Mr. Rodney Lee Dillard, age 67 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the local emergency department.

Rodney was born in Summerville, Georgia on March 23, 1958, son of Geneva Scoggins Dillard and the late J.D. Dillard. He was a member of the Four Mile Baptist Church and had retired from the Dye House at Mt. Vernon Mills. Following his retirement, he was employed at the Menlo Elementary School as a custodian. Rodney was an avid animal lover and loved his dog Rosie and his cat, Waldo. He had been a member of the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed fishing and hiking. Rodney always had a smile on his face and enjoyed meeting new friends and talking.

Rodney is survived by his mother, Geneva Dillard; son and daughter-in-law, Ethan and Olivia Nixon; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Debra Dillard; grandchildren, Grey Nixon and Asher Nixon; special friends, Dennis Amberson and Kaylor Amberson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services for Rodney will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Pastor Joel Smith and Rev. Sanford DeBerry officiating.

The Family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Floyd Felines, www.floydfelines.org or to your favorite charity.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Rodney Lee Dillard.

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

Mrs. Shirley Elaine Kendrick Clay, age 87, of Rome, GA (formerly of Summerville), died Monday, September 15, 2025, at The Spiers at Berry College.

Mrs. Clay was born August 24, 1938, in Summerville, GA. She was a member of the Subligna Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was as a legal secretary with DeKalb County, GA. Mrs. Clay loved animals, especially hummingbirds and had played piano and organ for many different churches.

Mrs. Clay was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Clay; twin brother, David Kendrick; and her aunt, Irene Roberts.

Survivovrs include nieces, Tynie Monk, Greta Clay, and Mary Scockley; nephews, Allen Clay, Mike Clay, Tony Clay, Kenneth Clay, Jr., Robert Clay, and Randy Clay; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Kendrick.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Bishop officiating. Interment will follow in Subligna Cemetery. Her nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Mrs. Clay will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 1:00 P.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. Charles Walter Venable, age 72, of Summerville, GA, died Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mr. Venable was born June 26, 1953, in Cedartown, GA, son of the late Otis Turner Venable and Jessie Mae Osborne Venable. He was a member of West Berryton Faith Temple Church, but had most recently attended Menlo First Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Turner Venable; and sister, Glenda Mae Venable.

Survivors include his nieces and nephew, Lisa B. Venable, Adriana Venable, and Kenneth Dewayne (Diane) Venable; and several cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tony Weaver officiating. Interment will follow in the Oak Hill Methodist Church Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Mr. Venable will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 3:00 P.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. Christopher Allen Witt Sr., age 69, of Trion, GA, died September 13, 2025, following a valiant battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and children when he left his earthly home to step into the presence of Jesus.

Mr. Witt was born September 22, 1955, in Trion, GA, the son of the late Raymond Earl and Barbara Jean Palmer Witt. He loved his family and was especially proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved fishing, hunting, playing golf, and spending time with his family. In his younger years, Mr. Witt earned many impressive accolades for his athletic ability, having his name etched into the Trion High School football and baseball record books. He graduated from Shorter University with a bachelor’s degree in education, then earned a master’s degree from Kennesaw State University, and finally a specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. He retired from Trion City Schools after proudly serving for over twenty years, teaching and coaching multiple sports.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Witt was preceded in death by two brothers, Greg Witt and Gary Witt.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Connie Witt; children, Amber (Chris) Moore, Allen (Ashley Goodrich) Witt, Ashlee (Kyle) Abernathy, and Ali (Jacob) Chandler; brother Sid Witt; 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special friends Lee and Brenda Cooper, and Wil Hyden.

Celebration of Life services will be held Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Trion First Baptist Church with Rev. Casey Bramlett officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen Witt, Roy Witt, Dale Witt, Jared Witt, Colt Moore, Ross Moore, Wil Hyden, Terry Pope, and J.C. Henderson. The Witt family requests that any athlete Mr. Witt coached during his career serve as honorary pallbearers as well.

The family of Mr. Witt issues a heartfelt thanks to Tapestry Hospice, and especially his nurse, Emily Clements, for the extraordinary care she provided for him.

Mr. Witt’s family invites those in attendance to join them following the service for a time of fellowship and refreshments at the church fellowship hall.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Christopher Allen Witt.

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