Newspaper Page Text
THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007- PAGE 9A
Area Death Notices
How To Avoid Burning
The House Down With
Your Christmas Tree
Floyd Vandenack
Floyd Raymond Vandenack, 68,
of Commerce, died Wednesday,
November 28, 2007, at his resi
dence.
Born in Sentinel, Okla., he
was the son of Ruth V. Dryden
Peoples and the late Floyd Ray
Vandenack.
Survivors in addition to his
mother, include his wife, Loett
Vandenack, Commerce; daugh
ters, Cynthia Madrid, Sugar Hill,
Carrie Moenii-azad, Braselton;
sons, Floyd Vandenack, Buford,
Nicholas Bain, Commerce; broth
ers, Larry Wayne Cone and Gary
Dean, both of Texas; sister, Ruth
Ann Rae, Okla; six grandchildren;
and six great-grandchildren.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce,
is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Ray Smith
Ray Smith, 70, of Nicholson,
died Thursday, November 29,
2007.
He was born on June 17, 1937,
in Oglethorpe County, the son
of the late George E. and Ina
Wood Smith. He was retired from
Westinghouse as a supervisor.
Mr. Smith was a veteran, having
served in the United States Air
Force.
Survivors include his wife,
Shirley Ann Walden Smith,
Nicholson; daughter and son-in
law, Tracy and Daniel Wilson,
Commerce; son, Todd Smith,
Juliette; and three grandchil
dren, Ben, Sam, John and Rachel
Wilson, all of Commerce.
Funeral services were held
Saturday, December 1, in the cha
pel of Little-Ward Funeral Home
with the Revs. Dennis Kesler and
Marty Smith officiating. Burial
was in Nicholson Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Elizabeth Wilbanks
Elizabeth Ostine Smith
Wilbanks, 93, of Baldwin, died
Sunday, December 2, 2007.
She was born on February 6,
1914, in Banks County, and was
the daughter of the late Logan
Sylvester, Sr., and Lena Stephens
Smith. She was a graduate of
Baldwin High School and was
a member of the Broad River
Baptist Church. She was a retired
teacher with the Habersham
County School System with sev
eral years service, a member of
the AARP, and member of the
Retired Teachers Association.
Mrs. Wilbanks was preced
ed in death by her husband,
Telford R. Wilbanks; daughter,
Priscilla Waters; grandson, Kevin
Galloway; sister, Isabel Ervin;
and brothers, Bruce, Happy and
Clayton Smith.
Survivors include daughters,
Paula Haynes Hudgins and Leila
McDowell, both of Gainesville,
Sylvia Mason, Phyllis Johnson and
RosemaryWilliams,allof Baldwin,
Elaine Maxwell, Americus,
Joan Bradley, Rockmart, Karen
Graves, Fayetteville; sons, Ronnie
Wilbanks, Charlotte, N.C.,
Stephen Wilbanks, Baldwin,
and Tim Wilbanks, Naples, Fla.;
a sister, Annie Ruth Wilbanks,
Baldwin; 28 grandchildren, 33
great-grandchildren; and five
great-great-grandchildren.
DID YOU KNOW?
By Preacher Clint
DID YOU KNOW THAT
THE BIRTH OF JESUS WAS
PROMISED IN THE 1ST
BOOK OF THE BIBLE?
GEN. 3:15
Here we find the 1st promise
of a redeemer, as GOD said to
the woman your seed (CHRIST)
will bruise the head of the
serpent (Satan) and he (Satan)
will bruise His (CHRIST) heel.
Satan is a deceiver and a
destroyer, but he is a defeated
enemy, CHRIST born of a
woman was the promised
seed...(Gal. 4: 4 & 5). The death
of JESUS on the cross fulfilled
this promise and redeemed all
who would believe.
Send comments to
Clinton Sexton
116 Ashland Drive
Commerce, GA 30529
Funeral services were held
Tuesday, December 4, at the
Broad River Baptist Church
with Drs. Michael Haynes and
Dwayne Mercer, and the Rev.
