OBITUARIES
Recent Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Athens, GA, Clarke County, Watkinsville, GA, Oconee County, Danielsville, GA, Madison County & Surrounding Areas
Daniel T. Johnson
Oct 8, 2026
Dan was an only child and was born and raised in Elberton, GA. Dan loved the Lord and his family dearly. When his son Shane was born the love and devotion for him was a million fold.Dan’s passion included cars, trucks and especially motorcycles . He proudly owned and rode a Harley Davidson Road King. This truly was his prize...
James Lawice "JL" Wright, Jr.
Oct 8, 2026
James L. “JL” Wright, Jr., 81, of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family after an extended illness. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, father-in-law, brother, brother/trusted business partner, uncle, great-uncle and friend.
Born with a spirit that touched many lives, JL leaves behind his...
Laurence Edward Fortson
Oct 6, 2026
In Loving Memory of Laurence Edward Fortson
December 13, 1951 – October 6, 2026
Laurence Edward Fortson, born December 13, 1951, in San Francisco, California, went home to be with His Lord and Heavenly Father on October 6, 2026. He grew up in communities throughout the United States before eventually making Georgia his home and developing a lifelong connection to the University...
Bobby R. Ward
Oct 6, 2026
Bobby Ray Ward, 93, of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2026, at his home. His wife of 71 years, Barbara, and those who loved him were with him. He went the way the two of them had always hoped: gently, in his sleep.
Bobby was born February 24, 1933, in Monroe, Georgia, to Henry and Elizabeth Ward. He...
Charles Daniel Bell
Oct 6, 2026
Charles Daniel Bell passed away on October 6, 2026, at the age of 55. He was born on December 4, 1970.
Charles was a graduate of Oconee High School. He later attended the University of Georgia for three years. He worked at Ingles in Hull and Commerce, where he served as the frozen foods manager.
He is survived by his father, Charles...
Frankie Suttles Hicks
Oct 4, 2026
Frankie Suttles Hicks, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on October 4, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, creativity, faith, laughter, and devotion to her family.
Born on July 10, 1942, Frankie possessed a love of learning and literature that led her to the University of Georgia, where she graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in...
Hazel Inez Witcher
Oct 4, 2026
Hazel Inez Witcher, 98, wife of the late William Neil Witcher, died on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Born in Athens, GA, she was the daughter of the late Edward Odell Fowler and Florrie Mae Fitzpatrick Fowler. Mrs. Witcher worked as a phone operator, and in management in food service and pharmacies.
Survivors include her three children: Eddie (Rita) Witcher, Richard Neil (Barbara)...
Carmen McElhannon Andrews
Oct 3, 2026
Carmen McElhannon Andrews, 53, of Warner Robins, GA entered into eternal rest on October 3, 2026 with her devoted husband by her side.
Mr. and Mrs. George McElhannon raised Carmen all across the state of Georgia. Throughout her adulthood, she moved all across the south, including Nashville, TN, Lexington, GA, and most recently in Warner Robins, GA.
Mrs. Carmen McElhannon married Mr....
Bobbie Paul Porter
Oct 3, 2026
Bobbie P. Porter was born June 3, 1934, in Morgan, GA, and passed away October 3, 2026, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Val Jean Porter. She is survived by her four children: Michael Porter, David (Cheryl) Porter, Steven Porter and Page Porter; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Bobbie met...
Eli Owen Stidham
Oct 3, 2026
Eli Owen Stidham, 17, of Winder, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Born in Athens, he was the only child of Derrick Justin Stidham and Faith McEntyre Stidham. Eli fought a courageous battle with Tay-Sachs disease and, through his incredible strength and determination, lived far beyond his life expectancy. He brought love and joy to all who knew him...
Linda Basham
Oct 3, 2026
Linda Basham, 81, of Watkinsville GA, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026.
She was born in Atlanta, GA to the late William (Bill) and Melba Geissler.
After moving to Athens, she met the love of her life, Bobby, while they both attended Athens High. They eloped in 1961 and spent 59 wonderful years together until Bobby’s passing in 2021.
She started her...
Joseph Galen Arp
Oct 2, 2026
Joseph “Joe” Galen Arp, 76, of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed away on October 2, 2026. Born on October 16, 1949, in Epworth, Georgia, Joe was the youngest of three boys and spent his childhood in the mountains he cherished throughout his life.
Joe attended the University of Georgia and the UGA School of Pharmacy before beginning his career alongside his uncles at...
Frank Busbin
Oct 1, 2026
Frank Busbin, a longtime resident of Bairdstown, Georgia, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026.
He is survived by his daughters, Joni Busbin and Jessica Busbin-Snipes (David Snipes); his grandsons, Jackson Snipes and Easton Snipes; his sisters, Patsy Harden and Brenda Payton; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, E.D. "Pete" Busbin; his mother, Dorothy Busbin;...
Charles Pulliam
Oct 1, 2026
Charles Keith Pulliam, 85, of Royston, Georgia, went to be with his heavenly father on October 1, 2026. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He loved the Lord.
Charles was born in Madison County, Georgia, on March 19, 1941 to John Columbus Pulliam and Allene Hill Pulliam. He grew up in the Seagraves Mill Community with his five...
Mary Linda Ellis
Sep 30, 2026
Mary “Linda” Ellis, age 81, of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026. She was born in Omega, Georgia, on January 3, 1945, to Claude and Louise Jones.
Linda was a devoted wife to her husband, George “Larry” Ellis, with whom she shared nearly 62 years of marriage. Together, they built a loving life and spent many years in...
Sara Glynn Lorusso
Sep 29, 2026
Sara Glynn Crawford Lorusso passed away on September 29, 2026 after a long illness.Sara was born in Concord, Georgia on October 22, 1948, to the late Roger and Wilma Cawford and grew up there as part of an active and musical family. Her mother, Wilma was the long-time church organist at Concord Baptist Church and taught piano lessons to all...
Thomas Michael Shaffer
Sep 29, 2026
Thomas Michael Shaffer of Athens, died on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at the age of seventy-one.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Louise Shaffer, grandparents, William Henry and Jessie Clyde Shaffer of Montgomery County, Mississippi, and aunt, Ruth Shaffer of Kilmichael, Mississippi.
The beloved son of the late Morris and Louise Shaffer, Michael was born on June 1,...
John Christopher Firebaugh
Sep 29, 2026
John Christopher “Chris” Firebaugh
December 22, 1952 – September 29, 2026
John Christopher Firebaugh—known simply as Chris to everyone who knew him—was born on December 22, 1952, in Fort Worth, Texas. He passed away on September 29, 2026, in Athens, Georgia, at the age of 73.
Chris was exceptionally intelligent, possessing the kind of mind that could make conversation an experience all its...
Lynda Stephenson
Sep 28, 2026
Lynda Lewise Adkisson Stephenson, 85, of Hull, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Michael Donald “Mickey” Stephenson.
Lynda was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on December 18, 1940, to the late Lewis Adkisson and Veryl Bolles Adkisson. She spent her working years as a bank teller and was a longtime member of...
Rosemary Hogan Taylor
Sep 28, 2026
Rosemary Hogan Taylor passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2026.
Rosemary was a long-term resident of Oglethorpe County, growing up on the family farm. Her childhood was spent riding her beloved spotted pony, June Love, across the pastures and in the forests, with her German Shepherd, King. In her teenage years she showed Tennessee Walking Horses with her...
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