Dwayne Jones, 57, of Ball Ground passed away Tuesday September 17, 2019.
Born December 10, 1961, he lived in Cherokee County for 16 years having moved from Forsyth County. Mr. Jones worked as a heavy equipment operator for Duckett Grading. He enjoyed fishing and playing video games with his grandchildren. Dwayne was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his mother, Coliene Nichols, and his sister, Pamela Jones.
Surviving are his special friend, Mary Ellen Case, Ball Ground; father and stepmother, Walter and Judy Jones, Carnesville; sisters and brother in law, Heather and Chris Roland, Dawsonville, Stephanie Lingerfelt, Carnesville, Jennifer Jones, Carnesville; adopted daughter and son in law, Michelle and Steve Duckett, Ball Ground; grandchildren, Penny and Michael Kent, Richard and Brittany Gaydon, Randy and Amanda Gaydon, Josh Gaydon; 10 great grandchildren; aunt, Sally Dishroom; and a number of other relatives.
A memorial service will be held Thursday September 19, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Zion Hill Baptist Church.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

JoAnn Poole, 85, of Dawsonville, GA passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Wednesday August 28, 2019 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born January 16, 1934 in San Francisco, California to the late John and Mary Gray, she had lived in Dawson County for the past 3 years having moved from Blairsville, GA. She began her career as an administrative assistant at Ft. Benning and retired from aircraft maintenance and repair following 20 years of service. She worked at N.A.R.F. at Cherry Point and the Pensacola Naval Air Station. JoAnn was an accomplished artist and had a passion for gardening. She was a member of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Dawsonville and was a former member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville. She was very devoted to her family and her faith.
Surviving are her children, Randy Poole, Newnan, GA, Vicki Adkison, Blairsville, GA, John Poole, Normal, IL, Joe and Jacqueline Poole, Ellijay, GA, Cindy and Bill Elliott, Dawsonville, GA; grandchildren, Marlee Perry, Cristen Agent, Trey Poole, Stevie Adkison Whicker, Josh Adkison, Ashlynn Poole, Addy Jo Poole, Chase Elliott, Brittany Elliott, Starr Elliott; great grandchildren, Andrew Perry, Grayson Perry, Noah Agent, Easton Whicker, Payton Whicker, Kennedy Norton, Champ Bryant; sisters, Rosemary Karam, New Bern, NC, Doris Willis, Beaufort, NC; and a number of other relatives.
The family is planning a private memorial mass and JoAnn will be interred in the family plot at St. Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in New Bern, NC.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 991 Kilough Church Rd, Dawsonville, GA. 30534
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Norma Pirkle McClure, 84, of Dawsonville passed away Thursday July 18, 2019 at Northside Forsyth Hospital following a period of declining health.
Born March 13, 1935 in Hall County to the late Henry and Verdell Pirkle, she lived most of her life in Dawson County. Mrs. McClure retired as the office manager for Southeastern Freezer following 30 years of service. Norma was affectionally known as the “Biscuit Queen” for her biscuit making for the Kilough Community and Fire Station #3 at the annual Fall Festival in Dawsonville. She also enjoyed quilting and playing piano at church. A member of the Order of Easter Star, she was of the Baptist faith and was also preceded in death by a sister, Dortha Lowman Sosebee, and brothers, Ralph Pirkle and John Pirkle.
Surviving are her son and daughter in law, Jerry and Cathy McClure, Dawsonville; daughter and son in law, Sandra and Johnny McBrayer, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Jason and Heidi McClure, Tiffany and Cody Young, Brooke and Jason Williams, Christopher and Amy McBrayer; nine great grandchildren; sister in law, Wilda Pirkle, Dawsonville; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Sunday July 21, 2019 at 3 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Stephen Davis and Rev. Tommy Ross will officiate. Interment will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 2 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Hunter Brayden Land

Hunter Brayden Land, 6, of Dawsonville passed away Saturday May 4, 2019 at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite.

