Every week, The Henry County Times publishes submitted obituaries and death notices of Henry County citizens.
Harold Keith Smalley
Sgt. Harold Keith Smalley, age 59, of McDonough, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
Billy Drake
Mr. Billy Drake, age 87 of Bemidji, Minn., formerly of Locust Grove, Ga., passed away December 20, 2019. He was born in Atlanta, Ga., one of eight children, to the late Clarence and Belle Cowan Drake. He graduated from McDonough High School, where he played both baseball and basketball. He was “Mr. McDonough High School” his senior year. Billy was drafted by a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees but enlisted in the Navy instead. Billy faithfully served his country as a Corpsman in the United States Navy on the front lines during the Korean War attached to a Marine unit until being moved to a mobile hospital unit. Billy and Betty Anne were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. They lived in McDonough for many years, where they were active members at McDonough United Methodist Church, where Billy was a lay leader. He went on many lay missions and taught Sunday school for years. They moved to Locust Grove in 1995, where he was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church, where he also taught Sunday school and led many initiatives and committees. Billy worked for the Draper Corporation, Batesville Casket Company as a regional distribution manager, and as a manufacturer’s representative for Southland Casket Company until his retirement. After retirement, he worked part time at Haisten Funeral Home in McDonough for 15 years. Billy was a member of the McDonough Lions Club and was an avid sports fan. He loved the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Atlanta Braves. If there was a baseball game to be watched, he’d be watching it! After retirement, he enjoyed traveling and visiting his daughter in Minnesota. Everyone says he was the kindest man they ever met. He was an integral part of his four granddaughter’s lives. He was always surrounded by women – three daughters and four granddaughters! He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Betty Anne LeGuin Drake in 2001; a daughter, Donna Elaine Drake in 2018; and by siblings, Leroy, Clarence, Johnny and Jean.
Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Anne Marie Clark and her husband, Terry, of Jackson, and Susan Drake Jarvis and her husband, Eddie, of Bemidji, MN; granddaughters, Maggie Clark, Grace Edge, Jessica and Paul Shoemaker and Katie and Jeff Hashbarger; great grandson, Walker Jeffery, who is almost three; siblings, Tommy and Jan Drake of Macon, Bobby and Diane Drake of Jackson and Laurie Scoggins of Lawrence-ville; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 29, 2019 in the Haisten Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery. For those who wish to leave condolences, visit www.haistenfunerals.com. Haisten Funerals and Cremations, 770-914-8833.
Annie Lou Henley
Miss Annie Lou Henley, age 102, of Locust Grove, Ga., passed away December 22, 2019. Miss Ann was born in Butts County, the daughter of the late Lizzie Harper Henley and Wyatt Stephen Henley. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings; Gilbert Henley (Corrine), Mae Smith (Emmit), Phil Henley (Eloise), Cliff Henley (Ruth), Temperance Henley, Emmitt Henley (Sara), Martha Henley, Jack Henley (Ophelia), Tag Henley (Bernice), and Sara Claude Henley.
Survivors are her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews that she dearly loved. Miss Ann was a lifelong member and the oldest member of the Locust Grove United Methodist Church where she served as the cook for the Wednesday night suppers and the bereavement meals with her friend Stella Cook. She enjoyed good music and going to singings. During World War II she worked at Conley (Atlanta Army Depot). She later began working for Dowling Textile where she did grippers in the beginning and many other jobs before she retired at age 70. Miss Ann was a member of the Hill Patrick Chapter No. 441 Order of the Eastern Star and a Past Matron. In the 1950’s the chapter of the Eastern Star cooked monthly meals for the Locust Grove Lions Club. She was there helping every month and seldom missed a chapter meeting of the Eastern Star. Miss Ann volunteered with delivering Meals on Wheels for the Henry County Senior Center for 20 years and then insisted her car be used by her niece to deliver meals, and her car is used today delivering meals. She enjoyed traveling and laughing with friends. In 1950 she rode the Greyhound bus across country with her sister-in-law, Hortense; and they took many trips to Florida.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 in the chapel of Haisten Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Peabody officiating. Interment followed in the Locust Grove Cemetery. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Locust Grove United Methodist Church. For those who wish to leave condolences, visit www.haistenfunerals.com. Haisten Funerals and Cremations, 770-914-8833.
Joyce Ann Mergens
Joyce Ann Mergens, age 88, of McDonough, Ga., passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
Cynthia Ratzman Hunt
Cynthia (Cindy) Ratzman Hunt, age 57, of McDonough, Ga., passed away at home on December 25, 2019. Cindy was born on September 4, 1962 in Stockton, Calif., to Joe and Martha Ratzman. She graduated from M.D. Collins High School in College Park, GA in 1980 and Clayton State College in 1983 with a degree in dental hygiene. She was an avid dog lover and the loving “mother” to two “fur babies” needing extensive care. Cindy loved plants, flowers and gardening. Cindy adored her nephew and niece, always going the extra mile to make them laugh. She once even dressed up as a cartoon character with a lemonade stand on the driveway in the heat of summer just to see their reaction. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Wally and Irene Ratzman, and Joe and Hazel Marshall.
Survivors include her parents, Joe and Martha Ratzman; sister, Kim (Mike) Wiernicki; nephew, Connor Wiernicki; and niece, Lura Wiernicki, all of McDonough Ga.; uncles, Bob Ratzman of Midlothian Tex., Jim (Carole) Ratzman of Austin, Tex.; aunts, Marie Ratzman of Nashville Tenn., and Ann (Clyde) Martin of Loudon Tenn., and several cousins.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 1 p.m. at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in Riverdale Ga. For those who wish, the family requests donations be made to Praying for Paws, 133 Jonesboro Road, McDonough GA 30253, ATTN: Carol Kelly. Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannoncleve landfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.
