Obituaries

Obituary: James Excellent Harper

James E. Harper, of Lexington, died Aug. 6, 2024. The funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 at Jones Funeral Chapel,  Evangelist Johnna Perkins was the eulogist.

Obituary: Montine Eberhart Hammond

Montine Eberhart Hammond, 98, of Arnoldsville passed away on Aug. 18, 2024. Born on May 19, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Ray Kiser and Gertrude Ward Kiser. Montine was a faithful member of Arnoldsville Baptist Church and was a fervent prayer warrior.

Obituary: John R. Craig Jr.

John Craig Jr., of Rayle, died Aug. 15, 2024. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 at New Springhill Baptist Church.  Pastor Reginald Hunter was the eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery. Survivors include his mother Mary E.

Obituary: Randall Stribling

Randall Stribling of Detroit, Michigan, died July 25, 2024. The viewing and funeral service was Saturday Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. at Jones Funeral Chapel with Pastor J. Ricardo Smith, eulogist. Interment was in the Goolsby Cemetery.

Obituary: Odell Barnes Sr.

Odell Barnes Sr. of Athens, died July 29, 2024. The funeral service was Friday Aug. 9 at New Season Transformation Ministry in Hull, with Pastor Maurice G. Walker, eulogist. Interment was in the Arnold’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Obituary: Annette Cade Cooper

Annette Cade Cooper of Athens, died Aug. 3, 2024. A memorial service was Saturday Aug. 10. at 1 p.m. at Jones Funeral Chapel with Pastor Ricky Howard, eulogist. Survivors include her husband Edward Cooper; daughter Latice Bell; son Grady Bernard Bell; siblings Thomas Smith, Bennie Cade Jr.

Obituary: Clarence J. Turenne

Clarence J. Turenne, 89, of Athens passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024, under the care of The Oaks hospice. He was born on Oct. 29, 1934 in Reseburg Township, Wisconsin, to the late Albert and Mildred (Lockbaum) Turenne.

Obituary: Willie Lee Nation

Willie Lee Nation, 94, of Oglethorpe County passed away on July 30, 2024. Born on May 4, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Lula Mae Thomas and Hyartt Thomas Wheless. Willie could often be found cutting her grass, shelling pecans or cooking meals for her family.

Obituary: James Melton

James Alton "Dub" Melton, 88 of Winterville, died July 29, 2024. A lifelong resident of Oglethorpe County, he was a son of the late William James and Mary Elizabeth Hardeman Melton. Dub served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and was a retired mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service.

Obituary: John Edgar Caldwell

John Edgar Caldwell, affectionately known as “Johnny,” 78, of Bridges Road, Carlton, husband of 55 years to the late Martha Anne Mathews Caldwell, passed away at his residence on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.