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BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023
Obituaries
Ray Willis Bennett
WINDER — Ray Willis Bennett, 90, Winder, passed
away peacefully surrounded by family in the early
morning hours of Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
Ray was born Septem
ber 16, 1933, in Wind
er, the second son of Era
and Lester Bennett. After
serving in the Army from
1953 to 1955, he began
his career as a millwright
with General Motors. He
retired in 1990 having
served 35 years.
For the next 33 years he
perfected doing a little bit
of this and that, building
what he wanted (how he
wanted) and making sure not one blade of grass grew
longer than any other blade of grass on his property. He
enjoyed his family, being outdoors and cheering on the
Georgia Bulldogs.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his broth
ers, John, Bob, Jack and Dave; and sisters, Sue and
Donnie.
Survivors include his children, Debora Skinner (Phil),
Garry Bennett, Tara Bennett (Justin) and Jeffrey Ben
nett (Cary); ex-wife LaDonna Bennett; bonus daugh
ters, Michelle Alarcon (Manuel), Sherrie Holcomb (de
ceased) and Tina Huling (Joe); bonus son, Leslie Moore
(Jan); brother, Sam Bennett (Sonia); sister, Evelyn Ben
nett Merkison; grandchildren, Jarrod (Jessica), Steven
(Katelyn), Robert (Hannah), Sean, Caitlyn, Braedon,
Ethan, Olivia, Mason, Roy, AJ, Wyatt, Audrey, Anala,
Isaac, Sarah, Lucian and Varick; and great-grandchil
dren, Brynlee, Karter-Thomas and Karson-Michael.
Funeral service: Friday, November 17,2023, at 2 p.m.
in Smith Memory Chapel at Smith Funeral Home, 755
Atlanta Hwy. SE, Winder. The burial will follow at Bar-
row Memorial Gardens.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, November 16,
2023, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrange
ments.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of November 19-25
Douglas Edward Epps
DANIELSVILLE — Douglas Edward Epps, 84,
Danielsville, entered into his eternal rest Friday, No
vember 10, 2023.
Bom September 11,
1939, he and twin sister
Dolores were the middle
of six children born to the
late Marvin Elco Epps and
Lucy Ann Bradley Epps.
In addition to his parents
he was preceded in death
by siblings, Mary Eve
lyn Coile, Paul Lee Epps,
Shelvy Jean Whitehead
and Kenneth Dillard Epps.
Doug was a native of
Athens but lived most of
his adult life in Madison County in the Danielsville
community. He was a Veteran of the United States
Marine Corps Reserves and was a retiree of the Ath-
ens-Clarke County Fire Department. Doug also vol
unteered with the Hull Volunteer Fire Department and
served with the Athens Regional Medical Center En
gineering Department. He owned and operated Doug
Epps Construction.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna (O’Kel
ley) Epps; children, Donice Moss, Athens, Dustin Epps,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Dee (Hal) Reynolds,
Comer; as well as four beloved grandchildren, Hannah
Bordon, Landon Moss, John Reynolds and Andrew
Reynolds; his twin sister, Dolores Pettyjohn, Athens;
and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral service: Monday, November 20, 2023, at
2 p.m. at Gilead Baptist Church, Danielsville, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Daniels
ville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 689, Dan
ielsville, Ga. 30633.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to
the staff of Brookside Assisted Living and Bridgeway
Hospice for the wonderful care that was provided to Mr.
Epps.
Lord and Stephens, Danielsville, is in charge of ar
rangements. www.lordandstephens.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of November 19-25
Bill Anderson Guyton
WATKINSVILLE — Bill Anderson Guyton, 84,
Watkinsville, died Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at
Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Guyton was bom
in Atlanta to the late Bill
Anderson and Lucille
Lively Guyton. He served
in the National Guard and
was retired from the City
of Atlanta as a resource
manager.
Mr. Guyton loved the University of Georgia and At
lanta Braves; as well as, working in the yard and travel
ing — especially to the beach.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Guyton was preceded
in death by his daughter, Robin Guyton; and brothers,
Don Guyton and Frank Guyton.
Mr. Guyton is survived by his wife, Marie McEn-
tire Guyton, Watkinsville; son, Vince Guyton (Savan
nah), Jefferson; daughter, Shelley Edwards, Athens;
step-daughters, Jennifer Litle (Kevin), Canton, and
Shannon Medders, Commerce; sister, Linda McNees,
Decatur; and grandchildren, Chloe, Easton, Vivian,
Clover, Landon and Sydney.
Funeral service: Friday, November 17, 2023, at
1 p.m. graveside at Grey Hill Cemetery with the Rev.
Russ Brown officiating.
At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donate to
your local food bank.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge
of arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of November 19-25
Edna Owensby Holcomb
ATHENS — Edna Ow
ensby Holcomb, 88, Ath
ens (formerly of Colbert),
passed away on Wednes
day, November 15, 2023,
at her home at Terra Bella
Epps Bridge Retirement
Community.
Mrs. Holcomb was the
widow of Terry C. Hol
comb, to whom she was
happily married 64 years.
Bom in Madison County,
she was the daughter of
Garnet and Lillie B. Owensby and was also preceded
in death by two brothers, Joe Owensby and Bobby Ow
ensby; and a daughter, Sandra Denise.
Edna’s favorite things included living in various plac
es throughout the U.S. and overseas during their mil
itary years, traveling in their RV after her retirement,
campground hosting and making new friends in the
temporary workplaces.
She also was an avid reader and crocheted for craft
shows. She was an LPN at Athens Regional Medical
Center for many years, a career she loved, after gradu
ating from nursing school at 43 years of age.
When she was no longer able to live alone, she chose
to live at Iris Place, later renamed Terra Bella Epps
Bridge, where she made many new friends.
Survivors include her three children, David (Barbara)
Holcomb, West Point, Utah, Michael (Susan) Holcomb,
Hull, and Janet (Kurk) Lance, Maxeys; siblings, Ed
(Carol) Owensby, Jimmy (Shirley) Owensby, Elizabeth
(Willard) Crider, Marie (Randy) Hill, Jeriel (Emily)
Owensby and Steve (Evie) Owensby; 14 grandchil
dren; 16 great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and
nephews.
Graveside service: Saturday November 18, 2023, at
11:30 a.m. at Danielsville Memorial Gardens. The in
terment will be in Danielsville Memorial Gardens.
Family to receive friends: Saturday, November 18,
2023, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
Her family would like to thank Family Hospice of
Athens for their unwavering and tender care as well as
Barbara Foster and her staff with At Home Loving Care
for their compassion and love during her final months.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions
be made to the American Cancer Association or to a
charity of your choice.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, Danielsville, Ga.,
is in charge of arrangements, www.lordandstephens.
com.
Published by MainStreet Newsapapers, Inc.
Week of November 19-25
Joseph “Don”
LaRose
WINDER — Joseph
“Don” LaRose, 92, Wind
er, passed away on Mon
day, November 13, 2023.
Don was born in Moo-
sup, Connecticut, to par
ents Ovila and Beatrice
LaRose on December 14,
1930. Upon graduating
high school in 1948 Don
enrolled in the United States Air Force. During this
time, while serving stationed in Merced, California,
Don met his future wife, Becky.
Don and Becky married in 1950 and adopted three
sons, Bruce, Willis and Ronald. From there Don moved
his family to Europe for six years before returning to
Columbus, Ohio. He served on the Lockboume Air
Force base for two years before moving to Cape Cod
(Otis Air Force Base), Massachusetts. From there, Don
went on an isolated tour to Greenland for a year before
relocating to Newfoundland where he spent three years.
Don spent the remainder of his military career in Sac
ramento, California, going on another isolated tour (this
time in Turkey for two years) and then Andrews Air
Force Base in Maryland before his retirement in 1969.
After retiring from the Air Force, Don moved to Jew
ett City, Connecticut, and began what ended up being a
22-year career with the United States Post Office. Don
retired from the Post Office and moved to Lawrencev-
ille in 1992 before moving to Winder in 1998.
Throughout his life, Don was very involved in the
Catholic Church where he sang in the choir and min
istered Eucharist in home to those who couldn’t attend
services.
Don was also a member of the Knights of Columbus
for over 25 years.
In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in passing
by his wife, Becky LaRose; sons, Bruce and Ronald
LaRose; brother, Ronald (Barbara) LaRose; sister, Lu
cille “Lou” (Guy) Gignac; and nephew, Bryan Gignac.
Don is survived by his son, Willis LaRose; niece, Lori
LaRose; nephews, Paul and Wayne Gignac; 12 grand
children; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great
grandchildren.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrange
ments.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of November 19-25
Andrew “Drew” Timothy Lawler
BRASELTON — Andrew “Drew” Timothy Lawler,
61, Braselton, passed away on Wednesday, November
8, 2023.
Mr. Lawler was an avid
outdoorsman that loved
fishing. He was a devoted
family man and a Univer
sity of Georgia sports en
thusiast, Go Dawgs! Drew
attended Ivy Creek Baptist
Church.
Mr. Lawler was preced
ed in death by his father,
Harold Lawler.
Mr. Lawler is survived
by his loving wife, Anita
Hayes Lawler, Braselton;
son and his fiance, Matthew Morrow (Madison Dash-
ner), Braselton; mother, June Rollins Lawler, Auburn;
siblings, Susan (Weyman) Perry, Jefferson, Greg Law
ler, Dallas, Johnny (Robin) Lawler, Duluth, and Kath
erine (Anthony) Fedele, Auburn; mother-in-law, Bet
ty Hayes, Braselton; brother-in-law, Steve (Barbara)
Hayes, Braselton; nephew, Stevie (Brittany) Hayes,
Jefferson, great-niece, Emma Lou Hayes, Jefferson;
and a host of extended family and friends also survive.
Funeral service: Thursday, November 16, 2023, at
2 p.m. in the chapel of Carter Funeral Home with Dr.
Craig Dale and Bishop Jerry Gaddis officiating. Burial
will follow the service at the Braselton Church of God
of Prophecy Cemetery.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, November 16,
2023, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home.
Flowers are accepted for the funeral service.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is entrusted with the
arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of November 19-25
Betty Joyce Marcus
HULL — Betty Joyce Marcus, 87, Hull, passed away
peacefully on Monday, November 13, 2023.
Bom in Athens, she was
a daughter of the late Rob
ert H. Wages Sr. and Mary
Catherine O’Kelley Wag
es. Betty was a homemak
er for several years before
she began working with
Lowe’s until her retire
ment.
She was a longtime
member of Central Baptist
Church where she served
as a Sunday School teach
er, church clerk and was active with the kitchen com
mittee. Most importantly, Betty loved her family, espe
cially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and
will be remembered for her willingness to help others.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death
by her husband of 59 years, Charlie F. Marcus; siblings,
Robert H. Wages Jr., Lena Helen Stewart and Buddy
Wages; and her son-in-law, David Sprinkles.
Survivors include her daughters, Sheree Hardigree
(Lynn) and Sandra K. Marcus; special niece (third
daughter), Beverly Stewart Slay; brother, Doyle Wages
(Barbara); three grandchildren, Ashley Brueshaber (JJ),
Casey Land (Michael) and Tabitha Hardeman (Zach
Saxton); and three great-grandchildren, John Reid
Brueshaber, Adalynn Grace Hardeman and Rhett Alex
ander Saxton.
Funeral service: Thursday, November 16, 2023, at
1 p.m. at Central Baptist Church. Interment will fol
low at Evergreen Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be
JJ Brueshaber, John Brueshaber, Zach Saxton, Michael
Land, Larry Wages and Lamar Wages.
Family to receive friends: Wednesday, November 15,
2023, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the
American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
The family would like to extend their appreciation
to Betty’s caregivers, Tracy, Wanda, Pam S., Becky,
Deeann, Pam D. and Felicia and the staff of Compassus
Hospice.
Lord and Stephens, East, is in charge of arrange
ments. www.lordandstephens.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of November 19-25
