Obituaries

OBITUARY: Jo Ann York

Jo Ann York, 88, of Lexington, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, Aug. 13, 2026. A native of Oglethorpe County, Jo Ann was a daughter of the late Joseph D. and Maggie Lee Paul.

OBITUARY: Lee Happ Thaxton

Lee Happ Thaxton, 86, husband of 63 years to the late Shirley Lowe Thaxton, died on July 16, 2026. Born in Farmington, he was the son of the late Henry Charles Thaxton and Sallie Hansford Thaxton.  Lee retired from Bellsouth and served in the U.S. Army.

OBITUARY: Helen Sue Henson

Helen S. Henson, 62, of Athens, died Aug. 7, 2026. The funeral service was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at Fair Play Baptist Church in Hull. Pastor Tracy Gaither was the eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery.

OBITUARY: Hazel Leona Sanders

Hazel Leona Sanders, age 49, of Stephens, passed away July 27, 2026. A native of Demorest, Georgia, Hazel was the daughter of the late Bobby Henry Abernathy Sr. and Linda Lou Posten Abernathy. Hazel was a master cosmetologist.

OBITUARY: Sarah Ellen Pass

Tenacious, resilient, courageous, committed and loyal are words that best describe Sarah Ellen Pass.  Her life was not a bed of roses one, but more of a roller coaster one. Through every difficult moment, she showed strength and determination.

OBITUARY: Mary Jeanette Dawkins Hemphill

Mary Jeanette Dawkins Hemphill passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, at the age of 93. Born on Aug. 20, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Ozzie Adell Dawkins and Lalla Norman Dawkins.

OBITUARY: Charles White

Mr. Charles White of Danielsville, husband of Frances Bridges White, died Saturday, July 4, 2026.  The family will receive friends from 9-10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 11 at Berry Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel.

OBITUARY: Linda Winslett Harrison

Linda Winslett Harrison went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 5 at her home. She was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Dorothy Winslett.  Linda is survived by her husband Henry Ronald Harrison and were married almost 56 years.

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.