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WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017 MAINSTREET NEWSPAPERS Obituaries Alton Cooper FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - Alton Randall Cooper, 72, entered into rest Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Mr. Cooper Pendergrass, the son of the late Dewey Alton Coo per and Thelma Lois Thomas Cooper. He was a member of Mountain Creek Baptist Church and was a retired machinist with major tooling. He was pre ceded in death by a sister, Runette Durrett; and a broth er, 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; sis ter, Katherine Pennington, Pendergrass; and four grand children, 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 officiating with burial in the Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Gentlemen honored as pall bearers were Jimmy Har ris, Grady Sullens, Jimmy Stowe, Eric Pennington, Ricky Pennington, Shannon Bruce and Raymond Smith served as an honorary pall bearer. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at ww w.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 Bap tist Church in Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her brother, Terrell Owens. Survivors include her hus band, 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. Interment 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 Tomor row, a non-profit organiza tion to help families in need. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Charles William Kline; and a daugh ter, Ann Overby. Survivors include her hus band, Richard Haley, Wind er; two daughters, Stephanie Rector, Richmond, Va. and Angela Morris, Chesterfield, 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 memo ry 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 Mem ory 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 long time employee of Fawn Togs in Braselton. She was pre ceded in death by her hus band, Larry Paul Hogan; and a brother, Newt David Led ford, Jr. Survivors include three daughters, Becky Lee, Buford, Katie Hogan, Columbus, and Carol Poole, Gainesville; sister and care giver, Thelma Pierce, Homer; brother, Marvin Ledford, Homer; five grandchildren; 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. Wednesday, May 31. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc. com Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12588) Elizabeth Holliday JEFFERSON - Elizabeth Ann Holliday, 85, entered into rest Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Mrs. Holliday was born in Winder, the daughter of the late A.L. and Viola Skinner Dalton. Mrs. retired from the textile industry in Jefferson, where she worked all of her life, and was a member of the Leba non United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her hus band, John Holliday; grand son, Dillon Holliday; sis ter, 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, Spartanburg, S.C., and Margie Fitzpatrick, Danielsville: brother, Merel Dalton, Jefferson; grandchil dren, Donna Moore, Debo rah Vasquez and her hus band 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 offici ating. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers were Joel Vasques, Steve Beard, Ricky Bennett, Wesley Bennett, Danny Owensby and Mitch ell Owensby. The burial was in the Lebanon United Meth odist 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 Sun day, May 21, 2017, while at home in hospice care. Rocky was born on December 28, 1953, in Evanston, Ill., and attended Covenant College in Chat tanooga, Tenn., where he met his bride, Debbie. He gradu ated with a degree in Greek in 1981. On July 10, 1982, he and Debbie were married and had their first child on Novem ber 3, 1983. Eventually, 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 hus band, father, and lover of his savior, Christ Jesus. He was actively involved at Cov enant Presbyterian Church, in Buford, Ga., leading music for Sunday evening worship services and hosting the church’s annual Memo rial Day picnic. He sought the Lord in ardent prayer and encouraged 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, fix ing his eyes on, and placing his hope in, Christ Jesus. Survivors include his wife, Debbie; his children. Jack Howland, Dorothy Forrester, Gabe Howland, Sarah Keis ter, Michael Howland, Laura Howland, Hannah Howland, Marjory Howland, and Alai- na 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) Warner Jackson McBrayer, III Warner Jackson McBrayer, III, known to his family and friends as Chuck, has passed away. He was bom on August 6, 1946, in Rome, Ga. and spent his childhood years in Wind er. He attended Darlington School in Rome and Georgia Military Academy in Milled- geville, Ga. He attended the University of Georgia and went on to serve in the doing a tour in Vietnam with the 315th Air Com mando Wing followed by an assignment with the Special Activities Squadron under NORAD with Top Secret clearance. After several years as a law enforcement officer, Chuck became a pri vate investigator, working for several firms before open ing his own company. The McBrayer Group specialized in undercover surveillance, labor strike and corporate security, hostage negotiations and domestic crisis interven tion. He was an instructor for the government in firearms and weapons training. He did presentations of seminars on anti-terrorism, workplace violence, and self-protection. was born in Holliday was His quest for knowledge was insatiable and his personal library included thousands of books on every subject imag inable. He was a scholar, an athlete, a nature lover, a student of the night sky, a true patriot, a man of strong faith, a consummate gentle man 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 