OBITUARIES

Apr 12, 2026

Steven Shelnut, 66, of Athens, passed away on April 12, 2026. Born on June 29, 1959, he was the son of the late Henry Edward Shelnutt and Ruth Burson Shelnutt.

Steve graduated from UGA, where he was a trumpet player for the Georgia Redcoat Band. Even after graduating, he remained an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Redcoats....

Apr 5, 2026

Andrew Michael Parker, 33, husband of Isabella Corbin Parker, died on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Born in Athens, GA, he was the son of Michael Ray Parker and Gloria Hicks Parker. Andrew worked for Keith Porter installing custom shower glass and attended First Apostolic Church of Whitehall. In addition to his wife and parents, survivors include his sons, Kaden Andrew...

Apr 7, 2026

Brenda Joyce (Gordon) Rusgrove of Eastville, GA passed away on April 7, 2026 at the age of 75. She was the daughter of the late Guy Carlton and Edna Gordon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Jimmy, Doug, and Wayne Gordon; her miscarried granddaughter Rebecca Lynn; and her dear lifelong friend and cousin...

Apr 14, 2026

Apr 14, 2026

Gloria Johnson Green, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at the age of 86.

A lifelong resident of the Athens area, she was a daughter of the late Cloyce Johnson and Mildred Wood Johnson. Mrs. Gloria was a dedicated employee at her family’s business, Frances Florist, for many years. She was a wonderful...

Apr 13, 2026

Michael Thomas Hammond, 53, of Athens, GA, passed away unexpectedly on April 13, 2026.

The family will receive friends at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home EAST on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Mr. Hammond was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Gene Hammond.

Left to cherish the memories they made together are his mother, Susie Hammond of...

Apr 11, 2026

Patricia Ann Hanson, 80, of Athens, passed away on April 11, 2026.

Born on April 12, 1945, in Clarke County GA., she was the daughter of the late Roscoe and Ruth Long. On April 12,1963 Patricia married the love of her life, Gary Hanson, at the young age of 18. They have spent the last 63 years making beautiful memories together....

Apr 10, 2026

Jimmy Leon Wright passed away on April 10, 2026. Born on November 2, 1954, he was the son of the late Crawford and Merry Wright. In addition to his parents, Jimmy is preceded in death his brother, Donald Wright.

Jimmy will be remembered for his hard work, his love for simple pleasures like fishing and Western movies, and his cherished family.

Jimmy’s...

Apr 9, 2026

Marjorie “Margie” Buchanan Floyd, age 73, of Nicholson, Georgia, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2026. Born on July 28, 1952 to William “Bill” and Mamie Pearl Buchanan in Bon Aqua, Tennessee, Margie was the seventh of eight children. Margie was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, affectionately known as “Nanny,” whose legacy of love and quiet sacrifice will forever...

Apr 8, 2026

Leila Anne Jarrett, 69, of Lexington, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Anne was born on February 2, 1957, in Augusta, Georgia, and was a beloved sister and friend. She grew up in Athens, Georgia, with her parents, sister, and brother. Anne was known for her kindness and her love for family, friends, and animals, especially her horses....

Apr 8, 2026

Judith "Billie" Ann Wesling Hamlett, passed away on April 8, 2026. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leyman H. Hamlett; daughter, Donna Lynn Hamlett; granddaughter, Anita "Dantzer" Watson; great granddaughter, Jasmine Alyse Rousseau; parents, Arthur Wesling and Una Mae Deville; and her three siblings.

Billie had a beautiful, loving spirit. She welcomes all as family, with unconditional love, encouragement, and...

Apr 8, 2026

Rebecca Anne Finch (Armstrong) 83 of Jefferson, GA died on April 8th, 2026. The daughter of the late Herman and Edna Armstrong.

Rebecca devoted many years to the Oglethorpe County community in her role as an LPN at the Oglethorpe County Health Department. After marrying Charles Wendell Finch, she moved to Jefferson, Georgia where she worked as a ParaPro helping and...

Apr 8, 2026

Dorothy Ann Sanders Wheless, peacefully passed away at her home on April 08, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, George Kline Wheless, mother Nancy Elizabeth Andrews Sanders, father William Tommy Sanders, brother Robert Sanders, sister Patsy Winn, and grandson Christopher Kline Watts.

Survivors include daughter Kathy Wheless Little (Danny) of Crawford, daughter Carolyn Wheless Poole (Tim)...

Apr 7, 2026

Mildred “Jean” Wall Escoe, age 93, of Crawford, Georgia, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Millard and Oneita Wall; her sister, Martha Helen Harris; and her brother, James Wilkes Wall. Jean attended school in Crawford, Georgia and Arnoldsville, Georgia. After high school, she worked for the N. D. Arnold Phone Company,...

Apr 7, 2026

In Loving Memory of John Preston Lay (Johnny)

Johnny Preston (Johnny) Lay passed away at his home on April 7, 2026, in Watkinsville, Georgia. Born on May 2, 1939, to Mattie and John Preston Lay of Farmington, Johnny's life was a testament to the values of family and the quiet strength of a life well-lived.

Johnny was raised in Farmington, and for the...

Apr 6, 2026

Sally Elizabeth (Beales) Neasbitt passed away on April 6, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. She was 75 years old.

Sally was born July 26, 1950, in Savannah, Georgia, to Jane E. (Corvette) Beales and James F. Beales. She graduated from Waycross High School in Waycross, Georgia, and went on to attend Nyack Missionary College before graduating from Texas Wesleyan College. In 1979,...

Apr 6, 2026

Debbie Dove was welcomed to heaven on April 6, 2026, after a more than five-year battle with brain cancer. Debbie was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, affectionately known as “Birdie,” whose legacy of selfless sacrifice and love will long shine in her family’s memories.Born to Charlie and Vernice Isbell, Debbie was the second of two children and grew up...

Apr 5, 2026

Patrick Michael Halloran, 72, of Arnoldsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2026, surrounded by the love that defined his life.

Born on May 2, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, Pat was the beloved son of William and Nancy Halloran. From an early age, he carried within him a quiet strength, a deep faith, and a heart devoted to those he...

Apr 4, 2026

Stevie Pruitt, a devoted servant of the Lord and a pillar of kindness to all who knew him, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026. A man whose life was a testament to his faith, Stevie lived by the principle of putting others before himself, truly embodying the spirit of a "good and faithful servant."

Stevie was perhaps best known for...

Apr 4, 2026

Brenda June Cunningham, a lifelong resident and cherished native of Oconee County, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, at her residence in Bishop, Georgia, surrounded by her loving family. Born on January 19, 1954, in Athens, GA, Brenda was a dedicated and compassionate individual whose commitment to her community and family leaves a lasting legacy.

Brenda was a proud graduate...