John Worcester
July 3, 1949 –August 17, 2023
Honorable John Edwin Worcester, Superior Court Judge, 74, of Jasper, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper.
In early life, after attending the American School in London, John attended boarding school at College du Leman in Geneva, Switzerland where he met his future wife, Sharon, with whom he reconnected at a school reunion many years later. A bit of a rebel with an unquenchable spirit for adventure, John was always vivacious, funny, and well loved. He had a passion for hockey, baseball card collecting and woodworking and used his spare time to renovate his houses. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University, a master’s degree from Troy University, and a law degree from Atlanta Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1993.
He tirelessly served the people of Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens counties for more than 17 years. He championed and served on the Board of Directors of Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a state-wide, voluntary non-profit organization dedicated to working for the best interests of Georgia’s abused and neglected children since its earliest days in Georgia. In the early 90s, he led program development efforts as Georgia CASA’s Program Development Director, encouraging judges to welcome lay advocates into their courtrooms.
John served as the Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s Chief Juvenile Judge, during which time, he oversaw an exemplary court-sponsored CASA program. In 2016, Governor Nathan Deal appointed John as one of the circuit’s three Superior Court Judges to fill the unexpired term of Judge Amanda H. Mercier. Just prior to his appointment, John was selected as the National CASA/GAL Association Judge of the Year – the only Georgia judge, in Georgia CASA’s 35-year history, to receive this honor.
In addition to working with the civil and criminal matters assigned to him, John presided over the Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s Mental Health and Parental Accountability Courts. He also assisted with the Circuit’s Drug Court, Veterans Court, and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision’s Daily Reporting Center program. An active community participant, John was a member of the Rotary Club. He was also a member of the Council of Superior Court Judges where he served on the Pattern Jury Instructions, and the Accountability and Treatment Courts Committees. He was also co-chairman of the organization’s Parental Accountability Court Subcommittee.
John was an energetic and kindhearted supporter of community, most recently serving as the Grand Master of the Georgia Apple Festival. A great friend and much beloved husband, he will be missed by all who knew him. John is survived by his wife, Sharon Ann Stripling Worcester of Jasper, Georgia and her three sons, their wives and children, as well as his niece, Shelly Renae Hamilton of Wichita Falls, Texas. John is preceded in death by his parents, Catherine Cryer Worcester and John Edwin Worcester Sr. as well as his sister, Catherine Ellen Hamilton.
John will be laid to rest in Ft. Worth, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Georgia CASA at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E356224&id=16.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.
Judy Bryan
Judy Elizabeth Bryan, 78, of Jasper, Georgia, passed away Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Pruitt Health in Jasper. She was born October 15, 1944 to John W. and Tina B. Fann in Canton, Georgia.
Judy is survived by her husband of 60 years, James Hugh Bryan of Jasper; son, Jeff Bryan of Woodstock; son and daughter-in-law, Jamie and Stacy Bryan of Jasper; granddaughter, Hailey Bryan of Jasper; and sister, Doris Turner of Jasper. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Tiny Fann; sister, Joyce Turner; and brother, Jimmy Fann.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Sunday, August 27, 2023 in the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home with Bill Lawrence officiating. Interment followed at Lake Forest Memorial Park in Jasper.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Free Hope Baptist Church in care of Mark Roland at 182 Arrowhead Way; Jasper, Georgia 30143. The family also ask that no food be brought to the funeral home.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.
Edna Garmon
Ms. Edna Faye Duvall Garmon, 79, of Jasper, passed away on Monday, August 7th, 2023 at the Pruitt Health of Jasper.
Ms. Garmon was born on July 5th, 1944 in Ellijay, Georgia to the late K.O. and Cathrine Goble Duvall. She was a hard worker and a member of the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. In her free time, she loved to travel and to spending time with her family. In addition to her parents, Ms. Garmon is preceded in death by her two husbands, Billy Garmon and Winston Wofford, and brother, Kenneth Duvall, and Stepdaughter Brenda Wofford.
Survivors include her step-children, Debra Faucett, Sharon Haynes, and Tim Wofford, brother, Roy Duvall; sisters, Syble Casey and Silvia Duvall; and several grandchildren also survive.
Bernhardt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Connie Van Hoose
Connie Lynn Van Hoose, 66, of Talking Rock, Georgia passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023. No services are scheduled at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor of Jasper.
Donald West
Donald O. West, loving husband, father, and granddad, of Berkeley Lake, Georgia passed away at the age of 87 on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.
Don was born in Arkansas City, Kansas on February 29, 1936 the son of the late Harold and Barbara West of Chamblee, Georgia. He grew up in Arkansas City, KS; Simpsonville, SC; and Doraville, GA.
He met his wife of 67 years, Lucile (Lucy) Wilbanks West, while in college and they made their home in Dunwoody and Alpharetta retiring in Bent Tree, Jasper, living there for 22 years.
Don and Lucy have two children, a son, Gregory Wilbanks West; daughter-in-law, Jane Day West, living in Mims, FL and a daughter, Dr. Leslie Lynne West Bugg; son-in-law, Paul Cobb Bugg, Berkeley Lake, GA and granddaughter, Ella Catherine Bugg, Berkeley Lake, GA.
Don enjoyed hunting, archery, playing tennis and golf as well as traveling with Lucy in the states and abroad.
Services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Family in Jasper, Georgia with Reverend George Yandell officiating. The entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Jasper, GA.
The famiily accepted flowers or donations may be made in Donald’s honor to The Episcopal Church of the Holy Family building fund at 202 Griffith Road; Jasper, Georgia 30143.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.
Doug Owen
Doug Owen, 43, of Canton, Georgia passed away Thursday, August 24, 2023. The family will receive friends, Saturday, September 2, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at In Their Honor of Jasper: 481 Noah Drive, Jasper, GA 30143.
Henry Hollensbe
Henry Allen Hollensbe, 92 years old, a proud graduate of West Point, died August 20, 2023. Henry lived in many places during his life, but on retiring he and his wife moved to the north Georgia mountains.
Henry was an avid tennis player, artist and writer. He had articles published in local newspapers and magazines. He always dreamt of writing seriously and began writing novels. His latest novel was finished and will be published posthumously.
He is survived by his wife, Marsha; two sons, Randall and Peter, and their wives and four grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.
Billy McPherson
Billy Andy McPherson of the Ludville community passed away August 26, 2023 at his home.
Mr. McPherson was born May 31,1954 in Blue Ridge Ga. Mr. McPherson was preceded in death by his father, Ralph McPherson; mother, Leona McPherson; sisters, Jackie McPherson and Lisa Crowe.
He is survived by his son, Nakia McPherson (Cindy); stepdaughter, Tracy Howard;
son at heart, Randy Fields; grandsons, Garrett McPherson, Jaxson McPherson; sister, Jody Southerland; brother, Bobby Joe McPherson and several nieces and nephews.
He had an abundance of friends and those in the community that looked after him and loved him like family.
Pastors: Terry Cloud and Randall Chastain. Pallbearers: Scott Bruce, Chris Watson, Jason Young, Randy Fields, Jake Walraven, Robbie Hales. Honorary Pallbearers: Ricky Watson, Terry Morgan, Ray McDonald.
Charles Opdenhoff
November 24, 1937 – August 23, 2023
Mr. Charles Andrew Opdenhoff, 85, of Talking Rock, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.
Charles was a loving husband and father, a very hard worker and provider for his family. He worked 30 years for General Motors in Michigan, did a lot of volunteer work for the community of Talking Rock, and was a huge fan of Nascar. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol Opdenhoff of Talking Rock; daughters and one son-in-law, Cheryl & Tim Woodall of Waleska, and Mary Clark of Kennesaw; sister, Marilyn Whims of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan; three grandchildren, Nicholas Mechigian, Zachary Clark, and Nathaniel Clark; two great-grandchildren, Ruth Clark and Elise Clark.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Cagle Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Ben Mock officiating.
