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.

Rev. David “Arnold” Stowers, 82, of Gainesville passed away Saturday July 13, 2019 at his residence following a period of declining health.
Born October 23, 1936 in Dawson County to the late Floyd and Mayona Stowers, he had lived in Hall County for the past 26 years after having lived in Lumpkin County for 34 years. Mr. Stowers retired from General Motors following 32 years of service. He was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, he loved automobiles and was a very devoted Christian and was a member of Lighthouse Community Church in Hall County. Arnold was also preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Stowers, Raymond Wells; and a son in law, Jesse Fowler.
Surviving are his wife of 25 years, Ellen Grant Stowers, Gainesville; children, Deborah Fowler, McDonough, Jarvis and Marlene Stowers, Cumming, Clarence and Tina Stowers, Dahlonega, Tina and Jeff Helton, Gainesville, Vicky and Jimmy Couch, Gainesville, Shirley and Lawrence Vaughan, Gainesville, Ricky Grant, Gainesville; grandchildren, Shannon Fowler, Will Stowers, Tucker Stowers, Roman Stroud, Terri Lynn Combel, Jessica Miller, Lorie Last; six great grandchildren; sisters, Joyce (Frank) Garrett, Jolene Smith, Harriett Wells, Henrietta (Ron) Delvinthal; brother, Paul (Lisa) Jacobs; and many loving friends and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday July 16, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Chris Ellis and Rev. Jack Gilreath will officiate. Interment will follow in the Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday from 4 until 8 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lighthouse Community Church, 5319 Price Road, Gainesville, GA 30506 and Arnold would want all this family and friends to attend church this week.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

William “Bill” Zadernak

William “Bill” Zadernak, 57, of Gainesville passed away Sunday March 24, 2019 following an extended illness.

Born January 20, 1962 and raised in Butler, PA, Bill had been a resident of North Georgia for over 30 years. A 1980 graduate of Knoch High School, he earned a BS in education from Edinboro University in 1984. Bill moved with his wife to North Georgia in 1988 to begin teaching at Dawson County High School. He devoted much of his time to coaching numerous school sports and was affectionately known as “Coach Z”. During this time Bill also earned a Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of Georgia. In 2000, Bill became the principal of Dawson County Middle School and eventually Riverview Middle School until his retirement in 2015. He thoroughly enjoyed retirement where he spent time with his family, traveled and umpired baseball games. An avid fan of all sports, Bill always remained loyal to his hometown teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Zadernak.

Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Bonnie Zadernak of Gainesville; children, Lauren Zadernak, Scott Zadernak; mother, Nancy Zadernak of Butler, PA; sisters and brothers in law, Pauline and James Stavely of West Chester, PA, Jean and Donald Dentinger of Louisville, KY; mother and father in law, Eleanor and David Hackett, Renfrew, PA; a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 30, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Stephen Gerrells will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday March 29 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested in Bill’s memory to the REACH scholarship program at https://reachga.org/donate/. Please select Dawson County Schools as the district.

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

Roger F. Padgett

Roger F. Padgett, 82, of Dawsonville passed away Wednesday March 6, 2019 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Born January 21, 1937 to the late Farlen and Thelma Padgett, Roger was a native of Dawson County. He lived in St. Charles, Missouri before returning to Dawsonville in 1983. Roger was a heavy equipment operator for Max L. Padgett Construction. He was affectionally known as “The Joker” and loved gardening and animals, especially his cats. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was always looking for ways to help others. Mr. Padgett was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and was also preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Annie Lee Padgett and a son in law, John Scarlet.

Surviving are his children, Brenda Scarlet, Sandra and Steve Davis, Wayne and Lisa Padgett, all of Dawsonville; grandchildren, Jacob Padgett, Tasha and Matt Tolbert, Amanda Lefholz, Julie and Gary Truelove; great grandchildren, Nathan, Kanyn, Josiah, Kailee, Gracie; sisters and brothers in law, Joyce and Hub Parks, Dawsonville, Shirley and Woody Wilson, Dawsonville, Frances and Les Pethercal, Cobb, Co.; brothers and sisters in law, Max and Daisy Padgett, Dawsonville, Ray and Dianne Padgett, Dawsonville; and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Saturday March 9, 2019 at 11 o’clock at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Rev. Max Padgett, Rev. Johnny Padgett, and Rev. Greg Farris will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3 until 8 Friday at the funeral home.

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

Carolyn Ann Paulsen

Carolyn Ann Paulsen, 78, of Dawsonville, GA passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at NEGA Medical Center after a period of declining health. She was born to the late Louis and Helen Palumbo, in Boston MA. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother that loved movies and ice skating back in Boston.

She is preceded in death by her brother and sister in law, Louis and Elizabeth Palumbo.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Peter Paulsen of Dawsonville, GA; son and daughter in law, Christopher and Candice Paulsen of Johns Creek, GA; grandchildren, Joshua Paulsen and Natalie Paulsen; brother, John and Tina Palumbo; nephew, Thomas and Megan Palumbo; niece, Catherine and Ron Schumer; and numerous other relatives.

A Memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284-0692, or to the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318.

Online condolences may be left at www.beardenfuneralhome.com

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Violet “Dude” Harper

Violet “Dude” Harper, 90, of Dawsonville passed away Monday February 11, 2019 following a period of declining health.

Born July 20, 1928 to the late Alan and Lois Pickelsimer, she was raised in Copperhill, TN and had been a resident of Dawsonville for over 60 years. She was a nurturing mother, wonderful cook and loving grandmother and great-grandmother who thrived on spoiling all of her grandchildren. Dude was preceded in death by her husband of almost 63 years, Leroy Harper and four brothers, H.A. Jr., Dell, Bob and Toby Pickelsimer.

Surviving are her children, Ann Sheffield, Sherry Allen and Eddie Moyer, Rudy Harper, Greg Harper, all of Dawsonville; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a number of other relatives.

A funeral service for both Dude and Leroy Harper will be held Thursday February 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday February 13 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

A private interment will be held at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dawson County Park and Rec Youth Scholarship Fund, PO Box 808, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.