Bill Head Funeral Home, Duluth

Jack Donald Bluster of Duluth, Georgia, and formerly of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away the morning of October 31st, surrounded by his loving family. Jack was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on December 2, 1931, to Floyd Adolphus and Mary Ellen Tippett Bluster. The youngest of five, he grew up in a small mill village where everybody knew everybody, fostering his early love of people and community. Affectionally known as "Jackie," he met the love of his life, Betty Ann Burton, in his hometown, and they celebrated 73 years of marriage together. Jack initially followed in his father's footsteps, working in the local cotton mills, until he and Betty decided to explore a...

Mr. Joseph Mills Davis, 91, entered into rest peacefully on August 20th, 2024, with family by his side. He is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Shirley Shumate Davis; parents, Joseph Warren Davis, and Ann Margaret Mills Davis; brother, Coleman Lee Davis and his sister, Jo Ann Davis. Joseph was born August 11, 1933, in Duluth Georgia and was married for 71 years to Shirley Patricia Shumate Davis and chose Duluth as their home. A dedicated and loving husband and father, his family came first. He was an Associate Broker, and Entrepreneur planning and opening new businesses for the Duluth area. He retired from Southern Railway and from the US Postal Service, serving 20 years for each....

Mary "Gladys" Burke, 92, of Buford, GA claimed her eternal, heavenly home on May 1, 2024. Born in Duluth, GA on July 17, 1931, daughter of Andrew Alvin Jones and Sarah Lou O'Kelley, Gladys was the fourth of five children. On January 9th, 1960, Gladys married William Patrick Burke Jr., and this is when life really began as she would tell it. Gladys and Bill were not only sweethearts but best friends. Stories of their life together read like an adventure novel filled with pages of precious memories and much happiness. Up until her last days here on earth, she longed to be with him again and now those prayers have been answered. Gladys was devoted to her family who was a source of great...

Pat Besson Swan, devoted wife and mother, 87, of Lilburn, Georgia, passed away in the morning of Tuesday, March 26, 2024, surrounded by her daughters. She died at Northside Gwinnett Hospital after complications from a fall following a fight with leukemia. She was energetic and independent until her last day. Throughout her life Pat was unselfishly committed to improving the lives of women and children, especially through health services and education. This resonated in her professional work and in her volunteer activity. Pat had healing in her hands and heart. She worked as a registered nurse throughout her life, maintaining her nursing license even through retirement. She began her nursing...

Doris "Dot" Pickens Hinson went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 19, 2024, one day after her 95th birthday in Alpharetta, Georgia. A loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Dot's legacy is one of a life well done. She was a lady of impeccable character, strong faith, resourcefulness, and perseverance. She was kind, gracious, and best known for her steady and joyful disposition. She had a love for hospitality and an appreciation for music, art, and creativity, which showed in everything she did. Born in Scottdale, Georgia on February 18, 1929, Dot was the fifth child of Gussie Mae Harris & Willie Alvin Pickens and grew up as the only girl in a...

Daniel Gilbert Holmes, departed peacefully of natural causes on January 28th, 2024. Gil is preceded in death by his father, Offie and survived by his devoted mother, Martha, and his brother, Travis Reynolds. He also leaves behind several cousins and other family members who share in the grief of his unexpected departure. He was born on February 15, 1975, in Atlanta to Martha Gilbert Holmes and Offie Holmes. A graduate of Brookwood High School, Gil pursued his passion for culinary arts at Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Charleston, S.C. He dedicated his early professional life to the restaurant industry, leaving a flavorful legacy in his wake. Gil's culinary expertise took him to...

TRIANA - Evelyn Elizabeth de Silvesti Triana passed away on January 3, 2024, at the age of 86. Born on May 18, 1937, in Miami, FL to Ella Evelyn Wilkins and Rupert J. de Silvestri. Evelyn grew up in Miami, FL, and graduated from Miami Jackson High where she excelled in volleyball and basketball. After high school she moved to Atlanta, GA, to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Evelyn attended Crawford W. Long Hospital and met the love of her life Dr. Carlos R. Triana, where he was Chief of Surgical Residency. Evelyn and Carlos R. moved to Patterson, GA, and opened their family practice. While in Patterson, Evelyn enjoyed working alongside her husband, participating in The Blackshear...

