Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About The Oglethorpe echo. (Crawford, Ga.) 1874-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2025)
Thursday, October 9, 2025 THE OGLETHORPE Echo Page 3 Around THE County DRIVING SKILLS CHEERFUL GIVING 1. 6. 734.3 SUBMITTED PHOTO Oglethorpe County's Cole Faust had a perfect driving score and a perfect score on the problem solving test to win the Area 2 FFA Tractor Operation CDE in September. He will compete in the state contest at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie this month. SUBMITTED PHOTO Oglethorpe Children's Academy's Melanee McGee (left) presents Jennifer Yauck with a $1,000 donation to the Oglethorpe County Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Catherine Yauck is also pictured. Oglethorpe Children's Academy becomes a platinum level sponsor and the donation will provide books for 40 children in the coun ty this year. SUBMITTED PHOTO Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply's Stewart Sand ers presents Jennifer Yauck with a $500 donation to the Oglethorpe County Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply becomes a gold level sponsor and the donation will provide books for 20 children in the county this year. 6 Obituaries RICHARD P. ANDERSON Richard P. Anderson, 69, of Hull, passed away Sept. 26, 2025. He was the son of the late David and Daisy Anderson. Mr. Anderson was a car penter. A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 at the funeral home. Survivors include: wife, Debo rah “Debbie” Anderson; sister, Kim (Merv) Stephens; brother, Dave (Harriett) Anderson; two brothers- in-law, Brent Wilson and Tracy Wil son; nephews, Adam Stephens, No lan (Ashley) Stephens; great nieces, Ashley and Paisley; niece, Taylor Wilson, nephews, Alex and Blake Wilson. Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, East, is in charge of arrangements. BARBARA KITCHENS Bell Barbara Kitchens Bell, 75, passed away on Oct. 4, 2025. Born Nov. 24, 1949, in Clarke County, Barbara was the daughter of the late Carl A. Kitchens and Sar ah L. Patton Kitchens. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her second husband, James Neal Bell, her third husband, James M. Cash, and a daughter, Sarah C. K. Bell. Barbara worked in the retail in dustry and also waitressed before becoming a homemaker until her children were grown. Barbara loved country music, especially Lorre- ta Lynn and Patsy Cline. She also loved to travel, play bingo, Scrab ble and many other board games. She also loved her jewelry and nice outfits to go out dancing. In her lat ter years, she enjoyed watching the old Westerns each day and snacking on candy. Barbara is survived by four chil dren: Lacey (Derek) Paul, Lisa Bell, Marian (Martie Purser) Bell, and Jay (Charlsie) Bell; six grandchil dren, Dusty Peppers, Breanna Pep pers, Kirsten Jackson, Heath Paul, Anna Kate Bell, and Reagan Bell; seven great grandchildren; a broth er, Mike (Carol) Kitchens; two sis ters, Deborah (Dwight) Geeter, and Pam Looney, and a number of neph ews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Living Water Baptist Church, P.O. Box 218 Crawford, GA 30630, or American Cancer So ciety, 1552 Shoup Court, Decatur, GA 30033. The family would also like to ex tend its deepest appreciation to all the staff at Comer Nursing home for taking care and loving on Bar bara for the past 10 years. Also, spe cial thanks to Melissa from Affinis Hospice care, who cared for Barba ra during the last month of her life. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 at Oconee Memorial Park, with Pastor Derek Paul officiating. Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, West, in Watkinsville, is in charge of arrangements. BOBBY Lee “Domino” Pittman Bobby L. Pittman, 72, of Athens, died Sept. 29, 2025. The funeral service was held 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 at Liv ing Waters Christian Fellowship Church in Athens, with Pastor Wil liam Bland, eulogist. Interment was in Athens Mem ory Gardens. Survivors include his wife, Fannie Pittman; children, An dre Pittman, Katrina Pittman and Tabitha Pittman; grandson, Tey- cavious (Ireona) Pittman; brother, Claude (Stephanie) Bailey; sister, Nancy Bailey; great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Jones Funeral Chapel of Craw ford was in charge of services. PHILLIP LAMAR MIXON Phillip Lamar Mixon, 40, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 16, 2025, in Vienna, Virginia. He was born on June 10, 1985, in Athens. Phillip graduated from East Hall High School, Gainesville in 2003. Later, he obtained his associate’s degree from Athens Technical Col lege, in Athens, and his bachelor’s degree in software engineering from Southern Polytechnic State Univer sity in Marietta. Phillip lived a life defined by cu riosity, creativity and connection. At an early age, Phillip was captivated by the world of computers and cod ing. What began as a childhood fas cination blossomed into a career as a computer programmer in the sub urbs of Washington, D.C. His tech nical acumen was matched by his imaginative spirit and sharp wit — qualities that made him not only a talented worker, but also an unfor gettable and unique presence to those who knew him. Phillip’s sense of humor was quick and dry, often delivered with effortless sarcasm that left friends and colleagues laughing long after the moment had passed. He brought amusement to every conversation and left lasting impressions wherev er he went. An avid video gamer, Phillip found both challenge and cama raderie in the digital realms he ex plored. He was especially proud of the countless hours spent — and friendships forged — in World of Warcraft. In that virtual world, as in life, his skill was rivaled only by his dedica tion and loyalty to those whom he appreciated and loved. Another part of his life that provided him great joy, sorrow, and stress was his love of the Georgia Bulldogs. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Phillip made a bold and unconventional deci sion: He left his job, purchased an RV and set out to explore the United States with his then-girlfriend and their dogs. That journey became a defining chapter in his life — a testament to his adventurous spirit and desire to experience the world on his own terms. Though he never married, Phil- lip cherished family deeply. He adored his three nieces — Eleanor Frances Oxner, Margaret Lynn Ox- ner, and Charlotte Victoria Withrow — and his nephew Samuel Thom as Withrow. Time spent with them brought him immense happiness. His love for them was evident in every shared family vacation, game night, or playful conversation. Phillip is lovingly remembered by parents Timothy Lamar Mixon and Deborah Lynn (Burton) Mix- on; sisters Julie Ann (Schmidt) Ox ner and Catherine Elizabeth (Mix- on) Withrow; brothers-in-law David Joseph Oxner and Brandon Michael Withrow; nieces Eleanor, Charlotte and Margaret; nephew Sammy; grandmother Clara Nell (Rice) Mix- on; and many other relatives and friends whose lives were brightened by knowing him. Phillip was preceded in death by grandparents Harold Boyd Burton, Peggy Wynell (Seagraves) Burton and Ray Lamar Mixon. For more than 11 years until his death, Phillip’s constant companion was Louie — his beloved Australian Shepherd — who remained faithful ly by his side through each chapter of life. Phillip’s legacy lives on in the laughter he inspired, the code he crafted, the adventures he em braced, and the love he gave so freely. May his memory bring com fort to all who knew him. BESSIE SMITH WISE Mrs. Bessie Wise, 77, of Lexing ton, died Sept. 28, 2025. The funeral service was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 at Jones Funeral Chapel in Crawford. Survivors include her son, Franklin K. Smith; daughter, Mer ry (George) Hulin; sisters, Florine Smith and Nellie Smith; grandchil dren; sister-in-law, Nancy Smith; other relatives and friends. Jones Funeral chapel of Crawford was in charge of services. BANKSTON CONCRETE & CONSTRUCTION (770) 337-8958 Building Slabs, Driveways, Sidewalks, Retainer Walls, Decorative Concrete FREE ESTIMATES . 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE BIG OR SMALL JOBS THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Serving Oglethorpe County for more than 151 years P. 0. Box 268, Lexington, Georgia 30648 editor@oglethorpeecho.com | 706.743.3111 USPS 404-020 Website:theoglethorpeecho.com © Facebook: @Oglethorpeecho Instagram: @oglethorpe_echo € Youtube: The Oglethorpe Echo Institute for Nonprofit News The Oglethorpe Echo is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News — a nationwide network of independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organizations. Newspaper of General Excellence for 2025 LOCAL - MATTERS The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Inc. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Chairman: Dink NeSmith Business Manager: Trisha Bearden Administrative Assistant: Valerie Argo Marketing Manager: Lourdes Boyd • S • Nonprofit 9 v News S %Awards AY WINNER The Oglethorpe Echo Staff Game-Changer Award The Oglethorpe Echo Andy Johnston, editor Amanda Bright, instructor & assistant editor Abbie Herrin, designer Emily Adams, Business and Infrastructure Drew Bearden, Education and Schools Grace Burnett, Business and Infrastructure Zack Busbee, Sports Coverage Katherine Davis, Criminal Justice and Safety Sophia Eppley, County Government and Politics Mia Fishman Cities and Breaking News Hannah Freeman, Health and Diversity A member of the INN Network Ansley Gavlak, Cities and Breaking News Gabby Gruszynski, Criminal Justice and Safety Jacob Harper, Agriculture and Environment Cooper Huau, Susanna Johnson, Sports and Arts, History Recreation and Religion Ella Jones, Education and Schools Andy Mathis, Sports Coverage Molly Moore, Arts, History and Religion Alex Perri, General Assignment Makenna Reavis, Agriculture and Environment Maura Rutledge, Health and Diversity Kimberly Thomas, County Government and Politics
