Strickland Funeral Home - Hartwell Chapel, 305 Cleveland Avenue, Hartwell, GA (2026)

03/04/2026

Kathie W. Cheatham

Miss Kathryn Watkins “Kathie” Cheatham, 68, of Hartwell, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at her home.

Born on January 24, 1958 in Anderson, SC, she was the daughter of the late William E. Cheatham and Kathryn “Kay” Watkins Cheatham. Miss Cheatham received her Bachelor’s Degree from Brenau University, and was a bank teller for the Northeast Georgia Bank. Kathie was a member of the Hartwell First Presbyterian Church where she was the former organist, pianist, and choir director. She was also an avid supporter of the Hart County Community Theater and the arts. She also loved animals.

Survivors include her sister: Barbara C. Davis of St. Simons Island, GA; two nephews: Brent Davis (Jennifer) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Will E. Cheatham IV (Melissa); and her beloved dog: Lucy.

Much appreciation goes to Sue Poole, a dear friend who provided years of companionship and fun for Kathie. Sincere thanks go to her caregivers. Extra special thanks to Ty and Freida Harper who cared for Kathie as if she was family!

Miss Cheatham was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: William E. “Sandy” Cheatham III and David G. Cheatham; and one nephew: David George Cheatham Jr.

Miss Cheatham wishes were to be cremated and the family will receive friends Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hart County Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 45, Hartwell, GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Kathie W. Cheatham's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/02/2026

Carole Burroughs Spencer

Mrs. Carole Burroughs Spencer, 85, of Watkinsville, GA, formerly of Hartwell passed away Friday, February 27, 2026, peacefully at her home.

Memorial service arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Strickland Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Hartwell.

View Carole Burroughs Spencer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/25/2026

Philip Hertz

Mr. Philip F. Hertz, 81, of Hartwell, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2026 at his home.

Born on May 7, 1944 in Hanover, PA, he was the son of the late Lester Hertz and Lida Gardner Hertz. Mr. Hertz received a Masters of Science Degree from Austin Peay State University, and was hired as the City Manager for the city of Hartwell in 1996, and retired in 2006 after ten years of service. Prior to him coming to Hartwell, He was the City Manager for Martinsburg, WV, and Westminster, MD. Philip was also an avid lover of horses, having owned Champion Tennessee Walking Horses. Mr. Hertz was also a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Survivors include his brother, Thomas Hertz, and several nieces & nephews.

Mr. Hertz was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Donald & Richard Hertz; and two sisters: Fay Goodling and Kay Yorty.

It was Mr. Hertz’s wishes to be cremated and no formal services are planned at this time.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Philip Hertz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/23/2026

"Butch" Saylors

Mr. William Shane “Butch” Saylors, 51, of Hartwell, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia.

Born on August 14, 1974 in Warm Springs, GA, he was the son of Jannie Marie Saylors Hughes.

Survivors include his mother: Jannie Hughes of Hartwell; son: Shane Saylors of Hartwell; two aunts: Sandra Bryan (Todd) and Julia Lawrence, all of Hartwell; and one great aunt: Pamela Walters. Mr. Saylors was preceded in death by his step-father: Richard Kenneth Hughes; and his wife: Stephanie Harris Saylors.

It was Mr. Saylors’ wishes to be cremated and no formal services are planned at this time.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View "Butch" Saylors's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/21/2026

Tim Wilson

Mr. Timothy Mark Wilson, 64, of Hartwell, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 19, 2026 at his home.

Born on December 4, 1961 in Anderson SC, he was the son of the late Donald Wilson and Ella Jean Smith Wilson Harmon. Tim was formerly employed at Ferguson-Williams, Lake Hartwell Project and Fanello of Lavonia. He enjoyed going to the Hart County Senior Center, volunteering at local events and being the helper and caregiver for his family. Tim was an active member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church and participated in their Bible Studies.

