Georgia
Tim Lester, 52
Died January 12, 2021.
Fellowship Christian School, Roswell, GA
Football Coach
News:
Former NFL fullback Tim Lester has died of complications from Covid-19. He was 52.
The City of Milton, Georgia, announced Lester’s death and said he passed away on Tuesday.
Lester played eight NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (1992-94), Pittsburgh Steelers (1995-98) and Dallas Cowboys (1999).
“I have known Tim for many years and always thought the world of him,” Milton mayor Joe Lockwood said on the city’s Facebook page. “He was sincere and passionate about helping people and making the world a better place, including here in Milton.”
Lester gained notoriety in his NFL career as the ‘Bus Driver’, when he blocked for Steelers star Jerome Bettis, who was nicknamed ‘The Bus’. Bettis had a career-best rushing-yardage output of 1,665 yards in 1997 while following Lester’s blocks.
A blocking back, Lester also rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns and caught 47 passes for 331 yards in 93 games (53 starts).
Born in Miami, Lester was a star running back in college at Eastern Kentucky from 1988-91 and he still ranks sixth in school history with 3,640 rushing yards. He was inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.
Lester was a 10th-round pick (255th overall) by the Rams in the 1992 NFL draft.
Lester spent his final pro season blocking for NFL all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith.
Smith said on Twitter: “It’s a sad day to hear of Tim Lester’s passing… My thoughts go out to his family, Steelers Nation and his teammates that he so steadily blocked and protected. RIP to “The Bus Driver”
After his NFL career ended, Lester settled in Milton, located about 30 miles north of Atlanta. He founded a youth football program and coached high school football and was heavily involved in the community.
“Lester founded a non-profit organization called the Pigskin Academy to mentor, tutor, train and prepare at-risk athletes for success in all walks of life,” Lockwood said.
“He went into the ministry. He worked to feed those in need for Thanksgiving. He helped brighten Christmas for over 5,000 children living in public housing through the ‘Toys for Tots’ program. Closer to home, Tim was a dedicated family man to his children and wife Natalie. In other words, he made a difference.”
David Lee Carey, 69
Died January 18, 2021.
Mary Persons High School, Forsyth, GA
Social Studies, Basketball, Football, and Track Coach
David Lee Carey, 69, known to most as Coach Carey, passed away January 18, 2021. David was born February 2, 1951 in Wrightsville, GA to the late David Roy and Jessie Kate Carey. David graduated from Appling High School, earned a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Education from Fort Valley State University and earned a Specialist Degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and was a member of Covenant Life Cathedral Church.
David served as an educator for over 30 years. He taught in Bibb County Public Schools at Southeast High School and Southwest High School. For the last 25 years, he served as an educator and coach in Monroe County Schools at Mary Persons High School.
David is survived by his wife, Shirley Carey; children, Reggie Lamar, Dr. Chasha Colbert-Williams (Terrance), and Leander Carey; grandchildren, Jamir Corbitt and Catherine Williams; sisters, Doretha Colbert, Joann Carey, Julyn Barron, Janie Carey; brothers Lafayette Carey, James L. Carey, Felix Carey.
A graveside celebration of life will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery at 11:00 AM. Due to COVID-19, we are asking only family and close friends attend, wear a mask and respectfully distance.
LuAnn Klein Burns
Died December, 2020.
Stockbridge Elementary School, Stockbridge, GA
Kindergarten
On Monday, teachers at Stockbridge Elementary School in Henry County will remember their colleague LuAnn Klein Burns, who died last week of COVID-19.
Parents and community members are invited to the 7:30 a.m. memorial for the kindergarten teacher at the elementary school.
Ms. Burns worked at Stockbridge Elementary since 2000. According to her faculty page, she and her husband Russ were married for 34 years and have two children, both of whom are music teachers. Her Facebook page bears the legend: “Teachers change lives.”
On her page, Ms. Burns wrote, “I spend my free time visiting my 85-year-old father who lives in Indiana. I can’t wait to meet you and share my love of learning.” Her funeral mass was held in Indiana this weekend.
A district spokesman declined to give a statement about Ms. Burns, saying, “We did have a teacher pass away but I can’t comment on or confirm the cause of death. Our condolences go out to this teacher’s family. Counselors will be available virtually for any students or staff needing to speak with someone.”
