Describing the life of Benjamin David Fried (Aug. 22, 1949 - March 21, 2020) is no easy task.
It begins with his childhood in the neighborhood of Glenn Oaks in Queens, New York. Born to Mervin and Betty Fried in 1949, Ben would discover music at an early age. He would ultimately be inspired by such groups as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and the R &B groups of the 60s to pick up the bass guitar, and he would never put it down after that. Ben would go on to play in various bands and studio sessions, notably being credited for his work on two National Lampoons albums, Gold Turkey and Goodbye Pop.
Music would take Ben to Vermont, where he would meet his wife, Therese Daigneault. They married in 1974, and gave birth to daughter, Heather, a few years later. The family soon moved to North Georgia, where Ben worked with his father, Mervin, at the Old Sautee Store while pursuing a teaching degree. Soon after his son, Matthew, was born.
Teaching would prove to be Ben's next great adventure, as he went on to teach Literature at Stephens County High School for the next 30 years, inspiring countless students and being credited with changing the lives of so, so many.
In retirement, one could typically find Ben out making music with his son, Mat, in dozens of venues in the southeast, or spending quality time with his four grandchildren.
Ben is quoted as once saying, "Everything I've ever wanted to express emotionally has been written in a Beatles song."
He will be sorely missed by many, but his presence and warm heart will always be felt.
Ben was preceded in death by his father, Mervin Fried; step-mother, Astrid Fried; mother, Betty Fried; and father-in-law, Lionel Daigneault.
Ben is survived by his forever loving wife of 45 years, Therese Fried; sister and brother-in-law, Carla and Skip Sickles; mother-in-law, Elinor Daigneault; children, Heather Crews and Mat Fried; and grandchildren, Luna, Jonas, Cosmo and Bellanova.
Arrangements for a celebration of Ben's life are pending, but will include music and joy.
Any forms of well-wishing or sympathy may be sent to 102 Garrison Dr., Cleveland, Ga. 30528.
To share a memory or leave a condolence, visit barrettfh.com.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.
White County News Cleveland, Georgia
April 2, 2020

Benjamin David Fried

Betty Ann Humphries White, 80, of Clarkesville, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Born in White County, Georgia July 27, 1939, she was a daughter of the late Hershel Humpries and Bonnie Glaze Humphries Connelly. Betty was a graduate of North Georgia Technical College where she received her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She retired from the Habersham County Health Department with many years of dedicated service. Betty was a devoted wife and mother who also treasured being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her love for the Lord and her care for family, as well as friends, was indescribable. Betty was a faithful member of Providence Baptist Church and a 50 year plus member of The Order of The Eastern Star, Mount Yonah Chapter #405.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd C. White; as well as brothers, Kenneth Humphries, David Humphries, and Jimmy Lamberton.
Survivors include her children, Holly and Phillip Gosnell, Teresa White, and Daryl White, all of Clarkesville; sister and brother-in-law, Glenda and Joe Braddy of Cold Springs, Texas; brother, Dan Humphries of Clarkesville; grandchildren, Heather Gosnell Duckworth, Cade White, and Ruel White; great-grandchildren, Hayden Eller and Tanner Gosnell; a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Private family graveside services will be held at Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Betty A. White to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 1855, Clarkesville, GA. 30523.
An online guest registry is available at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville.
White County News Cleveland, Georgia
April 2, 2020
Betty Ann Humphries White

Emily Frances Duvall, 94, of Clayton, passed away at her home March 25, 2020, after a very long and full life.
Born in the Mossy Creek Community of White County, Georgia on March 11, 1926, Frances was the daughter of the late Robert Dorsey and Clora Autry Dorsey. Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis Steve Duvall Sr.; son, Louis Steve Duvall Jr.; grand-daughter, Miley Elizabeth Duvall; brother, Ralph Dorsey; sisters, Henrietta Reid and Odessa Harrison; and son-in-law, Stanley (Butch) Darnell.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Kay Duvall Darnell; son, Jeffrey Hobson Duvall and wife, Connie; grandsons, L. Allyn Stockton Jr., Rob Stockton and wife, Sherrie, and Louis Steve Duvall III and wife, Ali; great-grandchildren, L.A. (Lane) Stockton III, Meredith Stockton, Georgia Stockton, Gunner Stockton, and Jeffrey Hobson Duvall II; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Raised during the Great Depression, Frances grew up walking four miles one-way to school and spending all of her remaining hours laboring on her family's farm.
Frances was an honor graduate of White County High School. After high school she worked for several years for Dr. L.G. Neal in Cleveland, and would make regular house calls with Dr. Neal and his wife. During her time with Dr. Neal she became acquainted with nearly every person in White County and could tell you in precise detail who was related to who until her last days. Dr. Neal's practice where Frances worked was located in the Cleveland Clinic which would later become famous as Babyland General, home of the Cabbage Patch Kids.
Frances was a charter member of the Eastern Star Chapter in Cleveland, serving as Worthy Matron.
Frances married Steve Duvall after a short six-week courtship and didn't tell her parents about her nuptials until a day after the service. Their marriage lasted for 65 years until Steve's death in 2011.
Having a keen business mind and a spartan work ethic, Frances co-owned and operated Duvall Ford Company in Clayton beginning in 1956 and continued to work full-time at the dealership well past her 93rd birthday.
Frances was a lifelong Methodist, belonging to only two churches in her entire life: Mossy Creek Methodist Church and Clayton First United Methodist Church.
Frances loved her family and she loved attending her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sporting events. Frances was regularly attending football and basketball games, home and away, until just two months before she died.
Frances loved Rabun County and its people and knew who everybody was and made everyone feel special.
Frances was loyal, honest and kind. Frances was very protective of her good reputation and her character was beyond reproach. She had no vices or regrets.
As wonderful as Frances was, you should have known her momma.
There will be no visitation due to the coronavirus pandemic. The family will have a private graveside service. A celebration of Mrs. Frances' life will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Clayton First United Methodist Church in Clayton.
Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, is in charge of the arrangements.
White County News Cleveland, Georgia
April 2, 2020
Emily Frances Duvall

Mr. Bonnell Thomas, 90, of Cleveland, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Mr. Thomas was born in Towns County to the late Laura Lavonia "Vonie" Garrett and Joe Boyd Thomas. He retired from General Motors and loved his family, his grandchildren, and always had a smile.
In addition to parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Pruitt Thomas; brothers, Oneal Thomas and Barney Thomas; and niece, Teresa Gail Thomas.
Survivors include wife, Marie Thomas, Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, Deana and Vaughn Richard Grizzle; sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher Derrick and Tabitha Thomas, Flowery Branch and Dennis Dean and Harriette Bence, Athens; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Vivian Thomas, Herman and Billie Thomas, Buddy and Carolyn Thomas, and Robin and Sherry Thomas, all of Cleveland; brothers, Sammy Thomas, and Kenneth Thomas, both of Cleveland; sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Richard Welborn, Cleveland; and sisters, Jimmie McGee, Cleveland, and Jackie Fain, Demorest.
Services will be held at a later date.
To share a memory or leave a condolence with the family, visit barrettfh.com.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.
White County News Cleveland, Georgia
April 2, 2020
Bonnell Thomas

Mr. Charlie Mitchell Pharris, 82, of Sautee Nacoochee, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2020.
Mr. Pharris was born in Gainesville to the late Jordan and Marie Adams Pharris. In addition to parents, he was preceded in death by grandson, Taylor Burdette; sisters, Carrie Lee Sims and Irene Dorsey; and brothers, J.C. Pharris and Clyde Pharris. He was a former scheduler and a Veteran of the U.S. Army. Mr. Pharris was a member of Center Baptist Church.
Survivors include wife, Jennifer Pharris of Sautee Nacoochee; daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Scott Welch of Oxford, Tammy and Jeff Holbrook of Recluse, Wyoming; son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell and Alyssa Pharris of Clarkesville; step-daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa Savage of Cleveland, Margaret and Randy Turner of Gainesville, and Kim and Scott Helton of Cleveland; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Saturday, March 28, 2020, at Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest. The Rev. Michael Wilkes officiated.
To share a memory or leave a condolence with the family, visit barrettfh.com.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.
White County News Cleveland, Georgia
April 2, 2020
Charlie Mitchell Pharris

Mr. Paul LaFayette Strickland, 75, of Douglasville, formerly of Lumpkin County, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Mr. Strickland was born in Lumpkin County to the late Hoyt and Lila Jarrard Strickland. He was an elevator repair and installer for over 30 years.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Tammie and Derrick Bruce, and Jenny and Tim Tucker; son, Matt Strickland; grandchildren, Jake Bruce, Trent Bruce, Kailyn Strickland, Wyatt Tucker, Ashley Tucker, and Aaden Tucker.
Graveside services were held Saturday, March 28, 2020, at Welcome Worship Center Cemetery. The Rev. Jimmy Peck officiated.
To share a memory or to leave a condolence for the family, visit barrettfh.com.
Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.
White County News Cleveland, Georgia
April 2, 2020
Paul LaFayette Strickland

William Farrell McCallister, 78, went home to be with the Lord Friday, March 20, 2020. He was born in White County to the late Barney Lee and Lessie Ruby McCallister. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Pilgrim; brother, Hayward McCallister; and son, Hank McCallister.
Survivors include wife, Sandra McCallister of Cleveland; daughters, Sherry Gailey of Cornelia, and Amy Ruis of Cleveland; son, Shane Griffin of Cleveland; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Robby Nelms of Clarkesville; brother and sister-in-law, David and Frances McCallister of Cleveland; eight grandchildren, Faith Davis, Linton Adams, Ethan Adams, Cordell Adams, Molly Dixon, Pearl Ruth Moody, Hank Griffin, and Heidi Ryan; five great-grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 23, at the chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. The Rev. Paul Flynn and the Rev. Clarence Reynolds officiated. Interment followed at Union Grove Congregational Holiness Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to the family at barrettfh.com.
Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.
White County News Cleveland, Georgia
April 2, 2020
William Farrell McCallister

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