Obituaries
Mr. Earwood
Mr. Willard Earwood, age 78, of Rockmart, passed away Thursday, February 1, 2018 at his residence.
He was born in Taylorsville, on May 18, 1939 a son of the late Warner Earwood and Odessa Welchel Earwood. Mr. Earwood had lived all of his life in the Bartow and Polk County area. He was a member of the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church and was a retired employee of the Goodyear Mill where he worked for 25 years.
He loved his family and was a very hard worker. Willard always enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves, going fishing and riding in “Old Blue”.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters: Eugene, Billy, Robert, W. C., Frank and Ray Earwood, Sara Brownlow and Christine Sprayberry.
Survivors include his wife of over 61 years, Glenda Fincher Earwood to whom he was married on Aug.18, 1956; four children: Sherry Woods (Don), Rockmart, Judy Smith (Michael), Rockmart, Sharon Williams (Gary) LaGrange and Steve Earwood (Jill), Rockmart; twin sister, Wilma Yarborough, Aragon; 13 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and a number of brothers and sisters in laws to whom he was very close. Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home with Rev. Brent Edwards officiating and a eulogy given by Mr. Wendell Fincher. Interment followed in Polk Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers included: Joshua Smith, Matthew Graham, Jason Graham, Andrew Earwood, Benj amin Deaton, Draegon Earwood, Richard Fincher and Carl Redding. Honorary pallbearers included: Josh Long, Billy Fincher and Mike Savage.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for Mr. Williard Earwood.
Mrs. Holland
Mrs. Betty Jo Layne Holland, age 82 of Cedartown, passed away on Monday, Jan. 30, 2018.
She was born on May 3, 1935 in Signal Mountain, Tenn.. She was the daughter of the late James Albert and Alice Neal Layne.
Mrs. Holland was a momma to everyone, and loved being a caregiver.
Mrs. Holland is survived by her husband, William Edward “Ed” Holland Sr.; daughter, Janice Watson Maddox; son, William E. “Buster” Holland Jr.; sisters, Jean Welch (Herbert) and Nina Ford ( Lowell); brother, James “Bo” Layne; grandchildren, Robyn Watson Camp (Samuel), Tiffany Nicholson (Jason McFry), Logan Maddox and Marley Anderson and greatgrandchildren, Erin Jimenez (Lucas Payne), Brody Nicholson, Ayden Jimenez and Laynie McFry.
Mrs. Holland is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Glenda Jo Holland and sisters, Lois McCormick, Wanda Sue Weaver, and Judy Barrett.
In keeping with Mrs. Holland’s wishes she was cremated.
A memorial service for Mrs. Betty Jo Layne Holland was conducted on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home.
The family of Mrs. Holland received family and friends on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 prior to the memorial service hour at the Gammage Funeral Home.
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 of Mrs. Betty Jo Layne Holland.
Ms. Brock
Ms. Libby Jo Brock, age 90, of Cedartown, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 30, 2018.
Miss Brock was born on Jan. 30, 1928 in Polk County a daughter of Mr. John Wesley Brock and Mrs. Nellie Sutton Brock.
She had worked for Big Apple, Colonel and Big Star for many years and retired following 40 years of dedicated and friendly service.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Cedartown but had been attending Cave Spring Methodist Church with her niece.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Kathleen Hackney, Irene Brock, Gladys Dempsey, Ruby Helen Brock and Sara Elizabeth Brock and her nephew, John Clifton Dempsey.
Ms. Brock is survived by her nieces, Jane Hackney, Ann Barrett, Jane Maddox, Polly Dempsey and Kathy Hunt. A number of great nieces and nephews also survive.
The family received friends on Thursday eve- ning, February 1, 2018 at the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Ms. Libby Jo Brock were conducted on Friday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2018 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Broome, Dr. John Page and Dr. Frank Norris officiating.
Interment followed in the Friendship Cemetery.
The following Gentlemen served as pallbearers: Richard Machan, Joe Mann, Dennis Pledger, Lawson Short, Allen Reeves and Britt Madden Sr.
The family respectfully request that flowers please be omitted and memorial donations be made in Miss Brocks memory to either First Methodist Church of Cedartown, 201 Wissahickon Ave., Cedartown, Ga., 30125 or Cave Spring Methodist Church, 30 Alabama St., Cave Spring, Ga., 30124.
For personal condolences and to sign the online guestbook, please visit liteseyfh.com.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Miss Libby Jo Brock.
Ms. Bollen
Ms. Madison Cei’ra Bollen, age 24 of Rockmart, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 in a Rome medical center.
She was born in Rome on Aug. 18, 1993, a daughter of Greg Bollen and Linda Graham.
She lived all of her life in Rockmart where she attended Rockmart High School. Some of things that Ms. Bollen took great joy in were poetry, taking care of babies and swimming.
Survivors include her mother, Linda Graham, Rockmart; father, Greg Bollen. Rockmart; six brothers and sisters: Jamie Swan, Kingston, Danielle Fincher, Rockmart, Michelle Murietta, Rockmart, Josh Bollen, Rockmart, Gene Fain, Buchanan and Jessica Pope, Rockmart; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Dunn and Chaplain Billy Murdock officiating.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for the funeral of Ms. Madison Cei’ra Bollen.
Mrs. Goss
Mrs. Lola Sadler Goss, age 93, of Rome, passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 following an extended illness.
She was born in Borden Springs, Ala., on April 24, 1924 a daughter of the late Levi and Velma Willis Sadler.
Her early childhood years were spent in the Borden Springs area followed by her marriage and a move to Cedartown and then to Rome in 1954.
During her working career she had been employed by the Goodyear Mill, Pet Bakery and for a number of years she was the Manager of Hancock Fabrics. After retirement she served as a volunteer with Redmond Regional Medical Center for five years.
Mrs. Goss was a longtime devoted member of the Church of Christ, having worshipped in the following congregations: Borden Springs, Cedar- town, West Rome, Central and Oak Hill.
She was a faithful wife to her husband, Joe, who served as an elder in the church for over 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Goss on July 15, 2005 to whom she was married for 67 years at his death; and by a daughter, Virginia Smith on Sept. 25, 2004.
Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Smith, Hudson, Ohio; son and daughter in law, Ted and Gale Goss, Rome; six grandchildren: Kim Brookshire (David), Tad Goss (Dabney), Steve Smith (Kim), Misty Whiting (Stuart), Joey Smith (Ginger), and Jennifer Nicholi; 14 great grandchildren: Megan and Joel Brookshire, John Daniel, Benjimen and Noah Goss, Morgan, Jamison and Jeremy Smith, Hunter and Hagan Smith, Amber and Erin Whiting, Lindsey and Emma Nicholi; one great great grandchild, Kendall Grace; brother, John Sadler, San Francisco, Calif., and son in law, Don Smith, Rome.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at 1 p.m. in the Oak Hill Church of Christ with Ministers Michael Farris and Lucian Harris officiating. Interment followed in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Goss’ great grandsons served as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial gifts be made in Mrs. Goss’ memory to the Oak Hill Church of Christ, Building Fund, 1500 Martha Berry Blvd. Rome, Ga., 30165.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Lola Sadler Goss.
Mrs. Short
Mrs. Michelle Henderson Short, age 52, of Cedartown, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018.
She was born on Jan. 23, 1966 in Polk County and attended Cedartown High School.
Mrs. Short is survived by her parents, David and Wanda Cook of Cedartown; one sister, and brother in law, Melissa and James McKnight of Cedartown; a nephew, Joshua Tinnan of Rockmart and one great nephew, Michael Tinnan also of Rockmart. Several cousins also survive.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Ruth Henderson and W.L. and Helen Cook Sr. She was also preceded in death by her aunt, Nancy Cox and uncle, John Jamison and William Henderson Jr.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, February 1, 2018 at the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Graveside and Interment service for Mrs. Michelle Henderson Short was conducted on Friday morning, Feb. 2, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery with Mr. Tony L. Brazier officiating.
The following Gentlemen served as pallbearers: Joshua Tinnan, Michael Wiggins, Anthony Cox, Chane Henderson, Brian Jones and Donald Tinnan.
For personal condolences and to sign the online guestbook, please visit liteseyfh.com.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Michelle Henderson Short.
Infant Jackson Griffin
Jackson Keith Griffin, infant son of Stephen and Michelle Griffin, of Aragon, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2017 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
In addition to his parents, he is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Raymond and Kyong Mi Griffin; his maternal grandparents, Callie & Vernon Walraven; his aunt and uncle, Tiffany and Ronnie Crouch; other relatives and friends also survive.
Graveside and interment services for Jackson Keith Griffin were conducted on Monday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the Polk Memory Gardens.
The family received friends on Monday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2018 prior to the service 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 guest book.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home of Cedartown was in charge of the arrangements for Jackson Keith Griffin.
Mr. Garlin
Mr. Bobby Andrew Garlin, 27, of Cedartown, died Sunday morning, Jan. 28, 2018.
Mr. Garlin was born June 3, 1990, son of Norman Garlin and Dawn Davenport Garlin Schmeck, and was a member of the Calhoun Avenue Baptist Church.
Survivors include three children, Gavin, Caiden and Melody Garlin, all of Tennessee; his mother, Mrs. Dawn Schmeck of Cedartown; and his father, Norman Garlin of Dalton.
Two brothers, Brandon Garlin of Summerville and Derrick Garlin of Cedartown, and his sister, Mrs. Racheal Roberts of Cedartown also survive.
Memorial services for Mr. Garlin were planned for Saturday afternoon, Feb. 3, 2018 at John House’s Cave Spring Chapel.
John House’s Cave Spring Chapel was in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Bobby Andrew Garlin.
Mrs. Howe
Mrs. Sharon ( Sherry) Denise Howe, age 58, of Rockmart, passed away Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 surrounded by her family at the residence of her niece in Arnoldsville.
She was born in LaGrange on May 20, 1959, a daughter of Wayne T. Denney Sr. and Jean Smith Denney.
Mrs. Howe was a 1977 graduate of LaGrange High School and received a degree in Early Childhood Education at UGA in 1981, graduating summa cum laude.
She continued her education at LaGrange College where she earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She began her teaching career at Crocker Primary in Hogansville before moving to Rockmart, where she taught at Eastside Elementary School until her retirement in 2013.
Mrs. Howe was a member of Rockmart First United Methodist Church and was very active in church ministries.
She is survived by her husband, Michael A. Howe, whom she married on Dec. 31, 1986 in Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter Molly E. Howe of Sandy Springs; a brother, Tim Denney (Anne) of Hogansville; one sister, Dawn Denney Newman (Pete) of LaGrange; father-in-law Jerry Howe of Winamac, Ind.; two brother-in-laws: Rob Howe (Connie) and Don Howe (Sue), both of Winamac, Ind.; one sister-in-law, Julie Howe Overwein of Florence, Ky.; several nieces and nephews: Chris Denney, Eric, and Evan Howe, Donny and Beth Howe, Ashlee and Andrew Howe; and special nieces who served as caregivers during her illness Ashley and Hilary Metz.
A Celebration of Life service was held Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary of the Rockmart First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeanette Dickens and Rev. Martha Dye officiating and eulogies given by family and friends.
The family respectfully requests that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be made to Rockmart First United Methodist Church, Polk County Humane Society, Literacy Program of Georgia, Ferst Foundation for Literature or a charity of your choice.
This announcement was made on behalf of the family by the Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home.
Mrs. Beckham
Mrs. Aline Mae Hall Beckham, age 93, of Cedartown, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018.
Mrs. Beckham was born on June 22, 1926 in Sandoval, Ill., the daughter of the late Mr. James Hall and the late Mrs. Lavert Wilson Hall.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Jim Hall and her husband, Claud Beckham.
Mrs. Aline Hall Beckham is survived by her daughters Claudia Henderson and Danny and Gloria and Greg Broadstreet; son, C. Edward McKinney; sister, Bobbe and Bill Lunsford; special niece, Linda Lunsford; grandchildren, Scott Henderson, Danetta Hardy, Brad Broadstreet and Angela Head and five great grandchildren. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
Mrs. Beckham’s wishes were to be cremated.
The Memorial service for Mrs. Aline Hall Beckham will be conducted on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 1, 2018 at 4 p.m. from the St. James Episcopal Church with Father Kemper Anderson officiating.
The family received friends on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 prior to the service hour in the church parish house.
For personal condolences and to sign the online guestbook, please visit liteseyfh.com.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Aline Hall Beckham.
Mr. Hooper
Mr. John Quincy Hooper Sr. passed away Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 at the age of 71.
A private service was held at the family home in Atlanta.
A lifelong lover of aviation, military documentaries and Westerns, Mr. Hooper’s life spanned from Georgia to California, and finally back to Georgia.
Mr. Hooper graduated from Georgia Military Academy in 1964 and learned to fly by crop dusting fields throughout southern Georgia.
He worked for several years as a flight instructor and enrolled at Clemson University until 1966.
Hooper enlisted into the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Long Beach, Calif., where he served as an air traffic controller. He was honorably discharged as a First-Class Petty Officer in 1970.
After the Navy, Hooper completed college and graduated from Auburn University in 1973 with a Bachelors of Aviation Management. He went onto pursue a Masters in Engineering from Georgia Tech.
His passion for aviation and the military defined him until his last day.
Those wishing to do so, may make memorial contributions to the American Legion Brown-Wright Post 12 in memory of Mr. Hooper.
Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, John Quincy Hooper Jr. and Tracy Hooper, daughter, Sandy Hooper; former wife, Julie Hooper; sisters, Calista Ann Hooper and Kay Hooper; grandchildren Meygan, Ian, Emily and Zachary.
Freeman Harris Funeral Home of Rockmart was in charge of arrangements.