Earl T. Rogers, age 72 of Cleveland, passed away Friday, February 07, 2020.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced soon by Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland. 706-865-3101.

Brenda Irvin Vandiver, age 63 of Cleveland, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. She was born on December 19, 1956, in Habersham County, to Tarris “Dood” Irvin and Jean Black Irvin.

Brenda graduated from White County High School, and later graduated from Brenau College. She worked for many years as business manager of the Outdoor Therapeutic Program in Cleveland, and at the White County High School Guidance Counselor’s office and the Mountain Education Charter High School.

Brenda is survived by her husband, David Vandiver, Sautee; her son Derek, his wife Taylor, and grandson, Dax Elliott Vandiver, Statham, Georgia; special aunt, Bondell Irvin Cathey, Leaf Community; sister, Rita Irvin Hawkins and husband Joe, Cleveland; brother, Mark Irvin and wife Andrea, Cleveland; and brother, Keith Irvin, Cornelia. Other surviving family members include mother-in-law, Jimmie Vandiver, Helen; brother-in-law, Mitchell Vandiver and wife Sydney, Sautee; sister-in-law, Marcia Vandiver Bates and husband Ricky, Batesville; brother-in-law, Bill Vandiver, Helen; four nieces, one nephew, six great-nieces, one great-nephew; and many other relatives.

“Boo” was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a role model, mentor, and valuable companion who cared for each and every person she met. She spent her career trying to help kids in need, spent her free time helping others, and spent her thoughts trying to figure out how to make the world a little better. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

To share a memory or to leave a condolence, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.

Lorraine Rita Boucher Bailey passed away on February 3, 2020 after a valiant and faith filled battle with cancer.

Lorraine was born in Adams, Massachusetts on May 7, 1947 to Yvonne and Emile Boucher, the youngest of their 15 children. Growing up in North Adams, this large, tight knit group relied on the love of family and a love of music that they have passed on to the generations after.

Lorraine attended Drury High School. In 1966-67, Lorraine was an inspector of space suits for NASA. This work gave her an opportunity to get to know the astronauts and was a special time of which she was always proud.

In April 1967, Lorraine and Michael set off on an adventure by making permanent a partnership that endured over half a century, the raising of three teenagers, several moves, and in later years, their divided interest in watching golf versus the Hallmark channel.

Lorraine attended Kennesaw State College. Her primary career choice was homemaking and Lorraine had an incredible knack for organization and making her surroundings lovely. Blessed with much creativity, Lorraine could paint, sew, bake and crochet like a pro and she gladly shared these gifts with others. She could whisper any unhappy plant back to life, and did so for her family and even for strangers in offices she visited. She loved music and singing throughout her life and she had a wide range of favorites from 60’s to praise music, to songs with lyrics all in French. Lorraine rooted loudly and proudly for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the New York Yankees.

She also had a heart for all God’s creatures and volunteered with several animal organizations for both domestic pets and wildlife. In recent years, the plight of the dwindling butterfly population caught her heart and she raised and released hundreds of butterflies, while educating others in doing so.

Though Lorraine lived in the South most of her adult life, part of her heart always remained in The Berkshires and she was also very proud of her French Canadian heritage and large salt of the earth family.

Lorraine lived her faith and was always quick to let you know where her Help came from. She was a member of St. Andrews’s Lutheran Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and enjoyed serving with the Holy Comforters group to help people in need.

Lorraine loved her family, and she kept her almost 53 year marriage to Michael in front of it all with a devotion he definitely returned. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by him, along with her children: son Marc and daughter-in-law Karla; daughter Michelle Shaw and son-in-law Michael; and son Josh and daughter-in-law Kayla. Her grandchildren were her heart and she will be dearly missed by Amanda (Seth) Shaw, Dylan Shaw, Madeline Shaw, Jola Bailey, Jezreel Bailey, Landon Bailey, Naomi Bailey and Violette Bailey.  Lorraine is survived by her brothers Norm Boucher, Richard (Mary) Boucher, and Donald (Marguerite) Boucher; and her sisters Jane (Clarence) Schumaker and Ruth (Don) DeLude, plus too many beloved nieces and nephews to list for fear of leaving one out.

Graveside services are scheduled for 12:30 PM Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Barrett Funeral Home.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Lorraine’s name to your local Humane Society. Her love of animals is a testimony to her heart. She has always believed in speaking up for those without a voice. (Plus she wouldn’t want Mike taking care of any plants you might send him.)

