Obituaries

Mrs. Blais

Ms. Joy Linda Blais, age 70 of Aragon formerly of New Bedford, Mass., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017.

Ms. Blais was born June 25, 1946 in Fall River, Mass., daughter of the late Gerard Joseph Blais and Alice Clementine Mortron Blais.

She was a homemaker and of the Protestant faith. Ms. Blais moved to Aragon in January to live with her daughter due to declining health.

She was a photographer as well as a published writer. She loved animals, crafts, sewing, reading, taking care of children and was always looking for ways to help people or animals whenever she had the opportunity.

Ms. Blais was known for her compassion, understanding, empathy and kindness and for always putting the needs of others first.

She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, David Alan Holland on April 2, 2016; and a brother, John “Sonny” Blais.

Survivors included a daughter, Wendy (Blais-Meeker) Holland of Aragon; a son, Joseph Gerard Blais of Las Vegas, Nevada; and two grandchildren, Lily Blais and Raymond Holland.

Funeral services for Ms. Blais were held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Hillside Fellowship with Pastor Steve Arrington officiating. The eulogy and music were provided by her daughter, Mrs. Wendy Holland. Interment services followed in the family lot of the Sardis Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery.

The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Randy Moon, Steven Moon, Drew Moon, Matt Johnson, Richard Hardin and Barry Cochran.

Please visit www.freemanharrisfunerals.com to extend your personal condolences to the family by signing the online guestbook.

Freeman Harris Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral service for Ms. Joy Linda Blais.

Mrs. West

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Alston West decided that after 99 years and 7 months of keeping 5 generations in line, it was time to go home.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, Mary danced her way into Heaven, joining her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Will and Ethel Smith Alston.

Mrs. West is leaving behind her daughter, Marilyn Patterson; son, Lewis Valentine (Linda); grandchildren, Chuck Jacobs, Susan Reese, Deborah Poynter, Pam Dempsey, Lewis Valentine, III, Jay Hefner, Jaime Tison and Jill Parish; great- grandchildren, Stephanie, Rhiannon, Seth, Kyle, Stefany, Amber, Justin, Jessica, Elizabeth, Hannah, Savannah, Hailey, Madelyn, Walker, Lauren, Liam and Jaxson and great-great-grandchildren, Madison, Ronnie, Devyn, Isabella, Tabytha, Branson, Taylor and Riley.

Mrs. West is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence West; son, Johnny O. Hefner; daughter- in- law, Pat Hefner; grandson, Rusty Smith; granddaughters, Kellie Shetter and Cynthia Valentine; great-great-granddaughter, Brianna Hollis and siblings, Clint, Mildred, Francis and L.W.

The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Alston West were conducted on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Kennesaw First Baptist Church in Kennesaw with Rev. Charles Pierce officiating.

Interment followed in the Mount Harmony Memorial Cemetery, 581 Veterans Memorial Hwy SE, Mableton, Ga., 30126.

The family of Mrs. West received family and friends on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 prior to the funeral hour at Kennesaw Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mary’s church, for she loved her church, Kennesaw First Baptist Church, 2958 N. Main Street, Kennesaw, Ga., 30144.

The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Justin Garrett, Jay Hefner, Matt Howe, Seth Hollis, Lewis Valentine, III and Larry Reece.

First Baptist Church of Kennesaw provided a meal following the graveside service.

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 Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Alston West.

Mrs. Pope

Mrs. Willie Ruth Shaw Pope, age 97, of Cedartown, passed away on Monday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2017.

Mrs. Pope was born on May 27, 1919 in Cedartown, a daughter of the late George Luther Shaw and the late Daisy Lee Millican Shaw.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by six brothers and sisters and her husband, Mr. Cyrus Edward Pope on February 25, 2008. Mrs. Pope was a member of the Anna Kresge Memorial United Methodist Church of Cedartown.

Willie Ruth Pope is survived by her son and daughter in law, Bobby and Elizabeth Pope; her daughter, Elaine Pope Criswell; eight grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and eleven great great grandchildren. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Willie Ruth Pope were conducted on Saturday morning, Feb. 25, 2017 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home.

Interment followed in the North View Cemetery.

The Family received friends on Saturday morning, Feb. 25, prior to the funeral hour at the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home.

For personal condolence and to sign the online guestbook, please visit liteseyfh.com.

The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Willie Ruth Shaw Pope.

Mrs. Carnes

Mrs. Betty Ward Carnes, age 83, of Cedartown, passed away on Sunday morning, Feb. 19, 2017 at her residence.

Mrs. Carnes was born on Dec. 7, 1933 in Cedartown and was the daughter of the late Ernest Ward and the late Louise Alexander Ward.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Emmitt Ward, Howard Ward and Fred Ward; her great grandson, Bryson Childers and by her husband, Walter Franklin Carnes in 1995.

She had worked for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for many years and was of the Baptist faith.

Mrs. Carnes is survived by her sons, Walter F. Carnes Jr., and Bill Carnes; her daughters, Becky Childers and Betty Carnes; her brother, Ed Ward and two grandchildren, Jessica Spencer and Troy Childers. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Mrs. Betty Ward Carnes were conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 at 2 p. m. from the Chapel of the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Hulsey officiating.

Interment followed in the Polk Memory Gardens.

The family received friends on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 21, 2017 prior to the funeral hour at the Litesey Funeral Home.

The following Gentlemen served as Pallbearers: Eddie Ward, Jamie Ward, Troy Childers, Matt Spencer, Lee Richards, Scott Welchel and JoAnn Pearson.

For personal condolences and to sign the online guestbook, please visit our website at liteseyfh.com.

The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Betty Ward Carnes.

Mr. Bowers

Mr. Joel Parrish Bowers, age 93 of Rockmart passed away Saturday, February 18, 2017.

Mr. Bowers was born April 29, 1923 in Crossville, Ala., son of the late Frank H. Bowers and the late Minnie Yancey Bowers.

He was a veteran of the United States Army having served during World War II from 1943-1946.

Following his military service, he attended Snead Junior College and later received his mechanical engineering degree from Auburn University.

Mr. Bowers retired from Goodyear in 1985 as a mechanical engineer and also worked a number of years for Forsyth Realty and at the Cedartown Walmart in the paint and hardware departments.

He was a member of t he Rockmart Kiwanis Club where he served as a past president, was a Key Club advisor and for many years was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Rockmart.

Mr. Bowers was presently a member of the Victory Baptist Church.

Mr. Bowers was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes Deems Bowers on Feb. 17, 2009; his former wife, Mary Rickles Bowers to whom he was married 21 years; sister, Amie Bowers Dewberry; and a brother, Hanniel Bowers.

Survivors included a son, Joel “Ricky” Bowers and his wife Pam of Rockmart; two step-daughters, Donna Gamel and Karen Anderson both of Rockmart; eight grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren also survived.

Funeral services for Mr. Bowers were held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. in the Victory Baptist Church with Rev. Barry Snapp officiating.

Interment services followed in the family lot of Polk Memory Gardens with American Legion Brown- Wright Post # 12 Honor Guard in charge of the military graveside rites.

The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Fain Deems, Ben Bowman, Alton Deems, Lee Simpkins, John Forsyth, Gary Forsyth, Johnny Holland and Torey Wright. Honorary pallbearer was Lee Forsyth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Victory Baptist Church, Lasting Legacy Building Fund, 15 Hendrix Road, Rockmart, Ga., 30153 in memory of Mr. Bowers.

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. Joel Parrish Bowers.

Mrs. Rowland

Mrs. Juanita Sparks Rowland, age 77 of Rockmart passed away Friday afternoon, Feb. 17, 2017.

Mrs. Rowland was born Dec. 3, 1939 in Baker County, daughter of the late Oliver Bartow Moody and the late Dollie Lee Moody.

She was a 1957 graduate of the Brandon High School of Hillsborough County, Fla. She retired having worked for both Lykes Brothers, Inc. and Walmart.

Mrs. Rowland was a member of the First Baptist Church of Zephyrhills, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; sister, Sue Nagle; and brother, Curtis Moody.

Survivors included a daughter, Kimberly Ann Blackadar and her husband David of Rockmart; three sons, Wallace Ray Sparks and his wife Theresa of Seffner, Fla., Kenneth “Kenny” Alan Sparks of Aragon and Chris Edward Sparks of Rockmart; sister, Laverne Gilbert of Tampa, Fla.; two grandchildren, Brittany McClarty and Mandy Newberry; and six great-grandchildren, Asher, Attilee, Jamie, Noah, Abel and Aimes also survived.

Funeral services for Mrs. Rowland were held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church with Rev. Barry Snapp, Rev. Clay Willis and Rev. Eddie Killian officiating. Interment services followed in the family lot of Rockmart Memorial Gardens.

The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Michael McClarty, Casey Newberry, Corey Highsmith and Jarrod Highsmith.

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 Mrs. Juanita Sparks Rowland.

Mrs. Coleman

Mrs. Patricia Coleman, age 74, of Cedartown, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 after a lengthy illness.

She was born on Aug. 2, 1942 in Rockmart, the daughter of the late Charles and Annie Lee Dunn.

Mrs. Coleman along with her husband owned and operated the County Line Tavern for over 20 years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William “George” Coleman; sister: Jeri Cousins and her brother: Buddy Dunn.

Survivors include her son and daughter in law: Buddy Gunn and Tracey Kilgore; daughters: Jenny Ayers, Annette Goodwin and Lynie Swartzlander. She is also survived by seven grandchildren.

Mrs. Coleman’s wishes were to be cremated and the family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.

Sign the online guestbook or to leave a personal condolence for the family at Smithmillerfh.com

The Smith and Miller Funeral Home of Cedartown is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Patricia Coleman.

Mrs. Smith

Mrs. Willie Jean Dolliehyde Smith, age 88, of Cedartown, passed away on Friday morning, Feb. 17, 2017 following an extended illness.

Mrs. Smith was born on Sept. 26, 1928 in Horatic, Arkansas, a daughter of the late William Edward Dolliehyde and Vada Mae Bartlett Dolliehyde.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Horace Olan Smith.

Mrs. Smith was retired from the Alton Box Board Company. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Cedartown.

She is survived by her loving family, her son, Edward Smith of Cedartown; her daughter and son in law, Nancy and Steve Osborne of Orange, Texas; her three grandchildren, James Osborne, Carrie Fults and Melinda Wolford; seven great grandchildren as well as a number of other relatives also survive.

Funeral services for Mrs. Willie Jean Dolliehyde Smith were conducted on Monday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. David Taylor officiating.

Interment followed in the Polk Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 prior to funeral hour at the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home.

Visit the memorial web site at www.liteseyfh.com to extend personal condolences to the family and to sign the online guestbook.

The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home of Cedartown was in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Willie Jean Dolliehyde Smith.

Mr. Watts

Mr. James Charles Watts, age 73, of Rockmart, passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 in a Rome health care facility.

Mr. Watts was born on Sept. 4, 1943 in Rockmart, son of the late Rev. Fred Watts, Jr. and Kate Shepard Watts.

He is also preceded in death by his brother, Doug Watts and sisterin-law, Heidi Watts.

He is survived by his sister, Laura Watts Waddell, and brother-inlaw Daryle Waddell. He is, also, survived by four nieces and three nephews.

Mr. Watts worked for Atlanta Courier, Inc. Over his lifetime, he enjoyed traveling abroad and made many trips to see the world. He enjoyed listening to classical music.

Spending time with his nieces and nephews gave him many cherished memories.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church, Woodstock. He loved his church, his church choir and his Sunday School Class.

Another favorite pastime for Charles was going to the mall.

Mr. Watts’ wishes were fulfilled with his body being donated to science. A memorial service will be held for him on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Rockmart with Rev. Bryan Lewis, Rev. Levi Wyatt and Rev. J. Clifton Brown officiating.

The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was serving the family of Mr. James Charles Watts.

Mr. Kerns

Mr. Paul Julius Kerns, 71, of Rockmart, died on Feb. 12, 2017 after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Kerns was in the United States Navy and served two tours of the Vietnam War.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and several siblings.

Survivors include his wife Judy Mann-Kerns, Daughter Samantha (Tony) Giddens of Gaylesville, Ala., four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and sister Betty Bush of Charleston, W. Va.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Georgia Cremation Centers of Acworth made this announcement on behalf of the family of Mr. Paul Julius Kerns.