Obituaries

Dec 24, 2023

Johnny Frank Jackson, age 77, of Washington, passed away suddenly on Christmas Eve.

He was born in Washington to the late Robert Oscar Jackson and Annie Kate Powell Jackson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bobby Jackson; and two sisters, Mary Vandiver and Lillie Crawford.

A true patriot,...

Dec 15, 2023

Louise Guest Denard, age 88, of Tignall, passed away Friday, December 15, 2023.

Louise was born in Tignall to the late R.E. Guest and “Sis” Ruff Guest.  She was a loving homemaker and devoted member of Tignall Baptist Church where she served in numerous capacities through the years.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in...

Dec 12, 2023

Barbara Brady Thurmond, age 77, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

Barbara was born in Washington to the late Arvin Brady and Mary Lou Huff Brady.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alec Thurmond; and daughter, Brabara Jean Gunnells.

A faithful Christian, Barbara loved her church Harvest Time...

Dec 11, 2023

Faye Callaway, age 87, passed away Monday, December 11, 2023 at her residence.

Faye was born in Crawfordville to the late Lenus Edwards and Dulcie Edwards.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Henry Callaway.

She is survived by her two sons, Wayne Callaway (Sally) and David Callaway;...

Dec 1, 2023

Richard G. Petitpren, age 62, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023.

He was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to Shirley J. (Shanahan) Petitpren and the late Richard J. Petitpren.  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his son, Richard F. Petitpren; and brother, David Petitpren.

Rick loved working with his hands.  ...

Dec 1, 2023

Marilyn K. LePore, of Washington, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, three days following her 81st birthday. She was born in Los Angeles, California to the late Carl Richard Knowles and Mary Helen Stephenson Knowles. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Joseph LePore. Marilyn devoted more than 20 years to Wills Memorial...

Dec 1, 2023

Edna Earle Philyaw Jones, of Rayle, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023.

Edna was born in Kinston, North Carolina to the late Leroy Philyaw and Frances Hill Philyaw.

A faithful Christian, Edna loved her church, Faith Fellowship in Kinston.  She will be remembered for her love of her family, for her love of gardening, and...

Nov 30, 2023

Ruby Arnold (Granny Ruby), 98, of 6419 Lexington Road, Rayle, Georgia passed away on November 30, 2023 at Echols Personal Care Home after an extended illness.

Ruby was born on December 28, 1924 to the late Charlie McEhannon and Julia Pearl Whittington in the Courtground community of Wilkes County. She was the oldest of twelve children and...

Nov 29, 2023

Robbie Clark Hardigree, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023, at Wills Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 23, 1940, to the late John Henry Hardigree and Mary Lou Lewis Hardigree.

Robbie was a devoted husband to his partner, Gladys Wright Hardigree. Their unwavering love and commitment were a shining example...

Nov 24, 2023

Mr. David Sidney Danner III, 70, of Athens (formerly of Danburg), entered into rest Friday morning, November 24, 2023, at his residence.

David was born in Elberton, but with a couple of exceptions, had lived most of his life in Wilkes County.  He was the son of the late D. S. Danner and “Sis” Bumgardner Danner, and...

Nov 12, 2023

Mr. Andrew Thurmond Eberhardt, Jr., 74, of Flowery Branch, entered into rest on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

Mr. Eberhardt was born in Anderson, S.C., and was the son of the late Andrew T. Eberhardt, Sr. and Emma Ritt Dickerson Eberhardt. He had lived in Flowery Branch for twenty years....

Nov 11, 2023

Mr. Leonard Thomas Mazurick, 81, of Aonia Rd. in Washington, entered into rest on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at his home.

Mr. Mazurick was born in Scranton, Pa.  He was the son of the late Walter and Margaret Shumka  Mazurick, and was the widower of Lucy Mulea Mazurick.  He and his cousin did a lot of traveling,...

Nov 10, 2023

Mr. Joel “Joey” Leslie Saggus, 64, of Washington, entered into rest on Friday, November 10, 2023, at his home after a brief illness.

Mr. Saggus was born in McDuffie County, but had lived in Wilkes County all of his life. He was the son of Frances Saggus Hensley and of the late Donald Richard Saggus, Sr. Joey...

Nov 3, 2023

Franklin Howard (“Franky”) Foster, Jr., 55, formerly of Lawrenceville, Georgia, went to be with his Lord on November 3, 2023, in Wilkes County, Georgia, after a long illness. Mr. Foster was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1968, to Cheryl Fulcher Foster and Franklin Howard Foster, Sr., currently of Danburg, Georgia. He is also survived by his wife, Tonya Black...

Nov 1, 2023

Phillip Walter Garner, born April 30, 1957 in Austell, GA to Dr. James W. and Mrs. Jane Bellows Garner, passed away suddenly on November 1, 2023 after a brief illness. Phil graduated from Washington Wilkes High School in 1975. He then attended Georgia College of Milledgeville graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Health and Recreation. After a brief career...

Oct 30, 2023

Charles Glenn “Chuck” Gabriel, beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend, passed away on October 30, 2023, at the age of 61 in Washington, Georgia. He was the son of Sam and Florence Bradley and the late Donald Gabriel. Chuck spent most of his life in his hometown, building a loving family and forming lasting relationships in his community....

Oct 22, 2023

Sarah Elizabeth Turpin Huff, 89, of Washington, Georgia, passed away on October 22, 2023 at Harper’s Personal Care Home. She was born on October 13, 1934, to the late Bright Russell “Bill” Turpin and Rosa Mae Noggle Turpin and was the widow of Mr. Franklin D. Huff.

Family was at the center of Sarah's life, and she...

Oct 7, 2023

Mrs. Suellen Darden Harris, 75, of Sharon, entered into rest Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Pruitt Healthcare in Washington.

Suellen was born in Crawfordville, and had lived in Taliaferro County for most of her life.  She was the daughter of Emmett and Barbara Moore Darden, and was the wife of Jerry Harris.  She had been an office...

Oct 7, 2023

Mrs. Sara Sellers Smith, age 83 of Augusta, Georgia, formerly of Washington, entered into rest on October 7, 2023 at her home.  Mrs. Smith was born on January 6, 1940 to the late Arthur C. and Ruby M. Howell Sellers and married Walter Howard Smith, who preceded her in death on September 13, 2023.

Mrs. Smith was...

Sep 29, 2023

Mrs. Kate Orr Messer, age 56, of Roswell, Georgia, formerly of Rayle, Georgia, entered into rest on September 29, 2023 at Northside Forsythe Hospital, Cumming, Georgia. Mrs. Messer was born on February 18, 1967, in Washington, Georgia to the late Webster Thaxton and Josephine Marie Wilson Orr and was married to Clayton D. Messer.

Mrs. Messer graduated...