Bernstein Funeral Home

Judy Shilling Roberts, age 76, passed away July 28, 2021 in her residence after a short illness. Judy was born and raised in Martinsville, VA and graduated from Martinsville High School. She then moved to Ridgeway, VA, where she lived until moving to Athens in 1972. In Athens, she worked for more than five years with Westclox and went on to work with Gold Kist for 15 years, before retiring. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, James Wilmer and Mabel Beckner Shilling, her husband, James Ronald Roberts, three siblings and one nephew. Judy is survived by two daughters, Bonnie Roberts Nash (Mike) and Wendy Roberts Marbut (BJ Davis) all of Athens; grandchildren, Lauren Marbut Marshal...

Gregg G. Wagner, age 77, of Madison, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Gregg was born in Rochester, New York, the son of the late Donald and Jane Wagner. Gregg graduated from East High School in Rochester and earned his bachelor's degree from Buffalo State College. Gregg spent his younger years in Rochester, where he taught social studies at Eastridge High School. After relocating to Georgia, he worked in the Law Library at Emory University. Gregg was an accomplished pianist and loved classical music. He was a home handyman, and he loved gardening and creating landscape designs. He also enjoyed architectural photography. In addition to his parents, Gregg was...

Norah Easton Risher, age 77, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2021 in Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Norah was born in Fraserburgh, Scotland to the late James Willox and Mary Easton Willox and attended local schools there. She moved to the United States in 1969, living in the Detroit area before moving to Athens in 1975. Norah worked as a cook with the Clarke County Board of Education, retiring after 22 years of service. She was an active member of The Catholic Center, where she volunteered in many areas, cooked food for funerals and helped with parking on UGA Game Days. Norah loved to travel and visited all 50 states and 44 countries. In addition to her parents, she was preceded...

Mary Witherspoon "Sissy" Erwin passed away peacefully on July 10, 2021, surrounded by her family. Born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 4, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Mary Talley Erwin and George Erwin, M.D. A successful real estate broker, she was also an avid volunteer, active in the Rotary Club of The Classic City of Athens, Garden Club of America, Junior Ladies Garden Club, and Junior League of Athens. She served on the boards of the Athens Symphony Orchestra, Town and Gown Players, and Morton Theatre. She is survived by her husband, Juan J. Toro; and daughter, Talley W. Toro of Athens, son, Juan "JT" Toro of Atlanta; brother, George Erwin, Jr. of Savannah and his...

Robert Martin Totis, age 65, passed away Friday, July 9, 2021 in St. Mary's Hospice. Robert was born in Villanova, a suburb of San Giorgio di Nogaro, province of Udine, region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy. The family immigrated to Athens in 1955. He became a United States citizen on October 23, 1969. Robert graduated Clarke Central High School in 1973. After high school, Robert attended Saint Meinard Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana for one year. He returned to Athens and received a Certificate in Real Estate and a diploma in Data Processing-Programming from Athens Area Technical School. Robert was employed by several businesses in the Athens area. Robert then attended The...

Charles Vernon Eidsvik, of Athens, Georgia passed peacefully from this life on July 7, 2021. Dr. Eidsvik earned his PhD in English at the University of Illinois in 1970 having written his dissertation on Film as Literature. He joined the English faculty at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where he taught courses in Rhetoric of Film. During the 1975-76 academic year he served as exchange professor in Freiburg, Germany. He joined the University of Georgia Department of Drama in 1977 where he taught and established Film courses until his retirement in July 2006. He was the recipient of Fulbright Scholarships in Freiburg and Augsburg, Germany. He also taught film in studies abroad in...

John Warren Adams passed away at his home in Athens, GA on June 27, 2021. John was born on June 22, 1956 to Doris Whiddon Adams and the late Robert Edwards Adams of Macon, GA. Mr. Adams was a graduate of Stratford Academy, the University of Georgia, and completed his education with a Masters Degree in Psychology from Georgia College and State University. He worked for his family business, Adams Distributing Company, in Macon before relocating to Athens in 1997. Mr. Adams worked in Human Resources for the University of Georgia until 2012. Affectionately known as "Johnsie," Mr. Adams was happiest spending time with his family, reading, and riding his horse, Tuxedo. Survivors include...

Charles Barnett Burch Sr. was born in Athens on June 19, 1927 and died on June 20, 2021, one day after his 94th birthday. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Inez Meyer and James Martin Burch, as well as his sister and brother, Martha and Joseph Dedrick Burch. A step-daughter, Carol McWhorter Pittard, also predeceased him. The 43 year marriage of Charles and Elizabeth Moxley was brought to a close with her death in 1994. Their children are Dr. Charles B. Burch Jr. (Kim) of Athens and Becky Myers Smith (Terry) of Marietta. His grandchildren are Catherine B. Benson (Jeff) of Charleston, SC, Caitlin Emma Burch Ligon (Alex) of Ocean Springs, MS, Courtney B. Reichenbach (Dan) of...

Our Daddy, Roland Shaefer Heard III (64), of Athens, died peacefully at his home on Monday, June 14, 2021, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born March 26, 1957 in Atlanta. He was the son of our late grandparents Roland Shaefer Heard II and Carolyn White Heard. Daddy grew up in Moultrie, and that was always home to him. Through his childhood in Moultrie, he made lifetime friends that became like family. It was in Moultrie that he began his love for landscaping, starting his career by mowing nearby lawns. For a full obituary, see www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com. Those left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Cristin Thurman (Chris) and Callie Heard (Cody); sister,...