Surviving are his mother, Crystal Gooch, Dawsonville; father, Michael Land, Dawsonville; sister, Chloe Land, Dawsonville; brother, Jacob Land, Dawsonville; grandparents, Donna Gooch, Dawsonville, Jean Land, Cumming, Sam Gooch, Dawsonville; and great grandmother, Judy Hemmic, Dawsonville.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday May 8, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. William Blackwell will officiate. Interment will follow in the Sweetwater Baptist Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday May 8, 2019 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to assist with final expenses.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Ralph Samples, 92, of Dawsonville passed away Wednesday October 2, 2019 at his residence following a period of declining health.
Born April 12, 1927 in Chamblee, Georgia to the late Newman and Julia Samples, he had lived in Dawson County since 1955. Mr. Samples retired as a mail carrier for the U. S. Postal Service following 36 years of service. Upon moving to Dawson County, he and his wife established a cattle and poultry farm but also grew seine and large vegetable gardens. Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, and stamp and coin collecting. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of WWII and was a member of McKee’s Chapel United Methodist Church. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Alice Samples; daughter, Virginia Shealy; grandson, Mikel Kollar; sister, Betty Jean; and brothers, Asa and W. Z. “Buck”.
Surviving are his children, Ray Samples, Dawsonville, Mary Samples Clayton, Douglasville, Margaret and Larry Kollar, Dawsonville; son in law, Stephen Shealy, Dawsonville; 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Saturday October 5, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Newman Samples will officiate. Interment will follow in the McKee’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday from 3 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the McKee’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 2754 Elliott Family Parkway, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Thelma Jean Jerls, 73, of Dawsonville passed away Monday September 9, 2019 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born January 1, 1946 to the late R. B. and Ruby Whitmire, Thelma was a lifelong resident of Dawson County. A loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her family was absolutely the most important part of her life. She lived a lifetime of service to her family, friends and community. Early in life she was employed at Ivan Allen in Gainesville. A talented cook, she also worked in the lunchroom at Dawson County School, held numerous positions at McDonalds in Dawsonville and was beloved by her husband’s coworkers for her desserts and treats. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Jerls; son, Rusty Berry Jerls; brother, Herbert Whitmire; sisters, Judy Coker, Joyce Spain; and brother in law, Kenneth Long.
Surviving are her sons and daughter in law, Robb and Trudy Jerls, Acworth, Rick Jerls, Tennessee; grandsons, Cory Jerls, Jesse Jerls; sister, Laura Dean Long, Dawsonville; brother and sister in law, Guy Rufus and Sarah Whitmire, Tennessee; sister in law, Janice Whitmire, Dawsonville; brothers in law, Bob Coker, Dawsonville, Charlie Spain, Dawsonville; a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Saturday September 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Leonard W. Ridings will officiate. Interment will follow in Sawnee View Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday September 13 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Teeny Tears, www.teenytears.org, a service providing blankets and supplies to families who have lost an infant child.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Ronnie G. Abercrombie, 64, of Dawsonville passed away Friday August 23, 2019 at his residence following a period of declining health.
Born March 29, 1955 in Waltham, Massachusetts to the late Bill and Dot Abercrombie, he had lived in Dawson County for the past 17 years having moved from Cumming. Ronnie retired as a welder for Supreme Metal. He was a U. S. Marine Corps Sergeant of the Vietnam era. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was an avid hunter and also enjoyed fishing, camping, and everything outdoors. Ronnie was also preceded in death by a brother, Billy G. Abercrombie, Jr.
Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Jennifer Abercrombie, Dawsonville; children, Heather Griffin, Kennesaw, Brandice and Tommy Edwards, Gadsden, AL; Shubael Abercrombie, Paulding Co., Jessie Abercrombie, Dawsonville; Sydney and Kyle Ulmer, Rydal, GA; nine grandchildren; sister and brother in law, Susie and Carlton Patterson, Copperhill, TN; brother and sister in law, Gary and Rena Abercrombie, Ducktown, TN; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Friday August 30, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery. Rev. Charlie Rhodes will officiate.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 4 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. stjude.org
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Brenda W. Smith, 71, of Lithonia passed away Monday August 12, 2019 at Emory Decatur Hospital.
Born October 5, 1947 to the late Russ and Charlotte Wilson, she was a lifelong resident of Dekalb County. A homemaker at her death, she was formerly employed as a beautician at Wesley Chapel Coiffeurs. She was an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Decatur where she was dedicated to her work in the church and she was also very devoted to her family. Brenda was also preceded in death by her sister, Joan Ingram; and brothers, Jerry Wilson and Johnny Wilson.
Surviving are her husband of 54 years, Glenn Smith, Lithonia; sons and daughter in law, Glenn “Bucky” and Lori Smith, Evans, GA, Lonnie Russell “Rusty” Smith, Lithonia, Randall Smith and his fiancé, Stacey Brazel, Conyers; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; brothers and sisters in law, Jack D. and Phyllis Wilson, McDonough, Philip and Carol Wilson, Conyers, Nancy Wilson, McDonough; brother in law, Donnie Ingram, Athens; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Friday August 16, 2019 at 12 noon at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Terry Smith will officiate. Interment will follow in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 4 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Robert Vaughn “Rob” Robbins, 60, of Dawsonville passed away Wednesday July 17, 2019 following a sudden illness.
Born March 1, 1959, Rob had been a resident of Dawson County for the past ten years having moved from Alabama. He had earned a degree in business administration from North Georgia College and had worked in sales for a number of years. Rob’s passion was ministry and after earning a Master’s of Theology degree in 1996 he served as a minister at the Assembly of God in Union Springs Alabama. Attending the Church at War Hill after moving to Dawsonville, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jill Shirley Robbins and father, Joe Wayne Robbins.
Surviving are his mother, Mary Ann Robbins, Dawsonville; sisters and brothers in law, Lisa and Kim Mills, Dawsonville, Tammy and Rickey Tatum, Dawsonville, Janice and Mark Anderson, Ohio, Pat and Tod Carmony, Ohio; a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Memorial services will be held Saturday August 3, 2019 at 11 AM at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Owens officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New Life Church of God, PO Box 917, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.