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DEATH NOTICES
Obituaries are published as received
Merle Bailey Claxton
Merle Bailey Claxton, 89, of Barnesville died early
Sunday, July 23 after a brief illness. Plans for a memo
rial service are pending.
John Charles
Dukes, Jr.
John Charles Dukes, Jr., died peacefully on the
morning of his 88th birthday. He died from complica
tions of pulmonary fibrosis
at home surrounded by his
family. Charles was born at
Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta
on July 15, 1935, son of the
late John Charles Dukes, Sr.,
and Sara Poage Dukes. He
attended North Fulton High
School in Atlanta and re
ceived degrees from Presby
terian College in Clinton, SC,
and Georgia State University.
At Presbyterian College he
was a member of Pi Kappa
Alpha and held many leadership positions.
Upon graduation Charles received his commission
in the United States Army. He served as a company
commander at Ft. Jackson, SC, and achieved the rank
of Captain. In 1959 he married his college sweetheart,
Jean Edwards Dukes.
Charles was a teacher and lecturer and had the
privilege of teaching young people and adults in
many different settings.
With a beautiful bass singing voice, Charles shared
his talent in choirs, quartets, and finally in Griffin
Choral Arts, where he also served on its Board of
Directors.
Charles demonstrated a deep appreciation for art
forms throughout his life dabbling in music, pottery,
and calligraphy, but his passion was photography.
From printing his prints in a dark room to adapting to
the digital age of a photographic printer, he produced
stunning prints. Charles had the honor of showcas
ing his work in a one-man exhibition at Lamar Arts,
where his artistry was recognized by the community.
As a Boy Scout leader, he became interested in
bicycling, first with his children, then with a tight
knit community of friends. He cycled in many states
and countries including a cross country trip with his
8-year-old daughter on the back of his tandem.
An active member of his community, Charles was
President of Barnesville Rotary, he was a Paul Harris
Fellow, and received the Rotarian of the Year Award.
He was on many committees and was always willing
to lend a helping hand wherever he was needed. He
was Teacher of the Year, Star Teacher, and with his
wife, Jean was named Barnesville-Lamar Outstanding
Citizen of the Year.
He was a Bible scholar and had a strong faith in
God throughout his life. Although Charles was not
currently a member of the church where he had been
most active, his legacy of service and dedication to
his faith will continue to inspire.
In addition to his parents, Charles was prede
ceased by his brother, Bill Dukes of Atlanta and his
brother-in-law, Edwin Edwards of Williamson, GA.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 64 years,
Jean, and by their children and their spouses: John
and Denise Dukes, Powder Springs, GA, Alyson and
David Hidding, Gainesville, GA, Sara Beth Dukes,
Columbia, MD, Joe Dukes and Julia Byrd, Charleston,
SC, and Carolyn Dukes and Chuck Gutshall, St. Peters
burg, FL. Grandchildren and spouses are Charlie and
Stephanie Dukes, McDonough, GA, Christopher and
Kati Dukes, Pensacola, FL, Catherine Baxter, Marietta,
GA, Rachel and Zach Roberts, Knoxville, TN, Chris
tina Echols and Ross Wheeler, Smyrna, GA, Daniel
and Jennifer Luke, Dunwoody, GA, Patrick and Alicia
Hidding, Oakwood, GA, Andrew Hidding, Gainesville,
GA, Vince Nieto, Wilmington, NC, Isla Peters, Asia
Peters, both of Bangkok, Thailand, and Faye and Josh
Trice, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Great grandchildren are
Chuck Dukes, Cooper Corley, Emma Dukes, Carter
Dukes, Hallie Dukes, Burke Baxter, Everett Baxter,
Logan Luke, Aiden Luke, and Fox Nieto. He is also
survived by sisters-in law Kathy Hill Dukes of Atlanta,
and Karen Davis Edwards of St. Simons, and by many
very special nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on
Monday, July 31st at 11 o’clock at St. Brigid Catholic
Church, 3400 Old Alabama Road, John’s Creek, GA
30022. A reception will follow in Corbett Hall. In lieu
of flowers please consider a donation to St. Vincent
de Paul, c/o Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church,
991 Kilough Church Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534,
Lamar Arts, PO Box 688, Barnesville, GA 30204, or the
charity of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfu-
neralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.
Renea A.
Phillips Pearson
Renea A. Philips Pearson, born February 6, 1966 to
the parents of Charlie F. Phillips and Lillie Brown Phil
lips has passed away. She was
raised by Charlie F. Phillips
and Carol J. Phillips.
She was a graduate of La
mar County Comprehensive
High School class of 1983,
Barnesville, GA. She was a
graduate of Griffin Techni
cal College, with a degree in
nursing. Renea was employed
as a nurse at Jackson Diag
nostic and Classification State
Prison in Jackson, GA.
She was a faithful mem
ber of Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor James C.
Marable in Barnesville.
Renea was married to Freddie Pearson who pre
ceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memory son, Antwoine
Lyons, Barnesville; granddaughter, Amyah Lyons,
Augusta, GA; parents, Charlie F. and Carol Phillips
and Lillie McDonald; brother, Qaasim (and LaChanda)
Nasrullah, Fayetteille, GA; sisters, Janita (and James)
Bumbrey, San Antonio, TX, Jacqueline Phillips,
Panama City, FL, April (and Major Brandon) Christian,
South Korea, Michelle (and Ronald) Webb, Doug-
lasville, GA; brother Frank Hudson, Jr., CA and a host
of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, co-work
ers, classmates, neighbors, church family and friends.
Blane
Thomas Cauthen
Mr. Blane Thomas Cauthen, age 50, of Barnesville,
Georgia passed away Friday, July 21, 2023, at Upson
Regional Hospital after a brief
illness. Blane was born on
Sunday, April 15, 1973, to Dr.
Gerald and Hedy Cauthen at
Crawford Long Hospital in
Atlanta, Georgia. A lifelong
resident of Lamar County,
Blane is the son of Dr. Gerald
Cauthen and Mrs. Hedy Scog
gins Cauthen. He was pre
ceded in death by his brother,
Britton Eugene Cauthen, by
his maternal grandparents,
James T. (Bill) and Helen
Clark Scoggins, his paternal
grandparents, Roy E. Cauthen and Jan Cauthen, and
his paternal grandmother, Lillie Stanford Cauthen.
As a teenager, his love of woodworking and elec
tronics began, when he built and installed speakers
in the entire trunk of his car. Also, in the trunks of
several friend’s cars! He enjoyed working with his
hands, which led to a variety of hobbies that would
use his problem-solving skills. After college and a de
gree in Industrial Maintenance, he was led to a career
in this field at Perdue Industrial in Amarillo, Texas,
and Computer Chips Manufacturing, in Hutchinson,
Minnesota. At the time of his death, Blane was self-
employed in the field of Information Technology and
Networking.
Blane proudly served in the United States Army as
an Aviation Welder. He served in Kosovo during the
armed conflict as well as Korea. Blane was an Eagle
Scout and was Baptized at First Baptist Church in
Barnesville. He was also a Mason in Griffin, Georgia.
Survivors include his sons, Taylor Thomas Cau
then, wife, Daisy, Bedford, Texas, Nicholas Andrew
Cauthen, Forsyth, Georgia and Dawson Reed Cauthen,
Barnesville, Georgia; his parents, Dr. Gerald Cauthen
and Hedy Scoggins Cauthen, Barnesville, Georgia;
brother, Christopher Scot Cauthen, wife, Jessamy,
Tallahassee, Florida and LauraLee Felts, husband,
Ken, Forsyth, Georgia and one granddaughter, Olivia
Alexandria Cauthen, Bedford, Texas. Several nieces,
nephews, aunts, uncles and several cousins, special
coworkers and special friends also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Blane Cauthen will be
conducted Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at First
Baptist Church in Barnesville. Pastor Garth Forster
and Pastor Jason Teal will be officiating. Visitation
will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. before the service in the
Sanctuary.
The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, dona
tions to be made to the Greenwood Cemetery Pres
ervation Association, contact City Hall, Barnesville,
Georgia.
Vivian Few Lee
Vivian Few Lee was born on October 6, 1941 in
Barnesville, GA and was raised by her grandparents,
Shy and Mattie Few and her
mother Beatrice Few. Grow
ing up she was a member of
St. Timothy’s Baptist Church.
Vivian graduated from Booker
High School in Lamar County
and continued her post
secondary education at Paine
College in Augusta, GA (class
of 1963) also earning gradu
ate degrees from Atlanta
University and Georgia State
University.
Vivian was a vibrant and
energetic educator whose career spanned over 40
years. Beginning at Rockmart High School (Rock-
mart, GA) she transferred to the Atlanta Public
Schools system where she taught high school at J.C.
Murphy HS, C.L. Harper HS, and B.E. Mays HS. Many
of her beloved students went on to great personal
and professional success keeping in touch through
out her life.
Best described as an intellectual, bibliophile,
historian, exceptional cook, financial contributor to
HBCUs, and politically engaged citizen - Vivian was
an extraordinary mother and loving friend.
She doted on her companion dogs, Ping and
Teegan.
Never forgetting her beloved hometown and rural
roots, Vivian had a rich appreciation of nature, grew
her own food, and planted a variety of flowers to
benefit insects and wildlife.
Vivian passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 and
was eulogized on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Bible
Way Ministries (Atlanta, GA). She was interred on
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Georgia National Cem
etery in Canton, GA next to her dearest husband
“Buddy” (Hilliard M. Lee, Jr). She leaves behind
her daughters, Erika Lee Clyde (Andre) and Abra
Lee; son, Christopher T. Lee; sister, Charlene Har
ris, sisters-in-law Mary M. Lee and Ollie L. Lumpkin;
brother-in-law Vandarrell Harris; nieces Monique M.
Gartrell, Monique L. Lee, Jasmine S. Lee, and Niaya
L. Lee; nephews Brian Harris, Houston L. Lumpkin IV,
and Charlie (Duke) M. Lee and a host of other rela
tives and friends.
BENTLEY AND SONS
FUNERAL HOME
174 Mill Street Barnesville, GA 30204
770-358-3404
Office Hours Daily 11am-4pm
EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST
Bentley & Sons Funeral Home has
been serving the people of Georgia for
the past 100 years and the wonderful
citizens of Barnesville since 1987.
We consider it an honor and a privilege to
serve you and your family We will assist
you in arranging services that best reflect
the life and legacy of your loved one and
meet the needs of your family
Tuesday, July 25,2023 ®[)e l)rrali) 5A
Shannon Miss GA Princess Queen
Eriana Shannon, daughter of Eric and Sharika Shannon
was crowned 2023 National American Miss Georgia Princess
Queen at the state pageant held July 1,2023 at the Renais
sance Waverly in Atlanta. She received the official State
Crown, banner and trophy. She will also compete at the Na
tional Pageant in Orlando, Florida the week of Thanksgiving.
She also won Best Artist and most recommendations award.
Her activities include pageants, softball, basketball, cheerlead
ing, drama, dance, tumbling and flag football. She is an all A
student.
Acknowledgment
1®
We thanks God for your prayers, visits
comforting messages, and every sympathetic
acts that was given & shown during the
passing of our love one. Thanks to
Trice Funeral Home for their service.
IjL
The Pearson, Phillips and
Lyons Families
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Serving Middle Georgia For 110 Years
Designers & Manufacturers of
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770-358-1470
124 Railroad St., Barnesville, GA 30204
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LOVE OLD HYMNS?
Come and
we 'll sing your
favorites!
5 th Sunday Singing
July 30, 10:30 am
Ebenezer and Aldora
1397 GAHwy. 18
Meansville GA, 30256
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted...
PSALM 34:18
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Owned and Operated by
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(770) 358-1678
526 College Dr.
Barnesville, GA 30204
email: wwfhbmc@att.net
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