A. E. Carter Funeral Home

Sue Johnson Miller, 93 of Madison, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026. She was at her home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Miller was born April 28, 1932 in Buckhead to William and Mamie Johnson. She was married to the late, Ralph Miller. Mrs. Miller was retired from Morgan Sportswear. She was a long-time member of Faith Baptist Church. Mrs. Miller loved her family. She enjoyed reading and word searches in recent years and even You Tube videos. Sue Miller was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Miller and a son-in-law, Allen Pearson. She is survived by their children, Donald Miller (Kathy), Joyce Stewart (Michael), Steve Miller (Joya), Marsha Pearson and Lori Miller. Mrs....

Gertrude Arwood Pugh, 92 of Madison, passed away on April 9, 2026. Mrs. Pugh was a lifelong citizen of Morgan County. She was born in Godfrey on March 27, 1934 to Leonard and Vinnie Morris Arwood. She would later marry Mr. J.C. Pugh. Mrs. Pugh worked as a seamstress for Morgan Sportswear and later Schnadig International Furniture. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Mrs. Pugh set an example for her family of always being prepared and on time. She was always tidy and paid attention to details. Gertrude Pugh was preceded in death by her parents as well as her husband, J.C. Pugh, Sr. and a son, Ronnie Pugh. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Bessho and Reba Whitaker...

Daphne Marzee Saye, age 97, passed away at home on April 6, 2026. Daphne was born July 2, 1928 in Jackson County, GA to Ivie Daniel Wilkes and Roy P. Wilkes. After her marriage to John in 1950, Daphne devoted most of her energies to patiently raising three rambunctious sons. She was employed for several years as manager of Cato Department Store in Madison when the boys grew older. She loved reading, trips to the beach and spending time with her family. Everyone loved her cooking. Her recipes are cherished family heirlooms. Daphne is preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, John W. Saye, Sr. and her daughter-in-law, Penny Saye. She is survived by her sons, John Jr....

Joe S. "Jr." Williams, Jr., age 80, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, in Social Circle, Georgia; the same home where he lived since the age of two. He was born on January 27, 1946 in Madison, Ga. His life was a testament to hard work, resilience, and dedication to family and community. Jr. was the son of the late Joe S. Williams, Sr., and Ila Mae Sailors Williams. He was predeceased by his sisters Velma Smith (Frank) and Gladys Armistead (Marvin), his brother Joe Samples, and his stepson Dossie Cummings. Despite these losses, Jr.'s life was filled with love and connection through his surviving family: daughters Mary Lynn Owensby (Matt) and Sherrie Williams; stepdaughter Heather...

Charles Ray Melton, 91 of Mansfield, passed away on March 16, 2026. Charles was a native of Newton County. He was born September 4, 1934 to Lewis Melton and Lucy Bell Hanes. He was married to the late, Bobbie Payne. Mr. Melton was a machinist and owned and operated Universal Machine Shop. Charles was a member of Rutledge Baptist Church and loved his church family. He loved golfing with friends and fishing. Charles loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren. Charles Melton is survived by his daughter, Marion Michelle Melton Smith (Tommy). His grandchildren are Tawana Smith, Angela Jenkins, Ashley Harris, Talena Stowe, Brandon Harris, Dana Cote and Jeffrey Harris. He...

James Darrell Doss, Sr., 74 of Madison, passed away on March 12, 2026. JD "Jimmy" Doss, was a native of Atlanta, GA. He was the son of the late James Marion Doss and Faye Thompson Doss. He was married to his wife Lyndell. Together they moved from Atlanta to Madison. J.D. quickly began investing in Morgan County. In 1991, he began working for the Madison-Morgan Recreation Department. He also began driving a bus for the Morgan County Schools. J.D. worked for over 25 years in both of these capacities. J.D. Doss would spend countless hours serving Morgan County residents. He will be remembered for his warm smile and the way he treated people. Everyone J.D. met was important to...

Curtis H. Baughcum, 87 of Madison, passed away on March 7, 2026 following a brief illness. Mr. Baughcum was born in Jackson County on November 11, 1938 to Walt and Estelle Baughcum. He worked as brick mason until retiring to his farm. He spent his retirement working with his cattle, baling hay, and gardening. Recently he had spent more time watching westerns on television. Curtis Baughcum was married to and survived by Kathleen Bumgarner. He was preceded in death by wife, Jerlean Roberts. He leaves children, Teresa Bivens, Tina Winn, Dwayne Baughcum and Jimmy Bumgarner. Grandchildren are Charles Page, Brandon Winn (Liz) and Conely Winn. He also leaves three great grandchildren,...

Mason Neal Worthey, age 17, passed away on March 6th, 2026. He was an honor student at Morgan County High School. He loved hard and felt deeply with a giant heart. He showed kindness and generosity to everyone around him. Mason could see deep into people's hearts and would absorb their feelings and emotions as his own. Mason is survived by his parents, Chris and Ashley Worthey, his brother Easton Worthey, maternal grandparents Randy and Becky Sewell, paternal grandparents David and Sandy Worthey, aunt Jessica Sewell, uncle Tim and Cathy Sewell, uncle Tim Jr and Aimee Sewell, aunt Leah and Jarad Robinson, aunt Stacy and Kevin Kelley, cousins Dylan Robinson, Baylee and Harper Sewell, and...

David "Dave" Nelson Christian born on June 29th, 1940, left his temporary home to be with the Lord on March 3rd, 2026. Dave was born in Jacksonville, Florida and was the son of Leland and Grace Christian. He served in the United States Navy, where he was a proud member serving his country, and four years later was honorably discharged. Dave retired from a career as an equipment mechanic and "could fix anything". He was always the first one who was called on to fix cars, tractors, and anything else for his friends and family. He was always willing to lend a hand in any situation. Above anything, he loved and served the Lord until the day he met Jesus' face to face. He took so much pride in...

Tommy Ray Craven was born July 21, 1938, to William and Rosa (Robinson) Craven of Anniston, Alabama. He joined the United States Navy in 1956 and concluded his active duty and reserve service in 1968. On June 3, 1961, he married Carolyn Rose Love. She was the light of his life and if you knew him, she was not just Carolyn, she was "Rosie". On June 8, 2025 his world was forever changed when she preceded him in death. Tommy is respected and loved dearly by his two daughters: Lea Anne (Clifton) Harwell and Tammy Shepherd. In 1975, he transferred from Oxford, Alabama to Madison, Georgia with Wellington Leisure Products. In his time there, he was very well respected as more than just a...

Larry Joe Taylor, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Morgan County, GA on February 17, 2026. Larry was born March 27, 1938 in Ashboro, NC. He was brought home to the family farm in Denton, NC. where he spent his childhood raising chickens and cows and learning about tractors, steam engines, and helping run the family saw mill. Larry graduated as salutatorian of Denton High School's Class of '56 and went on to earn a BS in Mechanical Engineering from N.C. State in 1960. After graduation, he was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the Air Force via the ROTC program and upon earning his wings, selected C-130's as his primary platform. After 4 years of active duty he transitioned to F-102's...

James Donald Guinn, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by those who loved him. He was welcomed into eternal rest by his beloved parents, JD and Mary Guinn, who preceded him in death, along with his siblings Alvin Guinn, Audrey Pope, Jerry Guinn, and Roger Guinn. James was a man of strong character, steady faith, and unwavering dedication to his family. He shared a loving marriage with his wife, Evelyn Guinn, who stood by his side through life's many seasons. Together, they built a home filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories. He was a proud father to Michael Guinn and his wife Michelle, and Shawn Guinn and his wife...

Vonna Rue Meeks, the second child born to Dessie Mae and Fulton Meeks on September 16, 1935, passed in the loving embraces of family on the morning of January 20, 2026, at the age of 90. Rue, as she was known, was the beloved wife of William Carlton Player, Sr. ("Bill") who went before her in death on April 12, 2017. Rue is survived by her oldest daughter Mary Elizabeth Player-DiCicco ("Beth") (son-in-law Bruce M. DiCicco, Esq.) of New York, New York, daughter Amy Lanell Player O'Neal (son-in-law Michael O'Neal) of Canton, Georgia and son William Carlton Player, Jr. ("Carl") of Buckhead, Georgia. Rue took joy in her three grandchildren, Jason Player O'Neal, Erin Lindsay O'Neal, and Ira...

JoAnn Whitley Collins passed away on January 13, 2026. She was born on July 7, 1932 in Fitzgerald, Georgia, the daughter of LeRoy Whitley and Annabelle Stephenson Whitley. She was the granddaughter of Judge James Whitley and Mattie Rebecca Royal Whitley of Ocilla, Georgia. She attended public school in Fitzgerald. She graduated with a degree in Interior Design from the University of Florida School of Architecture. She also studied design at the E' Cole d' Art in the Palace of Fontainebleau, France. She was married for 50 years to the late Charles Joseph Collins, Jr., a seventh generation native Floridian and Orlando attorney. They made their home for 50 years in Winter Park, Florida. They...

