Mr. Loy Luther Seabolt, only ten days away from being 101 years old, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home on July 17, 2018.

Loy was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. He was born on July 27, 1917 to the late Andrew and Carrie Calhoun Seabolt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Lucy Chester Seabolt and his wife Eleanor Kendall Seabolt.

Loy had a tremendous work ethic which started as a young man. He worked on shipyards in Brunswick, GA building the Liberty Ships that were utilized during WWII. Loy worked for the General Motors Corporation for thirty years, which allowed him to provide for a tremendous life for his family.

Loy loved his family and friends very much. At Loy’s 100th birthday celebration, over one hundred family and friends from multiple states came to celebrate this wonderful man. Known to many as “Pop”, one could expect a “Pop Visit” to your home and these brought great joy to him.

Loy was the oldest living member of Nimblewill Baptist Church.

Loy, in addition to his parents and wives, is preceded in death by his brothers Hoyt Seabolt and Claude Seabolt, and sons-in-law Enoch Jerome Hicks and Roger Dale Bryan.

Loy is survived by his daughters Brenda Seabolt Hicks, Lawana Bryan, and Gina and son-in-law Scott Masters; grandsons Eric Hicks and his wife Toni; Brett Hicks and Mark Hicks; also, Blake and Erin Masters, Dustin Masters, and Ashley Bryan Donahue; great grandchildren Enoch Paschal Hicks, Anna Cathryn Grace Hicks, Eleanor “Nora” Grace Donahue, and Evelyn “Evy” Blakely Masters. In addition, Loy is survived by his beloved dog “Sparky”.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Thursday, July 19, 2018 in the chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The Rev. Johnny Foster, the Rev. Mickey Wheeler, and the Rev. Paul Shadburn will officiate.  Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour on Thursday.

Flowers are optional or you may make contributions to Nimblewill Baptist Church c/o Robert Coker, 2897 Nimblewill Church Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533.

To share a memory of Loy or a condolence with the family, visit banisterfuneralhome.net.

Mrs. Frances Diane Thompson Garrison, age 67, of Dahlonega passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at her residence with her family by her side.

Frances was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. She was born on October 6, 1950 to the late Grady and Alwayne Colwell Thompson. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her son Dewayne Bagwell; son in law John Brister; brothers Henry Thompson and Johnny Thompson; sisters Shirley Thompson, Stella Christy, and Barbara Thompson.

Frances was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a pretty simple lady and besides loving her family she found joy in her coffee, cigarettes, and desserts. Frances worked at the Lumpkin County School System for many years. She was a member of The Torch of Dahlonega.

Survivors include her daughter and son in law Frances and Bradley Gilreath; daughter and fiancé Tracy Brister and Pete Dimiceli; sons and daughters in law Nathan and Nancy Bagwell; and Jess and Christy Bagwell, all of Dahlonega; grandchildren Austin and Taylor Gilreath, Jonathan Gilreath, Chelsea Hatfield, Cole Brister, Nate Bagwell, Kelsey Howard, Natesha Bagwell, and Eli Bagwell; great grandchildren Carter, Grayson, and Kaydence Gilreath, Amelia Hatfield, Sydney Hatfield, and Ryleigh Howard; brothers and sisters in law Jack and Betty Thompson; and Billy and Lisa Thompson, all of Lula; sisters and brothers in law Betty and Don Harrison, Cumming; Susie and Richard Ray, Winter Haven, FL; and Sadie and Stan Bafile, Dahlonega; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Friday, July 20, 2018 in the chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The Reverend Kris Butler, the Reverend Lyman Caldwell, and the Reverend David Masters will officiate. Interment will follow in the Dahlonega Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

To share a memory of Frances or a condolence with the family visit banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Mr. Jimmy Charles Early, age 63, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

Jimmy was born in Lumpkin County on January 13, 1955 to the late James Edward and Laverne Lance Early. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his step son Joey Adams. Jimmy was a mail carrier for 28 years in Lumpkin County. He loved to fish and work on his old cars. Jimmy was affectionately called “Papas” by his grandchildren. He was a member of Cavenders Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife Martha Elliott, Blairsville; sister and brother in law Judy and Frankie Henson, Canton; brother Brian Early, Dahlonega; step daughter and son in law Sabra and Rex Cain, Dahlonega; step daughter Starr Elliott, Dawsonville; grandchildren C.J. Carney, Angel Cain, Justin Cain, Kennedy Norton and Callie Adams; nephew Brent Henson; great nephew Fin Henson; several other nieces, nephews and relatives also survive.

Funeral services are scheduled for 12:00 PM Friday, July 13, 2018 in the chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The Reverend Stephen Adams will officiate. Interment will follow in the Bethlehem-Jones Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

To share a memory of Jimmy or a condolence with the family visit banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Mark Chivers Fischer, age 67, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 26^th, 2018, at his home in the presence of his loving family. He was born December 18^th, 1950, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Walter and Louise (Kamphaus) Fischer. He was a graduate of McNicholas Catholic High School in 1968 and received his BS in Chemical Engineering as well as his MS in Environmental Sciences from the University of Cincinnati in 1972 and 1974 respectively. He was an accomplished business owner of Lighthouse Filters, a company of his own design. On top of being a successful engineer, Mark had many talents and hobbies, which included an affinity for basketball, golf, and racquetball, as well as being a loving husband, father, and friend to everyone he met. He also loved watching football and traveling with his family any chance he got. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Elizabeth Fischer, his two sons Nicholas and Mark Fischer, his brother Tom Fischer, his sister MaryLou Doepker, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on June 30^th, 2018 at Dahlonega Funeral Home, 20 Gibson Rd. Dahlonega, GA. The family would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the wonderful help and care of Golden Rule Hospice, as well as all of the friends and family that supported us through this difficult time.

Connie Kanaday, 87 of Dahlonega, formerly of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away peacefully in her home on June 6^th, 2018. She worked for the US Government in Florida, California, and Kararchi, Pakistan. It was in Karachi that she met the love of her life, Joe. They were married for 60 years.

Connie made it a wonderful life for our family with her love, strength, strong faith, and fierce devotion. She always made our house a home. God made her and gave her to our family as his precious gift. She was our foundation, our rock, the glue that kept us all together. Without her we would not be the family that we are. Our closeness and our love was all because of her. We will love and miss her always.

Connie is preceded in death by her husband Joe Kanaday and beloved Rachael.

She is survived by twin daughters Brett and Brenda Kanaday, son Michael Kanaday, daughter in law Vandy Kanaday, granddaughter Kori Kanaday, sister Ann Conner, and in laws Paul Stringer, Frances and Vaughn Chastain, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Flowers will be accepted and appreciated, however Connie requested that in her memory you would do a random act of kindness; help a neighbor, volunteer, mentor a child, spend time with a friend, take care of our country, be good to one another, and be the one to make a difference in someone’s life.

A funeral service celebrating Connie’s life will be held on Saturday June 9^th, 2018 at 2pm in the chapel of Dahlonega Funeral Home. Rev. Gerald Edmondson will be officiating. Per Connie’s request a private burial will take place on Sunday. Family will great guest after the funeral service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com, where you may also leave a memory.

Mrs. Barbara Ann West, age 78, of Murrayville, passed away on Monday, May 28, 2018 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following a brief illness.

Born in Lumpkin County on July 12, 1939 to parents Loy Sullens and Myrtle Ledford Sullens. Barbara was, along with her late husband, Joe, former owner and operator of Bar-Joe’s Steakhouse in Murrayville for 31 years. She was a charter member of Murrayville Baptist Church where she was a member of the Happy Pilgrims and the church choir.

In addition to her parents, Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Joe West and siblings; Lucille Anderson, Linda Tritt, Travis Sullens and Dee Sullens. She is survived by her children; Angela Sosebee and husband, Jamie Tralle, Dahlonega, Tim West, Clermont, and Dreama Self, of Murrayville, sister; Eulene Poore, sister and brother-in-law; Robbie and Charles Wehunt, brothers and sisters-in-law; Jerrell and Sue Sullens and Fred and Melinda Sullens, all of Dahlonega, grandchildren; Ben West, Blake Sosebee, Dylan Self, Hanna Grace Littleton, Dalton Self, and Joni West; mother of Ben West, and Mickey Self; Father of Dylan and Dalton Self, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 1, 2018 at Murrayville Baptist Church with Pastor John Dell and Rev. Mark Wheeler officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Pastor Ricky Stone officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 31st from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Dahlonega Funeral Home.

Mrs. Mildred Nell Bisbee, age 75, of Dahlonega passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

Mildred was born in Lumpkin County on August 29, 1942 to the late Zed and Floye Byers Martin. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her daughter Bonnie Bisbee. Mildred was an amazing lady who loved to help anyone, especially the elderly that she cared for daily.  Painting was a favorite hobby of hers.  Mildred was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband, of 55 years, David Bisbee, Dahlonega; daughter and son in law Karen and Roger Ray, Dahlonega; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 AM Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the time of the service Saturday.

To share a memory of Mildred or a condolence visit banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Mr. Cleveland “Poppa Quack” Sherman Miller, age 83, of Dahlonega passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

Mr. Miller was born in Dahlonega on April 9, 1934 to the late Jordan Henry and Gennie Sullens Miller. He lived his entire life in Lumpkin County. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife Louise Tatum Miller and his son Mark Miller. Mr. Miller served his country as a Marine and was a veteran of the Korean War.

Survivors of Mr. Miller include his son Jeff Miller, Dahlonega; daughter and significant other Susie Olson and Jerry Bryan, Louisiana; daughter and son in law Barbara and Gordan Duncan, Flowery Branch; grandchildren Calvin Miller, Jessica Dowdy, Magnum Miller, Tanner Duncan, Noah Duncan, Brittany Miller, Shelby Miller and Hope Stockman; and seven great grand children.

Funeral services for Mr. Miller are scheduled for 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 29, 2018 in the Chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The Rev. Lyman Caldwell will officiate.  Interment will follow in Dahlonega Memorial Park with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at banisterfuneralhome.net.

Mr. George Clifford Gilstrap, age 84, of Dahlonega passed away March 1, 2018.

Mr. Gilstrap was born in White County on April 9, 1933 to the late Candler and Gertrude Abernathy Gilstrap. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter Linda Larue Gilstrap and sister Sue Black.  Mr. Gilstrap’s favorite days were spent plowing on the tractor and gardening.  Many friends and neighbors enjoyed the fruits of his labor at no charge.  He loved to spend time with “Old Red”, his dog and best friend for many years.  Mr. Gilstrap was a member of Cane Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Roberta Gilstrap; son and daughter in law Gerald and Cathy Gilstrap; son Harold Gilstrap, all of Dahlonega; grandchildren Angie Gilstrap, Jamie Gilstrap, Justin Gilstrap and Johnny Gilstrap plus seven great grandchildren; brother and sister in law J.C. and Essie Gilstrap, Dahlonega; brother Cecil Gilstrap, Cleveland; several, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Banister Funeral Home from 2:00-4:00 PM.

Online condolences may be made at banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega