Mrs. Evelyn Ann Denton Ledford, age 70 of Hiawassee, passed away Saturday November 30, 2019 at Union General Hospital. Mrs. Ledford was born January 20, 1949 in Towns County to Cleveland and Monda Lowe Denton. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Church of God. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Evelyn loved gardening, her flowers and cooking. She worked hard all of her life to care for her family.

Survivors include her husband, Monroe Ledford; son and daughter in law, Ronnie and Renee Ledford of Hiawassee; sister and brother-in-law, Burnette and C.J. Nichols of Clayton, GA; granddaughter, Haley (Michael) Barrett; granddaughter, Kendra Ledford; great grandson, Grayson Barrett; nephew, Colby Nichols; and aunt, Della Dickard. Many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday December 2nd at the chapel of the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee with Rev. Glen Eller officiating. Music will be provided by Sheila Eller. Interment will follow in Boyds Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers: Knox Garrett, Michael Barrett, Colby Nichols, Robert Bradshaw, Jerry Owens and Eric Owens.

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee Sunday evening from 6 until 9 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mrs. Gayle Elizabeth Kniffen, age 79, of Game Bird Lane, Murphy passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at Union General Hospital following an extended illness. Mrs. Kniffen was born on January 12, 1940 in Binghamton, NY to the late Agnes Gillespie Lewis and the late Frank L. Lewis. Gayle was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She loved the mountains and loved all wildlife. She was of the Protestant faith.

Surviving Gayle are her loving husband and best friend of sixty-two years, Charles Kniffen of Murphy; her daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Jon Tokarski of Katy, TX; two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Marie Kniffen of Palm Bay, FL, and Richard and Rachelle Kniffen of China, MI; two sisters, Donna Williams of FL and Ila Brown of Hayesville; five grandchildren, Cheyenne, Shannon, Cameron, Brendan and Haley; several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

No services are planned as per Gayle’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation in Gayle’s memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

William (Bill) Joseph Klug Jr., a former south Florida banking executive, died on Sunday October 27, 2019 in Hiawassee. He was 96.

Bill Klug was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 16, 1923, to William Sr. and Augustana (Gussie) Klug. After graduating from high school, he went into the U.S. Army to serve our country during World War II. During the war, he served in General Patton’s Third Army Group in Western Europe.

After the war, Bill settled in south Florida (the “old” Miami and  for a time, Cape Coral) and entered the banking business fashioning his career there from being a teller to being president of a bank and many of the intermediate positions within the banking industry.

There Bill also found the love of his life, Lorraine Coon, and their three children, Jeff, Jane, Linda, soon followed, and Schnapps too (the family dog). During this time Bill developed his three lifelong passions, golfing (some playing and a true fan of the game), gardening, and the Florida Gators; particularly the football team.

After retiring, Bill and Lorraine toured the nation’s sites from their Road Trek van. Their travels included time spent in and near Hiawassee and it was not long before they decided on Hiawassee as where they wanted to live in retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Klug; their children, Jeff Klug of Hiawassee (formerly Miami, Florida), Jane Pratt (John Clarke) of Holmes Beach, Florida, and Linda (Jeff) Rabin of Lighthouse Point, Florida; and grandchildren, Charles Jerome (C.J.) Pratt, Elizabeth Pratt, William (Will) Pratt, Carly Rabin, and Julie Rabin. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sister Katharine Palumbo.

Bill Klug will be greatly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Humane Society or other charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hayesville on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 11:00am.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces Memorial Services for Marlon Gerald Gibson, age 40, of Blairsville who passed away on Friday October 18, 2019.

“Waldo” (Marlon) loved his children and had a heart for animals. He spent a lot of his time with both. Known to be a hard worker and loyal man, Waldo was a friend to all he crossed paths with. He enjoyed the solitude of music- listening loud and often! Waldo connected song lyrics to the phases of his life. He would interpret each and every word with the emotions that he felt.

He loved California and spoke for many years of making a life out there “one day”. He finally made that happen.

Marlon leaves behind two children, Anastyne Faith and Corbin Macrae; his mother, Cordie Ann Gibson; sister, Alicia Gibson Ralston; and brother, Randy Allen. Many extended family members and friends also survive. Marlon was preceded in death by his father, J.L. Gibson; and grandparents, Elmer & Gladys Pickelsimer.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. The family will gather with friends from 10 a.m. until the service begins.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Cochran Funeral Home, P.O. Box 338, Blairsville, GA 30514 to help defray funeral expenses.

