Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
THE JACKSON HERALD
PAGE 11A
Obituaries
M. Andrew "Andy” McCollum
On Tuesday, September 7, 2023, the world lost M. An
drew “Andy” McCollum, a beautiful compassionate, fun
ny soul.
Bom in Toccoa on March 1, 1947, Andy McCollum
greeted the world with his beautiful smile and wonderful
laugh.
Lewis B. and Dottee M. McCollum raised their firstborn
child in the Camelot-like community of Tumerville, in
Habersham County. Andy was followed by three siblings,
Sam (deceased), Nancy (Don) Higginbotham and Angela
(George) MacMillan, all of Tumerville. His nieces live in
Georgia and his nephew in Alabama with their families.
Andy is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Marga
ret; his sons, Burt and Michael; and his two sisters.
He gave Margaret the greatest gift when they married.
Andy was very proud and loved both sons greatly. Burt and
Michael gave Andy and Margaret four terrific grandchil
dren. His face lit up when saw his grandchildren.
In 1965 Andy graduated from Habersham County High
School in Clarkesville. He proudly served his school’s
Beta Club and graduated Summe Cum Laude.
Majoring in psychology, he graduated from the Univer
sity of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in 1969. In 1974
Andy completed his Master’s in Social Work.
Andy’s professional life started as a social work tech at
Central State Psychiatric Hospital in Milledgeville. His
dad was so pleased because he had insurance and retire
ment benefits. Andy worked as unit director at Northwest
Regional Psychiatric Hospital, Rome; Denver Colorado’s
Fort Logan Mental Health Center and Clinical Director
and Director of the Northeast Community Mental Health/
Mental Retardation/Substance Abuse Center, Athens.
He spoke at Jimmy Carter’s Center in Atlanta regard
ing how to use state funds for the most chronically mental
ill people’s medicines. He was promoted to the Regional
Director positions in Athens and Augusta for the Regional
Boards. He retired in good standing after 35 years of ser
vice.
Andy enjoyed his retirement years by visiting family
and friends, fishing, woodworking, going to car shows and
hanging out in his shop which he and his sons built. He
traveled to Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maine, eastern Canada
and California.
Funeral service: Sunday, September 17, 2023, at 2 p.m.
at the Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West Chapel,
1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, Ga. The funeral
home is located off Highway 316, inside Loop 10.
Andy would be honored if you would donate to Nuci’s
Space, 396 Oconee Street, Athens, Ga. 30601, 706-227-
1515; www.nuci.org.
Lord & Stephens, West, Watkinsville, Ga. is in charge of
arrangements, www.lordandstephens.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
Mary Teresa McCannon McElhannon
CLARKESVILLE — Mary Teresa McCannon McEl
hannon, 66, Clarkesville, passed away on Tuesday, Sep
tember 12, 2023.
Bom on December 15,
1956, in Elberton, she was
a daughter of the late La
mar Norman McCannon
and Freddie Sybil Sisk Mc
Cannon. Mrs. McElhannon
worked in numerous oc
cupations over the years.
She was a loving mother
and grandmother and was
a member of Mt. Pleasant
Baptist Church in Holly
wood.
In addition to her parents,
she was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Wayne
McElhannon; and grandson, Jaylen Coker.
Survivors include her significant other, Shelton Parrish,
Clarkesville; children, Shannon Hardman, Comer, Jeremy
Bishop Scarborough (Tequilla Masters), Hartwell, Tra
vis Wayne McElhannon, Clarkesville, and Amber Nicole
Hernandez (Jose Luis Hernandez), Baldwin; 18 grandchil
dren; four great-grandchildren; brother, David McCannon
(BeBe), Carlton; sister, Janet Culbertson, Comer; two
nieces and two nephews; and numerous other relatives and
friends.
Funeral service: Thursday, September 14, 2023, at
2 p.m. in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart Fu
neral Home with Bishop Billy Joe Jenkins Jr. officiating.
Interment will follow the service in Carlton City Cemetery
in Madison County.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, September 14,
2023, from 12-2 p.m.at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the
American Cancer Society, PO. Box 6704, Hagerstown,
Maryland 21741, or https://donate.cancer.org/7cam-
paign=default&lang=en.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Corne
lia, Georgia, 706-778-8668, is in charge of arrangements.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at
www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
Erma Jean Patterson
Erma Jean Patterson, 62, wife of 41 years to Tony Patter
son, died on Wednesday, August 30,2023.
Mrs. Patterson was the daughter of the late Herschel
Glenn “Penny” Hunsinger and Bobbie Jean Looney
Hunsinger.
Erma was the property manager of AE Solutions along
side her husband Tony. She was a member of Sonlight B ap-
tist Church where she taught children’s Sunday School.
She was a loving wife and mother and adored her grand
children and great-grandchildren.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, include five chil
dren, Cindy (Kenneth) Potts, Bud Robinson, Darrell Rob
inson, Tina (Randy) Head and Brittany (Tommy) Hanson;
siblings, Shirley Robinson, Bobbie Haley and David (To
nya) Hunsinger; 14 grandchildren, Savannah, Madison,
Courtney, Dustin, Austin, Breanna, Haley, Isabelle, An-
druw, Jaiden, Casen, Bayani, Ascher and Emily; and one
great-granddaughter, Alaina.
Funeral service: Satur
day, September 2, 2023, at
11 a.m. at Sonlight Baptist
Church. Interment will fol
low in the church cemetery.
Family to receive friends:
Saturday, September 2,
2023, from 10-11 a.m. at
the church.
Lord and Stephens Fu
neral Home, East, Athens,
Ga., is in charge of arrange
ments. www.lordandste-
phens.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
Kesler Lanier Perry
JEFFERSON — Kesler Lanier Perry, 79, Commerce,
entered rest Sunday, September 10,2023.
Bom on April 17, 1944,
in Jackson County, Mr. Per
ry was the son of the late
Eugene and Ina Ivey Perry.
He was the owner of Lee
Street Auto Parts Store, Jef
ferson.
He is survived by Linda
Miller; daughter, Kim Per
ry Barber (Shane), Nichol
son; step-daughters, Becky
Simpson (Bob), Buford,
and Karen Wiley (Dave),
Jefferson; seven grandchil
dren; and five great-grandchildren.
Kesler was known to always be the life of the party.
Rarely did you see him without a smile on his face and a
corny joke to tell you. He loved to have a good time and he
enjoyed life to the fullest.
As per Kesler’s request, no funeral or memorial service
will be held.
In remembrance of Kesler and his love for children and
Christmas, the family asks that donations be directed to
Sheriff Janis Mangum for the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Office Christmas Drive, 555 Stan Evans Drive, Jefferson,
Ga. 30549, which Kesler supported so less fortunate chil
dren can have a wonderful Christmas.
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jef
ferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at
www.evansfimeralhomeinc.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
Paralee Gaines Perry
JEFFERSON — Paralee Gaines Perry, 82, Jefferson,
passed away on Sunday, September 17,2023.
Mrs. Perry was bom in
Pendergrass, a daughter
to the late James William
Gaines and the late Azalee
Akins Gaines. Mrs. Perry
was a homemaker and a
member of the Pond Fork
Baptist Church.
Mrs. Perry was an amaz
ing cook, famous for her
biscuits, and a mama to ev
erybody.
In addition to her parents,
Mrs. Perry is preceded in
death by her brothers, Tim Gaines, Ricky Gaines, Wil
liam “Jimbo” Gaines and Mac “Whitlow” Gaines; and her
grandson, Johnny Morgan.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, L.B. Perry,
Jefferson; daughters, Natalie Morgan and her husband
Joseph, Jefferson, and Melinda Morgan, Hull; grandchil
dren, Joey Morgan, Amanda Morgan, Austin Morgan,
Chase Morgan and Carter Morgan; great-grandchildren,
Wesley Brackins and Casen Brackins; sister, Janie Keith,
Jefferson; and brothers, Harold Gaines and his wife Sue,
Winder, and Danny Gaines and his wife Pam, Villa Rica,
also survive.
Funeral service: Tuesday, September 19,2023, at 2 p.m.
in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Revs. Bobby
Bugg and Chris Hulsey officiating. The burial will follow
in the Evans Memory Gardens with James Gaines, Doug
las Gaines, Wuenceslao Denova, Gerald Jones, Tyler Dal
ton and Timothy Gaines honored to serve as pallbearers.
Family to receive friends: Monday, September 18,2023,
from 5 until 8 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home.
