December 12, 2001

John M. Bishop
John Mobley Bishop Sr., 64, of Cornelia, died Sunday, December 9, 2001, at a private nursing home following an extended illness.
Mr. Bishop was born in Dorchester County, S.C., on April 6, 1937. He was a son of the late Sidney and Harriet Cunningham Bishop.
Mr. Bishop was a U.S. Army veteran and was employed as a truck driver with North America Truck Lines, with 20 years of service. He was a member of Good News Baptist Church.
Mr. Bishop was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Helen Tidwell Bishop, two sisters, Annie Mazell and Harriet McCullican, and two brothers, Herbert Bishop and Johnny Bishop.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 11, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, with the Revs. Austin Kelley and Clarence Reynolds officiating. Burial was in Level Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Debbie Faye Boisclair, Alto; two sons, Randy Lee Bishop, Mt. Airy, and John Mobley Bishop Jr., Alto; three sisters, Ellen Bishop, Summerville, S.C., Ruth Hutto, Harleyville, S.C., and Mary Bishop, Sullivan Island, S.C.; two brothers, Richard Bishop and Hamet Bishop, both of Harleyville, S.C.; and six grandchildren.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Grady Green
Grady Green, 48, of Maysville, died Sunday, December 9, 2001.
Mr. Green was a native of Fulton County. He was employed in construction and was of the Baptist denomination.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Auburn, with the Rev. Jimmy Dunn officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Green is survived by his wife, Karen Lily Hayes Green, Maysville; two sons, Grady Lee Green Jr. and Robert Dwayne Green, both of Maysville; his mother, Mrs. Ethel Mae Green, Winder; three brothers, William Carter Green Jr., Auburn, and David Daniel Green and Billy Ray Green, both of Winder; two sisters, Annie Sue Green Scruggs and Regina Ann Green, both of Auburn; two grandchildren, four nieces and four nephews.
Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Donna J. Neely
Mrs. Donna Jean Neely, 68, of Commerce, died Wednesday, December 5, 2001.
A native of Lawrence County, Ind., Mrs. Neely was the daughter of the late Clarence and Marie Byers Reynolds.
She was employed with Wal-Mart, working in the jewelry department, and had worked for Pacific Bell in California and Southern Bell in Louisiana. She also worked many years for Max Factor Cosmetics in Hollywood, Calif.
Mrs. Neely belonged to the Professional Business Association of Huntsville, Mo. She was a professional seamstress and loved sewing evening gowns, said family members. Her hobbies included knitting afghan quilts and baking candies and pies.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 8, at Grove Level Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Williams officiating.
Mrs. Neely is survived by her husband, Floyd E. Neely, Commerce; two sons, Rick W. Neely, Nicholson, and Steve Neely, Livermore, Calif.; one daughter, Debra Brandis, Danielsville; one brother, Jim Reynolds, Indianapolis, Ind.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Donna Neely Fund, c/o Community Bank & Trust, P.O. Box 59, Commerce, GA 30529.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

John T. Ferguson
John Thomas Ferguson, 49, of Gillsville, died Thursday, December 6, 2001, at BJC Medical Center, Commerce.
Born November 17, 1952, in Jackson County, Mr. Ferguson was a son of Lillie Mae Tate Ferguson, Gillsville, and the late William Patrick Ferguson.
He was employed with Wrigley’s and was of the Methodist denomination.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 9, at Midway United Methodist Church with the Revs. Marshall Dale and Phil Ferguson officiating. Burial was in Midway Cemetery, Gillsville.
Survivors include five brothers, Benjamin J. Ferguson, James P. Ferguson, Richard A. Ferguson and Robert E. Ferguson, all of Gillsville, and William L. Ferguson, Springdale, Ark.; and two sisters, Patsy Davis, Homer, and Joan Faust, Hartwell.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Gussie Mae Franklin
Mrs. Gussie Mae Alexander Franklin, 78, of Mt. Airy, died Friday, December 7, 2001, at Habersham County Medical Center following a sudden illness.
Born in Rabun County on August 19, 1923, Mrs. Franklin was a daughter of the late Gus Lee and Fannie Bell Warren Alexander.
She was a homemaker and was a charter member of Victory Baptist Church, where she formerly served as a Sunday School teacher. Mrs. Franklin was preceded in death by a grandson, Eddie Allen, and a sister, Sarah Franklin. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 10, at Victory Baptist Church with the Revs. David Nix and Richard Horne officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Franklin is survived by her husband, Gladston Franklin, Mt. Airy; daughters and sons-in-law, Eleanor and Wallace Owens, Brenda and Tommy James and Teresa and Keith Allen, all of Mt. Airy; son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Janie Franklin, Mt. Airy; son, Terrell Franklin, Clarkesville; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Clarence H. Matthews
Clarence Harold Matthews, 87, of Nicholson, died Wednesday, December 5, 2001, at his residence.
A native of Jackson County, Mr. Matthews was born March 22, 1914. He was a son of the late Homer Milton and Lillie Mae Greene Matthews.
Mr. Matthews was a carpenter and was a member of Antioch United Methodist Church.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 8, at Antioch United Methodist Church with the Revs. Richard Cathy and Mike Mims officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Matthews is survived by his wife, Edna Louise Guyton Matthews, Nicholson; one son, Rusty Matthews, Nicholson; three daughters, Patrice Ayers, Donna Fortson and Denise Matthews, all of Nicholson; one brother, Jim Matthews, Nicholson; three sisters, Opal Fields, Athens, and Vera Jackson and Hallie Matthews, both of Nicholson; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

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Gene Sosebee
Gene Sosebee, 68, of Alto, died Sunday, December 9, 2001.
A native of Hall County, Mr. Sosebee was a son of the late Roy Lee and Bessie Pierce Sosebee.
He was a self-employed printer and served in the National Guard. Mr. Sosebee was of the Baptist denomination.
He was preceded in death by a son, David Sosebee, a brother, Bud Sosebee and a sister, Eloise Wilson.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 10, in the Crossroads Baptist Church cemetery with the Rev. Clyde Garrison officiating.
Survivors include two daughters, Jeannie McCallister and Peggy Sosebee, both of Cornelia; five sons, Donald Sosebee, Glenn Sosebee and Johnny Sosebee, all of Cornelia, Douglas Sosebee, Homer, and Ronald Sosebee, Gainesville; two brothers, Hayden Sosebee and Dayton Sosebee, both of Alto; one sister, Bronez Turner, Alto; several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Mackenzie Grindle
Mackenzie Savannah Grindle, 3 months, infant daughter of Jason and Marie Payne Grindle, Gainesville, died Saturday, December 8, 2001.
Mackenzie was born in Habersham County.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, at the Living Faith Sanctuary with Billy Cagle and the Revs. Elizabeth Christopherson, J.R. Savage and James Harvey officiating. Burial was in the Mountain View Baptist Church cemetery.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, include grandparents, Mitchell and Donna Payne, Demorest, and Pat and Roger Abernathy and James and Susie Grindle, all of Gainesville; great-grandparents, Nelson and Elizabeth Hewell, Alto, Ross and Loraine Arrowood, Hiawassee, and William and Florence Payne, Baldwin; and great-great-grandmothers, Mary Waldon, Gainesville, and Pauline Nicholson, Hiawassee.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

William
M. Ayers
William Marion “Bill” Ayers, 89, of Toccoa, died Thursday, December 6, 2001.
A native and lifelong resident of Stephens County, Mr. Ayers was a son of the late Clarence Landers and Helen Edwards Ayers.
He was a graduate of the University of Georgia and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Mr. Ayers was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II, and worked for Coats and Clark and the Veterans Administration in Atlanta. He was a member of the American Legion, a former member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4346 and was co-founder of Little League Baseball in Toccoa and Stephens County. Mr. Ayers was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Toccoa.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 9, in the chapel of Acree-Davis Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Bocian and Dr. Claude Smithmier officiating. Entombment was in the Toccoa City Cemetery.
Survivors include two sisters, Mary Helen McGee, Toccoa, and Margaret Brown, Westminster, S.C.; one brother, Doc Ayers, Cedartown; and nieces and nephews.
Acree-Davis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Hubert Gray
Hubert Gray, 81, of Maysville, died Monday, December 10, 2001, at his residence.
A native of Tennessee, Mr. Gray was born June 22, 1920, a son of the late Joseph and Bessie Lindsey Gray.
He was a retired foreman with Batson-Cook Construction Co. and worked part-time as a security officer at Roper Pump Co., Commerce, up to one year ago.
“Hubert never knew a stranger,” said family. “He always talked to people, and he said Roper Pump employees were some of his best friends.”
Mr. Gray was preceded in death by his wife, Zelma Bowers Gray, and a son, Benny B. Gray.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 12, at Grey Hill Cemetery, Commerce, with the Rev. Harold Crawford officiating.
Survivors include four sons, Jack Gray, Indiana, Don Welch, Tennessee, and Carl Gray and James E. Gray, both of Georgia; two daughters, Dee Jump, Tennessee, and Sue Sampson, Indiana; three sisters, Tip Arp, Zonie Miller and Nell Miller, all of Tennessee; several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Harold W. Johnson
Harold W. Johnson, 63, of Commerce, died Monday, December 10, 2001.
Mr. Johnson was born January 6, 1938, in Dayton, Ky. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and worked as a security officer. Mr. Johnson was of the Baptist faith.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Revs. Ray Richardson and Donald Wilson officiating. Burial was in Jackson Memorial Gardens, Commerce.
Mr. Johnson is survived by a special friend, Zelma Smith, Commerce; one brother, Eugene Johnson, Dayton, Ky.; and one sister, Vicki McDonald, Fontona, Calif.
Ivie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

Ruth Hix
Mrs. Ruth Hix, 94, of Commerce, died Wednesday, December 5, 2001, at BJC Medical Center, Commerce.
Mrs. Hix was born March 3, 1907, in Georgia. She was a daughter of the late William Whitfield and Launah Sellers.
Mrs. Hix was a retired seamstress with Oxford Manufacturing and was a member of Beaverdam Baptist Church, Commerce. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jason Hix, and a daughter, Margaret Short.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, December 7, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. Chad Payne officiating. Burial was in the Beaverdam Baptist Church cemetery.
Survivors include one son, Robert Hix, Dover, Ky.; one brother, Pierce Whitfield, Greer, S.C.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Ivie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, December 12, 2001

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