Obituaries

Apr 29, 2025

Apr 27, 2025

Arthur Beacham (Buddy) Ball departed life peacefully on April 27, 2025,

surrounded by his loving family.

Buddy was born on February 8, 1942 in Athens, Georgia, to Frank Clark

Ball and Mary Beacham Ball, and grew up in Blairsville and Marietta,

Georgia. He attended Marietta High School, North Georgia College,

Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia. He spent his

working career in industrial development...

Apr 25, 2025

Apr 24, 2025

Ronald Lynn Graham, a beloved husband, and devoted family member passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, at Northside Hospital Cherokee. Born on October 24, 1949, in Atlanta, Georgia, Ronald lived a life marked by compassion, faith, and a generous spirit that touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ronald dedicated his professional career to the...

Apr 24, 2025

Mrs. Patricia Ann Dieckman, age 78, passed away on April, 24th 2025 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Patricia was born in New Jersey to Joseph Koempel and Dorothy Bowen. Patricia was married to her beloved husband Adrian Dieckman for 57 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph George and Dorothy Koempel.

She is survived by her husband, Adrian Dieckman; children,...

Apr 22, 2025

John “Jack” Schroeder, age 86, of Blairsville, Georgia passed away on April 22, 2025, in Blairsville, Georgia. Mr. Schroeder was born on July 25, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York to the late John Frederick and Margaret Schmitt Schroeder. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Nancy Schroeder.

Jack was truly a larger-than-life figure. He lived life...

Apr 21, 2025

Helen Marie Panter passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lula; her sister, Ernestine; and her brothers, William and Bobby.

Helen married her husband, the late Roy Winston Panter, Sr., in 1949 and had two children. After settling in Blue Ridge, she was primarily a homemaker, where she excelled at caring...

Apr 20, 2025

Thomas Edward Richey passed away peacefully on April 20, 2025, in McCaysville, GA. He was born May 9, 1951, in Maryland to Bobbie Nell Holloway and Thomas Edward Richey. He was an amazing dad, husband, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Thomas lived his life to the fullest through riding his Harley and spending time with his family and friends.

He is...

Apr 20, 2025

Marcie Mote, age 73, of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Northside Cherokee Hospital in Canton, GA.,surrounded by her loving family. Marcie was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to Jack and Dot Munn.

Marcie was preceded in death by her father, Jack D. Munn.

She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Larry Mote;...

Apr 20, 2025

Mary Sue Moon, a beloved matriarch, cherished friend, and dedicated community member, passed away peacefully at her home on April 20, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on January 30, 1938, in Georgia, Mary Sue spent her formative years in Monroe, where she graduated from Monroe High School. She later made her home in Blairsville, Georgia, where she cultivated...

Apr 19, 2025

Pamelia Jo "Jody" West passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on April 19, 2025. She was born in Emporia, KS, on March 31, 1946. She graduated from Lecompton High School in 1964. In the fall, she married Frank "Jim" Margita. They had two sons, Jimmy Jo Margita and Jeremy Jo Margita. She had five grandchildren...

Apr 18, 2025

Ollie Diane Mathis, age 72, of Epworth, GA, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Epworth, GA. Ollie was born November 29, 1952, in Blue Ridge, GA to Jack and Mary Magdalene Mathis.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Mathis; mother, Mary Magdalene Mathis; and brother, Larry Mathis.

She is survived by her brother, Steve (Pamela) Mathis ;...

Apr 15, 2025

Benny Erwin, beloved father, brother, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 15th, at the age of 76. Benny was born on December 25, 1948 at home in the Arkaquah region of Blairsville, GA; and was the son of the late Paul Garnet Erwin and Jessie Spiva Erwin.

He was a native of Union County and graduated in 1966...

Apr 10, 2025

Roberta Stetson, 83, of Hayesville, passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Born on August 31, 1941 to the late Robert and Johanna Schweitzer in Jersey City, New Jersey . She met her husband, the late Robert Stetson in Civil Air Patrol and enjoyed 57 years of marriage. Roberta worked many jobs throughout her career, but found her niche' in Real...

Apr 9, 2025

 Jane Laird Hill, age 93, peacefully passed away in Murphy, North Carolina on April 9, 2025.

Jane Laird was born in Sublette, Illinois to Mirven Leason Bovard and Mary Jane Bovard. Jane married Edwin Benjamin Hill of Spartanburg, South Carolina on February 28, 1951 in Greenville, SC.

She was preceded in death by Leason Brodt (sister), her husband, and a son, Christopher...

Apr 9, 2025

Doris Letitia Hamby Wise, born January 3, 1943, in McCaysville, Georgia, heard her Father say “Well done” and peacefully entered eternal rest on April 9, 2025, at her home in Turtletown, Tennessee.

Doris loved Jesus with all her heart and served faithfully as a longtime member of the Church of God of Prophecy. With her earthly journey complete, she now beholds...

Apr 6, 2025

John B. Reece, age 88, of Forsyth County, GA, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2025. John was born February 17, 1937, in Fannin County, GA. He was a veteran of the United States Army. John was preceded in death by his father, Charles Jefferson Reece, mother, Bertha Cochran Reece, and step-mother Laura Reece.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth...

Apr 6, 2025

Ronald David Holcomb Sr. passed April 6, 2025 at the age of 71, surrounded by loved ones after an extended illness. Ronald, "Randy", was born April 2, 1954 in Largo, Florida to Richard Albert Holcomb and Peggy Windsor Holcomb.

Growing up, Randy loved surfing, playing baseball, and watching his father race NHRA top-fuel dragsters. After high school, he expanded the family's...

Apr 4, 2025

James Benjamin Burkart died of complications from ALS, commonly Lou Gehrig’s disease, on April 4, 2025 in Blairsville, Ga. He is survived by his spouse, Molly Lillich Burkart (married 1971); two sons, Robert and Thomas; and three grandchildren, Samantha, Matthew and Evelyn. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Rosamond Burkart and his brother, Charles.

Born in 1947 in Glen...

Apr 2, 2025

After a courageous battle with cancer, Mr. Roy Dwuane Price, age 64, of Blairsville, GA passed away peacefully at home on April 2, 2025. A lifelong Christian, Roy had a deep love for all people and dedicated his life to serving others.

He began his missionary career with YWAM in Denver, Colorado, and was a devoted missionary sharing his faith in...