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BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Obituaries
Roberto Encarnacion Sr.
WINDER- Roberto Encarnacion Sr., 71 of Winder, passed
away Sunday, August 22, 2021.
He was a native of St.
Croix, USVI and served
his country proudly in the
U.S. Army. Roberto was
of the Christian faith and a
faithful member of Iglesia
Pentecostal La Armadura,
where he was a co-pastor,
counselor and a teacher. He was a very talented guitarist, car
penter and artist. Roberto loved his family and especially his
grandchildren.
Roberto was preceded in death by his parents, Francisco
and Herminia Solis Encarnacion; and brother, Juan Encar
nacion.
He is survived by his loving wife, Luz Virginia Encama-
cion, Winder; two sons, Bobby Encarnacion, Winder, and
Eliezer Encarnacion, Dacula; two daughters, Marilyn Mo
rales, Dacula, and Helen Yarwood, Dacula; a daughter-in-
law, Shemaka Encarnacion; two sons-in-law, Chris Yarwood
and Emanuel Morales; four brothers, Jose “Cheito” Encama-
cion, St. Croix, USVI, Rafael “Rafi” Encarnacion, St. Croix,
USVI, Gilbert Encarnacion, St. Croix. USVI and Miguel
Encarnacion, St. Croix, USVI; two sisters, Antolina “Tolina”
Encarnacion, Lithonia, and Aracelis “Shelly” Encarnacion,
Orlando. Fla.; six grandchildren, Jeanyah Yarwood, Eliezer
Encarnacion “Junior”, Zahina Encarnacion. Jireh Encama-
cion, Adrieyl Encarnacion and Emma Morales; three broth-
ers-in-law, Jose A. Concepcion, Winder, Flor Concepcion,
St. Croix, USVI. and Carlos Ruben Rivera, St. Croix, USVI
; two sisters-in-law, Juanita Encarnacion, Clearwater, Fla.,
and Haidee Encarnacion, St. Croix. USVI; and his three best
friends, Jesus and Jose Nieves and Andres Robles.
Funeral service: Monday. August 30,2021 at 2 p.m. at The
First Pentecostal Church of Buford. Interment will be held at
The Georgia National Cemetery with military honors.
Family to receive friends: Monday, August 30, 2021 from
11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the church.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder is in charge of arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Phillip Wayne Evans
WINDER — Phillip Wayne Evans, 74, Winder,
passed away peacefully on Monday, August 23, 2021.
Mr. Evans is preceded in
death by his parents. Sam
my and Bonnie Evans; and
nephew. Keith Hardy.
Mr. Evans is survived by
his loving wife of 53 years,
Sarah Evans; children, Paul
and Brandy Evans; sis
ter, Dianne Hardy (Wayne
Grissom); grandchildren,
Megan and Preston Mincey;
and nieces, Georgie Hardy
and Taylor Hardy (Jason)
Simotes.
Funeral service: Friday,
August 27, 2021 at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Carter Funeral
Home with the Rev. Hal Tapp officiating. Burial will follow
the service at the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cem
etery.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, August 26,2021 from
5 until 8 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home.
The family respectfully request in lieu of flowers, dona
tions be made in memory of Mr. Evans to the Cornerstone
Christian Church, 2191 Dooley Town Road, Statham. Ga.
30666.
Carter Funeral Home. Winder is entrusted with the ar
rangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Kimsey David Fitzpatrick
DANIELSVILLE — Kimsey David Fitzpatrick. 76. Dan-
ielsville, died Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at his residence.
Mr. Fitzpatrick was bom in Commerce to the late Wilson
and Mildred Fitzpatrick. He was a retired mechanic with the
Madison County School System. In addition to his parents,
Mr. Fitzpatrick was preceded in death by his granddaughter,
Cassandra Carey.
Mr. Fitzpatrick is survived by his son, Bob Fitzpatrick,
Danielsville; daughter, Kim Carey, Augusta; brothers, Barry
Fitzpatrick and Millard Fitzpatrick, Neese community; and
grandchildren, Trey Carey, Greta Carey and Andrew Fitzpat
rick.
