Jerry Boatfield

February 09, 1937 – May 15, 2019

Mr. Jerry W. Boatfield, age 82, of Dahlonega passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

Mr. Boatfield was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. He was born on February 9, 1937 to the late Paul and Loudelle Moose Boatfield. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son Michael Boatfield, sisters Marginia Grizzle and Fannie Dye, brothers Louie Boatfield and David Boatfield. Mr. Boatfield retired from the Wimpy Mill Road Water Plant. He was a member of Cherry Log Baptist Church. Mr. Boatfield loved to take trips to the beach and see the ocean. He was affectionately called “Pop” by his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years Shirley Boatfield; daughter and son-in-law Sherry and Lewis Smith; son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Sherry Boatfield; son Robert Boatfield; grandchildren Kimberly Sutton, and Alisha and Mitchell Garrett; great-grandchildren Paigelynn Morris, Allen Morris, Lilly Garrett, and Maddie Garrett, all of Dahlonega; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Monday, May 20, 2019 at the chapel of Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home. The Rev. Phillip Robinson and the Rev. Lyman Caldwell will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home.

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

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Johnny Ray Hood

March 29, 1960 – May 08, 2019

Mr. Johnny Ray Hood, age 59, of Dahlonega passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

Johnny was born in Duluth on March 29, 1960 to the late Harold Hunter and Lillie Mae Scott. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Lisa Hood. Johnny was a truck driver for Thomas Concrete. He was a hard worker and loved to provide for his family. Johnny loved his grandchildren and they called him “Papa Johnny”. He was an avid NASCAR fan. For his pastime Johnny loved to play poker, gamble, attend auctions, and yard sales.

Survivors include his daughters Christie Payne (James Lee Berry), Dahlonega, and Tina Weaver (Cory), Gainesville; sons Michael Hood (Haley), Dahlonega, and Terry Hood (Ashley), Gainesville; daughter Sharon Christy (Randy), Dahlonega; brother Emmett Hunter (Denise), Grantville; thirteen grandchildren; cousins Randy Hood, Douglasville, Ronnie Hood, Smyrna, and Donna Davis (Steve), Alabama; aunt Sue Hood, Douglasville; and other relatives.

A memorial service for Johnny will be 2:00 PM Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the chapel of Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home. The Rev. Terry Hood and the Rev. Ronnie Hood will officiate. Johnny’s wishes were to be cremated.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to help with final expenses.

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

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Madge Whelchel

May 05, 1935 – May 04, 2019

Mrs. Madge Whelchel, age 83, of Dahlonega passed away May 4, 2019.

Mrs. Whelchel was born on May 5, 1935 to the late Luster and Ruby Smith Grant. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Joe D. Whelchel; son John William Whelchel; sons-in-law Bill Hanson and Jimmy Early; sisters Nadine Holland, and Bernice Reeves; and brother Theo Grant. Mrs. Whelchel was a member of Auraria Community Club and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She loved playing the guitar. Mrs. Whelchel was a member of Etowah Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughters Brenda Anne Hanson, Dahlonega, and Martha Elliott Early, Blairsville; daughters and sons-in-law Rhonda Whelchel Huckeba and Carl Stowers, Dawsonville, and Carolyn and Big John McMahan, Sweetwater, TN; brother and sister-in-law Wayne and Sally Faye Grant; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 PM Monday May 6, 2019 at Etowah Baptist Church. The Rev. Sam Rawlins will officiate. Interment will follow in the Etowah Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.

To share a memory of Mrs. Whelchel or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Roy Polaske

November 20, 1947 – March 10, 2019

Roy Joseph Polaske, age 71, of Dahlonega, Georgia passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019. Visitation will be from 11AM to 4PM, Thursday, March 14, 2019, with a Celebration of Life Service at 4PM in the Chapel of Dahlonega Funeral Home. Mr. Polaske loved football and poker, most especially Texas Hold’em. He is survived by his life partner of 16 years Gail Sosebee, of Dahlonega, Georgia; sons and daughters-in-law Roy Polaske, of Denver, Colorado; Tracy and Tracy Lynn Polaske, of Port St Lucie, Florida; Michael and Chris Polaske, of Cutback, Montana; daughter and son-in-law April and Robert Stivers, of Hollywood Seminole Indian Reservation, Florida; brothers and sister-in-law Rick Konover, of Polacka, Florida; Neil and Sheri Polaske, of New Port Richey, Florida; sister and brother-in-law Ava and Galen Fudge, of Baton Rouge Louisiana; grandchildren Robert Polaske; Tyler Polaske; Laura Polaske; Kayla Polaske; Katie Milton; Austin Polaske; Aaron Polaske; Michael Polaske-Canaveral; Dominick Josef Reid; Ginamarie Flores; Elizabeth Reid; 15 great grandchildren and many other extended family members also survive. Care and trust placed in Dahlonega Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 20 Gibson Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533. 706-864-DOVE (3683)

A Division of McDonald Family Funeral Homes

Willa Koretz

May 15, 1949 – February 21, 2019

Pending Arrangements

Mildred Cowart Freeman

October 06, 1929 – February 25, 2019

Mrs. Mildred Cowart Freeman, age 89, of Dahlonega passed away Monday, February 25, 2019.

Mrs. Freeman was born in Cumming on October 6, 1929 to the late William Guy Cowart and Nola Cowart Miles. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Billy D. Freeman, son-in-law Robert Jack Peck, grandson-in-law Cecil Peels, brothers James Cowart and Lloyd Cowart. Mrs. Freeman was a seamstress and homemaker. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Adairsville. Mrs. Freeman faithfully attended Yellow Creek Baptist Church and she was an active member of the Yellow Creek Ladies Goodwill Circle. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she was affectionately called “Mawmaw”.

Survivors include her daughter Patricia Ann Peck, Dahlonega; son and daughter-in-law Charles Marion Freeman and Sherry Lynn Sutton; grandchildren Stephanie and Jerald Sargent Jr., Tracie and Jeremy Grizzle, Trina and Casey Jones, Christy Peels, Deeann Freeman, and Tonya and Ryan Brown; great-grandchildren Drew Sargent, Madison Peels, Haleigh Sargent, Jordan Jones, Carson Peels, Autumn Freeman, Gavin Grizzle, Emma Kate Brown, Peytyn Freeman, Bella Freeman, Enslee Brown, Colton Jones, and Gabriella Grizzle; ex-daughter-in-law Barbara Freeman; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 PM Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Yellow Creek Baptist Church. The Rev. Steve Barrett and the Rev. Jason Buffington will officiate. Interment will follow in Sawnee View Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

Flowers are optional or you may make contributions to CHOA at give.choa.org.

To share a memory of Mrs. Freeman or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home of Dahlonega, formerly Banister Funeral Home

James (Jim) Roderick McFarland

June 29, 1931 – January 31, 2019

James (Jim) McFarland, age 87, of Dahlonega, GA died Thursday, January 31, 2019. He was born on June 29, 1931 to Russell and Vera McFarland in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Jim graduated from LaSalle High School in Niagara Falls, N.Y. in 1949 and from Alfred University in 1953 with an Accounting Degree. He then served in the U.S. Navy including two years as a buyer for the Navy Commissary in Norfolk, VA and two years with the Supply Division of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean.

Following his honorary discharge, he joined the Cost Accounting Department of Moore Business Forms in Niagara Falls, N.Y. in 1957. In 1962, he was transferred to the Thurmont, MD Plant as Accounting Supervisor. Six years later, in 1970, he was transferred to Manchester, N.H. as Cost/Accounting Manager for the new Moore Plant that was then under construction. In 1972, James was transferred to the Rediform Division of Moore in Paramus, N.J. as Accounting Manager and later was named Comptroller. He remained at the Paramus location until his retirement in 1987, with 30 years of service.

