Mary Ellen Felson: Obituary
Obituaries December 29, 2019
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: Obituary
Obituaries December 29, 2019
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: Obituary
Obituaries December 24, 2019
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.
City Ethics Board will hear complaint against councilman Friday
News December 16, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The City of Dawsonville Ethics Board will meet Friday at 3 p.m. in the G.L. Gilleland Chambers in City Hall to hear the city’s complaint that City Councilman Mark French violated nine provisions of the city’s Ethics Ordinance.
The complaint stems from French’s effort to get city government to answer a citizen’s question.
On Nov. 7, Dawsonville resident Steve Sanvi sent an email to City Manager Bob Bolz to ask how residency is determined for a city council member. “If you own a home in the district elected and another outside the district, how is the primary residence determined,” Sanvi asked.
Bolz’s response was, “I believe those are legal questions that are outside my expertise.”
French then requested that Bolz speak to City Attorney Dana Miles to provide an accurate answer to the inquiry.
Sanvi was attempting to determine if Councilman Jason Power lived in the district he was elected to represent. During the Nov. 18 city council meeting, Power resigned his office and council voted to issue the ethics complaint against French.
“I believe this is completely frivolous and I will fight it with every fiber of my being,” French said last week during a phone interview with Fetch Your News. “I did not ask for anything improper. I asked the city manager to coordinate with the county attorney to draft a proper response to a citizen’s inquiry.”
Included in the provisions French is alleged to have violated are the following:
Sec 2-77 (1) No city official shall use such position to secure special privileges or exemptions for himself or herself or others or to secure confidential information for any purpose other than official duties on behalf of the city;
Sec. 2-77 (2) No city official in any matter before the council or other city body relating to a person or entity in which the official has a substantial interest, shall fail to disclose for the records such interest prior to any discussion or vote or fail to recuse himself or herself from such discussion or vote as applicable;
Sec. 2-77 (3) All public funds shall be used for the people and not for personal gain;
Sec. 2-77 (10) No city official shall use city facilities, personnel, equipment or supplies for private purposes except to the extent such are available to the public.
Both sides will provide evidence to the three-member Board. Members of the Board include Marcus Sewell, Shelly Martin and Calvin Byrd.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 12/9 – 12/15
Arrest Reports, Police & Government December 16, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 35-01-18) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Dawson County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.

Craig Michael Masaitis: Obituary
Obituaries December 8, 2019
Service Details
Richard Strawn: Obituary
Obituaries December 8, 2019
Richard Strawn, 91, of Dawsonville passed away Thursday December 5, 2019 at The Phoenix at Milton following a period of declining health.
Born November 30, 1928 in Jacksonville, FL to the late Charles Franklin and Exa Mae Strawn, he grew up in Henry County and lived in the metropolitan Atlanta area before moving to Dawson County in 1989. Mr. Strawn worked over 30 years in the steel warehouse industry and retired from Namasco Steel. He was a member of Dawsonville Baptist Church and was also preceded in death by his brothers, Roy Strawn, Ronnie Strawn, and stepsister, Kitty Shipler.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Jean Strawn, Dawsonville; daughter and son in law, Deena and Sean Coughlin, Duluth; grandsons, Patrick Coughlin, Colby Coughlin, Cameron Coughlin; great granddaughter, Kinley Coughlin; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Sunday December 8, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. David Pickard and Rev. Phil DeMore will officiate. Interment will follow in Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Sunday December 8 beginning at 12:30.
It was Richard’s request that no flowers be sent but to make donations to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Scottish Rite. choa.org
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.
Glenda Jane Morris: Obituary
Obituaries December 15, 2019
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.
Chris Richardson: Obituary
Obituaries December 8, 2019
Chris Richardson, 51, of Bishop, Georgia passed away Monday December 2, 2019 at Piedmont Hospital.
Born August 27, 1968 he had lived in Bishop for the past 8 years. Chris was born and raised in Griffin and was a 1986 graduate of Griffin High School. He attended Georgia Tech and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Clayton State University. He worked as a Senior HR Manager at AT&T for over 20 years and continued to work until his illness prevented it. A beloved son, brother, husband, father and friend, he was an avid reader, loved music, and especially his pets. Chris was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Richardson.