No services are planned at this time.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of ar
rangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Janet Hulsey Geiger
JEFFERSON — Janet Hulsey Geiger, 84, Jefferson, passed
away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.
Mrs. Geiger was bom
in Braselton. a daughter to
the late Raymond Seaborn
Hulsey and the late Pauline
Pierce Hulsey. Mrs. Gei
ger was a homemaker and
worked with her husband, at
the business they owned and
operated, Geiger Upholstery.
Mrs. Geiger was a member of
the Ebenezer United Meth
odist Church in Jefferson. In
addition to her parents. Mrs.
Geiger was preceded in death
by her husband, Benny Lee
Geiger; and her sister. Ada Pearl Parks.
Survivors include her daughter, Janet Denice Wood and her
husband Kyle, Jefferson; grandchildren, Kelly Pierce and her
husband Brandon, Winder, Steven Davis and his wife Nikki,
Jefferson, and Katie Hogwood, Jefferson; seven great-grand
children, Brantley. Darren, Paisley, Colton, Daniel, Lucy and
Walt.
Funeral service: Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 12 p.m. in
the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Reverend Brent
Gilstrap officiating. The burial will follow in the Barrow Me
morial Gardens. Gentlemen honored to serve as pallbearers
are Steven Davis, Brandon Pierce, Chase Mullinax, Phillips
Parks, David Parks and Ben Simon. Honorary pallbearers are
Kermit Simmons and Bobby Mullinax.
Family to receive friends: Thursday. August 26, 2021 from
10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the
American Cancer Society, 105 Westpark Drive. Suite C, Ath
ens, Ga. 30606 or at www.cancer.org
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jeffer
son, Georgia. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralho-
meinc.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Leon Gibbs
LULA — Leon Gibbs, 81, of the Rock Springs communi
ty, Lula, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August
2, 2021.
Mr. Gibbs was bom on December 25. 1939 in Hall Coun
ty to the late Marvin and Edna Mae Gibbs. In addition to
his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Bobby
Gibbs, Daniel Gibbs and Roger Gibbs; sisters, Edna Faye
Gibbs. Patsy McFarland and Susan Gibbs.
Leon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grand
father and brother. He worked in the scrap metal business for
most of his life; he loved working with scrap metal and haul
ing cars. Leon never met a stranger and had a great sense of
humor. He had the ability to make anyone laugh. He loved all
his family and had many friends. Leon loved spending time
with his grandchildren, and they called him “Papa Leon”. He
was a member of Higher Ground Baptist Church.
Survivors include his loving wife of 36 years, Joyce Stan-
dridge Gibbs, Lula; children, Ranee Leon Gibbs and Mar
tha, Brandon Leon Gibbs and Cindi, Tammy Lynn Gibbs
Gillespie, Marlon Leon Gibbs and Susan, and Tonya Leann
Gibbs Hester and Andy; step-children, Stacy Crump and Lisa
and Holly Cramp Dalton and Tommy; brothers and sisters,
Bettye Gibbs Dean, Martha Lee Gibbs Parks, Harold Den
nis Gibbs, Mary Marie Gibbs Greenway and Douglas Wayne
Gibbs; grandchildren, Mathew Gillespie, Emily Gibbs, Aus
tin Gibbs, Allie Gibbs, Amber Shaw, Cade Hester, Falon
Hester, Noah Gibbs, Alexzandria Gibbs, Natalie Toler, Alys-
sa Dean, Flair Lee, Jantson King, Savanna King. Brooklyn
Reed and Caleb Cramp; great-grandchild, Mason Shaw; and
numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service: Friday, August 6, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the
Whitfield Funeral Home South Chapel with the Rev. Scott
Strickland and Brandon Gibbs officiating. Interment will fol
low in the Zebulon Baptist Church Cemetery in Toccoa.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, August 5,2021 from 5
to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitfield Funeral
Homes & Crematory, South Chapel at 1370 Industrial Bou
levard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Edward Stephen Hayes
WINDER — Edward Stephen Hayes, 56, Winder, passed
away on Friday, August 27, 2021.
Mr. Hayes is preceded in death by his father, Theron Hayes
Sr.
Mr. Hayes is survived by his mother, Jackie Simmons
Hayes; son, Shane Hayes; daughter, Amber Lynn Hayes; sis
ter. Patricia Lynn Slade; brother, Theron Hayes Jr.; and grand
children. Roger Steven Hayes and Brittany Marie Hayes.
Per the request of Mr. Hayes, no service will be held.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder is entrusted with the ar
rangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Mitchell Byron King
WINDER — Mitchell Byron King, 64, Winder, passed away
Wednesday, August 25, 2021, surrounded by his beloved fami
ly in his home on their farm.
Mitch earned an Associ
ate’s Engineering Degree
from Southern Polytechnic
Institute. He worked diligent
ly for many years at the R&R
Manufacturing Plant in Au
burn.
In 1996, he changed career
paths after earning an Edu
cation Degree from Brenau
University. He enthusias
tically engaged his “Kings
Marines” in fourth grade for
many years. Mitch’s vocation
and greatest gift was his love
of sharing music. Mitch was a prolific songwriter and served
as the worship leader for Bethlehem First United Methodist
Church. The notes of his passion for song continue to play for
his descendants and all those with whom he shared his gift.
A loving, dedicated and generous husband, father, PaPa,
brother, uncle, son and friend; Mitch will be remembered for
his kindness, for his role as a wise counselor, for his famous
sense of humor and for his love of entertaining through story
and song.
Mitch is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Vel-
da King; and his mother and father-in-law, J.D. and Eleanor
Withers.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Angela Withers King;
children, Eugene (Damaris) King, Eleanor (Josh) Honea, Velda
(Tyler) Weeks and Alex King; grandchildren, Morgan and Alex
King, Emma and Nora Honea, Bryce Weeks and Everett and
Bellamy King; siblings, Connie (John) Iacuone, Cathy (Dan)
Dobbe, Kim (Gary) Harbuck, and Wes (Fran) King; and many
loving extended family members.
How do you capture who a man was? How do you pass
down to future generations all that encompassed a man of such
depth? In a single sentence, or paragraph, or an encyclopedia of
their life. It’s not possible. But we will try.
Mitchell Byron King: A family man. A working man. An
engineer. A teacher. A luthier, who handcrafted and repaired
guitars. An artist. A musician. A woodworker. A farmer. A man
of God. A man not afraid to show his emotions or tell you how
he honestly feels. A man of strength and conviction.
Artist, philosopher, poet, leader, charismatic, intellectual, hi
larious, entertaining and passionate. These are just a few of the
words that define Mitch King. Mitch had an incredible memory
and told such amazing stories. He made stories come alive with
his attention to detail and his humorous style.
One of the best stories Mitch ever told was about falling in
love. When Angela Withers came home from college, Mitch
won her over with his charisma and his guitar. They were
married in 1977. Their family would grow with their children
Gene, Ellie, Velda and Alex, whom Mitch referred to as the
Fab Four. Mitch often told stories about how proud he was of
his children, of all they accomplished, of their dignity, humor
and kindness.
There were numerous stories about all of his siblings: Con
nie, Cathy, Kim and Wes. When the five King siblings were
together, the room was filled with energy and laughter. Mitch
was undeniably: The life of the party. When you walked into
the King’s living room he would be holding court, telling jokes,
telling stories, singing happy songs or singing sad songs. Mitch
was a natural performer. Mitch was a connoisseur of great mu
sic: Neil Young, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, The Beatles,
Pure Prairie League, James Taylor, Elvis, Pat Terry and Wes
King.
Mitch was also a man of great depth and conversations with
him were deep. Mitch was a man who was immensely proud
of his family, his farm, his truck, his tractor, and his shop. He
would often say that his shop and the way in which he set it up
was the envy of many men.
Mitch had a deep and abiding faith. Mitch would share his
faith with those he loved through his kindness and his service
to friends and family. We are grateful for all of you, our family
and friends who have been on this journey with Mitch. Winder,
Georgia, the King Family, the Withers Family, and countless
people that he impacted have lost a great man in Mitch King.
Deceased's Funeral Arrangements A Memorial Service was
held August 28th at First Presbyterian Church of Winder with
Rev. Richard Tuttle presiding. The life of Mitch King was cel
ebrated with many beautiful stories and songs.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder is in charge or arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Reverend Julius Mack
JEFFERSON — Reverend Julius Mack, 63, Jefferson, en
tered into rest Wednesday, August 25, 2021.
The Reverend Mack was
born in Jefferson, a son of the
late Jesse Mack McCluskey
and the late Virginia Lee Jack-
son Mack. Reverend Mack
had been the pastor of Bush
River Baptist Church for 29
years, worked for Mainstreet
Newspapers for 50 years and
was currently the printing
shop foreman.
Survivors include his wife,
Laveme Wilson Mack. Jeffer
son; two sons, Theron Brown
and his wife Erica, Jefferson,
and Corey Mack and his wife Chiquita, Jefferson; daughter, Ju
lia Teasley and her husband Anthony, Jefferson; four brothers,
Bennie Mack and his wife Hazel, Jefferson, Jackie McCluskey
and his wife Gloria,, Jefferson, Willie Howard McCluskey and
his wife Jackie, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Wallace Mc
Cluskey and his wife Sue; Hoschton; and 13 grandchildren also
survive.
Funeral service: Monday, August 30,2021 at 2 p.m. from the
Galilee Christian Church with the Reverends Terrell Shields,
Tommy Sewell, Steve Jackson, Fred Wilson, Frank Roebuck
and Mitchell Appleby officiating. Burial will follow in Jackson
Memorial Gardens.
Family to receive friends: Sunday, August 29, 2021 from
4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, those attending visitation
and funeral services will be required to wear a mask.
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson,
Georgia. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.
com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of August 29-September 4
Patricia Joyce Rutledge Morgan
COLFAX, NORTH CAROLINA — Patricia Joyce Rutledge
Morgan, 86, Colfax, North Carolina, loving wife, mother, sister,
grandmother and great-grandmother passed on to her new jour
ney in heaven Saturday, July 31, 2021.
Patricia “Pat”, daughter of
the late Clifford Charner and
Sarah Evelyn (Kesler) Rut
ledge, was bom in Winder. She
married Robert (Bob) Morgan
on July 3, 1955, and after he
completed military service in
Norfolk, Virginia, they settled
in Winder. Having been mar
ried in Winder First United
Methodist Church, they re
sumed active membership in
the Winder First United Meth
odist Church where Pat led
children’s and youth choirs,
frequently played piano and
organ, and was active with the United Methodist Women.
Pat relocated with her family to Plantation, Florida in 1972,
and spent many years as an active member of the community
and Plantation United Methodist Church. Pat spent many years
taking care of family. She enjoyed working with the Girl Scouts,
teaching Sunday School, leading church music and being a band
booster and swim team Mom. In Florida, she also enjoyed hob
bies including tennis and bowling, and completed her degree in
early childhood education at Broward Community College.
With children grown, and Bob retired, they became members
of the community at River Landing at Sandy Ridge in Colfax,
North Carolina in 2004. There, they enjoyed a peaceful retire
ment, making many friends and wonderful memories.
She was truly proud of all her children and their accomplish
ments whether in sports, academics or military careers. She was
also proud of her grandchildren and blessed to spend so much
time in Colfax where she watched two of those grandchildren,
Logan and Sierra, grow up. Though the rest of her family lived in
different parts of the country, she loved their individual visits, as
well as occasional reunion-style celebrations which her family
was allowed to host at River Landing. The last was a celebration
of her 84th birthday in June of 2019, with 30 or so in attendance.