Mr. Lester Arp, age 88, of Mineral Bluff, GA passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2012 in the Copper Basin Medical Center in Ducktown, TN. Mr. Arp was born in Fannin County, GA on February 16, 1924 to the late Harrison Arp or Ada Bell Arp. He retired from the Fannin County Road Department after 35 years of service. He was a member and deacon of Toccoa Baptist Church and he loved flowers and gardening. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Ruth Ballew Burgess Arp; stepson, Donnie Ray Burgess; and sisters, Ella Arp and Thelma Arp.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Henry Burgess, Jr. and Audrey Burgess of Cleveland, TN; daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Randall Bailey of Murphy, NC and Betty and Rev. Max Curtis of Mineral Bluff; niece, Desma Davenport and her husband James of Mineral Bluff; 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Roy Clore and Rev. Max Curtis officiating. Music was by Cindy Call. The following grandsons served as pallbearers: Jimmy Bailey, Roger Bailey, Greg Burgess, Chuck Burgess, Rusty Call, and Michael Hughes. Honorary pallbearers were James Davenport and Earl Dehart. Interment followed in Union Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of arrangements.