Obituaries

Recent Rabun County, GA Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Clayton, Rabun County, GA & Surrounding Areas

Ray Estial Shirley

Ray Estial Shirley

Sep 28, 2025

Ray Estial Shirley, age 77, of Lakemont, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Ray was born on April 6, 1948, in Rabun County to the late Fred Shirley and Bertha Welborn Shirley.

Bowling and golf brought him great joy, and he was admired for his bowling talent. He also held a lifelong devotion to the Atlanta Braves. Ray also enjoyed camping...

Dean Lawton Brown

Dean Lawton Brown

Sep 24, 2025

Dean Lawton Brown, age 71, of Dillard, Georgia, passed away on September 24, 2025.

He was born on January 4, 1954, in Rabun County to the late Harry Lawton Brown and Geraldine Talley Brown. Dean was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Eva Jane Brown, who passed away on September 17, 2023.

Dean was a devoted member of...

Albert Giovino, Jr.

Albert Giovino, Jr.

Sep 22, 2025

Albert Giovino, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on September 22, 2025, at the age of 82, after a courageous battle with dementia. He was born on July 9, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York.

Albert was married to the love of his life, Alexandre, for 60 years, and together they built a strong and loving family. He was...

Michael Burley Chastian

Michael Burley Chastian

Sep 11, 2025

Michael Burley Chastain, age 67, of Clayton, Georgia, passed away on September 11, 2025. He was born on February 26, 1958, in Rabun County to the late Burley Chastain and Dorothy Watkins Chastain.

Michael enjoyed hunting, fishing, attending car races, and watching college football.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Maney Chastain; daughter, Brandy Chastain; stepson, Shayne Sizemore; four grandchildren;...

Mary Jeanette Moore Richards (Courtesy)

Mary Jeanette Moore Richards (Courtesy)

Sep 4, 2025

Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson announces the death of Mrs. Mary Jeanette Moore Richards, age 82, of Tiger, Georgia who entered rest Thursday, September 4, 2025. Mrs. Richards was born in Blue Mountain, Alabama, a daughter of the late Carson W. and Sophia Lambert Moore. Mrs. Richards was a registered nurse, business owner, homemaker, and a member of the Mountain...

James Eugene Adams

James Eugene Adams

Aug 31, 2025

James “Jim” Adams, age 57, of Lakemont, GA, passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Jim was born on October 2, 1967, to the late Jerry Adams and Jeannene Bain Adams. He was married to his devoted wife, Valerie Addicott.

Jim was a loving husband who cared deeply for his family. He was an engineer, an author, and...

Carolyn Sue Dowdle Chastain (Courtesy)

Carolyn Sue Dowdle Chastain (Courtesy)

Aug 16, 2025

Carolyn Sue Dowdle Chastain, 72, of Dillard, GA, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 16, 2025. She is safe in the arms of Jesus but will be greatly missed by her family who loved her dearlyShe was born in Macon County to the late Plenny Earl and Launa Norris Dowdle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by...

Martha Watts Queen

Martha Watts Queen

Aug 12, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Martha Watts Queen, a devoted wife, cherished mother, and loving grandmother, who left this world to be with Jesus on August 12 at the age of 77.

Martha was born in Rabun County and grew up in Tiger. She lived a life full of faith, grace, kindness and quiet strength....

Faron LeVince Welch

Faron LeVince Welch

Aug 4, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Faron Welch, a loving husband, devoted father, cherished grandfather, and loyal friend, who departed this life on August 4, 2025, at the age of 64.

Born on February 19, 1961, in Clayton, Georgia, Faron lived a life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and the great outdoors. He was the...

Rachel Brown Davis

Rachel Brown Davis

Aug 3, 2025

Rachel B. Davis, age 76, of Dillard, GA, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 3, 2025, with her family by her side.

Born on July 23, 1949, in Rabun County, GA, she was the daughter of Harry Gassoway and Estelle (Youngblood) Brown. Rachel was a graduate of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee High School, Class of 1967. Her high school guidance counselor...

