Mrs. April Joy Cook, age 43 of Blairsville, passed away January 6, 2020 at her residence. Mrs. Cook was born August 11, 1976. She was a member of the Poplar Springs Baptist Church and worked as a cosmetologist.

Survivors include: husband, Harold Dean Cook, Jr. of Blairsville, father and step-mother, Lindsey (Denise) Watson of Gainesville, children , Abby Mathis & Dalton Mathis both of Blairsville, brother, Gabriel Watson of Blairsville, nieces and nephews, Savana Watson, Reid Watson, and Jerin Watson.

Funeral services: Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 1:00 pm from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. Randall Hulsey officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to your choice: Castoff Rescue, P.O. Box 1932 Blairsville, GA 30514; or to Humane Society’s Mountain Shelter, P.O. Box 1252, Blairsville, GA 30514.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, Georgia. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Charles Raymond Dean, age 82, of Crawley Gap Road, Blairsville, Georgia passed away January 7, 2020, with his family at his side in his home following an extended illness. He was born on October 16, 1937 in Danielsville, GA to that late Charlie and Mary Dean. Mr. Dean is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years Carmell Dean; daughters, Martha O’Kelley and her husband John O’Kelley of Monticello, GA, Judith King and her husband David King of Marietta, GA and Gloria Morris of Panama City, FL, step-son Terry Warren and his wife CaSandra Warren of Blairsville, GA, eight grandchildren (2 grandsons preceded in death) and 11 great-grandchildren.

Raymond was an Air Force veteran, served 25 years as a Master Mason of Young Cane Masonic Lodge , Blairsville, GA and worked at BellSouth for 36 years where he also volunteered with the Bellsouth Pioneers. He then began work as a Communication Consultant in Egypt and Mexico. Upon retirement he and Carmell moved to Blairsville to enjoy the mountains. They also spent twelve years traveling throughout the U.S. in their RV. Mr. Dean enjoyed the outdoors, being around the water and fishing. He attended Coosa Methodist Church in Blairsville.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020 from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Burch and Pastor Jack Cochran officiating. A Eulogy will be given by CMDCM Richard Dean (USN, Ret.). Interment will follow at New Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery in Blairsville. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Drew Schug, Daryl Green, Richard Dean, Bobby Dean, J.E. Corn, and CW2 Austin M. Dean. Eric King will serve as honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, the family desires that donations be made to either Coosa United Methodist Church or New Harmony Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5 until 8 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory.

Obituary for Wilma Bonner

February 9, 1952 – January 9, 2020

Clyde “Jackie” Meers, age 59 of Canton, GA passed away December 31, 2019. Jackie was born on April 18, 1960 to the late Reba (Sisson) and Clyde Andrew Meers. Jackie loved life, fishing, and his family. He always looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas because he got to eat and be with his family. He was a hard worker, he started working at Daniels Bodyshop in 1989 and had a true passion for repairing vehicles. Jackie is truly loved by his family and will be missed.
Jackie was preceded in death by parents and loving sister, Barbara Smith. Jackie is survived in death by his Brother, Terry J. Meers of Blairsville, GA; sister Linda Meers (Donnie Young) of Blairsville, Mary Hicks of Blairsville, and Sonya (John) Walter of Blairsville, GA. Also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

Visitation: Sunday, January 5, 2020 from 3:00-9:00 PM at Banister-Cooper Funeral Home.
Service: Monday, January 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM from the chapel of Banister-Cooper Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Truelove officiating.

Pallbearers: Chuck Young, Glen Young, Nathan Williams, Donnie Young, Brian Smith and Danny Owenby.
Banister-Cooper Funeral Home of Hiawassee is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Mary Black Hays, age 94 of Epworth, GA passed away January 1, 2020. Mrs. Hays was born April 24, 1925 in Ringgold, GA to her late parents, Marion Neal and Mae Templeton Black. Mary was a member of the First Baptist Church of Epworth. She worked as a homemaker for most of her life and enjoyed working in the yard and tending to her flowers. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Milton Hays and grandson Cary Thomas Jones.

