Obituaries

Obituary- Philip Lloyd Van Eck

Philip Lloyd Van Eck passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at home with family by his side. He was 96. He was born on Aug. 3, 1928, in Ferndale, Michigan to Maynard Sr. and Grace Vander Zaag Van Eck. He graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1947.

Obituary- Norman Lantie Spencer

Norman Lantie Spencer, 87, passed away Feb. 16, 2025.  Spencer, of Lexington, was born in French Creek, West Virginia on May 6, 1937. He was the son of the late Lantie Spencer; raised by the late mother and stepfather, Reta and Marion Conrad; also preceded in death by a son, James A. Spencer.

Obituary- Larry Thomas Prather

Larry Thomas Prather, cherished husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 at the age of 70.  Born in Athens, he was a son of the late Oscar Prather and Bernice Willoughby Prather. Prather was an avid outdoorsman.

Obituary- John Wesley Payne Jr.

John Wesley Payne Jr., 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Stephens on Feb. 9, 2025. Family members were present at his side.  John was born Sept. 7, 1936 in DeKalb County, Georgia. He graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 1954.

Obituary- Robert C. Johnson Jr.

Retired Navy Capt. Robert C. Johnson Jr., 87, died Feb. 8, 2025.  Johnson was born June 10, 1937, to Robert Cecil and L.E. Colquitt Johnson. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert C. Johnson III and a brother, Barry Johnson.  He was a graduate of Berry College and Military PG School.

Obituary: Asa Allen Gabriel

Asa Allen Gabriel, 74, passed away at his home in Winterville on Jan. 30, 2025. Born in Athens, he was a son of the late Frank Ernest Gabriel Jr. and Gladell Boswell Gabriel. Gabriel graduated from Oglethorpe County High School in 1969 and retired from Loaf Company and Athens Steel Company.

Obituary: John Wesley Payne Jr.

John Wesley Payne Jr., 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Stephens on Feb. 9, 2025. Family members were present at his side.  John was born Sept. 7, 1936 in DeKalb County, Georgia. He graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 1954.

Obituary: Robert C. Johnson Jr.

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Robert C. Johnson Jr., 87, died Feb. 8, 2025. Johnson was born June 10, 1937, to Robert Cecil and L. E. Colquitt Johnson. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert C. Johnson III, and a brother, Barry Johnson.

Obituary: Lee E. Byrd

Lee E. Byrd, 87, of Lexington, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Born in Cherokee County, she was a daughter of the late Lee and Nellie Thomason Hendrix. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Marvin Byrd; son, Michael M.