THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2025 - PAGE 9A
Obituaries
Gloria Martin (Jerry), Winder; sister, Marion Salter,
Forest Park; grandchildren, Chad Merk (Hayleigh),
Jarrett Martin (Ashley), Gabe Merk and Vivi Merk;
five great-grandchildren, Emory Merk, Everett Martin,
Briggs Martin, Merritt Martin and Rollins Martin; and
a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service: Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 3 p.m. in
the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev.
Ken Barrett officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. on
Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Oconee Baptist Church
Cemetery.
Family to receive friends: Sunday, June 29, 2025
from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jack-
son County Senior Center, 151 Evans Drive, Jefferson,
Ga. 30549 or 706-367-5101.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge
of arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 30-JuIy 6
Robert Kim Nelson
AUBURN — Robert Kim Nelson, 54, Auburn,
passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Kim loved soccer, lis
tening to classic rock mu
sic (anything 80’s rock),
going fishing, cheering
on the Georgia Bulldogs,
riding go karts, grilling
and watching movies, but
most of all he loved his
kids and grandchildren.
Kim is survived by his
parents, Michael Lynn
Nelson and Eula Tirey;
sons, Robert Kelley Nel
son and Kyle Linden
Nelson; daughter, Katy Lynn Najera (Eduardo); grand
children, Arianna Juarez and Joesiah Juarez; and sister,
Tammy Mayo (Jerry).
Funeral service: Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. in
the chapel of Smith Funeral Home.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, July 3, 2025,
from 12 to 2 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrange
ments.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 30-JuIy 6
Roger L. Watson
Roger L. Watson, beloved husband, father, grandfa
ther and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday,
June 24, 2025, in Royston, surrounded by his loving
family.
Born on November 2,
1937, in Pocataligo, Rog
er lived a life marked by
dedication, service and an
unwavermg love for his
family.
He served honorably in
the United States Air Force, demonstrating his commit
ment to his country. Following his military service, Rog
er enjoyed a long career with the United States Postal
Service in Athens, where he earned the admiration and
respect of colleagues and community members.
Roger was a devoted family man, lovingly known as
“Daddy” and “Papa.” He is survived by his cherished
wife of 66 years, Beverly Shattuck Watson; daughters,
Cheryl (Wayne) Minyard, Jean (Clayton) Lowe, Coni
(Ricky) Hix and Karla (Todd) Harris; sister, Barbara
(Herman) Dove; along with 10 grandchildren; and 21
great-grandchildren, who brought him immense joy
and pride.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Watson
and Lessie Bone Watson; and his brothers, James, Wal
ter Lee, Ray and W.A. Watson, whom he holds dear in
memory.
Roger had a zest for life, evidenced by his loyalty
as an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and NASCAR
racing. In honor of his spirited personality, the family
requests that all attendees wear UGA attire or red and
black during his service.
The Watson family is grateful for the compassionate
care provided by Ivy Phillips, Gentiva Hospice and
Zoie Boling, who were instrumental in supporting Rog
er during his final days.
Funeral service: Friday, June 27, 2025, at 1 p.m. at
Friendship Baptist Church, 275 Friendship Church
Road, Danielsville, Ga. 30633. Following the service
he will be laid to rest at 1:45 p.m. at Danielsville Me
morial Gardens. Roger’s grandsons will honor him as
pallbearers, carrying forward his legacy of love and
commitment to family.
Family to receive friends: Thursday, June 26, 2025,
from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ivie Funeral Home, 1053 South Elm
Street, Commerce, Ga. 30529.
He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by
all who had the privilege to know him.
The family will receive friends at Clayton and Jean
Lowe’s home, 491 Camp Hailman Road, Athens, Ga.
30601.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of ar
rangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 30-JuIy 6
Avery Michelle Whitfield
ELBERTON — Avery Michelle Whitfield, 19, El
berton, ran into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, June 22,
2025, at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Arthur M.
Blank Hospital.
Born in Athens on April 27, 2006, Avery was the
daughter of Christopher Gary Whitfield and Laurie Mi
chelle (Rowland) Whitfield. Along with her parents of
Elberton, she is survived by her sister, MaKayla Whit
field Carey and her husband Brett, Hartwell; nephew,
Whit Carey (“Boogie” to Aunt “Abey”); grandparents,
Lynn Whitfield and the late Gary Whitfield, Homer, and
Leroy and Pam Rowland, Dewy Rose; great-grand
mother, Irma Payne, Homer; aunts and uncles, Krys
tal and Blake Noggle, Lisa and Chris Moore, Tina and
James Willis and Barry Whitfield; cousins, Brice, Ca ¬
dence, Millie, Jessica, Jennifer, Christopher and Casey;
and a host of other relatives and friends. Avery also
loved her dog, Bindi Gray, who was the best therapy
during some of the toughest days.
As an infant, Avery con
tracted a virus which ul
timately resulted in liver
failure. She received a liv
er transplant at just eight
months old, her first mir
acle, and spent the rest of
her 19 years courageously
and bravely fighting. Even
on her toughest days, Av
ery was more concerned
for others than herself,
never missing an opportu
nity to ask how your day
was going or to make you feel appreciated for what
you were doing for her care — especially her transplant
team and nursing staff.
Her vivacious and feisty personality was sure to make
you smile even on your worst days. Avery was a selfless
individual who loved hard and was always doing for
others she cared about even when she did not feel her
best.
Avery was a 2024 Honor Graduate from Elbert Coun
ty High School. While at ECHS, she enjoyed playing on
the varsity golf team, cheering for varsity basketball and
twirling under the Granite Bowl Friday night lights as a
majorette. Her sassy and witty personality will be forev
er remembered, and her beautiful smile and dimple will
never be forgotten.
Avery will lie instate on Thursday, June 26, 2025,
from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Berry Funeral Home for those
wishing to pay their respects and sign the online guest-
book.
Funeral service: Friday, June 27, at 2 p.m. at First Bap
tist Church of Elberton, where she attended Wee School
as our Little A, with Pastors Tim Adams, Wesley Allen,
and Kevin Vaughn officiating. To celebrate Avery’s love
and life, we encourage everyone to wear pink.
A private family graveside service will follow at For
est Hills Memorial Park.
There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home;
however, the family welcomes visitors at the home of
Brett and MaKayla Carey, 266 LeCroy Lane, Hartwell.
Flowers are lovingly accepted. Avery was often
comforted with a stuffed animal while in the hospital
throughout her life. In lieu of birthday gifts, she would
ask her friends to bring stuffed animals to donate to
CHOA or Elbert Memorial Hospital. To continue Av
ery’s legacy of love, please donate new stuffed animals
to your local hospital or donate to your local food bank.
She never wanted anyone to be hungry, often packing
extra food in her lunch to share or buying food to give
to friends.
Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is re
spectfully in charge of arrangements for Miss Avery
Michelle Whitfield. Those wishing may sign the online
guestbook at berryfh.com.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of June 30-JuIy 6
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