*Full Obituary Pending*

The Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory of Blairsville announces Funeral Services for Mrs. Launa Bell Frahm who passed away on July 17, 2019.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Carmichael Funeral Home in Marietta. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 11 until the service begins.

A local Graveside Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Local arrangements entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces the death of Mrs. Martha Ann Metzgar, age 83 of Clayton who passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at her home.

A Memorial Service is planned to be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at St. James Episcopal Church, 260 Warwoman Rd, Clayton, GA 30525.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee

Grace Lucille Ross passed from this life on July 10, 2019, at the age of 96.

She was born May 12, 1923, in Bondtown, VA to the late Edward Stacey Johnson and the late Roxie Mays Johnson. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Earl Ross, her brothers Eugene Johnson and John Allen Johnson, and her sister Helen Pentecost.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Ross; daughter, Judith (Chester) Lilly; son, Bob E. Ross; daughter, Sherrill (Orville) Blankenship; grandchildren, Chet Lilly, Suzanne Wallace, Melissa Shaw, Jill Blankenship-Franke, and Jon Blankenship; great-grandchildren Lexi and Zac Wallace, Noah Payne, Katie Shaw, Katie Frankie, Nate Frankie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lucille was a long-time resident of Lynch and Benham, KY where she attended Blair Chapel Church and of Blue Ridge, GA where she was a member of the First Baptist Church at Epworth. Lucille also lived for brief periods in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California, in McMinnville, TN, Watertown, NY, and Sebring, FL. She loved to travel and the trips she enjoyed the most were to visit members of her family who were the most important people in the world for her.

Services: Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 1:00 pm from the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tom Jordan officiating and the eulogy by Chet Lilly. Intermit will follow in the Epworth First Baptist Church Cemetery in Epworth, GA. Pallbearers: Chester Lilly, Jody Frankie, Ronnie Ross, Gary Ross, Zac Wallace, and Chet Lilly.

The family will receive friends and extended family for visitation at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home on Saturday, July 13, 2019, from 11:00 am till 1:00 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.

Linda Jean McConnell Duvall

AUGUST 3, 1951 ~ JUNE 18, 2019

Mrs. Linda Jean McConnell Duvall, age 67, of Hayesville, North Carolina passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2019 after an extended illness. Linda was born August 3, 1951 in Davenport, Iowa to the late Willis (Bill) Paul and Barbara Nell (Burch) McConnell. There truly are no words worthy of describing Linda’s life. She was put on this earth for a very important purpose. She loved Jesus her heart stayed focused on Him always. Through her eyes, the cup was always half full; not only could she find the good in every situation and person, she took it a step further and inspired others to see the positive in hard times and see the good in people that most could not see. She was a foster mom to thirteen children and went on to adopt five of those children, giving everything in her to make certain they knew they were loved, protected and wanted. Linda was the glue that held things together, often hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners or putting together a family reunion. She was a talented baker, and loved to cook, sing with her sisters, go horseback riding in her younger years, go camping, and absolutely loved music, Charlie Pride being in her top 10. What set Linda apart from many people was her strength to keep going, inspiring and leaning on God to place her in the paths of those who needed her. Through fourteen years of dialysis, beating cancer four times and battling her illness’ she still encouraged people, stayed positive and loved her family deeply. Linda was tough and a fighter; she did not lie down and let her illness steal her passion – her faith never wavered. Linda is preceded in death by her parents Willis and Barbara McConnell and her son Shawn Duvall. She is survived by husband Dan Duvall; son and his fiance Donovan Duvall and Amanda Dyer; son and daughter-in-law Dylan and Samantha Duvall; daughters and sons-in-law Leslie and Justin Henson, Tabitha and Christian Campbell; sisters Diana Lewis, Mary Burch, Billie McConnell; brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Sherry McConnell and ten grandchildren Raya, Roman, Sidra, Willow, Lincoln, Jayce, Jasper, Jayden, Megan and Autumn.

Visitation: Friday, June 21, 2019 6-8 pm at Banister Funeral Home
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 12:00 in the chapel of Banister Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Cothren officiating
Interment at Burch Cemetery
Banister Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs Linda Duvall.

Barbara Jean (Reedy) Atkins

AUGUST 5, 1936 ~ JUNE 11, 2019

Mrs. Barbara Jean (Reedy) Atkins, age 82 of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Brasstown Manor after an extended illness. Barbara was born August 5, 1936 to the late Mr. George Kent and Carrie Delora (Howard) Reedy in Harlan, Kentucky. She attended Union Hill Methodist Church. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, one brother George Kent Ready Jr., her father and mother-in-law, John Presley and Willie Florence Atkins, and sister-in-law Martha Jane (Atkins) Sargent. She was survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Boyd Atkins; son John Boyd Atkins Jr; daughter Brenda Kay Atkins; grandchildren Carly Elizabeth (Atkins) Binkley and husband Adam, Lindsay Myers Atkins, Boyd Atkins Shiver, Sydney Myers Shiver; sisters Rosemary (Reedy) Mahlkuch and Linda (Reedy) McCord McNiemeyer and her loving caregiver of many years, Francis Gibson. Barbara’s family was her most cherished gift. She and Boyd made certain the Christian faith and core values instilled in them as children were passed on to their children. Barbara enjoyed entertaining family and friends in their mountain home in Hiawassee, Georgia, through the years, and always ensured there was enough food prepared for the next family member or friend who may arrive. Barbara enjoyed playing bridge, reading, dancing, gardening and cooking out with family and friends.

A memorial service celebrating Barbara’s life will be held at 4:00 pm, Tuesday, June 18th at Christ Independent Methodist Church in Palatka , Florida with Rev. Amos Price officiating. The family gratefully accepts flowers, or in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to a charity of your choice in memory of Barbara.

Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Richard Michael Fleisher

JULY 28, 1935 ~ MAY 30, 2019

Mr. Richard Michael Fleisher, age 83, of Young Harris, Georgia passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2019 after a courageous battle with an extended illness. Richard was born July 28, 1935 to the late Mr. Bernard and Frances (Phillips) Fleisher in Bronx, New York. He was a dedicated tennis and pickleball player, loved to fish and was an avid reader. Richard loved his dogs and his family; he was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and a dear friend to many people. He was active in the community and a former member of The Hiawassee Garden Club. Richard is preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Frances Fleisher. He leaves behind his wife Shirley Gorden Fleisher; sons and daughter-in-laws Glenn and Mary Anne Fleisher, Craig and Angela Fleisher, Michael and Karyn Gorden, brother Kenneth Fleisher, seven grandchildren and one nephew. A service in Richard’s memory will be announced at a later date.

Banister Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Richard Keith Barnard

DECEMBER 19, 1939 ~ MAY 3, 2019

Mr. Richard Keith Barnard, age 79 of Warne, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Friday, May 3, 2019. Richard was born on December 19, 1939 in Young Harris, Georgia to the late Mr. Arthur and Wilda (Chambers) Barnard. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Warne, North Carolina. He served in the United States Army for three years as a Security Agent. After the Army he went on to Mars Hill University where he achieved a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. Richard was a hard worker, he worked for the United States Postal Service for over 29 years as a Post Master, was a self taught Plumber and Electrician, owned Appaloosa show horses and show cows. He was known as a “Horse Whisperer” by many. Of all the many ribbons, awards and achievements Richard gained over the years, nothing compared to his character. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather, a honest, loyal, giving friend and a true man of God. He was the type of man who would give someone a ride who was walking down the road, the man who went above and beyond for his family, friends and community. Even as a young boy he would ride a cow down the road to go get milk for his family from the local “milk lady”. Richard leaves behind his precious wife of 50 years Mrs. Jannette (Cable) Barnard; sons and daughter-in-laws Jeff and Celia Barnard of Sun City, California; Kenny and Connie Barnard of Hiawassee, Georgia and Shane and Susie Barnard of Young Harris, Georgia; grandchildren Eric, Kendall, Jeffery, Jeremiah and wife Mary Barnard, Zack King, Katie, Rachel, Leila Barnard and Savannah King; great grandchildren Saige Nicole Barnard, Lyndon Gray and Finley Barnard; brother and sister-in-law Noel and Zell Barnard; sisters and brother-in-laws Marlena Cartier, Jeanette and Dewey Dills and Diana and Steve Hazelwood; along with many extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org/ or 30 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016.
Visitation: Saturday, May 4 from 5-8 PM at Banister Funeral Home
Funeral Service: Sunday, May 5 at 11:00 AM at Mt Pisgah Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Rogers officiating
Interment to follow in the Mt Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery
Banister Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces funeral services for Mary Christine Raper, age 85, of Blairsville, who passed away Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 in Lifecare Center in Ducktown, Tennessee.

Christine was born and raised in Union County, Georgia, a daughter of the late Gurley Raper and the late Blanche Cook Raper. She loved children and she loved her family. Christine never met a stranger and delighted in talking with people. Putting up food from the garden for winter, cooking and eating were some of her favorite things to do. She was known as a Godly woman, and was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Union County.She was so happy just to get all dressed up in her Sunday best to go to church services.

Surviving family members include numerous nieces and nephews, including Liz Beavers and her husband Kenneth, and Sandy Sneed and her husband Randall.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Friday, November 8th, 2019, to be held at 2:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home in Blairsville. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Joe Patterson, Jeff Patterson, Dave Patterson, James Patterson, Steven Towe, and Cecil Beaver. Burial will be in Zion Hill Cemetery on Loving Road.

Visitation at the funeral home will be held on Friday, the same day as the funeral, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving the family of Mary Christine Raper. Please share your condolences and sign the online guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.