Barbara Gale Whigham
Apr 14, 2026
​Barbara "Gale" Whigham, age 84, the founder and editor of the Basin Prospector newspaper, died at her home in Turtletown on April 14, 2026.​ Gale, the daughter of Leslie and Willie Mae Johnson, was born in Knoxville and grew up in St. Elmo, TN.
Prior to the Prospector, her employment included as a truck driver, social worker, farmer, police officer,...
Elizabeth Ruth Payne
Apr 14, 2026
Elizabeth Ruth Payne, age 54, of Farner passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Elizabeth was born in Copperhill, TN to the late Franklin Delano Deal and Reva Elaine Johnson Deal. She was a dedicated employee at Hardee's working as the General Manger for 24 years. Elizabeth was known for always being happy, and truly enjoyed being around other people....
Minnie Pearl Mashburn
Apr 13, 2026
Minnie Pearl Mashburn, age 76, of Farner passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026. Minnie was born on November 27, 1949 in McCaysville to the late Homer Lee Hicks and Gertrude Lillian Jones Hicks. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and was member of the Farner Church of God. Minnie was known to always be found saying, "God...
Frances Juanita Thomas
Apr 10, 2026
Frances Juanita Thomas, age 86, of Blue Ridge, GA passed away Friday, April 10, 2026 at her home. Mrs. Thomas was born in Blue Ridge, GA on April 29, 1939 to the late Charlie and Della Brown Pelfrey.
Frances loved gardening and planting flowers, and found peace in hunting and fishing. She enjoyed cooking for her family, singing in church, and...
Betty Jean Johnson
Apr 4, 2026
Betty Jean Johnson, age 65 of Turtletown, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026. She was born on August 5, 1960 in Newnan, Georgia. Betty lived an amazing life, being very involved with her family, friends, and in her faith. Her family started the Local 859 I.A.T.S.E. Wardrobe Union in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1950's, and she worked as a...
Michelle Lynn Kingrey
Apr 1, 2026
Michelle Lynn Kingrey, age 56, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Michelle was born on April 4, 1969, in Huntington, Indiana, to her loving parents, Clif and Diana Kingrey, who survive her.She was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother who poured her life into caring for others. Michelle is survived by her three daughters,...
Charles David Taylor
Mar 30, 2026
Charles David "Dave" Taylor age 85 of Turtletown, Tennessee passed away peacefully at his daughter's home in Turtletown Monday, March 30, 2026, surrounded by his wife Sandy and children. He had been recently visited by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his pride and joy.
Dave Taylor was born May 8,1940 to parents Lon and Gladys Rose Taylor. Dave was a self-employed...
Cecile Marie Fontaine
Mar 30, 2026
Cecile Marie Fontaine, age 88, of Gales Ferry, Connecticut passed away on March 30, 2026 in Canton, Georgia.
Born on May 26, 1937 in Massachusetts, to the late Arthur Ephraim Fontaine and Zepherine Rose Caron Fontaine. Cecile had a strong affinity for people, travel, and new life experiences. She lived a life worth remembering.
She loved to travel and saw much of...
Mary Adams Sharp
Mar 29, 2026
Mary Sharp was born Mary Jean Adams on June 10th, 1948 in Aho, Arizona to Tommy and Ruby Adams. Early in her life, her parents moved back to McCaysville upon request of her Uncle Rocky. Her parents instilled in her the love of God and raised her in McCaysville First Baptist Church. She graduated from West Fannin High School in...
Linda Hamlin Holler
Mar 28, 2026
Mrs. Linda Hamlin Holler, age 76, of Blue Ridge passed away March 28, 2026. Mrs. Holler was born on November 18, 1949 in Leesburg, GA to the late Lunsford and Murline Howell Hamlin. For many years, she was a member and worked as a secretary at the Blue Ridge United Methodist Church. She cherished time with her family, especially cheering...
Gerald Leon Pruett
Mar 27, 2026
Gerald Leon Pruett, age 79, passed away at his home in Blue Ridge GA on Friday, March 27, 2026.
He was born on January 6, 1947, in Atlanta, Georgia, and was the son of the late Stokes and Mary Pruett. He was the youngest of six children.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Lyn Pruett, along with several nephews and extended...
Ralph Edward "Ed" Bowers
Mar 25, 2026
Mr. Ralph Edward "Ed" Bowers of Mineral Bluff, a devoted husband, pharmacist, and man of faith, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
A proud 1968 graduate of West Fannin High School, Ed went on to the University of Georgia, earning his BS in Pharmacy in 1973. His professional life was defined by a...
Roger Dale Hall
Mar 24, 2026
Mr. Roger Dale Hall, age 68 of Ducktown, TN passed away on Tuesday,March 24, 2026 at his home. He was the son of the late Garvey Junior and June Hawkins Hall. Roger valued his fellowship with his friends. He had a deep passion for driving and had been a truck driver his entire life and retired from K & S...
James Lee Dunn
Mar 24, 2026
James Lee Dunn, age 78, of Farner, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at his home surrounded by a host of family and friends. James was born on October 14, 1947, in the Copper Basin, to the late Lloyd Dunn and Mattie Womble Dunn. James enjoyed singing with his music group, for which he did for more than fifty...
Benjamin Thomas Schmitt
Mar 21, 2026
Benjamin Thomas Schmitt, age 45, of Blue Ridge, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026. He was born in Dunedin, FL on May 26, 1980. He worked for both Whitepath Fabtech and Onyx in the shipping and receiving department. Ben's essence was that of love and light. He walked softly and left deep, lasting memories. "There are many people that...
Betty Jo McClure Campbell
Mar 21, 2026
Betty Jo McClure Campbell, age 69, of Epworth, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Born May 6, 1956, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Johnnie Brazelton McClure and Jean Elizabeth Bruno McClure.
Betty Jo was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Epworth. A true equestrian, she had a lifelong...
Steven Earl Oliver
Mar 21, 2026
Steven Earl Oliver, age 73, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 21,2026, in Gilmer County, with his wife, Becky, by his side. He was born on June 6, 1952, in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ruth Oliver; his sister, Sharon; his brother, Ted; and his nephew, Anthony Lindner.
He is survived by...
Dr. Robert Howard Tilley
Mar 20, 2026
Dr. Robert Howard Tilley passed peacefully on Friday 20 March 2026 after a brief illness. He was born on 24 May 1937 to Clyde and Lillian Tilley in Ducktown, TN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Junghans Tilley after 63 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Tilley Bailey Kanorr. Howard...
Roy Lynn Bradburn
Mar 20, 2026
Roy Lynn Bradburn, age 76, passed away March 20, 2026, at the Blue Ridge Medical Center. He was born March 28, 1949 in Ellijay to the late Charlie and Emma Pless Bradburn.Roy was of the Baptist faith and a member of Cherry Log Baptist Church. He was a graduate of West Fannin High School Class of 1967. Roy was a veteran of...
Dorothy Mae Stiles
Mar 20, 2026
Dorothy Mae Stiles, age 94, of Epworth passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Blairsville.She was born on September 13, 1931, in Blue Ridge to the late Lon Sluder and Dora Ash Sluder. Dorothy was a member of Salem #2 Baptist Church.Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas Riley Stiles, and two brothers, Willard Sluder and...
