Little & Davenport Funeral Home

Reverend Dr. Bruce Monroe Morgan, a minister of the Baptist faith, passed away on November 21, 2024, at his home in Gainesville, Georgia, surrounded by his loving family after a brief bout with cancer. Bruce leaves behind a profound legacy of faith, service, and love to all who knew him. Born on June 3, 1937, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Bruce was the cherished son of the late Helen Bruce Morgan and Roy Edwin Morgan. He spent his formative years in Clearwater, Florida, before settling in Georgia, where he lived most of his life in Griffin and Gainesville. Bruce's call to ministry was born from a profound experience. At the age of 15, he became gravely ill with rheumatic fever. Bedridden...

Joseph Charles Thornton, Jr. of Gainesville died on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at the age of 82. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of the late Joseph and Dorothy Thornton. He graduated from Holston High School in 1960. Joe graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from The University of Tennessee in 1964, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He was also a graduate of the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and the Naval Supply Corps School in Athens, GA. He served as a Lt. j.g. in the United States Navy. Joe started his career in the building and development industry, later developing his own business consulting firm. Joe was a life-long...

Born one of eleven children on October 14, 1923, in Oswego, New York, Hazel Armilda (nee Bailey) Dopp was an accomplished homemaker, a past Noble Grand of the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, a Girl Scout Leader, worker for Unionville United Church, an untiring home room mother, and public school and American Field Service volunteer. In addition, she raised four children in the home she helped build by hand with her late husband, Maurice, in Geneva, Ohio. She enjoyed her family most of all, but she also took pleasure in being an exercise instructor, baking, cooking, sewing, needlework, oil painting, reading, bowling leagues, entertaining people, and traveling. She passed away...

Stephen "Steve" Van Major, Sr., age 75, of Gainesville, Georgia, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024, following an extended illness. Steve was born on August 27, 1948, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to the late Albert and Algadee Major. He graduated from Fulton High School in Knoxville and East Tennessee State University. He went on to enjoy a successful career with Liberty Mutual Insurance and retired in 2007. He was a friend to all who knew him and never met a stranger. With his spirited personality and countless stories, Steve was the life of the party. He was an avid sports fan and loved the Tennessee Volunteers fiercely. Steve was also heavily involved in the athletics...

William "Bill" Youngblood died unexpectedly at his home in Gainesville, GA on April 30, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Theresa "Terry," son Bryan, daughter Elizabeth (James), and grandchildren Harrison and Kaitlyn, stepson Stephen, stepdaughter Ashley (Matthew), his brother F. Marcus "Marc" Youngblood, sister Elizabeth "Beth" Griffin (Tom), and nieces Ellie, Katie, and Susie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Vernon Youngblood, and sister Jane. Bill was a true Southern Gentleman. He was born August 23, 1957 and raised in Concord, North Carolina. He graduated from N.C. State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, where he was a member of Sigma Chi. He...

William "Bill" Youngblood, age 66, of Gainesville, GA, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville. Service information will be posted on the Little & Davenport website. Little and Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made on the website at www.littledavenport.com

Commander Judith Lynn Tucker, USN Retired, died April 3, in Gainesville, Georgia, following an extended illness. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 13 at Oak Hill Cemetery, 330 Erwin Street, Cartersville, Georgia. Judy, born August 5, 1943, was a 1961 graduate of Cartersville High School. She received her nursing diploma in 1967 from Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing, Atlanta, Georgia. As a registered nurse, she worked in Georgia, Connecticut and Florida prior to joining the United States Navy Nurse Corps in 1974. Judy served in naval centers and hospitals located in the eastern United States and Sicily. She was assigned to the USNS Comfort, deployed to the...

Chester "Chet" Earl Dukes, III, 67 of Gainesville, passed away on October 24, 2022. Chet graduated from Gainesville High School and attended Maryville College, in Maryville Tennessee. Chet was a member of Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, Cumming, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester "Earl" Dukes, Jr. and Louise Sims Dukes, brother, Walter Faust Durden. He is survived by his brother and sisters, Melissa (Matt) Pacifico, of Maryville, TN, David (Phyllis) Dukes of Maryville, TN, Stacy (Johnny), of Flowery Branch. He leaves behind nephews and nieces, Michael (Colby) Pacifico, of Maryville, TN, Stephen (Lindsey) Pacifico, of Maryville, TN, Fletcher Dukes, Knoxville, TN,...

Frances Longshore Kelley, 94, of Gainesville, passed away on Monday, August 30, 2021. She was born on May 26, 1927 in Roanoke, Ala., to Eugene Reginald and Mary Kate Aikens Longshore. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Harold V. Kelley, Sr., son, Col. Harold (Hal) V. Kelley, Jr., brother, Eugene R. Longshore, Jr., and sister, Bettye Anne Stone. Frances is survived by her son, Dana E. Kelley and his wife, Krystyn H. Kelley of Bailey Island, Maine; daughter-in-law and widow of Frances' eldest son Hal, Diane Kelley of Gainesville; grandchildren, Kimberly L. Kelley, Kevin D. Kelley and wife Millie R. Kelley of Suwanee; Nick S. Carter of Canton; mother of Kimberly and Kevin, Linda...

Eliza Paris Harrison, 28, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2021, surrounded by her loving husband, mother, father and brother. Eliza was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended Morris Brandon Elementary School. After elementary school, her family moved to Gainesville, Georgia where she attended Lakeview Academy and graduated from North Hall High School. Eliza attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in consumer journalism. While at UGA, she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. During her time in college, Eliza also studied abroad and visited many iconic places throughout both Australia and Italy. Her trips across the world embody the passion Eliza had for...

Sara Elizabeth Batten, 77, of Gainesville, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2020. Sara was born at home in Henry County GA to the late William Glynn and Ellen Pearl White Thurman. Sara graduated from Henry County High School in 1960. She had a successful career at the Coca-Cola Company, retiring in 1998. During her time at Coke, she enjoyed spending time with "The Hens". This group of friends forged a decades long celebration of life. Sara was a loyal GA Bulldog fan, celebrating the wins, lamenting the losses. She had a deep love of all her pets that were fortunate to be under her care. A lovely southern lady who enjoyed cooking, gardening, birdwatching and hospital volunteering as...

Evelyn Elizabeth Pierce Payne, 97, of Suwanee, Georgia passed away May 20, 2020 after a long illness. She was born in Atlanta to George and Evelyn Waldron Pierce in 1922. As the family grew, her parents moved to Chamblee. She graduated from Chamblee High School in 1939, attending Marsh Draughton Business College in Atlanta where she completed a diploma program in bookkeeping. Elizabeth married Roy Bernice Payne of Louisville, Ky in 1941, and was a devoted wife for sixty-two years. She was the proud mother of two and pursued a career in bookkeeping and payroll accounts at Campbell Coal Company, Pryor Tire Company, and Canterbury Court Senior Living in Atlanta. Mrs. Payne was preceded in...

Thelma Jean Mitchum Harper Jean "Memaw" Harper, 88, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 23, 2019 at The Landings of Gainesville Assisted Living and Memory Care. Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Hoyt W. Harper, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William "Willie" R. (Annie) Mitchum Sr, her brother and sister-in-law, Dr. William "Bill" (Miriam) Mitchum Jr, her sister and brother-in-law, Doris (Ed) Smith, and numerous dogs, including her beloved Pepper and Babe, as well as three granddogs and three grandcats. Memaw is survived by daughter, Holly Jean Harper of Augusta, GA, son Cameron "Mitch" Harper and his wife, Evelyn, grandchildren, Cameron and Hannah,...

Hope McKemie Dozier, 85, of Gainesville, Georgia died on Thursday, August 1 from a sudden illness. Hope was born on April 24, 1934 in Albany, Georgia. After graduating early from Albany High School, Hope attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Returning back to her home state, Hope graduated from the University of Georgia where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. With a degree in education, she taught in the Dougherty County School System for nearly 30 years. Hope is preceded in death by her parents, Howard Marvin McKemie, MD, and Hope Horner McKemie. She is survived by sibling and dearest friend, Sandra McKemie Reese of Albany, GA; Her children that she loved...

Raymond Headley Burch, Jr., 89, of Gainesville, GA passed away Thursday, June 28, 2018. Ray was born on February 25, 1929 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. He was the only child of Catharine Wagner and Raymond H. Burch, Sr. The significance of family impacted Ray from his early childhood, and it was through his family and wide range of friends, that Ray would find great joy in life. The brightness that he would come to share with so many others radiated through his generous smile and love of life. He attended University High School in Lexington, Kentucky, where he played varsity basketball, performed in Glee Club and was on yearbook staff. He graduated from University of Kentucky in 1951, and...