Velma Ree (Wheeler) Hutchins

SEPTEMBER 19, 1935 ~ JANUARY 15, 2019

Mrs. Velma Ree (Wheeler) Hutchins, age 83, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2019 after a period of declining health. Mrs. Velma was born to the late John and Anna Laura (Samples) Wheeler in Kite, Georgia on September 19, 1935. Velma went to Enota Baptist Church and was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed square dancing so much that she even sewed her own outfits. She loved to travel all over the United States and Canada and she especially enjoyed cruises. Velma also had a deep love for music; Elvis, Dolly Parton and Dwight Yoakam being some of her top favorites. She was a tough lady with a giving heart. She would put you in your place and make you feel loved at the same time. She is preceded in death by her parents; daughters, Angelette Kaye Patton, Lawanda Denby and Rhonda Gay Foskey. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-laws, Jenny and Gary Garner of Athens, Georgia, Sherry and Dale Slater of Bloomingdale, Georgia; son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Sharon Foskey of Cleveland, Tennessee; daughter, Laura Carroll of Hiawassee, Georgia; sisters, Annie Lee Hall of McDonough, Georgia; Louise Morgan of Statesboro, Georgia; 15 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home on Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 10:00AM until 11:00AM. A memorial service will follow at 11:00AM in the chapel of Banister Funeral Home with Sharon Foskey officiating. Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.

Sally Lou (Clabaugh) Varao

JULY 17, 1949 ~ JANUARY 26, 2019

Mrs. Sally Lou (Clabaugh) Varao, age 69 of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away Saturday, January 26, 2019 at her home after a courageous battle with an extended illness.
Mrs. Sally was born on July 17, 1949 in California to the late Jack and Shirley (Smith) Clabaugh. She was a member of North Mt. Zion Church of God, a “Pink Lady” at Chatuge Regional Hospital, the captain of Towns County Red Cross, on the board for Towns County Food Pantry, and lead a team at House of Manna. Sally took care of people. If your home burned down, she was there arranging shelter for you. If your family needed food, she was there handing out boxes of food. She was a godly woman who loved to pray for others, give to others, and be a true servant of God. Sally was one of three girls and was raised in the Bay Area of California where she graduated from Arroyo High School. She later met a young man, married him, and started her family in South Carolina. After thirteen years she moved back to California to be closer to family who could help her raise her children. She was the best single mom ever; she would go from one ball game to another across town to support her childrens’ interests and was their biggest fan. Being “supermom” actually led her to the love of her life, Joe, on a field trip for their 6th graders. She and Joe dated for a while and then married April 21, 1990 after receiving blessings from their children. She and Joe enjoyed traveling by RV and have been on more than 75 cruises all around the world. When she retired from Pacific Bell she talked Joe into moving to Hiawassee and building a beautiful home on the river large enough to have space for their children and ever growing grandchildren. They have remained in Hiawassee for over 20 years. What Joe may not have known about that move was that Sally had no intentions of retiring; she came to Hiawassee and became involved in loving on and taking care of the families in her new community. She had a remarkable impact on every person with whom she came in contact. Sally had a contagious laugh, a huge heart, and always made you feel like you were special and important. Mrs. Sally will certainly be missed as she was loved by everyone. Sally is proceeded in death by her parents Jack and Shirley Clabaugh, son Joseph Varao III, one sister Linda Clabaugh. She is survived by her husband Joseph “Joe” Varao; children and their spouses, Jack and Melanie Hughes, Laurie and Anthony Belmares, Larry and Nicee Varao, Lisa and Andre Pride, Jimmy Varao, Lisa Stevens; sister Peggy Clabaugh; brother and sister-in-law Russ and Shirlee Peterson; grandchildren Aiden, Avery, Austin, Aubrey, Desten, MiKayla, Rodney, Falisha, Jacqueline, Lauren, Todd and Mason; great grandchildren Arieonna, Alayah, Quay, Amora, Stephanie, Santiago, Derron, Brody and Jaxon. A number of nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends also survive. Sally was a person you could never forget and, while she will be so very missed, she is okay with that because she said, “I’m not scared for I know where I’m going.” In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to House of Manna P.O. Box 62 Hiawassee, GA 30546.

