Obituaries

OBITUARY: Henry Russell ‘Rusty’ Mize, Jr.

Henry Russell “Rusty” Mize Jr., 59, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Rusty grew up in Gwinnett County, but has lived in Madison County for the past 20 years. He was the son of Henry Russell Mize Sr. and Violet Jean Bishop Mize Hill.

OBITUARY: Jessie Lou Fleming Freeman

Jessie Freeman, age 84, of Athens, formerly of Oglethorpe County, died June 18, 2026. The funeral service was at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at Jones Funeral Chapel in Crawford.  Her sister, evangelist Christine Fleming Eberhart was the eulogist.

OBITUARY: Steven Franklin ‘Frank’ Abney

Steven Franklin “Frank” Abney, 60, of Dahlonega, Georgia, passed away surrounded by his family on June 25, 2026 after a three-year battle with cancer. Frank was born Jan. 29, 1966 to Sherrill and Kay Abney in Athens.

OBITUARY: Neal Bernard Pattman

Neal Bernard Pattman, 48, of Winterville, passed away June 15, 2026.  Born on Nov. 13, 1977, Bernard was the beloved son of Barbara Ball. He graduated from Oglethorpe County High School in 1997.  He was preceded in death by his father, Neal Pattman, and sister, Loriann Pattman.

OBITUARY: Patricia Ann “Patti” Wofford

Mrs. Patricia Ann “Patti” Wofford, 69, of Carlton, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. Patti was born on May 11, 1957 in Atlanta, daughter of the late Benjamin and Myra Daniels Wofford.

OBITUARY: Kimberly Cook Dunlap

Kimberly (Kim) Cook Dunlap passed away Saturday, June 6, 2026 at her family's home in Winterville, Georgia.  Kim was born in Guymon, Oklahoma on February 29, 1956 to Dr. Melvin Kay (Curly) Cook and Sandra Blankenship Cook. After three years in Texas, the Cooks moved to Georgia at the urging of Dr.

OBITUARY: Florine Johnson

Ms. Florine Johnson, 76, of Stephens, died June 5, 2025. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at noon at Thankful Baptist Church in Stephens, with Minister James Morse, eulogist. Survivors include her son, Henry Johnson, Jr.; daughter, Tyara Y. Johnson; sister, Barbara (Willie C.

OBITUARY: Anthony Eugene Taylor

Anthony E. Taylor, 66, of Madison, Georgia, died May 27, 2026. The funeral service was Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Fork Bethel Baptist Church, with Pastor Christopher Watson, eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery.

OBITUARY: Laura ‘Mama Dot’ Porter

Laura Porter, 95, of Athens, died May 10, 2026. The funeral service was held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at Fork Bethel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Perez Watson, eulogist, and Pastor Chris Watson, presiding. Interment was in the church cemetery.

OBITUARY: Stewart Edward Norris

Stewart Edward Norris, 66, of Union Point, passed away at his home on Monday, May 11, 2026.  Born in Marietta, Georgia, on June 24, 1959, he was the son of the late Bennett Lee Norris Sr. and Barbara Ann Stewart Norris.