Obituaries
Ga., went home to be with the Lord Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. He was 102.
Mr. Swaggerty was born Dec. 3, 1914 in Bradley County Tenn. to the late Henry Newton Swaggerty and Dollie Swaggerty. He was the last living sibling of eight and was the oldest of five living generations. Mr. Swaggerty lived most of his life in the North Georgia area where he had been a plumber for over 50 years working for several companies in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area.
He was a charter member of Christian Worship Center having served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Choir Director, and Sunday School teacher. He was a man of faith and his passions in life were God, his family, music and playing the guitar and harmonica.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Swaggerty; two sons, Glenn and Doyle Swaggerty; five sisters, Dovie Hicks, Arizona Norman, Elvie Randolph, Virgil Torbett and Catherine Dale and two brothers, Clyde and Raymond Swaggerty.
Survivors include: His children, Rev. Harold and Becky Swaggerty of Rossville, Ga., Mickey and Mary Catherine Swaggerty of Mesquite, Texas, Linda and Allen Kaylor of Trinity, Ala. and Sharon and Kenneth Whitmire of Rossville, Ga.; daughters-in-law, Geneva Swaggerty and Clara Swaggerty, both of Rossville, Ga.; 23 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, great-greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel.
Funeral service: Friday at noon in the South Crest Chapel with Pastor Steve Swaggerty and Brother Gary Swaggerty officiating.
Burial: TN-GA Memorial Park.
Online guestbook available at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of Historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Grady Lee Wells, 73, Cedar Bluff, Ala.
Mr. Grady Lee Wells, of Cedar Bluff, Ala., passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at his residence. He was 73.
Mr. Wells was born in Trion, Ga., Aug. 15, 1943, son of the late William Grady Wells and Vera Mae Ware Wells.
He was employed as a millwright, working for Millwright Local 1263, in Atlanta for over 25 years.
He loved to fish and spending time at the lake.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Wells was preceded in death by a brother, Willie Lavoy Wells.
Survivors include: His daughter, Marcy Wells Cooper; brothers, Larry Wells, Danny Wells and Ronnie Wells; sisters, Barbara Simpson and Charlotte Hollingsworth; grandchildren, Colin Martin, McKenzie Black and Griffin Dobbs; great-grandson, Wyatt Martin, a greatgrandson that is due at any time, Wade Lee Martin and a number of nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Thursday from 5 p.m. until the service hour.
Memorial services: Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Helton officiating.
The family will hold a private committal service at a later date.
Online guestbook available at coffmanfh. net.
Arrangements: Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel.
Melvin E. Slatton, 86, Henagar, Ala.
Rev. Melvin E. Slatton, of Henagar, Ala. passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. He was 86.
Bro. Slatton was a member of and a former pastor of Chestnut Grove Baptist. He was also former pastor of Spring Hill Baptist, interim pastor at Friendship Baptist in Trenton, Ga. and retired from Lockheed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. W. B. and Minnie Slatton; brother, Nelson Slatton and sister, Deloris Massey.
Survivors include: His wife, Betty Hegwood Slatton; son, Eddie (Marion) Slatton; daughters, Brenda (Frank) Taylor and Mary Ann (Jim) Gibbs; sister, Joyce Fairchild; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a nephew; a niece and a great-niece.
Visitation: Thursday from 3-8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until service at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church.
Funeral service: Friday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m. at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Lea officiating.
Burial: will follow in adjoining cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Grace Benevolent Fund at Chestnut Grove.
Arrangements: Kerby Funeral Home in Henegar, Ala.
Elizabeth Nicole Childers Underdown, 36, Ringgold
Elizabeth Nicole Childers Underdown, of Ringgold, Ga., passed away Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Ringgold, Ga. She was 36.
She was born on March 19, 1980, in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., to Marie Brown Childers and the late Louis W. Childers.
Nicole graduated from Ringgold High School in 1998.
She enjoyed watching her boys play ball and watching UGA football and gymnastics. She was loved very much and will be missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Josh Childers and her aunt, Patti J. Childers.
Survivors include: Her husband, Corey Underdown; two sons, Cade Collins and Colt Underdown; grandparents, Harold and Nancy Brown; grandmother, Novella Childers; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 28, from 1-4 p.m. at Ringgold United Methodist Church.
Memorial service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 4 p.m. at Ringgold United Methodist Church. You are welcome to wear your favorite team colors to the service.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Education Fund for Cade Collins and Colt Underdown at First Volunteer Bank, 5102 Alabama Highway, Ringgold, Ga. 30736.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Home Wallis-Stewart Chapel, Ringgold.
Billie Elizabeth Tucker O’Neal Itani, 73, Ringgold
Billie Elizabeth Tucker O’Neal Itani, of Ringgold, Ga., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. She was 73.
She was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga and North Georgia areas and was of the Christian and Muslim faith.
She was completely devoted to her family and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Billie was a blessing to so many people and will be truly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Tucker; mother, Hazel Holland; son, James Flynn O’Neal Jr.; daughter, Debra Lynn Earl; brother, Elmer Glen Sonny Tucker Jr. and sister, Barbara JoAnn Mackey.
Survivors include: Her loving husband of more than 33 years, Imad Itani of Ringgold, Ga.; children, Pamela Denise Browning of La., Ryan Timothy ONeal of Ringgold, Ga. and Ahmad (LeAnne) Itani of Chattanooga, Tenn.; brothers, Freddie Tucker of Whitwell, Tenn., Roy Tucker of Crossroads, Tenn., James Tucker of Jasper, Tenn., Jerry Davis of Rossville, Ga. and Harold Holland of East Ridge, Tenn.; sisters, Barbara Wear of Ooltewah, Tenn., Connie Durham of Ringgold, Ga. and Sherrie Brown of Chattanooga, Tenn.; several grandchildren; several greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 26 after 1 p.m. and prior to the service Friday at the funeral home.
Funeral service: Friday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Pastor Johnny Yeoman officiating.
Burial: will be private.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Norma Faye Helton Cleghorn Hallman, 78, LaFayette
Norma Faye Helton Cleghorn Hallman of LaFayette, joined our heavenly Father Thursday morning, Jan. 19, 2017. She was 78.
The lovely Mrs. Hallman was born Jan. 30, 1938 and enjoyed almost 79 years of life and laughter.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Cecil Hallman and her parents, James and Bertha Helton and her siblings Jimmy and Jackie.
These with wonderful memories of her include her children, Susan (Mark) Oliver, Michael (Joyce) Cleghorn, Robin (Randy) Ray, Joel (Summer) Cleghorn and Lisa Cleghorn-Green, her step-children, Tammy Chance and Rebecca Kennedy; as well as 16 grandchildren and dozens of greatgrandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the funeral home Saturday, Jan. 21 from 1-4 p.m.
Online guestbook available at walliswilbanksfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Elaine Marie Kunzelman, 45, LaFayette
Elaine Marie Kunzelman, of LaFayette, Ga., went to be with the angels Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. She was 45.
She was born in Belvidere, Ill., but lived in LaFayette, Ga., most of her life. Elaine was a graduate of LaFayette High School, Class of 91.
Survivors include: Her parents, Lloyd and Sherrie Kunzelman of LaFayette; brother, Brian (Karen) Kunzelman of LaFayette; special nephews, Cameron Kunzelman of Atlanta, and Kane Kunzelman of LaFayette; special cousin, Janna of Nashville, Tenn.; several aunts, uncles and cousins in both Rockford and LaFayette also survive.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, Jan. 22 from 3-6 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life, with Pastor Vincent Cook officiating.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Kindred Hospital staff for their love and care.
Online guestbook available at walliswilbanksfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
William Cecil Cooke, 89, Fort Oglethorpe
William Cecil Cooke, age 89, passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at Rosewood Senior Living in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. He was 89.
Cecil was born Dec. 4, 1927, in Winston Salem, N.C.
He was a WWII Navy Veteran stationed in Japan.
Throughout his working career, Cecil worked in banking and sales. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and past president of the LaFayette Rotary Club.
One of his past time hobbies was singing in a Barbershop Quartet.
Cecil was a long-time member of LaFayette Presbyterian Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Fay Edwards Cooke.
Survivors include: His daughter, Mary Ellen Salmon of Richmond, Va.; brother, Jack Cooke (Patricia) of Greensboro, N.C. and devoted friends, Gene and Jean Skates of LaFayette.
Visitation: Tuesday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Graveside service: Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. in LaFayette Memory Gardens with Rev. Ken Waddell officiating.
Online guestbook available at walliswilbanksfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Goldon (Geneva) Hammett Starkey, 88, LaFayette
Mrs. Goldon (Geneva) Hammett Starkey, of LaFayette, Ga., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. She was 88.
She was born Jan. 1, 1929, to the late Gordon and Martha (Smith) Hammett in Chattooga County, Ga.
Goldon loved meeting new people and had an avid interest in family genealogy. She had been a member of both the Walker County Historical Society and the Chattooga County Historical Society.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Starkey; daughter, Jan Starkey Webb; granddaughter, Holly Brock and siblings, Myrtle Sanford, Eunice Railey, Clara Smith, R.L. Hammett, Pauline Chapman, Charles Bynum, Billy Bynum and Joann Kitchens.
Survivors include: Son, Jimmy (Diane) Starkey; daughter, Kathy Starkey Brock; granddaughters, Wendy (Steve) Pickard and Marylin (Ruben) Hernandez; great-grandson, Zach (Courtney) Allgood; great-greatgranddaughters, Brecklynn and Briley Allgood and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Thursday from noon-4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral: Thursday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. from the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Minister Michael Houston officiating.
Burial: LaFayette City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Online guestbook available at walliswilbanksfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Richard Doyle West, 71, LaFayette
Mr. Richard Doyle West, of LaFayette, Ga., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. He was 71.
Survivors include: Wife of 48 years, Thelma Mae Snider West of LaFayette; daughters, Tammy West of LaFayette, Barbara Davis of Summerville and Joaine King of Chatsworth; son, Charles West of Lyerly; sisters, Ann Wallin of Ala., Carolyn Brown of Ringgold, and Evelyn Meranda of Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 11 greatgrandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Visitation: Sunday from 1-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral: Monday, Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. from the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel.
Burial: Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
Online guestbook available at walliswilbanksfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.