The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, December 13, 2018, Image 9

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The times., December 13, 2018, Image 9

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Newspaper Page TextLOCA^STATE The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Thursday, December 13, 2018 9A MACON Panel considers overhaul of Ga. voting system A commission considering a replacement for Georgia’s outdated voting system plans to hold a last meeting in January before finalizing recommendations to lawmakers. The Secure, Accessible and Fair Elections Commission discussed dif ferent voting systems Wednesday and the criteria members must con sider in making recommendations. Election security experts warned the electronic touchscreen machines Georgia uses are vulner able to hacking and lack an audit- able paper trail to confirm votes were recorded correctly. A key issue is whether the commission will recommend electronic touchscreen machines that print paper ballots or paper ballots marked by hand with a pen. The commission work predates a controversy over Democrat Stacey Abrams’ loss to Republican Brian Kemp for governor. A group backed by Abrams subsequently filed a fed eral lawsuit challenging the way Georgia elections are run. MARIETTA Father found guilty in shaking death of baby A man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his 10-month-old daughter. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports 32-year-old Sidrick Melan- con was convicted Tuesday in the 2017 death of Laura, who prosecu tors say was shaken by her mother. Prosecutors say Melancon’s charge stems from him not intervening to help Laura. Prosecutors say he drove an unre sponsive Laura to an urgent care center and left. They say doctors found Laura’s brain was bleeding and she had old and new leg frac tures. She was declared brain dead and removed from life support. Associated Press OBITUARIES Pamela Davenport Died Dec. 9, 2018 Pamela Davenport, 59, of Gainesville, Ga., passed away at her residence on Sunday, Dec. 9,2018. Pamela Davenport lived in Hall County for over 20 years, which of where she worked as a secretary for 10 years at Stuart Mechani cal. She worked alongside her best friend, Joy Breed love, and she loved her job. She also worked six years as a clerk at Clipper Petroleum. She always looked forward to seeing her customers and loved the employees she worked with. Along with her job, she loved spending time with her family. She was an active member of Rock Hill Congre gational Holiness Church. She loved attend ing the senior luncheons, monthly, where she played games, won prizes and enjoyed fellowship with the seniors as they all shared a good meal. Pamela Davenport is the daughter of Jew ell Looney. Family survivors include: Billy Stone, Wil lis (Pete) White, Nancy and Sandra Fore hand and Sherry Duncan. She has no biological children: motherly loved nephew, Joshua White, and motherly loved niece, Chasity Jewell. Loved as her own grandchildren: Carter Tatum, Chloe Tatum, Gracie White, Xan- der White, Kate-Lynn Duncan and Bryant Duncan. Pamela Davenport was preceded in death by her mother, Jewell Looney. Brothers- Wayne Stone and Ricky White. Sister- Sue Stone. The funeral service will be held on Satur day, Dec. 15,2018, at 1 p.m. Pastor Paul Mil ligan will officiate the service at Rock Hill Congregational Holiness Church. Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport. com. Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Cre matory, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 13, 2018 Matthew Timothy Fritch July 27, 1975-Dec. 10, 2018 Matthew Timothy Fritch, 43, of Buford, Ga., passed away on Monday, Dec. 10,2018. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Celita Davis Fritch, Buford, Ga.; daughter, Logan Pierce Fritch, Buford, Ga.; father, Roger (Heather Ann) Fritch, California; mother, Susan (Trey) Harrell, Florida; sisters, Samantha Harrell, Florida, Alyssa Fritch, California; stepbrother, Garron Fritch, Cali fornia; mother in-law, Clarice Parks, Toc- coa, Ga.; brother in-law, Ronald Gregory Parks, Toccoa, Ga.; niece, Kaylee Parks; nephew, Patrick Parks; numerous relatives and a host of friends. Mr. Fritch was born July 27,1975, in Tar- zana, Calif. He was a 1993 graduate of North Hall High School, Gainesville, Ga., and received a bachelor’s degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta in 1999. He raced motor cross for years, enjoyed mountain bike rid ing and was an avid fisherman and surfer. He was a general foreman with D.H. Paint ing Company. He loved his pets and enjoyed teaching his daughter soccer. A celebration of life service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14,2018, at Lake Lanier Island, Pine Isle Center, in Buford, Ga. Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 13, 2018 Leroy (Butterball) Littlejohn May 26, 1948-Dec. 6, 2018 Leroy Littlejohn of Greenville, S.C., passed away Thursday, Dec. 6,2018. Mr. Littlejohn was born May 26,1948, in Gainesville, Ga., to the late Leroy and Louise (Robertson) Little john. He graduated from E.E. Butler High School in 1968. He is preceded in death by his sister, Mrs. Lezora (Littlejohn) Hall. Surviving Mr. Littlejohn are his children: Kevin Littlejohn of Gainesville, Ga., Tonia Littlejohn of Jacksonville, Fla., Jilvonnie (Jil) Littlejohn and Minis ter Keith C. Finnie (Paula) of Greenville, S.C., Jeremy Lott (Perla) of Gainesville, Ga.; 11 grandchildren: Mat thew Littlejohn and Joshua Littlejohn of Baltimore, Md., Rebecca Littlejohn of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Payten Littlejohn of Owings Mills, Md., Natalia Lott, Kolten Lott, Jordan Lott and Brielle Lott of Gainesville, Ga., Court ney and Audrey Green of Atlanta, Ga., and Da’Naris Thurmond of Gainesville, Ga.; five siblings: Minister Linda Jackson of Litho- nia, Ga., Jackie (Cindy) Littlejohn of East Lansing, Mich., Vivian (Bobby) Hughey of Stone Mountain, Ga., Rassie P. Littlejohn of Gainesville, Ga., and Timothy Littlejohn (Ollie) of Gainesville, Ga. Mr. Littlejohn also leaves behind nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Littlejohn was loved dearly by his aunt Linda Joanne Hester of Gainesville, Ga., and companion Ms. Jimetta (Finnie) Littlejohn of Greenville, S.C. A celebration of life service will be held for Mr. Littlejohn on Dec. 15,2018,1 p.m. at Mount View Baptist Church, 111 Cagle St., Greenville, SC 29601. Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 13, 2018 James Hubert Marlowe Nov. 2, 1932-Dec. 12, 2018 James Hubert Marlowe, 86, of Mount Airy passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 12,2018. Born in Barrow County, Ga., on Nov. 2, 1932, to the late Hubert Marlowe and Sara Carruth Fowler, he was a member of Clarkesville First United Methodist Church where he served as a former Sunday school teacher and Lay Leader. Mr. Marlowe received an associate’s degree from Young Harris College, a bachelor’s degree in jour nalism and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from The University of Georgia. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Mr. Marlowe worked as a station manager and disc jockey for WCON in Cornelia dur ing the mid-1950s. He was employed as the first full-time Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs for Young Harris Col lege. Mr. Marlowe was a director of student personnel services at North Georgia Techni cal College starting in 1964. He later became president of North Georgia Technical Col lege in 1969 and worked until his retirement in 1995. His term of 26 years distinguished him as the longest serving president of that institution. Mr. Marlowe served as vice president of the Georgia Vocational Association. He was a member of the Georgia Association of Local Administrators, the American Voca tional Association and the Georgia Industrial Developers Association. Mr. Marlowe was a past member of the local Lions Club and served as president. He served on the North Georgia Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees and as Emeritus Trustee. He served on several local boards includ ing the Habersham Medical Center Board and the local airport authority. Mr. Mar lowe was the founding father of the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), a program he created to honor outstanding students in technical education. He was a member of the Georgia Chamber of Com merce Leadership Georgia from 1972-1973. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Cody Marlowe; stepfather, James Fowler; brother, Bob Marlowe; sister, Joyce Wood. Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Melody Marlowe of Clermont, Ga.; son, Tim Marlowe of Lexington, S.C.; granddaughter and spouse, Katie and Austin Coleman of Gainesville, Ga.; grandson, Cody Marlowe of Marietta, Ga.; several nieces and nephews; caregiver, Shelia Carson of Demorest, Ga. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart with the Rev. Keith Cox and Dr. Phil DeMore officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the North Georgia Technical College Foun dation, P.O. Box 65, Clarkesville, GA 30523. An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinand- stewart.com. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 13, 2018 Shirley Nell Sims Died Dec. 12, 2018 Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Bap tist Church for Shirley Nell Sims, 78, of Gainesville. The Rev. Clack Stubbs and the Rev. Brian Malcolm will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ward’s Funeral Home. Mrs. Sims passed away Dec. 12,2018. A native of Hart County, Mrs. Sims was the daughter of the late Horace and Fannie (Jor dan) Kelly. A member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mrs. Sims loved her family dearly and her Gleamor Sunday School Class. She loved to travel during fall to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see God’s beautiful landscape. Mrs. Sims always stopped to take in the sunsets behind her house and loved nothing more than working in her flower beds with her grandchildren. Mrs. Sims was also preceded in death by her brothers, Olen Kelly, Edwin Kelly, James Kelly and Sidney Kelly; sister, Geneva Ricks; and grandson, Hunter Sims. Survivors include husband, Roger Felton Sims; children, Rex Sims, Russell Sims and Rhonda Palmer; grandchildren, Reed Sims, Austin Sims, Anna Sims and Shelby Palmer; sisters, Manona Daniel and Mary Sanders. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Oak Grove Baptist Church Youth Department. Online condolences may be sent to wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 13, 2018 James Homer Thomasson Died Dec. 10, 2018 Mr. James Homer Thomasson, husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, at the age of 84. He was born on Aug. 1, 1934, in Murphy, N.C., the son of the late James Garlin Thomasson and Flora Stephens Thomasson. Homer joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) June 1, 1953, as a staff member assigned to the Personnel Section, in Washington, D.C. He graduated from John Mar shall University and John Marshall Law School in 1962, with a degree in law and was appointed to the FBI Academy in 1962. After completing the FBI Academy, he was assigned as an FBI Special Agent, in Springfield, Ill.; Danville, Ill.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and as Senior Agent-in-Charge of the Hun tington, W.Va., office. He was transferred to his office of preference, Atlanta, Ga., in 1976. Homer retired as Senior Resident Agent-in- Charge of the Gainesville, Ga., office in 1985. After retirement from the FBI, he was employed as Officer of Credit Card Inves tigations for the National Bank of Georgia; subsequent employment by the Georgia Insurance Commissioners Office, where he assisted in establishing their Insurance Arson Fraud Investigations Division. He was later appointed Vice President, Wachovia Credit Card Investigation Divi sion, Wachovia Bank, Atlanta, Ga. After retirement from Wachovia, Homer moved back to his hometown, Blairsville, where he was employed as Investigator for the District Attorney’s Office. Homer was a member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, Atlanta Chapter President in 1992. He was a mem ber of First Baptist Church, Blairsville, where he served as Deacon and various church committees. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mar ilyn Jenkins Thomasson; daughter, Cindy and her husband, Robert Shearin; grand daughter, Nicole; daughter, Pamela and her husband, Hollis Townsend; grandsons, James and Joseph; sister, Jo Jenkins, wife of the late Ed Jenkins; brother-in-law, Charles Jenkins and wife, Bonnie; brother-in-law, Tom Battle, husband of the late Ella Jenkins Battle; brother-in-law, Ken Jenkins; and sis- ter-in-law, Patti Jenkins Chambers and hus band, Bobby; as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral services have been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13,2018, at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Blairs ville, with Dr. Fred Lodge, Dr. James Butts, the Rev. Rick Jenkins, David Riser, the Rev. Dick Stillwell and Stan Gunter speak ing. Burial will be in Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. James Homer Thomasson, of Blairsville. Please share your condolences and sign the guest registry online at www.cochranfuner- alhomes.com. Cochran Funeral Home, Blairsville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 13, 2018 DEATH NOTICES Cheryl Rae Baker Died Dec. 9, 2018 Cheryl Rae Baker, 74, of Cumming died Sunday. Funeral service will be held in Greenwood, S.C., at a later date. McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Lisa Monica Bennett Aug. 16, 1961-Dec. 10, 2018 Lisa Monica Bennett, 57, of Buford died Monday. Memorial service, 4 p.m. Dec. 17, Oakwood Baptist Church. Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford. Betty Borders Died Dec. 9, 2018 Betty Borders, 82, of Commerce died Sun day. Memorial service, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, Mount Pleasant CME Church. Wim berly & White Funeral Home, Commerce. Calvin Cooledge Cooper Died Dec. 11, 2018 Calvin Cooledge Cooper, 90, of Hoschton died Tuesday. Funeral service, 3 p.m. Sun day, Dec. 16, funeral home chapel. Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton. Loy Edward Gaddis Died Dec. 12, 2018 Loy Edward “Edd” Gaddis, 80, of Dawson- ville died Wednesday. Funeral service, 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, funeral home chapel. Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville. Jeanne C. Laramee Died Dec. 8, 2018 Jeanne C. Laramee died Dec. 8. Service will be held in Savannah, Ga., at a later date. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming. Junior Ledford Died Dec. 12, 2018 Junior Ledford, 76, of Mount Airy died Wednesday. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. William Jonathan Looney Sept. 6, 1957-Dec. 9, 2018 William Jonathan “Jon” Looney, 61, of Cornelia died Sunday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, funeral home chapel. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Mary Rose Lowry Died Dec. 11, 2018 Mary Rose Lowry, 91, of Gainesville died Tuesday. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville. Lester Marvin Smith May 28, 1933-Dec. 11, 2018 Lester Marvin “Red” Smith, 85, of Lula died Tuesday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, Enon Baptist Church. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. James Thomas Tackett Died Dec. 6, 2018 James Thomas Tackett, 81, of Baldwin died Dec. 6. Memorial service, 2 p.m. Satur day, Dec. 15, funeral home chapel. Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin. Lois Mae Hill Walls Oct. 8, 1932-Dec. 10, 2018 Lois Mae Hill Walls, 86, of Clarkesville died Monday. Graveside service, 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, Habersham Cemetery. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. John Wesley Died Dec. 9, 2018 John Wesley, 96, of Gainesville died Sunday. Funeral service, 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, St. John Baptist Church. Wimberly Funeral Home, Gainesville. 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.