In Their Honor Funeral and Cremation Providers

03/18/2025

We have a new “top fan!” 😂

03/01/2025

https://www.ithfuneral.com/obituaries/allen-sirek

View Allen Joseph Sirek's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/22/2025

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02/05/2025

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After spending many weeks with a gentleman who was dying, I was honored that he requested me to be there when he took his last breath. I got very attached to him and to his family, it was hard not to, they were lovely. He was the kindest man I had ever met. He showed me love of family, love of faith, love of life, and most importantly, finding peace with death, which he did in the most beautiful way.

This was early on in my career, I had only just become a hospice nurse.

I slept in a chair next to his bed for two days until he died. His wife had started losing her cognitive ability and their caregiver was unavailable, so I stepped in. I did not leave his side until that last breath was taken.

Later that day, I walked outside with the hospice doctor, and I started to cry. I had kept my emotions inside, I never showed the effect any of this was having on me, and even when I looked over and told his wife he was gone, I did not cry. I thought that was what I was supposed to do. I apologized to the doctor for crying. I was embarrassed, I felt like maybe he would judge me, and that I was not emotionally capable of doing this work. But I was wrong.

He looked right into my eyes, and he told me to feel whatever I was feeling. He gave me permission to ache for this loss, which was mine too. He told me that in order to be able to do this work well, we have to remember that we are bearing witness to the end of a life. He said that if I should ever stop feeling a sense of sadness witnessing a last goodbye, only then should I be concerned about whether or not I am capable of continuing to do this work.

He told me it was okay to cry, and then he leaned in, and he held me until I was done. We stood on that sidewalk for what seemed like hours, and I felt all the feelings that happen when you witness the last breath of a human being.

It was that moment when I realized that it was okay for me to cry. It is not okay to throw yourself across their bed, or sob uncontrollably, you absolutely must have some sense of decorum, but at the end of the day if you witness a death, and a last goodbye, it is okay to cry.

Crying, for me, is very healing. It is a comforting release, something that happens easily and often, and not just when I witness someone die. I used to joke that I wished I had a special remote that could keep my tears in check. I would apologize for having an emotional reaction that always leads to tears. In many ways it removes any chance for me to keep my feelings to myself, I am transparent in that regard, which is not always a good thing. But it is who I am, and I am okay with that.

Sometimes my tears are soft and gentle
Sometimes they sting my eyes
Sometimes there is no reaction
Sometimes I might not cry

But every time I witness death
And every time someone says goodbye
I feel something deep within
It's hard to keep it tucked inside

When a life has ended
No matter how hard I try
I have learned...
That it's okay to cry.

xo
Gabby

You can find this blog here:
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/post/it-s-okay-to-cry

01/23/2025

View Patricia Gray's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/17/2025

View Thelma C Brookshire's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/27/2024

08/31/2024

Miss Julianna “Julie” Marie Drake, age 24, of Valdosta, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Julianna was born on April 4, 2000, in Odessa, Ukraine, and was adopted as the daughter of Melanie Stovall Fortenberry and David Parker Drake.

As an autistic young lady, Julianna enjoyed simply enjoying every minute of life. She loved the beach, the lake, horses, chocolate, ice cream, music, holidays, and church services. She loved her family, her friends, and life and never missed an opportunity to throw a party.

Despite her autism, Julianna had a way of connecting with people and she touched many lives. She knew how to brighten any room and she brought a smile to everyone she met. Her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her.

Julianna is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Chief Master Seargent John Drake, Jr. and Marie Drake of Fayetteville, NC. She is survived by her father and step-mother, David and Katie Drake, of Ellijay, Georgia; her mother and step-father, Melanie and John Fortenberry, of Blairsville, Georgia; her siblings, Elijah and Colten Fortenberry, of Blairsville, Georgia; her sister, Kyleigh Fortenberry, of Dahlonega, Georgia; her sister, Victoria Perry, of Dawsonville, Georgia; her maternal grand-parents, Melvin and Evelyn Stovall, of Elberton, Georgia; as well as her aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her fellow residents at Parkwood Development Center in Valdosta, Georgia, and Sunrise Care Home in Blairsville, Georgia.

The Celebration of Life for Julianna Drake will take place at eleven o’ clock in the morning on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Sunrise Care Home, 81 Wellborn Street, Blairsville, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sunrise Care Home in memory of Julianna.

08/31/2024

Patricia Ann Gillispie, age 84, of Nelson, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Ms. Gillispie was cremated.

Born and raised in Nelson, Patricia, affectionately known as Pat by her friends and as Granny or Momma by her family, had an unwavering love for her hometown. She eagerly awaited the arrival of the Pickens Progress newspaper each week, cherishing the connection it provided to her community.

Pat had a passion for music, enjoying everything from gospel tunes to Elvis and even the occasional Snoop Dogg song. She loved indulging in classic westerns and game shows, often found playing solitaire or delighting in the company of her children and grandchildren. Family gatherings were her favorite, which she referred to as "having a party."

Pat was a one-of-a-kind individual. She always spoke her mind and was unapologetically herself. Her sweet smile, contagious laughter, and unfiltered honesty will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her son, Tracy Allison, and her grandson, Joshua Allison. Patricia is survived by her children, Teresa Allison (Patrick), Stephen Allison (Julie), and Ruth Ann Slay; her grandchildren, Tammy Allison, Cheyenne Slay, Tabetha Allison, Tasha Garrett, and Destin Fulcher (Sarah); her great-grandchildren, including Kyle Allison, Isaiah Allison, Julian Martin, and many more, along with a host of wonderful friends.

In honoring her memory, we celebrate a life well-lived and a spirit that will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.

05/01/2024

You have to be following our other page ⬇️ to get in on the fun‼️
Don’t walk… R-U-N 🏃

We told you BIG THINGS were coming and it’s almost time. We will be making a post right here in the next few days. Make sure you are following with notifications turned on! ⏰

04/26/2024

Are you "in the know" over on our other page? In Their Honor Transports
Big things are about to be happening over there! You do NOT want to miss this!

04/19/2024

Patty Brown, age 65 of Canton, passed away peacefully April 16th, 2024. She was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother & great grandmother.

Patty was a devoted family woman who cherished every moment spent with her loved ones. Patty will be remembered for her kind spirit, her infectious laughter, independence, her unwavering love for her family & her love of Jesus. She had a knack for always putting others before herself and made sure that everyone around her felt loved and cared for.

In her free time, Patty enjoyed gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family. She had a passion for life and always had a smile on her face. Her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her granddaughter Morgan Paige Brown, three great granddaughters: Taylin, Aaliyah & Sylvia, best friend Lisa Johnson, daughter Patience, son James, brother Eddie, and nephews Jason & Chris.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Shelby Frymyer & niece, Nina Lawhorn.

A celebration of Patty's life will be announced in the near future.

Patty Brown will forever be in our hearts, and her memory will live on through the love and kindness she showed to all who knew her. May she rest in peace.