HAMILTON COUNTY

Betty Coulter

Betty Sue Coulter, 72, a long-time resident of Chattanooga, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at her residence.

Mrs. Coulter was born in Yucca, Ala., on Jan. 24, 1937 to John and Ola Mae Dixon. She was retired from Erlanger Hospital, Medical Records Department and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include her son, James Moulder; daughters, Sharon Hall, Rita Faye King and Donna Hale; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of Chattanooga; sister, Edna Peters, of California; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 at Lakewood Memory Gardens, South, with the Rev. Billy Dean officiating.

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

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

James Duncan

James Adrian Duncan, 20, of Chattanooga, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. He was born Jan. 29, 1989.

He was predeceased by his grandfathers, Charles “Bud” Duncan and Charles Melvin Ownby.

James attended Marion County High School and was employed at Walmart.

Survivors include his parents, Venita Ann and James Randall Duncan; grandmothers, Shirley Gass and Lula Gilbreath; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Krista Ownby; aunts and uncles, Aaron Ownby, Thomas Duncan, Donna Ownby, Mike and Belinda Duncan; niece and nephew, Rileigh Turner and Gage Ownby with several cousins.

A memorial service will be held in Bartle Baugh Baptist Church, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Interment will be at 3 p.m.

Send condolences at www.CovenantFuneral.com.

Arrangements are by Covenant Funeral & Cremation Service, Crox family owned and operated.

Ora Hood

Ora Hood passed away Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2009, at a local healthcare facility.

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

Judith Kressler

Judith Ann Kressler passed away Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at a local hospital.

Arrangements will be announced by J. Avery Bryan Funeral Home, 1914 McCallie Ave. 423-266-2131. www. javerybryan.com.

Jerry Marler

Jerry Anderson Marler, 42, of Chattanooga, died unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 23, 2009.

He was a 1986 graduate of Red Bank High School. Jerry had been employed by Bud Marler Trucking Co. for over 20 years and was a former employee of Rock Tenn. He was a devoted father, brother and son.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, J.C. (Mattie) Marler and Floyd A. (Opal) Hatfield.

Survivors include his children which he cherished, Jerryd, Jeremy and Susie Marler; parents, James C. “Bud” and Mary Marler; brothers, Terry Marler and Perry (Tanya) Marler, all of Chattanooga; niece, Rebecca Marler; nephews, Jacob and Aaron Marler; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and loved ones.

We will miss you Jerry; and may you rest in peace.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel with Dr. Jake E. Carroll officiating.

Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

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

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Friday and one hour before the service on Saturday at Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace.

Herschel Mashbern

Herschel Troy Mashbern, 84, of Chattanooga, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at his home.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served with the 3rd Marine Division as a medical corpsman in the South Pacific Theater during WWII. He retired from TVA after 39 years of service. He was a member of Oakwood Baptist Church. He was recently honored as Deacon Emeritus for 40 years of service as a Deacon at Oakwood Baptist Church.

His parents, P.A. and Inez Mashbern; brother Kenneth Mashbern; and Evelyn N. Mashbern, his wife of 59 years preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Edwards Mashbern; sister, Frances Mitchell; four children, Allen (Jeannie) Mashbern, Kathy (Edd) Hancock, Jeanni (Gilbert) Highlander and Leah (Scott) Hunsucker; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren as well as the Edwards, Turner, and Hunsucker families who embraced him as one of their own.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Oakwood Baptist Church with Pastor Ken Clark officiating.

Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.

The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Efford Norris

Efford James Norris, 91, of Chattanooga, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.

He was a 1938 graduate of City High School where he was an outstanding athlete in basketball, baseball and football. After high school, he played basketball for the Dixie Aces where he was a star performer. This later led to his induction into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame. Efford served in the Naval Civil Service completing two tours of duty at Pearl Harbor. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, he assisted in the founding of the Honolulu Church of God. He then worked for DuPont, retiring with 30 years of service.

Efford was a member of East Chattanooga Church of God for over 70 years where he faithfully served as Councilman, Clerk, Sunday School teacher and choir member.

He was the most genuine Christian example of a husband, father, grandfather, and friend that one could ever know. Efford was loving and selfless to all of us. We will deeply miss him and look forward to seeing him again.

Efford was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Beckie Holcomb; parents Grover and Minnie Norris; one sister, Frances Holder; and five brothers, Millard, Wilburn, Richard, Edwin and Doyle Norris.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Bettie; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Philip Sharp; son-in-law, David Holcomb; grandchildren, Benjie Holcomb, Matthew (fiancée Jericka Cotter) Holcomb, Cathy (Jarrod) Smith and Jonathan (Ashlee) Sharp; great-grandchildren, Caitlyn and Keaton Smith; sister, Ruth Carroll; and brother, Owen Norris.

The family would like to publicly thank three very special ladies and their families for the special love and care they have given to Efford the last two years. Lois Scott, Pam Whigham and Tonya Grays, thank you for all you have done.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

The Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at East Chattanooga Church of God with the Rev. Don Glenn officiating.

Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Beyond Borders, Efford’s favorite mission ministry, P.O. Box 1000, Brandon, FL 33509, or the American Cancer Society.

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

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

Jerry Ross

Jerry Wayne Ross, 67, departed this life surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, in Soddy-Daisy.

Jerry one of eight siblings and a native of Houston County, Tenn., was the son of the late Harvey and Irene Ross. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson. During his life, Jerry resided in Tennessee, Florida and Wisconsin and retired after 30 years of service with the Walgreen Co.

An avid outdoorsman throughout his life, Jerry’s happiest times were spent hunting with family and friends in Tennessee, Kentucky, and at his log home in Wisconsin. His special joy in life was fishing and sharing his love of the outdoors with his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and godchildren.

He was preceded in death by sister, Joyce Ross Pearson.

Mr. Ross is survived by his wife of 28 years, Penny Kienbaum Ross; daughter, Patricia Ross, of Franklin, Tenn.; son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Kyra Ross, of Soddy-Daisy; daughter and son-in-law, Tonia and Rickey Wright, of Copperhill, Tenn.; brothers, Jimmy (Jo), Marvin (Linda), Hubert (Rachel); and sisters, Jane (Billy) Parchman, Irma Dean (Darrell) Parchman and Mary Smith.

He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Tyler and Allyson Ross, David and Connor Wright; and godchildren, Ross Christensen, Connie and Anna Kienbaum, Cheri Holtz, Chloe Garber; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

His laughter and love of family and friends will be remembered like yesterday had never gone.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 3 p.m. EST at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, with Pastor Gary Schimmer officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. EST prior to the service at the church. Additional visitation will be held Saturday from 1-3 p.m. CST at McReynolds, Nave and Larson Funeral Home in Erin, Tenn., with a graveside service to follow at 3 p.m. CST in McMillan Cemetery, Erin, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, or the National Kidney Foundation.

The family gives special thanks to Jerry’s caregivers: Amedisys Home Health Services and Dialysis Clinic Inc.

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

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.

James Wright

James Thomas “Jake” Wright, 85, of Chattanooga died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, in a local hospital.

Jake was a loved and respected husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and mentor leaving behind a legacy of love, honor, service and compassion that he held as a lifelong standard.

He served in the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant during World War II. Jake studied at Tufts University and Notre Dame and graduated from UT Knoxville’s first School of Journalism class in 1949. His writing and communication skills served him well in work, civic activities and his devotion to literacy through years in the Read Program. He was recently honored with the invitation to address the schools anniversary journalism class. Jake’s environmental stewardship began long before it was a noted issue and continued throughout his life.

He was a long-time member of St. Stephen Catholic Church. He was retired from Unum Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co. after more than 30 years of service.

Jake’s impact of positive input, love, humor and respect for all people is felt by those who celebrate his life, especially his wife and best of friend of more than 30 years, Patricia “Pat” Wright; children, Kevin Lane, Birmingham, Ala., Kim Payne, Chattanooga, John Lane, LaFayette, Ga., and Theresa Wright, Nashville; grandchildren, Chrissy Winsett, Robbie Payne, John, Matthew and Brandon Lane, Michelle Lane and Hilary Wright; great-grandchildren, Ella and Brynna Winsett and Jaxson Lane.

Services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church with Father Gilbert Diaz officiating.

Burial will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.

The family will receive friends Thanksgiving Day from 4-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road and one hour before the service on Friday at the church.

TENNESSEE

Paralee Buckner

ENGLEWOOD — Paralee Maxine Buckner, 89, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Friday with visitation 6 to 8 p.m. prior to service.

Burial at Mars Hill Cemetery Saturday at 11 a.m.

Arrangements by Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah.

Eva Frazier

PIKEVILLE — Eva Jean Frazier, 72, went to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning, Nov. 25, 2009, after a lengthy illness.

She was a member of Mt. Crest United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Dawson and Eliza Mae Ladd; three brothers, James Lewis “J.L.”, Andrew and Claude Ladd; three sisters, Edna Carpenter, Myrtle Lee Walker and Bernice Ladd.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ed W. Frazier; three daughters, Karen J. Ridolfo, Karla J. Simmons, Pikeville, Kathy (David) Wilson; and two grandchildren, Kalli and Karli Wilson, of Stafford, Va.; brother, Litton G. Ladd, Pikeville; several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. CST Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. John Smith, Rev. Greg Bartley and Rev. Brian Williamson officiating.

Interment will be in Hollis and Viola F. Frazier Memorial Garden.

Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com.

Arrangements by Putnam-Reed Funeral Home, Highway 127 South, Pikeville.

Visitation will be Friday 4-9 p.m. CST.

Margaret Horner

Margaret “Peggy” Sullivan Kendall Horner, 84 years old, peacefully passed away Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, of natural causes at Allen Morgan Health Center, Memphis.

Mrs. Horner was born in Chattanooga, where she attended Notre Dame High School and had the distinction of never missing a day in 12 years. She briefly attended the University of Chattanooga, before marrying Paul Kendall, who was her husband for 30 years. After raising their children in Chattanooga, they lived in London, England for 10 years during the sixties. Peggy was later married to Dr. Sam Horner, of Cleveland, Tenn. She lived her last years at Trezevant in Memphis.

Mrs. Horner was a passionately devoted grandmother and in her spare time she enjoyed playing duplicate bridge.

She is survived by her three daughters, Kay Kendall of Washington, D.C., Judy Hyde, of Aspen, Colo., and Ann Stephens, of Memphis; five cherished grandchildren, Katherine Butler, of Los Angeles, Calif., Syd Butler, of New York, N.Y., Kendall Morgan Rhodes, of Santa Monica, Calif., Bo Hyde, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., and Paul Stephens, of Memphis; and her four great-grandchildren.

Visitation for friends and family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Memorial Park Funeral Home, Memphis.

A private service will be held on Saturday for the immediate family.

The family requests memorials in her honor be sent to the charity of their choice.

Myrtle Roberson

PIKEVILLE — Myrtle Lee Roberson, “Miss Myrtle Lee”, 89, departed this life Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at her home.

She was born in Pikeville to the late Virgil and Maude Walling Wheeler. She owned and operated R.D. Roberson Grocery Store for 47 years and continued in the grocery business until her retirement. She was a member of College Grove Church of Christ, on the board of Directors of First National Bank of Pikeville, a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Organization and Bledsoe County Senior Citizens.

“Miss Myrtle Lee” was preceded in death by her husband R.D. Roberson Jr.; sisters, Anna Belle Hale, Mary Farmer, Mamie Ruth Marsh and Katherine Hamilton; brothers Brainerd, Faith and Virgil Wheeler Jr. She is the last surviving sibling of the Virgil Wheeler Sr. family.

She is survived by a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, caregivers and friends.

She will be truly missed by everyone she knew and loved.

Visitation will be held 5-9 p.m. CST Saturday.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. CST in the funeral home chapel with burial following at Collier Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bledsoe County Rescue Squad, 977 U.S. 127 Bypass, Pikeville, TN 37367, or Shriners Hospital for Children, 3229 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3095.

Please designate in memory of Myrtle Lee Roberson.

Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com.

Arrangements by Putnam-Reed Funeral Home, Highway 127 South, Pikeville.

Betty Stephens

DECHERD — Betty Stephens, 86, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.

Funeral service will be Friday at 2 p.m. CST in the chapel of Watson North Funeral Home.

Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Gardens.

Online condolences may be sent to www.watsonnorth.com.

Visitation will be Friday from 10-2 p.m. CST.

Melissa Thompson

ATHENS — Melissa R. Thompson, 47, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 at Athens Regional Medical Center.

Memorial service is 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Englewood Church of God, with visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church prior to service.

Arrangements by Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah.

GEORGIA

Faye Carroll

LaFAYETTE — Faye Belle Coker Carroll died peacefully in her sleep Monday, Nov. 23, 2009.

She was a lifelong North Georgia resident. She became a Christian at an early age and dearly loved her church, LaFayette Church of God of Prophecy. Her greatest joy was to cook and feed those she loved and there was always an extra place at her table.

Preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Addie Wooten; nine siblings; husbands, James Coker and Frank Carroll; and infant son, Charles Steven Coker.

Survived by her daughters, Barbara (Joel) Huggins, of LaFayette, Glenda (Johnny) Noblett; sons, Terry “Bucky” (Joan) Coker, J.W. (Charlett) Coker, all of LaFayette; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Virginia Wooten, Flossie Wooten, Nellie Faye Wooten and Wilma Coker, as well as special friend, Sherry Clark and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral at 1 p.m. Saturday from the Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home Chapel. Service conducted by the Rev. Charles Trotter, the Rev. B.W. “Skip” Mitchell and Rev. Chris Hulsey.

Pallbearers are Stan Coker, Andy Huggins, Vernon White, Marty Walker, Chris Vaughn and Pat McDaniel.

Interment in Crestlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 5-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Walker County Food Pantry or the Gideons International in recognition of her desire to feed both the body and spirit.

Billy Famber

DALTON — Billy Andre Famber, 50, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.

Service at noon Friday in the chapel of Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Jerry Burse officiating.

Interment in West Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements by Willis Funeral Home, Dalton.

Gangaben Patel

RINGGOLD — Gangaben G. Patel, 85, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009.

A prayer service will be held today at noon in the South Crest Chapel.

To share your condolences, visit www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.

Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.

Maudie Smith

VILLA RICA — Maudie Marie Leonard Smith, formerly of Athens, Tenn., died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at her residence.

Graveside services 2 p.m. Saturday at McMinn Memory Gardens Mausoleum with visitation from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service.

Ziegler Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of the arrangements.