Newspaper Page Text
THURSDAY. JANUARY 5. 2023 PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS PAGE 9A
Obituaries
(continued on page 10A)
Paul Petty
February’ 5, 1944 -
January 1, 2023
U.S. Veteran
Mr. Paul Petty, 78, of
Talking Rock, passed away
peacefully at home sur
rounded by his family on
Sunday, January 1, 2023.
Mr. Petty is survived by his wife, Sharon Petty of Talking
Rock; son, Keith Petty of Talking Rock; daughter and son-
in-law, Renee & Justin Strohl of Ellijay; brother-in-law, Ron
nie Waldrop; sister-in-law, Peggy Petty of Jasper;
granddaughter, Gracie Strohl of Ellijay; several nieces and
nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Janu
ary 4, 2023 at Talking Rock Baptist Church, with Rev. Buck
Parker, Rev. Daniel Reece, and Rev. Ted Estes officiating.
Interment will be at the church cemetery following the fu
neral service.
Pallbearers: Justin Strohl, Howard Strohl, Sean Bozeman,
James Cox, Dylan Ellis, and Steve Petrakovich. Honorary
pallbearers: Jimmy Gallman, Larry Loudermilk, and Jerry
Odell.
Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Petty family.
Rodney Wheeler
Rodney Layne Wheeler,
64, of Jasper, Georgia
passed away Saturday, De
cember 31, 2022 at North-
side Cherokee Hospital. He
was born August 28, 1958
to Doyle Kenneth and Joyce
Elaine Wheeler Sr. in
Cherokee County, Georgia.
Rodney is survived by
his wife, Telete Wheeler of
Jasper; daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Hunter Jarvis of
Jasper; son, Jacob Wheeler of Sarasota, Florida; grandchild,
Skylar Jarvis of Jasper; siblings, Deborah and Mark Livin-
good of Kennesaw, Andrea Tucker of Acworth, Thomas and
Vicki Wheeler of Canton, Amy and Matt Lathem of Canton;
uncle, Benny Eubanks of Canton; aunt, Frances Tiny Eu
banks of Dahlonega. Several other family members also sur
vive.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenny Wheeler
and brother-in-law, Kenneth Tucker.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January
5, 2023 at Jerusalem Baptist Church with Reverend Thomas
Wheeler, Reverend Alan Caylor, Reverend Buck Parker, and
Reverend James Thompson officiating. Interment will follow
in the Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral
Home Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
and Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral
Home and Crematory.
Gene Garland
Gene Garland, 76, of
Talking Rock, Georgia
passed away Saturday, De
cember 31, 2022 at his resi
dence. He was born August
19, 1946 to Worth and Lela
Garland in Gilmer County.
Gene is survived by his
sister, Wylene Wilkie of
Jasper; sister and brother-in-
law, Diane and Keith Hales
of Jasper; brother and sister-
in-law, Earl and Evelyn Garland of Jasper; nieces, nephews,
and a host of friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Worth and
Lela Garland; sister, Louise McReynolds; brother, Jerrel Gar
land, and an infant brother.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023
at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with Rev
erend Paul Richards and Reverend Wallace Parks officiating.
Interment will follow in the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
Cemetery in Ellijay, Georgia.
The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral
Home on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the funeral hour.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral
Home and Crematory.
Buddy Bryan
Leon Justin "Buddy"
Bryan, 75, of Jasper, Geor
gia, passed away Saturday,
December 24, 2022 at his
home. He was born August
24, 1947 to Justin Joseph
and Edith Mae Bryan in
Wellborn, Florida.
Mr. Bryan is survived by
his wife, Brenda Bryan of
Jasper; sons and daughters-in-law, Robbie and Dawn
Bryan of Jasper, Patrick Leon and Kasey Bryan of Mims,
Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany Noell and Billy
Lott; sister and brother-in-law, Lura Judith and Wilbur Woods
of Live Oak, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Curtis Ed
ward and Pam Bryan of Wellborn, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his father, Justin Joseph
Bryan; mother, Edith Clemmons; and brother, Randall Bryan.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, December
31, 2022 In the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with Pastor
Andy Nicholson officiating. Interment followed at Lake For
est Memorial Park.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral
Home and Crematory.
