Eugene Pike
Eugene T. Pike, 74, of Baldwin, died Monday, February 25, 2008, at BJC Medical Center in Commerce.
He was born in Dade County on July 14, 1933, the son of the late William Ezekial and Fannie Belle Smith Pike and was an air traffic controller. Mr. Pike was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy and Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
Survivors include a daughter, Sara Pike, Baldwin; son, Bevan Pike, Riverdale; and grandson, Adam Z. Clay, Baldwin.
The body was cremated and no services have been planned.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Chapter Alzheimer’s Association, 1925 Century Blvd., NE, Suite 10, Atlanta, Ga. 30345-3315.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Bessie Poole
Bessie N. Sisk Poole, 94, of Lula, died Sunday, February 17, 2008, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, following a brief illness.
She was a faithful member of Lula Baptist Church, where she was a choir member, and a WMU Director. She was retired from many years of service with Georgia Baptist Hospital as a nurse, and served as chief executive of UCT, as well as Eastern Star. Mrs. Poole was preceded in death by her husband, Joel Poole; brothers and sisters, Avery Nicholson, Annie Simmons, Floyce Dodd and Mollie Sisk.
Survivors include a son-in-law and wife, Richard and Joan Waits; brothers and sisters-in-law, John C. and Mildred Nicholson, Tommy L. and Wilma Nicholson, all of Gainesville; sisters-in-law, Lou Alice Nicholson, Gainesville, and Lois Nicholson, Homer; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 19, in the chapel of Little Davenport Funeral Home with the Revs. Doug Merck and Michael Smith officiating. Burial was at Westview Cemetery in Lula.
Little Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Ruby Dodson
Ruby Haynes Dodson, 81, of Lula, died Sunday, February 17, 2008, at Bell-Minor Nursing Home, following a brief illness.
She was born in Hall County, the daughter of the late Addie Grover and Cleo Loggins Haynes. She was a member of Belton Baptist Church and worked in the medical profession for many years. Mrs. Dodson was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Shedd; brothers, Fred Haynes, Dennis Haynes and Truett Haynes.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Sunny and Diane Smith, Lula; brother and sister-in-law, Artis and Kathryn Haynes, Lula; sister, Annie Evanoff, Lula; sisters-in-law, Elaine Haynes, Hampton, and Paula Haynes, Gainesville; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 20, at Belton Baptist Church with the Revs. Jewell Thomas and Harry Shedd officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Little Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Lurlene King
Lurlene Thompson King, 91, of Baldwin, died Monday, February 25, 2008, at Oak Heritage Healthcare, following an extended illness.
Born in Banks County on June 14, 1916, she was the daughter of the late R.O. and Ida Chastain Thompson. She and her husband were the owners and operators of K & L Cab Services and Rental Properties in Baldwin for over 50 years. She was a member of Baldwin Baptist Church, where she served in the Joy Sunday School Class. Mrs. King was preceded in death by her husband, Sandy N. King; a daughter, Doris Carolyn King; and an infant sister and brothers, Claude, Lewis, Roy and Abener Thompson.
She loved the Lord and always wanted to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world, according to loved ones. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Grace and Howard Hogsed, Toccoa; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Joyce King, Baldwin; grandchildren and spouses, David and Keri Hogsed, Waxhaw, N.C., Rodney and Sandra Payne, Criss and Pam Cobb, Stuart and Kim Gaines, all of Toccoa, Chris and Sherry Lewis and Tim Lewis, all of Maysville, Scott Lewis, Mt. Airy, Jack and Robin Davidson, Jefferson, Beth Lewis, Cornelia, Shad and Charity Boswell, Gulf Port, Miss., Rodney and Missy King and Jeff King, all of Baldwin, Reed and Angela Ballew, Clarkesville, and Steven and Camilla Rumsey, Alto; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 28, at 2 p.m., at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church with the Revs. Sherry Lewis and Jerrell Beatty officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, February 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Mary Ellen Saylors
Mary Ellen Harris Fincannon Saylors, 66, of Commerce, died Monday, February 25, 2008, at Grandview Care Center in Athens.
