Obituaries

Audrey Lee Owenby

Feb 6, 2025

Audrey Lee Owenby, 69, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on February 6, 2025. She was born on May 20, 1955, in Barnesville, GA, to the late Clarence and Mildred Whitt.

Lee was known for her love of flowers and birds, a good strong cup of coffee, and Sunday morning preaching. She always had a listening ear for those that needed to...

Phyllis Ann Justice

Feb 5, 2025

Phyllis Ann Justice, age 77, went to be with Jesus peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at her home in the Blue Ridge mountains of Georgia surrounded by her family. Phyllis was born April 1, 1947, in Panther, West Virginia to the late Elice and Martha Shrader Bailey. She was their first born with twelve siblings.

Phyllis was an avid traveler...

Joel R Peney

Feb 5, 2025

Joel Peney, age 86, of Blairsville, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, surrounded by his family. 

Joel was born on June 21st, 1938 to Howard and Florence Peney in Plainfield, New Jersey. Joel was the youngest of five siblings. He met the love of his life, Ellie, when he was working as the manager...

William C. Minzter

Feb 4, 2025

Cochran McDaniel Funeral Home announces the passing of Mr. William C. Mintzer, 89, of Hiawassee, GA. He was born on November 25th, 1935. 

William proudly served in the U.S. Army for over 22 years. He achieved the rank of 1st Sgt. Over the course of those two decades, including two tours in Vietnam, he earned many decorations, medals, and commendations, including...

Robert Daniel Mullen

Feb 4, 2025

Robert Daniel Mullen Sr., age 69, of Morganton, GA, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at his home. Robert was born August 7, 1955, in Hartford, CT to Thomas and Elsie Mullen.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Mullen; mother, Elsie Mullen; and sister, Theresa Brien.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cheryl Mullen; son,...

Edith Norton

Feb 4, 2025

Edith Odell Norton, 94, of Ellijay, GA, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in Ellijay, GA. Edith was born May 27, 1930, in Blue Ridge, GA to William and Lou Vada Patterson.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Harley Norton; father, William Patterson; mother, Lou Patterson; sister, Jewel Dale; and brothers, Walter Patterson, James Patterson and Johnny Patterson.

She...

Royce Donald Wright

Feb 4, 2025

Royce Donald Wright, a beloved husband, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on May 3, 1940, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to the late Everett Ottis Wright and Randall Christine Corbin Wright. Royce lived a life full of joy, humor, and love. He attended Smith Hughes Tech School. He spent his career as...

Ella Beaver

Feb 3, 2025

Ella Faye Emily Beaver of Murphy, North Carolina, age 93, went home to be with her Lord at her home on February 3, 2025. She was born on March 3, 1931 to the late Lewis Napoleon Chastain and Ira Samantha Stalcup Chastain in Cherokee, County, North Carolina. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Kenneth...

Kerry Hicks

Feb 3, 2025

Kerry Zane Hicks, age 59, of McCaysville, Georgia, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Monday, February 3, 2025. Kerry was a Christian who truly fought the good fight as he battled lung cancer since March of 2020. His faith and positive attitude were an inspiration to all.

Kerry was born on November 14,1965, to James "Bee" Hicks and Linda...

Eloise D. England

Feb 2, 2025

Eloise Deaver England, age 93, of Blairsville, Georgia passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in Blairsville, Georgia. 

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, Henry N. Deaver and Estelle Deyton Deaver; husband, Vaughn E. England; children, Angie Hartley, Dwayne England, and Stephen England; brother, Jimmy N. Deaver and sister, Mary Lee Deaver; grandchildren, Wesley...

Lance Alan Patterson

Feb 1, 2025

Lance Alan Patterson, 61, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 1, 2025, in Winchester, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Lawrence Patterson and Margaret Kathryn Harkins Patterson; his brother, Jeffrey Lee Patterson; his maternal grandparents, General Pat and Maver Nix Harkins of Blairsville, Georgia; and his paternal grandparents, Silas Minter and Lucille Mahan...

Pamela "Crissy" Hyde

Feb 1, 2025

Our community mourns the loss of Pamela "Crissy" Hyde. She was born June 27, 1973 and died on February 1, 2025. She was a very kind hearted and generous person to those around her.

She lived her entire life in Cherokee County, North Carolina and worked as a medical assistant for over 20 years. She treated her patients as if they...

Mary Martha Hewett

Jan 31, 2025

Mary Hewett, age 74, of Murphy, North Carolina passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was born on August 23, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Maurice and Martha Stack. 

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Buffy Tush and brother, Morris Stack.

Mary is survived by her husband, Perry Hewett; Children, Samuel...

Lowell Keenum

Jan 31, 2025

James Lowell Keenum, 81, of Lilburn, GA, passed away on January 31, 2025. He was born on September 12, 1943, in Murphy, NC, to the late Robert and Ruth Keenum.

Lowell was known for his bright spirit and infectious sense of humor, making everyone around him feel welcome and loved. He often delighted friends and family with his clever limericks and...

Billie Jo Cardot (Crump)

Jan 28, 2025

Billie Jo Cardot (Crump), age 86, of Lilburn, GA, passed away on January 28, 2025. She was born on October 10, 1938, in Blairsville, GA, to the late Frank and Carrie Crump.

Billie Jo was known for her love of entertaining family and friends, always opening her home to gather for special occassions. Thanksgiving was one of her favorite celebrations, where...

Mary Lou Kiernan

Jan 27, 2025

Mary Lou Kiernan, 91, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on January 27, 2025. She was born in Long Island, New York to the late Earl and Mirian Prentis. 

A registered nurse, Mary Lou dedicated her career to serving the healthcare needs of many individuals alongside various healthcare providers, always ensuring that those in her care received not just medical attention but...

Rachel Lura Windsor

Jan 25, 2025

Rachel Lura Windsor, age 97, passed away on January 25, 2025. She was born May 24, 1927, in Elberton, Georgia to the late Benjamin Ivy Thornton, Sr. and Susie Williamson Thornton. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey L Windsor, Jr; Brother, Thomas Thornton; Brother, B.I Thornton, Jr; Sister, Susan Graves; nephew and long-time giver, Bill Thornton; and niece...

Thomas Newman

Jan 25, 2025

Thomas Henry Newman, age 78, of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Blairsville, GA. Thomas was born June 12, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Thomas and Lucille Newman.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Newman; and his mother, Lucille Newman.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Newman; step-daughters, Amy (Mike) Price and...

Herbert Keller

Jan 23, 2025

Herbert Keller, age 58, of Morganton, GA, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, in Canton, GA. Herbert was born July 10, 1966, in Atlanta, GA to Simon Howard Keller and Lois Althea Keller.

Herbert was preceded in death by his father, Simon Howard Keller; and mother, Lois Althea Keller.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Keller;...

Wilma Dixon

Jan 22, 2025

Wilma Jean Dixon, 88, of Prince George, VA, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Born in McCaysville, GA, she was the daughter of the late Haden K. and Gladys Welch Millsap; and was also preceded in death by her first husband, Billy D. Botts; her second husband, Bobby C. Dixon; and her son, Danny L. Botts.

Mrs....