Obituaries

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.

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.

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.

Obituary: JoNell Patton Steele

JoNell Patton Steele, 95, of Comer, passed away Dec. 3, 2024.

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.

Obituary: Ernest Watkins Jr.

Ernest Watkins Jr., 65, of Crawford, died Nov. 21, 2024.  The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Nov. 30, 2024 at Jones Funeral Chapel in Crawford, with Pastor Stanley Armstrong, eulogist. Interment was in Athens Memory Gardens.

Obituary: Rev. Danny M. Wise

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