Obituaries

Jo Ann Gerard Barrentine

Jul 14, 2024

Jo Ann Gerard Barrentine, age 91, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on Sunday, July 14th, 2024 at Stonehenge Assisted Living. She was born in Mulberry, KS to the late Fred and Geneva Gerard.

Jo Ann touched countless souls with her unwearing kindness, gentle, and infectious laughter. She brought warmth and joy as she went, creating memories with her loved ones along...

James Callihan

Jul 13, 2024

James Lloyd Callihan, affectionately known as "Speck", and as one of the best upholsterers in Fannin County for several decades. He was preceded in death by his father, James Lloyd Callihan, his mother, Barbara Philips Callihan, brother Gary Callihan, Sister-in-law Beatrice Callihan, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Speck was well known in Fannin County as he was born, raised and lived...

Dennis Gibson

Jul 12, 2024

Dennis Gibson, 78, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024, at his home. Dennis was born January 19, 1946, in Murphy, NC to Odis and Nina Gibson.

Dennis was preceded in death by son, Dennis W. Gibson; father, Odis Gibson, and mother, Nina Gibson.

He is survived by his wife, Diana Gibson;...

Robert Rentfrow

Jul 12, 2024

Robert Donald Rentfrow, 87, of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Robert was born March 22, 1937, in Jackson, Michigan to Robert and Charlotte Rentfrow. 

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Charlotte Rentfrow; daughter, Deborah Arrent; daughter, Catherine Barrs; and granddaughter, Naomi Nicole Caudill.

 He is survived by his beloved...

Herman Swanson

Jul 12, 2024

Herman Raymond Swanson, 78, of Hiawassee, Georgia, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024, at his home in Hiawassee, GA. Herman was born May 8, 1946, in Murphy, NC to Rufus and Hattie Swanson.

Herman was preceded in death by father, Rufus Swanson; mother, Haddie Sherlin; daughter, Sheree Cook; sister, Betty Rhymer; brother, Edward Swanson; and brother-in-law, Virgel Radford.

He is survived...

Beni Sturcken

Jul 11, 2024

Mrs. Beni Sturcken, age 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her children, Shirley Legare, Ed Sturcken, Lynn Melick, Linda Grandanetti, Butch Entrekin, and Link Entrekin, fourteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Edward Sturcken of Charleston, SC, and...

Stella Mae Berrong

Jul 11, 2024

Stella Mae Hilton Berrong, age 94, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 11. She was born in Hiawassee on December 5, 1929.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Merle B. Berrong and her parents, C.A. Hilton and Lula Garrett Hilton.

She is survived by her son, Larry M. Berrong and his...

Cecil Davis

Jul 11, 2024

Cecil William Davis Sr., age 93, of McCaysville, Georgia passed away on July 11, 2024 at his home. Mr. Davis was born on October 4, 1930 to the late Will and Bertha Falls Davis.

Born in Mineral Bluff, Cecil grew up in the Blue Ridge area before attending college at the University of Georgia. After graduation, he...

Steven Anderson

Jul 9, 2024

Steven Jarrid Anderson, 52, of Murphy, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Mission Hospital in Ashville, NC. Steven was born December 11, 1971, in Bryson City, NC to Kenneth Anderson and Linda Jones.

Steven was preceded in death by father, Kenneth Anderson; brother, Jamie Anderson;and brother, Dusty Anderson

He is...

Doyle Nichols

Jul 9, 2024

Judy Irene Butler

Jul 8, 2024

Judy Irene Butler, 75, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on July 8th, 2024. She was born on February 21st, 1949, in Johnson City, TN to the late Fred and Zella Byrd.

 Throughout her life, Judy found great joy in working and planting in the beautiful creations of nature. Her green thumb was evident to all who knew her, as she poured...

Petra Hublot

Jul 7, 2024

Petra Hublot, 57, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on July 7th, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on October 31st, 1966, in Muenster, Germany to Hellmut and Edeltraut Kruschwitz.

In her lifetime, Petra found immense joy and fulfillment in her career as a dog breeder. Her love for animals shone through in every litter she cared for and...

Charles "Chuck" Loudermilk

Jul 7, 2024

Charles Layne Loudermilk, 60, of Turtletown, TN, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Tennova Health Care in Cleveland, TN. Charles was born April 4, 1964, in Copperhill, TN to the late Dennis and Barbara Loudermilk. 

 Charles was preceded in death by his son, Joshua Loudermilk. 

He is survived by his wife, Melinda Loudermilk, son, Samuel Isaiah Loudermilk, brother, Gary (Jennifer) Loudermilk,...

Jimmy Ross Ledford

Jul 3, 2024

Jimmy Ross Ledford, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on July 3, 2024, at the age of 84. He was born on May 2, 1940, to Ezra and Juanita Ledford in a close-knit family in Blairsville, Georgia.

In his early years, Jimmy was known for his adventurous spirit and genuine kindness. He married the love of his life,...

Richard Bohmer

Jul 2, 2024

Richard Lee Bohmer

May 10, 1938 - July 2, 2024

Richard Lee Bohmer (“Dick”), - dedicated husband, father of three and friend of many - passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 2, 2024 at the age of 86 in Suwanee, GA.

Dick is survived by his three daughters Barbara Murphy (David) of Peachtree Corners, GA; Bethany Lundberg (Todd) of Suwanee, GA;...

Donna Cantrell Maloy

Jun 30, 2024

Donna Cantrell Maloy, 87, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on June 30th, 2024 in Atlanta, GA. She was born on September 26th, 1936, in Jasper, GA, to the late Earnest and Stella Cantrell.

Donna was known for her very social nature, outgoing persona, and deep love for people. Her willingness and desire to help others in any way possible endeared her...

Randall B Collins

Jun 27, 2024

Randall Collins, age 84 of Blairsville, passed away peacefully surrounded by cherished loved ones on June 27, 2024.

Randall Benny Collins was born May 24, 1940 in Blairsville, Ga, the son of the late Francis Walter Collins and the late Pauline Thomas Collins. Randall’s life was rooted in bluegrass music from an early age. He had an ear for pickin’ tunes...

Paul Detty

Jun 26, 2024

Paul Melvin Detty, age 79, of Epworth, GA, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Cleveland, TN. Paul was born July 31, 1944, in Allensville, OH, to Amos and Beatrice Detty.

Paul was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Detty; sister, Rebecca Poole; brother, Amos Detty Jr.; brother, Olan Detty; grandchild, Stephen Detty; father, Amos Detty; and mother, Beatrice...

Flora Ann Grice Tipton

Jun 25, 2024

Flora Ann Grice Tipton, age 92, of Morganton, GA, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, surrounded by family in Morganton, GA. Flora was born December 19, 1931, in Morganton, GA to the Rev. Milan Grice and Maude Butt Grice. 

Flora was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Tipton; father, Rev. Milan Grice; mother, Maude Butt Grice; daughter, Joan Elizabeth...

James Zentko

Jun 25, 2024

James H Zentko, 79, of Murphy, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Erlanger Western Carolina in Murphy, NC. James was born December 13, 1944, in Brazil, IN to James and Eva 

He is survived by Vicky Zentko (Spouse), Michael Leach (Son), James Zentko (Son), Rita Buchholz (Sister), Christopher Leach (Grandchild), Megan Leach (Grandchild), Dylan Zentko (Grandchild)

He was...