Obituaries
Rev. Thompson
Rev. Ernest V. Thompson, age 86, of Cedartown, passed away Saturday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2016.
Rev. Thompson was born on March 5, 1930 in Alexander, Ala., a son of the late Erastus Clyde Thompson and the late Hattie Anderson Thompson.
In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a brother, Forrest Thompson.
Rev. Thompson was retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company following forty years of dedicated service.
Early in his life he felt God calling him to preach the gospel. Rev. Thompson accepted the call to preach in 1958 and in 1959 he was licensed as a ordained minister.
For many years he was a Congregational Methodist minister. Later in life he attended the Mountain Home Baptist Church.
Rev. Thompson is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Mrs. Molly Newton Thompson; his sons and daughter in law, Keith Thompson and Stanley and Mimi Thompson; his brothers and sisters in law, Bill and Nellie Thompson and Arvil and Betty Thompson; his sister and brother in law, Patricia and Charles Williams and his grandsons, Josh Thompson and Justin Thompson. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral Services for Rev. Earnest Thompson were conducted on Tuesday morning, Nov. 1, 2016 at 11 a.m. from the Chapel of the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Rice and Rev. Anthony Trawick officiating.
Interment followed in the North View Cemetery with Dr. DeWayne New conducting the committal.
The Thompson family received friends on Monday evening, Oct. 31, 2016 at the Litesey Funeral Home.
The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Josh Thompson, Justin Thompson, Henry Newton, Barry Newton, Ted Smith and Jimmy Smith.
For Personal condolences and to sign the online guestbook, please visit liteseyfh.com.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Rev. Earnest V. Thompson.
Mrs. Collins
Mrs. Mary Ruth Astin Collins, age 92 of Centre, Ala., passed away on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016.
She was born on Sept. 24, 1924 in Polk County, the daughter of the late Weyman and Mayme Barrett Astin.
Mrs. Collins is survived by her son, Tommy Collins; sisters, Fay Corley and Shirley Mitchell; brother, H.B. “Dickey” Astin and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Collins is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hubert Lamar Collins and brothers, W.N. Astin, Norman Douglas Astin, Dwight Stanley Astin and Charles Astin.
A graveside service for Mrs. Mary Ruth Astin Collins was conducted on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Polk Memory Gardens Cemetery with Mr. Larry Astin officiating.
The family of Mrs. Collins received family and friends on Sunday, October 30, 2016 prior to the service hour at the Gammage Funeral Home.
The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Morris Collins, Wes Astin, Mike Astin, David Astin, Wayne Truett and Mark Parkinson.
The family has respectfully requested that flowers are to be omitted and donations can be made to the Humane Society, 2430 36th Street, Northport, Ala., 35473 or the Autism Foundation of Alabama, 4217 Dolly Ridge Drive, Birmingham, Ala., 35243.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home handled the arrangements for Mrs. Mary Ruth Astin Collins.
Mrs. Clopton
Mrs. Lillian Faye Langston Clopton, age 68 of Cedartown, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016.
She was born on Aug. 6, 1948, the daughter of the late William Troy and Lillian May G. Langston.
A private memorial service for Mrs. Clopton will be conducted at a later time.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mrs. Lillian Faye Langston Clopton.
Mr. Temple
Mr. Robert Temple, age 91, of Cedartown, passed away Thursday, Oct. 27,2016.
He was born in Warren, Ark., on May 28, 1925, the son of the late William Webster Temple and the late Anice Wardlaw Temple.
Upon graduating college at Arkansas State Teachers College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Mr. Temple enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Tech 5 during World War II.
He deployed during the Pacific campaign where his division supported the military glider effort in Burma. He loved to recount of his experiences in Bhamo, Muse’, Lashio, and the troops with whom he served.
Mr. Temple transferred to Cedartown from Crossett, Arkansas in 1962 while working with Textile Paper Products. He worked as an accountant and comptroller with Banning Industries and Rome Industries where he retired.
