Stephen Thorne
Stephen James Thorne, 58, of Homer, died Sunday, March 9, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens, following a brief illness.
He was born in Leaf River, Ill., on December 21, 1949, the son of the late Benjamin and Pauline Buisker Thorne. He was the owner/operator of Thorne Equipment Company, was Methodist, and was a musician. Mr. Thorne was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Myers.
Survivors include his wife, Sarah Jean Caudell Thorne, Homer; sisters, Lois Love, Pendergrass, and Myrna Umphlett, Durham, N.C.; sister-in-law, Shirley Robertson, Homer; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 11, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Revs. Roy Rogers and Billy Burrell officiating. Burial was in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ Memorial and Honor Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, or American Heart Association, 1353 Jennings Mill Rd., Suite A, Bogart, Ga. 30622.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
J.T. Moore
J.T. Moore, 88, of Maysville, died Friday, March 7, 2008, at the BJC Hospital, following a brief illness.
He was born on May 15, 1919, in Banks County, the son of the late George and Cora Whitfield Moore. He was a farmer and a member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army in combat during World War II. Mr. Moore was preceded in death by his wife, Sybil, whom he loved and missed dearly; and brothers, Thomas D. Moore and George H. Moore.
Survivors include brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Jinner Moore, Maysville, Kenneth and Sue Moore, Flowery Branch; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bonnie and Aaron Cash, Chattanooga, Tenn., Barbara Sue and Benny Holcomb, Gillsville, Ruby and Wayne Abernathy, Lula, Reba and Ray Aiken, Maysville; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 10, at Little-Ward Chapel with the Rev. Marshall Dale officiating. Burial was in Jackson Memorial Park Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Lois Westmoreland
Lois Estelle Westmoreland, 94, of Lula, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at BJC Nursing Home.
She was born in Banks County on May 4, 1913 to the late Henry and Rosa Garner Forrester. She was a member at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and she retired from New Holland Mills where she worked in the spinning room. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Westmoreland.
Survivors include five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 7, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with the Revs. Ralph O. Smith and James Duncan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Allene Sanders
Allene Jeanette Sanders, 93, of Homer, died Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at BJC Nursing Home.
She was born in Banks County to the late James Newton and Eunice Chambers Bellamy. She was a member of Homer Presbyterian Church and was retired from Blue Bell. Mrs. Sanders was preceded in death by her husband, Young Sanders; son, Maxx Sanders Sr.; and a daughter, Betty Jean Sanders.
Survivors include daughter-in-law, Margie Sanders, Homer; grandson, Maxx Sanders Jr., Homer; granddaughters, Sheryl Hall, Lula and Deborah Gary, Homer; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 7, at the Homer Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bill Ford officiating. Burial was in Banks Memorial Gardens.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Homer Merrill
Homer Jake Merrill, 90, of Jefferson, died Friday, March 7, 2008, at his residence.
He was a native of Mars Hill, N.C., and was retired from Olin Corporation after 38 years of service.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Ruby “Irene” Merrill, Jefferson; son and daughter-in-law, Russell and Susan Merrill, Navarra, Fla.; daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Jeff Goodman, Maysville, and Sharon and Vonell Wilson, Gainesville; sisters, Lucille Sronce and Ora Fox, both of Mars Hill, N.C.; grandson, Scott Merrill, Brevard, N.C.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 11, in the chapel of Moody-Connolly Funeral Home with the Rev. Raymond Whitfield officiating. Burial was in Pisgah Gardens.
Local arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, 706-367-5467.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, Brevard, N.C.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Hazel Spencer
Hazel Martin Spencer, 91, of Athens, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008.
Born in Hancock County, she was the daughter of the late Lee O. and Leila Martin. She resided in Jackson County and Clarke County, where she owned and operated a grocery store for more than 20 years. She was a member of Prospect Methodist Church. Mrs. Spencer was preceded in death by her husband, William Spencer Jr.; and a son, William Reece Spencer.