James "Jamie" Oliver Helton Sanders

James "Jamie" Oliver Helton Sanders

Aug 2, 2025

James "Jamie" Oliver Helton Sanders, age 29, of Toccoa, Georgia, passed away on August 2, 2025.

Jamie was born on September 5, 1995, in Toccoa, Georgia. He was the son of James Sanders and Lynn Helton Sanders.

He had a deep love for the outdoors and found his greatest peace while hunting, fishing, or camping. Jamie was especially proud to have graduated...

Bobby Robert Ramey

Bobby Robert Ramey

Jul 31, 2025

Bobby Robert Ramey, age 93, of Tiger, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with his family by his side.

Born on May 30, 1932, in Rabun County, he was a son of the late William Nathaniel “Nat” Ramey and Iva Lee Simmons Ramey. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Shirley Jean Ramey;...

Bryan Naymond Addis (Courtesy)

Bryan Naymond Addis (Courtesy)

Jul 29, 2025

Bryan Naymond Addis, age 62, of Mount Airy, passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Born on June 11, 1963, in Clayton, he was the son of Angela Owenby Addis and the late Raymond Addis. Bryan was a 1982 graduate of Rabun County High School and was mostly known as owner of B&R Small Engine Shop. He attended New Hope Baptist...

Rosalee Snider Wood

Rosalee Snider Wood

Jul 26, 2025

Rosalee Snider Wood, age 82, of Gainesville, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

Born on May 26, 1943, in the Pine Mountain Community of Clayton, she was a daughter of the late Novie and Lela Bottoms Snider. She was also preceded in death by her seven siblings and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

After Rosalee earned her...

Dexter Haines Allen

Dexter Haines Allen

Jul 18, 2025

Dexter Haines Allen, age 79, of Clayton, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Allen was born on August 6, 1945, in Pekin, Illinois, to the late Dean and Treva Lingenfelter Allen. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Sherilyn Bogle and sister, Pam Barker.

Dexter was a talented master carpenter and devoted craftsman,...

Thomas Ray Dodgins

Thomas Ray Dodgins

Jul 15, 2025

Thomas Ray Dodgins, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on July 15, 2025, at the age of 68, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 1, 1957, to the late Arthur and Ruth Dodgins.

Thomas was preceded in death by his loving wife, Vera Dodgins, who passed away in 2024.

A loving and humble man who would share the...

Gunner Austin Cochran

Gunner Austin Cochran

Jul 9, 2025



With hearts full of sorrow and love, we announce the passing of our precious son, Gunner Austin Cochran, who was born into heaven on July 9, 2025. Though his time on Earth was brief, the impact he made on our lives is immeasurable.

Gunner was the beloved son of Dalton and Meagan Cochran, who held him with infinite love on the...

Sybil Damaris Keller

Sybil Damaris Keller

Jul 9, 2025

Sybil Damaris Keller, age 85, of Clayton, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025—the same date on which her brother, Randall Godfrey, passed away exactly eighteen years prior.

She was born on September 12, 1939, to the late John and Martha Godfrey. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rollie Keller.

Damaris was a devoted, die-hard Atlanta Braves...

Frances Elaine McCall

Frances Elaine McCall

Jul 6, 2025

Frances Elaine McCall, age 68, of Otto, North Carolina, formerly of Clayton, Georgia, passed away peacefully.

She was born on September 12, 1956, the daughter of the late Jesse Joe Weaver and Catherine Phillips Weaver. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Cecil McCall, and her companion of 17 years, Ray Thrift.

Frances was a woman of strong faith and...

Miguel Angel Mendez

Miguel Angel Mendez

Jul 3, 2025

Miguel Angel Mendez, 77 of Mountain City, Georgia, passed away from his earthly life on July 3, 2025. He was a man who loved God, his family and friends. He was a true lover of nature and finding lakes was his absolute favorite because he loved to fish. He enjoyed camping, road trips, walking and reminiscing about the good ol’...