J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home

Elizabeth (Libby) Murphree Hendricks of Covington passed away on October 25, 2023. She was born in Altoona, Alabama on July 27, 1940, to the late Emma Thompson Murphree and Randall Murphree. Libby was a career educator and retired from teaching in 2003 after two decades at Sharp Middle School and Clements Middle School where she taught Family and Consumer Science (previously, Home Economics). For years after her retirement former students would approach her to say they warmly remembered her unique classes and her patient instruction. A warm and loving person, Libby was a proud graduate of Auburn University and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. She volunteered countless...

Mr. Claude Winford Bailey, age 96, of Blairsville, Georgia formerly of Covington, Georgia passed away Friday, September 1, 2023. He was born on January 10, 1927 to James Fletcher and Ishbelle Bailey who have preceded him in death. Mr. Bailey and his late wife were the former owners of Bailey's Roller Rink, Bailey's Grocery Store, Bailey's Mobile Home Park in Covington, and Goose Creek Cabins and Campground in Blairsville, GA. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and enjoyed piddling. Mr. Bailey could do about anything with his hands and was an outstanding business man. He will be missed by his family and friends. Along with his parents, Mr. Bailey is preceded in death by his wife...

This obituary was lovingly prepared by the family. Lena Gloria Ray was born on October 16, 1926, in Oxford, Georgia. She passed peacefully at home in Covington, Georgia on April 30, 2023. Her parents were Herschel G. Ray and Lena Allen Ray. She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Cary Barnett Allgood and her son Cary Ray Allgood. Her siblings Sanders Ray (Frances), Herschel Ray (Bernadette), and Martha Ray Meyers (Jerry) passed before her. Surviving are her daughters Betty Ann Allgood Haymore (David), Covington, GA and Caren Allgood Gibb (Roger), Virginia Beach, VA. She adored her Grandchildren Albert S. Killingsworth IV, San Antonio, TX and Gloria Lena Killingsworth Reach...

Mr. James M. Nail, Jr., age 31, of Social Circle passed away Friday, December 30, 2022. He was born in Atlanta on July 23, 1991 and grew up in Covington. James was a 2010 graduate of Morgan County High School where he played football and was involved in the FFA. He also played recreation baseball and football in Newton County and shot on the Oconee Shotgun Team. An avid outdoorsman James loved being in the woods hunting or on the lake fishing. He was a welder by trade and worked for his family's business Nail Mechanical. James was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Mac and Ann Nail, and his maternal grandmother Barbara Banks. James is survived by his wife Brittney Nail;...

Judge Greeley Ellis, age 90, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022. As a Superior Court Judge, he served both Newton and Walton Counties, where he held court for 11 years. He was known as a tough, but fair judge, demanding high standards of all participants. He lived in the U.S. Military Academy motto, "Honor, Duty, Country", in all he did. As a trial judge, he tried the first RICO (Racketeering) case in the State. The case was against members known as part of the "Dixie Mafia" and lasted over 6 weeks. Born in Adel, Georgia in 1932, he had fond memories of fishing the streams and hunting with his Adel "buddies". As a teen he worked in the Adel tobacco barn, computing the number of...

Mrs. Geneva Hodges, age 94, of Mansfield passed away Wednesday. December 21, 2022. She was born in Bostwick, Georgia on April 13, 1928 to Herbert Addison and Irene Ruark Few who have preceded her in death. Mrs. Hodges and her husband Hulon owned and operated the Hub Bus Station from 1971 until 1984. She enjoyed gardening, working in her yard, cooking, and loved flowers. She was a longtime member of the Pine Grove Ladies Club, and was once a member of the Newton Federal Feds Bowling Team. Mrs. Hodges was Methodist by faith and attended Sewell Church. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Hulon Hodges, her daughter Karen Hodges, her grandson Wayne Glaze, her...

Mr. Jimmy Sullo, age 62, of Hoschton passed away Saturday, November 5, 2022. He was born June 25, 1960 in Fairfax, Virginia to Edward and Patricia O'Keefe Sullo who have preceded him in death. Jimmy grew up in Conyers and attended both Rockdale High School and Heritage High School and studied at Dekalb Technical College. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, NASCAR, watching the Georgia Bulldogs, riding his Harley, and loved his job at Delta Airlines. Of all the things Jimmy loved he loved his family more than anything and cherished the time he spent with them. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers Bill and Eddie Sullo, and his son Daniel Sullo. Jimmy is survived by his...

Mrs. Laura G. "Jerri" Alberti, age 85, of McDonough passed away Monday, October 17, 2022. She was born in Athens, Georgia on November 30, 1936 to James Wootson and Anne Ruth Thornton who have preceded her in death. Mrs. Alberti enjoyed riding, showing, and training horses and also was a breeder of Collies and showed them as well. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her son Rodney Russell Parten. Mrs. Alberti is survived by her husband Leslie A. Alberti, her son William Allen Parten of Dahlonega; her step children Sharon Callaghan and Jeremy Ogden of England, Tanya Alberti and Jason of Hawkinsville, and Michael Alberti; her grandchildren Angela Ray Parten, Joshua Parten,...

Guy McGiboney, Jr., age 89, of Covington, Georgia passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022. He was born on April 16, 1933 to Guy and Viola (Chapman) McGiboney, Sr. who have preceded him in death. Guy was also preceded in death by his sisters Margaret Cook and Jean Simmons. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Guy retired from AT&T. He then devoted his time to building houses for Habitat for Humanity and McGiboney Construction. Guy was a respected member of First Presbyterian Church of Covington where he served on various committees. Guy served on the Newton County Board of Education and was a Newton County Recreation Department leader. He was a Rotarian, Mason, a Lions Club member and...

Mrs. Jean Mitchell, age 83, of Covington passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2022. She was born October 15, 1938 in Dekalb County to Robert and Grace Hunt. Mrs. Mitchell grew up in Avondale and graduated from Avondale High School. She enjoyed bowling, playing bingo, softball, and basketball. Mrs. Mitchell was a longtime member of Glen Haven Baptist Church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her sisters Betty Flanigan, and Linda Collis. Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her husband, Oliver Mitchell of Covington; her sons and daughter-in-law, Tony Mitchell (Bettina) of Social Circle, and Sam Mitchell of...

Thomas Jefferson Talmadge, age 90, our beloved Husband, Dad and Grandfather was called to his heavenly home by his Lord and Savior on March 14, 2022. Thomas was born in Ensley, Alabama on February 25, 1932, the son of John and Winnie Talmadge who proceeded him in death. Mr. Talmadge was a faithful member of St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Conyers, Georgia. He was very patient and had the kindness of a Saint. He loved working on his cars and doing things around the house. He could fix anything and loved helping others. Later in life he loved taking care of his grandchildren and watching them grow into young adults. In his younger days he loved riding motorcycles with his brothers and...

Gypsy Lane Smith, 81 of Gainesville, Georgia (formerly of Covington, Georgia), passed away on February 12, 2022 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Gypsy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Sockwell Smith. He is also survived by his niece, who he loved and thought of as his daughter, Melissa Sockwell Bollinger (Tim) of Clermont, Georgia; his great nephews (grandsons), Kade Bollinger (McKenzie), and Ethan Bollinger, also of Clermont, Georgia. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Phil Smith (Regina), Becky Chapman and Bonnie Smith, great nieces and nephews, Ross Smith (Becky), Wes Smith, Matthew Chapman (Caroline), and Kelley Ann Chapman (Vini Bessa) along with many...

Gladys Walker Harper Stapp passed away peacefully on February 5, 2022. She was 90 years old. Gladys was born June 7, 1931 in Wilmington, North Carolina. She married her first love, Robert B. Harper in May of 1951 and they had three children. After Robert's untimely death in 1968, she was blessed to find love a second time when she met James L. Stapp in 1983. They married in May of that same year and were married for almost 38 years before James' passing in January 2021. Gladys held several jobs including positions at Mobile Chemical Company, Mill Street Elementary School, and John Harland & Co. Because of her love of children, her most rewarding job was her most recent in which she...

