The Celebration of Life for “Colonel” Oscar Poole

Community

On this day of June 3rd 2020, family and friends of “Colonel” Oscar Poole gathered around to celebrate his life and legacy, at Pooles BBQ. He was loved by many and was always friends with any person he came across. He may be gone, but never forgotten.

https://youtu.be/BFMgh3JfQDc

Funeral services may be impacted by pandemic

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JASPER, Ga.–Funeral services may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and directors are watching to see how they should handle

funeral homes

Roper Funeral Home in Jasper has altered service arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

services that will simultaneously honor the deceased, support the families, and keep the community safe. At least one funeral homes has made the decision to change how they provide services.

Kevin Roper, owner of Roper Funeral Home in Jasper, said they have plan to limit services according to the latest recommended guidelines to 50. They will have five attendants handling services and allow 45 visitors. Visitation will start two hours before service. The CDC has recommended limiting gatherings to 50 or fewer. They will also only host one service per day.

“It’s been difficult,” he said. “(But) the response has been positive.”

To help families through what is already a stressful time, Roper said they plan to offer live video streaming and are in the process of getting it set up through their website, but may use social media in the meantime. They are also offering public memorials at a later date, once the pandemic subsides.

They also encouraging the community to practice “social distancing” — avoiding handshakes, hugs and other physical contact, which permeate funeral and visitation services.

“We owe our community a sense of responsibility in this time and limiting exposure is important,” said Roper. “Otherwise, we could all be paying in a few weeks.”

He said the concern over COVID-19 adds an extra burden to families grieving the loss of a loved one. “Everyone has been understanding. I’m just asking the community to remember these families and keep them in your prayers until we overcome this,” said Roper.

Pickens currently does not have any cases of COVID-19, according to the Georgia Department of Health.

In Calhoun and Gordon County, Thomas Funeral Home is taking a different approach and letting families decide if they they want to limit services.

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Thomas Funeral Home in Calhoun is watching the COVID-19 situation and will discuss options with families as the need arises.

“We have guidelines for contagious illnesses,” said Bruce Thomas, owner, adding that anything that is contaminated, but can’t be sanitized is incinerated.

He believes most people will avoid funerals if they aren’t directly related to the deceased which will bring the attendance down.

“That’s what I see happening,” he said. “But if a family is concerned, we can limit it and seat 25 or so the recommended six-feet apart.”

He said he and his son, Bruce, are doing their best to handle any concerns, but based on past experiences with Hepatitis, Swine flu, and MRSR, combined with the experience and education of his staff who already use universal precautions, there won’t be a problem. Currently, Gordon County has three confirmed cases, according to the Georgia Department of Health.

Governor Kemp declares a state of emergency. What does it mean? Read it here.

Donald Eugene Gravitt: Obituary

Obituaries

Donald Eugene Gravitt, age 81 of Calhoun, Georgia, passed away Thursday, February 27, 2020 at his home. He was born May 27, 1938 to Lee and Augusta Gravitt in Rockmart, Georgia. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, was a member of Sonoraville Masonic Lodge, and was a bailiff with the Gordon County Court System.

Don is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Gravitt of Calhoun; daughter and son-in-law, Shelley and Glen Moody of Canton; grandchildren, Emily Johnson of Ranger, Tim and Ellie Moody of Fairmount, Leah Moody of Canton, Cade Johnson of Ranger; brother-in-law, William Cantrell of Jasper; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Ken Aaron of Jasper, Mary and Gerald Aaron of Jasper. Several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister.

Funeral Services will be held 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Sharptop Baptist Church with Reverend Glen Moody and Reverend Kenneth Kirk officiating. Interment will follow in the Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery with Brother Darrell Morris in charge.

The family will be receiving friends in his community at Newtown Baptist Church, Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and at Roper Funeral Home and Crematory, Sunday, March 1, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.

Online condolences may be made at www.roperfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family of Donald Eugene Gravitt, please visit Tribute Store.

Janie H. Pauley: Obituary

Obituaries

Mrs. Janie H. Pauley, age 85 of Jasper, Georgia, passed away Monday, February 24, 2020 at her home.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia L. Long; son and daughter-in-law, Timothy G. and Jennifer Pauley; grandchildren, Graham, Owen, and Ella Pauley of Milton; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fernell H. and Arta Elizabeth Overby Handy; husband, Otis Graham Pauley; son, Teddy B. Heath; brothers, Clyde, Ben, Bernard, Herbert and Harry Handy; sisters, Betty Barrow and Evelyn Compton.

She was a graduate of Averett University in Danville, Virginia; and retired from Lucent Technologies in Atlanta, Georgia.

No Service is planned at this time.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.

To send flowers to the family of Janie Ernestine Pauley, please visit Tribute Store.

Philip O’Bryant: Obituary

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Mr. Philip O’Bryant, age 67 of Jasper, passed away Monday, February 24, 2020 at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.

Mr. O’Bryant is survived by his wife: Jane O’Bryant of Jasper; son & daughter-in-law: Mathew & Hannah O’Bryant of Jasper; brother & sister-in-law: Eddie & Nancy O’Bryant of Cumming; several nieces and nephews.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents: Weldon & Evelyn O’Bryant and infant son, Philip Thomas O’Bryant.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 26, 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM, Thursday from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM until the funeral hour.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home, with Rev. Stacy Smith and Rev. Jason Satterfield officiating.

Interment will be at Ophir Baptist Church, immediately following the funeral service.

Pallbearers: Mathew O’Bryant, Josh O’Bryant, James Satterfield, Nick Holt, Greg Moss and Mark Fountain. Honorary pallbearers: Todd Coleman, Stanley Brown, Larry Jones, Joey Jones and Donald Allen.

The family will accept flowers or donations can be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the O’Bryant family.

Joan Holden: Obituary

Obituaries

Ms. Joan Holden, age 76 of Jasper, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at her residence.

Ms. Holden is survived by her son & daughter-in-law: Lamar & Ruth Holden of Jasper; daughters & sons-in-law: Linda & Stephen Cantrell of Jasper and Lynn & Randall Gilreath of Talking Rock; brother & sister-in-law: Gene & Glenda Chapman of Nelson; sister & brother-in-law: Gail & Jackie Jarrett of Nelson; sisters: Louise Stokes of Canton and Hazel Stokes of Fort Valley; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday February 27, 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM, Friday, 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM until the funeral hour.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with Rev. Steven Chapman, Rev. Steve Chadwick, Rev. Leroy Kelley, Rev. John Holloway and Rev. John Padgett, officiating.

Interment will be at Bethesda Baptist Church Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

Pallbearers: Scott Jordan, Ronald Matthews, Anthony Matthews, Eben Matthews, Mark Eubanks, Ricky Eubanks, Harold Collier, Daryl Collier and Katie Hutson. Honorary pallbearer: Shane Popham.

The family will accept flowers, or donations can be made to Nelson Baptist Church or Bethesda Baptist Church in memory of Joan.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Holden family.

Evelyn Brooks West: Obituary

Obituaries

Mrs. Evelyn Brooks West, age 59 of Canton passed away Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Seasons Hospice in Cumming, GA.

Mrs. West is survived By Her husband: Tony West of Canton. Stepsons and wife’s: Terry & Ashley West of Canton, Cory and Allison West of Decatur and Cody & Paisley Ingram of Talking Rock. Daughters and Sons-in-law: Misty & Justin Burnett of Jasper and Beverly & Jason Burnett of Free Home. Stepdaughter and husband: Tonya & Tony Kellogg of Ball Ground. Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Randall & Juanita Brooks of Marble Hill, Ronnie & Paula Brooks of Cumming and Bobby & Debbie Brooks of Ball Ground. Sister and Brother-in-law: Kathy & Gary Evans of Marble Hill and Sister-in-law: Dale Brooks of Marble Hill. Also she is survived by sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents: Hoyt & Willie Grace Brooks and twin brother: Eddy Brooks.

The family will be receiving friends Monday, February 24 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM, Tuesday, February 25 from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM and Wednesday, February 26 from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Corinth Baptist Church. Rev. Richie Gibbs and Rev. Cody Ingram officiating.

Interment will be in the Corinth Baptist Church cemetery immediately following the funeral services.

Pallbearers: William Evans, Nathan Brooks, Zach Martin, Chris Martin, Terry West and Cory West.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Jessie Burnett for the Climbing Higher Fund.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the West family.

J.J. “Cowboy” Lumpkin: Obituary

Obituaries

U.S. Veteran

Mr. J.J. “Cowboy” Lumpkin, age 89 of Ball Ground, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2020 at WellStar Kennestone Hospital.

Mr. Lumpkin is survived by his wife: Floetta B. Lumpkin of Ball Ground; son & daughter-in-law: Jeff & Cathy Lumpkin of Kyles Ford, TN; son: Tom Lumpkin of Ball Ground; daughter-in-law: Susan Lumpkin of Ball Ground; grandchildren: Zach, Zoe and Zana Lumpkin, Cody Lumpkin, Jonathan Lumpkin and Sarah L. Wyatt; great-grandchild; Wallace Wyatt.

He was preceded in death by his son, Tim Lumpkin.

Visitation is Monday, February 17, from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM and Tuesday from 8:00 AM until the funeral hour.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home, with Brother Jack Green officiating.

Interment will be at Cherokee Memorial Park, following the funeral service.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lumpkin family.

David Paul Venlos: Obituary

Obituaries

David Paul Venlos, age 70, of Big Canoe, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper. He was born July 14, 1949 to Dale and Leona Venlos in Chicago, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy Venlos of Big Canoe; daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Joseph Kammerer of Erie, Pennsylvania; and granddaughter, Stevie Kammerer of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Services are planned for 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2020 at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church with Father Charles Byrd officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Salvation Army.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.

Online condolences may be made at www.roperfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family of David Paul Venlos, please visit Tribute Store.

Robert Owen Allen: Obituary

Obituaries

Services For : Robert Owen Allen

Place Of Service: Big Canoe Chapel; Big Canoe, Georgia 30143

Time & Date of Service : 11:00 a.m. – Saturday, February 29, 2020

Additional Information:

To send flowers to the family of Robert Owen Allen, please visit Tribute Store.

Tamer Mullinax: Obituary

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Mrs. Tamer Mullinax, age 84 of Jasper, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Grandview Nursing Home.

Tamer is survived by her son & daughter-in-law, Ed & Dixie Mullinax of Cartersville; son & daughter-in-law, Audy & Sabrina Mullinax of Jasper; grandchildren, Stephen & wife Sarah Mullinax and Andrew Mullinax; great-grandchild, Cecila Wilde Mullinax; sister, Crystal Fountain of Calhoun; brother, Charlie Long of Ryo.

Tamer is preceded in death by her husband Coy Mullinax; sister, Elsie Fountain; brothers Billy Long and Talmage “Butch” Long; daughter, Phyllis Diane Mullinax and grandson, Jonathan Mullinax.

The receiving of family and friends will be Friday, February 21, between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM and Saturday, February 22, from 10:00 AM until the funeral hour.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home, with Rev Greg Bryant officiating.

Interment will be at County Line Baptist Church Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pickens County Animal Rescue.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Mullinax family.

Miriam Hightower: Obituary

Obituaries

Mrs. Miriam Hightower, age 90 of Jasper, passed away Friday, February 14, 2020 at Pruitt Health.

Mrs. Hightower is survived by her son: Ed Hightower of Jasper; and son & daughter-in-law: Allen & Lolly Hightower of Asheville, NC.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Edward Augustus Hightower Jr. and daughter: Marti Everritt.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hightower family.

Robert Dwight Hill: Obituary

Obituaries

Robert Dwight Hill, age 74, of Fairmount, passed away Monday, February 10, 2020 at Cartersville Medical Center in Cartersville, Georgia. He was born May 28, 1945 to George and Martha Hill in Atlanta.

Mr. Hill is survived by his wife, Kathy Hill of Fairmount; son and daughter-in-law, Dean Hill and Cathy Eaton-Hill of Dover, Florida; step-son and daughter-in-law, John and Angela Hawes of Fairmount; brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Jaime Hill of Tybee Island; grandchildren, Brittney and CJ Jackson of Jasper; and great-grandson, Codey Jackson. Several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.

Memorial Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 14, 2020 at the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with Reverend Max Caylor officiating.

The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral Home, Friday, February 14, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.

Online condolences may be made at www.roperfuneralhome.com.

Shirley Cantrell: Obituary

Obituaries

Mrs. Shirley Cantrell, age 69 of Talking Rock, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

Mrs. Cantrell is survived by her son & daughter-in-law: Gary & Kelly Ann Cantrell of Talking Rock; daughter: Sherry Andrews Wood of Talking Rock; daughter & son-in-law: Angie & Mike Roberts of Talking Rock; sister & brother-in-law: Vivian & Ricky Crump of Ellijay; twelve grandchildren: Benjamin Andrews, Orion Andrews, Brittany Andrews, Hunter Andrews, Tatum Cantrell, Jacque Cantrell, Jacob Cantrell, William Cantrell, Savannah Cantrell, Alan Roberts, Allison Roberts and Aaliyah Roberts; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 11 from 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM and Wednesday from 8:00 AM until the funeral hour,

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Talking Rock Baptist Church, with Rev. Jeff Haley and Rev. Buck Parker officiating.

Interment will be at the church cemetery, following the funeral service.

Pallbearers: Benjamin Andrews, Orion Andrews, Hunter Andrews, Alan Roberts, William Cantrell and Skip Eubanks. Honorary pallbearer: Adam Young.

The family will accept flowers or donations to Cagle Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cantrell family.

Calvin Kirby: Obituary

Obituaries

U.S. Veteran

 

Mr. Calvin Kirby, age 85 of Talking Rock, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Wildwood Health Care.

Mr. Kirby is survived by his sons & daughters-in-law: Tom & Tina Kirby of FL and Dale & Ann Kirby of Jasper; sisters: Ruth Glover and Joann Hammett, both of Spartanburg, SC; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren.

Mr. Kirby was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sue Kirby.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Georgia National Cemetery in Cherokee County.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Diabetes Association.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kirby family.

Jerald Lorraine Bridges: Obituary

Obituaries

Jerald Lorraine Bridges, age 64, of Tate, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Northside Hospital Cherokee. She was born September 21, 1955 to James Henry and Emily Carolyn Bridges in Tate, Georgia.

She is survived by her daughter, Ashley Bridges of Jasper; siblings, James Emory Bridges of Smyrna, Janice D. Williams of Jasper, Jeffery C. Bridges of Washington, D.C., Joey M Russell of Jasper; and a special great-nephew, Montavios A. Bridges of Jasper. A host of nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Services will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Tyrone Gates officiating.

The wake will be at Roper Funeral Home, Friday, February 21, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.

Online condolences may be made at www.roperfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family of Jerald Lorraine Bridges, please visit Tribute Store.

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