jr., and his wife Janice, of Great Barrington, MA, and James Robert Wiggins of Beufort, S.C.; a daughter, Barbara Ann Myer, and her husband Don of Crowley, I.A.; fivegrandchildren; and two brothers, Bill and Norman Henderson of Denton, N.C.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity or institution of choice.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
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James E. McClearen

James E. McClearen
Funeral services for James E. McClearen, 89, of Washington were held Monday, December 17, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Washington, with Rev. Gale Seibert and Mrs. Joyce Wilkinson officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington. He died December 13.

Mr. McClearen was a native of Wilkes County and was the son of the late William Arsh McClearen and the late Bessie McCarty Mc- Clearen. He was a retired electrician and proprietor of McClearen Appliance and Furniture. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Rotary Club, and a member of Gideons International.

Survivors include two daughters, Jann M. Jones and Lynn M. Connell, both of Washington; two sisters, Martha McDaniel, Clarkston, and Mary McClearen, Washington; and two grandchildren, Blake and Emily Connell.

Pallbearers included David Mc- Clearen, Bob McClearen, Bob Haughey, Joda Wilkinson, Bobby Jackson, and Steve Jackson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington First United Methodist Church or to Gideons International.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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William Martin Echols

Funeral services for William Martin Echols, 75, of Tignall were held Monday, January 14, 2008, at the Tabor Baptist Church, Tignall, with Rev. Paul Reviere and Rev. Steve Rayner officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. He died Thursday, January 10, in Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington.

Mr. Echols was a native of Wilkes County and a lifelong resident of Tignall. He was the son of the late Albert Echols and the late Estelle W. Echols. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict,and was a member of Tabor Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Powell Echols of Tignall; a son and daughter-in-law, William M. Echols Jr. and Susan Echols of Washington; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela E. and Raymond Powell of Kingstree, S.C.; a brother, James E. Echols, Tignall; four grandchildren, Vernon Wise, Matthew Wise, and John and Jenny Echols; and two great-grandchildren, Maiana Wise and Vernon Wise Jr.

Pallbearers included Joe Wilkinson Jr., Eddie Greenhill Jr., Steve Echols, Jimmy Echols, Jerome Wilson, and Drew Wilson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wills Memorial Hospital Foundation, 120 Gordon St., Washington 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.

Charles Dan Coker

A memorial service for Charles Dan Coker, 75, of Washington will be held Friday, February 15, 2008, at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church, Washington. Rev. Chris Townsend will officiate. He died Friday, February 8, at Washington Manor Personal Care Home.

Mr. Coker was born in Texas and had lived in Wilkes County for a number of years. He was the son of the late Coy M. Coker and Letha Stark Coker and was the widower of Louise Newsome Coker. He was a United States Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Washington, where he sang in the Senior Choir for many years.

Survivors include two sisters, Margaret Stone of Longview, Texas, and Elizabeth Thompson of Lahaina, Hawaii.

Warren Daniel Sisson

Graveside services for Warren Daniel Sisson, 79, of Washington and Lexington, S.C., were held Sunday, March 2, 2008, in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington, with Rev. Albert W. Huyck Jr. officiating. He died Wednesday, February 27, at Palmetto Baptist Hospital in Columbia, S.C.

Mr. Sisson was a native of Wilkes County and lived here most of his life. He was the son of the late Larkin Daniel Sisson and Pearl Nash Sisson and was the widower of Anne Floyd Sisson. He attended Courtground School and graduated from Washington High School. He completed his Public Administration classes at the University of Georgia. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Washington, LaFayette Lodge #23, and the First Baptist Church of Washington. He retired in 1994 after 30 years of service as the City Clerk and City Administrator for the City of Washington.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Warren Daniel and Susannah Sisson of Lexington, S.C.; and two grandchildren, Jackson Daniel Sisson, and Zachary Pierce Sisson.

Pallbearers included Buddy Lindsey, Jason Dyson, Jack Newsome, Barry Goolsby, Ed Burdette III, and Leonard Danner. Honorary pallbearers included friends and former fellow employees of the City of Washington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 603, Washington 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Stephen Lee de Shazo

Funeral services for Stephen Lee de Shazo, 60, of Washington were held Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel, Tuscaloosa, Ala., with Dr. Kenneth Dunnivant of Tuscaloosa First United Methodist Church officiating. Interment was in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. He died Tuesday, March 11, in Foley, Ala.

Mr. de Shazo was a native of Jackson, Ala., and was the son of Mrs. William F. de Shazo and the late Dr. William F. de Shazo. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama, holding both bachelor's and master's degrees. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and remained an active and enthusiastic alumnus. He was a member of the Washington Kiwanis Club and was the owner of the Washington Jockey Club. Deeply involved in local civic affairs, he was the founder of the Washington-Wilkes Foundation for Music and the Arts and was organizer of the annual Art and Music Festivals that are now so much a part of Washington's spring and fall. He was a sports car enthusiast and member of the Austin-Healey Club of Atlanta and the Memory Lane Cruisers of Washington. He was also a charter member of the Washington Civil War Roundtable.

Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Deborah Talley de Shazo of Washington; three children, Richard Britton de Shazo of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Carter Lee de Shazo of Auburn, Ala., and Stephen Coleman de Shazo of Washington; three brothers, David Coleman de Shazo of Tuscaloosa, John Godbold de Shazo of Pratt- ville, Ala., and Dr. William F. de Shazo IV of Birmingham, Ala.

Pallbearers were classmates from the Jackson High School Class of 1966.

Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel of Tuscaloosa was in charge of arrangements.
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Helen Kathryn Moss

Funeral services for Helen Kathryn Moss, 89, of North Augusta, S.C., were held Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Danburg Baptist Church in Wilkes County with Rev. Ficklen Guin and Rev. John Bolin officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. She died Wednesday, April 2.

Miss Moss was a native of Wilkes County and was the daughter of the late Quinn W. and Kittie Barnett Moss of Wilkes County. She had lived in the North Augusta area since 1968 where she had retired after a 36-year career as a school teacher. She was a very active member of the Clearwater First Baptist Church where she was a former Sunday School teacher, was involved in Discipleship Training, was a Woman's Missionary Union leader and Girls Auxiliary leader. She was a graduate of Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville.

Survivors include four sisters, Christine Moss, North Augusta, Josephine Johnson, Graniteville, S.C., Eloise Moone, Hapeville, and Elizabeth Norris, Orlando, Fla.

Hatcher Funeral Home of Langley, S.C., was in charge of arrangements.

Frances Arnold Harvey

A private family graveside service for Frances Arnold Harvey, 82, of Washington and Marietta, was held Friday, April 18, 2008, at the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Rayle. She died Tuesday, April 15, in Marietta.

Mrs. Harvey was a native of Wilkes County and was the daughter of the late Louie and Sarah Arnold of Rayle. She attended the University of Georgia and was an avid Bulldog football fan. She never missed a Larry Munson broadcast. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and was a voracious reader, sharing books with friends, family, and the Mary Willis Library. She loved flowers, finechina, and all delicate, beautiful things. Mrs. Harvey was married to James Spottswood Harvey and moved to Atlanta where she and her family lived until 1966. She relocated to Travelers Rest, S.C., to become the administrator of Una Lee Nursing Home which was owned by her sister and brotherin law, Ann and Wiley Crittenden. She later worked as administrator of the Oakmont Nursing Home in Union, S.C. Upon retirement, she returned to her childhood home of Washington for several years until moving to Marietta to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James S. Harvey and Pam Redmond in August 2007.

In addition to her son and daughter in-law, survivors include a daughter, Ann B. Harvey of Tampa, Fla.; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Wiley Crittenden of Washington; a brother and sister-in-law, Ret. U.S. Army Col. Harvey L. Arnold and his wife Ann of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; three granddaughters, Laura Beth Holt and her husband, Captain Matthew Holt of Columbus, Rebecca Harvey, and Bonnie Howard and her husband Will of Marietta; a great-grandson, Aiden James Holt; and two step-granddaughters, Kathleen Nelson and Jamie Redmond of Marietta.