Survivors include: son, Milton (Patti) Hays of McDonough, GA daughter, Celeste (Dennis) Jones of Covington, GA daughter, Karen Hays of Epworth, GA Brother, Frank (Dot) Black of Elizabethtown, KY, sister, Norma (John) Hollis of Richmond, IN, 4 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services: Monday, January 6, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Epworth with Dr. Tom Jordan officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church of Epworth, Monday, January 6, 2020, 1:00 pm until the service hour of 2:00pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Edith Payne Quinn, age 90, of Calhoun, GA, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, December 29, 2019, at Hamilton Medical Center Dalton Georgia. Edith was born in Polk County Tennessee on March 15, 1929, the 7th child of the late Benjamin G. Cross and Eva Mae Hughes Cross. Edith was preceded in death by husband Santa Payne and husband George C. Quinn, an infant son, Marvin Payne, brothers, Ed Cross, Hansel Cross, Hoyt Cross, James Cross, Lloyd Cross and Wendell Cross, sisters, Jessie Mae Cross and Inez Cross. She is survived by a brother, Alvin Cross, sisters, Lucille Baggett, Ruth Parker, Louise (Joe) Voyles, Eloise West, daughter Mildred (Barry) Caldwell, grandsons Richard Freeman, Billy Joe Bates, Martin (Theresa) Caldwell and Robert (Sandi) Caldwell, great-grandchildren Nicholas (Christy) Barnett, Jennifer (Nick) Woody, Matthew Freeman, Amber
Caldwell, Sam Bates, Emily Caldwell, Haley Grace Caldwell, Sheena Anderson, Michael Early, Louis Greenwell, Haley Ratliff, Gabby Ratliff, and Mindy Schoell, 15 great-great-grandchildren, Step-Son Randy (Christine) Quinn, Step-Daughters Betty (Wendell) Sanford, Ann (Billy) Mathis, Step-Daughter-in-law, Karol Quinn, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Edith was a member of Mount Liberty Baptist Church McCaysville GA. She loved God, family, and friends. She loved attending Church and took every opportunity to encourage others to join her in worship. She was a devoted wife and homemaker. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, cooking and watching Braves baseball. She was always busy and loved life. Edith touched many lives and we will miss her
smile. Heaven is sweeter for her presence. The family will receive friends at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home, of McCaysville Georgia, on January 1, 2020, from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Liberty
Baptist Church in McCaysville Georgia on January 2, 2020, at 1:00 pm with Rev. John Newton, Rev. Steve Corbin, and Rev. Gary Hibbert officiating. Mt. Liberty Baptist Church Choir will be providing special music. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers include Benny Cross, Benji Cross, Bill Cross, Hansel Cross Jr., Henry Cross, Randell Cross, honorary pallbearer Charles Cross.
Finch-Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory of McCaysville is honored to be serving the family.

Mary Carolyn Jones, age 78 of Copperhill, passed away on December 30, 2019, at Hospice Of Chattanooga Care Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mrs. Jones was born on February 9, 1941, in Copperhill, Tn to late Cecil A Collis and Ruby Lorene Brooks. Mary loved her job working at Walmart in Murphy, NC. She adored her nephews Brandon, Jordan, Cody, and Tyler and thought of them as her own. One of the many things she cherished in her lifetime was Spanky. Mrs. Mary Jones was truly an extraordinary woman and was admired by everyone who knew her. Heaven gained a beautiful angel who will be missed each and every day. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold G. Jones, and her sister Judy Collis.

Survivors include her sister, Kathleen Walden, sister, Brenda Brackett, brother, Jim Collis(Karen), sister, Joy C. Collis, and sister Jane Morrow (Dwight).

Funeral services will not be announced due to family requests.
Arrangements entrusted to the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at [ www.cochranfuneralhomes.com ]( http://www.cochranfuneralhomes.com/ ).

C.V. “Bill” Cockerham, age 91, of Blairsville, GA, formerly of Oakwood, GA, passed away on Friday, December 27th, 2019. Bill was a retired pastor of First Baptist Church of Oakwood, and was a current member of First Baptist Church of Blairsville. He was preceded in death by two sons, John Stewart Cockerham and Dennis Paul Cockerham.

Bill leaves behind his loving family members: Naomi Stewart Cockerham, his beloved wife of 68 years; son and daughter-in-law, Donald Mark and Phyllis Cockerham; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen Lauran and Lisa Cockerham; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Dyer Cockerham; 6 grandchidlren: Jeffrey Donald Cockerham, Katie Allison Cockerham, Dennis Paul Cockerham, II, Stewart Evan Cockerham, Sara Elizabeth Kaufman (Jeff), and Samuel Lewis Cockerham. Many other friends and relatives also survive.

Funeral service have been scheduled for Monday, December 30th, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., to be held in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Blairsville, with Rev. Derrick Hartley and Rev. Joey Pritchett officiating. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Dennis Cockerham, Evan Cockerham, Sam Cockerham, Connor Matheny, Jeff Kaufman, and Wes Hopgood. Burial will be on Monday, December 30th, at 3:30 p.m. in Oakwood Cemetery in Oakwood.