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jef
ferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at
www.evansfimeralhomeinc.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
Elemuel Lumpkin "E.L.” Smith Jr.
HULL — Elemuel Lumpkin “E.L.” Smith Jr., 86, Hull,
passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023.
He was bom in Cedartown on September 3, 1937, and
he was the son of Elemuel Lumpkin Smith Sr. and Malline
Beck Smith (both deceased).
Mr. Smith worked at Lockheed in Marietta, before mov
ing to the Athens area to work at Reliance Electric, where
he worked in manufacturing engineering as a numerical
control programmer. He worked at Reliance for nearly 30
years before retiring in 2000.
Mr. Smith was also an
active longtime member
of Pleasant Grove Baptist
Church, where he served
as a deacon and in various
other roles. Mr. Smith en
joyed gardening, watching
NASCAR and spending
time with grandchildren
and family.
He is survived by his wife
of 63 years, Nancy Poteete
Smith; children, Ken Smith
(Donna) and Sheila Tyson
(Don); brother, Bobby Smith; grandchildren, Andrew Ty
son and Sarah Tyson; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral service: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at
11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Neese commu
nity, with the Rev. Jim Phillips officiating. Interment will
follow the service at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
cemetery. Pallbearers will be Don Tyson, Andrew Tyson,
David Smith, David Hamdy, David Black and Mike Han
ley. Ed Culbertson will also serve as an honorary pallbear
er.
Family to receive friends: Tuesday, September 19,2023,
from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lord and Stephens, Danielsville.
Mr. Smith’s family would like to give special thanks to
the staff of Brown Health and Rehabilitation in Royston,
as well as Afifinis Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to
the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2227
Diamond Hill-Neese Road, Hull, Ga. 30646.
Lord and Stephens, Danielsville, is in charge of arrange
ments. www.lordandstephens.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
Raymon Ottis Swaim
HOSCHTON — Raymon Ottis Swaim, 90, Hoschton,
passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023.
Mr. Swaim was bom in
Hoschton, a son to the late
Walter and Flossie Bell
Pierce Swaim. Mr. Swaim
was a service manager with
Georgia Natural Gas for 47
years.
Mr. Swaim was a mem
ber of the Walnut Fork Bap
tist Church in Hoschton and
was a veteran of the United
States Air Force.
In addition to his parents,
Mr. Swaim was preceded in
death by his wife, Lorine McClure Swaim; and his broth
er, Ralph Swaim.
Survivors include his son, Ken Swaim and his wife Jen
nifer, Hoschton; grandchildren, Chris Swaim and his wife
Allison, and Kennon Swaim; and great-grandchildren,
Timmothy Swaim, Zach and Cody Ramey also survive.
Funeral service: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at
11 a.m. in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the
Reverend David Ash officiating. The burial will follow
in the Walnut Fork Baptist Church Cemetery with Chris
Swaim, Kennon Swaim, Jamie Barlow, Steven Saunders,
Steven McClure, Troy Saunders, Paul Tate and Bob Jones
honored to serve as pallbearers.
Family to receive friends: Monday, September 18,2023,
from 5 until 8 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home.
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jef
ferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at
www.evansfimeralhomeinc.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
Estelle Childs Wells
JEFFERSON — Estelle Childs Wells, 65, Jefferson, en
tered rest Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Mrs. Wells was bom in
Winder, a daughter of the
late George Doris Childs
and the late Reba Bowles
Childs. Mrs. Wells was a
member of Faith Pentecos
tal Church and was a retired
dietician with the Clarke
County Board of Education.
In addition to her parents,
Mrs. Wells is preceded by a
brother, Johnny Childs.
Survivors include her
husband, Joe L. Wells, Jef
ferson; two sons, David Pinkston (Donice) and Derick
Wells (Amanda), all of Jefferson; sister, Pat Smith (Ran
dall), Ila; brother, Jackie Childs (Elaine), Jefferson,; sis
ter-in-law, Judy Childs, Jefferson; nine grandchildren; and
one great-grandchild with one on the way survive.
Funeral service: Thursday, September 14, 2023, at
2 p.m. from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the
Reverends Christopher Reeves and Matt Calvert officiat
ing.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, September 14,
2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of
Estell’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jef
ferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at
www.evansfimeralhomeinc.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of September 17-23
