Clayton Arthur Stocks, 37, passed away Monday, July 9, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. His death was sudden and unexpected, a chain of events triggered by a bee sting, which ultimately left his brain without oxygen for too long for survival. An unbelievable loss that leaves us with a void that may never be filled again…the loss of a son, brother, uncle, lover, and friend.
Clayton was born in Duluth, MN on March 16,1982, the first-born son to loving parents. He moved to Cumming, Georgia from Ely, Minnesota in 1995. Clayton attended South Forsyth High School and graduated in 2000. Growing up, Clayton was always with his dad and brother dismantling and reassembling a car, go-cart, lawnmower, or truck. Clayton was a natural at building and fixing things with his hands. He was one of the lucky few in this world that was able to make a living doing what he loved, working on cars. He was exceptional at his work as an autobody technician. Clayton loved the outdoors, kayaking, and going to the beach.
Clayton is survived by his parents, Glenn & Genevieve Stocks of Midway, GA, brother Kevin Stocks of Cumming, sister Katie Tambon and her family of Savannah, and the love of his life Amanda and her daughter Gracie, of Dawsonville, niece Olivia, friends, and numerous relatives across the country.
He leaves behind many people who loved him so. Though our sadness is deep and seemingly never-ending, we can find joy and solace in the fact that although he is not with us anymore, the gift of his organs is allowing others to live.
Clayton’s family is planning a Celebration of Life to be held on October 5, 2019, details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clayton’s honor to The American Lung Association for Asthma Research. https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2?df_id=31272&31272.donation=form1
Condolences may be left online at www.beardenfuneralhome.com
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA

Perry Waits

Perry Waits, 58, of Dawsonville passed away Monday May 13, 2019.

Perry was born October 1, 1960 in Duluth, Georgia to the late James C. “Jake” and Imogene Waits. He was formerly employed at Ingles after which he worked for Kroger. Mr. Waits enjoyed working on automobiles with his dad.

Surviving are his wife of 19 years, Mary Anne Waits, Dawsonville; sons, Tyler Waits, Dawsonville, Dusty Brock, Roswell; and a sister, Debbie Howell, Canton.

A memorial service for Mr. Waits will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jackie Payne officiating.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

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

Billie Doris Chambers, 93, of Lawrenceville, GA passed away Monday October 14, 2019 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born May 5, 1926 in Lumpkin County to the late Claude and Willie Tolbert, she lived in Lilburn for 33 years before moving to Lawrenceville in 2000. Mrs. Chambers was a homemaker and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lilburn. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, William R. “Bill” Chambers; daughter, Donna Sue Chambers; son, John P. Chambers; brothers, Eugene Tolbert, Hooks Tolbert, Thomas Tolbert; and sisters, Betty Wilkins and Bernice Trammell.
Surviving are her children, Kathy Edwards, Lawrenceville, William R. “Dickie” Chambers, Jr., Commerce; brother in law, Horace Trammell, Ellijay; 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren, and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Saturday October 19, 2019 at 1 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home. Rev. Lyman Caldwell will officiate. Interment will follow in the Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Louise Vaughters, 91, of Dawsonville passed away Thursday September 26, 2019 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born February 28, 1928 to the late John and Ora Disharoon, she was a lifelong resident of Dawson County. A devoted homemaker, she lived her entire life taking care of her family. Louise was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and was also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Lloyd Flem Vaughters; grandsons, Keith Evans, Christopher Lloyd Parker; son in law, Ronnie Tanner; grandson in law, Eddy DeCoursey; sisters, Mary Reed, Ophie Dodd; and brothers, Hoyt Disharoon and Clyde Disharoon. Her family wishes to extend their love and gratitude to Louise’s special caregiver and best friend, Terri Reece.
Surviving are her children, Mildred and Cleve Evans, Dawsonville, Vivian Tanner, Dahlonega, Linda and Mark Byrd, Dahlonega, Clark Vaughters, Dawsonville, Marty and David Parker, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Cheryl and Rocky Hughes, Angela and Shane Barron, Frank Tanner, Blake Tanner and his fiancé, Elizabeth Duncan, Calvin and Kayla Byrd, Anna and Trey Weatherford, Joshua Vaughters, Zach and Morgan Vaughters, Jordan Vaughters, Jarrad and Christina Parker, Derrick and Ali Parker; great grandchildren, Brody Tanner, Ethan Parker, Jacob Parker, Graham Parker, Rocksy and Rick Smith, Sawyer Byrd, Rylie Byrd, Ellis Weatherford, Davis Vaughters, Hunter Vaughters; great great grandchildren, Rori Smith, Ronan Smith; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Sunday September 29, 2019 at 2 o’clock at Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. Jason Hamby and Rev. Stephen Davis will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday 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.

Robert M. (Bob) Compton, 87, of Dawsonville, GA passed away September 22, 2019 at St. Ives Memory Care in Johns Creek, GA following a period of declining health.

He was born December 16, 1931 in Paris, TN. After living in Memphis, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Marietta, he moved to Dawson County in 1989.

Bob Compton was a 1955 graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Tech he was a member of the Lamba Chi Alpha Fraternity. Upon graduation he served two years in the US Army Reserves and then moved to Chattanooga, TN, where he was employed by Combustion Engineering. He moved his family to Atlanta in 1968 when he became the Purchasing Manager for JJ Finnigan Company. He retired from Atlanta Metal Products in 1989. After his retirement, Bob enjoyed volunteering with the Dawsonville Lions Club, serving as treasurer for several years. He was honored with a life membership to the club in 2009.

During his long active life Bob enjoyed being an assistant scoutmaster for his sons’ Boy Scout troop, collecting electric trains and cheering on his beloved Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

His parents Robert M. and Verna Compton of Paris, TN preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Georgia (Maisie) Compton; children Ada and husband Gary Holley of Dawsonville, Ernest and wife Shelly Compton of Savannah, George and wife Lori Compton of Flowery Branch, William (Bill) and wife Emily Compton of Atlanta; grandchildren Josh and wife Anna Holley of Rincon, James Holley of Sanford, NC, Lee and wife Kristen Holley of Cordele, Courtney, Allie, Joanie and RJ Compton of Flowery Branch, Zode and Stephen Compton of Atlanta, two great granddaughters; sister Ann and John Buxton of Memphis, TN; a niece and nephew.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Ives Memory Care Home in Johns Creek and Dynamic Hospice for the excellent care Bob received in his final years.

The family will receive friends at Bearden Funeral Home, 334 Highway 53 East, Dawsonville, GA on Thursday, September 26, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A graveside service will be held at Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dawsonville Lions Charities Inc., PO Box 408, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA

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.