
Entries from December 2018
Marie Knight Hand
Mrs. Marie Knight Hand
October 5, 1948 – December 27, 2018
Mrs. Marie Knight Hand, age 70 of Milner, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2018.
Marie was born in Barnesville, Georgia on October 5, 1948. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Ida Knight. Because Marie hated the term “Beautician”, she was a retired Hair Dresser in Griffin for more than 40 years. During this time, she made many lifelong clients and friends, especially the people she worked with. She often said that choosing this type of work was one of her greatest achievements, going to work was a party every day. She loved to laugh, loved things that sparkled and all things Christmas. She found a new love with Facebook, but struggled to post believing her fingers too big to type on such a small keyboard on her phone. And, of course, her love of great-granddaughter, Avie. Marie was a woman of strong faith, accepted by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Mickey Hand; children, Michelle Barksdale (George), Michael Hand, Mason Hand (Adria); grandchildren, AJ Barksdale, Levi Barksdale, Eli Barksdale, Andrew Hand, Kevin Hand, Brian Hand; 3 great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Harrell; brother, Darryl Knight; several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Rd., Griffin is in charge of the arrangements.
Please join the family and friends in honoring the life of Mrs. Marie Knight Hand by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.
October 5, 1948 – December 27, 2018
Mrs. Marie Knight Hand, age 70 of Milner, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2018.
Marie was born in Barnesville, Georgia on October 5, 1948. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Ida Knight. Because Marie hated the term “Beautician”, she was a retired Hair Dresser in Griffin for more than 40 years. During this time, she made many lifelong clients and friends, especially the people she worked with. She often said that choosing this type of work was one of her greatest achievements, going to work was a party every day. She loved to laugh, loved things that sparkled and all things Christmas. She found a new love with Facebook, but struggled to post believing her fingers too big to type on such a small keyboard on her phone. And, of course, her love of great-granddaughter, Avie. Marie was a woman of strong faith, accepted by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Mickey Hand; children, Michelle Barksdale (George), Michael Hand, Mason Hand (Adria); grandchildren, AJ Barksdale, Levi Barksdale, Eli Barksdale, Andrew Hand, Kevin Hand, Brian Hand; 3 great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Harrell; brother, Darryl Knight; several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Rd., Griffin is in charge of the arrangements.
Please join the family and friends in honoring the life of Mrs. Marie Knight Hand by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Christina Ann Woodall
Ms. Christina Ann Woodall, 69, of Barnesville passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Heritage Inn Nursing Home.
Ms. Woodall was born Wednesday, August 3, 1949 in Panama to the late Earl Gibson Simmons and Betty Juanita Blankenship Simmons. She enjoyed arts & crafts, loved to bake and liked to be outdoors. Christina was her own person and spoke her mind.
She is survived by her son and his girlfriend, Daniel J. Wicks II & Danielle Womack of Barnesville; daughter & son-in-law, Ivey Beth & Brannon White of Thomaston; grandchildren, Joseph White, Jaden Wicks, Emily White, Brycen Wicks, and Emily Womack; mother, Betty Woodall; brothers and sister, Gip Simmons, Terry Phillips, Dewayne “Bebop” Simmons, and Tracy Threatt; several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Ms. Christina Ann Woodall will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Williams-Westbury Funeral Home.
To sign the online registry or to send a condolence online, please do so at www.williams-westburyfuneralhome.com
Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, Barnesville, is serving the Woodall family.
Ms. Woodall was born Wednesday, August 3, 1949 in Panama to the late Earl Gibson Simmons and Betty Juanita Blankenship Simmons. She enjoyed arts & crafts, loved to bake and liked to be outdoors. Christina was her own person and spoke her mind.
She is survived by her son and his girlfriend, Daniel J. Wicks II & Danielle Womack of Barnesville; daughter & son-in-law, Ivey Beth & Brannon White of Thomaston; grandchildren, Joseph White, Jaden Wicks, Emily White, Brycen Wicks, and Emily Womack; mother, Betty Woodall; brothers and sister, Gip Simmons, Terry Phillips, Dewayne “Bebop” Simmons, and Tracy Threatt; several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Ms. Christina Ann Woodall will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Williams-Westbury Funeral Home.
To sign the online registry or to send a condolence online, please do so at www.williams-westburyfuneralhome.com
Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, Barnesville, is serving the Woodall family.

