Obituaries can be submitted to the editor at editor@oglethorpeecho.com

Obituaries

Alice Jane Hill Hughes

Alice Jane Hill Hughes

Obituary: Alice Jane Hill Hughes

Alice Jane Hill Hughes, 84, of the Beaverdam community of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, passed away at her home on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.

Obituary: Minnie Dell Dillard-Heath

Minnie Dillard-Heath of Stephens, died Dec. 20, 2024. The funeral service was 1 p.m. Dec. 29 at Clarke Grove Baptist Church. Pastor James Wymbs was the eulogist. Interment was in Springhill Church Cemetery.

Obituary: Christine Hull Collins

Christine Hull Collins, of Athens, died Dec. 17, 2024. The funeral service was 1 p.m. Dec. 28 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Bishop. Calvin Turner was the eulogist.  Interment was in the church cemetery.

Obituary: Polk Ellis Barnett

Polk E. Barnett, 78, of Colbert, died Dec. 25, 2024. A celebration of life service was held at 1 p.m. Jan. 4 at Jones Funeral Chapel. Evangelist Christine Eberhart was the eulogist.
Ronnie G. Gillespie

Ronnie G. Gillespie

Obituary: Ronnie G. Gillespie

Ronnie G. Gillespie, age 78, passed away on Dec. 19, 2024, after a long battle with chronic kidney disease and heart failure. He was definitely one-of-a-kind in this world; he loved to laugh and joke, no matter what life may have thrown at him at times.

Obituary: Evelyn Vanessa Smith

Evelyn Vanessa “Van” Smith, 69, of Stone Mountain, formerly of Carlton, died Dec. 11, 2024.  The funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at New Hope Baptist Church, with Pastor Michael Gresham, eulogist. Survivors include her son Antwain (Brandy) Smith; brother Eddie J.
Alice Hughes moved to Oglethorpe County 18 years ago and became heavily involved in the community and recognizing its history. She died from cancer on Dec. 15 at age 84. (Submitted Photo)

Alice Hughes moved to Oglethorpe County 18 years ago and became heavily involved in the community and recognizing its history. She died from cancer on Dec. 15 at age 84. (Submitted Photo)

Hughes found her home in Oglethorpe

Alice Hughes didn’t do anything halfway. In her 20s, she wanted to see Australia — so she boarded a freighter and spent three months traveling through Panama, Mexico and the Galapagos on her way.
Ruth Oneta Paul Nation

Ruth Oneta Paul Nation

Obituary: Ruth Oneta Paul Nation

Ruth Oneta Paul Nation, 93, of Crawford, turned the final page in the chapter of her earthly life and began the glorious eternal chapter of life with her Lord and Savior as she passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 26, 2024. A native of Oglethorpe County, Oneta was born on Oct.

Obituary: Danny M. Wise

Danny M. Wise, 59, of Lexington, died Nov. 13, 2024.  The funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Nov. 23 at New Hope Baptist Church, with Pastor Michael Gresham, eulogist. Interment was in the Jennings Cemetery.