Kate Cranford Evans, 89, of Dawsonville passed away Saturday October 5, 2019 at Evergreen Terrace following a period of declining health.
Born May 7, 1930 to the late Henry and Lilly Cranford, she lived most of her life in Forsyth County before moving to Dawson County. Affectionally known as Granny, she was a lifelong member of Lebanon Baptist Church. Kate was also preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Evans; grandson, Cody Evans; and numerous brothers and sisters.
Surviving are her son and daughter in law, Michael and Sandra Evans, Dawsonville; granddaughter and grandson in law, Whitney and Paul Harper, Dawsonville; great grandchildren, Layla and Deacon Harper; sister, Susie Moore, Dawsonville; sister in law, Thelma Nichols, Cumming; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Sunday October 6, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Brandon Benefield and Rev. Joey Mullinax will officiate. Interment will follow in Sawnee View Gardens.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 5 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Shop-With-A-Cop, Attn: Sandra Evans, 19 Tucker Avenue, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Tim Byrd, 65, of Dawsonville passed away Friday September 20, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Born July 13, 1954, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County. Along with his brother in law, they owned and operated All Purpose Paving. Tim enjoyed hunting, cooking, and was an avid NASCAR fan. He was extremely devoted to his family and loved spending time with his friends. A member of Bethel United Methodist Church, he loved spending time at Lumpkin Campground. Tim was preceded in death by a daughter, Danielle Byrd; and his father, Marcus Byrd.
Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Janet Byrd, Dawsonville; children, Amy and Symone Watkins, Lawrenceville, T.J. and Kassie Byrd, Dawsonville, Jana Byrd, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Noah Watkins, Jackson Watkins; mother, Thelma Byrd, Dawsonville; sisters and brothers in law, Deborah and Kenny Pelfrey, Dawsonville, Sheila and Jimmy Holbrook, Dawsonville; brother and sister in law, Mark and Linda Byrd, Dawsonville; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Monday September 23, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bethel United Methodist Church. Rev. Pete Martin, Rev. Doug Carnes, and Dr. David Sanders will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lumpkin Campground, c/o Brian Martin, 4945 Hubert Martin Road, Cumming, GA 30028.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Edward Bailey Thompson, 90, of Conyers stepped into Glory with His Savior Wednesday morning, September 11, 2019.
After graduating from Humes High School in Memphis, TN, he enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Korean War. He continued his education at the University of Tennessee where he met wife of 62 years, Gailya Smith Thompson, graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering and began his career. Edward retired from Fischbach and Moore in 1987 and enjoyed his many friends at Heritage Hills Baptist Church where he was a member.
“Papa” enjoyed his last four days at a beach condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama with family, their spouses and his four great grand kiddos. He was the kindest most honorable man, never complained about anything, always looking for the best in everyone, knowing God was in control of all things. Edward will be missed for his patience, wisdom and abundant love for all.

He is preceded in death by his parents James Casper and Vienna Morrison Thompson along with his brothers James C. Thompson Jr., John D. Thompson, and two grandsons, Andrew Bailey Moore and Jonathan Edward Moore.

Surviving are his wife Gailya Smith Thompson, children Caroline T. Moore (Timothy Moore) Tehachapi, CA, Jennifer T. Dillon (Michael Dillon) Gainesville, Ga., and Bailey Thompson (Lindsay Thompson) Huntsville, Al. “Papa” was adored by his seven grandchildren, Drake Dillon of Gainesville GA, Kelsey Ellison of Houston, TX, Calilee Watson of Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Abigail Murphy of Houston, TX, Savannah Price of Ann Arbor, MI and Daniel and Levi Thompson of Huntsville, AL, and four great grandchildren.
The family is planning private memorial services.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to Heritage Hills Baptist Church, Faith Commitment Missions, 2987 Hwy. 212, Conyers, GA 30094.
Services in care of Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Nolan Gee

Nolan Gee, 66, of Dahlonega passed away Tuesday May 14, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Born May 21, 1952, Mr. Gee had been a resident of Dahlonega for the past 30 years. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Forsyth County and worked with the City of Cumming Water Department as a Waste Water Operator Class 1 for the past 15 years. A loving and devoted husband, son, father, brother and grandfather, Nolan had thoroughly enjoyed operating a booth at Dixie 400 Flea Market for the past 20 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Wiley Gee and step-father, Bob Wilkerson.

Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Virginia Gee of Dahlonega; mother, Mildred Wilkerson of Cumming; sons and daughters in law, James and Marlene Gee of Dawsonville, Jack and Halley Gee of Dahlonega; sister and brother in law, Judy and Emory Jones of Cleveland; brothers and sisters in law, Eddie and Peggy Gee, Rodney Gee, Aaron and Janice Gee, all of Cumming; grandchildren, Jesse Gee, Max Gee, Allison Gee; close nephew, Michael and Melissa Gee of Dawsonville; a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday May 24, 2019 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 25, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Forsyth County. Rev. Nathan Martin and Rev. Greg Rawlins will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Vesta Orr, 8165 Bethel Road, Gainesville, GA 30506.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Joyce Gardner, 87, of Dawsonville passed away Thursday October 24, 2019 at Seasons Hospice following a period of declining health.
Born October 21, 1932 in Virginia Beach, Virginia to the late Cecil and Mamie Nelson, she had lived in Dawson County for the past 46 years having moved from Dekalb County. A homemaker at her death, Joyce was formerly employed at Sweet-Orr and Hasco. She was extremely devoted to her grandchildren. Joyce was also preceded in death by her husband, John P. Gardner.
Surviving are her daughters and sons in law, Robin G. and Denis Perkins, Irene G. and Michael Voyles, all of Dawsonville; grandchildren, Ethan M. Voyles and Salem M. Voyles.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday October 29, 2019 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Robert Pruett, 76, of Dawsonville, GA passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 after an extended illness. He was born to the late Riley and Irene Pruett. He was a member of Sweetwater Baptist Church, Dawsonville, GA. Robert loved to garden and was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Roy Pruett, sisters, Joyce Pruett Howard and Mary Frances Pruett.

He is survived by his wife, Jennell Pruett of Dawsonville, GA; daughters and sons in law, Cynthia Nichols of Donalsonville, GA, Nancy and Kevin Jones of Rydal, GA, Frances Pruett and Jerry Cunningham of Donalsonville, GA, Rita Pruett of Dawsonville, GA, Julie Hutton of Dawsonville, GA, Candie and Wendell Parkey of Dahlonega, GA; sons and daughter in law, Robert Joseph Pruett of Dublin, GA, Lanier and Angela Voyles of Dahlonega, GA; 23 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; and numerous other relatives survive.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel, Dawsonville, GA with the Reverends, James Pruett and Tim Hubbard officiating. Interment will follow the service at Sweetwater Baptist Church Cemetery, Dawsonville, GA.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to off set the funeral expenses.

Condolence may be left online at www.beardenfuneralhome.com

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA

J. C. Whitmire, 82, of Dawsonville passed away Tuesday August 27, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a short illness.
Born October 4, 1936 in Forsyth County to the late Hoyt and Grace Whitmire, he lived in Dawson County most of his life. J. C. retired from General Motors following 30 years of service. Mr. Whitmire was a member of Liberty Baptist Church and was also preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Emma Dean Whitmire; son, Donald Whitmire; and sisters, Sue Whitmire and Lois Whitmire.
Surviving are his sons and daughters in law, David Whitmire and Heather Lyle, Dawsonville, Dale Whitmire and Teresa Headrick, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Courtney Headrick, Jennifer Adams, Taylor Cash, Daniel Walker; great grandchildren, Leon Heng, Benjamin Adams; brothers and sisters in law, Ricky and Jeanette Whitmire, Dawsonville, Bobby and Amy Whitmire, Dawsonville; and a nephew, Luke Whitmire.
Funeral services will be held Thursday August 29, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Liberty Baptist Church. Rev. Bobby Whitmire, Rev. Stephen Davis and Rev. Dennis Bottoms will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 3 until 8 Wednesday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Sandy L. Adams, 73, of Dawsonville passed away Monday July 22, 2019 at Northside Forsyth Hospital.
Born June 14, 1946 in Atlanta, GA to the late J. T. and Estell Adams, he had lived in Dawson County since 1981 having moved from Alpharetta. Sandy was formerly employed by the Atlanta Waterworks and then worked over 20 years for the Etowah Water and Sewer Authority until his retirement. He attended the Set Free Church in Dawsonville and was a Past Master of Etowah Lodge #222 F&AM. Sandy enjoyed hunting, riding motorcycles, and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Adams.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Doris Adams, Dawsonville; children, Sandra and Richard Frazier, Dawsonville, Michael and Amanda Adams, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Dana and Westin Lee, Mitchell Adams, Brittany Smith, Josie Adams, Tiffany Hughes, Bradley Smith, Parker Kincaid, Haden Kincaid; great grandsons, Carter Jones, Landon Lee; sisters and brother in law, Betty Dobbs, Canton, Geraldine and Fred Price, Cumming; brother and sister in law, Earl M. and Anne Adams, Canton; and a number of other relatives.
The family will receive friends Friday from 4 until 8 at the funeral home with Masonic Rites at 7 p.m.
A memorial service will be held Saturday July 27, 2019 at 3 o’clock at the Set Free Church in Dawsonville. Pastor Marty Dunkerly and Rev. Joe Ezzard will officiate.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Set Free Church, 2441 Dawson Forest Road East, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.