The Rev. Dr. Alton H. McEachern, 76, Sharpsburg, died Jan. 3, 2009. He was born Sept. 3, 1932 in Thomaston, son of the late Howard and Opal Oxford McEachern. He was a graduate of Mercer University, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the University of Glasgow in Scotland, and the Mansfield College in Oxford, England. He pastored many churches including those in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina. He was an active member of the Newnan community where he was a member of the Rotary Club.

Services were at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, which he founded, with the Rev. Terry Thompkins and the Rev. David Campbell officiating. Interment was at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery in The Rock, Ga. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Butler McEachern, Sharpsburg; children, Suzanne Case, and Kathy McEachern, both of Louisville, Ky., Bonnie Hawn, Boston, Mike McEachern, Hickory, N. C., Andrew McEachern, Greensboro; and a stepdaughter, Shannon Harrelson, Browns Summitt, N.C.; and 10 grandchildren. Memorial donations can be made to the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 2956 Hwy. 154, Newnan, GA 30265. McKoon Funeral Home, Newnan, was in charge