The family will meet with friends on Monday, December 30th, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving the family of Bill Cockerham. Please sign the online guest registry and send your condolences at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Patricia Hoover Kay, age 83, of Young Harris, GA, died on December 27, 2019, at Union General Hospital, following an extended illness. Patricia (Patti) was born June 7, 1936, in Radford, VA, the daughter of Guy Hoover and Mary Weeks. She was raised by her paternal grandparents, DeMoss and Robbie Hoover, as well as her father and loving stepmother, Mabel Hoover. She was graduated from Radford High School, where she was class valedictorian. Patti earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory and Henry College and then pursued a Master’s in Christian Education at Drew University School of Theology, where she met her future husband. Later she earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from North Georgia College and University. Over the years, she taught pre-K through elementary children in both private and public schools. She was instrumental in setting up and leading the first kindergarten program in Towns County. Many of her teaching years were in Fannin County, first at Mineral Bluff and then at East Fannin Elementary. For 14 years Patti owned and operated The Book Nook in Blairsville, and through that business made many friends in the local area. With her husband John, she devoted four years of volunteer service at the Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center in Union County. At Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church she served as youth counselor and Sunday School teacher, and she was an active member of the Fay Hoag Circle of United Methodist Women. A lifelong educator, Patti belonged to the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International, and she was a devoted member of Towns County Retired Educators. Patti was preceded in death by her brother, Ira “Sonny” Hoover of Radford, VA. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, the Rev. John W. Kay of Young Harris;daughter, Kerri L. Kay of Madison, AL; son, Stephen H. Kay of Arlington, VA; son, Joel W. Kay of Chicago, IL; granddaughters, Emma S. Kay of Ann Arbor, MI, and Susanna W. Dean of Washington, D.C.; brother, Norman Hoover (Jackie) of Gainesville, FL; sisters-in-law, Connie Hoover of Radford, VA, Betty K. Skelton of Royston, GA, Patsy K. Nix of Aiken, SC, Patricia Terrill of Pawleys Island, SC; brothers-in-law, Terry W. Kay (Tommie) of Athens, GA, Gary W. Kay (Susan) of Royston, GA. In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 4, at 2:00 p.m. at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church in Young Harris, with family visitation to follow in the church fellowship hall. The family would like to thank Encompass Home Health, the staff of Northside Cancer Center in Blairsville, PruittHealth Hospice of Blue Ridge, and the nurses and staff of Union General Hospital for their loving service and support throughout Patti’s illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Population Connection (populationconnection.org), the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation (brpfoundation.org), or to a charity of your choice.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces the services for Mr. Jeffrey Melvin Lee Riffle, age 72 of Hiawassee who passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019.

A Committal Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida with Military Honors presented by The United States Air Force.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee.

*Full Obituary to be published soon*

Rev. AJ Heaton, age 87,of Mineral Bluff, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Union General Hospital. Arrangments are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home.

Mrs. Barbara Ann (Rourick) Frys, age 59, of Hayesville, North Carolina passed away on December 25, 2019 following an extended illness. Barbara was born on February 26, 1960 to the late Donald and Verdella (Olson) Rourick. Barbara was a vibrant, spunky, and well spoken woman who often shared her words of wisdom. She loved her plants, all animals, music, Disney movies and some people. She was married to the love of her life for 24 years. Surviving Mrs. Frys are the following; husband, Alan Frys of Hayesville, North Carolina; daughter, Jessica Frys Spalding of Hayesville, North Carolina; son, Brian Frys of Hayesville, North Carolina; brothers, Danny and Brian Rourick of Alameda, California; sister, Joannie Rourick of Atlantic, Iowa; niece, Jessica Rourick and nephews Paul Rourick and Danny Rourick Jr. and a host of friends. Private family services will be held at a later date. “We will meet again on that distant shore walking hand in hand.” Banister-Cooper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dave Aaron Hutchinson of Hiawassee, GA died on Friday, December 27th at the age of 71. Dave was born December 6, 1948 in Baxley, GA to Lanis and Murle Hutchinson. Growing up in Appling County, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Dianne Stone Hutchinson. Together they raised four daughters, Samantha Hutchinson, Cassandra (Steve) Davis, Lamanda (Abraham) Dhirar, and Surelle (Doug) Jones. Dave was an accomplished Electrician and Business owner. His hobbies included fishing, cooking and riding horses but he found his greatest joy in loving and caring for his family and friends. His compassion and strength of character were grounded in his faith in Jesus Christ, a truth in which he was never ashamed and shared whenever he had the opportunity.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Daryl Hutchinson.  Including his wife and daughters, Dave is survived by his siblings Allen (Harriette) Hutchinson, Kenneth (Loretta) Hutchinson, Charles (Linda) Hutchinson, and Peggy (Ronnie) White; 10 Grandchildren, 4 great Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Family will be receiving friends in Hiawassee, GA on Monday, December 30 from 9:30-11:00AM at Macedonia Baptist Church followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00AM.  The Family will also be receiving friends in Macon, GA at Fair Haven Funeral Home on Monday from 6-8:00pm.  On Tuesday, December 31 from 12:00-1:00pm visitation will be held at Spring Branch Baptist Church in Baxley, GA and the Graveside Service will follow at Omega Cemetery at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial dedications can be given to Gideons International or Hospice Care.