Marguerite Bennett
Marguerite A. Bennett, 91, of Gillsville, died Monday, May 21, 2007, at BJC Nursing Home in Commerce.
She was the daughter of the late Elsworth and Aline Smith. Mrs. Bennett was preceded in death by her husband, Otha N. Bennett; a brother, Roland Smith; and sister, Giselle Wilcox.
Survivors include a brother, Walter Smith, Elmira, N.Y.; sisters, Gloria Miller, Bradenton, Fla., and Neolla Hughes, Elmira, N.Y.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 23, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Calhoun officiating. Burial was in Jackson Memorial Park.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
Jack Finch
Jack Finch, 75, of Jefferson, died Sunday, May 20, 2007.
He was born in Barrow County on October 16, 1931, and was the son of the late Rufus Leslie and Annie Lou Hardigree Finch. He was retired from the University of Georgia AC shop, a member of VFW #2872, Fleet Reserve, and the Bogart Christian Church. Mr. Finch was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy with 20 years of service during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Finch, Jefferson; daughters, Sheila Crim, Maysville, and Stacy Williamson, Jefferson; sister, Mary Ann Prater, Winder; brother, Donald Finch, Winder; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 24, at 2 p.m., at the graveside in the Barrow Memorial Gardens in Winder with the Rev. John Burchfield officiating. The family will meet with friends Wednesday, May 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
Jewell Parr
Jewell Pruitt Parr, 77, of Athens, died Sunday, May 20, 2007.
She was a native of Cook County and was the daughter of the late Ernest Wiley and Ruby Edith Warran Pruitt. She was a retired bank teller with C&S National Bank and was a member of Byne Memorial Baptist Church in Albany, and attended Crooked Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Parr was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Stephen Parr; and a son, Kenneth B. Parr.
Survivors include a son, Anthony S. Parr, Athens; sisters, Betty Croft, Madison, Edna Sweat and Christine Woodard, both of Gainesville, Fla.; brothers, E.W. Pruitt, Jacksonville, Fla., Leonard Pruitt, Commerce, James Buddy Pruitt, Winter Haven, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 23, at the Crooked Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Bill Carpenter and Tom Miles officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
‘Bobbie’ Little
Barbara Ann “Bobbie” Ledford Little, 74, of Jefferson, died Friday, May 18, 2007, following a brief illness.
She was born on February 20, 1933, in Jackson County, and was the daughter of the late Otha Q. and Anice Johnson Ledford. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson.
Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Jack D. Little, Jefferson; daughter and son-in-law, Lanice Little and Joe Couch, Jefferson; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Candice Little, Dacula, and Bryan and Carolyn Little, Jefferson; brother-in-law, Don Jones, Charlotte, N.C.; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 21, at the First Baptist Church of Jefferson with the Revs. Dean Bryant and Mark Mullis officiating. Burial was in Woodbine Cemetery, Jefferson.
Pallbearers were Dr. Stephen Little, Powell Sailors, Michael Sailors, Bradley Little, Roger Little, Don Little, Gary Jones and Randall Little.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Odyssey Foundation, Odyssey Health Care, 575 Research Drive, Suite A, Athens, Ga. 30605.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
Kyle Redd
Kyle Gregory Redd, 18, of Jefferson, died Sunday, May 20, 2007.
He was born on August 21, 1988, in DeKalb County, and was the son of Greg and Mitzi Primozic Redd of Jefferson. He was a senior at Jackson County Comprehensive High School, where he was a honor student and was to graduate Friday, May 25, 2007. He was a goalie on the varsity soccer team, a punter on the football team and ran cross-country. He also was a summer counselor at Camp Juliana for the hearing impaired and was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
Survivors in addition to his parents include a brother, Lucas Redd, Jefferson; step-brother, Cody Redd, Norcross; grandmother, Rita Redd, Jefferson; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 23, at 6 p.m., at the Bethany United Methodist Church with the Rev. Johnny Ray and Deacon Lou Primozic officiating. Pallbearers will be Shawn Self, Chris Cornelison, Russ Williams, Will Jackson, Mickey Tallman, Jay Fowler, Marshall Collins and Justin Varnell.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
Gladys Pittman
Gladys Williams Pittman, of Nicholson, Saturday, died May 19, 2007, at Metropolitan Hospice at Serenity Manor in Marietta.
