Al Fleming used to say, “Every day I wake up and I’m NOT at Larry Banister’s Funeral Home, it’s a great day!”

On Thursday, December 15^th, 2016, surrounded by grandchildren, children, step-children, and the love of his life: his beautiful wife Janet, Allen William Fleming, Sr. was lifted into the arms of God as the last notes of “Amazing Grace” drifted from the lips of his loved ones.

Ironically, he was then transferred to….his friend Larry Banister’s Funeral Home. He was 90 years old.

Al Fleming used to say that he did NOT buy green bananas, because he just didn’t know if he would be around long enough for them to ripen…but he was.

At 80 years old, he decided to celebrate his birthday by jumping out of a “perfectly good airplane” and he joyfully and successfully kissed the ground upon landing.

At 84 years old, he made the decision to return to college and complete his Bachelor Degree-no easy feat because he had to locate all of his prior transcripts from UGA, Monmouth College, and others from the 1940s-who knew they kept transcripts that long?

At 88 years old, Allen William Fleming, Sr. proudly accepted his Bachelor Degree in English Literature from North Georgia College and University. He did not, as he swore to 11 Alive reporter Matt Pearl, throw his “*&^% laptop in the Dahlonega reservoir” upon completion of his college education.

Al Fleming was a WWII veteran and a beloved father of five, who enjoyed a successful career as an advertising executive with Sears, Roebuck and then owned his own advertising agency, Lacey and Fleming, located in Tampa, Florida. There, he raised his four daughters and one son with first wife Helen Anderson Fleming in their home on Davis Islands.

He moved to Dahlonega, Georgia to “retire” but no. He found The Holly Theater and there, he fell in love with acting and with Janet. Although he took her to see Saving Private Ryan on their first date, she decided to keep him, and theirs was a love story for the ages.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Dunn Fleming; five children, Jim and Kristie Fleming Walker, Tavares, FL,

William and Amelia Gay Fleming Nix, Lawrenceville, GA, Allen William Fleming, Jr. and Theresa Fleming, Marietta, GA, Gary and Anita Anne Fleming Petherick, Canton, GA, and Tom and Juliann Fleming Angert, Roswell, GA; five step-children; Timothy and Diane Quigley, Dahlonega, GA, Jimmy and Debbie Simmons, Oxford, MS, Jimmer and Janet Dunn, Caledonia, NY, Tom and Susan Dunn, Alpharetta, GA, Mark and Gerri Dunn Davis, Gardener, KS; beloved brother, Julian D. Fleming, Cumming, GA; 22 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.  Numerous other relatives also survive.

Memorial services for Al are scheduled for 11 AM Thursday December 29, 2016 at Dahlonega United Methodist Church.

Pastor Steve Schofield will officiate.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

Danny Preston Kirk, Sr., age 65, of Dahlonega, GA passed away on Wednesday November 16, 2016.

Danny’s lovable big teddy bear personality touched so many people’s lives and will be missed by those he loved.

Danny was the son of the late Preston Elias and Hazel Mardell Kirk and was also preceded in death by son, Danny Kirk, Jr., and brother, Robert Lynn Kirk.

He is survived by his grandson, Dylan Kirk; sister, Linda Anne Christ; and children in love, Donna, Don and Deana.  Numerous other relatives survive.

Memorial Services for Danny are scheduled for 3 PM Sunday November 20, 2016 at The Fortress Church, 145 Torrington Road Dahlonega, GA.

Pastor Joel Crotzer will officiate.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

Samuel “Sam” Kent Ingram, Sr., age 62, a life-long resident Dahlonega, GA passed away on October 19, 2016.

Sam was born on September 29, 1954 in Dahlonega, GA. He had a career in management and throughout his years was a manager at many local restaurants. He was a member of The Fountain Church of God of Prophecy in Dahlonega.

He was the son of the late Van and Alma Ruth Fitts Ingram. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Van Ingram, Jr.; sister, Kathy Ingram; son, Sammy Ingram, Jr. and many other family members.

Sam is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Angie and Brian Crump, Ellijay, GA and Misty and David Henson, Dahlonega, GA; grandchildren, Andrea and Andrew Sosebee, TJ Cantrell, Makayla Cantrell, Ashton Henson, Trinity Henson, Serenity Henson, Cody Demon, Jordan Crump, Austin Crump, Kaylee Crump and Kyle Ingram; great-grandchild, Landon Sosebee; brothers and sisters, David and Wilene Ingram, Wilma Jane Ingram, Gary and Wanda Ingram, Vickie Gottschalk, Mack and Mary Anne Ingram, Teresa and Larry Abernathy, Roger and Janie Ingram, Wynell and Ronald Townley, Amanda and Danny Roper, and Fannie and Harlon Smallwood.

