About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2024)
PAGE 4B - THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 25, 2024 Obituaries David C. Ayers HOMER — David C. Ayers, 92, Homer, passed away on Tuesday, December 17,2024. Bom on August 8, 1932, in Sylva, North Carolina, he was a son of the late John and Minda Shook Ayers. Mr. Ayers was a self-employed farmer, who was also a known mule trader. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and Pa. He was a mem ber of Shiloh Baptist Church in Hayesville, North Carolina. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Gladys Mae Ander son Ayers; son, David Lee Ayers; grandsons, Rev. Jonathan Ayers and Mark Ayers; brothers, Boyd Ayers and Bob Ayers; and sister, JoAnn Bradley. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Ann Trexler (David) and Cathy Martin (Timmy); sons and daughters-in-law, John Ayers (Anna), Jeff Ayers (Lisa), Tim Ayers (LeLonie) and Nat Ayers; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Louise Hurley; several nieces, nephews, other rel atives and friends. Funeral service: Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart Funeral Home with the Revs. Ken Kilby and Kenneth McEntire officiating. Interment will follow in Banks County Memorial Gardens. Family to receive friends: Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 2 until 3 p.m. at the funeral home. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cor nelia, Georgia, 706-778-8668, is in charge of ar rangements. An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinand- stewart.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 23-29 Nathan Wilbert Bedford LOGANVILLE — Nathan Wilbert Bedford, 88, Loganville, passed away on Wednesday, Decem ber 18,2024. He was a member of Lithonia First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and served on the personnel com mittee. In high school, Nathan’s classmates voted him best looking in the senior class. He served as a Military Po lice (MP) officer in the United States Army. Nathan played base ball for Wilmington College and then received a baseball scholarship to play at the University of Alabama where he was the catcher and graduat ed in 1962. He served in the catcher position on the roster for the Minor League team of the Kansas City Royals. In the 1980s and after retiring in the 1990s, he played recreational softball for his church, Lithonia First Baptist. He played the position of shortstop on several competitive teams in Atlanta-area men’s softball leagues. Based on his offensive production statistics and defensive talent, Nathan was awarded a roster spot as shortstop on the prestigious Senior League National Competition Softball Team in the early 2000s. Nathan devoted his life as a teacher and coach of baseball, football and gymnastics at Chamblee and Walker High Schools in the DeKalb County School System in the 1960s. He met his wife, Judy, while coaching at Cham blee where she was the librarian. Having married in 1966, they were married for 57 years until her death on December 15, 2023. They had two chil dren, a daughter and a son. He had the joy and hon or of coaching his children and grandchildren in sports. In his free time, Nathan loved to play golf and watch University of Alabama football and Braves baseball. In an Atlanta area competitive golf tour nament in the early 2000s, Nathan scored a hole- in-one on a par three hole. He loved God, his family, and competitive sports, where he excelled. He is predeceased by his parents Dortch and Ella Bedford; his loving wife of 57 years, Judy Baird Bedford; brothers, Johnny Bedford, Leroy Bed ford, Willie Bedford and K.D. Bedford; and sisters, Aliean Daughtry and Virginia Holzkamm. Nathan is survived by his daughter, Christy Bed ford; son, Nathan Scott Bedford; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Forester (Kenneth) and Jarrett Thomas (Chelsea); and great-grandchildren, Freya Forester and Willow Forester (due in March). The family ask that if he ever coached you in a sport, please wear your jersey to the visitation, bring old photos and stories to share. Funeral service: Monday, December 23,2024, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Barrow Memorial Gardens. Family to receive friends: Sunday, December 22, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a do nation to Lithonia First Baptist Church, RO. Box 378, Lithonia, Ga. 30058, in his memory. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of ar rangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 23-29 Paul Leroy Duncan COMMERCE — Paul Leroy Duncan, 90, Com merce, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Cen ter. Mr. Duncan was bom in Homer to the late Hoyt W. and Marie Wil son Duncan. Mr. Dun can taught at Athens Technical College, was a U.S. Army Veteran and was a member of Webbs Creek Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Mr. Duncan was also preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Emerson Duncan. Mr. Duncan is survived by his wife, Mollie Wil son Duncan, Commerce; daughter, Paula Han cock (Mark), Commerce; son, Ricky Duncan (Lesa), Commerce; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral service: Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Chase Rylee and Mark Fitz patrick officiating with the interment following at Webbs Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Family to receive friends: Friday, December 20, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Webbs Creek Baptist Church. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 23-29 Brian Joseph Fields JEFFERSON — Brian Joseph Fields, 45, Jef ferson, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Mr. Fields was bom in Atlanta, a son to Philip W. and Norma DaPos Fields. Mr. Fields was a bus driver for the Jef ferson City Schools and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Brian had a large love for life and being of ser vice to others. He also enjoyed fishing, diving, spending time at the beach and watching his chil dren play sports. As a bus driver for Jefferson City Schools, he was loved by all the students, faculty and staff. He was known for his giving nature, his kindness and devotion to both his family, friends and every one he met. Brian’s love for others was evident in everything he did. Survivors in addition to his parents include his wife, Rebecca Fields, Jefferson; sons, Owen Fields and Leland Fields; daughter, Emma Fields, all of Jefferson; sister, Suzanne Culpepper and her husband Nicholas of Reno, Nevada; nieces, Gal- adriel, Anastasia, Fiona and Liara; father-in-law, James Throndsen and his wife Sandra, Dawson- ville; mother-in-law, Patrice McClain and her part ner John Marks, Palmetto, Florida; sister-in-law, Amanda Throndsen, Fort Worth, Texas also sur vives. Funeral service: Monday, December 23,2024, at 6 p.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 706 Whitehead Road, Athens, Georgia. In accordance with the wishes of Mr. Fields, his re mains will be cremated after the service. Family to receive friends: Monday, December 23, 2024, from 5-6 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jackson County Family Connection, Warm Hands, Warm Hearts at www.jcfamilyconnection. com. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder High way, Jefferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 23-29 Nina Hitchcock Nina Hitchcock, 81, went to see Jesus on Mon day, December 16, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Benjamin F. Moore and Willie Graham Moore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ray Moore (Addie); and her sister, Jack Carol Booth (Henry). Surviving relatives include her husband of 62 years, William Hitchcock; daughter, April Watson (Stanley); brother, Frank Moore (Elsie); grand daughter, Adrianna Watson; nephew, Wayne Booth; and brother-in-law, Calvin Smith. Nina was a lifelong resident of Danielsville and retired from the Madison County Tax Commis sioner’s Office. Nina enjoyed softball (in her younger years), bowling, game shows and the Braves. She was voted “wittiest” in high school, always had a lot of personality and was a much-loved wife, Mama, Gran and friend. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and faithfully attended for as long as she was able to. In keeping with her wishes, no public funeral ser vices will be held. The family cordially asks that no food be prepared, provided or brought to the home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friendship Baptist Church, PO. Box 299, Danielsville, Ga. 30633; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105; or a charity of one’s choice. The family greatly appreciates the staff of Brookside in Commerce, Agape Hospice, and Del la Pass for all of their care and support. Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements, www.lor- dandstephens.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 23-29 Rex Dennis Kenyon Jr. JEFFERSON — Rex Dennis Kenyon Jr., 54, Jef ferson, entered rest Monday, December 16, 2024. Mr. Kenyon was bom in Madison, Tennessee, the son of Rex Dennis Kenyon and Linda Lou Teal of Florida. Mr. Kenyon was a Veter an of the United States Air Force and worked in safety and inspection at Kubota Manufacturing in Jefferson. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kenyon is survived by his wife, Mandi Wanner Kenyon; step-son, Austin Brooks, Jefferson; sons, Trey Kenyon and Ryan Kenyon, Florida; daughter, Kendall Kenyon, Florida; and grandson, Talon, also survives. In accordance with the wishes of Mr. Kenyon, his remains will be cremated and a memorial ser vice will be held by the family at a later date. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder High way, Jefferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of December 23-29 Dave B. Sailors ATHENS — Dave B. Sailors, 82, Athens, passed away peacefully Friday, December 13,2024. Dave was bom in Al bany to the late Mack Norman and Flossie Faulkner Sailors. He graduated from Madi son County High School in 1960. He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1960-1964 and re tired from Bell South after 30 years of service. Dave, an avid golfer and former member of Lane Creek Golf Club loved to play cards, especially Gin Rummy. He was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Larry Sailors; and sister, Audrey Sailors. Dave, Daddy, D-Dad is survived by his wife, Sarah Gillooly Sailors; children, Colleen (Tim) Ledford, Danielsville, Angela (Robert) Stokes, Gainesville, Chad (Amanda) Sailors, Hull, and Paula Ann (Russell) Segraves, Braselton; sister, Janice Saylors, Morganton; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Private graveside service: Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Colbert City Cemetery with the Rev. 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