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PAGE 8A - THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS. WEDNESDAY. FBRUARY 6. 2008
Area Death Notices
Ethel Slayton
Ethel Slayton, 98, of Commerce,
died Sunday, February 3, 2008.
She was born on November 2,
1909, in Banks County, the daugh
ter of the late Mack D. and Sara
Ledford Gipson. She was retired
from Blue Bell and was a mem
ber of Madison Street Baptist
Church. Mrs. Slayton was pre
ceded in death by her husband,
Matt Slayton; and a daughter,
Elaine Crocker.
Survivors include a brother,
Dewey Gipson, Gainesville; sis
ters, Luketrelle Wilson, Cornelia,
Annie Shubert, Homer, and Ruby
Owensby, California; son-in-law,
Arkey Crocker, Commerce;
granddaughter and grandson-
in-law, Lori and Scott Martin,
Commerce; great-grandchildren,
McClaine and Chandler Martin,
Commerce.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday, February 5, in the cha
pel of Little-Ward Funeral Home
with the Rev. David Harbin offi
ciating. Burial was at Grey Hill
Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Myron Hayes
Myron Hayes, 87, of Hoschton,
died Wednesday, January 30,
2008.
A native and lifelong resident
of Jackson County, he was the
son of the late Elias and Laura
Smith Hayes. He was a retiree
of Carwood Manufacturing
Company and was preceded
in death by his wife, Margaret
Jenkins Hayes.
Survivors include children,
Susan Hayes Radey and Joey
Hayes, both of Hoschton; a sis
ter, Mildred Woodall, Hoschton;
brothers, Leon Hayes and Theron
Hayes, both of Winder.
Funeral services were held
Saturday, February 2, in the cha
pel of Carter Funeral Home with
the Rev. Rudy Camp officiating.
Burial was in Barrow Memorial
Gardens.
Memorial contributions may
be made to the Jackson County
Humane Society, P.O. Box 567,
Jefferson, Ga. 30549.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder,
was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
jean Booth
Jean Hood Booth, 83, of
Commerce, died Sunday,
February 3, 2008.
She was the daughter of the
late John and Norma Alexander
Hood. An active
Presbyterian,
she served on
the then Athens
Presbyterian
Youth Council
as moderator.
After graduat
ing from Agnes
Scott College,
she began working at Langley
Fields Virginia, which is now
NASA’s oldest wind tunnel. In
an effort to get closer to home,
she took a job as youth direc
tor at a Presbyterian Church in
Greenville, S.C. She married the
late William Howard Booth and
moved to Apple Valley, where she
lived out her life.
She was a faithful member of
Apple Valley Baptist Church,
where she played the piano for
worship, taught Sunday School,
and worked many Vacation
Bible Schools. Returning to her
Presbyterian roots, she again
became active in Commerce
Presbyterian, where she served
as elder, taught the ladies Sunday
School class, was moderator of
Women’s Circle many times, led
a circle at Northminster (Bentley)
Homes, served as a moderator
of Presbyterian Women and
was honored for her work in
the church by receiving an hon
orary lifetime membership in
Presbyterian Women.
Mrs. Booth was in love with
history, especially that of her
community and her family. She
was an avid genealogist, assisted
innumerable women with DAR
papers, and was the go-to-person
for countless who were searching
family lines. She was an enthusias
tic member of the DAR, Jackson
County Historical Society, and
Crawford Long Museum Board.
Survivors include children,
William Howard and Jacquelynne
Simpson Booth, Athens, John
Thomas Booth and Joseph Henry
and Susan Allen Booth, all of
Commerce, Alexander Hood
and Fran Spiva Booth, Atlanta;
six grandchildren, Leigh Booth
Paoletti, Greenville, S.C., Kate
Booth Greene, Wigham, Annie
Lauren Booth, Athens, Whitney
Olivia Booth, Nashville, Tenn.,
Christina Culver Booth, Durham,
N.C., and William Alexander
Booth, Atlanta; and one great
grandchild, Robert William
Greene.
Funeral services were held
Wednesday, February 6, at the
Commerce Presbyterian Church.
Burial was in Apple Valley Baptist
Church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be
made to Commerce Presbyterian
Church, the Commerce Library
Historical Room, the William H.
