Little-Ward Funeral Home

Mr. Michael Newton Buffington, age 76, of Commerce passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton. Mr. Buffington was born in Gainesville to the late, William Newton and Jessie Dean Edwards Buffington. Mr. Buffington was retired from the Department of Corrections and the Georgia National Guard. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Commerce, US Air Force veteran, a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Security Police Association, Air Commando Association, American Legion Post 56 & 93, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Brotherhood, and LZ Friendly. In addition to his parents, Mr. Buffington was also preceded in death by his...

Mr. Thomas Eugene Stubbs, age 86, of Watkinsville, GA died Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Mr. Stubbs was born in Baxley to the late Jesse and Imelda Juanita Bell Stubbs. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Austell and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Mr. Stubbs was retired from Delta Airlines. Mr. Stubbs is survived by his wife, Peggy Stubbs of Watkinsville; daughter, Susan Veal of Watkinsville; sister, Evelyn Elliott of Brookhaven; brother, Jerry Henry Stubbs of Ellenwood; grandchildren, Lauren Pitts (Jarred) and Eric Veal; and great-grandchildren, Carson, Gaines and Harper. No services are planned at this time In lieu of flowers...

Ms. Frances Nannette Gorham, age 69, of Statham, GA died Sunday, November 21, 2021 at her residence. Ms. Gorham was born in Hartford, CT to the late, John Milton Gorham, II and Betty Jane Parr Gorham. Fran was a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. She was involved and held various positions in the United Methodist Women's organization at the state and local levels. Fran worked as an art and early childhood teacher in Newton, Banks, and Barrow Counties, retiring from Barrow County. Ms. Gorham is survived by her wife, Susan Puckette of Statham; sisters, Joyce Osterman (Tony) of Virginia Beach, VA and Cathy Dawkins (Mike) of Buford; brothers, John Gorham, III (Cathi) of...

Roy Matthews Walker, 95, of Athens passed away on July 11, 2021 at St. Mary's Highland Hills Memory Care. He was born in Madison County, Georgia to the late, Mack Alla Walker and Rosa Nell Walker. Mr. Walker served in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge being one of the youngest to serve in his unit. After more than 40 years of service he retired from the USDA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelyn W.; son, Mark Steven; and brother, Howard Alla. Survivors include his daughters Suzanne (Scott) and Andrea (Gerald); five grandchildren: Matthew (Alyssa), Andrew (Rachel), Bryce, Lindsey, and Cara; and three great-grandchildren: Ava, Jesse, and Lucy. A Memorial Service will...

Ms. Barbara Geraldine Sweetser, age 85, of Danielsville, GA died Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at her residence. Ms. Sweetser was born in Commerce to the late T.E. and Evelyn Andrews Sweetser. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Commerce and was retired from the University of Georgia. Ms. Sweetser is survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3 PM, Friday, June 4 at the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Rev. Kathy Lamon officiating. Interment will follow in Jackson Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 5 to 7 PM. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements.

David Eugene Veal was born February 28, 1954 in Milledgeville, GA. He passed away peacefully on his 100 acre dream farm in Watkinsville, GA on May 31, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene B. Veal in 2012. Survivors include his wife and partner of (almost) 41 years, Susan Stubbs Veal, and their children, Lauren Pitts (Jared) and Eric Veal. Grandchildren: Carson Burrell, Harper Pitts and Gaines Pitts. His mother Jane Veal and siblings Frank Veal (Lori) and Beverly Bonner (Danny). Nieces and nephews Meg Metzger (Jim and daughter Rilla), Sandy Dorsey (Chad and children Addison, Dean, Owen and Eden), and Wes Bonner (Lauren and daughter Ella), and Susan's parents Tommy and Peggy...

