L. G. Bond

Lamertine Griffith
Bond, known to all as
"LG"
, died at the age of 98,
on July 9, 2025, in Johnson
City, Tenn. He was sur-
rounded by family and
loved ones. For nearly a
century, he led an abun-
dant life of service, grace,
and wonder. His vigor and
soft, rich laugh inspired
all until the end.
LG was born in 1926, to
William Ezra and Leila
Haggard Bond. He grew up
working on the family
farm and exploring the
gentle hills, lively forests,
and cool rivers of Madison
County, Ga. He developed
a keen eye for nature,
boundless curiosity, and
abiding belief in the sus-
taining love of family and
community.
LG served in the U.S.
Army in World War II
from 1945 to 1947 in Italy,
as both infantryman and
engineer. He was awarded
the Occupation Medal and
the World War II Victory
Medal.
After his war service,
he married Madge Chit-
wood in 1948 in Toccoa,
Ga. Madge was his unfail-
ing partner and the great
joy of his life. They were
married for 69 years until
her passing in 2017. They
raised three children, liv-
ing in a number of cities
in North Carolina and
Georgia through the
years. During this time,
LG managed grocery
stores before establishing
his own business, Bond
Antiques and Restoration
in Madison, Ga.
LG and Madge wor-
shiped and worked as
beloved members of sever-
al church families, includ-
ing Madison Baptist
Church (Madison, Ga.)
and Hill Street Baptist
Church (Toccoa, Ga.). Ser-
vice to one's neighbor was
the core of their deep
Christian faith. And for
LG, everyone was his
neighbor. He had an inde-
scribable ability to see
people-relishing quirks,
sensing struggles, and
cherishing the dignity of
each person.
LG remained endlessly
curious throughout his
long life. He read widely,
especially in history, sci-
ence, and theology, always
eager for new discoveries.
In his later years, he be-
gan writing nature and re-
ligious poetry, crafting
verses for friends and fam-
ily that captured moments
of beauty and insight.
Throughout his life, his
bird-filled garden was
both laboratory and sanc-
tuary. He loved to share
its wonder with his grand-
children and great-grand-
children.
Surviving LG and
Madge are their children
and spouses, Iris Bond
Durden and Ray Durden,
William Gary and Jill
Stephens Bond, and
Sharon Elaine Bond and
Dr Marilyn Mendolia;
grandchildren, Matt Dur-
den, Susan Garrison, Mea-
gan Cole, Brett Bond, and
Kellie Aydin; great-grand-
children, Gray, Sawyer,
and Palmer Durden,
Kaylee Garrison, Braeden,
Levi, Avery, and Elijah
Cole, Skylar and Aubrey
Bond, and Baris and
Evren Aydin; and sister-
in-law Charlotte Bond.
Each knew LG as the man
who listened from his
heart, laughed eagerly and
often, whistled every birds
song, guided nature trails
and fishing trips, and al-
ways marveled at the
world.
Funeral services were
held Saturday, July 12,
2025, at 2 p.m. in the Hill-
crest Chapel of the Acree-
Davis Funeral Home with
Mr. Gary Bond and the
Rev. Jerrell Beatty offici-
ating. The following gen-
tlemen served as pallbear-
ers: Matt Durden, Brett
Bond, Steve Cole, Braeden
Cole, Oguz Aydin, and Kei-
th Sanders.
The family received
friends at the funeral
home on Saturday from 12
p.m. until the service time.
In lieu of flowers, the fami-
ly requests that donations
be made to The Nature
Conservancy, The Nation-
al Audubon Society, or a
favorite charity of choice.
Online condolences may
be shared with the family
at www.acree-davisfh.-
com.
Interment followed in
the Fairview Methodist
Church Cemetery with
military honors by the
U.S. Army Honor Guard.
Acree-Davis Funeral
Home and Crematory is in
charge of the arrange-
ments for Mr. LG Bond.