U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Harry Paul Pontiere Jr.
Harry Paul Pontiere Jr. of Cleveland died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003.
Mr. Pontiere was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and had lived in Fort Myers, Fla., before moving to White County in 1996.
Mr. Pontiere served in the United States Navy during World War II, and was a certified gemologist. He was of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include his daughter, Kim Pontiere DeHart, Cleveland; stepsister, Patricia Voorvaart, Simsbury, Conn.; grandchildren, Chanel Pontiere, Zachary Ashe, Amanda Ashe; and great-grandson, Preston Pontiere.
Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home chapel. The Rev. Lanier Martin will officiate. Burial will follow in Gateway Memory Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. Friday.
Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home, Cleveland, has charge of arrangements.
Martha Slade
PINEVIEW – Martha Slade died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, in Macon. She was 78. Mrs. Slade was a native of Dooly County and was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, WMU president and Sunday school teacher.
She was a member of Pineview Garden Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Slade.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Rudy Lancaster, Cordele, Lynn and Larry Dunaway, Hawkinsville, Colding and Kelsie Brady, Cleveland, Merry John and Robert Mooring, Keystone Heights, Fla.; Julie and Wayne Bloodworth, Pineview; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and a special friend, Geneva Melvin, Pineview.
Funeral services were held Friday at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with the Revs. Thurmond Collins, Jim Criswell and Don Woodall officiating.
Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the church and the Georgia Baptist Children's Home.
Clark Funeral Home, Hawkinsville, had charge of arrangements.
Annie Rose Warwick Smith
DEMOREST – Annie Rose Warwick Smith died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at Habersham County Medical Center in Demorest following an extended illness. She was 98.
Born in White County on June 20, 1905, she was the daughter of the late Homer and Pearl Hood Warwick. She was a homemaker and a member of Fairfield Baptist Church in Demorest.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Smith; daughters, Pauline Wade and Fannie London; two grandsons; and one great-grandson.
Survivors include her daughter, Pearl Smith Banks; sons, John H. Smith, Ray Smith and Henry B. Smith, all of Demorest; brothers, Clarence Warwick, Cleveland, and Elisha Sutton, Alto; 23 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and 28 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Fairfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Keith Allison and the Rev. Guy Lee officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, had charge of arrangements.
Melba Jean Pilgrim Smith
Melba Jean Pilgrim Smith of Cleveland died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at her residence following an extended illness. She was 55.
Mrs. Smith was born in White County, where she lived all of her life. She was preceded in death by her father, William John Pilgrim. She was a beautician and a member of Zion Church Interdenominational.
Survivors include her husband, Clarence Smith, Cleveland; daughters and sons-in-law, Angie and Ashley Helton, Holly and Hal Pardue, all of Cleveland; grandchildren, Brooke Helton and Kendall Pardue, both of Cleveland; mother, Alma Pilgrim, Cleveland; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leon and Dorene Pilgrim, Cornelia, Terry and Debbie Pilgrim, Cleveland; Tony and Sonya Pilgrim, Cleveland; brothers, Ed Pilgrim, Cornelia, Jerry Pilgrim, Cleveland; sisters and brothers-in-law, Queenola and Jim Daniels, Cornelia, Charlene and Leo Ivester, Clarkesville; sister, Elizabeth Allen, Demorest; sisters-in-law, Bobbie Crumley, Gainesville, Virginia Banks, Lula; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ralph and Ruby Smith, Gainesville; Marvin and Ernestine Smith, Lula; Chillos and Glenice Smith, Dawsonville; Horace and Debbie Smith, Cumming; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Friday in the Zion Church Interdenominational. The Rev. Gary Heffner, the Rev. Hoyt Skelton and the Rev. Ralph Smith officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, had charge of arrangements.
Vernon Amos Abernathy
Vernon Amos Abernathy of Robertstown died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at the Lanier Park Campus of Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following a brief illness. He was 72.
Mr. Abernathy was a native and lifelong resident of White County. He was a retired truck driver and attended Chattahoochee United Methodist Church. He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of platoon sergeant.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby Abernathy, Blairsville; son, Randy Abernathy, Cleveland; son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Stephanie Abernathy, Cleveland; daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Johnny Collins, Dawsonville, Patricia and Larry Nichols, Blairsville; sister, Nettie Kemp, Gainesville; and brother, Phillip Turner, Toccoa; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday at Chattahoochee United Methodist Church. The Rev. Tony Kemp officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Chattahoochee United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.
Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home, Cleveland, had charge of arrangements.
James Chapman
MURRAYVILLE – James “Pa” Chapman died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following a sudden illness. He was 84.
Born in Lumpkin County on April 22, 1919, he was the son of the late James Reece and Jennie Chapman. He was a lifelong resident of Lumpkin County and a veteran of World War II. A dedicated Christian and member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, he served as a deacon for 52 years and song director for many years. He was preceded in death by his parentsand a brother, Eugene Chapman.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Rhonda Chapman; children, Roger and Patricia Dunagan, John and Jimmie Sue Gerrells, Murrayville; grandchildren, Troy and Sharon Dunagan, Murrayville, Sandi and Eddie Lovell, Murrayville, Stephen and Kristi Gerrells, Dawsonville, and Nathan Gerrells, Murrayville; great-grandchildren, Craig and Kyle Lovell, Kalie, Zach and Hannah Gerrells, Clarissa and Maggie Reece Dunagan; stepmother, Bell Chapman, Dahlonega; stepsister, Ruth Couch, Clermont; stepbrothers, Bobby and Larry Barnes, Clermont; sisters-in-law, Dola Chapman, Dahlonega, Myrtle West, Cleveland; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. The Rev. Dean Bryant, the Rev. Phillip Robinson, the Rev. Roger Dunagan, and the Rev. Stephen Gerrells officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors.
McKinney Funeral Home, Dahlonega, had charge of arrangements.
Bertha Elizabeth Jackson
Bertha Elizabeth Jackson of Cleveland died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003, at a private nursing home following a period of declining health. She was 96.
Mrs. Jackson was a lifelong resident of White County and was a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Jackson; son, Sherrill Jackson; and her daughter, Eilene Jackson.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Wanda Hutchinson, Atlanta; nieces, Charlene Christy and Kay Bowen, both of Cleveland; granddaughter, Kasi Webb, Atlanta; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other nieces, nephews and relatives.
Funeral services were held Sunday at Shoal Creek Baptist Church. The Rev. Chris Anderson and the Rev. Loyd Martin officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Shoal Creek Baptist Church Building Fund.
Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home, Cleveland, had charge of arrangements.
Alma Cannon Reese
DULUTH – Alma Cannon Reese died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at the Lanier Park Campus of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following an extended illness. She was 78.
Mrs. Reese was born in Lumpkin County, the daughter of the late Oscar and Fairy Cain Cannon. She was a homemaker and member of Duluth Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Janet Reese, Atlanta; sons, Charles Reese, John Reese, both of Atlanta; brothers, J.C. Cannon, Cleveland, Pat Cannon, Norcross; sisters, Sue Perez, Barbara Matthews, both of Bethesda, Md., Jean McCall, Summerville, S.C.; grandson, John Robert Reese, Atlanta.
Funeral services were held Saturday in the Chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. The Rev. Bob Lanford officiated. Burial followed in Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Jeanette Gurley, 6837 N. Highway 129, Cleveland, Ga. 30528.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, had charge of arrangements.
Murrell Thomason
Murrell Thomason of Helen died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003, at a private nursing home following a period of declining health. She was 77.
Mrs. Thomason was a native and lifelong resident of White County and was employed by Orbit Manufacturing for a number of years.
She was preceded in death by her son, Buck Thomason; brothers, George Abernathy and James Abernathy; and sisters, Novice Lee Cantrell and Jamima Padgett. She was a member of Center Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Thomason, Robertstown; sister, Juanita Abernathy, Robertstown; brother, Bill Abernathy, Denver; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Monday. The Rev. Henry Loggins officiated. Burial was in the Helen-Robertstown Cemetery.
Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home, Cleveland, had charge of arrangements.
Jack Norman Gunter
CORNELIA – Judge Jack Norman Gunter, the father of Enotah District Attorney Stan Gunter, died Monday, Nov. 24, 2003. He was 81.
Judge Gunter was born in Greensboro, N.C., on Dec. 13, 1921, the only child of the late Colon Jones Gunter and Bettie Victoria Stanley Gunter. He was a United States Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet, Squadron Commander, Squadron Adjutant in World War II. Judge Gunter attended Wofford College in South Carolina and graduated from John Marshall Law School, passing the bar in 1960.
In 1965, Gunter was elected Solicitor of State Court where he served until 1967. Judge Gunter served on Gov. Lester Maddox’s staff as legal adviser in 1966 and was elected secretary/treasurer of the State Democratic Party and served on the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party in 1966. He served as delegate to the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. He also served on the committee against organized crime.
Judge Gunter was elected state representative, 11th District, and served from 1967 to 1970 and was elected Superior Court Judge Mountain Circuit from 1972 to 1992. Judge Gunter received his honorable doctor of law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1976. He was elected secretary/treasurer of the Council of Superior Court Judges 1979, President Elect 1980-1981, President 1981-1982, and retired in 1992 and was Senior Judge from 1993 to the present.
While serving, Judge Gunter introduced legislation affecting courts across Georgia. and introduced legislation to eliminate the Fee System in Georgia County Government offices.
He was a member of the Mt. Airy Lodge #141 F & AM and was a Shriner, Emeritus Yaarab Temple and was a former Kiwanian.
Survivors include his wife, Jo Cox Gunter; two daughters, Debbie Price and Vicki Bradley, both of Boone, N.C.; two sons, Norman Stanley Gunter, Blairsville, and David B. Gunter, Hollingsworth; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held today at 3 p.m. from the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, wth Rev. Walter Burrell officiating. Private graveside services will be held.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Shriners Hospital, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, S.C. 29605 and the Georgia Sheriff Youth Homes, P. O. Box 1000, Stockbridge, Ga. 30281.
Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, had charge of the arrangements.
Jerri Allison
Joanna “Jerri” Lee Allison of Cleveland died Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at a private nursing home following an extended illness. She was 66.
Mrs. Allison was a native of Anderson, S.C., and had lived in White County since 1999 moving from Suwanee. She was a homemaker and attended Shoal Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dot Patterson.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth “Derral” Allison; stepfather, John Patterson, Cleveland; and stepmother, Clara Lee, Anderson, S.C. Funeral services were held Wednesday in the funeral home chapel. The Rev. Chris Anderson officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Alexander’s Gateway Chapel Funeral Home, Cleveland, had charge of arrangements.
Undine L. Crisafulli
Undine L. Crisafulli of Helen died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at Friendship Nursing Home following an extended illness. She was 85.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Jan and Darlene Curts, Sautee-Nacoochee; grandsons, Darrell Robert Curts II and Travis Janson Curts, both of Tampa, Fla.
Funeral services will be held at a later date in Muncie, Ind.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, has charge of the arrangements.
Wilhelmina Franks
Wilhelmina Carolyn Franks of Cleveland died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center: Lanier Park Campus in Gainesville following an extended illness. She was 91.
Mrs. Franks was born in Towns County, the daughter of the late Virgil and Bertha Owenby Waldrop. She was a retired school teacher and a member of Cleveland First Baptist Church.
Mrs. Franks was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Franks Sr.; sister, Sue Miles; and brothers, George Waldrop and Vaughn Waldrop.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Clovis and Celine Franks, White, Lowell and Martha Franks, Lilburn; sons, Claude Franks Jr., Cove, Ark., Glenn Franks, Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Gilmer Vandiver, Cleveland; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday at Barrett Chapel. The Rev. Aubrey McIntyre officiated. Burial was in Gateway Memory Park.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, had charge of arrangements.
