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WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017 MAINSTREET NEWSPAPERS PAGE 11-R Obituaries Alton Cooper FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - Alton Randall Coo per, 72, entered into rest Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Mr. Cooper was born in Pender grass, the son of the late Dewey Alton Coo per and Thelma Lois Thom as Cooper. He was a member of Mountain Creek Baptist Church and was a retired machinist with major tool ing. He was preceded in death by a sister, Runette Durrett; and a brother, Gary Cooper. Survivors include his wife, Margie Ruth Bowen Cooper, Flowery Branch; daughter, Laura Cooper Norris and her husband Kenny, Commerce; stepson, Jeff King and his wife Lynn, Hoschton; sister, Katherine Pennington, Pendergrass; and four grandchildren, Sgt. Clay Gooch (U.S. Air Force) and his wife Debra, Curtis Gooch, Ashley and Bryson King. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 27, from the Mountain Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Strickland offi ciating with burial in the Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Gentle men honored as pallbearers were Jimmy Harris, Grady Sullens, Jimmy Stowe, Eric Pennington, Ricky Penning ton, Shannon Bruce and Raymond Smith served as an honorary pallbearer. Evans Funeral Home, Jef ferson, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc. com Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12588) Belvia Gilbert WINDER Belvia Owens Gilbert, 82, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at Gentiva Hospice in Athens. Mrs. Gilbert was born on April 20, 1935, in Mount Vernon, Ky„ the daughter of the late Carter and Velma Owens. Mrs. Gilbert was a member of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her brother, Terrell Owens. Survivors include her husband, Clyde Gilbert, Winder. Burial services were held on Wednesday, May 24, in the Crestlawn Cemetery in Atlanta. Carter Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. L A. Gulley CARLTON - Mrs. L A. Gulley, 96, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the Spring Valley Nursing Home in Elberton. Mrs. Gulley was born in Comer on January 10,1921, the daughter of the late Les ter Seymour and Edda Mae Christian Seymour. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Vineyards Creek Baptist Church in Comer. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Allen Gulley; five brothers; and one sister. Survivors include her daughter, Norma Moon, Carlton; one grandson; brother, Alfred Seymour, Carlton; and sister, Mary Etta Rachels, Greenwood, S.C. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 27, at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robby Brown officiating. Inter ment was in the Colbert City Cemetery in Colbert. Online condolences may be made by visiting www. pruittfhroyston.com. Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12407) Linda Haley WINDER - Linda Joyce Haley, 69, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2017. She was of the Christian denomination. Linda was the owner operator of A & L Tax Accounting and she was the founder of Hope for Tomorrow, a non-profit organization to help families in need. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Charles William Kline; and a daughter, Ann Overby. Survivors include her hus band, Richard Haley, Wind er; two daughters, Stephanie Rector, Richmond, Va. and Angela Morris, Chester field, Va.; a son, Christopher Allen Mabe, Brunswick; and eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Friday, May 26, in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Revs. Maurice Graham and Jimmy Morris officiating. Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital in memory of Linda. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was entrusted with the arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31 2017. (12690) Marcus Haney Marcus David Haney, 54, died Friday, May 26, 2017. Mr. Haney was the son of the late James Curtis and Virginia Rainey Haney. Survivors include his wife, Sherry Turner Haney; sons, Curtis Melvin Haney and Stephen Marcus Haney; brother, Sam C. Haney; sisters, Leonia Barlow and Rebecca Haney; and seven grandchildren. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m., in the Smith Memory Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until service time. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12690) Mary Ann Hogan HOMER - Mary Ann Ledford Hogan, 69 entered into rest Saturday, May 27, 2017. Mrs. Hogan was born in Talmo, the daughter of the late Newt David Ledford and Mary Cruce Ledford. Mrs. Hogan was formerly a longtime employee of Fawn Togs in Braselton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Paul Hogan; and a brother, Newt David Ledford, Jr. Survivors include three daughters, Becky Lee, Buford, Katie Hogan, Columbus, and Carol Poole, Gainesville; sister and caregiver, Thelma Pierce, Homer; brother, Marvin Ledford, Homer; five grand children; and four great grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Thurs day, June 1, from the White Plains Baptist Church Cem etery with Mr. Jeffery Bell officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 7 to 9 p.m. Wednes day, May 31. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc. com Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2917. (12588) Elizabeth Holliday JEFFERSON Eliza beth Ann Holliday, 85, entered into rest Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Mrs. Holliday was bom in Winder, the daughter of the late A.L. and Viola Skinner Dal ton. Mrs. Holliday was retired from the tex tile industry in Jefferson, where she worked all of her life, and was a mem ber of the Lebanon United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Holliday; grandson, Dillon Holliday; sister, Dorothy Owensby; and brothers, Roger Dalton and Larry Dalton. Survivors include her children, Shirley Chastain, Kathy Hardesty, Jeff Hol liday, Johnny Holliday and Angel, Karen Wilson and husband Timothy, Leslie Duck and Michael Tate, all of Jefferson; sisters, Barbara Gordon, Royston, Rebecca Standridge, Martin, Angie Hernandez, Gainesville, Norma Cromer, Spartan burg, S.C., and Margie Fitzpatrick, Danielsville; brother, Merel Dalton, Jef ferson; grandchildren, Donna Moore, Deborah Vasquez and her husband Joel, Misty Holliday, Perry Holliday, A.J. Twiss, Brian Holliday, John Carter, Joe Duck, Lacey Duck, Cue Holliday, and Tonya Hill; 17 great-grandchildren; 14 great- great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, neph ews and cousins. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 27, in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Palmer Pace and Story Tate officiating. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers were Joel Vasques, Steve Beard, Ricky Bennett, Wesley Ben nett, Danny Owensby and Mitchell Owensby. The burial was in the Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc. com Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12588) ‘Rocky’ Howland HOSCHTON - Harry “Rocky” Howland, 63, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 21, 2017, while at home in hospice care. Rocky was bom on December 28, 1953, in Evanston, Ill., and attended Covenant College in Chat tanooga, Tenn., where he met his bride, Debbie. He graduated with a degree in Greek in 1981. On July 10, 1982, he and Debbie were married and had their first child on November 3, 1983. Eventu ally, the family moved to Debbie’s family’s farm in Hoschton in 1996, where Debbie and five of their children still reside. Mr. Howland was preceded in death by his father, Harry K. Howland, Sr.; mother, Dorothy Howland; and his brother, Thressen Howland. Rocky was a devoted husband, father, and lover of his savior, Christ Jesus. He was actively involved at Covenant Presbyterian Church, in Buford, Ga., leading music for Sunday evening worship services and hosting the church’s annual Memorial Day pic nic. He sought the Lord in ardent prayer and encour aged those in his church to do the same. He was loved and respected by all and showed those who visited him in his final weeks what it means to die well, fixing his eyes on, and placing his hope in, Christ Jesus. Survivors include his wife, Debbie; his children, Jack Howland, Dorothy Forrester, Gabe Howland, Sarah Keister, Michael Howland, Laura Howland, Hannah Howland, Mar jory Howland, and Alaina Howland; six granddaugh ters; two grandsons; sisters, Laura Lee Howland, Sara Howland, and Kiki Gibson; and his brother, Luke How land. Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12571-58.00) Sara Mason HOMER - Sara Pau line Brown Mason, 97, died Monday, May 22, 2017, at her residence. Mrs. Mason was born in Com merce, the daugh ter of the late John Harvey and Ethel Chambers Brown. She was a mem ber of Homer Presbyterian Church for over 86 years, and retired from Banks County Board of Education, having served for 41 years. Mrs. Mason was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Mason; and her sis ter, Lucille Brown Mabry. Survivors include her son, Danny Mason, Homer; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Thursday, May 25, at Homer Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Alex Stevens and Mark Tjepkema offici ating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. Warner Jackson McBrayer, III Warner Jackson McBray er, III, known to his family and friends as Chuck, has passed away. He was born on August 6, 1946, in Rome, Ga. and spent his childhood years in Winder. He attended Darlington School in Rome and Georgia Military Academy in Milledgeville, Ga. He attended the Univer sity of Georgia and went on to serve in the United States Air Force - doing a tour in Vietnam with the 315th Air Commando Wing followed by an assignment with the Special Activities Squadron under NORAD with Top Secret clearance. After sev eral years as a law enforce ment officer, Chuck became a private investigator, work ing for several firms before opening his own company. The McBrayer Group spe cialized in undercover sur veillance, labor strike and corporate security, hostage negotiations and domes tic crisis intervention. He was an instructor for the government in firearms and weapons training. He did presentations of seminars on anti-terrorism, workplace violence, and self-protec tion. His quest for knowl edge was insatiable and his personal library included thousands of books on every subject imaginable. He was a scholar, an athlete, a nature lover, a student of the night sky, a true patriot, a man of strong faith, a con summate gentleman and, by every standard, a steadfast and loyal friend. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Jackie McBrayer Primm and W.J. McBrayer, Jr. He leaves behind to remember his kind and gen tle spirit a daughter, Jenifer Oakley (Ryan); two grand children, Luke Somervold and Autumn Elizabeth Oak ley; a sister, Diane Holland (Dennis); and his beloved soul mate, Liz Smith. A private celebration of Chuck’s life was held Thursday, May 25, at Ft. Yargo State Park. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. Johnnie Murray Johnnie Rufus Murray, Sr., 87, died Thursday, May 25, 2017. A native of Madison County, he was the son of the late Willie Thomas and Irene Strickland Murray. He was a retired district manager with A&P Food Stores. Mr. Murray was a longtime member of Pleas ant Grove Baptist Church, where he served as deacon. Survivors include his wife, Margie Fielding Mur ray; children, Pam Parks (Larry), Cheryl Crumb- ley, and Johnnie Murray, Jr. (Lynne); grandchildren, Victoria Duckworth (Jeff Bowen), Kimberly Futrell (Chase), Dru Crumbley, Abby Crumbley, Taylor Oren (Chris), Torie Smith (Tyler) and Christine With ers (Rick); great-grandchil dren, Jackson Duckworth, Hadley Withers, Adaline Oren and Ryleigh Smith; and a number of nieces and nephews. A reception was held Sat urday, May 27, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church fol lowed by memorial servic es. The Revs. Lee Hunter and Jennifer Horton offici ated. Interment was private. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Ceme tery Fund, 2291 Diamond Hill-Neese Road, Hull, GA, 30646, or St. Mary’s High land Hills Hospice House, c/o St. Mary’s Foundation, PO Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604. Arrangements were by Lord and Stephens, WEST. www.lordandstephens.com Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12635) Reba Jo Palmer Reba Jo Palmer, 73, died Friday, May 26, 2017. A native of Morgan County, Mrs. Palmer was the daughter of the late Perry Dial Sims, Jr. and Leona Long Sims. She was a member of Calvary Bap tist Church. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Den nis Joe Palmer; children, Warren (Jan) Palmer and Lisa (Mike) Aaron; broth er, Wendell Sims; sisters, Louette Manders, Nancy Faulkner, Pat Porter; grand children, Jessica Palmer Harbin, Austin Palmer, Rob Aaron, Mackenzie Aaron; and great-grandchild, Zoey Harbin. Funeral services were held Tuesday May 30, at Calvary Baptist Church. The Revs. Ronnie Healan and Matt Dibler offici ated. Burial was at Barrow Memorial Gardens. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12690) ‘Sue’Puckett BUFORD, GA - Ruth Evelyn “Sue” Martin Puck ett, 88, passed away Mon day, May 22, 2017, fol lowing a struggle with can cer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold O d u s Puckett; parents, Elmo and Mary Lou Martin; sisters, Eula Mae Hulsey, Eva Beard and Madge Mayfield; and brothers, Fred and Frank “John D.” Martin. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Jill and R. Garry Glenn, Oakwood; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Mor gan and Heather Glenn, Hoschton; grandson, Mason Glenn, Los Angeles, Calif.; great-grandsons, Blake and Logan Glenn, Hoschton; brother, Walter “Sparky” Martin, Sugar Hill; sister- in-law and brother-in-law, Runell and Ben Young blood, Buford; sisters-in- law, Virginia Bagley Puck ett and Judy Puckett Mar tin, Buford; special niece. Nan Smith Beard, Flowery Branch; and numerous niec es and nephews. Mrs. Puckett was born September 22, 1928, in Buford. She was a gradu ate of Flowery Branch High School, and worked for the City of Buford for a number of years before becoming a full-time homemaker after the birth of her daughter. She was a longtime mem ber of New Bethany Baptist Church aka Lanier Islands Community Church in Buford. Mrs. Puckett was a com petitive athlete in basketball and softball, as well as being a championship bowler in leagues for 52 years with a high game of 268. She was also a skilled cook, win ning the 1988 WSB Radio Ludlow Porch Show’s Gold Medal Flour contest for her French coconut pie recipe. She delighted her family and friends with her pound cakes and teacakes. She was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching the Atlanta Hawks, Braves, Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs on televi sion. She was also a big fan of “Wheel of Fortune” and was quite skilled at solv ing the puzzles. Known as “Mama Sue” to many, Mrs. Puckett loved her Lord, her family, and her friends and will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held Sunday, May 28, in the chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home in Buford with the Rev. Danny Ashworth offi ciating and R. Garry Glenn giving the Eulogy. Pallbear ers were R. Garry, Morgan and Mason Glenn, Danny Beard, Nick and Jake Wil liams. Interment was at Broadlawn Memorial Gar dens in Buford. Memorials may be made to CrossView Church, 1219 Highway 124, Hoschton, GA 30548, or to Eagle Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502, in memory of Sue Puckett. To express condolences, please sign our online gust book at www.flaniganfuner- alhome.com. Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12903-80.20) Alfred Skinner Jr. Alfred Leon Skinner, Jr., 59, died Tuesday May 23, 2017. Mr. Skinner was preced ed in death by his father, Alfred Leon Skinner, Sr.; sister, Angie Wood; and a grandchild. Survivors include his children, Candice Mobley, Brandi Knight, Michelle Barrett; mother, Sara Carithers Skinner; brother, Greg (Janell) Skinner; and ten grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Smith Memory Cha pel on Friday, May 26. Buri al was at Barrow Memorial Gardens. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12690) Betty Smith STATHAM Betty Joanne Smith, 82, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Born July 24, 1934, in Lawrenceville, she was the daughter of Junior Pierce and Susie Pierce. Survivors include two daughters, Diane Gower, Oxford, Ga. and Deborah Coffey, Statham; four sons, Greg Smith, Oxford, Gary Smith, Doraville, Todd Smith, Monroe, and Brad ford Smith, Fort Collins, Colo. A graveside service was conducted Sunday, May 28, at Barrow Memorial Gar dens in Winder. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12690) Jimmie Ward ASHBURN - Jimmie Ann Ward, 79, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017, at her residence. Mrs. Ward was bom on September 28, 1937, the daughter of the late Robert E. and Mary Lucile Spinks Patton. She was the owner and operator of Ward Land Company and a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Embry Ward; and her sister Marie Maynard. Survivors include her son, Michael (Jennifer) Ward, Ashburn; brother, Charles (Therisa) Patton, Hawkins- ville; sister. Sue (Wayne) Barber, Athens; grandchil dren, Reagan Ward, Dillan Rose Ward, Maddox Ward and Miller Ward, all of Ash burn; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Thursday, May 25, at Oak Grove Baptist Church with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery. Perry Funeral Home, Ashburn, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. FAX Obits to: 706-62 1-4 1 1 3 . Mail to: P.O. Box 908 Jefferson, GA 30549 '■S