Memorial gifts may be made in Mrs. Harvey's name to Sardis Baptist Church, 431 Sardis Church Road, Rayle, GA 30660.
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Billy Eugene Bailey

Graveside services were held for Billy Eugene Bailey, 76, of West Liberty Street, Washington, on Friday, April 25, 2008, at the Rehoboth Baptist Church Cemetery, Metasville, with Rev. Paul Reviere officiating. He died Wednesday, April 23, at Wills Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Bailey was a native and lifelong resident of Wilkes County. He was the son of the late Crawford Lee "Mutt" Bailey and Alline Saggus Bailey. He was a project engineer for the Georgia Department of Transportation, and was in charge of building the first truck weigh station on I-20 between Thomson and Augusta. He was a pioneer of building I-16 from Savannah to Atlanta. He was a member of Hiram Masonic Lodge #51, a member of the Rehoboth Baptist Church for over 50 years, where he had served as a deacon and a former chairman of the deacons.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia D. Bailey of Washington; a daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne B. and Ossie DeLay of Woodstock; a son and daughter-in-law, Victor and Carol Bailey of Washington; a sister, Barbara B. Henderson, Washington; a brother, Barry Bailey, Washington; seven grandchildren, Russell and Steven Godwin, Monica Hardy, Jennifer Godwin, Abigail Bailey, Barron Busby, and John Raine Busby; and two great-grandchildren.

Active pallbearers included Russell and Steven Godwin, Morgan Howard, Michael and Matt Bailey, and John Busby. Members of Hiram Masonic Lodge #51 served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rehoboth Baptist Church, c/o Alan Ivey, 3028 Lovelace Rd., Lincolnton, GA 30817, or to the Hiram Masonic Lodge #51, c/o Leonard Danner, 2916 Sandtown Rd., Washington, GA 30673.

Jeanne Daniel Beckum

A memorial service for Jeanne Daniel Beckum, 80, of Rome, formerly of Washington, was held Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rome, with Rev. Janice Bracken Wright and Rev. Greg Tallant officiating. Private interment was held in the East View Cemetery. She died Friday, May 6, at her home.

Mrs. Beckum was the daughter of the late Mather D. Daniel Jr. and Frances Johnson Daniel Sims. She was the widow of Alfred Jackson Beckum of Washington and moved back to Rome in 1996. She was employed by the Public Welfare Department, 1950-53. She taught school for 14 years in Washington- Wilkes and worked as assistant voter registrar. She served as county director of Family and Children's Services in Washington for 13 years.

Survivors include two sisters, Frances Ann Daniel Graham of Rome and Claire Daniel Tibbets of Zionsville, Ind.

Pallbearers included Mat Graham, Robert Graham, Johnny Graham, Neil Sanders, Beck Beckum, Charlie Beckum, Daniel Tibbets, Perry McNeil, and John Graham IV.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 101 E. Fourth Avenue, Rome 30161; the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 672648, Marietta, GA 30060-0045; or Mather Daniel Scholarship Fund at Darling School, 1014 Cave Spring Rd., Rome, GA 30161.

Daniel's Funeral Home of Rome was in charge of arrangements.
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Lizzie Arnold

Graveside services for Lizzie Taylor Arnold, 95, of Bogart were held Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Resthaven Cemetery, Washington, with Rev. Charles Jones and Rev. Amy Shorner Johnson officiating. She died Tuesday, June 24.

Mrs. Arnold was a native of Oglethorpe County and was the daughter of the late John Quincy and Emma Echols Taylor. She was the widow of Felix Randall Arnold. She was a 1935 graduate of Athens Business College and had worked at Royal Manufacturing Company, Almar Manufacturing Company, and Mixon Discount Center. She began studying art at the age of 65, and was a skilled seamstress and talented at handwork. She was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church. A longtime resident of Wilkes County, Mrs. Arnold was a former member of the Washington Presbyterian Church, Pilot Club of Washington, and was Past Worthy Matron, Order of the Eastern Star in Washington. She was also a former member of Sardis Baptist Church, Rayle.

Survivors include two daughters, Beatrice Mixon of Bogart and Rose Simmons of Watkinsville; four grandchildren, Randy Latimer, Sanford Mixon, Keith Mixon, and Michelle Mixon; and three greatgrandchildren, Holly Mixon and Stephen August Mixon.

Pallbearers included Randy Latimer, Sanford Mixon, Keith Mixon, Dwight Mixon, Tony Taylor, and Steve Tyler.

Memorials may be made to Mars Hill Baptist Church, Milledge Avenue Baptist Church, or the Masonic Children's Home.

Lord and Stephens, West, was in charge of arrangements.

Loyd Willis Echols

Funeral services for Loyd Willis Echols, 86, of Washington, were held Sunday, June 28, 2008, at the Carters Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Brian George officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. He died June 26, at his home.

Mr. Echols was a native of Taliaferro County and was the son of the late John Willis Echols and the late Annie Mae Underwood Echols. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was a sales associate for Poss-Ace Hardware Store for many years. He was a member of the Carters Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine Meadows Echols; a daughter, Mary Helen King, Norcross; two granddaughters, Danielle King and Jennifer Smith; and two greatgranddaughters, Christy Hawkins and Kate Smith.

Pallbearers included J.T. Allen, Donald Allen, Tim Branyan, Pat Branyan, Mark Yearwood, Lee Yearwood, and Dennis Allen. Honorary pallbearers included Cohen Wright, Johnny Walker, Charles Young, Bill Callaway, Thomas Fanning, and Max Armour.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carters Grove Baptist Church, c/o Brian George, 346 Brown Road, Washington, GA 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Genelle Gill

Funeral services for Genelle Lunceford Gill, 79, of Washington were held Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the First Baptist Church, Washington, with Rev. Albert W. Huyck Jr. officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington. She died Monday, July 14, in Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington.

Mrs. Gill was a native of Wilkes County and the daughter of the late Howell B. Lunceford and the late Leila Beazley Lunceford. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and of the Belle Williams Volunteer Sunday School Class. She had worked at Leard's Florist and Hendricks Florist and had a great love of plants and flowers.

Survivors include her husband, Oliver Gill of Washington; a daughter, Linda Gill Crowell, and her husband, Otis, of Augusta; two sons, Peyton Oliver Gill III, and his wife, Pamela, of Cumming, and David Nixon Gill of Duluth; two grandsons, John William Crowell and his wife Meridith, and Otis Lamar Crowell Jr., and his wife Wendy, of Augusta; a granddaughter, Sandra Elizabeth Hussey, and her husband, Randy, Dallas, Texas; and a greatgrandson, Travis William Crowell, Augusta.

Pallbearers included David Harris, Howard Wilkinson, Andrew Lunceford, Kerry McAvoy, Larry Milner, and Kyle Bearse. Members of the Belle Williams Volunteer Sunday School Class of the First Baptist Church served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Washington, P.O. Box 603, Washington 30673

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Oliver Gill

Funeral services for Peyton Oliver Gill Jr., 84, of Washington were held Monday, July 21, 2008, at the First Baptist Church, Washington, with Rev. Albert Huyck Jr. officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington. He died Thursday, July 17, in Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington.

Mr. Gill was a native of Wilkes County and was the son of the late Peyton Oliver Gill and Mary Blackmon Gill. He was retired from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution where he worked as a linotype operator and printer. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Jesse Mercer Sunday School Class. He served in the United States Army in the 512th Military Police Battalion. His wife, Genelle Lunceford Gill, died July 13, 2008.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda Gill Crowell, and her husband Otis of Augusta; two sons, Peyton Oliver Gill III, and his wife Pamela of Cumming, and David Nixon Gill of Duluth; a sister, Frances G. Mims of Savannah; two grandsons, John William Crowell and his wife Meridith, and Otis Lamar Crowell Jr. and his wife Wendy, all of Augusta; a granddaughter, Sandra Elizabeth Hussey and her husband Randy of Dallas, Texas; and a great-grandson, Travis William Crowell of Augusta.

Pallbearers included Charles Waller, Kerry McAvoy, Keith Winn, Howard Wilkinson, Kyle Bearse, Lamar Crowell Jr., and Brian Mims; Members of the Jesse Mercer Sunday School Class and Julius Rousey served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Washington, "Together We Build," P.O. Box 603, Washington 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Clarence Paul Barnwell

Funeral services for Dr. Clarence Paul Barnwell, 77, of Danburg Road, Washington, were held Sunday, July 27, 2008, in the Washington Church of God. Interment was in the Washington-Wilkes Memorial Gardens. He died July 25, in University Hospital, Augusta.

