‘Billie’ Early (9-27-12)

Mary Olivia “Billie” Privette Early, 88, died Thursday, September 27, 2012, at her residence, surrounded by her children.

Mary was born in Darlington County, S.C., the daughter of the late Jacob Peele and Vera Mae Privette. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Doyet Arnold "Jack" Early; her sister, Vera Mae Anderson, and her brother, retired Lt. Col. Jacob Henry Privette.

She was a graduate of the school of nursing of the Medical College of the State of South Carolina. She worked as a graduate nurse in Washington, DC, during World War II. She returned to South Carolina and married her high school sweetheart upon his arrival home from the war.

Mrs. Early worked as head nurse of the Pediatric Department of Hall County Hospital for 14 years. After retiring from nursing, she became an active member of the Medical Auxiliary of Northeast Georgia Hospital. She served as president of the Auxiliary and was instrumental in establishing the first "Market Place" as the major fundraiser for the Auxiliary for the past 25 years. Mrs. Early received the prestigious "employee of the year" and "volunteer of the year" awards from the hospital. She was an active member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include her children, Judge Jack and Lee Early, Bamberg S.C., Joe Early, Oakwood, Dr. Bill and Donna Early, Canton, Mary and Ted Evans, Commerce, and Martha Buxton, Gainesville; grandchildren, Will and Dasher Early, Mount Pleasant, S.C., Ross and Natasha Early, Islamorada, Fla., Katie and Kevin Laymon, Wilmington, N.C., Joseph and Alisa Early, Asheville, N.C., Allison and Chris Faucett, Canton, Dr. Paul and Christina Early, Canton, John, Matthew, and Mary Early, Canton, David and Tabitha Evans, Commerce, and Catherine and Daniel Buxton, Macon; her precious great-grandchildren, Lesesne and Harvey Early, Mount Pleasant, S.C., Kara, Maci, Bella, and Samantha Laymon, all of Wilmington, N.C., Olivia Faucett, Canton, and Parker Evans, Commerce.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 29 at 3 p.m. from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Stacy Phillips officiating with the interment following at Hillside Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 3650 Browns Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30504, Hospice of Northeast Georgia, 2150 Limestone Pkwy., Suite 222, Gainesville, GA 30501, The Northeast Georgia Medical Center Auxiliary "Love Light Tree": 743 Spring St., Gainesville, GA 30501.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.