Melba Louise Thomas Boss, formally of the Waterville community in Walker County, Ga, age 90, passed away January 26, 2023 following an extended illness.

She was born July 17, 1932 in Trion, Ga. the daughter of Reece Henderson Thomas and Letha Thomas. Mrs. Boss was a graduate of LaFayette High School and retired from Eli Walker shirt factory as personnel manager and Mt. Vernon mills where she worked in the cost department. She was a member of Waterville Baptist church for over 60 years and served in many capacities including choir and a Sunday school teacher.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Marshall Henry Boss. Brothers, Kenneth George Thomas and Holland Richard Thomas.

She is survived by her daughter and son in law Kathy and Tim Thompson, grandsons Wes Thompson (Keeta), Ben Thompson, Dr. Luke and Annie Thompson. Sister-in-law Betty Allen. Several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Boss was a very strong Christian lady that always let her light shine everywhere she went and she was fortunate enough to travel to a lot of places. Her luggage was always packed. She was able to go on several missionary trips where she helped with support of crews that built churches, homes, and missions. Among other places she was able to go to Alaska, Canada, Mexico and St Lucia.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Wallis Wilbanks Funeral Home in LaFayette, Ga. Family will receive friends from 12:00pm till the hour of the funeral at 2:00pm with the Rev. Sam Barrett officiating. Interment will follow in the LaFayette Memorial Garden.

Active pallbearers will be Wes Thompson, Ben Thompson, Luke Thompson, Evan Webb Keith Thomas, Mike Dawson, Vester Young.

Family wishes to give special thanks to the staff of Seven Hills memory care and Trinity Hospice.

Flowers will be accepted as well as donations to Waterville Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

Mr. Allen D. Sparks, age 87, formerly of Mentone, AL passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at his residence in Hinckley, IL.

Mr. Sparks was born May 31, 1935 in Cherokee County, AL, the son of the late Voy Sparks and Edgel Dockery Sparks.

He was devoted to his church activities and had been a Deacon at Central Avenue Baptist Church in Trion, GA before relocating back to Illinois to be near his family.

He worked at John T. Clark company in Geneva, IL, residing in rural Batavia, Il for over 40 years before retiring and building their home in Mentone, AL near his brothers Len Earl, Sherold and Dale Sparks, now deceased; and brother Garlis and sister Darnell Amico of Trion, GA

Mr. Sparks was preceded in death by his wife, Lauretta (Maytum) Sparks. He is survived by 5 children and their spouses, Lane and Brenda Sparks, Gary and Julie Sparks, Dale and Lisa Sparks, Todd and Tracy Verachtert, and Wade and Michelle Sparks; and 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a service is scheduled.

Private interment will take place at Dixon Chapel Cemetery.

You can share your condolences with the family online at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

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

Mrs. Katherine Elizabeth “Kathy” Gilmer Bradley, age 73 of Summerville, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at the Oak Niew Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mrs. Bradley was born in Summerville, Georgia on April 27, 1949, daughter of the late Yancey Mazone Gilmer and Georgia Bingham Gilmer. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She loved telling stories and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bradley was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Bradley; daughter, Melanie Millican and a brother, Wayne Gilmer.

Mrs. Bradley is survived by a daughter and son –in-law, Julie and Bobby Snider; a son, Chris Whisenant(Pamela Wiley); grandchildren, Will Whisenant, Beth Dodd, Gail Dodd, Chaz MIllican, Mika Vaughn, Kinsey Money, Matt Snider, Brooke Brown and Karlah Snider; great grandchildren, Kimberly Whisenant, Cayden Whisenant, Brynlee Whisenant, Silver Williamson, DaVinity Williamson, Leighton Williamson, Holyn Williamson, Aubree Johnston, Zane Johnston, Landon Ables, Jasper Ables, Dallas Ables, Brayden Snider, Kamren Snider, Blaine Snider, Dax Brown and Blake Smith; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Bradley will be held Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Pastor Danny Decker officiating. Interment will follow in the Summerville Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Snider, Chris Whisenant, Austin Rowland, Todd Money, Brenden Smith and RJ Brown. Honorary Pallbearers will be the staff of Oak View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mrs. Bradley will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Sunday from 12:00 Noon until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Katherine Elizabeth “Kathy” Gilmer Bradley.

Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and to post condolences.

Mrs. Patricia Lowry Ponder, age 78 of Trion, Georgia passed away Friday, January 20, 2023 in a local healthcare facility.

Mrs. Ponder was born in Trion, Georgia on October 28, 1944, daughter of the late Floyd Lowry and Anna Styles Lowry. She was Baptist by faith and was retired from the Lyerly Plant of Mohawk Industries. She was an avid animal advocate, loving animals of all kinds. Along with her parents, Mrs. Ponder was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Earl Ponder.

Mrs. Ponder is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Jim Palmour; a favorite aunt, Nancy Lowry, niece, Georgianna Palmour; nephew, Jay (Beth) Palmour; great nephew, Christopher Ward; and several cousins and extended family members.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Ponder will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 4:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Daniel Driver officiating. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jay Palmour, Chris Ward, Steve Lowry, D.J. Driver, Tommy Pledger and Ed Flener.

Mrs. Ponder will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 3:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or to a local animal shelter.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Patricia Lowry Ponder.

Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and to post condolences.

Miss Samantha Denyse Smith, age 31 of Summerville, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Samantha was born in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia on September 10, 1991, daughter of Terry Earl Smith and the late Regina Denyse Jennings Smith. She was a graduate of Chattooga High School and was the assistant manager at the Summerville Subway Restaurant. Samantha enjoyed painting and drawing and spending time with her Subway Sisters.

Samantha is survived by her brothers and sister-in-law, Aaron Smith and and Allan and Nikki Smith; grandmothers, Betty Jennings(Gary Bailey) and Mary Reynolds; father, Terry Earl Smith; 5 nieces; 5 nephews and a number of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Funeral Services for Samantha will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Rickey Biddle and Rev. Barry Brown officiating.
Honorary Pallbearers will be her sisters from Subway.

Samantha will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 Noon until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Miss Samantha Denyse Smith.

Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and to post condolences.