Herbert Church

Herbert Church, age 72, of Demorest, Georgia died Friday, October 30, 2009 at the Stephens County Hospital following an extended illness. Mr. Church was born on January 6, 1937 in Habersham County, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his father, Aubrey Church and his brother-in-law, Morris Williams. Mr. Church was a lifetime member of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. At his church, he led the adult choir for 18 years, loved playing his guitar and singing with his wife Linda, and playing with the "Mt. Carmel Bluegrass Praise Group." Mr. Church served in The Georgia National Guard for 37 years and retired as a CW4. During his service time, he volunteered to go to Ecuador and help build a bridge. Mr. Church was the owner of HGC Forests Resources along with his son Gary. He served on the HEMC Board of Directors for 18 years. Survivors include: his mother, Sallie Lou Adams Church, Clarkesville, GA; his wife of 46 years: Linda Bowling Church, Demorest, GA; his daughter and son-in-law: Terri and Neil Ross, Baldwin, GA; his son and daughter-in-law: Major John Gary and Ginger Church, Mt. Airy, GA; his grandchildren that adored their Pa: Clayton Aubrey Church, Brandon Alexander Church, and Katie Wynn Church, all of Mt. Airy, GA; his sisters: Carolyn Williams, Demorest, GA; Laverne Chamberlin, Gainesville, GA; Janet Taylor, Clarkesville, GA; his brother: Phillip Church, Clarkesville, GA; and an uncle Stub Church. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2009 from the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with Rev. Russ Barker, Rev. Billy Burrell, and Mr. Joel Williams officiating. Interment will follow in the Demorest City Cemetery with full military honors provided by The Georgia National Guard, Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made in memory of Herb Church to The Lustgarton Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 or to the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Benevolance Fund, 988 Historic Hwy 441, Demorest, GA 30535. Those wishing to express condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia.