Franklin County Citizen Leader

Westminster- Frances Ellen Smith Spearman, 76, wife of John Andrew Spearman, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 31st, 2022 at AnMed Health. Born in Franklin County, Georgia, Frances was the daughter of the late Rev. Frank C. Smith and Virgie Smith. Frances was a homemaker and a member of Westminster First Baptist Church. Frances enjoyed quilting and reading. Frances is survived by her husband of 58 years; son, Rev. Mark Spearman (Chris) of Greenville; daughter, Lisa Driver (Dale) of Belton; grandchildren, Andrew Driver (Courtney), Derrik Driver (Erin), Rev. Justin Driver (Monica), Connor Spearman, Carson Grace Spearman, Jonathan Spearman (Jessica), Montez Garner (Chris), Jakob...

Gilbert Wilton "Gil" Bell, age 74 of Lavonia, passed away on July 12, 2022, from complications of Agent Orange exposure. Gil was born in Atlanta on September 18,1947 to the late Helen Moody and the late Wilton Bell. He was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Cape. Surviving members of the family include his loving wife of 53 years, Cynthia Castleberry Bell; daughter and son-in-law, Caron and Michael Rich; daughter, Pamela Bell; son, Tim Bell; sister, Barbara Daniel; grandchildren, Allie, Wyatt, Autumn, Anna Claire, and Maclaine; and several nieces and nephews. Gil graduated from North Georgia College in 1969 and was commissioned into the Army as a 2ndLieutenant. He served in the US Army...

Billy Joe Smith, age 78 of Jefferson, GA peacefully passed away on Thursday June 23rd, 2022. The Family will receive Friends for Visitation at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home on Monday June 27th at 1:00 PM followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00 PM with Pastor James Dumas officiating. Interment will follow at Peachtree Memorial Park. Billy enjoyed being around family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Billy served in the United States Air Force for 4 years and retired from the US Postal Service in the Norcross/Peachtree Corners area. He attended Montgomery Heights Baptist Church in Commerce, GA. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Dowis and Josephine...

Rebecca Hayes Fleming, 47, of Duluth, GA passed away March 16, 2022. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. at the Duluth First United Methodist Church with Ann Fleming officiating. Mrs. Fleming was a graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at UGA, focusing on PR and inner personal communications. She had a deep love for human and animal medicine, working in both for a combined 13 years, finishing as the hospital administrator for Apalachee River Animal Hospital when her disabilities forced her to retire. She loved babies and animals, murder mysteries, K-pop, and cake. But most of all she loved her friends and family. She is survived by her husband,...

Deborah Lynn Burkhalter, age 74, of Gray Court, South Carolina, widow of Eric L. Burkhalter, passed away on February 26, 2022, at Prisma Health Hillcrest Hospital. She was born on May 31, 1947, in Royston, Georgia and grew up in Lavonia, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Hubert Raleigh Maret and the late Annie Cathryne Maret of Lavonia, Georgia. Deborah was a member of Warrior Creek Baptist Church, but her health kept her from attending during her final years. She worked for Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, South Carolina for 20 years. The happiest years of her life were working with the young people at Thornwell. Deborah was an avid reader and bird watcher. She enjoyed...

Ann Maloy Wright, age 76 of Lawrenceville, GA died February 23, 2022 at Northside Gwinnett Hospital. She was born at Cuthbert, Ga on April 16, 1945 to William Craig and Anna Alston Maloy. Ann graduated from Jeff Davis County High School where she was Valedictorian of her class. Her curiosity and love of reading were traits that remained with her the rest of her life. Ann attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo, and obtained her Bachelor's and Master's from the University of Florida. She went on to receive an Ed.S from Georgia State University. Ann married the love of her life John Humphrey Wright in 1970. Together they had one son, William of Jacks Creek, TN. He was the love of her life....

Mrs. Docia Mae Thomas Strickland, 94, of Royston, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at her home. Born in the Red Hill community of Franklin County, Mrs. Strickland was a daughter of the late Ace Manley Thomas and Sara Jane Keller Thomas. Before her marriage to Arthur Jackson Strickland in 1947, she worked as a nurse for Dr. Stewart D. Brown, Sr. at the old Brown Hospital in Royston. After the birth of her children, she was a homemaker until the 1970s, when she opened Docia's Styles, a ladies' clothing store in Royston. Mrs. Strickland later worked for The Lion's Den, a men's clothing store in Royston, and at Dill's Food City as a cashier and manager of the floral department. She...

Mrs. Cynthia Jean Bratcher Gunnells, age 66, of Lavonia, passed away Sunday, September 5, 2021 at her home. Born July 31, 1955 in Royston, GA, she was a daughter of the late Charles Bratcher and Ruth Ginn Bratcher Thompson. She was a homemaker and was preceded in death by her husband, Wilber Jesse Gunnells. Family members include her sons, Chuck Boles of Chattanooga, TN and Eddie Boles of Hartwell, GA; a sister, Teresa Segars; and a brother, Michael Todd Bratcher. No services are planned. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net Whitlock Mortuary is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Cynthia Bratcher Gunnells.

Mrs. Martha Ann Smith Chappelear, 78, of the Greshamville community, passed away Friday July 30, 2021 while residing at The Glen on Lake Oconee. Martha was born September 30, 1942 in Morgan County and was the daughter of the late Walter Gillard Smith and Morelle Wood Smith. She was a life-long member of the Fork Chapel United Methodist Church where she served many roles over the years including treasurer and Sunday school teacher. She was active in the United Methodists Women's group as well as historian for the United Methodist Conference Committee. She always put others before herself and got along with everyone she met. Martha graduated from Greensboro High School in 1960 and went...

Mr. James Clifford "Jimmy" Miller, Jr., age 50, of Lavonia, GA passed away Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Athens Piedmont Regional Hospital. Born July 17, 1970, he was a son James Clifford Miller, Sr. and Jacquelyn Ruth Walker Miller. He was of the Presbyterian Faith and attended Lavonia Presbyterian Church. Jimmy was a 1988 graduate of Johnson High School in Gainesville. He was formerly employed with Quality Foods starting at the age of 15 as a bagger, meat manager and later meat & produce supervisor over all stores. Jimmy loved his family, especially his girls and their families, and his nieces and nephews. He also loved hunting, fishing, 4 wheeling, traveling, entertaining, cooking,...

Bonnie Arlene Webb, 39 of Royston, GA, died June 24, 2021. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jessica Mimi Veerkamp and is survived by her daughters, Paris Pence, Briley Pence, Chloe Webb; father, Edward Oliver Webb Jr.; brother, David Benji Webb; sisters, Blakely Cleveland; Brittany Gilleland, brother in law Joshua Gilleland, aunts, Madeline Leonard, Suzette Dinardo, Michelle Teilhaber; and uncle, Henri Ray Bell. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 2 o'clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday, July 2, 2021 from 6 to 8 o'clock and...

Mary Agnes Millen, age 87 of Conyers, was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 21, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Nettie Bond; husband, Homer Allen Millen, Sr.; sister, Shelby Jean Nesmith. She is survived by her son, Al Millen; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Scott Harper, Lynn and Kirk Mahan; grandchildren, Todd Millen, Tyler and Jessie Mahan, Ross Mahan; great-granddaughter, Savannah Millen as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Agnes was married to her husband, Homer, for 38 years. When she graduated from Franklin County High School in 1952, she started her first job at Atlanta Paper Company in East Point. While working in...

Benny Eugene Arrowood, 70, of Lavonia, GA died August 26, 2020. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel with Rev. Rick Houze and Pastor Mark Thomas officiating. Inurnment Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA. Mr. Arrowood, a native of Atlanta, GA was a retired owner of Arrowood Tree Service and was an avid fisherman. He was a United States Marine Corp veteran having served in Vietnam. He is survived by his daughter, Stacy Arrowood of Braselton, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Maegan Arrowood of Commerce, GA; grandchildren, Kadyn Hopkins of Braselton, GA, Mac Arrowood, Mason Arrowood both of Commerce, GA;...

Rev. James "Jim" Coad, Jr., 94, of Spartanburg, SC and formerly of Lavonia, GA, passed into the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, August 14, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Evalyn Wright Coad. A 1957 graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, Rev. Coad retired from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian (A.R.P.) Church after many years of service. Please see www.floydmortuary.com for arrangement details and memorial designations. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel

Baby Scarlett Rain Folsom was born sleeping July 19, 2020 7:31 am at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga. She is survived by her parents, Farah Alexandria Weller and David Alan Folsom II. Siblings Ava and Wyatt. She is survived by Grandparents Tara and Malone Phillips, Lisa Folsom-Hyman and Ronald Hyman, and David Folsom, Special thanks to Platt's Funeral Home of Augusta, Georgia.

Michael Ridgway Jones, Sr. passed away at home in Loganville on June 7, 2020 after a short illness. A native of Franklin County, Georgia, he was born on May 20, 1942 in Royston at the Ridgway Clinic, graduated from Hart County High School in 1960, and received his B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Georgia in 1963. He also attended Georgia State University, taught at Loganville High School from 1967-1973, and received a J.D. from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1973. June 1, 1967 entered apprenticeship E.A. He dearly loved his adopted hometown of Loganville, which he called home for over 50 years. He practiced law in Monroe and Loganville from 1973 until earlier this year, was a...

David Genava Smith, 68, of Carnesville, Georgia passed away, Monday, April 6, 2020 at his home following an extended illness. Born August 21, 1951 in Pierway, NC he was the son of the late Maxine Newman Smith. David's family moved to Georgia when he was a young child. He played football for Mary Persons High School, under Coach Dan Pitts, where he graduated in 1969. David worked in Environmental Protection in landfill management for 25 yrs. In addition to his mother he was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Smith and a granddaughter, Cheyenne Bruce. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Patsy Scruggs Smith; children, Jason Smith (Jessica), Matthew Smith (Robyn), Jimmy...

Mrs. Gloria Marie Enman Frankum, 89, of Athens, Ga., passed away at The Oaks of Athens on February 2, 2020. Gloria was born in Asheville, N.C. on April 19, 1930. She was the daughter of Charles and Willie Mae Taylor Enman (both deceased) and the sister of Mae Belle Enman Tucker and Charles T. Enman (both deceased). Gloria was raised in Asheville and graduated from Lee Edwards High School. She received her BS in Home Economics in 1952 from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., where she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. During this time, she was the White Rose of Sigma Nu and met and married the love of her life, W.J. "Bill" Frankum on June 8, 1951. Gloria and Bill...

Beera Mildred Harrison, 73, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Beera was born on April 17, 1946 in Hazlehurst, GA to Joseph and Hazel Tyre. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Survivors include her husband, Ray; one daughter, Geera Robinson; two sons, Shane Harrison and Phillip Harrison; six grandchildren, Austin Crawford, Gerrett Anderson, Shelby Harrison, Gwendolyn Harrison, Gavin Harrison and Gracelan Harrison; 3 great-grandchildren, Riley Crawford, Waylon Crawford and Paisley Anderson. Services were entrusted to Eternal Hills Funeral Home, Snellville. Please express condolences by visiting...

Lucy Elizabeth Clarke Deavor, 99, of Charleston, South Carolina formerly of Brevard, North Carolina, widow of Lucian Porcher Deavor entered into eternal rest Thursday, October 17, 2019. Her funeral service will be held at the graveside in Gillespie Evergreen Cemetery, Country Club Road, Brevard, North Carolina at 11 o'clock a.m. on Saturday November 2, 2019. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel. Lucy was born April 19, 1920 in Franklin County, Georgia, daughter of the late William Farmer Clarke and Gertrude Randall Clarke. She was a graduate of Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia and was a former chemist at the Ecusta Paper Plant. She retired as a real estate broker. She was...