James Thomas Baker (Tom), age 90, of Suwanee, GA passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024. Tom was born in Vicksburg, MS to his parents Mary Susan Herbert and Russell Curtis Baker. Tom loved life; he loved people; and he loved his family. Tom was an avid fisherman throughout his life and loved the outdoors. He also enjoyed camping, canoeing, and hiking. Tom grew up in Vicksburg, MS. He graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Hilo, Hawaii from 1954 to 1957. He then attended Mississippi State University before transferring to the University of Maryland, where he graduated with a degree in Transportation Management. After graduating from...

Nicholas (Nick) Joseph Cogelia passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 15, 2023. Nick was born in Baltimore, Maryland, October 12, 1933, to parents Jack and Emma Cogelia. Nick grew up in the inner city of Baltimore with his brother Karl. He and his brother were first generation Americans for the Cogelia family. At an early age, Nick excelled in academics, which allowed for an early graduation from high school. At the young age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served on a submarine, a cable laying ship, and on the heavy cruiser USS Des Moines during the Korean War as a radar operator. These experiences shaped his future career trajectory. ...

Donna Luise Kirkhuff Smith, 69, of Duluth, GA, passed away at home on December 4th, 2023. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, James B. Smith of Duluth, daughter Lauren A. Smith of Decatur, and brothers Mark Kirkuff and Paul Kirkhuff. A lover of music, cooking, and animals, she spent her time surrounded by family and friends. Donna loved helping others. She was dedicated to her computer science career and retired after 35+ years with the government. Donna will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives she touched. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billheadfuneralhome.com. Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel (770)476-2535.

Mary Slade Lail, 83, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023 in Sandy Springs following a stroke in late August. Mrs. Lail was born September 8, 1940 in Griffin, GA to the late Mary Evelyn Dunlap Slade and Ira Hunt Slade. She graduated from Griffin High School in 1958 and went on to attend Valdosta State College. She wrote and published several books of prose and poetry. In the early 1980s she and her husband enjoyed performing with the Duluth Cloggers and even appeared on the Dinah Shore Show. She was involved with many community organizations including the Duluth Fall Festival committee as well as local and state education committees. Mrs. Lail was a true southern woman. To know Mary was...

Mary Slade Lail, 83, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023 in Sandy Springs following a stroke in late August. Mrs. Lail was born September 8, 1940 in Griffin, GA to the late Mary Evelyn Dunlap Slade and Ira Hunt Slade. She graduated from Griffin High School in 1958 and went on to attend Valdosta State College. She wrote and published several books of prose and poetry. In the early 1980s she and her husband enjoyed performing with the Duluth Cloggers and even appeared on the Dinah Shore Show. She was involved with many community organizations including the Duluth Fall Festival committee as well as local and state education committees. Mrs. Lail was a true southern woman. To know Mary was...

George D. Bagwell, 70, of Duluth, GA passed away on September 21, 2023. Funeral services were held Monday, September 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Duluth First Baptist Church with Dr. Wendell Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Duluth Church Cemetery. Mr. Bagwell, a native of Duluth, GA was a member of the Duluth First Baptist Church and was a retired Educator, serving as the Director of Information Management with Gwinnett County Public Schools. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Farmer Bagwell of Duluth, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Melissa and Mark LaCoursiere of Suwanee, GA, Kinsey and Andrew Edwards of Buford, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Michele Bagwell of Hoschton,...

Nancy Maria (nee Petersen) Cannington passed peacefully from this life on July 26, 2023, in her home in Norcross, Georgia. She was 92. Nancy was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on February 19, 1931, to Alfred Peter Petersen and Lillian Ann (nee Dalton) Petersen. Nancy attended Hillsborough High School in Tampa, FL, and graduated in 1949. After high school, she enlisted with the Navy and was later honorably discharged. On January 10, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, James Herbert Cannington, Jr. Nancy and Jim were blessed with six girls from this union. Together they moved their growing family from New York state to Germany, Illinois, North Dakota, Japan, and Florida where her husband...

