Comer Saxon : Obituary

The Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces funeral services for Comer Edward Saxon, age 98 who passed away at his home on March 12, 2013 following an extended illness.

Comer was born in Blairsville, Georgia on October 12, 1914 to the late Bennett and Ella Hood Saxon. He was a life long resident of Union County. Following the death of his parents when he was ten years old, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Wilda Roper Hood, a certified and well-respected midwife in this area during the 1930’s and 40’s. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Lydia Elizabeth Nix Saxon; brother, Vaughn Calvin Saxon and sister, Ethelene Saxon Dyer.

At the age of ten, his Uncle, Lester Hood, taught him the cords on a banjo and from that moment on he was hooked on Bluegrass music. He learned to play a mean banjo and he and his brother, Vaughn, once competed in a contest on WNOX in Knoxville, Tennessee where they came in second place. He was a trucker for many years, but his lifelong dream was to be a merchant. He finally realized that dream when he bought Saxon’s Sunrise Grocery, which he owned & operated for several years. After retiring, he ran Appalachian Antiques for a number of years where he and his wife, Lydia, spent many happy hours “antiquing” and going to auctions to buy for the store.

He is survived by two sons: Olen Bennett Saxon of Moriarty, NM; Dean Saxon & his fiancé, Patti MacLean of Blairsville; two daughters, Betty Louise Saxon Hopkins of Alpharetta, GA and Brenda Saxon Morgan and her husband, Jerry of Gainesville, GA; ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews and other family members also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013 from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. Jan Devereaux officiating. Burial will follow in Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Russell Scenic Hwy. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Dean Saxon, Derek Saxon, Ed Saxon, Stacy Hopkins, Jamie Burnette and Jerry Morgan. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6 until 9 pm.

The family would especially like to thank the Regency Hospice Team for their loving care during his illness. If you wish, In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Regency Hospice, Hiawassee, GA.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please visit us online at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com to send condolences to the family and sign the guest register.