Donna Verlyn McConnell, age 60, passed away on December 30, 2019.

She was born the daughter of the late James V. McConnell and Lois Crowder Brown on June 4, 1959 in Orlando, Florida. In her professional life Donna worked at Parkdale Industries for twenty-five years, where she was the Human Resources Manager. Donna enjoyed movies, shopping and eating out.

In addition to her parents, one sister, Debbie Blackwell, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her step-brother, Nathan Smathers, of Casselberry, Florida and her step-sister, Amanda Wright, of Tavares, Florida.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday January, 7, 2019 at 5:00 pm in the Chapel of the Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, Georgia with Rev. Michael Rogers officiating.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Donna’s memory to Richards Kids Inc. 47 Deer Creek Trail Clayton, GA 30525.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

Betty J. Shirley Chambers, 80, of Cornelia went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, December 24, 2019.

She was born November 17, 1939, in Habersham County and was the daughter of the late Manson Winstead and Annie Mae Patton Winstead. She was preceded in death by her husband David Lloyd Shirley, Sr. and her second husband Ernest Chambers.

Betty worked at Clayburn Manufacturing and Burlington Industries. She also ran a small furniture business in Blairsville and Clarkesville and then ended her working career at Wal-Mart. Her children and grandchildren were a blessing to her and she enjoyed every minute she got to spend with them. She also loved her dog Scrappy.

She is survived by her daughter Debra Shirley of Blairsville, son David Shirley (Teri) of Mount Airy, and daughter Donna Addis (Brian) of Lakemont; grandchildren Luke Hopper, Jodie Lovell (Tonya), Courtney Speed (Dalewin), Leanna Shirley Oberley (David), Jana Byrd (Shannon), Chase Kelly, Matthew Addis (Salem), and Bryson Addis; several great-grandchildren; sisters Margaret Winstead and Shirley Gabrels; brother David Winstead (Nancy) of Clayton and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services in celebration of Betty’s life Will Be held on Saturday, December 28th at 11:00 am in the chapel of Hunter Funeral Home in Clayton.With Pastor Madison McCrackin Officiating Burial Will be in Rabun Memory Park Tiger Ga, The family will receive friends Friday, December 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home.The Family is at her Brother an sisterlaw on Wayah Clayton Ga.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so by visiting hunterfuneralhomega.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Hunter Funeral Home, Clayton, Georgia

Wilma Smith Davis, loving wife, daughter, and friend of many, received her angel wings on December 21, 2019, into the arms of her heavenly Father.

Latha Wilma Smith was born on May 9, 1932, in Lakemont, Georgia, to Hoke and Ethel Roach Smith. Wilma was an only child and spent her childhood surrounded by her loving parents, grandparents along with a host of special aunts, uncles, and her Lakemont friends.

She attended Lakemont School, where she was a model student with perfect attendance through her graduation. She was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1949. The friendships she made throughout her school years were ones that lasted a lifetime. The Lakemont High School, graduating class of 1949, remains close due to Wilma’s continued correspondence with all the classmates, keeping them updated on one another’s life. After a time at Piedmont College, with perfect attendance again, she moved to Atlanta to work for Southern Bell Telephone Company and spent most of her 34 years with the company as an Executive Secretary in the Hurt Building in downtown Atlanta.

On December 14, 1952, she married the love of her life, Bobby K. “B.K.” Davis of the Shirley Grove community. Wilma and Bobby enjoyed many years living on Miriam Lane in Decatur. Later they moved to Conyers and enjoyed living there. Their lives were full with Wilma working at Southern Bell and Bobby working at Georgia Power. They enjoyed weekend trips with visits home to Rabun County and vacations Nashville to the Grand Ole Opry with friends. After retirement in 1993 they moved back to Lakemont and in 2012 celebrated 61 years of marriage before Bobby’s passing in 2013.

All who knew Wilma were amazed at her memory and knowledge of dates and times of birthdays, anniversaries, important events in the community. She had an extraordinary recall when it came to information. Wilma loved to talk on the phone or sit and chat. She had a gift for conversation enjoyed by those who knew and loved her. The number of greeting cards, Christmas cards, and personal letters that Wilma sent over her life would mount into the thousands, and each one written with love. Wilma was blessed with many friends, and she was a friend to many. Her passion for animals was known to everyone, whether it be her cats, dogs, or cows. She loved animals and would keep food in her car to feed any she found along the way. She always had a “treat” for her four-legged friends.