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

To share a memory or to leave the family a condolence please visit www.barrettfh.com.

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, GA 706-865-3101.

Cleveland Funeral Home and Cremation Services announces that David Johnson 70 of Cleveland passed away on February 2nd 2020. He was born on September 8th, 1949 in Dunlap, Tennessee to the late James Mitchell and Ethel Meyers Johnson.

After retiring as an Assembler for General Motors he moved to Cleveland where he opened up a shop at the Helen Flea Market. Mr. Johnson was a trickster at heart and his shop is where he sold a variety of gag gifts.

Among pulling pranks on his friends and family he enjoyed woodworking, his dog Bailey and most of all his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brother Leonard Johnson and his beloved dog Bailey.

Mr. Johnson is Survived by his children; Rickey Johnson (Whitney) of Kentucky, Terry Johnson of Dallas, Ga, and Tracy Edwards (Kevin) of Cleveland, Ga. Brothers; Chester and Jamie Johnson. Grandchildren; Austin, Inez, Haley, Mindy, Colton, Mathew, Andy, Ryan and Lilly as well as 1 Great Grandchild due in March.

The family will receive friends Saturday February 8th from 3-6pm at the Cleveland Funeral Home.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Hospice of Northeast Ga. Devra, Rebecca, and Tiffany.

Cleveland Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of these arrangements.

Lalla S. West age 98 of Cleveland passed away Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Gateway nursing Home.

Arrangements will be announced by Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland announced the death of Mr. Donald Thomas, age 69, of Cleveland.  Mr. Thomas passed away Saturday, February 1, 2020.  Arrangements will be announced later.

Judith “Judy” B. Ledford, age 69 of Cleveland, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, after an extended illness.

Mrs. Ledford was born on May 12, 1950, in Brasstown, North Carolina, to the late Glen and Hope Brown.  She was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Cleveland, Georgia.  In addition to her parents, Judith was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew P. Ledford; sister, Lou Ella Jenkins.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Lynn Ledford; son, Jason Ledford; grandchildren, Glenn Ledford, Wendell Ledford, Aime Ledford, Jamie and Dustin Loggins, Ashley and John Chumbler; great-grandchild, Matthew B. Loggins; siblings and their spouses, Leana Bunnell, Murrial and Kenneth Rogers, Karen and Louie Smith, Winston and Lucille Brown, Wendell and Landis Brown, and Hoyt and Janice Brown; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Gateway Baptist Church.  The Rev. Ross Sparks and the Rev. Hoyt Brown will officiate.  Mrs. Ledford will lie in state from 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Gateway Baptist Church.  Judy will be laid to rest, next to her beloved husband, at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Judy’s name to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center – 2150 Limestone Pkwy., Suite 115 Gainesville, GA 30501.

To share a memory or to leave a condolence, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland. 706-865-3101.

Mattie Gaynell Hulsey, age 85, of Cleveland, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Mrs. Hulsey was born on December 3, 1934, in Cleveland, Georgia, to the late Giles and Ruby Dorsey Thomas. She was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, Gaynell was preceded in death by her husband, Wiley Hulsey.

Survivors include her sons, Michael Hulsey, Terry Hulsey, and Mark Hulsey; grandsons, Cole Hulsey, Cane Hulsey, and Case Hulsey; sisters, Mojean Hulsey and Linda Smith; brother, Gary Thomas.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. The Rev. Milton Harris will officiate. Interment will follow at Yonah View Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave a condolence please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland

Sylvia Ray Brooks, age 79 of Cleveland, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

Mrs. Brooks was born on September 6, 1940, in Walterboro, South Carolina, to the late Tiller and Iola Rosalee Breland Jones. She devoted her life to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Sylvia was a member of Union Grove Congregational Holiness Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Brooks; daughter, Pamela Halbrook.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Ronnie Grigsby, Dawsonville; daughter, Rebecca Brooks, West Chester, PA; son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Stacy Brooks, Cleveland; grandchildren, Kevin Grigsby, Melody DelPozo, Amy Broom, Andrew Grigsby, Samantha Sheriff, Jacob Markiewicz, Brett Brooks, Michelle Robison, Kayla Davenport, Joshua Broom, Jeffrey Markiewicz; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Wayne Jones, Tiller Jones, and sister, Eugenia Herndon, all of Walterboro, South Carolina.

Memorial services are scheduled for 4:00 P.M. Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. The Rev. Paul Flynn and the Rev. Lanier Martin will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00 P.M. at the funeral home prior to the memorial service.

To share a memory or to leave a condolence please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.

Sylvia Gail Snyder, age 84 of Cleveland, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

Mrs. Snyder was born on November 8, 1935, in Sarasota, Florida, to the late Walter Crosby Yongue, Sr. and Amma Lois Townsend Yongue. She was a homemaker. Before moving to Cleveland, Georgia full-time, she and her husband, Jack, were longtime residents of Fort Myers, Florida. In addition to her parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, John “Jack” Snyder; 3 sisters; 4 brothers.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and John Curry, Augusta; son and daughter-in-law, John and Glenda Snyder, Cumming; grandchildren, Elisabeth Curry, Katie Curry, Ryan Snyder; granddaughter and husband, Heather and Judd Gravitt; great-grandchildren, Audrey Gravitt and Coen Gravitt; special caregiver and husband, Kayla and Tyler Howard; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family also survive.

A celebration of her life will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M. Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the family home in Cleveland.

To share a memory or to leave a condolence please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.

Helen Mott, a dearly beloved member of the Sautee-Nacoochee community, departed this earth on December 14, 2019. She made her transition surrounded by loving family and friends.

Helen was a first generation American born to the late Susanna H. and Paul S. Sirochman, Sr. in Sharon, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1929. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Jack C. Mott; daughter, Alice “Chris” Croslin; son-in-law, Paul Croslin; and great-granddaughter, Piper Jean Needham.

She is survived by her son, William H. Mott of Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Loretta and Greg Martin of Statham and Paula and Angelo Lembo of Clarkesville; eight grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren.

When the Mott family lived in St. Petersburg, Florida, Helen was both a homemaker and a medical assistant working with various physicians and hospital laboratories. Her children remember well how their mother inspired them. She helped them to cultivate a spiritual foundation based on gratitude and compassion; a love of nature and gardening; an appreciation of classical music and the joy of playing musical instruments; an understanding of the importance of service; and a love of reading and education. Helen’s commitment to connecting children with books remained strong for the rest of her life.

After retiring to the Sautee-Nacoochee community in 1988, Helen became active in the Friends of the White County Public Libraries, the League of Women Voters, and the Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association (SNCA), which honored her as a founding member and outstanding contributor along with her husband, Jack. In the last few years, she has been one of the strongest supporters of the Adult Education Committee’s SNED (Sautee-Nacoochee Educational) Talks, never failing to promote and attend these programs.
Among Helen and Jack’s many gifts was an actual piece of property, deeded to SNCA in 2015: a portion of the Motts’ land which adjoins the Association’s property and is home to a tree believed to be the largest and oldest white oak in White County. More recently, the Native Peace Garden was created on this land, honoring the Cherokee tradition of our earth belonging to all. An avid gardener, Helen had drawn inspiration from her surroundings. In her words, “my knees had caressed every inch of our yard”. She envisioned the Native Peace Garden as a place offering reflection, meditation, and peace to those who would help to create it and those who would visit the space.
Helen’s love of nature was further expressed in an art form she called Botanical Creations: pressed flower bookmarks and note cards first created as one-of-a-kind works and later reproduced to make them more widely available. She gave all profits from these creations to charity. Similarly, Helen made wreaths and fire starters for many friends and acquaintances, the latter becoming a means for literally sharing warmth.

In private as well as public life, Helen Mott exhibited her personal conviction that it was necessary to give more than she received and to live out her commitments to compassion and gratitude. In recent years, especially as she was able to get out less often, she created a sanctuary in her home, a sacred space where a steady stream of friends came to talk about books; to share spontaneous laughter; to converse about spiritual matters with a wise woman who respected many religions; most of all, to be heard and nurtured.

Helen’s way of nurturing also included offering visitors the opportunity to color. Her dining room table was covered with dozens of colored pencils and a selection of coloring books, many with intricate floral designs, inviting one to create beauty. Her invitation, “Come and color,” gave friends an opportunity to spend time with her in conversation or companionable silence.
Helen Mott was a person small in physical stature who had a heart and spirit too large to be contained. Thus, her love, her compassion, and her life spark will live on in all who knew her.
A celebration of life and memorial service is planned for Saturday, Feb.1, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Nacoochee Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Bob Prim will officiate.
A reception will follow. The Mott family would be honored by your presence. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to a charity of your choice.