Steven Michael ‘Spartan’ Pendergraft

Steven Michael “Spartan” Pendergraft, 29, of Douglasville, died Friday July 31, 2020.   He was born Sept. 30, 1990, in Norfolk, Va., to David and Angela (Smith) Pendergraft.   He served honorably in the United States Army in Afghanistan.

Charlie Sales

Mr. Charlie Sales, 84, of Ellijay, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. He was born July 2, 1936, in Gilmer County, to the late Fred and Ollie Parks Sales. He was graduate of Gilmer High School class of 1954, and later attended Berry College.

Edward Franklin Sanders Jr.

Mr. Edward Franklin Sanders Jr., 85, of Ellijay, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. He was born Dec. 15, 1934, in Kansas City, Mo., at home, to Edward Franklin Sanders and Rose Griggs Sanders.

Ms. Rita Katherine VanOrsdal

Ms. Rita Katherine VanOrsdal, 70, died July 22, 2020, in Blairsville. She was born May 23, 1950, in Mobile, Ala., to the late Ira Austin VanOrsdal.   She is preceded in death by brother, David VanOrsdal.  She is survived by mother, Maude A.

Joe Brown Rogers

Joe Brown Rogers, of Suwanee, died July 26, 2020.  He was born July 23, 1930, in Gilmer County, to  Robert Lee Rogers and Lear Jane Chapman Rogers. He spent his entire professional career in the transportation industry, working many years in Atlanta, and ending his career in Tallahassee, Fla.

Mrs. Claudia V. Murphy

Mrs. Claudia V. Murphy, 89, of Ellijay, died Tuesday, July 28, 2020. She was born Sept. 21, 1930, in Gilmer County, to the late J.S. and Eula Knight Cloninger.  She was retired from AT&T Communications where she worked as an operator, was a homemaker and member of New Hope Baptist Church.

Cecil Elmer Defoor

Mr. Cecil Elmer Defoor, 89, of Ellijay, died Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at his residence.  He was born March 12, 1931, to the late William Lee and Era Annis (Buckner) Defoor, in Ellijay.

Mrs. Rebecca Ray Smith

Mrs. Rebecca Ray Smith, 42, of Talking Rock, died Thursday, July 30, 2020. She was born Sept. 4, 1977, in Fulton County, to  Freddie and Janet Davenport Ray.  She was a 1996 graduate of Gilmer High School, member of East Ellijay Baptist Church and was employed by Walmart.

Teddy Fae Oliver

Mr. Teddy Fae Oliver, 64, of Ellijay, died Saturday, July 25, 2020. He was born Aug. 28, 1955, in Gilmer County to the late Eugene and Oma Sanford Oliver. He worked as a handyman. He is survived by lifetime companion, Cindy; son Teddy Oliver Jr. (Anna), of Paramount, Calif.

James E. Pinson

Mr. James E. Pinson, 93, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 28, 2020. He was born May 22, 1927, in Gilmer County, to the late George Lather and Roxie Troglin Pinson.  He was a veteran serving with the U.S.