The family of Mr. Sidney Stover of Suches announces his passing on August 1, 2018, at 94 years of age. He went on to meet his Lord and to be with his late wife, Bertha Mae Pruitt Stover, who passed in February 2017. At the time of her passing they had been married 73 years. When asked by the hospice chaplain on Tuesday what about his faith gave him a lot of comfort Sidney replied, “I know my wife is waiting for me with God”. They were both lifelong residents of Suches and are survived by their eight children. Sidney had many skills and knowledge that he used to help other people throughout his life. He was a woodworker and cabinet builder by trade. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Blairsville.

Sidney was born June 17, 1924 to Reverend Sherman David Stover and (his second wife) Thressa Anderson Stover.  Soon after Sidney and Bertha Mae married in 1943 he was called to report to Ft. McPherson, Georgia for military service. He served in the European Theater and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in combat while serving in Italy. He was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers John, Sherman (Junior), Herman, and Bill; his sister Ruby Nevell; also (from his dad’s first marriage) his brother James Stover and his sisters Mary Garrett and Mattie Dailey; and daughter in law Mary Elizabeth “Ginger” Stover and grandson David Stover.

He is survived by his brother and sister in law M.J. and Grace Stover, Dahlonega, and by his sisters Edna Griffis, Cleveland, TN and Rosa Haygood, Eva Nell Pruitt, and Carolyn Ray, all of Suches.

Sidney’s and Bertha Mae’s children include daughters and sons in law Laverne and Joe Harper, Clermont; Lela and David Perry, Cleveland; Teresa and Karl Hawk, Gainesville; and daughter Sue Adams and Steve Henderson, Opelika, AL; sons and daughters in law Bobby and Chatty Stover, Suches; Marvin and Mary Stover, Dahlonega; Stan and Judy Stover, Cleveland; and son Jack Stover, Gainesville.

Sidney and Bertha Mae were blessed with and enjoyed 20 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren. There are many nieces and nephews as well as a number of close friends.

The Stover family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega on Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, August 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Suches. Sidney will lie in state at the church from 1:00 PM until time of service. His grandsons, Reverend Les Fuller and Reverend Lance Fuller, will officiate as well as his close friend Reverend Clarence Drummond and his great nephew Reverend Derrick Pruitt. Interment with full military honors will follow in the church cemetery where Sidney will be laid to rest alongside his wife.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Suches Fire Department Station 5, P. O. Box 84, Suches, GA  30572, or to the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1096 Wolf Pen Gap Road, Suches, GA 30572.

The Stover family would like to thank the staff of Regency Hospice of Hiawassee for the professional and compassionate care provided to Sidney during this final stage of his life.  They would also like to express their gratitude to Ernie and Melissa Pruitt for their care and support of Sidney and the family.

To share a memory of Sidney and Bertha Mae or to send condolences to the family visit www.banisterfuneralhome.net.