Dr. Barnwell was a native of Aledo, Texas, and was the son of the late J.E. and Pauline Sullivan Barnwell, He was a chiropractor in Washington for 50 years. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife, Lee Ellison Barnwell of Washington; four daughters, Paula Carrell and her husband Eddie of Knoxville, Tenn., Laurie Barnwell of Washington, Eileen Walters and her husband Jim of Snellville, and Jessica Hardy and her husband, Gary of Washington; a son, Dr. Phillip Barnwell and his wife Pam of Houston, Texas; a brother, Clyde Barnwell, Weatherford, Texas; two sisters, Gracie Kurtz, Rockville, NE, Janet Ferguson, Stephensville, Texas; 16 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers included grandsons, Eric Penvose, Stephen Penvose, David Carrell, Adam Carrell, Jackson Hardy, and J. Paul Barnwell.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Grace Carey Jackson Ferguson

A memorial funeral mass for Grace Carey Jackson Ferguson, 89, of Washington, was held Saturday, August 2, 2008, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Washington. A committal service followed at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery. She died Wednesday, July 30, at her home.

Mrs. Ferguson was a native of Warren County and had lived in Wilkes County for the past 70 years. She was the widow of Claude R. "Buck" Jackson and G.W. Ferguson, and was the daughter of the late Joseph Alexander Carey and Myra Louise Ledbetter Carey. She was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She graduated from Alexander Stephens Institute in Crawfordville in 1937 and from Athens Business College in 1938. She worked at Ft. Gordon as a teletype operator and at the Washington General Hospital and Wills Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include a daughter, Bonny Jackson Emory of Scottsdale, Arizona; a son, Claude R. (Reggie) Jackson Jr., and his wife Christy of Statesboro; two stepdaughters, Lynn Ferguson Sawyer and Gwen Ferguson Hoffman; a stepson, Dale Ferguson; three sisters, Mildred Carey Brown, Nell Carey Adcock, and Catherine Carey Flocker.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, or to the charity of your choice.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Austin Pruitt

Funeral services for Austin Pruitt, 87, were held Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at the Washington Presbyterian Church with Rev. Glenn Kohlhagen and Rev. Stan Sizemore officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington. He died Sunday, August 31, at his home.


Mr. Pruitt was a native of Donalds, S.C., and the son of the late D.O. and Mary Agnew Pruitt. He had lived in Wilkes County for 61 years. He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Carolina State where he graduated as a State Board Registered Forester. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society at the university. After 39 years of service, Mr. Pruitt retired from Champion International Paper Company as a regional manager. He was a member of the Washington Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Sunday School teacher, and treasurer for many years. He served in the United States Air Force for four years during World War II as a pilot instructor and had been a member of the Lions Club.


Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Sara Johnson Dillard Pruitt of Washington; a daughter, Daphne D. Albertson, and her husband Steven Albertson of Washington; a granddaughter, Christina M. Albertson, Washington; a son, Ewing Dillard, and his wife Debby V. Dillard, of Sharpsburg; two stepgrandchildren, Kimberly and Brent Washington; and three step-greatgrandchildren.


Pallbearers included Jerrel Pharr, Jim Pixley, Blakey Brown, Charles Howell, Dave Olmstead, and Lewis Brown.


Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Presbyterian Church, 206 E. Robert Toombs Ave., Washington 30673.


Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements. 
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Gertrude Echols Tyler

A celebration of the life of Gertrude Echols Tyler, 88, of Washington was held Thursday, September 4, 2008, in the First United Methodist Church, Washington, with Rev. Gale Seibert and Rev. George Wright officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington. She died Monday, September 1, at Heritage Health Care in Washington.

Mrs. Tyler was born March 23, 1920, in Philomath in Oglethorpe County. She was the widow of Richard Alexander Tyler. She was a faithful and devoted member of the First United Methodist Church; the Willing Workers Sunday School Class; the Young At Heart group; past-president of Woodmen of the World Lodge 1026; and was a emeritus member of the Washington Pilot Club. She was a past-president of the Morning Circle of United Methodist Women and was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir. She was instrumental in starting the Food Pantry in Washington and was an active volunteer for many years. She was elected Wilkes County Woman of the Year in 1962.

Pallbearers included Blaine Tyler, Russell Tyler, Brad Tyler, Alex Tyler, Dee Lindsey, and Perry Echols. Members of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 518, Washington 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Lucille Ware Albea

Lucille Ware Albea
Funeral services for Lucille Ware Albea, 63, of Washington were held Saturday, September 27, 2008, in the Danburg Baptist Church, Danburg, with Rev. Ficklen Guin and Rev. Dennis Garner officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. She died September 24, in Wills Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Albea was a native of Wilkes County and the daughter of the late William Duncan Ware and the late Maude Flynt Ware. She was an insurance agent for 35 years and had worked for Wills Memorial Hospital as a financial advisor for the past few years. She was a member of Danburg Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Thomas Albea of Washington; law, Yvonne Albea, Washington, and Mimi A. and Chris Rogers of Sandersville; and a brother, Donald Ware of Tignall.

Pallbearers included Chris Guin, Ricky Edwards, Jack Bentley, Scott Ware, Andy Henderson, and Joe Riley. Honorary pallbearers included Roger Walker, Alfred Wynn, Jim Griggs, Price Rogers, Keith Ware, Chad Safrit, and James Braxton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Danburg Baptist Church General Fund, the American Heart Association, or Wills Memorial Hospital.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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William Frank Hopkins

William Frank Hopkins
Graveside services for William Frank Hopkins, 89, of Washington were held Wednesday, October 15, 2008, in Resthaven Cemetery with Rev. Sid Hopkins officiating. He died Sunday, October 12, in Wills Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Hopkins was a native of Wilkes County and was the son of the late Sydney C. Hopkins and the late Viola Brown Hopkins. He was a retired civil service supervisor in the Naval Shipyard and served his country in the United States Marines in the South Pacific during World War II. His wife was the late Myrtis Sanders Hopkins.

Survivors include a sister, Vera Sale of Atlanta; a son, Bill Hopkins Jr., and his wife Linda Lucas Hopkins of Marietta and Washington; a daughter, Debbie H. Bridges, Arnoldsville; four grandchildren, Bill Hopkins III, Lynn Dye, Frank Pittman, and Chrissie Pittman; and six great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers included Jerry Hackney Jr., Frank Pittman, Gene Hopkins, Bill Hopkins III, Spencer Coker, and Jim Pixley.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Robert Eugene Cabe

ROBERT E. CABE
A memorial service was held Sunday, October 19, 2008, for Robert Eugene Cabe of Union City at the First Baptist Church, Fairburn, with Rev. Ted Moody officiating. He died Thursday, October 16.

Mr. Cabe was the son of the late John and Gertrude Cabe. He had lived in Washington-Wilkes several years ago when he was employed by a gas company serving this area.

Survivors include his wife, June Carolyn Cabe of Union City; a daughter, Cindy Powers, and her husband Henry of Griffin; three sons, Bobby Cabe and his wife Melody of Lizella, Dennis Cabe and his wife Rebecca of The Rock, and Roger Cabe and his wife Denise of Niles, Michigan; two sisters, Elizabeth Fincher and Eileen Byous of Douglasville; two brothers, Johnny Cabe, Douglasville, and Raymond Cabe, Bridgeboro; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Children's Division Christian City, 7300 Lester Road, Union City 30291 or Royal School and Orphanage Uganda, Africa Mission, 14550 Hwy. 19, Griffin 30224.

Parrott Funeral Home of Fairburn was in charge of arrangements.
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Cornelia Moore Borders

Cornelia Moore Cooper Borders
Funeral services for Cornelia Moore Cooper Borders of Warner Robins were held Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington. She died November 2 in Macon.

Mrs. Borders was a native of Wilkes County and was the daughter of Austin Henry Moore and Nannie Quin Moore of Rayle. She attended public schools in Wilkes County and graduated from Anderson College in South Carolina. She majored in Home Economics at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville where she also studied voice. Following her graduation from Anderson College, she became chairman of its Home Economics Department. During World War II she married Morris Turner Cooper and they lived in Warner Robins. They were married 29 years before his death. She was employed by the Houston County Board of Education and taught in the Warner Robins schools for the next three decades. In 1976, she married Andrew C. Borders. She was a member of the First United Methodist Ch Curch of Warner Robins.