Elizabeth Azalee Hester Ruark, 87, lived a life full of faith and love until the Lord peacefully called her home on January 10, 2026. Azalee was born on November 28, 1938, to George Robert Hester and Lucille Sorrells Hester in Monroe, Georgia. She moved to Bostwick, Georgia, in 1960 when she married her beloved husband, Eugene Ruark, on Christmas Day of that year, and she became a cherished part of that community ever since. Azalee's life was a true testament to her faith. She loved the Lord, her family, and her church with unfaltering devotion. She was primarily a homemaker, but prior to the birth of her first child, she worked in the office at Carwood in Monroe. She later worked part-time...

Ms. Mary Ellen Warren, of Maryville, TN, and Madison, GA, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the age of 79. Ellen Warren lived a life that was as full, vibrant, and remarkable as she was. Beautiful, intelligent, hardworking, and endlessly funny, Ellen had a rare gift for doing everything with style, grace, and heart - even when she was mucking stalls or chucking hay. Ellen was the proud owner of Full Circle Farm, a place that reflected her generous spirit and deep love for animals. While she raised beef cows, the farm was also home to a joyful and ever-changing menagerie of rescued "misfits" she could not resist: emus, chickens, llamas, guinea fowl, peacocks, donkeys, horses,...

Carl Vester Mitcham, 71 of Buckhead, passed away on January 1, 2026. Carl was born in Swords on March 1, 1954 to Herman and Wenonah Martin Mitcham. A devote son and brother, Carl spent his adult life caring for his parents until their deaths. He was a graduate of Morgan County Schools. Carl enjoyed traveling and Nascar races. Carl was a long-time member of Swords Methodist Church and was a faithful friend. Carl Mitcham is survived by his sister Peggy Wood of Haddock and a brother, Felton Mitcham, also of Haddock. Carl was preceded in death by his parents as well as siblings, Virginia Harwood, Allone Mitcham, John Paul Mitcham and Charles Eugene Mitcham. A memorial service was held on...

Wanda Ruark Nance, age 74, of Bostwick, passed away on December 20, 2025. Wanda spent her career in public service, working in the Tax Assessor's office for Morgan County. She also worked with the Board of Education and in child care, roles that reflected her dedication to serving her community and caring for others. Wanda had a creative and inquisitive spirit and enjoyed many hobbies, including crafting, sewing, quilting, painting, 3-D printing, genealogy, and leatherwork. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Madison Chapter 335. Family was the center of Wanda's life. She was especially proud to be a grandmother and great-grandmother and cherished every moment spent...

Bobby Ray Crisp, 94, passed away on December 19, 2025. Bobby was born to William Troy Crisp and Stella Stiles Crisp in High Point, NC on November 16, 1931. Bobby served in the Marine Corp during the Korean War. Bobby was married to Huberta Alliston Crisp for 63 years. Bobby was a very talented builder and restorer of many homes and businesses in Putnam and Morgan County. Bobby Crisp is survived by his twin brother, Billy Crisp and along with his children, Cindy and Dennis Stewart, Mike and Lavan Crisp and Debbie and Patrick Watkins. His grandchildren are Derrick and Neepa Stewart, Anna and Randall Watkins, Troy and Lindsay Crisp, Ashley and Chris Ford, Stacey Watkins, Evan Watkins and...

Claude Eugene Peppers passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025 at his home in Toccoa, GA at the age of 81. He was born on October 3, 1944 in Madison, GA, the son of the late H.E. (Baby) Peppers and Grace Meadows Peppers. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Worley Peppers, a son, Darin Peppers (Amy) of Canton, GA and a daughter, DeeDee McIntyre (Shane) of Toccoa, GA. He also leaves six grandchildren: Cameron Peppers (Abigail), Carlee Peppers, Cory Byrd (Gina), Conner Byrd (Hunter), Austin McIntyre, and Lindsey McIntyre. Mr. Peppers also leaves three great-grandchildren, Hadley Peppers, Lily Peppers and Cayden Gomez. He is also survived by two sisters, Ruby Johnson of Good Hope, GA...

Denis Roy Stephens, 55 of Rutledge passed away suddenly on Friday, December 12, 2025. Denis was the son of the late, Frank and Bonnie Ballard Stephens. He was born in Red Bluff, CA on April 20, 1970. Later, he returned to Georgia and graduated from Morgan County High School in 1989. Following high school, Denis worked as an EMT and then went on to graduate from the Police Academy. He worked as an officer for several years before teaching himself to drive a tractor trailer. He earned his commercial driver's license and worked as an "over the road" driver until his health took him off the road. Denis was a volunteer firefighter for the Rutledge Fire Department. He enjoyed camping and...