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.

Lucille Evans, 95, of Dawsonville passed away Monday October 14, 2019 at North Georgia Assisted Living following a period of declining health.
Born August 19, 1924 in Pickens County, she had lived in Dawson County most of her life. Lucille was a very loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She raised three wonderful sons who have continued her legacy. Mrs. Evans was a member of Sweetwater Baptist Church and her church family was very important to her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Ed Evans; son, Everett Evans; her parents and a number of siblings.
Surviving are her sons and daughters in law, Eugene and Donna Evans, Fairhope, AL, David Evans and Rebecca Reed, Dawsonville, Lucille Evans, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Denise Allen, Cindy Johnson, Stephanie Cruse, Jacquelyn Evans, Brandon Evans, Jennifer Thompson, Nicole Jackson; 11 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; sister, Erline Burden, Elberton; and a number of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Thursday October 17, 2019 at 3 o’clock at Sweetwater Baptist Church. Rev. Rodney Pilcher, Rev. Harold Evans, and Rev. Mark Flowers will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Sweetwater Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 189 Sweetwater Church Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Cliff Cofield, 65, of Dawsonville passed away Sunday October 6, 2019 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Cofield was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert “Sonny” and Peggy Cofield; and a brother, Scott Cofield.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Nancy Cofield, Dawsonville; sons and daughter in law, Chad and Deedra Cofield, Dawsonville, Harley Cofield and his fiancé, Heidi Baird, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Chris, Chase, Hunter, Jacob, Trey, Madelyn; sister and brother in law, Debe and Steve Summers, Monroe, GA; favorite niece, Chrisy Mramor, and her husband, Brooks, and their children, Hayla and Colton.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday October 9, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Randall Popham, Rev. Jason Hamby, and Rev. Andy Wallace will officiate. Interment will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Clayton Vaughters, 3165 Highway 136 West, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.