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Wednesday, February 10, 2021 - Pike County Journal Reporter - Page 5A
QBITUARIE.
Pat Johnson
Orvis Haney
Mrs. Patricia (Pat) Ruth Cole Johnson, age 78, of
Williamson, passed away February 2, 2021, at Eternal
Hope Hospice. She was born in Atlanta, GA, daughter
of the late Jessie Cole and
Ruth Mason Cole. Pat had
been an active member of
Concord Baptist Church since
1971, where she held many
titles. She was Director of the
Forever Young Club, one of
the caretakers of the lovely
flowers and shrubs on the
church grounds, and preparer
of the weekly church bulle
tin newsletter. She was very
active in her community as
the county organizer for the
quarterly Red Cross blood drive, and the Regional
Director for Operation Christmas Child.
Pat was active in the lives of her family. When Jack
and her boys began racing, Pat became a Registrar
for SCCA Racing, registering each driver before their
race. She was always part of the pit crew when Jack
(#58) was racing.
Pat was a homemaker, and a loving and devoted
wife, mother, and grandmother. She was the ulti
mate People Person. She loved people, and nothing
stopped her from letting them know how much she
cared.
Pat is survived by her devoted husband of 54
years: Jack Johnson; children and their spouses:
Briar and Kim Johnson, Tonya and James Corbett and
Kyle and Bethany Johnson all of Williamson; grand
children: Andrew Johnson, Daulton Corbett, Maison
Corbett and Jax Johnson.
A private family burial will be held at Pat and
Jack’s farm in the Johnson Family Cemetery. Pastor
Jeff Yearwood and Pastor Chris Teasley will officiate.
A Celebration of Pat’s Life was held on Thursday,
February 4, 2021 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Concord Baptist
Church.
The family would like to thank Eternal Hope Hos
pice for the loving and kind care they gave to Pat.
Flowers will be accepted but those wishing to
make donations may do so to the Forever Young Club
through Concord Baptist Church at P.O. Box 181, Con
cord, GA 30206, the American Red Cross, or Opera
tion Christmas Child in memory of Pat.
Moody-Daniel Funeral Home assisted the family
with arrangements.
Willis Benson
Hilley, Sr.
Willis Benson Hilley, Sr, age 88, passed away Mon
day, February 1, 2021, at his residence surrounded by
his family.
Mr. Hilley was born November 2, 1932 in Anderson,
South Carolina. He was the owner of Hilley Seat Cover
and Awning Center in Williamson, GA. Mr. Hilley was
a hard worker and a southern gentleman. He was an
active member of the Mason Lodge 413. He was also
a Shriner who was part of the Yaarab Shrine Temple.
Mr. Hilley was active in the community serving more
than 30 years on the city council in Williamson, GA.
Mr. Hilley was preceded in death by his parents,
Edgebert and Ruby Sanders Hilley; first wife, Betty
Jane Hilley; granddaughter, Billy Jo Hilley; great
grandchild, Presley Blake Murrels, sisters, Maggie
Smith, Louise Hilley, Elizabeth Eason and Margie
Mann.
Mr. Hilley is survived by his wife, Martha Ellen
Hilley; children, Benny Hilley (Sherry), Mike Hilley
(Toni) and Deborah Jane Lawrence; grandchildren,
Kathy Jo Lawrence, Amanda Hall (Richard), Daryl
Hilley (Heather), Troy Hilley (Ellee), Stephanie Hilley
Fuller (Rex) and Brandy Moody (Terrell); great-grand
children, Dakota Lawrence, Benson Treyce Jones, Asa
Lawrence, Heather Lawrence, Ricky Hall, Mckenzie
Romie, Harrison Hilley, Owen Hilley, Beckett Hilley,
Tyler Ford, Madison Payne, Cam Payne and Elijah
Payne; sister-in-law, Edna Jordan (Chuck) Hahira,
Georgia; several nieces, nephews and extended fam
ily-
A visitation for Mr. Willis Benson Hilley, Sr. was
held Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 6 p.m. until 8
p.m. at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A funeral
service was held Friday, February 5, 2021 at 2 p.m. in
the Chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Rever
end Rocky Stubbs and Reverend John Nance offici
ated. Interment followed at Oak Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be
made to Oak Hill Baptist Church Children’s Fund, 100
Lakeside Dr. Williamson, GA 30292.
Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh
Road, Griffin was in charge of arrangements
Please join the family at conner-westburyfuneral-
home.com to leave a condolence or a memory on his
web page.
ARREST REPORT
Between Monday, Feb. 1, and Sunday, Feb. 7, Pike
County law enforcement agencies made the following
arrests:
PIKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE:
Keith Theodore Stewart, 18, probation violation;
Timothy David Allen, 20, obstruction of an officer,
public drunkenness, felony interference with govern
ment property and possession of alcohol by a minor;
Joseph Peter Miller 111, 37, warrants out of Henry
County;
Kraig Lee Mincey, 32, second degree criminal dam
age to property and cruelty to person who is 65 years
of age or older.
ZEBULON POLICE DEPARTMENT:
James Steven Goforth, 48, sentenced to serve 47
days per probation;
Trevis Bianca C. Bilberry, 32, failure to appear for
fingerprintable charge.
Mr. Orvis G. Haney, age 77, of Meansville, passed
away February 6, 2021. He was born in Lawrenceville,
son of the late Hubert Haney and Wynette McClain
Haney. Mr. Haney was a
veteran of the United States
Navy. He moved to Pike
County in 1979, and was a
long-time member of Mt.
Gap Church at The Rock. He
worked for the GA Depart
ment of Transportation for
33 years before retiring. He
enjoyed researching geneal
ogy, junking, spending time
with his grandchildren, and
watching them play sports.
In addition to his parents,
he was preceded in death by
his brother, Darrell Haney.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years: Elaine Pitts
Haney; daughters and sons-in-law: Donna Haney,
Stephanie and Michael Richardson and Tina and Billy
Smith all of Meansville; grandchildren: Cole Smith,
Nate Richardson, Lainey Smith, Jake Richardson, Ben
Richardson, Max Smith, AnnaKay Richardson and
Ruby Smith; brother and sister-in-law: Douglas and
Joyce Haney of Alpharetta; sister: Drema Angel of
Alpharetta; several nieces and nephews.
Friends visited the family on Tuesday, February 9
from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Febru
ary 10 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Gap Church. Pastor John Price
and Pastor Billy Smith will officiate. A private family
graveside service will be held at Fincher Memorial
Cemetery.
Those wishing to make donations may do so to Mt.
Gap Church Building Fund, 2746 Pine Valley Rd., The
Rock, GA 30285.
Moody-Daniel Funeral Home is assisting the family
with arrangements.
Jerry Laabs
Mr. Jerome “Jerry” Joseph Laabs, age 71, of Zebu-
Ion, passed away January 30, 2021. He was born in
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, son of the late Desmond
E. Laabs and Lucille Smith
Laabs. In his early years,
Jerry worked in landscaping
and construction. He moved
to Georgia in 1979 and then
to Pike County in 1982. He en
joyed working with his hands,
gardening and singing. Jerry
became a born again Chris
tian in March, 1985, and was
an active member of Mt.
Gilead Baptist Church. For
the past five years, he loved
and delighted in visiting and
singing to the residents of lo
cal nursing homes in Pike, Lamar and Spalding coun
ties. Jerry never met a stranger and always took the
opportunity to share Christ with everyone he met. If
you knew Jerry, you knew he loved the Lord, loved
his wife and loved his family deeply.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in
death by his sister, Donna Laabs.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, whom
he loved dearly: Debra Eppinger Laabs; children:
Jason Paul Chase-Dobiash (Nicole) and Melissa
Rae Kaufmann (Chris); grandchildren: Alessandra
Kaufmann, Gabriel Kaufmann, Savannah Kaufmann,
Joshua Kaufmann, Emma Dobiash, Carson Dobiash
and Miles Dobiash; sisters and brothers: Joan Evans,
Chuck Laabs, Mary Hartwig, Rose Laabs, Jim Laabs
(Joan), Bill Laabs and Ken Laabs (Jodee); and many
nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service was held Friday, February 5 at
2 p.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church with Pastor Fred
Thompson and Pastor Harvey Wilson officiating.
Friends visited the family on Friday from 1-2 p.m.
at the church.
Moody-Daniel Funeral Home assisted the family
with arrangements.
Luther Fletcher
Mr. Luther Edward Fletcher, age 85, of Meansville,
GA, passed away February 1, 2021. He was born in
Fitzgerald, GA, son of the late Mark Edward (M.E.)
Fletcher and Mable Bishop
Fletcher. Luther was a letter
carrier for the Jonesboro
Post Office. After retiring, he
became a shipping inspector
for international cargo. He
raised horses and cows and
was affectionately called a
“porch swing rancher.” Lu
ther became a born again
Christian February 1970.
He was a member of Faith
Baptist Church in Zebulon.
He enjoyed the North Georgia
Mountains and he loved his family.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years: Alice Marks
Fletcher; sons: Michael Edward Fletcher (Lori), Clay
ton Bryant Fletcher (Kacey), Clinton Matthew Fletch
er (Ginger), and Luther Brady Fletcher (Laneise);
grandchildren: Blake (Emily), Taylor (Owen), Brant
ley, Hayden, Aaron, Tyler, Faith and Loren; sister:
Shelby Bork (Walt); nephew: Mark Hilton; brother-in-
law: Bryant Marks; and numerous cousins.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, February
4 at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral
Home with Pastor S. T. Janney and Pastor Nesbitt
Odom officiating. Burial followed in Moody Memorial
Gardens.
Friends visited the family on Thursday from 1:30
p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Moody-Daniel Funeral Home assisted the family
with arrangements.
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Pike County Journal Reporter
16026 Barnesville St. • Zebulon • 770-567-3446
www.pikecountygeorgia.com
jermifer@pikecountygeorgia.com
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1ST DISC V!t 1
John Randall
“Randy” Carter
Zebulon, Georgia - A disciple of Christ, John
“Randy” Carter, 68, lived out his life in such a way
that when he arrived in Heaven on the morning of
Tuesday, February 2, 2021, we
can be assured he heard the
words, “Well done, my good
and faithful servant.” The
son of the late Ethel Lee Pitts
Carter and John Edmond
Carter, Randy was born on
October 4, 1952, in Zebulon,
Georgia. He graduated from
Pike County High School
where he was a talented
basketball player. During that
time, Randy worked for his
parents at their local grocery
store, Pitts and Carter Gro
cery on Meriwether Street in Griffin. He went on to
earn his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree
(BSBA) at the University of West Georgia before ac
cepting a position with the Atlanta Control Center in
Hampton. Randy worked there for 27 years as a Full
Performance Level (FPL) Air Traffic Controller until
his retirement in 2005. Randy loved his family un
conditionally. He married his high school sweetheart
and love of his life, Rosemary Dunn. Together, they
raised two beautiful and intelligent children. He was
involved in everything his children did to include
coaching their sports teams. Randy especially loved
being the best “Pop-Pop” to his two granddaughters,
Elleigh Rose and Stella Ruth, who were his world. He
was also a fantastic son and caretaker who lived out
the Bible verse Exodus 20:12, “Honour thy mother
and father” which he did to the fullest, especially
in the caring of his own father who passed away in
2018. In his spare time, Randy enjoyed storytelling
and was the best at it, so much so that when he told
a story, one would look around as if the events were
occurring right there in front of them. His sense of
humor and sharp wit could make you laugh and share
his contagious smile. He also enjoyed woodworking,
wood carving, reading, fishing, working outside, cook
ing, riding motorcycles and sitting around campfires.
His talents were truly multitude. Most of all, Randy
put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was dearly
loved and will be sorely missed. Randy’s memory
will live on through the hearts of those who were
blessed enough to know and love him. In addition to
his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother,
James Alva Carter. His legacy will live on through
his beloved wife of 46 years, Rosemary Dunn Carter;
children, John Brandon Carter (Kaci) and Miranda
Leigh Hassan (Zach); granddaughters, Elleigh Rose
Hassan and Estelle Ruth Hassan; siblings, Terry
Carter (Elena), Sherrill Saxon, Linda Gill, Ted Carter,
and Robin Carter (Lisa); as well as many beloved ex
tended family members and friends. A visitation with
Randy’s family was held on Sunday, February 7, 2021
from 2 until 3 p.m. at Moody-Daniel Funeral Home in
Zebulon, GA. A funeral service celebrating his life was
held immediately following at 3 p.m. in the chapel
of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home with Reverend John
Blackmon officiating. Afterward, Randy was laid to
rest at Fincher Memorial Park in Meansville, GA. At
the family’s request, please wear a facial covering and
practice social distancing. The family will accept flow
ers or donations may be made in Randy’s memory
to the Children’s Heart Foundation or the American
Heart Association. Moody-Daniel Funeral Home had
the privilege of being entrusted with these arrange
ments.
Public meetings
The next scheduled meetings in Pike County are:
• Pike County commission, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m.
in the main, upstairs courtroom of the courthouse
• Concord city council, Tuesday, March 9,7 p.m., city hall
• Meansville council, Monday March 8, 7 p.m., Meansville
city hall, 6:45 p.m.
• Molena city council, Monday, March 9, 6 p.m., city hall
• Pike County agribusiness authority, Thursday Feb. 18,
7 p.m., Farm Bureau office.
• Pike County board of appeals, Thursday, Feb. 18,6 p.m.
• Pike County board of education, Tuesday March 9,
6 p.m., at the Board Room in the Pike County Schools
Memorial Annex.
• Pike County library board, Thursday, Feb. 11, 4:30
p.m., J. Joel Edwards Public Library.
• Pike planning commission, Thursday, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.
• Pike County tax assessors, Tuesday, Feb. 16, meeting at
9 a.m., Pike EMA/Storage Facility, 1132 Twin Oaks Road
• Pike County water authority meeting, Thursday Feb.
18, 7:30 a.m., authority building.
• Williamson city council, Thursday Mar. 4, 6:30 p.m.,
workshop on broadband options, 7 p.m. meeting, Wil
liamson city hall.
• Zebulon city council, Tuesday Mar. 9, 6 p.m.
• Zebulon Downtown Development Authority, Tuesday
Feb. 16, 7 p.m., A Novel Experience, 426 Thomaston St.
• Board of elections and registration, 4 p.m. Tuesday
Feb. 16, in the commissioners’ conference room.
• Pike County Parks and Recreation Authority, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the PCPRA baseball press box.
Addiction Recovery Group: 7 p.m. each Friday
in Concord, contact Eric Boomer at 229400-4573 for
directions and info on how to help.
REACH: food bank distributions fourth Tuesdays,
9 a.m.-l p.m., Old Mount Calvary Outreach Center,
Concord. Food donations needed. Info: 770-884-5500,
omcafter@att.net.reach.
Rent and Utility Assistance Services: Available to
local residents through the Salvation Army in Griffin.
Info: 770412-6561.
BARNESVILLE MARBLE &
GRANITE COMPANY
Serving Middle Georgia For 110 Years
Designers & Manufacturers of
Marble, Granite & Bronze Since 1908
George & Janice Moore
770-358-1470
124 Railroad St., Barnesville, GA 30204