Interment was at Lake Forest Memorial Park.
Linda Causseaux
Linda Causseaux, 76, of Talking Rock, Seneca, South Carolina passed away Monday, August 28, 2023. No services are scheduled at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor of Jasper.
Timothy Nowell
Timothy Gerald Nowell, 68, of Jasper, Georgia passed away Monday, August 28, 2023. No services are scheduled at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor of Jasper.
Pat Corrales
Pat Corrales, assistant to the General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who spent more than 64 years in professional baseball, passed away peacefully at his home in Big Canoe, Georgia on Sunday evening, August 27, 2023 at the age of 82.
Pat is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Donna Myers Corrales of Atlanta and Big Canoe, Georgia; daughters, Rena C. Hammerness of Austin, Texas and Patricia C. Collins of Williamstown, New Jersey; and son, Jason P. Corrales of San Diego, California. He was preceded in death by son, Patrick D.P. Corrales of Atlanta and daughter, Michele D. Pollitt of Williamstown, New Jersey.
“I was fortunate to have worked with Pat for more than 30 years at three franchises and he was instrumental in turning all three into championship organizations,” said Stan Kasten, Dodgers President and CEO. “He loved mentoring young players and the number of players he influenced is too long to count. Pat truly loved the game of baseball, and we will miss him.”
Pat was a true baseball lifer in Major League Baseball by signing his first contract at the age of 18 out of high school and spent 64 active years, as a catcher, manager, coach, and special assistant. He lived for baseball and the ballpark and loved every aspect of the game.
Corrales, who was the first major league manager of Mexican American descent, worked for the Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers following his playing, managing and coaching career. He signed with the Phillies in 1959 after a stellar baseball and football career at Fresno (CA) High School. He played in the big leagues with the Phillies (1964-65), St. Louis Cardinals (1966), Cincinnati Reds (1968-72) and the San Diego Padres (1972-73).
Corrales managed three different teams and had a 572-634 record. He managed the Texas Rangers (1978-80), the Phillies (1982-83) and the Cleveland Indians (1983-87). Prior to managing the Rangers, he spent two plus seasons as a coach (1976-78) with the Rangers. After retiring from managing in 1987, he returned to coaching with the New York Yankees in 1989 and also coached for the Atlanta Braves (1990-2006) and with the Washington Nationals (2007-08, 2009 and 2011).
Corrales joined the Dodgers’ front office in November of 2012 as a special assistant to the President and has been with the organization in the last 11 years.
Corrales won a World Championship with the Braves in 1995 and also was a member of the Dodgers’ World Championship victory in 2020.
Funeral services will be held at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road, NE; Atlanta, GA 30305 on Tuesday, September 5, at 10 a.m. The family will receive guests after the service in Kenny Hall, which is adjacent to the Cathedral. A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. at the Big Canoe Chapel Cemetery at 1851 Steve Tate Hwy; Marble Hill, GA 30148.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s memory to the Big Canoe Animal Shelter; 10676 Big Canoe; Big Canoe, GA 30143.
Online condolences may be made at www.roperfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory in Jasper.
Faye Hitt
September 20, 1943 -August 27, 2023
Mrs. Faye Hitt, 79, of Jasper, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023 at Grandview Health Care Center.
Mrs. Hitt is survived by her grandson, Matthew Hitt; granddaughter, Jessica Babcock; great-grandchildren, Zoe Flowers, Braylon Pendley, and Ryder Pendley; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at Cagle Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Harold Cantrell and Rev. Greg Long officiating.
Interment will be at Sunrise Memorial Gardens following the funeral service.
The family will accept flowers but prefer donations to help with funeral expenses.
Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hitt family.
Jimmy Roberts Sr.
Jimmy Wayne Roberts, Sr., 57, of Dahlonega, Georgia passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023. No services are scheduled at this time. Care and Trust was placed with In Their Honor of Jasper.
Be First to Comment