Mrs. Evelyn Ann Denton Ledford, age 70 of Hiawassee, passed away Saturday November 30, 2019 at Union General Hospital. Mrs. Ledford was born January 20, 1949 in Towns County to Cleveland and Monda Lowe Denton. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Church of God. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Evelyn loved gardening, her flowers and cooking. She worked hard all of her life to care for her family.

Survivors include her husband, Monroe Ledford; son and daughter in law, Ronnie and Renee Ledford of Hiawassee; sister and brother-in-law, Burnette and C.J. Nichols of Clayton, GA; granddaughter, Haley (Michael) Barrett; granddaughter, Kendra Ledford; great grandson, Grayson Barrett; nephew, Colby Nichols; and aunt, Della Dickard. Many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday December 2nd at the chapel of the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee with Rev. Glen Eller officiating. Music will be provided by Sheila Eller. Interment will follow in Boyds Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers: Knox Garrett, Michael Barrett, Colby Nichols, Robert Bradshaw, Jerry Owens and Eric Owens.

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee Sunday evening from 6 until 9 p.m.

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

Bruce Edward Berrong, age 56, passed away peacefully at his home, where he wanted to be Wednesday, November 20, 2019. Bruce was born November 13, 1963 in Hiawassee, Georgia to Mr. Leon and the late Esta (Buchanan) Berrong. He was a member of Upper Hightower Baptist Church and served as a Volunteer Firefighter for 35 years with Towns County Fire and Rescue. To know Bruce was to love him. He was a dependable and giving friend. He never met a stranger, had an infectious personality and was always more than willing to help any one and at any time. He loved people like God loves us, unconditionally and more than he loved himself. He would rather do without to be certain someone else had what they needed. He was so proud of his children and his entire family, especially his grandbabies and his dad was his best friend. Bruce was also well known for what many would call “Welcome to Bruce”. In first responder language, codes determine how quickly responders need to get to the scene, Towns County has Code one, two, three and “Code Bruce” and that meant get here 5 minutes ago. He was fast to pull a prank on an unsuspecting “victim”, painting an unnamed state troopers car tires with marking spray paint, flipping the front tags upside down on a few deputies vehicles and enjoyed embarrassing his family while eating oysters, crab legs and shrimp out in public. To sum up a man such as Bruce is almost impossible in one small obituary, he was a “fine son” to his father, loved his mama beyond measure, he was unique, a hard worker and all around a special man. He kept his sense of humor all the way until he slipped peacefully from earth to his new home. Bruce has left an impact on this town and a legacy for his children. He is deeply loved and will be painfully missed. Bruce is survived by his father, Leon Berrong; son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Jessica Berrong; son, Josh Berrong; daughter, LeAnn Dean; sons, Billy Dean and Caleb Nelson; sisters and brother-in-laws, Wilda Mae and Rex Hogsed, and Joyce Ann and Dwayne Beck,  grandchildren, Tinley, Tatum, Josh, and Jeremiah; and precious friends Gina Dean and Kayla Kimkowski along with a number of nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

Visitation: Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Banister Funeral Home.
Service: Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 3:00 PM from the chapel of Banister Funeral Home with Rev. Dwayne Beck, Rev. Jared Coleman and Rev. Glen Eller officiating.
Interment following the funeral service at Upper Hightower Baptist Church Cemetery. Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee is honored to be  handling the arrangements for Bruce.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces funeral services for Mr. Loyal Gene Sprayberry, age 74, of Blairsville, who passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at his home.

Gene was a native of Anniston, Alabama, a son of the late Loyal C. Sprayberry and the late Joyce Jennings Sprayberry. Gene was well-known and well-liked in our community, and was a banker with United Community Bank for many years. Gene was a member of Harmony Grove Baptist Church. He had been preceded in death by his beloved wife, Catherine Louise Sprayberry; two brothers: William Sprayberry and Alan Wade Sprayberry.

Gene was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He leaves behind the following family members: son and daughter-in-law, Wade Louis and Angel Sprayberry of Blairsville; and son and daughter-in-law, Kelly Gene and Tracy Sprayberry, of Marietta, Georgia; five grandchildren: Nathan Sprayberry, Mallory Sprayberry, Selina Waterhouse, Kassy Guffey, and Michael Victoria; two great grandchildren: Emma Guffey and Ellie Guffey; many cousins and other relatives also survive.

Visitation hours will be held at Cochran Funeral Home in Blairsville as follows: Friday, November 1st, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; and then from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Gene hated wearing a tie….so he had requested that no one have to wear ties to his visitation or funeral!

Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, November 2nd, to be held at Harmony Grove Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. The body will lie instate at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Union Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family has requested the following gentlemen serve as pallbearers: Scott Nanney, Eric Collins, Michael Victoria, Jody Rich, Nathan Sprayberry, and Justin Guffey; the following gentlemen are requested to serve as honorary pallbearers: Brandon Grimsley, Larry Lunsford, Jerry Rich, Jimmy Tallent, Zack Carney, and Ben Waterhouse.

If you wish to do so, memorial donations may be directed to Harmony Grove Baptist Church, 1008 Town Creek School Road, Blairsville, Georgia 30512.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving the family of Gene Sprayberry. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Cheryl Lee Helton, age 48, of Gainesville, GA, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2019, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA. She was born in Ducktown, TN, on Tuesday, October 26, 1971, to the late Steven & Sandra Wilcox Helton. Cheryl enjoyed her work as a Patient Care Tech for Northeast Georgia Medical Center. She not only offered assistance for her patients, but she also provided a kind, friendly, and caring personality. Cheryl will be remembered by all who knew her, but especially missed by her children; Alexius Helton, Austin Helton and, Heyli Colbert, grandchildren; Jorrden Crowder, Jayse Crowder, and Annleigh Crowder. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2019, at 3:00 pm from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home in Murphy, NC. Rev. Allen Harris will be officiating.
Cochran Funeral Home Of Murphy is honored to be serving the family.

Mrs. Betty Harper Swearington, age 83, of Blue Ridge passed away Wednesday evening, October 30, 2019, at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper. She was born January 2, 1936, in Fannin County, Georgia, to the late Cliff and Maude Collins Harper. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ike Swearington, and siblings, Juanita, and James.
Betty retired from Lincoln Financial, and she had been an active member of the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge. She liked deep-sea fishing, spending time on the Coast of North Carolina, listening to Billy Graham, and Southern Gospel Music. She loved dogs, and they held a special place in her heart.
Survivors include her niece, Shirley Foster of California, special friends, Tracy Radebaugh, Karon (Jerry) Monnett, and Larissa (Jack) Jones.
Funeral services Saturday, November 1, 2019, 11:00 AM from the Henry Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bob Richardson and Pastor W.L. Collins officiating. Music by Brian Huffman. Interment will follow in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Henry Cochran Funeral Home on Friday evening, November 1, 2019, from 6 PM till 8 PM.
In place of flowers donations, may be made in Betty’s name to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mrs. Sally Ruth Johnson Boulineau, age 79, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. Sally was born in Baxley, Georgia on July 31, 1940 to the late Hiram Francis and Lillie (Deen) Johnson. She was a member of Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking and fishing. She served 31 years in education as a high school english teacher and principal, retiring from Garrett Elementary in Augusta, Georgia. Sally was preceded in death by her parents, H.F. and Lillie Johnson, and her brother, H.F. Johnson Jr. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 60 years, William Franklin Boulineau; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Randy Oakley; son and daughter-in-law, Frank Jr. and Leigh Boulineau; sister, Carolyn Eunice; grandchildren, Zach Boulineau, Jordan Oakley, Logan Oakley, and Nathan Oakley; great grandchildren, Kynleigh Boulineau and R.J. Oakley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Sally’s memory to Young Harris College Fine Arts Department or Young Harris College Women’s Softball Team. Banister Funeral Home is honored to handle the arrangements for Mrs. Boulineau.

Deborah Elaine Ayers Dockery, age 59, of Ellijay, GA, passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019, in Gainesville, GA. Mrs. Dockery was born February 7, 1960, in Stephens County, GA. She was Administrator, Director of Women’s Ministry, and a member of World Harvest Church North. Deborah loved serving God, her church family, caring for people, singing, organizing events to better the world, writing, editing, proofreading, and decorating. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sue Ayers and Leon Powers, step-father Frank Ayers, and her sister, Robin Sellers.

Survivors include her husband, Asa Dockery; sons, Stephen Dockery and wife Dana Dockery, Michael Dockery, and Benjamin Dockery and wife Sarah Dockery.

Funeral Services: Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 2:00 pm at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home with Robin Bertram officiating. Interment will follow in Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery with Tracey Mitchell. Music by Connie Davis. Pallbearers: Wayne Dillworth, Dennis Gorges, Jonathan Long, Matthew Colbert, Chris Brewer, and Rob Thibodeaux.

The family will receive friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, Friday, November 22, 2019, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

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

Alice Dell Brooks, age 86 of Copperhill, TN passed away on October 11, 2019, in Blue Ridge, GA. Mrs. Brooks was born May 14, 1933, in Blue Ridge, GA to the late Marion Dillard and the late Lassie Ellis Dillard. A member of Fairview Baptist Church, she was preceded in death by her first husband Rev. Buddy Ray; brothers, Sonny Craig, Reid Dillard, Walter Dillard, and Arnold Dillard; great-grandchildren, Davanee Dickey and Jentzen James Dickey; and sister, Orthel Cochran. Mrs. Brooks enjoyed being a caretaker and loved to cook. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Survivors include: husband, Keith Brooks; daughters, Wilda (Jimmy) Burger, Wanda (Willie) Burk, and Winona Walker; step-sons, Kent Brooks, and Scott (Paula) Brooks; sister, Jean Newman; ten grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

Funeral services: Sunday, October 13, 2019, at 2:00 pm at the Bethel Church with the Rev. Doug Payne, Rev. Scott Graves, and Rev. Scott Baugh officiating. Music provided by: Rick Curtis, Benny Picklesimer, T.C. Picklesimer, Jeremy Payne, Mary Kate Dickey, and the Bethel Church Choir. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Cemetery in Copperhill, TN. Pallbearers: T.J. Dickey, Josh Dickey, Jonah Dickey, Austin Dickey, Caleb Locke, and Tyler Bonds. Honorary pallbearers: Grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysivlle, GA Saturday, October 12, 2019, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

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.

Obituary for James L. Davenport

Rev. James W. Jenkins, age 77, of Copperhill, passed away Monday, November 18, 2019, at Fannin Regional Hospital. Mr. Jenkins was born May 3, 1942, in Culberson, NC, to the late Charles Jenkins and the late Gazzie Truett Jenkins. He was a member of Ducktown Masonic Lodge, No. 241 F&AM, and served area churches as pastor for over 30 years including Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Shady Grove Baptist Church. James also worked as a security guard for the Tennessee Chemical Company for 35 years, and enjoyed giving his time and talent at the Polk County Senior Center. Mr. Jenkins was preceded in death by his father, Charles Jenkins, mother, Gazzie Truett Jenkins, first wife, Joy Bruce Jenkins, sisters, Willie Mae Jenkins, Faye Rogers, Jean Clonts, Dorothy Alsobrook, and Geneaive Jenkins, brothers, Thomas Jenkins, Junior Jenkins, and George Jenkins.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Jenkins, sister, Louizene Wilson, brother, Lucky (Pat) Jenkins, son, Dwayne Jenkins, daughter, JoAnn (Alan) Deal, step-daughters, Shauna (Lee) Adams, Pam (Eric) Satterfield, and Becky (Eddie) O’Neal, grandchildren, Jessica Dean, Jason (Leslie) Dean, Joshua (Amber) Dean, Michael (Misty) Deal, Christopher Deal, Scott Deal, Alan Deal, Jr., step-grandchildren, Noah (Alexis) O’Neal, Isaac O’Neal, Michah O’Neal, Jessica Thomason, Jennifer (David) Henry, Wesley Adams, Kyle Adams, and many great-grandchildren.

Funeral services: Thursday, November 21, 2019, at 2:00 pm at Shady Grove BaptistChurch, Murphy, NC. with Rev. Jeremiah Jack and Rev. Josh Ledford officiating. Music provided by: Shady Grove Baptist Church Choir. Interment will follow in the Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jason Dean, Joshua Dean, Michael Deal, Lee Adams, Eddie O’Neal, David Henry.

The family will receive friends at the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of, McCaysville, Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm & Thursday, November 21, 2019, at the Shady Grove Baptist Church from
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm.

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.