OBITUARIES: In Memory
KEIDER, Nita Toney
Juanita “Nita” Toney Keider, 75, of Spring Garden, Ala., born May 1, 1944, in Alexandria, La., passed away while on vacation in Switzerland on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James B. Toney Jr. and Marie Olive Becnel Toney, and most recently by her brother, James B. Toney III, who passed away at the end of last year.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Michael Andrew Keider, whom she met while he was stationed at Fort Polk just prior to being deployed to Viet Nam. She is also survived by her two children, Stephen Keider and Michelle Beckman; her son-in-law, Johnny Beckman; two grandsons, Seth and Adam Beckman; and her brother-in-law, John T. Keider.
Graduating from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute with a degree in liberal arts, Nita started to pursue a career in social work. However, shortly after having children she discovered the greater calling of motherhood. Her love of children extended beyond family. Nita viewed all children as family to her.
Active in church events, whether it be with the annual St. Mary’s quilt, spaghetti bingo dinners, Labor Day barbeque, or making meals for church activities or those in need, Nita was always willing to lend a hand. Her heart reached out to anyone in need.
Later in life, her interests turned to researching genealogy. In tracing her family history, she connected with many people, many of whom she had never even met, both here and abroad. As the saying goes, Nita never met a stranger.
She will always be remembered as a beloved wife, mother, and friend. She touched so many peoples’ lives that she will remain close in everyone’s heart and forever missed.
The family will receive friends at Daniel’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 9, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. EDT. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rome, Ga. A reception will follow.
,Q OLHX RI ÀRZHUV FRQWULbutions can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 5901 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30328.
Daniel’s Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
NEIGHBORS, Calvin LeHugh
Mr. Calvin LeHugh Neighbors, age 82, of Rome, passed away Friday, July 5, 2019, in a local hospital.
Mr. Neighbors was born in Rome, GA on November 6, 1936, son of the late Edward LeHugh Neighbors and the late Lois Andrews Neighbors. He was also preceded in death by an infant son, Robert Calvin Neighbors, and by a sister, Marie Randolph. Mr. Neighbors was employed with Carolina Freight for several years before retiring from Bekaert Steel Wire Corporation, here in Rome. He was a member of East Rome Baptist Church where he was active in the music ministry and held various leadership positions. Mr. Neighbors was a member of the Lindale Lodge #455 F. & A. M.
Survivors include his wife, the former Marie Kelley, to whom he was married on January 29, 1955; a daughter, Lisa Neighbors Dudley (Todd), Lindale; a son, Gary Neighbors (Debbie), Rome; 4 grandchildren, Autumn Neighbors Eads (Cory), Silver Creek, Jonathan Neighbors (Jana Holcomb), Rome, Amanda Neighbors Harker (Josh), Lindale, and Blake Dudley, Lindale; 5 great grandchildren, Will Eads, Drew Eads, Tripp Harker, Bennett Harker, and Addy Swift; a sister, Charlene Jablonski (C. J.), Rome; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 8, 2019, at 2pm at East Rome Baptist Church with Dr. Larry Davis and the Rev. BranGRQ %UXFH RI¿FLDWLQJ ,QWHUment will follow in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at East Rome Baptist Church on Monday from 12 noon until the service hour.
Pallbearers are requested to assemble at East Rome Baptist Church on Monday at 1:30pm and include: Blake Dudley, Jonathan Neighbors, Josh Harker, Cory Eads, Steve Whelchel, and Justin Whelchel.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements.
JACKSON, Ala. (AP) — A one-time Alabama police chief who arrested the Allman Brothers Band on drug charges nearly 50 years ago has died.
Longtime law enforcement officer Maryln Cranford died
Mrs. Barbara Ann Owen, age 86, of Rome, GA, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2019.
Barbara was born in Chattooga, County, GA, on April 4, 1933, daughter of the late Ben Turner Strawn and Amy Lavada Cummings Strawn. She had been a resident of Rome and Floyd County most of her life and was of the Baptist faith. Barbara was a housewife and homemaker who loved traveling and playing all kinds of games including poker. She was an avid pool player and could bowl with the best. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a grandson, Chad Owen, brother, Sammy Holsomback, sister, Florence Strawn Craven, and brother-in-law, Gary Egglestone.
Barbara is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Bob Hoyt of Memphis, TN, and Christi and Brian Cates of Rome; one son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Mary Beth Owen of Cave Spring, GA; six grandchildren, Amy Hoyt Robertson, Lauren Hoyt Cline, Robert Hoyt, Jr., Ryan Cates, Colin Cates and Sarah Beth Cates; three great-grandchildren, Aidan Robertson, Armani Hoyt and River Grace Cates; sister, Phyllis Egglestone of Australia; sister-in-law, Lynn Holsomback of Douglasville, GA.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barbara Ann Owen will be Monday, July 8, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Salmon Funeral Home with %RE +R\W RI¿FLDWLQJ ,QWHUment will follow in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour.
Pallbearers are asked to meet at the funeral home by 12:30 p.m. Monday and include Colin Cates, Mike Owens, Jim Owen, Jr. and Troy Brock.
The staff of Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Barbara Ann Owen. June 26 at age 81. A funeral home obituary announcing his death doesn’t list a cause of death.
But the obituary does note that Cranford’s “claim to fame” was arresting the Southern rock band in 1971.