John Buford Withrow

Mr. John Buford Withrow, 83, of Ellijay, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at his residence. He was born in Gilmer County Nov. 3, 1938, to the late Grady Withrow and Ruby Starks Withrow. He was a retired district manager from the Department of Natural Resources with 27 1/2 years of service.

Christopher ‘Chris’ Dwayne Ford

Mr. Christopher “Chris” Dwayne Ford, 51, of Ellijay, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at his residence. He was born June 1, 1970, in Atlanta to the late Charles Perry Ford, Sr. and Barbara Jean Talton Ford.

Robert P. Sedlak

Mr. Robert P. Sedlak, 87, of Marietta, died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. He was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and after graduating high school, he played minor league baseball with the Dodgers association.

Michael Carlton Hardy

Mr. Michael Carlton Hardy was the son of Carlton Fay Hardy and Laurel Brenda Hardy Cochran, and stepson of James Charles Cochran. He was born in Okeechobee, Fla., Oct. 19, 1963, and passed away from cancer in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, after an extended illness.

Mrs. Elaine Parks Gates

Mrs. Elaine Parks Gates, 90, of Waycross, died Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup. She was born April 6, 1931, in Jesup, to the late George Aaron Parks and Essie Wimpey Parks. She was a member of Central Baptist Church in Waycross.

Lee Roy Long

Mr. Lee Roy Long, 81, of Ellijay died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. He was born May 17, 1940, to the late Freeman and Elzie Chastain Long. He was a high school graduate, worked for Lockheed for 32 1/2 years as an inspector and was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

Mrs. Juanita Christine Sanford

Mrs. Juanita Christine Sanford, 95, of Braselton, passed away Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Gilmer County to the late Bascom and Belle Sutton Derden. She is preceded in death by husband, Willard Doyle Sanford; and several siblings.

Mark M. Rittenberry

Mr. Mark M. Rittenberry, 57, of Talking Rock, died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, at Well Star Tranquility Hospice in Marietta. He was born in Tate March 6, 1964, to Doyle Hugh and Elizabeth Faye “Big Betty”  Rittenberry.

Mrs. Oleeta James Sanford

Mrs. Oleeta James Sanford, 90, of Ellijay, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at Pruitt Health Care Facility in Jasper.

Mark James Pilla

Mr. Mark James Pilla, 79, of West Palm Beach, Fla., died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. He was born Aug. 11, 1942, in Gary, Ind., to Leonard and Margaret J. (Fabri) Pilla. He was a graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.