Ray Rhodes officiating. Burial
was in the church cemetery with
the Rev. Steve Loeffler officiating
at the graveside.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the Broad River Church
Mission Fund, c/o Sylvia Mason,
1004 Ga. Hwy. 105, Baldwin, Ga.
30511.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South
Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Michael Joy
Michael D. Joy, 56, of
Pendergrass, died Friday,
November 23, 2007.
He was born in Hall County
on October 7, 1951, and was the
son of James and Edith Joy of
Gainesville. He was a mechanic
and a born-again Christian. Mr.
Joy was preceded in death by a
brother, Danny B. Joy.
Survivors in addition to his par
ents include his wife, Shelby Joy,
Pendergrass; sons, Dustin Cody
Joy and Jeremy Scott Joy, both of
Pendergrass; daughter, Jennifer
Chastain; brothers and sisters-
in-law, Ronnie and Gaynelle Joy
and Billy and Brenda Joy, all of
Gainesville, Jimmy and Patricia
Joy, Lawrenceville, Randy and
Wanda Joy, Baldwin; sisters and
brothers-in-law, Linda and Taylor
Cantrell, Pendergrass, Jamie and
Charles Phillips, Flowery Branch,
Karen Allison and Rick Keeler
and Robin and Chris Smith, all
of Gainesville, Cindy Moses and
R.L. Pruitt, Commerce; grand
children, Marcus, Morgan, Blake
and Lucas; mother-in-law, Grace
Beckhart, Gainesville; brother-in
law, Wayne Wilson, Gainesville;
sister-in-law, Shelia Burkhart,
Liberty, S .C.; sister-in-law and
brother-in-law, Misty and Keith
Wilson, Dahlonega; and a num
ber of nieces, nephews and other
relatives.
Funeral services were held
Monday, November 26, in the
chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home
with the Rev. Richard Thomas
officiating.
Ward’s Funeral Home,
Gainesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Buddy Veal
Buddy J. Veal, 71, of Gainesville,
died Saturday, November 24,
2007, following an extended ill
ness.
He was the son of the late
Coy and Laura Freemen Veal,
previously of Banks County. He
worked over 45 years at Milliken
Manufacturing Company New
Holland and was a member of
Pleasant Union Baptist Church.
Mr. Veal was preceded in death
by one great-grandchild; brother,
Ralph Veal; and sister, Christine
Watkins.
Survivors include his wife,
Shelby J. Veal, Gainesville;
daughter and son-in-law, Vickie
and Steve David, Maysville;
son, Todd Veal, Commerce;
step-daughter, Ella Ann Reed,
Gainesville; six grandchildren;
four great-grandchildren; brother,
Gordon Veal, Gainesville; sister,
Rozeno Webb, New Holland,
Dolline Maddox and Betty Webb,
both of Gainesville, June Bond,
Cleveland; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday, November 27, in the
chapel of Memorial Park Funeral
Home with the Revs. Doug
Tritt and Ralph Smith officiat
ing. Burial was in Memorial Park
Cemetery.
Memorial Park Funeral Home,
Gainesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Eulene Baird
Eulene Grier Baird, 93,
of Braselton, died Tuesday,
November 27, 2007.
Born in Jackson County, she
was the daugh
ter of the late
Richard and
Hattie White
Grier. She was
a seamstress
and a member
of Zion Baptist
Church. Mrs.
Baird was pre
ceded in death
by her husband, Ira Lee Baird;
daughter, Clarice M. Wheeler;
son, Jack W. Baird.
Survivors include sons, Randall
L. Baird, Gillsville, Terry R. Baird
and Norman Baird, both of
Braselton; eight grandchildren;
thirteen great-grandchildren; and
one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held
Friday, November 30, in the
chapel of Evans Funeral Home.
Burial was in the Zion Baptist
Church Cemetery in Braselton.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson,
was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Joanna Whitfield
Joanna Whitfield, 74, of
Commerce, died Tuesday,
December 4, 2007, at her resi
dence.
She was born in Jackson County,
the daughter of the late Roy and
Ruth Williams Crane.
Survivors include sons, Ralph
“Danny” Whitfield, Commerce,
Michael “Mike” Eugene Whitfield,
Fairmont, Randall Whitfield,
Gainesville; sister, Frances
Massey, Commerce; three grand
sons; five great-grandchildren;
and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held
Thursday, December 6, at 2 p.m.,
in the chapel of Ivie Funeral
Home with the Revs. Douglas
Duncan and Dave Shanelle offi
ciating. Burial will be in the Grey
Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends
Wednesday, December 5, from 6
to 9 p.m., at the funeral home, and
at other times at the residence.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce,
is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Jerry Helton
Jerry Dwayne Helton, 28,
of Cornelia, died Saturday,
December 1, 2007, following inju
ries sustained in a motorcycle
accident.
Born on April 14, 1979, in
Habersham County, he was the
son of Jerry Helton and step
mother, Theresa Helton of
Cleveland, and mother, Donna
Fuller, and step-father, Vince
Ferrera, Gainesville. He was a
self-employed dry wall installer
and was Baptist. Mr. Helton was
preceded in death by his grandfa
ther, William Armour.
Survivors in addition to his
parents, include fiance, Amanda
Harkness, Cornelia; daughter,
Desiree Helton, Gainesville;
sons, Christian Diaz Helton,
Gainesville, Donovan Helton,
Decatur; step-sisters, Hope
Wanstreet, Baldwin, and Falon
Scott, Duluth; brothers, Jeremy
Helton, Cornelia, Kevin Armour,
Alto; step-brother, Jeremiah
Scott, Cleveland; paternal grand
parents, Roy and Thelma Helton,
Cleveland; maternal grand
parents, Ora Belle and Tommy
Martin, Gainesville.
Funeral services were held
Wednesday, December 5, at
Whitfield Funeral Home with the
Rev. Bill Trotter officiating. Burial
was in the Yonah Memorial
Gardens.
Whifield Funeral Home, North
Chapel, Demorest, was in charge
of arrangements.
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Mozell Holmes
Mozell Shirley Neese Holmes,
84, of Jefferson, died Tuesday,
December 4, 2007.
Born in Seneca,
S .C., she was the
daughter of the late
Odell and Leila
Carter Shirley.
She was a retired
spinner with
Jefferson Mills
and was Baptist.
She enjoyed being
a mother, grandmother, mentor
and friend to everyone, loved ones
stated. Mrs. Holmes was preceded
in death by her husbands, W.P.
Neese and Dewey Holmes; a son,
George Odell Neese; daughter,
Shirley Denise Holmes; two broth
ers; and two sisters.
Survivors include daugh
ters and sons-in-law, Leila and
Wayne Daniel, Buford, Carol and
Thomas Beck, Commerce, Polly
and Hugh Jones and Debbie
Holmes and Gary Fricks, all of
Jefferson, Barbara and Hurbert
Carlan, Homer; daughter-in-law,
Mae Neese, Pendergrass; sons
and daughters-in-law, A.C. Neese,
Athens, Clarence and Janet Neese,
Eatonton, and Dewey and Tammy
Holmes, Jefferson; sister and
brother-in-law, Laura and Henry
Colman, Gainesville; 25 grand
children; 46 great-grandchildren;
five great-great-grandchildren; and
many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held
Wednesday, December 5, in the
chapel of Evans Funeral Home
with the Rev. Donald Tritt officiat
ing. Burial was in Diamond Hill
Baptist Church Cemetery.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson,
was in charge of arrangements.
By Stephanie Schupska
Matthew Chappell knows the
dangers of a burning Christmas
tree. The University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension horticul
turist has seen it firsthand.
With a flick of a cigarette, his
outdoor Christmas tree was on
fire. It was back during his col
lege days at Virginia Tech. And
while he still had a 14-foot tree
inside his home, the 7-footer
went up in smoke, thanks to a
careless driver.
While most Georgians won’t
have to deal with a cigarette-
sparked bonfire, following gen
eral safety tips will help make
Christmas less hazardous.
