All Obituaries

William “Bill” Crumley, age 83, of Rabun Gap, Georgia, passed away on January 15, 2020. Bill was born the son of the late Lloyd Joseph Crumley and the late Virginia Ramey on January 16, 1936 in Habersham County, Georgia. Bill lived in Clarkesville, Georgia and Wiley, Georgia before moving to Rabun Gap. He was a member of the Wiley Presbyterian Church for 73 years, and had recently still served as church treasurer and church elder. He was a veteran of the United States Army and...

Clinton Alexander “Alex” Roane, 86, of Clayton, GA passed at his home with family at his side.   Alex was born the son of the late Lewis Edward Roane and Martha Elizabeth Justus Roane. He was a lifelong resident of Rabun County. Alex graduated from Rabun County High School and attended The University of Georgia where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters Degree. While attending the University he played on the UGA Baseball team. He served in the US Army...

Herbert Donald Talley Jr., age 61 of Clayton, GA passed away January 11, 2020.   Herbert was born in Highlands, NC the son of the late Herbert and Doris Anders Talley. He was a self professed Jack of all trades and a mast of none; however that was not exactly true. He was a carpenter and work for Schmitt builders for 40 years. He attended trade school and was certified as a gunsmith, and as small engine repair specialist. He enjoyed spending time with his best friend Becky and family....

Mary Lorraine Hamby Corbin, age 75, of Clayton, Georgia passed away on January 10, 2020.   She was born the daughter of the late Thomas Jefferson Hamby and Ruby Williams Hamby on March 3, 1944. In her professional life she worked for Empire Manufacturing for 35 years. Throughout her life her children and grandchildren were always the most important thing, and she always loved spending time with them. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, the late Mr. Earl Corbin. She was a...

Steven Robert Luster, age 60, of Clayton, Ga., passed away January 3, 2020. He was the son of the late Robert A. and Jewell Ellen Jarrard Luster.   He was a Master Mason and was Past Master of Rabun Gap Lodge 265. He was also member of Scottish Rite Valley of Atlanta, and a shriner, a member of The Yaarab Temple of Atlanta. He worked with the Department of Corrections for many years. Steve then worked as a building contractor.  In addition to his family and friends, he also...

Clara Hood Savo, age 75, of Tiger, Georgia, formerly of Dacula, Georgia, passed away on January 2, 2020.   Clara was born the daughter of the late Lt. Col. Charles Thomas Hood and Clara Martin Hood on November 22, 1944 in Alabama. She was the wife of the late Peter Joseph Savo.   Clara was a Christian and a member of the Methodist faith. She was an avid tennis player, who was ranked an “A” grade by the ALTA. She also enjoyed playing golf. In her professional career,...

Donna Verlyn McConnell, age 60, passed away on December 30, 2019.   She was born the daughter of the late James V. McConnell and Lois Crowder Brown on June 4, 1959 in Orlando, Florida. In her professional life Donna worked at Parkdale Industries for twenty-five years, where she was the Human Resources Manager. Donna enjoyed movies, shopping and eating out.   In addition to her parents, one sister, Debbie Blackwell, preceded her in death.   She is survived by her...

Lorie Jeanne Anacker Smathers, age 52, of Otto, North Carolina, passed away on December 30, 2019.   Lorie was born the daughter of Donald Anacker and the late Jeanne Peters on September 27, 1967. Lorie enjoyed books, video games, and helping people. She was Wiccan, and a veteran of the United States Army. In her professional life, she worked as a server in the restaurant industry for over thirty years.   Her mother, Jeanne Peters, preceded her in death.   Her survivors...

Jon Charles Groth, age 65, of Clayton, Georgia passed away on December 24, 2019.   Jon was born the son of Warren Groth and the late Loraine Lindal Groth on October 12, 1954 in Stambaugh, Michigan. Jon grew up in Beachwood, Michigan and graduated high school in Iron River. He continued his education and received a degree in landscape and interior design from Western Michigan University. He moved to Atlanta ad worked for MCI telephone company in customer relations.   Later, he...

Winfred Julius Speed, 66, of the Warwoman community went home to be with the Lord on December 23, 2019.  He lived most of his life in Rabun County working mainly as an equipment operator, and retired from the Town of Franklin, North Carolina.  He was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.   He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Davis Speed, and brother, William Logan Speed.  He is survived by his mother, Betty Speed Roane, step-father Alex Roane,...