Mr. Michael W McCray, age 60, of Hayesville, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019. Mr. McCray was born January 18, 1959, in Murphy, NC, to the late Theron McCray and Ellavee Canup McCray. He was a member of Fires Creek Baptist Church, enjoyed working outside, and loved spoiling on his pet bird ‘Baby.’ Mr. McCray was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Ware, brothers, Clifton McCray, Roy McCray, and Ronald McCray.

Survivors include his wife, Anna M. McCray, sisters, Arthel Davis, Clara Davis, Helen Oliver, Anna Lou Ware, and Betty Carter, brothers, Everett McCray and Ralph McCray.

Funeral services: Sunday, October 20, 2019, at 2:00 pm at the Fires Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Dallas Crowder and Pastor Dennis Ash officiating. Music provided by Matthew Roach, Johnny and Joan Roach, Cordel Lands, and Bronson Kirby. Interment will follow in the Fires Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jessie McCray, Dewayne McCray, Derick McCray, Greg Carter, Bob Davis, and Barrett Davis. Honorary pallbearers: Ray Ware, Rex Davis, Tony Lands, and Bennie Kirby.

The family will receive friends at the Fires Creek Baptist Church, Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 6:00-8:00 pm and Sunday, October 20 1:20 till 2:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, NC. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Charles Raymond Dean, age 82, of Crawley Gap Road, Blairsville, Georgia passed away January 7, 2020, with his family at his side in his home following an extended illness. He was born on October 16, 1937 in Danielsville, GA to that late Charlie and Mary Dean. Mr. Dean is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years Carmell Dean; daughters, Martha O’Kelley and her husband John O’Kelley of Monticello, GA, Judith King and her husband David King of Marietta, GA and Gloria Morris of Panama City, FL, step-son Terry Warren and his wife CaSandra Warren of Blairsville, GA, eight grandchildren (2 grandsons preceded in death) and 11 great-grandchildren.

Raymond was an Air Force veteran, served 25 years as a Master Mason of Young Cane Masonic Lodge , Blairsville, GA and worked at BellSouth for 36 years where he also volunteered with the Bellsouth Pioneers. He then began work as a Communication Consultant in Egypt and Mexico. Upon retirement he and Carmell moved to Blairsville to enjoy the mountains. They also spent twelve years traveling throughout the U.S. in their RV. Mr. Dean enjoyed the outdoors, being around the water and fishing. He attended Coosa Methodist Church in Blairsville.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020 from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Burch and Pastor Jack Cochran officiating. A Eulogy will be given by CMDCM Richard Dean (USN, Ret.). Interment will follow at New Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery in Blairsville. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Drew Schug, Daryl Green, Richard Dean, Bobby Dean, J.E. Corn, and CW2 Austin M. Dean. Eric King will serve as honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, the family desires that donations be made to either Coosa United Methodist Church or New Harmony Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5 until 8 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory.

This is the story of Beatrice Edith (Lemon) Tremblay. Beatrice was an amazing woman, mother, grandmother and daughter who was very much loved, is already missed and will be forever cherished.
Beatrice’s story started in the small town of Ware Massachusetts where on May 24, 1924 she was born the second to the youngest to Arthur and Louise Lemon. She lived her life in the same town, the same house until after graduating high school, she left to attend nursing school in Boston Massachusetts. Here is where she met the love of her life having been set up on a blind date with the brother of one of her patients. It was a whirlwind romance and ended with her flying to where her betrothed was stationed in Denver Colorado to get married. It was a standing joke in our household as to how she chased him down and how, on the very day they got married, Roland, her now husband and flight engineer in the Air Force took flight and crashed. After three days, she finally learned of his safety and they went on to have four children and their first home in Marlboro, Mass.
Beatrice was known for her positive attitude, winning smile, and love for her family and friends. She was strong willed and a fighter to the very end. She passed peacefully at her home in Mineral Bluff, Georgia on December 1, 2019.
She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Roland Tremblay and her son, Roland Tremblay Jr. She is survived by her three daughters and their partners, Donna Tremblay and Christine Kohl of Holly Springs, Georgia, Paula Tremblay and Melissa Morrissette of Mineral Bluff, Georgia and Shari (Tremblay) Evans and husband Daniel Evans of Blairsville, Georgia along with two grandchildren, Jonathan Evans and Aysel Tremblay.
Committal Service to be held in the chapel of the Henry Cochran Funeral Home in Blue Ridge Georgia on Friday, December 6 at 2 pm. Interment to follow at the Crestlawn Cemetery in Copperhill, Tennessee.

William Thomas ‘Tommy” Quintrell, age 90 of McCaysville, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Union County Nursing Home in Blairsville. Tommy was born September 29, 1929, in Fry, GA, to the late William Henry Quintrell and the late Willa Nell Fry Quintrell. He was a member of the 1947 graduating class of McCaysville High School, severed as a corporal in the US Army during the Korean Conflict; he had worked as a carpenter in the mining department at City Service Company. Tommy had served as mayor at one time and as a councilman for the City Of McCaysville for 30 years. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill, Tommy was preceded in death by brothers, Roy Quintrell, and John Quintrell, sister, Grace Postelle.

Survivors include wife, Marjorie “Pug” Turner Quintrell, daughters, Amy Elizabeth (Bryan) Branson, and Julie (Terry) Arp, grandchildren, Abby Elizabeth (Steve) Lanni, Jennifer Branson, Amanda Branson, and Timothy Edward (Brittany) Branson, sisters, Doris Abernathy, and Sandra Finch.

Funeral services: Tuesday 12:00 Noon at First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill, with Rev. Gary Barber and Rev. Matthew McDaniel officiating. Music by Harry and Katie Gilbert. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jim Quintrell, Jake Williams, Weston Quintrell, Gary George, Will Harbin, and Timonthy Towe. Honorary pallbearers: The Way Sunday School Class, Kenneth Patterson, and Lynn Panter.
The service will stream live online at www.myfirstbaptist.net
The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday from 11:00 AM till 12:00 Noon.
Interment will follow at Crestlawn Cemetery with Military Honors provided by North Georgia Honor Gaurd.

Arrangements entrusted to the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, GA, you may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mr. Robert Leslie Durkee age 65 of Carla Cove Blairsville passed away on Thursday November 21, 2019 in the Union General Hospital following a brief illness. Mr. Durkee was born on Jan. 21, 1954 in Aschaffenburg, Germany, the son of Marion Flueck Durkee and the late Raymond Durkee. Robert loved fishing, working on vehicles and all kinds of animals. He was a loving and caring husband, father, brother and uncle. Robert attended the Blairsville Church of the Nazarene.

Surviving Robert are his loving wife and best friend, Karen VanMartin Durkee of Blairsville, mother, Marion Fluecke Durkee of Blairsville, one son and daughter in law, Bobby and Shelley Durkee, two sisters and brothers in law, Carol and Avery Mason of Blairsville, Susan and Tommy Murphy of Young Harris, several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A Private family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the Blairsville Church of the Nazarene in Robert’s memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Deborah Elaine Ayers Dockery, age 59, of Ellijay, GA, passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019, in Gainesville, GA. Mrs. Dockery was born February 7, 1960, in Stephens County, GA. She was Administrator, Director of Women’s Ministry, and a member of World Harvest Church North. Deborah loved serving God, her church family, caring for people, singing, organizing events to better the world, writing, editing, proofreading, and decorating. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sue Ayers and Leon Powers, step-father Frank Ayers, and her sister, Robin Sellers.

Survivors include her husband, Asa Dockery; sons, Stephen Dockery and wife Dana Dockery, Michael Dockery, and Benjamin Dockery and wife Sarah Dockery.

Funeral Services: Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 2:00 pm at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home with Robin Bertram officiating. Interment will follow in Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery with Tracey Mitchell. Music by Connie Davis. Pallbearers: Wayne Dillworth, Dennis Gorges, Jonathan Long, Matthew Colbert, Chris Brewer, and Rob Thibodeaux.

The family will receive friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, Friday, November 22, 2019, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mr. Robert Lee Shannon, age 88, of Ivylog Creek Rd., Blairsville, passed away on Tuesday October 29, 2019 in Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA following a brief illness. Mr. Shannon was born on February 26, 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA., the son of the late Joseph Shannon and the late Hazel Thompson Shannon. Robert loved hunting, bowling and was an avid woodcarver. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his sister, Peggy. Robert attended the House of Prayer Church.

