Mrs. Helen Louise Graham Bishop

Nov. 29, 1935 – Nov. 2, 2012

Mrs. Helen Louise Graham Bishop, age 76, formerly of Griffin, passed away Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida, after a long battle with cancer, with family by her side. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was also preceded in death by her father Clarence Graham; mother Inez C. Graham; step mother, Althe Graham; husband Merrill Bishop; Son Malcolm Evans; Grandson Taylor Evans; Step Sisters, Sue Brown & Jean Miller. She was a long time member of Faith Baptist Church in Griffin, Ga.

Survivors include: sons and daughter-in-laws, Walter & Becky Evans; Darnell & Faye Evans; Danny & Hazel Conkle, Ronnie & Donna Bishop, Darold & Rhonda Bishop; Harold & Christine Bishop, Jim & Debra Bishop; daughters and son-in Laws, Debbie & Kenny Grangers; Lisa & Jay Perkins; Brother, Neil Owens; brother-in-law, Clement Miller; sister-in-law, Jackie Davis; 21 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Helen Bishop will be conducted Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Griffin, Ga. Interment will follow in Griffin Memorial Gardens. Reverend Jeff Yearwood and Reverend Larry McGinley will officiate. Friends may visit the family Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home 1512 Williamson Rd. Griffin, GA 30224 is in charge of arrangements. www.heritagefhgriffin.com.

Mrs. June Rose Geoffrion Guild

Died Nov. 3, 2012

Mrs. June Rose Geoffrion Guild, age 87 of Griffin, passed away Saturday Nov. 3, 2012, at her residence following complications from a stroke.

June and her husband Loren were owners of Williamstown Welding in Williamstown, Ma., for several years. After selling that business, they bought a small dairy farm in Peru, Ma. June enjoyed many years there until selling the farm and retiring in Griffin, Ga., in 1987.

She was preceded in death by her husband Loren E. Guild, Sr., brother Adolf “Jack” Geoffrion, sisters Lorraine “Aunt Cutie” Brown, Angeline “Aunt Bunny” Wells and son Wilfred E. Guild.

Survivors include son Alvin L. and wife Margaret A. Guild, son Loren E. Jr. and wife Cynthia Guild, daughter June Rose and husband David Murray; daughter in law Janice Letson; brother in law Gordon Guild. Other survivors include grandchildren, Christine Armstrong, Margaret Husky, Alvin Guild, Jr., Yvonne Guild, Annette White, Andrea Howard, Janice Powell, D. Israel Murray, Leahan Murray, Amber Guild, Loren Guild, III as well as sixteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. A special niece Janice Pratt and nephew Clifford “Johnny” Geoffrion as well as good friends, Marvin Guth, the Bell Family and Rivest Family who affectionately called her “Nanny”.

June gave her heart to Jesus in 1966 and lived a life of sharing God’s Word with all that came in contact with her. She spent countless hours studying the Bible and counseling people in need. She attended Harvest Temple, now Center Point Church in Griffin until her health declined.

Memorial services for Mrs. June Rose Geoffrion Guild will be conducted on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Haisten McCullough Funeral Home. Rev. Tracy Stone will officiate.

To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmccullough.com. Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Shirley Ann Blanchard

Jan. 9, 1959 - Nov. 5, 2012

Mrs. Shirley Ann Blanchard, age 53, of McCaysville, Georgia, formerly of Aiken, SC and Griffin GA, passed away Nov. 5, 2012 at her home.

She was born Jan. 9, 1959, in Aiken, S.C. to the late James Harris Witcher and the late Mary Elizabeth Green Witcher. Shirley retired from Spalding County Health Dept. She was a faithful member of Harbor Ministries. She was a Board Member of Grace In Him Inc. Shirley loved the Lord and was not timid about her witness. She was glad to tell them about her love for Jesus. Shirley loved children.

Survivors include: husband, Ronnie Blanchard; sisters, Wanda, Janet, Lisa and Melissa; one brother, Billy; nieces and nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Haisten McCullough Funeral Home with the Rev. Denise B. Caldwell officiating and music by Grace In Him and Jack Caldwell. Interment will follow in Westwood Gardens. Family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday.

To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmccullough.com.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd., is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Anne Reid

Sept. 26, 1943 – Nov. 4, 2012

Griffin resident

Mrs. Anne Reid, age 69 of Griffin, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 at Spalding Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Reid was born on Sept. 26, 1943 in Americus, Georgia. She is preceded in death by her parents, R.L. Cordell and Mary Allmon Cordell. Mrs. Reid was retired from the Boy Scouts of America, Flint River Council and a member of County Line United Methodist Church, where she has served as the church pianist for 30 years. She also volunteered at the Salvation Army House of Hope.