She was born in Franklin County, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Phillips Harris of Royston and the late Fred Harris.
Survivors in addition to her mother, include her husband, JD Saylors, Commerce; a daughter, Dana Lynn Harrin, Banks County; sons, Daniel Horace Varner and Larry Joe Fincannon, both of Banks County; step-children, Ernest JD Saylors, Toccoa, Lori Lynn Saylors, Stone Mountain; a sister, Annie Sue Herrin, Royston; brothers, Bobby Harris, Winterville, William Harris, Canon; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 27, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. Burial was in the Bold Springs Methodist Church cemetery, Franklin County.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Roy Blackledge
Roy Blackledge, 85, of Jefferson, died Friday, February 22, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospice House.
He was born on October 12, 1922, the son of the late Burton and Mildred Thonack Blackledge, and grew up in Rutherford, N.J., in a family of 10 children. He attended Bergen Junior College and the 30CTD at Xavier University as an Army Air Corps Cadet. He then joined the Army Air Corps, serving as a second lieutenant, where he was a twin-engine bomber pilot. The war ended before he saw active duty, and he remained in the reserves for 12 years. He was a quality engineer and supervisor with the Flintkote Company and retired after 32 years, as a purchasing manager with Bendix Aviation. During this time, he received an award for his participation with the Apollo Space Program and the Federation of the Handicap. Mr. Blackledge was preceded in death by a son, John Durfee.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Anna Blackledge, Jefferson; a daughter, Francine Taylor, Mt. Pleasant, N.C.; sons, Edward Durfee, Northvale, N.J., Steven Durfee, Gillsville, Richard Durfee, Blooming Grove; a brother, Frank, Augusta; sister, Alva, Wayne, N.J.; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 1, at 1 p.m., in the Commerce First Presbyterian Church with Minister Gaye Brown officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Hospice, 700 S. Enota St., Ste. 202, Gainesville, Ga. 30501; Peachtree Christian Hospice, 3430 Duluth Park Lane, Duluth, Ga. 30096; or the St. Mary’s Hospice House, 1660 Jennings Mill Rd., Bogart, Ga. 30622.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Jerry Sailers
Jerry Rogers Sailers, 69, of Orange Park, Fla., formerly of Homer, died Sunday, December 30, 2007.
He was born in Jackson County on March 30, 1938, the son of Walter Sailers and Carrie Shelnutt Sailers. He graduated from Banks County High School in 1956, where he was active in baseball and basketball. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1961, serving during the Vietnam Conflict and eventually retiring in September, 1991, after serving 31 years of decorated service as a Command Master Chief. During his years of service, he was active in sports and was a member of the All Navy Softball Team in 1976 and 1977. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for the recreational department at Jacksonville Naval Air Station.
He enjoyed being surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their recreational activities, according to loved ones. Mr. Sailers was preceded in death by brothers, Dupree and Donald Sailers; and a sister, Merle Sailers Jones.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Mildred Meeks Sailers, formerly of Maysville; a son, Anthony Rogers Sailers; daughter and son-in-law, Tanya Sailers and David Kuramoto, Jacksonville, Fla.; six grandchildren, Kierstin, Lauren and Alyssa Sailers, Ryan, Tyler and Jacob Kuramoto; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Lona Sailers, Jacksonville, Fla., and John and Edna Sailers, Acworth; and many other family members.
Jerry will be missed and remembered by friends he made, the family he took such great care of and the lives he touched. You can send his family a message at legacy.com.
Announcement courtesy of the Sailers family.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
George Blalock
George Thomas Blalock, 69, of Nicholson, died Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center.
He was born May 5, 1938 in Walton County to the late John Hoke and Edna Merle Swindle Blalock and was a retired auto body worker.