Survivors include his brother: Chris Wilson of Hartwell; three nieces: Tori Welborn, Megan Fleeman and Kandice Wilson; seven great-nieces & nephews: Cade, Brantli, Ford, Blakely, Nova, Trexten & Maddox and a great great-nephew: Weston Knox also survives. Tim was preceded in death by his parents; step-father: Thompson Harmon and a sister: Rhonda Wilson O’Barr.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. Other times the family will be at their respective homes.

Tim wished to be cremated and a memorial service to celebrate his life will Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home with Rev. Kagey Barrow officiating.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Tim Wilson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/15/2026

Ann Bates Wilkerson

Mrs. Ann Bates Wilkerson, 92, of Hartwell, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 12, 2026 at her home.

Born on August 19, 1933 in Augusta GA, she was the daughter of the late Andrew Bates and Arvis Holley Bates. Mrs. Wilkerson was a homemaker and former president of the Nancy Hart Garden Club. She lead the Women’s Bible Study at Roswell Methodist Church for many years and was a faithful and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hartwell.

Survivors include her three sons: Lee Wilkerson (Mary) of Indian Rocks Beach FL, John Wilkerson (Trudy) of Cornelia GA, Jimmy Wilkerson (Noelle) of Newberry SC; two daughters: Holley Johnson (John) of Jasper GA, Amy Brewer (Ben) of Kennesaw GA; twenty three grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Jackie Brewster (Roger) and Genie Brummett.

Mrs. Wilkerson was preceded in death by her husband: Hugh Baird Wilkerson; one son: Hugh Wilkerson Jr and one brother: Andrew Bates Jr.

Graveside services for Mrs. Ann Wilkerson were held Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at the Bethesda Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Jim Wilkerson officiating. The family will be at their respective homes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Ann Bates Wilkerson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/13/2026

Terry Stewart

Mr. Terry Lamar Stewart, 69, of Hartwell, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026 at his home.

Born on March 12, 1956 in Anderson SC, he was the son of the late Ned Lamar Stewart and Mary Genelle Foster Stewart. Terry was the former owner/operator of Stewart’s Custom Cabinets. He enjoyed and built Street Rods, Custom Cars and Boats, anything that went fast. He was also a member of the Flat Shoals Baptist Church.

Survivors include his daughter: Nikki Stewart (Lucas Zumaeta); a granddaughter: Ariel Zumaeta; a brother: Tony Stewart (Kim); three nephews: Blake Stewart (Courtney), Sam Stewart and Robbie Coleman and several cousins also survive.

Graveside services for Mr. Terry Stewart will be Wednesday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the Flat Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Cory Pulliam officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Flowers are optional, and memorials may be made to the Hart Co. Animal Rescue, PO Box 45, Hartwell GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Terry Stewart's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/07/2026

Irene Ethridge

It is with deep sadness to announce the passing of Doris Irene Dunn Ethridge, of Hartwell, on February 7, 2026 at 92 after a brief stay at the Rainey Hospice House.

Born on December 17, 1933, she was the daughter of the late W.C. Dunn Sr. and Leo Lee Dunn. Irene was known locally as an excellent pianist and played for churches in the Hartwell area beginning in her childhood years. She and her sisters, Robby & Dorothy, sang live on WKLY radio during the 1940’s. Irene has received a Doctorate degree in Church Ministry and Christian Education, a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and a Master of Arts degree in Psychology. She also organized and pastored two churches in Mississippi.

Irene was the beloved wife of James Loyde Ethridge for 73 years. They met and went to school together in Hartwell. She was the mother of two children: Loyde Timothy Ethridge (Martha) and Steven Cromer Ethridge (Kathy). She also had four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, James Loyde Ethridge, and her sister: Robby Dunn Ethridge.

Mrs. Ethridge is preceded in death by her parents and siblings: W.C. Dunn Jr, Jimmy Ray Dunn, Dorothy Dunn Baker, and Sarah Dunn Collins.

Irene was a very generous person and always remembered her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s birthdays and the holidays. She will be greatly missed by her family and by her husband, Loyde.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. Other times the family will be at the home.

Funeral services for Mrs. Irene Ethridge will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. Burial will be at the Reed Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers are optional, and memorials may be made to the Mt. Olivet Church of God, 2088 Beacon Light Rd, Hartwell GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Irene Ethridge's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/05/2026

Ed Smith

Mr. William Edward Smith, 90, of Hartwell, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Manor Lake Independent Living, Athens.

Born of November 19, 1935 in Toccoa GA, he was the son of the late Carl William Smith and Jeanette Purcell Smith. Mr. Smith graduated The University of Georgia with a degree in Landscape Architecture and was retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Hartwell Project, where was a Resource Manager.

Mr. Smith loved and restored classic cars, especially Model A Ford’s. He also worked and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity across the United States and Canada and was a member of the Hartwell First Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife: Carol Hill Smith; two sons: Bill Smith (Amy) of Hartwell and Bob Smith (Robin) of Watkinsville; a sister: Janice Sanders of Athens; six grandchildren: Will Smith, Ben Smith, Jacob Smith, Aaron Smith, Kaitlyn Smith and Josh Hermann; nine great-greatgrandchildren also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Ed Smith will Monday, February 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hartwell First Methodist Church with Dr. R. Allen Stewart and Rev. Matt Parker officiating. Burial will be in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hartwell First Methodist Church, 200 E. Howell Street, Hartwell GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Ed Smith's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/03/2026

Melissa Harris Oyler

Mrs. Melissa Ann Harris Oyler, 57, of Hartwell, passed away Friday, January 30, 2026 at her home.

Born on December 8, 1968 in Hartwell GA, she was the daughter of Loretta Aldrich Harris Fuller and the late Joe Bill Harris. Melissa was of the Baptist Faith.

Survivors include her mother; Loretta Fuller of Hartwell; her husband: Kenny Oyler; two sons: Joe Harris and Michael Oyler both of Hartwell; her sister: Sherry Carter of Hartwell and three grandchildren also survive.

Melessa was preceded in death by her father and a brother: Richard Cromer Harris.

A graveside memorial service for Mrs. Melissa Oyler will be Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Lavonia with Rev. Terry James and Rev. Vernon Whiddon officiating.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Melissa Harris Oyler's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/02/2026

Stephen Giddings

Stephen James Giddings passed from this realm into the heart of his beloved God on Saturday, January 31, 2026. He was born on May 26, 1958 in Tampa FL to parents Sarah Ward Gill Giddings and Charles Winter Giddings. He lived in Decatur GA and Athens GA as a young man, and later moved to Hartwell to live at the lake and care for his aging mother.

Stephen loved music, and music defined his entire life, beginning at age 8 with his big brother Paul in their basement band, The Illustration. After his graduation from Clarke Central High in 1976, he joined the local music scene in Athens, and created the rock group, Azrock, where he became an accomplished guitarist. At age 29, Stephen had a dramatic and life changing spiritual experience which defined the rest of his life, personally and musically. Stephen began writing Christian music. He played at many different churches in the upstate of GA, and was the music minister at more than one. Playing Christmas music for his family was a particular joy for Stephen, and all who sang along loved his talent. Later, he added songs from the 1970's and built a large repertoire of music; originals, Christian tunes and popular hits and he could play for hours at a time.

Stephen loved performing and singing in restaurants in Helen and Dillard - The Dillard House - and in Hartwell at The Boat House Grill and Casa Grande, where he made many friends who encouraged him and gave him great joy. When he wasn't writing or performing, he loved swimming in the lake, boat rides, jogging outdoors and watching old movies.

He leaves behind an older brother, Paul (Doc) Giddings (Robin), three nieces, Allie, Sarah (Nick) and Mary (Ivan), as well as one grandniece and five grand nephews, all in and around Greenville, SC. He was also blessed with several aunts, Uncles, and cousins which he enjoyed sharing life with.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell.

Funeral services for Mr. Stephen Giddings will be Saturday, February 7. 2026 at 11:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Clarence Pope and Mr. Slate Bauknight officiating. Burial will be in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to New Freedom Christian Overcomers Recovery Fellowship, 695 Vine Street, Athens GA 30601 or SoZo Life Ministries of Hartwell, (also a recovery ministry), PO Box 822, Hartwell, GA 30643

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Stephen Giddings's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/02/2026

Dr. John L. LeRoy Jr.

Dr. John Levis LeRoy Jr. of Atlanta, a distinguished, widely honored and accomplished cosmetic and plastic surgeon, passed away on Saturday, January 31st, 2026. He died peacefully at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years Nanci Smith LeRoy of Elberton, GA and his daughter Taylor LeRoy Mills (Joe) of Atlanta, GA. Preceded in death by his parents John Levis LeRoy Sr and Floride Partlow Hester LeRoy, and his brother Phillip. He is also survived by his sisters Georgia Seabrook (Cordes) of Iva and Troy, SC and Flo Hudson (Ken) of Greenwood, SC as well as brothers Sam LeRoy (Kay) and Louis LeRoy (Robin) of Spartanburg, SC. Nieces and nephews include L’Angel Seabrook-Friel (Blake), Ruskin Seabrook (Moriah), Thayer Seabrook, Elyse South (Mac), Philip LeRoy (Erin), Abbey Kennedy (Walker), Amanda LeRoy, and Connor LeRoy (Tori) along with many grand nieces and nephews.

Dr. LeRoy was born on March 13, 1955 in Walterboro, SC to the late John Levis LeRoy Sr and Floride Partlow Hester LeRoy and raised in Hartwell, GA. He is a graduate of Hart County High School where he lettered in football. He earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 1977 and obtained his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1984. This was followed by an internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Camden, NJ, a surgery internship at Cooper Hospital, and a residency program at the Medical College of Georgia. As a formative step in his training, Dr. LeRoy was awarded an Aesthetic Fellowship at the renowned Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in New York, NY under the mentorship of some of the world’s leading plastic surgeons. Among his many professional affiliations, Dr. LeRoy was double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. He was also a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. LeRoy was well respected by his peers which was one of the many things that earned him the Castle Connolly Top Doctor recognition since 2015. He was well known for developing his signature procedure “The Band Aid Mini Facelift”, followed later by his line of other face and body procedures. Notable among his philanthropic activities was a two-week tour of duty as a volunteer surgeon in war-torn Croatia where he treated civilians in the Bosnian conflict.

Throughout his successful career, Dr. LeRoy will be remembered for the love and care of his patients. He was always a gentleman to each person he met. He was quite philosophical and had a sharp wit about him. For those closest to him, he had a quiet generosity to family and friends, as well as a devotion to his wife, daughter, and son-in-law, who gave him the nickname “coach” as he was always full of advice and life lesson stories for anyone who would listen. He was full of curiosity and constantly reaching for answers to life. He strove to learn something new every day, whether from books, family, friends or patients. He had a deep love of reading and for time spent on his boat on Lake Hartwell, creating cherished memories with family and friends. He touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

An open visitation will be held on Saturday, February 7th, 2026 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm at Strickland Funeral Home in Hartwell, GA. A private funeral service and burial to follow.

Pallbearers are Vlamir Abbud, Joe Arcuragi, Craig Coleman, Carlos Ostrej, Fanor Rivas, Ruskin Seabrook, Jim Welch, and Stroud Williams. Honorary pallbearers are Tom Arcuragi, Warren Ginn, Jonathan Krieg, and David Saliba.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Dr. LeRoy's love of reading, the family requests that donations be made to the Georgia Public Library Service at https://giving.classy.org/campaign/567123/donate or to purchase a book for yourself or a loved one.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is assisting the family with all of the arrangements.

View Dr. John L. LeRoy Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

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