Obituaries

Thomas Richardson

Thomas Leon Richardson, age 87, of Calhoun, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2017 in Redmond Regional Medical Center.

He was the son of Zuma and Iva Richardson of LaFayette. At an early age, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served 11 years before retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1967, Tom founded Learning, Labs, an educational company focused on career and technical education. Tom was a member of the Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church where he served as the Sabbath School superintendent and Head Deacon.

Mr. Richardson is survived by his loving wife of almost 66 years, Martha Richardson; daughter, Donna Slater of Chattanooga, Tenn.; sons, Mark (Brenda) Richardson, David (Tami) Richardson and John (Rebecca) Richardson, all of Calhoun; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home on Redbud Road in Calhoun.

A Memorial Service will be conducted on Saturday, June 24th at 2:00pm from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Ken Rogers officiating.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Thomas Leon Richardson of Calhoun.

Elaine Kinman

Sandra Elaine Kinman, age 77, of Calhoun, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2017 after an extended illness.

Elaine was born on Jan. 28, 1940 in Miami, Fla. to the late Andrew Brannam and Lillian Brannam. Elaine was a member of the Eastern Star and was a teaching assistant in special education for the Calhoun City School System. She attended Philadelphia Baptist Church.

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles W. Kinman of Calhoun; two sons, Mark Long of Adairsville and Gary Kinman of Cartersville; two daughters, Denise McClure of Cartersville and Karen Courtney-Long of Atlanta; four grandchildren, Jared Jordan, Fletcher Courtney-Long, Chalsey Pritchard and Amanda McCauley.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, June 23, 2017 from Philadelphia Baptist Church at 11 a.m. with Reverend Tim McCulley officiating. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery with Robert Arnold, Donald Bowman, Greg Saunders, Elwin Kinman, Vernon Malone, Lamar Childers and Aaron McCully serving as pallbearers.

The family received friends on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Thomas Funeral Home from 5 until 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions in memory of Elaine be made to the Philadelphia Christian School at 358 Hensley Road, SE, Calhoun, GA 30701.

You may leave family online condolences at www. thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Sandra Elaine Kinman.

John Martin

John Forrest Martin, age 46, of Calhoun, passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2017 in Pruitt HealthShepherd Hills of LaFayette.

John was born on Aug. 28, 1970 to the late John Martin and Joann Whittemore.

John is survived by his two aunts, Frances Whittemore, and Jeanette Ruddell and her husband, Phillip. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for John Forrest Martin of Calhoun.

Wilma Welch

Mrs. Wilma Jean Causby Welch, 85, of the Red Bud community, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at her home. She was born in Whitfield County on July 19, 1931, daughter of the late Thomas Downy and Mattie Cowart Causby. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Welch; her son, Randall Allen; brothers, Steed Causby, Rembert Causby, Manuel Causby, Thurman Causby, and Fred Causby; and sisters, Elnora Williams, Murvas Arnold, Tommie Kinsey, Ruby Godfrey, and Lois Mashburn.

Mrs. Welch was a member of Sequoyah 286-Order of the Eastern Star, and Calhoun First Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Scotty and Lourie Welch of Ranger; her granddaughter, Melea Robbins and her husband John; her grandson, Curt Welch and his wife Brie; great-grandchildren, Curtis Colt Welch and Emily Anne Robbins; a sister, Bernice Barnette; special caregivers and nieces, Freida Kirby and Hilda Davis; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Services to honor the life of Mrs. Wilma Jean Causby Welch will be held Friday, June 23rd at 1:00 PM from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, with Dr. Bert Vaughn and Rev. Eddie Brannon officiating. Interment will follow in Fain Cemetery. Pallbearers serving will include Greg Causby, Ronnie Dodd, Tommy Pierce, Larry Dixon, Kent French, and David Albright.

The Welch family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 AM until the service hour.

The family requests flowers be omitted, and memorial contributions be made to Harris Radiation Therapy Center at Gordon Hospital, 1035 Red Bud Road, Calhoun, GA 30701.

Condolences may be left at www. maxbrannonandsons.com. Funeral services for Mrs. Wilma Jean Causby Welch are under the care and direction of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun.

Sandra Burt

Sandra Floyd Burt, age 62, of Navarre, Fla., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 in the care of her loving family.

Sandra will be remembered by her husband Mark Burt; sons, Geoffrey Garrett and Douglas Burt; daughters, Andrea West and Valarie ( Jamie) Smothers; grandchildren, Samantha and Lindsey West and Colton Smothers; brother, Ronnie(Sarah) Floyd; sister, Sherri Sessions; stepmother, Wadene Floyd; step-brothers, Gary Gray and Mike (Rachel) Gray; step-sisters, Deanie (Steve) Coker and Danette (Tracy) Tatum along with many nieces and nephews.

Sandra was born in Smyrna in 1954; she graduated from Brunswick High School in 1972. She later took up residence in Fort Walton Beach for the past 43 years. Family and faith was of the utmost importance to Sandra throughout her life. She was quick to hug and quick to laugh. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, granny and friend.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2017 at Plainville Unity Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sandra Burt’s name to the American Diabetes Association.

Michael Detlefsen

Michael David Detlefsen, age 49, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2017. He was born in Moscow, Idaho on Thursday, Nov. 23, 1967.

In 1986, Mick graduated from Crossett High School, Crossett, Ark., where he was a star student and track athlete. In his senior year, he won the 3200 meter race at the state meet setting an Arkansas record. With his intelligence and athletic skills, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

During his time at West Point, he participated in marathon races while maintaining his military requirements and academic courses. He graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During his advanced training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, Mick met the love of his life, Yonchu and was married to her for 26 years. He was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas as a platoon leader in the 1st Infantry. During their time at Ft. Riley, they welcomed the birth of their son Alexander on Sept 14, 1992. He also served in Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Falcon.

After honorable discharge from the Army, Mick started working for Morrison Industries in Canton, where he focused on manufacturing efficiency and quality assurance. Over the next 20 years, he worked for several companies in management positions. In 2016, he joined Alum-a-Lift Inc. in Winston, Ga. as Production Manager where he immersed himself in the details of manufacturing custom lift equipment.

Mick relished his time with Alexander both as a coach and spectator from little league through high school sports and enjoyed running, hiking and weight work outs. He also enjoyed cooking and made many great holiday meals for the family. Over the years, he spent time in Bible study deepening his devotion. His insights and unique humor always brought laughter to any occasion. Mick will forever be cherished and remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.

Michael Detlefsen is survived by his wife, Yonchu Detlefsen; son, Alexander Detlefsen; mother, Dianna Moser (step-father, Richard Moser); father, William Detlefsen (step-mother Melba Detlefsen); sisters, Erika Couey (husband Bryan) and Whitney (husband Adam) Grant; nephews, Kade, Ethan, and Garrett Couey, and Brock Grant; Uncle, Mic (wife Martha) Detlefsen; Aunt, Denise (husband Michael) Palo; cousins, Hans (wife Emily) Detlefsen, Anna (husband Eric) von Deck, Sara (husband Curtis) Creighton, and Kimberly (husband John) Woo; as well as many friends.

The family received friends for a visitation on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 from 12 noon until 2 p.m. at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home followed by a funeral service to honor the life of Mick in the chapel of Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home at 2 p.m.

Florence Godfrey

Ms. Florence Silver Godfrey, age 89, of Fairmount, passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Calhoun Health Care.

Ms. Godfrey is survived by her son and daughterin-law, Jimmy and Brenda Godfrey, Calhoun; two daughters and son-in-Law, Janie and Troy Chastian, Fairmount, Patty Kelley, Calhoun; sister, Eulene Honea, Cumming; sister-in-law, Helen Silver, Taylorsville; brother-in-law, Roy Lee Goss; seven grandchildren: Kevin (Karen) Chastian, Brandon Kelley, Dustin (Joanna) Kelley, Petrina (Willie) Pritchett, Amanda (Jason) Seritt, Tiffany Chastian, Miranda Kelley, fourteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Ms. Godfrey is preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Amanda Silver; daughter, Joyce Godfrey, five brothers and three sisters.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 from 4 until 10 p.m. and on Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 8 a.m. until the funeral hour. The funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2017 in the Cagle Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jason Seritt and Rev. Ronnie Wells Officiating. Interment was at the Town Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Godfrey Family. Online condolences may be made at www.caglefuneralhome.com.

Ruth Shepherd

Mrs. Ruth Brown Shepherd, 94, of Calhoun, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at her home, following five months of declining health. She was born in Floyd County on June 7, 1923, daughter of the late Elmer Lee Brown and the late Ophelia Burch Brown. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Hubert Shepherd on Sept. 16, 1991; her sons-in-law, Otto Timms in 2009, and Grady Garland in 2013; and her sister, Herline Brown in 2005.

During her lifetime, Mrs. Shepherd owned and operated Shepherd Rentals, South Wall Motors, and was an Avon Representative. She was of the Pentecostal faith, and attended Victory Fellowship Church and Resaca Assembly of God.

She leaves behind her daughters, Joan Timms and Diane Garland, both of Calhoun; her grandchildren, Terry Timms (Stacy), Tony Timms (Lisa), Susan Hobgood (John), and Rhonda Banks (Wayne); greatgrandchildren, Justin Phipps, Heather Hobgood, Brittany Hobgood, Jesse Timms, Andrew Timms, and Amy Timms; and great-great grandchildren, Caymon Phipps, Marlee Phipps, Marcella Mitchell, Blaine Timms, Gracelin Banks, and Jase Phipps.

Services to honor the life of Mrs. Ruth Brown Shepherd will be held Friday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m. from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, with Terry Timms and Steve Burns officiating. Interment will follow in Chandler Cemetery. Pallbearers serving will include Terry Timms, Tony Timms, Jesse Timms, Andrew Timms, Justin Phipps, John Hobgood, and Brandon Banks.

The Shepherd family received friends at the funeral home on Thursday, June 22 from 5 until 8 p.m.

Condolences may be left at www. maxbrannonandsons.com. Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Ruth Brown Shepherd are under the care and direction of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun