OBITUARIES

2020

John Pagonis, 84, of Watkinsville, died on Friday, January 3, 2020.

John was born in Piraeus, Greece in February of 1935. His young life was affected by World War II followed by a Civil War.  In search of a better life (and having a cousin who owned a restaurant in Canada) he left  Greece at age 20...

Dec 31, 2019

Brenda Ann Couch, 73, died December 31, 2019.

A native of Clarke County, GA, she was a daughter of the late Sara Sue Milligan Couch and Joseph William Franklin Couch. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Nina Sue Couch Toney. Mrs. Couch was a member of Edwards Chapel Baptist Church.

Memorial services...

Dec 31, 2019

Mrs. Billie Jean Patterson Payne, 86, of Comer, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family and friends. Mrs. Payne shared an active life with her late husband John Payne of 59 years.

Jean graduated from Comer High School in 1950 and went on to earn her business degree from Athens...

Dec 31, 2019

Charles Sherwood Ogle, beloved husband, father, brother and Papa Charles, passed away on December 31, 2019 at the age of 75.

A lifelong resident of Winterville, he was a son of the late Shep Ogle and Mattie Lou Ogle. Charles retired from Westinghouse/ABB in 2002. He was a longtime member and greeter at Canvas Church and was...

Dec 29, 2019

“Ernestine “Tina” E. Broussard, 88 of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed away December 29, 2019.  Born in Charlotte, Texas, she was the daughter of the late George Gonzales and Clara Hernandez.

After graduating from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas, Tina received her B.A. in history from the University of Texas where she met the love of her...

Dec 28, 2019

Mrs. Edna W. Conwell 93 of Comer, GA, passed away on December 28, 2019. Lord & Stephens, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

Dec 28, 2019

Ellen Peeples Mathews, 61, wife of 39 years to the late William Alvin Mathews, died Saturday, December 28, 2019.

A native of Royston, GA, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Ruby Peeples. She was also preceded in death by four siblings: Bobby Peeples, Betty Baskins, Margaret Fortson and Jeanette Adams. Mrs. Mathews was a...

Dec 28, 2019

James Donald Whitt 73 of Crawford, GA, passed away on December 28, 2019. He was the son of the late, Coy & Gladys Whittington; also preceded in death by a sister, Diane Lawson. Mr. Whitt was a U.S Veteran who received the Purple Heart in Vietnam with the US Army.

The family will have a visitation from...

Dec 25, 2019

Rosalind Alexander Popov passed away suddenly on the evening of December 25th, 2019 at the age of 81.  She was able to enjoy one last Christmas with most of her family.  She was the daughter of the late Robert Bingham and Edith Pickles Alexander of Roper, North Carolina.  She is survived by her sister Fran Everton of Columbia NC,...

Dec 25, 2019

Greyson Knox Duncan, the infant son of Xavier Duncan and Lindsey Sartain born October 11, 2019, went to be with Jesus on Christmas Day 2019.  In addition to his parents, Greyson is survived by his big sister Oaklynn Rae Duncan.

Grandparents are John and Terri Sartain and Jessica Harrison.  Great grandparents are Dabrenia Wright, Mitchell...

Dec 25, 2019

Gary Kufner, 70, of Athens, Georgia, died on December 25, 2019. He was the son of the late Frederick and Emilie Kufner. Gary lived most of his life in Hollywood, Florida but spent the last sixteen years as a proud resident of Oconee County, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard and Fred Kufner. He is...

Dec 24, 2019

Jean Stone Stewart, 89, of Comer, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2019.

Mrs. Stewart was a daughter of the late James T. Stone and Clara Sailors Stone. She was a member of Comer United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William “Carl” Stewart and two sisters, Helen...

Dec 23, 2019

Elaine Haley Allen, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2019 at the age of 69.

Affectionately known as “Nanny” to many, she was a daughter of the late Leland Boss Haley and Katherine Brown Haley. Mrs. Allen was employed for years at Bill’s BBQ and was a longtime member of Macedonia...

Dec 23, 2019

Antonios “Tony” John Tsiklistas, 59, of Athens, passed December 23, 2019.

Born in Greece, he was the son of the late John Tony and Eleni Andros Tsiklistas.

Tony was a graduate of The University of Georgia where he was a member of the UGA Letterman Club and a trainer.  He was an avid outdoorsman and...

Dec 23, 2019

Sara Mathews Guntharp, 79, wife of 60 years to Thomas A. Guntharp, Sr., died Monday, December 23, 2019. Born in Athens, she was the daughter of the late Olen B. Mathews and Sara Frances Couch Mathews.  She was a graduate of Athens High School.  Mrs. Guntharp was an accomplished entrepreneur having ran three successful businesses.  Survivors include her husband;...

Dec 22, 2019

Patricia J. “Tricia” Fowler, 71, died Sunday, December 22, 2019. She was a graduate of Athens High School in 1966 and received her BS from Southern Wesleyan University in 1995.  She was an active member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church and participated in the Agape Sunday School class.  Tricia worked for Prince Avenue Baptist Church in administration where she...

Dec 22, 2019

Perry Michael Macomber died Sunday, December 22, 2019. He was born in Halcyondale, Georgia, to William and Henrietta Macomber and became affectionately known as Mickey to those around him. He married Dolores in 1968, and the two of them began a missionary career in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, under World Venture. During this career, Perry served as the pharmacist...

Dec 20, 2019

Leila Faith Coker, 82, died December 20, 2019.

Born May 16, 1937 in Stephens County, she lived in this area since 1973. She was preceded in death by her parents, James “Jess” Pritchett and Willie Belle Garner Pritchett and her husband, Jim Terrell Coker. Mrs. Coker was an active member of Crossroads Community Church.

Funeral...

Dec 20, 2019

Gladys V. (Jenny) Stephens Thaxton, 90, of Watkinsville, died December 20, 2019.

A native of Athens, she was the daughter of the late Bill and Maude Eidson Yarbrough.  She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph Stephens and Emory Thaxton, son, Denny Stephens, daughter, Mary Stephens, brothers, Tommy, Pete, Henry and Jack Yarbrough and sisters, Martha...

Dec 20, 2019

Karen Rakowski Johnson, beloved wife, mother, sister and nana, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2019 at the age of 68 following a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late Edward Anthony Rakowski and Elizabeth Jane O’Hara Rakowski. Mrs. Johnson was a Language Arts teacher for over 30...