Surviving Mr. Shannon are his loving wife and best friend of thirty three years, Doris E. Shannon of Blairsville, four sons and daughters in law, Barry and Mary Shannon of Blairsville, Del and Linda Shannon of Southbury, CT., Wade and Debbie Shannon of Sugar Hill, GA., Dayne and Donna Shannon of Houston, GA., stepdaughter, Donna Detwiler of Tyron, PA., eight grandchildren, Shawn, Dusti, Kelly, Erin, Dustin, Riley, Nathan and Merissa, sixteen great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the House of Prayer Church for the Hope Center in Robert’s memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Obituary for Buford Arp

Mrs. Donna Lynn Earls age 54 of Hwy 60 Suches passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday October 19, 2019 following an extended illness. Mrs. Earls was born on Feb. 10, 1965 in Woodbury, TN., the daughter of Linnie E. Nunley Dover and the late Thomas Dover. Donna was a loving daughter, mother, sister and friend to many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Earls Sr. Donna was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Mrs. Earls are one son, Gary Sharp of McMinnville, TN., her mother, Linda Dover, one brother and sister in law, Ricky and Debbie Dover all of McMinnville, stepson, Bobby Earls Jr. of Suches, two grandchildren, Nevaeh Zone and Katie Sharp, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service will held at the Barren Fork Baptist Church in McMinnville, TN. at a later date and will be announced. . In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the Barren Fork Baptist Church in McMinnville in Donna’s memory.                   .

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces funeral services for Mr. Dickie H. Dills, age 72, of Lilburn, Georgia, who passed away on Saturday, December 14th, 2019 in Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Mr. Dills was a native of this area, but had lived most of his life in Lilburn. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and served with the 101st Airborne. He was employed as an area manager for the U.S. Postal Service, and attended Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Warne, North Carolina. His wife, Sue Edwards Dills, preceded him in death, as well as his parents, Ruby Bell Dills and Halen Dills; and a brother, Dennis Dills.

Dickie had an infectious personality and influenced the lives of everyone he met in a positive way. Whether you knew him as a friend, neighbor, boss, uncle, or just plain “dad” he inspired you to be the best version of yourself and would not accept anything less than that. His work ethic and attention to detail were legendary whether in his personal life, professional life, or in one of the many classic Ford Mustangs he meticulously restored. This determination was rooted in a small-town upbringing, honed in the U.S. Army where he proudly served in the 101st Airborne during the Vietnam War, and became the basis for which he lived his entire life. Over the course of his 40 plus year career with the U.S. Postal Service, he received many accolades and accomplishments, and was respected by his peers that thought of him more as family. Dickie was a jack of all trades and most notably a master mechanic. He was known throughout the southeast and beyond in the classic car community as it pertained to his favorite of them all, the Ford Mustang. Of the many achievements in his life, none brought him more joy than being a husband to his wife of 43 years Sue Edwards Dills, and father to his son Matthew. After a courageous battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma he has been reunited with his beloved wife, brother, parents, and many loved ones that came before his time. Dickie was truly a one of a kind man, and he will be greatly missed by family, friends, co-workers, and all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Surviving family members include a son, Matthew Dills; a brother, David Dills; and three sisters: Rachael Payne, Karen Phillips, and Carol Shook.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Wednesday, December 18th, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., to be held at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee. The family will meet with friends at the church on the day of the service, starting at 11:00 a.m. The following gentlemen have been requested to serve as pallbearers: Matthew Dills, Chris Payne, Eric Dills, Jackie Jones, David Dills, and Rick Cantrell. Burial will be in Burch Cemetery.

Flowers are being accepted for the service; however, if you wish, you may make memorial donations to Burch Cemetery, 980 Will Shook Road, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546.

Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Dickie H. Dills. Please share your condolences and sign the online guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mr. Robert Wade Perkins, age 56, of Leslie Dr. Blairsville, GA., passed away peacefully on December 9, 2019 at his home following an extended illness. Mr. Perkins was born on May 5, 1963 in Marion, MO., the son of the late Robert H. Perkins & late Mary Y. Willings. In his free time, Robert enjoyed working on cars & computers. Mr. Perkins was of the Christian faith. He is preceded in death by his loving companion of fifteen years, Ann Goodenough in 2019, a brother, Charles Perkins, and a sister, Susan Chitwood-Perkins.

Surviving Mr. Perkins is a daughter Alexis Roberts of Corpus Christi, TX., three step-daughters & two sons-in-law, Nichole & Mason Schuknecht of Blairsville, Briana & Larry Sweeney-Goodenough of Blairsville, Misty Goodenough of Blairsville, a step-son, Gregory Chabotte of Blairsville, a brother and sister-in-law, Brad & Lori Lubker-Perkins of Blairsville, and a sister and brother-in-law, Erin & Paul Allen. Fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to help defray expenses in Robert’s memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com