Banks County Obituaries...

AUGUST 6, 2003


Bobbi Jo Lankford
Ms. Bobbi Jo Lankford, 31, of Homer, died Friday, August 1, 2003, at BJC Medical Center, Commerce.
Ms. Lankford was a daughter of Harold and Karen Hill, Homer.
She was preceded in death by grandparents, Frank Rogers and Ernest and Audrey Hill.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 4, at Homer Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Charles Alexander and Bill Ford officiating. Burial was in Banks County Memorial Gardens.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Lankford is survived by two sisters, Renee Aikens, Glendale, Ariz., and Danielle Gaylor, Homer; grandmother, Norma Rogers, Marietta; and several aunts and one niece.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Faye H. Simmons
Mrs. Faye House Simmons, 77, of Baldwin, died Friday, July 25, 2003, at her residence following an extended illness.
Mrs. Simmons was the daughter of the late Charlie and Francine Mealor House. She was the wife of the late Amos Simmons.
Mrs. Simmons was a homemaker and a member of Leatherwood Baptist Church.
Private funeral services were held at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Revs. Clyde Garrison and Austin Kelley officiating. The Rev. Garry Garrison officiated at graveside.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Jo Berta
Mrs. Jo Berta, 81, of Homer, died Tuesday, July 29, 2003.
A native of Cobb County, Mrs. Berta was the daughter of the late William M. and Frances Stall Kunahn. She was the wife of the late Italo F. Berta.
Mrs. Berta retired from Sears.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Rev. Joseph Rodgers officiating.
Survivors include a son, Frank Wade Berta, El Paso, Texas; a daughter, Sue Rodgers, Homer; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Banks County Senior Citizens’ Center.
Ivie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Charles
‘Pop’ Robinson
Charles Edward “Pop” Robinson, 85, of Athens, died Friday, August 1, 2003.
Mr. Robinson was born in Oglethorpe County on May 24, 1918. He was the son of the late Samuel and Nancy Seabolt Robinson.
Mr. Robinson was preceded in death by his wife, Ileen Nunnally.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 4, at Attica Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Davison officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Charlie and Sandra Robinson, Danielsville, and Tommy and Glenda Robertson, Colbert; son, Billy Ray Robinson, Athens; daughter, Janice Crisely, Maysville; a grandson raised in the home, Samuel J. Robinson; sisters, Mary Nelms, Bogart, and Maudie Bell Dalton, Covington; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Madison Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Thomas L. Howington
Thomas L. Howington, 83, of Nicholson, a former member of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, died Saturday, August 2, 2003, at his residence.
Mr. Howington was born August 20, 1919, in Jackson County. He was the son of the late Henry A. and Lela Smith Howington.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Howington was a retired poultry and cattle farmer and a member of Nicholson Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows and Hudson Lodge #294.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 3, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, with the Revs. Ervin Goss and Terry Smith officiating. Burial was in Howington Cemetery, Nicholson.
Mr. Howington is survived by his wife, Marceline Watkins Howington, Nicholson; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Little-Ward Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Claud W. Meister
Claud W. Meister, 86, of Baldwin, died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at his residence following an extended illness.
Born in Habersham County on January 30, 1917, Mr. Meister was a son of the late Rev. Oscar and Mrs. Mary Wilbanks Meister.
He was a self-employed builder for 45 years and was a member of Baldwin Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School for over 60 years.
Mr. Meister enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening, family members said.
He was preceded in death by a brother, J.C. Meister, and a sister, Josephine Church. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Friday, August 1, at Baldwin Baptist Church with the Revs. Mike Campbell and J. Frank Sailers officiating. Burial was in the Baldwin Cemetery.
Mr. Meister is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Caudell Meister, Baldwin; daughter and son-in-law, Claudine and Bill Adams, Cornelia; son and daughter-in-law, Darryl and Teresa Meister, Baldwin; grandchildren, Nicole Meister, Nicolas Meister and Drake Meister; grandson and wife, Brandon and Mandy Adams; and brothers-in-law, Bobby Joe and Mack Caudell, Baldwin.
Memorials may be made to the Baldwin Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 67, Baldwin, GA 30511.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Lois ‘Lottie’ Nix
Mrs. Lois Lottrell “Lottie” Anthony Nix, 87, of Commerce, died Tuesday, July 29, 2003.
A native of Jackson County, Mrs. Nix was a daughter of the late John and Grace Venable Anthony.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Dupree Nix, and a son, William Anthony Nix.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 1, at the Commerce First United Methodist Church with the Revs. David Bowen and Hoyt Allen officiating. Burial was in Grey Hill Cemetery, Commerce.
Survivors include a daughter, Mable Nix G. Dawson, Commerce; a sister, Mrs. Dow (Olivia) Shirley, Commerce; three grandchildren, William Bowden Golden, Andrew Nix Golden and William Anthony Woodham; one great-granddaughter, Caitlin Woodham; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Commerce First United Methodist Church Building Fund, the Athens First United Methodist Church, or to the Trust Fund in the name of Mrs. Nix at Community Bank and Trust in Commerce.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

J.C. Wilson
J.C. Verner Wilson, 79, of Athens, died Saturday, August 2, 2003.
Born in Banks County, Mr. Wilson was a son of the late Thomas and Eddie Lord Wilson. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bonnie Fitzpatrick Wilson.
Mr. Wilson was retired from Oliver Rubber Company, with 32 years of service. Following his retirement, he was employed as a dealer transfer driver with University Ford-Lincoln-Mercury.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Mr. Wilson served with the Seabees in the South Pacific. He was a member of American Legion Post #20, the VFW, the Moose Club and the Hardee’s Breakfast Club. He was also a member of Providence Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, with the Rev. Albert Vaughn officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park. Johnny Fitzpatrick, Mike Woods, Bobby Anderson, Billy Styron, Stanley Hunter, Harry Wilson and Wayne Edins served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Thornton and members of the American Legion Post 20.
Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Frances C. Wilson; son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Sylvia D. Wilson, Athens; step-children and spouses, Ms. Phobe Henderson, Athens, and Vici and Lewis Parr, Sally and Charles White and Randall Wheeless, all of Jackson County; sisters, Zelma Smith, Thelma Smith, Dorothy Lord and Janelle Chandler, all of Commerce, and Louise Anderson, Madison County; brother, Henry Lee Wilson, Clarke County; grandchildren, Cynthea Wilson, Stephanie Wilson and Tommy Wilson Jr.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Boualoy Somchith
Boualoy Somchith, 71, of Baldwin, died Sunday, August 3, 2003, at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Somchith was born June 2, 1932, in Setine, Laos. He was a son of the late Pane and Ta Somchith.
Mr. Somchith retired from Mt. Vernon Mills and had served as Chief of Police in Setine, Laos, before moving to the United States. He was of the Buddhist faith.
Mr. Somchith was preceded in death by a brother, Ong Somchith.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin.
Mr. Somchith is survived by his wife, Gnay Somchith, Baldwin; two daughters, Foy Somchith, Cornelia, and Soy Somchith, Thailand; two sons, Khao Somchith, Baldwin, and Khamphay Somchith, Macon; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the funeral home.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Stephen Hightower
Stephen Phillip Isaac Hightower, 52, of Alto, died Friday, August 1, 2003, at Habersham County Medical Center following an extended illness.
Born in Washington, D.C., on October 24, 1950, Mr. Hightower was the son of Marion Spencer, Winter Park, Fla., and the late Herbert Earl Hightower.
He was an artist and a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 4, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Revs. Donald Grizzle and Johnny Jett officiating. Burial was in the Gethsemane Baptist Church Cemetery.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Hightower is survived by his wife, Judy Denise Burney Hightower, Alto; daughter, Lilith Hightower, Alto; sons, Michael Hightower, Orlando, Fla., Josh Hightower, Alto, and Stephen Hightower, Alabama; brother, Dennis Hightower, Carrabelle, Fla.; sisters, Candy Prudhomme, Wrensaw, Minn., and Molly Hendry and Kathy Hightower, both of Winter Park, Fla.; and granddaughter, Alexus Hightower.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Coleman L. Hill
Coleman L. Hill, 72, of Baldwin, died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at Habersham County Medical Center following a sudden illness.
Born in Franklin County on January 28, 1931, Mr. Hill was a son of the late Ben and Vetter Patrick Hill.
He was employed with Habersham Broom Company for 18 years and retired after 20 years service as Ice Room Manager with Fieldale Farms, Inc. He was a member of Harmony Baptist Church.
Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his wife, Wortie Lee Lewallen Hill, a son, Douglas Hill, two brothers, Fred Hill and Ralph Hill, and a sister, Helen Norton.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 2, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, with the Revs. Frank Sailers and Luther Williams officiating. Burial was in the Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.
Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Crawford, Baldwin; sons, Dennis Hill, Cornelia, and Bradley Hill, Baldwin; sisters, Blondine Baxter, Baldwin, Geraldine Doss, Martin, Ruby Smith, Alto, Mae Maney, Cornelia, and Jimmie Sue Thurmond, Athens; brothers, Thomas Hill and Wayman Hill, both of Baldwin, and Ricky Hill, Homer; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

Louise A. Oliver
Mrs. Louise Armour Oliver, 63, of Lula, died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at her residence following an extended illness.
Born in Hall County on June 3, 1940, Mrs. Oliver was a daughter of the late Jack and Pauline Armour.
She was a former employee of Mount Vernon Mills, with many years of service, and she also worked in a sewing factory. She was of the Holiness denomination.
Mrs. Oliver was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Oliver, and a grandson, Randy Bryan.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 31, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, with the Revs. Lester Haynes, Woodrow Hix and Charles Dial officiating. Burial was in the Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery, Alto.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Stanley and Brenda Oliver, Clarkesville, and Randy and Charlene Oliver, Athens, Tenn.; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Stan Walls, Gainesville, and Sandy and Buddy Battles, Lula; brothers and sisters-in-law, J.B. and Clara Mae Armour and L.D. and Genell Armour, Alto; brother, James Armour, Alto; sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and Fred Couch, Alto, and Alma and Dan Crane, Lula; sisters, Thelma Brock and Susie Stancil, Alto; grandchildren, Stevie Oliver, Shelby Oliver, Samantha Oliver, Kevin Oliver, Brian Oliver, Brittany Oliver, Chelsey Oliver, Cortney Battles and Jacob Walls; and great-grandchildren, Brandon Oliver and Adam and Sheila Flynn.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, August 6, 2003

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