The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces Funeral Services for Joshua Lee Hooper, age 30, of Young Harris who left this world all too soon on July 2, 2018.

Josh was born in Hiawassee, Georgia on October 23, 1987. He played a variety of sports throughout his school years and made friends with everyone that he met. He had the unique ability to genuinely connect with people, and was fiercely loyal to them- almost to a fault. Known for his comical side and practical jokes, time spent with Josh would always include laughter. Any interaction with him was often the best part of people’s day. Josh was the constant in life; he was the same each time that you saw him, good-hearted and full of life. Josh enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors. If not working, Josh could be found around the mountains either hunting or fishing, depending on the season.

Josh became a heavy equipment operator, and was able to travel to many places to work. He quickly learned to master new skills and quickly became a huge asset to his crew. He was dependable and set for himself high standards. He never judged, was quick to lend a helping hand, and wouldn’t gossip or tolerate those who did. He loved to work with his hands and to feel the sense of accomplishment when the job was completed.

Josh will be warmly remembered by all who knew him, but especially missed by his family: father & step-mother, Darrin & Drinda Hooper; mother, Melissa Hooper (Jimmie Litman); sister, Lindsey Hooper; nephew Wyatt Nicholson; paternal grandparents, Larry & Margie Hooper; and maternal grandmother, Judy Smith. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Rev. Jimmy Smith. Numerous extended family members also share in his memory.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 6th, 2018 at West Union Baptist Church in Young Harris, Georgia with Rev. Bryan Souther officiating. Interment will follow in West Union Baptist Church Cemetery. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Jared Norton, Jesse Nicholson, Kevin Conatser, Jeremiah Hooper, Chris Rogers, and Nathan Smith.

The family will receive friends at Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee on Thursday evening, July 5th, from 5 until 9 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee.

Dr. Floyd Deen, Jr., M.D., age 81 of Hiawassee, Georgia, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2018, at his home.

Dr. Deen was born on March 13, 1937, in Cochran, Georgia to the late Evelyn Trice Deen and late Floyd Deen, Sr. Dr. Deen was a 1955 graduate of Bacon County High School in Alma, Georgia where he grew up. Dr. Deen graduated from North Georgia Military College in 1959, and The Medical College of Georgia in 1963. Dr. Deen was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force where he served as a flight surgeon during the Vietnam conflict. Dr. Deen married Judith Jones Deen of Alma, Georgia, in 1970, and soon after they moved to Wadesboro, North Carolina to establish his home and medical practice. After practicing for thirty-five years, he retired to St. Simons Island, Georgia to live next door to best friends, Mr. and Mrs. Ashley Dukes, and later to Hiawassee, Georgia to be closer to his children and grandchildren. Dr. Deen was an avid fisherman, but his greatest passion was his service and dedication to his patients.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mrs. Judith Jones Deen of Hiawassee, Georgia; a son, Dr. Jason Deen, M.D. (Karla Deen) of Knoxville Tennessee; two daughters, Mrs. Candace Deen Stevens (Matt Stevens) of Sandy Springs, Georgia, and Mrs. Julie Deen Schneider (Justin Schneider) of Powder Springs, Georgia; and by two brothers, Dr. Johnny Deen (Betty Deen) of Thomaston Georgia, and Mr. Thomas C. Deen of Darien, Georgia. Dr. Deen, affectionately known as “Papoon” was the proud grandfather of 8 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. He is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services consist of a private family Memorial in Hiawassee on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, a memoriam has been set up with Homestead Hospice, 97 Deep South Farm Road, Unit #2, Blairsville, Georgia 30512.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee

Richard Norman, 82 of Hiawassee Georgia went to His heavenly home to be with His Lord and Savior on July 2, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ruth Norman, three children, Lori Hill (Garland) of Hiawassee GA., Sharyn Warren of Hendersonville TN., Rick Norman (Sandi) of Winder GA., 6 grandchildren: Stacia Childress (Brian), Brandon Redding, Ryan Norman (Gabriel), Ricky Norman, Blake Norman, Jared Warren and 6 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers Lee Norman and Fred Norman and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Richard Ivey Norman & Iva Reine Norman, 3 sisters Erlyne Smith, LaVergne Brandel and Barbara Anderson, 2 brothers Gerald Norman and Wilbur Norman. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Hiawassee, GA and formerly of Sunlight Baptist Church in Colbert, GA. Prior to the call to the mission field he was an aircraft engine mechanic in Miami, FL for 14 years. He served as a missionary church planter of 4 churches in Alaska for 20 years, then as Pastor in Parsons TN for 8 years before retiring in 2001. He loved people and was adored by everyone with whom he came in contact. His smile was contagious and he made everyone feel special. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Banister Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Nate Browning officiating. Visitation will be held at 1pm with service to follow at 2pm. Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Martin Eugene Skiver, age 66, of Dahlonega, Georgia passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018 in his home surrounded by his family. Mr. Skiver was born on July 27, 1951 in Ohio to the late Earl Weldon and Edna Earl (Martin) Skiver. He was of the Baptist faith. Martin better known as “Marty” provided for his family building custom barns, under his business Georgia Barns, LLC for over 30 years. He enjoyed hunting or should we say napping under a tree but his favorite hobby was fishing. You could often find him on his boat on the lake or deep sea fishing in the ocean. When he wasn’t on the water or under a tree he was enjoying the North Georgia Mountains on his Harley. However his true joy came from his family. He was a devoted husband, an amazing father and forgot the word no when his grandchildren came along. Mr. Skiver was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Danny Evans and sister-in-law Lela Skiver. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Mrs. Lorina Everett Skiver of Dahlonega, Georgia; daughter Lynn Evans of Cleveland, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Jason Truelove of Gainesville, Georgia; daughter, Michelle Funderburk of Dahlonega, Georgia; son and fiancé Steven Skiver and Nicole Tucker of Jasper, Georgia; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Carl Price; brothers, Marvin “Doug” Skiver and James Skiver; sister, Faye Skiver; 21 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews also survive. Marty was a private man and in honor of his wishes there will be no formal service but a gathering of close friends and family to celebrate the life of a mountain of a man. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Mr. Skivers memory to the American Cancer Society. Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces Funeral Services for Kenneth Boyd Boswell, age 79 of Hiawassee who passed away on March 4, 2018 at his home.

Kenneth Boswell’s love of writing led to his career as a newspaper reporter and communications specialist. As a reporter for the Atlanta Journal in the 1970’s, he reported on many events, including the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War. Ken loved to cover the trials and human interest stories in the Atlanta and Fulton County courthouses.

Kenneth Boyd Boswell, a native of Register, Georgia, was born March 9, 1938 in Statesboro, Ga. He graduated high school from Gordon Military College and joined the United States Army. Always interested in technology, he was assigned to the Army Security Agency in an elite unit that intercepted Morse Code messages between diplomats of cold war nations. Upon discharge Ken enrolled in the University of Georgia with a major in Journalism and minors in Political Science and English. He was especially proud of serving as managing editor and reporter for the UGA Red and Black newspaper. He graduated in 1963 and remains a rabid Bulldawg!

He was Assistant Editor and State Editor of the Augusta Chronicle, as well as a news reporter for the Athens Daily News. He was a general assignment reporter and Fulton County reporter for the Atlanta Journal. Ken covered the court martial of Lt. William Calley, for the My Lai, Viet Nam Massacre at Fort Benning, Ga. in 1970, and the Capt. Ernest Medina court martial, in 1971.

Upon retiring from his newspaper career, he became an Assistant County Manager for Fulton County in Atlanta. He was an administrative liaison officer for the County Housing Authority and the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System. He was also the communications director for the State v. Wayne Williams trial, known as the “Missing and Murdered Children” trial.

Ken married Celia Cole Gettle on April 10, 1976. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, in Roswell Ga., and assisted in creating policies for the Center. Ken and Celia moved to Cashiers, N.C, where he became a member of the Board of Directors of the town park, The Village Green. There, he established a fund raiser for the park, an annual juried arts and craft event. He also worked on the first Highlands-Cashiers Cancer Relay for Life which earned him the highly coveted “Public Relations Society of America” national award. His love for writing was shown in his many volunteer activities, including editing directories and recipe books for his church.

Kenneth Boswell was a faithful member of Union Hill United Methodist Church in Hiawassee, Georgia, where he served as Lay Leader for over fifteen years and represented the church at the Methodist Annual Conference for a number of years as well. His was a life well lived.

He is survived by Celia Boswell, his beloved wife of 41 years, daughters Janice Boswell Baldowski (Darryl), Amy Boswell Moore (Larry), Laura Boswell Flanders (Richard), son Kenneth Boyd Boswell, Jr, stepdaughter, Margaret Gettle Washburn, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by grandson Jeffrey Alan Flanders, his father Boyd E. Boswell, mother Rudy Dell Rushing Motes and stepfather Lloyd J. Motes.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Union Hill United Methodist Church with Dr. Charles Wilson and Rev. Katie Strahls officiating. Special music will be presented by the Union Hill UMC Choir. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the service begins. Interment will follow at Burch Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Union Hill UMC, P.O. Box 691, Hiawassee, GA 30546.

