Jerry Cutchins

Gerald “Jerry” A. Cutchins, 88, of Ooltewah, Tenn., passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. Jerry was born on Oct. 10, 1928, in Attapulgus, Ga. As a young man he worked with his father-in-law in the dry cleaning business. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Navy and had served on the USS Toledo. He attended Mercer University and then earned his Bachelor’s degree, in Philosophy, from Emory University. He received his Masters and Doctorate degrees, in Education, from Georgia State University. Jerry worked as a high school counselor and later as Dean of Students in DeKalb County, Ga. He was honored as “High School Counselor of the Year” for both the State of Georgia and the United States. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, M. C. and Lee Cutchins and brother, Fred Cutchins. Survivors include his loving wife, Joyce H. Cutchins, of Ooltewah, Tenn.; two daughters, Cathryn C. Wiley (Alex), of Apison, Tenn., Carol C. Benignus (Jon), of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, David Wiley (Mollie), of Ringgold, Ga., Bryan Wiley (Mandy), of Smyrna, Del., Erica W. Hall (Tim), of Tunnel Hill, Ga., Marian Chau, of Honolulu, Hawaii, Andrew Chau (Nicole), of Houston, Texas; three great-granddaughters, Sarah W. Speicher (Evan), Meghan Wiley, Brooke Hall; five great-grandsons, Jake Hall, Michael Wiley, Gabriel Wiley, Jude Wiley, Asher Wiley; niece, Sharon C. Bender; two nephews, Jeff Cutchins and Stephen Cutchins; and their mother, Jean Cutchins Parkhurst. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Alex Wiley and Carol Benignus officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 12:30 to1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.