Obituaries
Mr. Hughes
Mr. Ernest “Ray” Hughes, age 88 of Rockmart passed away Friday evening, July 15, 2016.
Mr. Hughes was born May 26, 1928 in Paulding County, son of the late William Claude Hughes and the late Frankie Lee Morris Hughes.
He was a member of the Second Baptist Church of Rockmart and a member of the Rockmart Masonic Lodge #97.
Mr. Hughes was a retired self-employed Master Electrician, Master Plumber and Master HVAC. He loved being outdoors, especially gardening and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Upton Hughes to whom he was married Dec. 25, 1968; two daughters, Dionda Hughes Brown and her husband Kirby and Donna Hughes Gamble and her husband Don all of Rockmart; two sisters, Dorothy Keown of Dallas and Avanell Hulsey of Rockmart; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Hughes were held on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Second Baptist Church of Rockmart with Rev. David Warriner officiating.
Interment services followed in the family lot of Rose Hill Cemetery with Rev. Stevie Waddell officiating.
The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: John Cavender, Steve Turner, James Hulsey, Jerry Keown, Jimmy Hughes and Jerry McDurmon.
Honorary pallbearers included: J. W. Waters, Billy Rowell, L. C. Mullins, Greg Winters, Mark Winters, David Winters, Barry Franklin, Charlie Franklin, Greg Hughes, Fain Deems, Blake Keown and Barry Keown.
Please visit www.freemanharrisfunerals.com to extend personal condolences to the family by signing the online guestbook.
Freeman Harris Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral services for Mr. Ernest “Ray” Hughes.
Mr. Fennell
Mr. Kenneth Duane Fennell, age 84, passed away Friday, July 15, 2016 in Dallas.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1931 in Rockmart, a son of the late Earl E. “Cap” and Willie Mae Tant Fennell.
He was a member of Springdale Baptist Church and loved to serve the members there. His service was plentiful over his life as a United States Navy veteran, as a member of the Dallas Masonic Lodge #182 and Order of the Eastern Star Dallas Chapter #492. He was also a member of the Brown-Wright Post #12 of the American Legion in Rockmart.
Mr. Fennell’s generosity and his love for service was evident in his many positions and charities he supported. To name a few, he joined the Nelms Lodge #323 and affiliated with the Dallas Lodge where he served as Worshipful Master in 1985.
He was District Deputy to the Grand Master, a York and Scottish Rite Mason, Noble Grand of the International Order of Odd Fellows at Ralph Cagle Lodge, member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Past President of Polk-Paulding Scottish Rite Association, President of Nelms Fellowcraft Club and a charter member and director of work at the Dallas Fellowcraft Club.
Mr. Fennell served seven times as Worthy Patron in the OES Dallas Chapter which included service to a Grandmother, Daughter and Granddaughter of the Sosebee family who wanted him by their side in service. He also worked for the Trial Commission of 7th Masonic District and organized a Tri-State meeting for Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee.
He was a Grand Representative to Utah where his daughter, Rebecca Newman lived and visited to fulfill his obligations. It can be said: “There was not a title for the work he did!”
One of Mr. Fennell’s favorite sayings was “I’m not old, I’ve just been here a long time!”
It was long enough to enjoy life with his grandchildren, friends and family. He loved the outdoors and was always on the move to go help someone with a project.
He worked as a skilled mechanic in his early years, owned his own business and later worked as a District Manager for the Purolator Courier/ Consolidated Company before he retired.
Mr. Fennell loved gospel music, bluegrass music and was often seen playing the guitar and other musical instruments and singing along to some tune that brought a smile to his face.
He is survived by his daughters, Rebecca Newman of Ivins, Utah and Debra Frodel of Marietta, and preceded in death by his loving wife Lucille Martin Fennell and son Kenneth Wayne Fennell.
He is also survived by his brother, Allen Fennell and seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Springdale Baptist Church with Rev. Andy Fennell and Eddie Gurley officiating along with an Eastern Star ceremony.
Interment followed in the church cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Honor Guard of Brown-Wright Post # 12 of the American Legion and Masonic Rites provided by Dallas Lodge # 182 and the West Georgia Masonic Memorial Club.
Pallbearers included: Scott Newman, Lyle Newman, Jack Frodel, Jared Frodel, Bruce Fennell and Mark Fennell.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for Kenneth Duane Fennell.
Mr. Lankford
Mr. Dennis Lankford, age 61, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2016.
Mr. Lankford was born on June 17, 1955 in Fort Knox, Ky., a son of the late Lewis Dennis Lankford and the late Rebecca Juanita Ayers Lankford.
Mr. Lankford was a veteran, proudly serving with the United States Army.
He is survived by his sister and brother in law, Rhonda and David Pruitt; his brother and sister in law, Steve and Selina Lankford; nieces and nephews, Scott Willis, Kristi Rushing, Jacob Pruitt and Jessica Howard. A number of other relatives also survive.
Graveside and Interment services were conducted on Monday afternoon, July 18, 2016 at 4 p.m. from the family lot in the Northview Cemetery with the Rev. Neal Hopper officiating.
Full Military Honors will be conducted by the Brewster-Cleveland Post 86 Honor Guard.
Visit the memorial web site at www.liteseyfh.com to extend personal condolences to the Lankford family and to sign the on line guest book.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Dennis Russell Lankford.
Mr. Turner
Mr. Clifford Turner, age 86, of Rockmart, passed away suddenly Tuesday, July 12, 2016.
He was born on April 3, 1930 a son of the late Melvin Turner and Cleo Adams Turner.
Mr. Turner had lived the greater part of his life in Rockmart where he was a member of the First Baptist Church ; the Adult Three Mens Sunday School Class and was a member of the Davitte Lodge # 513 F & AM.
He was previously a member of Aragon Baptist Church where he was ordained a Deacon on Nov. 6, 1977.
He retired from the General Electric Company of Rome with over twenty years of service.
Mr. Turner was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during the Korean Conflict.
He was a devoted husband and father who loved his community and his church. He could often be seen walking on the Silver Comet Trail daily or outside working in his yard or helping one of his children with their yard work.
Mr. Turner is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wilma Turner to whom he was married on July 4, 1954; his three children: Royce Turner, Randy Turner and Rhonda Turner all of Rockmart; two brothers: Alfred Turner, Summerville and Bobby Turner and wife Nell, Aragon; sister, Betty Meeks, Stone Mountain; two half sisters: Margaret Myer, Southside, AL and Jennifer Childers, Rockmart.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Rockmart First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Greg Thompson officiating.
Interment followed in Polk Memory Gardens with Rev. David Warriner officiating.
Active pallbearers included: Ronald Lovell, Marshall Thaxton, Donald Mintz, Ray Peugh, Bob Culver and Ronald Brackett. Honorary pallbearers will include: Dorsey Thacker, Billy Greeson, Mike Shanks, Skip Sproull, Larry Pittman, David Vest and Charles McCown.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial gifts be made in Mr. Turner’s memory to the Rockmart First Baptist Church.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for the funeral service of Mr. Clifford Turner.
Mr. Anderson
Mr. Roy Elben Anderson, age 89, of Cedartown, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at his home with his devoted wife by his side.
Roy was born in Robertson County, Tenn., on May 28, 1927 the son of the late Ebben Edward Anderson and the late Virgie Atlanta Dorris Anderson.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a nephew, Ronnie Dorris.
He attended Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, Tenn. In 1945 he moved to Cedartown and started working at he Woolen Mill. He was a United States Army Veteran, serving during World War II for 2 years and also the Korean War for 2 years. Roy served with the Georgia Army National Guard for thirty five years. He began his career in Company B, 108th Armored Division, in Cedartown.
Later he was promoted to E-7 serving in Headquarters in Calhoun. Mr. Anderson retired as a E-9 Command Sargent Major for the State of Georgia on May 28, 1988.
His total military career service to his country spanned thirty nine years.
Mr. Anderson went to work for the Georgia Kraft Paper Mill in Rome, in August 1954.
He was a machinist and welder by profession until he retired in 2004 with forty nine years and 8 months of dedicated service.
He served Polk County as Volunteer Civil Defense Director until 1993. During this period of time he organized and served as Polk County Volunteer Fire Department Chief from 1973 until his retirement on Aug. 1, 2011.
Mr. Anderson committed his entire adult life to serving his country and then his county.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Elaine McDowell Anderson to whom he married on Jan. 30, 1965; friend and companion, Greg (Buzz) West; nephews and nieces, Jerry Dorris and Charlotte of Greenbrier, Tenn., Wendall Dorris of New York and Kathy Sweat of Greenbrier. Several other nieces and nephews also survive.
In keeping with Mr. Anderson’s wishes, he was cremated.
The Memorial service for Mr. Roy E. Anderson will conducted on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the Antioch Baptist Church with Mr. Roy Mauldin and Dr. Jeff Dabbs officiating. Interment will follow in the Antioch Cemetery. Flowers are asked to please be omitted and donations can be made to: the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3923 Antioch Rd., Cedartown, Ga., 30125.
