Obituaries

Lucyle Reynolds Ballentine

Lucyle Reynolds Ballentine, 98, of Atlantic Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home on Dec. 24, 2023, with her two daughters by her side.   Lucyle was born in Lexington on July 11, 1925. She attended Meson Academy, where her basketball team won the state championship two years in a row.

Mary Lee Jackson

Mary Lee Jackson, 78, of Winterville peacefully passed away in the comfort of her home, surrounded by the warmth of her family on Jan. 2, 2024. The funeral service was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 at Jones Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Stanley Armstrong, eulogist.

Dorothy Ann Kitchens

Dorothy Ann Kitchens, born Nov. 22, 1935, to the late Roy Lee Kitchens and Lois Florine Kitchens in Crawford, died on Jan. 3, 2024.

Nathaniel “Nay” Smith

Nathaniel “Nay” Smith, 69, of Carlton, died Dec. 28, 2023. The funeral service was at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 at Fork Bethel Baptist Church, with Pastor Torenzo Gilham, eulogist.    Interment was in the Fork Bethel Baptist Church cemetery.

Jerry Allen Tiller

Jerry Allen Tiller, 71, of Clover Avenue, Comer, died after a courageous and long battle with cancer on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.   Tiller was born Dec. 11, 1952 in Danielsville to Joseph Thomas Tiller and Mae Gladys Wheless Tiller.

Thomas Jackson (Jay) Brightwell III

Thomas Jackson (Jay) Brightwell III left us for his heavenly home on Dec. 26, 2023.  Born in Athens, he was the son of the late Thomas Jackson Brightwell Jr. and Juanita George Brightwell.

Claudia Thornton

Mrs. Claudia Thornton, 78, of Florida, formerly of Carlton, died Dec. 14, 2023. The funeral service was at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Carlton, with Pastor Arthur Hubbard, eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Melissa Dockery Craig

Melissa Dockery Craig, 52, of Arnoldsville, GA, passed away Dec. 17, 2023. She was a member of Corinth Baptist Church. Melissa was a loving person with a big heart, a Christian, and a prayer warrior. She loved her beautiful cats.

Billy Jack Mundy

Billy Jack Mundy, P0385, was born April 29, 1957, in Canton, GA to John Tyra and Marie Vaughn Mundy.   Jack’s career was spent serving others as a paramedic and EMT in Cumming and Athens, GA from 1979 until 1999.

Barbara Brady Thurmond

Barbara Brady Thurmond, age 77, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.   Barbara was born in Washington to the late Arvin Brady and Mary Lou Huff Brady. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alec Thurmond; and daughter, Brabara Jean Gunnells.