He married Sandra Helm Bredfeldt on June 27, 1987 in Roscoe, N.Y. at a weekend long celebration shared by 50 guests, including five of six children from former marriages. Their marriage was performed by Sandra’s brother Bob, a Presbyterian minister. Jim was an avid golfer and played varsity basketball for LaSalle High School, Alfred University, and the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Sandra; sons Michael (Margaret) of Corning, N.Y., Steven (Karen) of East Hampton, N.Y., and William (Nicole) of Wilmington, N.C.; daughter Dianne (John) Connolly of Warwick, N.Y.; stepdaughter Robin (Michael) Prucha of Osprey, FL; and stepson Erik (Kathryn) Bredfeldt of Gainesville, FL. Jim is also survived by grandchildren: Dianne’s children Kevin, Megan, Shane, and Brian; Steven’s daughter Darcy; Williams’s children Camden and Hudson; Robin’s daughter Brielle; and Erik’s children Shearod and Emma.

Following Jim’s wishes, there will be no Memorial Service in Dahlonega after his cremation. Rather, his ashes will one day be combined with Sandra’s and strewn in the Appalachians. They moved to Dahlonega in 2010 and felt they already had a toehold in Paradise.

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

Andrew Louis Minns

December 08, 1943 – January 31, 2019

Andrew Louise Minns age 76 of Dahlonega passed away on January 31, 2019. Private service at a later date.

Joyce Parrish

April 27, 1953 – January 15, 2019

Mrs. Joyce Sullens Parrish, age 65, of Dahlonega passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following a period of declining health.

Born April 27, 1953 to parents Floyd W. and Alma Hulsey Sullens, Joyce was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. She was a retired customer service manager with Walmart and was of the Methodist faith.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by siblings; Hoyt Sullens, Mary Nell Jarrard and Joe Hulsey. She is survived by her three sons; Jeremy (Elizabeth) Wyatt, Statem, GA, Shannon (Nicole) Parrish, Dahlonega, Shane (Danielle) Parrish, Dahlonega, siblings; Bob (Elizabeth) Sullens, Murrayville, Lucy Eiker, Columbus, Ga, Bill (Louise) Sullens, Dahlonega, Dorsey (Carol) Sullens, Dahlonega, Doris (Tony) Couch, Gainesville, David (Paula) Sullens, Cleveland, Marie Sullens, Jonesboro, and Harold Jarrard, Dahlonega, grandchildren; Tavin Parrish, Hunter Parrish, Corbin Parrish, and Bryce Parrish.

Funeral services will held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019 in the chapel of Dahlonega Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Owens and Rev. Eric Watson officiating. Interment in St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery will be private. The family will receive friends also on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour.

Arrangements by the professional staff of Dahlonega Funeral Home 20 Gibson Road Dahlonega GA 30533 706-864-DOVE (3683)
Online condolences may be expressed at www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com

Dr. Hollis Tanksley

March 22, 1937 – January 16, 2019

Dr. Marion “Doc” Hollis Tanksley, age 81, of Blairsville passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

Dr. Tanksley was born in Habersham County on March 22, 1937 to the late A.L. and Esther Eller Tanksley.  He served his country honorably in the US Marine Corps and also in the US Navy as a pilot.  Dr. Tanksley was a husband, father, surgeon, physician, and missionary.  He was a finisher!  After Dr. Tanksley retired from practicing medicine in the United States, he lived in China where he taught, practiced medicine, and served his Lord Jesus Christ on the mission field.

Survivors include his brothers Verlyn Tanksley (Sarah), Roswell, and Wallace Tanksley (Janet), Atlanta; and sister Dorothy Guyton, Loganville.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 PM Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the chapel of Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home.  The Rev. Kris Butler will officiate.  Interment will follow in Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Suches, GA.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

To share a memory of Dr. Tanksley or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, of Dahlonega formerly Banister Funeral Home