Richard Torrey Lumpkin, Jr., age 57, of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019. He was born on February 28, 1962 in Griffin, GA. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Kennesaw College. He served as Choir Director at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA, Cherry Log Christian Church in Cherry Log, GA, and later at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Blue Ridge, GA. He is preceded in death by his father, Rev. Dr. Richard Lumpkin, Sr.; brother, David Michael Lumpkin; and sister, Rebecca Leigh Lumpkin.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jackie Lumpkin; his mother, Lillie Mae Lumpkin; sister and brother-in-law, Tracey and Hunter Hall; and brother, David Murphy.

A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 7 Ewing Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Rev. Victor Morgan and Rev. Tom Reed will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Luke’s Memorial Garden. A reception will follow interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at P.O. Box 1821, Blue Ridge, GA 30513; Capitol City Opera Company at 1266 West Paces Ferry Road NW #451 Atlanta, GA 30327-2306; or Humane Society of Blue Ridge at P.O. Box 2126, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.

John Michael Skapik, Jr., age 72, of Mineral Bluff, GA passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 at his home. He was born in Louisville, KY on July 23, 1945. He was a member of the Mineral Bluff House of Prayer and was a heavy machine operator for the mining company Mosaic until retirement. He served our country as a Marine in Vietnam as a helicopter gunner. He is preceded in death by his father, John Michael Skapik, Sr.; and brothers, Richard Skapik and John Wayne Marple.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Beverly Skapik of the home; sons, John Michael (Laura) Skapik III of Durham, NC, Tony (Patricia) Skapik of Wauchula, FL, and John Alvin (Denia) Mitchell of Zolfo Springs, FL; grand children, Victoria Torrez of Wauchula, FL, Paris Mitchell of Wauchula, FL, Richard Anthony Skapik of Wauchula, FL, John Mitchell, Jr. of Zolfo Springs, FL, McClain Mitchell of Wauchula, FL, Kevin Mitchell, Jr. of Wauchula, FL, and Jace Mitchell of Wauchula, FL.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Skapik will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 5:00 pm from the Mineral Bluff House of Prayer (9557 Lakewood Hwy, Mineral Bluff, GA 30559) with Rev. Elizabeth Long officiating. Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.volunteer.va.org). Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Nolan Paul Dugas, Jr. age 65 of Mineral Bluff, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017 at his home. Mr. Dugas was born March 11, 1952 in Houma, LA to the late Nolan Paul Dugas, Jr. and the late Florence Cunio Dugas. Nolan graduated from Louisiana Technical College with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. He worked for several companies during his career including Conoco Phillips. In his spare time, Nolan enjoyed hunting, fishing and politics. He was a longtime member of the NRA and a big LSU fan.

Survivors include loving wife, Valentina Dugas, son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Jennee Dugas, brother, James Dugas, sister, Linda McCord and one grandson, Jackson Dugas.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 7, 2017 at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Interment will follow in the Chastain memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Lenard George Welch, Jr., age 81, of McCaysville, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in Blue Ridge, GA. Born on February 23, 1936 in the Fry Community, he was the son of the late Lenard George Welch, Sr. and Juanita Lewis Welch. He was a member of Mobile Baptist Church. He worked as a local mechanic within the community for many years. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anna Louise Suits Welch; and infant son, Jeffrey Welch.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Julie Welch of McCaysville; son, Rodney Welch of McCaysville; granddaughter, Tori Welch; brother, Gene Welch of Dalton; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Barbara Welch of Tunnel Hill; sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Jim Guile of Andrews, NC; and companion, Bobbie Jo Dyer.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, March 17, 2017, at 2:00 pm from Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge Chapel. Rev. Larry Stover and Rev. Don Hood will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mobile Baptist Church Cemetery. Drew Deaver, Ryan Deaver, Randall McGill, David Franklin, Mark Burger, and Robbie Mathis will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie Huffman, Hoyt Payne, and Kenneth Patterson. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.

Johnny William Glazner, Jr. age 59 of Morganton, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017 at his home. Johnny was born December 18, 1957 in Copperhill, TN to the late Rev. Johnny Glazner, Sr. and the late Frankie Louise Gilliam Glazner. He was Baptist in faith and he enjoyed reading, listening to music, fishing and cooking out in his spare time.

Survivors include loving wife, Deborah Spiva Glazner, children and step-children, Elijah Nathaniel Glazner, Aaron Joshua Glazner, Ireland Rose Glazner, Cameron Lastat Jack Daniels, Skylar Leanne Ford, Stephen Paul Cook, Dewayne Winston Cook (Melissa Kolanko), Derek Nathan Cook (Nicole Killian), Sabrina Lawanda Cook (Adrian) Buchanan, one brother, Timothy Richard Glazner and thirteen grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Monday, January 16, 2017 at 11:00 am at Kingtown Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Rusty Thomas officiating. Pallbearers include Timothy Glazner, Chris Ripp, Adrian Buchanan, Derek Cook, B.J. Shipley, John Hall, John Luellon, and Brian Roberts. Honorary pallbearer Matt Glazner.

The family will receive friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home, Sunday, January 15, 2017, from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

James Fred Taylor, Jr., age 79, of Blue Ridge, GA passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at his home. Mr. Taylor was born on January 20, 1937 in Fannin County, GA to the late James Fred Taylor, Sr. and Ruth Agnes Chastain Taylor. He was retired from the Tennessee National Guard after 20 years of service. He worked as a machinist at Kaye’s Auto Parts and retired after 25 years of service. Mr. Taylor was a member of First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge, GA and was preceded in death by his wife, Molly S. Taylor; brother, Jack Taylor; and two sisters, Brenda Thomas and Doris Colwell.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James F. and Rhonda Taylor III of Blue Ridge; daughter and son-in-law, Tamela T. and Stan Rogers of Canton, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Robert L. and Shirley Taylor of Copperhill; sister and brother-in-law, Annette T. and Rondall Sisson of Copperhill, TN; and four grandchildren, James F. (Sarah) Taylor IV, William T. Rogers, Jennifer L. Taylor, and Katherine I. Rogers.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, December 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Bob Richardson officiating. Pallbearers will be Will Rogers, Jamey Taylor, Anthony Holloway, Jeff Walker, Jeff Panter, and Chuck Ware. Interment will follow in Chastain Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of arrangements.

George Beach, Jr., age 87, of Blue Ridge, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016 at Pruitt Health Care in Blue Ridge. Born on February 9, 1929, he is the son of the late George Washington Beach and Era Mae Panter Beach. He served as a Deacon at Damascus Baptist Church for 40 years. He was Past Master at McCay Lodge #423 F&AM. As a young man, he worked several years for Abernathy’s Home Furnishings, later worked many years as a Mechanic. Before retiring, he returned to Abernathy’s Home Furnishings working in Repair and Deliveries.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol Stiles Beach of the home; sons and daughters-in-law, Ricky G. and Glenda Beach and Randy C. and Pam Beach of Blue Ridge; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Chris Hendon of Ellijay; brother and sister-in-law, James and Betty Beach of Blue Ridge; sisters, Dorothy Carroll of Blue Ridge, Martha Jean Loving of Blue Ridge, Loravee V. Anderson of Marietta, and Rose Russell of Epworth; grandchildren, Logan Hendon, Eric Beach and wife Tina, Angela Yohn and husband Chris, Michael Beach and wife Taylor, and April Hedden and husband Jeremy; great-grandchildren, Trinity Yohn, Trenton Yohn, Parker Beach, Olivia Beach, Caylie Hedden Graham, Kenslie Hedden, Reagan Hedden, Ethan Hedden, Channing Beach, Brentlie Beach, Zachary Beach, Madden Beach, Jerzee Beach, Georgia Reeves Beach, and Kimber Lynn Beach; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, November 28, 2016 at 1:00PM from the Damascus Baptist Church. Rev. Billy Ray Queen and Rev. Jeremy Hedden officiating. Music will be provided by Brenda Millsaps, Pat Mashburn, and The Melody Singers. Interment will follow in the Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. David Mashburn officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be: Eric Beach, Michael Beach, Larry Beach, Jack Morgan, Terry Verner, Kenny Anderson, David Lewis, and David Grindstaff. Serving as honorary pallbearers was Greg Stiles, Chris Hendon, Bob Queen, Larry Queen, John Charles, Chris Yohn, Marion Simonds, and the Deacons and Members of Damascus Baptist Church. The family will visit with friends at Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge on Sunday Evening from 2:00-9:00PM. Memorial contributions may be made to help defray final expenses. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Claud Queen, Jr., age 86, of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away on November 8, 2016. Born in Epworth, GA, he was the son of the late Claud A. and Edmona Stiles Queen. He was retired as a Rail Road Engineer from the Tennessee Chemical Company after over 30 years of service. He was a member of the Lebanon Baptist Church and McCay Lodge #423 F&AM. Mr. Queen was also preceded in death by his siblings, Infant Edna Queen, Jack Queen and Lee Queen.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years of marriage, Norma Lea Queen of the home; children, Mildred and James Johnson and Raymond Queen all of Blue Ridge, GA, Roger and Debbie Queen of Ellijay, GA; brothers, Bill and Shirley Queen of Stockbridge, GA, Wayne Patterson of McCaysville, GA, Wayne and Diane Queen of Copperhill, TN and Ronnie and Ruby Queen of Epworth, GA; grandchildren, Kevin and Teresa Johnson, Cary and Leah Johnson, Julie and Travis Greene, Chase and Amanda Queen and Tyler Queen; great grandchildren, Dylan Johnson, Bethany Johnson, Kensleigh Johnson and Millie Green; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, November 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Delmar Davenport and Rev. James Howard Galloway officiating. Music will be provided by Carol Thomas, Martha Kreis and Melody Davenport. Interment will follow in the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites provided by the McCay Lodge #423 F&AM. Serving as pallbearers will be Kevin Queen, Cary Johnson, Chase Queen, Tyler Queen, Dylan Johnson and Travis Greene. Members of the McCay Lodge #423 F&AM will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Orville Menees Stump, Jr., age 93, of Atlanta, GA passed away on October 12, 2016. Born in Hamilton County, TN, he was the son of the late Susan Bragg Stump and Orville Menees Stump, Sr. He was a veteran of the United States Army and of the Baptist Faith. Mr. Stump graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was also preceded in death by two wives, Dorothy Louise Panter Stump and Lynn Morgan Stump.

Survivors include one son, James Thompson Stump of Barnesville, GA; three daughters, Rubye Dianne Stump Swilling of Atlanta, GA, Sharon Joanne Stump of Barnesville, GA, and Cynthia Louise Stump Davenport of Acworth, GA; two step daughters, Terri Thomas O’Barr of Canon, GA and Joanna Thomas Taulman of Marietta, GA; 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tom Jordan officiating. Interment will follow in the Barnes Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Zachary Swilling, Parks Davenport, Tanner Stump, Austin Mulacek, Mick White and Max White. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday prior to the service from 2-3 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. Jack B. Roof, Jr., age 68, of Mineral Bluff, GA, a longtime family physician, passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 in the Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Jonathan Buist Roof, Jr. was born on Friday, February 13, 1948 in Petersburg, VA to Mary Scott Roof and Jack Buist Roof. He was the middle child of two siblings, older sister, Mary Catherine and younger brother James Scott Roof.

“Jacky” Roof’s early childhood was spent in Mount Pleasant, SC and in Petersburg, VA before the family moved to Decatur, GA in 1960. The home on Harrington Drive was his parent’s final residence. Jack Senior (“Boontch”) died in 1992 and Mary (“Memama”) died in 2012. Jack, Jr. attended Druid Hills High School and graduated June 6, 1966. He then attended Georgia State University and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Dr. Roof earned his M.D. degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and went on to complete his three year Family Practice Residency training at the Medical Center in Columbus, GA in 1977.

Committed to providing health care in a rural setting and wanting to stay in Georgia, Dr. Roof much preferred a location in the mountains. So it was that he opened his solo practice at Fannin Regional Hospital on July 18, 1977 one month after the hospital opened its doors. Dr. Roof’s practice included OB, infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric care. At the close of his OB practice in 2003, he had proudly delivered nearly 2000 babies.

He continuously felt it was a blessing and privilege to have been able to become a physician and was honored and humbled for patients and families to entrust him with their lives. Many a person heard Dr. Roof brag that Blue Ridge was an ideal place to live and to raise a family while Atlanta and Chattanooga were fine to visit! He appreciated the rural settings that offered so many healthy outdoor activities.

Dr. Roof was preceded in death by his father, Jack Buist Roof, Sr.; and his mother Mary whose last 3 years of her life were spent in the loving care of the nursing home in Blue Ridge.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sherry P. Roof of Mineral Bluff; three children, Ian Christopher Roof (Kate) of Lawrenceville, GA, Erin Roof Staten (Solomon) of Woodstock, GA, and Jonathan Lucas Roof (Miranda) of Mineral Bluff, GA; sister, Cathy Waters (Mitch, deceased) of Chilhowie, VA; brother, Jim Roof (Pam) of Duluth, GA; 8 grandchildren, Austin, Abby, Elliott, Annie, Marley, Solomon Jr., Kahn, and Lila; and several loving nephews and niece.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 30, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill with Rev. Matthew McDaniel officiating. Music will be by Ed Vest. Interment will follow in Chastain Memorial Park. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Bill Prather, Jim Ezell, Ray Tidman, Stan Trigg, John Stepp, Frank Russell, and Dwight Kay. Honorary pallbearers will be Jody Davis, Jerry Bowers, John Greenwald, Will Taylor, Bill Whaley, Leon Brotherton, Al Crews, Jerry Tammen, Richard Phillips, Tim Mercier, Rich Greiner, and Kenney Atkins. In lieu of flowers, per Dr. Roof’s request, please make donations to West Fannin Elementary c/o WFE PTO at United Community Bank. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of arrangements.