Welker Emory Hamby, 39, of Atlanta, died Sept. 14, 2016.

Born Feb. 15, 1977, and raised in Dawsonville, Mr. Hamby had been a resident of Atlanta for the past 15 years.

A member of Philippi Baptist Church in Dahlonega, he was a 1995 graduate of Dawson County High School and also earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from North Georgia College & State University.

Following college, Welker began working for Delta Airlines where he was able to travel the world and make friends everywhere he went.

During his time with Delta he had also lived in New York and Los Angeles. A loving son, brother and friend, Welker had a heart of gold and leaves behind a host of friends and loved ones.

His aunts, Sue Ravan and Betty Long, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his parents, Jimmy and Shirley Hamby of Dawsonville; Chess Hamby and Kayse Redmon of Dawsonville; aunts and uncles, Mickey and Kathy Seay of Monroe, Wilburn and Josalin Fortner of Dahlonega, Richard and Dena Hamby of Milledgeville, Sara Haynes, David Hamby, both of Scottsboro, Ala., Clayton Long of Dawsonville; extended family, Sandy Sutton and family, Kay Anderson and family, Cheryl Hix and family, Karen Maher and family; dearest friends, Teresa and Sadie Wasson; various other relatives also survive.

Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ernest Fortner and Jerry Whitlock officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations were requested made to Philippi Baptist Church, c/o Tracy Sutton, 217 Meadow Lane, Dahlonega, GA 30533.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.