Remaining family include her “closer than sisters” sister-in-law’s, Mildred Davis Barnes of McDonough, Carol Davis South (Robert) of Hartwell; Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; Her “adopted” daughters, Gail Smith Hopper, Tina Smith Johnson, and Cami Garner Francis; Her special friend, Keith Horn.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at Lakemont Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. with the service to be at 3:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in Rabun Memory Park, Tiger, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rabun County Paws For Life, P.O. Box 216, Clayton, Georgia 30525 or Lakemont Baptist Church, P.O. Box 546, Lakemont, Georgia 30552

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

Winfred Julius Speed, 66, of the Warwoman community went home to be with the Lord on December 23, 2019.  He lived most of his life in Rabun County working mainly as an equipment operator, and retired from the Town of Franklin, North Carolina.  He was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Davis Speed, and brother, William Logan Speed.  He is survived by his mother, Betty Speed Roane, step-father Alex Roane, children Tanya Bleckley (Gary) of Clayton, Georgia and Eric Speed (Kimberly) of Franklin, North Carolina, granddaughter Rayna Bleckley and step-granddaughter, Brooke Bleckley both of Clayton, Georgia.  Also surviving are his step-brother Greg Roane of Tiger, Georgia, step-sisters, Julia Butler (Don) of Broxton, Georgia and Tracy Thompson of Cleveland, Georgia.  In addition to his family, he is survived by his “nurse” Amber Peete.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 26th at 2:00 p.m. at Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, Georgia with Rev. Madison McCrackin officiating.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m..  Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sid Weber Memorial Fund.

The family will be at the home of Betty Speed Roane 7098 Warwoman Road Clayton, Georgia 30525.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

Donald Calvin Speed, 61, of Clayton, GA passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at Mountain Lakes Medical Center.
Born July 8, 1958 in Rabun County, GA, he was the son of the late Donald Speed and Lula Mae McDowell. He lived in Rabun County most of his life and worked for Gibson Homes as a carpenter and was a member at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Lula Speed and by a brother, Kyle Speed. He is survived by his girlfriend, Connie Tabares of Clayton, GA, two brothers, Mark Speed of Clayton, GA, Farrell Speed of Gainesville, GA and a sister, Vivian Henderson of Colorado.
The body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family is at their respective residences.

Jeanette Carrie Adolph of Clayton, Georgia, passed away on December 19, 2019 at Mountain Lakes Medical Center in Clayton, Georgia.

She was born in Flint, Michigan on September 11, 1968 and was the daughter of David Adolph and the late Patricia McCoy Burrell. She was a Hairdresser and was of the Baptist Faith.

She was preceded in death by her mother Patricia McCoy Burrell and two sisters, Denise C. Adolph Groom and Stacy L. Adolph. She is survived by her son, Max Adolph of Clayton, Georgia, her father and stepmother, David and Ruth Adolph of Clayton, Georgia, one brother, Jamie Montgomery of Clayton, Georgia, and one sister, Melena Adolph of Clayton, Georgia.

The body has been cremated and a memorial service conducted by the Rev. Tim Hunnicutt, will be at 4:00 PM on December 28, 2019 at the Family home on Dunlap Street, Clayton, Georgia.

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

An on-line obituary and guest register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com

Cameron Lee Clark, 30, of Clayton GA., died Friday December 20, 2019 at his residence.

Born in Glenn County Georgia., February 16,1989 he was the son of Jeffery Clark and Sandi Humpries Runion he was a cook for McDonald’s and was of the Baptist Faith.

He is survived by his father, Jeffery Clark his mother Sandi Runion and step-mom April Runion of Clayton, GA., one brother, Chris Clark of Pensacola, FL., and one sister, Morgan Clark of Clayton, GA.

The body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

An on-line obituary and guest register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com

Katheryn Granberg, age 80, of Dillard, Georgia passed away December 17, 2019.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later.

