Obituaries

Janice Smith Woodall

Janice Smith Woodall

October 9, 2025

Mrs. Janice Smith Woodall, 39, of Lake Forest Dr. Elberton, GA passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Mrs. Woodall was born August 10, 1986 in Tucker, GA to Jimmy Wayne Smith and Wanda Jean Simmons Smith. She was a member of Oak Bower Baptist Church of Hartwell and was a loan officer at Holiday Credit.

She is survived by her husband Christopher...

Dixie Gayle Shapcott Gregory

Dixie Gayle Shapcott Gregory

October 7, 2025

Mrs. Dixie Gayle Shapcott Suttles Gregory, 73, died on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at her daughter's residence in Carlton, GA. 

She was born in Council Bluff, IA on December 29, 1951, daughter of the late Duane Leroy Shapcott and Darlene Ruth Winters Shapcott. She was a retired tax preparer. 

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Kelley and Pete Mincey; step-children: Cheryl Lanford...

Geneva Dutton Grimes

Geneva Dutton Grimes

October 5, 2025

Mrs. Geneva Dutton Grimes, 83, of Lexington Hwy, Elberton, GA went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday October 5, 2025 surrounded by her loving family at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.Geneva was born January 14, 1942 in Hartwell, GA to Edgar “Ed” and Mamie Dutton . She was a member of Elberton Church of God...

James Edwin "Jimmy" Simons

James Edwin "Jimmy" Simons

October 2, 2025

On Thursday afternoon, October 2, 2025, UGPD SPO III James Edwin Simons answered his final call. 43 years old, Jimmy courageously battled cancer for six years. He passed away peacefully at home in Jefferson, GA, surrounded by the love of his family.

Jimmy was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Augusta, GA at 12:35a.m. on New Years Day 1982. He grew...

Mable Driver Russell

Mable Driver Russell

October 2, 2025

Mable Sharon Driver Russell, age 79, of Nickville Rd, Dewy Rose, GA passed away Thursday on October 2, 2025.

A native of Elberton, GA. Mable was born May 17, 1946 to the late Bernice and Mary Eliza Pulliam Driver.

Survivors include her sister; Judy Driver; several nieces and nephews.

Mable was preceded in death by her siblings Dwight Driver, Arthur Driver, Lowell Pulliam and Martha...

Mary Francis Storm

Mary Francis Storm

October 1, 2025

Mary Francis Storm, 85, of Brookhaven, GA, passed away on October 1, 2025, in Stone Mountain, GA.

Born in Knoxville, TN, on March 18, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Gabe Oscar Storm and Bertha Lillian Rogers Storm. She worked as a registered nurse for many years, serving at Northside Hospital, Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, and other facilities throughout...

Sybil Neulene Ruff Smith

Sybil Neulene Ruff Smith

September 30, 2025

Mrs. Sybil Neulene Ruff Smith, 90, of Double Bridges Road, Elberton, wife of 58 years to the late James Edward "Dink" Smith, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Sybil was born in Elberton on March 3, 1935, the middle child of the late Willie Lee “Jake” Ruff and Katie Lou Glenn Ruff. She was a graduate of Elberton High School...

Jessie Clyde Durham, Jr.

Jessie Clyde Durham, Jr.

September 26, 2025

Jessie Clyde Durham, Jr., age 57, of Elberton, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2025.

A native of Augusta, Ga., Jessie was the son of the late Jessie Clyde Durham, Sr. and was preceded in death by his son, Tyler Durham.

A time of visitation celebrating Jessie’s life will be held Thursday, October 2, from 1:30pm-3:00pm at Berry Funeral Home. A private memorial...

Kenneth Richard Faries, Sr.

Kenneth Richard Faries, Sr.

September 24, 2025

Mr. Kenneth Richard Faries, Sr., 61, died Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens. 

Mr. Faries was born in Coldwater, MO March 15, 1964, son of the late Fred and Stella Faries. He was a residential house painter by trade. 

Surviving are two sons: Kenneth 'Richard' Faries, Jr. and Joshua Faries; sister, Pamela Faries; and three grandchildren. 

Along with his...

Linda Marie Redford Brown

Linda Marie Redford Brown

September 23, 2025

Mrs. Linda Marie Redford Brown, 77, of Hartwell Highway, Elberton, wife of 40 years to the late Lee 'Ray' Brown, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at her residence. 

