Henry Waldemar Besuden Sr., known to many as “Dinky”, was called home to be with his precious Lord on December 28, 2012 at the age of 86.  Henry’s life was one adventure after another.  He was born in Ohio in 1926, and he moved to Florida as a boy with his father, where he was an avid horseman and fisherman.  Henry was a great lover of horses from a very young age and horses loved him. He was a true horse whisperer.
Henry attended Gordon Military Boarding School in Barnesville.  Once he graduated from high school he enlisted in the Navy and his travels took him to Shanghai, Australia, and Hawaii.  Upon his return to Georgia, he attended and graduated from Gordon College.  He met his beautiful bride Louellen and they resided in Barnesville for the next 32 years.
Henry retired from the William Carter Company in 1978.  In the next 30 years, he and Louellen lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Homer, and Las Vegas, Nevada.  In his final years he returned to his beloved Georgia and resided in Madison.
Henry was a member of Centennial Baptist Church, the American Legion, and Mission Service Corp.
Henry’s hobbies included horses, stained glass, and Bonsai.
Henry was preceded in death by his father, Waldemar Henry Besuden.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years; his devoted daughter, Beverly Stansell; his loving son, Wally (Charlotte); five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held on Sunday, December 30 at Centennial Baptist Church.
Henry was bigger than life and he will be missed by many. 
Donations can be made in his memory to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering or to the new youth building at Centennial Baptist Church in Rutledge, Georgia.

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition

Alice Baskin Burge, 98, of Madison passed away Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. She was born December 29, 1913 in Stone Mountain, the daughter of the late Artie Lee Freeman Baskin and James Alonzo Baskin. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis H. Burge, her daughter Rita B. Neal and her son-in-law Godfrey T. Channell.
Mrs. Burge was a long-time resident of Madison and was a devoted member of Madison Baptist Church. All who were privileged to know her were touched by her strong Christian faith and were blessed by her loving kindness and sweet spirit.   
Mrs. Burge is survived by her daughter Linda B. Ivey and her husband Harry Ivey of Lake Wylie, SC; daughter Jean B. Channel of Athens; and a granddaughter Melinda M. Ragan and her husband Shane Ragan of Columbus.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31 at the Madison City Cemetery in Madison with Dr. Jim Ross officiating. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 at A. E. Carter Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Madison Baptist Church, 328 South Main Street, Madison.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition

Nellie Willoughby Stapp, 92, of Watkinsville died January 2, 2013.She was a native of Morgan County. She was born October 25, 1920 to Will Hall and Bertha Alexander Hall. Mrs. Stapp was married to Charlie Willoughby and after his death she married John Stapp. She was a long time member of Madison Baptist Church and was retired from Wellington Leisure Products. Mrs. Stapp will be remembered as a loving person and always accepting of others.
Mrs. Stapp is survived by her two children Geraldine Brown and Ted and James Willoughby and Sandra; a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son Weyman Willoughby and her husbands, Charlie Willoughby and John Stapp.
The family received friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4 at A. E. Carter Funeral Home.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Madison Baptist Church. Interment followed at Madison City Cemetery.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home had care of arrangements.

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition

Margaret Epting Medlock, 99,passed away peacefully in her home on December 31, 2012.
She is a native of Athens and an active member of the First Baptist Church for most of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband W. H. Medlock.
She is survived by her two daughters Carol Medlock Altznauer and Barbara Medlock Henley, five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 at Evergreen Memorial Park with her son-in-law Jake W. Henley officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Athens-Clarke County Humane Society, 1781 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville, GA. 30677.
Bridges Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition

Warner Robins – Morris Tinley Wallace, 91, entered into rest on Sunday, December 23, 2012.
Mr. Wallace was born on June 21, 1921 in Rutledge, to the late Alva Vassa Wallace, Sr. and Pearl Tinley Wallace.  With pride and honor, he served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.  When Mr. Wallace returned from his duty in the military, he worked for his family’s business, Wallace Groceries and General Store.  A popular gathering spot during the winter time for the small town of Rutledge, the townspeople would fellowship around the wood stove in the store to keep warm and tell stories.   Morris was a member of Rutledge United Methodist Church and will be remembered as a loving family man.
His memory will forever be treasured by his brother, Alva Vassa Wallace, Jr. (Rose) of Clearwater, Florida.
A private inurnment will be held at a later date in Rutledge Cemetery in Rutledge.
Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family.  McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has charge of arrangements.

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition

Lillian E. “Grandma” Whisnante, age 96, of Newborn, passed away January 3, 2013 at Newton Medical Center.  She was born February 10, 1916 in Newborn to the late Ernest Howard and Clara Mae Hawkins Elliott.  Mrs. Whisnante was the oldest member of the Pine Grove Women’s Club becoming a member in 1935 attending meetings with her mother and other ladies in the community.  A longtime member of Brownwood Baptist Church, she attended services at Pine Grove Presbyterian, Centennial Baptist Church and Shoal Creek Primitive Baptist Church over the years and would visit other churches throughout the area depending on the time of year and the events that were being held.  Mrs. Whisnante was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Lewis Whisnante and her son and daughter-in-law Rueben and Susan Whisnante.
She is survived by her daughter Vickie Ozburn, her son Alvin Whisnante, both of Mansfield along with her grandchildren Cindy Ellison, Amanda and Keith Crowe, Kye and Chris Haymore, Andy and Michelle Ozburn, Randy Ozburn and Kasey and Keeli Whisnante and 16 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 at the Chapel of J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home with Rev. Wilburn Hill officiating.  Interment followed at Shoal Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family received friends at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5.  In lieu of flowers those desiring may make donations to the Shoal Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery c/o Charlotte Ragan,160 W. Atlanta Hwy, Rutledge, GA 30663 or your favorite charity.  J.C. Harwell & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Chapel, 2157 East Street SE, Covington, GA 30014 was in charge of arrangements. www.harwellfuneralhome.com

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition