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PAGE 8A PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. JANUARY 28. 2021
Obituaries
Linda Wood
The north Georgia com
munity lost a fine resident
this week, one of the finest
according to many that knew
and loved her. Linda
Stephens Wood was bom Oc
tober 27th, 1952 in Jack
sonville, FL and was called
home in the mid-aftemoon
sunshine of the day of rest,
Sunday, January 17th, at the
young age of 68.
Though Linda's earthly
life ended on this day, she is
remembered for the living
legacy of selfless service,
welcoming humility, com
forting compassion and of
the humor and laughter that
was her best medicine and
used in the aid of so many.
Linda completed high school
at Sprayberry High School in
Marietta, where she was sen
ior class president and
named, along with the young
man that would later become
her husband, Ms. and Mr.
Sprayberry High School.
After graduating high school
she went on to earn a secre
tarial vocational degree at
what was Cobb-Marietta Vo
cational Technical School,
and used that training to pro
vide for her young family
while her husband completed
his degree. Linda married her
beloved husband Wyatt on
August 14th, 1971. This
young couple expanded their
family with the birth of their
two sons, Matthew in 1975
and Wesley in 1981.
In her adult life Linda be
came the warm sunshine in
the spring sky and the yellow
rose in the flower bouquet in
the lives of so many people.
She kept her family close to
the church, and enjoyed
memberships at Piedmont
Baptist Church, Lost Moun
tain Baptist Church, Burnt
Hickory Baptist Church and
at the Big Canoe Chapel. She
carried droves of friends and
family members by her apron
strings, getting the flour dust
of people's lives on her apron
as she tended to the needs of
the many through the years
of her service to others. She
ministered with service. She
ministered with her mastery
of the kitchen and the fusion
of traditional southern cook
ing with what-will-my-boys-
eat improvisation. She used
these skills to feed the hun
gry, and many came to be
fed. I once heard her say that
she didn't much enjoy cook
ing, but it was her selfless
drive to meet the needs of
others that compelled her to
overcome this aversion, just
one of countless examples of
her service and selflessness.
She ministered with compas
sion, she always put you first,
if you sought refuge in her
vast well of wisdom you felt
you were the only agenda
item in her schedule for the
day, despite the fact that she
was always over committed.
She ministered with laughter,
commanding a wonderful
since of humor that balanced
the righteous and the inap
propriate with perfect fi
nesse. Her countenance was
welcoming and an open door
to the many that eagerly
walked through it to seek her
counsel. Linda was rarely
seen sitting down, she was al
ways working a chore, or cre
ating a clothing item for a
child, or a grand, or a niece.
She was always arranging
flowers even if no one came
to admire them, still she
toiled in beauty for beauty's
sake. Her true self was one of
productivity, always working
with a song and a smile, in
the favor and in the service of
the Lord she loved.
Linda contributed count
less hours of volunteer work,
served in the '96 Olympics in
Atlanta as a "yellow ringer,"
she earned her Master Gar
dener credentials and training
that she would use to demon
strate skills in the garden no
less than the name would
suggest.
Linda was an accom
plished traveler, having ven
tured to the Holy Land, to
Italy and other parts of Eu
rope, to Quebec, Ontario and
British Columbia, to nearly
all points of the mainland US
from Maine to New York
City to Florida (where she
would always return if it
were her choice for vaca
tion), to the desert southwest
to the mountains of Montana
and Wyoming, the pacific
coast of California, Oregon
and Washington, to Hawaii,
and several trips to Alaska.
She was an accomplished
trout fisherman, an avid
camper, an extraordinary
crafter of many interests, and
a lover of life and of the mo
ment. The loss of Linda
Stephens Wood is the im
measurable loss of those that
remain and her incalculable
heavenly gain, where we are
sure she has been fitted with
an extraordinary pair of
wings and a beautiful crown
of monarch yellow stones.
Linda is survived by her
beloved husband, Wyatt; her
son, Matthew and spouse
Rachael and their children,
Lael (16) and Luke (14); her
son, Wesley and spouse Eliz
abeth and their children,
Gillian (8), Rowan (6) and
Watson (3); her sister, Cindy
Stephens and her brother,
Ricky Stephens. Memorial
services are being held for
the family only due to limited
available attendance. The
family is requesting dona
tions to the Timothy House
Ministry in Talking Rock in
lieu of flowers.