Mr. Blalock was a Christian with a heart of compassion for his family, friends and animals. He was “Papa George” to all children, according to loved ones. Mr. Blalock was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Watson.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Glinda Ann Williams Blalock, Nicholson; daughter, Beverly Blalock, Commerce; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Johnny Stancil, Jefferson; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Jonathon and Jennifer Stancil, Jefferson; granddaughter, Holly Gaddis, Commerce; great-grandchildren; Chance and Kyler Stancil, Jefferson; nephew, Wayne Powell, Commerce; nephew and niece-in-law, Tommy and Janet Watson, Commerce; great- nephew, Josh Brockman, Commerce; great-niece, Samantha Watson, Commerce; aunts, Ollie Raven, Greenville, S.C. and Pearl Swindle, Spartanburg, S.C.; uncle, Ben Swindle, Greenville, S.C.; and his dog, Bugger.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, February 26, at Howington Cemetery in Nicholson with the Revs. Tommy Watson and Troy Herbert officiating.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Estelle Welborn
Estelle R. Welborn, 90, of Gillsville, died Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at her residence. Born in Banks County, she was the daughter of the late David and Minnie Brown Reid. She was a retired teacher’s aide for Gillsville Elementary School and was a member of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Mrs. Welborn was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Welborn; brothers, L.C. Reid, Major Reid, Ed Reid and Pledger Reid; sisters, Minnie Ruth Morris, Annie Mae Carlan and Oma Nell Suggs.
Survivors include a son, Willis H. Welborn, Comer; daughter, Janice W. Pritchett, Gainesville; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 22, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with the Revs. Ralph O. Smith, Swayne Carlan and James Duncan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Annie Griffin
Annie Claire Griffin, 77, of Commerce, died Thursday, February 21, 2008, at BJC Medical Center in Commerce.
She was born in Banks County, daughter of the late William Monroe and Eva Madeline Gordon, and was a member of the First Methodist Church of Commerce. Mrs. Griffin was preceded in death by her husband, GL Griffin.
Survivors include daughters, Ellen Miller, Canton, Kathy Simmering, Ft. Myers, Fla., and Mary Shallenberger, Powder Springs; a son, Groves Lester Griffin III, Douglasville; brothers, Milton Gordon, Greer, S.C., and Dillard Gordon, Clayton; a sister, Sara Myrte Ingram, Lafayette; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 24, at the First Methodist Church of Commerce with the Rev. David Bowen officiating. Burial was in the Homer Presbyterian Church cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Elnora Gailey
Elnora Gailey, 91, of Alto, died Saturday, February 23, 2008, at a private nursing facility following an extended illness.
Born in Banks County on November 29, 1916, she worked for several years at Carwood and was a homemaker. She was a member of B.C. Grant Baptist Church, was an avid gardener and enjoyed planting flowers. Mrs. Gailey was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Gailey; and a son, Ray Gailey.
Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell and Edith Gailey, Alto; daughter-in-law Ruby Youngblood Gailey, Cleveland; brothers and sisters-in-law, Horace and Pat Bennett and C.D. and Bert Bennett, all of Alto; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 25, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Doyal Conley officiating. Burial was in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Pauline Lewallen
Pauline M. Lewallen, 88, of Commerce, died Sunday, February 24, 2008, at BJC Nursing Home.
She was born in Banks County, December 26, 1919 to the late Grover Cleveland and Laura Shubert Merck. She was a caregiver.
Survivors include sons, Jerry N. and Norman C. Lewallen, both of Commerce; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 26, from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Troy Herbert officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Fred Martin
Fred William Martin, 74, of Commerce, died Monday, February 25, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Franklin County on August 27, 1933, he was the son of the late Willie and Loudez Byrd Martin. He retired from Royston Corporation and was a member of Hudson River Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Joyce Reems Martin, Commerce; a son, Mark Martin, Commerce; daughter, Marcia Ayers, Carnesville; and four grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 28, at 2 p.m. at Hudson River Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Troy Herbert officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
