Little & Davenport Funeral Home

Wilma Jean Sheldon, age 90, of Gainesville, GA, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. She was born on June 13, 1935, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to the late Perrin and Cathryn Heagy. Wilma spent her life being devoted to her family and friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Sheldon. Wilma was known for her generosity and her unwavering dedication to her family. Early in life, she enjoyed playing golf and later enjoyed playing cards and bingo with her family and friends. Wilma was also known for her competitive spirit and Feisty personality. She is survived by her...

Lisa Anne Burton, 67, of Lula, passed away on Saturday, September 13. Lisa will be forever remembered as a loving wife, mother, and nana. Lisa's Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, September 20, between 4:30 PM-7:00 PM at Little & Davenport Funeral Home in Gainesville, GA. Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

Jeanne Marie Risley, beloved mother and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Gainesville, Georgia, on September 10, 2025, at 4:45 a.m. She was 60 years old. Born on April 13, 1965, at North Adams Regional Hospital in Massachusetts, Jeanne lived a life marked by love, laughter, and deep connections. She was the cherished mother of Nick and Colin, wife to Scott Risley, who were the pride and joy of her life. She also leaves her beloved mother Sandra Goddard of Pownal, VT. She adored her dogs Bella and Ava, as much as they adored her. Jeanne was proud to be the first in her family to graduate from college. She started her career at GE Plastics, and following a move to Georgia,...

William Fairhurst Wilson, 83, of Gainesville, GA, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at New Horizons - Lanier Park, where he resided and received exceptional long-term care for the past two years. Mr. Wilson, known as Bill to his family and friends, born July 13, 1941, in Boston, MA, was the eldest child of William Lincoln and Mercey Jeanne Wilson. His educational and professional experiences were highly varied as his thirst for knowledge was insatiable; always seeking to broaden his horizons and share his vast knowledge. If every one of his achievements were formally acknowledged, it would read like a novel of the most extraordinary life, because it truly was. He spoke often of several of...

Lee Wayne Avers passed away peacefully in Gainesville, Georgia on March 27, 2025, at age 85, surrounded by his family. Lee was born January 19, 1940 to Ervin and Jean Avers in Clay Township Michigan, the third of five children. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Alton and Carl. Lee was married 57 years and is survived by Frances Lee Avers (n?e Raven), and son, Timothy, granddaughter Natalie, of Gainesville, and granddaughter Chrysta of Pensacola, Florida. Lee is also survived by sisters Ethel Lovelace (Sarasota, FL) and Carol Ford (Algonac MI), and many nieces and nephews. Lee was proud to honorably serve in the US Army from 1958 to 1962. He deeply loved his family and...

Anne Dodd Warren Thomas of Gainesville was never one to sit around and let somebody else do all the work. "At Good News Clinics each year," Cheryl Christian said, "she wanted to serve staff at the annual staff luncheon?she would bring desserts and serve employees. When the clinic moved into the larger building in 2005, she volunteered and helped staff answer phones." Anne died Friday, March 21, following a brief illness. She was a resident at Lanier Village Estates. Cheryl Christian, retired executive director of the Good News Clinics in Gainesville, knows Anne's contributions first-hand. Anne supported the clinics financially and in person for many years. Although she was a quiet...

Dick Freeman, age 100, of Gainesville, GA, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He was born in Jamestown, NY. He graduated from Jamestown High School and from the University of Michigan with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering. While at Michigan, he lettered in wrestling. He served in the Navy at the end of World War II and during the Korean War. Dick worked for TRW in Jamestown until 1975 and then he led the team to build and operate a new ball bearing plant in Gainesville Georgia. He finished his career after building and operating the Barbe America plant in Gainesville. Dick loved to talk about his family and was a great father to his children. He took his...

leanor (Gettings) Latterner, age 95, passed away on February 15, 2025 in Gainesville, Georgia, where she resided for the last 10 years. She was born on September 23, 1929 in Frugality, PA, to Michael and Beatrice (Ratchford) Gettings, and remained there until the family moved to Cresson when Eleanor was in eighth grade. She attended Cresson High School, graduating in 1947, and married Benjamin Latterner two years later. Eleanor and Ben retired to Florida in 1987, and spent many happy years in their Deltona home. A few years after Ben's passing in 2011, Eleanor decided to move to Gainesville, Georgia to be with family. Although she worked at various jobs outside the home throughout her...

The family of Gail Brewer Giorgio are deeply saddened to share her sudden passing Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at Northeast Georgia Hospital. Her beloved husband of 66 years, Carmine Giorgio never left her side at the hospital and she was surrounded by her children and loved ones. Gail was born, Gail Ruth Brewer, March 18th, 1939 to Wallace and Dorothy Brewer, she was the eldest of seven children and had the joy of being the "Boss" to six younger brothers! Gail attended Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, Fl. She later moved to Pennsylvania, where she attended and graduated from Norristown High School. Gail met and married her high school sweetheart, Carmine James Giorgio and for...

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...