Obituaries

The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for the funeral of Mr. Charles Edward Hilliard.

Mrs. Hall

If you have an chance to gather together with the people you love, please do so whenever you can. The family of Myra Clayton Hall, 85, who passed in her sleep in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 30, learned first-hand from their beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother the importance of family time.

A small town girl originally from the south Georgia farming communities of Sale City, Baconton and Doerun, Mrs. Myra Hall was born on April 9, 1932.

She graduated from Doerun High School, where she was a guard on the basketball team. Soon after she traveled to Avon Park, Florida to visit her sister; she found work as a telephone operator at the Avon Park Army Air Field and met a handsome serviceman who would soon become her husband.

Together, the Hall family grew and moved frequently around Georgia.

Wherever they were, she usually had flowers growing, some good country cooking going, and a sewing project in the works. As her children got older, she worked a variety of jobs outside the home, employed as a seamstress, office assistant, and even a food inspector with the USDA.

When grandchildren came along, her granddaughters Michelle and Kate benefitted from her sewing skills, modeling her custom-made dresses.

A classic Southern lady, Myra loved being with friends from the community and church, and was a de d i c a t e d member o f the Cedartown Order of the Eastern Star, the International Grand Representatives Association, the Rosie the Riveter Association, and the Coosa Valley Shrinettes. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church in both Rome and Cedartown.

Clearly a woman on the go, she opted to have knee replacement surgery at the age of 85 so she could keep up her travel and exercise schedule.

Mrs. Hall is survived by her children: Sidney W. Hall, Jr. (Joyce) of Cedartown, Susan Hall Vaughan (David) of Pine Log, and Lee Hall Petusky (Rick) of Rome. Her grandchildren are Darren Hall (Barbara) of San Antonio, Texas; Jason Hall (April) of Thousand Oaks, California; Robert Howard (Tia) of Pine Log; Kate Howard of Augusta; Michelle Penny (Mike) of Smyrna; and Matt Maddox of Ochlocknee. Great-grandchildren include Jessica Hodge (Tom), Alex Hall, Tate Hall, William and Henry Howard, Elisha and Asher Penny, and Cheridan and John Matthew Maddox. Her nieces and nephews are Patricia Smith (Ken), Johnny Aycock (Ann) and Glinda Gale Perkins.

Mrs. Hall is reunited with her husband of 53 years, Sidney Woodrow “Woody” Hall Sr., and is preceded in death by her siblings Rubye May Wells (Garvis), Mary Josephine Aycock (Henry), Isaac Norman Clayton, and a grandson, Daniel Todd Hall.

A visitation was held on Friday afternoon, Aug. 4., with a celebration of life service immediately following at Gammage Funeral Home in Cedartown.

Interment was held Saturday, Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Sale City Cemetery, where her husband, parents, grandparents and brother are buried.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Community Kitchen through First Baptist Church of Rome or ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership or Regenerative Medicine (Cancer Research) through Grand Chapter of Georgia, P. O. Box 2 4 3 6 , Kennesaw, Ga., 30156 are requested.

Messages of condolence can be made to the family by visiting gammagefh.com.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home handled the arrangements for Mrs. Myra Clayton Hall.

Mrs. Palatini

Mrs. Eleanor Palatini, 92, of Cave Spring, died Sunday evening, July 30, 2017, in a Rome hospital following a brief illness.

The former Eleanor Irene Geresi, Mrs. Palatini was born September 9, 1924, the daughter of the late Louis Geresi and the late Esther Kovach Geresi.

She was married to Gerald D. Palatini on Sept. 18, 1949, and was preceded in death by him Jan. 24, 2014.

Mr. and Mrs. Palatini made there home in Pembroke Pines, Fla., for a number of years where they both were real estate agents for Pasadena Homes. They moved to Rome 20 years ago and made their home in Cave Spring for several years prior to Mr. Palatini’s death.

Mrs. Palatini was a communicant of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Palatini was preceded in death by her brother, Louis Geresi.

Survivors include her children, Ms. Susan Palatini of Atlanta, Dr. Carol Edwards ( Wolfe) of Cave Spring, and Dr. Jerry of Cedartown. Six grandchildren, Ken Edwards, IV of Seattle, Brannon Edwards of Marietta, Turner Edwards of Cave Spring, Mary Palatini, Ella Palatini, and Hunter Palatini, all of Cedartown and two great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services for Mrs. Palatini were held Friday morning, Aug. 4, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the graveside of the Cave Spring Cemetery with Rev. Billy Hicks officiating.

John House’s Cave Spring Chapel was in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Eleanor Palatini.

Mrs. Elder

Mrs. Frankie Roberta “Bobbie” Shiflett Elder, 72 of Cedartown, passed away on Saturday July 29, 2017 after a brief illness.

Mrs. Elder was born on Oct. 14, 1944 in Cedartown, the daughter of the late Francis “Frank” Marion and Mozelle Godwin Shiflett.

She was a 1962 graduate of Cedartown High School. Mrs. Elder was a retiree of the Hon Company after working for 28 years. She was an avid gardener, a lover of animals and was of the Baptist faith.

Mrs. Bobbie Elder is survived by her daughter Deirdra “DeDe” Wood; stepson Brad Elder; sister Mattie Sue Shiflett Morgan; grandchildren Dustin Wood, Michael Nicholson and Griffin Elder; greatgrand child Skylar Cheyenne Wood; s pecial niece Cindy Easterwood, as well as several other nieces and nephews; and special friend Frankie Wheeler.

Mrs. Bobbie Elder is preceded in death by her parents; husband William Albert Elder; and sister Mary Francis Shiflett Galloway.

The funeral service for Mrs. Bobbie Elder were conducted on Monday July 31, 2017 at 4 p.m. from the Chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Davis officiating. Interment followed in the Northview Cemetery.

The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Dustin Wood, Michael Nicholson, Griffin Elder, Kris Rowland, Wes Easterwood, Mathew Wills and Trent Walker.

The following gentlemen served as honorary pallbearers: Brandon Pope, Hunter Fincher and Jamie Moon.

Flowers are being accepted or memorial donations can be made to the Cedartown/Polk County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1339 Cedartown, Ga., 30125 or PayPal at cedaraniamals@gmail.com.

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. Frankie Roberta “Bobbie” Shiflett Elder.

Mr. Bennett

Mr. James J. Bennett, age 88, of Rockmart, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017 in a Rome medical center.

He was born in DeKalb County on Dec. 31, 1928, a son of the late William Andrew Bennett and the late Bertha Pendley Bennett.

Rockmart has been home to Mr. Bennett since 1964 moving here from Stone Mountain. He was a veteran of the United States Army.

Mr. Bennett had a love for farm work where he enjoyed riding his tractor and cutting grass. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers: Leland Bennett, T.J. Bennett and W. A. Bennett Jr.; sister, Louise Murner.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Mrs. Florine Bennett of Rockmart to whom he was married on June 29, 1956; two sons: James Keith Bennett of Rockmart and David Kent Bennett ( Lisa) of Rockmart; four grandchildren: Casey Williams (Evan), Callie Wiggins ( Hunter), Whitney Fuqua ( Taylor), and Payden Bennett; three great-grandchildren: Kaiylee Noel Wiggins, Adyleigh Grace Wiggins and Hayden Lee Fuqua; one sister: Sarah Leitch of Villa Rica; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral were held Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of the Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home with Rev. Michael C. Edwards and Rev. Michael S. Edwards officiating.

Interment followed in Polk Memory Gardens with Brown-Wright Post # 12 of the American Legion in charge of military graveside rites .

Active pallbearers included: Evan Williams, Hunter Wiggins, Taylor Fuqua, Payden Bennett, Johnny Leitch, and Ronny Bennett. Honorary pallbearers were: Cecil Wigley, Charles Wigley, Vandy Cobb, and Charles Brooks.

The Alvis Miller and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for Mr. James J. Bennett

Mr. Wood

Mr. Lloyd Wood, age 57, of Cedartown, assed away Saturday, July 29, 2017 at his residence.

He was born in Rome on April 23, 1960, a son of Bud Wood and Janet Caldwell Wood.

Mr. Wood lived the greater part of his life in Floyd and Bartow County before moving to Polk County in 1999. One of his favorite hobbies was being outside tinkering with his lawn mower.

Mr. Wood was a veteran of the United States National Guard serving his county for twelve years. He was preceded in death by his father, Bud Wood.

Survivors include his wife, Susan McBurnett Wood, Cedartown to whom he was married on June 26, 1999; two children: Zack Howard, Cartersville and Jason Howard, Daytona, FL; three grandchildren: Chelsea Howard, Madison Howard and Daneisha Howard; great grandson, Aiden Howard; mother, Janet Wood, Yorkville; two sisters: Wanda and Kay; four brothers: Wayne, Steven, Bruce and Paul Wood; a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial services were held Monday, July 31, 2017 at 4:00 PM in the chapel of the Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home with eulogies given by Steven Wood and Nick Wray.

The Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for Mr. Lloyd Wood.

Mr. Kato

Mr. Pell William “Butch” Kato, Jr., age 66 of Rockmart passed away Friday night, July 28, 2017.

He was born Dec. 3, 1950 in Cedartown, son of the late Pell William “Bill” Kato, Sr. and the late Ethel Cooper Gardner. He graduated from Cedartown High School and prior to becoming disabled was employed by Bar-L-BarB-Que.

Mr. Kato was a member of the Rockmart Masonic Lodge No. 97, enjoyed trading and NASCAR. He loved to grill out and spend time with his family and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, James Franklin Kato Sr.

Survivors included two daughters, Jennifer Littlejohn of Aragon and Abigail Kato of Rockmart; two sons, Michael Kato and his wife Carrie of Rockmart and Chris Kato and his wife Wendy of Aragon; two sisters, Betty Johnson of Buford and Merinda Magnicheri of Rome; ten grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren and a very special niece, Keely Gulley.

Memorial services for Mr. Kato were held on Friday evening, Aug. 4, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the chapel of the Freeman Harris Funeral Home with Rev. Josh Nichols officiating.

Please visit www.freemanharrisfunerals.com to extend personal condolences to the family by signing the online guestbook.

Freeman Harris Funeral Home was in charge of the memorial service for Mr. Pell William “Butch” Kato Jr.

Mrs. Garner

Mrs James L Garner, 86, of Cave Spring, passed away peacefully in her home Saturday, July 22, 2017.

Mrs. Mary Edd ( Mom) Garner born Jan. 10, 1931, in Haywood Valley was the daughter of the late Samuel Jefferson Anderson and Ola Angeline Murdoch-Anderson.

She grew up on Haywood Valley Road, and worked with her parents and siblings on the family farm. Mary Edd graduated from Subligna High School.

She met Jim Garner on a blind date, and the rest is history.

They were married on June 3, 1956, and have three children; Mary Jo (Jo), Susan Angela (Sue), and James L Garner (Jim) Jr. They moved to Cave Spring on Dec. 13, 1968 and she made a beautiful warm home loved by her family and all who passed through. Mary Edd was gentle, loving soul.

Her love as a younger woman was antiquing and building her home, which she did with great care. Her house was always filled with young'uns. Mom made sure her home was a haven; a safe place and a place of refuge when all other places failed.

There was no other place to seek solace quite like Mom's soft shoulder and rock solid faith. Mom attended church all her life.

She loved singing gospel whether at church, with her family, or with friends. She surrounded her family with Christian values and a deep faith.

She was adored by family and friends alike, and is survived by her three children and their families. Mary Jo Nickelson and husband Marc Nickelson, Susan Garner and her husband Rick Brown, and by her son James L Garner Jr. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sarah Jo Huckaby, Jazmen Grace McMurrey and her husband Allen McMurrey, McKenzie Rae Nickelson, and Michael Wayne Atha.

Her great grandchildren are

Khaleesi Grace McMurrey, Zachary Atreyu McMurrey, Tariq BlackfeatherAtha, Phoenix BlackfeatherAtha, N'Deyah Blackfeather Atha.

The family received friends at John House's Cave Spring Memorial Chapel in Cave Spring on Thursday July 27, 2017. Funeral services were held on Friday, Jul y 28, 2017.

Flowers will be accepted.

Those wishing may send donations to Georgia School for the Deaf ( add Athletic Associations on memo line) and mail to 22 Perry Farm Road, Cave Spring, Ga., 30124.

John House's Cave Spring Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements for Mrs. Garner.

Mr. Kerr

Mr. Casey Ferrell Kerr, 46, of Cave Spring, died Friday morning, July 21, 2017, in a Rome hospital.

Born in Rome on March 29, 1971, Mr. Kerr was the son of Ferrell and Sandra Rosser Kerr.

Mr. Kerr attended Cave Spring School, and later Coosa School, and was a member of the Live Oak Baptist Church.

An avid sports van, Mr. Kerr had previously been employed by the Evans Construction Company.

Mr. Kerr was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lindsey and Lula B. Highfield Rosser, and by his paternal grand- father, Ottis Vernon (Sam) Kerr.

Survivors include his two children, Cody William Blaylock of Rome, and Cassidy Paige Kerr of Cedartown, and his parents, Sandra and Ferrell Kerr of Cave Spring.

His paternal grandmother, Mrs. Navaughnia Kerr and his sister, Ms. Michelle Kerr, both of Cave Spring, also survive.

John House's Cave Spring Memorial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Casey Kerr.