Upon retirement, he was active in the VFW, served as a bailiff in the Polk County court system and spent countless hours in his wood working shop making furniture, bird houses and numerous other items for family and friends. Mr. Temple was also a faithful member of the Anna Kresge United Methodist Church.
Mr. Temple never met a stranger, drawing in everyone with his charm and quick wit. More than anything, he loved Sybil, his wife of sixty five years, his children, grandchildren, and extended family. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William Thomas Temple.
He is survived by his wife, Sybil Robbins Temple; daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Bobby Burkhalter; son, Robert C. Temple; daughter and son-in-law, Robbin and Jonathan Sloan; grandchildren, Josh Burkhalter, Erin Burkhalter, Will Sloan, and Claire Sloan.
Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the Anna Kresge United Methodist Church with Rev. Allen Carmichael officiating. The family received visitors prior to the service. Interment followed in the Greenwood Cemetery in Cedartown.
Pallbearers were Robert C. Temple, Bobby Burkhalter, Josh Burkhalter, Jonathan Sloan, Ronnie Womack, and Roy Palmer.
The Lester Litesey Funeral Home had charge of the arrangement for Mr. Robert Temple.
Mrs. Sanders
Mrs. Lottie Louise Gurley Selman Sanders, age 89 of Rockmart, passed away Wednesday morning, Oct. 26, 2016.
Mrs. Sanders was born Feb. 13, 1927 in Polk County, daughter of the late Julius Oliver Gurley and the late Lillie Mae Jones Gurley.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Rockmart and for over 40 years was owner and operator of Gurley Selman Florist.
Mrs. Sanders was preceded in death by her husbands, Mr. Robert Selman, Sr., father of her children on Dec. 25, 1983 and Mr. Jimmy Sanders on Oct. 6, 1996; daughter, Bettye Louise Selman Sanders; grandson, Kaleb Selman Garrison; and three sisters, Margaret Gurley Parker, Betty Gurley Mintz and Annette Gurley Hanson.
Survivors include a daughter, Merrie Noel Selman Montalvo and her husband Antonio; son, Robert (Bobby) Selman, Jr. and his wife Kathy; brother, Bobby Gurley all of Rockmart; seven grandchildren, Tish Selman Terry, Shani Selman Sumner, Robbie Sanders, Scott Sanders, Frankie Sanders, Kandle Garrison Pinkard and Kale Garrison Benefield; sixteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren also survive.
A celebration of life for Mrs. Sanders will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Rockmart with Rev. Jeanette Dickens officiating.
A eulogy will be given by Mr. Antonio Montalvo. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 152, Rockmart, Ga., 30153 in memory of Mrs. Sanders.
Please visit www.freemanharrisfunerals.com to extend personal condolences to the family by signing the online guestbook.
Freeman Harris Funeral Home is in charge of the memorial arrangements for Mrs. Lottie Gurley Selman Sanders.
Mrs. Ross
Mrs. Mary Martin Ross, age 90, of Rome, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at her residence.
Mrs. Ross was born in Gainesville (Hall County,) on July 25, 1926, daughter of the late Marvin Keith and the late Ethel Shope Keith.
She was a faithful and dedicated member of the New Antioch Baptist Church and Faith Ladies Sunday School Class.
Mrs. Ross had many passions, such as, working in her flower garden and enjoying Sunday lunches with her family every week.
She was a strong-willed woman who fought through physical hurtles.
She loved people and family but she had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren.
Mrs. Ross was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Lewis Martin, in 1965; a granddaughter, Angela Dillard, in 1963, and a sister, Georgia Bynum, in 2000.
Survivors include two daughters, Sue Dillard, Rome, and Claris Martin, Rome; two sons, Gary Martin, Rome, and Lewis Ricky Martin, Buchanan; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 16 greatgreat grandchildren; two brothers, Richard Keith, Rome, and Hobert and Doris Keith, Rome; a sister, Geneva and Jack Culbertson, Rome.
Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Henderson and Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, with the Rev. Tony Cargle officiating. Interment followed in the East View Cemetery. The family received friends on Oct. 28 at Henderson and Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, prior to the funeral hour.
