Dr. James Conn Parker, age 76, Dawsonville, GA, passed away October 5, 2019 at 6:10 AM after an extended illness. He was a twenty six year resident of Dahlonega, GA from 1975-2001. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 12 to 2 PM with a 2PM funeral service in the Chapel of Dahlonega Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 3PM, Friday, October 11, 2019 at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens, Rome, GA. James “Jim” “Jimmy” Conn Parker was born in Rome, Floyd County, GA on March 25, 1943, the youngest son of Rembert Otis Parker and Hazel Emma Currence Parker. He was preceded in death by parents and brother, Charles Currence Parker. Dr. Parker is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Mary Carol Hairston Parker, and daughters, Amy Carol Parker and Carrie Elizabeth Podgurski (Kenneth); brother, Edward “Ed” Otis Parker (Ginger) of Rome, GA. and a number of nieces and nephews. Jim attended the Rome City Schools and graduated in 1961 from West Rome High School. As a youth, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Eagle Scout Award in 1957, followed by four Eagle Palms, and earned a total of 51 Merit Badges. Continuing his education, he attended Shorter College in Rome, GA. He graduated in 1965 with a B.A. Degree in Biology. After graduation, he was awarded a National Defense Education Act Fellowship to attend the graduate School at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA, 1965-1968. From 1968-1971, he was employed with the Department of Biology at VPISU as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. He received the Ph.D. degree in Zoology in 1971. From 1971-1973, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Instructor at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Then from 1973-1975 he was employed as Assistant Professor of Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. From 1975-2005, he was employed with the Department of Biology, North Georgia College & State University (now UNG.) He retired as a full Professor of Biology in 2005 after 30 years of service becoming Professor Emeritus of Biology. He had taught a number of courses in biology over the years, including General Biology, General Zoology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, General Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Vertebrate Zoology, Human Physiology, Human Histology, Medical Parasitology, and Wildlife Biology. Many of his students were Nursing students, Biology majors, Physical Therapy students and Graduate students, as well as those preparing for other medical and health-related fields. Upon his retirement in 2005, Dr. Parker was honored by the University of North Georgia for the design and development of the Hurricane Creek Wildlife Conservation area, a 62-acre tract of isolated University property bordering on the Etowah River in Lumpkin County, GA. The project, completed over a period of five years, included designing, securing funding, and construction of a restroom facility, an education shelter, and clearing and marking several miles of trails. Jim Parker loved life and loved people. He worked hard and lived life to the fullest. He kept in touch with all his childhood friends in the Boy Scouts, close family and distant cousins, work colleagues, friends in the community and West Rome High School Alumni. With a lifetime of many interests and hobbies, he also found the time to be a member of numerous professional organizations, honor societies, lineage societies, community organizations and activities. In Dahlonega in the 1970’s-80’s,  he instructed CPR classes with the Red Cross, worked as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (GA certified EMT-A), member of the Civil Defense, Instructor in Basic Rescue Techniques, Chief of Radiological Defense for Lumpkin County, and a member of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Volunteer Fire Departments. James Parker was a Charter member of the Lumpkin County Historical Society serving as president from 1991-1992 and on the Board of Directors for five years. He was also a member of the Dahlonega Baptist Church and sang in the church and community choir. In recent decades, he was again involved with his beloved Boy Scouts and The Camp Sidney Dew Alumni Association in Floyd County, GA serving in various years as president, historian and editor of the newsletter  “On My Honor…” and had been awarded associations highest award, The C.H. Westin Award in 2000 and Silver Beaver Award in 2016. In Gainesville, GA, Dr. Parker was active for over 30 years with the Lyman Hall Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (and a 43 year member of the SAR)  serving in various chapter positions as Secretary, Editor of the “The Picket Line”, President, Registrar, and lastly serving as Historian from 2007 to the present. A labor of much research and excitement was getting 24 of his ancestors certified by the Sons of the American Revolution as patriots of the American Revolution. For fifty years, Jim Parker had been working on family genealogical research. In 1985 and 2016, he published two family genealogy books on The Strain Family, A Genealogy of the Descendants of Andrew Strain, Sr. of North Carolina. The last years of his life, he loved attending the Cooper-Green Men’s Prayer Group in Dahlonega, GA. Care and trust placed in Dahlonega Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 20 Gibson Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533 706-864-DOVE (3683) www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com

A Division of McDonald Family Funeral Homes

Dahlonega Funeral Home announces that  Austin Christopher, 53 passed away  October 1st, 2019. He was born on April 25th,1966 in Bradenton, Florida to Lawrence and Blanch Christopher

Austin was known for his contagious smile and his love for Jesus. He fought a hard battle and praised Jesus up until the very end. He loved Nascar, Atlanta Braves, Wrestling, NCIS and FSU Football. But more than that he loved his family, especially being a Papa. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, taking trips to the mountains, watching football, signing hymnals,and playing cards. He was one of a kind and will be extremely missed.

Austin is preceded in death by his father Lawrence Christopher, both sets of his grandparents and his Aunt Sue Clance, Uncle Boyd Parrott, and Uncle PA Parrott

He is Survived by his wife, Wendy Field Christopher of 29 years, daughter Jessica (Eugene) Sage of Murrayville,Ga, two granddaughters Gracie and Lily Sage, Mother Blanch Christopher of Okeechobee, Sister Debbie (Buddy) Colvin of Kenansville Fl, Brother Boyd Christopher of Lake Whales Fl, Sister in Law Karen Perone of Fort Pierce FL, Brother in law Brian (Pam) Field of Danielsville GA, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral Services for Mr. Christopher will be held at The Edge Church at 4115 Price Road, Gainesville, Ga 30506.

The family of Mr. Christopher will receive friends and family on Saturday October 5th from 10-12 at the Edge Church. Interment will follow at the church at 12pm. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to help with funeral expenses. A gofund me account has been set up.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-expense-to-help-austins-family?rcid=r01-157003754464-6503565034cf431c&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_m

Care and trust is placed in the Dahlonega Funeral Home.

Mr. John Henry Shoffeitt, age 97, of Dahlonega passed away Sunday, September 15, 2019.

Mr. Shoffeitt was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County.  Preceding him in death are his parents, all of his siblings, wife Glenda Thomason Shoffeitt, son and daughter-in-law Joe and Loyce Shoffeitt, daughter Betty Shoffeitt, granddaughter Christy Shoffeitt, and daughter-in-law Anna Seabolt.  Mr. Shoffeitt’s favorite pastime was talking with friends at S & S Corner Store and playing $5 scratch off lottery tickets.

Survivors include his daughter Geneva Jones (Larry), Flowery Branch; sons Johnny Shoffeitt and James Shoffeitt, both of Dahlonega; grandchildren Joseph Shoffeitt, Buffi Evans (Grey), Jordan Shoffeitt, Misty Caldwell (Morgan), and Jeremy Seabolt, all of Dahlonega; great-grandchildren Bailey Williams, Camryn Williams and Hunter Turner; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at the chapel of Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home.  The Rev. Phillip Robinson will officiate.  Interment will follow in Town Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

To share a memory of Mr. Shoffeitt or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home of Dahlonega