Funeral services for Essie Mae Purcell Foster, 99, of Cornelia, are scheduled for 4 p.m. today, June 19, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, with the Rev. Billy Burrell and John C. Foster officiating. Burial will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Foster died peacefully Sunday, June 16, 2013, at her residence. Born Nov. 11, 1913, in Banks County, she was the daughter of the late John and Minnie (Watkins) Purcell. She was married to Haskal Calloway Foster (deceased) for 66 years. She was a lifelong member of Level Grove Baptist Church. Also, preceding her in death are her brothers and sister, Claude Purcell, Walter Purcell, Clarence Purcell, Clay Purcell and Elizabeth Brown. She loved to garden, grow flowers, rock on her porch and can fresh vegetables. Family and guests who visited never went hungry. She was a dedicated homemaker who worked diligently beside her husband on their farm for many years. She took pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their accomplishments. A true legacy is left by this matriarch. Surviving are her son, John C. (Bobbie) Foster of Cornelia; daughter, Betty Jane (Leon) Gage of Cornelia; grandchildren, John Clayton (Kim) Foster of Flowery Branch, David (Leslie) Foster of Cornelia, Pamela Fain of Cornelia, Susan (Ed) Gilliland of Hiawassee, Robin (Dennis) Pruitt of Chesnee, S.C., Ann Palermo of Baton Rouge, La., Leslie (David) Haynie of Jonesboro, Laura (Ryan) Carlton of Dallas, Bobby (Bonnie) Foster of California, and Jamie Anderson of California; great-grandchildren, John Clayton Foster III, Ella Foster, Katie Foster, Taylor Hyde, Mackenzie Key, Paul Barnes, Joshua Gilliland, Caleb Gilliland, Gabe Gilliland, Emma Gilliland, Clay Pruitt, Tyler Pruitt, Bobby Foster, Katie Foster, Libby Anderson, and Mia Anderson; numerous nieces and nephews; and sister, Mozelle Dover of Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Habersham South Gideons, P.O. Box 195, Baldwin, GA 30511; or to Level Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 416, Cornelia, GA 30531. Those wishing to express online condolences to the Foster family may do so by visiting whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest. The Northeast Georgian June 19, 2013

Memorial services for Eugene Talmadge Witcher, 78, of Clarkesville, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Glade Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael Justus officiating. Mr. Witcher died Monday, June 17, 2013, at his residence following a sudden illness. Born June 1, 1935, in Bowman, he was the son of the late T. Frank and Julia Dickerson Witcher. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Judson Witcher, and his sister, Marie Malcolm. Mr. Witcher was a veteran of the United States Army and retired from Benson Bakery. He was a member of Glade Creek Baptist Church. Survivors include his loving wife, Sara Witcher of Clarkesville; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and David Coile of Cleveland; son, Robert Witcher of Clarkesville; sisters, Dorothy Garner of Bowman, Lois Ragland of Athens, Sue Parks of Carlton, Judy Booth of Colbert, and Martha Bridges of Bowman; brothers, Kenneth Witcher of Demorest, and Frank Witcher of Hartwell; grandchildren, Tammy Maxey, Kassie McCauley, Nicholas Witcher, Brittany Witcher, Whitney Witcher and Tiffany Witcher; and great-grandchildren, Arsen McCauley and Kaylee Witcher. The family will receive friends at the church from 2 p.m. until the service hour on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 1100 Sherwood Park Drive, Suite 120, Gainesville, GA 30501. Those wishing to express online condolences to the Witcher family may do so by visiting whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest. The Northeast Georgian June 19, 2013