Family will receive friends Friday, February 1, 2019 at Banister Funeral Home from 11:00AM until 1:00PM
Memorial Service will be Friday, February 1, 2019 at Banister Funeral Home at 1:00PM with Bishop Raburne Wilson officiating.
Music provided by Ryan Wilson.
Banister Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Jimmie Sue Justice

AUGUST 7, 1953 ~ FEBRUARY 5, 2019

Ms. Jimmie Sue Justice, age 65, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center after a prolonged illness. Jimmie is the daughter of Mr. Herman and Helen Eller, born on August 7, 1953 in Young Harris, Georgia. She was of the Baptist faith. Jimmie was an avid reader with a large collection of books and magazines and also enjoyed country music. She prided herself in her work, working for Equifax Credit for thirty two years. Jimmie was a beloved daughter and friend. Jimmie is preceded in death by one brother, Reggy Justice. She is survived by her parents Herman and Helen Eller of Hiawassee, Georgia; along with a number of aunts, uncles, family and friends.
Family will receive friends: Friday, February 8, 2019 12:00PM-2:00PM at Banister Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: Friday, February 8, 2019 at Banister Funeral Home with Rev. Glen Eller officiating
Burial to follow in Woods Grove Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers; Dion Eller, David Neal, Dewitt Berrong, Truman Owenby, Alden Hunter, and Dwayne Mowrey.
Banister Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Elaine Dayton Bonner

JULY 22, 1946 ~ JANUARY 24, 2019

Mrs. Elaine Dayton Bonner, age 72, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away Thursday, January 24, 2019 at her home. Elaine was born on July 22, 1946 to Mr. D.B. and Sadie (Arrowood) Dayton in Hiawassee. She was a member of North Mt. Zion Church of God her entire life and a life long resident of Towns County. Elaine graduated from Towns County High School and later went on to North Georgia College to receive her license as a Registered Nurse. She retired after 24 years of nursing and her new joy came from baking cakes or pies for everyone she knew. Elaine loved “Gone with the Wind” so much that she modeled her home in its likeness and would make her own dresses in the antebellum style. Elaine had the biggest heart, she cared for people on many levels, from her own family to the patients at work and for her church family. She truly had a heart of gold. Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, D.B. and Sadie Dayton; brother D.L. Dayton and sister Vonnell Allen. She is survived by her husband, Warren Bonner; sons, Scott and Jason Bonner both of Hiawassee; grandchildren, Brooke Bonner of Gainesville, and Chase Bonner of Blairsville; great grandchildren, Kenson and Nova Whelchel and her sister Mae Holcomb of Clayton. Elaine will greatly missed by all her family, friends, and her dog, Rover.

Visitation: Saturday, January 26, 2019. 3:00PM until 5:00PM at North Mt. Zion Church of God.
Memorial Service: Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 5:00 PM at North Mt. Zion Church of God with Bishop Raburne Wilson officiating.
Music Provided by: Ryan Wilson
Banister Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Nolan William Wood

JANUARY 13, 1941 ~ DECEMBER 4, 2018 (AGE 77)

Mr. Nolan William Wood, age 77, of Brevard, North Carolina passed away Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Nolan was born January 13, 1941 to the late Mr. Fain and Stella (Arrowood) Wood in Hiawassee, Georgia. Nolan was a man of few words with a great sense of humor. You knew if he was speaking it was either important to him or he was about to make you laugh. He was well known for the ability to look at you straight faced and say something corny like,  “You know, when I was a child, I was very young.” He would tease you a little to be funny but never spoke an unkind word to anyone. He was patient, giving, intelligent and devoted to his wife and family. Often when his daughters visited home from college he would quietly take their vehicles and make certain everything was working and the gas tank was full. He would silently help out with duties at church. Nolan always made people feel liked; even if he just met someone, he would make them feel as if he was so glad to have met them. When he was having miserable days because of his illness, he was still patient and positive. He was the dad who could fix or build anything, the dad every child envisioned as their super hero. Nolan and Joyce married and went on to have two daughters and four grandchildren. He created a lifetime of memories with his family and he will be deeply missed.
Survived by wife Joyce, Daughters Laura Sullivan and Myra Wood Marsh and four grandchildren

Per the family’s request, in lieu of flowers a tax deductible donation may be sent to:
Care Partners
Adult Day Sevices
23 Medical Park Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
828-884-2980
www.carepartners.org
The kindness and diligence of the staff at this care center allowed Joyce to be able to take care of Nolan at home until the end.