To send personal condolences to the family and to sign the on line guest book, please visit www. liteseyfh.com.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Roy E. Anderson.
Mr. Kelley
Mr. Joseph Lee Kelley, age 60, of Cedartown, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2016.
He was born on June 15, 1956 in Cedartown, the son of the late Paul Kelley and Lillian Murphy Kelley.
Mr. Kelley is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carol Lewis Kelley; daughter, Carissa Kelley; sisters, Barbara Alexander, Jean Landrum and Mary Frances Martin; brother, David Kelley; beloved grandson, Lucas Joseph Kelley and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Kelley is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark Kelley.
The funeral arrangements for Mr. Joseph Kelley were conducted on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 6 p.m. in the Chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Mr. Jerry Palmer, Mr. Duane West, Jr. and Mr. Matt Patterson officiating.
Interment followed in the Polk Memory Gardens Cemetery with Full Military Rites conducted by the Brewster- Cleveland American Legion Post #86 Honor Guard.
The family of Mr. Kelley received family and friends on Wednesday evening, July 13, 2016 at the Gammage Funeral Home.
The family has respectfully requested that flowers are to be omitted and memorial donations can be made to the American Legion Post #86 for helping out our local Veterans.
The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Ronnie Wright, Donnie Pittman, Terry Patterson, Billy Rudeseal, Randy Allen, Danny Ward, Phil Walker and Jerry Palmer. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Guice, Kelly McLendon, Drew Stinson, Matt Patterson, Mark Blankenship and Tommy Martin.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook at gammagefh. com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home handled the arrangements for Mr. Joseph Lee Kelley.
Dr. Randall
Dr. Maurice L. Randall stepped into glory on Monday, July 11, 2016, following a prolonged battle since 2011 with a progressive neurological disease.
Dr. Randall was born in Stephens County. He grew up in Lavonia, graduating from Lavonia High School.
He and his family were very active members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Martin.
He graduated from Mercer University in 1961 and the Medical School of Georgia in 1965.
He served his country in the National Guard, Army Reserves and was deployed to Japan to the 106 General Hospital, 1966-1969, completing his service with rank of Major.
Dr. Randall completed his General Surgery Residency at Erlanger Hospital, in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was a Diplomat and Fellow of American Board of Surgery.
He was also a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Association of Surgeons for East Africa and Zimbabwe Medical Association as well as a member of the College of Primary Care Physicians of Zimbabwe. In 1979 he also served as an Honorary Tutor of the University of Zimbabwe.
Appointed as a Medical Missionary with the International Mission Board of Richmond, Virginia SBC in 1971 to Sanyati Baptist Hospital, he served there with his family until their retirement from Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) in October of 2001.
Dr. Randall was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by First Baptist Church in Chickamauga on June 12, 1979. He and his family worshiped there while on furloughs.
He had a deep love for his family, his brothers and sisters and in the Lord and especially the pastors in Zimbabwe. Dr. Randall served faithfully through difficult days in the country of Zimbabwe and was well loved by the people there.
At the time of his death, he was a member of Second Baptist Church of Cedartown.
There, he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was honored with a special “Dr. Maurice Randall Day” on August 18, 2013 at the time of his 74th birthday.
A Proclamation was read at Second Baptist Church giving appreciation for Dr. Randall’s life given in service as a surgeon and in service to His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley Jackson Randall of Centralhatchee.
He is also survived by his four children and their spouses and children; Dr. Mark and Tina Westerfield Randall of Winfield, Ala., Donny and Sharon Randall Duvall of Auburn, Ala., Phillip and Sheila Randall Harkins of Bangkok, Thailand and Dr. Hunter and Susie Randall Hansen of Mandeville, La.
He is survived by his 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, Miles and Matt Randall, Drew (Beka) Duvall and Colette, Josh (Becky) Duvall, Bethany Duvall, Kevin (Erica) Harkins, JR and LJ, Maurissa Harkins, (Will) Shaina Harkins Gill, Isaac Harkins, Luke, JP, Rayne and David Hansen.
Dr. Randall is survived by his brother, John Teamon Randall (Carole) of Blairsville; brotherin-laws and sister-in-laws, Fred and Marjorie Barr of Rome, Rev. David Jackson (Frances) and Daniel Jackson (Carol) of Carrollton, and 5 nieces and 6 nephews and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Maurice and Geraldine (Gerry) Randall of Lavonia, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rev. Paul and Irene Jackson of Cedartown.
The funeral arrangements for Dr. Maurice L. Randall will were conducted on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Second Baptist Church with Dr. Mark Randall and Mr. Daniel Jackson officiating.
Interment was held Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Polk Memory Gardens Cemetery.
The family of Dr. Randall received family and friends on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Gammage Funeral Home.
The family respectfully request that in place of flowers, donations can be made to Second Baptist Church Building Fund, 152 Evergreen Lane, Cedartown, Ga., 30125 or to the Lottie Moon Mission Offering (International Board), P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, Va., 23230.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook at gammagefh. com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home handled the arrangements for Dr. Maurice L. Randall.
Ms. Wilson
Ms. Betty Ingram Brown Wilson, age 81 of Cedartown, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2016.
She was born on Jan. 13, 1935 in Fulton, County, the daughter of the late George L. Ingram Sr. and Lucille H. Sanders Ingram.
Ms. Wilson is survived by her son, Tracy D. Brown; daughter, Cynthia D. Wilson; daughterin-law, Janie Brown and granddaughter, Brandy Brown Pope (Tim).
Ms. Wilson is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Donald Lawrence Brown; second husband, James Robert Wilson, son, Michael Wayne Brown and brothers, George Ingram, Jr., Robert Taylor Ingram and Tommy Ingram.
In keeping with Ms. Wilson’s wishes’ she was cremated.
A memorial service of Ms. Betty Brown Wilson was held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 4 p.m. in the chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Bates officiating.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook at gammagefh. com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home handled the arrangements for Ms. Betty Ingram Brown Wilson.
Mrs. Fairel
Mrs. Katharine “Kathy” Dillon Fairel, age 70 of Rockmart passed away Saturday evening, July 9, 2016.
Mrs. Fairel was born Oct. 25, 1945 in Hudson, Michigan, daughter of the late Lawrence Dillon and the late Maxine Russell Dillon.
She was a graduate of the Bishop Moore Catholic High School of Orlando, Fla., and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Florida State University.
Mrs. Fairel was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rockmart.
During her professional career, she was a secretary for several different firms and had previously worked at J. R. Rucker Jewelers. She loved music, people and sharing the gospel. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Fairel; a stillborn sister, Ann Mari Dillon in 1942; and stepmother, Fran Gill.
Survivors included two sons, Andy Fairel and his fiancé Mindy Agan of Rockmart and Rob Fairel and his wife Melissa of Ft. Irwin, Calif.; two sisters, Mary Pat Dillon Musick of Miami, Florida and Carolyn Dillon Clark of Corona del Mar, Calif.; and a brother, John A. Dillon of Pisgah Forest, N.C.; eleven grandchildren also survived.
Memorial services for Mrs. Fairel were held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church with Dr. Greg Thompson officiating.
Eulogies were given by Mr. John A. Dillon and Mr. Andy Fairel with scripture reading by Miss Brittany Fairel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Whole Heart Building Fund, P. O. Box 388, Rockmart Ga., 30153 or to Heyman Hospice, 420 East Second Ave., Rome Ga., 30161 in memory of Mrs. Fairel.
Please visit www.freemanharrisfunerals.com to extend personal condolences to the family by signing the online guestbook.
Freeman Harris Funeral Home was in charge of the memorial service for Mrs. Katharine “Kathy” Dillon Fairel.
Mr. Jarrett
Mr. Johnnie Harold Jarrett Sr., age 69, passed away July 3, 2016. Per his wishes, Mr. Jarrett was cremated. A memorial was held Tuesday July 5 at 1 p.m. at Mr. Jarrett’s residence in Cedartown.
Mr. Dunn
Mr. Kenneth Franklin Dunn, age 70, of Cumming, passed away Monday, July 15, 2013.
He was born in Polk County on Sept. 24, 1942, a son of the late Dorsey Eugene Dunn and Linda Lavida Tate Dunn.
Mr. Dunn was preceded in death by brothers, Gene, Edward, J.T., Dewayne and Vernon Dunn; and by sisters, Maggie Bollen, Evelyn Jones, Ann Godwin, Katherine Fennell, Ruth Mason and Jeanette Bagley.
Surviving are his wife, Sara Anne Dunn of Cumming , to whom he was married for 53 years; two sons, Ken Dunn Jr. of Belmont, N.C. and Joe Dunn of Marietta; one grandson, Colby Spencer Dunn of Belmont, N.C.; one sister, Sue Waters of Aragon; nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 2 .m. in the chapel of the Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Shoemaker officiating.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home assisted the family with the memorial service of Mr. Kenneth Franklin Dunn.