Obituaries

Local Obituaries

David Gary Ivester

David Gary Ivester

Jan 22, 2026

David Gary Ivester, age 72, of Clarkesville, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Born in Demorest, Georgia on August 6, 1953, David was a beloved son of the late John Alford “Dutch” Ivester and Dorothy Louise Garrett Ivester.

David worked with Ivester Concrete for a number of years, where he was known for his strong...

Donald Irvin Cook

Donald Irvin Cook

Jan 22, 2026

Donald Irvin Cook, age 94, of Baldwin, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Born in Akron, Ohio on December 31, 1931, Donald was the beloved son of the late Frank E. Cook and Gale Geistweite Cook. A proud patriot, Don served his country honorably in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, a time of service...

Jeremy Dustin Cantrell

Jeremy Dustin Cantrell

Jan 19, 2026

Jeremy Dustin Cantrell, age 45, of Demorest, Georgia, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026. Jeremy was a deeply loved father, son, brother, uncle, and friend whose life revolved around his children and family.

From the moment you met him, Jeremy made an impression. A true sports enthusiast, he cheered loudly for the Georgia Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels,...

Kevin Andrew Potter - Service will be rescheduled due to inclement weather

Kevin Andrew Potter - Service will be rescheduled due to inclement weather

Jan 17, 2026

Kevin Andrew Potter, age 69, of Eastanollee, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Born on July 15, 1956, in Santa Monica, California, Kevin was the beloved son of Rita Gill Potter and the late Harold “Hal” Potter. He spent many years as a dedicated salesman with Consolidated Pipe & Supply Company in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where he was known...

Evelyn Pamela "Pam" Rider

Evelyn Pamela "Pam" Rider

Jan 16, 2026

Evelyn Pamela “Pam” Rider, age 77, of Cornelia, Georgia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Born on May 27, 1948, in Gainesville, Georgia, Pam was a daughter of the late William Richard Welch and the late Mattie Lou Partain Gazaway. She lived a life marked by faith, compassion, and devotion to others.

Pam dedicated...

Martha "Diane" Winkler Chambers

Martha "Diane" Winkler Chambers

Jan 16, 2026

Martha Diane Winkler Chambers, age 74, of Sautee-Nacoochee, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 16, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on May 28, 1951, in Shooting Creek Township, North Carolina, Diane was the beloved daughter of the late Neal Winkler and Hoyt and Mildred Ruth Adams Allison, who lovingly raised her....

Linda English Garrison - Rescheduled due to inclement weather

Linda English Garrison - Rescheduled due to inclement weather

Jan 15, 2026

Linda English Garrison passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Demorest, following a recent decline in health. She was born on September 26, 1945, to Charles Brady English and Eva Mae Hill English in Habersham County, where she lived most of her life. Linda married Phil Garrison in 1962. They were married 53 years...

Owen Junior Brady

Owen Junior Brady

Jan 15, 2026

Owen “Junior” Brady, age 81, of Baldwin, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Born in Banks County, Georgia on November 17, 1944, Junior was the son of the late Owen Brady and Etheline Simmons Brady. A lifelong resident of the community he loved, Junior was deeply connected to the land and found joy in the simple, meaningful rhythms...

Michael Thomas York

Michael Thomas York

Jan 14, 2026

Michael Thomas York, age 73, of Cornelia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and deep devotion to family.

Born on October 15, 1952, in Demorest, Michael was the beloved son of the late Ralph James York and Annie Bell Zimmerman York. From a young age, he carried a strong sense of duty...

Mark Douglas Cole

Mark Douglas Cole

Jan 13, 2026

Mark Douglas Cole, age 74, of Clarkesville, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Born on October 31, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, Mark was the beloved son of the late James and Rose Hisle Cole.

Mark enjoyed an extraordinary and distinguished career in the racing industry. From the very beginning of Toyota’s involvement in motorsports,...

Dwight Aaron Turner

Dwight Aaron Turner

Jan 11, 2026

Dwight Aaron Turner, age 75, of Lula, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Born on January 1, 1951, in Habersham County, Georgia, Dwight was a son of the late Clyde and Maudane Wilson Turner. Dwight spent many years as a dedicated employee of Prime Pak Foods, Inc., from which he retired with pride. Dwight was well known for...

Stephen Hester Patton

Stephen Hester Patton

Jan 11, 2026

Stephen Hester Patton, age 77, of Clarkesville, passed away on Sunday January 11, 2026.

Born on December 29, 1948, in Athens, he was a son of the late C. Hester Patton and Mary Alice Church Patton.  A 1967 graduate of Central Gwinnett High School, he pursued his education at DeKalb College before answering the call to serve his country and community....

Patsy Garrett Allen

Patsy Garrett Allen

Jan 11, 2026

Patsy Garrett Allen, age 75, of Clarkesville passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, January 11, 2026, after an extended illness. 

Patsy was born to the late Tommy and Betty Garrett on November 5, 1950, in Atlanta, and was preceded in death by her husband, William Donald Allen, and brother, Tom A. Garrett. 

Pat is survived by brother, Rick Garrett, of...

Barry Dale Cantrell

Barry Dale Cantrell

Jan 7, 2026

Barry Dale Cantrell, age 72, of Cornelia, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Born on September 16, 1953, at The Charm House in Clarkesville, he was a son of Lucille Page Cantrell Rodacker and the late Floyd Cantrell. Dale was employed with Austin Powder Company as an explosive technician. In his spare time, he enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing or...

Janie Sellers Merck

Janie Sellers Merck

Jan 5, 2026

Janie Sellers Merck, age 82, of Dahlonega, Georgia, formerly of Cleveland, Georgia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, January 5, 2026, surrounded by the legacy of a life well lived and deeply loved.

Born on January 10, 1943, in Habersham County, Janie was the cherished daughter of the late Thomas Roosevelt Sellers and Lizzie Mae Owens...

Patricia Lee White Hallowell

Patricia Lee White Hallowell

Jan 1, 2026

Patricia "Patti" Lee White Hallowell, age 88, of Demorest, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, January 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on August 3, 1937, to the late Jules Wexler White and Ruth Bolton White, who instilled in her a strong sense of grace, curiosity, and devotion to others—qualities that defined...

Claudette Bonds Griffin

Claudette Bonds Griffin

Jan 1, 2026

Claudette Bonds Griffin, age 88, of Hiawassee and Baldwin/Cornelia, Georgia, took her heavenly flight home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 1, 2026, following an extended illness. 

A woman of deep faith, gentle strength, and unwavering love, Claudette leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, and music that will forever echo in the hearts of those who...

Christopher Lewis Sisk

Christopher Lewis Sisk

Jan 1, 2026

Christopher Lewis Sisk, age 43, of Demorest, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Christopher was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend whose life was defined by hard work, loyalty, and love. He was employed with Kendall Vegetation Services for over 25 years, where he built a reputation for...

Ruby Lee Tankersley Murphy

Ruby Lee Tankersley Murphy

Dec 26, 2025

Ruby Lee Tankersley Murphy, age 73, of Toccoa, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Born on March 24, 1952, in Atlanta, she was a daughter of the late James Tankersley and Jeanette Ballew Tankersley. Ruby was employed with Fulton County, for over 20 years, as a Personal Property Appraiser. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them, cooking...

Cathy Williams Hough

Cathy Williams Hough

Dec 25, 2025

Cathy Williams Hough, born on August 6, 1961, in Habersham County, Georgia, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family.

Cathy was known for her dedicated career as a Pharmacy Technician, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia and Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Mooresville, NC. where she...