Newspaper Page Text
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
The Braselton News
Page 9A
Obituaries
Cindy Lester Boone
JEFFERSON — Cindy Lester Boone, 63, Jefferson, en
tered rest Tuesday, June 6,2023.
Mrs. Boone was bom in
Athens, a daughter of the
late Allen Clinton Lester and
Nell Lester. In addition to her
parents, Mrs. Boone is pre
ceded by a sister, Carol Huff.
Mrs. Boone was a graduate
of Jefferson High School and
retired from Walmart.
Survivors include her
husband, John Boone; two
daughters, Brandy Crisp and
Ashley McElroy; grandchil
dren, Caleb, Anna and Jona
than Crisp, Kayla Heathcoat, Kendall McElroy and Karlie
Hardigree; and a sister, Lynda Alexander, also survives.
Funeral service: Friday, June 9, 2023, at 10 a.m. from the
Edwards Chapel Baptist Church with the Reverend Lewis
Pritchett officiating.
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jeffer
son, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at www.
evansfuneralhomeinc.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10
Bruce Edward Joyce
MAYSVILLE — Bmce Edward Joyce, 67, Maysville,
passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023.
Bom on October 8, 1955,
in Dalton, he was a son of
the late Troy Joyce and Faith
Williams Joyce. Mr. Joyce
worked as a medical lab
technician at Northeast Geor
gia Diagnostic Clinic, Haber
sham Medical Center, and
Northeast Georgia Medical
Center of Barrow.
He was a talented self-em
ployed carpenter that en
joyed making furniture and
cabinets. These talents were
shown when he worked at Simply Southern and Holly Wood
works.
Bmce was an ordained minister and member of StonePath
Independent Chmch in Maysville. He and his wife, Carolyn,
served others at Refuge Ministries in Clarkesville for many
years and cared for children by being foster parents for 10
years.
Bmce was a gentle, selfless, mild mannered and humble
man that never complained. He loved to share his dry humor
and always found the good in others. He was a living exam
ple of a Christian that shared his faith daily. Mr. Joyce had a
heart for singing and playing instruments like the guitar and
piano. He enjoyed his wife’s cooking and loved his family
dearly. Bmce was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather
and great-grandfather.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his
daughter, Christa Joyce; and son, Gregory “Greg” Ray Mar
tin.
Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Carolyn
Joyce, of the home; son, Kelly Martin, Homer; daughter and
son-in-law, Leanne Masten (Warren), Clarkesville; grand
children, Zachary Martin, Addi Masten, Austin Yearwood
(Marlee), Alexis Yearwood, Seth Masten (Lauren), Emily
Masten, Amy Knight (Jack) and Keely Barron (Dakota);
great-grandchildren, Bentlee Yearwood, Charlee Yearwood
and Oliver Barron; brother, Bryan Joyce, Rome; niece, Han
nah Couillard, Rome; and sister-in-law, Elaine Rogers, Ho
mer.
Funeral service: Monday, June 12, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the
chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart Funeral Home with
the Rev. Mike Garroutte officiating. Interment will follow in
Level Grove Cemetery with Pastor Mike Franklin officiating.
Family will receive friends: Sunday, June 11, 2023, from
2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, final expense donations may be made to
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, PO. Box 725,
Cornelia, Georgia 30531 or to https://www.goftmdme.com/fr
funeral-expenses-for-bmce-joyce.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia,
Georgia, 706-778-8668, is in charge of arrangements. An on
line guest register is available and may be viewed at www.
mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10.
Judy Leatherwood
JEFFERSON —Judy Leatherwood 79, Jefferson, passed away
on Thursday, June 8,2023.
Mrs. Leatherwood was born
in Roekmart, a daughter to the
late Arthur Ray McBride and
the late Grace Williams Mc
Bride. Mrs. Leatherwood was
a homemaker and in addition
to her parents, was preceded
in death by her husband of 52
years, Glenn Wavne Leather-
wood.
Survivors include her sons,
Anthony Ray Leatherwood and
his wife, Sarah, Statham, and
Brandon Wayne Leatherwood
and his wife, Ali, Suwanee; grandchildren, Taylor Grace Leather-
wood, Zoey Anne Leatherwood, Parker 1 lenrv Leatherwood and
Ella Grace Leatherwood; and sister, Jane Thompson and her hus
band, Paul, Effingham County, also survives.
Funeral service: Thursday, June 15,2023, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of
Evans Funeral I lomc with Dr. Aliehacl Helms officiating. The burial
will follow in the Evans \ lemon (lardens.