She was the daughter of the late Charlie and Sunie Brewer Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford E. Pittman; infant son, Charles; siblings, Lyda Williams Spratlin, Kathleen Williams Garrison, William Mell Williams, Chester L. Williams, Herbert F. Williams, Joan Williams and Wilma Williams Rice.
Survivors include a sister, Joyce Williams Maddox; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 21, at the Gordon’s Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Passmore officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gordon’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Attn: Cemetery Fund, 6625 Nowhere Rd., Hull, Ga. 30646.
Bridges Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
‘Jim’ Burcham
James Walter “Jim” Burcham, 64, of Buford, died Wednesday, May 16, 2007, following a brief illness.
He was a native of Wytheville, Va., and lived in Buford for the past 25 years. He was formerly employed by BellSouth and was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. Mr. Burcham was a veteran, having served in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Sharon Burcham, Buford; daughters and sons-in-law, Charmayne and Mike Waldrip and Missy and Ray Emmett, all of Braselton, Tammy and Brian Prather, Maysville, Beth and Shane Chudy, Flowery Branch; son, Darriel Burcham, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Ashley and Brian, Laura, Kristie, Kayla, Aaron, Chris, Brandon, Cody, Aaron P.; great-grandson, Sean; brothers and sister-in-law, Sam and Teresa Burcham, Virginia, John Burcham, Bremen; sister, Catherine Arnold, Virginia; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 19, at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel with the Revs. Danny Newbern and Paul Wade officiating. Burial was in Zion Hill Baptist Church cemetery, Buford.
Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel and Gardens, Buford, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
Evelyn Krause
Evelyn Allie Paksyla Krause, 85, of Carnesville, died Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at her residence.
She was born in St. Louis County, Minn., and was the daughter of the late Olaf and Anna Mattson Paksyla. She was a member of the Assention Lutheran Church of Landover Hills, Md., and was a stenographer. Mrs. Krause was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Krause Sr.; brother, Robert Paksyla; sisters, Kathren Amic, Ellen Saari, Ethel Johnson, Etta Struna, Pearl Kaija, June Paksyla; and a grandson, Joseph Krause.
Survivors include sons, Philip Krause Jr., Gambrills, Md., Paul Krause, Carnesville, and John Krause, Maysville; daughters, Carol Garrett, Maysville, and Peggy Garrett, Carnesville; sister, Mildred Lebeau, Windsor, Colo.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 18, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. James McLendon officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Memorial Park.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 3007.
Ruby Parker
Ruby L. Parker, 91, of Homer, died Friday, May 18, 2007, at Oak Heritage Nursing Home in Baldwin.
She was born in Banks County and was the daughter of the late Albert and Bertha Kelly Logan. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include sons, Jerry Parker, Gillsville, Bobby Parker, Nicholson; daughters, Verdina Jacks, Homer, Dorothy Fields, Nicholson; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Saturday, May 19, at the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church cemetery with the Rev. Bob Reynolds officiating.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
Nancy Baird
Nancy P. Baird, 68, of Hull, died Friday, May 18, 2007, following an extended illness.
She was the daughter of the late Charles and Clifford Kesler Potts and was a retired school teacher.
Survivors include her husband, Lamar Baird, Hull; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Kim Baird, Nashville, Tenn.; daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Scott Williams, Hull; and a grandson, Jackson Williams.
Memorial services were held Sunday, May 20, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Manus officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Help a Child Fund at Commerce Elementary School.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
James Patton
James Wallace Patton, 84, of Greensboro, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at Hill Haven Nursing Home in Commerce.
He was born in Greensboro on September 7, 1922, and was the son of the late Marion O. Patton Sr. and Lucy Cox Patton. He graduated from Greensboro High School in 1940. In 1946 he joined J.H. McCommons Co., where he was the manager of the grocery department. In 1950 he received his license as a funeral director from Gupton Jones Embalming School and continued to work at McCommons Funeral Home for 61 years.
He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Greensboro, where he served as deacon, secretary-treasurer of Hamp’s Sunday School Class for 36 years, and chairman of the Property Committee since 1989. He was the first one at church at all services and the last one to leave, taking care of the heat, air conditioning and locking up, according to loved ones. He was a member of VFW Post 4259 where he served as Quarter Master for over 51 years, was secretary for the San Marino Lodge #34 for 46 years, the second longest active term in the state of Georgia. He had a love for gardening, enjoyed camping in the mountains, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him, loved ones added.
Mr. Patton was a veteran, having served in the United States Army Air Corps, and was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth McDonald Patton.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Debbie Sue Patton and Sam Brice, Commerce; grandchildren, Kim Fuller, Duluth, and James Fuller, Athens; brother, Roger G. Patton, Vacaville, Calif.; faithful dog companion, Abby; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 17, at the First Baptist Church in Greensboro with the Rev. Michael Hardy officiating. Burial was at Greensboro City Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Robert Simpson, Jimmy Wheeler, Johnny Lewis, Fred Moon, Pep Stone, Sidney Bryson and Chris Houston. Honorary pallbearers were members of the San Marino Lodge, Hamp’s Sunday School Class, Mike Vinson, Jim Cox, Hamilton Coronet, the staff of McCommons Funeral Home, Steve McCommons, Billy McCommons, Curtis Whitaker, Richard Smith, Wynn Copelan, Milton Meadows, Dede Smith and Trudy McCommons.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 203 S. Main Street, Greensboro, Ga. 30642.
McCommons Funeral Home, Greensboro, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
Destin Hattaway
Destin James Hattaway, 24, died Sunday, May 20, 2007, at BJC Hospital in Commerce.
Born in Clarke County, he was the son of Dennis and Judy Hattaway. He had attended Riverside Baptist Church in Colbert, graduated from the Georgia School for the Deaf in 2001, and was presently attending Athens Technical College.
Survivors in addition to his parents include a sister and brother-in-law, Franchesca and Tripp Hill, Comer; nephew, Isaac Hill; maternal grandparents, Roy and Martha Lord, Ila; maternal great-grandparents, Claude and Frances Horne, Danielsville; paternal grandparents, Eugene and Iola Hattaway, Danielsville; aunts and uncles, Bo Lord, Sherry Angel, Tony Lord, Diana Lord, Christy Lord, Greg Lord, Cory Lord, Kenneth Hattaway, Miriam David, Donna Scott, Steven Hattaway, Linda Jordan; fiancé, Carrie Adams, Athens.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 23, at Riverside Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Wood officiating. Burial was in Athens Memory Gardens. Pallbearers were Micah Lee, Shawn Self, Doyle Blevins, Tripp Hill, Greg Lord and Cory Lord.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
William Skinner
William Christopher Skinner, 21, of Commerce, died Sunday, May 20, 2007, in Shreveport, La.
He was born on November 13, 1985, in Gwinnett County, and was the son of John Roy Skinner of Savannah. He was a machine operator and was of the Holiness faith.
Survivors in addition to his father include his wife, Amelia Marie Bowles Skinner, Commerce; one unborn child; grandmother, Barbara Skinner, Maysville; sister, Jessica Nicole Spagnalou, Commerce; brother, Matthew John Skinner, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; several aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 26, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Chambers and Eric Landers officiating.
The family will receive friends Friday, May 25, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, 706-367-5467, is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
‘Skeeter’ Gordon
Hugh Lee “Skeeter” Gordon, 51, of Maysville, died Monday, May 21, 2007.
He was born in Jackson County on March 5, 1956, and was the son of William and Louise Edwards Gordon of Maysville. He was a poultry farmer and a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church. Mr. Gordon was preceded in death by a brother, Randy Gordon.
Survivors in addition to his parents include his wife, Gloria Morgan Gordon, Maysville; son, Chase Gordon, Maysville; daughter and son-in-law, April and Chip Vickery, Carnesville; grandchildren, Hannah, Corey and Shayna Vickery, all of Carnesville; and a sister, Laretta Mason, Homer.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 24, at 11 a.m., at Ridgeway Baptist Church with the Revs. Bill Manus and Swayne Cochran officiating. Burial will be at Jackson Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, May 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, May 23, 2007.
