Banister-Cooper Funeral Home

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Banister-Cooper Funeral Home

We are a family owned and operated funeral home and cremation service located in beautiful Hiawassee, GA.

We are a family owned and operated facility located in beautiful Hiawassee, Georgia. We have provided full funeral, cremation and transport services to Towns County and surrounding areas since 1934. We live and work in this community and are active with local organizations and events. In addition to being available when someone passes, we strongly encourage planning and are happy to sit down with

you and pre-plan services to relieve family of those details as they grieve. We count it a privilege and an honor to serve families in their time of need. We are dedicated to you and your loved ones, because we believe in giving you our very best. About Our Funeral Director/ Embalmer:
Tamela Smith is a 2012 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. She has served as the funeral director at Banister's for 5 years before becoming the owner in 2017. Before coming to Banister's she worked in the North Georgia area for 4 years completing her apprenticeship, working under and alongside respected funeral directors and embalmers. She is fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a funeral director. Her main goal is to comfort the family in their time of need and make their loved ones day as special and peaceful as possible. She is the mother to 3 children, resident of Towns County and a member at North Mt Zion Church of God.

17/08/2025

We enjoyed the parade yesterday celebrating the 75th Annual Georgia Mountain Fair. We tried to post these pictures of the many creative floats and festive participants yesterday, but they somehow failed to upload. Let’s have another great fair this year! Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

08/08/2025

Congratulations Christy McClure at Clay County Schools

07/08/2025

Today, National Purple Heart Day, we recognize our brave warriors that were wounded in combat. Thank you for your sacrifice.

August 7th is National Purple Heart Day — a time to remember and recognize the courageous U.S. service members who were wounded in combat. The Purple Heart is more than a medal; it’s a lasting symbol of courage, sacrifice, and dedication to our nation.

Today and always, we are deeply grateful for their service and sacrifice.

04/08/2025

We are doing a Back to School giveaway again this year for all of our local Teachers!! Nominate your favorite local teacher (or yourself if you’re a teacher) to win a bag of goodies! Drawing will be Thursday August 7th!!

20/07/2025

Sundays are ideal for that.....

15/07/2025

We love our Veterans and there are so many here in Towns and surrounding counties.
As you were there for us, please know that we are here for you with:
-A discount on all services for burial or cremation for all veterans that we serve
-Procuring a flag, certificate of service and grave marker from the government for your service
-Arranging honors with your fellow veterans on the North Georgia Honor Guard or American Legion
-Arranging honors with the active duty military if desired
-Arranging es**rt with the American Legion Riders if desired
-Procuring 5 free Death Certificates through the state of Georgia for those that pass in Georgia
-Making arrangements for interment at the National Cemetery at Canton if desired
-Recognition of your branch of service on our hearse
-Funding inscription of the names of Towns County veterans on the memorial wall at Vereran’s Park in Hiawassee
-Annually remembering each of our veterans that have passed on the veteran wall of our Christmas display at the Fairgrounds

Your family shouldn’t worry about any of that; we make it all happen.

04/07/2025

💥🇺🇸 Wishing everyone a fun and safe Independence Day 🇺🇸💥

24/06/2025

Our founder: Frank Abernathy.
Originally Abernathy Funeral Home in Young Harris, we changed to Banister Funeral Home when Bill Banister bought it, and added the Hiawassee location in 1965.

18/06/2025

Preplanning can save time and money. It can also prepare your family for a moment when both may be in short supply. To preplan call Banister-Cooper Funeral Home & Cremation Services at (706) 896-2218!

15/06/2025

We want to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day!
Whether you’re a Dawg fan or not, we couldn’t come up with any better tribute to dads than this post by Coach Smart.

There’s something sacred about today.
It’s more than a date on the calendar—it’s a pause. A deep breath. A chance to honor the kind of man who shaped who we are.

A father isn’t just the one who shares your name.
He’s the one who shows up.
The one who teaches you how to throw a ball, how to shake a hand, how to stand tall when life tries to knock you down.
He’s the one who worked through the night, came home exhausted, and still found the energy to ask how your day went.

This is the same man who stared at an overdue bill and still smiled across the dinner table.
Who carried the weight of the world quietly, so his children could sleep peacefully.
He was the protector. The steady voice. The calm in the storm.
He gave guidance—not always with words, but with presence.

But not every father looked the same.

Some wore suits. Some wore hard hats.
Some were quiet, gentle, and nurturing—proof that strength isn’t always loud.
Some weren’t men at all, but mothers who filled both roles with courage and grace.
Some were grandparents, uncles, or mentors—who answered the call when no one else did.

Because “father” isn’t always defined by blood or by tradition.
It’s defined by presence.
By the sacrifices made quietly.
By the hands that held you steady and the heart that never let go.

For those who still have their fathers—call them.
Even if it’s been too long. Especially if it’s been too long.
And for those missing theirs—honor them by living in a way that carries their spirit forward.

Today is for the ones who stood in the doorway after tucking you in, making sure you were okay.
The ones who didn’t cry in front of you—not because they weren’t hurting, but because they wanted you to feel safe.
The ones who didn’t always get it right, but never stopped trying.

So, to all the fathers—biological or not—who showed up when it mattered most…

Thank you.

Happy Father’s Day. ❤️🖤

08/06/2025

View James Lee Melton's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

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http://www.banisterfuneral.com/

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Our Story

We are a family owned and operated funeral home located in beautiful Hiawassee, Georgia. We have provided full funeral, cremation and transport services to or from Hiawassee, Young Harris, Towns County and surrounding areas since 1934. We live and work in this community and are active with local organizations and events. In addition to being available when someone passes, we strongly encourage planning and are happy to sit down with you and pre-plan services to relieve family of those details as they grieve. We count it a privilege and an honor to serve families in their time of need. We are dedicated to you and your loved ones, because we believe in giving you our very best. About Our Lead Funeral Director/ Embalmer: Tamela Cooper is a 2012 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. She has served as the funeral director at Banister's for 5 years before becoming the owner in 2017. Before coming to Banister's she worked in the North Georgia area for 4 years completing her apprenticeship, working under and alongside respected funeral directors and embalmers. She is fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a funeral director. Her main goal is to comfort the family in their time of need and make their loved ones day as special and peaceful as possible. She is the mother to 3 children, resident of Hiawassee and a member at North Mt Zion Church of God.