Obituaries
GA 30240.
Online guestbook available at walliswilbanksfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Shirley Jean Hicks Hamilton, 75, LaFayette
Shirley Jean Hicks Hamilton of LaFayette, Ga., went home to be with The Lord Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. She was 75.
She was born in Ala., to the late Joel and Lily Gardner Hicks. She resided most of her life in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she and her husband owned and operated Stage Coach Inn, she also worked at the Holiday Inn. She resided in LaFayette, Ga., for the past 36 years where she worked at Hays State Prison, Ronile Industries, Synthetic Industries and Restaurant Enterprises.
She enjoyed cooking for others, working in her yard with her flowers and mowing it often. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and loved babysitting her great-grandchildren.
She was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed listening to gospel music.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James Leroy Hamilton; son, Ray Hamilton; grandson, Kevin Hunter; sister, Sue Jeffries and brother, Billy Hicks.
Survivors include: Her children, Marty (Claire) Hamilton of East Ridge, Tenn., Anthony (Shelly) Hood of Rock Spring, Ga., Randall (Fran) Hamilton of LaFayette, Ga.; brother, Donny (Evelyn) Hicks of Rainsville, Ala.; grandchildren, Adam Hood, Brittany Hood, Chase Hamilton, Cody Hamilton, Amber Turnipseed, Josh Hamilton, Dustin deVaux, Leanna Pettyjohn and Michael Brown; several greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 5-9 p.m. and Wednesday morning after 10 a.m. prior to the service.
Funeral service: Wednesday Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Lowell Cantrell officiating.
Burial: LaFayette Memory Gardens.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Homes LaFayette Chapel.
Swanson Ernest Edwards, 88, Rossville
Swanson Ernest Edwards, of Rossville, Ga., passed away Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. He was 88.
A native of Pulaski County, Va., he has lived in the Rossville area for 54 years and was formally of Memphis, Tenn.
He was a member of Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church where he was serving as Deacon Ameritus, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served during the Korean War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Minta Haga Edwards; wife, Mary Barrett Edwards; siblings, Dennis Edwards, Jenell Atway, Janice Ramsey.
Survivors include: His Children, Donald (Aggie) Edwards of Ringgold, Ga., Deborah (Jim) Benton of East Ridge, Tenn.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 4-8 p.m. and Wednesday until funeral time at the funeral home.
Funeral service: Wednesday, Jan. 11, at noon in the funeral home chapel.
Burial: Tennessee Georgia Memorial Park.
In Lieu of Flowers, the family request donations be made to Homestead Hospice.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Homestead Hospice, Comfort Keepers, and Home Comforts for all they’ve done for Swanson and the family.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Wanda Sue Stevens, 77, Chickamauga
Wanda Sue Stevens of Chickamauga, Ga., passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. She was 77.
She was born in Fyffe, Ala., to the late Lummie B. and Maude Fobbus Stevens. She was a former resident of Michigan and Atlanta, Ga., before moving to Chickamauga, Ga.
She worked for various veterinarians in the Atlanta area grooming and assisting with surgeries of dogs.
She was of the Baptist faith and a Christian.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, L.B. Steve Stevens and Mack Stevens; nephew, U.S. Army Steve Lance; great-nephew, Scott Lance.
Survivors include: Her guardian son, Jeremy Lawson of Chickamauga, Ga.; sister, Jo Stevens O’Neal of Chickamauga, Ga.; nieces, Jennifer (Steve) Tarvin of Chickamauga, Ga., Cynthia Lance of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. and Briggitt (Daymon) Garrett of Chickamauga, Ga.; nephew, Roger (Kim) Stevens of East Ridge, Tenn.; several great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the service.
Funeral service: Friday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Georgia State Representative Steve Tarvin officiating.
Burial: Chickamauga Cemetery.
Frankie Brooks, Steve Cox, Lance Tarvin, Roger Stevens, Daymon Garrett, Daniel Garrett, Jim Moon and U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Stihl Lance will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Homes Chickamauga Chapel.
Lois Sheffield Eckerd, 88
Lois Sheffield Eckerd, passed away Monday, Jan. 09, 2017. She was 88.
Mrs. Eckerd was born in Trinity, Texas, the daughter of the late Minnie Allen Sheffield and Oliver Sheffield.
She was retired from IBM as an administrative assistant.
Survivors include: Several nieces and nephews; brothers-inlaw, George Eckerd (Mary) and Kenneth Eckerd (Kathy).
Services will be private in Lufkin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Marsh House, 308 N. Main Street, LaFayette, Ga. 30728 or First Presbyterian Day School, 5671 Calvin Drive, Macon, Ga. 31210.
Online guestbook available at snowsmacon.com.
Arrangements: Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street.
Matthew Jon Bruce, 23, Rossville
Matthew Jon Bruce, of Rossville, Ga., went home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. He was 23.
He was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga and North Georgia areas and attended Lighthouse of the Word Church.
He was a graduate of Ridgeland High School Class of 2011 and had been working at Mellow Mushroom for the past few years as a manager.
He enjoyed playing video games and spending time with family and friends.
He was a loving and devoted son, brother and grandson who will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include: His parents, Bo and Lori Wilson of Flintstone, Ga.; sisters, Rebekah Bruce of Flintstone, Ga. and Ashley Wilson of Fort Payne, Ala.; grandparents, David and Sylvia Bruce of Flintstone, Ga.; greatgrandmother, Jean Miller of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two uncles, John (Amanda) Bruce of Chickamauga, Ga. and Flip (Tammy) Wilson of Trenton, Ga. and Matthew’s girlfriend, Emily Johnson.
Visitation: from noon until the time of service at the funeral home.
Funeral service: Monday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Bro. Mike Lowery officiating.
Burial: Old Antioch Cemetery.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Estell Doyle Houser, 79, Ringgold
Estell Doyle Houser, of Ringgold, Ga., left this world Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. He was 79.
He lived in the North Georgia area for over 50 years and was of the Baptist Faith.
Estell loved gardening and was a devoted husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy Houser; parents, Emory and Kathryn Houser, and several siblings.
Survivors include: His sons, Jerome Houser and Greg Houser of Ringgold; sisters, Wilma Steele of Chattanooga, Juanita Brooks of Birmingham, Ala. and Lila Cromwell of Chattanooga; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Monday, Jan. 9, from 5-8 p.m. and prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Funeral service: Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Dr. Rob Borders officiating.
Burial: TennesseeGeorgia Memorial Park.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Angela Gwen Sims, 49, Ooltewah, Tenn.
Angela Gwen Sims, of Ooltewah, Tenn., went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2016. She was 49.
She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Roy and Patsy Gibson; one brother, Roy Lynn Gibson.
Survivors include: Her daughter, Kristen (Zachary) Terrell; two brothers, Glenn (Candy) Gibson and Clint (Kat) Gibson; one granddaughter, Ella Terrell; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Sunday, Jan. 8, from 2-5 p.m. at the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel of Wilson Funeral Home.
Funeral service: Monday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Billy Christol officiating.
Burial: TennesseeGeorgia Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers the family has ask for contributions be made to her Go Fund Me Account@ www. gofundme.com/angelasims-cremation-funeral.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Mary Elizabeth Longshore, 49, Rossville
Mary Elizabeth Longshore, of Rossville, Ga., passed away Friday, Jan. 6 at a local hospital. She was 49.
Mary Elizabeth attended Peoples Baptist Church and loved helping others, picnics, traveling, gardening and growing vegetables.
She was a loving Mother and adopted everyone she met.
She was preceded in death by parents, Bryant and Juanelle Longshore; sister, Jan Longshore; brother, Richard Paul Longshore; and a twin.
Survivors include: Her daughters, Paula Langford, Alexis Longshore and Amanda Bunn; son, Dalton Longshore; brothers, Bryant R. Longshore Jr. and Bryant Emory Longshore; sisters, Kay Cunningham and Deborah Davis; grandchildren, Kaylee and Braden Bunn and several nieces and nephews as equal as her own children.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Online guestbook available at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Reverend Charles Whitney Smith, 79, Rock Spring
Reverend Charles Whitney Smith age 79, of Rock Spring, Ga., went home to be with The Lord Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. He was 79.
He was born in Mentone, Ala., to the late Houston Antel and Alice Vienna Matthews Smith. He resided most of his life in the Northwest Georgia area, where he worked for Reichhold Chemical Company for over 31 years.
He enjoyed woodworking and was a very talented carpenter. He was very intelligent, whether it be building out of wood or studying The Word of God, yet content being a simple man.
He was called to preach in 1960 and his ministry was Crossroad Revival Hour. He was a member of Cooper Heights Church of God.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Corene Grace Tishaw Smith; daughter, Charolette Smith and son, David Smith.
Survivors include: His children, Wanda (David) Arrington of Cleveland, Tenn., Donna (Tom) Carson of Rock Spring, Ga., Anthony Tony (Kristy) Smith of LaFayette, Ga.; sister, Hazel Wisener of Rainsville, Ala.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 12, from 4-9 p.m. and Friday morning after 10 a.m. prior to the service.
Funeral service: Friday, Jan. 13, at noon