The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, December 19, 2018, Image 7

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The times., December 19, 2018, Image 7

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Newspaper Page TextLOCATSTATE The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Wednesday, December 19, 2018 7A JONESBORO Man accused of stabbing his brother to death Authorities say a man is accused of stabbing his brother to death in front of their family. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Joseph Oliver was arrested Monday on charges of aggra vated assault and malice murder. A Clayton County Sheriffs Office statement says Oliver allegedly stabbed the brother after a dispute at their home near Jonesboro. Officials tell the newspaper that the brothers’ father, mother and grandmother wit nessed the stabbing. The victim was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Authorities say Oliver was found with a knife on him. It’s unclear if he has a lawyer who could comment. I AWRFNOFVII I F Mayor avoids prison with plea deal on tax evasion charges The mayor of Snellville will avoid a prison term under a plea deal reached with prosecutors on charges of tax evasion. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Mayor Tom Witts accepted a plea deal Monday. Witts entered an Alford plea to 11 of the 66 charges against him. An Alford plea does not admit guilt, but concedes sufficient evidence exists for a conviction. Witts will also resign as mayor. He was indicted last year charges of tax evasion and of personal uses of campaign funds. The felony charges he pleaded to included false state ments, false swearing, theft by con version and tax evasion. Witts will serve six months of house arrest and 10 years of probation. He must also pay $40,000 of delinquent taxes. WARNER ROBINS Deputies suspended for illegally hunting deer A Georgia sheriff’s office says two of its deputies have been suspended for illegally hunting deer. Houston County Chief Deputy Billy Rape says a state investigation found that Sgt. Kevin Harper and his nephew, Cpl. Brandon Harper, illegally killed a deer while working as private security. The Macon Tele graph reported Monday that Rape says Kevin Harper shot the deer last month while working at Guardian Centers in Perry with his nephew, who assisted in the hunt. Kevin Harper was suspended for five days without pay and given six months of probation. Brandon Harper was suspended without pay for three days and given six months of proba tion. The two won’t be allowed to work private security detail while on proba tion and are barred from working as private security for Guardian Centers. Associated Press DeKalb County police officer killed at traffic stop remembered as hero Associated Press DUNWOODY - Family, friends and law enforcement from around the country paid their respects Tuesday to a DeKalb County police officer slain after a traffic stop. Hundreds of people lined the highways as the procession trav eled through DeKalb County to the All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, where the first of two services were held for DeKalb County Police Officer Edgar Flores. The 24-year-old officer was shot in the head while in pur suit of a man he had pulled over. The suspect, 33-year-old Justin Taylor, was later shot and killed by officers after a brief manhunt. At the service Tuesday, Flores was remembered as a hero. His 15-year-old brother, Alexis Flores, called him his role model and someone who “fought for equality.” South Precinct Commander Maj. KD Johnson told mourn ers who packed the church that he had talked to the teenager a few days earlier. “He said he wants to be a police officer, and he wants to wear his brother’s badge,” Johnson said. Others described Flores, who would have turned 25 on Tuesday, as a natural-born offi cer, selfless, always smiling, a brother. “Flores always, always talked about his family,” said fellow DeKalb officer Justin Hamilton, fighting back tears. “That was his thing.” Flores, who was engaged to be married, was the third police officer in Georgia killed by gunfire in 2018 and the fifth to die overall in the line of duty. DeKalb’s police chief, James Conroy, said the show of sup port from law enforcement all over the country helps them cope with the tragic loss. “We are a family. We’ve got honor guards here from as far away as Dallas, Boston. Chi cago is here, and Chicago tragi cally lost two last night in an incident. Yet here they are to support us,” Conroy said. Gov.-elect Brian Kemp also attended the funeral. A second service is sched uled for 11 a.m. today at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Flowery Branch. The off-ramps for 1-985 northbound and southbound will be closed to all traffic between 8:30-9 a.m. today. “In addition, the inter sections at Stonebridge Vil lage Shopping Center and Hog Mountain Road at Spout Springs Road will also be closed to allow (the) procession to pass through,” according to Flowery Branch Police’s Face- book post. When the service concludes around 1 p.m., the Hog Moun tain Road and Spout Springs Road intersection will be closed for roughly 30 minutes. Interment at Yonah Memorial Gardens will follow the Flow ery Branch funeral service. The 1-985 northbound off ramp will be closed, and no northbound traffic will be allowed until the procession clears out of the area on its way to Demorest. Nick Watson contributed to this report. Flores OBITUARIES Sarah Charlotte Eberhardt Banks Nov. 3, 1924-Dec. 16,2018 Mrs. Sarah Charlotte Eberhardt Banks, 94, of Gainesville, Ga., passed away on Dec. 16, 2018, at Morningside of Gainesville Assisted Living Facility after a long illness. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2018, at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Fields officiating. Music will be provided by Mark Green. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9:45 a.m. Born on Nov. 3,1924, in Hall County, Ga., to the late Earnest Paul (E.P.) and the late Elizabeth Thompson Eberhardt, Charlotte attended Tadmore Elementary School and graduated from Airline High School and Gainesville School of Nursing where she earned her L.P.N. degree. She later gradu ated from Emory School of Nursing. After her children were in school, she earned her R.N. Degree. Charlotte was a dedicated wife and most loving mother of three sons. She was a long time member of the First Baptist Church on Green Street, where she was an active mem ber of the Gleaners Sunday School Class. She enjoyed socializing and seeing new places while involved in two travel clubs. Charlotte grew up Methodist and was a lifelong tent-holder at the Lebanon Meth odist Camp Meeting, where she faithfully attended every August with friends and family. Charlotte was a longtime member of Dog wood Garden Club and had many blue rib bons for entries into the local flower shows. Her love of gardening can be seen in the gar dens of many Gainesvillians, as she was a big proponent of Pass-Along-Plants. That is to say if you stopped by her garden on Gaines Mill Road, she could be seen digging up plants for friends to plant in their gardens. She tended to a very large vegetable garden every year up into her 90s. Her fig trees were favored by many when it was picking time. Charlotte will perhaps most be remem bered for her fifty plus years of devoted services to private duty nursing. She had a passion for helping others. For many years she volunteered in the Meals on Wheels pro gram delivering meals to the aging commu nity. People continue to mention how fond they were of her when she took care of their parents in their terminal illnesses. She and Susie Harris were one of the first local “Hos pice” type nurses in Hall County. Palliative care was very new and was not yet known as Hospice Care. In addition to her devout service to the nursing community, Charlotte was very active in local Boy Scout programs. Having three active and growing sons, Charlotte pioneered the first local used scout uniform drives. Mrs. Banks was the wife of the late W.W. “Bill” Banks. She was preceded in death by her sons John Paul “J.P.” Banks and Michael “Mike” Banks. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Rodney F. and Susan Banks of Los Angeles, Calif.; daughter-in-law Willia Buquet Banks of Gainesville; grand son Rodney “Rod” F. Banks Jr. and his wife Kimberly and a great-granddaughter who is soon to be born of Scottsdale, Ariz.; grand son Charlie Banks of Atlanta, Ga.; grandson William Robert “Bob” Banks and his wife Kirsten Hall Banks; great-granddaughter Ansley Elizabeth Banks; granddaughter Joy Elizabeth Banks; great-grandson Max Stone both of Gainesville. Mrs. Banks is addition ally survived by her sister Frances Eber hardt Patterson of Gainesville and a number of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Morning- side Assisted Living Facility of Gainesville for their devotion to Mrs. Banks’ care and Homestead Hospice for making Charlotte’s transition into her heavenly home one of peace surrounded by her family and friends. Additionally, the family wishes to thank her caregiver, Beverly Ortiz of Gainesville, Ga., for her extraordinary devotion to Charlotte for a number of years. Memorial contributions may be made to either The Ministry of Caring at the First Baptist Church, 751 Green St., Gainesville, GA 30501, or to Gainesville’s Meals on Wheels, 430 Prior St. SE, Gainesville, GA 30501. Online condolences can be made at www. memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 19, 2018 The Rev. Paul Allen Jones Jr. Jan. 24, 1938-Dec. 17, 2018 The Rev. Paul Allen Jones Jr., 80, of Cor nelia, Ga., passed away on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. The Rev. Jones was born on Jan. 24,1938, in Hall County, Ga., a son of the late Paul Allen Jones Sr. and Mary Ester Jones. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Edna Ruth Brown Jones, and grandson, Justin Warren. The Rev. Jones was a United States Army Veteran and a retired truck driver. He was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church. Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Survivors include his daughters and sons- in-law, Tammie and Harley Warren of Cum- ming and Wanda and Cary Clark of Alto; son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Becky Jones of Alto; brother, J.H. Jones of Lawrenceville; grandchildren: Ryan Jones, Eric Jones, Kyle Clark and Kayla Wilson; and great-grand children: Mason Warren, Lily Warren, Abbie Jones, Macie Jones, Cadyn Jones, Natalie Jones, Emma Jones, Matthew Jones, Zeke Wilson, Lyanna Wilson, Maciey Evans and Kate Evans. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Cross roads Baptist Church with the Rev. Lamar Kastner officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military hon ors provided by the United States Army, Habersham County DAV Chapter #84, Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720 and Rabun County DAV Chapter #15. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, at Whit field Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Ga. Those wishing to express online condo lences to the family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel, Baldwin Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 19, 2018 Manila Hansford Lynch Dec. 18, 1923-Dec. 18, 2018 Manita Hansford Lynch, 95, of Gaines ville, Ga., passed away on Dec. 18, 2018, at her assisted living home, the BeeHive, in Gainesville. She was born on Dec. 18, 1923, in Maxey’s, Ga., to the late Benjamin Nathan iel and Ina Mae Dillard Hansford. Manita was mar ried to Claud E. Lynch for 50 years until his death in 1996. She grew up in Sycamore, Ga., and was a graduate of GSCW in Milledgeville, Ga., and Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. Manita spent most of her adult life liv ing in her beloved Albany, Ga., where she took great pride in raising her two children. She was an active member of First Baptist Church for 43 years. She was active in many organizations, such as the Albany Garden Club, the Albany Woman’s Club, DAR, the WMU and her Sunday School class. She was the personification of a gracious, South ern lady and was always quick to help her friends and others. She enjoyed decorating her home and collecting antiques and work ing in her yard. Manita is survived by her son and daugh- ter-in-law Dr. Ed Lynch and Ginger Lynch of Gainesville, Ga., and daughter and son-in- law Susan Rosentreter and Bob Rosentreter of Tucker, Ga.; grandchildren Holly (Chris) Alewine, Taylor (Ashley) Lynch and Eliza beth Weissinger. Her great-grandchildren are Evan Alewine, Savannah Lynch and Olivia Alewine. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in the chapel of Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. Dr. Tom Smiley will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. until the funeral hour. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Ashburn, Ga. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Good News Clinics, 810 Pine St., Gainesville, GA 30501. Online dona tions can be made at www.goodnewsclinics. org. Online condolences can be made at www. memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 19, 2018 Braganza Forrester Pitchford July 26, 1929-Dec. 18,2018 Braganza Forrester Pitchford, 89, of Mur- rayville passed away peacefully in the com fort of her home on Tuesday, Dec. 18,2018. Mrs. Pitchford was born on July 26,1929, in Hall County to the late Ira Peter and Nora Williams Forrester. She was immaculate with keeping her home and a renowned cook. She was a long-standing member of Concord Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years William Ernest Pitch ford; their daughter Rhonda Gail Pitchford; and her parents. Mrs. Pitchford is survived by her son and wife Ira and Judy Pitchford; grandchildren Melissa Pitchford Wilson, Billy Pitchford, Melinda Pitchford Garland and husband Jayson; great-grandchildren Kayla Jackson and husband Jonathan, Cody Marchbanks, Mattie Early, Alex Early, Anna Grace Gar land; sister Polly Bower; sister-in-love Bar bara Oliver Forrester. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Concord Bap tist Church in Clermont with interment to follow. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, 4-8 p.m. at Strick land’s Funeral Home in Clermont. Strickland Funeral Home, Clermont Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 19, 2018 DEATH NOTICES Lucille Powers Buechler Died Dec. 16,2018 Lucille Powers Buechler, 96, of Loganville died Sunday. Funeral service, 3 p.m. Dec. 27, funeral home chapel. Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville. Jerome Mack Caudill Died Dec. 18,2018 Jerome Mack Caudill, 74, of Hoschton died Tuesday. Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch. Betty Jean Funk July 6, 1929-Dec. 17, 2018 Betty Jean Funk, 89, of Mount Airy died Monday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, funeral home chapel. McGahee- Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Willie Samuel Guffin Jr. Died Dec. 17, 2018 Willie “William” Samuel Guffin Jr., 85, of Cumming died Monday. Memorial service, 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, John’s Creek Baptist Church. McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Cleveland Harris Haughton Died Dec. 18, 2018 Cleveland Harris Haughton, 90, of Gaines ville died Tuesday. Dexter T. Sims Mortuary, Gainesville. Harold Francis Kowalske II Died Dec. 17, 2018 Harold Francis Kowalske II, 71, of Gaines ville died Monday. Funeral service, 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, funeral home chapel. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville. John Dean Pritchard April 12, 1935-Dec. 17, 2018 John Dean Pritchard, 83, of Mount Airy died Monday. Graveside service, 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, Tenn. Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville. Wayne Dale Rainwater Died Dec. 16, 2018 Wayne Dale Rainwater, 72, of Buford died Sunday. Graveside service will be held at a later date in Louisiana. Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford. 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 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.