Obituaries

Obituary: Melvin David Hardman

Melvin David Hardman, cherished husband, brother and friend, died on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at the age of 79. Born in Carlton, he was the only son of David Ferron Hardman and Arlene Moore Hardman. David was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Obituary: Sara Frances Fleeman

Sara Frances Fleeman, 89, died Sept. 8, 2023. A native of Oglethorpe County, she was a daughter of the late Grady and Evie Carter Smith, and the widow of J.W. Fleeman. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Jacks and Gladys Bramlett, and a brother, Jimmy Smith.

Obituary: Phillip Leonell Bridges

Phillip Leonell Bridges, 86, of Winterville, died on Aug. 24, 2023, surrounded by his family at his home. Bridges is the son of the late Lee Walker Bridges and Mary Agnes Hancock Bridges. He was preceded in death by his sister, Annie Hughes. Bridges was born June 28, 1937, in Commerce.

Obituary: Mark E. Summers

Mark E. Summers, 64 of Athens, entered his eternal home on Aug. 17, 2023. He was the son of the late Rev. Jack Summers and Frances Ellis Summers.   Mark owned and operated Winterville Tire and Battery in Winterville for many years and recently retired from Evergreen Packaging in Athens.

Obituary: Alice Faye Lowe Miller

Alice Faye Lowe Miller was born on Oct. 9, 1940. She was the sixth child born to Van Lowe and Ludelle Carter Lowe. She was raised on her family farm in Winterville with her nine brothers and sisters. She graduated from Oglethorpe County High School in 1958.

Obituary: Jessie M. Cox

Jessie M. Cox, 87, of Athens, formerly of Oglethorpe County, died Aug. 5, 2023. The funeral service was at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, with Pastor O'Marr Curry, eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Obituary: Ted Hughes

Ted Hughes was the sixth child of Marvin and Viola Hughes.    He was born on July 31, 1943, in Frederick, Maryland. His family moved to Georgia when he was 6 years old.

Obituary: Lorrie Patrice Fortson

Lorrie Patrice Fortson, 55, died July 30, 2023.    A native of Athens, she was a daughter of Pat Fortson and the late Ann Phillips Carr. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Alana Barnes, and brother, Phil Fortson.   The family received friends Sunday, Aug.

Obituary: Walter Martin Britton

Dr. Walter Martin Britton, 83, of Colbert, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023, surrounded by his family.   Born in Rich Square, North Carolina, he was the only child of Walter Lee Britton and Brownie Martin Britton. Walter graduated from North Carolina State, where he received his Ph.