Our Daddy, Roland Shaefer Heard III (64), of Athens, died peacefully at his home on Monday, June 14, 2021, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Those left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Cristin Thurman (Chris) and Callie Heard (Cody); sister, Noey Higgins; brother, Sidney Heard (Laura); grandsons, Avery Hawkins, Trevor Thurman and Vincent Thurman; nieces and nephews, Sally Higgins, Margaret Manis (Tyler), Jami Stocks (William), Chase Heard, Justin Couch, and Amanda Couch; the mother of his children, Cathy Couch Heard; and countless other family members and longtime friends. For a full obituary, see www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com. A Celebration of Life will be held on...

Mary Wright Donnan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully on June 8, 2021 at the age of 77. She was born January 6, 1944 to Winifred and Kent Wright in Burlington, N.C., and although she lived many places, remained a lifelong member of Davis Street Methodist Church in Burlington, N.C. Mary was a ray of sunshine to all she met. She was an avid tennis player, loved to sing and dance, and enjoyed painting. She dedicated her life to her family, and as a football coach's wife, was the head cheerleader for her family and her husband's biggest fan. Her four grandchildren, Grant, Payton, T, and Julia were the light of her life. She is survived by her husband...

Frances McNeal Wilson, 82, of Athens, passed away Friday, June 4, 2021. Born December 3, 1938 in Alamo, GA, Mrs. Wilson was a daughter of the late David and Bernice McNeal. She was raised in Jefferson and spent most of her adult life in Athens. She also lived in Charlotte, NC and Tucker, GA before returning to Athens after her retirement. Mrs. Wilson worked in the construction appliance industry with HADCO where she was named Salesperson of the Year her first year with the company in 1983. Frances was a huge Braves fan and ushered at Turner Field for the 2002-2004 seasons. She found great joy in helping others. She loved and attended Friendship Presbyterian Church. She recently...

Sanford "Scott" Butler of Athens, Georgia passed away on May 24, 2021. Scott was born in Athens to Sanford Hoyt Butler and Barbara McDonald Butler Mackinson. He was one of "Kelley's Boys" and a long time Athens "Y" Camp staffer. From these early influences he gained important lessons in friendship and character. He attended The Lovett School, Atlanta, GA; Bromsgrove School, Bromsgrove, England, and the University of Georgia where he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity. During his career in banking and sales, he applied those early lessons in integrity and hard work. Scott loved nature and the outdoors, always happiest when he was fishing, hunting or playing a round of golf. He loved...

Wayland Dean Boyles, 93, (born August 27, 1927), long-time resident of Atlanta, passed away May 11 from natural causes. He was surrounded by his loving family. The past several years, Wayland lived in Athens, Ga., along with his beloved wife, Susie, until she passed in 2019. Originally from King, N.C., Wayland grew up in Ronceverte, W.Va. He joined the Merchant Marines after high school graduation at 17 and then the Army at 18. Upon his discharge in 1947, he attended Marshall University, thanks to the GI Bill. There he met Mary Sue Miller ("Susie") from Union, W.Va. They were married in 1950. Soon thereafter, he joined IBM, where he worked for 34 years. During his successful...

Mavis Adcock Keyes of Bogart passed away May 11, 2021 after a brief illness. She was born on December 28, 1943 to the late Annie Ruth Malcom and James Lewis Adcock. Mavis retired from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in 2015 after 32 years of service as the 911 Communication Officer Supervisor and GCIC Coordinator. Mavis started her Communication career with the City of Athens Police Department in 1983. She was an active member of the ACCPD Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Surviving are her loving husband of 56 years, Jack; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Lori Keyes of Hampton, SC; twin grandsons, Jake Keyes (Kerissa Hiers) and Tyler Keyes of Hampton, SC;...

Daniel Franklin Hutchens October 20, 1964?May 9, 2021 Daniel Hutchens died on May 9, 2021. Daniel will forever exist as a rock & roll poet of the highest order. He looms as an essential figure in the Athens, Georgia, music scene and worldwide. Daniel epitomized the essence of a songwriter?he wrote hundreds of incandescent tunes. His lyrical talent exceeds all the rigid standards of excellence. Daniel moved to Athens with his songwriter partner of 44 years, Eric Carter, in 1986, from Ripley, West Virginia. They formed Bloodkin and their recordings and live performances transcend time. Eric Carter provided the music to Daniel's iron-clad words and their music will always remain a...

Pauline Overton Hartford was born in London, England on October 24, 1925. She met the love of her life, James Nicholson Hartford Jr., when he was stationed in England in 1944. She was preceded in death by her husband, and by her parents, Rosina Close Overton and Harry Rudall Overton. She is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Mahar (Jim), Linda Huggins (Jere/Harlan), and Gina Garth (Johnny) as well as five grandsons, Matthew Mahar (Christina), Andrew Mahar (Mindy), Jonathan Huggins (Samantha), Lakin Garth (Katharine) and Stuart Garth (Courtney). She was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren who knew her fondly as "Gran." As a young girl, she loved horses and won awards for her...

Gwen West Griffin died peacefully at her home on May 1, 2021 surrounded by family and loved ones. Born November 13, 1927 in Camilla, Georgia, Gwen attended high school in Statesboro and college at Georgia Southern University, formerly known as Georgia Teachers' College. She won the Miss Georgia Contest and a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's of Education. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority where she served as Chaplain. While at the University of Georgia, she met her husband John "Buck" Griffin. They were happily married for 53 years. In the early years of their marriage, Gwen taught at Chase Street Elementary...