Mr. Grady Horace Payton, age 89 of Trion, Georgia passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at his residence.

Mr. Payton was born in Summerville, Georgia on December 11, 1936, son of the late Glenn Payton, Sr. and Hattie Tudor Payton.  He was a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and a member of the Sr. Adult Sunday School Class.  He was retired from Hays State Prison, working as a Maintenance Engineer,and he had also Echols Appliances.  Mr. Payton was an avid Atlanta Braves Fan and loved camping and gardening.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Payton was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Jo Payton and Lenora Culver; and five brothers, John Payton, J.L Payton, Sidney Payton, Billy Payton and Glen Payton, Jr.

Mr. Payton is survived by his wife, Norma Jean Littlejohn Payton; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Charles Patterson; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Kaye Payton and Charles “Bo” and Ginger Payton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Glenda DeBerry, Carolyn and Stan Cooper and Deborah and David Brown; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Karen Payton; seven grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Payton will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Andy Coker, Rev. Jason Cowart and Rev. Charlie Smith officiating.  Interment will follow in the Ridgeway Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Luke Patterson, Nathan Schuster, Bryan Sisk, Adam Payton, Gray Payton, Alex Kelehear and McKenzie Kelehear.  Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the New Bethel Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon at the Coffman Funeral Home from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Mr. Bobby Luke Smith, age 76 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at his residence.

Mr. Smith was born in Lafayette, Georgia on October 28, 1949, son of the late Charles W. Smith and Velma Lucille Mann Smith.  He was retired from Mt. Vernon Mills after 37 years of service and was of the Baptist faith.  Mr. Smith was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War.  He enjoyed working on lawnmowers, fishing, reading his Bible, watching John Wayne movies, and spending time with his family, especially his great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Lee Palmer; brothers, Ronald Smith and Danny Smith; and sisters, Susie Ballenger and Mary Lou Schrader.

Mr. Smith is survived by his loving wife of over 53 years, Rhonda Smith; daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy and Wes Collette and Lisa and Tommy Neal; adopted children, Chelsea and Tim Wilson and Bubba Smith; Sisters and brother-in-law, Ruth Barrett and Mamie and Rickey Abernathy; brother, Walter Smith; grandchildren, Laci and Derrick (Bubba) McNair, Leah and Matt Shaw, Aubrey Simpson, Ashton Simpson and Austin Simpson; great grandchildren, Alyssa McNair and Murphy McNair; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services for Mr. Smith will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, April 10, 2026 in the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Avans and Rev. Malcolm Harris officiating. Interment will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Wess Collette, Tommy Neal, Matthew Shaw, Derrick McNair, Tim Wilson and Matthew Whaley.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Alyssa and Murphy McNair, David and Pam Henderson, Doug Gill, Ernie Schrader, Austin, Ashton and Aubrey Slayton, Braxton Sanford, Lily Keith and the staff of Tapestry Hospice.

The family will receive friends at the Coffman Funeral Home Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

Mrs. Cathy Marie Longshore, age 68 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at her residence.

Mrs. Longshore was born in Summerville, Georgia on October 11, 1957, daughter of the late Ferral Ward and Beatrice Stinnett Ward.  She was retired from the Quality Control Department at Roper and attended the Waterville Baptist Church.  Mrs. Longshore enjoyed working in her flower garden, bargain shopping and spending time with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Longshore was preceded in death by her husband, Starlin Wallin.

Mrs. Longshore is survived by a son and his fiancé, Trey Longshore and Jennifer McMillian; daughter and son-in-law, Meranda and Gerald Struve; sisters and brothers-in-law, Deborah and Lanny Harrelson, Cindy and Bob Helms and Lora and Jerry Brown; brother and sister-in-law, Rickey and Christy Ward; grandchildren, Mallory(Tyler) Gall, Breanna Longshore, Bryant Longshore, IV and Christian Longshore; great grandchildren, Addilynn Longshore, Elianna Longshore, Leanora Longshore and Amara Longshore; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In accordance with Mrs. Longshore’s wishes, she will be cremated and the family may have a private memorial service at a later date.

Mr. Samuel William “Sam” Johnson, age 80, of Lyerly, GA, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Mr. Johnson was born August 20, 1945, in Rome, GA, son of the late Horace Lee Johnson and Carrie Mae Williams Johnson.  Prior to his retirement, he was employed in the farming industry.  Mr. Johnson loved fishing, working in the garden, and mechanic work.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry Johnson and Jimmy Johnson.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his brothers, Michael (Sandra) Johnson, Bruce Johnson, Stanley (Eva) Johnson, Corey (Karin) Johnson; sisters, Emma (Otis) Martin, Virginia Johnson, Carol Johnson, Diane Groomes, Marry (Terrell) Perry, and Deborah (Ford) Bell; as well as a special friend, Frances Hudgins.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, April 10, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Hubert Lofton officiating.  Interment will follow in Summerville Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be nephews and friends.
Mr. Johnson will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Friday.

Mr. Jack Phillip DeLiddo, Jr., age 83, of Summerville, GA, died Friday, April 3, 2026, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mr. DeLiddo was born November 27, 1942, in Oakland, CA, son of the late Jack Phillip DeLiddo, Sr. and Mary Grace Price DeLiddo.

Prior to his retirement, Mr. DeLiddo worked as a self-employed carpenter.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Jo Brown Culbert DeLiddo.

Graveside and interment services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Pennville Cemetery with Rev. Matthew Willingham officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Mr. Charlie DeWayne Hogue, age 49 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in a Rome hospital.

DeWayne was born in Rome, Georgia on October 5, 1976, son Cathy Annette Arp Gorham and the late Charlie Monroe Hogue.  He had been employed with Bateman Food Services and was of the Baptist faith.  DeWayne was a graduate of Chattooga High School and had recently been a resident at the Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

In addition to his father, DeWayne was preceded in death by his step-father, Johnny Gorham; step-mother, Treva McGuire; maternal grandparents, Jeannette Noles and Archie Noles, Sr.; and his paternal grandparents, Audra and Fred Hogue.

DeWayne is survived by his children, Corbin Hogue, Brianna Hogue and Holley Hamlin; mother, Cathy Gorham; brothers and sisters-in-law, Josh McGuire and Mikkiaela Elam McGuire, and Kevin and Brooke Gorham; step-sisters, Kimberly, Rachel and Shauna; grandchildren, Elijah Hamlin and Braxton Hamlin; and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral Services for DeWayne will be held Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Patnode officiating.  Interment will follow in the Lyerly Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Josh McGuire, Kevin Gorham, Calvin Hogue, Landon Hamlin, Fred Hogue, Jr. and John Hogue.

The family will receive friends at the Coffman Funeral Home Thursday from 12:00 Noon until the funeral hour.

MR. JAMES HENRY (JIM) HUNTER, age 99, of Gore Community, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at His residence. A native Chattooga Countian, He was born to the late Robert Glenn and Daisy Garner Hunter, on October 19, 1926. Mr. Hunter was a member and Deacon of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was President and co-founder of Hunter Furniture Company and Fruit Stand on U.S. 27 in Gore. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, the late Martha Speer Hunter, a son, the late James Robert Hunter, grandson, the late John Clinton Hunter, II, Four Sisters and Four Brothers.

Surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Clint and Kristie Hunter; grandchildren, Emily Hunter, Megan Hunter, Clancey and Calen Cooper; great grandchildren, Elsie Quinn and Ella Cooper, Dakyota and Clyde Allen; nieces, Ann and Bill Kuzniak, Martha Goodman; brother-in-law, Jerry Speer; special friends, Pam Hammonds, Abby Bynum, and Tracey Reynolds.

Funeral service will be held Monday, April 6, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. from the Pleasant Grove Baptisit Church with Pastor James Baird and Pastor Charles Bishop officiating, interment in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Jack Owings, Bengie Price, Charlie Lowry, David Spurgeon, Daniel Collins and Calen Cooper. Honorary Pallbearers Mildred McGraw, Jimmy Barron, Greg Shaw, Larry Weesner, and Ross Lowry. Visitation will be Monday from 11 A.M. until 2 P.M. at the Church. In lieu of flowers the Family suggest contributions to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o Pam Hammonds, #204 Congress Street, Summerville, Georgia-30747

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. James Henry Hunter who passed away on Thursday.

JAMES H. (JIM) HUNTER, age 99, of Gore Community, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at His residence. A native Chattooga Countian, He was born to the late Robert Glenn and Daisy Garner Hunter, on October 19, 1926. Mr. Hunter was a member and Deacon of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was President and co-founder of Hunter Furniture Company and Fruit Stand on U.S. 27 in Gore.  In addition to Parents, was preceded in death by wife, the late Martha Speer Hunter, a son, the late James Robert Hunter, and grandson, the late John Clinton Hunter, II.

Surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Clint and Kristie Hunter; grandchildren, Emily Hunter, Megan Hunter, Clancey and Calen Cooper; great grandchildren, Elsie Quinn and Ella Cooper, Dakyota and Clyde Allen; nieces, Ann and Bill Kuzociak, Martha Goodman; brother-in-law, Jerry Speer.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

Mr. Tommy Lee Cook, age 74 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Cook was born in Trion, Georgia on August 10, 1951, son of the late William Gaines Cook and Edna Lee Cook. He graduated from Chattooga High School and Northeast Alabama State Junior College. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1971 to 1972 and was stationed in Germany. After returning from service, he worked for a number of years at Mount Vernon Mills and Goodyear in Calhoun. Eventually he discovered his passion for restoring antiques and operated Cook’s Upholstery and Antiques in downtown Summerville for several years. Mr. Cook enjoyed reminiscing about baseball games of his youth and watching westerns. He made friends everywhere he went.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Cook was preceded in death by his loving wife, Judy Cook who passed away in 2010.

Mr. Cook is survived by his two sons and daughter-in-law, Brett Cook and Andy and Terri Pilgrim; brother, Billy Cook; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Brian Kautz; one grandson, Tyler Cook; one nephew and two nieces, Matt Cook, Addie English, and Hannah Kautz; and extended family members.

Visitation and Memorial Services for Mr. Cook will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at the Pennville Community Church.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Staff at the Oakview Health and Rehabilitation Center and Affinis Hospice for providing excellent care for Mr. Cook. They would also like to thank Reita Thomas Cabe, and everyone else who visited.

THOMAS JEFFERSON DEAN, II, age 63, of Cedar Bluff, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at His residence following an extended illness, Mr. Dean was born  May 20, 1962, to the late Charles Thomas Dean and Faye Ellen Dotson Dean, who survives.  He was a member of Local #22 Carpenters Union and Baptist by Faith.  In addition to Father, he was preceded in death by a son, the late Thomas Jefferson Dean, III, a sister, Chrystal Dean Hicks, and a brother, the late Ricky Smith.

Surviving are daughters, Denise Jones and Christy Dean; mother, Faye Ellen Dean; sister, Tonya Dean; former wife, Kim Dean.

Funeral and interment services will be held Saturday, April 4^th, at 11:00 A.M. EST from the Silver Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Steve Scoggins officiating.  Mr. Dean will be in state art his residence, #800 County Road #199-Cedar Bluff, Alabama after 5:00 P.M. EST Thursday.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Thomas Jefferson Dean, II, who passed away Wednesday.