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PAGE 6A BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 Obituaries Steven Dwayne “Steve” Bates Steven Dwayne “Steve” Bates, 71, cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 202d. Born in Athens, he was a son of the late Hoyt Eugene Bates and Mary Earline Peter man Bates. Steve was a Veteran of the Unit ed States Army where he served as a Sergeant in the Vietnam War. He worked for several years at Liberty Na tional Life Insurance Company and later worked for Smith, Boley, Brown before spending the last several years as a self-employed insur ance agent. Steve was a faithful and devoted member of Colbert First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, RA leader, greeter and was a member of the Baptist Men, Railroad Ministries and numer ous other committees. He also enjoyed playing on the church softball team as he made wonderful memories and many lifelong friends. Steve married his wife, Judy in 1974 and they were blessed with two children, Casey and Shel ley. He coached both children in baseball and fast- pitch softball and those experiences were dear to his heart as he was immeasurably proud of Casey and Shelley. Most importantly, his children gave him five beloved grandchildren, Kaylea Grace, Mallory, Brooks, Madelynn and Meara and to gether all five of them turned a Sergeant into a teddy bear. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Judy Griffin Bates; two children, Casey (Nikki) Bates and Shelley (Kurt) Thomas; five grandchildren, Kaylea Grace Bradberry, Brooks Bradberry, Mal lory Bates and Madelynn and Meara Thomas; one brother, Stanley (Vickie) Bates; brother-in- law, Steven (Cindy) Griffin; three nephews, Tim Bates, Byron Bates and Taylor Griffin; two niec es, Macy and Charlsie Griffin; four great-neph ews, Kyle Bates, Jared Bates (Megan), Dawson Bates and Timothy Bates II; two great-nieces, Ariel Boswell (Chad) and Madison Bates; one great-great nephew, Hoyt Boswell; and two great- great nieces, Paisley Boswell and Caroline Bates. Graveside service: Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Colbert City Cemetery. Pall bearers will be Byron Bates, Taylor Griffin, Kyle Bates, Jared Bates, Dawson Bates, Timothy Bates II and Chad Boswell, and honorary pallbearer will be Tim Bates. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Steve’s cardiologist, Dr. Steven Lowman and to his numerous friends who were always there to help him through the tough times. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Colbert First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 318, Col bert, Ga. 30628. Lord and Stephens, Danielsville, 963 Highway 98 East, Danielsville, Ga. 30633 is in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 27-January 2 Dolores Etheridge Bell WINDER — Dolores Etheridge Bell, Winder, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020. She was a native of Atlanta, and moved to Winder in 2005. Dolores was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winder. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawson Bell; parents, Ernest and Gertrude Etheridge; her children, son, Ernest, and daughter, Cheryl; and brother, Jerry Etheridge. Dolores believed in and supported many or ganizations to alleviate world suffering. She also supported the work of the Presbyterian World Missions, the Carter Center, ANERA and UNICEF. Family to receive friends: Monday, Decem ber 28, 2020 from 9:30 until 10 a.m. at Smith Funeral Home. Funeral service: Monday, December 28, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Nathan Wheeler officiating. Buri al will follow the service at 12:30 p.m. at Res- thaven Memorial Gardens in Decatur. All those attending are asked to maintain safe social distancing and please wear protective masks. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charitable organization of your choice. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is entrusted with the arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 27-January 2 Gene Funderburk CLAYTON — Gene Funderburk, 73, Clayton, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, December 21, 2020. Mr. Funderburk was bom in Pendergrass, a son of the late John Albert and Rosie Pressley Fun derburk, was the owner of P & F Welding and Me chanic, was a hard worker and loved his family. In addition to his par ents, Mr. Funderburk is preceded by brothers, R.L., L.C., and J.W. Fun derburk; sisters, Sadie Strange and Hazel Nix; and a great-grandson, Elijah Wilson. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Margaret Wilson Funderburk, Clayton; daughter, Rhonda Bruce and her husband Barry, Clayton; son, Brian Funder burk, Augusta; brothers, T.W. and Johnny Funderburk, Pendergrass, and Larry Funderburk, Toccoa; sisters. Ruby Franklin and Fannie Lance, Pendergrass; three grandchildren, Brooke Bruce (Seth Wilson), High lands, N.C., Summer Bruce (David Gerrells), Clay ton, and Nick Funderburk (Hannah Sell), Buford; three great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Ashlynn Wilson, Highlands, N.C., and Noah Funderburk, Buford. Funeral service: Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11 a.m. from the Pond Fork Baptist Church with the Revs. Johnny Knight and Danny Green officiating with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Gentle men honored as pallbearers are Jerry, Dennis, Butch and Dwayne Funderburk, Wayne Beaty and Waylon Wilson. Family to receive friends: Wednesday, December 23, 2020 from 9-11 a.m. at the church. Those attend ing are asked to maintain safe social distancing and to wear protective masks because of the current COVID Pandemic. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolenc es at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 27-January 2 Bobbie Birchmore Gaissert (Means) Bobbie Birchmore Gaissert (Means), 103, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 20, 2020. She was bom and lived most of her working life in Comer, where she was an active member of Comer United Methodist Church and enjoyed sing ing in the church choir for many years. She was known for her quick wit and was always able to bring a bit of humor to any situation. You rarely left her presence without a smile on your face. She was preceded in death by her husband, Law rence Julian Gaissert Jr.; her son, John Alan Means Sr.; and grandson, Scott Means. Survivors include her daughter, Caroline Means Durden; son, James “Jim” Means; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grand- child. A memorial service for friends and family will be scheduled at a later date. Please give generously to the charity of your choice in her honor. Lord & Stephens, East, Athens, Ga. is in charge of arrangements, www.lordandstephens.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 27-January 2 Fred Thomas Hanes Fred Thomas Hanes passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 27, 2020. He was born on February 27, 1927 in Evansville. Ind. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack Edward Hanes and Julia Pearl Hanes; and his siblings, Dorothy Jean Hanes, Jack Edward Hanes Jr., Dorothy Jean Hanes, Bill Hanes, John Hanes, Jim Hanes and Thurman (Pete) Hanes. He lost his wife and love of his life Bessie Mae Wilkins Hanes in March of 2012. They were mar ried on June 13, 1948 in Evansville. Ind. They lived in Stone Mountain from 1963 until 1992 when they moved to Nicholson. He moved to Apopka, Fla. in November 2018, where he resided until his death. He served in the Pacific Theater in WWII aboard the USS Tennessee. He was an honorably dis charged veteran of the U.S. Navy. After returning home, he initially worked with his dad as a carpenter, met and married Bessie Mae, and was a camera operator for a local Evansville TV station before moving into radio and finally a position with AT&T, where he worked until he retired in 1988. After retiring, he was busier than ever going wherever and whenever they wanted with his bride. He enjoyed woodworking making furniture and taking great pride in his new home in Nicholson with its five acres. He enjoyed monthly breakfasts at Cracker Barrel with a group of friends from AT&T. They dubbed themselves ROMEO (RETIRED OLD MEN EATING OUT). He contin ued meeting with them for almost 30 years until his move to Florida. He enjoyed being in warmer weather and made fast friends with Sparky, who was always at his feet. He is survived by his sister, Beverly Ann Hanes, Evansville, Ind.; his children, Victoria Diane Hanes, Apopka, Fla., Phillip E Hanes (Mary), Tam pa. Fla. and Patricia Ann Phillips (Perry), Flowery Branch; his grandchildren, Christopher Hanes (Me gan), Ocala, Fla., Ashley Hagin (Adam), Oakwood, Jennifer Hanes, Apopka, Fla., Michael Hanes, San Francisco, Calif., and Cooper Phillips, Flowery Branch; and three great-grandchildren, Caroline Hanes, Copeland Hagin and Harper Mae Hanes. Graveside funeral service: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Jackson Memorial Gardens with Dr. Phillip Hanes officiating. In lieu of flowers you may donate to St. Jude’s in his name. This was a charity he believed in and contributed to every month. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 27-January 2 Roy C. Hendrix WINDER — Roy C. Hendrix, 78, Winder, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020. Mr. Hendrix was born April 2, 1942 to the late Clarence and Lois McElhannon Hendrix. He had lived in Barrow County all of his life and retired from Gener al Motors with 30 years of service. Mr. Hendrix had attended Hebron Baptist Church in Dac- ula. Surviving are wife, Joyce Morrow Hendrix, Winder; children. Sherry (David) Hendrix Sims, Highlands, North Carolina, Jeff (Lisa) Hendrix, Statham, Ronnie Fields, Winder, Randy (Barba ra) Fields, Dallas, and Melissa (Kelly) Wallace, Winder; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Martha Jo Hendrix, Winder; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Graveside service: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery. Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to The Department of Kinesiology, Support Fund for the study of Parkinson’s Disease, c/o The Dean’s Office, G3 Aderhold Hall, University of Georgia College of Education, 110 Carlton Street, Athens, Georgia 30602. Carter Funeral Home of Winder is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be ex pressed at www.carterfhwinder.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 27-January 2 ConardL Kyte WINDER — Conard L. Kyte, 69, Winder, passed away Monday, December 21, 2020. Conard was born Jan uary 7, 1951 in Eliza- bethton, Tennessee to the late Pete and Freida Mae Perry Kyte, and had resided in Winder for the past 30 years. He was preceded by a sister, Kathy Camfield. He was a member of Gospel Light Baptist Church. Surviving are wife, Vicki Decker Kyte, Winder; siblings, Tommy Kyte and Dean Kyte, both of Jefferson, Debra Kyte, Lisa Romero and Penni Kyte, all of Wind er. Family to receive friends: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside service: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Carl Cemetery. Carter Funeral Home of Winder is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be ex pressed at www.carterfhwinder.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 27-January 2