Obituaries

Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.

Steve Lynn Wetzel, 66, Ringgold

Steve Lynn Wetzel, 66, of Ringgold, left his earthly home on Monday, September 18, 2017, to take the hand of Jesus, be reunited with his Dad after 44 years, and say hello to his older brother he never met.

Steve attended Lakeview High School and still remained in contact with many of his friends from school. He retired from Victory Sign Company. Steve was a member of Frawley Baptist Church and a former member of Philadelphia Baptist Church.

Steve will always be remembered for the wonderful gardens he planted each year as well as his love for sharing the vegetables. He had a heart bigger than he was when it came to helping others. He will always be remembered for loving to pull a good joke on family and friends. His laughter was contagious. His love for his family and friends was beyond measure.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Granville “Bud” Wetzel and brother, Jimmy David Wetzel.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie Maupin Wetzel, Mother, Elizabeth Wetzel, children, Jennifer (Brian) Hinkle, Steven (Tiffany) Wetzel, Laura (Russell) Ariks, Greg (Gloria) Dagnan, 5 grandchildren, 1 greatgrandchild. Sisters, Ann (Stan) Oliver, Cathy (Butch) Ford, Cindy (Steve) Carter, and many other loved ones and close friends.

Celebration of Life Service: Friday at 2pm in the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home.

Interment: Lakewood Memory Gardens South.

Condolences may be sent to www.lanesouthcrestchapel.com.

Visitation: Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday 10a.m. until the funeral hour at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, located at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.

Don I. Mielke Jr., 70, Rossville

Don I. Mielke Jr., 70, of Rossville, passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.

Graveside services: Monday, September 25th at 1:00 p.m. at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park with Father Bill Williams officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at lanesouthcrestchapel.com.

Arrangements: South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.

Elsie Roach Womble, 93, LaFayette

Elsie Roach Womble, age 93, of LaFayette passed away Monday, September 18, 2017.

She was a member of Chamberlain Road Full Gospel Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Odell Womble; sons, David Womble and Richard Womble; parents, James Roach and Emaline Sweet Roach; six brothers and seven sisters.

She is survived by her daughters, Doris Hicks of Chickamauga, Thelma (Jimmy) Raines of Chickamauga, Carol (Timmy) McKamey, and Felicia Espy; sons, Luther Womble of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., Johnny (Barbara) Womble of Hixson, Tenn., Robert Womble of Chickamauga, Charlie (Rhonda) Womble of Flintstone, Tommy (Darlene) Womble of LaFayette, Glenn (Darlene Simpson) Womble of Chickamauga, and Dennis (Susie) Womble of Chickamauga; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Friday, September 22, 2017 in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ed Hise and Pastor Roger Gray officiating.

Interment: Coulter Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Dennis Womble Jr., Ben Bartley, Brandon Pilgrim, Josh Songer, Hunter Bagley, Matt Hicks, Donnie Hicks, and Labron Songer. Honorary pallbearer: Jimmy Raines.

Visitation: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

Annette Martin Huggins, 88, LaFayette

Annette Martin Huggins, age 88, of LaFayette passed away Monday, September 18, 2017.

She was employed by E.T. Barwick Mills as a payroll supervisor for over 20 years. Annette was an active member of the First Baptist Church of LaFayette and served in many capacities. These included serving as financial secretary and church hostess for over 20 years, and later serving as WMU Director for many years. Over the years she served on the Kitchen Fellowship Committee, Flower Committee, Trustee Committee, Nursery Committee, Greeters Committee, and Budget Planning. Annette was a member of the Seekers Sunday School Class. She also served as a volunteer with Hutcheson Hospice.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Waymond Cecil “Sonny” Huggins; parents, Philip and Essie Hegwood Martin; and brother, Jerry Martin.

She is survived by her son, Marty Huggins; sister, Zealiane “Zee” Martin both of LaFayette; grandchildren, Charlie (Christy) Huggins, Brad (Sarah) Huggins, and Ben Huggins; great grandchildren, Jud, Sawyer, Andrew, and Anna Kate; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service: 1 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of LaFayette with Dr. Warren Moorhead officiating.

Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Chandler Martin, Phil Martin, Carl Martin, John Houston, Glenn Clark, and Ralph Waldrop. Honorary pallbearers: WMU and the Seekers Sunday School Class.

Visitation: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Flowers are welcome but donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

Family would like to extend special thanks to the individual caregivers Toni, Sue, and Shasta. Special thanks are also extended to Hospice of Chattanooga.

Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

Billy Ray Lancaster, age 81, of LaFayette left this earth peacefully on Sunday, September 17, 2017.

Billy Ray was employed by Walker County Transit for four years. His profession was a truck driver where he was employed by Barwick Mills for 26 years, Queen Carpet for 25 years, Syntec Industries and Shaw Industries for many years.

He was an avid golfer and bowler. He enjoyed bluegrass music, dirt track racing and pitching horseshoes. He was also a member of the Last Day Round-Up Church in LaFayette.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Shirley Penson Lancaster; parents, C.R. and Gladys Lancaster; brother, Horace Lancaster; and sister, Helen Lancaster Bandy.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine Lancaster of LaFayette; son, Tommy Ray Lancaster (Jason) of LaFayette; daughter, Sherry Lancaster Shelton (Graylin) of Flat Rock Ala.; stepdaughters, Teresa Gooden and Regina Collins; and stepson, Johnny Collins Jr.; sister, Betty Lancaster Kirby of Greenville, S.C.; grandchildren, Jessica Brooke Davis (Wesley), Adam Shelton (Amanda), Billy Ray Shelton, and Bobby Earl Shelton (Brittany); great grandchildren, Rylee and Buck Davis, Addison and Austin Shelton, and Boone Shelton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastors Donnie Trammell and Fred Greene officiating.

Interment: LaFayette City Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Adam Shelton, Billy and Bobby Shelton, Johnny Peace, Jeff Lancaster, and James Spence.

Visitation: At the funeral home Tuesday from 5 p.m. -9 p.m.

Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Moore Todd, 48, LaFayette

Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Moore Todd, age 48, of LaFayette passed away Saturday, September 16, 2017.

She was preceded in death by her son, Steven Ray Todd.

She is survived by her parents, Richard “Ed” Moore and Joyce York Moore of LaFayette; son, Jason Todd of Griffin, GA; sisters, Michelle Barnett and Tammy Moore of LaFayette, Sherri (Pastor Charles) Lee of Villanow, and Theresa (Mark) Ellington of Griffin, GA; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service: 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastors Charles Lee and Tim Redden officiating.

Interment: LaFayette Memory Gardens.

Visitation: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Arrangements: Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

Thomas Garry Kimble Jr., 58, Sevierville, Tenn.

Thomas Garry Kimble Jr., 58, of Sevierville, TN, (formerly of LaFayette) died Sept. 15, 2017, due to complications from West Nile Viral Encephalitis.

Tommy was a 1977 graduate of LaFayette, GA High School and attended the University of Georgia and Dalton State College. He worked in the construction business and previously worked for FEMA. He was an avid UGA sports fan.

He is survived by his mother, Gayle Giles Kimble of Lexington, SC; his father, Thomas Garry Kimble, Sr., and step-mother, Edna Kimble, of Pigeon Forge, TN; brother,

Robert Vinson Kimble of Sevierville; sister, Allison (Scott) Kimble Floyd of Lexington, SC.; special friend Vicki Shields of Knoxville; two step-sisters, plus uncle, aunts, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Graveside service: 2:00 pm, Sunday, Sept 17th at the LaFayette GA City Cemetery, with the Rev. David Autry and the Rev. Randall Massengill officiating.

Following the service, the family received friends at the LaFayette First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 301 South Main St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tommy’s memory to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) c/o the LaFayette Methodist Church or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 East Faris Rd, Greenville, SC 29605.

Arrangement: WallisWilbanks Funeral Home of LaFayette.

Phillip Lee Burse, 84, Rossville

Phillip Lee Burse, 84, of Rossville, Georgia passed away on Friday, September 22, 2017.

He was one of the honorable founding members of the Golden Trumpets for fifty-seven years. He was retired from Chattanooga Coke and Chemical and was

a member of Cove Road Church of God.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jacob Burse, mother, Rosie Dallas Burse, sister, Esther Burse Careathers, and brothers, Elijah Burse, Joseph Burse, and Artis Burse.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Bertha Katheleen Burse; sons, Rev. Jerry Lee (Cynthia) Burse, Dea. Donnie Burse, Aaron (Peggy) Burse, and Steve Burse of Rossville, Georgia; grandchildren; brothers, James Burse, J. L. (Flossie) Burse of LaFayette, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Homegoing service: Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Cove Road Church of God, 616 North Chattanooga Street, LaFayette, Georgia, with Pastor James Brown and other ministers officiating.

His remains will lie in state at the funeral home on Wednesday after 11:00 A.M.

Visitation: At the church one hour before the service.

Interment: Naomi Cemetery.

Please share your thoughts and memories of Mr. Phillip Lee Burse at www.willisfuneralhomedalton.com.

Arrangements: Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia.