The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, November 09, 2018, Image 9

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The times., November 09, 2018, Image 9

About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2018)

Page of 20

Prev Issue Next Issue

Text PDF JP2 (3.1 MB) Clip/Print Image

Page of 20

Prev Issue Next Issue

Return to Top

Newspaper Page TextLOCATSOUTHEAST The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Friday, November 9, 2018 9A COLUMBIA, S.C Lawyers: Cops had no key as women drowned in police van BY JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press Two women drowned in the back of a locked cage while being taken for involun tary commitment to a mental hospital because the police van they were in took an unsafe route and rolled over, and deputies lacked a key or bolt cutters to get them out, a lawyer for one of the wom en’s families told South Caro lina lawmakers Thursday. The deputies, who drove around barricades and a manned checkpoint and ignored the safer route they had been given to avoid floodwaters from Hurricane Florence, bear plenty of responsibility for the deaths of Wendy Newton and Nico- lette Green, said Tommy Brittain, a lawyer for New ton’s family. They have been fired and a criminal inves tigation into their actions is coming to an end. Neither woman was vio lent, their advocates said dur ing a Senate subcommittee hearing. Newton was only seeking medicine for her fear and anxiety the day she died, the attorney said, while Green’s family said she was committed at a regular men tal health appointment by a councilor she had never seen before. A system in South Caro lina that treats nonviolent mental health patients more like criminals also contrib uted greatly to the women’s deaths, Brittain told a state Senate panel Thursday. “They did wrong, seri ous wrong,” Brittain said of the deputies. “But if she had never been in that cage, she’d be out of that van, she’d be alive today. The people who made those decisions with indifference to her rights are also responsible for her death.” Sheriff’s offices don’t like the system either because it too often pulls deputies off the street to take people who are safe enough to be trans ported by ambulances or other means, South Carolina Sheriff’s Association Execu tive Director Jarrod Bruder said. A survey of about a third of the state’s counties showed 4,200 mental patients have been transported by officers so far this year. Hospitals and doctors often demand deputies to take patients even though the law allows family members or friends to take responsibility for patients who aren’t immedi ate threats to themselves or the community. The hospitals are trying to avoid legal responsibility, said psychiatrist Christina Lynn. “Then I spend my first day with them telling them they didn’t get arrested,” Lynn said. The Senate subcommittee plans to keep hearing testi mony as the General Assem bly’s session approaches in January. The three members agreed the law needs to be changed, and the Depart ment of Mental Health may need more funds. Democratic state Sen. Mar lon Kimpson said he wanted to call the hearings as soon as possible after the September deaths because they were so horrible. A criminal investigation into the deputies is coming to an end and a report will be given to prosecutors, State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel said. Keel refused to give details on the conversation between the deputies and the National Guard troops blocking the highway, the depth of the water the officers were trying to drive through and what the deputies did to try to rescue the women, saying it was part of his agency’s investigation. But Brittain and Green’s sister, Donnela Green-John son, filled in some of the details Thursday. Brittain told how what should have been a less than two-hour drive for the women inside the “tiny cage” from Horry County to Darlington had already been delayed by “coffee breaks and detours” when the van drove around a barricade and a manned checkpoint and into a hole in the highway covered with water. The van rolled to its side, blocking one door. The deputies didn’t have the key to open the other, Brittain said. “No key, no combination, no bolt cutters. No nothing,” Brittain said. “He climbed on top to save himself and the other officer and listened as water engulfed the van moment, after moment after moment as each woman saw her death rise in the water.” LUMBERTON, N.C. FBI: SUV stolen in kidnapping of 13-year-old girl found Authorities say they have found the SUV stolen during the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl at a North Carolina mobile home park, and now hope to identify a person seen in a surveillance video. The FBI said in a statement that the green Ford Expedition was found Thurs day in the Lumberton area, about eight miles from the mobile home park where Hania Noelia Aguilar was abducted Monday. Investigators are also seeking help in identifying a person seen on surveil lance video walking near the kidnapping scene. Relatives say the eighth-grader went outside Monday morning to start a relative’s SUV to prepare to leave for the bus stop. Police say a man then forced her into the SUV and drove off. The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward. MONTGOMERY ALA. Former attorney sentenced to three years prison for fraud scheme A former Alabama attorney has been sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development out of more than $1 million. The Justice Department said in a news release that 48-year-old Christopher Pitts was sentenced for a wire fraud scheme that operated between 2005 and 2008. An indictment says the Montgomery lawyer had been hired by HUD to handle the closings on sales of all homes owned by the agency in 20 counties in northern and cen tral Alabama. The Justice Department said Pitts was responsible for receiving purchase funds, paying closing costs and trans mitting the remaining money to HUD. He had pleaded guilty to not turning over payments to HUD. Pitts has been ordered to make full restitution when he’s released from prison. Associated Press Aguilar OBITUARIES JoAnn McNeil Dyer Sept. 4, 1931-Nov. 7, 2018 JoAnn McNeil Dyer, 87, died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 201,8 in Gaines ville. Born Sept. 4, 1931, in Benton, Arkansas, she was the daugh ter of the late Lee Romine and Lois Antonia Rye McNeil. She was a 1949 gradu ate of Amory High School in Amory, Mississippi. She married Donald Dyer in 1953 and they were mar ried until his death in 2001. She worked at BellSouth until her retirement in 1985. She was of the Baptist faith, having joined the Pearce Chapel Baptist Church at the age of 8. She was an avid reader and loved knitting, sewing, painting, all des serts, animals, and country music. But most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Lana Nix (Charley) of Gainesville, Ga.; grand daughter, Ashley Simmons (Scott) of Roswell, Georgia; granddaughter, Rachel Barry (Bennett) of Mt. Pleas ant, S.C.; four precious great grandchildren, Kate, Callie, Ben, and Charlie; 2 nephews, Neil Hilliard (Tammy); Lee McNeil. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters and two brother’s-in-law; Anto nia Lee McNeil, Louise McNeil Stockton (Locke); Juanita McNeil Hilliard (Albert); one Brother and Sister-in-law, Lee Romine McNeil Jr. (Ruby); one nephew, Mike McNeil; one niece Lisa McNeil. Services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Memorial Park Cemetery, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. The family would like to thank our friends at the Bee hive Personal Care Home in Gainesville and at Kindred Hospice in Gainesville for the loving care and support they provided to Mother and to all of us. The love and care we have received from our fam ily and wonderful friends is really all we need. Should you choose to honor Mother further please consider a donation of your time or money to a charity of your choice. Memorial Park North Riv erside Chapel, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 9,2018 Ann Geraldine Bland Hinton Oct. 28, 1933-Nov. 8, 2018 Mrs. Ann Geraldine Bland Hinton, 85, of Gainesville passed away Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, following an extended illness. Services will be held at I p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in the chapel of Memorial Park North Riverside Cha pel. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. She was born in North Carolina on Oct. 28, 1933. She lived in Gaines ville since 1958, retiring from Jackson EMC. She was a past president of the Paul E. Bolding Amer ican Legion Auxiliary Unit 7 in Gainesville, Georgia. She was also a member of the 40&8 La Femmes. She is a member of Riv- erbend Baptist Church and a member of the Combo Sunday school class at Riv- erbend Baptist church She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles H Bland and Bessie Thrower Bland, her husband Joseph Herman Hinton, Past Com mander of the Paul E. Bold ing American Legion Post 7, and her sons Barry Charles Hinton and Thomas Herman Hinton. Ann Geraldine Bland Hinton is survived by her grandson - Andrew Hinton, daughter-in-law - Lauren Hinton of Dawsonville, GA, sister - Sara Mitchum (John) of Warrenville, SC, nephew - Lynn Williams (Kim) of Port Orange Florida. Memorial Park North Riv erside Chapel, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 9, 2018 Bobby Cleo Lawson June 11, 1947- Nov. 4, 2018 Bobby Cleo Lawson, 71, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 4, 2018. He was born on June 11, 1947, to the late Jack and Lola Law- son. Bobby graduated from Gainesville High School and the University of Georgia at Athens. He retired from BellSouth telecommunica tions, was a member of Pis- gah Forest Baptist Church and was a huge fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and NAS CAR racing. Bobby is survived by his wife of 25 years, Glenda Hudgins Lawson, two sons, Bobby C. Lawson of Buford, GA; William Matthew Law- son of Austin, TX; step-sons Ron (Kristie)Buell of Pisgah Forest, NC; Greg (Sherri) Buell of Buford, GA; step daughter Christa Downing of Lawrenceville, GA and their children. Also left behind to cherish his mem ory are two brothers, Billy (Kathy) Lawson of Greens boro, NC; Bradley (Barbara) Lawson of Gainesville, GA; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, at II a.m. at the Pisgah Forest Baptist Church with Pas tor David Spray officiating. Family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the ser vice. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Bobby. Asheville Mortuary Ser vices, Asheville, NC Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 9,2018 Deborah Strickland Shumake June 7, 1954-Nov. 6, 2018 Deborah Strickland Shu make of Hall County, Ga., was born on June 7, 1954, to William D. Strickland and Opal Grogan Strickland. She was preceded in death by her father and survived by her mother Opal Strickland, husband, Keith D. Shumake, children Lex and Casey Goff, Mat thew and Whitney Shumake, grandchildren, Nolan, Rylin, Paxton, Jace, Avery, and Hartlyn. Brothers, Mike Strickland (Stephanie) and Mark Strickland. Nephews; Andrew and Max Strickland. Deborah was preceded in death by her father-in-law, John Shumake and is sur vived by her mother-in-law, Claira Shumake. In-laws, Bryan and Beth Shumake, Doug and Melanie Crum ley. Nieces and Nephews; Whitney Mote and Rebecca Mendez. She went to be with our Lord and Savior on Nov. 6, 2018. Her faith in Him remained strong through out her journey here on Earth. She was a vibrant, tenacious spirit who loved her family, friends and her grandchildren fiercely. She was so strong and she loved life with perpetual joy. She enjoyed painting, reading, and spending time with her loved ones. She will forever be missed by all who love her. We invite you to celebrate Deborah’s beautiful life with us at 3:30 p.m., Saturday Nov. 10, 2018 in the chapel of Hillside Chapel Funeral Home. The Rev. Terry Jones will officiate. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 2:45 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at hill- sidechapelfuneralhome. com Hillside Chapel Funeral Home and Cremation Ser vices, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 9,2018 DEATH NOTICES Carol Adkins Died Nov. 1, 2018 Carol Adkins, 78, of Gainesville died Thursday, Nov. 1. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville. James Ned Beatty Sr. Died Nov. 5,2018 James Ned Beatty Sr., of Oakwood died Monday. Memorial service, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, First Baptist Church of Oakwood. Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville. Genevieve Pace Burke Died Nov. 8,2018 Genevieve Pace Burke, 96, died Thursday. Funeral service, 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, funeral home cha pel. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce. Charles Emerson Crane Jr. Died Nov. 1,2018 Charles “Joe” Emerson Crane Jr., 74, of Rockmart died Thursday, Nov. 1. Cel ebration of life, 12 p.m. Sun day, Nov. 11, funeral home chapel. Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville. Elsie Crane Died Nov. 6,2018 Elsie Crane, 76, of Dahlonega died Tuesday. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville. Patricia Gail Tiidor Frederick Jan. 29, 1942-Nov. 8,2018 Patricia Gail Tudor Fred erick, 76, of Buford died Thursday. Celebration of life, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, United Methodist Church. Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford. Louie Hamm Died Nov. 6,2018 Louie Hamm, 71, of Alpharetta died Tuesday. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Fri day, Nov. 9, funeral home chapel. McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Johnny L. Holtzclaw Died Nov. 8,2018 Johnny L. Holtzclaw, 63, of Dawsonville died Thurs day. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, funeral home chapel. Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville. David Malcom Jackson Died Nov. 7,2018 David Malcom Jack- son, 74, of Cumming died Wednesday. Funeral ser vice, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, funeral home chapel. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming. Nancy A. Marlowe Died Oct. 31,2018 Nancy A. Marlowe, 76, of Gainesville died Wednes day, Oct. 31. Celebration of life, 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, Harbour Point Club House. Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville Norma Allison Martin Died Nov. 6,2018 Norma Allison Martin, 80. of Baldwin died Tuesday. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford. Claudia Purgason Died Nov, 7,2018 Claudia Purgason, 51, of Gillsville died Wednesday. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville. Jimmy Reynolds May 7, 1938-Nov. 7, 2018 Jimmy Reynolds, 80, of Cornelia died Wednes day. Graveside service, 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, Airline Baptist Church Cemetery. Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, Baldwin. Myra T. Sorrow Died Nov. 2,2018 Myra T. Sorrow, 86, of Big Canoe died Friday, Nov. 2. Homecoming Celebration, 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, funeral home chapel. Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville. Carolyn S. Stacey Died Nov. 7, 2018 Carolyn S. Stacey, 76, of Hoschton died Wednesday. Celebration of life, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, funeral home chapel. Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch. Regina Wofford-Rosales Died Nov. 3, 2018 Regina Wofford-Rosales, 36, of Jefferson died Satur day. Funeral service, 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, Restora tion Church. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville. F. Robert Zimmer Jr. Died Nov. 7, 2018 F. Robert “Bob” Zimmer Jr., 69, of Flowery Branch died Wednesday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, funeral home cha pel. Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch. Obituary information Death notices are printed free as a public service by The Times. More information can be provided in paid obituaries. The rate is $50 per 100 words (or any part thereof). There is an additional mandatory $40 fee for online services, which includes a guest book that allows family and friends to post condolences. Deadline for publication is 6:30 p.m. seven days a week. Death notices and obituaries are accepted only from funeral homes. They should be emailed to obits@gainesvilletimes. com. All submissions will appear in The Times and online at gainesvilletimes. com. For additional information, please call 770- 718-3419 or 800-395-5005, extension 3419, between 3 and 6 p.m. weekdays. INTRODUCING Little & Davenport Funeral Home To inquire about pricing packages available to memorialize a pet in print, please contact Megan Lewis at 770-535-6371 or mlewis@gainesvilletimes.com Pets at Peace will appear in The Times the last Sunday of each month.