Akins Funeral Home

Karen Sue Bronson lost her private battle with lung cancer on December 27, 2022 at her home in Blue Ridge, GA. She was born on August 21, 1961 in Mt. Gilead, Ohio and grew up in Fulton, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Berna Bronson and Myrtle Fisher Bronson. Karen worked and had a very successful career at the Department of Commerce as a Program Analyst. She was very ambitious and highly motivated to make her move from Southern Maryland to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Georgia "to get that retired life started". On the third day of her and her husband (Troy Rifenberg) arrival to their retirement homestead, Karen found out she had Stage 4 lung cancer. Though troubled with bad...

Dr. Douglas Gregory Nuelle , age 75, Hiwassee, GA, formerly of St. Louis, passed away December 18, 2022. He was a devoted father, grandfather, surgeon, veteran, and friend. Condolences may be sent and the full obituary is available at akinscobb.com.

Dr. Douglas Gregory Nuelle, age 75 of Hiawassee, GA formerly of Port Charlotte, FL passed away December 18, 2022. He was a devoted father, grandfather, surgeon, veteran, and friend. Douglas had a private Orthopedic practice in Port Charlotte, FL for 20 years before moving to Blue Ridge, GA and starting Blue Ridge Orthopedics, another private orthopedic practice which has flourished ever since. Douglas is survived by his two children Dylan Douglas Nuelle and Rebecca Diane Norman; two grandchildren, Caroline and William; his sister, Bernadine, and cousin Margaret. Memorial services held on Saturday, January 7, 2022, at 4:00 P.M. at the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel. Memorial donations can be...

Nina "Dodie" Dolores Brockman, age 79, of McDonough, GA passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Dodie was born on December 29, 1942 in Ducktown, TN to the late Earl Walter Derryberry and Hazel Mae Hughes Derryberry. She worked for 30 years as a financial consultant for Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, formerly known as Georgia Baptist Medical Center. Dodie was of Christian faith as a member of Griffith Memorial Baptist Church. She was incredibly gifted in her ability to crochet and knit. Dodie loved dogs, cooking for her family especially making desserts, substitute teaching, and her family, especially her grandson, Eric. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Wanda J. Derryberry,...

James (Jimmy) Kermit Helton, age 82, went to his eternal home, Beulah Land, on March 16, 2022. He passed away surrounded by his daughters singing to him with the echoes of his southern gospel music in the background. Jimmy was born on June 23, 1939 in Isabella, TN. He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years Vivian Stillwell Helton, his parents Kermit and Montie Helton, brother Truman Helton, sister Helen Lewis, and sister Arlene Newman. He is survived by his three daughters, Lisa (Randy) Carroll, Karen (Sam) Austin, Crystal (Taylor) Newman, as well as, his grandchildren Zachary (Monica) Carroll, Benjamin Austin, Rachel, Alexandra, and Cole Newman. He is also survived by sister Marlene...

Sylvia Elaine Duckett Crane, better known as "Mama E", 82, of Mineral Bluff, formerly of Athens, GA passed away on June 21, 2021. A celebration of Life will be at Lord & Stephens West in Athens, GA on Saturday, June 26 from 1-3pm. The family encourages everyone in attendance to please wear Red and Black to the funeral home. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA was in charge of local arrangements.

Mary Patricia "Patty" Davenport, age 63, of Marietta, GA, passed away on June 12, 2021. She is the daughter of Ruth and Tifton Davenport of Marietta, GA. For complete funeral arrangements and condolences please visit www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home, Blue Ridge, GA.

Mrs. Brenda Ann Sisson Smith, age 76, of Woodstock, GA, passed away on May 24, 2021. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

James "Captain" Earl Gray, age 75 of Farner, TN passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at his home. He was born on October 19, 1944 in Cheverly, MD to the late Richard L. Gray and Marion Ruth Tenney Gray. James served in the United States Air Force. He was a captain of several sea going vessels and captain of a sea going tug. James enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was preceeded in death by sisters, Katherine M. Walker and Jo Anne Simmons. Survivors are son, Tony Garcia; daughter, Roxanne; three grandchildren; brother, Richard Gray; sisters, Marion Gray and Sandra Bunting; several nieces and nephews also survive. There will be no services or visitation. Condolences may be sent to...

Mary Lay Marks, 73, died peacefully on Nov. 30, 2021 in her home in Murrayville, GA after undergoing four major operations and battling colon cancer the last four years. Mary was born April 11, 1948 in Blue Ridge, GA to KD and Jaynalee Lay, who owned and operated Lay's Five & Dime stores in North Georgia and Tennessee. Mary was the youngest of three daughters. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), following a long line of ancestors, who immigrated to America in the 1700s. Mary grew up in Blue Ridge, GA then attended Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, GA where she studied business and marketing. She worked for 14 years in Property Management in...