Phyllis Ann Hale Murphy, age 81 of Clayton, Georgia, passed away on December 16, 2019 at her residence.

She was born in Rabun Gap, Georgia to Eli Kirby Hale Jr. and Frances Wilcox Hale. She was a house wife and homemaker and a member of Clayton Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Lester Murphy, a daughter, Kimberly Andrews, and a son Michael Andrews. She is survived by three sons, Howard Grady Andrews of Clayton, Georgia, James Phillip Andrews of Clayton, Georgia, Kirby Walter Murphy of South Carolina, and two brothers, Eli Kirby Hale III. of Villa Rica, Georgia, and Richard Hale, of Atlanta, Georgia. Five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive. In addition to her family, she also leaves behind her countless friends that had the privilege to be touched by her sweet and gentle manner of sincere kindness.

The body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Clayton Presbyterian Church in Clayton, Georgia.

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

An on-line obituary and guest register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com

Truman Jewell Barber Jr., age 90, died December 14, 2019 at Mountain View Health Care Center in Clayton, Georgia.

He was born on February 19, 1929 in Fulton County, Georgia, to the late Truman Jewell Barber Sr. and Gladys Boddie Barber. He spent the majority of his life in Jacksonville, Florida, before residing in Sky Valley, Georgia, where he was a member of Sky Valley Chapel. He was a United States Army veteran. In his professional life he was an international insurance agent with multiply insurance companys.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of over seventy years, Katherine Barber of Sky Valley, Georgia, one sister, Martha Allison of Marietta, Georgia, two sons, Alan Barber of Concred, Massachusetts, Glenn Barber of Louisville, Kentucky, one daughter, Lori Barber of Franklin, North Carolina, and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild also survive.

The body has been cremated and a memorial service will follow at a later date.

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

An on-line obituary and guest register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com

Mark Alan Carman, age 61, of Clayton, Ga. died December 6, 2019, at his residence.

He was born in Fulton County, Ga. on November 3, 1958 to the late Richard and Marilyn Townsend Carman. He was formally of Canton, Georgia, where he resided most of his life. He was a house painter by trade and of Christian faith.

He was preceded in death besides his parents, by one brother, Micheal R. Carman, and two sisters, Diane Mitchell and Nancy Coulson and is survived by one son, Denver W. Carman of Gainesville, GA., and two daughters, Shanda N. Carman of Clayton. GA., and Shelby R. Griggs of Gainesville, GA. Five grandchildren also survive.

The body is at Hunter Funeral Home and will be cremated with a memorial service to follow at a later date.

The family is at the home on Old Chechero Road in Clayton, Ga.

Edith Bleckley Burney, native of Rabun Gap, Georgia passed away peacefully on her 88th birthday, Dec. 9th, 2019. Born in 1931 to Samuel and Adeline Coe Bleckley, she graduated from Rabun Gap Nacoochee School and then went on to earn multiple degrees culminating in a doctorate in Early Childhood Education from the New Orleans Baptist Seminary.

Alongside her husband, Dr. Robert S. Burney, she served at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary in Ogbomosho, Nigeria through the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for 30 years. After retiring from the mission field, they continued to be active in missions, religious education, and church outreach.

Predeceased by her husband, Bob, Edith is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Burney Hamilton (Libbi) and son-n-law, Robert Hamilton of Newberg, Oregon, her son, Robert Bleckley Burney (Bobby) and daughter-inlaw, Kimberley Goh-Burney, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and three granddaughters, Laura Beth, Savannah, and Emily Hamilton. Edith also leaves behind a loving extended family of many cousins as well as her Nigerian missionary family.

Visitation will be at Head of Tennessee Baptist Church, Dillard, Georgia, Saturday, December 14th, from 6-8:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 15th, at 1:00 P.M. at the Head of Tennessee Baptist Church, Dillard, Georgia., with Rev. Gabe Southards and Rev. Don Copeland and others officatting. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her meory to the International Mission Board or Operation Christmas Child. The Family is at the home.

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

An on-line obituary and register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com

Dorothy Jean Mitchell Kearns, age 85, of Clayton, Georgia, passed away on November 30, 2019.

Dorothy was born the daughter of the late Byron Mitchell and Ethel Sorrow Mitchell on July 14, 1934 in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Dorothy was a Christian and was very active in her church, Antioch Methodist Church on Warwoman Road in Clayton. She liked to play the piano, to bake, and to travel. She enjoyed collecting dishes and living in the mountains where she could see the birds and squirrels, that she loved.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Tony Kearns; three sisters, Margaret Pearce, Myra Sue Scott, Ethel Mildred Jones.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Ray Kearns; five sons, Mark Kearns (Paula), of Bogart, Georgia, Lee Kearns (Helen), of Hoschton, Georgia, Rusty Kearns (Pam), of Eatonton, Georgia, David Kearns (Debbie), of Monticello, Georgia, Mitch Kearns (Deanna), of Covington, Georgia; her daughter-in-law, Paula Kearns, of Stone Mountain, Georgia; one sister, Mary Lynn Thomas, of Lithonia, Georgia; thirteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, also survive her.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the Beck Funeral Home on Saturday December 7, 2019 at 1:30 pm with Rev. Lee Krivsky, Oscar Thomas and Richard Kearns officiating.

The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service, from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm on Saturday December 7, 2019.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation 909 3rd Ave. Unit 220 New York, NY 10150 or online at alzinfo.com.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

Ed Perry, 92 years of age, a resident of Cannonwood Village in Tiger, GA, passed away of natural causes on November 29, 2019.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Lindsey Cannon Perry, his parents, Edwin and Grace Perry, a son, Timothy Perry, and a step-son, Cole Cannon. Ed attended Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia, and worked for Columbia Gas Company until his retirement in the late 1980s.  After his retirement, Ed came to Clayton to visit his life-long best friend, Paul Lutz.
Paul introduced Ed to his neighbor, Beverly Cannon, and they were married on April 15, 1990, at the Clayton Methodist Church.

Ed immediately became an integral part of Beverly’s family, and her friends accepted him as one of their own.  He quickly fell in love with Clayton and was very involved in the community.  In addition, he loved “Cannon Country” on Lake Burton, and boaters would see Ed and Bev chauffeuring friends around the lake on their pontoon boat.

Ed will be remembered as a happy fellow with a lively sense of humor.  Many of his jokes will be remembered and repeated for years.  He was a man who loved everyone and always had a kind word for/about everyone.

Ed is survived by his brother, John, his nephew, David, his step-children, Jolie Cannon (Anthony Laster), and Cass Cannon (Pamela),  granddaughter, Cassidy Cannon, grandsons, Kirk Donnell (Valerie), and Derek Donnell (Amber), and four great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at 1P, at St Helena Catholic Church, Clayton, Georgia.

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

An on-line obituary and register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com

Carl Edward Neely, 78, of Warwoman Road Clayton, Georgia., died Monday Morning December 2, 2019 in Habersham County Medical Center.

Born in Clayton Georgia., October 14, 1941 he was the son of the late Philo and Maybelle Chastain Neely. He was a rock mason and a member of the Blue Valley Baptist Church and a member of the North Georgia Coon Club and Macon County Coon Club.

He was preceded in death besides his parents, Philo and Maybelle Neely by one son, Dale Neely and one brother, William Neely and is survived by two sons, Vaughn Neely of Highlands, NC., and Terry Neely of Clayton, GA., one daughter, Denise Zachary (Ben) of Highlands, NC., one brother, Crawford Neely of Clayton, GA., one sister, Katheryn Vanughn of Winder, GA., six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral Services will be Thursday December 5, 2019 at the Macedonia Baptist Church at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Zane Talley and Rev. Marty Kilby officiating. Burial will follow at Clear Creek Cemetery.

The body is at Hunter Funeral Home where family will receive friends Thursday December 5, 2019 at the Macedonia Baptist Church from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M. (The Service Hour). The Family is at the home on Warwoman Road. The Family Ask in lieu of Flowers memorial in his memory to hunter funeral home to aid funeral experience.At p o box 653 Clayton,Georgia ,30525

Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

An on-line obituary and register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com