HAMILTON COUNTY

Florene Averitt

Florene Averitt, 88, of Chattanooga, passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at a local nursing home.

Mrs. Averitt was born in Chattanooga to Alonzo and Myrtle Davis. She was a member of Eastwood Baptist Church, graduate of Central High School Class of 1938, and was retired as a clerk from Volunteer Life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford V. Averitt; her parents; sister, Edna Miller; and brother, Marion Davis.

Survivors include her daughters, Carol McAlister and husband, Tom, of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Patti Gross and husband, Kenneth, of Signal Mountain, Nancy White of Chattanooga, and Debbie Lance and husband, Danny, of Ooltewah; grandchildren, Emily (Florian) Rueck, Becky (Neal) Pearson, Kendra Gross, Andy Gross, Erin (Jon) Thomas, and Hannah (Adam) Finney; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Hixson, with the Rev. Danny Lance officiating.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. 404 South Moore Road.

Please share your thoughts and condolences at www.mem.com.

Johnny Ballard

Johnny Mack Ballard, formerly of Chattanooga, passed Wednesday Dec. 10, 2008, in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Weatherford Mortuary in charge of arrangements, (865)482-2464.

Courtesy announcement by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995

Penny Bowman

Gloria Pearl “Penny” Bowman, 65 of Red Bank, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at her residence.

She was a wonderful and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Penny was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by a brother, James Carter and a sister, Debra Peters.

Penny was a most loving wife for over 35 years to her husband, Jim Bowman.

Survivors other than her husband include her daughters, Jimmie (Robby) Johnson, Red Bank, Misty (Tim) Phillips, Red Bank, Anita (Carl) Patton, New Caney, Texas and Jananda (Delma Lee) Ellis, Trinity, Texas; sons, Buddy (Nicole) Kitchings, Chattanooga and Kenny (Cathy) Franklin, Cypress, Texas; brothers, Alan (Janice) Carter, East Ridge and David (Sheila) Carter, Fort Payne, Ala.; sister, Theresa Lively, Ringgold, Ga.; sister-in-law, Maria Carter; several grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Messer and the Rev. John Weaver officiating.

Interment will be in Chattanooga Memorial Park.

To send condolences, please visit www.lane-coulterchapel.com.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today and after 10 am Saturday at Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace.

Donald Brumlow

Donald E. Brumlow, 69, of Soddy-Daisy, passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008,.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired from Signal Mountain Cement. He also owned Mimosa Trailer Park.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Mary Ruth Brumlow.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie Faye Brumlow; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jo Ann and Don Hendon of Bakewell and Patricia Marie and Samuel J. Branch of Rincon, Ga.; nephews, Donald and Craig Hendon; niece, Ruth Marie Branch; grand nephew, Matthew Hendon and grand niece, Anna Jo Hendon.

The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Grant Chauncey officiating.

Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.

Arrangements are announced by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.

William Clay

William “Bill” Clay, 80, of Chattanooga, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at his residence.

Funeral: Today at 11 a.m. in the chapel with Pastor Larry Owens officiating.

Burial: Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.

Lorraine Davis

Lorraine S. Davis, 78, of Chattanooga, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, in a local hospital.

Memorial services will be held today at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Don Allison officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Ellen Locher Foundation, P.O. Box 4032, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

Elsie Easter

Elsie Esther Easter, 99, of East Ridge, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in Spring City Care and Rehab Center in Spring City, Tenn.

She was a charter member of the Sequoyah Baptist Church.

Preceded in death by daughter, Louise Gilliam.

Survivors include: sons, Chester Bales and wife, Frances, of Birchwood, Tenn., Jerry Bales and wife, Sue of East Ridge; and several granchildren and great-grandchildren.

Graveside service and interment today, Dec. 12, 2008, at 2 p.m. in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood, with Rev. Charles Kelley officiating.

The family will receive friends today, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Evans Mortuary in Rockwood, Tenn.

An online register is available at www.evansmortuary.net.

Thelma Erwin

Thelma Lee Erwin, 84, of East Ridge, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008,.

Mrs. Erwin was a lifetime resident of East Ridge, and a member of Fraley Baptist Church. Mrs. Erwin retired from the Sam’s Club on Brainerd Road.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ethel and Eddie B. Thorne; four sisters, Pauline Rooks and Lucille Edmondson both of Tampa, Fla., Louise Shafer, East Ridge, and Alma Quinn of Riverside, Calif.; and a brother, Buddy Thorne, Ooltewah.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Mr. Louis H. “Kayo” Erwin Sr., of East Ridge; son, Mr. Louis H. “Kayo” (Brenda Gail) Erwin Jr., of Soddy Daisy; daughter, Mrs. Sandra Erwin (Jerry L.) Petty of East Ridge; four loving grandchildren; 11 loving great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

This is not a notice of death but a celebration of her life. She strived to achieve her most important goals in life. This was to be a wonderful wife, mother, Nana and friend. She dedicated her life to make everyone around her feel loved and special and she was able to do that with her unique gift of a kind heart, warm smile and her beautiful soul.

Her generous heart filled her home with love, family, fun and friends, and there was always room for one more. She leaves us all with a lifetime of love and beautiful memories. But most importantly she leaves us with the knowledge that we were all truly loved by her.

We have the assurance that today she is in the loving arms of her Lord and is patiently waiting to welcome her loved ones home to be with her for eternity.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today and noon til 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Funeral services for Thelma will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the North Chapel with the Rev. Mitch McClure and the Rev. Billy Dean officiating.

Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are by the North

Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. Share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.

Carolyn Graham

M. Carolyn Mullins Graham, 68, lifelong resident of Chattanooga, went to be with the Lord and her parents December 6, 2008,.

She was born Sept. 28, 1940, to the late Norma and Frank Mullins.

Carolyn was of the Christian faith and worked as a CNA for 25 years. During her later years, as she grew spiritually, the amazing qualities that she displayed as a mother and grandmother will always be cherished! Her great-grandchildren were her last and greatest joys of life – blessings that will carry on as part of her.

Also gone before her are her sister, Judy Wrinkle and loving companion Nellie.

Survivors include her sister, Norma Jean McGowan; daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Ray McCabe; their four sons, Spike, Rocky, Zach and Blake; their children, Celton Stone, Kaylee Rae, Sierra Malynn and Rocksy; daughter, Debbie Gill, her children Stacey and Jeff, his daughter, Jayden; and several nieces and nephews and loving friends.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Life Care Center of Red Bank and the staff at Hospice of Chattanooga. May God Bless You All!

The family has planned a celebration of her life with date and place to be announced.

Visit www.lane-coulterchapel.com to send condolences.

Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace.

Roslyn Harris

Roslyn Raccine Heath Harris, 58, of Chattanooga, passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008,.

Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Willis Funeral Home, Inc. Dalton, Ga.

William Henderson Jr.

William Henry Henderson Jr., 93, of Signal Mountain, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008,.

Mr. Henderson was born in Jacksonville, N.C., to William and Laura Henderson Sr. He was a member of Oak Grove Methodist Church in Atlanta, Ga., a WWII Air Force veteran serving in the Pacific Theatre, and retired after 39 years from Sears as the Southeast Territorial Credit Manager.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara “Tootsie” Mitchell Henderson, and sisters, Margaret McJordan and Sara Loeffler.

Surviving are his sons, Lt. Col. (retired) C. D. Henderson and his wife, Dee of Austin, TX and William H. “Bill” Henderson and his wife, Corinne of Chattanooga, Tenn.; grandchildren, Scot Henderson, Robyn Elder, Steven Henderson, Cynthia Davis, Suzanne Ball, and Sherri Boatwright; and seven great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at Greenleaf Memorial Park, 900 River Road, New Bern, NC 28562.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Signal Crest United Methodist Church, 1005 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain, TN 37377.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

Please share your condolences at www.mem.com.

Carl Hodges

Carl Hodges, 82, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at a local hospital.

A native of Middle Tennessee, he lived in Chattanooga for over fifty years. He was a member of Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church and retired from DuPont. He was a member of John Henry Pierce Masonic Lodge #752, F&AM. A combat veteran of World War II, he served in Company F, 313th Regiment, 79th Infantry Division in Europe.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye Morris.

He is survived by a daughter, Amelia “Mimi” (Ricky Perkins) Hodges, Winston Salem, N.C.; and a son, Anthony (Jill) Hodges, DDS, Chattanooga; three grandchildren, Rachel Lee Hodges, 22, Oxford, Miss., Jeb Stuart Hodges, 19, and Benton Prichard Hodges 19, both of Chattanooga; sister, Ruth (James) Culbreath, Aiken, S.C.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel with Rev. Forest Prosser officiating.

