About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2018)
LOCATSOUTHEAST The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Tuesday, November 20, 2018 7A Controversial Baltimore pastor coming to Atlanta church BY JONATHAN M. PITTS Tribune News Service The Rev. Jamal H. Bryant, the charis matic, politically connected and at times controversial founding pastor of the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Bal timore, will become the new senior pastor at a well-known megachurch near Atlanta, an official of the Georgia church confirmed Monday. Bryant will take over as spiritual leader of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., a church with 25,000 mem bers that played host to the funeral of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, 12 years ago. Four former presidents and members of King’s family attended the service. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., chairman of the board at the church, said in a text message to the Sun Monday afternoon that Bryant had been selected by a vote among board members. Earlier in the day, Dortch had confirmed Bryant was one of two finalists for the posi tion and said he would be “thrilled” if Bry ant were elected. “I’ve known Jamal for years, dating all the way back to his NAACP days, and I’ve watched him grow his church from about 45 congregants to thousands of people, and I believe he’ll make a wonderful fit,” Dortch said. Neither Bryant nor his publicist, Nicole Kirby, could be reached late Monday for comment. Bryant, 47, told congregants during his three sermons Sunday at the Empowerment Temple that he would leave the position he has held since he founded the Northeast Baltimore church in 2000. He will preach his final sermon at the church Dec. 2, he said. A riveting speaker and the son and grand son of ministers, Bryant led the growth of Empowerment Temple from a few dozen to a reported 10,000 members, many of them young people, and helped turn it into a place with a reputation for hipness and one of the more influential of Baltimore’s predomi nantly African-American congregations. A former NAACP youth director, he also emerged as a high-profile social-justice activist in the city and beyond. In 2012, he led peaceful protests on behalf of the family of Trayvon Martin, the Florida youth who was shot to death by a neighborhood watch man in a case that made national headlines. He later served as spiritual adviser to Mar tin’s parents and brought them to Baltimore, where they made appearances at Empower ment Temple services. Bryant also became a familiar voice on radio and TV and helped lead local protests against police brutality in the wake of Balti more resident Freddie Gray’s death while in police custody in 2015. SAVANNAH Alleged gang members convicted in 2 connected killings Four alleged gang members have been convicted in two killings. Media outlets report a jury on Sunday found Roderick Parrish and Jordon Camp bell guilty of felony murder in the death of 21-year-old Rebecca Foley. Kevin Smith was convicted on weapons and street gang- related charges. Jurors found Shacqeal Sanders and Henry Speaks guilty in the death of 33-year-old James Pastures. Foley was shot once inside her car in Janu ary 2013 while fleeing a robbery attempt in Savannah. Prosecutors said Foley was killed to cover up the botched robbery. Pastures — identi fied as the driver of the vehicle used in Fol ey’s death — was killed in 2015 after gang members suspected he was talking to police. ATLANTA Enrollment increases at many Georgia colleges, universities College enrollment is booming in Georgia, even as it declines nationwide. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported a number of schools in the state reported record enrollment for the fall. The University System of Georgia earlier reported a record enrollment this fall of nearly 330,000 students. But other schools reported record enroll ment too, including Agnes Scott in Decatur, Paine College in Augusta and the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. The enrollment increases in Georgia con trast with federal government data showing the number of students in the nation’s col leges has declined for six consecutive years. The 6 percent decline amounts to more than 1 million students. There are a number of reasons for Geor gia’s increase. There are more young people in the state and more of them are graduating from high school. UberEATS driver sentenced to life for killing customer A food delivery driver has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting an Uber EATS customer. Media outlets report 36-year-old Robert Bivines was sentenced last week after a jury found him guilty of charges including malice murder. Bivines turned himself in to authorities in February, days after the shooting. Police said 30-year-old Ryan Thornton had ordered delivery from UberEATS and went outside his Buckhead apartment complex for his food. Investigators say witnesses told them Thornton and the driver exchanged words before the shooting. Bivines had worked as an UberEATS driver for about a week. His attorney said Bivines “had no choice but to defend him self” when Thornton became irate and aggressive over his order. Uber has a “no weapons” policy for its drivers, but Bivines said he carried a gun to protect himself. BROOKHAVEN Police official resigns over sexual harassment allegation Officials say the deputy chief of a police department in the Atlanta area has resigned over sexual harassment allegations. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Juan Grullon resigned as Brookhaven police deputy chief after accusations that he made suggestive remarks to a female lieutenant for several years. The newspaper is not identifying the lieu tenant but cites her as saying Grullon was her supervisor and that his remarks and actions at an awards event in October prompted her to report him. The report says Grullon denied all of the allegations. City Manager Christian Sigman said Fri day that Brookhaven’s investigation into the allegations was closed after Grullon resigned. Sigman says all police officers go through sexual harassment training every year. CD\NTON, ALA Officials identify pilot in fatal Alabama helicopter crash Officials have released the name of the pilot of a Georgia police helicopter that crashed into a lake in Alabama last week. News outlets reported that 53-year-old David Hall of the Columbus, Georgia, police department was flying the helicopter used by a two-state narcotics task force. The chopper was being flown to Clanton for maintenance when it came down in Lake Mitchell in Chil ton County after apparently hitting a power line Friday afternoon. The coroner’s office said the bodies of Hall and a 22-year-old male were recovered from the water Sunday afternoon. The passenger’s name has not been released yet. Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson said Hall joined the police department in 1990 and served 28 years before retiring earlier this year. But he still flew the helicopter for the department. JAMES ISAND, S.C. Woman dies when car is hit by sheriff’s deputy A woman has died after her car was hit by a sheriff’s deputy in South Carolina who was responding to a call for help from another officer. Charleston County Sheriff’s Capt. Roger Antonio said in a news release the wreck happened shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday on a road on James Island. Antonio says a deputy in an unmarked car was responding to a request to help another deputy in a foot chase when a car turned in front of the officer’s vehicle. Antonio said the woman died at the scene. The deputy and a state constable with the officer were taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The names of the victim and the officers have not been released yet. The South Caro lina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Associated Press OBITUARIES Katrina Reba Ayers April 17, 1980- Nov. 17, 2018 Katrina Reba Ayers, 38, of Granite Falls, N.C., went to her Heavenly home on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, surrounded by her family. Born April 17,1980, in Hall County, Georgia, she was the daughter of Thomas Roy Ayers and Margaret Ann O’Day Ayers. Katrina enjoyed going on trips, watching DVDs, shop ping and doing all kinds of crafts. What we learned from Katrina was she was joyous in her life and had an uplifting spirit like no other. Not only did she love her birth family she also loved her group home fam ily dearly. Katrina is survived by her parents, Tom Ayers of Granite Falls, N.C., and Margaret Ayers of Charlotte, N.C.; brothers, Richard Ayers and wife, Christy, of Suwanee, Ga., and Patrick Ayers and wife, Rachel, of Gainesville, Ga; nephews, Drew Dockter, Liam and Thomas Ayers; and a number of aunts and uncles. A funeral was held Mon day, Nov. 19, 2018, at Sos- soman Funeral Home in Morganton, N.C. An addi tional funeral will be held at noon Wednesday, Nov. 21,2018, at Memorial Park- Main in Gainesville with burial to follow. The family would like to thank the personnel and staff at Laurel Street Group Home and Gateway Oppor tunities for all of their care and friendships for Katrina. Sossoman Funeral Home & Crematory Center, Mor ganton, N.C. Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes. com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 20, 2018 Skye Arielle Patterson Died Nov. 18,2018 Skye Arielle Patterson, 24, of Demorest passed away Sun day, Nov. 18, 2018, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center. A life long resi dent of Hall County, Mrs. Patterson was a graduate of North Hall High School Class of 2012 and had attended Lanier Technical College. Survivors include her husband, Cody Crocker, Demorest; son, Logan Pat terson, Clermont; daugh ter, Rosalie Hernandez, Demorest; parents, Kim and Jason Patterson, Cler mont; sisters, Montana Jarrard, Gainesville; Madi son Richards, Clermont; paternal grandparents, Charles and Donna Patter son, Clermont; maternal grandmother, Miriam Kar- vonen, Oakwood. A number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, in the cha pel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home. The Rev. Philip McQueen will offi ciate. Interment will fol low in the Concord Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tues day, Nov. 20, from 6-8 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Nov. 21, from noon until the funeral hour. Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crema tory, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes. com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 20, 2018 DEATH NOTICES Grace Marie Anthony Died Nov. 18, 2018 Grace Marie Anthony, 80, of Flowery Branch died Sunday. Funeral Mass, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, Prince of Peace Catho lic Church. Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flow ery Branch. Joe Lee Banks Sr. Jan. 7, 1944-Nov. 17, 2018 Joe Lee Banks Sr., 74, of Mount Airy died Saturday. Service, noon Wednesday, Nov. 21, Ebenezer Baptist Church. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Somchit Bannavong May 5, 1938-Nov. 18, 2018 Somchit Bannavong, 80, of Cornelia died Sunday. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, funeral home chapel. Whitfield Funeral Home, South Cha pel, Baldwin. Chris Anita Benson Dec. 25, 1967- Nov. 16,2018 Chris Anita Benson, 50, of Ball Ground died Fri day. Funeral service, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, funeral home chapel. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming. Robert Douglas Black Feb. 17, 1952- Nov. 18,2018 Robert Douglas Black, 66, of Cleveland died Sun day. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, funeral home chapel. Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland. Shiretta Nivens Dyer Nov. 2, 1944-Nov. 18, 2018 Shiretta Nivens Dyer, 74, of Cornelia died Sunday. Visitation, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin. Marcus Elrod Jan. 25, 1938- Nov. 19, 2018 Marcus “Buster” Elrod, 80, of Cumming died Mon day. Graveside funeral service, 11 a.m. Wednes day, Nov. 21, Sawnee View Gardens. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming. Maretta Gibson Died Nov. 18,2018 Maretta Gibson, 79, of Cumming died Sun day. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Margie Lee Hughes July 29, 1929- Nov. 19, 2018 Margie Lee Hughes, 89, of Cumming died Mon day. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, funeral home chapel. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming. Larry Havard Jackson July 25, 1960- Nov. 18,2018 Larry Havard Jackson, 58, of Cumming died Sun day. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, funeral home chapel. Ingram Funeral Home & Crema tory, Cumming. Dannie Daniel Kidd Died Nov. 16,2018 Dannie Daniel Kidd, 52, of Gainesville died Friday. Wimberly Funeral Home, Gainesville. Joyce Mosteller Died Nov. 17,2018 Joyce Mosteller, 75, of Dacula died Saturday. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford. Russell Richard Lamp Died Nov. 17,2018 Russell “Russ” Rich ard Lamp, 75, of Flowery Branch died Saturday. Memorial service, 2 p.m. Dec. 8, funeral home cha pel. Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch. Sara Langford Nichols Died Nov. 18,2018 Sara Langford Nich ols, 75, of Pendergrass died Sunday. Funeral ser vice, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, funeral home. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson. Nikola Jeane Preusser Died Nov. 16,2018 Nikola Jeane Preusser, 54, died Friday. Celebration of life service, 11 a.m. Dec. 8, funeral home chapel. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Lillian Campbell Reed Died Nov. 19, 2018 Lillian “Lil” Campbell Reed, 91, of Cornelia died Monday. Private service. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Charles Rich Jr. Died Nov. 18,2018 Charles Rich Jr., 76, of Gainesville died Sun day. Funeral service, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville. JoAnn Evans Rogers Died Nov. 18,2018 JoAnn Evans Rogers, 75, of Gainesville died Sunday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, funeral home chapel. Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton. George M. Sasser Oct. 28, 1949- Nov. 18, 2018 George M. Sasser, 69, of Buford died Sunday. Private service. Flanigan Funeral Home and Crema tory, Buford. Sandra Chadwick Smith Jan. 7, 1944-Nov. 16, 2018 Sandra Chadwick Smith, 74, of Homer died Friday. Memorial service, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Homer United Methodist Church. Whit field Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin. Jean Chapman Snow Died Nov. 16, 2018 Jean Chapman Snow, 94, of Cumming died Friday. McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Francisca Sonmez Died Nov. 17, 2018 Francisca Sonmez, 82, of Cumming died Satur day. Memorial Mass, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church. McDon ald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Debbie Sue Weaver Died Nov. 18, 2018 Debbie Sue Weaver, 58, of Lula died Sunday. Funeral service, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, funeral home chapel. Lit tle & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, Gainesville. Nancy Carol Wood Died Nov. 19, 2018 Nancy Carol Wood, 74, of Cumming died Monday. McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. 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- 718-3435 or 800-395-5005, extension 3435, between 3 and 6 p.m. weekdays. INTRODUCING eto' t/yt 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.