At other hours, the family may be reached at their respective homes. The grandsons served as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers included the other grandchildren and the Faith Ladies Sunday School Class of New Antioch Baptist Church.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home made this announcement locally for the family and friends of Mrs. Mary K. Martin Ross.
Henderson and Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, had charge of the arrangements.
Mr. McWilliams
Mr. James Sproull (Jim) McWilliams, age 68, of Cedartown, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 25, 2016.
He was born on July 19, 1948 in Rome, the son of the late W.P. McWilliams and the late Drayton Sproull McWilliams.
Mr. McWilliams was educated in Rome, where he graduated high school from Darlington in 1966 and graduated from Auburn University in 1974 with his BS in Pharmacy.
He co-owned the Taylorsville Pharmacy with his daughter for 25 years and the Temple Pharmacy for 35 years, where he still worked until his health declined.
He was a United States veteran serving with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era.
Mr. McWilliams was a faithful member of the South Side Baptist Church.
He is survived by his loving family, his devoted wife of 50 years, Jean Edge McWilliams; his daughter and son in law, Dawn and Jeffrey Collier and his grandchildren, Kristen Collier and Jake Collier.
Funeral Services for James S. (Jim) McWilliams were conducted on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at 1 p.m. from the Chapel of the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home with Rev. Joel A. Smith and Rev. Jeff Pilgrim officiating.
Interment followed in the Polk Memory Gardens with full military honors conducted by the Brewster-Cleveland Post 86 Honor Guard.
The Family received friends on Thursday evening, Oct. 27, 2016 at the Litesey Funeral Home.
The following served as pallbearers: Bill Truett, Ben Truett, Darrell Presley, Sam McWhorter, Cory Jones and Jerry Collier. Honorary Pallbearers were: Ed Broome, Bill Rowell, Keith Jones, members of the Bottoms Hunting Club, Jackie McWhorter, Faith Tucker, Lauren Cavender, Olivia Johnson and Anna Shepherd.
For personal condolences and to sign the online guestbook, please visit liteseyfh.com.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Mr. James Sproull (Jim) McWilliams.
Mrs. Miller
Mrs. Patricia (Pat) J. Miller, age 81, of Aragon, passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2016 in a Rome medical center.
She was born in Summerville on May 1, 1935, a daughter of the late James Marion Jackson and the late Vivian Riley Jackson.
Mrs. Miller had lived the greater part of her life in Aragon where she was a member of the Aragon Historical Society and the Aragon United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed cooking, sewing and had a great love for her family.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two infant sons: Alvan Lloyd Miller, Jr. and Allan Lynn Miller.
Survivors include her loving husband of 62 years, Alvan (Al) Miller of Aragon to whom she was married on March 21, 1954; three sons: Jimmy Miller, Woodstock, Brad Miller and his wife Mary, Rockmart and Kyle Miller, Aragon; one step daughter, Mery-Anna Gladstone, Va.; four grandchildren: Mallory Miller, Marina Miller, Riley Miller and Logan Miller; five step grandchildren; three step great grandchildren; and two aunts: Sarah John Durham, Summerville and Charlotte Rayburn, Aragon.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Aragon United Methodist Church with Rev. Barry Snapp and Rev. James Hannah officiating.
Eulogies will be given by two of Mrs. Miller's grandchildren: Mallory Miller and Riley Miller. Interment will follow in the Aragon Cemetery.
Pallbearers included: Blake Patillo, Riley Miller, Kevin Cornwell, Joey Davidson, Dennis Caldwell, Jimmy Buchanan, Jamie Elliott, John Elliott and Jamie Simpson. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Aragon Historical Society.
The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for the funeral of Mrs. Particia (Pat) J. Miller.
Mrs. Johnson
Mrs. Rossie (Peace) Johnson, age 81, went home to heaven to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, surrounded by her family, following a long illness.
She was born and grew up in Cedartown, but has been a resident of Chattanooga since for over 60 years.
Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert Johnson; son, Michael Johnson (Ruth Ann); daughter, Tammy Headden; grandsons, Ryan and Justin Headden and Jacob Johnson; five greatgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Rossie was a long-time secretary (retired) for the Painters Local Union #226, Chattanooga.
A member of Oakwood Baptist Church, Chattanooga, honorary pallbearers were the Wilda Lewis Sunday School Class.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel.
Interment followed in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Chattanooga, Catrina and Ann for their wonderful care over the past few weeks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, Tenn., 37416.
Please share thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com
Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel of , Chattanooga, Tenn.
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Grace Baker Smith, age 78 of Cedartown, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016.
She was born on March 30, 1938 in Cave Spring, the daughter of the late Geat and Edna Mullinax Baker.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughters and son-in-laws, Kim and Greg Swafford and Jennie and Ted Wright; brothers, R.W. Baker and Grady Baker; grandchildren, Jessica Elrod, Lindsay Camp and Kaci Swafford; great-grandchild, Kylee Grace Camp and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Smith is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marcus Smith; sisters, Dorothy Payne, Betty Baker and Willie Mae Baker and brother, Norman Baker.
The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Grace Baker Smith were conducted on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Rev. Joel A. Smith officiating. Interment followed in the Northview Cemetery. The family of Mrs. Smith received family and friends on Tuesday, Oct. 25 prior to the funeral hour at the Gammage Funeral Home.
The Deacons and Yoke Fellows of Southside Baptist Church served as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers were Carrie Barrett WMU Ladies of Southside Baptist Church.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home handled the arrangements for Mrs. Grace Baker Smith.
Mrs. Davis
Mrs. Elmira Dempsey Davis, age 78, of Buchanan passed away Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016.
Mrs. Davis was born in Felton on Sept. 8, 1938, the daughter of the late Arthur Dempsey and Myrtle Norris Dempsey.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Roger Davis, four brothers, John Franklin Dempsey, William Harold Dempsey, Ronald Dempsey and Donald Dempsey.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Patty and W.J. Cole of Cedartown; one son, Roger Davis of Felton; one brother, Paul Dempsey of Cedartown; grandchildren, Scott Rice, Douglas Rice, Erica Crabb and Macee Crabb; great grand- children, Tristan Rice, Jimmi Douglas Rice, Brooklyn Marie Wentz and Coalson John Wentz; and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 at 3 p.m. from Hutcheson’s Memorial Chapel with Reverend Jason Hudgens and Reverend Richard Brannon officiating. Music was rendered by Reverend Buddy Gentry. Interment followed in the Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Scott Rice, Marvin Ford, John Dobbs, Dean Tanner, Bobby Lee and Brent McCollum.
Post an on-line condolence at www.hutchesonsmemorialchapel.com
Hutcheson’s Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Buchanan was in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Payton
Mr. Terry V. Payton, age 67, of Villa Rica, passed away on Sunday morning, Oct. 23, 2016 following an extended illness.
Mr. Payton was born on Aug. 29, 1949 in Bremen, a son of Mr. Waylon Payton and Mrs. Henrietta Fincher Pruitt.
Mr. Payton was a veteran, proudly serving with the United States Navy.
Prior to his retirement, following 23 years of dedicated service he saw deployments in the Vietnam era and was a decorated seaman.
He was preceded in death by his Father Mr. Waylon Payton.
Mr. Payton is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Hulsey Payton; his daughter, Kim Skinner and Andy; his mother, Henrietta Pruitt; his brother, Anthony Payton; his sisters, Connie Stansell, Lynn Payton and Pam Payton and his grandchildren, Andrew Skinner and Bruce Skinner. A number of nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
Graveside and Interment services for Mr. Terry V. Payton were conducted on Friday morning, Oct. 28, 2016 at 11 a.m. from the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, with Rev. Jeff Hulsey officiating.
In keeping with his wishes, Mr. Payton was cremated.
The family respectfully request that flowers please omitted and memorial donations be made in Mr. Payton's memory to the Cedar Valley Shrine Club, P.O. Box 183 Cedartown, Ga., 30125.
For personal condolences and to sign the online guest book, please visit liteseyfh.com.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Terry V. Payton