A memorial service for Sam is scheduled for 4 PM Saturday October 22, 2016 at the Banister Funeral Home Chapel in Dahlonega, GA.

Rev. Bo Robinson will officiate.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega, GA on Saturday October 22, 2016 from 3 PM to 4 PM and immediately following the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

Edward Leonard Patton, Sr. “Ed”, age 73, of Dahlonega, GA passed away on October 11, 2016 from recent health issues.

Ed was born on July 9, 1943 in Clay, LA; moving to Dahlonega, GA in 1986 to raise his family and operate and own Dahlonega Vegetable Farms.  Ed loved his family, friends and the community and is best known for the strawberry farm and his love of fishing with others in the community.

He is the son of the late Willie Elijah and Velma Garris Patton.  He is also preceded in death by brother, Warner Leon Patton; sisters, Eloise Cooper, Eunice Odom, Marjorie Kennedy and Verna Lou White; and grandchildren, Zachary Miller and Angel Aguirre.

Ed is survived by his wife, Araceli Patton; son and daughter-in-law, Edward Leonard Patton, Jr. and Joann Patton, Lula, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Tammy Lynn and Mark Eenigenburg, Ft. Bragg, NC; daughter, Itsel Patton, Dahlonega, GA; brothers, James Guy Patton and Billy Joe Patton; sisters, Virginia White, Dolores Bradley, Shirley Berry, Abis Ford, Diane Patton; grandchildren, Daniel Parker, Tiffany Williams, Krystal Patton, Prent Keigley, Neylen Patton, Liam Patton, Logan Patton, and Amelia Katherine Higueros; great-grandchildren, Jax Parker, Kip Parker, Alisa Keigley, Piper Keigley, Haygen Williams and Aeyslyn Williams.  Numerous other relatives also survive.

Funeral services for Ed are scheduled for 1 PM Saturday October 15, 2016 at Cavender Creek Baptist Church.

Rev. Stephen Adams will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Cavender Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega, GA on Friday October 14, 2016 from 1 PM to 9 PM and again on Saturday October 15, 2016 from 10 AM until time of service.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

Harold James Posten, Sr., age 71, of Cleveland, GA passed away on September 26, 2016.

He was the son of the late Roscoe and Clara Mae Ingram Posten.  He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Tommy Lee Posten, Jackie Ray Posten, Carlos Roscoe Posten, Johnny Michael Posten, and Imogene Garner.

Harold is survived by his son, Harold James Posten, Jr., Alto, GA; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Michelle Posten, Gainesville, GA, Kelvin and Kim Posten, Alto, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Ann and Gary Hunter, Toccoa, GA; sisters, Bobbi Sue Lee, Dahlonega, GA, Linda Abernathy, Cornelia, GA; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  Numerous other relatives also survive.

Funeral services for Harold are scheduled for 1 PM Wednesday September 28, 2016 at the Banister Funeral Home Chapel in Dahlonega, GA.

Rev. Lyman Caldwell will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Nimblewill Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega, GA on Tuesday September 27, 2016 from 5 PM to 9 PM and again on Wednesday September 28, 2016 from 10 AM until time of service.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

Johnnie Ray Horney, Sr., age 81, of Suches, GA passed away on May 9, 2016.

Johnnie was the son of the late John M. and Ethel May Horney and was also preceded in death by brothers, Marion Horney and Carl Horney; as well as a sister, Henrietta Pereival.

Johnnie graduated from Orlando High School.  After graduation, he served in the US Navy aboard the USS Rainer during the Korean War as an Electricians Mate, E-6 Petty Officer First Class.  After serving his country, he was licensed by Orange County, FL as a Block Master Electrician, and from there, the State of Florida certified him as a Vocational Teacher where he taught for 25 years.  While living in Florida he became a member of the IBEW Local 606 in Orlando, FL and the Oviedo Masonic Lodge #243, Oviedo, FL.  After moving to Suches, GA he became a deacon at Zion Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Horney, Suches, GA; son, Ray Horney, Orlando, FL; daughters, Jodie McKnight, St. Charles, IL and Julie Barr, Cartersville, GA; step-daughters, Michelle Ponder and Kathryn Marsh both of Suches, GA; sisters, Lucille Reynolds and Ruth Carey, both of Orlando, FL.  Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive.

Memorial services for Johnnie are scheduled for 11 AM Saturday May 21, 2016 at Zion Baptist Church in Suches, GA.

Rev. Gerald Edmondson will officiate.

The family will received friends immediately following the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega, GA is in charge of the arrangements.