County clamping down on music at event venues; new cutoff is 9 p.m.
Discussion on special zoning exceptions for two properties upon which owners want to operate wedding venues triggered coming changes to the county noise ordinance at the commission meeting Dec. 18.
Currently, county code allows for amplified music audible 100 feet beyond the owner’s property line until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights and 10 p.m. on all other nights.
[Full Story »]
Currently, county code allows for amplified music audible 100 feet beyond the owner’s property line until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights and 10 p.m. on all other nights.
[Full Story »]
Commission sets planning sessions
The Lamar County commission has set two planning sessions at the Gordon nursing building to meet with constitutional officers to set goals and plan projects for 2019.
Meetings with the officers (elected officials) and department heads will be held in 15-minute increments on Jan. 4, 2019 from 8 a.m. - noon. A planning session to discuss findings will be held Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Additionally, the commission will hold a public hearing Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the courthouse to take input on the comprehensive plan.
Meetings with the officers (elected officials) and department heads will be held in 15-minute increments on Jan. 4, 2019 from 8 a.m. - noon. A planning session to discuss findings will be held Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Additionally, the commission will hold a public hearing Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the courthouse to take input on the comprehensive plan.
Frances Louise Eason Grisham
Mrs. Frances Louise Eason Grisham, 81, passed away on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at home in Harrison, Tennessee.
Mrs. Grisham was born Wednesday, June 30, 1937 in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Melvin C. Eason and the late Maude Heath Eason. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas David Grisham; brothers, Marvin L. Eason and Robert Eason; nephews, Ty Griffin and Robin Eason; Stepfather, Lee McBroom, Sr.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Angela & Jim Wooten; grandchildren, Donna Perren, Jessie Pritchett, Van Conner, Jr., Lindsay Roberson, and David Roberson; sister, Carol E. Griffin (Edward); nieces and nephews, Dallas Ederhart (Steve), Dean Griffin (Renea), Todd Griffin (Michele), and Donovan Griffin (Stephanie); And a host of many friends from Harrison, Tennessee to Barnesville, Georgia.
A graveside service for Mrs. Frances Louise Eason Grisham will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at Greenwood Cemetery with Pastor Richard O. Adams officiating.
To sign the online registry or to send a condolence online, please do so at www.williams-westburyfuneralhome.com
Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, Barnesville, is serving the Grisham family.
Mrs. Grisham was born Wednesday, June 30, 1937 in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Melvin C. Eason and the late Maude Heath Eason. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas David Grisham; brothers, Marvin L. Eason and Robert Eason; nephews, Ty Griffin and Robin Eason; Stepfather, Lee McBroom, Sr.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Angela & Jim Wooten; grandchildren, Donna Perren, Jessie Pritchett, Van Conner, Jr., Lindsay Roberson, and David Roberson; sister, Carol E. Griffin (Edward); nieces and nephews, Dallas Ederhart (Steve), Dean Griffin (Renea), Todd Griffin (Michele), and Donovan Griffin (Stephanie); And a host of many friends from Harrison, Tennessee to Barnesville, Georgia.
A graveside service for Mrs. Frances Louise Eason Grisham will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at Greenwood Cemetery with Pastor Richard O. Adams officiating.
To sign the online registry or to send a condolence online, please do so at www.williams-westburyfuneralhome.com
Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, Barnesville, is serving the Grisham family.
Lillie Ruth Jackson
Lillie Ruth Jackson, 72, of Barnesville, passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2018. She was born on November 15, 1946 to the late Alma Williams Jackson and the late John Henry Jackson of Lamar County.
She joined Sardis Baptist Church at an early age and remained a faithful member throughout her life. She graduated from Booker High School in 1965 and began working in the food industry as a cook. She retired from Gordon College Cafeteria after many years of service.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Olandro D. Jackson and her daughter, Cheryl Lynn Jackson.
Survivors include her daughter, Tara Alicia Jackson (Kimberly Spear) of Griffin; grandson, Ranzy L. Jackson (Madison) of Barnesville; granddaughter-in-law, Joycelyn Jackson of Griffin; great-grandchildren, Alandro Jackson and Braelynn Burnside of Thomaston, Zayden, Raegin and Landon Jackson, all of Barnesville; son-in-law, Kenny Williams; brothers and sister, Bobby Jackson (Ruth Ann), Minnie B. McMullin both of Barnesville and Mike Stephens (Mildred) of North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church members who will dearly miss her.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Sardis Baptist Church with pastor Rev. Ayo Bandele officiating. Interment followed in the Church cemetery.
Bentley & Sons Funeral Home of Barnesville had charge of arrangements.
She joined Sardis Baptist Church at an early age and remained a faithful member throughout her life. She graduated from Booker High School in 1965 and began working in the food industry as a cook. She retired from Gordon College Cafeteria after many years of service.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Olandro D. Jackson and her daughter, Cheryl Lynn Jackson.
Survivors include her daughter, Tara Alicia Jackson (Kimberly Spear) of Griffin; grandson, Ranzy L. Jackson (Madison) of Barnesville; granddaughter-in-law, Joycelyn Jackson of Griffin; great-grandchildren, Alandro Jackson and Braelynn Burnside of Thomaston, Zayden, Raegin and Landon Jackson, all of Barnesville; son-in-law, Kenny Williams; brothers and sister, Bobby Jackson (Ruth Ann), Minnie B. McMullin both of Barnesville and Mike Stephens (Mildred) of North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church members who will dearly miss her.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Sardis Baptist Church with pastor Rev. Ayo Bandele officiating. Interment followed in the Church cemetery.
Bentley & Sons Funeral Home of Barnesville had charge of arrangements.

