Mr. Charles Dempsey Carden, age 72, of Cloudland, GA, died Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Carden was born June 26, 1951, in Valley Head, AL, son of the late Ewel Lavance and Buena Lea Hope Carden. He was Baptist by faith, and prior to his retirement, was the owner and operator of Collinsville Feed Mill.

Charles was an avid fan of all sports, especially football. He was an incredible athlete in his younger years and was the Quarterback for the Valley Head football team his junior and senior years of high school. In 1967 he was on the Dekalb County All Star Football team and the Alabama All State football team. In 1968 he was once again on the Dekalb County All Star football team, the Alabama All State football team and basketball team, and made the All American football team. His talent as quarterback for the teams he played with brought great attention. He was sought after to play on football teams for the University of Alabama, Auburn, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Florida, Southern California, and Ole Miss just to name a few. After visiting many universities and consideration he eventually chose to accept a scholarship to attend and play for the University of Tennessee. However, the joy that was brought to him by his wife, children, and grandchildren was far greater than any sporting event. He would drop anything he had planned to do if any of his family ever needed anything of him whether it was running an errand, driving someone to the doctor, babysitting, or just being there to listen.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Carden was preceded in death by a son, Clay Harris; brother, Glenn Carden; and mother-in-law, Clara Warren.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Lee Warren Carden; children, Andrea (Daniel) Hayes, Ashley (Sebastiano) Cavallo, Ansley (Daniel) Smith, Jason (Amanda) Wright, Anthony (Lindy) Vizinnia, John T. (Marcie) Davis,; brothers, Harold (Dianna) Carden, Jack Carden; sisters and brothers-in-law, John (Linda) Storey, Betty Blalock, Jeff Pack, and Matt Warren; grandchildren, Caden Smith, Emma Kate Smith, Libby Wright, Cali Cavollo, Collyn Davis, Harrison Davis, John Clayton (Grace) Groat, Evan (Gracie) McPherson, Maggie Groat, J.P. Groat

Graveside and entombment services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Greenhills Memory Gardens with Rev. Richard Ellis officiating. Active pallbearers will be Daniel Hayes, Sebastiano Cavallo, Daniel Smith, Jason Wright, Caden Smith, Harold Carden, Jack Carden and Mark Patton. Honorary pallbearers will be Brimp Warren, Rex Abernathy, Matt Warren, Jeff Pack, John Storey, Albert Smith, Eddie Smith and Valley Head High School alumni.

Mr. Carden will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. on Sunday.

To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.

Ms. Juanita “Lyn” Smith Kocinki, 63, of Chattanooga, TN went home to her Lord and Savior on September 27, 2023.

Lyn was born May 18, 1960 and grew up in Summerville and Trion, Georgia. Lyn graduated from Chattooga High School and then received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and was an English teacher in the Chattanooga/North Georgia region.

She was an exceptional singer and accomplished pianist and musician. Lyn touched many lives and her piano students and families held a very special place in her heart.
She will be deeply missed by those who love her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Barbara Smith, her best friend Rob Lampert, and Christopher Neely, who was like a son to her.

Survivors include her daughters; Anna (Travis Miller) Kocincki and Kerri (Dino) Xoinis, both of Chattanooga, TN, and their father, Charles Kocincki; one sister; Susan Hopkins of Marietta, GA; four brothers; Ken (Mitzi) Smith of Marion, VA, Alan (Patty) Smith, Richie (Marie) Smith, and Jes (Stephanie) Smith, all of Trion, GA. She is survived by very special aunts, Geri Hughes, Brenda Veatch Haynes, and Charlotte (Michael) Hawkins and several close cousins. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. The true joy of her life were her four grandchildren, Bryson, Brooke, Jackson, and Everett.

Funeral services for Ms. Kocinki will take place ar 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 3 at Son Rise Community Church. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery with Jackson Neely, Bryson Gowan, Quenten Hopkins, Travis Miller, and Dino Xoinis serving as pallbearers.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 12pm-2pm at the church.

To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.