Survivors include a daughter, Jackie Spencer Braswell, Athens; brother, Wilburn Martin, Maysville; grandchildren, Jonathan Braswell, William Reece Spencer II, and Kim Spencer; and several nieces.
Graveside services were held Thursday, March 6, from the Redstone United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Vicky Brown
Vicky June Gunter Brown, 60, of Commerce, died Wednesday, March 5, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of Mildred Blalock Gunter and the late Ernest Gunter and was retired from the University of Georgia, having served as office manager of the Georgia Museum of Art.
Survivors in addition to her mother, include her husband, Nelson Brown, Commerce; a daughter and son-in-law, Darina Brown and William R. Boleman, Hartwell; brother and sister-in-law, Todd and Tara Gunter, Commerce; grandchildren, Lanae Boleman and Gevin Boleman; nephew, Anthony Drake; and niece, Valerie Drake.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 8, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Smith, Charles Vaughn and Robert Flippo officiating. Burial was in Jackson Memorial Park.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Ruby Kennedy
Ruby McGee Kennedy, 79, of Commerce, died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at her residence.
Born in Madison County, she was the daughter of the late James and Mamie Satterfield McGee. She was a member of Beaverdam Baptist Church and was a homemaker. Mrs. Kennedy was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Kennedy.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Dennis Marlow, Pendergrass; sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Kathy Kennedy and Keith and Tonia Kennedy, all of Commerce; sisters, Lucy Phillips, Ila, Geneva McElroy, Commerce, and Gail Grogan, Athens; brothers, James McGee Jr., Willie McGee and Freddie McGee, all of Ila; grandchildren, Justin, Taylor and Mackenzie Kennedy, all of Commerce.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 9, at the Beaverdam Baptist Church with the Rev. Chad Payne officiating. Burial was in the Jackson Memorial Gardens.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Everett Minor
Everett D. Minor, 74, of Gainesville, died Wednesday, March 5, 2008.
A native of Hall County, he was the son of the late Hugh P. and Lois Martin Minor, was an avid golfer, and a member of the Antioch United Methodist Church. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army as a pilot. Mr. Minor was preceded in death by a daughter, Rene Minor.
Survivors include his wife, Pat Minor, Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Maureen and Robert Howe, Manassas Park, Va., Kim and Bobby Miller, Lula, and Beth Gilstrap, Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, J.D. and Teri Minor, Gainesville; grandchildren, Robert Everett Howe, Rachel Howe, Rylee Howe, Ross Howe, Rob Minor, Bailey Minor, Josh Miller, Jordan Miller, Leighann Gilstrap, Rhonda English and Alisha Etris; sister, Olivia Whelchel, Gainesville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Hugh P. Minor Jr. and Lorraine Minor, Gainesville, Henry and Margaret Minor, Cleveland; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 7, in the chapel of Mason and Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Annette Black officiating. Burial was in Alta Vista Cemetery.
Mason and Ward Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Elizabeth Ann McKie
Elizabeth Ann McKie, 56, of Monroe, died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at her residence.
Born on May 10, 1951, in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late J.R. and Myrtle Smallwood McKie. She was a member at Cabin Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include brothers, James McKie, Nicholson, Jim McKie, Lexington, and Tommy McKie, Commerce; sisters, Wanda McKie Compton, Comer, and Mary McKie, Nicholson.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 8, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Segars officiating. Burial was in the Grey Hill Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Todd Hunter
Todd Hunter, 43, of Cornelia, died Sunday, March 9, 2008, at his residence, following an extended illness.
Born in Habersham County on May 31, 1964, he was the son of Edna Bramlett Hunter and the late Kenneth Hunter. He was a brick mason and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Survivors in addition to his mother, include a brother and sister-in-law, Anthony and Wanda Hunter, Cornelia; grandmother, Ellen Bramlett, Cornelia; nephews, Adam Hunter, Brian Hunter and Chad Hunter, all of Cornelia.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 11, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Russ Barker officiating. Burial was in Level Grove Cemetery.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Dr. Young Dalton
Dr. Young Dalton, 76, died Saturday, March 8, 2008.
He was born on December 12, 1931, the son of the late Lester and Lillie Meeks Dalton. He was preceded in death by brothers, Cranford and L.T. Dalton; and sisters, Vassie Long, Ruth Prewitt, and Myrtle Woodring; and a son, Rodney Dalton.
He had a Honorary Humanities Doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University and served 55 years as a pastor in the Baptist ministry. He founded numerous churches and a Christian school. He last ministered at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Brentwood, Calif., from 1983 to 1996, and was employed with Affiliated Media in Dallas, Texas, on their ministerial council. He enjoyed word puzzles, watching his grandsons sporting events, and riding his golf cart around the ranch, loved ones added.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Taylor Dalton; children, Celeste Dalton Boyd, Van Dalton, Trenda Dalton-Seiber; grandsons, Kevin Boyd, California, and Scotty Seiber, Argyle, Texas; sister, Francine Shepherd, Mooresville, Ind., sister-in-law, Johnnie Lee Dalton, Baldwin.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 10, 2008, in the chapel of Flower Mound Family Funeral Home. Burial was in Old Hall Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Feed the Children, or Manowe Foundation.
Flower Mound Family Funeral Home, Flower Mound, Texas, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Kathleen Ramsey
Kathleen Ramsey, 52, of Homer, died Friday, February 29, 2008.
Born on April 2, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Ed and Elizabeth Ramsey. Mrs. Ramsey was preceded in death by four brothers and sisters; and a very special friend, Fred Jones.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jerald Christopher Bernard and Juanita Ramsey, Mobile, Ala.; daughter, Vilvet Pershone Ramsey, Jefferson; sisters and brother-in-law, Ruby Spidell and Mary Ramsey, both of Gainesville, Christine and Dennis Mitchell, Athens, Viola Gillespie, Homer, and Tina David, Toccoa; brothers and sister-in-law, O.B. Ramsey, Gainesville, and Ralph and Alice Ramsey, Commerce; six grandchildren, Dikerrio, Terrick, and Ka-sha Ramsey, and their mother, Stacey Ramsey, Cameron, Autumn and Atalaya Adams; and a host of nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 6, at Homer First Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred Wilson officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Eberhart & Son Mortuary, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Bonnie Lou Kelly
Bonnie Lou Kelly, 51, of Winder, died Monday, March 10, 2008.
Born in South Shore, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Garland Wesley and Francis Jane Clarry Darnell, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Kelly was preceded in death by a son, Jason Kelly; and sister, Brenda Howard.
Survivors include a special friend, Gerald Racine, Winder; sons and daughters-in-law, James and Kathy Ruggles, Nicholson, Jeffrey and Stacey Ruggles, Portsmith, Ohio; daughters and sons-in-law, Janie Lou and Mitchell Bennett, Commerce, Jennie Kay and Jason Hollis, Pendergrass, Melissa Rachel Racine, Winder; brothers, Chuck Darnell, Kentucky, George Darnell, Ohio; sister, Beverly Love, Hartwell; nine grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
No memorial services are scheduled at this time.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
Michael Wilson
Michael Jeffery Wilson, 43, of Commerce, died Saturday, March 8, 2008.
He was born on April 16, 1964, in Cobb County, the son of the late Leon and Billie Jo Pierce Wilson. He was an Elder of the Commerce Presbyterian Church and was a driver for Papa John’s Pizza.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Green Wilson, Commerce; son, Walker Wilson, Commerce; daughter, Ellie Wilson, Commerce; brother, Keith Wilson, Marietta; sister, Lechia Tankersley, Austell; and aunts, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m., in the Commerce Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Gaye Brown officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 to 2:00 Sunday, March 16.
The family respectfully request that flowers be omitted and donations made to Michael Wilson Memorial Fund with First Commerce Bank, P.O. Box 210, Commerce, Ga. 30529.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, March 12, 2008.
