Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008
THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
PAGE 7A
Area Death Notices
Eugene Pike
Eugene T. Pike, 74, of Baldwin,
died Monday, February 25, 2008, at
BJC Medical Center in Commerce.
He was born in Dade County on
July 14, 1933, the son iuuuuuu
of the late William
Ezekial and Fannie
Belle Smith Pike and
was an air traffic controller. Mr.
Pike was a veteran, having served
in the United States Navy and Air
Force during the Korean Conflict.
Survivors include a daughter,
Sara Pike, Baldwin; son, Bevan Pike,
Riverdale; and grandson, Adam Z.
Clay, Baldwin.
The body was cremated and no
services have been planned.
Memorial contributions may
be made to the Georgia Chapter
Alzheimer’s Association, 1925
Century Blvd., NE, Suite 10, Atlanta,
Ga. 30345-3315.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Bessie Poole
Bessie N. Sisk Poole, 94, of Lula,
died Sunday, February 17, 2008, at
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
in Gainesville, following a brief
illness.
She was a faithful member of
Lula Baptist Church, where she
was a choir member, and a WMU
Director. She was retired from
many years of service with Georgia
Baptist Hospital as a nurse, and
served as chief executive of UCT, as
well as Eastern Star. Mrs. Poole was
preceded in death by her husband,
Joel Poole; brothers and sisters,
Avery Nicholson, Annie Simmons,
Floyce Dodd and Mollie Sisk.
Survivors include a son-in-law
and wife, Richard and Joan Waits;
brothers and sisters-in-law, John
C. and Mildred Nicholson, Tommy
L. and Wilma Nicholson, all of
Gainesville; sisters-in-law, Lou
Alice Nicholson, Gainesville, and
Lois Nicholson, Homer; and numer
ous nieces, nephews and a host of
friends.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday, February 19, in the chapel
of Little Davenport Funeral Home
with the Revs. Doug Merck and
Michael Smith officiating. Burial
was at Westview Cemetery in Lula.
Little Davenport Funeral Home,
Gainesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 21, 2008.
Ruby Dodson
Ruby Haynes Dodson, 81, of Lula,
died Sunday, February 17, 2008, at
Bell-Minor Nursing Home, follow
ing a brief illness.
She was born in Hall County, the
daughter of the late Addie Grover
and Cleo Loggins Haynes. She was
a member of Belton Baptist Church
and worked in the medical profes
sion for many years. Mrs. Dodson
was preceded in death by her sis
ter, Dorothy Shedd; brothers, Fred
Haynes, Dennis Haynes and Truett
Haynes.
Survivors include a son and
daughter-in-law, Sunny and Diane
Smith, Lula; brother and sister-in
law, Artis and Kathryn Haynes, Lula;
sister, Annie Evanoff, Lula; sisters-
in-law, Elaine Haynes, Hampton,
and Paula Haynes, Gainesville; and
many grandchildren, nieces and
nephews.
Funeral services were held
Wednesday, February 20, at Belton
Baptist Church with the Revs.
Jewell Thomas and Harry Shedd
officiating. Burial was in the church
cemetery.
Little Davenport Funeral Home,
Gainesville, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 21, 2008.
Lurlene King
Lurlene Thompson King, 91, of
Baldwin, died Monday, February 25,
2008, at Oak Heritage Healthcare,
following an extended illness.
Born in Banks County on June 14,
1916, she was the daughter of the late
R.O. and Ida Chastain Thompson.
She and her husband were the
owners and operators of K & L
Cab Services and Rental Properties
in Baldwin for over 50 years. She
was a member of Baldwin Baptist
Church, where she served in the
Joy Sunday School Class. Mrs. King
was preceded in death by her hus
band, Sandy N. King; a daughter,
Doris Carolyn King; and an infant
sister and brothers, Claude, Lewis,
Roy and Abener Thompson.
She loved the Lord and always
wanted to spread the Gospel of
Jesus Christ all over the world,
according to loved ones. She was
the last surviving member of her
immediate family.
Survivors include a daughter
and son-in-law, Grace and Howard
Hogsed, Toccoa; son and daugh
ter-in-law, Charles and Joyce
King, Baldwin; grandchildren and
spouses, David and Keri Hogsed,
Waxhaw, N.C., Rodney and Sandra
Payne, Criss and Pam Cobb, Stuart
and Kim Gaines, all of Toccoa,
Chris and Sherry Lewis and Tim
Lewis, all of Maysville, Scott Lewis,
Mt. Airy, Jack and Robin Davidson,
Jefferson, Beth Lewis, Cornelia,
Shad and Charity Boswell, Gulf
Port, Miss., Rodney and Missy King
and Jeff King, all of Baldwin, Reed
and Angela Ballew, Clarkesville,
and Steven and Camilla Rumsey,
Alto; 23 great-grandchildren; and
three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held
Thursday, February 28, at 2 p.m.,
at the Mt. Zion United Methodist
Church with the Revs. Sherry Lewis
and Jerrell Beatty officiating. Burial
will be in the church cemetery. The
family will receive friends at the
funeral home Wednesday, February
27, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart
Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in
charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 21, 2008.
Mary Ellen Saylors
Mary Ellen Harris Fincannon
Saylors, 66, of Commerce, died
Monday, February 25, 2008, at
Grandview Care Center in Athens.
She was born in Franklin County,
the daughter of Mary Elizabeth
Phillips Harris of Royston and the
late Fred Harris.
Survivors in addition to her
mother, include her husband, JD
Saylors, Commerce; a daughter,
Dana Lynn Harrin, Banks County;
sons, Daniel Horace Varner and
Larry Joe Fincannon, both of Banks
County; step-children, Ernest JD
Saylors, Toccoa, Lori Lynn Saylors,
Stone Mountain; a sister, Annie Sue
Herrin, Royston; brothers, Bobby
Harris, Winterville, William Harris,
Canon; nine grandchildren; two
great-grandchildren; and nieces
and nephews.
Funeral services were held
Wednesday, February 27, in the
chapel of Ivie Funeral Home. Burial
was in the Bold Springs Methodist
Church cemetery, Franklin County.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce,
was in charge of arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Roy Blackledge
Roy Blackledge, 85, of Jefferson,
died Friday, February 22, 2008, at
St. Mary’s Hospice House.
He was born on October 12, 1922,
the son of the late Burton and
Mildred Thonack Blackledge, and
grew up in Rutherford, N.J., in a
family of 10 chil
dren. He attend
ed Bergen Junior
College and the
30CTD at Xavier
University as
an Army Air
Corps Cadet.
He then joined
the Army Air
Corps, serving as |||||^^^^
a second lieuten
ant, where he was a
twin-engine bomber
pilot. The war ended before he saw
active duty, and he remained in
the reserves for 12 years. He was
a quality engineer and supervisor
with the Flintkote Company and
retired after 32 years, as a purchas
ing manager with Bendix Aviation.
During this time, he received an
award for his participation with
the Apollo Space Program and the
Federation of the Handicap. Mr.
Blackledge was preceded in death
by a son, John Durfee.
Survivors include his wife of 34
years, Anna Blackledge, Jefferson;
a daughter, Francine Taylor, Mt.
Pleasant, N.C.; sons, Edward
Durfee, Northvale, N.J., Steven
Durfee, Gillsville, Richard Durfee,
Blooming Grove; a brother, Frank,
Augusta; sister, Alva, Wayne, N.J.;
12 grandchildren; and eight great
grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held
Saturday, March 1, at 1 p.m., in
the Commerce First Presbyterian
Church with Minister Gaye Brown
officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial con
tributions may be made to the
United Hospice, 700 S. Enota St.,
Ste. 202, Gainesville, Ga. 30501;
Peachtree Christian Hospice, 3430
Duluth Park Lane, Duluth, Ga.
30096; or the St. Mary’s Hospice
House, 1660 Jennings Mill Rd.,
Bogart, Ga. 30622.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is
in charge of arrangements.
Vhe Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Jerry Sailers
Jerry Rogers Sailers, 69, of Orange
Park, Fla., formerly of Homer, died
Sunday, December 30, 2007.
He was born in Jackson County
on March 30, 1938, the son of Walter
Sailers and Carrie Shelnutt Sailers.
He graduated from Banks County
High School in 1956, where he was
active in baseball and basketball. He
enlisted in the United States Navy
in 1961, serving during the Vietnam
Conflict and eventually retiring
in September, 1991, after serving
31 years of decorated service as
a Command
Master Chief.
During his years
of service, he
was active in
sports and was
a member of
the All Navy
Softball Team in
1976 and 1977.
After retiring
from the Navy, he
worked for the rec
reational department
at Jacksonville Naval Air Station.
He enjoyed being surrounded by
his wife, children and grandchil
dren. He especially enjoyed sup
porting his grandchildren in their
recreational activities, according to
loved ones. Mr. Sailers was pre
ceded in death by brothers, Dupree
and Donald Sailers; and a sister,
Merle Sailers Jones.
Survivors include his wife of 48
years, Mildred Meeks Sailers, for
merly of Maysville; a son, Anthony
Rogers Sailers; daughter and son-
in-law, Tanya Sailers and David
Kuramoto, Jacksonville, Fla.; six
grandchildren, Kierstin, Lauren
and Alyssa Sailers, Ryan, Tyler and
Jacob Kuramoto; brothers and sis-
ters-in-law, Bill and Lona Sailers,
Jacksonville, Fla., and John and
Edna Sailers, Acworth; and many
other family members.
Jerry will be missed and remem
bered by friends he made, the fam
ily he took such great care of and
the lives he touched. You can send
his family a message at legacy.com.
Announcement courtesy of the
Sailers family.
Vhe Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
George Blalock
George Thomas Blalock, 69, of
Nicholson, died Saturday, February
23, 2008, at Athens Regional
Medical Center.
He was born May 5, 1938 in
Walton County to the late John
Hoke and Edna Merle Swindle
Blalock and was a retired auto body
worker.
Mr. Blalock was
a Christian with
a heart of com
passion for his
family, friends
and animals.
He was “Papa
George” to all
children, accord
ing to loved ones. Mr.
Blalock was preceded
in death by a sister,
Dorothy Watson.
Survivors include his wife of 51
years, Glinda Ann Williams Blalock,
Nicholson; daughter, Beverly
Blalock, Commerce; daughter and
son-in-law, Cindy and Johnny
Stancil, Jefferson; grandson and
granddaughter-in-law, Jonathon
and Jennifer Stancil, Jefferson;
granddaughter, Holly Gaddis,
Commerce; great-grandchildren;
Chance and Kyler Stancil, Jefferson;
nephew, Wayne Powell, Commerce;
nephew and niece-in-law, Tommy
and Janet Watson, Commerce;
great- nephew, Josh Brockman,
Commerce; great-niece, Samantha
Watson, Commerce; aunts, Ollie
Raven, Greenville, S.C. and Pearl
Swindle, Spartanburg, S.C.; uncle,
Ben Swindle, Greenville, S.C.; and
his dog, Bugger.
Graveside services were held
Tuesday, February 26, at Howington
Cemetery in Nicholson with the
Revs. Tommy Watson and Troy
Herbert officiating.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Estelle Welborn
Estelle R. Welborn, 90, of Gillsville,
died Wednesday, February 20, 2008,
at her residence. Born in Banks
County, she was the daughter of the
late David and Minnie Brown Reid.
She was a retired teacher’s aide for
Gillsville Elementary School and
was a member of the Mt. Carmel
Baptist Church. Mrs. Welborn was
preceded in death by her husband,
Ernest Welborn; brothers, L.C. Reid,
Major Reid, Ed Reid and Pledger
Reid; sisters, Minnie Ruth Morris,
Annie Mae Carlan and Oma Nell
Suggs.
Survivors include a son, Willis H.
Welborn, Comer; daughter, Janice
W. Pritchett, Gainesville; four grand
children; one great-grandchild; and
one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Friday,
February 22, at Mt. Carmel Baptist
Church with the Revs. Ralph O.
Smith, Swayne Carlan and James
Duncan officiating. Burial was in
the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the Mt. Carmel Baptist
Church Cemetery Fund.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Annie Griffin
Annie Claire Griffin, 77, of
Commerce, died Thursday, February
21, 2008, at BJC Medical Center in
Commerce.
She was born in Banks County,
daughter of the late William Monroe
and Eva Madeline Gordon, and was
a member of the First Methodist
Church of Commerce. Mrs. Griffin
was preceded in death by her hus
band, GL Griffin.
Survivors include daugh
ters, Ellen Miller, Canton, Kathy
Simmering, Ft. Myers, Fla., and
Mary Shallenberger, Powder
Springs; a son, Groves Lester
Griffin III, Douglasville; brothers,
Milton Gordon, Greer, S.C., and
Dillard Gordon, Clayton; a sister,
Sara Myrte Ingram, Lafayette; eight
grandchildren; and five great-grand
children.
Funeral services were held
Sunday, February 24, at the First
Methodist Church of Commerce
with the Rev. David Bowen offi
ciating. Burial was in the Homer
Presbyterian Church cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Elnora Gailey
Elnora Gailey, 91, of Alto, died
Saturday, February 23, 2008, at a
private nursing facility following
an extended illness.
Born in Banks County on
November 29, 1916, she worked for
several years at Carwood and was a
homemaker. She was a member of
B.C. Grant Baptist Church, was an
avid gardener and enjoyed planting
flowers. Mrs. Gailey was preceded
in death by her husband, Everett
Gailey; and a son, Ray Gailey.
Survivors include son and daugh
ter-in-law, Mitchell and Edith
Gailey, Alto; daughter-in-law Ruby
Youngblood Gailey, Cleveland;
brothers and sisters-in-law, Horace
and Pat Bennett and C.D. and Bert
Bennett, all of Alto; eight grand
children; 16 great-grandchildren;
and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held
Monday, February 25, in the cha
pel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart
Funeral Home with the Rev. Doyal
Conley officiating. Burial was in
Yonah Memorial Gardens.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart
Funeral Home, Cornelia, was in
charge of arrangements.
Vhe Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Pauline Lewallen
Pauline M. Lewallen, 88, of
Commerce, died Sunday, February
24, 2008, at BJC Nursing Home.
She was born in Banks County,
December 26, 1919 to the late
Grover Cleveland and Laura
Shubert Merck. She was a care
giver.
Survivors include sons, Jerry N.
and Norman C. Lewallen, both of
Commerce; four grandchildren; and
three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday, February 26, from the cha
pel of Little-Ward Funeral Home
with the Rev. Troy Herbert offi
ciating. Burial was in Grey Hill
Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, was in charge of
arrangements.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
Fred Martin
Fred William Martin, 74, of
Commerce, died Monday, February
25, 2008, at Athens Regional
Medical Center in Athens.
Born in Franklin County on
August 27, 1933, he was the son
of the late Willie and Loudez Byrd
Martin. He retired from Royston
Corporation and was a member of
Hudson River Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Linda
Joyce Reems Martin, Commerce;
a son, Mark Martin, Commerce;
daughter, Marcia Ayers, Carnesville;
and four grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held
Thursday, February 28, at 2 p.m.
at Hudson River Baptist Church
Cemetery with the Rev. Troy
Herbert officiating. The fam
ily will receive friends Wednesday,
February 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the
funeral home.
Little-Ward Funeral Home,
Commerce, is in charge of arrange
ments.
The Banks County News, February 27, 2008.
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