HAMILTON COUNTY
Carl Adams
Carl Houston Adams passed through Heaven’s gate on Sunday, March 28, 2010, after a long battle with Parkinsons Disease.
He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of 59 years, Helen Morgan Adams who preceded him in death.
Carl joined the CCC’s at an early age and then enlisted in the military and served his country as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He was employed and retired from South Central Bell where he was instrumental in forming the union.
Carl is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Steve Thompson, of Harrison; sons and daughters-in-law, Buzz and Connie Adams, of Paradise Valley, Ariz., and Danny and Starr Adams, of Ooltewah; grandchildren, Melissa (Jamie) Philpott, Amy (Matt) Smith, Tyler Thompson, Paige (Jeff) Abbott, Carl, Daniel and Aaron Adams, April Bettis, Ashli (Wes) Skiles and Abbi (Steve) Buquo; nine great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to express with deepest appreciation all his caregivers at NHC of Chattanooga and Hospice of Chattanooga for their professional, loving and devoted care.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Carl, Daniel, Aaron, Larry, and Gary Adams and Tyler Thompson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Toby Morgan, Rocky Adams, Steve Adams, Terry Collins and Tommy Morgan.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.-2 and 4-8 p.m. today at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 S. Moore Road.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416 or your favorite charity.
Virginia Clines
Virginia Lee Clines, 81, Chattanooga, died Wednesday, March 31, 2010, in a local hospital.
She retired from Hutcheson Medical Center with 22 years of service. Ms. Clines was of the Protestant faith and was preceded in death by parents, Jim and Anna Anderson; and son, Jimmy Clines.
Survivors are daughter, Kimberly Prestridge, Chattanooga; granddaughter, Kaitlin Prestridge, Chattanooga; sister, JoAnn Clay Davis, Flintstone; niece, Stacy (Tony) Jackson, nephew, Jeff (Angie) Clay; several other nieces and nephews also survive.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial with Jeff Clay officiating.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.
John Davis
John E. Davis, DDS, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010, after a courageous battle with leukemia.
Born March 29, 1946 in Wilmington, Del., John was raised in Chattanooga. He graduated from Red Bank High School, the University of Chattanooga, and the University of Tennessee Dental School. He completed his endodontic specialty training at Emory University in Atlanta.
John was a longtime and faithful supporter of UTC athletics, which began when he was a member of the UC golf team. He also was a passionate supporter of any endeavor in which his three children were involved. John practiced endodontics in Chattanooga for 36 years.
Everyone who had the privilege of knowing John will remember his generous spirit, gentle kindness, and loyal devotion to his family and friends.
John was preceded in death by his father, Parma Charlton Davis; and his father-in-law, Mars Udell Reynolds.
He is survived by Lou Reynolds Davis, his loving wife of 38 years; and their three children and two grandchildren, Jennifer (Trey) Smith, Sydney and Bedford, of Murfreesboro, Brent Davis, of New York City, and Dr. Brad Davis, of Chattanooga; He is also survived by his mother, Daisy Davis; his brother, Dr. Charlton (Barbara) Davis, of Charleston; and his sister, Nancy (William) Foster, of Chattanooga. Other survivors are his mother-in-law, Ima Jean Reynolds; and in-laws Pam and Charlie Mason, Jeanie and John Rodgers, all of Chattanooga, and Steve and Judy Reynolds, of Knoxville. Nieces and nephews are Jon and Mark Davis, Reynolds and Barrett Fischer, David, John, and Catherine Foster and Lacey Reynolds.
The family will receive friends Friday, April 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel.
A celebration of John’s life will be held Saturday, April 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, followed by a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MaryEllen Locher Cancer Foundation at Memorial Hospital, the Stem Cell Research at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (c/o Gift Processing, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727), or the charity of your choice.
Charles Finley Jr.
Charles F. Finley Jr., 71, passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2010, in a local hospital.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Finley; parents, Thelma Stewart and Charles Finley Sr.
Survivors include his children, Tonya (Oscar) Buchanan; Charles and Rodney (Lisa) Finley and Derrick Spivey; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 2, at National Cemetery.
The body will lie after noon today at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave. 622-9995.
Martha Gaeta
Martha Cooley Gaeta, 87, of Chattanooga passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
She was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga and retired from Combustion Engineering after 30 years of service. She was a member of Bayside Baptist Church.
Martha was preceded in death by her first husband, Warren H. Cooley and her second husband, Joseph Gaeta, and two brothers, Robert Taylor and Coke Taylor.
Survivors are three daughters, Nancy (Don) Norris, of Chattanooga; Susan (Duane) Pontak and Judy Brown, all of Harrison; three grandsons, Jimmy Norris, Michael (Jennifer) Brown and Taylor Brown; three great-granddaughters, Emily Norris, Madison Brown and Alyssa Brown.
A celebration of Martha’s life will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 2, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Rev. Eric Stitts officiating.
Burial will be at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Norris, Michael (Jennifer) Brown, Taylor Brown, Tony Dougard, James Springfield and Mark Springfield.
The family will receive friends from 4 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Share your thoughts and memories on line at www.mem.com.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
Mary Goodrich
Mary Lawton Goodrich, 83, of Signal Mountain, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
Arrangements will be announced by Covenant Funeral & Cremation Service, Crox family owned and operated, www.CovenantFuneral.com.
Emma Hines
Emma Hines, 85, passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at a local hospital.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
Ed Leeson Sr.
Ed Leeson Sr., 76, of Hixson, went home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
He was a Christian above all else but also a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Mr. Leeson was born and raised in Ravenswood, W.Va., and a graduate of W.Va., University. He served in the United States Air Force as a pilot and later as a regional sales manager for American Hoechst Chemical Co.
He was preceded in death by his parents C.E. and Dottie Leeson, of Ravenswood, W.Va.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Carole; his sons, Ed Leeson Jr. and wife, Carol, of Kingsport, Tenn., Mark and wife Faye, of Newport News, Va.; daughter Michelle Moore and husband Greg of Tullahoma, Tenn. His eight grandchildren include Ben Leeson, Daniel Leeson, Laura Leeson, Brandon Leeson, Matthew Leeson, Jeremy Moore, Jessica Moore, and Jordan Moore; his sister, Brigg Frazier, of Columbus, Ohio, his brother, Bill Leeson and wife, Bobbie, of Columbus, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements will be at 1 p.m. today, April 1, 2010, in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Dr. David McNabb officiating.
Burial will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery with Military Honors at 2:30 p.m. 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga.
The family will receive friends for visitation today from noon until the time of the service at the North Chapel.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.
Arrangements are made by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
Dorothy Neighbors
Dorothy “Dot” Anne Thompson Neighbors, 89, of Chattanooga, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
Dot was born in Nashville, on Feb. 23, 1921, and then moved to Chattanooga. She also lived in Oklahoma and most of her life in California before moving back to Chattanooga in 1994. She was a graduate of Central State University in Edmond, Okla. Dot retired from teaching in Orange County, Calif. and was a member of the California Teachers Association. She was an active member of Calvary Church in Santa Ana, Calif. and attended Chamberlain Memorial Baptist in Chattanooga.
Dot was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Neighbors; her parents, Carl and Elizabeth Thompson and eight siblings.
She is survived by her three children, Jerry (Fran) Neighbors, Barbara Sue (James) Hammerton and Robert L. (Markey) Neighbors III; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the North Chapel.
Services for Dorothy will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the North Chapel with her nephew, the Rev. Lynn Thompson officiating.
Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dot’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421, or Hospice of Chattanooga, P.O. Box 19269, Chattanooga, TN 37416.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist.
June Outlaw
June Outlaw, 39, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2010, in Chattanooga.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
Wesley Rhodes
Wesley Eugene Rhodes, 92, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, 30, 2010, at a local hospital.
Wesley was born in Rossville. He moved to East Brainerd at the age of 2 where he lived for the remainder of his life. He graduated from Central High School. After serving six years in the Army/Air Corp as a Master Sergeant during World War II, he returned home to the farm that had been in the family since 1834. He continued to farm until his passing. He was a member of Concord Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon and sang in the choir.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Willie Rhodes; brothers, David, Ellis, and Robert Rhodes; and sister, Elizabeth Cox.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret; sons, Bryan (Rosemary) and Charles (Starr); two grandsons; one granddaughter; sister, Rebecca Eaves; sister-in-law, Marie Rhodes; nine nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Chattanooga and East Ridge Life Care for their support.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.
Visit www.heritagefh .com to share words of comfort to the family and to view the memorial tribute.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, April 1, in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Bob Segrest officiating.
Burial will follow at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Daisy Taylor
Daisy Taylor, 82, of Chattanooga, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at her residence.
Arrangements will be announced by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga Inc.
Hayward Tompkins
Hayward “Rusty” Tompkins, 81, of Chattanooga, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, from a local healthcare center.
He was a member of Lakeway Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Herman and Anna Tompkins; wife, Mary Jo Tompkins; one brother and three sisters.
He is survived by his children, Russell Tompkins, of Reva, Va., Timothy Tompkins, of Dacula, Ga., Curtis Tompkins, of Canyon Country, Calif.; stepchildren, Harold Whitlow, of Nashville, Jim Whitlow, of Chattanooga, and Connie Kernea, of Chattanooga; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 2, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Highway 58 Chapel of Turner Funeral Home with the Rev. Lloyd Harvill and the Rev. Timothy Tompkins officiating.
Interment will follow in Collier Cemetery in Dunlap, Tenn.
The family will receive friends today from 4-8 p.m. and Friday up to the hour of service at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Inc., Highway 58 Chapel, 622-3171.
TENNESSEE
Steven Heard
DAYTON — Steven Heard, 22, died Tuesday March 30, 2010, at Rhea Medical Center.
Graveside services for Steven will be held today at 1 p.m. at Spivey Cemetery.
Please share your memories of Steven on his on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.
Arrangements by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton.
J.D. Holmes
DECHERD — J.D. Holmes, 89, passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at his residence.
The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, April 1, from Winchester Church of Christ.
Interment to follow at Mount Garner Cemetery with full military honors.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.watsonnorth.com
Freda Murphy
CLEVELAND — Freda Fay Murphy, 72, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
Survivors include: husband, Pat Murphy; children, Pam Bibee, Becky Brinkley and Steven Patrick Murphy; four grandchildren.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday at Candies Creek Baptist Church.
Visitation is today 6-8 p.m. at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.
GEORGIA
Charles Dempsey
CHICKAMAUGA — Charles Leonard Dempsey, 69, passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
He lived most of his life in Chickamauga and was of the Baptist faith. Charles was the owner of Dempsey’s Welding and loved spending time with his family camping and walking on the beach.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Hazel Dempsey.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betty J. Dempsey; daughters, Sis Warren (Frankie), of Rossville and Rita Dempsey, of Chickamauga; son, Terry L. Dempsey (Cheryl), of LaFayette; brother, Ricky Dempsey, of Chickamauga; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and one nephew.
The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2010, in the funeral home chapel with Brother Waylon Ingle officiating.
The family will receive friends after 2 p.m. today, April 1, 2010 and prior to the service Friday.
Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home, J. Avery Bryan Chapel.
James Hines
LaFAYETTE — James “Buddy” Hines, 63, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
Survivors include daughter, Kelly (Cliff) Cordle; sisters, Doris Hall, Patricia Rich; brother, Michael Hines; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Funeral is 4 p.m. today, April 1, 2010 at Mason Funeral Home, Summerville.
Visitation is 2 until 4 p.m. today.
Sheree Hourihan
RINGGOLD — Sheree Lynn Hourihan, 52, passed away Monday, March 29, 2010.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the South Crest Chapel with the Rev. Ryan May officiating.
Visit www.lane-southcrest chapel.com to send condolences.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Net Church or the charity of your choice in memory of Sheree.
The family will receive friends from noon-2 p.m. Friday prior to the service.
Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.
Doyle McClendon
CHICKAMAUGA — Doyle Granville McClendon, 65, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, March 29, 2010, as the result of an accident in Braselton, Ga.
He was a lifelong resident of North Georgia and a member of Chickamauga Presbyterian Church. Doyle served his country in the United States Army as a member of the 101st Airborne division with highest honors during the Vietnam War, before retiring from Norfolk Southern Railway in 1990.
Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Easter McClendon.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Higgins McClendon; sons, Michael, of Chattanooga and Marc, of Atlanta; sisters, Deloris Mullins, Faye Gilbert, Pat Beavers, Betty Lackey and Wanda Dockery-Cosby; brothers, Elvis McClendon and Rick McClendon; grandchildren, Ryan, Brooke, Alan, Brittany, Madison, Laura, and Susan; great-grandchild, Lacey Nicole; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 2, 2010, at Chickamauga Presbyterian Church with Pastor Bridget Waddell officiating.
Interment to follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends all day today and prior to the service Friday at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home, J. Avery Bryan Chapel.
Geneva Pressley
CHICKAMAUGA — Geneva Normajean Snyder Pressley, 78, passed away at a local hospital Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
She was born April 29, 1931 in Chattanooga to the late James and Stella Snyder. She was of the Baptist faith, enjoyed reading, circle wordbooks, gospel music, talking to her sisters, and spending time with her family. She was a very loving and devoted mother and grandmother.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Howard Nolon Pressley; daughter, Linda Faye Pressley; daughter-in-law, Robin Pressley.
Survivors include four children and spouses, Larry and Gwen Pressley, of LaFayette, Robert (Tammy Justus) Pressley, of Chickamauga, Patsy and Ronnie DaVault, of Ooltewah, Nancy and Steve Holder, of Ringgold; three sisters, Edna Craze, of Greenville, S.C., Aline Leamon, of Columbus, Ga., and Reba Wilkins, of Thomaston, Ga.; five grandchildren, Tony, Jeffry and David Pressley, Kevin Johnson and Michelle McDonough; and seven great- grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jimmy Thomason officiating.
Interment will follow in Boydston Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2-9 p.m. today and prior to the service Friday at the funeral home.
Online guestbook available at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, Fort Oglethorpe.
Mary Beth Smith
SUMMERVILLE — Mary Beth Thomas Smith, 32, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
Survivors: husband, Anthony “Tony” Smith; daughter, Adrianne “Annie” Smith; mother, Mary (William) Crider; goddaughter, Katie Hankins.
Funeral is noon today, April 1, 2010, at Belmont Baptist Church.
Mason Funeral Home is directing.
ALABAMA
Albert Abernathy
SCOTTSOBORO — Albert “A.T.” Abernathy, 84, formerly of Chattanooga, died Monday, March 29, 2010.
He retired from Revere Copper and Brass in Scottsboro.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. CDT Friday at Rudder Funeral Home, Scottsboro with visitation 1-2 p.m. CDT.
Burial in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Frank Ferguson
BRIDGEPORT — Frank W. Ferguson, 77, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at his home.
A loving husband and father, he was a longtime resident of the Bridgeport area and retired from Lodge Manufacturing in South Pittsburg. He was of the Christian faith and served as a Baptist deacon for several years. He most recently attended Calvary Baptist Church in Bridgeport.
He was preceded in death by his parents, U.G. and Julia Ferguson; brothers, Selwyn, Blayne, James, Sam, Spencer, John, and Henry Ferguson; sisters, Viola Hyatt and Sally Reams.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Ferguson; children, Tracy (Melissa) Ferguson, Rhonda (Joey) Dobbins, Wanda (Dennis) Dalton, and Patrick (Maegan Jones) Ferguson; sister, Nancy Atchley; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. CDT Friday, April 2, 2010, in the funeral home chapel with Brother Tracy Ferguson and Brother Owen Durham officiating.
Interment will follow in St. Bonnie Venture Cemetery in Bridgeport, Ala.
The family will receive friends for visitation today from 5-9 p.m. CDT at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Tate Funeral Home, Jasper, Tenn., 423-942-9500.
OTHER AREAS
Kelly Kannon
WINTR GARDEN, Fla. — Kelly Leal Kannon, 46, who went home to the Lord on Monday, March 29, 2010.
She was born Feb. 25, 1964 in Oneonta, N.Y., and is predeceased by brother, William Leal.
She is survived by her loving husband, Greg; parents, Ed and Katie Leal, of Tennessee; brothers, Ed Leal, of New York, Rob (Molly) Leal, of Virginia; sister, Deb Leal, of Tennessee; Aunt Fran (Bill) Alt, of Georgia; Uncle Jack (Lore) Leal, of Florida; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and her boys, Hunter and Dakota.
A Memorial service for Mrs. Kannon, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 2, at St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, 1450 Citrus Oaks Ave., Gotha, FL 34734.
Arrangements by Baldwin Fairchild, 428 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787. 407-656-2233.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gainesville, Fla.