Betty Wilma Booth Drake, 89 died peacefully at Piedmont Hospital on Friday, August 16, 2019. She was born in Oglethorpe County on December 12, 1929 to Erla Buford Booth and Edna Estelle Brown Booth, before living most of her life in Madison County, GA. She was married to James Howard Drake on July 4, 1957. Wilma was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brothers George and Talmadge Booth, and her sister Hilda White. She is survived by her sons Keith (Cindy) Drake of Watkinsville,...

Nannie Ruth Edge Brannen, wife of the late Stephen J. Brannen, died Sunday, August 11, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Lester Edge and Eunice Johnson Edge and sister to the late James Edge, Mary Alice King, Lafayette Edge, Owen Edge, and Lamar Edge. Born in Doerun, Georgia, she lived her adult life in Athens and Watkinsville, Georgia. She was a homemaker who devoted her life to her family. She was a long-time member of Green Acres Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Rita...

Bobbie Lee Burgess passed away on August 14, 2019.  She was born October 13, 1931, the oldest of 8 children to Roy and Florine Kitchens.  Her famous quotes showed the type of person that she was and the life that she lived.  She always said, "Don't say no, until you try" and "If you don't move it, you lose it."  She was small but mighty, believed in the power of prayer and loved unconditionally. Bobbie was predeceased by her husband Fred...

Christine “Chris” Altizer, 71, passed away August 14, 2019, after a difficult battle with cancer. Chris was born in Lancaster, PA to Carolyn Von Stetten and Lewis Edwards. Chris was an early survivor of Rh-factor disease, which resulted in numerous blood transfusions during her first year of life, and gave Chris her lasting feisty temperament. Chris grew up in West Chester, PA, and graduated from B. Reed Henderson High School in 1966, where she played field hockey, lacrosse, and...

Donald Wayne King, 76, of Lexington, passed on August 12, 2019. He was born in the family home along the banks of the Broad River on January 7, 1943 to the late Bob and Frances King of Carlton. A 1961 graduate of Madison County High School, he then enlisted and served in the United States Navy from 1961-1965. Wayne retired in 2005, after working 34 years at Reliance Electric in Athens. Everyone that met Wayne never forgot him! He was an avid outdoorsman – loving to hunt and fish...

Mr. Richard Allen Stewart Sr., 60 of Athens died on Monday, August 12, 2019. Born in Athens, he was the son of the late George A. Stewart Sr. and Nellie Sue Stewart. Mr. Stewart grew up in Madison County and later moved to Alaska for some time, before moving back to Athens. Mr. Stewart is survived by his four sons, Richard Allen Stewart Jr. (Starla), Christopher Stewart, Brandon Stewart and Codie Stewart. He is also survived by three siblings George W. Stewart Jr. (Kathy), Barbara Stewart...

Christopher O’Neal Strickland, age 36, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019.  Mr. Strickland was a native of Athens, GA and had lived in Pembroke with his family for four years, O’Neal was a loving husband and son and he especially loved his son, Eli. He was a home evaluator for Arrow Exterminators and a member of Reidsville Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses'.  O’Neal enjoyed camping, fishing and the beach.  He was also an avid fan of the Georgia...

Sara M. Griffeth, 88, of Danielsville, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019. Born in Bowman, she was the daughter of the late Leo Roy McGarity and Ellis Montine McGee McGarity. Mrs. Griffeth retired from the University of Georgia where she was a Secretary for over 34 years. She also served as a Secretary for the Georgia Cattleman’s Association and was a longtime member of Moon’s Grove Baptist Church. Most importantly, she loved her family and her grandchildren. In addition to her...

Viola Hansen Rudowske, 93, wife of the late Edward Frederick Rudowske, died Saturday, August 10, 2019.  Born in Stanton, Michigan and growing up in Eau Claire, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Harold Hansen and Jessie Aubill Hansen.   Mrs. Rudowske retired from Family Life Enrichment Center as a Nurse and was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church.  Survivors include her children: Sharon (Everette) Albrecht, Carl Rudowske, Greg Rudowske, John (Sheila) Rudowske,...

Richard B. Gordon 76 of Hull, went to his heavenly home on August 10, 2019, after a short battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, James “Jimmie” August Gordon, Jr and Margaret Juanita Blount Gordon; two brothers, Marion Ohklers Gordon and James David Gordon and numerous aunts and uncles. He retired as an Athens Clarke County 911 Supervisor, but his heart laid with the Athens Clarke County Fire Department. Mr. Gordon was a retired volunteer with Hull Fire...