Surviving are his wife, Cathy Kilroe-Smith Richardson, Bishop, GA; children, Jordan, William and Genevieve; mother and stepfather, Jean and Greg Thomas, Dahlonega, GA; brothers, Jon Richardson, Matt and Kristin Richardson, Dahlonega, GA; sisters, Tifanie Keldorph, North Carolina, Lori Woolwine, Monroe, GA; aunt and uncle, Judy and Carl Haas, Ellijay, GA; mother in law and father in law, Shirley and Ben Durham, South Africa; nieces and nephews, Donovan, Maya, Maddie, Mary Anglin, Reagan; his loving family in South Africa; and a number of other relatives.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 7, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Campus View Church of Christ, 1360 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30605. Lead Minister Jerry Neill will officiate.
The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.
Dawsonville City Council work session scheduled Monday
News October 20, 2019
The Dawsonville City Council will meet for a work session Monday (Oct. 21) at 5:30 p.m. in the G.L. Gilleland Council Chambers, 415 Hwy. 53.
Financial Administrator Hayden Wiggins has requested that council reneDaw an annual software maintenance agreement with Edmunds GovTech in the amount of $10,345. The city has utilized the company since 2015 and the agreement will expire on Dec. 31.
Council will hold the first reading of a request by Sachinkumar Patel to annex five acres of land located at 60 Hwy. 136 East into the city. It is currently in Dawson County and zoned Residential Agricultural. Patel would like the city to rezone the property Highway Business.
The city’s legal representation, however, has recommended denial based on the fact the applicant is requesting that the annexation would be a portion of the parcel and not the whole parcel as required by law. A second reading is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Council will consider a change order in the amount of $42,361 to TriScapes for sod and irrigation alternates at Main Street Park. The funds will be paid out of SPLOST VI funds if available. The city approved a landscape agreement with TriScapes in July in the amount of $125,775.
Public Works Director will ask council to consider approval of a Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) for milling, paving and striping 4,150 feet of Perimeter Road. The city would be responsible for a 30 percent match in the amount of $9,381.91.
Mayor Mike Eason will ask council to consider the appointment of Clint Harper and Laura Barr to the city’s Design Guideline Committee.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Melaine T. Gillis: Obituary
Obituaries October 15, 2019
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.
G. W. Evans: Obituary
Obituaries December 1, 2019
G. W. Evans, 88, of Dawsonville passed away Wednesday November 27, 2019 at Chestnut Ridge following a period of declining health.
Born July 22, 1931 to the late Guy and Ida Evans, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County. Mr. Evans worked many years as a timber cutter and was a partner in Tim’s Small Engines. He was of the Baptist faith and was also preceded in death by his sisters, Voncille Evans, Eva Mae Grindle, and a brother, Gene Evans.
Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Mescal Evans, Dawsonville; children, Joyce and Larry Greenway, Dahlonega, Cindy and Elmer Clark, Gainesville, Tim and Cindy Evans, Dawsonville, Mike Evans, Dawsonville, Jeff and Denise Evans, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Lauranda and Chris Law, Danielle and Hugo Justinaino, Tabatha and Sol Marado, Kristi and Kenneth Sanders, Tim Evans, Jr., Jonathan and Jessi Evans, Jacob and Lamour Evans, Forrest and Becky Evans, Macy Evans; 10 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Sunday December 1, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Stephen Davis will officiate. Interment will follow in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 12 noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.
Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 11/4 – 11/11
Arrest Reports, Police & Government November 12, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 35-01-18) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Dawson County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.

Lois W. Bailey Ridley: Obituary
Obituaries October 9, 2019
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: Obituary
Obituaries December 15, 2019
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.
Leonard “Leroy” Martin: Obituary
Obituaries December 1, 2019
Leonard “Leroy” Martin, 48, of Dawsonville passed away Thursday November 28, 2019.
Born October 29, 1971, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County. He was a graduate of Dawson County High School and he loved everyone, especially children. Mr. Martin was a beloved son and brother. He was preceded in death by his birth mother, Linda Wehunt Martin, and grandparents, Corbin and Nellie Martin, Harvey Wehunt, and Velma Stamey.
Surviving are his parents, C. B. and Dorthy Martin, Dawsonville; brother, Timmy Martin and his companion, Jennifer Cash, Dawsonville; aunts and uncles, William and Betty Martin, Gainesville, James Thomas Wehunt, Dahlonega, Yancey and Patsy Savage, Dawsonville, Doris Wehunt, Dawsonville; step brothers and sister in law, Dennis and Carolyn Anderson, Suches, Jason Anderson, Dawsonville, Jarvis Anderson, Cumming, and a number of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Monday December 2, 2019 at 1 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Eric Watson, Rev. John Roden, and Rev. Sam Rawlins will officiate. Interment will follow in the Etowah Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 until 8 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.


