OBITUARIES
Linda Jo Bell Fouts, 68 Chickamauga
Linda Jo Bell Fouts, of Chickamauga, Ga., passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016. She was 68.
A lifelong resident of the Chickamauga area, she was a member of Valley View Baptist Church in Flintstone, Ga. Linda was a former employee of the Bank of Chickamauga where she worked for five years and was also a former employee of Dr. Douglas Graydon for 27 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Fouts; son, Scott Fouts; parents, Frank and Frances Bradley Bell and sister, Deloris Bell Kingsbury.
Survivors include: Two sisters, Barbara M. (David) Cowart of LaFayette and Jane Farrell of Calhoun; brother, Frank (Ciba) Bell Jr. of LaFayette; daughterin-law, Sandy Fouts of Ringgold; grandson, Timmy Fouts of Ringgold; best friend, Susan Dietzen of Chickamauga and nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Sunday, June 12, from 1-9 p.m. and until time of funeral on Monday.
Funeral services: Monday, June 13, at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Roy Groce and Rev. Jeff Brown officiating.
Burial: Center Point Cemetery in Noble, Ga.
In lieu of flowers Linda requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com
Arrangements: W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home Ft. Oglethorpe.
Kenneth Terry Truelove, 53 Ringgold
Kenneth “Kenny” Terry Truelove, of Ringgold, Ga., passed away Monday, June 13, 2016. He was 53.
A lifelong resident of the Catoosa County area, he was a former employee of Interstate Machine where he worked for five years and was self-employed in scrap metal for 10 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne Edward Truelove Sr. and Bessie Parilee Darlin Truelove; two brothers, Don Truelove and Wayne Truelove II.
Survivors include: Four brothers, Alan (Mona Botts) Truelove of Ringgold; Eddie (Deanie) Truelove of Cleveland, Tenn., Bill Truelove of Cleveland, Tenn., and James Marshall Truelove of Cleveland, Tenn.; five sisters, Velma (Bob) Couch of Cleveland, Tenn., Lola (David) VanHorn of LaFayette, Marie Cross of Hollis of Alabama, Nelly Echols of Ringgold and Francis (Albert) Bayne of Rock Spring, Ga.; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Friday, June 17, from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial services: Friday, June 17, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Garland Hullender officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Home, Wallis-Stewart Chapel, Ringgold
Pauline Hicks Parks, 94 Flintstone
Pauline Hicks Parks, of Flintstone, Ga., went home to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, June 10, 2016. She was 94.
She lived in the Flintstone area for most of her life and was a member of Flintstone Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years.
She worked in retail sales, manufacturing and farming for most of her life and enjoyed sewing, quilting and had a true love for animals.
She was a loving and devoted daughter, wife and mother that will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J. Burt and Merlie Hicks; husband, Claude Edward Parks; adopted son, Barton Hicks; three sisters and three brothers.
Survivors include: Her adopted daughter, Susan Hays of Chickamauga; special caregivers nephew, Bill Hicks, niece, Susan Roberson both of Flintstone and Charlene Blansett of Chickamauga and very special nieces, nephews and extended family.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Graveside services: Tuesday, June 14, at 3 p.m. in the Lakewood Memory Gardens South with Chaplain Steve Miller officiating.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Charles Williams Sr., 91 Trenton, Ga.
Charles “Bill” Williams Sr., of Trenton, Ga., went home to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, June 11, 2016. He was 91.
He was a lifelong resident of the north Georgia area and was of the Baptist faith.
He was a Navy veteran having served during WWII and was employed with Pro-Group for more than 24 years.
He was a true family man and enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing golf and pitching horseshoes.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather and greatgreat-grandfather that will be truly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ernest, Ralph and Thomas Williams and two sisters, Dorothy Forrester and Florence Williams.
Survivors include: His loving wife of more than 68 years, Jessie Palmer Williams of Trenton; sons, Charles “Billy” (Connie) Williams Jr. of Rossville and Thomas Earl (Deborah) Williams of Trenton; sister, Mildred Gilly of High Point, Ga.; two grandchildren, Tracey Williams and Casey (Jenny) Williams; three great-grandchildren, Caitlyn Casey, David Goff and Savannah Williams; one greatgreat-grandson, Jameson Goff and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Visitation: Monday, June 13, after 4 p.m. and prior to the service Tuesday at the funeral home.
Funeral services: Tuesday, June 14, at 11 a.m. in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Rev. James Willard Palmer and Bro. Clayton McCain officiating.
Burial: Humphrey’s Cemetery in Rossville.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Terry Leon Johnson, 54 Rossville
Terry Leon Johnson, of Rossville, Ga., went home to be with the Lord Saturday, June 11, 2016. He was 54.
He was a lifelong resident of Rossville and was of the Baptist faith.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon Johnson and Ella (Davis) Boss and brothers, Doug Johnson and Larry Johnson.
Survivors include: His siblings, Donnie (Devon) Mathis of LaFayette, Louise (George) Sanders of Trenton, Ga., Agnes (Clyde) Davis of Ooltewah, Tenn., Sherry (Joe) Samples of Rossville, Hugh Johnson of Calif., and David Johnson of Waycross, Ga.; stepfather, Joseph Boss of Chickamauga and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Wednesday, June 15, from noon1 p.m. until time of procession to the cemetery.
Graveside services: Wednesday, June 15, at 2 p.m. in LaFayette Memory Gardens.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Bridgett Payne Coley, 42 Ringgold
Bridgett Payne Coley went home to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, June 11, 2016, after winning her battle with cancer. She was 42.
She was born Nov. 3, 1973, to Leonard and Janice Woods Payne. She was an active member of her community always willing to help others, enjoyed working with horses, spending time with her family and doing anything she could for her church family at New Liberty Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Janice Woods Payne.
Survivors include: Her loving husband of 20 years, Mark Coley; sons, Mathis Coley and Seth Coley; daughters, Alexis Coley and Kennedy Coley; father, Leonard “Bozo” Payne; brothers, Donald (Christie) Payne and Tony (Tina) Payne; sister, Gena (Paul) Williams and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation: Monday, June 13, from 2-8 p.m. and Tuesday from noon1:30 p.m. at the church.
Celebration of life: Tuesday, June 14, at 2 p.m. at New Liberty Baptist Church, 923 Graysville Road, in Ringgold with Danny Henson officiating.
Burial: Byrd’s Chapel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rebuilding Hope Inc., 2940 Old Grade Road, Dalton, Ga. 30721 or Saint Jude Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
Online guestbook available at lane-southcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, t the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
William Leon Spencer, 70 LaFayette
William Leon Spen- cer, of Millbrook, Ala., formerly of LaFayette, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016. He was 70.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Latner Spencer and Melba (Millard) Spencer of LaFayette.
Mr. Spencer was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include: His wife, Tammy Spencer of Millbrook, Ala.; a son, William L. (Kelly) Spencer II of Blairsville; two daughters, Christy (Michael) Nicholson of Piedmont, S.C. and Victoria (Clay) Spencer Boyd of Millbrook, Ala; two sisters, Elaine (Mickey) Hancock of LaFayette and Janie (Chuck) Branch of Cookeville, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Ashley (Jeff) Graham, Abby and Elizabeth Jackson and Breann Nicholson and three great-grandchildren, Austin, Bella and Georgia Graham.
Funeral services: Sunday, June 5, at Brookside Funeral Home in Millbrook, Ala., officiated by Keith Cantrell.
In lieu of flowers donations may be mad to Hands on River Region or Prattville Christian Academy.
Scott Julian Martin, 59 Rock Spring
Scott Julian Martin, of Rock Spring, Ga., passed away Sunday, June 12, 2016. He was 59.
He was born in the township of Richfield in Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. 20, 1956, to the late James Julian Martin and Katherine Jean Cunningham Martin.
He resided for the past 18 years in Rock Spring and attended St. Gerard Catholic Church in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.
He was a park ranger for the National Park Service at Point Park in Chattanooga, Tenn. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting and also tinkering with engines. He was a good dog trainer, especially with Golden Retrievers. He was a Civil War buff and enjoyed reenactments.
Survivors include: His wife, Janet Marie Jesse Martin of Rock Spring; daughter, Jessica (Blake) Mattern of Los Angeles, Calif., daughter and fiancé, Marissa Martin and Bennett Watson of Atlanta, Ga.; sisters, Ruth Pederson of Lafayette, Colo., and Kathy Smith of N.C.; brothers, Lee Martin of Evergreen, Colo., John Martin of Elk Creek, Minn., James “Jim” Martin of Bloomington, Minn., and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial service: Friday, June 17, at 6 p.m. in the chapel.
Online register book at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Homes-LaFayette Chapel.
Jeffery Dewayne Creekmore, 56 Rossville
Jeffery Dewayne Creekmore, of Rossville, Ga., passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016 as the result of a motorcycle accident. He was 56.
He was a lifelong resident of the north Georgia area and was of the Baptist faith. Jeffrey loved riding motorcycles, doing toy runs and would always help anyone that was in need.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Shirley Davis Creekmore and grandparents, Grady and Lois Creekmore.
Survivors include:
His wife, Julie Niskern Creekmore of Rossville; daughter, Tiffney (Brian) Holman of Ringgold; two brothers, Ricky Creekmore of Benton, Tenn., and Gary Creekmore of Flintstone, Ga.; two grandchildren, Kathryn Holman and Katelyn Holman; niece and nephews, Angel Ashby, Jeff Davison, Aaron Bradford, Kenneth Bradford and Doug Roberts and numerous extended family and friends.
Visitation: Wednesday, June 15, after 4 p.m. and prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home.
Funeral services: Thursday, June 16, at 11 a.m. in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel.
Burial: Lakewood Memory Gardens, South.
Online guest book at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, Ft. Oglethorpe.
Cheryl Aretha Mathis, 49 Chickamauga
Cheryl Aretha (“Shakem up”) Mathis, of Chickamauga, Ga., passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016. She was 49.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Dianne Suttle Houston; father, Robert A. Houston; grandparents, Trin Villa Suttle Sr. and Frances N. Suttle and grandson, Tyivyon Sanders.
She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include: Her loving and devoted husband, Johnny Lyndon Mathis of Chickamauga; two daughters, Andrea Houston and Tiffany H. Sanders of Chattanooga, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren, Tai’Naya Houston, Tae Janae Jones, Tei’Ashia Houston, Ty’rihaena Sanders, Tyijuan Sanders, Theodore Sanders, Kellis Moore, Kilan Moore, Kelvin Houston, Ke’miyha Houston; two sisters, Brandy Houston of Chattanooga and Sharon (Mose) Mathis of Tucker, Ga.; two brothers, Napoleon (Desiree) Houston and Darien (Lynn) Houston of Chattanooga; mother-in-law, Eula Mathis McLin; brothers-in-law, sistersin-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Visitation: Friday, June 17, from 7-8 p.m. at the church.
Funeral service: Saturday, June 18, at 1 p. m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 247 Southern Road, Chickamauga, Ga., with Rev. Archie Jackson, Rev. William Tramble and other ministers officiating.
Burial: Garmany Cemetery.
Online guestbook available at willisfuneralhomedalton.com.
Arrangements: Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Ga.
Maxie Hollingsworth, 71 Ringgold
Maxie Hollingsworth, of Ringgold, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016, in a local hospital. He was 71.
He was of the Baptist faith and was a retired truck driver.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Breedwell Hollingsworth and a brother, Larry Hollingsworth.
Survivors include: Two daughters, Betty (Jerry) Holder and Shelia (James) Ricketts both of Ringgold; stepsons, John Wesley Catlett of Nashville and Wade (Edith) Murphree of Rock Spring; three brothers, Rodney (Jim- mie) Hollingsworth of Lafayette, Dennis Hollingsworth of Ft. Oglethorpe and Stan (Brenda) Hollingsworth of Nobel; a sister, Sandra (Leon) Autry of Marietta and several grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Thursday, June 16, after noon at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.
Graveside services: Thursday, June 16, at 1 p.m. at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park with Rev. Mike Sims officiating.
Online guestbook at heritagebattlefield.com.
Arrangements: Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.
Larry Amos Dawson, 70 Rossville
Larry Amos Dawson, of Rossville, Ga., passed away Sunday, June 12, 2016, in St. George Island. He was 70.
He was a life-long resident of the north Georgia area. He was a graduate of Rossville High School, class of 1964 and was employed as an OTR truck driver with Salem, Burlington and Shaw until his retirement.
He was known to many as “Sleepy Dawson.” His greatest joys in life were spending time with his family, watching Alabama football and listening to southern gospel music.
Larry and Carolyn and their family were together in St. George Island to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary which would have been Friday June 17, 2016.
He is preceded in death by his parents, O.B. and Mary Nell Dawson and his niece, Terri Hasty.
Survivors include: His loving wife, Carolyn Dawson; two daughters, Angie (Tim) McBee and Amy (Todd) Fahrubel; grandchildren, Megan McBee, Abby Fahrubel, Chandler McBee and Rylee Fahrubel; great-grandchild, Allie McBee; brother, Edgar (Pat) Dawson; sister, Doris (Gary) Hasty and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Amedisys for their special care.
Visitation: Wednesday, June 15, from 4-8 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel.
Funeral services: Thursday, June 16, at 1 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with pastor Jim Bennett officiating.
Burial: Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park.
Honorary pallbearers: Truck drivers from Burlington.
Online guestbook available at lane-southcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Martha Jo Collins, 78 Rossville
Martha Jo Collins, of Rossville, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016. She was 78.
She was a lifelong resident of the north Georgia area and was of the Baptist faith.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Collins; parents, William and Hazel Stevens; sisters, Judy Howard and Sandra Beavers and brother, Ronald Stevens.
Survivors include: Her children, Darrel (Sharon) Crouch of Lenoir City, Tenn.,. Alisa Regina Fraley and Joe Lamar Stevens both of Sand Mt., Ala.; sister, Norma Ladd of Rossville; brother, William Stevens of Smyrna, Tenn.; grandchildren, Darrel Crouch Jr., Amanda (David Nguyen) Stevens and Natalie (Miguel) Barrionuevo; several other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Friday, June 17, from 11 a.m.1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral services: Friday, June 17, at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Mike Howard officiating.
Burial: Tennessee Georgia Memorial Park
Pallbearers: Amanda Stevens, Natalie Barrionuevo, Darrel Crouch Jr., David Nguyen, Miguel Barrionuevo and Jeff Stevens.
Billy Joe Sharrock, 48 Albertville, Ala.
Billy Joe Sharrock, of Albertville, Ala., passed away Friday, June 10, 2016. He was 48.
Mr. Sharrock was of the Baptist faith.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Jean Sharrock.
Survivors include: His daughters, Ashley Nicole Brownell, Brandy Leigh Anne Sharrock, Candice Leshon Sharrock; father, Eugene Sharrock; mother, Sarah Shaw; sister, Crystal Donna Leigh Gosselin; brothers, Cory Eugene Sharrock and Greggory Todd Sharrock and five grandchildren.
Memorial service: Friday, June 17, at 1 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church, Highway 41, in Ringgold with Rev. Jackie Swanson officiating.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Thelma Linam, 88 Ft. Oglethorpe
Thelma Linam, of Fort Oglethorpe, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at her home. She was 88.
Her passions in life were her family and grandchildren. She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, S. C. and Georgia Ann Kelley Worley; seven sisters and four brothers.
Survivors include: Her husband of 70 years, Fred A. Linam; children, Randy (Dianne) Linam and Sandy (Tim) Moore; grandchildren, Brandon (Britanie) Moore, Bob Linam and Bridget Moore; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Visitation: Saturday, June 18, from 4-8 p.m. and Sunday from noon until the funeral hour in the funeral home.
Funeral services: Sunday, June 19, at 2 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home with Rev. John Tudor officiating.
Burial: Lakewood Memory Gardens, South.
Online guestbook available at lane-southcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Henry E. Keys, 91 Lookout Valley
Harry E. Keys, of Lookout Valley, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at his residence. He was 91.
Mr. Keys was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and was retired from T.V.A. with more than 30 years of service. He was an avid fisherman and Braves fan.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jimmy Keys; four brothers and one sister.
Survivors include: His wife of 41 years, Charlsie Keys; children, Elizabeth Bradford of Chattanooga, Martha (John) Morgan of Trenton, Ga., Helen (Kenneth) Burton of Chattanooga, Glenda Pileggi of Ringgold and Tom Payne of Trenton, Ga.; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild.
Visitation: Friday, June 17, from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. until the service hour at the South Crest Chapel.
Funeral services: Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Rev. Jack Daniels officiating.
Burial: Lakewood Memory Gardens, South.
Online guestbook available at lane-southcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Margie Hollingsworth Lassetter, 81 Rossville
Margie H. Lassetter, of Rossville, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. She was 81.
Mrs. Lassetter was born in Coalmont, Tenn., but was raised and lived her entire life in Rossville, Ga. She attended Rossville High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
She particularly enjoyed traveling America in order to be so lucky as to marvel at its wonders with her own eyes, camping with the family, flower walking, reading and eating BBQ from Bailey’s in Ringgold. The Atlanta Braves were her favorite sports team.
Mrs. Lassetter was preceded in death by her parents, Edna Hollingsworth and William Briner Hollingsworth; her husband, J. Reid Lassetter; her son, Russell B. Lassetter; her siblings, Harry George Hollingsworth, Bill (Laura) Hollingsworth, Pearl Guest, Reuben (Alice) Hollingsworth, Roy (Eva) Hollingsworth, Lewis (Doris) Hollingsworth and Albert Hollingsworth and infant twins, Jan and Ann Hollingsworth.
Survivors include: Her daughters, Mardi L. Mason and Amei (Brian) Luffman; her two grandchildren, Thomas and Lily and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chattanooga Nature Center at reflectionriding.org in Margie’s name.
Visitation: Sunday, June 19, from 3-7 p.m. and until time of service Monday.
Funeral services: Monday, June 20, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Wilson Funeral Home.
Burial: TennesseeGeorgia Memorial Park.
Arrangements: W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, Fort Oglethorpe.
Claude M. Chambers Kansas City, Mo.
Claude M. Chambers, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of the north Georgia area, passed peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, June 14, 2016.
He spent his childhood and early adulthood in the Tenn./north Georgia area before moving out to Kansas City, Mo.
He will be sadly missed by his special friend, Amanda Mayse and her son Luke, along with his sisters, Alice Buchanan of Ft. Oglethorpe, Sophia Gibson and Joyce Pentycofe of Ringgold, Gay Gilmore of Rossville and his brothers, Tommy (Leslie) Messer of Tenn., Steven Gaines of Mo., Robert Grissom (partner David) of Mo., and William Officer (partner A. Jackson) of Texas, and especially his three beloved nephews, Mike Gibson and his son Logan of N.Y., Chris Gibson (partner, Erin) of Ga., and Tracy Gibson of Texas, plus all of his many cherished friends, one of whom is the acclaimed artist Michael Brake.
Instead of flowers, Claude’s family is requesting donations be made to the Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care in Claude’s name.
Arrangements: Reflections Memorial Services LLC, Kansas City, Mo.
Doris Jones Rhyne, 82 LaFayette
Doris Jones Rhyne (affectionately known as “Dee”) passed away peacefully Sunday, May 29, 2016. She was 82.
She was born Dec. 1, 1933, in Sylva, N.C., and was the oldest child of Mary Katherine Clayton and Dewey Daniel Jones. Doris graduated from Sylva-Webster High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing.
She and John Sims Rhyne Sr. were married in February 1958 and made their home in LaFayette, Ga., for 42 years. She was a member of LaFayette United Methodist Church where she taught children’s Sunday School for many years. She was involved in numerous community activities and one of her greatest passions was bridge. She and John enjoyed traveling extensively with dear friends both in the United States and abroad. They moved to Holly Springs, N.C. in 2000 to be closer to her daughter and family.
She is preceded in death by her stepfather, Carey Edward Queen.
Survivors include: Her loving husband, John; children, John Sims (Margaret) Rhyne Jr., Melissa (William) Rhyne Banks; grandchildren, John Sims (Lauren) Rhyne III, Anne Clayton Rhyne (Matthew) McCaul, Gordon Thomas Rhyne, Julia Louise Banks, Margaret Rhyne Banks; great-grandson, John Sims Rhyne IV; brother, Herman Jones; sister, Kathy Queen (Rick) Maples and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside service: Saturday, June 25, at 11 a.m. at the LaFayette Cemetery with Rev. David Autry officiating.
In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to the LaFayette United Methodist Church or Transitions Life Care, Raleigh, N.C.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Gladys Ann Dykes Burgess, 68 LaFayette
Gladys “Tincy” Ann Dykes Burgess, of LaFayette, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2016. She was 68.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Kathryn Kellett Dykes; daughter, Jennie Helton Jackson; sister, Gerry Key and brothers, Johnny and Jackie Dykes.
Survivors include: Her husband, Garry Burgess; daughters, Sunshine (Darin) Kelley and Michele (Travis) Wade; son, Rusty (Nikita) Helton; sister, Marthalean Dykes and brother, Billy Dykes all of LaFayette; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life gathering: Saturday, June 18, at 3 p.m. at her home, 6100 Chamberlain Road, LaFayette, Ga.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
James Edward Crews, 71 Trion, Ga.
James “Jim” Edward Crews, of Trion, Ga., passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016. He was 71.
He was born March 24, 1945, to the late Barney Lee and Avis Elizabeth Walker Crews. James retired as store manager for Save-A-Lot in Summerville, Ga.
He was a Vietnam veteran and received the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal and two Good Conduct Medals.
Jim was a graduate of Georgia Southern University, taught school in Armuchee, Center Post and Naomi, coached many sports teams and was a recreation supervisor for Hayes Correctional Facility.
Jim pitched for the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team and also umpired. He enjoyed many hobbies, was very talented in art and music and made guitars by hand.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lavonne Crews and first wife, Vicki Crews.
Survivors include: His wife of 27 years, Robin Otting Crews; daughters, Joanna and Caroline Crews of Chattanooga; sons, Michael Smith of Ringgold and Nat Smith of Trion; sisters, Sara Crews of Atlanta, Joyce (Wallace) Brown of White, Ga., Ameila and Orion; brothers, Jerry (Cheetah) Crews of Tampa, Fla., and Donald (Susan) Crews of Winterville, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Monday, June 13, from 6-8 p.m.
Funeral service: Tuesday, June 14, at 11 a.m. at Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Donald Crews officiating.
Burial: LaFayette City Cemetery.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Brenda Kay Lasley Frazier, 56 LaFayette
Brenda Kay Lasley Frazier, of LaFayette, passed away Monday, June 13, 2016. She was 56.
Survivors include: Her husband, Eugene Frazier of LaFayette; daughter, Cindy Newby of Brayton, Tenn.; sisters, Debora Ritchie of Flemingsburg, Tenn., and Patricia Jackett of Pikeville, Tenn.; granddaughter, Kassie Newby and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Friday, June 17, from 2 p.m. until service time.
Funeral service: Friday, June 17, at 4 p.m. at Wilbanks Memorial Chapel.
Burial: Estelle Cemetery.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Lee Stratton Anderson, 90
Longtime Chattanooga News Free Press publisher Lee Stratton Anderson died Thursday, June 16, in Atlanta.. He was 90.
He began a 70-year career at the Chattanooga Free Press where he was hired as a reporter at age 16 when World War II had decimated the newsroom’s staff.
Over the years he wrote feature stories and worked every news assignment from police to business to courts, before covering the Tennessee legislature and politics at all levels of government, including five national presidential conventions.
He was named editor of the Free Press in April 1958, after writing many of the editorials as associate editor since 1948. Mr. Anderson was named president and publisher of the Chattanooga Free Press in June 1990.
Following the sale of the afternoon Chattanooga Free Press in 1998 and its merger with the morning Chattanooga Times in 1999, he continued as editor of the Free Press editorial page.
He traveled the world, often to global hotspots, returning with news accounts for his readers. He was a civilian guest on a Navy tour when the Cuban missile crisis occurred in 1962. His ship became a part of the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Communist Cuba. He was taken aboard a Navy destroyer escort in the middle of the night to be returned to the United States. His stories were the first eyewitness news accounts from that naval blockade.
As an editor, he was a political independent, while always espousing a strong conservative viewpoint. As a supporter of President Ronald Reagan, he was invited a number of times to press briefings with Cabinet members at the White House.
Mr. Anderson’s editorials expressed patriotic principles and Christian values. He received 28 Freedoms Foundation awards, including the national awards in 1979 and in 2001.
Other recognitions included the Andrew Jackson Award from the Tennessee American Legion in 1963; the Liberty Bell Award from the Chattanooga Bar Association in 1968; the News Media Award from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Officers Association in 1970; the Freedom Award by the Sertoma Club in 1970; the “In God We Trust” Family Foundation Award, with his wife, Betsy, in 1980; the Arthur Vieth Memorial Free Enterprise Award in 1980; the DAR Medal of Honor from the five Chattanooga DAR chapters in 1984; the Monroe Doctrine Editorial Award in 1987; the Freedom of Mobility Award from the National Auto Dealers in 1990; the Governor’s Outstanding Tennessean Award from Gov. Ned McWherter in 1992; the local Citizens Taxpayers Association’s first Taxpayer’s Friend of the Year award in 1992; the Goodwill Industries first Goodwill Ambassador of the Year award in 1993; the Silver Beaver Award from the Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1994; and the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2003.
He received the Chattanooga Kiwanis Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 1995 for community service.
He was selected king of the Chattanooga Cotton Ball in 1994.
Mr. Anderson was born in Trenton, Ky., on Dec. 15, 1925. He lived in Nashville from age 2 to 4 and became a Chattanoogan in 1930.
As a boy he carried a newspaper route. On two occasions as a youth, he won Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Awards. As a Boy Scout at age 13, he was one of the youngest to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.
Mr. Anderson attended Glenwood Elementary School, where he started a school paper. He attended Brainerd Junior High, and was a 1943 graduate of Chattanooga High School, where he served on the school newspaper. He was the band drum major and was a captain in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps .
He graduated from the University of Chattanooga in three years, interrupted by 21 months of service in the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program. He was president of the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and chairman of the Honor Council Indoctrination Committee.
In 1996, he was inducted as an honorary member of the Golden Key National Honorary Scholastic Society. In 1998, he was inducted into the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Alpha Society and received UTC’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He also served on the University of Chattanooga Foundation board.
He led in bringing the Sigma Chi fraternity to the University of Chattanooga and was its first president. Later, he led in acquiring the chapter house on Oak Street and was a president of the Sigma Chi Alumni Association. In 1993, he received the national Sigma Chi fraternity’s “Significant Sig” award.
Mr. Anderson was a student of history and particularly enjoyed the history of the War Between the States. He had grown up near the base of Missionary Ridge, a major battlefield in 1863, and had climbed all over Missionary Ridge as a youth. He later built two homes on its crest.
In 1963, he was named as a member of the U.S. Civil War Centennial Commission Advisory Council, and was chairman of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Civil War Centennial Committee. He arranged for a mock battle by high school military cadets on the centennial of the Missionary Ridge assault, but it was canceled in the wake of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
In 1957, he, with
friend Pendell Meyers, conceived a tourist attraction that featured 5,000 miniature figures showing the battles in the Chattanooga campaign of the War Between the States. It was called Confederama.
Later, the two opened a similar historic attraction in Gatlinburg, telling of the Cherokee Indian removal in 1838. It was known as “The Trail of Tears.”
Mr. Anderson had been honored for 70 years with the same newspaper when he retired on April 18, 2012, at age 86.
On June 10, 1950, he married Betsy Anderson, daughter of Roy McDonald, who founded the Free Press that later became the News Free Press.
Mr. Anderson, who was known as “Tat” to family members, made a number of trips around the world, and he was a staunch friend of Israel and Taiwan. A great adventurer, he loved to ski and to play tennis.
He was the adult Sunday School teacher for many years at his beloved First Presbyterian Church. He brought Ben Haden, a former newspaperman, to First Presbyterian and they were staunch friends.
Mr. Anderson was also active in a number of civic endeavors, including the United Way. He was a longtime member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club. He was also a leader in the Red Cross, and a small park was named in his honor in Fort Wood.
Senator Bob Corker said, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of an exceptional Tennessean and a Chattanooga icon. Lee Anderson’s impact on our city through his many roles at the paper, his civic service, and his passion for serving others, cannot be overstated. I am fortunate to have known him most of my adult life and will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with the Anderson family, his former colleagues at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, and all those across our city and state who were touched by his life.”
Senator Lamar Alexander said, “I never knew a more principled or hardworking newspaperman than Lee Anderson. He was usually in his office at the Free Press at 4 a.m. pounding out conservative editorials. He was unfailingly polite and professional. It was a privilege to know him and to read his tightly written opinions. He made an enormous contribution to Chattanooga and to Tennessee.”
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said, “Lee Anderson served this region for decades, we deeply appreciate his community service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Survivors include: His wife, Elizabeth Williams “Betsy” McDonald Anderson; two daughters, Corinne (Jeff) Adams and Stewart Anderson, both of Atlanta; a grandson, Sam Adams; a granddaughter, Dr. Claire Adams; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Visitation: Monday, June 20, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.
Funeral services: Monday, June 20, at 2 p.m.
Burial ceremony: National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., open to the public.
Arrangements: Heritage Funeral Home.
Marcus M. Hale, 92 Chattanooga
Capt. Marcus Milburn Hale, of Chattanooga, died Tuesday, June 7, 2016, in an area nursing home. He was 92.
Born July 30, 1923, he was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and as a tank commander during the Korean War.
Mr. Hale was of the Baptist faith and attended college under the GI Bill, graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. He retired from Pitney Bowes after a career as an award-winning salesman, primarily in the Sarasota, Lakeland, Tampa and St. Peterburg areas of Florida.
In addition to his salesmanship, he was an avid tennis player and accomplished ballroom, round and square dancer.
Mr. Hale also enjoyed travel with Elder Hostel, visiting many states and universities as well as Cuba and Germany.
He was preceded in death by parents, Marc and Nora Hale, and sisters, Jessie Brewer, Jean Balf and Blanche Balf.
Survivors include: His sister, Kathryn O’Neal of Chattanooga; niece, Linda Roach of Philadelphia and nephews, Gordon (Martha) Brewer of Ellijay and Mike (Jane) O’Neal of Chickamauga.
Arrangements are by Covenant Funeral & Crematory, Crox family owned and operated, CovenantFuneral.com.