Larry Purdy
Larry Wayne Purdy, Sr., 56, of Commerce, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
Born in Fulton County on April 25, 1951, he was the son of Leonard Lee Purdy Sr. of Commerce and the late Vivian Clara Parker Purdy. Mr. Purdy was preceded in death by brothers, Richard Troy Purdy and Douglas Dwayne Purdy Sr. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam conflict.
Survivors in addition to his father, include his wife, Barbara Gale Purdy, Commerce; daughter, Alicia Marie Purdy, Danielsville; sons, Edward John Purdy and Justin Glen Purdy, both of Commerce; brothers, Leonard Lee Purdy Jr., Commerce, and Johnny David Purdy, Winder; grandchildren, Alexis Marie Farist, Stormey Gabrielle Farist, Austin Terrell King and Brayden Jeffrey-Wayne King.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15, at Whitfield Funeral Home with the Rev. Winfred Bingam officiating. Burial was in Yonah Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Elizabeth Coleman
Elizabeth Teresa Coleman, 90, of Commerce, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
A native of Clarke County, she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Eugenia Ophelia Barber and William F. Coleman Sr. She was a lifelong member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and lived in this area most of her life.
Survivors include a niece, Nina Leonard, Atlanta; and great-niece, Gretchen Aylor, Atlanta.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 22, at 2 p.m., at the Commerce Kingdom Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Commerce Kingdom Hall, c/o Lee Frost, 439 B. Wilson Rd., Commerce, Ga. 30529.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Jewell Barnett
Jewell Barnes Barnett, 70, of Maysville, formerly of Gwinnett County, died Thursday, March 13, 2008.
She was a retired licensed practical nurse and was preceded in death by a son, Martin David Barnett.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, M.D. Barnett; son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Elaine Barnett; daughters and sons-in-law, Tami and Michael Cape, Tara and Mike Arp, Tessa and James Larson; eight grandchildren, Josh and Haley Barnett, John Brown, Amber Brown, Selena and Tim English, Kaila Arp, Kyler Arp, Kara Arp and Samuel Larson; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Hayden Barnett; brother and sister-in-law, Alec and Linda Barnes, Lawrenceville; sister, Sara Owens, Sugar Hill; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 16, in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Cecil Carpenter officiating. Graveside services were held at the Winters Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery in Doraville.
Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Lawrenceville, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Jimmy Cannon
Jimmy Wilbur Cannon, 76, of Gainesville, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
Born on September 17, 1931, in Jackson County, he was the son of the late Hoyt and Mae Beatty Cannon and was a machine operator with Jefferson Mills. Mr. Cannon was preceded in death by his wife, Joann Hall Miller; and sisters, Alice Chadwick and Jeanette Patton.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Becky and Wayne Martin, Gainesville, Brenda Funderburk, Commerce; sons and daughter-in-law, David and Diane Cannon, Carnesville, Anthony Miller, Jefferson; brother, Danny Cannon, Maysville; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home. Burial was in the Evans Memory Gardens.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Estelle Sisk
Estelle Sisk, 87, of Cornelia, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
Born in Banks County, on March 24, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Minnie Carter Parker. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Cornelia and was retired from Carwood Manufacturing Company with more than 40 years of dedicated service. Mrs. Sisk was preceded in death by a son, Donald Foster; and a daughter, Diane Heaton.
Survivors include daughters, Judy Franklin, Cornelia, Linda Porterfield, Baldwin, Betty Jackson, Toccoa; sons, Charles Foster and Nickey Foster, both of Cornelia, and Nelson Foster, Baldwin; sisters, Sarah Edge, Cumming, and Mary Pritchett, Toccoa; brother, Ezra Parker, Jacksonville, Fla.; 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 14, at Whitfield Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Franklin and the Rev. Paul Morris officiating. Burial was in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Walter Gaissert
Walter Minor Gaissert, 89, of Athens, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
He was a native of Madison, born on December 21, 1918, the son of the late Walter William and Ellie Mae Zellner Gaissert. He grew up in the Brownwood Community of Morgan County and graduated from Morgan County High School. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1940 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. He was a veteran, having served in the Third United States Army. Following World War II, he served 35 years with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. He was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Athens, a member of Mount Vernon Lodge #22 F.&A.M. in Athens, Order of the Eastern Star and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Mr. Gaissert was preceded in death by a brother, Elwyn Lamar Gaissert; grandparents, Ludwig and Mary Gaissert.
Survivors include his wife of 66 ½ years, Mary Brandon Gaissert; daughter and son-in-law, Christie Gaissert and Philip Bettendorf, Oconee County; son and daughter-in-law, John W. and Michele Gaissert, Jackson County; grandchildren and spouse, Ryan and Rachel Wengrow, Monroe, and John Davis Gaissert, Nicholson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 14, in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Fred Rowell officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park with full military honors. Honorary pallbearers were the Adult 5 Men Sunday School Class of Green Acres Baptist Church, Steve Kelly, Cecil Martin, Elwyn Gaissert II, and Philip E. Bettendorf Jr.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Association, (DAV), P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250, Attn: Gift Processing.
Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Ruby Mae Allen
Ruby Mae Lord Allen, 85, of Danielsville, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at her residence.
Born in Madison County, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Ada Ivie Jones and was a member of the Cavalry Baptist Church in Commerce. Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by a son, Roger Lord; sons-in-law, Tommy Brown and Howard David; granddaughter, Patricia Lynn Lord; brothers, Weldon, Ed and Garnett Jones; sisters, Fannie Lee Lord, Gussie Jones, Lela Barnett; and husbands, Jessie Almond Lord and Bill Allen.
Survivors include children, Verner Sue David and Rosa Brown, both of Danielsville, James (Bessie) Lord, Commerce, and Tommy (Tracy) Lord, Nicholson; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 14, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Revs. Donald Wilson and Jerry Smith officiating. Burial was in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Madison.
Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Linda Coggins
Linda Loyce Sizemore Coggins, 65, of Flowery Branch, died Monday, March 10, 2008, at her residence, following a brief illness.
She was born in Hall County, the daughter of the late Lucious Sizemore and Verby Anderson Sizemore. She was a homemaker and loved to crochet, read and use her computer. Mrs. Coggins was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Ralph Coggins; Jessie Coggins; and Amanda Coggins.
Survivors include daughters, Connie McClure, Maysville, Lisa McDonald Smith and Terri Coggins, both of Flowery Branch; sons, Jimmy Coggins, and Timothy Coggins, both of North Dakota, Paul Coggins, Flowery Branch; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Elliott, Jefferson, and Susie Clark, Cumming; brother, Chris Sizemore, Flowery Branch; and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 14, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Dewayne Smith officiating. Burial was in Zion Hill Baptist Church cemetery.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
George Taylor
George Wesley Taylor, 53, of Union Point, died Thursday, March 13, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.
He was born in Athens, the son of Joe Taylor of Flatwoods and Mildred Aycock Taylor of Lexington, and was a truck driver.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include his wife, Lyn Steele Taylor; siblings, David Taylor, Flatwoods, Wayne Taylor, Gillsville, Ann Smith, Harris Taylor, Joey Taylor, Pam Campbell, Lynn Looney, Eddie Taylor, all of Lexington, Angie Holder, Athens; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15, in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home. Burial was in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Joe McCannon, Michael McCannon, Brandon McCannon, Bubba Hammond, Kevin McCay and Mike Kaun.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Oglethorpe Chapel, Crawford, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Virgil Daniel
Virgil Daniel, 85, of Winder, died Monday, March 17, 2008, at his residence.
Born on May 1, 1922, in Habersham County, he was the son of the late John and Essie McNabb Daniel. He was owner of a Shell gas station, and was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Fannie Jane Reynolds Daniel, Winder; daughters, Shelia Henningsen, Winder, Gail Kelch, Maysville; brothers, Reeves Daniel and Bobby Daniel, both of Homer; sister, Gwenlynn Braswell, Winder; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 18, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Allen Passmore officiating. Burial was in the Airline Baptist Church Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
Gracie Medders
Gracie McCrary Medders, 94, of Sylvester, died Thursday, March 13, 2008, at Phoebe Worth Medical Center.
Born on October 1, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Carl and Cleo Rebecca Smith McCrary. She was a homemaker and lived in Worth County all of her life. She was a member of Mitchell E.M.C., Home Demonstration Club, and Antioch Baptist Church, where she was formerly church pianist, Sunday School teacher, and sang in the choir. Mrs. Medders was preceded in death by her husband, I.J. Medders; and a daughter-in-law, Llewellynn Medders.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Harlan and Pat Medders and Doyle and Joyce Medders, all of Sylvester, Byron and Judy Medders, Maysville, and Roger and Billie Medders, Albany; 13 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 16, in Antioch Baptist Church with the Revs. Bruce Gordon and Jerry Cooper officiating. Burial was in Providence Cemetery. Pallbearers were Brent Medders, Jeff H. Jones, Richie Duncan, Hugh Medders, Mike Garvey, Lee Medders and Tommy Lance.
Banks Funeral Home, Sylvester, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
‘Irene’ Merrill
Ruby “Irene” Merrill, 83, of Jefferson, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
She was a native of Mars Hill, N.C., and was a resident of Brevard, N.C. for over 53 years. She was retired from the Varners Drug Store after 19 years of service. Mrs. Merrill was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Homer J. Merrill.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Russell and Susan Merrill, Navarre, Fla.; daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Jeff Goodman, Maysville, Sharon and Vonell Wilson, Gainesville; grandson, Scott Merrill, Brevard, N.C.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 16, in the chapel of Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, Brevard, N.C. Burial was in Pisgah Gardens.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
J.C. Covington
J.C. Covington, 93, of Jefferson, died Friday, March 14, 2008.
He was born on September 3, 1914, in Jackson County, the son of the late Lee W. and Beulah Adams Covington. He was a carpenter, farmer, and a member of the Cave Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Polly Marlow Covington, Jefferson; daughter, Linda Covington Coleman, Commerce; son, Danny Lee Covington, Jefferson; brother, Ralph Covington, Carnesville; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 16, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Michael York officiating. Burial was in the Cave Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
‘Lisa’ Stamper
Letha “Lisa” Kay Stamper, 52, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Commerce, died Thursday, March 13, 2008, at her residence.
Born in Mercer County, W. Va., she was the daughter of the late Roger Kay Stamper and Ella Mae Mathews of Commerce. She was a seamstress and was Catholic.
Survivors in addition to her mother, include a son, Josh McDonald, Bowersville; daughter, Mandy Morgan, Commerce; brothers, Tim McDonald, Homer, and Jerry McDonald, Nicholson; sisters, Vicki Tadlock, Ila, Pansy Bond, Danielsville, and Dorothy Nunns, Pine Island, Fla.; step-father, E.J. McDonald, Commerce; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 19, in the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Greene officiating. Burial was in the Woodbine Cemetery.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.
The Commerce News, March 19, 2008.
