Obituaries

Dec 1, 2023

Edna Earle Philyaw Jones, of Rayle, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023.

Edna was born in Kinston, North Carolina to the late Leroy Philyaw and Frances Hill Philyaw.

A faithful Christian, Edna loved her church, Faith Fellowship in Kinston.  She will be remembered for her love of her family, for her love of gardening, and...

Nov 30, 2023

Ruby Arnold (Granny Ruby), 98, of 6419 Lexington Road, Rayle, Georgia passed away on November 30, 2023 at Echols Personal Care Home after an extended illness.

Ruby was born on December 28, 1924 to the late Charlie McEhannon and Julia Pearl Whittington in the Courtground community of Wilkes County. She was the oldest of twelve children and...

Nov 29, 2023

Robbie Clark Hardigree, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023, at Wills Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 23, 1940, to the late John Henry Hardigree and Mary Lou Lewis Hardigree.

Robbie was a devoted husband to his partner, Gladys Wright Hardigree. Their unwavering love and commitment were a shining example...

Nov 24, 2023

Mr. David Sidney Danner III, 70, of Athens (formerly of Danburg), entered into rest Friday morning, November 24, 2023, at his residence.

David was born in Elberton, but with a couple of exceptions, had lived most of his life in Wilkes County.  He was the son of the late D. S. Danner and “Sis” Bumgardner Danner, and...

Nov 12, 2023

Mr. Andrew Thurmond Eberhardt, Jr., 74, of Flowery Branch, entered into rest on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

Mr. Eberhardt was born in Anderson, S.C., and was the son of the late Andrew T. Eberhardt, Sr. and Emma Ritt Dickerson Eberhardt. He had lived in Flowery Branch for twenty years....

Nov 11, 2023

Mr. Leonard Thomas Mazurick, 81, of Aonia Rd. in Washington, entered into rest on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at his home.

Mr. Mazurick was born in Scranton, Pa.  He was the son of the late Walter and Margaret Shumka  Mazurick, and was the widower of Lucy Mulea Mazurick.  He and his cousin did a lot of traveling,...

Nov 10, 2023

Mr. Joel “Joey” Leslie Saggus, 64, of Washington, entered into rest on Friday, November 10, 2023, at his home after a brief illness.

Mr. Saggus was born in McDuffie County, but had lived in Wilkes County all of his life. He was the son of Frances Saggus Hensley and of the late Donald Richard Saggus, Sr. Joey...

Nov 3, 2023

Franklin Howard (“Franky”) Foster, Jr., 55, formerly of Lawrenceville, Georgia, went to be with his Lord on November 3, 2023, in Wilkes County, Georgia, after a long illness. Mr. Foster was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1968, to Cheryl Fulcher Foster and Franklin Howard Foster, Sr., currently of Danburg, Georgia. He is also survived by his wife, Tonya Black...

Nov 1, 2023

Phillip Walter Garner, born April 30, 1957 in Austell, GA to Dr. James W. and Mrs. Jane Bellows Garner, passed away suddenly on November 1, 2023 after a brief illness. Phil graduated from Washington Wilkes High School in 1975. He then attended Georgia College of Milledgeville graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Health and Recreation. After a brief career...

Oct 30, 2023

Charles Glenn “Chuck” Gabriel, beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend, passed away on October 30, 2023, at the age of 61 in Washington, Georgia. He was the son of Sam and Florence Bradley and the late Donald Gabriel. Chuck spent most of his life in his hometown, building a loving family and forming lasting relationships in his community....

Oct 22, 2023

Sarah Elizabeth Turpin Huff, 89, of Washington, Georgia, passed away on October 22, 2023 at Harper’s Personal Care Home. She was born on October 13, 1934, to the late Bright Russell “Bill” Turpin and Rosa Mae Noggle Turpin and was the widow of Mr. Franklin D. Huff.

Family was at the center of Sarah's life, and she...

Oct 7, 2023

Mrs. Suellen Darden Harris, 75, of Sharon, entered into rest Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Pruitt Healthcare in Washington.

Suellen was born in Crawfordville, and had lived in Taliaferro County for most of her life.  She was the daughter of Emmett and Barbara Moore Darden, and was the wife of Jerry Harris.  She had been an office...

Oct 7, 2023

Mrs. Sara Sellers Smith, age 83 of Augusta, Georgia, formerly of Washington, entered into rest on October 7, 2023 at her home.  Mrs. Smith was born on January 6, 1940 to the late Arthur C. and Ruby M. Howell Sellers and married Walter Howard Smith, who preceded her in death on September 13, 2023.

Mrs. Smith was...

Sep 29, 2023

Mrs. Kate Orr Messer, age 56, of Roswell, Georgia, formerly of Rayle, Georgia, entered into rest on September 29, 2023 at Northside Forsythe Hospital, Cumming, Georgia. Mrs. Messer was born on February 18, 1967, in Washington, Georgia to the late Webster Thaxton and Josephine Marie Wilson Orr and was married to Clayton D. Messer.

Mrs. Messer graduated...

Sep 25, 2023

Ms. Eloisa Heredia, 96, of Washington, entered into rest on Monday, Septmber 25, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

Ms. Heredia was born in Santa Cruz de Cajamarca, Peru, to Lizardo Heredia and Leonilda Vera. She has been a part of our community since 1989, and was a homemaker, a job and responsibility that she...

Sep 24, 2023

Mr. James Kenneth Purdy, age 91, of Rayle, Georgia, formerly of Berea, Ohio, passed away September 24, 2023 at Echols Personal Care Home in Rayle. Mr. Purdy was born in Glenmont, Ohio on October 27, 1931 to Lawrence and Grace Bell Purdy and married Donna Young.

Mr. Purdy was a Minister of the Gospel, having received a...

Sep 14, 2023

Mr. Larry Nelson Keller, 75, of Washington, entered into rest Thursday morning, September 14, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Mr. Keller was born in Morganton, N.C., to the late Tom Keller and Evelyn Scott Keller. He married Mary Faye Orders Keller, and they moved to Wilkes County from North Carolina in 1988. He owned...

Sep 13, 2023

Mr. Walter Howard Smith, Sr., age 84, of Augusta, Georgia, formerly of Washington, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta. He was the son of the late James Roy and Nellie Irene Mansfield Smith and married Sara Sellers.

After graduation, Mr. Smith served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.  ...

Sep 9, 2023

Mr. William Augustus “Sonny” Howard, Jr., 78, entered into rest Saturday evening, September 9, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Sonny was born June 8, 1945 in Washington and had lived here most all of his life.  He was the son of the late William A. Howard and Louise Faver Howard, and was the husband...

Aug 19, 2023

Mrs. Norma Charlene Scott Street, 81, of Appling, entered into rest on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.

Mrs. Street was born in Wilkes County, was the daughter of the late Charlie and Reba Rousey Scott, and was the widow of John Franklin Street, Jr.  She graduated from Washington-Wilkes High School in 1960, and...