Madeline Ross Tarpley, age 81, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2017 in Blue Ridge, GA. Born on October 12, 1935 in Mineral Bluff, GA, she was the daughter of the late Boyd Lester Ross and Thelma Burgie Dean Ross. She was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church. She owned and operated Tarpley’s General Store in Mineral Bluff for 40 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Kenneth Tarpley; and sister, Barbara Barton.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Chris Beavers of Morganton; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Kevin and Keri Beavers of Mineral Bluff; great-grandchildren, Luke, Dillon, Kaylie, Wyatt, Faith, Hope; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond and Alma Ross of Epworth and Jerry and Cheryl Ross of Mineral Bluff.

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel of Blue Ridge with Rev. Phillip Weeks officiating. Music was by Stacey Ross. Interment followed in the Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery. Kevin Beavers, Bob Ross, Brad Ross, Wyatt Taylor, Bart Brown, and Caleb Ross served as pallbearers. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.