Janice L. Bailey, 76, of Dawsonville passed away Tuesday December 24, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Born September 20, 1943 in Atlanta, GA to the late Jim and Eula Norwood, she had lived in Dawson County since 1985 having moved from Alpharetta. A homemaker at her death, she was formerly employed by Triple Crown Blanket. Janice enjoyed decorating her home for Christmas and Easter. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and was also preceded in death by a sister, Melba Hatton, and a brother, Sidney Norwood.
Surviving are her husband of 56 years, Doyce “Beetle” Bailey, Dawsonville; children, Yvonne and Alberto Sanchez, Franklin and Betty Bailey, Michael Bailey, all of Dawsonville; grandchildren, James Sizemore, Amber Bailey, Bryan Sanchez, Derek Sanchez; great grandson, Dylan Fricks; and a number of other friends and relatives.
The family will receive friends Friday December 27, 2019 from 4 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Mary Ellen Felson, 77, of Dawsonville, GA passed away on December 25, 2019 at her residence. She is survived by her husband, Ronald B. Felson of Dawsonville, GA; children, Barbara and Chris Parsons of Hattiesburg, MS., Brenda Cores of Highlands Ranch, CO, Robert and Jackie Buick of Beverton, OR, David Buick of Florida, Andrew Felson of Alpharetta, GA; grandchildren, Ryan, Quentin (Kristin), Adam, Brianna, Maggie, Jacob, and Victoria; great grandson, Cooper.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Dawsonville, GA.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA

Cathy Abbott, 64, of Cumming passed away Friday December 27, 2019 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born August 28, 1955 in Rome, Georgia to the late George and Barbara Sue Henderson, she had lived in Forsyth County for the past 8 years having moved from Hollywood, Florida. Cathy retired as the IT Director for the city of Hollywood, Florida following many years of service. She possessed a tremendous love for animals. Cathy was also preceded in death by her son, Kevin Beall.
Surviving are her sisters and brother in law, Donna and Don Owen, Cumming, Gina Van Vliet and her fiancé, Tony Sexton, Dawsonville; brother and sister in law, Bruce and Louanne Henderson, Cumming; and a number of other relatives.
Graveside services will be held Monday December 30, 2019 at 2 o’clock at the Dawsonville Memorial Gardens. Rev. Craig Richard will officiate.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Forsyth County Humane Society, 4440 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming, Georgia 30041.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Grace Phillips, 96, of Dawsonville passed away Friday December 20, 2019 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born January 24, 1923 in Fulton County to the late Guy and Ether Barfield, she had lived in Dawson County since 1982 having moved from Dunwoody. She retired from the Roswell Pants Factory in 1973 following 32 years of service. Grace was a member of Dunwoody Presbyterian Church and was also preceded in death by her husbands, Marshall Southern and Horace “Hoss” Phillips; sisters, Betty Pietrzak, Gladys Keller, Annie Mae Roper, Ruby Burrell; and brothers, Herman Barfield, Emory Barfield, and Frank Barfield.
Surviving are her sister, Ethel Manning, Ellenwood; special friends and caregivers, Billy and Teresa Rice, Dawsonville; and a number of other relatives.
Graveside services will be held Saturday December 28, 2019 at 1 o’clock in the Roswell City Cemetery. Mr. Bill Rice will officiate.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Glenda Jane Morris, 51, of Winder passed away Friday December 13, 2019 at her residence.
Born December 27, 1967 in Buford, Georgia, she had lived in Winder for 20 years. She was formerly employed by Publix, and enjoyed poetry, reading, cooking, and crafts. Glenda was preceded in death by her father, James Lingerfelt, and a brother, Roger Lingerfelt.
Surviving are her companion, George Manders, Winder; sons and daughters in law, Drew and Danielle Morris, Jackson County, Ryan and Brittany Morris, Decatur; grandchildren, Camden, Charlotte, Lenox, and Rylan; mother and stepfather, Willie and Mitch Evans, Gainesville; sisters and brother in law, Barbara Waller, Mt. Airy, Linda and Eric Reed, Gainesville, Patricia Skinner, Winder, Lisa Lingerfelt and her companion, James McCloud, Winder; brother and sister in law, Jamie and Becky Lingerfelt, Clarkesville; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Monday December 16, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Pleasant Hill Full Gospel Church with the remains placed in state at 1 o’clock. Rev. Shirley Anglin and Rev. Hugh Lee Hubbard will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Melaine T. Gillis, 96, of Dawsonville passed away Sunday October 13, 2019, at North Georgia Assisted Living following a period of declining health.
Born May 1, 1923, in Estonia to the late Jury and Anna Paalberg, she has lived in Dawsonville for the past 3 years having moved from Des Moines, Iowa. A homemaker at her death, she formerly worked as a secretary for the Des Moines School System. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines. During WW II she married her first husband, 1st Lt. Cleo “Mike” Misel. She made great sacrifices to leave Estonia and join her husband in West Liberty, Iowa. After his death she married Richard Gillis who also precedes her in death. Melaine enjoyed painting, quilting, singing and loved writing letters.
Surviving are her daughters and sons in law, Laury and Jim Braby, Troy, Ohio, Cindy and Steve Stowers, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Chad and Shelley Braby, Lisa and Robert Bennett, Mark and Jennifer Braby, Lorann Rowan and Chris Moore, Katrina and Phillip Bailey; great grandchildren, Isabelle Braby, Eliza Braby, Sarah Harper Bennett, McKay Bennett, Claire Bennett, Carolyn Braby, Sawyer Braby, Taylor and Jessi Rowan, Tiffanie Rowan and Kyle Shaffer, Lexie Bailey, Lakyn Bailey, Logan Bailey; great great grandchildren, Braelyn Rowan, Everett Rowan, and Kora Shaffer.
A celebration of her life will be held Sunday October 20, 2019, at 7 p.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. Eddie Martin and Rev. Corey Gilleland will officiate.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 4 until 7 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Dawsonville Baptist Church, P. O. Box 935, Dawsonville, GA 30534, for the purchase of a Greg Olsen painting called “The Comforter”.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Lois W. Bailey Ridley was born in Dawson County on October 22, 1931. She passed away on Tuesday October 8, 2019.
Lois was a very active member of the Liberty Baptist Church and a faithful and loyal friend to many in our community. She provided and maintained the Liberty Baptist Church sign for 18 years. She was a very devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed gospel music, sang in the church choir for 20 years, fed and attracted man species of birds to her yard, and loved to grow plants and flowers. Lois helped many neighbors during their illnesses and carried entire meals for their family as she truly loved her neighbors and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Nora Clark Whelchel, five brothers and two sisters.
Lois is survived by her husband of 36 years, Harlen Ridley, Dawsonville; daughter, Vicky B. Milum, Dawsonville; son, Ricky Bailey, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Andy and Melissa Bailey, Cumming, Eric and Staci Bailey, Buford, Chad Milum, Dawsonville; great grandchildren, Jaelyn Celeste Milum, Destin Shaw Milum, Eli Bailey, Cora Bailey, Leah Bailey, Lola Bailey; brothers, Howard Whelchel, Gainesville, Charles Whelchel, Gainesville; sister, Nora Mae Dodd, Gainesvillle; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Thursday October 10, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Liberty Baptist Church. Rev. Stephen Davis, Rev. Ruel Martin, Rev. Tim Biddy, and Rev. Dennis Bottoms will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Melba M. Hatton, 71, of Dawsonville passed away Friday December 6, 2019 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born January 14, 1948 to the late James and Eula Bell Norwood, she had spent most of her life in North Georgia. Melba retired from K-Mart after 20 years of service after which she was employed by Stein Mart for 9 years. A member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Buford, she was also preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond H. “Larry” Hatton, Hotrod McKenzie; daughter, Sabrina McKenzie; grandson, Tyler McKenzie, granddaughter, Alicia Born; brother, Sidney Norwood.
Surviving are her children, Tony Ray Shirley, Samantha Gail Adams; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Janice Bailey, all of Dawsonville.
Memorial services will be held Saturday December 14, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel followed by a procession and interment in Sawnee View Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 12 noon until the hour of service on Saturday.
In appreciation for their generous donations while their mother was under hospice care, the family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to First Baptist Church of Cumming, 1597 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Michael J. “Mike” Saner, 77, of Dawsonville passed away on Tuesday October 8, 2019 at his residence.
Make was born December 30, 1941 in Red Oak, Iowa to the late John and Marian Saner. He lived in Roswell for 20 years and moved to Dawson County since 2008 having moved from Greensboro, GA. Mr. Saner was truly and entrepreneur beginning his career in sales with Motorola and going on to start and run several successful companies. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and was a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and was an avid Cornhuskers fan. Mike loved golf, spending time on the lake, and spending time with his 5 grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gary Saner.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Janice Saner, Dawsonville; daughters and son in law, Lisa and Eric Eichler, Cumming, Kim Cheek, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Evan Eichler, Ada Eichler, Lila Cheek, Bo Cheek, Mikey Cheek; sisters and brothers in law, Cheryl and Bruce Burkland, Prairie City, Iowa, Linda and Frank Mason, Omaha, Nebraska, Denise Saner, Omaha, Nebraska; brother and sister in law, Tom and Peggy Saner, Overland Park, Kansas; and a number of other relatives.
A celebration of life will be held Monday October 14, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Fr. Brian Higgins will officiate.
The family will receive friends beginning at 1 o’clock Monday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Walter Joseph France, 71, of Dawsonville passed away Tuesday October 8, 2019.
Mr. France was born in Bronx, NY to the late Walter Eugene France and Josephine Mobilio France. Also preceding him in death are his sister, Diana Dyche; and his brothers, Frank France and James France.
Walter served proudly in the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Upon returning he attended Northeast Missouri State University earning an Associate Degree in Physical Education. He loved basketball and baseball and was very good at both. He married Lisa Rhoades and started managing hotels before returning to New York. He retired from the U. S. Postal Service with over 30 years of service. He loved his family dearly and helped them even through their adult lives. His contagious smile and playful antics will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa France, Dawsonville; brother, Nicholas France and his wife Patricia, Chestnut Ridge, NY; sisters, Joyce Keegan and her husband John, Suffern, NY, Florence DeStefano and her husband James, Suffern, NY; his sister in law, Myrene France, Suffern, NY; daughters, Kristina Horton and Janet France, both of Dawsonville; grandchildren, Joseph France, Kelsie Horton, Jennifer Horton, Isaac Henderson, all of Dawsonville; a great grandson, Zy’mir Horton-Sims; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday October 14, 2019 at 11 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Daren Wise will officiate. Interment will follow in the Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends Monday beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.