Mr. Curtis Lynn Smith, age 74, of Dahlonega passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Mr. Smith was born in Griffin, GA on September 2, 1943 to the late George Washington and Evelyn Reid Smith. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son Steve Smith and his sister Mildred Reynolds. Mr. Smith served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps. He was an officer with the Georgia State Patrol, and a personal guard for the Carter family during the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Mr. Smith was trusted to serve as a bodyguard for the Japanese Consulate. He owned and operated a private investigation firm for many years. With a full and adventurous career, Mr. Smith slowed down and was an independent insurance agent until he retired.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Lois Smith; daughter Whitney Smith; sons Scott Smith and Michael Smith; grandchildren Timothy Jacob Smith, Cheyenne Smith and Danielle Smith; sister Betty Vidos; and several other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, July 28, 2018 in the Chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The Rev. Michael Merritt will officiate. Interment will follow in Salem Baptist Church with military honors. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.

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

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Mrs. Louise Mitchell Riley, age 96, of Dahlonega passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Chelsey Park Rehabilitation Center following an illness.

Born in Mauk, Georgia to parents Elie and Gussie Mitchell, Louise had lived in Dahlonega since 2014 after living in Atlanta, Georgia since 1941.

In addition to her parents, Louise is preceded in death by her husband, James Vinson Riley, Sr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Laura Riley Gailey and Fred Bradley Gailey of Dahlonega, son and daughter-in-law, James Vinson Riley, Jr. and Terri Perkins Riley of Punta Gorda Florida, brother, Ed Mitchell of Albany and sister, Erylene Mitchell of Decatur.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 28th from 5-8 p.m. at Dahlonega Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 29th, 2018 at Arlington Memorial Park, Atlanta Georgia.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com

Arrangements by the professional staff of Dahlonega Funeral Home 20 Gibson Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-DOVE (3683)

Mrs. Ethel Lou Jones, age 93, of Dahlonega passed away Monday, July 16, 2018.

Ethel Lou was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. She was born on March 13, 1925 to the late Homer and Leona Higgins Edwards. Ethel Lou was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Johnnie Paul Jones; son in law Tom Dalton; sisters Nellie Faye Edwards, Annie Kate Wigley, and Clellan Crowe; and brothers John L. Edwards, Ray Edwards, and George Edwards. She loved gardening and gospel music of which she was a fan of the Inspirations. Ethel Lou loved to travel and she loved kids. She was called “Nana” by many. Ethel Lou shared a close bond with her siblings and she loved visiting or talking on the phone with them as much as she could. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughter Gail Dalton, Roswell; son and daughter in law Murl and Sue Lunsford Jones, Cleveland; grandchildren Amy and Jeff Dittrich; great granddaughter Bailey Dittrich; brother and sister in law Robert and Gladys Edwards, Buford; sister and brother in law Corene and James Jones, Dahlonega; sister Jean Beck, Dahlonega; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Bethlehem Baptist Church. The Reverend Michael Rodgers and the Reverend Lyman Caldwell will officiate. Interment will follow in Bethlehem-Jones Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

Flowers are optional or you may make contributions in Ethel Lou’s memory to Bethlehem Baptist Church, P.O. Box 457, Dahlonega, GA 30533.

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

Nellie Mae Noblet Grizzle age 72 of Dahlonega passed away on June 14, 2018.  Mrs. Grizzle was a lifelong Lumpkin County resident and member of Yellow Creek Baptist Church. She loved reading and attending church.

Mrs. Grizzle is preceded by her parents Lawton Noblet mother Pearl Conner and step father Eston Conner and brother Ralph Noblet.

Mrs. Grizzle is survived by her loving husband Henry, children Robin Grizzle of Dahlonega, Richard (Gina) Grizzle of Kingsport, TN, Rusty (Shannon) Grizzle of Dahlonega, and Randall Grizzle of Dahlonega; grandchildren, Jennifer Adair, Joshua Adair, Catherine Adair, Kayla Davis, Caleb Grizzle, Karlie Grizzle, Zach Grizzle, Morgan Grizzle, and Nate Grizzle; siblings Carolyn Westbrook, Susan Thomas, Larry Conner, Chris Noblet, Elaine Mimms, and Catherine Reeves, step mother Ruby Noblet.  Numerous other great grand children, nieces, nephews, and relatives also survive.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday June 18, 2018 at 1pm at Yellow Creek Baptist Church in Murrayville, GA. Rev. Ricky Stone and Rev. Shane Wehunt to officiate.  Family will receive friends on Saturday from 5-8 pm at the funeral home and again on Sunday from 1-6pm.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com

Rev. JR Fields, age 81, of Dahlonega went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 23, 2018.

Rev. Fields was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. He was born on July 25, 1936 to the late Allen and Viola Berry Fields. Rev. Fields was a dedicated minister of the Gospel.  His ministry covered more than six decades, serving Salem Baptist Church, Siloam Baptist Church, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Town Creek Baptist Church, Chattahoochee Baptist Church, New Bridge Baptist Church, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and True Way Baptist Church.  JR also worked for 48 years at the Bank of Dahlonega and several years at Banister Funeral Home. He loved his community and considered everyone he met a friend.  JR was a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He was a member of Siloam Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, of 62 years, Bertie Mae Fields; sons and daughters in law Rev. Terry and Gina Fields; and Ricky and Sheri Fields, all of Dahlonega; sisters and brothers in law Juanita and Jerry Freeland, Acworth; and Elizabeth and Lawrence Kenyon, Savannah; grandchildren Rodney and Crystal Fields, Blake and Kayela Fields, Chad Fields, and Madison Fields; great grandchildren Malachi Fields, Caroline Fields, Coleman Fields, Dalton Miles, and Jaden Gilstrap; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 PM Friday, May 25, 2018 in the chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The Rev. Terry Head, the Rev. Stephen Gerrells, and the Rev. Blake Fields will officiate. Interment will follow in Siloam Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday, and 10:00 AM until the funeral hour Friday at the funeral home.

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

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Mr. Thomas Marion McElduff, age 80, of Dahlonega passed away Sunday, May 20, 2018.

Mr. McElduff was born in Gaston, NC on May 12, 1938 to the late Thomas Marion and Melvina West McElduff. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son Bobby McElduff and brother Bobby McElduff.  Mr. McElduff served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War.  He loved to spend time with his family and friends and especially playing a good game of Yahtzee with them. Mr. McElduff was a man among men.  He was a hard worker and loved his family very much.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years Ola Bell McElduff, Dahlonega; son and daughter in law Tommy and Brenda McElduff, Dahlonega; sister and brother in law Judy and Robert Boulineau, Dahlonega; sister Pansy O’Donahue, Charlotte, NC; brother Billy McElduff, Delaware; grandchildren Nina and Wesley Fields, Crystal and Jim Isom, Holly and Chad Hicks,  and Bobby Faye McElduff; great grandchildren Danielle, Devin, Bradley, Luci, Cooper, Rylin, Tyler, Liam, Lily, David Paul, and Cody; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in the chapel of Banister Funeral Home. The Rev. Robert Martin will officiate.  A private interment will follow in the Summerour Family Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 Tuesday at the funeral home.

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

Bertha M. Malonis age 92 of Dahlonega passed away on May 16, 2018. Mrs. Malonis moved to Dahlonega from Cleveland Ohio. Bertha is preceded by her parents Anton & Antonia Vaicunas and her husband Vito Malonis. She is survived by her daughters Rita Foster, Ruth Stamps, and son Paul Malonis; her grandchildren John, Brighid, Patrick, Drew, Peter, Linda, Luke, & Eva; great grandchildren Waverly, Henry, Drew, and Ella.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com

Mr. Tony Reban Johnson, age 61, of Dahlonega passed away Friday, May 11, 2018.

Tony was born in Atlanta on December 3, 1956 to the late Troyce and Birdie Callahan Johnson Sr. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers Russell Crane Sr. and Troyce Johnson Jr. For over 29 years Tony worked as a maintenance tech for Fieldale.  He was a simple man who loved to fish and tinker around in his yard.  His Chihuahua “Dolly” was his best friend.  Tony deeply loved his children and grandchildren who affectionately called him “papa”.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Louise Johnson, Dahlonega; son Shawn Ledford, Athens; daughter and son in law Lisa and Chuck Crowder, Rebecca, GA; son and daughter in law Tony R. and Katie Johnson Jr., Lula; son Timmy Johnson, Luthersville; daughter Keri Johnson, Dahlonega; brother Johnny Johnson Sr.; sister Brenda Stith; sister and brother in law Diane and Darren Stephens, all of Gainesville; sister and brother in law Cindy and Willard Stiwinter, Franklin, N.C.; brother and sister in law Timothy and Pamela Johnson Sr., Pendergrass; sister Angela Goodsir, Cleveland; sister in law Angie Crane, Atlanta; 18 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

The family will receive friends and celebrate Tony’s life from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday, May 14, 2018 at the funeral home. After the visitation Tony’s wishes were to be cremated.

To share a memory of Tony or to send condolences to the family visit banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega

Edward Whonic, 62, of Dahlonega, Georgia suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage on April 10, 2018 at approximately 4 a.m. while assisting the University of North Georgia NCAA precision air rifle team at the Junior Olympics in Colorado. He later passed at Penrose-St. Francis Medical Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado on April 16, 2018 at 10:45 a.m.

Edward Whonic, born December 5, 1955 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, was a pillar of strength and wisdom for his family and community. He was the youngest son of Stanley Harrison and Winifred Theresa Whonic. Edward was accepted to North Georgia College, and joined the Corps of Cadets in the fall of 1973. He was a brother of the Sigma Nu fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Physics in 1977. Immediately following his graduation, he completed Officers’ Training School in Texas for the United States Air Force and his first assignment was to Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. He served his country on deployments in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States, including the Pentagon in Washington D.C. in the course of his duties. He was accepted to the Florida Institute of Technology and completed a Master of Science in Systems Management in March 1986. Over the course of his extensive career in the United States Air Force as both a nuclear scientist, physicist, and acquisition manager, Edward was involved with and managed projects such as the Joint Surveillance Target Radar System (JSTARS), airborne ground surveillance and control aircraft program in Bedford, Massachusetts, and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a system designed to grant smart capabilities to unguided bombs. He served August 1990 until June 1995 in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm. His decoration, medals, badges, citations, and campaign ribbons included: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1995, and subsequently worked as a project manager for many years in the private sector. Edward had a passion for education and as a teacher he gifted his extensive knowledge and experience to both North Georgia College & State University and local high schools. He was involved with the Lumpkin County High School precision air rifle team and dedicated his time to the development of the community’s youth. He was an assistant coach for the University of North Georgia’s NCAA precision air rifle team, including national championships in 2017 and 2018, five undefeated senior military championships, three consecutive state championships, and annually coached UNG collegiate athletes at the Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs. Edward is survived by his wife of 39 years, Gail Dowis Whonic. He also leaves behind two daughters: Lee Ashley Whonic of Dahlonega, Georgia and Kelly Mae Whonic alongside her husband Jacob Sullivan of Marietta, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Dahlonega Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Hutcheson officiating. Burial will be held on Monday, April 30th in the Clifton Cemetery in Lyons, Georgia at 5:00 p.m. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 27th from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Dahlonega Funeral Home.