Cathey, Miles wed at Buckhead Baptist

Since I have had two early deadlines for the last two weeks, some of my news seems really far behind, so just bear with me!  2013 is here!  I saw a cute cartoon about making New Year's resolutions which went like this:  "I can't believe 2013 is here and I am still not a better person!"  Isn't that the truth?!  We make our resolutions and we try very hard to stick to them, but lo and behold, before you know it we have slid back to our old ways.  There is a story in our book that Grandma told about Little Abel and the snow; little bit by little bit, Little Abel kept digging and digging until he had forged a way from his house out to the street.  You just don't know how many times I have told myself and others, "Just little bit by little bit, you will get it done."  All we can do is try.
We all want to extend our sympathy to the family of Marvin Bone who passed away after the holidays.  Mr. Bone was the father of my classmate and friend, Pam Whitlock, and of course my other friends, Jennifer Cochran and Marvin, Jr., and of course, his wife, June.  You couldn't ask for a nicer, down to earth family than any of them.  He was one of the "great generation of World War II veterans."  He was a member of the airborne division and saw some fierce, fierce fightings which made a deep impression on him all of his life.  His family planned a wonderful homegoing service for him with his nephew, the Rev. Bobby Bone, recalling wonderful family memories and stories with his uncle; the Rev. Alfred Murray, a friend and "pasture neighbor" giving a poignant eulogy also, and of course, his pastor, the Rev . Charles Smith also doing a great job of memorializing Mr. Bone  of knowing him through the church and being his pastor if only for a short time.  Mr. Bone will be greatly missed by all his friends but most of all by his loving family whom he loved dearly.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.
We also extend our sympathy to the family of Mary Fuller of Eatonton who also passed away shortly after the holidays.  Her daughter Mrs. Phillip Wood (Martha) on the Pierce Dairy Road.  Martha's father, Curtis Fuller, had also passed away only a few short weeks away.  Mrs. Fuller was a wonderful cook and cake maker; she would make any kind of cake to perfection.  She told me one time she was teaching Martha's daughters to make them.  I hope they learned!!  Our thoughts and prayers are with all the  family as they are dealing with so much grief at this time.
Alma Quillian, who taught so, so many of us during her years at MCHS also passed away recently at the age of 94.  She tried and succeeded with some of you in teaching us algebra, trigonometry, and calculus!!  Our sympathy goes out to her family also.
Sympathy is also extended to Alvin Richardson of Swords Trail as his mother, Ila Richardson, also passed away last week.  He wrote often of her and his growing up years in his column in The Citizen.
I also just learned this morning that Ray Hutchins of Athens passed away on Friday from a massive heart attack.  Ray was the husband of the former Emogene Harper, daughter of the late Bessie and Dave Harper, who years ago lived on the Pierce Dairy Road.  Imogene was the baby of all the girls and is also the only surviving sibling now.  His services were held on this Monday morning at Bernsteins in Athens.  Our sympathy also goes out to all of the family.
Dot Fordham, of Barrows Grove Road here in the community is now a resident of the Lake Oconee Assisted Living House.  where she will be a close neighbor of Frances Brewer there.  We need to continue to remember Neta Peppers as she is still in an Athens hospital recovering from a stroke she suffered earlier as well as a broken foot.  David Kindness of the SOLM is also still in Athens as he is recovering from a bout with pneumonia.
Congratulations are in order to Gerald Cathey and Andrea Miles as they were wed on December 29th at Buckhead Baptist Church in the presence of close friends and family.  A reception was held afterward in the fellowship hall.  Gerald and Andrea honeymooned in Savannah.  All of us send them our warmest wishes and God's blessings upon their marriage.
All of our blessings and prayers go out to Matt Lindsey as he left this Monday morning (Jan. 7th) for his basic training in the US Army at Fort Benning in Columbus. We all wish him Godspeed in this new journey in his life.
Katja Seiger has returned to her home in Switzerland after visiting Scott Porter and his family and her extended family at Southern Cross Ranch here in Madison and Buckhead.
Bob and Lydia Bennett entertained at a lovely New Year’s Eve get-together at their beautiful country home on Plainview Road for neighbors and friends to help welcome in 2013.  Although I will wager to say that probably all of us and them included were home snug in our beds and sleeping away when it came in!!  The truth is I haven't seen too many years come in at all.....even in my younger, younger years!
Ron Barnes has taken over as the new general director of the Source of Light Ministries as of January 1st.  Ron is the son of the former Jeanne Dix and the grandson of Glenn Dix, who was the general director of SOLM for years and years.  The torch has been passed.
Jake Harris has returned to his home in Texas after visiting his grandparents, Tommy and Raynor Cathey in Buckhead during the Christmas holidays.
Will Thompson, son of Allison and Greg Thompson, here in the community was baptized on Sunday morning at Madison Baptist Church.  I believe all of his grandparents and his great-grandparents were present as well as aunts and uncles.  It was good to see his great-grandmother, Lurene Jordan, and Edna McClain there.  His grandfather, Charles McClain, gave a very moving prayer of consecration for his grandson after his baptism.
Blanche Wilson and Irene Paul visited with Frances Brewer and Dot Fordham last week at The Oconee House.
Joe and Lynn Hanson, Kim and Jai Hudgins and their family of Toccoa, Imogene and Ray Hutchins of Athens all enjoyed a Christmas get-together at the home of Cindy and Gene Baldwin and their family on last Sunday.
Dale Thompson along with her daughter, Dawn and Tony Epps with their children, Chris and Cole from Athens traveled to New Castle, VA. over the New Year’s holidays to visit with Joey and Jody Hutton and their families.  Dale reports that it was very, very cold up in there!

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition