Obituaries from February 8, 2007

Charles Redd, Jr.
Charles Redd, Jr. - Jan. 28, 1923-Dec. 27, 2006 - father, farmer, war veteran, husband, grandfather, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27 in Clayton County, Ga. surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren of complications from pneumonia.
Mr. Redd was the son of Leila "Leah" O'Donald and Charles Redd, Sr. (both deceased) of Brockton, Ga.
Survived by his loving wife, Marie Savard Redd of Cape Coral, Fl.; sister, Joan Redd Bradberry of Hoschton, Ga.; son, Michael Thurmond Redd (Stephanie) of North Palm Beach, Fl.; daughter, Gail Redd Orio of Cape Coral, Fl., Grandson Jason Charles Redd of Atlanta Ga.; granddaughter, Ansley Marie Redd Ruggeri (John) of Fayetteville, Ga., Allison Russell (Jason) of Roswell, Ga. and Savannah Faith Marie Redd of North Palm Beach, Fl.; and three great-grandsons: John Joseph Ruggeri, IV, Nicholas Jade Ruggeri and Garrett Allen Russell as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mr. Redd was a man of humble beginnings, born one of 13 children in a log cabin near Nicholson, Ga. Raised in a farm family on the red clay of Georgia's Piedmont, he attended Brockton school and lettered in basketball. The last vestiges of the Great Depression, WWII and family obligations precluded higher education opportunities, but he was a lifelong advocate of higher learning. His most appreciated legacy was his admiration for and reverence of education, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren; all alumni of the University of Georgia. A true son of Georgia he loved fishing, his country and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Serving in the US Navy in WWII from 1942 to 1946, his duty station was on coastal patrol in PBY seaplanes and blimps off the coast of New England. It was during the war that he met and married the former Marie Frances Savard, of Brockton, Mass. They lived in Navy housing at Quonset Point, Rhode Island and moved back to his native Georgia after the war.
Mr. Redd became known far and wide as a master carpenter having built many of Atlanta's finest homes in the prestigious north side where his skills in finish and cabinetry were in great demand. Owner of a contracting business, he built hundreds of homes from humble abodes to million dollar mansions. He was responsible for the construction of the Junior League headquarters in Atlanta, and received praise from the membership for his attention to detail and quality.
Charles believed mightily in the triumph of labor over sloth and is remembered as one of the hardest working men in life by those who knew him. To the day he passed, he had shards of steel in his once mighty forearms, testament to a million driven nails.
His winning smile, humility and love of family insure that his memory will remain forever with those left to cherish.
His cremated remains will be spread in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida in the spring.

Mrs. Inez Webster
Mrs. Inez Katherine Webster, age 79 of Bent Tree, passed away Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007 at her home in Bent Tree.
The body was cremated. A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. at New Lebanon Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ben Laughlin officiating.
Mrs. Webster is survived by daughters, Anne Bluestein and Janie Thompson; brother and sister-in-law, Angus and June Dodge; four grandchildren, Lauren, Melanie and Nicole Bluestein and John Thompson IV; and one great-grandchild, Skylynn Finkelstein.
Roper Funeral Home of Jasper in charge of arrangements.

Barbara Weaver
Mrs. Barbara C. Weaver, age 52 of Jasper, passed Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007.
Survivors include her husband, Delmar Weaver, Jasper; son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Victoria Turner, Ellijay; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Skip Guinn, Madison, Ga.; brothers, Eugene Collier, Oregon, and L.C. Collier, Canton; sisters, Linda Maddox and Sara Goss, both of Jasper, and Betty Lummus, Cumming. Three grandchildren also survive.
A graveside service was held Thursday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. at Hinton Community Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Wilkie officiating. Pallbearers were: Brian Brown, Chris Kendrick, Christopher Long, David Gibbs, H.B. Payne and Bobby Joe Williams. The family did accept flowers or you may make donations to help with the funeral expense. Cagle Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
www.caglefuneralhome.com

Lois Leslie
Lois Moore Leslie loved life and lived her faith. Born in a farming community in Deport, Tx., she grew up to sing with a trio for US Bond Shows and on the radio during World War II. In her later years, she would refer to the group as "the Andrews Sisters of Northeast Texas." In her 82 years, Lois Leslie wore many hats: Sunday School teacher, PTA president, United Methodist Women district officer and lay speaker, career woman in Finance and Accounting for Civil Service and loving wife, mother and grandmother.
As an Army wife, she moved her family to Germany and many other locations. Even though they stayed on the move, she could always locate another Texan at any social event, restaurant or church dinner. She never met a stranger. To her 80th birthday party, she invited a couple she had met at WalMart just the day before.
Lois loved to bake and made chicken and dumplings and banana nut bread for everyone who needed a bit of comfort during sickness or after the loss of a loved one. One of her favorite recipes was sugar coated peanuts that she would carry around in little bags and give to perfect strangers along with a cross for their pocket. Her ministry was in her smile, and she had a word of encouragement for everyone she met. One of her talents was writing poetry. When she was 80 years old she published a small book of her poems to give to all her family and friends.
She was married to Ray Alderman for 34 years until his death of cancer. Her second marriage to Frank Leslie lasted 23 years until his death in August of 2005. She liked to say, "God gave me two of his finest men." Recently, Lois resided at Cameron Hall Assisted Living in Canton, Ga.
She is survived by her sister, Hazel Johnson; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Howard Valentine of Big Canoe; and grandchildren, Ann Larie Valentine of San Francisco and William and wife Courtney Valentine of Chattanooga. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Her life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Big Canoe Chapel with the Rev. Lamar Helms officiating. Interment will be in Panama City Beach, Fl. at a later date. Memorials can be made to Jasper United Methodist or Blairsville United Methodist.

Rev. Clay Fountain
Rev. Clay Fountain, age 84 of the Twin Tanks Community, passed early Tuesday morning, Jan. 30, 2007 at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Ga.
Rev. Fountain was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. He was ordained in 1948 and had pastored Friendship, Town Creek, Damascus, Macedonia and Salacoa Baptist churches. He conducted a radio service for three years and 10 months on a Calhoun station. Rev. Fountain was a member of Blaine Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He retired from Georgia Marble Company after 43 years of work.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Ella Tillery Fountain, Twin Tanks Community; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathren and Tom Chastain, Twin Tanks Community, and Barbara and Harold Bramlett, Jasper; brother, Bill Fountain, Florida; sisters, Edna Densmore, Calhoun, Nancy Young and Minnie Hancock, both of Ludville, Mary Lou Taylor, Jasper, and Bonnie Burton, Jerusalem Community; grandchildren, Trina Corbin, Ellijay, and Tony and Steven McDonald, both of Ludville, great-grandchildren, Heather Tanner, Ryan and Ray McDonald, all of Ludville, and Macy Corbin, Ellijay; and great-great-grandchild, Toby Tanner, Ludville. A host of nieces and nephews also survive. Rev. Fountain was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Braskia Fountain.
The funeral service was held Thursday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. from Friendship Baptist Church with the Revs. Hollis Crook, Buddy Roper and Charles O. Walker officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with Blaine Masonic Lodge in charge of a Masonic graveside service. Pallbearers were: E.C. Kelly, Tracy Allday, Wayne Young, Jeffrey Beasley, Eddie and Stanley Fountain and Ryan McDonald. The family did accept flowers or memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Cagle Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
www.caglefuneralhome.com

Kathleen Champion
Mrs. Kathleen Whidby Champion, age 85 of Canton, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007 at Northside Hospital-Cherokee. She was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include her sons, John W. Champion, Atlanta, and Joe Champion, Canton; daughters, Willene Denney, Canton, Kay Hudgins, Jasper, and Janet Leigh Hilliard, Holly Springs; sisters, Carrie Thacker, Canton, and Mary Jo Elrod, Marietta. Five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 from Mt. Zion Baptist Church with the Revs. Kent Samples and Doug Mulkey officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Sosebee Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Oscar Mulkey
Mr. Oscar Glover Mulkey, age 75 of Ellijay, passed away Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007.
Mr. Mulkey was born Feb. 19, 1931 in Gilmer County, the son of the late Daley and Elma Parker Mulkey. He was a member of Oak Bowery Lodge #81 and of the Baptist Faith.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Mary Mulkey, Ellijay; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Billy Newton, Jasper; granddaughter, Katlin Ashley Newton; Sisters, Lela Holcomb and Bonnie Pierce, both of Jasper, and Lorene McArthur, Talking Rock; brother, Harvey Mulkey, Ellijay.
The funeral service was held Monday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with the Rev. Edmund Miller officiating. Music was provided by the Ridge Way Singers. Pallbearers were the Masons. Interment was in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Rite performed by the Oak Bowery Lodge #81.