Nancy Stewart Smith passed away peacefully Sunday morning, March 28, 2021 at Bountiful Hills Senior Living Community of Commerce. She was 88, and had been in poor health for some time. Born on July 30, 1932 in Chicago, IL, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Vernor and Nannie Panola (Stewart) Smith. Nancy graduated from George School in 1950, then later went on to earn a bachelor's degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's degree in library science from Emory University. She settled in Athens, Georgia and worked as a librarian at the Athens Regional Library for many years. She was an accomplished writer of haiku as well as pursuing many other interests...

Mr. Hal Rondal Hanley, age 72, of Commerce, GA died Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Piedmont Athens. Mr. Hanley was born in Gainesville to Peggy Williams DeWeese of Athens and the late, Hal M. Hanley. He was a used car dealer, loved collecting sports memorabilia and antique fishing equipment. He was a member of NFLCC. In addition to his mother, Mr. Hanley is survived by his wife, Janice Herrin Hanley of Commerce; son, Hal Hanley of Commerce; daughter, Becky Duke (Doug) of Commerce; two grandchildren, Reagan and Grayson; and a number of cousins. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, March 16 at the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Rev. W.R. Brown and Rev. Doug Duke...

Mr. Buster Gerald Richey, age 88, of Commerce passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020 at St. Gabriel of Athens. Mr. Richey was born in Commerce to the late, Roy Victor and Gertrude Barber Richey. Mr. Richey retired from Sears where he was a salesman, and was a US Navy veteran. In addition to his parents, Mr. Richey was also preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Richey; daughter, Lizette Richey; and great grandson, Nash Richey. Mr. Richey is survived by his son, Wayne D. Richey, Sr. (Laurie) of McDonough; grandchildren, Major Wayne D. Richey, Jr. (Jessica) and Nicole Butler (Jeremy); great grandchildren, Hunter Patocka and Colbie Bradley. A memorial service will be held Monday,...

Mr. Ira Everest Worley, age 76, of Commerce, GA died Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at St. Mary's Hospice House. Mr. Worley was born in Homer to the late, Ira and Pauline Nunnally Worley. He was a member of Damascus Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in Vietnam on the USS Randolph. Mr. Worley was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 215. He was retired from Westinghouse after 40 plus years. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a special friend, Linda Ann Rice. Mr. Worley is survived by his step-son, Todd Hubbard of Flowery Branch; and three grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, August 13 at...

Peggy Jean Hoard Suddreth passed away peacefully June 25, 2020. She is the daughter of the late Floyd G Hoard (Fuzzy) and Imogene Westmoreland Hoard. Peggy attended Jefferson High School where she was active in the newspaper and was editor for senior year. She was on the homecoming court and a senior superlative. She followed her education to the University of Georgia in 1969. She pursued a degree in Pharmacy. She started her career at Athens Regional as a pharmacy tech, then pharmacist, then pharmacy director. She retired after 35 years of work from Athens Regional. She then worked at St. Mary's. She enjoyed her career as a pharmacist. Her major interests were the American Cancer...

Mrs. Gladys H. Meeler Stowers, age 88 of Gainesville, GA passed away Friday, June 19, 2020 at Northridge Health and Rehab Center. Mrs. Stowers was born in Homer to the late, Plummer and Cleo Bell Chitwood Meeler. Mrs. Stowers was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church and retired from Westclox and Crystal Farms. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Stowers was also preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Stowers; great grandson, Camden Shore; and brother, Ralph Meeler. Mrs. Stowers is survived by her daughters, Pat Childers of Gaffney, SC, Linda Moore of Hull, Debra Echols of Colbert, Brenda Hembree of Maysville, and Janet Black of Commerce; brothers, Fred Meeler of AK, Sammy Meeler of...

Mrs. Bettie Blanch Lacek Jones, age 93, of Commerce passed away on Friday, April 17, 2020 at High Shoals Health and Rehab Center. Mrs. Jones was born in New Kensington, PA to the late, Joseph and Cathrine Meros Lacek. Mrs. Jones was a homemaker, poultry farmer and a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Jones was also preceded in death by her husband, Ed Jones. Mrs. Jones is survived by her daughters, Linda Snipes (Bob) of Athens and Patti Quinn (Pat) of Hull; son, Joe Jones (Cindy) of Commerce; four grandchildren, Heather, Joseph, Corey, and Kevin Jones; three great grandchildren. Due to the recommendation of the CDC, and the executive order issued by...

Mr. Wendell Marion Kesler, 84, of Midland, GA, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2020 in Athens, GA. Wendell was born in Madison County to Roy Lee and Lurlene Griffeth Kesler on September 7, 1935. He graduated from Ila High School in Ila, GA. He married Frankie Lorraine Bolton on August 26, 1956 in Columbia, AL. He worked in the telecommunications industry for 50 years. He began his career with Southern Bell and worked in a self-owned business and AAA Cooper Transportation before retiring from the State of Georgia. Wendell is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brothers, John Lee Kesler, William Griffeth "Billy" Kesler, Austin Andrews Kesler, George Truett Kesler, Sr., Roy...

Mrs. Deborah Lynn Ayers Vaughn, age 65, of Athens, GA died Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at her residence. Mrs. Vaughn was born in Commerce to Mattie Jean Jordan Ayers of Commerce and the late J.D. Ayers. She was retired from the Richard B. Russell Research Center. In addition to her father, Mrs. Vaughn was preceded in death by her sister, Joan Maginnis. In addition to her mother, Mrs. Vaughn is survived by her husband, Ronald Edward Vaughn of Athens; son, Jordan Posey (Marjorie) of Alpharetta; sister, Jenny North (Roger) of Athens; brothers, Steve Ayers (Carol), Dale Ayers (Debbie) and Marty Ayers (Kelly) all of Homer; granddaughters, Julia and Hannah; and a number of nieces and...

Mr. Kenneth Charles "Kacey" Reynolds, III, age 20, of Maysville, GA died Sunday, February 23, 2020 at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Mr. Reynolds was the son of Kenneth Charles Reynolds, Jr. of Lawrenceville and Kelly Denton Reynolds of Maysville. Kacey was a huge Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. He fulfilled a lifelong wish by being able to announce the team's first-round draft pick at the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville. Mr. Reynolds was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tommy and Carol Denton, and Kenneth Charles Reynolds, Sr. In addition to his parents, Mr. Reynolds is survived by his grandmother, Belinda Reynolds of Gastonia, NC; aunt, Heather Moss of Demorest; and cousins, Makayla...

Mr. Roger Glenn "Golf Cart Man" Sprinkles, age 75, of Nicholson, GA died Sunday, January 19, 2020 at his residence. Mr. Sprinkles was born in Morganton, GA to the late Tommie Lee and Myrl Eller Sprinkles. He was a retired mechanic. In addition to his parents, Mr. Sprinkles was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elise Pugh Sprinkles; brothers, Edward and Leon Sprinkles; and nephew, David Sprinkles. Mr. Sprinkles is survived by his daughters, Donna Watson and Marie Bettis both of Nicholson; grandsons, Travis Watson (Kayla), Matt Watson (Amenda) and C.J. Bettis; great-grandson, Connor Watson; and brother, Lanier Sprinkles of FL. Funeral services will be at 2 PM, Wednesday, January 22 at...

Mrs. Joann Trippi Johns, age 74, of Gainesville died Monday, December 2, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Mrs. Johns was born in Greensboro, NC to Charlie Trippi and the late, Virginia Davis Trippi. Mrs. Johns was a retired school teacher from Brevard County, FL. In addition to her mother, Mrs. Johns was also preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Johns. Mrs. Johns is survived by her father and step-mother, Charlie and Peggy Trippi of Athens; sister, Brenda Fleeman (Randy) of Nicholson; and brother, Charles Trippi, Jr. Mrs. Johns request was for her body to be cremated. Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements.