HAMILTON COUNTY
Anna Adkins
Anna Adkins, 99, formerly of Chattanooga, passed away Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at her residence in Florence, Ala.
Arrangements will be announced later by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga Inc.
Gary Adkins
Gary Adkins, 60, of East Ridge, passed away Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, in a local hospital.
Arrangements will be announced by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.
Betty Jean Burton
Betty Jean Burton, Chattanooga died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, in a local hospital.
She was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga and a longtime employee of the T.H. Payne Co. Mrs. Burton was a member of Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle.
Mrs. Burton was preceded in death by her parents, John Wesley and Maude Luella Green Wilbanks; and a son, Gilbert Rue.
Survivors are her husband, Paul Burton; children, Michael Rue, Canton, Ga., Gary Rue and Larry Rue, of Fort Worth Texas, Terri Lonas, of Cleveland, Tenn.; brother, Paul W. Wilbanks; sister, June Blakley, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Howard Lowell officiating.
Interment will be in National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd.
Carolyn Byars
Carolyn Ann Byars, of Chattanooga, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at a local hospital.
She was a former employee of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
She was preceded in death by mother, Helen Byars; sister, Diane Jenkins; brother, Harrison Byars Jr.
Survivors include daughter, Lesa (Robert) Russell, of Chattanooga; two sons, Dennis (Kim) Rawlings, of Chattanooga, Stacy (Beverly) Byars, Jacksonville, Fla.; four grandchildren, Denise Rawlings, Sammy McDaniel, LaQuita Linder and Isaiah Byars; one great-grandchild, Jay'Vion Linder; five sisters, Lucille Welch, Cincinnati, Ohio, Juliette Moore, Laura Harris, Linda Byars and Joyce Slaughter, all of Chattanooga; a host nephews, nieces and friends.
Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, in the funeral home chapel.
The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
Mildred Clayton
Mildred Penny Clayton, 86, of Soddy-Daisy, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009.
The funeral service will be at noon today, Jan. 2, 2010, at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home with Brother Wayne Lewis and Brother Lavonne Powell officiating.
Burial will follow in Chattanooga Memorial Park.
The family of Ms. Clayton would like to offer a special thanks to Hospice Of Chattanooga and the 2nd floor staff of Memorial North Park Hospital.
Condolences and memories may be shared at williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.
Tommy Coffman
Tommy Coffman, 78, of Soddy-Daisy, passed away Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at a local hospital.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m. today at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Dr. David Smith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Chattanooga, 165 Hamm Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.
Sylvia Couch
Sylvia Lucinda Couch, 73, of Chattanooga, went to be with the Lord Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley Cooper and Edna Cooper; sisters, Nancy Whittemore, Jacqueline Franklin, Virginia Jo Smith, all of Chattanooga.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, James Couch Sr.; sons, James (Judy) Couch Jr., of Monticello, Ga., Garry (Glenda) Couch, of Harrison; daughter, Cynthia (Steve) Phy, of Ringgold, Ga.; and her brother, Richard (Kathy) Cooper, of Sequatchie, Tenn.; also, sisters and brothers, Nancy and Gay Robertson, Annie Mathis, Kathryn and Jess Long, Snookie and James Stephens, Jean Sherrill, and David and Connie Couch; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Mike and Dot Partain and Robert Daughtrey.
Special thanks for the tender love and care given to our family by Hospice of Chattanooga. So many friends have blessed us with their visits, calls and prayers and we are forever grateful.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at the North Chapel with Brother Mike Teague officiating.
Interment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Bryan Couch, Jason Phy, Jeremy Phy, Jack Couch, Daniel Couch, Wayland Couch with love they will carry their Mamaw to her final resting place.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 2-8 p.m. today, Jan. 2, 2010, at the North Chapel.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.
Arrangements are made by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway153, Hixson, TN 37343.
Rosa Davis
Rosa Davis, of Chattanooga, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, one week after celebrating her 96th birthday at the Health Center at Standifer Place.
She was a retired schoolteacher and church musician.
She was preceded in death by her husband, son, parents, sisters and brothers.
She is survived by a host of other relatives and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2099 E. Main St.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Interment in Highland Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
Larry Gragg
Larry Russell Gragg, 67, of Chattanooga, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010.
Arrangements will be announced by Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.
Clytee Herron
Clytee Herron, 90, of Chattanooga, passed away Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.
She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include her sons, Thomas Lee and William L. Herron; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother, J.E. Keeton.
There will be no visitation or services.
Arrangements are by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton, Ga.
William Lockerby
William H. Lockerby, 64, of Chattanooga, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. today, Jan. 2, 2010, at Christ United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Flynn and the Rev. David Hall officiating. Mr. Lockerby will lie in state at the Church one hour prior to the service.
Interment following at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Caleb Bowman, Ben Bowman, David Bowman, Luke Bowman, David Lockerby, John Lockerby and Dan McCoig.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Christ United Methodist Church building fund or to Chattanooga East Gideons International.
Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
James Luttrell Sr.
James A. Luttrell Sr., a World War II veteran and servant of Jesus Christ went home to be with the Lord at his home on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.
A lifelong resident of Signal Mountain for 88 years, he was also a member of Lupton Drive Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for 36 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty June Luttrell; and his parents, Richard and Hassie Luttrell.
He is survived by five children, Jamie (Faith) Luttrell, LaDonna (David) Tucker and Randy Luttrell, all of Signal Mountain, Errol Luttrell, of Atlanta, and Pamela (Karl) Smith, of Lexington, Ky.; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Mount Carmel Baptist Church with the Rev. Jonathan Smith, the Rev. Troy Luttrell and the Rev. Vincent Luttrell officiating.
Pallbearers will be Nathaniel, Tyler, Brodie and Dillon Luttrell, Calixsto Cornavaca, Scott Brown, Solomon Smith.
Burial will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. today at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home and from 1:30 until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the church.
Share your thoughts and memories on line at www.mem.com.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist, North Chapel.
John Mayo Sr.
John A. Mayo Sr. passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009.
He was born on March 12, 1928, in Braintree, Mass. He served his country in the U.S. Army.
He worked in the boating industry for many years before retiring as a financial adviser in 1999. In 2007, he was appointed by the Governor to the Tennessee Alzheimer's Disease Task Force.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Murray of Massachusetts.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Eliza Jane Kizzar; sons, John Mayo Jr., Don Mayo and Dale (Linda) Mayo; daughters, Kay Hagaman, Helen (Vernon) Truelove and Roberta (Larry) Bass; brother, Ken (Joyce) Mayo, of Suffield, Conn.; brother-in-law, Stanley Murray, of Mansfield, Mass.; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Father George Schmidtt officiating.
Entombment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 3 p.m. Monday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416; or to the Alzheimer's Association of Southeast Tennessee Chapter Inc., 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.
Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
Lonique Spence
Lonique "Nikki" Fleming Spence, 36, passed and departed this earthly life on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, after a lengthy illness.
She was a graduate of Brainerd High School.
She was preceded in death by grandmothers, Teresa Lockhart, Frances Fleming; grandfather, "Jam" Les Martin; uncle, Oscar Lockhart Jr.
She is survived by children, Je'Vaughn Fleming and Tre'Vieon Spence; parents, Carl Martin and Peggy Ann Lockhart Martin; father, Robert L. Fleming; brothers, Keldon Brown, Robert Marcus Fleming, Anthony Sawyer; sisters, Le'Sean Clemmons Stewart, Larrisa Radcliff; grandparents, the Rev. Oscar (Rita) Lockhart Sr. and Glendora Johnson; niece, Retonga Wilkerson; nephews, Quiana Vinson, Tevae Stewart; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at New Monumental Baptist Church, 901 Woodmore Lane, with Pastor Edmund J. Lockhart of Bethlehem Baptist Church officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. this evening at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
Vernon Stewart
Vernon Louise Stewart, 88, of Soddy-Daisy, went to be with her Lord on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at home.
She was a lifelong resident of Soddy-Daisy, and was the daughter of the late Richard and Rosa Mae "Cricket" Lasley.
She was a member of South Soddy Baptist Church.
As a young woman, Vernon was a well-known singer as "Sister Sue with The Sunshine Gang" of WDOD radio station and was offered a career with the Grand Ole Opry by Mr. Roy Acuff. She declined the offer to stay in Soddy-Daisy and raise her family. Later, she became a hairdresser (having a shop in her home) but continued using her singing talents in churches until just a few years ago, at which time her health began to deteriorate.
Vernon was preceded in death by her husband, Claude M. Stewart; brothers, Lloyd and Freddy Lasley; sister, Frances Curvin; and sons-in-law, Stuart Levi and Jim Farley.
She is survived by her daughters, Judy Levi and Claudia Farley; sons, Tony (Midge) and Eddie (Jeanette) Stewart; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; sister, Freida Sutherland; and brother, Hayden Lasley.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, in the Legacy Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Don Lasley officiating.
Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Share your thoughts and memories at www.legacyfuneralhome.com. 24 hour obituary line, 843-5055.
Arrangements are by locally owned and operated Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy-Daisy.
Ralph Swain
Ralph Swain, 59, of Chattanooga, passed away Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at his residence.
Arrangements will be announced later by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga Inc.
Carol Swartout
Carol Irene Swartout, 71, of Birchwood, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, in a local hospital.
Mrs. Swartout was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga and was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Carl Beavers; and a brother, Billy Beavers.
She was a member of Gamble Road Baptist Church of Birchwood.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Swartout, Birchwood; four children, Ronnie Swartout, Soddy-Daisy, Saundra Chastain, East Brainerd, Bobby Swartout, Trion, Ga., Troy Swartout, Birchwood; three great-grandsons, Chris, Taylor and Justice; several other great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Mansel, Chattanooga, Sandra Mulkey, Georgetown; brother, Gary Beavers, McDonald, Tenn.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Josh Cornelius officiating.
Interment will be in Gamble Road Holder Memorial Cemetery.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.
Helen Timmer
Helen Bernice Timmer, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Helen spent the last 26 years in the Chattanooga area. She was employed with Dr. Robert Watlington D.D.S. on Lookout Mountain as a receptionist for 10 years and was a member of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Albert Timmer, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
She is survived by two daughters, Kathy Bleeker, of Chattanooga and Barb Vermeer, of Lookout Mountain; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and a sister, Francis Robbins, of Kellogg, Iowa.
There will be a graveside service in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where she resided for 30 years prior to moving to Atlanta and subsequently to Lookout Mountain.
A memorial service will be held at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2009.
There will be a time of greeting family at 2 p.m. in the reception parlor.
Arrangements are through Chattanooga Funeral Home in cooperation with Forest Lawn North Memorial Gardens, Pompano Beach, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Chattanooga Christian School Scholarship Fund or the local chapter of the National Heart Society.
Helen Wesley
Helen Tucker Blake Wesley passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009.
She was born into mortality on Dec. 23, 1924, in Chattanooga, the only child of the Rev. Leon Tucker and Curley Palmer Tucker Smith.
She attended Chattanooga public schools and graduated as the valedictorian of Howard High's class of 1943. Her continued educational achievements included attendance at Tuskegee Institute; a B.S. degree from Tennessee State University; and a M.A. degree from Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio. Helen taught in the Meigs County and Chattanooga school systems. Her accelerated accomplishments allowed her to be one of the first teachers from Chattanooga to be accepted to teach for the American Dependent School overseas in Okinawa and the Philippines. Upon return to the states, she taught in both Ohio and California schools.
Helen was a member of St. Paul AME Church, where she faithfully served on the Missionary Board and extended her service into the community by giving untiring support to nursing homes, hospital and neighborhoods. She continued her service in participation with Homemakers of America Inc., Grace Quilters at Grace Episcopal Church, East Brainerd Family & Community Education Club, Church Women United and Chattanooga Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Helen was an avid quilter and has created many beautiful pieces which have been displayed in various locations. To ensure the art of quilting and that her legacy will continue, she also instructed a beginners quilting class. On July 2, 1960, Helen entered into holy matrimony with Lee R. Wesley Sr. who preceded her in death on Dec. 10, 1998.
Helen leaves to cherish her memory two devoted and faithful goddaughters, Wilhelmenia Bradley and Vincinetta Brown; stepson, Lee (Brenda) Wesley, of Illinois; devoted cousins, Carlton and Deloris Allen; other cousins, Janice and Annie Ruth Tucker, Patricia Tucker Peoples, of Kentucky, Shirley and Joe McDaniels, of Garden City, Calif.; and other relatives; devoted friends, Edna Green, Willie Mae Walker, Joel and Gloria DuBois, of Tampa, Fla.; and a host of others.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul AME Church with Pastor David Harrison Strong officiating.
Visitation: today from 5-7 p.m. today at Taylor Funeral Home.
Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul AME Church, 2514 Williams St., Chattanooga, TN 37408; or to your favorite charity.
Jennifer Wigley
Jennifer Carter Wigley, 37, of Chattanooga, passed away Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at her home in Flintstone, Ga.
She was a deeply loving wife and mother and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was a member of Chattanooga Valley Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her mother, Judy Smith Carter; grandparents, Cleve and Violet Smith.
Surviving relatives: husband, Bobby Wigley; son, Corey Alex Peters; daughter, Kelsea Nicole Wigley, both of Flintstone, Ga.; brother, Larry Carter III, of Harrison; sisters, Cathy Marie (Mark) Errick, of Port Alleghany, Pa., Erika Corley, of Summerfield, Fla.; father, Larry (Linda) Carter, of Ooltewah; paternal grandmother, Frankie Ownby, of Cleveland, Tenn.; mother-in-law, Linda Morgan; sister-in-law, Jewel Wigley Hearn; and two nieces.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today, Jan. 2, 2010, at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Hillcrest officiating.
The interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the memorial tribute.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road.
Rev. Gene Woodward
The Rev. Gene Leroy Woodward Sr., of Soddy-Daisy, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at a local health care facility.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. today in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Paul Forgey officiating.
Interment will follow the service at Union Fork Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.
TENNESSEE
Ewing Allmon
ATHENS - Retired Sgt. Maj. Ewing Allmon, 84, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.
Funeral service at 7 p.m. Monday at Ziegler Funeral Home.
Burial Tuesday in Veteran's Cemetery in Knoxville.
Visitation 5-7 p.m. Monday at Ziegler Funeral Home, Athens.
Donald Hunter
DECATUR - Donald Lee Hunter, 70, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.
Funeral services 2 p.m. today, Jan. 3, 2010, at Bowers Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will follow in Decatur Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Decatur Chapel of Decatur, Tenn., 423-334-3661.
Roscoe Lloyd
ATHENS - Roscoe Lloyd, 75, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Ziegler Funeral Home.
Burial in Hickory Grove Cemetery in Tellico, Tenn.
Visitation 5-8 p.m. today at Ziegler Funeral Home, Athens.
Foster Potter
NEW HOPE - Foster Potter, 86, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010.
Preceded by wife, Bonnie Romines Potter.
Survivors include his children, Johnny Potter, Glenda Eagle and Paul Potter; six grandchildren, several great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are incomplete.
Obituary information: 423-837-9000 or www.rogersfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Rogers Funeral Home, South Pittsburg, Tenn.
GEORGIA
Richard Brite
CHICKAMAUGA - Richard Brite, 55, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009.
He was born in Knoxville, but had lived in the North Georgia area for the last 40 years and was a member of Grand Center Baptist Church. He was previously employed with Yates Bleachery for more than 10 years and more recently as a security guard with U.S. Associates for the last three years. He also was a member of Rossville Masonic Lodge 397 F&AM and was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth Brite.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene Brite, of Chickamauga; father, Jerry Brite, of Rossville; daughter, Connie Lynn Brite, of Chickamauga; three brothers, Jerry Brite Jr., of Red Bank, Kenneth D. Brite, of Rossville, and Larry R. Brite, of Ringgold, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, in the J. Avery Bryan Chapel with Brother Jeremy Neal officiating.
Burial will be private.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. today and prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home.
Online guest book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by the J. Avery Bryan Chapel of Wilson Funeral Homes, Chickamauga.
Ted Williams
JASPER - Ted David Williams, 55, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, in a Chattanooga hospital.
Private services will be held later.
Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.
ALABAMA
Larry Robinson
DAWSON - Larry J. Robinson, 61, passed away Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.
Graveside service 2 p.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Liberty Methodist Church Cemetery.
Arrangements by W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.
Family will receive friends Sunday from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Roger Wilks
FYFFE - Roger Dale Wilks, 57, passed away Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at his residence.
Funeral service 2 p.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.
Visitation 4-9 p.m. CST today.