WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016
MAINSTREET NEWSPAPERS
PAGE 11A-B
Obituaries
‘Libbie’ Fitts
DADE CITY, FLA. -
Elizabeth "Libbie” Hix Fitts,
86 died Monday, October 17,
2016, at her residence sur
rounded by family and under
the care of Hernando-Pasco
Hospice.
Born on September 18,
1930, in Comer, she moved to
Dade City, Fla., from Georgia
in 1956. She worked many
years for Tatum and John
son Department Store in Dade
City. From there, she worked
as Assistant Manager School
Lunchroom at Lacoochee Ele
mentary and later retired from
Assistant Manager School
Lunchroom at San Antonio
Elementary in 1992 after 22
years of service. Mrs. Fitts
was preceded in death by her
parents, Jack and Mattie Hix,
Comer; husband of 59 years
Ferris Fitts, Dade City, Fla.;
daughter, Brenda Gail Fitts,
Danielsville; sisters, Virgin
ia Ray Hix, Comer, Mattie
Ruth Drake, Comer, and Flo-
rine Smith, Dade City, Fla.;
brothers, William "Bud" Hix,
Comer, Charles Wilbur Hix,
Comer, Henry Hix, Comer,
Weldon Hix, Athens, Kenneth
Paul Hix, Danielsville, and
Walter Hix, Milledgeville.
Survivors include children
and spouses, Darrell (Deb
bie) Fitts, Donna (Tommy)
Dorman, and Joanna (David)
Akers, all of Dade City, Fla.;
grandchildren, Derek Fitts,
Justin Dorman, and Ryan
Akers, all of Dade City, Fla.,
Kayla Akers, Tacoma, Wash.,
Hatcher and Haley Porter, San
Antonio, Fla.; sister, Sylvia
Hix Parham, Comer; special
nieces, Deb (Bill) Porter and
her family, San Antonio, Fla.,
Rita (Ken) Martin and her
family, Danielsville; "adopt
ed” daughter, Dianne (Tom)
Ankoviak, Dade City, Fla.;
and numerous in-laws, nieces,
nephews, and friends.
Visitation was held Octo
ber 20 at Whitfield Funeral
Home, Zephyrhills, Fla.
Funeral services were held
Friday, October 21, at First
Baptist Church in Dade City,
Fla., with the Rev. Bradley
J. Stevens officiating. Burial
was at Florida National Cem
etery in Bushnell, Fla.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
Mary Hill
COMMERCE Mary
Elizabeth Hill, 95, died Sun
day, October 30, 2016, at her
residence.
Mrs. Hill was born in
Royston, the daughter of the
late Charlie Lee and Alice
Ray Edins. Mrs. Hill was a
homemaker and a member of
Berea Baptist Church. She
was also preceded in death by
her husband, Onnie S. Hill;
a son, Horace Hill; daugh
ters, Doris Boswell and Mary
Hembree; grandson, Lee Hill;
sister, Gladys Massey; broth
ers, Luke Edins, Joe Edins,
and Waco Edins; and daugh-
ter-in-law, Dianne Carithers
Hill.
Survivors include her son,
Charles Hill (Joan), Com
merce; daughters, Linda
Brown (Michael), Commerce,
and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick,
Hull; sisters, Sara Beard,
Danielsville, Mattie Sue Wil
loughby, Watkinsville, and
Mirl Williamson, Jefferson;
grandchildren, Paul Hill
(Diane), Kim Mull (Duane),
Rebecca Lance (Malcolm),
Scott Hill, Mike Brown,
Jr. (Lisa), Michelle Mitch
ell (Bobby), Mark Boswell
(Terri), Lanier Boswell,
Kenny Hembree, Jr., Nancy
Hill and Sherry Hill; 29 great
grandchildren; and two great-
great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday, November 1, from
Berea Baptist Church with
the Revs. Sam Henderson
and Terry James officiating.
Interment was in in Jackson
Memorial Gardens.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
(622)
‘Mae’ Hutchins
WINDER - “Mae” Fran
ces Hutchins passed away on
Sunday, October 30, 2016, at
Great Oaks Retirement Com
munity in Monroe, Ga.
She was a longtime resi
dent of Winder and Asheville,
N.C., where she worked for
the National Weather Service,
a division of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. She retired in
1982 and returned to live in
Winder in 1987. Frances was
a devout Christian and a mem
ber of the Winder First Baptist
Church. She was devoted to
her family, and she was a lov
ing and caring friend.
Mrs. Hutchins was preced
ed in death by her parents,
Fred O. and Sunie Kenne
dy Hutchins, Carl; brothers,
Andrew, Oak Ridge, Tenn.,
Robert, Carl, Grady, Auburn,
and Harold, Carl, twin broth
er, Fred, Carrollton; and sister,
Lois Brown, Monroe.
Survivors include a sister-
in-law, Mrs. Fred Hutchins
(Johnnye), Carrollton; 12
nieces and nephews, scattered
out from Georgia to Oregon;
and many great-nieces and
nephews.
Funeral services will be
held on Saturday, November
5, at 2 p.m., in the chapel
of Smith Funeral Home. The
family will receive friends on
Saturday, November 5, from 1
p.m. until the funeral hour at
the funeral home. Interment
will follow in Barrow Memo
rial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, dona
tions may be made to the
Winder First Baptist Church.
Smith Funeral Home,
Winder, is entrusted with the
arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
(18360)
‘Joan’Lutz
Allie “Joan" Lutz, known
as the Card Lady for her fond
ness for sending people inspi
rational messages right when
they needed them. Joan would
have turned
86 on Octo
ber 26. She
was born
in 1930 in
Charlotte,
N.C., the
daughter
of parents
Leonard
“Buck”
and Ozelle
Potts Caudle. She passed
Monday afternoon in an auto
accident. Her life-long friend
Sharon Beson was travelling
with her.
Joan was survived by her
sister, Gayle Stowe, Jeffer
son, Georgia; her five chil
dren; Brenda Broadway (Ray
Shields), Gary Lutz (Donna),
Jeff Lutz, Karen Packer, and
Wade Lutz (Karen); seven
grandchildren; Megan Kieper
(Nathan), Michael Broadway
(Felicia), Heather Lewis,
Dylan Lutz, Shawn Packer
(Palmer), Jennifer Splaingard,
and Clark Breese (Kim); and
eight great-grandchildren.
For 35 years Joan was a
National Sales Director for
Primerica Financial Services.
She had a love of helping
people that extended to help
ing those that could not help
themselves. Joan was a tire
less disciple of Christ and
shared his love with everyone
with whom she came into con
tact. Joan was instrumental in
developing many ministries in
the communities wherever she
lived, touching hundreds of
lives. It would be impossible
to list them all. Joan loved
Christmas and its true mean
ing. She showed that every
year to many families in need
by anonymously donating at
Christmas. She even hosted
several families to her person
al family Christmas, where
Santa Claus would come and
visit the children.
The Celebration of Her Life
service was held Saturday,
October 29, at Cohutta First
Baptist Church, in Cohutta,
Ga.
In honor of her love for
Christmas, the family requests
that donations be made to
your choice of an Operation
Christmas Child or to a family
in need.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
Essie Lou McCullers
MONROE - Essie Lou
McCullers, 84, died on Fri
day, October 21, 2016.
She was born in Jackson
County, the daughter of the
late Arline Garrett Wallace
and Lee Wallace. She was
preceded in death by her hus
band, Eugene Lee McCullers.
Survivors include her
daughters and son-in-law,
Tracey McCullers, Monroe,
Kathy and Jerry Miller, Santa
Rosa Beach, Fla.; son, Buster
McCullers, Monroe; sister
Betty Sims, Winder; brother,
Henry Wallace, Bethlehem;
and grandchildren, Gunner
and Shelby.
A funeral service was held
on Tuesday, October 25, in the
Chapel of Meadows Funeral
Home with the Rev. Chris
Conner officiating. Interment
was at Hill Haven Memory
Gardens.
Please sign the guestbook
at www.meadowsfuneralho-
meinc.com.
Meadows Funeral Home,
Monroe, was in charge of
arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
Betty Mingus
WINDER - Betty L. Min
gus, 87, passed away Friday,
October 28, 2016. A daughter
of the late Samuel Merrick
and Estella Frances Noble
Colvin, Mrs. Mingus gradu
ated from Battle Creek High
School in Battle Creek, Mich.