Booth Scholarship (UGA College
of Agriculture), or to a charity of
your choice.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Bernice Morris
Bernice Inez Morris, 81, of
Maysville, died Thursday, January
31, 2008, at Northeast Medical
Center in Gainesville, following
an extended illness.
She was born in Hall County,
the daughter of the late Arvel
and Cleo Armour Ferguson.
She was a member of the Lula
Congregational Holiness Church.
Mrs. Morris was preceded in death
by a brother, Gene Ferguson.
Sister Bernice, as she was
known, was a precious minister
of the Lord, who for many years
preached the gospel of the Lord
and Savior. During her younger
years, she served as a mission
ary to the Hopi Indians in the
state of Arizona. She was a quiet,
peaceable and devoted servant
of Christ and will be missed by
those who knew her, loved ones
stated.
Survivors include her husband,
Cleal Morris, Maysville; sis
ters, Marjorie Pierce and Doris
Gillespie, both of Gainesville, and
Bonnie Terrell, Texas; brothers,
Harold Ferguson, McDonough,
Randy Ferguson, Gainesville,
and Junior Ferguson, Flowery
Branch.
Funeral services were held
Sunday, February 3, in the chapel
of Memorial Park Funeral Home
with the Rev. Scotty Poole offi
ciating. Burial was in Westview
Cemetery in Lula.
Memorial Park Funeral Home,
Gainesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
'Gene' Williamson
Eugene “Gene” Williamson, 64,
of Maysville, died Wednesday,
January 30, 2008, at Northeast
Georgia Medical Center in
Gainesville, following a sudden
illness.
He was born on January 27,
1944, in Hall County, the son
of the late Homer C. and Lillie
Martin Williamson. He was a
retired truck driver with Con Agra
and was a member of Oak Grove
Baptist Church. Mr. Williamson
was preceded in death by sisters,
Laura Dean Williams and Betty
Davenport; and a brother, Jerry
Williamson.
Survivors include his loving
wife of 44 years, Margie Helton
Williamson, Maysville; sons and
daughters-in-law, Ronnie Gene and
Nellie Williamson, Gravette, Ark.,
Ricky L. and Dawn M. Williamson,
Gillsville; granddaughter, Brianna
Williamson, Gillsville; brothers
and sisters-in-law, Herbert and
Sylvia Williamson, Oakwood,
Bradley and Joann Williamson,
Gainesville; father-in-law and
mother-in-law, Luther and Fannie
Lou Helton, Maysville; brother-in-
law and sister-in-law, Michael and
Linda Helton, Cleveland; sister-
in-law and brother-in-law, Marie
and Doug Palmer, Winder; spe
cial aunt and uncle, Grace and
Lenton Phagan, Gainesville; and
a number of nieces and neph
ews.
Funeral services were held
Saturday, February 2, at Memorial
Park Funeral Home with the Revs.
Clack Stubbs and Darryl Womack
officiating. Burial was in Banks
County Memorial Gardens.
Memorial Park Funeral Home,
Gainesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Willie McKinney
Willie Frankie Norris McKinney,
83, of Gainesville, died Saturday,
February 2, 2008, at New
Horizons West Nursing Home,
following an extended illness.
Born in Jackson County, she
was the daughter of the late Leo
and Kate Harrison Norris. She
lived most of her life in Hall
County, was a homemaker, and
was Baptist. Mrs. McKinney was
preceded in death by a grandson,
Jeffery Turner; brothers, Roger
and Jack Norris; and a sister,
Julia Ruth Adams.
Survivors include daughters and
sons-in-law, Rebecca and Dwight
Langston, Fortson, Bonita and
Jarrell Turner, Cleveland, Vickie
Saine, Gainesville; granddaugh
ters, Beth Ballesteros, Columbus,
Alison Hurst, Fortson, Amy
Abernathy, Helen, Jennifer
Wilson and Tracey Saine, both
of Gainesville, Katie Mincey,
Cleveland, ; grandson, Jared
Turner, Cleveland; 10 great
grandchildren; and a sister, Reba
Cannon, Jefferson.
Graveside services were held
Tuesday, February 5, at the Dry
Pond United Methodist Church
Cemetery with the Rev. Lamar
Purcell officiating.
Memorial Park Funeral Home,
Gainesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
'Chief' Kesler
James Terrell “Chief” Kesler,
BMC, USN Ret., died Thursday,
January 31, 2008.
He was born
on October 24,
1933, the son
of the late J.B.
Kesler and Alma
Kesler Anderson.
Mr. Kesler
was a veteran,
having served
in the United
States Navy twice
in Vietnam with
honor and distinc
tion. He had a heart as big as the
sky and lived a life of service and
generosity to all around him. His
family and friends will continue
to reap the rewards of his mem
ory and the example he set forth
for us for ages to come, loved
ones stated.
Survivors in addition to his
mother, include a daughter and
son-in-law, Jennifer and John
Waldsmith; son and daughter-in-
law, Randy and Teresa Kesler;
grandchildren, Daniel McElroy,
Evan and Taylor Kesler, Joi and
James Waldsmith; brother and
sister-in-law, Gene and Alene
Kesler; and lifelong friend, Jo
Wilbanks.
In accordance with his wishes,
a memorial will be held at a later
date.
Memorial contributions may
be made to the VFW National
Home for Children, Attn. Georgia
House, 3575 S. Waverly Rd.,
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Hazel Pritchett
Hazel Blackburn Pritchett, 82, of
Baldwin, died Sunday, February
3, 2008, at a private health care
facility.
She was born in Habersham
County on January 16, 1926, the
daughter of the late Raymond
and Henrietta Pettit Blackburn.
She was a member of Good
News Baptist Church and was a
homemaker. Mrs. Pritchett was
preceded in death by her hus
band, Fred Pritchett; a grandson,
Michael Brent Clark; and sisters,
Daisy Blackburn and Pauline
Ferguson.
Survivors include daughters
and son-in-law, Hilda and Jimmy
Clark, Flowery Branch, and Lee
Ann Jones, Gainesville; a sister,
Elsie Sutton, Alto; brothers, Ray
Blackburn and Fay Blackburn,
both of Cornelia; and special
friends at New Horizons West.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday, February 5, at Whitfield
Funeral Home, South Chapel,
with the Revs. Austin Kelley and
James Dumas officiating. Burial
was in Leatherwood Baptist
Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the Hazel B. Pritchett
Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 866,
Baldwin, Ga. 30511.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South
Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Ella Marie Wilson
Ella Marie Wilson, 75, of
Cornelia, died Wednesday,
January 30, 2008, at Northeast
Georgia Medical Center in
Gainesville, following an extend
ed illness.
Born in White County on
November 7, 1932, she was
the daughter of the late Milton
Fletcher and Flora Bell Presley
Underwood. She was a member
of White Creek Baptist Church
and attended B.C. Grant Baptist
Church. She was a homemaker
and enjoyed reading and listen
ing to gospel music. Mrs. Wilson
was preceded in death by her
husband, Hoyt Daniel Wilson;
daughter, Louise Dills; brothers,
Edward and Hoyt Underwood;
and sisters, Hazel Hicks and Nell
Caudell.
Survivors include daughters,
Doris Ivie, Lawrenceville, Frances
Lumsden, Cornelia, Margie
Puckett, Buford, Rosey Puckett,
Flowery Branch; sons, Hoyt
Wilson, Baldwin, Edward Wilson,
Alto, and Milton Wilson, Mt. Airy;
brothers, Ernest Underwood,
Demorest, and Thurmond
Underwood, Cleveland; a sis
ter, Ruth McEntire, Cornelia; 14
grandchildren; and five great
grandchildren.
Funeral services were held
Saturday, February 2, at B.C.
Grant Baptist Church with the
Revs. Doyal Conley and Farrell
Presley officiating. Burial was in
the church cemetery.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart
Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in
charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
'Rusty' Edwards
Wayne Truman “Rusty”
Edwards, 60, of Jefferson, died
Tuesday, January
29, 2008.
He was the son
of the late J.Z.
Edwards and
Gladys Foster
Edwards of
Jefferson, and
was a heavy
equipment oper
ator.
Survivors in addition to his
mother, include sisters, Joyce
Martin, Maysville, Pat Hardy,
Commerce; brothers, Jewell
Edwards, Gainesville, Marvin
Edwards and David “Gabby”
Edwards, both of Commerce.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the American Cancer
Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Rd„
Athens, Ga. 30605.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Tracey Ann Kitchens
Tracey Ann Kitchens, 38, of
Nicholson, died Tuesday, January
29, 2008.
She was the daughter of Annie
Ray Cartledge and step-father,
Paul Cartledge, of Nicholson.
Survivors in
addition to her
parents, include
daughters ,
Hope Waters
and Salena
Kitchens, both
of Nicholson;
a brother,
Kevin Kitchens,
Nicholson; and
sisters, Janice Littleton, Toccoa,
Lisa Bagwell, Maysville, and
Karen Brown, Commerce.
Funeral services were held
Friday, February 1, in the chapel
of Ivie Funeral Home with the
Rev. Toby Dyer officiating. Burial
was in the Nicholson Cemetery.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce,
was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Alijandra Frances
jae Stanley
Alijandra Frances Jae Stanley,
infant daughter of Jerome Michael
and Tammy Michelle Stanley
of Commerce, died Monday,
January 28, 2008. She was pre
ceded in death by a grandfather,
Jessie Ancayan, Sr.
Survivors in addition to her
parents, include a sister, Jessika
Sarah Rose Stanley; grandparents,
Deborah Ancayan, Commerce,
Diane Stanley and Jerome
Michael Stanley Sr., Savannah;
an uncle, Jessie Ancayan Jr.; and
an aunt, Jill Miller.
Graveside services were held
Saturday, February 2, at Evergreen
Memorial Park with Deacon Jim
Gaudin officiating.
Memorial contributions may be
made to Sierra’s Bears in memory
of Alijandra Frances Jae Stanley,
P.O. Box 1032, Perrysburg, OH
43552-1032.
Bernstein Funeral Home,
Athens, was in charge of arrange
ments.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Grace Edwards
Grace Parks Edwards, 87, of
Jacksonville, Fla., died Thursday,
January 31, 2008, at Orange Park
Medical Center, Orange Park,
Fla.
Born in Gillsville, she was
the daughter of the late Ernest
and Minnie Day Parks. She had
worked as a teller with C&S Bank,
and was Baptist. Mrs. Edwards
was preceded in death by her
husbands, Eugene Hamilton and
Charles Edwards; and a son,
Wesley Brian Hamilton.
Survivors include a daughter,
Gail Pace, Jacksonville, Fla.; step
daughter, Elsie Davis, Newnan;
brothers, Bobby Parks, Hull,
David Parks, Athens; grandchil
dren, Lane Pace, Leigh Little,
Phillip Hamilton; great-grandchil
dren, Andi Pace, Austin Pace,
Courtney Grace Little, and Blake
Little.
Funeral services were held
Saturday, February 2, at Lord
& Stephens West Chapel with
the Rev. Bill Carpenter officiat
ing. Burial was at Crooked Creek
Baptist Church Cemetery.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home,
West, Bogart, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Joel Hardigree
Joel Brent Hardigree, 80, of
Winder, died Tuesday, February
5, 2008.
He was born in Jackson County,
the son of the late Willie and
Willie Mae Fincher
Hardigree. He was
a Christian, and ~
a member of the
Athens VFW. Mr. Hardigree was
a veteran, having served in the
United States Army during the
Korean War. He was preceded
in death by his wife, Mary Ann
Woodard Hardigree.
Survivors include sons, Jerry
Bratcher, Winder, Jimmy Bratcher,
Loganville, and Terry Bratcher,
Auburn; daughters, Debi Jordan,
Winder, and Linda Bratcher,
Bethlehem; four grandchildren;
brothers, James Phillip Hardigree,
Hoschton, Harold Hardigree,
Winder, Hubert Elder Hardigree,
Griffin, Ramey Hardigree, Good
Hope; sisters, Louise Hardigree
Fincher and Annie Hardigree
Swafford, both of Winder, Laura
Hardigree Finch, Grovetown,
Lillian Hardigree Finch, Evans.
Funeral services will be held
Thursday, February 7, at 2 p.m.,
at Smith Memory Chapel with
the Revs. Jim Brooks and Earl
Shaw officiating. Burial will be in
Barrow Memorial Gardens.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder,
is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, February 6, 2008.
Death Notices Are
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Publication.
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Provided By The Family Or
Funeral Home, Including A
Photo., However, Some Editing
May Be Required
Mail Death Notices To:
The Commerce News,
1672 S. Broad Street,
Commerce, GA 30529
Fax Obituaries To:
706-387-5431., or email to:
obits@mainstreetnews.com
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