Obituaries

William Ray McClain “Bill”

William Ray McClain “Bill”, 91, of Tiger, passed away Oct. 13, 2021.  He was the son of the late Ray and Rosa Bleckley McClain, and was also preceded in death by his wife, Celia McClain; daughter, Rebecca McClain; and one son, Steve McClain.

Fred “Runt” Gipson

Fred “Runt” Gipson, 94, of Lakemont, passed away Oct. 10, 2021 at his home. Born in Rabun County, Oct. 30, 1926, he was the son of the late Learney Gipson and Lola Beard. He spent his life in Rabun County where he worked as a self-employed carpenter.

Jane Wilson

Jane Wilson, 64, of Griffin, passed away Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Wellstar Spalding Hospital. Jane was born in Opelika, Alabama, on Sept. 24, 1957. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Smith.

Linda Elizabeth Connor

Linda Elizabeth Connor, 68, of Long Creek, South Carolina, died Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at her loving Aunt Debbie O’Shields’ home in Dacula. She was born in Rabun County to loving parents, Travis Little and Alice English. She worked at Empire in Clayton for many years.

Kirby Dale Morrison

Kirby Dale Morrison, 89, died peacefully on Oct. 14, after an extended illness. He lived with daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Jack Bogan of Clayton.

Ian Thomas Echols and Gretchen Fox Echols

Ian Thomas Echols Ian Thomas Echols passed away unexpectedly Oct. 6, 2021, at the age of 8, following an auto accident. Ian was born May 1, 2013, in Toccoa, he was the son of the late Gretchen Echols and Matthew Echols.

Ricky Lee Fountain

Ricky Lee Fountain, of Clayton passed away Oct. 6, 2021. Ricky was born the son of the late Buford Lee Fountain and Mrs. Pauline Norton Fountain. In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas and Vassie Garland Fountain, Grover Norton and Margie Page Bleckley.

Ruth Murphy

Ruth Murphy, 88, of Yulee, Florida, passed away Sept. 22, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Ruth was a member of the Jehovah Witness faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Murphy of Yulee, Fla.

Gaynell S. Stancial

Gaynell S. Stancial, 91, of Lakemont, passed away Oct. 10, 2021 at her residence. Her body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Jewell Gaines and the Rev. Lim McGhee. The burial will be at McCrackin Cemetery, on McCrackin Road, in Lakemont.

Carol Kelly Vanderwalker

Carol Kelly Vanderwalker, 68, of Tiger, passed away Sept. 27, 2021 at her home on Spring House Valley Drive. Born March 27, 1953, in Dade County, Florida, she was the daughter of the late Paul Kelly Sr. and Jeanne (Stewart) Kelly.