Interment will be in Pine Haven Memorial Gardens, Scottsboro, Ala.

Memorial contributions may be made to Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 115 Morrison Springs Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415 or Big Oak Ranch, 6000 Shelly Drive, Springville, AL 35146.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace.

Visit our guest book at www.lane-coulterchapel.com to send condolences.

Rose Hood

Rose Lee “Gee” Hood, 74, of Chattanooga, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008,.

Rose was a native of Dayton, Tenn., and a resident of the Chattanooga area since 1963. She earned her GED at the age of 61 and was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church. Rose retired from Roper Corporation and shared her love as a caregiver to the elderly after her retirement.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy L. “Slick” Hood; her parents, Wheeler and Agnes Smith; and a brother, John Smith.

Rose is survived by her three daughters, Sharon (Walt) Willis, Connie (Carl) Doeden and Kathy Carney; two sons, Tony (Tanza) Hood, all of Chattanooga and Jimmy Hood of Florence, Ky.; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; six brothers; four sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Rose will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the North Chapel with Sam Walker officiating.

Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on today and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, P. O. Box 19269, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. Share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.

James King

James Edward King, 78, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, in a local hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Lloyd Harvill officiating.

Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Wanda Lay

Wanda “Nay” Renee Anderson Lay, 50, of Chattanooga passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, in a local hospital.

She was a 1976 graduate of Howard High School. She earned an A.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education from Chattanooga State Technical College. She was employed by the City of Chattanooga with the Head Start Program at the Children’s Home Chambliss Shelter for 21 years.

She was a faithful member of Mt. Paran Baptist Church where she served as an usher and worked faithfully in the bus ministry. She was a member of Elks Lodge Chapter 440.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Moorer; mother, Mary R. Anderson; sister-in-law, Mary “Kitty” Lay Davis.

Survivors: husband, Tommy Lay Sr.; daughter, Tawanna Lay; son, Tommy “T.J.” Lay Jr.; grandchildren, Jarell, Lebron and Naquann Lay; sisters, Regina (Cornelius) McWhorter, Karen (Howard) Shoulders, Andrea Anderson Meadows and Sheila Anderson, all of Chattanooga; a host of stepsisters, stepbrothers, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral: Saturday at noon in the chapel of Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Petersen officiating.

Burial: Forest Hills Cemetery. Family Hour: Today from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Dorothy Medlin

Dorothy A. Medlin, 73, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008,.

She graduated from Chattanooga City High School and attended Chattanooga State.

Dorothy served as Executive Assistant for an electrical contractor for 31 years; legal assistant to attorney Jerry Summers; Deputy Clerk with the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk’s office. She was listed in Who’s Who of American Women and Personalities of the South. Past President and Woman of the Year of the Drums ‘O Dixie Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. Past President and Woman of the Year of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. Past President of the Chattanooga Business and Professional Women’s Club. Past President of the Chattanooga Chapter of the National Association of Parliamentarians. Former Vice President of the Tennessee Association of Parliamentarians and was a registered Parliamentarian. She was a life member of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation and was a certified professional legal secretary. Dorothy was a former vice president of Woago, Inc. an import/export business and was vice president and member of the Board of Directors of the River City United Credit Union. She was co-owner of Mistletoe and Memories, a Christmas decorating and gift shop and she was secretary of CATS, a nonprofit animal rescue organization. Dorothy was a Red Cross volunteer at Erlanger and Memorial Hospitals.

She received a Kentucky Colonel appointment by Governor Brown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Garry Shelto and Ida Lena Schmidt Medlin, brothers, Gary, Lawrence, Lester and Bobby.

Surviving relatives, sister, Ruth (Charles) Nix of Lookout Mountain; and brother, Jim Medlin of Riceville, Tenn.; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 ,2008, at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Terry Harris officiating.

The interment will be private at Greenwood Cemetery.

Visit www.heritagefh.com and share condolences.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd.

Jacqueline Newkirk

Jacqueline Merriam Newkirk, 66, of Chattanooga passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, in a local hospital.

She was born in Pipestone, Minn., on Feb. 15, 1942, to the late Jon E. B. and Frieda Mouw.

She was employed as an Account Manager with Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan law firm and was a member of the Chattanooga First Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Her husband of 20 years, Clifford L. Newkirk; and son, Scott Anthony Newkirk, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children: Kiff Newkirk and his wife, Mikki of Ringgold, Ga.; Kody Newkirk and his wife Heather of Cape Girardeau, Miss.; Krista Newkirk and her husband, W. Lewis Glenn III of Charlotte, N.C.; sisters, Jean Arias of Miami, Fla.; Joan Griffin of Bruce, S.D.; and grandchildren, Kaya, Kiana and Lance Newkirk and Conrad and Holden Glenn.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga First Seventh Day Adventist Church (7450 Standifer Gap Road) with Pastor Fred Fuller and Pastor Mark Bresee officiating. The body will lie in state from 1:30 until the hour of service at the church.

Burial and graveside services officiated by Pastor Terry Bock will be at Collegeview Cemetery in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at 3 p.m. under the direction of Roper and Sons, Inc.

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.

Don Owenby

Don Owenby, 79, of Chattanooga, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at a local hospital.

Mr. Owenby was born in Maryville, Tenn., to Hubert and Cora Owenby. He was a member and deacon of Brainerd Baptist Church, where he belonged to the Harry Eustice Sunday School Class. He retired from Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company after 37 years as Director of Sales, Payroll Deduction, was a graduate of Maryville College, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, was an avid gardener, and a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Terry Katherine; his parents; brothers, Stanley and Glen Owenby; and sister, Wilma Bowers.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Jimmie Owenby; daughter, Jane Harper and her husband Lee, of Signal Mountain; son, Roger Don Owenby of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Lee Harper Jr., and Natalie Harper; brother, Bruce (Mae) Owenby; sisters, Lorene (Lloyd) Wilhite, Jewell (Harold) Headrick, and Louise Dixon.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Brainerd Baptist Church with the Rev. George Clark, the Rev. Robby Gallaty and the Rev. Mark Mimms officiating.

Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga or the American Cancer Society.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. 404 S. Moore Road.

Please share your condolences at www.mem.com.

Esther Radinz

Esther Radinz, 83, of Chattanooga, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, in a local health care facility.

Miss Radinz was a member of Hamilton Community Church for Seventh Day Adventists and was a retired registered nurse. She received her nursing degree at Madison Hospital in Tennessee and had worked in numerous hospitals, including Punta Gorda Florida. She taught nursing at Paradise Valley Hospital in San Diego. Miss Radinz loved to crochet and make things for her patients.

Survivors include her cousin, Jeannie Springett and several other cousins, her best friends, Ann Allen, Ringgold; Donald and Margie Stowe, Keene, Texas; several church friends and her beloved cat, Bobby.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Hamilton Community Church for Seventh Day Adventists with Dr. Mark Bresee officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Interment will be private.

Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

Sydney Spencer

Sydney “Syd” Wayne Spencer, 59, of Chattanooga went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008,.

He was a resident of Chattanooga and a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Syd was very involved with his church,Valley Head Baptist Church. He was loved by all that knew him.

Mr. Spencer was preceded in death by his father, DeForest Spencer; mother, Fannie Mathes Spencer; brother, Harry Spencer; and nephews, Ricky Spencer and Greg Spencer.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Patti Spencer; daughter, Brandi Spencer (Kenny) McDade; son, Sydney Wayne (Amanda) Spencer II; four grandsons, Jaxon McDade, Preston McDade, Orion Spencer and David Spencer; sister, Glenna (Gene) Shaddix; brother, Pete (Glenda) Spencer; several nephews and one niece.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. today, Dec. 12th at the North Chapel with Bro. Darrell Haney officiating.

Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends for visitation today from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Valley Head Baptist Church, P. O. Box 97, Valley Head, AL 35989.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com

Arrangements are made by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Hwy 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Elmo Watkins Sr.

Elmo Watkins Sr., 66, passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at a local hospital.

He was born in Hillsboro, Ala. Elmo attended and graduated from Tennessee Valley High School.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Ethel Watkins; brother, Henderson Johnson; and sister, Hedy Hill.

He was a member of Greater Tucker Baptist Church. He retired from U.S. Pipe & Foundry, yet he continued working for Lookout Mountain Property.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Mary Watkins; sons, Elmo Jr. (Shamaro) Watkins, of Norcross, Ga., Gerald (Stephanye) Watkins, of Memphis, Bobby Storey, of Chattanooga; daughters, Sarah Ann (Lee) Pride, of Courtland Ala., Ann Malone, of Decatur, Ala., Angela (Floyd) Haynes, of Columbia, S.C., Norma (Frank) Crutchfield, of Harrison, and Teresa Watkins, of Chattanooga; 19 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Jim Jr. (Elaine) Watkins, Ernest Lee Watkins, James Wilbert (Edwena) Watkins; sister, Phyllis (Dave) Willingham; godchildren, Levan Gardner, Diane Billups, Antoinette Hart, Kendale Billups; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at Greater Tucker Baptist Church with the Rev. M.T. Billingsley officiating.

Burial will be at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.

The family will receive friends today, Dec. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home on Wilcox Blvd.

Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga Inc.

TENNESSEE

Robert Drewry

COALMONT — Robert P. Drewry, 49, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at his home.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Dodgen Drewry; parents, Ronald and Faye Drewry, Lady Lake, Fla.; sister, Rhonda (Jim) Thomas, Millersville, Md.; brother, David (Missy) Drewry, Virginia; grandmother, Selma “Kitty” Miller.

A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. today in the funeral home chapel with Bro. James Caldwell officiating.

The family will receive friends after 5 p.m. today at Layne Funeral Home, Palmer, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

William Keller

DECHERD — William Lee “Bill” Keller, 80, passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, in Southern Tenn. Medical Center.

He was born in Franklin County. He was a lifelong farmer and 50 year Mason and past Master Pelham Lodge. He worked as an operating engineer for Aedc.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Christy Jean Keller.

Survivors: wife of 63 years, Faye Gipson Keller of Decherd; daughter, Nita Lynn (Alan) Hargrove of Decherd; sons, Jack Lee (Jan) Keller of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., William Clark Keller of Alto, Tenn.; grandchildren, Carter William Raulston and Chris L. Raulston of Alto, Hunter L. Keller of Mt. Juliet; great-granddaughter, Shelby Raulston of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Alto with the Rev. Remington Rose-Crosley officiating.

Interment will be in Mt. Garner Cemetery in Decherd.

Visitation is today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church.

Arrangements are by Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave. NW, Winchester, TN 37398

Henry Pruitt

PIKEVILLE — Henry Paul Pruitt, 58, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at an area hospital.

Henry attended the Pikeville Church of God and was a former employee of Ace Hardware in Pikeville.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, William and Betty Gean Pruitt; and a brother; Samuel Earl Pruitt.

He is survived and will be sorely missed by his wife, Emily Pearl Pruitt; sons, Paul Earl (Kristy) Pruitt of Pikeville, Kenneth (Cynthia) Pruitt of Spring City, Tenn.; daughter, Wendy Helen Warner of Crossville; brothers, Dennis Pruitt, Royce Pruitt, Eddie Pruitt, and Ralph Pruitt; sister, Elizabeth Cordell, all of Pikeville; 11 grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Pikeville Funeral Home at 11 a.m. CST on Saturday Dec. 13th with Brother Wilson officiating.

Burial will be in Pikeville Cemetery.

Please share your thoughts online with the family at www.pikevillefuneralhome.com.

Pikeville Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

GEORGIA

Gladys Bevis

ROSSVILLE — Gladys Callahan Bevis, 98, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in a local health care facility.

A native of Dayton, Tenn., she was born Oct. 23, 1910, to the late Roe and Dora Wyatt Callahan. Mrs. Bevis worked for many years at the Peerless Cloth Store and retired from Mar-Mode Hosiery Mill. She was a charter member of the Rossville Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, H.C. “Red” Bevis; brothers, Earl and Edd Callahan; and sister, Mary Ellen Hixson.

Survivors include her sister, Lucile Jeffress Sartin, Rossville; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Minister Jack James officiating.

Interment will follow in Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park with nephews serving as pallbearers.

To share your thoughts and memories, visit www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rossville Church of Christ, 1100 McFarland Road, Rossville, GA 30741, NHC-Rossville, 1425 McFarland Ave., Rossville, GA 30741, or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

The family will receive friends today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.

Alta Cooper

ROSSVILLE — Alta Pearl Hughes Cooper, 76, went home to be with The Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008,.

She was born in Shell Mound, Tenn., to the late James E. and Ada Miller Hughes. She was a homemaker and had also worked as a clerk for Central Motor Express. She was a member of the Gospel Chapel in Chattanooga. Often referred to as a saint for her endless patience, unconditional kindness and her dedication to people, Pearl was a living example of God’s word.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Leon H. Cooper.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Carolyn and Morgan Dowdy of Dallas, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law, Gary L. and Ethel Cooper of Knoxville, Tenn.; granddaughters, Jennifer Williams, Starr Cooper, Ashlea Cooper; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held graveside at 10 a.m., Saturday - Dec. 13, 2008, at Lakewood Memory Gardens-South, Rossville, Ga., with the Reverend Lee Crowe officiating.

Arrangements are by W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Online register book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.

George Snodgrass

CHICKAMAUGA — George “Toby” Snodgrass, 74, departed this life Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008,.

He was born in Dade County, Ga., to the late George and Anna Bell Brown Snodgrass, and was preceded in death by his son, Steve Snodgrass; brother, William Snodgrass.

Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Imogene Snodgrass of Chickamauga; son, George Douglas (Kathy) Snodgrass; step-daughter, Karen (Lebron) Little, all of Rossville; stepson, Frank Wilcox of California; siblings, Frances Brown, John (Patricia) Snodgrass, all of Chickamauga, Roy (Barbara) Snodgrass of LaFayette; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, in the chapel with the Reverends Wilton Grimes and Alfred Holland officiating.

Interment will follow in Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park.

Family will receive friends after 4 p.m. today, and prior to the service Saturday.

Arrangements are by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.

Barbara Townsel

ROSSVILLE — Barbara Jean Townsel passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at her residence.

Mrs. Townsel was a native of Cleveland, and had lived most of her life in the Rossville and Ft. Oglethorpe area. She retired in 1996 from Kmart in East Ridge with 23 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy “Becky” Townsel; parents, William and Ollie Mae McCuiston; and brother, Billy Doyle McCuiston.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Aaron Townsel; daughter and son-in-law, Donna Spain and Roger Spain Sr., of Rossville; two brothers, Bobby (Phyllis) McCuiston of Ringgold and Kenneth McCuiston of Ooltewah; grandson, Roger Spain Jr., of Rossville; two great-grandchildren, Cody and Madison; and several nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the South Crest Chapel with the Rev. Jim Bennett officiating.

Interment will follow in the Lakewood South Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.

ALABAMA

Mary Albritton

BIRMINGHAM — Mary Brooks McKenzie Albritton died peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at the age of 72.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend. She was born in Chattanooga, Aug. 10, 1936, but spent her adult life in Florence, Ala. Mary Brooks was a graduate of Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga and Southwestern at Memphis (Rhodes College in Memphis) and was a life long member and supporter of Chi Omega Sorority. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, The Service League of the Shoals, the Shoals Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century.

Mary Brook’s love of life, helping hand to all in need, counsel to friends and family along with her keen sense of humor endeared her to all.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Sam J. Albritton Jr.; parents, Kathleen Kingston McKenzie and Clarence Eugene McKenzie of Chattanooga; brother, Roderick McKenzie; and sister, Kay Wilson, both of Chattanooga.

She is survived by son, Sam J. (Michelle) Albritton III of Knoxville, Tenn., and children, Jones and Kate Albritton; daughter, Kathleen A. (Todd) Fittro of Bradenton, Fla., and children, Preston and Robert Fittro; son, Will B. (Avery) Albritton of Memphis, Tenn., and children, Mary Lynda and Kathleen Albritton; daughter, Martha A. (Jim) Furio of Birmingham, and child, Ross Furio.

A celebration of Mary Brook’s life will be held Saturday, Dec. 13th at 3:30 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Florence, Ala.

The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall at the church preceding the service from 1-3:30 p.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Girls Preparatory School, Attention: Randy Tucker, 205 Island Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37405 or First Presbyterian Church, 224 East Mobile Street, Florence, AL 35630.

Arrangements are by Elkins Funeral Home.

Ottis Rains

RAINSVILLE —Ottis Keith Rains, 80, of Chavies Community, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at Crowne Health Care.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11 a.m. from Rainsville Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memory Gardens.

Rainsville Funeral Home is directing, www.rainsvillefuneralhome.com.