Diane Kay (Pagani) Stoll 69 of Suwanee, GA passed away June 27, 2023 after an extended illness, in her home surrounded by her family. Diane was born in New Brighton PA on March 16, 1954 and grew up in Patterson Heights Boro / Beaver Falls PA. She was preceded in death by her mother Ila (Jackson) Pagani and her father John (Pappi) Pagani. She graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1972 and attended Pittsburgh Beauty Academy. She went on to attain her teacher's license at PBA's main location in Pittsburgh in 1976. Diane leaves behind her loving husband John Stoll (Suwanee, Ga), two Children, Christina Marie (Stoll) McRee (Keith) in Sugar Hill, GA and Ryan Michael Stoll (Katherine) in...

Matthew Brandon Denton, age 44 of Duluth, passed away May 18, 2023. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, May 27, 2023. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. in the Chapel of the Bill Head Funeral Home in Duluth. Matt was born in Gainesville, Georgia, and lived his earliest years in Cleveland, Georgia, before his family moved to Cumming. He graduated from Gainesville State College in 2012 with a degree in GIS. In November, 2013, he married his love, Sarah, in Duluth where they made their home. Although Matt spent a certain amount of time being tech support for many members of his family, his recent work life included medical...

(Mary) Jane W. Haman, 96, of Suwanee, GA, formerly of Duluth, GA, passed away April 20, 2023. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Duluth First United Methodist Church. Mrs. Haman, a native of Shubuta, MS, was a member of Duluth First United Methodist Church and a former member of Brookhaven United Methodist Church. She was the salutatorian of her high school class and furthered her education at Draughon's Business College in Jackson, MS. In 1950, Jane married Ray Haman, Sr. and they made their home in Jackson, MS followed by Memphis, TN, eventually settling in the Brookhaven neighborhood of Atlanta in 1959 where they lived for the next 50 years. Jane...

David Earl Harrelson, age 73, of Tucker, GA passed away March 31, 2023. No services are planned at this time. Mr. Harrelson, was a native of Kirksville, MO. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, James T. and Judith Harrelson of Kansas City, half siblings John Harrelson and Connie Holt, sisters-in-law Juanita Harrelson and Linda Harrelson, as well as several nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local veterans organization. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.billheadfuneralhome.com. Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Lilburn / Tucker Chapel (770)564-2726.

Morris Payne, 76, of Buford, GA passed away on February 27, 2023. A private graveside service will be held with Rev. Steve Pritchett officiating. Mr. Payne, a member of Temple Baptist Church, was a Maintenance Supervisor with Pepsi Cola for 33 years. He is survived by his wife Joyce of 55 years; sons and daughter-in-law, Brad and Emily Payne of Monroe, GA, Greg Payne of Buford, GA; brothers and sister-in-law, Thad and Patricia Payne of Buford, GA, Terry Payne of Norcross, GA; six grandchildren, several great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Juanita Payne and sister Dorthy Bryant. There will be a celebration of life Saturday, March 18,...

William St. John, age 94 of Duluth, GA, died February 20, 2023. A graveside service will be held 3:00 on Friday February 24, 2023 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Augusta, GA. Mr. St. John retired from Southern Bell, 39 years of service. He was a Marine Veteran. He is survived by his children, Denise St. John, Diana Rees, Robert Dale St. John, David St. John and brother Ronnie St. John.

Robert E. Corley, Jr., 83, of Lilburn, GA passed away on February 1, 2023. No services are planned at this time. Mr. Corley, a native of Lilburn, GA was a member of the Lilburn First Baptist Church. He was retired from A. S. Turner & Son Funeral Home in Decatur, GA after 40 plus years of service. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Veleta and Mark Bogar of Lilburn, GA, Suzi and Rex Pope of Crawfordville, GA; grandchildren, Julie Becht and her husband, Adam; Elizabeth Campbell and her husband, Brad; Adam Faust and his wife, Amanda; Crystal Bogar; Tyler Faust and his wife, Charlotte; Matthew Bogar and his girlfriend, Hillary Beverly; Marisa Lois Faust and her boyfriend,...