Patricia (Patsy) Alsabrook went home to Jesus and her forever love Harvey on February 4, 2022 at the age of 75. Patsy was born in Atlanta, GA on November 8, 1946. Patsy was a Civil Service employee at Fort McPherson as Chief Branch Officer in Information Technology for over 27 years until her retirement. Patsy and Harvey met during their time at Fort McPherson. They were married 35 years full of love and laughter. They exuded happiness and joy as if they were newlyweds until Harvey's passing on May 26, 2021. Patsy showered love to all around her especially her family. She is survived by her loving sister Kathryn Sims (Donald Sims) and brother James Burke (Jeannie Burke). She was a...

Mr. Don Franks, age 85, of Covington, Georgia passed away Monday, January 10, 2022. He was born April 24, 1936 in Marion County, Alabama to Arlin and Dealie Franks who have preceded him in death. Mr. Franks was a trucker, preacher at heart and, pastored in the Freewill Baptist denomination in South Georgia. He always wanted everyone to be saved and would travel across the street in his wheelchair to witness. Mr. Franks was very passionate about his faith; he would forward his devotional emails to his family every morning. He could be heard praying for everyone that he knew every single night. Mr. Franks took pride in knowing that all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

Mr. Lacy Eugene Sigman, age 91, of Covington passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022. Mr. Sigman was born in Porterdale, Georgia on June 25, 1930 to William and Ozella Sigman who have both preceded him in death. He was lifelong resident of Newton County. Mr. Sigman served as a Sargent in the United States Army. He also had a long career as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver. Mr. Sigman enjoyed being outside from sun up to sun down. He spent his retirement piddling with recycled materials. Mr. Sigman loved to garden and enjoyed anything to do with animals. He was also preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years Mrs. Edith Sigman and two infant brothers who passed soon after their...

Mr. W. Kent Campbell, Sr., age 81, a lifelong resident of Covington passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021. He was born in Covington on March 19, 1940 to Pat and Margaret Campbell who have preceded him in death. Mr. Campbell grew up in Covington and graduated from The Baylor School in Chattanooga. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1962 where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Following his graduation, he served in the United States Navy from 1962 to 1966. He then attended and graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1969, becoming a member of the Georgia Bar Association that same year. Mr. Campbell served on the Board of...

Charles Newton Adams, Jr. of Newton County passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at the age of 97 surrounded by his family. Mr. Adams graduated in 1940 from Mansfield High School; he received his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1943, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University in 1948. Mr. Adams was a lifelong learner, enjoyed the ocean and boating, and was a member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church and the American Legion. Born and brought up in Newton County, Mr. Adams was commissioned into the U. S. Navy during World War II and assigned to Ames Aeronautical...

Nancy Alexander Brock, age 56, of Conyers passed away Monday, August 9, 2021. She was born December 16, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois to A.M. and Betty Alexander. Nancy grew up in College Park and graduated from College Park High School. She worked as a certified nursing assistant, she drove a school bus in Rockdale County, and worked at Bard. Nancy enjoyed gardening, British culture, classical and 80's music, and nothing made her happier than being with her family especially her grandchildren. She is a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, in Conyers. Nancy was preceded in death by her father, A.M. Alexander. She is survived by her children Chris Brock (Brittany) of Bethlehem, and...

Mrs. Jackie Hadaway, age 89, of Social Circle passed away Monday, July 19, 2021. She was born July 30, 1931 in Camden County Georgia to J.B. and Willie Simpson who have preceded her in death. Mrs. Hadaway grew up in Camden County and graduated from Camden County High School. Following high school, she went on to Georgia Teacher's College and taught in Atlanta and Loganville. She loved children, traveling, trips with her sister, and was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her brother Jim Simpson, her son-in-law Anthony Wimpey and her granddaughter Alicia Hadaway. Mrs. Hadaway is survived by her husband Bob Hadaway, her...

Mrs. Marion Barnes, age 90, of Covington, Georgia passed away July 17, 2021. She was born August 13, 1930 to Aubrey and Grace Ewing who have preceded her in death. Mrs. Barnes was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother (Memo). She graduated from University of GA with a bachelor's degree. Mrs. Barnes loved bird watching, gardening, and cooking for family. She was a member of Starrsville United Methodist Church. Mrs. Barnes had a passion for her mission work at the church, helping with the Rainbow Homeless Shelter, and Faith Works. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Don Barnes; brothers, Alton Ewing and Charles Ewing. Mrs. Barnes is...