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Joseph Phillips Miller
Joseph Phillips Miller, 89, of Clayton, GA passed away on July 1, 2004 at Rabun County Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Pasco, Washington and moved to Highlands in 1969 then to Clayton in 2001.
He was predeceased by his wife Norma Jean Parker Miller, and is survived by a daughter Ruby Burleson of Highland Village Texas, a step-daughter Julia Ledbetter of Leeds, Alabama, and a step-grandson Michael Mangina of Birmingham Alabama; 2 grandchildren Brian Burleson and Kathy Duke; and three great grandchildren Douglas Burleson, Jessica Duke and Daniel Duke.
Joseph was a retired employee of General Dynamics and a veteran of the US Air Force. He also assisted his wife at Norma’s Craft and Yarn Shop in Highlands for many years as well as doing handiwork for neighbors and friends. He was an avid fisherman and long time Ham radio operator.
He was a member of the American Society of Tool Engineers and the Aeronautical Pistol Club.
At his request there will be no visitation or funeral service.
Beck Funeral home is in Charge of the arrangements.
Elbert J. Baggett
Elbert J. Baggett, 81, of Sylvan Lake Falls Community, was called home to be with his Lord on July 9, 2004.
He was the son of the late Joseph A. and Savannah Baggett of Winter Park, Florida, and was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters, also of Winter Park. He is survived by his wife, Martha, of the home, three sons and one daughter: Barre (and Jane) Baggett of Winter Park, Rick (and Joyce) Baggett of Anderson SC, David (and Rosey) Baggett of Northwood, Iowa, and Becky (and Dale) Wadding of LaCrescent, MN. Mr. Baggett had 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Baggett served in the European Theatre for 2-1/2 years, going in on D-Day Four. He was a former member of the Winter Park Optimist Club and the Half Century Club. Graduating from Winter Park High School in 1942, Mr. Baggett was inducted into the WPHS Athletic Hall of Fame. He was co-owner of Baggett’s Fine Foods in Winter Park for 30 years and moved to Rabun Gap, GA in 1979. Mr. Baggett was a member of the local American Legion Post 220 and the Wolffork Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Monday July 12, 2004 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday July 13, 2004 at 11:00 AM at the Wolffork Baptist Church in Rabun Gap, with burial in the church cemetery. Mr. Baggett’s son, Dr. Rick Baggett, will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Lewis Rathbun Center, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville, NC, 28803
Homer Lester Thompson, affectionately known as “Ham”
Homer Lester Thompson, affectionately known as “Ham”, 73, of Mountain City, GA passed away at Rabun County Memorial Hospital on Friday July 9, 2004 after a lengthy illness.
He was the son of the late Ralph Thompson and Hettie Thompson Thompson and was a lifelong resident of Rabun County. He was employed in the construction industry as a heavy equipment operator.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Penny Thompson, a brother Tommy Thompson and four sisters, Margie York, Cornelia Mashburn, Mildred Philyaw, and Edith English.
He is survived by his wife Frances Hilliard Thompson, five children, Pam Thompson, Wiley, GA; Brenda Rider, Elba, AL; Rhonda Shope, Rabun Gap, GA; Cindy Ballew, Wiley, GA; and Cissy Henry, Persimmon, GA. Also surviving are one sister, Lenora “Tootisie” Crane, Clayton, GA; two brothers, Tye Thompson, Clayton, GA; and Kermit Thompson, Persimmon, GA.; and 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be at the Beck Funeral Home on Saturday July 10, 2004 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Service will be conducted at the Persimmon Baptist Church at 2:00 PM Sunday July 11, 2004 with Reverend Greg Adkins officiating. Burial will follow immediately at the Persimmon Community Cemetery.
Thelma Welch
Thelma Holbrooks Welch, 73, of Mountain City, GA passed away Saturday, August 28, 2004 at Rabun County Memorial Hospital.
She was the daughter of Joshua McKinley Holbrooks and Laurie Hudson Holbrooks. She was preceded in death by her husband Lon J. Welch and is survived by 2 sons, Bruce Welch and his wife Martha of Mountain City; Steve Welch and wife Elaine of Toccoa, GA; 3 daughters, Sandra Walker and husband Carlton of Rabun Gap, GA; Vonnie Gay and husband Hank of Clayton, GA; Misty Welch of Mountain City, GA; 2 brothers, Joshua M. Holbrooks II of Long Creek, SC; Elijah Holbrooks of Toccoa, GA; 2 sisters, Loranzia Norris of Toccoa, GA; and Clara Lutz of Cleveland, GA; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Ms. Welch was a seamstress and a life-long resident of Rabun County. She was a member of Carvers Chapel Church and was a founding member of the Gospel Mountaineers in 1958.
The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Monday evening August 30, 2004 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday August 31, 2004 at 2:00 PM at the Blue Heights Baptist Church with Roy Barnwell, and Mike Holland officiating. Burial will follow in Taylors Chapel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association, 1101 N. Chase Parkway, Suite 1, Marietta GA. 30067
Beck Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
John Elliott
John Leighton Elliott, 55, of Clayton passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta on Thursday August 26, 2004.
John was preceded in death by one sister, Mattie Elliott of Nebo, NC. He is survived by his wife Kelly L. Gewinner-Elliott, one son, Bradley Lane Elliott of Clayton, GA; six daughters, Paige Lynn Elliott-Dunne of Dahlonega, GA; Jordan Alice Singleton, Dahlonega, GA; Holly Nicole Elliott, a student at Brigham Young University; Bridget Aileen Elliott, Clayton, GA; Lauren Reneé Elliott, Clayton, GA; Blair Hope Elliott, Clayton; two brothers, Fredrick Elliott, Marion, NC; Joe Elliott, Asheville, NC; one sister, Alice Elliott Loudermilk, Nebo, NC; and one grandchild, Garrett Singleton. He is also survived by Kathleen Carr Alfaro, mother of his children, and wife of 23 years.
John was an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, a devoted husband, and father of seven children and grandfather to one. He attended Warren Wilson College, post graduate classes at Harvard University, and was a supportive band booster at Rabun High School. He was previously an executive with Walmart, and a writer for The Clayton Tribune.
The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Sunday August 29, 2004 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Service will be conducted at the Beck Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM on Monday August 30, 2004 with Bishop Scott Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Old Fort, NC.
Beck Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Ruby Christine Bradley Scaggs
Ruby Christine Bradley Scaggs, 75, of Rabun Gap passed away June 7, 2004 at her home after a long illness.
Mrs. Scaggs was born in Rabun County on July 26, 1928 and was preceded in death by her husband Charles E. Scaggs, a daughter Cindy Scaggs, her parents Grover S. Bradley and Laura Shope Bradley; also two sisters Elsie Henson and Kate Bradley; one brother James Bradley, and Jack Beasley who was considered by Ruby to be a brother because they were raised together and he was part of her family.
Ruby is survived by two daughters, Teresa Green, of Rabun Gap, and Wanda Anderson of Rabun Gap. She is also survived by four grand children.
The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Tuesday June 8 from 7PM to 9 PM and on Wednesday June 9 from 7PM to 9PM
Funeral services will be held at the Betty Creek Baptist Church at 11 AM on Thursday June 10 with Reverend Dale Welsh and Reverend Alton Dendy officiating. Dr. Edith Burney will also speak at the service. Burial will follow at the Wesleyan cemetery in Rabun Gap.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Playground Fund at Betty’s Creek Baptist Church in her memory.
Beck Funeral Home is in charge of the service arrangements. If there are any questions please call 706-782-9599.
William J. “Bill” Griffin, Jr.
William J. “Bill” Griffin, Jr. Age 69 died June 23, 2004 at his home on Lake Rabun in Lakemont, GA. He was born August 18, 1934 in Atlanta, GA.
Mr. Griffin was the developing force in his family’s business – Griffin’s Outboard Marine. Taking control of the company in the mid 1960’s from his father, he grew it from a single location with few employees here in Atlanta to branches in Dallas, TX; South Bend, IN; and Orlando, FL employing 250 people.
Griffin’s Marine began after World War II in a 1000 sq. ft. building in Atlanta by Bill’s father, Jeff on a $10, 000.00 signature loan as a Johnson Motors franchise offering parts and accessories. The company subsequently moved to a larger space on Cheshire Bridge Road, and later settled into its final location of 85, 000 sq. ft. right off I-85. At the time of the company’s sale to Coast Distribution in 1989, Griffin’s represented 300 manufacturers and had over 6000 dealers across the country.
Stock car racing was a passion of Bill’s. He saw his first NASCAR race in 1953 on the beach in Daytona while attending Stetson University in Deland. Since that time, he’s been to every Daytona 500 and attended races at all the tracks on the circuit. In addition, Bill sponsored Winston Cup Champion Benny Parsons for several races during the late 1970’s.
Upon the sale of his business, Mr. Griffin retired to his home in Ft. Lauderdale, FL while spending much of the summers at his lake home north of Atlanta.
Mr. Griffin is preceded in death by his father, William J. “Jeff”; mother, Helen; stepmother, Lyndall. Survivors are his brother, James “Jimmy” of Lawrenceville, GA; Cousins: George, Helen & Bobby; Nephews: James of Kennesaw, GA; Michael Bennett of Snellville, GA and Niece Annette.
The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Friday June 25, 2004 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Beck Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday June 26, 2004 at 3:00 PM. Services will be conducted by Robert H. McConnell. Burial will follow in the Harvey cemetery in Tallulah Falls.
Families & friends are invited to attend a “Celebration of Life” gathering at Mr. Griffin’s home immediately following the graveside services.
Beck Funeral home is in Charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions please call 706-782-9599.
Frances McLeroy
1917-2004
Athens, GA
Frances Doster McLeroy, 87, of 696 Whitehead Road died Monday, November 8, 2004.
A native of Clarke County, Mrs. McLeroy was a daughter of the late Garnett Avery and Bertha Lucille Sims. She was preceded in death by her husband, James L. McLeroy, Sr. and her son, Donald Steven McLeroy. She was a homemaker and a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her sons: James L. McLeroy, Jr. of Athens, Garnett Wayne McLeroy of Clarksville, Michael Dennis McLeroy of Watkinsville; daughters: Gloria Frances Bell of Lilburn, Beverly Lucille Saye of Watkinsville, Glenda Ann Thomas of Snellville, Judy Lynn McLeroy of Athens; sister, Annie Jeanne Smith of Athens; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-two great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, November 12, 2004 at Chapelwood United Methodist Church with the Rev. Thom Shores, the Rev. Peggy Little, and the Rev. Chip Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at Bernstein Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 100 Janice Drive, Athens, GA 30606.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Olean Welch Wooten
Olean Welch Wooten, of Stagecoach Drive Clayton, GA, passed away Sunday June 13, 2004 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
She was the daughter of the late Grover Welch and Loney Gunn Welch. She was also preceded in death by her husband Marvin Wooten.
Olean is survived by her son Billy W. Wooten of Clayton; two daughters, Joanne Slaton of Tignall, GA, and Janie Jones of Clayton, GA; grand children Nawana Lawrence of Tiger, Dwayne Slaton of Tignall, GA, and Billy Wayne Wooten of Lexington, KY; and five great grand children. Also surviving are two sisters, Naomi Watts of Clayton, GA and Frances Justus of Mountain City, GA.
Olean was a lifelong resident of Rabun County and was a member of the North Clayton Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home on Monday June 14, 2004 from 7 PM to 9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM Tuesday June 15, 2004 in the Beck Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. J. C. Quilliams and Rev. Ronia Hunter officiating. Burial will follow in the Blue Heights cemetery in Mountain City, GA.
Beck Funeral Home is in charge of the service arrangements. If there are any questions please call 706-782-9599.
Corine Dixon Martin
1921-2004
Athens, GA
Corine Dixon Martin, born March 16. 1921, of 436 John Collier Road died November 11, 2004.
A native of Oglethorpe County, Mrs. Martin was a daughter of the late Granville and Mary Gabriel Dixon. She was preceded in death by her husband Fant E. Martin. She was employed with Chicopee Mills and later owned and operated Martin Grocery in the South Jackson area for many years. She was a member of Oconee Heights Baptist Church and the Hope Sunday School Class.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Evangeline (Van) M. and Dick Nixon; son and daughter-in-law, Dwayne E. Martin and Janice Carpenter all of Athens; brothers: Edward Dixon of Athens and Benny Dixon of Marietta; half-brothers: Bobby Dixon and Aubrey Dixon both of Athens; half-sisters: Elizabeth Lowe of Athens, Betty Jo Anderson, Carol Wagnon and Doris Parks all of Hull; grandchildren: Cindy Lee and Ricky Nixon both of Athens, Bryan Martin and Dwayne Martin both of Marion NC; seven great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, November 13, 2004 in Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Crist Camden, the Rev. Elmer Butler and the Rev. Bud McDonald officiating. iIntermentwill follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will be at the home of Dick and Van Nixon, 540 John Collier Road, Athens and will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at Bernstein Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life Team, c/o South Jackson Elementary School, 8144 Jefferson Road, Athens, GA 30607.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
