OctoberOctober 8, 2014 8, 2014THE NORTHNORTH GEORGIAGEORGIA NEWSNEWS PagePage 3A3A

Deyton...from Page 1A Clinton. “I think right now from a law enforcement fam- do when we’re this involved, the outpouring of support,” he’s in on aggravated assault, ily, with an uncle and cousins and one of our deputies was said Sheriff Clinton. “They’re I believe, but I would expect also serving in the law en- stabbed,” said Sheriff Clinton. focused on getting him better, additional charges once the forcement profession. “They’ve come in and taken and just ask that people keep investigation is completed.” “Aaron is tough,” said the primary. We’re assisting him in their prayers.” Bower is being held in Union County Sheriff’s Lt. them in everything. I mean, Sheriff Clinton once the Towns County Detention Chad Deyton, of his cousin. anything they need from the more expressed appreciation Center without bail, jail re- “He did what a law enforce- Sheriff’s Office, we’re in- for a man the community has cords show. ment officer is supposed to volved with.” been safer with than without. Sheriff Clinton offered do. He was there to backup While the GBI will “We’re very, very proud nothing but praise for Deputy a fellow officer. He’s going be leading the investigation, of Deputy Aaron Deyton and Deyton in the wake of his life- to be okay, but it was a very Sheriff Clinton retains full the service that he’s rendered threatening ordeal. close call for him.” faith in his deputies. the community,” said Sheriff “Aaron Deyton’s a per- This type of crime is not “Our guys are doing Clinton. “Certainly our hearts fect example of everything a the norm in Towns County, a great job, but at the same are with him, and we’re with deputy should be – I mean, and that is thanks in large part time, they’re dealing with; him and his family in this he’s a real hero in my book,” to the office of the Sheriff. this is their friend and their time.” said Sheriff Clinton. “He goes “There’s that 1 percent coworker, and at the Sheriff’s And though Deputy out every shift willing to risk out there that are not like the Office, we’re family,” said Deyton has been through a his life to keep people safe, rest of us, and they do these Sheriff Clinton. “It’s just a storm many people will never and that’s basically what he kinds of things,” said Sher- good idea, a lot of times, to weather, his thoughts are for was doing that night, and he iff Clinton. “Aaron Deyton’s bring in an outside party and those around him and not of did everything right – nothing a part of the other 1 percent let them take the lead on it.” himself. he could have changed, in my that basically stands in the There’s no specific “Any concern that he book. It’s just, we don’t get to gap. And I’ve told people be- timeframe for when Deputy was able to articulate to us, he pick when these events hap- fore, I can’t say enough about Deyton may return to work, was just looking out for other pen.” how much I appreciate our but that’s not the primary con- people immediately,” said And Sheriff Clinton deputies. They keep me and cern at this time. His relatives Sheriff Clinton. “Especially knows how hard it is to expect my family safe, too. At some say Aaron Deyton is expected his wife – he immediately was the unexpected. point, I have to go home and to be hospitalized several wanting to make sure she was “You can’t do that, and go to sleep. We’ve got good more days. okay. that’s why we call it that,” guys out there doing a great “Really, what we’re “He’s a real hero and said Sheriff Clinton. “All you job for us.” concentrated on is being there just a fine, fine individual, and can do is adapt and overcome Sheriff Clinton was im- for him and his family, and we’re very proud of him, and in that situation, and that’s mediately on the scene follow- just letting him know that the we would definitely ask the exactly what he did. He’s just ing the stabbing, but called in main thing right now is to get community to keep him and a fine deputy, and it’s a very Region 8 special agents from better,” said Sheriff Clinton. his family in their thoughts real risk that a lot of times the Georgia Bureau of Inves- “His family has really and prayers.” people don’t think about, but tigation in Cleveland to take articulated that, and actually that’s what the guys deal with the lead in the investigation. asked me to relay for them day in and day out.” “I feel like that’s al- as the spokesman that they’re Deputy Deyton comes ways the appropriate thing to very, very appreciative of all

Gowder...from Page 1A and Marcie Culpepper’s fam- make this a special day for Dr. mother was 80 years old and ily doctor, and the couple Gowder.” she was dying. We took her to shares a special memory that Daniel introduced Pas- Dr. Gowder, and I told him, took place at the old hospital. tor Jerry Helton of Blairs- I said, Dr. Gowder, do some- “He delivered our ville’s House of Prayer Inter- thing for my grandmother, youngest daughter,” said Lar- denominational Church, who she’s not ready to go yet. He ry Culpepper. spoke words of kindness and got her well, and she lived an- Marcie had been going remembrance of Dr. Gowder’s other 10 years.” through a difficult pregnancy, legacy and faith. Akins remembers and there was concern that her “It’s a special honor for loading up and heading to body might abort their child. me to be here, as I’m sure it Braves baseball games in Dr. “He warned us, he said is, for everyone of y’all, to be Gowder’s RV, and the two this baby could have birth de- here today,” said Pastor Hel- would also ride motorcycles fects because of all the trouble ton. “Over the years, George together. we’d had,” said Larry. “I’ll and Martha provided so much “That man is just like never forget it, I was sitting in ministry and so much service a father to everybody in this the waiting room, and I heard to this area – one of the keen- county – not just a doctor, but a man’s voice hollering.” est minds I’ve ever ran across a father,” said Akins. Larry got up to see what in my life is Dr. George.” Terri Anderson, Missy the hollering was all about, Former Director of Mashburn, Susan Comer and when he stepped out in Nursing at Union General and Bobbie Hoodenpyle at- the hall he saw Dr. Gowder Hospital Patsy Efird had a tended the dedication, and carrying his child. unique relationship with Dr. all work out of Appalachian “That baby still had af- Gowder during the years they Home Health Care, which Dr. terbirth on it, and he was run- worked together. Gowder started with his wife ning down the hall to tell me, “He couldn’t stand and four daughters. he said, ‘She’s okay, she’s got nurses to tell him what they “When he first opened all her fingers and toes.’ He thought he ought to do, like the agency in 1991, no matter was more excited than I was. suggest a drug or something. what, we always had lunch to- So, that’s the kind of doctor And he would tell me, he’d gether,” said Mashburn. “He he was,” said Larry. say, ‘Patsy, if you’d tell your always told us stories about Marcie Culpepper dec- nurses to stick to nursing and his practice during lunch, and orated the chapel in advance let me do the doctoring, we’d he was just always telling fun- of the dedication, which was get along just fine,’” said ny stories.” hosted by the foundation that Efird, laughing. “He’s our family,” add- Dr. Gowder helped start. Nearly everyone in at- ed Comer, which perfectly “Mountain Commu- tendance could trace back a summed up the event. nity Healthcare Foundation memory of either working The dedication had the is dedicating Union General with Dr. Gowder or having feel of a family reunion, and Hospital Chapel to Dr. George been a patient, and his bond the fact that so many people Gowder, and the wonderful with his friends and col- turned out to demonstrate years of service that he has leagues was the topic of most their admiration and respect provided for this communi- conversations. for Dr. Gowder proved one ty,” said Foundation Director “I had pericarditis, and thing for certain – the com- Leslie Daniel. “I appreciate he cured me of that,” said life- munity will be indebted for- you all taking your time out long Union County resident ever to this doctor, friend and of your busy day to come and Bud Akins. “And my grand- father to many.

Fest...from Page 1A Road where the course takes a 230-foot elevation climb be- fore the turnaround in the Mt. Airy Community. As the runners returned to the Community Center the excitement across the street was just beginning as crowds began to fill the field behind Woody Gap School for the In- dian Summer Festival. “This is our second year attending the Indian Summer Festival and our first at the Run Above the Clouds,” said Diane Shorley of Cumming. “I was here two years ago and was really kicking myself for not making it last year. Since “I always hear people students have worked hard we missed last year, I told my say that it's like a family re- to get to this point, but this is brother (Daniel) that we were union for the town of Suches only the beginning,” Union getting there early to watch and I think that is what makes County Schools Superinten- the race. We were a little late this event so unique,” Shorley dent Gary Steppe said. “I am and made it to the (General said. “Even if you aren't a part sure the "Band of Steel" will Store) to catch the fun run of the town, the festival wel- be a point of pride for Woody going by and the first return- comes new members every Gap and the Suches commu- ees from the big race. Daniel year. This is supposed to be a nity in the future. Music is a doesn't like the cold but once small town but they've got a universal language appreci- we made it over to the festival big time heart.” ated by all. Congratulations to grounds he forgot all about Along with the Gaddis- Mr. Roberts and his students the weather.” town Homemakers booth, the on a job well done. An exam- The festival is known Woody Gap Sports Club bar- ple of another group striving for its family reunion feel and becue, and others there was for excellence.” the reputation is well deserved enough variety to cure any- After Saturday morn- as hugs and handshakes are one's hunger. ing's Run Above the Clouds, the popular greeting. Livc music began just the opening day comes to a “The festival feels more shy of 11 a.m. on Saturday, close with another opportu- like a family reunion,” Althea however the festival marked nity for locals and non-locals Cantrell said prior to the festi- the breakout performance alike to get back on their feet val and she couldn't be more of Union County Schools' with a square dance, featuring accurate. “Old friends, fam- newest musical group. The a live band. ily, and former Woody Gap Woody Gap “Band of Steel” All proceeds from the classmates all try to return to made their debut at the festi- festival are returned to the stu- Suches for the weekend. It's a val and they stole the show. dents at Woody Gap Schools. big weekend for our schools What makes the performance With that much fun raising and our community.” even more remarkable is the money for a good cause, you Cantrell's Local Studies band is only two months old, can't go wrong. Booth and its hot apple pies having started when school With arts, crafts and all have become a staple of the opened in August. day entertainment for every- festival and after one bite of a “The 'Band of Steel' is one and all proceeds going to pie, one can see why its popu- under the direction of Doug Woody Gap School, you can't larity is well deserved. Roberts. Mr. Roberts and his go wrong.