AUBURN – Nellie Mae Knight, 86, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2017.

A native of Monroe, Ga. She was a devoted homemaker throughout her life. Mrs. Knight was preceded in death by her husband, James Knight; son, Keith Knight; father, Memphis Mack McDaniel; and mother, Lela Owens McDaniel.

Survivors include sons, Anthony (Debbie) Knight, Gregory (Kim) Knight, Wayne and Stevie Knight; daughter, Deborah Segars; brothers, Howard and Ernest McDaniel; sister, Pinky Walls; three grandchildren; Stephanie Farmer, Tony Knight, and Colby Knight; and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, May 8, at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Edward Lax officiating. Burial will follow the service at Barrow Memorial Gardens. The family will be receiving friends on Monday, May 8, from 12 until 2 p.m., two hours prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is entrusted with the arrangements.

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ROCKPORT, TEXAS – Tracie Benson Burrell Seagraves Skomer passed away peacefully Thursday May 4, 2017, with her family at her side.

Tracie was born January 5, 1964, in Athens, the daughter of J.B. and Frankie (Graham) Benson. She was a resident of Rockport, Texas, and former resident of Danielsville. Tracie attended Madison County High School, where she was a cheerleader. While in Georgia, she spent many years working at Winn-Dixie, where she was instantly loved by everyone she met with her exuberant and bright personality.

Tracie was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Elizabeth and Wayman Wood.

Survivors include her husband, Louis Skomer, Rockport, Texas; parents, Milton and Frankie Burrell, Ila, Ga.; father, J.B. Benson (Guy Dean), Jefferson, Ga.; a son, Sammy Hayes, Rockport, Texas, daughters, Tristin Johnson (Wayne), Bristol, Tenn., and Kayla Williamson (Chris), Seagrove, N.C.; a sister, Jamie Burrell Redish, Clewiston, Fla.; brothers, Jeffery Burrell, Athens, Ga., Drew Benson (Larissa), Lawrenceville, Ga., Matt Benson(Stephanie), Jefferson, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask for all donations be sent to The American Kidney Foundation, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD, 20852
Celebration of life services to be held on Saturday, May 13, at 2 p.m. at East Athens Baptist Church in Athens, Ga.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

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HOSCHTON – Jerry R. Reeves, 70, passed away Monday, May 8, 2017.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Natanial Reeves.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Eleonora Osborne Reeves, Hoschton; children, Todd Ryan and Kathleen Reeves, Wetumpka, Ala., and Ronda Quay Reeves, Hoschton; nine grandchildren, Noah Mathis, Kelsey Rose Mathis, Josiah Reeves, Zachaius Goodman, Ryan Reeves, Joseph Reeves, Luke Reeves, Mathew Reeves, and Annelise Reeves; sister, Becky and Johnny Thomas, Gulf Breeze, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Reeves was born July 28, 1946. in Greenville, S.C. He was a 1965 graduate of Forest Park Senior High School in Forest Park, and a 1985 graduate of Brenau College in Gainesville, with a bachelor’s degree. He was a retired computer programmer for Lucent Technologies with 30 years of service. He was a founding member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, youth minister at Prince of Peace for 17 years, former president of Amigos for Christ and a founding member.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 12, at 11 a.m. at Prince of Peace in Flowery Branch with Father Eric Hill to serve as celebrant. Interment will follow at Memorial Park South Mausoleum in Flowery Branch. There will be a prayer service Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Amigos for Christ in memory of Jerry Reeves.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford.

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DANIELSVILLE – Roger Hugh Kirk, 69, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens.

Mr. Kirk was born on July 10, 1947, in Royston, the son of the late Charles Leonard Kirk and Margaret Beard Kirk. He was an electrical engineer having worked at Baldor and an Air Force veteran, where he served during the Vietnam Era. He attended Ila Baptist Church. Roger was instrumental in raising proceeds to benefit cystic fibrosis through “Show and Shine” car show in Helen, Ga. Mr. Kirk was preceded in death by two sons, Stacy Chapman Kirk and Phillip Michael Kirk.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Hardeman Kirk; daughter, Tracy (Stan) Strickland, Danielsville; step sons, Jason (Kerri) Bramlett, Winder, and Justin Bramlett, Lexington, Ga.; brother, Larry (Frances) Kirk, Danielsville; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one on the way; nephew, Kevin Kirk; niece, Amy Walker; and several great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Danielsville Evangelical Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 12, with the Rev. Tim Peek officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Pruitt Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 11. The family is at the home of Larry and Frances Kirk, 1845 James Springs Road, Danielsville, GA.

Flowers are optional. Memorials may be made to Georgia Cystic Fibrosis, 2302 Parklake Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30345.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pruittfhroyston.com.

Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.

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COMMERCE – Joseph Edgar “Ed” Long, Jr., 79, died Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

He was born in Churubusco, Ind., the son of the late, Joseph Edgar, Sr. and Jossie Clyburn Long. Mr. Long was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and retired from Steven Graphics. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Ellen Reick Long.

Survivors include his daughters, Kristen Johnson (Steven), Kendallville, Ind. and Jennifer Long, Atlanta; granddaughters, Carmen and Ryan Johnson; and sister, Connie Gantt, Howe, Ind.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.

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JEFFERSON – James Bryce Satterfield, 84 entered into rest Wednesday, May 10, 2017.

Mr. Satterfield was born in Hoschton, the son of the late Henry Washington and Toma Jessie Stepp Satterfield. He was a member and Elder Emeritus of Galilee Christian Church, served as Boy Scouts Scoutmaster for many years, and was the retired owner of Satterfield’s Auto Service Center after a successful career operating his own garage and wrecker service for 26 years. Throughout his life, Mr. Satterfield’s employment included Jefferson Mills, Jefferson Motor Company, and General Times Corporation. Mr. Satterfield was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was preceded in death by sisters, Myrtice Satterfield Shropshire, Lucille Satterfield Arnold, Bertrelle Satterfield Carroll, Annelle Satterfield Evans, Jurelle Satterfield Neese Perkins, Alline Satterfield Wilkinson; brothers, Royce Henry Satterfield and Le Roy W. Satterfield; and two infant siblings.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Shirley Fay Wood Satterfield, Jefferson; daughter, Joan Satterfield Duff and her husband Dr. Karl Duff, Canton; son, Tim Satterfield and his wife Carolyn, Jefferson; sisters, Merle Satterfield Thompson, Jefferson, and Pat Satterfield Johnson and her husband Gus, Jefferson; grandchildren, Joshua Kelley, Chicago, Ill., Cody Satterfield Glenn and her husband Jay, Fort Mill, S.C.; great-grandchildren, Parker Glenn and Presley Glenn, Fort Mill, S.C.; nieces and nephews; special nieces, Benita Carroll Sims, Maysville, and Karen Carruth, Jefferson; and caregivers, Marie Calixte, Manju Mahon, and Miriam Uhaa.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in Galilee Christian Church Cemetery with the Rev. Carey Pittman officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Friday, May 12, from 5 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Galilee Christian Church Building Fund, 2191 Galilee Church Road, Jefferson, Georgia. 30549.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

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Jack M. Sweatman, 78, died Thursday, May 4, 2017.

A native of Fulton, County, Mr. Sweatman was the son of the late Robert and Ina Brown Sweatman. He was retired from Johns Manville and was an Army Veteran. Mr. Sweatman was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Owens.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Owens Sweatman; children, Lisa Ann Greenlee and Sharon Denise (Jeff) Fowler; grandchildren, Brad Mann, Clay Fowler, Chris Owens, Josh Owens, Ashley Lord, Mckenzie Greenlee, Justin Owens, and Zach Owens; and great-grandchildren, Abbigail, Hagen, Dayton, Briar, Addison, and Brett.

Funeral services were held at Smith Memory Chapel on Sunday, May 7. The Rev. Lee Hunter officiated. Burial was at Barrow Memorial Gardens.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.

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WINDER – Hazel Cook Bruce, 91, entered into heaven on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.

She was the daughter of the late Andrew Lyman, Sr. and Mamie Morris Burrell. She was preceded by her first husband, J. C. Cook and her second husband, Ted Bruce; grandson, Rusty Cook; son-in-law, Tim Bray; and brother, Andy Burrell. A resident of Barrow County for most of her life, Mrs. Bruce operated Happy Hour Child Care in Winder for a number of years. She was a member of Northside Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include children, Catherine Cook Bray, John (Judy) Cook, Jr., Winder, Cheryl Cook (Sam) Standard, Gray, Ga., Edwin (Diane) Cook, Jefferson, Larry (Yvonne) Cook, Ft. Mill, S.C., Judy Cook (David) Bender, Winder, Melinda Cook (Glenn) Burrell, Watkinsville, and Wanda Cook (James) Davis, Winder; sister, Frances Hall, Hoschton, 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; step-children, Ann Bruce Doster, Blue Ridge, Ted W. Bruce, Marietta, Kevin Bruce, Richmond, Va.; step brother, Grady Cannon, East Point; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service was held Saturday, May 13, at the Northeast Church in Braselton, with Pastors Lee Lovett and Chuck Cook officiating. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Northside Presbyterian Church, 473 Jefferson Highway, Winder, Georgia 30680.

Carter Funeral Home of Winder was in charge of arrangements, where online condolences may be expressed at www.carterfhwinder.com

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JEFFERSON – Irene Muthe, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2017.

She was almost 72 and had been suffering from major health issues for several years. Irene and her husband John were married almost 45 years. They met in Philadelphia, Pa. They had no children.

Irene was born in Braunschweig, Germany, three weeks after the end of World War II in Europe. Her first years were spent in several displaced person’s camps in Germany. She came to the United States in 1959.

Irene’ Father, Averian Drannikow, fought for the CZAR against communism in WWI. He was a POW in Germany for five years, and released three years after the war ended. Irene’s mother was German, living in the Ukraine. In 1943, they escaped from Russia crossing two combat lines into Germany. Her father worked in forced labor until the end of the war.

Her early education was in German Schools, and she graduated from high school in Radnor, Pa. In her career as an administrative assistant, she worked at Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia, and ended her work career as administrative assistant to the President of American National Bank in Florida in 1990. She then attended Palm Beach State College.

She was an avid reader, writer and Democrat. Irene at one time spoke five languages fluently, and assisted Russian immigrants in learning English.
Irene and her husband John moved to Jefferson in 2005.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens at 780 Timothy Road, Athens, on Saturday, June 3, at 4 p.m.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

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JEFFERSON – Richard Dudley Williams, Jr., 28, entered into rest Monday, May 15, 2017.

Mr. Williams was born in Lithia Springs, Ga., the son of Richard Dudley Williams, Sr. and Connie Lee Gillispie Williams of Jefferson. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church of Jefferson, attended the University of North Georgia, and was employed with Outback Steakhouse.

Survivors in addition to his parents include a sister, Jessica R. Williams of Jefferson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, from the Chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Eric Shelton officiating. Burial will be in Evans Memory Gardens with the Rev. Tim Moore officiating. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers are David P. Williams IV, Corey Brown, Don Moore, Warrick Armstrong and Brandon Gunn. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 19.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

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Michele Renae Wagner Vinson, 62, wife to Arthur Alan Vinson, long-time residents of Winder, peacefully went home to her Heavenly Father early Wednesday morning, May 17, 2017. After a long courageous fight with cancer, Michele passed away at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born on October 27, 1954, in Havre, Mont., she was the daughter of Bernard John and Lois Mae Wagner, Michele worked in financial services at both Turner Broadcasting Systems and Foodbuy, LLC. After retiring from Foodbuy in 2014, she wanted to continue to work in a field where her gifts of kindness and love would serve others, and she chose to drive a school bus for Gwinnett County. While that part of her career path was shortened by her illness, the children quickly learned to love “Mrs. V” as she poured her love on them. Michele’s love was limitless and she taught us all to “spin the positive” out of every situation. Laughter filled her days along with golf, tennis, painting and traveling. Her generosity and faith knew no bounds as she lived her life with beauty and “Amazing Grace.” Michele was an active member of Gwinnett Church in Sugar Hill Georgia.

Survivors include her husband, loving mother, her children, Tanya and Suzanne Streetman, Greg and his wife Nita Vinson, Wendy and her husband Jerry Rose; grandchildren, Alexis Streetman-Haase, Natasha and Ryan Vinson, and Laura and Sara Beth Rose; great-grandson, Liam Haase; siblings, Debbie Wagner, Randy and his wife Beth Wagner, Drew and his wife Debbie Wagner, Roxanne and her husband Bill Peake; nieces and nephew, Laura Effinger, Stephanie, Brooke, Alicia and Aaron Wagner, all of whom brought great joy to her life.

She was preceded in death by her father.

The family of Michele wishes to extend sincere thanks to the loving staff of Northwest Georgia Oncology and Embrace Hospice.

The memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 19, at Flanagan Funeral Home, 4400 South Lee Street, Buford, GA 30518. Family visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the Open Arms Foundation, Inc. Checks can be mailed directly to Embrace Hospice, 1585 Old Norcross Rd., Ste. 205, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Additionally, a donation box will be available at the memorial. Checks should be payable to Open Arms Foundation, Inc. with “in memory of Michele Vinson” in the memo line.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.

Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, is in charge of arrangements.

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