Survivors include son, Mark Reid of New Orleans; daughter and son-in-law, Tara and Steve Winstead of Williamson; grandchildren Mahlon and Zack; sister Pat Williams; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Mrs. Anne Reid will be conducted Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 at 5 p.m. at County Line United Methodist Church, 416 County Line Church Road, Griffin. Reverend Ede Swehla, Reverend Gene Walton and Reverend Eddie Bradford will officiate. Friends may visit the family following the services. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to County Line United Methodist Church, 416 County Line Church Road, Griffin, Ga. 30223 or to Salvation Army’s House of Hope, P. O. Box 798, Griffin, GA. 30224 in memory of Mrs. Reid.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin was in charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com.

Coach Russell Gray

May 4, 1937 – Nov. 3, 2012



Coach A. Russell Gray, age 75 of Barnesville, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Coach Gray was born in Olar, S.C. on May 4, 1937. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Russell Gray and Grace Hoover Gray. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Jane Ballard Gray. Coach Gray was a 1958 graduate of the University of Georgia, retired from the Griffin-Spalding County School System after 30 years of service. He was a member of Congregational Methodist Church, former member of Elk’s Lodge and Moose Lodge.

Survivors include daughter, Gaynor Gray and fiancée, Kevin Holmby, son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Jane Gray; grandchildren, Morgan and Mason; sister-in-law Gerry Dunn; nieces and nephews, Steve and Gail Underwood, Mitchell and Nancy Pryor, William Dunn, Jr.; cousin, Jimmy Hoover.

Funeral services for Coach Gray will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Reverend Jack Landham will officiate. Friends may visit the family following the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Arthritis Foundation, Georgia Chapter, 2970 Peachtree Rd., NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30305 in memory of Coach Gray.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, is in charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Billy Reece

Sept. 14, 1958 – Nov. 2, 2012

Mr. Billy C. Reece, age 54 of Campbellsville, KY, formerly of Griffin, Ga., passed away on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012.

Mr. Reece was born in Marietta, Georgia, on Sept. 14, 1958. He is preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Clarence Reece and a brother, Junior Reece. He was the owner of Reece’s Vegetable Market in Campbellsville.

Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law Matthew and Brooke Reece of Campbellsville, KY, Cliff Reece and his friend Samantha Clark of Columbia, KY; grandchildren, Ami Reece, Sierra Demers, Austin Demers; mother of his children, Linda Ciangetti of NJ; Billy’s mother, Jean Reece of Griffin, GA; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marcy Reece, Becky and Bo Reece all of Griffin, GA., Debbie and Mark Ledford of Pigon Forge, TN; sister-in-law, Cathy Reece of Griffin, GA; nieces and nephews, Jamie Rogers, Jenna Reece, Deanna Wimberly, Jessica Goodman and husband, David, Ben Reece and wife, Kristen; special friends, Susan Carney of Griffin, Marilyn Jones of FL., Sammy Moore of Griffin, David Wells of Campbellsville, KY.

Visitation for Mr. Billy C. Reece will be Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Westwood Gardens.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, is in charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Ronnie Long

Sept. 22, 1961 – Nov. 6, 2012

Griffin resident



Mr. Ronnie E. Long, age 51 of Griffin, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.

Mr. Long was born in Griffin, Georgia, on Sept. 22, 1961. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Long and Mildred Moore Long. He was a former employee of AEP Industries and attended Griffin First Assembly of God.

Survivors include wife, Beth Long; sons and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Jessie Long, Justin Long; sister and brother-in-law, Janice and Gene Buice; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Susie and Grady Kilgore; special friend Alan Diagle; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Merrill Thompson, Chris and Michelle Thompson; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Mr. Ronnie Long will be Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A family graveside will be held in the Westwood Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Vitas Hospice, 1575 Northside Dr., Suite 375, Atlanta, Georgia 30318 in memory of Ronnie.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, is in charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com.

Ms. Marie Collier, 59, of 721 Woodard Rd. in Griffin, passed away on Monday, Nov. 5 at the Atlanta Medical Center. Burden’s Funeral Home in Griffin is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Margaret Sargent, age 87, of Riverdale, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Mrs. Sargent, a native Atlantan, attended Girls High and is preceded in death by her husband, William Sargent and her son, David Sargent. Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Sargent will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at 12 p.m. in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park in Jonesboro. Daughter, Lynda Greaves, will officiate. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Heritage Funeral Home, 1512 Williamson Rd. Griffin, GA 30224 is in charge of arrangements. www.heritagefhgriffin.com.

Mr. Neal David Sword Sr., “Big Red,” age 81 of Morrow, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 at the Henry Medical Center. Memorial services for Mr. Neal David Sword Sr. will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the Haisten McCullough Funeral Home. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Triangle Down Syndrome Network, P.O. Box 37305, Raleigh, N.C. 27627 in memory of Mr. Sword. To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmccullough.com. Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd., is in charge of arrangements.