Linda was born in Louisville, KY on February 7, 1948, daughter of the late Ernest Henry Redford and Crilla Diane Kissick. She was a retired owner/operator of a dry cleaning business. She...

Betty Lou Brumbalow

Betty Lou Brumbalow

September 19, 2025

Betty Lou Brumbalow, 71, of Lavonia, wife of Richard Eugene Fountain, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Hartwell Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Betty was in Atlanta on June 2, 1954, daughter of the late James Robert Brumbalow, Sr. and Dorothy Morrison Brumbalow.

In addition to Richard, her husband of 21 years, she is survived by her granddaughter, Destiny Renee Roberts;...

Margie Estelle Pitts Parham

Margie Estelle Pitts Parham

September 18, 2025

Mrs. Margie ‘Estelle’ Pitts Parham, 92, of Elberton, wife of the late Omer Sanford Parham, Jr., passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Augusta Gardens in Augusta, where she had been lovingly cared for during the last three years.

Mrs. Parham was born in Oglethorpe County on October 1, 1932, daughter of the late Juit Pitts and Onie Caldwell Pitts....

Ulyssess Lockhart

Ulyssess Lockhart

September 13, 2025

Mr. Ulsysses Lockhart, 79, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Hartwell Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Lockhart was born in Lincolnton on August 10, 1946, son of the late Willie Lockhart and Fannie Ruth Tutt Lockhart. He was retired from the logging industry.

Surviving are his children: Leary Lockhart, Patsy Lockhart, and Starla Lockhart; and siblings: Allene Partlow, Kathleen Lockhart,...

Michael Anthony Peyton

Michael Anthony Peyton

September 13, 2025

Michael Anthony Peyton, 62, of Gainesville, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Toccoa Nursing Center. 

Mr. Peyton was born in Clarkesville on February 26, 1963, son of the late Rudolph Peyton and Geneva Payne Peyton. He was a retired truck driver. 

Surviving are his son, Clifford Peyton of Toccoa; and grandchildren: Jaycee Peyton, Carter Peyton, and Lillian Peyton.

Along with his parents,...

James Wacco "Jimmy" Mercer

James Wacco "Jimmy" Mercer

September 12, 2025

Mr. Jimmy Mercer, 78, of Highland Drive, Elberton, husband of 56 years to Mary Bundrick Mercer, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2025, at his residence.

James Wacco Mercer was born in Elbert County on October 25, 1946, the youngest of four boys born to George Alton Mercer and Ruth Cornelia Aderholt Mercer. He was a 1965 graduate of Elbert County...

Beth Partain Moore

Beth Partain Moore

September 9, 2025

Mrs. Martha Elizabeth “Beth” Partain Moore, 93, of Nickville Road, Dewy Rose, wife of the late George Orin “Boose” Moore, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at her granddaughter’s home in the Fortsonia Community. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and her closest friends.

Mrs. Moore was born in Elberton on September 23, 1931, the eldest child...

Amelia Carsandra "Sandy" Short

Amelia Carsandra "Sandy" Short

September 7, 2025

Amelia Carsandra "Sandy" Range Short passed away surrounded by her family Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Sandy was born September 7, 1938 in Porterdale, GA.

She is survived by her three sons Billy White (Kenna) Brian White (Laura) Todd White(Dawn), 12 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father Mr. & Mrs Thomas Range, brother Thomas Range...

Vera Ann Johnson Ingram

Vera Ann Johnson Ingram

September 4, 2025

Mrs. Vera Ann Johnson Ingram, 78, of Elberton, wife of 47 years to the late Billy Garnell Ingram, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Hart Care Center.

Mrs. Ingram was born in Elberton on June 16, 1947, daughter of the late Ralph Thomas Johnson and Janie Lee Davis Johnson. She was a homemaker and also a seamstress having worked...

April May Brown

April May Brown

September 1, 2025

Mrs. April May Brown, 58, of Stone Mountain, formerly of Elberton and Toccoa, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

April was born in Atlanta on April 2, 1967, daughter of the late Mary Jo “Pat” Clay Duckworth. She was a 1985 graduate of Elbert County Comprehensive High School, and worked at Group Underwriters in...

Debbie Barfield Chapman

Debbie Barfield Chapman

September 1, 2025

2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also love his appearing."

Debbie Barfield Chapman, 57, of Royston,...