Eloise Short LaReau, wife of Harvey Harold LaReau, Jr., passed away on October 16, 2019.
She is a 22 year resident of Dawsonville and has lived in Georgia for 45 years. Born in Roanoke, VA, and graduating from William Byrd High School, she grew up in a simpler time and had a great fondness for an impressive lightning storm, a breathtaking view of the mountains, a brilliant sunset and the sweet softness of a baby. These inspired in her a tremendous awe of God.
She baked beautiful and delicious cakes and cookies for all occasions. She was an accomplished seamstress and adept at crocheting and knitting as well. Each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have at least one “Meema blanket” which she specifically designed and made for them. She was exceptionally good with children and got so much joy out of loving and playing with them. All the members of her family cherished the many camping trips with her, making waffles in the morning, working puzzles and playing board games together. She was always smiling and giving hugs, and like her father, she put others first.
She couldn’t speak more than a few words the last year of her life, and none the last few months, but you could tell in her countenance when she looked at Harvey, her husband of 46 years, she thought he hung the sun, moon and stars. He was her everything.
Eloise is survived by her great-granddaughters Nylah Young and Nevaeh Young; grandchildren Erica Young (Josh), Christian Fulbright, Gabriel Fulbright, Joshua Brown, Dashiel LaReau, and Sam Stellberg; son Harvey Harold LaReau, III (Kiri Soares); daughters Angela Fulbright Kiertekles (Ray), Robin LaReau Brown (Bill), and Christina Anthony (Eddie), and husband Harvey Harold LaReau, Jr.; as well as her sister Carol Richardson; brothers Jim Short (Shirley) and George Short (Ernie); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her father George “Pete” Short; mother Dorothy “Dot” Hayden Short; sisters Jean Hutson (Earl), Ellen Lotts; and brother Ralph Short (Barbara).
The viewing will be on Wednesday October 23, 2019 at 1:30PM at Cornerstone Christian Church, 236 Etowah River Road in Dawsonville, GA 30534 where she has been a faithful member for many years. The funeral service will follow at 3:00PM. There will be an opportunity for whomever would like, to share thoughts and memories of Eloise during the service. Interment services will be held on Thursday October 24, 2019 at 1:30PM at Georgia National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your thoughts in cards.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Gus Baker, 64, of Dawsonville passed away suddenly at his residence on Friday September 6, 2019.
Born January 28, 1955 in Hall County to the late Robbie and Elizabeth Baker, he had lived in Dawson County for over 50 years having moved here from Forsyth County. Gus owned and operated ABC Boat Repair and was also employed at Atlanta Attachment. He was an avid sports fan and formerly coached Little League baseball, basketball, and football. Gus enjoyed go-cart racing, boating, all activities on the water and was very devoted to his grandchildren. He was of the Pentecostal faith and was also preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Baker, and a brother, Raymond “Moe” Baker.
Surviving are his children, Dusty Baker, Dawsonville; Sheree and Michael Moore, Gainesville, Shawn Baker and his fiancé, Ashley Brown, Dahlonega; grandchildren, Hailey Moore, Lucas Baker, Kaia Belton, Grayson Baker; sister and brother in law, Ann and Eddie Jones, Cumming; brother, Wayne Baker, Gainesville, and his fiancé, Cheryl Knapp.
Funeral services will be held Thursday September 12, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Chris Ellis will officiate. Interment will follow in the Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Gail Tatum Walker, 58, of Dawsonville passed away Monday August 5, 2019 following a period of declining health.
Born June 25, 1961, Gail was a lifelong resident of Dawson County. A 1979 graduate of Dawson County High School, she also graduated from Pickens Technical College. Gail was formerly employed by AT&T after which she worked for Brogdon C.P.A. She enjoyed collecting Fenton glassware and was an active member of McKees Chapel United Methodist Church where she served as church treasurer and pianist. Preceding her in death were her father, Henry Tatum; a brother, J. H. Pruett; and a sister, Christine Pruett.
Surviving are her husband of 40 years, Alan Walker, Dawsonville; children, Terrell Walker, Cleveland, Holly and Brad Howarth, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Amelia Walker, Henry Walker; mother, Aline Tatum, Dawsonville; sisters and brother in law, Brenda Gee, Dawsonville, Faye Pruett, Tiger, Susan and Jackie Grizzle, Ellijay, Wanda Ray, Dawsonville, Sharon Pruett, Dawsonville; brothers and sisters in law, James and Linda Pruett, Dawsonville, Walter and Shelba Pruett, Marble Hill, Tommy Tatum, Dawsonville; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Friday August 9, 2019 at 2 o’clock at McKees Chapel United Methodist Church. Rev. Justin Combs will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Dennis James Alldred

Dennis James Alldred, 66, of Dawsonville, GA passed away Wednesday March 20, 2019 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta from complications following a lung transplant.

Born September 5, 1952 in Abington, PA to the late James and Mary Alldred, Dennis was a 1970 graduate of Evans High School in Orlando, FL and a 1974 graduate of Cumberland College in Williamsburg, KY. He held advanced degrees in education from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and the University of Georgia in Athens. A retired school teacher and coach, he coached football and baseball in Orlando for 12 years and continued teaching and coaching in Forsyth County for the next 26 years, retiring in 2012 with 38 years of service. Mr. Alldred was a lifelong Catholic and was a member of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Dawsonville for the past 30 years. Dennis was an avid Notre Dame fan and loved nothing better than watching college football with friends on the weekends. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Alldred.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jenny Holman Alldred, Dawsonville; daughter, Dr. Mary Alldred and her fiancé Dr. Jon Borrelli, Plattsburgh, NY; brother, James J. Alldred, Dawsonville; cousin, Rita (Jim) Lowe, Dawsonville; special friends, Thomas and Tammi Edwards, Dawsonville; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held Monday March 25, 2019 at 11 o’clock at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. Fr. Brian J. Higgins will officiate. Mr. Alldred will be taken to Corbin, KY for interment in the Pine Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Jeffrey Campbell Evans Foundation, www.jcevansfoundation.org, or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
Condolences may expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Pamela Lynn “Pam” Ritter (Kent)

Pamela Lynn “Pam” Ritter, 53, of Dawsonville passed away Friday February 22, 2019 at her residence following a sudden illness.

Pam was born June 18, 1965 in Atlanta and had lived in Dawson County for the past 26 years having moved from Cumming. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sarah Kent.

Surviving are her husband, Daniel Ritter, Dawsonville; daughter, Caitlyn Gallichotte, Australia; father and stepmother, Larry and Nancy Kent, Good Hope, GA; sister, Karen Spradling, Cumming; brother and sister in law, Greg and Melanie Kent, Ball Ground; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday February 26, 2019 at 1 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel.
The family will receive friends Tuesday beginning at 12 noon at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Thomas William “Bill” Cofield Sr.

Thomas William “Bill” Cofield, Sr. 85 of Dahlonega, GA passed away Friday, February 15, 2019 at his residence after a period of declining health. He was born to the late Robert and Gertrude Cofield in Fulton County Georgia. He was a life long resident of Dahlonega, GA and a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Dahlonega, GA, and Etowah Masonic Lodge F&AM #222 for over 50 years. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved bluegrass music, gold panning, metal detecting and traveling in his RV. He was very proud of the work he accomplished doing sheet metal and copper metal working. Bill was a US Navy veteran who served during the Korean War.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Jean Cofield; son, Gerald Lee Springfield; and sister, Bobbie Chieppa.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jerri Cofield of Dahlonega, GA; children, Thomas “Tommy” and Kay Cofield of Dahlonega, GA, Valorie and Jerry Jarrard of Dahlonega, GA, Elizabeth and Greg Bell of Dahlonega, GA, Blaine and Paula Springfield of Canton, GA, Karen and Mike Hamann of Suwanee, GA; grandchildren, Stephen, Daniel and Ariel, Chris and Jordan, Sarah, Chase, Andrew and Megan, Matthew, Stacy, Jerry; great grandchildren, Colton, Case, Asher, McKenzie, Luke and Brianna; and numerous other relatives survive.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverends, Kris Butler and Lyman Caldwell will officiate. Interment will follow the funeral at Bethel Baptist Church, Dawsonville, GA.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.beardenfuneralhome.com

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA

Ruby “Bertie” Harmon

Ruby “Bertie” Harmon, 85, of Dawsonville passed away Monday January 28, 2019 at New Horizons Lanier Park following a period of declining health.

