All Obituaries

Obituary and Services pending. 

Mrs. Frances Marie Smith, age 79, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2019 following a brief illness. Frances was born on June 7, 1939 in Niagara Falls, New York to the late Paul and Ethel (Reist) Wustrack. Frances was a member of the Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir for many years. She also spent time singing with the Mountain Community Chorus and was a volunteer with the Union County Auxiliary. She lived her life like a work of art and...

Michael L. Starr of Atlanta, GA, died April 6, 2019 following a brief illness. He was born in Roanoke, Va, to the late Rev. George and Ruby H. Starr.  He received his undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill and held an MBA from Wake Forest University.  Mike’s career was in banking with Wachovia Bank, working in both Winston-Salem and Atlanta.  He was President of the Georgia Cities Foundation for 20 years, served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fernbank...

Mr. Frank "Bill" William Sexton, age 61, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away on Friday, April 5, 2019. Bill was born on May 12, 1957 in Coral Gables, Florida to the late Richard Norman and Grace Louise (Woods) Sexton. Mr. Sexton served in the United States Army on the Honor Guard at Ft. Benning during the Vietnam Era. He was an expert M1 Marksman. After the Army he used his many talents and became an expert Painter and Carpenter. In his free time he enjoyed fishing, skeet shooting...

Mr. Luke Bright, age 82, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away on March 29, 2019 following an extended illness. Mr. Bright was born March 4, 1937 in Bryson City, North Carolina to the late Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Mary (Earls) Bright. Mr. Bright served in the United States Army and was very proud to have done so. He was also a hard worker and spent most of his life working on road construction. His work days consisted of using dynamite to blast paths for roads. Luke has two sons, Daniel Shea Bright...

Retired US Command Sergeant Major Thomas William Arbaugh, age 86, passed away Monday, March 25, 2019 at Brasstown Manor in Hiawassee, Georgia. CSM Arbaugh was born on September 23, 1932 to late Mr. Julian and Gertrude (Kincaid) Arbaugh in Cannelton, West Virginia. He retired from the United States Army after twenty-seven years. During his years of service he served in Korea and then the Vietnam War, earned a National Defense Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Republic...

Mr. Glenn Berry age 89, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Clay County Care in Hayesville, North Carolina. Glenn was born on January 24, 1930 to the late Mr. James and Varina (Souther) Berry in Blairsville, Georgia. Mr. Berry served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Further information will be provided at a later date.  Banister Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 

Mrs. Helen Patricia (Neal)  Eller, age 82, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away Monday, March 18, 2019 after an extended illness. Helen was born on May 1, 1936 in Hayesville, North Carolina to the late Mr. Howard and Maude (Matheson) Neal. Mrs. Eller was a member of Woods Grove Baptist Church.  In her younger years she loved to sew; making clothing for her children and loved ones. She also enjoyed cross stitching, working in her garden and flowers. Helen was a devoted wife for 55...

On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, Margaret Ann (Costello) Baldwin of Hiawassee, Ga., passed away at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton, Ga. after a long, brave struggle with COPD and heart disease. Peggy, as she was known to everyone, was a much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who bore her health issues patiently and without complaint.   Peggy was born in Manhattan, New York on June 18, 1938 to the late William Aloysius Costello and Bridget Agnes...

Mrs. Lura Elizabeth Edge, age 84 of Hiawassee, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Elizabeth was born on February 18, 1935 in Franklin, North Carolina to the late Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Woodring. She has been a member of Hiawassee United Methodist Church for over thirty years. She enjoyed farming, traveling and gardening. Elizabeth leaves behind one son and daughter-in-law, John and Laura Edge of Hiawassee; two grandchildren Tiffany and Matt Weaver and Dakota Edge and one great...