Fondest Goodbyes to Mrs. Roark April 21, 2009

ROARK, Ethel ETHEL ELEANOR HAUSER ROARK was born December 13, 1910, in Jefferson County Georgia, the fourth of seven children of Carl Lewis and Ethel Harlow Hauser. She was a champion speller and won several competitions at the local and regional levels. After graduating from Louisville Academy in 1928 she assisted her father in the Louisville telegraph office. In 1931 she married Earl Woodliff Roark of Flowery Branch, Ga., at that time a lineman with Ga. Power Co. They began housekeeping in Lewisburg, Pa. that same year when Earl began his career with the Federal Prison System. After taking the train to Detroit to buy their first new Model A Ford, they moved to Ft. Bragg, N.C., where Earl was a junior officer at the prison camp there. In 1935 they moved to Atlanta, where Earl continued to work at the Federal Penitentiary until 1956. Ethel and Earl had four children while living in Atlanta, and in 1949 moved to their new home in Conley. Ethel was active in all of her childrens’ activities, first at Milton Ave. School and Roosevelt High and later at Bouldercrest Elementary and SW DeKalb High. She was an energetic participant in WSCS (UMW) at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Home Demonstration Club, and Campfire Girls. In 1952 she became primary caregiver to her mother while continuing to serve as an expert seamstress, chauffeur, gardener, homemaker, mother and wife — a supermom by her generation’s standards. Everyone who knew her was familiar with her superior culinary skills. Ethel’s sweet demeanor and caring spirit will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends. She was a patient, generous and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Earl (1900-90), and a grandson, Chuck Watters, Jr. (1964-89). Surviving are two daughters, Alice Roark and Janie R. Watters of Clermont, Ga. two sons, John H. Roark and wife, Peggy of Buford and Robert E. Roark and wife Shirla of Stockbridge; a sister-in-law, Angie Hauser of Thomson; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be at 11:00a.m. at Stockbridge United Methodist Church Thursday, October 30th. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, Oct. 29th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Horis A. Ward, Fairview Chapel, Stockbridge. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell, Ga. 30106; to Buford Presbyterian Church or to Stockbridge United Methodist.

A Plea for Help! April 3, 2009

State funding for archaeology in Georgia is currently on the chopping block. Nonetheless, the LAMAR Institute is a proud supporter of the 2009 Georgia Archaeology Month festivities. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signs the proclamation for these events on April 2, 2009.

April 2, 2009

Can you find the plea for help in this picture? Look closely.

Answer:

Above the Ear