Family to receive friends: Thursday June 15, 2023, from 1 until
2 p.m. at Evans Funeral 1 lomc.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer
Society, 105 Westpark Drive, Suite C, Athens, Ga. 30606, or https:
www.cancer.org/
Evans Funeral 1 lomc, Inc, 1350 Winder I Iighwav, Jefferson,
Georgia. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10.
Sonja Maxine Gaskins
HOSCHTON — Sonja Maxine Gaskins, 83, Hoschton,
passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023, at The Phoenix at Bra
selton.
Mrs. Gaskins was bom February 20, 1940, in Paris, Tex
as, the daughter of the late Burly Preston Martin and Flossy
Levois Foote.
After graduating from Paris High School in 1958, she
worked as a secretary at San Marcus Texas Airfield where she
met and married a young Army lieutenant, Philip “Wayne”
Gaskins. Sonja was the consummate Army wife, being an
active member of the Officers’ Wives Club and volunteering
for the American Red Cross and the Girl Scouts Association.
She moved to 39 locations during her husband’s military ca
reer with the final homestead being in Lavonia, after Wayne’s
retirement.
She was a member of the Lake Hartwell Association, the
Brittany Harbor Property Owner’s Association and Lavonia
First United Methodist Church.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and
Edwin “Buddy” Gratton; and two granddaughters and a
grandson-in-law, Kelsey Gratton and Samantha and Hayes
Parker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Philip “Wayne” Gaskins.
The family will have a private memorial and inurnment at
12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Georgia National
Cemetery in Canton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the
BrightFocus Foundation for Alzheimer’s disease Research
(https://support.brightfocus.org/).
Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Park
way, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542, is in charge of ar
rangements. Send on-line condolences to www.memorial-
parkftmeralhomes.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10
Patricia “Pat” Kesler Gary
On Friday, June 9, 2023, the world lost a beloved wife,
mother and “Nana”, Patricia “Pat” Kesler Gary, 66.
Pat was bom in Com
merce, and raised in Nichol
son. She worked in the bank
ing industry most of her life
and retired in 2020 to spend
time with her family.
Pat battled a rare lung dis
ease but she never let that
stop her from chasing after
her grandbaby, spending time
with family, helping in the
church and just traveling. She
loved with her whole heart
and she loved everyone, her
greatest accomplishments were being a wife, mother and
“Nana”.
Pat’s Christian faith was an essential part of her life. She
was a Sunday school teacher, she helped mentor the young
er children called the “Eager Beavers”, and she was always
helping and volunteering in her church.
She is survived by her husband, Aubrey Lee Gary; daugh
ters, Stacy Gary and Lacy Gary Roussel; daughter-in-law,
Shawna Igo Gary; son-in-law, Derek Roussel; granddaugh
ter, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Gary; grandsons, Lucca Roussel and
Ethan, Trent and Seth Grindle; and brothers and sisters, Doug
Kesler (Judy Kesler), Betty Darnell (Michael Darnell), Ron
nie Kesler (Tammy Kesler), Donnie Kesler (Lisa Kesler),
Lisa Grainger (Gary Grainger) and Debra Kesler.
She is predeceased by her parents, James and Claudine
Kesler; son, Aubrey “Chad” Gary; and brother Mike Kesler.
Funeral service: Monday, June 12, 2023, at 2 p.m. at River
of Life Worship Center with the Rev. Bobby Ivester and Pas
tor Jonathan English officiating. Interment will follow in the
Howington Cemetery.
Family to receive friends: Monday, June 12,2023, froml2
until 2 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to River of Life Worship
Center Kid’s Ministry Building, PO. Box 364, Nicholson,
Ga. 30565.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of ar
rangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10
Ronald Kenneth Martin
HOSCHTON — Ronald Kenneth Martin, 74, Hoschton,
entered rest Saturday, June 3,2023.
Mr. Martin was bom in
Hall County, a son of the
late Robert Olen and Elease
Smith Martin. Mr. Martin at
tended Center Union Baptist
Church, played basketball in
his high school years, loved
fishing and the outdoors, the
Atlanta Braves and Geor
gia Bulldogs. Most of all he
loved his son and grandchil
dren. Mr. Martin retired as
service manager from the
Mazda Dealership of Atlanta
and for the past 15 to 20 years remodeled homes throughout
North Georgia.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Bailes Martin, Hoschton;
son, Brad Martin (Susan), Gainesville; grandchildren, Will
Martin (Diem-anh), Atlanta, Nick Martin (Shellianne),
Hoschton, Chelsea Martin and Michelle Martin, Gainesville;
great-grandchild, Ivy Martin, Hoschton; and brother, Tony
Martin (Brenda), Atlanta.
