Obituaries

Feb 13, 2025

Vincent E. Collins, 78, of Hiawassee, GA, passed away on February 13, 2025. He was born on May 11, 1946, in Chicago, IL to the late Edward and Ruth Collins. When he was 5 his parents moved to Atlanta, GA. As a young boy, Vince’s vocal talent was discovered. He sang for several years in the Atlanta Boys Choir and...

Feb 12, 2025

Sylvia Paulette “Paula” Palmer Sprayberry of Hiawassee, GA, 76, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, due to ALS. She went peacefully in her beloved home with her devoted husband, Sonny, by her side. Paula was born in Danville, VA. She grew up in Decatur, GA, and attended Southwest Dekalb High School (’66). She earned her Associates Degree from Dekalb...

Feb 12, 2025

Corena Lucille Carringer, lovingly known as "Peachy", age 86, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 in Murphy, North Carolina. Mrs. Carringer was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Frances Simms; spouse, Ralph William Carringer; son, Jimmy Carringer; granddaughter, Julia Bennett Postell; great-grandson, Ryalee Welch; son in laws John Horton and Jeff Bennett.

She was a life long resident...

Feb 11, 2025

With heavy hearts,  we announce the passing of Ricky Walker on February 11, 2025 after a short battle of pancreatic cancer.   Ricky was born on April 21, 1973 in Gastonia,  NC.

Ricky was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend to many. Ricky had a deep love for the outdoors, especially hunting with his sons Nathan and Colin and daughter Amelia,...

Feb 8, 2025

Devoted Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt, Janet Pitts, passed peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, February 8, at the age of 103.

Janet was a woman of great faith, who cherished her family and her little dogs. Her sharp mind remained vibrant throughout her life, effortlessly transitioning from stories of her childhood in Blakely, Georgia, and living through the Depression, to recounting...

Feb 7, 2025

Feb 7, 2025

Douglas Breedlove was a native of Blairsville, Georgia. He worked for Arbor Acres Poultry Farm for 31 Years, finishing out his career prior to his health decline at Builders First Source.

Doug enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. Doug lived his life in simple ways, he believed in God first followed by family. He attended and was a...

Feb 6, 2025

Karen Alice Schulz nee Loding passed away peacefully in her sleep in Blue Ridge, Georgia surrounded by her family. In the words of her granddaughter, Kayla Martin, an amazing woman who left the world on February 6th, 2025, and as painful as it is and as much as she will be missed, her impact on the world, those she loved,...

Feb 6, 2025

Audrey Lee Owenby, 69, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on February 6, 2025. She was born on May 20, 1955, in Barnesville, GA, to the late Clarence and Mildred Whitt.

Lee was known for her love of flowers and birds, a good strong cup of coffee, and Sunday morning preaching. She always had a listening ear for those that needed to...

Feb 5, 2025

Phyllis Ann Justice, age 77, went to be with Jesus peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at her home in the Blue Ridge mountains of Georgia surrounded by her family. Phyllis was born April 1, 1947, in Panther, West Virginia to the late Elice and Martha Shrader Bailey. She was their first born with twelve siblings.

Phyllis was an avid traveler...

Feb 5, 2025

Joel Peney, age 86, of Blairsville, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, surrounded by his family. 

Joel was born on June 21st, 1938 to Howard and Florence Peney in Plainfield, New Jersey. Joel was the youngest of five siblings. He met the love of his life, Ellie, when he was working as the manager...

Feb 4, 2025

Cochran McDaniel Funeral Home announces the passing of Mr. William C. Mintzer, 89, of Hiawassee, GA. He was born on November 25th, 1935. 

William proudly served in the U.S. Army for over 22 years. He achieved the rank of 1st Sgt. Over the course of those two decades, including two tours in Vietnam, he earned many decorations, medals, and commendations, including...

Feb 4, 2025

Robert Daniel Mullen Sr., age 69, of Morganton, GA, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at his home. Robert was born August 7, 1955, in Hartford, CT to Thomas and Elsie Mullen.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Mullen; mother, Elsie Mullen; and sister, Theresa Brien.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cheryl Mullen; son,...

Feb 4, 2025

Edith Odell Norton, 94, of Ellijay, GA, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in Ellijay, GA. Edith was born May 27, 1930, in Blue Ridge, GA to William and Lou Vada Patterson.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Harley Norton; father, William Patterson; mother, Lou Patterson; sister, Jewel Dale; and brothers, Walter Patterson, James Patterson and Johnny Patterson.

She...

Feb 4, 2025

Royce Donald Wright, a beloved husband, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on May 3, 1940, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to the late Everett Ottis Wright and Randall Christine Corbin Wright. Royce lived a life full of joy, humor, and love. He attended Smith Hughes Tech School. He spent his career as...

Feb 3, 2025

Ella Faye Emily Beaver of Murphy, North Carolina, age 93, went home to be with her Lord at her home on February 3, 2025. She was born on March 3, 1931 to the late Lewis Napoleon Chastain and Ira Samantha Stalcup Chastain in Cherokee, County, North Carolina. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Kenneth...

Feb 3, 2025

Kerry Zane Hicks, age 59, of McCaysville, Georgia, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Monday, February 3, 2025. Kerry was a Christian who truly fought the good fight as he battled lung cancer since March of 2020. His faith and positive attitude were an inspiration to all.

Kerry was born on November 14,1965, to James "Bee" Hicks and Linda...

Feb 2, 2025

Eloise Deaver England, age 93, of Blairsville, Georgia passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in Blairsville, Georgia. 

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, Henry N. Deaver and Estelle Deyton Deaver; husband, Vaughn E. England; children, Angie Hartley, Dwayne England, and Stephen England; brother, Jimmy N. Deaver and sister, Mary Lee Deaver; grandchildren, Wesley...

Feb 1, 2025

Lance Alan Patterson, 61, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 1, 2025, in Winchester, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Lawrence Patterson and Margaret Kathryn Harkins Patterson; his brother, Jeffrey Lee Patterson; his maternal grandparents, General Pat and Maver Nix Harkins of Blairsville, Georgia; and his paternal grandparents, Silas Minter and Lucille Mahan...

Feb 1, 2025

Our community mourns the loss of Pamela "Crissy" Hyde. She was born June 27, 1973 and died on February 1, 2025. She was a very kind hearted and generous person to those around her.

She lived her entire life in Cherokee County, North Carolina and worked as a medical assistant for over 20 years. She treated her patients as if they...