Obituaries

Obituary: Linda Clementine Johnson Chastain

Mrs. Linda Clementine Johnson Chastain, age 85, of Carlton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at Piedmont Athens Regional. Linda was born on June 13, 1940, at her family home in Glade (Carlton), to Ulysses Grant Johnson and Mildred Maud Tiller Johnson.

Obituary: Elizabeth Ann ‘Betty’ Mathews King

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Mathews King, 80, of Lexington, met her Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.  Betty was born to Ralph and Annie Mae Mathews at the old St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens on Jan. 17, 1946.

Obituary: Joel Colquitt

Joel Colquitt, of Athens, passed away on Jan. 26, 2026. Born in Athens, he was the son of the late Coile and Christine Colquitt.

Obituary: Paul Mitchell Butts

Paul Mitchell Butts passed away Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at Westbury Medical Rehabilitation in Jackson, Georgia, after a brief illness.  A memorial service for Paul will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan.

Obituary: Fred Bell

Fred Russell Bell, age 83, of Athens, passed peacefully Jan. 12, 2026, at his residence. He was born in Athens on Dec. 16, 1942, son of the late George Hubert and Wynona Tindall Bell.

Obituary: Wade Patterson

Wade Patterson, 62, of Comer, born on Dec. 10, 1963, passed away on Dec. 22, 2025. Born in Athens, he was the son of William Telvie Patterson and Runita Jane Butler Patterson. Wade dedicated many years to his career with McKenny’s and was a proud member of the Local 72.

Obituary: Larry Woodrow Williamson

Mr. Larry Woodrow Williamson, 88, of Lillian Strong Road, Carlton, husband of 68 years to Vonyce “Jean” Hickox Williamson, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Mr. Williamson was born in Jefferson on Sept.

Obituary: Harriett Y. Walton

Harriett Y. Walton of Carlton died Dec. 29, 2025. The funeral service was 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 at Thankful Grove Baptist Church, with Pastor Clarence Burgess, eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery. Survivors include her sisters, Frances (Rodney) Riddle, Beverly Taylor.

Obituary: Geraldine McElroy

Geraldine McElroy, of Athens died Dec. 26, 2025. The funeral service was 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Carlton, with Pastor Arthur Hubbard, eulogist. Interment was in the Fork Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Obituary: Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson of Athens died Dec. 30, 2025. The funeral service was 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4 at Fork Bethel Baptist Church, with Pastor Michael Gresham, eulogist, and Pastor Christopher Watson, officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.