Born March 29, 1933, Mrs. Harmon was originally from Columbia, Missouri where she met her husband. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville. Bertie was a wonderful cook and enjoyed bowling but her family was the most important of all. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, James A. Harmon; daughters, Pamela Jane Thompson, Cindy Harmon and numerous siblings.

Surviving are her son and daughter in law, Gary and Linda Harmon of Kansas; daughters and sons in law, Susan and Chris Walsh of Dawsonville; Patty and David Cronic of Lawrenceville; sister and brother in law, Kay and Ronnie Wade of Missouri; grandchildren, T.J. Reynolds, Kristin Harmon, Joseph Reynolds, Justin Harmon, Matthew Reynolds, Jason Reynolds, Rachel Harmon, Heather Davenport, Samantha Thompson, Natalie Harmon; 18 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday January 30, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Frank Colladay will officiate. Interment will follow in Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday January 29 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New Horizons Lanier Park, 675 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Raymond “Ray” Wells

Raymond “Ray” Wells, 74, of Dawsonville passed away Saturday January 26, 2019 at his residence following a sudden illness.

Mr. Wells was born June 13, 1944 in the old Downey Hospital in Gainesville. He was formerly employed by AT&T after which he owned and operated Westside Electronics in Gainesville. Ray enjoyed restoring automobiles and was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Aline and Floyd Stowers, and a brother, Donald Stowers.

Surviving are Brenda Good, Dawsonville; sisters and brothers in law, Henrietta and Ron Delvinthal, Gainesville, Harriett Wells, Baldwin, Joyce and Frank Garrett, Gainesville, Jolene Smith, Goldsboro, NC; brother and sister in law, Arnold and Ellen Stowers, Gainesville; and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Thursday January 31, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Tony Holtzclaw will officiate. Interment will follow in the Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 12 noon until 2 p.m.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Herbert Don Baty, age 88 of Dahlonega, formerly of Alpharetta, died January 10, 2019.
Mr. Baty was born in Highlands, NC and was a retired machinist with Scientific Atlanta.
The family will receive friends Sunday 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Bearden Funeral Home in Dawsonville, GA. The burial will follow at Highlands Memorial Park at the first of the week.
He is survived by his sons, Kenny Baty, Buster Baty and Greg Baty; brother, Clarence M. Doc Baty of Social Circle; Eleven grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Dorothy M. Rouse, 96, of Dawsonville passed away Saturday December 15, 2018 at the Oaks at Towne Lake following a period of declining health.
Born January 27, 1922 in Hall County to the late Leonard and Clara Moore, she lived a number of years in Atlanta and Douglas County before moving to Dawson County in 2001. Mrs. Rouse served as a school crossing guard in Atlanta for several years after which she worked in nursing at Cobb General Hospital in Austell. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 78 years, Loy C. Rouse and a sister, Sue Hoeflich.
Surviving are her children, Everett and Marsha Rouse, Pine Mountain, Susan Elaine Buchanan, Woodstock, Howard and Norma Rouse, Tybee Island, Bill and Nancy Rouse, Acworth; eleven grandchildren, twenty five great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday December 18, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Sven Mossinger will officiate. Interment services will be held at Mozley Memorial Gardens in Lithia Springs at 3 o’clock.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Billie B. Bond, 91, of Dawsonville passed away Friday December 14, 2018.
Born March 24, 1927 in Washington, Indiana to the late Arthur and Olive Davidson, she had lived in Dawsonville for the past year having moved from Lake Alfred, Florida. Mrs. Bond retired from State Farm following 29 years of service. A member of Lake Alfred Presbyterian Church, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Marion Bond; great grandson, Christian Pach; and a sister, Jane Hibbens.
Surviving are her daughter and son in law, Cindy and Jack Jones, Dawsonville; three grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Tuesday December 18, 2018 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Bearden Funeral Home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.