Survivors include her husband, Andrew C. Borders of Warner Robins; a son, Robert M. Cooper, Bonaire; a grandson, Rob Cooper, Warner Robins; great-granddaughter, Josephine Eliza Cooper, Warner Robins; a brother, Louis Quin Moore, Florida; and a stepson, A. Christopher Borders, Woodstock.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 205 N. Davis Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31093.
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John Albert Beggs

John Albert Beggs
Funeral services for John Albert Beggs, 90, of Washington were held Sunday, November 30, 2008, at Hopkins Funeral Home with Rev. Charlie Cook and Rev. Glen Kohlhagan officiating. Burial was at the Vic Moore family cemetery in McDuffie County. He died Wednesday, November 26, in Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington.

Mr. Beggs was a native of Hart County and was the son of the late John A. Beggs and Lena Brown Beggs. He was the widower of Helen Moore Beggs. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1945. He retired from the Pet Milk Co. and Mid-America Dairyman Inc. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and had owned Ye Old Lamplighter Antiques in Washington.

Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Beggs Youmans, and her husband Andy of Savannah; a grandson, Andy Youmans III of Savannah; a sister, Frances Tune of Florence, Ala.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.

Emma Stephens Wilson

A memorial service for Emma Simpson Stephens Wilson, 98, of Washington, will be held Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the Washington Presbyterian Church at noon. She died December 3.

Mrs. Wilson was born in Atlanta on December 31, 1910, and was the daughter of the late Robert G. Stephens and Lucy Evans Stephens. She graduated with honors from Girls High School in 1930 and from Wesleyan College in 1934. She worked as assistant director of the Voluntary Religious Association at the University of Georgia for four years and later as YWCA secretary at Miami University of Ohio. In 1943 she married the director of the YMCA, Lucian Clovis Wilson, from Troy, Alabama. They lived and worked at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After her husband's death in 1961, Mrs. Wilson made her home with her parents in Washington and lovingly nursed them through their last days. Known for her deep love of animals, she was called on to care for countless stray animals and led in the founding of the Washington Animal Shelter. She was active in the Washington Presbyterian Church. Many Washington children remember being treated to cookies, or a kitten, by "Miss Emma." As her health failed and her mind dimmed, she never lost her bright smile and her appreciation for her caregivers and visitors. In the last years of her life she was cared for by the staffs at Winterville Retirement Center and Quiet Oaks in Crawford, including Freddie Campbell, Cassie Carter, and Adair Wingfield.

Survivors include her sister, Ida Stephens Williams of Lawrenceville; her sister-in-law, Grace Winston Stephens of Athens; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter.
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VoHammie J. Johnson

VoHammie J. Johnson
Graveside services for VoHammie J. Johnson, 83, of Hendersonville, N.C., formerly of Spruce Pine, N.C., will be held at Resthaven Cemetery, Washington, at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2008. She died Saturday, December 13, following a brief illness. A memorial service was held Sunday, December 21, at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church.

Mrs. Johnson was a native of Washington-Wilkes, and was the daughter of the late VoHammie Ellington and Hillyer Harris Johnson. She was the widow of Fred Roberts Johnson. She was an accomplished pianist, and music was her passion. She studied music education at Valdosta State University and graduated from Shorter College in Rome. She was an active member of the Philanthropic Education Organization (POE), and of the American Association of University Women. She was the church pianist at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church from 1962 to 1996 and found great pleasure in church work, community activities, and bridge games. She was a member of Hendersonville First Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, VoHammie J. Payne, and her husband, Charles, of Mills River, N.C., and Lillian J. Hall, and her husband, Michael, of Hendersonville; five grandchildren, Portia Proffitt of Clarkesville, Ga., John Charles Payne, Thomas Payne, Claire Hall, and Robbie Hall, all of Hendersonville.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 120 Executive Park, Bldg. 1, Asheville, N.C., 28801; or to Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, N.C. 28731.

Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

Marion R. "Pete" Hardy

Marion R. Hardy

Funeral services for Marion R. "Pete" Hardy, 65, of Lincolnton, were held Saturday, December 27, 2008, at Morningside Baptist Church, Lincolnton, with Rev. Dan Fernandez officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington.

Mr. Hardy was the son of the late Cecil and Elizabeth Combs Hardy and had lived in Washington. He had been a resident of Lincolnton for the past 25 years. He retired from Ferrellgas as a driver/salesman. He was a member of Morningside Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Laverne Martin Hardy; two sons, Ray Hardy of Washington and Dr. David Hardy, Augusta; three daughters, Susan H. Leighty, Covington, Debbie H. Jackson, Washington, and Hope Gwinn, Grovetown; a brother, Cecil Hardy, Stockbridge; a sister, Frances Ogletree, Washington; and nine grandchildren, Allison Leighty, W.E. Burdette IV, Adam Hardy, Austin Hardy, Tabor Jackson, Brock Jackson, Avery Hardy, Haley Hardy, and Emily Gwinn.

Pallbearers included Everett Hardy, Michael Hardy, Jackson Crook, Randy Ogletree, Bruce Turner, and Eddy Turner.

Honorary pallbearers included Joe Powell, Thomas Kea, Ed Turner, Richard Brown, and William Higginbotham.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Morningside Baptist Church.

Beggs Funeral Home of Lincolnton was in charge of arrangements.
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Larry Martin Armour

Larry Martin Armour
Funeral services for Larry Martin Armour, 68, of Ruskin, Fla., will be held Thursday, August 27, 2009, at Keystone United Methodist Church in Tampa, Fla. He died August 21 at his home in Ruskin, Fla., following a battle with cancer and pneumonia.

Mr. Armour was a native of Wilkes County, and was the son of the late Martin Luther and Elizabeth Lamar Armour. He was the owner of Armour's Electrical Services in Tampa for 25 years. His wife was the late Marilyn Albea Armour.

Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon A. and Frank Granato of Indian Springs, Ala., Kim A. and Mike Hamm of Riverview, Fla., and Donna A. and John Martin of Bradenton, Fla.; six grandchildren, Shawn Granato, Joseph Granato, and Matthew Granato, Ashley Perella, Kristen Peella and Daniel Perella; and two brothers, Pee Wee Armour, Washington, and Bill Armour, Augusta.

Memorials may be made to Keystone United Methodist Church, Tampa, Fla.

Blount Funeral Home Bearss Avenue Chapel, Tampa, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
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Bolton Newland Lunceford

Bolton Newland Lunceford, 87, of Washington, died Sunday, January 11, 2009, following a long illness.

A memorial service to honor her life and the many lives she touched will be held at the Church of the Mediator, Washington, Saturday, January 24, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation with the opportunity to share personal memories will follow in the Parish House of the church.

Mrs. Lunceford was born in Kwangju, Korea, daughter of Presbyterian missionaries LeRoy Tate and Sarah Louise Andrews Newland. She came to America to attend college, including Agnes Scott, Peace Junior College, and the University of North Carolina Women's College. She completed her undergraduate degree at Georgia State University and her master's degree at the University of Georgia. She was the widow of A. Mell Lunceford Jr. of Crawfordville.

Throughout her long career, Mrs. Lunceford was a businesswoman and teacher in Colorado, Oklahoma, Atlanta, Saudi Arabia, Crawfordville, and Washington-Wilkes. She received many honors, especially for her teaching. She was runnerup for Georgia Teacher of the Year and was named the first recipient of the Sarah Louise Capen award by the Georgia Council of Teachers of English. She established the first adult education program in Taliaferro County, taught an Extension course for Truett-McConnell College, and under the auspices of the University of Georgia, created the first English as a Second Language program for adults in Wilkes County.

Mrs. Lunceford created the Taliaferro County Labor Day Fair and the Christmas Dinner in the Park in Crawfordville. She and her late husband were among the pioneers who established the Washington Little Theater Co. This year the theater Playhouse was named the Bolton Lunceford Playhouse in her honor. She was a longtime active member of the Church of the Mediator in Washington.

Married to Paul F. Clark and George Keyser, both deceased, she is survived by a daughter, Dale Clark Farran, and her husband Christopher of Nashville, Tenn., a son, Robert Cottle; two grandchildren, Alice Zillah and her husband Bryce Brown of Olympia, Washington, Brendan Carroll Farran and his wife Nicole of Nashville, Tenn.; two great-grandsons, Jon and David Brown; and two siblings, Maie Minnick of Black Mountain, N.C., and Keith McDaniel of Brookhaven, MS.

Memorials may be made to the Washington Little Theater Company, P.O. Box 803, Washington 30673; or to the Church of the Mediator, P.O. Box 716, Washington 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
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Lonnie F, Martin

Lonnie F. Martin
Funeral services for Lonnie F. Martin, 74, of Lincolnton, were held Sunday, February 1, 2009, at Salem Baptist Church with Rev. Deryl Odom officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. He died Friday, January 30, at his home.

