All Obituaries

Fred Kilby, age 82, of Persimmon Road, Clayton, Georgia, entered into eternal rest Wednesday evening, November 6, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family.   Mr. Kilby was born in Rabun County on June, 16, 1937,a son of the late Ferdinand C. Kilby and Oza Christine Coffee Kilby. He was a graduate of Rabun County High School and a four year veteran of the United States Air Force. Following his military service, Mr. Kilby entered the aerospace industry, working with...

Burl Ercell Parks, age 68, of Sky Valley, Georgia, passed away on October 30, 2019.   Burl was born the son of the late Ercell F. Parks and the late Elizabeth Louise Lovett Parks-McCathern on July 31, 1951 In Greenwood, South Carolina.   Burl was a Christian and a member the Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church. He was the past Rotary president, the Vice President of the Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund. He was a Master Mason, raised in Dougherty Lodge 591 and dual member of Rabun Gap...

Susanna Peters, age 63, of Lakemont, Georgia passed away on October 29, 2019 with her loved ones surrounding her.   Susanna was born the daughter of the late Arthur Joseph Temple and Bessie Christine Ray Temple on May 6, 1956 in Abilene, Texas.   Susanna was a member of the Christian faith and a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. In her professional life, she was educated at Bob Jones University, and received a B.S. in food and nutrition. She would go on to work as a...

Henry Russell “Cookie” Cook, age 76, of Clayton, Ga., passed away October 23, 2019 at North East Georgia Medical Center. He was the son of the late Robert “Bob” J. Lawson Cook and Nellie Lucille Carver Cook. His sister Jeanne Grist also precedes him in death.   Cookie was a Rabun County Icon who everyone knew. He was always in Clayton, was always happy, and never met a stranger.   He is survived by half brother Billy Carver of Clayton.   A...

Maverick Brooks Shirley, the infant son of Coby Shirley passed away October 17, 2019. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Dudley and Noma Shirley. In addition to his mother a number of aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. The family will have a private service.

Marlon Edwin Holcombe Jr., age 61, of Duluth, Georgia, passed away on October 1, 2019.    He was born the son of the late Marlon Edwin Holcombe and Adel Upchurch Holcombe on December 19, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia.   Marlon loved his family, his friends who became family and the entire Georgia Bulldog Nation.  A loyal fan, he had not missed a Georgia football game, home or away, since the 1970’s. He was especially proud of the accomplishments of his nephews and...

  Benson E. Ledford, age 86, of Rabun Gap, Georgia passed away on September 25, 2019.   Benson was born the son of the late Howard Ledford and Eva Mae Hooper Ledford on November 29, 1932.   He was a Christian by faith and a member of Head of Tennessee Baptist Church. He was the author of three books, Ben’s Life on Bald Mountain, Ben’s Life on Hale Ridge and Ben’s Life on Red Hill. He was a member of the Armed Services and served as a Corporal in the...

  Fritz Michael Vinson, age 82, of Dillard, Georgia passed away on September 19, 2019 at his home.   Fritz was born the son of the late Fred Hampton Vinson and Pearl Dowdle Vinson on September 8, 1937.   In his professional career, he worked in the textile industry for Burlington Industries, Jame Lees Industries and Fruit of the Loom.  He enjoyed playing golf, fishing and wood working in his workshop. Most of all, he loved spending time with his...

Cynthia Geer Smith Whitney passed away on September 11th, 2019.   She was born January 8th, 1942 in Coral Gables, Florida and graduated from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.   Cynthia married Moragné (Ranny) Alexander Whitney Jr., still living in Sautee-Nacoochee, GA, on December 27th, 1961 and is survived by her three children: Moragné Alexander (MA) Whitney III of Dawsonville, GA; DuGué Whitney Zion of Phoenix, AZ; and Geer Whitney of Woodstock,...

Clinton Breck Wilburn, age 59, of Lakemont, Georgia passed away on Saturday September 7, 2019.   Clinton was born the son of Lee Ray Wilburn and Joyce Pamela Webb Wilburn on April 6, 1960 in Leesburg, Florida. Throughout his life, Clinton enjoyed the outdoors, and enjoyed fishing and deer hunting. In his professional career, he worked in the construction industry, and as a mechanic, working on  Hot Rod cars that he enjoyed building.   Clinton was preceded in death by his...