OBITUARIES
Thomas Pendleton Carmon, Sr., age 84, of LaFayette passed away Sunday, August 30, 2020.
Thomas served in the Army National Guard. He was a member and deacon of the LaFayette First Baptist Church, a member of the Western Lodge #91 in LaFayette, and a member of the Chattanooga Scottish Rite Society. Thomas also retired from the Electric Department with the City of LaFayette.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Anderson Carmon and Annie Lee Davis Carmon; great grandchild, Ellie Claire Carmon; sisters Beverly Carmon, Katherine Carmon, Louise Carmon Brown Dodson, and Mary Carmon Harris; brothers, Andrew Carmon, Robert Carmon, and James Carmon, Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Nila Jo Townsend Carmon; sons, Tommy Carmon and Dan (Marsha) Carmon; grandchildren, Adam (Hannah) Carmon and Bailee (Marshall Robinson) Carmon; great grandchild, Cash Carmon; sister, Hattie Robinson Harvey; sister-in-law, Jewel Hall; several nieces and nephews also survive. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Homestead Hospice of Dalton.
Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastors, Derrick Fielder, David Thompson and Chaplain Steve Hart
Pallbearers are Adam Carmon, Marshall Robinson, Neal Johnson, Patrick StanBarry Jones.
Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to the LaFayette First Baptist Church building fund 201 N. Main St. LaFayette, Ga. 30728.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
LAMBORN, Bob
Robert Mabon “Bob” Lamborn, 92, a resident of LaFayette 1960-2017, died on Monday, August 31, 2020, at Franklin Manor Assisted Living in Winchester, Tennessee.
A native of Pennsylvania, Lamborn was a graduate of the University of Chattanooga and Louisiana State University. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. For a number of years, he was principal trombonist of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Lamborn taught in Calhoun and Cartersville before serving as band director at LaFayette High School and the area middle and elementary schools 1960-1988. During his tenure the band grew immensely in size and earned numerous superior ratings. He was honored with the Rotary Vocational Service Award, and with the STAR Teacher award at LaFayette High. Lamborn was a member of the LaFayette Presbyterian Church, serving as choir director for more than 30 years. He was a Rotarian and headed up the Empty Stocking drive for many years. Bob enjoyed music, woodworking and woodcarving, reading, and golf.
He is survived by his son, Rob (Amy) Lamborn of Sewanee, Tennessee; granddaughter, Caroline Lamborn; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Elinor Cole Lamborn.
Interment will be in LaFayette City Cemetery in a small family service.
A public memorial will follow at a later date. - tions are invited to LaFayette Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1193, LaFayette, Ga., or to the LaFayette Rambler Band Boosters, P.O. Box 1504, LaFayette, Ga. 30728.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
REMEMBER ME Remember me in quiet days, while raindrops whisper on your pane. But in your memories have no grief, let just the joy we knew remain. Remember me when evening stars look down on you with steadfast eyes. Remember if once you wake to catch a glimpse of red sunrise. And when your thoughts do turn to me, know that I would not have you cry. But live for me and laugh for me, when you are happy, so am I. Remember an old joke we shared; remember me when spring walks by. Think once of me when you are glad, and while you live, I shall not die.
— Author Unknown
I AM NOT THERE
Do not stand by my grave and weep, for I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am diamonds that glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush of am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.
— Author Unknown
Mary Lee Clinton Smitherman passed away peacefully at her home in LaFayette, Georgia on Monday, August 31. Mary was born in LaFayette on March 27, 1943. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Rebecca Ann Clinton of LaFayette, and by two sisters, Joan Scoggins of LaFayette, and Julia Ann O’Neal of Chickamauga.
Mary is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dr. Rusty Smitherman. She is also survived by a brother, Tommy Clinton of Arlington, Washington, and several nieces and nephews.
Mary was a proud graduate of LaFayette High School. Early in her career she worked at Modern Maid in Chattanooga and at the Walker County Board of Education. For almost half a century, Mary worked behind the scenes at her husband’s business, LaFayette Animal Clinic. She handled all the day-to-day bookkeeping responsibilities and also spent many an hour grooming the pets in their care.
Mary’s love for horses inspired her to pursue barrel racing. She attended the Martha Josie barrel racing school in Texas, and went on to compete in rodeos throughout north Georgia, north Alabama, and Tennessee. Her collection of belt buckles serves as a tribute to her love for the sport and to her success in the saddle.
Mary had a personal commitment to preserving the history of her hometown. For 10 years she served on the Board of Directors of the Marsh House, the historic Greek revival home just north of downtown LaFayette. She created a variety of fundraising events including Picnic on the Marsh and the Christmas Gala to help raise awareness and support for this iconic structure.
Mary had a servant’s heart she lived her life. Only those close to her know how many times she came along side family and friends who had terminally ill spouses. Mary was blessed with the gift of knowing how to minister to their needs, easing the burden of the caregiver. the Hispanic culture. She loved their music, their style of dress, and their language. The Mexico exhibit at Epcot was her favorite Disney attraction. She taught herself how to speak Spanish which put her in a position to help Hispanic students learn English as their second language. Mary took several students under her wing, helping them overcome their language barriers.
The honorary pallbearers are Kipp Brown, Billy Burrows, David Giammona, Eduardo Ibanez, Levi Jones, and Scott Scoggins.
A private graveside service is being held at the LaFayette contributions may be made to the Christian charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
— John Lennon
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, among the state’s most powerful political leaders, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Doug Collins in his run for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.
Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, handed Collins his endorsement Thursday, Sept. 1, in an announcement that characterized the four-term congressman from Gainesville’s conservative values as “like a tree planted by the water.”
“[Collins] and his family live those values every single day: a strong Christian faith, a tireless work ethic and a public servant who serves with honor and integrity,” Ralston said in a statement.
Collins has been battling for months with U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., over which of the two Republican candidates represents the most conservative pick in the upcoming special election on Nov. 3.
Loeffler, an Atlanta businesswoman appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill Isakson’s seat until the election, has long pushed staunchly conservative stances while attacking Collins’ background as a criminal defense attorney and voting record with Democratic favorite Stacey Abrams in the state legislature.
A Loeffler campaign spokesman dismissed Ralston’s endorsement late Thursday, Sept. 3, and highlighted controversy swarming the House speaker over reports he has frequently used his legisla
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jon Ossoff raised more than $4.7 million last month, a total his campaign said marked the highest single-month fund-raising total of any Georgia candidate in Senate history.
“Georgians from all walks of life are united behind Jon’s message of rebuilding an economy that supports flourishing small businesses and working families, attacking the rampant corruption in Washington and ensuring every Georgian has affordable and accessible health care,” Ellen Foster, Os
U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., picked up endorsements Friday, Sept. 4, from three former Georgia Republican senators, including the lawmaker he succeeded in Congress.
Supporting Perdue are former Sens. Johnny Isakson, who retired from Congress at the end of last year; Saxby Chambliss, who left Washington in 2014 to be succeeded by Perdue; and Mack Mattingly, elected in 1980 as Georgia’s first Republican U.S. senator since Reconstruction.
“For the better part of five years, I had the honor of working directly with David to represent Georgia in the United States Senate,” Isakson said. “I’ve seen firsthand how dedicated he is to improving our health care system, taking care of our veterans and expanding opportunities for our young people. We need David Perdue to keep fighting for us in the Senate.”
The show of unity behind Perdue is in sharp contrast to Georgia’s other U.S. Senate race, which has divided Republicans.
Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., late last year to succeed Isakson on an interim basis, and the governor continues to back her, as does Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Attorney General Chris Carr.
Other GOP leaders, including Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, are supporting U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, a former member of the General Assembly who is leaving the House to run for the Senate. Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, endorsed Collins on Thursday.
Former Gov. Nathan Deal hasn’t endorsed either Loeffler or Collins but attended a Collins rally last week in Gainesville.
Unlike Perdue’s reelection bid against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff, which is limited to two major-party candidates, Loeffler and Collins are locked in a freefor-all contest that includes multiple Republicans and Democrats.
Some Republicans pushed during this year’s General Assembly session to set up a June primary for Loeffler’s seat to avoid pitting two or more GOP candidates against each other on the general election ballot in November but were unsuccessful.
Perdue also landed an endorsement Friday from Nancy Coverdell, the widow of former Republican U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell, who served from 1993 until his death in 2000.