Family Christmas
By Mike Ruffin
My Good Wife and I like to watch classic Christmas movies. Among our favorites are It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
We have a broad definition of “classic.”
The other night we turned our attention to an under-appreciated admittedly non-classic made-for-television film: A Very Brady Christmas (1988). That’s Brady as in The Brady Bunch.
[Full Story »]
My Good Wife and I like to watch classic Christmas movies. Among our favorites are It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
We have a broad definition of “classic.”
The other night we turned our attention to an under-appreciated admittedly non-classic made-for-television film: A Very Brady Christmas (1988). That’s Brady as in The Brady Bunch.
[Full Story »]

Donavan’s Dream feeds 160 families at Christmas
Donavan’s Dream, a food bank and outreach charity founded by Donavan Sanford, distributed Christmas meals to 160 families on Thursday, Dec. 20. Christmas meals including turkey and all the fixings went to 125 families. Another 35 families got meals without the turkey due to the heavy response from parent s of hungry children.
Donavan, a freshmen at LCHS, started the operation when he was a middle schooler. It has expanded rapidly. He got an entire tractor-trailer load of vegetables from California donated for the Christmas meal.
At the end of a busy day of deliveries, Donavan sat silent and his mother asked him what was wrong. “There were so many people. I just didn’t know. I wish I could have given everyone a turkey,” Donavan lamented.
You can help with future meals. Visit donavansdream.org or call 770-710-7721.
Donavan, a freshmen at LCHS, started the operation when he was a middle schooler. It has expanded rapidly. He got an entire tractor-trailer load of vegetables from California donated for the Christmas meal.
At the end of a busy day of deliveries, Donavan sat silent and his mother asked him what was wrong. “There were so many people. I just didn’t know. I wish I could have given everyone a turkey,” Donavan lamented.
You can help with future meals. Visit donavansdream.org or call 770-710-7721.

Bumbling robbers take their act to prison
Three hapless armed robbers, who bumbled their way through two armed robberies in the area, are now headed to prison after hearings before Judge Bill Fears in Monroe superior court.
[Full Story »]

New industry, hotel coming to Hwy. 36, I-75 intersection
By Walter Geiger
The Lamar County commission approved rezoning of property at Van Mar Park near I-75 off Hwy. 36 East to make way for a new industry and a hotel. The move was made at the regular commission meeting Dec. 18.
Roughly 25 acres across Regions South Drive from the current Peterbilt location is involved. [Full Story »]
The Lamar County commission approved rezoning of property at Van Mar Park near I-75 off Hwy. 36 East to make way for a new industry and a hotel. The move was made at the regular commission meeting Dec. 18.
Roughly 25 acres across Regions South Drive from the current Peterbilt location is involved. [Full Story »]

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Merry Christmas to you and your family from all of us at The Herald Gazette and barnesville.com.
Our office will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 8:30 a.m.
Our office will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 8:30 a.m.

Kids say the darnedest things in sharing their lists with Santa
Christmas is upon us and the season just wouldn’t be the same without letters to Santa from children. This newspaper has been publishing them for generations and this year is no exception.
Hundreds of letters are included in the Dec. 18, 2018 print edition of The Herald Gazette which is on sale now.
Kids’ lists have changed over the years to include fancy electronics, iPhones, drones and Timberland boots but old favorites like Mario Brothers games, Playdoh, bikes, trampolines and go-karts still make many lists.
Exaggerations of good behavior to spur Santa to fill those lists is also a constant. This year, Elijah McKenzie writes, ‘Hey. I have been a good boy, even my Mom would agree’ before asking for a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation5 and games to go with them.
Aubrey has a very long list so she opened her letter with a glowing Christmas behavior resume. “I have been very good this year. I have done these very nice things like being nice to my friends, being good in school and cleaning my play room. Does Rudolph have a shiny nose?”.
“I have been kinda good. Please bring me a dinosaur that can open his mouth,” wrote Nicholas.
Clint Willoughby had an unusual request. He wrote, “I need presents. I would like a school bus.”
Caleb left part of his list to Santa’s imagination. “I want a trampoline and a pool, a hover board and a TV and Nerf guns and $100 and I want your hat. So, can I have one more thing please with ice cream on top and a cherry on top?”.
Keaston Brownlee went a different route, deciding to go big or go home with his list. “I want for Christmas an Overwatch, and I want an iPhone X. I want 500,000 dollars. I want Call of duty 4, a Nerf gun, Fortnite and Madden 19. I want Baseball 19 also. I want GTA 5 and 6. I want some Nikes, a ticket to an NBA game and a new PS4,” he pleaded.
As Art Linkletter said, “Kids say the darnedest things”.
Merry Christmas.
Hundreds of letters are included in the Dec. 18, 2018 print edition of The Herald Gazette which is on sale now.
Kids’ lists have changed over the years to include fancy electronics, iPhones, drones and Timberland boots but old favorites like Mario Brothers games, Playdoh, bikes, trampolines and go-karts still make many lists.
Exaggerations of good behavior to spur Santa to fill those lists is also a constant. This year, Elijah McKenzie writes, ‘Hey. I have been a good boy, even my Mom would agree’ before asking for a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation5 and games to go with them.
Aubrey has a very long list so she opened her letter with a glowing Christmas behavior resume. “I have been very good this year. I have done these very nice things like being nice to my friends, being good in school and cleaning my play room. Does Rudolph have a shiny nose?”.
“I have been kinda good. Please bring me a dinosaur that can open his mouth,” wrote Nicholas.
Clint Willoughby had an unusual request. He wrote, “I need presents. I would like a school bus.”
Caleb left part of his list to Santa’s imagination. “I want a trampoline and a pool, a hover board and a TV and Nerf guns and $100 and I want your hat. So, can I have one more thing please with ice cream on top and a cherry on top?”.
Keaston Brownlee went a different route, deciding to go big or go home with his list. “I want for Christmas an Overwatch, and I want an iPhone X. I want 500,000 dollars. I want Call of duty 4, a Nerf gun, Fortnite and Madden 19. I want Baseball 19 also. I want GTA 5 and 6. I want some Nikes, a ticket to an NBA game and a new PS4,” he pleaded.
As Art Linkletter said, “Kids say the darnedest things”.
Merry Christmas.