About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 2025)
THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025 - PAGE 9A Obituaries after the family moved there in 1972. She later worked in the University of Georgia Admissions Office. Throughout her life, she enjoyed teaching Sun day School classes and mentoring children. She married her “dream boat,” Michael, in the fall of 1957, and they spent the best 62 years of their lives together. In her free time she found a love for anything that would brighten up the world around her, whether it was caring for her flower and vegetable garden, crafting for friends and family, sewing something new from something old, or taking care of grand children that would later hope to reflect some of her kindness on those around them. She was also drawn to puzzles, from crosswords, to mystery novels, to the best strategy to win a game of bridge. Time spent with others followed the same pattern, as she always seemed to find the one best way to make someone feel loved and safe. She was preceded in death by her sister, Janet and husband, Michael. She is survived by her sister, Tina; brother, Mar ty; daughters, Michele May and husband, Joe, and Jennifer Thaxton; son, Eric Schmidt and wife, Cher; grandchildren, Chris (BJ), Andy (Kristen), Ross (Kyounga), Daniel (Anna), Erica (Shelton), Thomas (Cait), Sarah (Cameron), Charlie, and Lewie; and great-grandchildren, Clementine, Ra mona, and Caspian. Funeral service: Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, Ath ens. Family to receive friends: Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 2 until 3 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a me morial contribution may donate to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Joanne’s honor, or a charity of your choosing, to continue to brighten our natural spaces in her memory. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Manor Lake Assisted Living and Bristol Hospice for their care and compassion at the end of her life. Lord and Stephens, East, is in charge of arrange ments. www.lordandstephens.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of February 10-26 Shirley Elizabeth Hunsinger Scott COMER — Shirley Elizabeth Hunsinger Scott, 86, Comer, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Cen ter. Mrs. Scott was born on August 8,1938, in Elber ton, daughter of the late James Dewey Hunsinger and the late Elvie Jane Young Hunsinger. She was retired from Owens-Corning Fiberglas and was a member of Vineyard Creek Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a grandson, Keith Burgess; brothers, Charles Fred Hunsinger, Henry Dewey Hunsinger, William Harold Hunsinger, James Lee Hunsinger, George Frank Hunsinger and Hershel Glenn Hunsinger; and sisters, Willie Mae Martin and Lois Williams. Survivors include a son, Johnny Lee Gee, Comer; daughter, Peggy Sue Rogers, Anderson, South Carolina; broth er, Homer Hunsinger, Monroe; grandchildren, Kinta Burdette, Kevin Gee, Hollee Burdette and Chassie Laye (Der ek); eight great-grand children; and two great-great-grandchil dren. Funeral service: Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Reggie Vaughn officiating. Family to receive friends: Sunday, February 9, 2025, from 2 until 3 p.m. at Pruitt Funeral Home. During other times the family will be at their re spective homes. Pruitt Funeral Home of Royston, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pruittfhroyston.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of February! 10-16 William “Keith" Thompson CARLTON — William “Keith” Thompson, 71, Carlton, husband of Sheila Carol Graham, passed away suddenly but peacefully in his sleep on Fri day, February 7, 2025, at his residence. Born on U.S. Air Force Base in Shreve port, Louisiana, on No vember 11, 1953, Keith was a son of the late William Guy Thomp son Jr. and Audrey Jean Harrison Thompson. He was a 1972 graduate of Madison County High School and earned a bachelors in business from Limestone Col lege. Like his father before him, Keith proudly served his country in the military. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 until 1980. His love for his coun try never wavered. Keith worked for many years at Duke Power’s Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca, South Carolina, and retired from Pilgrim’s Pride in Athens where he worked as a truck driver. A man of great faith, he was a member of Goss Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher. Keith spent hours daily studying the Bible and furthering his biblical knowledge. He enjoyed Georgia football and fishing. Keith was never one to stay idle, and was an excellent handyman - fix ing whatever needed fixing. Keith’s untimely and unexpected death has cre ated a void that will never be filled; however, the family is grateful that he is in his Heavenly home and has been reunited with his parents; son, John Patrick Thompson; and grandson, Michael Patrick Cope. He leaves behind his wife, Sheila Carol Graham; children and their spouses, Gina and Bobby Cope, Suwanee, and David and Vanessa Thompson, Greensboro; grandchildren who adored their Papa, Bradley, Garrett and Olivia; and siblings, Donna Smith, Comer, Kevin and Judy Thompson, Eaton ton, and Kenny Thompson, Toccoa. Funeral service: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home. Officiating will be the Rev. Billy Meeks, and the U.S. Navy will render military honors. Burial will be in the Carlton Cemetery. Keith will lie in state on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and on Tues day, February 11, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. for those wishing to pay their respects and sign the guestbook at the funeral home. There will be no formal visitation; however, the family is accepting visitors at the residence and will greet friends immediately following the ser vice at the funeral home. Flowers are accepted, and if desired, dona tions may be made in his memory to Goss Bap tist Church, 1606 Woodyard Road, Elberton, Ga. 30635. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Wil liam ‘Keith’ Thompson. Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of February^ 10-16 Henry Howard Ward HOMER — Henry Howard Ward, 86, Homer, passed away Friday, January 31, 2025. Mr. Ward was born October 3, 1938, in Banks County to the late Thomas Minyard Ward and Cora Belle Brock Ward. Howard was a former computer operator for the State of Georgia and was a veteran of the United States Army. He enjoyed watching baseball, racing and loved going to his grandson’s baseball games. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Laurell Ward; and brothers, Homer Ward, Harold Ward and Phillip Ward. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Cranley and Joy Ward, Baldwin; grandson and wife, Thomas and Hanna Ward, Durham, North Carolina; great-grandson, Tate Ward; and sister, Al ice Warwick, Clarkesville. Services will be held at a later date. Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, Ga., 706-865- 3101, is in charge of arrangements. To share a mem ory or to leave the family a condolence please visit www.barrettfh.com. 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