Linda Stephens Wood
your earthly race is run,
thank you for your wonderful
living legacy and your undy
ing service to others that con
tinues to serve in the hearts of
so many, you will never be
forgotten. We can't wait for
the day that we see you once
more. We love you, now and
always.
Robert Redman
Robert Redman, 76, of
Jasper, GA passed away
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
at Piedmont Mountainside
Hospital.
Funeral services were
held at 2 p.m., on Sunday,
January 24, 2021, from the
Chapel of South Canton Fu
neral Home with Rev. Gerald
Gleason, and Rev. Dwight
Henderson officiating. Inter
ment followed at Lake Forest
Memorial Park.
Robert was preceded in
death by his wife, Dot Red
man and his parents, Don and
Mary Redman.
Survivors include his
sons, Cary (Jennifer) Red
man and Todd (Sherry) Red
man; grandchildren, Ashley,
Megan, Macey, Kaitlin, Lau
ren, J.C. and Connor; and
five great-grandchildren.
South Canton Funeral
Home, dedicated to the fam
ilies we serve, 770-479-3377.
Online condolences may be
made to the family at
www.thescfh.com
Dickey Lofton
Richard “Dickey” Glenn
Lofton of Jasper, Georgia
died on Monday January 18,
2021. He leaves behind his
wife, Sharon, whom he has
been married to for 40 years,
as well as his 10 children
Whitney, Katie Paddock and
husband Chris, Megan,
Michael, Lexie, Carson,
Emery Claire, Jake,
Charleigh, and Faith. He also
was blessed with five grand
children Grant, Thatcher,
Gray, Harper, and Khaleesi.
Dickey was bom in At
lanta, Georgia July 25, 1958.
He graduated from Auburn
University in 1986 with a de
gree in journalism and was a
passionate Auburn football
fan. Dickey met his wife
Sharon when they were 16
years old. He sent notes and
little paper books across the
classroom to “the shy girl in
the comer.” They have never
been separated since, and all
of his children and grandchil
dren know the depth of love
possible on this earth through
their love story with one an
other. Never could it be pos
sible for someone to love
someone more than Dickey
loved Sharon, and Sharon
loved Dickey. To his children
he was the one who taught us
wonder, magic, dreams, the
healing effect of laughter,
and goodness. He saw life
through the mind of a writer
and had the soul of a poet.
These qualities helped him to
see people more acutely and
help them more profoundly.
What people most remember
about him, in the stories they
have shared, is how he
helped other people, shared
his love for Christ, and how
he made them laugh until
their sides hurt. To his grand
children, he was their “best
friend.” He was the silly one
who always told them stories
and had special surprises hid
den behind his back. They
thought he hung the moon.
We feel overwhelmed
with thankfulness that he was
our Husband, Daddy, and
Papa. Services for Dickey
will be held as a Celebration
of Life in the spring on our
farm. Details and time to be
announced at a later date.
Online condolences may be
sent to the family at www.lo-
ganfuneralhome.com. Logan
Funeral Home & Chapel in
charge of arrangements.
Chu Chong
January 2, 1950-
January 18, 2021
Chu Choi Chong, 71, of
Talking Rock, Georgia,
passed away on Monday,
January 18,2021 at Piedmont
Mountainside Hospital.
Chu Choi was an old soul
with a heart full of life. He
had a smile that would relax
your shoulders and the
warmth to make you want to
stay for dinner and coffee,
which he always took with
extra sugar and cream. Chu
Choi poured his love onto
those who were near to him.
He especially adored his twin
grandchildren and even
switched to a smart phone
just so that he could watch
videos of them anytime he
wanted.
Chu Choi was bom in the
small coastal town of Gunsan
in the southwest region of
Korea where he grew to love
the ocean, fishing, and spend
ing time in the sun. In Gun
san, he also met the love of
his life and lifelong compan
ion, Jeung Sook, through mu
tual friends. Their love was
quiet and subtle yet
abounded with service, devo
tion, and kindness for each
other and others. Work often
meant that they spent
evenings away from each
other, but perhaps this is why
they were so inseparable
when they were together.
In 1979, Chu Choi immi
grated to the United States
and was soon joined by his
wife to embark on a journey
in a new land that he would
call home for the next 41
years. Their journey took
them from Nevada to
Louisiana, then to New
Hampshire and California,
and to eventually settle in
Georgia. Through these
years, Chu Choi held many
occupations and always pro
vided for his family, even if it
meant that he would go with
out. Until his passing, Chu
Choi and his wife owned and
operated a number of gas sta
tions/convenience stores in
Pickens and Gilmer County.
They often revitalized these
businesses with hard work,
good decisions, and the best
customer service. He was
very good at it. Prior to being
in the gas station business,
Chu Choi was also a crafts
man for many years. He man
ufactured by hand beautiful
plaster statues of all shapes
and sizes. While he was often
in a hurry and marched to his
own beat, Chu Choi also had
the quality of having a tender
hand and the vision to create
something wonderful. This
quality carried over into his
relationships with his family
and friends. He had a quick
temper and was incredibly
stubborn, but he could also
show you the depths of love
and service that few can
reach.
A common refrain when
people speak about Chu Choi
is that he was a good man. He
was the person who encour
aged you to order anything
you wanted at the restaurant
and also picked up the bill far
in advance. Chu Choi would
drive through the night to
make it home but also have
the energy and thoughtful
ness to pick up breakfast be
fore walking through the
door. He thought of others
before himself and shared the
blessings that he had. Chu
Choi showed his love
through service, time, and
gifts and grew to express his
love through words and
thoughts.
Chu Choi is survived by
his loving wife of 41 years,
Jeung Sook, and his two chil
dren, Rebecca and Yoon Tae.
He is beloved by his two
grandchildren, Andrew and
Sophia, and has a third
grandchild on the way. In
South Korea, resides his
mother Yoon Bok Rae; two
brothers, Hyun Seop and Chu
Seop; and two sisters, Kyun
Soon and Kyun Ok. His older
sister, Kyun Nyo, lives in
Florida; his older brother,
Chu Won, lives in Georgia;
and his younger sister Kyun
Nim lives in California.
Chu Choi is buried at
Peachtree Memorial Ceme
tery in Norcross, GA.
Jimmy Lowe
Mr. Jimmy Lowe, 84, of
Jasper, passed away on Janu
ary 22nd, 2021 at Piedmont
Mountainside Hospital.
Jimmy was born on Au
gust 17th, 1936 to the late
Weldon Clyde Lowe and
Dora White Lowe. In addi
tion to his parents, he is pre
ceded in death by a son,
Denny Lowe; three brothers,
Auby, Weldon, and Coy
Lowe; six sisters, Geneva
Martin, Emily Denson, Syble
Brooks, Betty Rott, Willie
Mae Turner and Patsy Arm
strong; two grandchildren,
Christopher Cox and Allison
Mullins.
Survivors include his
wife, Alice Reece Lowe; two
sons, David Parks and Adam
Lowe; two daughters, Jean
Cox and Joan McDonald;
one brother, Robert “Bobby”
Lowe; two sisters, Gwen
dolyn Nealey and Sandra
Wehunt; grandchildren, Je
remy and Kelly Cox, Holly
Johnson, Alisa Parker,
Amanda Curtis, Ben McDon
ald, and Jessica, Rebekah,
Sarah, and John David Parks;
great-grandchildren, Jordon,
Sydney, Rylee, London, and
Jameson Cox, Ashton and
Zoe Parker, Benjamin and
Joshua Curtis; several nieces
and nephews
Funeral services will be
held from the chapel of
Roper Funeral Home in
Jasper on Saturday, January
30th at 2 p.m. Interment will
follow in the Lowe Family
Cemetery. The family will re
ceive friends at Roper Fu
neral Home on Friday
January 29th from 5 until 8
p.m.
Bernhardt Funeral Home
is in charge of arrangements.
Tammy Denny
January 2, 1966 -
January’ 12, 2021
Mrs. Tammy Denny, 55,
of Ellijay, passed away Tues
day, January 12, 2021 at her
residence.
Tammy is survived by her
boyfriend, Rockford Cooper
of Ellijay; children's
father/former husband, Gene
Denny of Blackshear, GA;
sons, Derrick Denny of Indi
ana, Jeffery Denny of Can
ton, and Elijah Denny of
Ellijay; step-son, Jesse
Cooper of Hollywood, FL;
step-daughter, Lauren
Cooper of Smyrna; father,
Don Hayes of Kansas;
mother, Becky Earley of Blue
Ridge; brothers, Glen Earley
Jr. of Blue Ridge, Joseph Ear-
ley of Calhoun, Daniel Ear-
ley of Jasper, and David
Earley of Canton; sisters,
Vickie McAbee of Blue
Ridge, and Mary Millwood
of Calhoun; several nieces
and nephews.
Funeral services were
held at 1 p.m. Monday, Janu
ary 25, 2021 at Pleasant
Union Baptist Church with
Rev. Charles Ray officiating.
Interment was at the
church cemetery following
the funeral service.
Pallbearers: Joshua
Fowler, Howard Daniel,
Christian Winkler, Joel
McAbee, Jonathan Turner
and Shane Buckner.
In lieu of flowers, dona
tions can be made to Cagle
Funeral Home to help with
funeral expenses.
Cagle Funeral Home is
honored to serve the Denny
family.
Phillip Pettitt
October 18, 1940 -
January 20, 2021
Mr. Phillip H. Pettitt, 80,
of Nelson, passed away
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
at Piedmont Mountainside
Hospital.
Mr. Pettitt is survived by
his companion, Renee Pettitt
of Nelson; sons, Cody Pettitt
of Jasper, Nick & (Karla)
Pettitt of Gainesville and
Matt Huffman of Jasper;
daughters, Apryl & (Tim)
May of Jasper, Tracy &
(Butch Connell) Pettitt of
Gainesville, Lisa & (J.T.)
Koonce of Jasper, and Tara &
(Josh) Townsend of Jasper;
brother, Joel & (Angie) Pet
titt of Cleveland; many
grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
A memorial service will
be held at 1 p.m. Saturday,
January 30, 2021 at Gospel
Temple Church, with Rev.
Leroy Blackwell officiating.
Cagle Funeral Home is
honored to serve the Pettitt
family.
Roy Hightower
January 8, 1948 -
January 19, 2021
Mr. Roy "Darber" High
tower, 73, of Talking Rock,
passed away Tuesday, Janu
ary 19, 2021 at WellStar
Tranquility Hospice in Mari
etta.
Mr. Hightower is survived
by his daughter and son-in-
law, Buffy Pam & Shane
Strickland of Murphy, NC;
brothers, Rev. Harold High
tower of Ludville Commu
nity, Abe Hightower of
Ludville, R.T. Hightower of
Ludville, and J.C. Hightower
of Hill City; sisters, Frances
Watson of Ludville, and
Willa Faye Hancock of
Ludville; four grandchildren,
Ashley & Dustin Cain, Coty
& Nicole Hunt, Brittany Fitts
and Deston Hunt; nine great
grandchildren.
Roy was preceded in
death by his wife, Louise
Hightower; great-grandson,
James Brantley Fitts; broth
ers, Houston Hightower and
Homer Hightower; sisters,
June Ella Davis, Sally
Baldridge, Amie Stone and
Jane Hightower.
Funeral services were
held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan
uary 21, 2021 at the Chapel
of Cagle Funeral Home, with
Rev. Bobby Timms and Rev.
Tracey Welchel officiating.
Interment was at Town
Creek Baptist Church Ceme
tery following the funeral
service.
Cagle Funeral Home is
honored to serve the High
tower family.
Bob Hayles
January 9, 1955 -
January 21, 2021
Mr. Bob Hayles, 66, of
Jasper, passed away Thurs
day, January 21, 2021 at his
residence.
Mr. Hayles is survived by
his wife, Cindy Hayles of
Jasper; sons and daughters-
in-law, Tyler & Tasha Hayles
of Loganville, B.J. Hayles of
Lawrenceville and Jeremy &
Kayla Sisson of Chatsworth;
daughters and son-in-law,
Brandy & Isaiah King of
Chatsworth and Sarah Curtis
of Jasper; sister, Barbara &
Terrie Bennett of
Lawrenceville; six grandchil
dren.
A memorial service will
be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donate
to American Cancer Society.
Cagle Funeral Home is
honored to serve the Hayles
family.
Stella Anderson
July 12, 1919 -
January 23, 2021
Stella Olie Anderson, 101,
of Jasper, Georgia passed
away Saturday, January 23,
2021 at her home. Stella was
born July 12, 1919 in Jasper,
Georgia to the late Charlie
and Frances Fields.
Mrs Anderson is survived
by her children, Eugene and
Inge Anderson, Dorothy
Davis, James and Laneve An
derson, Judy and John
Obituaries continued on
Page 9A