Thurs day, 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 Coun ty, 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. Mur ray was a longtime member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he served as deacon. Survivors include his wife, Margie Fielding Murray; children, Pam Parks (Larry), Cheryl Crumbley, and John nie Murray, Jr. (Lynne); grandchildren, Victoria Duckworth (Jeff Bowen), Kimberly Futrell (Chase), Dru Crumbley, Abby Crum bley, Taylor Oren (Chris), Torie Smith (Tyler) and Christine Withers (Rick); great-grandchildren, Jackson Duckworth, Hadley Withers, Adaline Oren and Ryleigh Smith; and a number of niec es and nephews. A reception was held Sat urday. May 27, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church fol lowed by memorial services. The Revs. Lee Hunter and Jennifer Horton officiated. Interment was private. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Cem etery 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 Coun ty, Mrs. Palmer was the daughter of the late Perry Dial Sims, Jr. and Leona Long Sims. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Survivors include her hus band of 56 years, Dennis Joe Palmer; children, Warren (Jan) Palmer and Lisa (Mike) Aaron; brother, Wendell Sims; sisters, Louette Man- ders, Nancy Faulkner, Pat Porter; grandchildren, Jessica Palmer Harbin, Austin Palm er, 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 officiated. Burial was at Barrow Memorial Gar dens. 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, following a struggle with can cer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Odus 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, Oak- wood; grandson and grand- daughter-in-law, Morgan and Heather Glenn, Hoschton; grandson, Mason Glenn, Los Angeles, Calif.; great-grand sons, 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 Puckett and Judy Puckett Martin, Buford; special niece, Nan Smith Beard, Flowery Branch; and numerous nieces and neph ews. 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 member of New Bethany Baptist Church aka Lanier Islands Commu nity 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 Geor gia Bulldogs on television. She was also a big fan of "Wheel of Fortune" and was quite skilled at solving 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 Cross View 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 preceded in death by his father, Alfred Leon Skinner, Sr.; sister, Angie Wood; and a grand child. Survivors include his chil dren, Candice Mobley, Bran di Knight, Michelle Barrett; mother, Sara Carithers Skin ner; brother, Greg (Janell) Skinner; and ten grandchil dren. Funeral services were held at Smith Memory Chapel on Friday, May 26. Burial 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 Bradford Smith, Fort Collins, Colo. A graveside service was conducted Sunday, May 28, at Barrow Memorial Gardens 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 Mon day, May 22, 2017, at her residence. Mrs. Ward was born on September 28, 1937, the daughter of the late Robert PAGE 11A-J 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 Cem etery. Perry Funeral Home, Ashburn, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. Dorothy Pritchett COLBERT - Dorothy Virginia Pritchett, 98, died Monday, May 29, 2017, at Piedmont-Athens Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Pritchett was bom in Commerce, the daughter of the late R.A. and Cammie Segars Minish. She was a member of Erastus Chris tian Church and was retired from Commerce Sportswear. Mrs. Pritchett was preced ed in death by her husband, Swayne Jolly Pritchett; and a son, Sammy Pritchett. Survivors include daugh ters, Beth Gordon, Com merce, and JoAnn Hanley, Colbert; son, Jerry Pritch ett, Travelers Rest, S.C.; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 31, grave side at Jackson Memorial Park with the Revs. Eddie Gordon and Douglas Duncan officiating. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12299) Millard Spinks Jr. COLBERT - Millard Cicero Spinks Jr., 85, passed away Friday, May 26, 2017. Born in Athens, he was the son of the late Millard Cicero Spinks Sr. and Ina Catherine Cooper Spinks. Mr. Spinks was a Veteran of the United States Navy, having served in the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Star twice, the Good Conduct and National Defense Medal, and a letter from the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War from the Republic of South Korea. He was Past Master of the Mount Ver non Masonic Lodge #22 and Past Patron of the Athens Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star #268. Mr. Spinks retired from ABB/Westinghouse after 38 years and was a mem ber of Moon’s Grove Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Luella Doerr Chandler Spinks; two sisters, Faye Laverne Fuller and Beverly Spinks; and one brother, Ray Spinks. Survivors include his chil dren, Katherine L. Arwood, Sandie G. Shubert (Ted), Trina L. Spinks, Bill Chan dler (Beverly), Robert Chan dler (Maria) and Joan Fouche (Tony); 17 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Monday, May 29, at Moon’s Grove Baptist Church. Inter ment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Danny Chandler, Dennis Chandler, Dustin Chandler, Jasen Spinks, John Spinks, Chris Mattox, Chris Fouche and Josiah Fouche. Donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Hospice House, 1660 Jennings Mill Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677, or The Gideons Inter national, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090. Lord and Stephens, Dan ielsville, was in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. May 31, 2017. (12635) Email to: obits @ mainstreet- news.com.