OBITUARIES

Jun 1, 2026

Brenda Joyce Brooks passed peacefully at her home on June 1, 2026. A lifelong resident of Oconee County, she was born in Athens on October 18, 1953, graduated from Oconee County High School in 1971, and spent her life working as a medical assistant and as a caregiver to her beloved husband of 53 years, Alton. Brenda was a loving...

Jun 3, 2026

James Leonard Woods, 89, of Gainesville, GA passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Manor Lake Memory Care in Athens, GA. He was born on August 18, 1936, son of the late Sammy Lincoln Woods Sr. and the late Mary Frances Norman Woods.James was a devout member of New Haven Church of Gainesville, GA where...

Jun 3, 2026

Jerrye A. Martin, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026. She was born in Athens, Georgia on October 25, 1939 to the late Lonnie Lionel Crowe and Frances Arnold Crowe of Statham, Georgia. She grew up on Broad Street in Statham with her parents and her older brother William L. (Bill) Crowe, deceased. Since her father was the...

Jun 2, 2026

Thomas Andrew Foley, 63, of Athens, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Tom was born in Fairfax, Virginia, on October 24, 1962, to John and Eleanor Foley. He grew up in Athens, Georgia, attended St. Joseph Catholic Parish Church and School, and graduated from Athens Academy in 1981. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology and lived and worked in...

Jun 2, 2026

Kathryn Adelia Cofer Spratlin, 95, of Athens, Georgia, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Washington, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Henry Clay Cofer and Lou Ellen Brown Cofer and was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, John Charles Spratlin.

Mrs. Spratlin graduated from Georgia College...

Jun 1, 2026

The Extraordinary Life of Cameron Bradford Kepler (March 22, 1938 – June 1, 2026) On June 1, 2026, Cameron Bradford Kepler joined his beloved wife Bonnie Joy in heaven. Dr. Kepler (Cam) retired US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) ornithologist, passed away peacefully in his Georgia home, attended by his two daughters, Sylvelin & Leilani. Cam was born on March...

Jun 1, 2026

Constance “Connie” Moore Hall passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Connie had a truly good life and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Connie was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 15, 1942, to John and Frances Moore. She graduated from North Fulton High School in 1960 and spent one year at Shorter College...

May 31, 2026

Barbara J. Pollard, 78, of Watkinsville, passed away on May 31, 2026, after an extended illness. Born on May 16, 1948, in Jesup, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Robert Hilliard and Dorothy Durden Hilliard.

A graduate of Wayne County High School, Barbara went on to build a meaningful career in the healthcare field, serving for more than 20...

May 30, 2026

Patricia Forrester Bridges, 101, died May 30, 2026. A long time resident of Blakely, GA, she was born in Albany, GA, on November 22, 1924. She was the daughter of Clay Shropshire Forrester and Gladys Cranford Forrester of Donalsonville, GA. She has made her home in Watkinsville since 1997.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Perry...

May 30, 2026

May 26, 2026

Edmond Lynn Norton, affectionately known as Lynn, went to glory peacefully at his residence on May 26, 2026. Born on December 21, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia, Lynn’s life was marked by dedicated service, both professionally and personally.

A graduate of Murphy High School in 1956, Lynn went on to serve his country proudly in the United States Navy. Following his military...

May 26, 2026

Ann Elizabeth Hale Kitchens, 91, of Winterville, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026. Born October 12, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Jasper “Jack” Lee Hale and Sarah Elizabeth McCune Hale.

Ann graduated from Athens High School in 1952. She married John Dean Kitchens in August 1953 with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. Always putting her...

May 25, 2026

Luther Ernest Wood Jr. (Buster), 76, of Colbert Ga. died on May 25, 2026. The son of the late Luther E Wood Sr. and Vera E Youngblood Wood.

Buster was born in Athens, GA and lived in Colbert for 43 years. He drove a truck with L&G Trucking, also worked as an electrician assistant while remodeling homes and ended his working...

May 24, 2026

In love and memory.A celebration of the life for Karen Michelle Lindsey 59 died on Sunday May 24, 2026 She was a devoted RN for most of her adult life. She is survived by her parents Carey and Marjorie

Williams of Watkinsville, Georgia .She had two sons, Carey Allen Wages of Covington and Casey Wages of Monroe. She had four brothers...

May 24, 2026

Mary Kerry Adams, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at the age of 83.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Adolph J. Peldner and Genevieve Marie Acton Peldner. Mary proudly served her country as a Veteran of the United States Navy and was a dedicated member of AMVETS...

May 24, 2026

Violet Jean Mize, 77, of Carlton, GA, passed away on May 24, 2026. Born on June 21, 1948, Jean will be remembered as a devoted mother whose presence touched the lives of many. She attended beautician school and later became a mechanic, working in the shop she proudly owned with her late husband, Russell Mize. The love, strength, and kindness...

May 23, 2026

Katie Gruetter Stephens, 44, of Watkinsville, passed away on May 23, 2026.

Born on November 9, 1981, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Katie was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, and friend. She will be remembered for her fun-loving spirit and the unconditional love she shared so freely with her family and friends.

In her free time, Katie found joy in cheering on the...

May 23, 2026

Sally Ann Ruark Gouge, 82, fo Athens, GA died on Saturday, May 23, 2026. 

Born in Washington, Georgia, she was the daugher of the late H. E. Ruark and Ida Kate Childs Ruark. Mrs. Gouge was a graduate of the University of Georgia and retired in 2003 from the Athens Clarke County School System, where she worked as a Teachers Aide...

May 23, 2026

Henrietta Edwards Patton passed away on May 23, 2026, after a brief illness.

Born on July 6, 1939, she was the third of nine children born to John Henry Edwards and Willie Mae Evans Edwards, though only six survived infancy. She spent most of her childhood in the small town of Bogart, Georgia, and was a proud member of the first...

May 22, 2026

James Huerlan Russell, 88, of Comer, GA passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours on Friday, May 22, 2026. He was born on June 5, 1937, son of the late James Knox Russell and the late Lorena Nealy Carithers Russell.

He retired from the United States Air Force in 1977 after nearly 22 years of service as...