Gary H. Pitner, 63 of Bishop, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2013, following an extended illness.  Mr. Pitner was born in Atlanta, to Harvey A. and Ernestine Loveless Pitner on July 28, 1949. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was the owner of a lawn maintenance company.
Mr. Pitner is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ann Pitner, his daughter, Julie Pitner Benkoski, his son-in-law, Jim Benkoski, and an aunt and uncle Mildred and Herbert Waterhouse of Atlanta. He is also survived by a large extended family of sister and bother-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Memorial services was held at the home of Julie and Jim Benkoski at 3471 Doster Road Rutledge, GA 30663 on Friday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Bill Burnham officiating.  Visitation with family began at 1 p.m. just prior to the service.

Printed in the April 4, 2013 edition.

Dick “Pops” Whelan, 82, passed away on March 4, 21013 at Emory Hospital in Atlanta.
He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 21, 1930.  He grew up in San Francisco, Calif., graduating from  Mission  High School in  1948, and the University of San Francisco  with a Bachelor of Science degree  in 1956.  Following a long career with U.S. Steel in California, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York, he retired as a general manager with U.S. Steel International. While working, he also earned a Master of Science degree in Business Administration from Indiana University in 1977.  After leaving U.S. Steel in  1978,  he owned his own company in southern California,  Mercator, and sold steel and steel products. He was a member of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology for 55 years, serving a term as secretary.
He was very proud of his years of military service from  1948-1953,  including a tour of duty during the Korean War and earning a Bronze Star.
Soon after retiring from his company in  1994, he moved to Madison to be closer to family in Atlanta and to pursue his then favorite hobby of fishing.  Instead of fishing, he soon filled his time by volunteering with the Steffen Thomas Museum as a docent, with the Morgan County Extension Service and 4-H program as a certified Master Gardener, and with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.  Each of these organizations presented him with an award recognizing his many hours of service and their impact. 

Maude Hunt Pitts, 100, died March 19, 2013. She was born May 2, 1912 to Claud and Florence Hunt in Jones County. She was the first of six children. She was a life member of Greenwood Baptist Church in Shady Dale. She married Arnold Pitts on December 16, 1932 and they were blessed with five children.
She was affectionately known as Ma, Big Ma and Ma Maude by her many grandchildren; their visits were the highlights of her life. She was an avid gardener, quilt maker and a gourmet cook. She was a life member with 70 years of service of Floral O.E.S. Chapter # 100.
She leaves to cherish her memory five devoted children, Willie Frank (Eura Mae) Pitts, Ruby M. Pitts, Florence (Robert) Scarebrooks, Annie M. Simmons (Frederick), and Rosa M. Pitts; one sister Hattie C. Hunt, 13 grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins
Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23 in Greenwood Baptist Church in Monticello with the Rev. Nicholas A. Curry, Pastor, Officiating. Interment was in Greenwood Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Robert Daniel, Cedric Huff, Dexter Pitts, Willie F. Pitts Jr.,  Kendrick Simmons and Lee Usher Thomas. Flower attendants were Sierra Canteen, Ashley Elder, Briana Elder, Martha Harris, Kayla Magee, Kristian Magee, Charlene Reynolds and Kortne Simmons.
Jones and Turner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Printed in the March 28, 2013 edition

Mary Ellen Gates Behling, age 93, of Shady Dale, died Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at Jasper Memorial Hospital.
Mary Behling was born February 20, 1920 in Montgomery, Alabama to the late William Samuel Gates and Edna Florence Glenn Gates.  She was a member of Providence Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William Bryant “Bill” Behling, four brothers, five sisters, and one step-daughter.
After attending high school in Montgomery, Alabama, she helped her mother run the family’s local curb market.  She also worked at the drug store soda fountain where she met the love of her life, Bill Behling.  It was there that she caught his eye by placing two cherries on his ice cream sundae instead of one until he noticed her.  He quickly asked her out, and their story of life together began.  On October 10, 1946, Bill and Mary were married in Prattville, Alabama.
Their family grew, and Bill decided to leave the railroad in pursuit of a better life by moving to Morgan County, Georgia to begin farming.  After several years, they moved to Shady Dale where she lived and was an active member of the community for 55 years.
Her priority was her family and home.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  Mary was a talented seamstress who loved to sew for her family and others.  She also enjoyed playing the piano and singing.  In her younger years, she enjoyed tap dancing.  Mary’s faith was her daily source of strength, peace and comfort, and she read and studied her Bible daily.

Carter Shepherd, Sr., 86, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2013.
Carter served in the US Marines during WWII and in the Korean Conflict.
Carter is survived by his son, Carter Shepherd, Jr. and wife Gail, and grandchildren, Daniel and Alicia Shepherd.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carter and Adelaide Douglas Shepherd and daughter, Katie B. Shepherd.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Katie B. Shepherd Scholarship Fund at UNCG, Advancement Services, 1100 W. Market St, Ste 100, Greensboro, NC 27403.
Online condolences may be made to haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.

Printed in the March 21, 2013 edition

Dorothy Treadwell Brett, 88, died March 15, 2013. She was born December 31, 1924 in Easley, South Carolinas to William and Lola Miller Harris. She was married to James Mercer Treadwell Sr. who preceded her in death. After his death she moved to Madison and later met and married Chet Brett. Mrs. Brett was a member of Centennial Baptist Church. She liked to read and garden and enjoyed golf as long as she was able. Mr. and Mrs. Brett loved to camp and spent several years living in the north Georgia Mountains.
Mrs. Brett is survived by her husband Chet Brett and children, James Treadwell Jr. and Teresa, Sheryl Kay Treadwell Taylor and Cliff, Dorothy June Treadwell Franco and Penny Teresa Treadwell Bingo and Robert; 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Also surviving are Gary and Frances Moss and Floyd and Barbara Adcock.
The family received friends Saturday from 4 until 6 p.m. at A.E. Carter Funeral Home. The funeral service was held at 3 p.m. at Centennial Baptist Church. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at Westview Cemetery in Easley, S.C.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home had care of arrangements.

Printed in the March 21, 2013 edition