After the memorial Monday, six to eight teachers plan to meet with the principal of the school to discuss their safety concerns, said Jennifer Saunders, president of the Georgia Federation of Public Service Employees and an Atlanta teacher.
Saunders said teachers want reassurances the school will adhere to the COVID-19 playbook created by the district to ensure safety. “They want to keep their jobs,” said Saunders in a telephone interview Sunday night. “But they are naturally concerned for their own lives and their own safety and that of their students. They love teaching, but they love living more.”
There have been several teacher deaths in Georgia over the last two weeks including Cobb art teacher Patrick Key, Hart County science teacher Kelley Cordell Gaines and Irwin County first grade teacher Tammie Sanford.
Tammie Sanford, 41
Died January 3, 2021.
Irwin County Elementary School, Ocilla, GA
First Grade
Obituary:
Tammie Tankersley Sanford, 41, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Sunday, January 3, 2021, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Georgia.
Graveside services will be held 3 PM, Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Frank Cemetery in Irwin County, with the Rev. Billy Stephens officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the cemetery.
Tammie was born May 14, 1979, in Tifton, Georgia to Shirley Broom Tankersley and the late Gary C. Tankersley. She was a 1997 graduate of Irwin County High School. She attended ABAC and South Georgia College and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University. She later earned her Master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. Tammie was a proud G.O. Bailey Bear having taught first grade in Tift County for 9 years. She had taught first grade since 2013 at Irwin County Elementary School. She was a lifetime Irwin County Indian who was dearly loved by her students and co-workers. She loved children and they were drawn to her compassion as a comforter. She went above and beyond as an educator. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. She was a lifelong member of Ocilla Baptist Church where she helped with OBC kids and led the singing in the balcony choir.
She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Joe W. Sanford of Irwin County; daughter, Gaby Dena Sanford of Irwin County; son, Garin Wade Sanford of Irwin County; her mother, Shirley Tankersley of Irwin County; siblings and their spouses: Morris & Marcy Tankersley of Tifton, Nan & Cory Vassey of Irwin County, and Michael Tankersley & Melissa Redd of Irwin County; mother-in-law, Linda Sanford of Fitzgerald; sister-in-law, Jessica Sanford & Matt Gribshaw of Hamilton, Virginia; niece and nephews: Rob Vassey, Ally Tankersley, Cole Vassey, Maxton Gribshaw, Owen Redd and Baylor Redd. She was preceded in death by her father, Gary C. Tankersley and her father-in-law, Bobby Sanford.
Kelley Gaines, 47
Died December 20, 2020.
Hart County Middle School, Hartwell, GA
Engineering, Video Production
Mrs. Kelley Paige Cordell Gaines, 47, of Northlake Drive, Hartwell, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Oconee Memorial Hospital, Seneca, SC.
Born on July 5, 1973 in Atlanta GA, she was the daughter of the late Guy Brent Cordell and Lee Tumlin Cordell. Mrs. Gaines received a Masters Degree from Liberty University and was a middle school teacher for 21 years. The last few years she taught at Hart County Middle School where she was a STEM coordinator, TSA advisor, and was named the Teacher of the Year 2019-2020. She was a travel agent for Destinations to Travel.
Kelley was passionate about her community and souls in need of Christ. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where she was the director of the Children’s Ministry, Ladies Retreat team leader, Sunday School teacher, former church staff, and assisted with the church’s Video Ministry.
Survivors include her husband: Greg Gaines of the home; three daughters: Savannah Gaines, Cassidy Gaines, and Karlee Gaines, all of Hartwell; two brothers: Charlie Cordell (Julie) of McDonough, GA, and James Thomas (Susan) of Hartwell; three sisters: Janet Perkins (Jeff) of Mansfield, GA, Myrna McCrary (Alan) of Canon, and Vicki Meshaw of Hartwell; father & mother-in-law: Wade & Brenda Gaines of Nuberg; brother & sister-in-law: Kevin & Erin Gaines of Hartwell; and several nieces & nephews.
The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Bowman. Other times the family will be at the home.
Funeral services for Mrs. Kelley Gaines will be held Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Bowman with Rev. Chris Pritchett and Rev. Shane Curtis officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Everyone will be asked to socially distance and wear a mask. Kelley’s service can be viewed on Pleasant Groves Facebook page.
Kelley lived a full life flowing with love and compassion and is now in Heaven with the Savior that gave his life for her.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kelley Gaines TSA Scholarship Fund c/o Pinnacle Bank. Donations can be made at any Pinnacle Bank branch.
Patrick Key, 53
Died December 25, 2020.
Hendricks Elementary School, Powder Springs, GA
Fine Arts
A Cobb County elementary school teacher died Friday after his month-long battle with COVID-19.
Patrick Key, who taught art at Hendricks Elementary School in Powder Springs, died Christmas Day, according to his wife Priscella Key.
Priscella Key, who teaches at Clay-Harmony Leland Elementary in Mableton, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Christmas Day that she has “lost my world and my heart is shattered.”
“Patrick was the kindest, sweetest, most gentle man that never wished harm on anyone,” she said. “The world has truly lost a very good person.”
A GoFundMe page created by fellow Cobb teacher Merry Mullins to help the Key family with medical bills carried the news.
“Christmas morning Heaven gained the sweetest angel this morning,” Mullins wrote on the page. “Although he fought so very hard, Patrick’s poor body was so tired. He is at peace and we have lost our world. Our hearts are shattered. Please don’t call me as I can’t talk and need some time.”
After feeling ill on Nov. 6, Key was admitted Nov. 15 to WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s intensive care unit after he began struggling to breathe. Within days of his illness, his wife also became sick with COVID-19. Priscella Key’s illness wasn’t as severe, so she was allowed to recuperate and recover at home.
Patrick Key is one of three known Cobb County educators who have been hospitalized with COVID-19. Dana Johnson, a Kemp Elementary School first-grade teacher, is in the intensive care unit at WellStar Paulding Hospital after she was admitted on Dec. 6. Jacob Furse, a Garrett Middle School chorus and drama teacher, has been hospitalized for a week at WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s unit reserved for COVID patients.
As of Thursday, Cobb County had 34,247 COVID-19 cases, 539 deaths and 2,321 hospitalizations, according to the state Department of Public Health. The county’s two-week case number per 100,000 people is 634, six times higher than what’s considered high community spread, DPH reports.
Wilma Gail Bowen, 70
Died November 26, 2020.
Hiram Elementary School, Hiram, GA
Nurse
Wilma Gail Bowen, age 70, of Douglasville passed away Thursday, November 26, 2020. She was born in Austell, Georgia on November 10, 1950 to the late J.L. Traylor and the late Margaret Shaw Traylor. Gail worked many years as an LPN nurse in Dr. Schroff’s office and after retirement she worked in the Paulding County School System, she was currently employed as a school nurse at Hiram Elementary. She was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church.
Gail is survived by her daughter, Karen Kirby and her husband Shane; grandsons, Spenser Kirby and Sawyer Kirby; sisters, Jody Preston and her husband Tim, Brenda Maynard and her husband Felda; brother, Bo Traylor and his wife Diane; numerous nieces and nephews.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents; she and her husband of 50 years, Willard Daniel Bowen, passed together on Thanksgiving Day.
Julie Carter, 67
Died August 30, 2020.
Appling County High School, Baxley, GA
Administrative Assistant
Nobles Funeral Home and Crematory announces the funeral services for Mrs. Julie Vaughn Carter, age 67, who passed away Sunday, August 30, 2020 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. She was a native of Appling County living most of her life in Appling County; received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon and served twenty eight years as the Administrative Assistant to SPED at Appling County High School.
Mrs. Julie was preceded in death by her mother, Jessie Mae Vaughn and sister, Shirlyn Vaughn.
Surviving is her husband, Jimmy Carter; two children, Christy and husband Rodney Reese and Brian Carter and Hilliary Faulk ; three grandchildren, Mallie and Bentlee Reese and John Michael Faulk; father, Artis and wife Eddie Mae Vaughn; and sister, Brenda and husband David Gruber; two brothers, George Vaughn and Miles and wife Gina Vaughn and a host of nieces and nephews also survive.