Mr. James Derek Adams, age 57, of Summerville, GA, died Sunday, March 24, 2024, at his residence.

Mr. Adams was born September 17, 1966, in Rome, GA, son of the late Herman Winston Adams and Mary Ann Bridges Hale. He was a member of Trion First Baptist Church and was retired from Mohawk Industries. He had also previously been employed with Hurley’s Grocery Store, Miller-Southeastern Mills, and Sysco Foods.

Mr. Adams was a member of the Rodeo Society for 11 years as a bull rider for Charlie Lowry as well as a rodeo clown for 2 years. He drove in the mini-cup NASCAR series for a short time and was an avid fan of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. In his young adult life, he participated in church baseball and volleyball leagues, and prior to his recent sickness, he helped with the youth at Trion First Baptist Church. He also loved to camp and fish.

For the last 16 years, he’s actively competed in barbeque competitions, earning many trophies over the years. His greatest accomplishment was winning the Jack Daniels World Championship Backyard Contest in 2014, where he received a perfect score of 180. Not only did he cook barbeque, but he was also a certified judge for the Kansas City Barbeque Society. He has been a cancer warrior for almost 2 years, but his greatest reward was being a dad.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Adams was preceded in death by twin sons, Brendan Lee Adams and Preston Frazier Adams; his second father, Herbert Hale; brother, Steven Helton “Stevie” Breeden; grandparents, Albert Moody Bridges, Helen Inez Tidmore Bridges, Guy and Sydney Adams; his father-in-law, Nelson Lee Wilson; and special uncle, Pat Gaines.

Survivors include his wife of 23 years, April Lee Wilson Adams; sons, Dylan Chase Adams, Levi Jaden Adams; brother, Stanley (Susan) Hale; sister, Wanda (Dale) Levan; sister-in-law, Cynthia (Nick) Swords; mother-in-law, Brenda Wilson; 6 nieces, 4 nephews; 1 great-niece; 4 great-nephews; 2 great-great-nephews; many cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 29, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Casey Bramlett, Mr. Michael Duvall, and Mr. Ray Henson officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends in the barbeque community, the Men’s Sunday School Class of Trion First Baptist Church; and special friends, Michael Cothran, Phil McGuire, and John Sterner.

Mr. Adams will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Friday.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) to help with research to fight this disease, to Operation BBQ Relief, or to the Cancer Navigators in Rome.

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.

Mrs. Jenith Crane Plunkett Lowrance, age 72, of Trion, GA, died Sunday, March 24, 2024, at her residence.

Mrs. Lowrance was born July 6, 1951, in Trion, GA, daughter of the late Harvey N. Plunkett and Velma Crane Plunkett. She attended Pleasant Grove Church of Christ, and prior to her retirement, was employed at Hays State Prison. Mrs. Lowrance loved spending time with her grandkids and enjoyed taking people to church. She also loved all things purple and was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Levon Lowrance.

Survivors include her sons, William Shane Lowrance, Wade (Veronica) Lowrance; grandchildren, Marcos Lowrance, Kaylynn Lowrance, and Haley Lowrance.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Hugh Glaze, Min. Barry Grinder, and Min. Tyler Gilreath officiating. Interment will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Marcos Lowrance, Jason Kellett, Kim Logan, Ron Hopkins, Ken Anderson, Mark Gilbreath, and Dennis Murdock. Honorary pallbearers will be John Gilbreath and Levi Gilbreath.

Mrs. Lowrance will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Wednesday.

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.

Mr. John Martin “Marty” Gary, age 54, of Trion, GA, died Friday, March 22, 2024, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mr. Gary was born March 18, 1970, in Rome, GA, son of Roy David Gary, Sr. and the late Christine Azlee Sims Gary. He was Baptist by faith and owned and operated Tootsie’s.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a son, Joshua Martin Gary; and a brother, Roy David Gary, Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Harley Stricklin Gary; sons and daughter-in-law, Dylan (Derrian)Gary, Preston Gary, and Brixton Gary; daughters, Marlee Gary, Joni Gary, and Ellie Gary; father and step-mother, Roy (Marie) Gary; a brother, Jerry (Anna) Gary; grandchildren, Asher Baker, Rilyn Neal, Leo Baker, Declan Gary, and Sawyer Gary.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, March 28, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Hugh Glaze and Mr. Richie White officiating. Interment will follow in Summerville Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jeff Strickland, Isaac Morgan, Marcy Yancey, Larry Bishop, Lamar Fowler, and Ricky Sims. Chris Smith will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Mr. Gary will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Thursday.

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