The Toccoa Record: Obituaries

Former Toccoa mayor

Lucius Benjamin Alewine, 90, of Toccoa, died at his home Sept. 17, 2008, surrounded by his family and friends after an extended illness.

Born in Hart County, he was a son of the late Claude Benjamin and Nobie Mae Weaver Alewine. He attended schools in Stephens and Hart counties. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as well as the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was married to Mary Sue Bray Alewine for 60 years until her death in 1998. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Oren Alewine, and son-in-law, Richard E. Martin.

He began work at the R.G. LeTourneau Plant (later known as WABCO) in Toccoa as a steel mill worker Feb. 10, 1941, until his retirement in 1982 as materials manager. He began his service to the City of Toccoa in 1964 when he was elected to his first term as a city commissioner. He went on to serve 15 years with five terms as mayor.

In this capacity, he was elected to various offices in the Georgia Municipal Association and numerous city/county boards and authorities in Toccoa and Stephens County.

In 1979, he received the Toccoa Improvement Association Award for his work and dedication to Toccoa’s citizens. He was honored with a resolution by the city commission in 1976 for securing the funds and earth moving equipment to develop the old landfill into a softball/recreational complex named The Lucius B. Alewine Park, which now is known as the Alewine Soccer Complex.

He was always involved in various youth activities, and in the 1950s was instrumental in the formation of the Toccoa Little League Baseball Association. He also served as director of the Northeast Georgia Boy Scouts.

In 2003, he was honored to be the first recipient of the Leroy Roberts Foundation Award for his commitment and contributions to the Toccoa community.

He was a member of the Agoga Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church of Toccoa for more than 50 years. In addition, he was recognized in 2000 by the Georgia Masons as Master Mason for 50 years of service and membership.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Patsy Alewine Shaw and Billy Shaw of Toccoa; Bobby Alewine and Pat Alewine of Alto; and Elaine Alewine Martin of Toccoa; five brothers and a sister and their spouses, James Alewine of Hartwell, C.B. Alewine and Jimmie Alewine of Lavonia, Max Alewine and Juanita Alewine of Commerce, Charles Alewine of Harvey, La., and Julia Herring and Billy Herring of Bowersville; grandchildren and spouses, Cindy Matthews and Gary Matthews of Toccoa, Cathy Thornton and Robert Thornton of Toccoa, Cheryl Henderson and Chip Henderson of Calhoun, Hope Smith and Jon-Hurt Smith of Turnerville, Holly Skinner and Ray Skinner of Mt. Airy, Bleu Alewine of Rock Hill, S.C., Adam Martin of Atlanta, Melissa Scarbrough and Mac Scarbrough of Dahlonega and Shannon Martin and Gayle Martin of Dahlonega; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and a host of friends. Special friends include caregivers, Mattie Lee, Judy Crocker, Kitty Scoggins, Buck Scoggins, Susie Adams, Cara Harrison and the staff of North Georgia Medical Center Hospice Team.

Visitation was Friday, Sept. 19, at Whitlock Mortuary in Toccoa. A celebration of life service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Toccoa conducted by Dr. Henry Fields, the Rev. Jerrell Beatty and the Rev. Shannon Martin. Judge Robert Struble delivered the eulogy. Graveside services followed in Stephens Memorial Gardens with Masonic rites provided by Toccoa Masonic Lodge 309.

The following great-grandsons and great-nephew served as pallbearers, Drew Matthews, Benjamin Matthews, Jake Thornton, Nick Carter, Davis-Hurt Smith and Chris Alewine.

Memorials may be made to the Paul Anderson Memorial Park Fund, P.O. Box 219, Toccoa, GA 30577, or the Georgia Transplant Association, 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, 600 Embassy Row, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30328.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family at www.whitlockmortuary.net.

Whitlock Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.