John Eden Johnson of Hiawassee, GA, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones, on Thursday, July 26. He was born on May 2, 1934 in Pacolet, S.C. He goes to meet his parents, Loy Yates and Aline Eden Johnson, as well as his brother, Yates Johnson. He grew up in Union, S.C., and received his B.A. degree from his beloved Clemson University in 1957.

An active member of McConnell Memorial Baptist Church, Eden had a heart for giving. He enjoyed spending his time volunteering at the Towns County Food Bank and the Georgia Mountain Fair. Eden was an avid bridge player and loved fishing with his grandchildren. He also served on numerous city councils through the years.

Eden is survived by his wife, Martha Anderson Johnson, and his children John Eden (Jay) Johnson, Jr. (Marie), Melodie Johnson Raley (Billy), and Barbara Johnson Willhoff (John). He is also survived by stepchildren, Richie Anderson, Robbie Anderson, and Michelle Anderson Diamond (Mike), as well as his sister Norma Woy. Sharing his legacy are his grandchildren Alex Johnson, Laila Johnson, Malia Raley, Bethany Raley Wright (Chase), Eden Raley Howe (Chase), Virginia Willhoff, Cate Willhoff, Graham Willhoff, Payton Anderson, Jed Diamond, and Ellie Diamond.

A service honoring Eden’s memory is scheduled for Friday, August 3rd, at 11:00am at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McConnell Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Eden Johnson athttps://mcconnellchurch.org/give/. Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee is honored to be in charge of the service arrangements.

Elizabeth Alicia Ahrens “Betty” Beadle passed away on June 30th, 2018 in Hiawassee, Georgia at the age of 91.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Harold after 63 years of the kind of marriage that we all aspire to have.

She is survived by her daughter Carol (Tim), son Richard (Tammy) and son Robert; her grandchildren Richard II (Ashley), Brittany (Greg), Catherine (Tom), Carinne (Micah), and Christopher; and her two young great-granddaughters Charlotte and Madeline.

“Betty” was born on January 27th, 1927 in Queens, New York to William and Esta-Marie Ahrens and one older brother Robert. She graduated from St. Joseph’s College – New York, with a masters degree in Child Development. In 1950, she married Harold Beadle, a World War II army combat veteran and they lived in Caseville, Michigan in the summer and Zephyrhills, Florida in the winter for the first two years of their marriage. They moved to Florida permanently in 1952 and ran their own Hauling and then Landscaping business while Betty taught primary school in Dade City. They raised three children with the knowledge that they were loved unconditionally, and encouraged them to pursue their goals with confidence. In 1976 they built a cabin on their property in the North Georgia Mountains and eventually moved there permanently when they retired. After losing Harold in 2013, Betty’s youngest son Bobby provided unwavering, loving care for her in her twilight years.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11:30am on Tuesday, July 3rd, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville, GA, after which Betty will be laid to rest next to Harold at Boyd’s Chapel Cemetery in Hiawassee, GA; a stones-throw from their mountain home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to support the Mountain Regional Library, P.O. Box 159, Young Harris, GA 30582.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory

Mrs. Lois Rogers, age 93, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018 in Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia. Mrs. Rogers was born on May 7, 1925 in Young Harris, Georgia to the late William Perry Sampson and Cora Howell Sampson. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church for over 70 years. She served as the head of hospitality for Macedonia and used her amazing cooking skills to take food to community members. She was a very hard-working person, working as a lunch room manager at Towns County School for 23 years. In her spare time, she continued her hard work in her garden growing vegetables and flowers. Mrs. Rogers was a tough, one of a kind person who never had a bad thought about anyone. She loved visiting with people in the community and in the nursing home. When Mrs. Rogers moved to the nursing home she loved playing games and socializing with other residents; she enjoyed the time she spent there. She was a devoted wife and made a loving home for her family.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Mr. Glen Rogers; her parents, William and Cora Sampson; one daughter and son in law, Audrey Rogers Osborn and Ray Osborn; one daughter in law, Karen Rogers; her sister, Juanita Sellers; and her brothers: Howard Sampson, Cecil Sampson, George Sampson, Ulysses Sampson, and Arnold Sampson.

