About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2025)
PAGE 4B - THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 Obituaries John "Johnny" Lee Adams John “Johnny” Lee Adams, born on May 1, 1950, passed peacefully at his residence on Sunday, March 2, 2025. He was a simple, hard- working man who built a legacy as a concrete finisher and construction craftsman. If he wasn’t working you could find him hunting, on horse back or riding his Harley. Johnny is survived by his children, John Mi chael (Davida) Adams, John Garnett Adams and Jessica Lee (Rob by) Buffington; grandchildren, Tristan, Josie, Mad ison, Jaylyn, Emily Cameron, Christian and Chloe; and siblings, J.C. (Rosie) Adams, Jeannie (David) Dempsey, Sara Ann Turner, Pearly Mae (Dave) Score, Lucy (Floyd) Ogden and Ruby Watson. Johnny was preceded in death by his wife, Kar en Krause Adams; parents, Garnett Lee and Bessie Mathis Adams; siblings, Minnie Lee Sorrow, Eider Bell Sears, Willie Mae Farmer, Patricia Scarbrough and Sarah Elizabeth Martin. Family to receive friends: Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ivie Funeral Home, 1053 South Elm Street, Commerce. Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of ar rangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Virgil Luther Archer DORAVILLE — Virgil Luther Archer, 90, Dora ville, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Mr. Archer was born on September 24, 1934, in Dacula, the son of the late Columbus Archer and Ella May (Hall) Archer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evie Lou (Staton) Archer; his son, Wayne; his brothers, Johnnie Fint Archer and Wil liam Clyde (WC) Archer; his sister, Nell Lillie (Ar cher) Warbington; his grandson, Ricky Lee Steele; and his great-granddaughter, Destini Talia Cooper. His survivors include his sister, Elsie (Archer) Fields; his son, Ben (Tracey), Jefferson; his two daughters, Wanda Martin, Winder, and Becky Leach (Greg), Headland, Alabama; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. In accordance with his wishes he is being buried at North Atlanta Memorial Park & Mausoleum in Dun woody, after the memorial service. Family to receive friends: Friday, February 28, 2025, from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Crowell Brothers Funer al Home, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092, 770-448-5757. “Thanks to God he was ready to go home”. Arrangements entrusted to Crowell Brothers Fu neral Homes & Crematory. www.crowellbrothers. com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Thomas Eugene "Gene” Autry JEFFERSON — Thomas Eugene “Gene” Autry, 75, Jefferson, entered rest Sunday, March 2, 2025. Mr. Autry was born in Chamblee, a son of the late John Henry Autry and the late Ruby Lee Ledbetter Autry. Mr. Au try was a U.S. Army vet eran of the Vietnam War, was a member of Peoples Baptist Church and was retired from Gwinnett County Public Utilities. Survivors include his wife, Sheila Adams Au try, Jefferson; children, Alicia Porter (Jacob), Ma bleton, Tracy Gilreatli (Branson), Gainesville, and Brandee Autry, Oakwood; brother, David Autry (Debra), Jefferson; sisters, Linda Autry, Jefferson, and Martha Smitli (Tim), Jefferson; step-son, Matt Bailey (Amber), Barnesville; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Funeral service: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Evans Funeral Home witli the Reverend Chris Yancey officiating with burial to follow in Evans Memory Gardens. Family to receive friends: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia, 706-367-5467. Online condo lences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Kyleigh Raelyn Mae Carter Kyleigh Raelyn Mae Carter, the precious and be loved daughter of Dustin Kyle Carter and Elizabeth Nicole Saxon, left us too soon on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the age of seven months. She was a happy lit tle girl who was always smiling, giggling and kicking. She loved play ing with her two sisters, Isabella and Madelyn. Kyleigh had recently said her first word, DaDa. In addition to her par ents and sisters, Kyleigh is survived by her grand parents, Beth Haney, Tony Carter, Amanda Triplet and Clyburn Saxon; and her great-grandpar ents, Madonna Maselli, Susan Pike and Robert John son. Funeral service: Friday, March 14, 2025, at 1 p.m. in Smith Memory Chapel, 755 Atlanta Hwy. SE, Winder, with Pastor Kenneth Cooper officiating. Family to receive friends: Friday, March 14, 2025, from 12 until 1 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of ar rangements, Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Ralph Junior Dixon COMER — Ralph Junior Dixon, 90, Comer, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, at his home. Mr. Dixon was born on January 2, 1935, in Comer, son of the late John H. Dixon and the late Drucie Elizabeth Lunsford Dixon. He was an inspector having worked with ABB Westinghouse and was a veteran having served in the National Guard and then the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Dixon was also a member of Meadow Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Maryann Threlkeld Dixon; and son, Timo thy Dixon. Survivors include his son, Craig Dixon, Comer; daughter, Donna Rene’ Phillips (Timothy), Comer; brothers, Gene Arnold Dixon, Comer, and Wilburn Dixon, Greenwood, South Carolina; and grandchil dren, Aaron Phillips (April), Elisa Hanley (Justin) and Colt Phillips (Amy). Funeral service: Friday, February 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Meadow Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Sama officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Family to receive friends: Friday, Febmary 28, 2025 from 1 until 2 p.m. at Meadow Baptist Church. During other times, the family will be at their home. Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pruittfhroyston.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Roger Dale Ellis Roger Dale Ellis, 76, husband of 24 years to Betty Davis Ellis, died on Tuesday, Febmary 25, 2025. Bom in Dawson, he was the son of the late Geneva Whittley and father to the late Little Johnny. Mr. Ellis served in the United States Navy and was a tmck driver for United Tmcking and La nier Pallets. He enjoyed playing the lottery, fish ing and spending time with his wife traveling. In addition to his wife, Betty, survivors include his brother, David (Diane) Duncan; sister, Sissy Cowart; step-chil dren, Jane (Tim) Craig, Glenn Daivs and Lisa Da vis; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral service: Monday, March 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Lord and Stephens West Chapel. Interment will follow at Oconee Memorial Park. Family to receive friends: Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkins ville, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. www.lor- dandstephens.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Sandra Brown King Sandra Brown King, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, Febmary 28, 2025, due to Parkinson’s. She was bom on January 6, 1942, in Monroe, to the late Cary Brown and Sara Williams Brown. She is survived by her husband, Henry, of 62 years; her sons, William “Bill” Henry (Maureen) King III, Commerce, and Barry (Jenna) King, Col bert; four grandchildren, Clark, Jackson, Dabney and Spencer King; her younger brother, Kent (Ann) Brown; and many loving family members. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her oldest brother and sister-in-law, Mell (Dean) Brown; sister and brother in-law, Gail (Frank) Barber; and one granddaughter, Catherine Morgan King. Sandra grew up on a farm in Walton County and was a cheerleader and basketball star for the Mon roe Hurricanes. She set the record for scoring the most points in one basketball game at Monroe High School. From there, she went on to be a cheerleader at North Georgia College in Dahlonega where she met the love of her life at a school dance, married, and then graduated with a degree in elementary edu cation in 1964. Early in her marriage, Sandra taught third grade for six months at Glen Haven Elementary in Decatur, until she had her first son, Bill. She and Henry moved to Fort Lee, Virginia, where Henry was stationed in the U.S. Army for two years and their second son, Barry was bom. During college, Sandra began honing her tennis skills after learning how to play from her uncle, Thomas Riden. She went on to become a profession al tennis coach after being trained by Coach Dennis Van Der Meer at the Van Der Meer Tennis Acade my in Hilton Head, South Carolina. She taught, and coached many ALTA and USTA teams around the Metropolitan Atlanta area from 1975 until 2015. She was a AAA doubles player who always made it look effortless. Before putting the racquet down for good, Sandra peaked at number 2 Women’s Doubles in the “40 and Over” age group for the State of Geor gia. Sandra was known for her beautiful smile and her carefree, positive outlook on life. She loved her boys, and was a great influence by teaching them the im portance of being self-reliant at a young age. Sandra was a proud mother and grandmother who never hes itated to brag about her children and grandchildren. Family trips to Hilton Head, or New Smyrna Beach, Florida each year was a cherished tradition. Before moving to Jefferson in 2021, she enjoyed her book club get togethers, TJMaxx shopping excur sions, Chick Fil A, and was very active in her Sunday school class at Smoke Rise Baptist Church where she volunteered in the nursery on Sunday mornings. She was a long time member and left many friends be hind. Funeral service: Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Jefferson Baptist Church, 246 Washington Street, Jefferson, Ga. Visitation will be held immediately af terwards in the church’s fellowship hall. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia 706-367-5467. Online condolenc es at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Chuck Medley COMMERCE — Chuck Medley, 70, Commerce, died Saturday, March 1, 2025, at his residence. Mr. Medley was born in Winder to the late Frank H. Jr. and Sallie Mae Griffith Medley. He was a self-em ployed carpenter. Mr. Medley is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Lewis, Commerce; brothers, Jimmy McCulloch and Tom McCulloch, both of Jefferson; sister, Michelle Shepard, Rock Hill, South Carolina; and grandchil dren, Clay Simmons, Commerce, and Cade Sim mons, Baldwin. Private services will be held by the family at a later date. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements. Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Week of March 3-9 Sunday Mae Oren Sunday Mae Oren passed away on Saturday, Feb ruary 22, 2025, in Muncie, Indiana. Sunday was born November 4, 1979, in Fairfield, Ohio, to Donald and Rosemary (Broome) Oren. She graduated from Banks County High School in Ho mer. From her youth through college years, Sunday was very active in the local Baptist church in Homer. She was voted the best all-around senior in her class. She was an accomplished musician — piano and clarinet — and a long distance, cross country, cham pion runner in high school and college. Sunday earned her undergraduate degree in mass continued on next page
