RAYLE NEWS
By Bonnie Boatwright Call 274-3264
A dark shadow was cast over our community Monday as word spread of the death of Carla Thaxton Brown. Carla was well known in many circles as she used her beautiful voice to bring joy and inspiration at many churches and social functions for many years. She also sang at weddings and funerals. She was a beautiful Christian lady with a real smile for everyone. She loved everyone and was dearly loved. Many would say she was a daddy's girl, but on the other hand she was also a mama's girl. She was
unique person and served in many church and school activities, acted in plays, Little Theater productions, and many other things. She reached out to help many people in many ways living her life to the fullest in her short 33 years. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and her memory will live on in our hearts. Our hearts go out with sympathy and love to Brooks, Tommy, and Fran, Charlotte and Bob Welch, Joshua, Tabitha, and Bobbie, Mamie Ruth Cason, Pearl Thaxton, Ed and Karen Brown, and many other family members. Many people visited at the home, attended the visitation at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home in Crawford and attended the celebration of life service at St. James United Methodist Church in Athens. .Sardis Baptist Church enjoyed a wonderful message, "For Christmas to Come," from Galatians 4:19, Sunday by Pastor Jim Newsome. The lighting of the advent candle
Peace" was by Wesley, Brenda, and Rebekah Echols. Monica Gunter led in the congregational singing with Pam Hall as pianist. The children gathered at the altar for their message by the pastor and then went downstairs to the annex with Cody Armour for children's church. Family night was held Sunday evening with a wonderful meal and mission meetings following. The Acteens put together gift bags to deliver to the shut-ins when they go caroling Wednesday night, December 19, at 6 p.m. The Christmas program is set for December 23 at 7 p.m. Christmas play practice will be at 6 p.m. Sunday with preaching at 7 p.m. Prayer meeting is held every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Echols Home. .The Christmas parade was enjoyed by many Sunday afternoon. The Sardis Baptist Church float was driven by John Armour in a pickup truck with Denise Armour, Jennifer Armour, and Angela Armour riding on the float with the children, Jasmine Fry, Hunter Armour, Avery Hall, Mason Armour, Kaitlyn Porter, Mattie Heard, Jeremiah Fry, Bryson Porter, and Jackson Armour. Everyone appreciates the ones who donated their time and effort to get the float ready. The children had fun and the entire parade was the best I can remember and was enjoyed by the young and young at heart. .John and Dawn Howard's beautiful home was on the Christmas tour of homes Saturday. Mary Hawes, Mablean Sherrer, and Deana Sherrer were hosts and enjoyed seeing and talking to the many people who came. .Bonnie Boatwright enjoyed going to County Line Baptist Church Sunday to hear the "Homeland Boys" in concert. They were great. .Jasmine Fry celebrated her birthday Friday, November 30, with a sleepover bash at her home. Celebrating with Jazzy were Pasha Blackmon, Amaya Ware, Lykah Moore, and Destiny Smith. Jazzy and her friends played dress-up, games, and watched movies. .Bonnie Boatwright went to Chiles in Athens Tuesday to meet her sisters for a great lunch. Joining Bonnie were Frankie Jones of Athens and Martha Jones of Bogart. After a delicious lunch Frankie left to go to Commerce to visit her husband Joe in the nursing home and Bonnie and Martha went over to Burt's United Methodist Church in Oglethorpe County to put Christmas poinsettias on their parents' graves. .The Lunch and Learn Club members met at the home of Tommy and Fran Thaxton Thursday morning, bringing lunch for the family of Carla Thaxton Brown. . The "Red Hats" (Flames) of Oconee County came to Washington Saturday to spend the day. They had a wonderful lunch at Fievet's, were honored at a reception at the Market Place, enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Woman's Club, shopped, and went on the candlelight tour of homes. They were dressed in purple and wearing red hats. Marian Nolley, queen of the Oconee Red Hats (also director of the Oconee Senior Center) and Martha Jones, vice-queen, and Helen DeLong were among the group of about 10 who came. Martha Jones (Red Hat Hattie) is the sister of Bonnie Boatwright and Bonnie saw the bus and followed it back into town where she got to hug her sister and meet Marian. It was reported that they had a wonderful time and look forward to coming again. .Bonnie Boatwright was surprised when she won the $500 shopping spree at Farmers Furniture in Washington Saturday. I spent the day in Washington shopping and had a good time watching all the tourists and according to tags on cars they were probably from every county in Georgia and more. Washington is so beautiful and I enjoyed the many Christmas decorations and everyone's smile. Christmas is in the air and I am in the Christmas spirit and celebrating Jesus' birthday. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season and keep him with you in all that you do. .Ann Wideman visited Joyce Bowen and Betty Winfrey one day. Gene Winfrey visited the Widemans Friday and Leeman Stewart visited Saturday. James, David, and Mathew Wideman spent Saturday and Sunday with George and Ann. .The Lunch and Learn Club members will meet at City Hall at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 18, to go to the home of member Doris Smathers in the Crossroads community of Tignall for our Christmas dinner and gift giving. A carpool will leave from City Hall shortly after 10 a.m. .Mary Owen of Rossman, N.C., spent Friday to Sunday with Ruby Arnold. They visited with the family of Carla Brown at Lord and Stephens Funereal Home in Crawford Friday. .Betty Berry and Lee and Shelley Parker enjoyed Sunday dinner with Sybil Vaughn. .Zachery Frankel spent Friday night with his grandparents, Clyde and Sandy Whittington. Clyde took Zachery and Avery Hall fishing Saturday. Clyde and Sandy spent the day Sunday with Neil and Kim Frankel, Zachery, Kyle, and Bryce. .Paul and Hannah Wright and Ava enjoyed Sunday dinner with Tim and Gail Stewart and Alyssa. .Debra Armour (Bobby) attended a meeting Friday at Quiet Oaks in Crawford where she works and Frances Fendley and Mozelle Casey accompanied her to visit Melvie Esco who is a resident there. .Frances Fendley, Debra Armour (Bobby), Rebecca and Raeleigh enjoyed the Christmas parade in Washington Sunday afternoon. .Scott and Sissy Smith, J.T. and Abby, Richard and Lou Heard, Mattie and Hank, enjoyed Sunday dinner with Buck and Linda Echols. .Louise Smith and Lucile Edmonds of Anderson, S.C., Linda Buff, Mablean Sherrer, and Doris Walker went over to Bowersville Sunday for a wonderful Christmas dinner with their niece, Janna Moon (daughter of their late brother, Joseph Smith) and husband Dennis in their beautiful new home. Joining them were Mrs. Moshea, Judy Smith, Joanna Smith, and friend Ben. .Please continue to remember in your prayers: the family of Carla Thaxton Brown, Bettee Huddleston, Joyce Bowen, Linda Stevens, Chris Charping, Kathryn Padgett, Sonny Chafin,Bonnie Boatwright, Thelma Favor, Peggy Walker, Gary Rogers, Joe Charping, Douglas Howard, Joyce Sifre, Gene and Sara Lamar, Ed and Velma Crook, Marshall and Mablean Sherrer, Dan and Mildred McAvoy, Morrison and Priscilla Maxwell, Pete Hardy, Pete Poss, Joyce Blackwell, Corrie Maxwell, Clyde Sales, Roberta Roper, Doris Walker, Tom Bufford, Joe Bufford, Jimmy Coxwell, Diane Bailey, Edward Waller, Kenneth Mann, Mike Woodall, Randy Callaway, Hartrell Pate, Ann Sales, P.J. Johnson, Ruth Bell, Bernice McAvoy, and all the sick and shut-ins. .Jim and Karan Newsome enjoyed having their son and his family, Jamie and Charlene Newsome and Anna of Augusta, come visit Sunday and celebrate Anna's second birthday. Jenelle Newsome of Washington also came. .Bettee Huddleston of Vero Beach, Fla., mother of Karan Newsome, had hip replacement surgery this week. Karan and Jim spent a few days with her. Our prayers are for a quick and complete recovery.
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