Grady Vaughn Calvert, 88, departed this life on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.  The funeral was Friday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at Godfrey United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Kitchen officiating.  Pallbearers were Marc Medford, Daniel Harwell, Jason Harwell, Ray Harwell, Todd Calvert, Tommy Lawrence, Heck Davis and Aubrey Moon.

He was a native of Polk County, NC, was the fourth of eight children born to Vaughn Henry and Zoar Ridings Calvert.  He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  Growing up during the Great Depression, he helped on the family farm, logged and operated a saw mill with his father, and drove a school bus (actually hired before he was 16 years old).  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart for severe injuries sustained from a Japanese Kamikaze attack in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, the Philippines.  After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy for medical reasons, Grady married Sara Louise Flynn on Dec. 21, 1945.

Prior to going to college, he built houses with his father-in-law.  He attended Western Carolina University and received his degree in Animal Husbandry and Agronomy from the University of Georgia in 1952, graduating Phi Beta Kappa.  His first job after college was Ranch Manager of Windsweep Farms, Thomaston, leaving there to spend the rest of his life in Putnam County.
Mr. Calvert retired as Superintendent of the Central Georgia Branch Station-UGA with over 32 years of service.  He was a tenured Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture at the University of Georgia, where he co-authored many research papers.  He was sought out for his expertise with forages and cattle.

Hattie Mina Reid Hicky passed away on December 6, at the age of 94.  Born March 2, 1918 in Augusta to Walker Sydney Reid and Maud Winter Hack, she attended school in Madison and college at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, majoring in education, and going on to teach school in Brunswick.  She married Dan McHenry Hicky, Captain, United States Army Air Corps, on April 27, 1944 and was a military wife for the next 27 years, which carried her away from her Southern roots to live in 11 different states and even Japan.  During this time, she raised a daughter and two sons, served as a Red Cross Gray Lady, took and taught Japanese flower arrangement classes, taught home nursing and Japanese Bride School classes to Japanese women marrying American service members, delivered mail for an independent postal service in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and earned her real estate license there.

Solicitous of her Southern upbringing she would always tell those she met that she always went by “Hattie Mina” to honor both her Southern grandmother, Hattie Hack, and her Northern grandmother, Wilhemina Walker.

After her husband’s retirement from the Air Force in 1971, Hattie Mina and Dan spent over 40 years in Madison, living next door to her old family home.  She took an active role in keeping and honoring Madison’s heritage, helping restore Dan’s family home and working with the Madison Chamber of Commerce as she ran Regal Tours for many years, which included step-on bus tours of Madison.

 Hattie Mina also published a book, “As It was Told to Me;” a candid history of the homes in Madison with recipes from their owners.

Michael Dale Bishop, 40, of Madison died December 2, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospice. He was the son of Michael Bishop and Nita Callaway Bishop. He was born in Greensboro on April 2, 1972. He was a carpenter by trade. He enjoyed arts and crafts and anything creative. He was a talented musician, playing the guitar and writing music. He also enjoyed all sorts of outdoor activities from grilling to white water rafting.
Mr. Bishop is survived by his parents Nita Bishop and Paul and Michael Bishop and Missy; a sister Christy Cobb and Dusty; two brothers Dusty Bishop and Christy and Ryan Bishop and Shelly; nieces and nephews Ashley Weaver and Cedric, Thomas Phelps, Grace Phelps, Emily Phelps, Jayden Weaver, Camden Weaver and Harmony Weaver.
The family received friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at A. E. Carter Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in the chapel. Interment will follow at the Almand Cemetery.
A.E. Carter Funeral Home has care of arrangements.

Printed in the December 6, 2012 edition

John Jefferson Singleton lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, November 25, 2012. He died peacefully with family by his side. Born October 30, 1940, he lived most of his life in Georgia except when serving in the Army in the late 50s. He enjoyed a varied career, which included house building, cabinetry and even working on a shrimp boat. In his retirement he volunteered in both Georgia and Florida State Parks. As a side hobby, he regularly rescued stray dogs and found new home for them. His love of travel and the open road took him on visits across this beautiful country every few years, most recently this past March.
Mr. Singleton is survived by his daughter Nyleta Singleton Wallace, his son-in-law Edward Wallace and his beloved dog,” Sweetie,” as well as his siblings Pat Singleton, Robert Singleton, Mitchell Singleton, Frances Stonecypher and Tina Ferguson.
His memorial service, open to friends and family, will be held at 2 p.m. December 1 at A. E. Carter Funeral Home in Madison. In lieu of flowers he wished for donations to be made to the Humane Society of Morgan County at http://humanemorga.org/ or 1170 Fairground Road, Madison, GA 30650.

Printed in the November 29, 2012 edition.

Jessie Kennedy Butler, 79 of Newborn died November 13, 2012. She was a native of Midland City, Alabama born on November 29, 1932 to Doc and Dealer Kennedy. She was married to Robert E. Butler who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Butler leaves two children, Donna Bryans (John) and Ted Wayne Cochran; two siblings Willie Jewel Garrett and Bobby Kennedy; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mary, Laura, Robert, John III, Jessica, Ted Jr., Brittany, Alicia, Tristan, Zoe, Lucy, Peyton, Kaitlin, Shawn, Bailey and Mason.
The family received friends on Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at A. E. Carter Funeral Home. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel. Interment followed at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home had care of arrangements.

Printed in the November 22, 2012 edition