OBITUARIES
Gladys Mae Stephens, 89, Ringgold
Gladys Mae Stephens, 89, Ringgold, Ga., went home to be with the Lord, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, in a local health care facility.
She was born April 1, 1927, a daughter of the late Bert and Fannie Stone Williams.
Mrs. Stephens was a member of the Ridgedale Baptist Church and was retired from Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department where she served as a Bailiff for 17 years.
Gladys was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years Wayne Lebron Stephens and a sister Margaret Nutt.
Survivors include: her children Michael (Patricia) Stephens of Hixson and Jan (Darrell) Moses of Ringgold; grandchildren Chris Stephens, Ashley (Kyle) Stephens, Tonya (Ben) Cornett, Marc (Amy) Moses and Whitney (Drew) Hood; greatgrandchildren, Ansley Cornett, Shelby Moses, Kylie Hood, Trent Cornett and Addison Moses.
Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Home.
Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Bill Owens officiating.
Burial: Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catoosa County Stocking Full of Love program % Sheriff Gary Sisk 5842 Hwy 41, Ringgold Ga. 30736.
Online guestbook available at heritagebattlefield.com.
Arrangements: Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.
Robert Edward “Eddie” White, 65, Rock Spring
Robert Edward “Eddie” White age 65, of Rock Spring, GA went home to be with The Lord Tuesday afternoon – February 28, 2017. He was born in LaFayette, Georgia to the late Robert Earl White and Fannie Ruth Parker White. He had resided in Rock Spring, Georgia for most of his life. He retired from The State of Georgia Department of Corrections where he was a lieutenant. He was the former Chaplain for the Georgia Correction Officers Association. He also was the former owner/operator of White Trucking Company and a former Georgia Emergency Medical Technician with Wilson Ambulance Service. He was a member of Center Grove Baptist Church in Rock Spring, GA. He enjoyed camping and woodworking. He is survived by his daughters: Maranda White of Rossville, GA, Amy White Perry of Rock Spring, GA, grandchildren: Robert Lane Perry, Elizabeth “Libby” Perry and Emma Sweeten. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm prior to the service. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday – March 4, 2017 in the chapel with Pastor David Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Rock Spring Cemetery. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes – LaFayette Chapel. Online guestbook at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Margaret Roberts Smith, 98, LaFayette
Margaret Roberts Smith, age 98, of LaFayette died early Wednesday, March 1, 2017 after many years with Alzheimer’s. She was a member of LaFayette Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, T.W. Smith; granddaughter, Gina Smith; sister, Juanita Whitson; and brother, Bill Roberts.
Survived by sons, Johnny Smith (Joyce) and Rickey Smith; daughter, Myra Kay Smith Randles (Raymond); grandchildren, Douglas Tucker, Johnna Smith Summar (Robbie), Barry Smith, Kelle Smith, Katie Smith, and Matt Hall; great grandchildren, Julia Summar, Jack Summar, Jessica Bell, Bailey Mann, Rowdy Tucker, Erica Smith, Callie Brooke Smith, Tanner Mays, and Jacey Baker; great-great-grandchild, Linley Bell; sisters, Reba Cantrell, Marlene Beasley, and Phyllis Shealey; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services Friday, March 3 at 2 p.m. in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel.
Interment to follow in LaFayette Memory Gardens.
Visitation at the funeral home Thursday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Family extends thanks to the staff of Shepherd Hills and Pruitt Hospice.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Shirley Odum Harris, 81, LaFayette
Shirley Odum Harris, age 81, of LaFayette passed away Friday, February 24, 2017. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Shirley worked for Salem Carpet for 20 years.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gary Wayne Harris; parents, Chester Odum and Alice Richardson Odum; sister, Christine Spears; and brother, Jimmy Odum.
Survivors are her loving husband of 67 years, Howard Harris; daughter, Tammy (Jerry) Hamilton; sons, Barry (Janice) Harris and Malcolm (Ann) Harris all of LaFayette; 11 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 26 at 3 p.m. in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastor William Harris and Pastor David Pettyjohn officiating.
Interment to follow in the LaFayette Cemetery with Pastor W. C. Pence officiating.
Pallbearers are Rusty Harris, Rocky Hamilton, Scott Hamilton, Neil Harris, Ace Bailey, and Wendell Hamilton.
Honorary pallbearers are Michael Hamilton, Justin Manis, Preston Harris, Chase Bailey, Austin Bailey, Brent Ingram, and Eric Murphy.
Visitation at the funeral home Saturday from 6 p.m. 9 p.m.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
William Boyce Keith Sr., 86, LaFayette
Mr. William Boyce Keith Sr., age 86 of LaFayette, Ga., died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at Parkridge East Hospital.
Mr. Keith was born Nov. 4, 1930, in Fort Payne, Ala., son of the late William Wallace and Margaret Dobbs Keith.
He was a deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Ridgeway Baptist Church for many years, and was well known for his knowledge and teaching of the Bible, especially the Book of Revelations.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as a supervisor with Barwick.
Mr. Keith was also a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Korean War, where he earned the Bronze Star Medal as well as the Purple Heart.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Mann Keith; brothers, Clyde Keith, Glenn Earl Keith, Seldon Keith, Billy Jack Keith and Melvin Keith; and a sister, Virginia Cordle.
Survivors include: son and daughter-inlaw, William Boyce Jr. and Jane Keith; daughters and sonsin-law, Donna Leshia (Darrell) Rhudy, Sherry Lynette (John) Lawrence; brothers, W. J. Keith, Troy Keith and Roger Keith; six grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Mr. Keith will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27. He will also be in state at Ridgeway Baptist Church from 2 p.m. until the hour of service on Tuesday.
Funeral: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, from the Ridgeway Baptist Church with Rev. Todd Smith and Rev. Robert Patterson officiating.
Burial: Ridgeway Cemetery.
Pallbearers: will be grandchildren.
Online guestbook available at www.masonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: Mason Funeral Home.
Jeffery Lamar Ball, 45, LaFayette
Jeffery Lamar Ball, age 45 of LaFayette, Ga., passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2017, surrounded by his family.
He was a lifelong resident of LaFayette and was of the Baptist Faith.
He was employed by Shaw Ind. In Chickamauga for over 24 yrs. and retired in 2016 from Pro Pex in Ringgold.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, who will be greatly missed.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Harold Lamar Ball and son, Harold Justin Lamar Ball.
Survivors include: his loving wife, Shannon Ball; mother, Sandra Elaine Bartlett; daughters, Jordan Taylor (Micah Vinyard) Ball, Jessi Marie Ball and Addison Duncan; sisters, Precillia (Shawn Pettyjohn) Farr, Missy (Dennis) Steele and Genny Goodman; one grandchild; special cousin, Helen “Sissy” Sipsy; special aunt and uncle, Betty and Kenneth Sipsy; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4-9 p.m. Thursday and prior to the service on Friday.
Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday, Mar. 3, in the funeral home chapel, with Bro. Stacey Evans, and Bro. Brent Childress officiating.
Burial: LaFayette Cemetery.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral HomeLaFayette.
Ronald Lee Walker, 69, Ringgold
Ronald Lee Walker, 69, of Ringgold, Ga., passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.
He lived in the Chattanooga and North Georgia areas for most of his life and was of the Methodist faith.
He was a United States Navy Veteran having served during Vietnam and was previously employed with Stower’s Equipment for many years.
He enjoyed working on genealogy and had a passion for working on and rebuilding old cars.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lavaughn Walker.
Survivors include: his loving wife of more than 21 years, Helen Geer Walker of Ringgold, Ga.; mother, Mary Walker of Flintstone, Ga.; brother, Donnie Walker of Chickamauga, Ga.; sister, Teresa Howard of Rossville, Ga.; nephews, Don Walker Jr. and Mickey Howard and numerous extended family and friends.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Graveside service: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Online guest book available at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
Ella Elem Swafford, 74, LaFayette
Ella Elem Swafford, age 74, of LaFayette passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Elem and Mary Aters Elem.
Survivors are her daughters, Lesia (Charles) Brown and Kay (Keith) McKin; sons, Russell (Pam) Swafford and Robert (Karen) Swafford all of LaFayette; sisters, Louise (Wayne) Day of LaFayette, Betty Jean (James) Wofford of Cleveland, TN, and Judy (Grover) Parham of Rome; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services Monday, February 27 at 2 p.m. in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastor David Pettyjohn officiating.
Interment to follow in the LaFayette City Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jason Pickard, Chris McKin, Shawn Pickard, Tony Swafford, Bobby Swafford, and Dewayne Schubert.
Visitation at the funeral home Sunday from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Kathy Terri Stanfield Quinn, 63, Rock Spring
Kathy Terri Stanfield Quinn, age 63, of Rock Spring passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017. Terri worked for the Walker County School System for many years. She was member of Peavine Baptist Church and a kindergarten Sunday
school teacher.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill Stanfield and Peggy Goodson Stanfield.
Survivors are her loving husband of 44 years, Jerry Quinn; daughter, Katie (Steven) Lowery of Rock Spring; son, Adam (Meg) Quinn of Norcross, GA; and grandchildren, Aubrey Quinn and Caroline Quinn.
Funeral services Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Denny Patrick officiating.
Interment in the Rock Spring Cemetery.
Visitation at the funeral home Friday from 5 p.m. 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peavine Baptist Church or to the Susan G. Komen Chattanooga at 6025 Lee Hwy, Suite 203 Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
Dorothy Schmitt Workman, 88, East Ridge, Tenn.
Dorothy Schmitt Workman, 88 of East Ridge, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. She was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area and was a member of Pathway Baptist Church. She was a member of The Eastern Star and was employed with Standard-Coosa Thatcher for more than 25 years and then became the Owner & Operator of her own Salon. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be truly missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles & Henrietta Schmitt; husband, Raymond Edwin Workman; sisters, Betty Atkins and JoEtta Harris and special friend, Louise Willhoit.
Survivors include her son & daughter-inlaw, David & Debbie Workman of East Ridge, TN; brothers, Leon Schmitt of Rossville, GA, Charles “Chock” Schmitt of Soddy Daisy, TN and Franklin Schmitt of East Ridge, TN; 3 grandchildren, Wendy WilliamsWebster, Holly West and Jeff Workman; 2 great grandchildren, Gracie West and Maddy Williams; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family & friends.
Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2017 in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Friday. Online guest book at www. wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, GA.
Walter Ernest Moore, 59, Lookout Mountain
Walter Ernest Moore, 59 of Lookout Mountain, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. He was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga & North Georgia areas and was a member of Lookout Mountain Missionary Baptist Church. He retired from Local Union #43 in 2016 after more than 40 years of service as a Pipefitter and enjoyed spending time playing golf. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Moore.
Survivors include his mother, Willene Deal Moore; son, Colton Walter Moore; siblings, Gary & Angel Moore and Deborah Veal and Don Uhls all of Lookout Mountain, GA; nephew, Jason & Cia Lindsey of Rainsville, AL; 2 great nieces and numerous extended family & friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017 in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Pastor Cecil Gravitt officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends after 3 p.m. Friday and prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Online guest book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, GA.
Patricia “Pat” Mae Wright (Ridings), 60, Rossville
Patricia “Pat” Mae Wright (Ridings), 60, formerly of Chattanooga, TN died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday March 2, 2017 at her home in Rossville, GA. Born May 31st, 1956 she attended Kirkman High School where she was on the cheer leading squad and loved playing softball which she continued to play on into adulthood. She was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed singing and was always putting others needs before her own. Pat enjoyed the simple things in life such as chatting on the phone and spending time with her family and friends, especially her daughters and grand daughters. She loved to buy jewelry and other things from Avon for friends and family. She also loved collecting butterfly decor for her home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jackie Ridings Sr., and Mary Shearer (Moore); Grandmother Lena Sullivan and sister, Sally Cope.
Survivors include her daughters & sons-inlaw, Lisa (Chris) Winston of Rossville, GA., Kandy (James) Johnson of Murfreesboro, TN.; Granddaughters Skyla Hunter of Rossville, GA, and Morgan Hunter of Murfreesboro , TN.; Brothers, Ronnie (Diane) McConathy of Ringgold, GA. Dickie (Brenda) McConathy of Fort Oglethorpe, GA. Wayne (Jody) McConathy of Ringgold, GA. Jackie (Gail) Ridings of Rossville, GA; a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews; a host of close friends she considered sisters including a sister-in-law from a former marriage, Teena Kee (Morgan) of Rossville, GA. She was also known as “mom” or “nana” to several of her daughters and granddaughters friends including Kimberly Talley, Ebony Upshaw, Renee Parrish, Terry Wilson, and Tianna Gresham.
A Gathering will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Cowboy Church, 196 County Line Road, Rock Spring, Georgia. Online guest book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, GA.
Suzette Suzy Hunt Tarvin Keeton, 58, Chickamauga
Suzette Suzy Hunt Tarvin Keeton age 58, of Chickamauga, Georgia passed away on Tuesday February 28, 2017. She was born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia to the late Frank DeForrest Tarvin and Virginia Louise Memaw Neeley Tarvin. She was a lifelong resident of Chickamauga and loved being a caregiver to her family and friends. She was of the Baptist faith. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister: Debbie Culberson, brother: Frankie Tarvin, nephew: Eric Culberson, brotherin-law: Tony Keeton. She is survived by her children: Jada Keeton, son: Scott Keeton, their father: Stanley Keeton all of Chickamauga, GA, sisters: Carolyn Conners of Cleveland, TN, Teresa Buddy Turner, Rocky Tarvin both of Chickamauga, GA, grandchildren: Macee, Neeley Paige, Austin and Brailee Keeton, several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday March 4, 2017 at 4:00 pm in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the funeral home. Arrangements by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Online register book at www. wilsonfuneralhome.co