She was a former member
of Jug Tavern Squares, and
a member of Winder First
United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death in
2008 by her husband, Richard
Glenn (Dick) Mingus.
Survivors include her chil
dren, Mike Mingus and Debra
Gilstrap, Winder, Judith Lynn
and Randall Sims, Winder;
brother, Roger E. Colvin,
Marshall, Mich.; five grand
children; eight great-grand
children; and one great-great-
grandchild.
Funeral services were held
Monday, October 31, from
the Chapel of Carter Funeral
Home with the Rev. Larry
Rary officiating.
Carter Funeral Home of
Winder was in charge of
arrangements.
Online condolences may be
expressed at www.carterfh-
winder.com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
(19080)
Josephine Perry
JEFFERSON - Josephine
McLuskie Perry, 73, passed
away Tuesday, October 25,
2016.
Survivors include her loving
husband of 49 years, Robert J.
Perry; sons, Robert Perry, Jr.,
Michael Perry and Gregory
Perry, all of Atlanta; broth
ers, John Campbell, Whip-
pany, N.J., Robert Campbell,
Edison, N.J., and William
Campbell, Kearny, N.J. She
was preceded in death by her
parents, John and Margarite
Campbell.
Josephine worked as a bank
professional for most of her
career. However, in her early
retirement years, she was
employed at Cracker Barrel in
Braselton. Jo-Jo was beloved
by all that crossed her path.
She will be forever remem
bered as a shining star by fam
ily, friends, and co-workers.
A funeral service honoring
the life of Josephine was held
on Friday, October 28, at Tom
M. Wages Lawrenceville Cha
pel with Minister Harold Sav
age officiating. Interment was
in East Shadowlawn Memo
rial Gardens.
Condolences may be sent
to or viewed at www.wages-
funeralhome.com.
Tom M. Wages Funeral
Service, Lawrenceville, was
in charge of arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.'
November 2, 2016.
(19806)
Robert Phillips
JEFFERSON Robert
L. Phillips, 84, entered into
rest Wednesday, October 26,
2016.
Mr. Phillips was born in Jef
ferson, the
son of the
late Melvin
and Myrtie
Greer Phil
lips. He
was retired
from Stan
dard Coosa
Thatcher
and was a
member
of Crooked Creek Baptist
Church. Mr. Phillips was pre
ceded in death by a brother,
James Phillips; and two sis
ters, Evelyn Wilder and Annie
Nell Cain.
Survivors include his wife
of 58 years, Bonnie Aberna
thy Phillips, Jefferson; two
sons, Glenn Phillips and his
wife Desiree, Jefferson, and
Bobby Phillips, Gainesville;
daughter, Lisa Wilson and her
husband Trent, Commerce;
two sisters, Julia Phillips, Jef
ferson, and Roberta Waldrup,
Jefferson; eight grandchil
dren; and three great-grand
children.
Funeral services were held
Friday, October 28, from
the Crooked Creek Baptist
Church with Dr. Tom Miles,
the Revs. James Kanady, and
Brenson Jennings officiating.
Burial was in the Crooked
Creek Baptist Church Cem
etery. Gentlemen honored
as pallbearers were Phillip
Stringer, Jonathan Stringer,
Wesley Cain, Tommy Phillips,
Lamar Waldrup and Darrell
Phillips.
Evans Funeral Home,
Jefferson, was in charge of
arrangements.
Online condolences at
www.evansfuneralhomeinc.
com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
(875)
Richard Brevard
Russell, III
Richard Brevard Russell,
III, entered this world on Janu
ary 31, 1930, as the third child
of Robert Lee Russell, Sr.
and Sybil Nannette Millsaps
Russell. He left this world
on Thursday,
October 20,
2016, shortly
after 5 p.m.,
or “cocktail
hour,” as he would have said.
Richard was a caregiver to
many people throughout his
life. His interest in others and
their well-being was a driv
ing force in his life. He was a
passionate man whose faith in
God, as well as his love and
devotion to family and friends
was of upmost importance.
Surviving siblings include
Betty Russell Vandiver (Ernie,
pre-deceased), Betty Ann
Russell (sister-in-law) and
Ina Russell Ingram (Jim, pre
deceased). Richard was pre
ceded in death by his brother,
the Hon. Robert Lee Russell,
Jr.