•Inspect your lights. “If they’re
frayed and you see insulation or
wires, get rid of them,” Chappell
said .
•Keep trees away from elec
tronics. While it’s common
knowledge that placing a tree
near a fireplace or stove is a
bad idea, setting one next to the
The Georgia Environmental
Facilities Authority’s (GEFA)
Weatherization Assistance
Program recently hosted a site
demonstration on measures that
homeowners can take to increase
home energy efficiency and to
lower their energy bills.
“The need for increased energy
efficiency continues to rise as
the state of Georgia grows and
we require more energy” said
GEFA executive director Chris
Clark.
“Georgia’s Weatherization
Assistance Program helps low-
income families save money
through energy efficiency and it
demonstrates effective steps that
all of us can take in our homes to
conserve energy,” Clark added.
The Weatherization Assistance
Program (WAP) works with
low-income families to reduce
energy costs by providing free
home energy efficiency testing
and solutions for individuals and
families whose incomes do not
exceed 150 percent of the fed
eral poverty level (about $30,000
for a family of four). Preference
is given to the elderly, people
with disabilities and families with
television is just as dangerous.
“Don’t place a tree near a TV,
PlayStation, Xbox or anything
that’s hot and has ventilation
holes in it,” he said. “Needles
can fall in the back of these and
start a fire.”
•Know your needles. “The
pecking order for trees that lose
their needles the fastest is fir,
then pine and then spruce,” he
said.
•Avoid New Year’s bonfires.
If you do light your tree on fire,
do it well away from structures
or forest areas, and have at least
one water source available.
“The biggest thing is to observe
all laws and regulations of the
city and county wherever you
live,” Chappell said. If you still
want to burn your tree, he sug
gests cutting it up and using it
piece by piece.
Stephanie Schupska is a news
editor with the University of
Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences.
children.
Last year in Georgia, 2,467
homes were weatherized, serv
ing 3,618 clients. Nationally,
weatherization programs pro
vide energy-efficiency services
to nearly 100,000 homes on aver
age every year. Based on cur
rent energy prices, weatherizing
a home reduces average annual
energy costs per household by
$358 in the first year alone.
Weatherization measures that
were demonstrated included
the installation of wall and attic
insulation, duct pressure testing,
sealing of ductwork, appliance
metering, blower door air infil
tration testing, and a “house of
pressure” demonstration, which
demonstrates air flows through
out a house.
WAP was created by the fed
eral government in 1976 to assist
low-income families who lacked
the resources to respond to vola
tile energy markets by helping
those families invest in energy
efficiency.
For more information regard
ing Georgia’s Weatherization
Assistance Program, call 404
584-1000.
f|
The new iMac.
Power is a beautiful thing.
peachmac
mats • ipods • software * service
H 50 Etipt Bridge Parkway (xhki from I
7D5-2QR.-9930 ■ pe*: lininr .riim
The Commerce News, December 5, 2007.
Har-Lee Enterprises Of Georgia, Inc.
24 Hr. Roadside Assistance • Licensed and Fully Insured
678-215-8519
• Jump Start
• Tire Change
1 Fuel Delivery
1 Lock Out
Mobile Mechanic Services Including:
• Minor Repairs • Gasolin/Diesel Engines
• RV Repair • Trailer Repair • Brakes (Hydraulic & Air)
• Air Bag Suspension Replacement (on RVs, Trucks,
& Trailers) • Maintenance Program On Fleet Vehicles \
10% Discount On Labor When You Mention This Ad!
LANE BRYANT
SAVE 25-50%
valid now through Jan 31,2008
25
a single item on your
purchase of $50 or more.
%
Off
LANE BRYANT
Not valid at Lane Bryant or lanebryant.com.
One coupon per customer. Excludes prior purchases, layaways and the
purchase of Gift Cards. Offer is redeemable one time only at Lane Bryant Outlet
stores, and may not be combined with any other coupon or used as payment
on your Lane Bryant Credit Card. No cash will be given for unused amount.
Low-Income Families
Can Get Help With
Energy Conservation