Stella Mae Berrong

Stella Mae Hilton Berrong, age 94, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 11. She was born in Hiawassee on December 5, 1929.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Merle B. Berrong and her parents, C.A. Hilton and Lula Garrett Hilton.

She is survived by her son, Larry M. Berrong and his wife, Dr. Marilyn Berrong of Hiawassee, and her daughter, Barbara Berrong Burch and her husband, Rev. Danny Burch of Young Harris, GA. She also leaves a legacy of grandchildren; Tim (Melissa) Burch of Hayesville, NC; Robyn Burch Donaldson of Hiawassee; Meschell Berrong (fiance Chris) of Florida; Heather (Jimmie Lee) Sloas of Nashville, TN; great-grandchildren, Adam Plott and Presley Posey of Hiawassee; Eva Donaldson and Miles Donaldson of Hiawassee; Emily Burch and Andrew (Brooke) Burch of North Carolina; Portia Jackson and Corbin Mayfield of Tennessee; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Stella Mae was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church for over 70 years and a strong Christian lady who believed very much in doing what was right. She was a fiercely independent lady known for her neatness and her spotless housekeeping. She was also known for her great attributes of loving and caring for her family along with her business acumen. In her career, she was the owner and operator of Lakeview Cafe, Stella's Dress Shop and Grapevine Clothing Store, and was in charge of all ticket sales, concession stand, and front area management at Mountain Home Music Theatre for her son for over 10 years and upon its closure she then opened the smaller Mountain Home Music Theatre in 2000, where she was responsible for all the booking, advertising, and day-to-day management for 20 years. She and Merle were great supporters of traditional mountain, Blue Grass, and gospel music and clogging, bringing joy and entertainment to many people throughout the area. Her love and expertise in crocheting was evidenced by the number of baby blankets she gave to expectant mothers and the many afghans she sold at the Georgia Mountain Fair. Stella Mae also loved having a beautiful, clean, and fast car! Her competitiveness came through in her card playing and various games.

Funeral Services will be held at Macedonia Baptist Church on Monday, July 15th at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:45 at the church. Services will be conducted by Rev. Stan Berrong and Dr. Wade Lott. Special Music will be provided by Meschell Berrong and Heather Berrong Sloas.  Interment will be in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Stella Mae Hilton Berrong.  Sign the guest register and send condolences online at www.cochranmcdaniel.com