Richard’s greatest pride and
joy was his wife of 65 years,
Nancy Patricia Randolph Rus
sell (Pat).
Ever the social butterfly,
perfect hostess and home
maker, Richard said that
she “made him look good.”
Being her primary caregiver
for many years as her memory
slowly faded from him, Rich
ard continued to be the love
and romantic for Pat as she
struggled. When he could no
longer care for her at home,
he visited her regularly, at
her facility, where she still
resides.
Survivors include four
children, nine grandchildren,
and 10 great-grandchildren,
with # 11 due in January.
His extended clan of cousins,
nieces and nephews and their
families made his life even
more complete.
His children are Vickie
Russell Smith (Mike), Beth
lehem, Ga., Tandy Russell
Green (Craig), Jacksonville
Fla., Nannette Russell Kall-
estad (Eric), Winder and Kitty
Hawk, N.C., and Richard Bre
vard Russell Jr., Winder.
His grandchildren are Jus
tin Hall (Brigit) Caren Pul
liam, Jennifer Curell (Craig),
Robert Green (Becca), Emily
Wells (Mark), Cedric Jerni-
gan III (Amy), Baxter Russell,
Mollie Russell, and Emory
Russell.
Richard attended Darling
ton School in Rome, Ga.,
where he developed friend
ships that he upheld with
devotion throughout his life.
He graduated and went to
work for the summer help
ing to construct the Alaskan
railroad. Upon return, he
attended Davidson College,
the University of Georgia and
graduated from the School of
Law at UGA with a Juris
Doctor Degree. He practiced
law in Winder, Ga., served as
Superior Court Judge for the
Piedmont Judicial Circuit, and
entered into private practice
in the 1960s with the Hon. T.
Penn McWhorter, which was
the beginning of a long and
fulfilling personal and pro
fessional relationship, with
Judge McWhorter. The firm
ultimately expanded over the
years to include other promi
nent attorneys, including his
son and namesake, Richard B.
Russell Jr.
He served in the Georgia
Army National Guard as
Commander of Winder Infan
try Company and was honored
to do so, maintaining relation
ships with local guardsmen he
had the honor to serve with.
Richard was graced with
his heritage and legacy of
being the namesake of the
late Senator Richard Brevard
Russell Jr. He was the epit
ome of a gracious Southern
gentleman who behind the
scenes, managed many of the
needs and requirements of the
Senator’s local personal life
and later his estate, their very
large family, the family home,
and Russell Family cemetery.
Richard assisted with estab
lishing the Russell Family
Cemetery Trust which is the
catalyst that is used today to
honor Sen. Russell’s request
that the home, grounds, and
cemetery be used for family
use and reunions for many
years to come.
Richard spent a lifetime of
Sundays at First Presbyterian
Church in Winder, where he
and Pat would sit together
with other family on the exact
same row each visit to wor
ship.
Richard engaged in com
munity service and political
endeavors, serving as both
Barrow County Attorney and
Barrow County School Board
Attorney, as well as provid
ing legal counsel to corporate
presidents and industries, and
local farmers and the agricul
tural community he so loved.
He stood up for his beliefs and
causes and staunchly defend
ed them, when needed. His
stern appearance was some
what intimidating and he was
a force to be reckoned with to
those who were in disagree
ment with him.
When not practicing law,
Richard enjoyed working
on his land and managing
his herd of cattle. He could
change from business suit
to coveralls in record time.
He enjoyed freshwater fish
ing, hunting, and driving his
"Jeep” on trails in the woods,
often including his children
and grandchildren.
Richard and Pat also valued
their time and friendships in
Islamorada, Fla., where they
maintained a second home for
over 30 years. Richard was
happiest during those years,
on his boat with his fishing
buddies, Dr. John Castronu-
ova, Sal Tucci and others, as
he mastered their saltwater
fishing techniques.
Richard was a man of
"lists." A legal pad and ink
pen were a requirement for his
vehicle, office, and bedside
table. So much in fact, that we
considered writing his obitu
ary in bullet points. He would
have liked that.
Richard’s memorial service
will be held at the First Pres
byterian Church in Winder,
Ga. on Saturday November 5,
2016. Visitation will be from
1 to 3 p.m. at the church, with
coffee and dessert. The ser
vice begins at 3 p.m. Richard
requested cremation with a
private burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contri
butions may be made to the
First Presbyterian Church in
Winder, or to Eagles Ranch
Children’s Home in Chestnut
Ridge, Ga.
Smith Memory Cha
pel, Winder, is in charge of
arrangements.
www.smithmemorychapel.
com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
(18360-152.20)
Marjorie Stewart
AUBURN - Marjorie E.
Stewart, 78, passed away
Thursday, October 27, 2016.
She was the daughter of
the late Cecil and Etta Marie
Welch. Mrs. Stewart was a
member of Bethabra Baptist
Church. She retired from J.C.
Pool in Winder with over 30
years of service.
She is survived by her
loving husband of 57 years,
Cornelious Stewart, Auburn;
children, Sharon and Ronney
Hulsey, Auburn, Gena and
Mitch Johnson, Winder, Phyl
lis Stewart, Auburn, and Amy
and Heather Stewart, Winder;
eight grandchildren; and 10
great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held
Sunday, October 30, from
the Chapel of Carter Funeral
Home with the Rev. Terry
Hawkins officiating.
Carter Funeral Home,
Winder, was in charge of
arrangements.
Online condolences may be
expressed at www.carterfh-
winder.com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
(19080)
Ruby (Alice) Taylor
Ruby (Alice) Partrich Tay
lor, 89, passed away on Fri
day, October 22, 2016, at her
residence in Jefferson.
She was born January 24,
1927, and had been a long
time resident of Birmingham,
Ala. until 2008, when she
moved to Jefferson to be clos
er to her children. She was a
loving and devoted mother,
wife, grandmother and friend.
She was a member of Wil
son Chapel United Method
ist Church, where she was
an active member for many
years. Alice was preceded
in death by her spouse of 45
years, William Terrell Taylor;
parents, Houston and Ruby
Whitmire Partrich; two sis
ters, Doris Robbins and Mary
Hagerman; and son-in-law,
Jim Cupp.
Survivors include her son,
William (Sue) Taylor, Jr.;
daughter, Jan Cupp; grand
children, Samantha (Scott)
Coleman and Ben (Christine)
Cupp; and several great
grandchildren, nephews and
nieces, and great-nieces and
nephews.
Graveside services were
held at Forest Hill Cemetery,
Friday, October 28.
Memorial donations may
be made to Wilson Chapel
United Methodist Church.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
James Wofford
James A. Wofford passed
away Friday, October 28,
2016.
Born in 1928, he was the
son of Mary and James Alec
Wofford (both deceased). He
was preceded in death by his
first wife, Hilda Wofford; and
granddaughter. Ginger Kend
all Davis.
Survivors include his
wife, Bert Wofford; daugh
ter, Wanda Kendall (Danny),
Inman, S.C.; and a son, Jimmy
Wofford (Janice), Fountain
Inn, S.C.; two grandchildren;
seven great-grandchildren;
and two great-great-grand-
children. Being ninth in a
family of 12 children, he is
survived by one brother, Don
Wofford (Evelyn), Trion; and
one sister, Mary Etta, Rome.
Mr. Wofford lived a full life,
realizing his dream of manag
ing a cotton mill. He worked
with several companies before
retiring, but he never stopped
working for others. Through
the Lions Club, Rotary Club
and his gardens, he has helped
so many. You were very spe
cial if you received one of his
handmade crosses.
Funeral services were held
at Ila Baptist Church in Ila on
Sunday, October 30.
Donations may be made to
the Madison County Rotary
Club. The family expressed
gratitude for his care at the
Halcyon Hospice House in
Atlanta. Interment was in
Seneca, S.C.
Lord and Stephens, Dan
ielsville, was in charge of
arrangements.
www. lordandstephens. com
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
November 2, 2016.
(081)
Please recycle this
newspaper.
OBITUARY NOTICES
The charge to publish an obituary is $55 per
notice for 250 words or less and the notice will be
published in all six newspapers covering Banks,
Barrow, Jackson and Madison counties effective
Over 250 words will be
charged at 15 cents per word.
There will be no charge for the
online posting to our website.
Photographs remain free if
the family chooses to submit one.
To place an obituary notice,
contact Betty Small at
706-621-4629 or
obits@mainstreetnews.com.
June 1, 2014.