She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Gene and Joyce Rogers, Joel and Nancy Rogers, and Bert and Diane Rogers; one daughter and son-in-law, Gale and Herman Wood; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Sampson; her grandchildren: Eddie Osborn, Elaina Turpin, Brent Osborn, Gina Dean, Bryan Osborn, Kellie Rogers, Julie Rogers, Wes Wood, and Jessica Ledford; along with her 14 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren, and a number of nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 22, 2018 from 6-9 PM at the chapel of Banister Funeral Home.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 2 PM at Macedonia Baptist Church with Reverends Bradley Thomas and Jimmy Rogers officiating. Mrs. Rogers will lie in state from 1-2 PM on Saturday at Macedonia.

Pallbearers: Eddie Osborn, Brent Osborn, Bryan Osborn, Wes Wood, Greg Rogers, and Ernie Sellers.
Interment will follow at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Russell Stewart, age 82, of Hiawassee, GA, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Mr. Stewart (Bob) was born in Hazard, KY to the late Reuben Henry Stewart and Flora May Culbertson Stewart on April 21, 1935.

Bob was a language teacher who spent 33 years at Clarkston High School where he especially enjoyed teaching French. He loved all things French, including taking groups of his students to see Paris, the French Riviera, and many other places in Europe. The son of a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Bob was a long-time member of Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church and was currently a member of Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church in Young Harris, GA. Bob was a graduate of O’Keefe High School in Atlanta where he excelled in basketball and other sports. An Emory University alumnus, Bob was a member of the Emory Glee Club and enjoyed spending time in the university’s language lab. It was there that he met, and later married, his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Norma Jean Smith (Stewart). Early in their marriage, Bob served in the United States Army. A man with many interests, Bob loved music and singing and was known to stroll through the mall, singing or whistling. He also enjoyed boating on Lake Lanier and Lake Chatuge and was the proud owner of many boats. Bob loved his dogs, cats, and other animals that visited their backyard. He also liked photography and sharing his favorite pictures with those who came to visit. He never met a stranger and was always ready with a smile, a kind word, or a pun.

Bob is now reunited with his parents and brother Richard Henry Stewart as well as several dear friends. He will be remembered by all who knew him, but especially missed by his wife of 60 years, Norma Smith Stewart; 3 children, Mr. Robert Russell Stewart, Jr. (Beverly); Cynthia Stewart Stauffer (John); Susan Stewart Parker; grandchildren, Amy Stewart, Joseph Stewart, John Stauffer, Jr., Jamie Stauffer, Jonah Stauffer, Julia Stauffer, Christian Parker (Whitney), and Cole Parker. A heartfelt thank you to Hank, Ned, and Laura Jane Stewart who provided special care and comfort during Bob’s illness, as well as Nicol Dockery and the Hospice staff. Bob’s family is also grateful for all his students and life-long friends in Clarkston and Hiawassee.

There will be a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church in Young Harris, GA. The family will receive friends after the service at the church.

Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee is honored to serve the family of Mr. Stewart.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces Funeral Services for Mr. Charles “Chuck” William Creed, age 80 of Hiawassee who passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2018.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee with Pastor Katie Strahls officiating. Interment will follow at Burch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from noon until the service begins.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces Funeral Services for Mr. Richard “Rick” Welch, age 61 of Hiawassee who passed away on March 14, 2018.

Rick was a blessing to all who knew him, and was a faithful Deacon and Sunday School Teacher of Lower Bell Creek Baptist Church for many years. His grand children were the love of his life, and they loved him! Rick was a man who loved his Harley Davidson and rode it every chance he could. He helped many in his school classes, and it has been said they would not have passed each year without Rick’s tutoring. He excelled in academics and in sports, especially basketball, and was valedictorian of his senior class. When not playing with his grandchildren or riding his Harley, he enjoyed panning for gold in the surrounding areas. Sometimes he would use part of his vacation time and spend a whole week looking for that precious metal.

He will be missed by all who knew him, but especially by his family: loving wife of 41 years, Doris Moss Welch; daughter & son-in-law, Jaclyn & Bret Davenport; and 2 grandchildren, Robert Slade Davenport and Zachary Orlen Davenport. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Chester & Anna Belle Welch, and brother, Jerry Allen Welch.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Lower Bell Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan Satterfield and Rev. Kevin Moss officiating. Special music will be presented by The Hunter Family & Freda Nicholson. Interment will be held at Lower Bell Creek Cemetery. The following gentlemen will serve as Pallbearers: Kevin Moss, Anthony Hunter, Charles Gribble, Zachary Davenport, Slade Davenport, and Jesse Chamblee. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening, from 6 until 8 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee