Mrs. Martha “Marty” Overstreet, age 74 of Hiawassee, GA, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 1, 2018. She was born on September 19, 1943 in Johnson County, IN, to the late Charles Edward & Georgia Alberta Farwell Stewart. A graduate of South Port High School, Marty went on to complete her bachelors degree in accounting. she worked at the Ringling Museum as an administrative assistant. After retiring Marty loved making lots of beautiful quilts for her friends and family. A member of Faith Baptist Church, Marty goes on to meet those who went before her; Son, Bryan Bristow and Sister, Susan Bate. She will be remembered by all who knew her, but especially missed by her Husband of forty-nine years, Ray Overstreet; Children, Barry Overstreet (Anita) and Tod Overstreet; Sister, Donna Scott (Gary); Grandchildren, Ryan Overstreet, Adam Bristow and Megan Bristow.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 2:00pm from the Faith Baptist Church. Rev. Emory Alexander will be officiating and the special music will be provided by Mrs. Kathy Norton. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 10:00am until 1:00pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Richard Peacock care of Faith Baptist Church at P.O. Box 790 Blairsville, GA 30514.

Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving in charge of the arrangements.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces funeral services for Mr. Gollie H. Easter, age 81, of Blairsville, who passed away on Friday, May 18th. Mr. Easter was a native of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, and was the son of the late Carl Edward Easter and the late Ruby Stanliff Easter. Mr. Easter had lived in Blairsville since 1966 and had worked for Pike Electrical Contractors, starting at the young age of 17. He retired after 46 years of service. He loved his job and the boys who worked with him. Mr. Easter was a member of First Baptist Church of Blairsville; Young Cane Masonic Lodge, #597, F & AM, Yaarab Temple and Appalachian Shrine Club Member; and Order of the Eastern Star, Mary Chapter, #304. Besides his parents, Mr. Easter had been preceded in death by a brother, William Grant Easter and a sister, Mildred Joan Davidson.

Mr. Easter leaves behind his loving family members: wife Betty, of Blairsville; son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Jimmie Sue Easter, of Blairsville; daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Greg Morris, of Monroe, Georgia; and daughter, Sharon Easter of Murphy, North Carolina; a granddaughter, Emily Nicole Easter, of Blairsville; many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Sunday, May 20th, 2018, at 4:00 p.m., to be held in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, with Dr. Fred Lodge officiating. Burial will be in Old Blairsville City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home starting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Flowers are being accepted; however, if you wish to do so, donations may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Mr. Easter.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving the Easter family. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website,www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mr. Brian Keith Payne age 59 of Nichols Circle Blairsville passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday May 10, 2018 following a brief illness. Mr. Payne was born on Sept. 9, 1958 in Union County, the son of the late Gordon Bell Payne and the late Mary Frances Carney Payne. Brian owned and operated Brian Payne Constructions for many years. He was a native and lifelong resident of Union County. He loved being on the river and riding motorcycle. Brian always lived life to the fullest. He was a loving father, brother and grandfather. Brian was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Mr. Payne are one son  and daughter in law, Keith and Jill Payne of Morganton, one daughter and son in law, Rose and Curtis Ford of Morganton, five sisters and brothers in law, Darlene and Wendall Murphy, Barbara and Tommy Rogers, Chearl and Jerry Ballew, Diane and Dale Spivey, Annette and Ron Whitmer all of Blairsville, one brother, Donald Payne of Blairsville, six grandchildren, Kamren, Honor, Helena, Skylar, Waylon and Stormey, several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Monday May 14, 2018 at 11:00 am from the Mountain View Chapel with Rev. James Bradley officiating. Specail music will be presented by Nick and Nathan Payne. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers, Junior Carroll, Mel Holt, Tim Payne, Van Payne, Ab Garrett, Jason Collins,. Honorary pallbearers will be Stanley Bruce and Darrell England.  In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to help defray expenses. Interment will follow in the New Union Baptist Church cemetery. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Saturday evening from 6-8:00 pm.

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

Mrs. Naomi Burnett Reece age 89 of Blairsville passed away peacefully on May 10, 2018 in the North East GA Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Reece was born on March 6, 1929 in Union County, the daughter of the late John Calvin Burnett and the late Alice Seabolt Burnett. In 1934, Naomi and Weldon had their first date at the age of six while eating their lunch on the big rock outside of the schoolhouse. In 1952, they were married and went on to raise four children. For the next twenty plus years, she was a devoted military wife traveling the world from Germany to Hawaii, and many places in between. Wherever Weldon was called for duty, she followed and made it a home for her family After the children were raised, she worked for homestead drapery Co and could operate any of the machines, while making samples to send to clients. Later she worked from home as a master seamstress and could create anything from baby dolls to wedding dresses, which she sold in stores. After Weldon’s military retirement, she cared for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was known as everyone’s Granny. They made Augusta, GA their home for 41 years before returning to their native Blairsville, GA. Naomi spent the last 14 years of her life near her childhood home with family and friends. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Roger Reece in 2014 and a daughter, Donna Gail Turner in 2004.  Naomi was a member of Shady Grove Methodist Church.

Surviving Mrs. Reece are her loving husband and best friend of sixty six years, Weldon Reece of Blairsville,  one daughter and son in law, Deborah and Joe Maddox of Jonesboro, GA., one son and daughter in law, Richard and Teresa Reece of Waynesboro, GA.., one sister, Lela Stephens of Blairsville, one brother, Anceberry Burnett of Blairsville, five grandchildren, Kellie and David James, Paula and Jim Osgood, Trevor and Sheena Todd, Allen Todd and Matthew Todd, numerous great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday May 13, 2018 at 2;00 pm from the Mountain View chapel with Rev. Winfred Pitts officiating. Special music will be presented by Winfred and Patsy Pitts and Matthew Todd. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers, Stephen and Justin Lamb, Austin and Logan James, Matthew and Allen Todd. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be James and Andrew Turner. Interment will follow in the Shady grove Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the Shady Grove Methodist Church in Naomi’s memory. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Saturday evening from 6-8:00 pm.

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 funeral services for Mr. Wayne Richard Abercrombie, Sr., age 75, of Blairsville, Georgia, who passed away on Tuesday, May 15th, 2018, at his home.

Mr. Abercrombie was born in Morganton, Georgia, a son of the late Spirlin Abercrombie and the late Faye Cox Abercrombie. He was a lifelong resident of our area, and was a member of Mineral Bluff Baptist Church,Young Cane Masonic Lodge, life member of Yaarab Temple, and the Appalachian Shrine Club. For the past 45 years, Wayne was the owner and operator of Foodland Grocery. Wayne was a good husband and father- a kind and giving, supportive person – a humble man who loved his family and loved people. People loved Wayne too, and he touched so many lives in so many different ways. He will be missed so much. Besides his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by two brothers: Lake Abercrombie and Buster Abercrombie.

Surviving family members left to carry on Wayne’s legacy are: his loving wife, Nancy, of Blairsville; son, Ricky Abercrombie, of Blairsville; daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Paul Anderson, of Oviedo, Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Holly and Larry Rhodes, of Canton, Georgia; sister, Vonceil Ballew, of Moreland, Georgia; five grandchildren also survive: Connor Rhodes, Amber Anderson, Maddie Rhodes, Bryson Rhodes, and Charlotte Rhodes. Many friends and other relatives also survive.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Thursday, May 17th, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., to be held in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home in Blairsville. The following gentlemen have been requested to serve as pallbearers: Marty Dyer, Josh Dyer, Derrick Baker, Evan Browning, Devin Gasaway, Jonathan Everett. Burial will be in Union Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, May 16th, between the hours of 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to the local American Cancer Society, Southeast Division, Inc., Union Unit, P.O. Box 2984, Blairsville, GA 30514.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving the Abercrombie family. Please share your condolences and sign the online guest registry atwww.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mrs. Priscilla (Penny) Kuhn age 78 of Stacy Lane, Blairsville passed away peacefully at Union General Hospital on April 29, 2018 following a sudden illness. Priscilla was born on February 20, 1940 in West Palm Beach, FL., the daughter of the late Albert White and the late Jane Cate White. Priscilla, formerly of Lighthouse Point, FL., moved to Blairsville in 2010. Priscilla was a retired owner of a florist and was in the business for over 20 years. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Kuhn.

Surviving Mrs. Kuhn are two daughters and one son in law, Becky Degregorio of Ellijay, GA., Debbie and Bob Overstreet of Blairsville, GA., several grandchildren and great grandchildren, Matthew Overstreet, Mike Davis, Nikki Cheek, Tony Degregorio, Catie Overstreet, Ashlee Degregorio, Ashton, Mikey, Tony, Braylee, Cooper, and Max also survive.

A memorial service will be held at a later date and will be announced.

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

Mr. Robert Strickland age 72 of Hawks Nest Rd. Blairsville formerly of Mt. Dora, FL. passed away peacefully at his home on Friday April 27, 2018 following a brief illness. Mr. Strickland was born on April 6, 1946 in Eustis, FL., the son of the late Ralph Strickland and the late Beth Allison Strickland. Robert loved fishing, hunting and building model airplanes. He enjoyed going to the Senior Center. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Strickland in 2015. Mr. Strickland was of the Methodist faith.

Surviving Mr. Strickland are his sister and brother in law, Susan and Mike Miles of Blairsville, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service will be held at a later date from the Coosa United Methodist Church and will be announced. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the Coosa United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund in memory of Mr. Strickland.

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

Mr. John Hoyt Hamby age 97 of Gardner Spiva Rd. Blairsville passed away peacefully at his home on Friday April 13, 2018 following a brief illness. Mr. Hamby was born on April 11, 1921 in Union County, the son of the late Manley Hamby and the late Nora Allison Hamby. He was a veteran of the US Army of WWII. Mr. Hamby loved gardening, farming, spending time with his family and his church. He also loved baseball being an avid Atlanta Braves fan. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Anna Belle Penland, Jessie Jackson and Pauline Hamby, four brothers, Cecil, Manley, Loy and Henley Hamby also one great great grandchild Cade Tyler Marshall. Mr. Hamby was a member of Shady Grove Methodist Church.

Hoyt entered the US Army January 5, 1943. He trained in the Military Police and was in several combat zones during WWII.  His medals include the Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the European/African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze stars.

Surviving Mr. Hamby are his loving wife and best friend, Sue Stephens Hamby of Blairsville, two sons and daughters in law, Johnny and Charlene Hamby, Dale Hamby and LaRue, four daughters and three sons in law, Linda and Dayton Dyer, Peggy and Stanley Bryson, Debbie Sparks, Traci and Ricky Owenby all of Blairsville, sister in law, Cricket Tanner of Blairsville, fourteen grandchildren, Tammy, Tonya, Sandy, Penny, Scotty, Stacy, Casey, Crystal, Stephanie, Josh, Caleb, Kyle, Kody and Kolt, twenty two great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Monday April 16, 2018 at 2:00 pm from the Mountain View Chapel with Rev. Winfred Pitts, Rev. Stacy Dyer and Rev. Bob Bone officiating. Special music will be presented by Dayton and Stacy Dyer. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers, Scotty Hamby, Casey Bryson, Josh Sparks, Caleb Sparks, Kyle Owenby, Kody Owenby and Kolt Owenby, honorary pallbearers will be Kainan King and Luke Collins. Interment will follow in the Shady Grove Methodist Church Cemetery with Military Honors by the North GA Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the Shady Grove Church Building Fund or Shady Grove Church Cemetery Fund in memory of Mr. Hamby. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 6-9:00 pm.

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

The Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory of Blairsville announces Memorial Services for Mr. David Pauley, age 67 who passed away on April 14, 2018 at his home.

On Four-Fourteen-Fifty-one, an oilman from Oklahoma, and a diner owner from Texas welcomed a second child into the world in Laurel, MS, and taught David Lynn Pauley how to love food and sweet tea. In fact, it led to a 35-year career in food service sales, which began at Maxwell house coffee. He loved coffee, meatloaf, and banana pudding.

He had a beloved older sister, Barbara, who will be glad to see him in heaven. They grew up in the small town of Heidleberg, Mississippi. David never met a stranger or forgot a face. Often embarrassing his children, when speaking to sales associates as if he knew them by calling them by their name from which he had read on their nametag. He loved watching college football-“Southern Miss to the top” and “Roll Tide”.

He also loved people, hunting, the mountains, and music. In high school, where he was known as Donki (donkey), he played football and baseball and later, as an adult, on a church softball team. He was part of the high school chorus, men’s quartet and had leading roles in several musical productions.

It was the school music director, Mrs. Risher, who arranged a blind homecoming date for David and Suzy. Fifteen-years-old and it was love at first sight. They married in 1970, while still in college and he graduated in 1973 from the University of Southern Mississippi with a business degree. The first one in his family to complete his college education. For the next 47 years, their love and caring of each other is an example for all. And he never stopped courting her with tender little touches and kind words. For example, up until his illness began, he always took Suzy’s car and filled it with gas, opened her car door and handed her seatbelt, and they were the couple you saw holding hands when they went to church.

In 1974, he became a father, when David and Suzy welcomed Davina, a daughter and their first child who was named after him and matched his stubbornness, when she refused as a small child to pick up her blocks and held her ground. She was followed in 1977, by a son Jeremy who also challenged him by going against the grain and finding his own path, but he did follow in his dad’s footsteps with his love for the mountains, and, in 1985 when Jared was born; he gave his dad a break and inherited the gentle side and has shown that he has his leadership skills. David was a large man with a gentle forgiving trusting soul. It doesn’t appear that any of his children have inherited his extreme detail for organization, jokingly his family called him OCD. Everything had a place and must be put back into it when not in use.

Also, in 1974, the Pauley’s joined Eastabuchie Baptist Church, where David joined a gospel quartet, “The Reflections” and sang with them for several years and recorded two albums. He loved music.

In 1986, David, Suzy, and their beautiful, wonderful children moved to Brandon, MS. For 28 years they were members of First Baptist Brandon. Over the years there David sang in the choir, a gospel quartet, and praise team. He became an ordained deacon, a youth Sunday school teacher, and part of the volunteer connection hospital visitation team. When his children were grown, he taught Sunday school for toddlers, preparing him for the future Paw Paw he would become. He loved children.

David’s love of the mountains led his family to vacation in the Smokies almost every year since 1971. He tried many many times to find a work connection that would allow them to move there. But the Lord said wait. In 2003, David and Suzy bought a cabin in the smokies near Gatlinburg. And it was hard to get him to vacation anywhere else. He had his spot. This is where he belonged.

In 2013, Jeremy married Janie Watras on the Labyrinth here at the Hinton Center, they were gifted an amazing daughter-in-law, who was gracious enough to endure his loving teasing. She is special to the family.

But, when Suzy retired in 2014, David said, “We are moving to the smokies”. When they arrived on Nov 1 there was snow on the ground, but it beat the heat of muggy Mississippi. It was a cold snowy winter (quite unlike the winters in MS, but he loved it), and in the spring of 2015 they moved to Murphy. And finally the mountain dream was real. After visiting many churches, the Lord sent them to First Baptist Blairsville, where they were greeted with open arms and loving hearts.

In 2016, they were blessed with a grandson, Tristan Douglass Pauley, who he taught how to make funny faces and motor boat noises. Found on his cellphone were silly selfies of them being hams together.

One day while sitting on their deck, looking at the amazing work of God’s hands, a bald eagle soared very near. It was like God’s promise in Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” We have hope. David is strong now. He is soaring on wings like eagles. He is running. He is walking. He is not tired. And he is singing God’s praises in the heavenly choir. And we feel the love he is sending to us all.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 from The Hinton Center in Hayesville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to your choice: Friends of the Smokies; Winship Cancer Institute – Brain Tumor Fund; or to Four Seasons Hospice.

Mr. Eric Roy England age 84 of Blairsville Ga. passed away on Saturday April, 7 2018 at the V.A. Hospital in Decatur Ga.  Mr. England was born on April 15, 1933 in Blairsville Ga., the son of the late Augustus and Mary Nix England. Mr. England was a retired Master Sergeant with the United States Marines Corps with 24 years of service to his country. He served as a Weapons Tactics Instructor and received numerous medals over his career. Eric loved hunting, fishing, Shooting and NASCAR. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and  grandfather ,he was a true Marine, Eric was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving Eric are his loving wife of thirty nine years, Glenda Sue Berrong England of Blairsville, stepson, Howard Beck Jr. of Summerville, SC., one sister, Edna Ruth (Edie) Rich of Blairsville, nephew, Eric Rich of Dallas, niece, Lisa and( Gregg)  Fortenberry of Blairsville, three grandchildren, Ashley Beck, Josh Radford and Amber Radford, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday April 11, 2018 at 11:00 am from the Choestoe Baptist Church with Rev. Ronald Wikander officiating. Eulogies will be given by Col. Mike Nunnally and Edie Rich. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers, Eric Rich, Tom Arline, Charles Turner and members of the US Marine Corps.  Interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date with full Military Honors. The In lieu of flowers  the family requests that donations may be made to the Union County Historical Society in Eric’s memory. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-9:00 pm.

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

Mr. Jimmy Clifford Abercrombie age 67 of Blue Bird Lane Mineral Bluff passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday April 5, 2018 following an extended illness. Mr. Abercrombie was born on April 16, 1950 in Mineral Bluff, GA., the son of the late Glover Abercrombie and the late Minnie Lou Wilkins Abercrombie. He was a native and lifelong resident of Fannin County. Jimmy loved pitching horseshoes, dirt track racing and truck driving. Before his retirement he was employed with Lance Trucking for several years. He was a loving father, brother and grandfather.  He was preceded in death by his parents and also three brothers, Billy Ray, Delano and Bobby Abercrombie. Jimmy was a member of Toccoa Baptist Church.

Surviving Mr. Abercrombie are one daughter, Tracy Abercrombie of Morganton, one brother and sister in law, David and Mary Ruth Abercrombie of Blairsville, four sisters and three brothers in law, Wanda and L.D. Patterson of Hiram, GA., Sheila Westbrook of Powder Springs, GA., Betty and David Brewer of Dallas, GA., Regina and Marvin Pickelsimer of Dallas, GA., one grandson, Dossie, several nieces, nephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday April 14, 2018 at 2:00 pm from the Toccoa Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Joe Dan Wilkins officiating. The family will meet with friends following the services at the cemetery.

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

Mrs. Dell Mae O’Neill age 84 of West Laurel Lane Young Harris passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 4, 2018 in the Union General Hospital following an extended illness. Mrs. O’Neill was born on April 2, 1934 in Vidalia, GA., the daughter of the late Ernest Chester Fountain and the late Mary Gladys Batay Fountain. Dell loved children and taught school for many years and also served as Principle for several years. She was always very passionate about her church and education. She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael R. O’Neill, husband, Robert A. O’Neill, two brothers, Robert and David Fountain, and also two sisters, Evelyn Vaughn and Carolyn King. Dell was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Surviving Mrs. O’Neill are two daughters and sons in law, Theresa and Vern Weatherford of Atlantic Beach, FL., Debra and Doug Ramsey of Richmond Hill, GA., two sons, Patrick O’Neill of Jacksonville, FL., Dennis O’Neill of Young Harris, one sister, Annette Holton of Vidalia, GA., one brother and sister in law, Jerry and Madelyn Fountain of CA., three grandchildren, James Harte, Christopher Harte and Allan Ramsey, five great grandchildren, Makayla Parsons, Michael, James Patrick, Bella and Blaise Harte, several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service will be held on Friday April 13, 2018 at 11:00 am from the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Richard Wise and Father Juan Areiza officiating. Special music will be presented by Ron Gaucher and Maryanne Englemann. Interment will follow at a later date in the Catholic Cemetery of Savannah where she will rest next to her beloved husband Robert. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6-8:00 pm with a Rosary to be held at 7:00 pm.

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 and Crematory announces funeral services for Mrs. Margie Davenport Alexander, age 76, native and lifelong resident of Blairsville, who passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at her home.

Mrs. Alexander was a member of Youngstown Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton V. Alexander; her parents, Claud and Sue Davenport; a sister, Mildred Cook; and a brother, Glen Davenport.

Margie leaves behind a legacy of love for her surviving family members: son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Cheryl Dyer, of Blairsville; grandson and his wife, Cody and Chantelle Dyer of New Zealand; grandson Kyle White of Birmingham AL, and granddaughter Heather White of Blairsville; sister and brother-in-law, Melba and Tommy Jackson; sister and brother-in-law, Mazie and Bruce Gray, sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Johnny Brackett; brother, Gary Davenport and Jodi Thomas all of Blairsville; sister-in-law, Debbie Davenport, of Jefferson, GA; step-son and wife, Shawn and Deidre Alexander, of Cleveland, GA; step-daughter and husband, Enid and Ken Smith, of Lula, GA; step-son and wife, Jon and Stormy Alexander, of Baxley, GA; 16 step-grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and many friends also survive.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., to be held in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, with Rev. Jerry Karnes, Rev. Steve Rhoten, and Rev. Jonathon Hood officiating. Special music will be presented by Ken and Enid Smith Family and Martha Davenport. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Kyle White, Dan Rhoten, Robert Spiva, Shawn Alexander, Jon Alexander, and Ken Smith. Burial will be in Ivy Log Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home will be held on Saturday, the same day of the service, starting at 12 noon.
Margie Davenport Alexander was born on November the 28th, 1941 to Reverend Claud Davenport and Sue Burrell Davenport. Margie was the third girl born to the Davenports and was named for her father Margie Claudette. This name was very fitting as she had dark curly hair like her father and always his favorite of seven children.
As the years quickly passed, she was a very precocious child and soon discovered the words women now live by CHARGE IT. In the mid forties children roamed the woods and roads with no fear. Margie with her younger brother, Glen in tow struck out for the country store. Margie promptly loaded up with bubble gum, charged it to her father and they headed for home. Sending Glen ahead to give her sister and mother the one piece of gum they had saved for them, Margie hid in the garden knowing she was in trouble.
Growing up in rural Union County there were two things you did. You worked and attended church. Margie worked at home, helping with the younger children, in the field with the whole family or doing chores for a neighbor. Margie was taught to cook and was a great cook. Chocolate fudge was her specialty and requested often by family and friends. The seven Davenport children were always close especially the daughters. Margie always had a close relationship with all her siblings.
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Margie worked several jobs one of her favorites was working at Walasi Inn, on Blood Mountain her last year of school. She lived with the family that ran the Inn and helped care for their children. She enjoyed the freedom and the new experience of being away from home. Margie worked at Georgia Boot for thirty – two years. She worked in the office for many years. She was then promoted to a managerial position in the warehouse. This job was considered to be a man’s position but Margie handled it with no problem wearing HIGH HEELS and not boots. Margie was always organized, punctual, clean, neat and dressed to the nines. Her nails were manicured, her hair done to a tee and she was always correct. She was later employed in the insurance industry for thirteen years before retiring.

Margie married Raymond Dyer at the age of seventeen. They had one child Joseph Ronald Dyer (Joe). Margie was the side line mother at ballgames always attending. Margie had one grandchild, Cody Christopher Dyer. Margie excelled as a grandmother. They played, traveled and did all the things she could not do with Joe as a working mother. Cody was the light of her life.

She later married Milton Alexander, an electrical engineer from Commerce. After Milton’s death Margie’s health began to fail. She could not care for her home alone. She sold her home and moved to Brannon Lodge. There she ruled the world from her dining table with her computer, pen and telephone.

If you wish, in lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial contributions be made to Ivy Log Cemetery Fund, 36 Jamie Gray Lane, Blairsville, GA 30512.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving the Alexander family. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website,www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mr. Ovean Jerrell Seabolt, age 73 of Blairsville, passed away Friday, March 9, 2018 at his home after a brief illness. Mr. Seabolt was born June 2, 1944 in Union County to The late Zed William Seabolt and Mary Nelson Seabolt. Jerrell was of the Baptist faith and attended the Old Liberty Baptist Church. He was a gifted Machinist, welder and fabricator. He loved to work in his shop. He also was a farmer, growing mostly corn. Jerrell enjoyed making sorghum Syrup and fishing.

Survivors include: his mother, Mary Nelson Seabolt, brothers, John (Becky) Seabolt and Ray Seabolt, all of Blairsville. Many other relatives and friends also survive..

Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. from the chapel of the Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville with Rev. Jerry Young and Rev. Harley Hunter officiating. Music will provided by Shirley Dyer, Sonny Dyer and Deborah Collins . Interment will follow in the Old Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Poley Seabolt, Eddy Dyer, Nicholas Wimpey, Gene Mason, Steve Colwell and Sean Dwayer.
The family will receive friends at the Funeral home Sunday from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made in honor of Jerrell to the Old Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

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

Mrs. Helen Barbier Stephens, age 90, of Blairsville, GA passed away on Monday, March 5, 2018 at the Clay County Care Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Stephens was born on April 10, 1927 in New York City, NY, the daughter of the late Nickolaus Barbier and Eva Hnatuk. Mrs. Stephens loved to play cards, bingo, and fishing. Mrs. Stephens was of the Baptist Faith. Preceding Mrs. Stephens in death was her loving husband James R. Stephens.

Surviving Mrs. Stephens are daughter Tammy DeFrank of New York, NY, daughter Maria Tardef of Florida, special friends Sharon Gay of Blairsville, GA, and Anna Young of Blairsville, GA, eight grandchildren, and many other friends and relatives also survive.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Stephens will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 3:00PM at the Meadow View Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Young officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association in memory of Mrs. Stephens.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. You may sign the family’s guestbook and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com.