OBITUARIES

Recent Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Athens, GA, Clarke County, Watkinsville, GA, Oconee County, Danielsville, GA, Madison County & Surrounding Areas

Dr. Harry D. Harper

Dr. Harry D. Harper

Sep 14, 2026

Harry Donald Harper, cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 14, 2026 at the age of 81.

Born in Anderson, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Harry B. Harper and Edna Guynelle Edens Harper. Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Emily Jane Harper. He...

James Garlin Bryant, Jr.

James Garlin Bryant, Jr.

Sep 11, 2026

James Garlin Bryant, Jr., better known as Jimmy and Coach, passed away on September 11, 2026 at the age of 86. He was born on July 23, 1940, in Gainesville, Georgia to James Garlin Bryant and Bernice Murphy Bryant.

Jimmy grew up in Athens and graduated from Athens High School and the University of Georgia. At UGA he was a member...

Doc Hudson

Doc Hudson

Sep 16, 2026

Doc Hudson, 84, died September 16, 2026.

Born September 3, 1942, in Jackson County, he was a son of the late Hassie Mae Gooch and Curtis William Hudson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Dennis Hudson, Margaret Bradberry, Elmo Hudson, Betty Hawkins, Shirley Croy and Linda Hewell.

Doc retired after more than thirty-eight years with...

David William Hill

David William Hill

Sep 15, 2026

David William Hill, 89, died on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

A native of New Jersey, David was the son of the late Henry Eric Hill and Ruth Cushman Hill and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Nina Sue Hill. David earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Stanford in 1966 and retired from the EPA. He was a...

Dylan Andrew Wayland

Dylan Andrew Wayland

Sep 14, 2026

Dylan Wayland, 19, of Danielsville, passed away on September 14, 2026. Born on August 22, 2007, he was the son of Diamond Duke and Andrea Wayland.

He is survived by his parents, Diamond Duke and Andrea Wayland; fiancé, Mary Pinkard; his unborn son Baby Wayland; siblings, Mara and Julio, and DJ and Kay; maternal grandparents, Carl and Kathie Snyder. grandmother, Vicky;...

James “Sonny” Hansford

James “Sonny” Hansford

Sep 14, 2026

James Allen “Sonny” Hansford, 83, of Athens, Georgia, passed away on September 14, 2026.

Born on October 17, 1942, in Athens, Georgia, he was the son of the late James and Frances Hansford. Sonny retired from the University of Georgia after more than 30 years of dedicated service.

Sonny’s passion was cheering on the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He enjoyed catching...

Ronnie Ashley

Ronnie Ashley

Sep 14, 2026

Ronnie Ashley 82, husband of 59 years to Betty Hawkins Ashley, died on Monday, September 14, 2026.

A native of Greene County, Ronnie was the son of the late Ernest and Jessie Mae Ashley. He retired from American Pest Control and was a member of Winterville United Methodist Church. He enjoyed playing guitar, especially the bass guitar.

Survivors in addition to his...

Janet McDonald Rowland

Janet McDonald Rowland

Sep 14, 2026

Janet McDonald Rowland, 70, passed away following a brief illness on September 14, 2026.

Janet is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin L Rowland and sister Carol Berryman. She is survived by her mother, children and their spouses, Jane McDonald Lowe, Jennifer Marlowe (April Ragsdale), Bradford (Stacy) Rowland, and Michael (Erika) Rowland. Her grandchildren, Caitlin, Luke, Abie, Courtlin (Wesley), Kaden,...

Jean Carney

Jean Carney

Sep 12, 2026

Mrs. Jean Carney, age 93, passed away in Woodstock on September 12, 2026. She was born on December 5, 1932, in Atlanta to H.P. and Katie Ashe.

Jean attended the University of Georgia and was the accountant for Quality Glass Company in Athens, which she and her husband owned and operated for 32 years. She loved the Church and was a...

Jim Bales

Jim Bales

Sep 10, 2026

James Richard “Jim” Bales, Sr., 77, husband of the late Brenda Maxey Bales, died on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Born in Athens, GA on November 17, 1948, Jim was the son of the late Richard Lee Bales and Marion Francis Bowles Bales and father to the late James Richard “Jamie” Bales, Jr. Jim work in sales at Phil Cook Motors and...

Milton Abell

Milton Abell

Sep 9, 2026

Milton Abell, 75, of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Born June 18, 1951, in Columbus, Georgia, Milton was the son of the late Harry Milton and Betty Jean Abell. He grew up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, and graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1969. During his high school years, he lettered in football, basketball, baseball,...

Christa Shoup Hofacre

Christa Shoup Hofacre

Sep 9, 2026

Christa Shoup Hofacre, of Watkinsville, GA, was born on November 1, 1959, in Toledo, OH, and passed peacefully on September 9, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her family.

Christa built a life centered on family, faith, learning, and meaningful work. She received her B.S. in Customer Services in 1981 from The Ohio State University. She later continued her education at...

Milton Abell

Milton Abell

Sep 9, 2026

Joseph Milton Abell, 75, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 9, 2026. 

At Mr. Milton's request, no formal services are scheduled at this time. 

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Jacquelyn Jo Herndon

Jacquelyn Jo Herndon

Sep 8, 2026

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Herndon age 96, of Athens passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at her residence after a period of declining health. Mrs. Herndon was born on October 31, 1929 in Darien Connecticut to B.D. and Elizabeth Hutchison. She graduated from Lynchburg College and received her Ed.S from the University of Georgia. She taught several years in Virginia and the...

William L. Megathlin

William L. Megathlin

Sep 7, 2026

Retired educator, college administrator and nationally respected penologist William L. Megathlin died peacefully in Athens, Ga., on Sept.7, 2026, after a long illness. He was 83.

Megathlin was born in Miami, Fla., and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate in counseling psychology at the...

Paulette Allen Moon

Paulette Allen Moon

Sep 7, 2026

Paulette Allen Moon of Colbert, Georgia passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026. She was born on July 5, 1946, in Athens, Georgia, the daughter of Titus Allen and Lucille “Bud” Drake Allen, both of whom preceded her in death. During her childhood she lived in communities across Clarke County and Greene County, Georgia, where she graduated from Greene County...

Christine R. Christopher

Christine R. Christopher

Sep 6, 2026

Christine R. Christopher, 86, wife of the late Sidney Wesley Christopher, died on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

A native of Winterville, Chris was and longtime resident of Oconee County, she was a daughter of the late Ralph E. Rochester and Velma Bramblett Rochester and was also preceded in death by her siblings: Martha Berryman, Charles Rochester, Betty Jean Rochester and James...

Douglas Tomlinson

Douglas Tomlinson

Sep 5, 2026

Douglas J. Tomlinson of Athens, Georgia, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on September 5, 2026.

After graduating from Alcovy High School, where he was a senior superlative and first chair in the state of Georgia, Doug began a brief career as a retail manager before attending the University of Georgia. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts...

Anthony J Sheppard

Anthony J Sheppard

Sep 4, 2026

Anthony J. Sheppard 68, of Hull, GA passed away on September 4, 2026. Tony is the only child born to the late Baylas Ramsey Sheppard and Hazel Dianell Weaver Sheppard of Forest Park, GA. He is the son-in-law of the late MSG Ralph A. Epps, Retired (Peggy). Tony passed at St. Mary's Hospital, Athens, GA after an 18-day battle with...