Betsy Russell
Betsy "Mama Bet" Rus
sell, 79, of Jasper, Georgia,
passed away Friday, De
cember 23, 2022 at North
east Georgia Medical in
Gainesville, Georgia. She
was born April 28, 1943 to
James and Annie Anderson
in Tate, Georgia.
Betsy is survived by her
daughter, Paula Russell
(Deon Hood), Anthony Rus
sell (Veronica Russell), Perry Russell, Angela Thompson
(Steven Thompson); grandchildren, Keisha Washington
(Darien Washington), Christy Garcia (Ben Garcia), Tanisha
Russell, Anthony Russell (Makayla Russell), Jeremy Strick
land, Keairra Rochester, Angie Davis, Michael Russell,
Steven Russell, Sean Glasker, Kendrick Glasker, Tredan Rus
sell, Antequa Russell; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-
great-grandchldren; special family and friends, Owen Russell
(Sallie Mae Russell), Uncle Leron Moore, Roderick Moore
(Kay Moore), Lois Cherry, Robert Brown (Zora Brown),
Roleda Dozier, Linda Durham, Sharon Benson, Julie Story,
Janet Stephens, Cecil Stephens, Bobby Stephens, Anderson
Families, Lynn Clements, and Andrea Dawson.
She was preceded in death by son, Todd Russell; grand
children, Samantha Russell and Todd Austin.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Friday, December
30, 2022 in the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with Bishop
Lance Johnson officiating. Interment followed at Lake Forest
Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Deon Hood, Sidney
Hooks, Ben Garcia, Anthony Stephens, Willie Stephens, and
Greg Hampton.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral
Home and Crematory.
Marvin Abbott
Marvin Dannie Abbott, 67, of Jasper, Georgia passed
away Saturday, December 31, 2022 at his residence.
Survivors include his son Dan Abbott of Powder Springs,
son and daughter-in-law James and Amanda Abbott of Jasper,
daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Bryan Evans of Jasper,
and siblings, grandchildren, and a host of other family mem
bers also survive.
Services will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 from the
Chapel of Roper Funeral Home at 2 p.m.
The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral
Home from and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral
Home and Crematory.
Daniel
Blankowski
Daniel Anthony
Blankowski of Talking
Rock, GA, known profes
sionally as DJ Dano, went to
be with his Lord on Decem
ber 15, 2022 at the age of
66. Dan was bom in Pitts
burgh, PA on June 28, 1956.
He was predeceased by his
parents, Richard Henry
Blankowski and Loretta
Victoria (Jarzombek) Blankowski. He is survived by his lov
ing wife of 4 years (his partner for 10 years,) Dana Lee
(Cochran McHenry) Blankowski of the home.
Dan is lovingly remembered by his step-children, Daniel
(Jazeri) McHenry of Marietta, GA; Kristen (Tyler) Ledger-
wood of Kingsville, MO and his pride and joy, his grand
daughter, Magnolia (The Magster) Ledgerwood; his brother
and sister-in-law, David (Janan) Blankowski of Winston-
Salem, NC; his brother- in-law and sister-in-law Stephen
(Kelle) Cochran of Greenwood, MO; along with cousins,
nieces, nephews, and many friends throughout the country.
Dan is also survived by two sons, Matthew (Noelle) Berrie
Blankowski and Alexander Blankowski, all of Marietta, GA.
Dan graduated from Bishop Canevin Catholic High
School in 1974 and received his B.A. in Communications
and Journalism from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He
was an award-winning on- air radio and TV personality in
Pittsburgh, Orlando, and Atlanta. Dan spent over 30 years as
a full-time mobile DJ, Master of Ceremonies and “Celebra-
tionisf ’ specializing in weddings and corporate events.
Dan was nationally recognized as one of America’s best
wedding entertainers, including a DJ of the Year award from
ARMDJS. He was a former President of the Georgia Mobile
DJ Association and a recipient of an “Atlanta A.I.R. Award”
for radio production and voiceover excellence, as well as on-
air charity work. He was the former Executive Producer of
the Steve & Vikki Morning Show on WSTR-FM (Star 94) in
Atlanta and performed voice-over work for radio and TV
commercials. He was a veteran traffic reporter and producer
for WSB Radio & TV, Star 94 Radio, and CBS 46 TV.
DJ Dano was a fanatical golfer and bowler, active leader
at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, a trivia ex
pert, a fantasy football freak and a serial organizer.
Services will be held Thursday, February 16, 2023 at
Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, GA with Mass
at 2 p.m followed by a Celebration of Life at approximately
3 p.m. The Celebration will be held in the Fellowship Hall.
Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor of Jasper Fu
nerals and Cremation. 706-253-5060
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Nolan Mortus
With humble acceptance of God’s will, we announce the
passing ofNolan James Mortus of Woodstock, Georgia, who
passed away unexpectedly of pneumonia on Saturday, De
cember 17th at the age of 24.
As a Georgia native and long-term resident of Woodstock,
Nolan had many friends and family members in Cherokee,
Cobb, and Pickens County. In his time here with us, he im
pacted many and was loved by all who knew him, bringing a
mischievous sense of humor to any situation.
He was also an especially devoted and loving uncle to his
two nieces, Merliah and Willow and his nephew, Xander.
Nolan is survived by his devoted and loving parents Freder
ick and Branden Mortus, his brother and sister-in-law
William and Kayla Mortus and their children, his grandpar
ents Frederick and Karon Mortus and James and Jennifer
Duggar, his aunt and uncles April and Peter Starratt and Jor
dan Duggar, and his cousins Brent Starratt and Elias Duggar.
Nolan will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed.
Family and friends are invited to attend services to be held
at Woodstock Funeral Home located at 8855 Main Street in
Woodstock on Friday, December 30th at 1 p.m.
Connie Wilkie
Vivian "Connie" Wilkie,
76, passed away Sunday,
January 1, 2023 at Glenvue
Health and Rehabilitation
under the care of Spanish
Oaks Hospice. Connie was
bom on May 28, 1946 to Ed
ward and Irene Hamrick of
Gumming, Georgia and is a
1965 graduate of Forsyth
County High School. Con
nie lived most of her life in Gumming and Jasper, Georgia
and recently moved to the Claxton area with her son. Connie
enjoyed word-search puzzles, television, and time with her
grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and
her brother Howell Hamrick.
Connie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Steven
and Angela Wilkie of Claxton; grandchildren Jenny Chappell
of Claxton, Grace Wilkie of Claxton, Ella Wilkie of San
Diego, and Rachel Wilkie of Claxton; two great-grandchil
dren, Theodore and Genevieve Chappell; two sisters, Edrena
Scanlon of Atlanta, and Joann Marburger of San Antonio;
and a brother, John Hamrick of Ellijay, Georgia.
Services will be held at a later date. Low Country Cre
mation and Burial of Reidsville, Georgia is serving the Wilkie
family.
EJ Rich III
Earl “EJ” Rich III, 38, of Douglasville passed away peace
fully on Monday, January 2, 2023, surrounded by his family
and loved ones. Celebration of his beautiful life at In Their
Honor in Jasper, GA on January 7, 2023 at 3 p.m. Care and
trust placed with In Their Honor of Jasper.
John Me lain
John Mclain, 57, of Ball Ground, Georgia passed away on
Monday, December 19th, 2022. No services are scheduled at
this time. Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor of
Jasper Funerals and Cremations.
Shannon
Allender
Shannon Allender, a United States Marine Veteran, 75, of
Big Canoe, Georgia passed away on Friday, December 16th,
2022. No services are scheduled at this time. Care and Trust
was placed with In Their Honor of Jasper Funerals and Cre
mations.
Christine
Rackley
Christine Robin Rackley, 64, of Talking Rock, Georgia
passed away on Monday, December 19th, 2022. No services
are scheduled at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In
Their Honor of Jasper Funerals and Cremations.
Julia Nutting
Julia Nutting, 79, of Morganton, Georgia passed away on
Thursday, December 22nd, 2022. No services are scheduled
at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor
of Jasper Funerals and Cremations.
Alvin Trevillyan
Alvin Earle Trevillyan, 86, of Big Canoe, Georgia passed
away on Friday, December 30th, 2022. No services are
scheduled at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In
Their Honor of Jasper Funerals and Cremations.
Danny Crane
Danny Crane, 62, of Talking Rock, Georgia passed away
on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022. No services are scheduled
at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor
of Jasper Funerals and Cremations.
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