Obituaries
“Dynomite” Copeland, James Milling, Patsy McRae, Walter Norman, Montene and Pete Scott, Arthur Harris, Pete Brooks, Dan, Bob and Ed Mullis for their love and care for our dad after mom passed away.
Visitation: Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel.
Funeral service: Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Fairview Baptist Church with Reverend Jim Bennett officiating. Mr. Dodd will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. at the church.
Burial: TN-GA Memorial Park with his grandchildren serving as pallbearers.
Honorary Pallbearers: will be the Dodd Brothers present and former employees and the local loafers.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Fairview Baptist Church at 108 North Jenkins Road Rossville, GA 30741.
Online guestbook available at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Julie Stargel, 66, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Julie Stargel, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017, in a local hospital. She was 66.
Ms. Stargel was born on Aug. 27, 1950 and has resided in Chattanooga all of her life.
She enjoyed watching Tennessee Vols football, playing darts, going to the beach and spending time with her family.
She was employed with South Side Saloon & Bistro in Chattanooga, where she worked as a cashier.
She is preceded in death by her parents Daniel J. and Mary Elizabeth Holland.
Survivors include: her sons, Billy (Marla) Holland and John (Sonya) Stargel; daughters, Jenni (L.G.) Stargel and Jamie Stargel; partner, Mike Ashby; 16 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.
A gathering of friends will be held from 2-6 pm on Saturday, April 15, at Lane South Crest Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be may made to www.gofundme. com/julie-stargelmemorial-fund.
Online guestbook available at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Kenneth Earl Brandenburg, 79, Lookout Mountain
Kenneth Earl Brandenburg, of Lookout Mountain, Ga., passed away peacefully at the Hospice of Chattanooga Center in Chattanooga, Tenn., Sunday, April 9, 2017. He was 79.
He was born in Mt. Sterling, Ky., to parents Kenneth C. and Mary Belle (Rice) Brandenburg, and was raised in Kentucky, Georgia, and New Jersey.
He attended the University of Kentucky and Georgia Tech, where he graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1960. After completing Officers Candidate School, he was stationed as a Naval Lieutenant in Alaska, was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for his performance as a liaison officer during the Alaskan Earthquake of 1964, and was assigned as assistant resident officer in charge of reconstruction in Kodiak, Alaska after the earthquake.
Ken moved his family to Signal Mountain, Tenn. and began his long career as an architect with the firm Derthick & Henley (now Derthick Henley & Wilkerson) in 1966. Ken was highly respected in his profession, was the Tennessee AIA (American Institute of Architecture) president in 1975, Member Emeritus of the Chattanooga Chapter of CSI (Contractors Specification Institute), and was recognized in January 2017 as the longest active member of the Chattanooga chapter. The Ken Brandenburg Award is still the highest award given annually in recognition of outstanding service given to this chapter.
Ken was very involved with both the Signal Mountain and Chattanooga communities. Ken served on the committee to help save the Walnut Street Bridge and on the Chattanooga Opera Board. Ken was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga for many years and supervised the building of the second story of the current church building.
Ken’s favorite spot was standing on a tennis court, and he cherished the comradery he experienced over many decades at the Racquet Club, Manker Patten Tennis Club and The Fairyland Club. He was infamous for his “dink” shot. He taught his son some valuable lessons on the court: never give up, fight to the end, and always be a gentleman. One of his Manker Patton friends stated he was always fun to be around, the type of person who could disagree with you without being disagreeable.
Survivors include: his wife, Anita (Mallicoat) Brandenburg; his sister, Mary Lynn Bradshaw (Lacy); his daughter, Wendy Brandenburg (Ryan) McNabb; his son, Eric Hamlin (Sandra) Brandenburg; his granddaughters Rebecca and Casey McNabb and grandson Trevor Brandenburg, his first cousin, Raymond (Betty) Hornback; his niece, Terilyn (Jim) Green; nephew Stephen (Kim)Bradshaw and his constant companion, Gabbye.
There will be a Celebration of Life and Reception held at the Fairyland Club on Friday April 28, 2017 at 3 pm. Guests are encouraged to bring their best “Brandenburg” story to share at the Celebration.
Online guestbook available at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Mary Lou “Betty” Cross, 80, Rossville
Mary Lou “Betty” Cross, of Rossville, Ga., went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 12, 2017. She was 80.
She had lived most of her life in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area and was a member of the Elkmont Baptist Church in Cleveland, Tenn.
She was a homemaker who loved her husband, children, and grandchildren dearly. She loved God, her church, shopping, working in her flower garden, and her pets Lucy and Baby. Mrs. Cross loved to be “on the go”, she always had a smile on her face, and would never complain of anything. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, James “Little” Doyle Cross; mother, Marie Harris; sisters, Sandy Massengale and Judy Harris; grandmother, Mattie Raines; and one great-grandchild.
Survivors include: her husband of 62 years, James “Sonny” Cross; five children, Vickie McElhaney of Ringgold, Kenneth (Lori) Cross of Chattanooga, Billy Cross of Rossville, Steve Cross of Goodyear, Ariz. and Martha (Sutton) Johnson of Ringgold; brother, Lee Dorton Harris; 13 grandchildren; 11 greatgrandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation: Monday from 4-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 11a.m. until the funeral hour at the South Crest Chapel.
Funeral service: Tuesday, April 18 at 1p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Brother Johnny Hood officiating.
Burial: Lakewood South Memory Gardens.
Online guestbook available at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of Historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Ruth Young Ross, 88, Chickamauga
Ruth Young Ross, of Chickamauga, Ga., passed away peacefully to meet her Lord and Savior Wednesday, April 12, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was 88.
Mrs. Ross was a native of Central, S.C., but spent the greater part of her life in the Chickamauga and the Fairview Community of Rossville.
She was a proud graduate of the 1946 class of Gordon Lee High School and a member of Victory Baptist Church.
She was employed with Peerless Woolen Mill and Crystal Springs Bleachery for several years, was a huge Chicago Cubs fan, enjoyed collecting recipes and couponing, and an honorary member of the Red Hat Society of Chattanooga.
Mrs. Ross was known as “Mama Ruth” to many of her neighborhood children and was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Young of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Verna Young of Chickamauga, Ga.; husband, Judson S. Ross Sr. and brother, James Young.
Survivors include: children, Nancy Ross Stinnett, Knoxville, Tenn., Winnie (Steve) Emrick, Chickamauga, Ga., Sherman (Debbie) Ross, Rockmart, Ga., Randy Ross, Knoxville, Tenn. And Jennifer (Troy) Renshaw, Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Misty (David) Yows, Nita Slatton, Brooke (Steve) Triplett and Zack (Ashley) Ross; four great-grandchildren, Chloe Brady, Judson Triplett, Jenna Triplett and James Slatton; sister, Elizabeth Thompson; several cousins, nieces and nephews; dear friends, Betty Dobbs and Tula Mae Campbell.
Visitation: Friday, April 14, from 4-8 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel.
Funeral service: Saturday, April 15, at 11 a.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Pastor Ernest Groce officiating.
Burial: for family only Monday at 2 p.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
A special thank you is extended to the wonderful caregivers at Parkside Nursing Home & Hearth Hospice.
Online guestbook available at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.
Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.
Deborah Denise Johnson Threlkeld, 61, Tunnel Hill
Deborah Denise Johnson Threlkeld, of Tunnel Hill, Ga., passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2017. She was 61.
A lifelong resident of the North Georgia area, she was a former employee of Shaw Industries and a member of Glory Road Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her father, Richard Gurney Johnson and mother, Willie Hazel Bennett Johnson Lynn.
Survivors include: two sons, Richard (Meagan) Threlkeld of Tunnel Hill, Ga. and Philip (Kim) Threlkeld of Sharpsburg, Ga.; sister, Theresa Wengert of Ringgold, Ga.; three brothers, Rick Johnson, Tony Johnson and Howard Johnson all of Ringgold, Ga.; three grandchildren, Riley Threlkeld, Max Threlkeld and Hud Threlkeld; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Saturday, April 15, 12-3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral service: will be held at 3 p.m.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Home Wallis-Stewart Chapel Ringgold.
Isaias “Sam” Alvarez, 87, Fort Oglethorpe
Isaias “Sam” Alvarez, of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2017. He was 87.
He was born in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, but lived in the North Georgia area for most of his life and was a member of St. Gerard’s Catholic Church.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War before retiring in 1970 after more than 23 years of service. After his military career he was employed with and retired from the United States Postal Service in 1990 after more than 10 years of service and dedication.
Sam enjoyed woodworking, being outdoors gardening and had a true passion for animals. His main focus in life was first and foremost his love for The Lord, his Wife, his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He was a loving and devoted brother, husband, father and grandfather who will be truly missed by all who knew him.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ursula Alvarez and several siblings.
Survivors include: his daughters, Eva (Dale) Parks of Ooltewah, Tenn. and Susie Alvarez of Rossville, Ga.; brother, Manuela Alvarez of Fla.; two sisters, Chepita Alvarez of N. J. and Vita Alvarez of Puerto Rico; two grandchildren and their spouses, Andrew and Dawn Parks and Amy and Ryan Long; great-grandchildren, Connor Parks, Gwyneth Parks and Emilia Rose Long and numerous extended family and friends.
Visitation: from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorial service: Saturday, April 15, at 1p.m. in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Father Bill Williams officiating.
Burial: Tuesday, April 18, at 12:30 p.m. in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Staff at Rosewood Assisted Living-Memory Care Unit, as well as Ashley Gorrell and Tapestry Hospice for their care and concern for the well being of Sam during this difficult time.
Online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome. com.
Arrangements: W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe.
David Anthony Green, 53, Tunnel Hill
David Anthony Green, of Tunnel Hill, Ga., passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017. He was 53.
He was a lifelong resident of the North Georgia area and was of the Baptist faith.
He was employed as a machine operator at Southern Industrial fabrics and loved being outdoors, fishing and gardening. He was a loving son, father, grandfather and brother, who will be dearly missed.
Survivors include: his parents, Raymond and Della Green of Ringgold, Ga; daughters, Keisha (Stephen) Henry of Flintstone, Ga. and Whitney Roach of Chickamauga, Ga.; sister, Regina Roberson of Tunnel Hill, Ga.;