Mr. Martin was the son of the late John C. and Carrie Mae Crook Martin. He was assistant manager at Ascot Drapery, and was a member of the Salem Baptist Church.

Survivors include five sisters, Carol M. Reese, Lincolnton, Janet M. Smith, Lexington, Brenda M. Martin, Goose Creek, S.C., Ruby M. Pope, Lincolnton, and Bonnie M. Riddle, Houston, Texas; a brother, Clint Martin, Lawrenceville; 18 nieces and nephews; 29 great-nieces and nephews; and three great-greatnephews.

Pallbearers included Alvin Cox, Richard Davis, Kermit Hocutt, Chase Martin, John Martin, James Martin, Dwayne Reese, and Pat Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Baptist Church, c/o Alvin Cox, 2476 Leathersville Road, Lincolnton 30817.

Rees Funeral Home of Lincolnton was in charge of arrangements.

James Reeves Johnson

James Reeves Johnson

Funeral services for James (Jimsie) Reeves Johnson, 80, of Decatur were held Monday, February 16, 2009, in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Smith and Dr. Mike Davis officiating. Interment was in Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Decatur. He died Saturday, February 14.

Mr. Johnson was a native of Wilkes County and was the son of the late W.T. (Buck) Johnson Jr. and the late Mildred Reeves Johnson. He was a member of the Scott Boulevard Baptist Church and of the Model A Club. He had retired from the Wachovia Trust Department after many years of service.

Survivors include his wife, Anne Johnson of Decatur; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mildred and Darrell Thompson and Amy and Greg Taylor; a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Mary Johnson; a brother, William T. Johnson III of Washington; and three grandchildren, Rachel, Kelsey, and Alli.

Jeffery Wayne Dees

Jeffery Wayne Dees

A memorial service for Jeffery Wayne Dees, 66, of Flat Rock, N.C., will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009, at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, Flat Rock. He died Friday, March 20.

Mr. Dees had lived in Washington for many years where he served as a Certified Public Accountant before moving to Flat Rock. He was a native of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and was the son of Dorothy Eglin Dees and the late Jody (Joe) Dees. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and worked all his life as a Certified Public Accountant.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Lang Dees, of Flat Rock; his mother, Dorothy Dees McKinnon; two sons, Matthew (Matt) Jeffery Dees and Nathan Paul Dees; a daughter, Anna Kate Dees Brown, and son-in-law, William (Will) Murry Brown Jr.; two grandchildren, William Murry Brown III (Beau), and Lucy McKinley (Lucy Mac) Dees Brown; and a sister, Sandra Dees Halat.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Henderson County Special Olympics, 1532 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, N.C. 28791.

Jack Willard Bentley

Jack Willard Bentley
Graveside services for Jack Willard Bentley, 82, of Greenwood Church Road, Lincolnton, were held Saturday, April 4, 2009, at the Greenwood Baptist Church Cemetery in Lincoln County with Rev. Albert W. Huyck Jr. and Rev. Ficklen Guin officiating. He died Thursday, April 2, at Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington.

Mr. Bentley was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin Bentley and Gladys Bennett Bentley. He was a retired poultry and cattle farmer and was a member of the Greenwood Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Mr. Bentley served in the United States Army during World War II. While serving as Company Commander of Hq Co, 111th Signal Battalion (Army), he was called into active duty at Fort Meade, Maryland, during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He had served as a member of the Lincoln County School Board, the Lincoln County Health Board, Lincoln County ASCS, and the Rayle EMC.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank Bentley and Lou Bentley of Washington, and Jack Bentley Jr. and Angie Bentley of Tignall; a daughter and son-in-law, Becky Bentley Richards and Alan Richards of Lilburn; four grandchildren and one step-granddaughter; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Frances Wheeler of Lincolnton.

Pallbearers included Jim Faust, Bobby Walker, Lee Thaxton, Joe Louis Cullars, Marshall Sherrer, and Jack Burns. Members of American Legion Post 194 served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenwood Baptist Church, c/o Patty Hawkes, 4281 Greenwood Church Road, Lincolnton 30817.

Beggs Funeral Home of Lincolnton was in charge of arrangements.

Joe W, Bennett, Jr.

Joe W. Bennett Jr.

A private burial service for Joe W. Bennett Jr., 70, of Washington was held Monday, April 20, 2009, in the Armstrong Family Cemetery in Wilkes County with Rev. Albert W. Huyck Jr. of Tignall officiating. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., family and friends were invited to the grounds of the Armstrong House at 2990 Tignall Road, Mr. Bennett's boyhood home and presently the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Moore and Joshua and Caleb Saggus. A memorial service and celebration of his life was held at 3:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Robert N. Murphy of Bishop.

Mr. Bennett was a native of Washington and was the son of the late Joe W. Bennett and Emelyn Armstrong Bennett Fenanga. His grandparents were the late Mr. and Mrs. George T. Armstrong and the late Mr. and Mrs. Nathan R. Bennett, all of Washington. Mr. Bennett was a 1956 graduate of Washington High School and attended Georgia Tech. He received a bachelor's degree in Forestry from the University of Georgia in 1961 and a master's in Forestry from Yale University in 1962. After a 24-year career, he retired in May 1996. He was a member and past director of the Georgia Forestry Association and the South Carolina Forestry Association.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Deborah Pye Bennett of Washington; three sons and daughters-in-law, Joe Bennett III and Laurie of Sugar Hill, Jon and Sabrina Bennett, and Jim and Donna Bennett, all of Washington; one daughter and son-in-law, Amy Bennett and Will Long, Washington; nine grandchildren, Will and Ben Bennett, Sugar Hill, Alli Bennett, Jessica, Zach, and Jake Bennett, and Nicholas, Bobby and Destiny, all of Washington; and a brother, George A. Bennett of Marietta.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wills Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 176, Washington 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Moore Kay

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Rebecca M. Kay, 78, of Charlotte, N.C., was held Monday, April 20, 2009, at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, with Rev. Dr. Joe B. Brown and Rev. John Harrill officiating. She died Thursday, April 16, at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte.

Rebecca Moore Kay was born in Fort Pierce, Fla., and was the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. George Henry Moore and Frances DeBerry Moore. She graduated from Furman University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Music with a concentration in organ. She taught music at Indian Trail, Hemby Bridge, and Shiloh Elementary schools in Union County, as well as private piano lessons in her home. She was a longtime member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church where she served as church organist for 27 years. She was also a member of the Hickory Grove Christianaires and her neighborhood garden club.

Survivors include a son, Mitch Kay, and his wife Sonja; and their children, Landon and Georgia, all of Weddington.

Memorials may be made to Metropolitan Music Ministries, P.O. Box 221231, Charlotte, N.C. 28222; or Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Music and Worship Ministry, 6050 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28215.
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Sophia Boyd Bamford

Sophia Boyd Bamford

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Dr. Sophia Boyd Bamford, 96, will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at Independence United Methodist Church, Tignall, with Rev. Marvin Mason officiating. Dr. Bamford died peacefully at her home in Tignall on May 10, 2009.

She was born on January 7, 1913, in Tignall, the daughter of Emory Fortson Boyd and Rosa Wright Boyd. She graduated from Tignall High School in 1928, and received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Georgia in 1932 and 1933, respectively. She taught at Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Grenada College for Women in Grenada, Miss., and Tignall and Washington high schools. She married Thomas Leslie Bamford of Rochester, N.Y., in 1936.

After World War II she trained at the Medical College of Georgia in the new field of Exfoliative Cytology, learning techniques for microscopic detection of cancer. In 1953 she moved, with her husband and daughter, to Boston, Mass., where she was a staff cytologist at New England Medical Center Hospitals. She later attended Tufts University School of Medicine, receiving her M.D. degree in 1961, and continued her research and teaching in the fields of cytology and cytogenetics. On behalf of the Department of State, Agency for International Development, she established cytology laboratories in Jamaica and Ecuador, and she was a consultant for the National Institutes of Health.

In 1973 Dr. Bamford moved back to Wilkes County to practice medicine, during which time she served on the Board of the Georgia Division of the American Cancer Society, and was recognized nationally for her work in organizing free cancer clinics for men and women. After retiring in 1987, she was active in preserving the area's historical legacy, establishing the North Wilkes Library and Museum, and organizing a lecture series on Georgia history, for which she received the Georgia Humanities Award.

She was a member of Pilot International, National Society of Colonial Dames, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, and United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was a member of Independence United Methodist Church, Tignall, where she taught Sunday School and played the organ.

Dr. Bamford is survived by her daughter, Dr. Sarah Bamford Pelot, her son-in-law, Captain Kent B. Pelot, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Washington, D.C., and her grandchildren, Lara Sophia Pelot, Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Devin Bamford Pelot, Washington, D.C.

Relatives and friends are welcome at the Hopkins Funeral Home, 416 E. Robert Toombs Avenue, Washington, on Wednesday, May 13, between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m.

Memorial funds have been established in her name for Independence United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 248, Tignall, GA 30668, North Wilkes Library and Museum, P.O. Box 121, Tignall, and the Washington- Wilkes Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Washington 30673.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
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Dale Fincher

Dale Fincher
Funeral services for Rev. Dale Fincher of Tignall were held Tuesday, June 16, 2009, in the Tignall Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Standard, Rev. Albert W. Huyck Jr., and Rev. Kevin Hanel officiating. Interment was in the Tignall Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Fincher died Saturday, June 13, en route home with his youth group from a mission trip to Charleston, S.C.

Rev. Fincher was a native of Floyd County and was the son of Ernestine Arnold Fincher and the late Curtis Fincher. He had served as pastor of the Tignall Baptist Church for the past 13 years and had previously served as pastor of Mt. Alto Baptist Church, Rome, Mt. Pisgah Baptist, Kibbee, and Pisgah Baptist, Rome. He was involved in ministry at the Penfield Christian Home in Penfield, the Georgia Pre-Release Center in Washington, and the Wilkes County Jail. He was a Wilkes County School Bus driver and had also served as Chaplain for the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Kay Edwards Fincher of Tignall; a son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Lacey Fincher, Tignall; a daughter, Julie Fincher, Tignall; a granddaughter, Jade Fincher, Tignall; his mother, Ernestine Arnold Fincher, Rome; three brothers, Gary Fincher, Larry Fincher, and Darrell Fincher, all of Rome; a sister, Felicia Salmon, Marietta; and mother-inlaw, Janette Edwards, Rome.

Jackie Adams

A memorial service for Jacquelyn "Jackie" Banks Adams, 71, of Berkshire Drive, Washington, was held Monday, July 27, 2009, at the First Baptist Church, Washington, with Rev. Klay Aspinwall officiating. She died Friday, July 24, in Wills Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Adams was a native of Lincoln County and was the daughter of the late James S. and Mary Goldman Banks. She had retired as secretary for the Georgia State Patrol Post 417, Washington. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Washington, where she was a member of the Belle Williams Volunteer Sunday School Class.

Survivors include her husband, Vernon C. Adams, Washington; two daughters, Vicki Batrous and her husband Joe of Thomson, and Kelli Hardin and her husband Steve of Evans; and five grandchildren, Hannah DeMore, Joseph Batrous, Cade Hardin, Rachel Hardin, and Jacob Hardin.

Officers and staff of the Georgia State Patrol Post 417 served as honorary pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Washington, P.O. Box 603, 30673; or to Briarwood Academy, 4859 Thomson Highway, Warrenton, GA 30828.
Rees Funeral Home of Lincolnton was in charge of arrangements.

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John Levin Thornton

A memorial service celebrating the life of John Levin Thornton, 59, of Boiling Springs, N.C., was held Monday, October 5, 2009, at Beaver Dam Baptist Church, Boiling Springs, with Rev. Rick Bowling, Rev. Mel Campos, and Richard Phillips officiating. He died Thursday, October 1, at his residence.

Mr. Thornton was a native of Washington-Wilkes and the son of James C. and Emily Baston Thornton of Washington. He served his country in the United States Navy and was a member of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church. He was president of Cleveland Capital Holdings/ Petroleum World. He loved hunting, camping, and traveling.

Survivors in addition to his parents include his wife, Gail Thornton; two sons, TJ Thornton of Boiling Springs, and Nick Thornton and his wife Ashley of Mooresville, N.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Brooke and Mike Sanders of Lafayette, La.; a stepdaughter, Mary Mooney of Union Mills, N.C.; and a sister, Mary Donna Lunceford of Washington Wilkes.

Memorials may be made to John Thornton Memorial Fund, c/o BB&T, 124 N. Main Street, Boiling Springs, N.C. 28017-9798, or the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10016.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home of Shelby, N.C., was in charge of arrangements.
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Gary Allen Rogers

Gary Allen Rogers

Graveside services for ersGary Allen Rogers, 57, of Washington were held Tuesday, August 4, 2009, at the Washington-Wilkes Memorial Gardens with Peter Hoffmann officiating. He died Friday, July 31, at his home.

Mr. Rogers was a native of Wilkes County and was the son of Marjorie Whittington Rogers and the late Rufus Allen Rogers. He was a member of the Tignall Baptist Church and had retired as Sheriff of Wilkes County.

Survivors include his wife, Kimberly Smith Rogers; two sons, Christopher and Jonathan Rogers; a daughter, Jill Rogers; his mother, Marjorie W. Rogers; and three brothers, Clyde Rogers, Darrell Rogers, and Greg Rogers, all of Washington.

Pallbearers included Mike Sisson, Ricky Lindsey, Howard Heitman, Charlie Burgess, Benjie Hodges, and Jerry Stover. Members of the Wilkes County Sheriff's Department and the Washington Fire Department served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Home, P.O. Box 1000, Stockbridge, Ga. 30281; the American Kidney Association, or the Tignall Baptist Church.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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Brenda Gail Huff

A celebration of the life of Brenda Gail Huff, 58, of Augusta, formerly of Washington-Wilkes, was held Thursday, September 17, at the Church of God of Prophecy in Augusta with Pastor Steve Airey officiating. She died Sunday, September 13, at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.

A celebration was also held Sunday, September 20, at 506 Thomson Road, Washington, with Pastor Airey officiating.

She was a native of Wilkes County and the daughter of the late Woodrow W. and Josie Hammock Huff. She had made her home in Augusta since 2006, and was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy. People from her church, and from Walton Options, Augusta Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation, Maxwell House Apartments, and others, shared memories of her and the way she had touched their lives.

Survivors include her son, Marc Norman of Winterville; and a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Margaret Huff of Chamblee.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Church of God of Prophecy, 2301 Gardner St., Augusta 30904; Walton Options for Independent Living, P.O. Box 519, Augusta 30903; or Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, Md. 21203.

J. Carlton Norris

A private family service for J. Carlton Norris, South Alexander Avenue, Washington, will be held at the Washington Presbyterian Church at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009. This service will be followed by a memorial service on the back lawn of the Norris residence from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Mr. Norris died Sunday, October 4, 2009, of natural causes at his home.

Mr. Norris was the son of the late Jake and Laura Norris of Warrenton. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management. His graduate study was completed at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. He held many positions in national and international affairs for the Atlantic Richfield Corporation from 1959 through 1994. During his tenure he was the Marketing Supervisor for South Florida; National Sales Promotion Manager; Project Manager for Los Angeles Mayor Tom Brady for the Mass Transit System; Midwest Manager for Government and Public Affairs; Corporate Community Affairs Senior Manager; and Special Assistant for International Affairs to the Atlantic Richfield Chief Executive Officer.

His community involvement includes director of the North Alexander School Association; member of the Historic Commission; director of the Wills Memorial Hospital Foundation; director of the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce; director, lifetime member, and president of the Washington Little Theater Company; director, president, distinguished past-president, Lt. Governor and Governor of the Kiwanis Club, and elder in the Washington Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Norris; children, Jason Wheatley, Greg and Crystal Wheatley, Paul and Heather Wheatley; and grandchildren, Samantha, Colton, Canyon and Madison Wheatley.

Robert L.Theis

Robert L. Theis

A memorial service for Robert L. Theis, 84, of Washington, was held Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Washington, with Father Chris Williamson as Celebrant. He died October 9 in Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington.

Mr. Theis was a native of Hastings, Nebraska, and was the son of the late Frank and Hattie Gilsdorf Theis. He was a retired Management Analyst for the U.S. Government and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Lyles Theis; a son and daughterin law, Ronald and Patti Theis, of Lincoln, Neb.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Bobbie and Richard Seitner, Omaha, Neb., Vicki and Thomas Mulherin, Evans, and Torri and Mike Gulledge, Dothan Ala; two brothers, James F. Theis, Topeka, Kan., and Francis Theis, Hastings, Neb.; five sisters, Mary Marion, St. Louis, Mo., Jeanne Brusnahan, Lincoln, Neb., Delores Gibbs, Burlingame, Calif., Alice Pumulia, Omaha, Neb., and Kay Everett, Bellevue, Neb.; six grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Washington.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.

Nona Caroline Quinn Bunce

Funeral services for Nona Caroline Quinn Bunce, 83, were held Sunday, August 23, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church, Statesboro, with Dr. Don Adams, Dr. Charles Houston, Dr. Hugh Davis, and Rev. Jimmy Cason officiating. Burial was in the Middleground Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Statesboro. She died Thursday, August 20, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facilty.

Mrs. Bunce was a native of Washington-Wilkes. She received a B.S. in Music Education from Georgia State College for Women, and a Masters of Music degree from Northwestern University. She was a gifted music education teacher and taught in the public schools of Monticello, Washington, and Statesboro. She taught piano and voice and was the choir director for the First Methodist Church, Statesboro. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. She served on the Statesboro Library Board, the Statesboro Symphony Guild, the Statesboro Historical Society, the Statesboro Service League, the PTA, the DAR, and the DAC.

Survivors include her husband, Isaac Newton Bunce, a native of Statesboro; a son, Augustine Arthur Bunce; a daughter, Caroline Sophia Bunce; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Statesboro First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2048, Statesboro 30459; the Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro 30459; or the charity of choice.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home of Statesboro was in charge of the arrangements.
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James Daniel Ellington, Jr.

A memorial service for James "Jamie" Daniel Ellington Jr., 82, of Atlanta were held Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at the Cathedral of St. Philip. He died Friday, October 16.

Mr. Ellington was a native of Washington-Wilkes, and was the son of the late James Daniel Ellington and the late Edith Lowe Ellington. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech and a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was a World War II veteran having served in Europe for two years. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and had retired from the Southern Sizing Company after 30 years of service. After retirement he enjoyed volunteering with students at D.H. Stanton Elementary School. His parents were owners and operators of Ellington's Jewelry on The Square in downtown Washington.

Ben Olin Teasley

On the afternoon of November 5, 2004, I attended the church funeral service of Ben Olin Teasley, a friend of many and one-fourth of our afternoon coffee club. Ben had gone to the hospital a week before with pneumonia and died early Tuesday morning. He was 89 and had had an interesting life. I occasionally asked for his account of his time in the CCC. Ben had been born in Elbert County. He found life on a cotton farm of the thirties intolerable and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Ben liked to say that the cotton prices of the time permitted him to send his father a bale of cotton ($25.00) and to live on the remainder ($5.00) of his pay in CCC every month. The CCC was well thought of in the South. The CCC functioned in a military fashion and Ben's job title "Supply Leader" (keeping up with the tools) was basis for a good job in the Georgia National Guard later. Ben moved from camp to camp and eventually returned home to join the National Guard unit in Elberton. The Guard was mobilized in November 1940 for a year, and Ben's unit was sent to Camp Stewart, then being built in Liberty County. Ben and Melba had married before mobilization, and they were together for a time during training and travel to the West Coast. Ben's AAA unit was deployed to Guadalcanal in 1942. Ben was well thought of and received frequent promotions. He said that he was "usually the one assigned to guard the battery area" during the unit's absence. As the island-hopping war eventually came to a halt an officer got Ben on a plane to start his trip home. He was discharged in 1945 and used his experience in the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Guard to get a good job in Washington, GA, in the Soil Conservation Service, although there was not much relationship. He and Melba built a house there and stayed there through daughter Donna's birth, Melba's death, and Ben's retirement. Ben thought highly of his son-in-law, Milt Miller, head football coach at Lowndes County High School, Valdosta, GA. After retirement Ben lived alone, attended church regularly, and for several years was in a small coffee club that met variouslyat Hardee's, Ingles, McDonalds, and Bi-Lo. I miss him.
posted by W T Johnson @ 4:15 PM

Vi Johnson Anthony & Fred M Patterson

Vi Johnson Anthony
I was notified in February 2005 of the death 0f my first cousin Violet "Vi" Johnson Anthony at her home in Greensboro, NC, in January. Vi was the youngest child of my mother's oldest sister, Katie Lou, and was born in Elberton in 1923. Vi occasionally visited us and I saw her in Elberton frequently. I remember that on a visit to Washington about 1932 Vi and I went to a carnival and rode the Ferris wheel. Perhaps two years later in 1934 I was having lunch at Vi's house in Elberton when it was announced that Marion Reeves Patterson, an older sister of Mother's, wanted to adopt Vi and take her to Greensboro, NC, to live. This was agreed to and they left shortly. On June 23, 1936, I went to Greensboro for a visit with Marion, Vi, and Vi's sister Katherine. We went in Marion's 1934 Packard. I remember that Mother and my brother Jimsie came up within a week or so, and that Daddy came up to bring us home on July 23. I went back to Greensboro the next two summers for visits of a week or so. Marion and her husband, Dr. Fred Patterson, lived well and Vi benefitted from the move. Vi graduated from college in North Carolina and married Jimmy Anthony. They had two children, son Pat and daughter Kay. I seldom saw Vi, except for a few funerals.
posted by W T Johnson @ 8:35 PM

I recently found this photograph of Vi's "Uncle Fred" Patterson at the time he was a sergeant in the 30th Division during  World War I. He was wounded September 12, 1918, in the battle of St. Mihiel, causing him to lose a leg. This cut short his plans for an athletic career and led to him becoming an MD. I talked to his namesake today, Fred Patterson "Patt" Anthony, Vi's older child, and he told me he understands "Uncle Fred" died in 1974 and was buried in Concord, NC.

Charles Irvin

This is the obituary notice of a fine man I considered to be a good friend. Charles Irvin was a member of a family with an impeccable reputation and was himself without peer. He had spent the last few years of his life in an assisted living home. This had been brought on by his sustaining a broken wrist and other injuries in an automobile accident while driving a much larger car than the Volkswagen Beetle he had long driven. He had been one of the bright spots in the Mary Willis Library where he last worked.


Charles Edgar Irvin
Funeral services for Charles Edgar Irvin, 88, of Washington, were held Wednesday, November 14, 2007, at the Washington Presbyterian Church with Rev. Charles Cook and Rev. Carol Pitts officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery, Washington.

Mr. Irvin was the son of the late Isaiah Tucker Irvin IV and Ida Lee Hill Irvin and was born in Washington. He graduated from Washington High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1937. He received an A.B. from Emory University in 1941, where he was a member of SAE. Later he received a library degree from the University of Chicago, and in 1950, received a Masters in Library Science from Emory University. He served in the United States Army during World War II, receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. His career as a librarian was spent in several college libraries and many years service as head of the acquisitions department of the library of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Later in life, he was the technical director of the Bartram Trail Regional Library System at the Mary Willis Library in Washington.

A lifelong Presbyterian, he was a member of the Washington Presbyterian Church where he served many years as an Elder and Trustee, frequently filling in as organist. He was a charter member of the Augusta Genealogical Society and for many years served as a volunteer librarian. He was a member of the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation, the Washington-Wilkes Country Club, Friends of the Mary Willis Library, the Samuel Elbert Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, the South Carolina Historical Society and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

Survivors include a niece, Reba Prince Griffith of Atlanta; and two nephews, Blake Prince of St. Matthews, S.C., and Tucker Irvin of Sandwich, Mass.

Pallbearers included Jerry Stover, Marion Slaton, Carlton Norris, Stephen Blackmon, Irvin Cheney, and Warren Fortson.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Washington Presbyterian Church, 206 E. Robert Toombs Ave., Washington 30673; the Mary Willis Library, 204 E. Liberty Street, Washington; the Augusta Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 3743, Augusta, Ga., 30914-3743; or the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, 1516 Peachtree St., N.W., Atlanta, Ga. 30309-2916.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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"WASHINGTON, Ga. - Mr. Charles Edgar Irvin, of Washington, Georgia, died November 11, 2007 at Wills Memorial Hospital. Mr. Irvin, the son of the late Isaiah Tucker Irvin, IV and Ida Lee Hill, was born in Washington, Georgia on July 30, 1919. He was preceded in death by a sister, Anne Hill Irvin Prince and a brother, Isaiah Tucker Irvin, V. He is survived by a niece, Reba Prince Griffith of Atlanta; two nephews, Blake Prince of St. Matthews, S.C. and Tucker Irvin of Sandwich, Mass.; a great-niece, Anne Callaway Griffith of the University of Georgia; and a cousin, Leona Strickland Hudson of Valdosta.

"Mr. Irvin graduated from Washington High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1937. He received an A.B. degree from Emory University in 1941, where he was a member of S.A.E. Later he received a library degree from the University of Chicago and in 1950, received a Masters in Library Science from Emory University.

"He served in the United States Army during WWII, receiving an honorable discharge in 1946.

"His career as a librarian was spent in several college libraries with many years service as head of the acquisitions department of the library of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Later in life, he was the Technical Director of the Bartram Trail Library System at the Mary Willis Library in Washington.

"A life-long Presbyterian, he was a member of the Washington Presbyterian Church where he served many years as an Elder and Trustee, frequently filling in as organist.

"He was a charter member of the Augusta Genealogical Society and for many years served as a volunteer librarian. He was a member of the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation, the Washington-Wilkes Country Club, Friends of the Mary Willis Library, the Samuel Elbert Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, the South Carolina Historical Society, and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

"The funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Presbyterian Church conducted by the Rev. Charles Cook and the Rev. Carol Pitts followed by interment in Resthaven Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Hopkins Funeral Home.

"Memorial gifts may be made to the Washington Presbyterian Church, 206 E. Robert Toombs Ave., Washington, Ga. 30673, the Mary Willis Library, 204 E. Liberty Street, Washington, Ga., the Augusta Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 3743, Augusta, Georgia 30914-3743, or the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, 1516 Peachtree St., N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30309-2916. Hopkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com"

Mary Coward Norman

This the obituary notice of one of my cousins, with whom I had little contact over the years.

Mrs. Mary Norman (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Sunday, June 30, 2002SHAREPRINT
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mrs. Mary Coward Norman, 82, of Augusta, died June 28, 2002, at Arbor Acres Triad United Methodist Community, Winston Salem, following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Norman was a long time resident of Augusta. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 1, 2002, at 2p.m., in Millbrook Baptist Church Chapel. Interment will follow at Millbrook Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held at 1p.m., in the Church atrium.

Honorary pallbearers will be her seven grandsons.

Loving mother of Diane Warlick of High Point, N.C.; Mary McGiness of Lookout Mountain, Ga., Laura Dolyniuk of Hilton Head, and Robert C. Norman of Macon. Other survivors include ten grandchildren, Coulter Warlick, Scott Warlick and his wife, Beth, Wilson McGinness, Maggie McGinness, Bobby Norman, Bradley Norman, Megan Dolyniuk, Harrison Dolyniuk, Reese Dolyniuk and Mary Allan Dolyniuk; three sons-in-law, Harold Warlick, Sam McGinness, and Randy Dolyniuk; a daughter-in-law, Judy Norman; a sister-in-law, Ann Coward of Aiken as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Robert C. Norman, of Augusta; a sister, Grace Woodhead; and two brothers, Allan Coward, and Ira E. Coward Jr.

Mrs. Norman was born September 29, 1919, in Aiken to the late Ira Ellis Coward and the late Mary Allan Sykes. She graduated from Aiken High School and Anderson Junior College.

Mary Coward Norman was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Her love for gardening was expressed through her membership in the Wildwood Garden Club of Augusta, the outstanding beauty and comfort she created in her yards, and her ability to pass along a passion for the inner peace found in nature to her family members.

She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Augusta and for over 50 years, a member of a special bridge club in Augusta. Her acts of kindness were many and given at random She was proud of her place in life and very much a seeker of quiet peace and lasting affection.

Memorial gifts may be made to Arbor/Acres/Triad United Methodist Community, 1240 Arbor Road, Winston Salem, N.C., 27104 or to Millbrook Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Millbrook Baptist Church, 176 E Pine Log Road, Aiken, 29803. Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Avenue, Aiken, 29801. 803-642-3456.

The Augusta Chronicle June 30, 2002

Grace Coward Woodhead

This is the obituary notice of one of my cousins, whom I barely remember and seldom saw. She was the sister of Mary Coward Norman, subject of the previous post.
\
Mrs. Grace Woodhead
Homemaker
Thursday, November 23, 2000SHAREPRINT
AIKEN - Mrs. Grace Coward Woodhead, 83, of Two Notch Road, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000, at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Fred W. Andrea III officiating. Burial will be in Millbrook Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Woodhead, a lifelong resident of Aiken, was a homemaker and a volunteer at Hitchcock Rehabilitation Center. She was a member of Green Gardeners Club, Aiken Camellia Club, Junior Student Club and First Baptist Church, where she was a member of Senior Choir.
Survivors include two sons, Henry A. Woodhead, Alexandria, Va., and Ira W. Woodhead, Edisto Island; two daughters, Mary Alan Woodhead, Aiken, and Grace Woodhead, Hilton Head Island; a sister, Mary Norman, Winston-Salem, N.C.; and five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Ed Coward, Ira W. Coward, Philip Merry, J.R. Miller, Harry Shealy and Stew Maurice.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3157, Aiken, SC 29801; or to Hitchcock Rehabilitation Center, 690 Medical Park Drive, Aiken, SC 29801.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Shellhouse Funeral Home.
The Augusta Chronicle Nov. 23, 2000
From the Thursday, November 23, 2000 edition of the Augusta Chronicle

Harris Johnson

One day in March 2006 I learned of the death of my first cousin Hillyer Harris Johnson, Jr., at his home in Leesburg, FL, on March 4. He had been born December 12, 1923, in Washington, Georgia. His sister Vohammie called me Friday night to tell me that she and her two daughters, Lillian and Vohammie, had gone from their homes in North Carolina for the funeral in Leesburg on March 10. Harris and I had been close all our lives. Our fathers were brothers so we were first cousins. My great aunt, Elizabeth Sims Smith, widow of my great uncle, Raymond Smith, was to conduct a kindergarten upstairs in Harris's new house. We both attended, together with our cousin Mary Elizabeth Johnson, Lelia Cheney, Adelaide Wood, Sarah Oslin, Osborne Bounds, Jack Jackson, and James Blackmon. We all continued in school together until graduation in 1941. I was a better student than Harris, but he had an ability that I admired greatly - he was a great athlete. He was quarterback of our senior football team in 1940 that was not scored on and gained 269 points to none. We roomed together at Presbyterian College 1941-1942; went into the Army the same day, June 15, 1943; came back together in October 1943 at Mississippi State College; and went to OCS together in February 1944. We both failed to get commissioned at first, but Harris was permitted to try again and succeeded. He went to Panama and was in command of the narrow-gauge railroad service in the zone. We got out of the Army about the same time. I finished college at Presbyterian, but Harris transferred to the University of Georgia and earned a degree in landscape gardening, which he used in getting into landscaping in Leesburg, FL. He married a college-mate, had two sons, and ran a thriving business. I saw him about once a year while he was in Florida. We were both in Kiwanis and both went to the convention in Seattle in 1988. I rented a car there and Harris and I and our wives toured the area where Harris had served during the war.

Georgia Johnson

This is the obituary notice of the widow of my first cousin Raymond Rochford Johnson, Jr.

Georgia McGarity Johnson, 74, Peachtree City, died Nov. 7, 2004. She was born Dec. 19, 1929 in Dallas, Ga., the daughter of Charles Benjamin and Maybelle Hitchcock McGarity. She was a 1949 graduate of the University of Georgia. She served as a truant officer in Wilkes County, where she met her husband, the late Raymond Rochford “Sonny” Johnson. They married in 1952.

They had lived in Washington, GA;  Bryson City, N. C., where they owned and operated the Hemlock Inn. In 1969 they moved to Fairburn, and in 1971 moved to Peachtree City.

Graveside services were at Resthaven Cemetery, Washington, Ga. with the Rev. Charles Hooper officiating.

Survivors include children, Janette Johnson, Marietta; Virginia Johnson Weitnauer, Maryville, Tenn.; Alice Johnson Hicks, Cleveland, Ga.; and Raymond Rochford "Roch" Johnson, Atlanta;  grandchildren, Ford Johnson, Ben Johnson, Sam Johnson, and Libby Weitnauer.

Memorial donations may be made to Christian City, 7290 Lester Road, Union City, GA.,30291 or Children’s Restoration Network, 8891 Roswell Road, Dunwoody, GA. 30350. Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home, Peachtree City, was in charge.