HAMILTON COUNTY

Natalie Baum

Natalie Baum, 74, of Chattanooga, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2009, at her home.

Arrangements will be announced by Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace, 877-3524.

Edwin Billingsley

Edwin Billingsley, 96, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009, at a local health care facility.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.

Donald Blevins

Donald L. Blevins, 85, of Chattanooga, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Arrangements will be announced by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.

A.B. Brandon

A.B. “Bruce” Brandon, 90, of Soddy-Daisy, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009, at a local health care facility.

He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in East Ridge and was an ordained minister. He retired from Southern Railway after 38 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Lee Brandon; son, Don Brandon; parents, Hiram and Lily Brandon; brothers, Richard, Auther, Joe and Jay Brandon; sisters, Callie Newton, Vick Willis, Alice Jiles, Pauline Lingerfelt.

He is survived by his granddaughter, Teresa Cornwell; great-granddaughter, Madison Cornwell; great-grandson, Eric Cornwell, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with Steve Brandon officiating.

Interment will follow the service at Harrison Cemetery.

His nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Family will receive friends from 2-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

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

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

Rev. William Clark

The Rev. William D. Clark, 76, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009.

He was the pastor emeritus of Union Grove Baptist Church.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.

Essie Freeman

Essie Bell Burton Freeman slept away to be with the Lord on Friday, June 26, 2009, at St. Barnabas Nursing Home.

She was born Nov. 7, 1923, in the farming community of Smithville, Ga., five minutes from Plains, Ga.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Moses Freeman Sr.; and sons, Howard and Charles Freeman.

She was a faithful member of Second Missionary Baptist Church, where she was strong in the word and her faith. She participated in the Gospel Chorus in her earlier years and was a gifted devotional and prayer leader. She was a Sunday school teacher, Missionary Society leader and charter member and president of the Deaconess Board of the church. She loved people and became known for her wisdom, love of poetry, and her generosity. She was an outstanding cook and loved to share what she prepared with others. She loved to send inspirational cards and poems to her church family and friends and would often include a “love token.” She often reminded others, “it is a wonderful thing to love, and to be loved.”

She is survived by sons, Moses (Louise), Robert (Mildred) and Melvin Freeman; daughter, Gloria Freeman; grandsons, Eric R., Michael, and Charles Jr.; granddaughters, Robin, Tanzea, and Kisha; two great-great-grandsons, Jonathan and Joseph Freeman.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 2305 E. Third St., with the Rev. Paul A. McDaniel and other ministers officiating.

Interment in Highland Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends today from 7-8 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.

Ronald Hatfield

Ronald E. Hatfield, 61, of Hixson, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009, at a local hospital.

Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. today at Chattanooga National Cemetery with the Rev. Doug Tate officiating.

Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until service time today at the funeral home.

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

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

Leta Henry

Leta Miller Henry, 88, of Chattanooga, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

Arrangements will be announced later by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

Christopher Leggett

Christopher Ervin “Chris” Leggett, 39, formerly of Cleveland, Tenn., and a current resident of Nouakchott, Mauritania, Africa, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in Mauritania.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jay T. and Mildred B. Leggett, and Ervin G. and Rachel A. Foreman.

He was greatly loved and respected by the Mauritanian people. The Mauritanian Minister of Justice stated that “his death was a great loss to Mauritania.” Chris lived and died for Christ.

He and his family were residents of Mauritania for the past seven years, where he directed a nongovernmental organization with a focus to help the people of Mauritania. One aspect of his work involved working with the prison systems to train and equip women and young boys to re-enter society. He directed a center providing training in such areas as computer skills, sewing, and literacy. He also oversaw a microloan program which fostered growth of small businesses; hundreds of projects were financed that impacted the lives of countless people.

He was a 1987 graduate of Cleveland High School. He attended Cleveland State Community College and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1990 with a degree in business administration. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland for many years and most recently was a member of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church of Cleveland.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Beard Leggett; parents, Jay and Linda Leggett, of Cleveland; four children, Hannah Marie Leggett, Jordan Christopher Leggett, Haley Rebecca Leggett and Erin Christian Leggett; brother and sister-in-law, Jay L. Leggett Jr. and Erica S. Leggett, of Cleveland; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Shirley Beard, of Cleveland; nephews, Jay L. Leggett III, Grant W. Leggett and Jonathan M. Rowland, all of Cleveland, and several other family members.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Cleveland with the Rev. Jim Gibson and Dr. Alan Lockerman officiating.

Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery in Cleveland with Jake Beard, Shannon Brown, Junior Burke, Stan Gibson, Brian Nerren, Jack Roach, David Souther, and Dennis Tweed serving as pallbearers.

The visitation will be held today, June 29, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Cleveland from 5-9 p.m. and also one hour prior to the Tuesday service.

Memorials can be given to the family as follows: directly to Jackie B. Leggett, at 1112 Glenmore Drive, Cleveland, TN 37312; or through First Baptist Church of Cleveland, 340 Church Street, Cleveland, TN 37311, and designated to the J. Mack Hall Fund or by going to www.clevelandfbc.com and selecting the icon for Chris Leggett. You may leave a message of condolence for the family at this Web site.

Messages of condolence may also be given at www.ralphbuckner.com.

Lovell Maddox

Lovell Alderson Maddox, 99, of Chattanooga, died Friday, June 26, 2009 in an area health care facility.

The family will receive friends from noon until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Further arrangements will be announced by Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.

Randy Nunley

Randy L. Nunley, 55, owner and chief executive officer of Tennessee Rand Inc., departed this life for his heavenly home on Friday evening, June 26, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Randy was born March 29, 1954, to the late Glasgow Nunley and Freda Mae Nunley Nolan.

Randy attended Red Bank United Methodist Church. Randy loved God’s creation, was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Randy believed in sharing his material blessings, and many friends and coworkers benefited from his generosity during their times of personal hardship.

Randy graduated from Kirkman High School in 1971 and began working in the tooling business. He founded Tennessee Rand Inc. in 1980, and at the time of his death served as chief executive officer of the company. Under his leadership, Tennessee Rand Inc. has become a leading automation innovator and supplier.

Randy is survived by his wife and constant companion, Rhonda J. Nunley; his mother, Freda Mae Nolan, and stepfather, Tex Nolan; his two brothers, Ed Nunley and Brad Nunley; sister-in-law, Sheila Nunley; sister, Tammy Brewster, and brother-in-law, Darrel Brewster; sister, Shirley Price, and brother-in-law, Jeff Price; nephews, Brandon Brewster and Jalen Price; and niece Alexandria Brewster.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

There will be no other visitation.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.lane-coulterchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

Arrangements by Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace, 877-3524.

Donna Porter

Donna Jean Porter, 60, of Hixson, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, June 28, 2009.

Donna was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area and a 1967 graduate of Hixson High School. She retired from Piccadilly Cafeteria and was a member of Hixson First Baptist Church.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Opal Beasley Porter.

She is survived by her brother, Bill (Donna) Porter; six nieces and nephews, Michael (Darlene) Porter, Kim (Shawn) Cheek, Daniel (Elisa) Porter, all of Cleveland, Rachel (Scott) Simpson, Spring Hill, Tenn., Stephen Porter, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Ashleigh Porter, Cleveland; seven great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. today and 9-10 a.m. on Tuesday at the North Chapel.

Services for Donna will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the North Chapel.

Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s name to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist.

Vivian Potter

Vivian McElhaney Potter, 88, of Chattanooga, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009.

She was a member of Lake Hills Church of God.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Riley and Ella Rogers; husband, Earnest Potter; and son, Steve McElhaney.

Survivors include two sons, Bill (Joyce) McElhaney, Moberly, Mo., Bob (Lucy) McElhaney, Judy (Richard) Kincer, Simpsonville, S.C., D. Mathis, Chattanooga; eight grandchildren; several great and great-great-granchildren; one sister, Claudine (Ed) Teague, of East Ridge.

Special thanks are acknowledged to longtime family friend, Ed McKlosky.

Funeral Services will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2009, in the J. Avery Bryan Chapel.

Interment to follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

Arrangements are by J. Avery Bryan Funeral Home, 747 McCallie Ave., 423-266-2131. www.javerybryan.com.

Orphal Sain

Orphal Sain, 77, of Chattanooga, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2009, at a local nursing home.

She was retired from J.C. Penney after 28 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Harless; and her father, Volleny Moore.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Porter “Jack” Sain; children, Deborah Blackstone, Larry (Linda) Sain, Randy (Cathy) Sain; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ortha Walls and Mickey Moore.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

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

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. today at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.

Maurice Smith Sr.

Maurice Smith Sr., 67, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2009, in Chattanooga.

Maurice was a 1959 graduate of Howard High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Maurice retired from the city of Chattanooga after 38 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rosa L. Smith; father, Joy T. Smith.

Maurice is survived by his loving mother, Mrs. Daisy Mae Smith; son, Maurice Smith Jr.; and grandson Maurice Smith III; one brother, Melvin (Rhonda) Smith; three sisters, Helen (Joseph) Jackson, Texas, Ruby Kyle and Geraldine Williams; brothers and sisters-in-law; a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held noon Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Olivet Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin Adams officiating.

Interment in National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. today at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.

Barbara Williams

Barbara Williams, 63, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009.

She was a member of Mount Canaan Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by husband, Paul M. Norwood; parents, Mary K. Williams and Charles Alexander Sr.; and daughter, Jennifer Mines.

She is survived by sons, Leslie N. (Carolyn) Mines Jr., Warren (Kim) Mines; daughter, Melanie L. (Andre) Calloway; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles E. Alexander Jr., Anthony Knox Sr.; sister, Rosalyn Dodson; devoted aunt, Eloise Oattes, other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Chattanooga National Cemetery with the Rev. Ternae Jordan officiating.

There will be no public viewing or or visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barbara’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.

TENNESSEE

Roy Guthrie

CLEVELAND — Roy Guthrie, 75, a well-known local community leader, died Sunday, June 28, 2009.

Survivors include wife, Mary Lou Guthrie; and son, Kenneth Guthrie.

Services at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, with visitation two hours prior to the service.

Arrangements by Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.

Beatrice King

ETOWAH — Beatrice Irene King, 96, died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at McMinn Memorial Nursing Home.

Graveside service will be at noon, today, June 29, 2009, at McMinn Memory Gardens.

No formal visitation will be held.

Bordwine Funeral Home, Etowah, in charge of arrangements.

Eddie Ladd

SPRING CITY — Edward A. “Eddie” Ladd, 57, died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at his residence.

Born in Grandview, Eddie was a graduate of Spring City High School. He retired from Tennessee Valley Authority after 30 years. Eddie was a member of Grandview Baptist Church, Rhea Springs Lodge 310 F&AM and Alhambra Shrine Temple.

Eddic was preceded in death by his father, Earl Ladd.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie Burger Ladd, of Spring City; mother, Ava Lee Reed Ladd, of Grandview, Tenn.; daughters, Tara (Scott) Boles, of Rockwood, Angela (Todd) Aikman, of Ten Mile, Tenn., and Sonja Ladd, of Thomaston, Ga.; stepchildren, Jason (Jennifer) Bostic, of Decatur, Tenn., and Adria (Rick) Dreas, of Graysville, Tenn.; sister, Fran (Tom) Manning; and brother, Phillip (Nancy) Ladd, both of Spring City; special sister, Phyllis Phillips, of Atlanta; special aunt, Mary Garrison, of Grandview; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Grandview Baptist Church with the Rev. Herman Fox officiating.

Interment will be in Spring City Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friendsfrom 6-8 p.m. today at Vaughn Funeral Home.

Vaughn Funeral Home, Spring City, is in charge of arrangements.

GEORGIA

Bonnie Kelley

FORT OGLETHORPE — Bonnie Kelley, 85, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Oren J. Kelley; grandson, Scott Bird; and daughter- in-law, Charlotte Kelley.

She is survived by daughter, Martha (Dick) Bird; sons, Robert Kelley, and Richard (Brenda) Kelley; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions requested to go to Countryside Hospice of LaFayette, Ga.

Arrangements by W.L Wilson and Sons Funeral Home, Fort Oglethorpe.

Dr. William Kemp

LaFAYETTE — Dr. William “Bill” Andrews Kemp passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009.

He was born June 26, 1923, and was a member of First Baptist Church in LaFayette. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a kind and giving man loved by all. William attended LaFayette and Chickamauga schools, UT-Chattanooga, Emory in Atlanta, and graduated from Northern College of Optometry, Chicago, Ill. He was veteran of the U.S. Navy, a founding member of the LaFayette Elks Club, and an active member of the LaFayette Lions Club.

Dr. Kemp, a retired optometrist, practiced 43 years in LaFayette and closed his private practice Dec. 15, 1993, and referred his patients to Pe Than Tin, M.D., in Chattanooga. Not satisfied with retirement, Dr. Kemp continued practicing with Dr. Tin and later continued his profession in Dalton and LaFayette.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Billie Margret Neely; mother and father-in-law, Louise Bowman and Robert R. Neely; mother and father, William Clifford and Vera Andrews Kemp; sister, Wilena Arme Kemp; stepmother, Catherine Jones Kemp; brothers-in-law, Grant M. Broome, Ocala, Fla., and Robert R. Neely Jr., Escondido, Calif.

He is survived by son, Andy (Susan L.) Kemp, LaFayette; son, Alan (Susan F.) Kemp, Athens, Ga.; daughter, Ann (Don) Hooper, Alpharetta, Ga.; and son, Bobby (Janet F.) Kemp, Signal Mountain; sisters-in-law, Betty Broome, Ocala, Fla., Jane Neely, Sonoma, Calif.; brother, Michael C. (Freda) Kemp, Tallahassee, Fla.; grandchildren, Majid Araim, Statesboro, Ga., Mathew Hooper and Quinn Hooper, Alpharetta, Andrea Kemp, Carrollton, Ga., Drew Kemp, Milledgeville, Ga., Will Kemp, and Anna Kemp, Athens, Ashley Kemp, Alpharetta, and Morgan Foliano, Signal Mountain; several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, LaFayette, officiated by Dr. Todd Gaddis, Dr. Warren Morehead, and the Hon. Ralph Hill.

Internment will be held at Chickamauga Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Andy, Alan, Bobby, Will and Drew Kemp, Majid Airaim, Don, Mat and Quinn Hooper. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Paul Baker, Poss Parnell, P.D. Fortune, Bill Slack, John Crawford, Richard Wilbanks, Neal Florence, Bill Ransom, Breck Parker, Ray Robertson, Robert M. Broome, James P. Moellentine, Andrews men, Millican men, Torbert men, Ralph Hill, Jerry DeBord, Coady Smith, Bob, Dave, Henry, George, and Wade Gilbert, and Jerry Wilhelm’s Sunday School Class.

Visitation will be held today, June 29, 2009, from 4-9 p.m. at Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home Inc., LaFayette.

Arrangements by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home of LaFayette.

Hazel Stephens

RINGGOLD — Hazel Greeson Stephens, 93, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009 at her home.

She was born Dec. 26, 1915, and was of the Baptist faith.

Her parents, Charlie and Lillie Greeson; and her husband, Henry L. Stephens, preceded her in death.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Chaplain Roy Stapp officiating.

Special thanks to Avalon Hospice for their care of Mrs. Stephens.

The family will receive friends today from 5-7 p.m. at the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga.

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

ALABAMA

Syble Gwin

GUNTERSVILLE — Syble Mitchell Gwin was born Dec. 12, 1922, and died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at the age of 86.

She had lived at Barfield Nursing Home in Guntersville for the last six months after a series of falls, and she also suffered from dementia.

Syble was the first-born of Clarence and Annie Mitchell of Madison County, Ala. She worked hard all her life helping to wash clothes, cook and work on the farm to help raise her young siblings. She and the youngest, Lillian, whom she called “Baby Sister,” shared a bond of love and closeness.

Syble attended Hebron, Claysville and Guntersville High Schools, graduating with the class of 1943. She had a best friend, Lucille Walls Lindsey, with whom she worked at Redstone Arsenal in early 1940. They attended Harding College for two years. Lucille led her to Christ and they remained best friends through correspondence and phone calls. Sybil was very talented in writing poetry, having one poem published.

She lived and worked in Chattanooga, where she met her husband, Martin Gwin. She tells the story that she knew him 36 days when they married. It lasted 50 years until his death in 2000. Martin preached the gospel in several churches in Alabama and Tennessee. His last church was at Swearengin, in Grant, Ala., where he served for 10 years.

She and Martin moved to Grant in 1980. Martin considered his special calling of the ministry as visiting the sick. Syble was always with him and supported his efforts.

She is survived by one brother, Bud (Ruth) Mitchell; four sisters, Euthema, Floreeta, Olivia (Glen), of Chattanooga, and Lillian (Tony), of Grant. She had several nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives who loved her and will miss her. She had a chosen family that she loved. This included Linn McCulloough Broyles; her two children, Will and Bonnie; and Ryan McGill. They all called her and her husband, “Mama Syble and Daddy Martin.”

Her funeral service is today, June 29, 2009, at Grant Church of Christ.

The body will be at the church at 11 a.m. CDT to receive friends and the funeral will begin at 2 p.m. CDT with Brother Clayton Tuggle officiating and Grant Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers are Carter Getles, Eddie Walker, Rex Provence, Raymond Farr, Paul Borden and Don Brewer.

Honorary pallbearer will be Bill Bearden.

Arrangements by Grant Memorial Chapel, Grant, Ala.

Barry Lambert

FYFFE — Barry R. Lambert, 63, died Saturday, June 27, 2009.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. CDT today, June 29, 2009, from Rainsville Funeral Home chapel.

Burial will follow in Corinth Cemetery with Rainsville Funeral Home Inc. directing, www.rainsvillefuneralhome.com.

Visitation 2-8 p.m. CDT today.

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