Funeral service: Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 4 p.m. from the
chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Reverend Calvin
Gooch officiating with burial to follow in Belmont Baptist
Church Cemetery.
Family to receive friends: Tuesday, June 6, 2023, from
2-4 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of
Mr. Ronald Kenneth Martin to Center Union Baptist Church,
PO. Box 264, Braselton, Georgia 30517.
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jeffer
son, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at www.
evansfuneralhomeinc.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10
Peggy Stewart
DANIELSVILLE — Peggy Stewart, 91, Danielsville
passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023.
Peggy was anative ofHart-
well, and was the daughter of
Newland and Dollie Baker.
She was a member of Mount
Hebron Baptist Church. She
was also a member of the
Ambassadors Club of Geor
gia Power. She retired from
Georgia Power after 34 years
of service.
Peggy was preceded in
death by her mother and
father; her husband, Cecil
Stewart; sisters, Mary Mad
den and Joan Altshuler; and a brother, Jarrett Baker.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and
Sharon Stewart, Danielsville; a brother and sister-in-law,
Arnold and Judy Baker, Falls Church, Virginia; a number
of nieces and nephews; and close family friend, Ethel Gantt,
Comer.
The family wishes to thank Bristol Hospice for the loving
care she received in her final days.
Graveside service: Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 11 a.m. at
Evergreen Memorial Park.
Family to receive friends: Wednesday, June 7, 2023, from
6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lord and Stephens, Danielsville, is in charge of arrange
ments. www.lordandstephens.com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10.
Peggy Sue Waters Vaughn
COMMERCE — Peggy Sue Waters Vaughn, 77, Com
merce, died Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Piedmont Athens Re
gional Medical Center.
Mrs. Vaughn was bom in
Commerce to the late George
Robert “Bob” and Hattie
Frances Smith Waters. She
was a member of Providence
Baptist Church and was re
tired from UGA Veterinary
Hospital.
Mrs. Vaughn is survived
by her husband, Harold Lee
Vaughn, Commerce; daugh
ter, Lee Andra Vaughn, Jef
ferson; brother, Robert Wa
ters; two grandchildren; and
four great-grandchildren.
Funeral service: Monday, June 12, 2023, at 3 p.m. in the
chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Revs. Terry
Smith and Max Briggs officiating. Interment will follow in
Providence Baptist Church Cemetery.
Family to receive friends: Monday, June 12, 2023, from 1
to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of ar
rangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10
MehdiZareie
BRASELTON — Mehdi Zareie, 74, Braselton, passed away
on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Northeast Georgia Medical
Center in Braselton.
Mr. Zareie was bom May
23, 1949, to the late Rajab Ali
and Fatemeh Sabri Zareie in
Sabzevar, Iran. He grew up
and completed high school in
the town of Tabriz. At age 18,
he moved to Tehran where he
completed two years of man
datory military service.
He traveled to the U.S. in
1970 on a J-l visa to attend
school at Gainesville Junior
College. Hiere he met his fu
ture lifelong partner, Brenda
Sartain. He later finished his
Bachelor of Science degree at Southern Polytechnic College.
Using his background in engineering, Mehdi was a dedicated
and accomplished general contractor. He is responsible for the
construction of many commercial and residential buildings in the
Athens and Metro Atlanta area.
Mehdi was a gifted athlete all his life. In the early 1980s, he pi
oneered the first Persian Soccer team for the Atlanta District Am
ateur Soccer League and gained lifelong friends. Mehdi was an
avid tennis player with hundreds of friends in the ALTA, USTA
and local tennis communities. He belonged to many champion
ship teams from 1991 to today.
Mehdi was a very dedicated husband, father, brother and
grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Brenda Sartain Zareie,
Braselton; sons, Cameron, Cyrus and Cas; daughters-in-law, Sa
brina, Danielle and Melanie; and sister, Nayer Mohseni. Mehdi
was a devoted “Baba” to his six grandchildren, Izabella, Eliza,
Arizona, Ezra, Juniper and Olivia.
Funeral service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 5 p.m. at Epipha
ny Lutheran Church, 1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee.
Dinner will be served onsite immediately following the celebra
tion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Love Your Story
https://www.loveyourstory.us. Love Your Story is a local organi
zation dedicated to helping people impacted by disabilities.
Memorial Park Braselton Funeral Home, 5257 Green Street,
Hwy. 53, Braselton, Ga. 30517, is in charge of arrangements.
Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.
com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 4-10