OBITUARIES

Nov 15, 2025

Mrs. Janet Noble of Athens passed away peacefully in her home on November 15, 2025 at age 97. She is survived by her three children: Susan and David W. of Athens and Steven C. of Decatur, GA. A third son, Robert E. Noble, died in a traffic accident some years before in Atlanta, GA. All of Janet's children were graduates...

Nov 15, 2025

Betty Marie Lee Traylor, 90, passed away peacefully in Bogart, Georgia, on November 15th, surrounded by her family.

Betty was born in Chester County, South Carolina, where she attended Blackstock School, a small country school, from first grade to twelfth. She loved reminiscing about her school days with family and friends. She was a longtime, devoted member of Vineville Baptist Church...

Nov 14, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Benjamin James Sittig, who died November 14, 2025 in Commerce, Georgia.. He was born in Groton, Connecticut, January 22, 1987, the son of Victoria (Smith) Sittig and Kenneth Wayne Sittig. He spent his childhood in Greenfield, Massachusetts. 

Ben graduated from Bement School, attended Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut and later...

Nov 13, 2025

William Claiborne Rice, 28, passed away on November 13, 2025. He was born in Athens, Georgia, on July 14, 1997, to Clai Rice and Lydia Whitt, of Lafayette, Louisiana. Will enjoyed blacksmithing and working with his hands outside, and cared deeply for the poor and indigent, among whom he lived at various times.

In addition to his parents, he is survived...

Nov 13, 2025

Mr. Dennis Delanor Lord, 72, passed away November 13, 2025.

A native of Athens, GA, he was a son of the late Doris Mae Hill and Franklin Delanor Lord and was also preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Carbie and David Epps.

Dennis was a member of Edwards Chapel Baptist Church of Athens and was a carpenter. He enjoyed his...

Nov 13, 2025

David Guy Larkins, 56, of Danielsville, Georgia, passed away at his home on November 13, 2025, while surrounded by his family. He was born on October 10, 1969, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Amasa Guy Larkins and Sharon Knight Larkins. David served his community as a police officer and sheriff’s deputy for 22 years until his retirement from law enforcement....

Nov 12, 2025

Dr. Joyce Thomas, 77, of Athens, Georgia, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and brilliant physician, passed peacefully in her sleep on the evening of November 12, 2025. She was surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Joyce was born on July 4, 1948, in Kerala, India—a fitting birthday for someone who went on to embrace the world with independence and...

Nov 12, 2025

Kenneth George Ainsworth passed away at 102 in his sleep on November 12, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. Ken (Bud) Ainsworth, born July 13, 1923, the oldest of nine children, was born and raised on his parent’s dairy farm near Shawano, Wi. After serving as a meteorologist in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he attended the University of...

Nov 11, 2025

Ada Ruth Reynolds, 84, of Monroe, Ga, passed away on November 11, 2025. A Georgia native, she was the daughter of the late William and Della Pierce.

Ada was a devoted homemaker, who cherished time spent with her family. She enjoyed making bead bracelets and giving them to the ones who she loved most.

She is survived by her children: Susan Renee...

Nov 11, 2025

Mrs. Frances “Guynelle” Hart McElroy, 91, of Hull, GA, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Athens, GA, she was the daughter of the late Giles A. (Guy) & Hilda Thompson Hart. She was preceded in death by her husband, John “Rufus” McElroy, a sister, Betty Linkhart, of Katy,...

Nov 11, 2025

James “Jim” Herman Fleeman Jr, 59 of Danielsville, Georgia, passed on November 11, 2025, at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Born on July 18, 1966, in Athens, Georgia, he is the son of the late James Herman Fleeman Sr. and Helen Janet (Sanford) Fleeman. Jim was a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ and knew...

Nov 11, 2025

Geneva Roberts Smith Frey, 96, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025.

The family will greet friends on November 17, 2025 at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home EAST from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Immediately following the visitation, Graveside Services will be held at Athens Memory Gardens at 12:30 P.M. A meal will be served at Grace Fellowship Church, in Bogart,...

Nov 10, 2025

The family of Brad O’Neil is heartbroken to announce his sudden passing on November 10, 2025, in Athens, GA at the age of 69. Brad was born on June 4, 1956, in Goffstown, NH to his parents Arthur (predeceased 1978) and Dorcas (predeceased 2016).

Brad was raised in Goffstown, NH and graduated from GHS in 1974. After high school, he joined...

Nov 10, 2025

Gatha Pickens Bridges, 79, of Statham, passed away on November 10, 2025.

Born in Cannon, GA, she was the daughter of the late Melton Alvin Pickens and Willie Owens. In her free time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading novels by her favorite authors Danielle Steel and Nicholas Sparks; but nothing was more important than spending time with her beautiful family.

Gatha...

Nov 10, 2025

Lewis “Butch” Cochran, Jr., of Danielsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home on November 10, 2025. He was born in Athens, Georgia, and raised in Center. Since 1975, Butch made his home on a farm north of Danielsville, where he built a life grounded in faith, family, and the land he loved.

Butch worked as a factory worker for over...

Nov 10, 2025

Mary Katherine Bradberry, 96, of Commerce passed away on November 10, 2025. Born on December 31, 1928, she was the daughter of the late James E. Hill and Louis Bryan Hill. 

Mary retired from General Times in Athens as a machine operator after 35 years. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Claude Brooks; second...

Nov 9, 2025

Mrs. Nancy L. Autry passed away November 9, 2025. She was the daughter of the late, Garnett & Kathleen McCurley; also was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Autry; sons, Greg Autry & Jimmy Autry, Jr.; also a brother, Thomas McCurley. Nancy was an office manager of Accountant Department for the University of Georgia.

Funeral Services are Wednesday November 11,...

Nov 9, 2025

James Robert “Bobby” Hayes, 89, of Arnoldsville, Georgia passed away November 9, 2025 surrounded by his family.

Born on June 22, 1936 in Winterville, Georgia, Bobby lived a long and full life marked by dedication to his family and service to his country. He proudly served and retired from the U.S. Air Force, a commitment that reflected his deep sense of...

Nov 7, 2025

Patsy Ann Pickle Carithers, 80, of Hull, Georgia, passed away November 7, 2025.

She was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi to her parents Oliver Wendell Pickle and Alice Hodge Pickle. In 1964 she married John Henley Carithers, her husband of 60 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, and infant son Jason John Carithers.

In addition to her husband, she is...

Nov 6, 2025