Ms. Betty Sue Ashworth Dover, age 69, of Trion, GA, died Monday, February 24, 2025, at Advent Health Redmond.

Ms. Dover was born March 25, 1955, in Trion, GA, daughter of the late Carlton and Sue Mason Ashworth. She was a member of Perennial Springs Baptist Church, but had attended Dry Valley Baptist Church for most of her life. Ms. Dover was retired from Roper.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, James Roy Ashworth and Mary Alice Ashworth.

Survivors include her sons, Kevin (Brooke) Gorham, Joshua (Edith) Dover; brothers, Raybern Ashworth and Dewey Ashworth; sister, Barbara Ashworth; and grandchildren, Lindsey and Matthew Gorham, Sheyla and Zoey Dover; and beloved friend, Betty Fortner.

Funeral services for Ms. Dover will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joel Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Moseley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kevin Gorham, Joshua Dover, Joey Brewster, Efren Fonceca, Kaidus Fonceca, and Victor Hernandez.

Ms. Dover will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon 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.

MRS. PAULINE SHROPSHIRE STAMPER – AGE 94, – Transitioned peacefully to her Heavenly Father while surrounded by family at her bedside Saturday, February 22, 2025. She was born on December 24, 1930 to her late parents, Paul Shropshire and Gertrude Ryles Shropshire. She was preceded by her daughter, Sheila S. Williams, grandson, Cantrell Shropshire, brother, Tommy Lewis Shropshire, and her infant twin sisters, Imogene and Earnestine Shropshire. Mrs. Stamper was retired from Riegel Textile and was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors are her husband, Jeff David Stamper; daughters, Cynthia Martin, Hilda Copeland, of Summerville, Georgia; stepdaughters, Vickey Garrette, and Karen Garrette; two sons, Charles E. (Florentine) Shropshire of Vine Grove, Kentucky, Reginald Stamper of Cedartown, Georgia; five grandchildren, William C. Martin, Jr., Chasity Fleming, Danyell (Cacareya) Allen, Charles (Destani) Shropshire, II, Carlos (Candace) Benton; sister, Mattie Sue Farmer of Toledo, Ohio; a host of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and her church family.

Homegoing Service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 12:00 noon at Oak Hill Baptist Church, 265 Oak Hill Road, Summerville, Georgia 30747, with Pastor George Beavers and other Ministers officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Interment, Summerville City Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia.

Mr. Joseph Randy “Sign Man” Rape, age 77, of the Cloudland Community, died Monday, February 24, 2025, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mr. Rape was born December 16, 1947, in Trion, GA, son of the late Joe R. and Wilma Vaughn Rape. He was a self-employed sign painter.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Ann Rape.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Katherine Rape; son, Lukas “Luke” Rape; brothers, David Rape and John Paul Rape.

Graveside and interment services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Mount Olive Cemetery with Mr. Jimmy Holbrook officiating. Pallbearers will be Jason Aldridge, Brian Aldridge, Stacy Aldridge, Corey Clark, David Joe Gill, and Stanley Gill.

There will be no visitation and everyone attending the graveside service is asked to assemble by 10:50 A.M. at Mount Olive Cemetery.

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. Devon Shane McGuire, age 27, of Trion, GA, died Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mr. McGuire was born April 8, 1997, in Rome, GA, son of Mark Shane McGuire and Lisa Michelle Wilson. He was of the Baptist Faith and had been employed with Southern Machine Fabrication.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Sherlene Carroll; grandfather, Mark McGuire; and great-aunts, Debbie Lowry, Kathy Landin, and Melissa McCollum.

Survivors include his parents, Mark Shane McGuire and Lisa Michelle Wilson; girlfriend, Bethanie Swanner; son, Cash’Lee Devon Shane Swanner; brothers, Jacob L. (Brooklyn) McGuire, Justin C. Carroll, Kovi A. (Cheyene) Wilson, and Dylan Ward; sisters, Brooklyn G. Wilson (Jonathan A. Collins), Jaycee A. Carroll (Chris Lopez), Alexis B. Carroll (Shaq Calhoun), Kayla A. Carroll (Kendrick Fife); and grandmother, Annette Bing.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jeff Shaver officiating. Interment will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Dylan Ward, Cliff Dixon, Yandell Ratliff, Jacob L. McGuire, Blake Stricklin, Chase Browning, Juice Wilson, and Clarence C. Neal, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Apache Wilson, Malik Madden, Brayden Wilson, K. Moore, Cody Cameron, Brandon Barley, and Alex Barley

Mr. McGuire 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. Jeffery Allen Thomas, age 53 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025 in a Chattanooga hospital.

Jeff was born in Rome, Georgia on April 6, 1971, son of Arlen S. Thomas and Brenda Stowe Johnston. He had worked at the Computer Shop and had attended the Dry Valley Baptist Church. He was an avid gamer and was very knowledgeable and proficient in computer gaming and building gaming systems. Jeff enjoyed attending ComiCon conventions and was a true Star Trek Fan. He loved astronomy, and could regularly found with his telescope out looking at celestial events. In his younger years, he enjoyed carpentry work, bicycling, and even did some soccer officiating. Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Amy Thomas and Bob and Carleen Stowe.

Jeff is survived by his mother and step-father, Brenda and Frank Johnston; father and step-mother, Arlen and Anna Thomas; sister and brother-in-law, Heather and Jeff Coley; brother, Jeremy(Missy) Thomas; step-sibliings, Wayne(Meredith) King, Andrew(Kelsey) King, Brian Johnston, Elizabeth King and Kellie(Trey) Thomas; special friends, Valerie and Trevor Gilreath; and a number of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews and his “munchkin” great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral Services for Jeff will be held Monday, February 24, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with his cousin, Rev. Kevin Woods officiating. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Andrew King, Brandon Veatch, Trevor Gilreath, Valerie Gilreath, Morgan Stowe and Brian Johnston. Honorary Pallbearers will be Steve Palmer, Randy Money, Cole Thomas, Kerry Thomas, Scott Clements and the 1990 Graduating Class of Trion High School.

Jeff’s family will receive friends Monday, February 24, 2025 from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Jeffery Allen Thomas.

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

Mr. Elco “Paul” Swiney, age 73 of Gaylesville, AL passed away Friday, February 21, 2025 at a local healthcare facility.

Mr. Swiney was born January 5, 1952 in Hapeville, GA. He was a retired Firefighter in Clayton County Georgia and enjoyed fishing and college football. He served as a deacon at Pine Grove Baptist Church.  He preceded in death by his wife, Tamara Purmort Swiney; and brother, Steve Swiney.

Survivors include his sons, Kevin Swiney and Adam (Ann) Swiney; grandchildren, Katelyn (Joshua) Bell, Joshua Swiney, Alex Swiney, Lauren Swiney, and Aiden Swiney; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Bell and Nathan Bell.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr. Swiney will take place at 2:00 PM EST Tuesday, February 25 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery with Austin Agan, Jim King, Jim Pahl, James Cloud, Tony Bray, and Tom Conroy serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:00 until 2:00 EST at the funeral home.

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

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

Mrs. Emily Autumn Ratliff Vaughn, age 51, of Lyerly, GA, died Monday, February 17, 2025, at her residence.

Mrs. Vaughn was born March 19, 1973, in Rome, GA, daughter of John “Butch” Ratliff and Lanette Posey Bradford. She attended New Hope South Baptist Church and had previously worked as a Registered Nurse with Heyman Hospice. She loved to read, loved her pets, her family and friends, and loved her vocation as a hospice nurse.

Survivors include sons, Easton Vaughn, Seaver Vaughn, and Jacob Vaughn; father, John Dale Ratliff; mother, Lanette Posey Bradford; a brother, Colter (Tasha) Bradford; and a sister, Cassidy Bradford; special friends, April Davenport, Sherry Mitchell, Christy Wells, and Shelia Hill.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 P.M. Friday, February 21, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Matthew Willingham officiating. Interment will follow in Johnson Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kevin Vaughn, Easton Vaughn, Seaver Vaughn, Jacob Vaughn, Hunter Woody, and Josh Vaughn.

Mrs. Vaughn will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 2:30 P.M. until the hour of service on Friday.

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. WILLIE RAY BLACKMON, age 78, passed away Thursday morning, February 20, 2025, at his residence. He was born in Trion, Georgia on November 17, 1946, to the late Paul and Grace Hennon Blackmon. Mr. Blackmon was a member of East Trion Church of God, and was retired from Mount Vernon Mills; He loved to play guitar, sing, wood working, and fishing. In addition to Parents, He was preceded in death by his wife, the late Joan Carpenter Blackmon, and siblings the late Mitchell Blackmon and Barbara Steward; and a granddaughter, Alexis Bramblett also passed away earlier.

Surviving are children, Tim (Jolena) Blackmon, Tracey Yarbrough, Jason (Misty) Blackmon, Amber (Jeff) White; grandchildren, Dexter (Kristin) Blackmon, Justin Yarbrough, Dawson Yarbrough, Abby Bramblett, Brandon (Jessi) Blaylock, Bree (Dakota) LuAllen, Tristan Blackmon, Riley Blackmon, and Anniston White; great grandchildren, Pierce, Kade, Millie, J.R., Riley, Raegyne, Kruz, Harper, Hudson, Hayson, and Waylon; sister, Bonnie Bryant; brother, Roy Blackmon; special friend, Sandra Burrage.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 22nd, at 3:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Max Reed and Douglas Lee officiating, interment in West Hill Cemetery. Active Pallbearers, Justin Yarbrough, Dawson Yarbrough, Dexter Blackmon, Brandon Blaylock, Dakota LuAllen, and Jason Gilliland; Honorary Pallbearers, Britt Carpenter, Zack Carpenter, and Christian Etheridge. Visitation will be Saturday from noon until 3:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the Family ask for contributions to help with funeral expenses.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Willie Ray Blackmon.

Mr. Andy Lamar Hines, age 56, of Trion, GA, died Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Erlanger Medical Center.

Mr. Hines was born January 1, 1969, in Rome, GA, son of Syble Lee Rogers Hines and the late Brintz Farrell Hines, Sr.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by siblings, Rodney Hines and Tammy Hines.

Survivors include his children, Destiny Lewis, Fancy Diamond Heart McWhorter; brothers, Farrell (Sherry) Hines, Kenny (Letitia) Hines, Jeffery Hines, and Randy Hines (Marsha Marsh); a sister, Carol Godfrey; grandchildren, Braylon Oliver Adalyn McWhorter, Presleigh McWhorter, Lily McWhorter, Raygen Lee Olver, Knightley Allen Johnson, Amerelah Brinshay Valentine, and Persephanie Grace Lewis.

Graveside and interment services for Mr. Hines will be held at 2:00 Sunday, February 23 at West Hill Cemetery. The family respectfully asks that anyone wishing to attend the service gather directly at the cemetery by 1:50 on Sunday.

There will be no visitation.

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. Helen Evelyn White, age 93, of Summerville, GA, died Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Mrs. White was born March 4, 1931, in Fort Payne, AL, daughter of the late Tiney Glenn Wright and Ruby Fondren Wright. She was a homemaker and a member of Living Waters Ministries.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. White was preceded in death by her husband, Farrell Henry White; a brother, Elton Wright; and a sister, Marie Wright.

Survivors include her sons, Steve (Martha) White of Summerville, GA, Glenn (Jennifer) White of Rome, GA; brothers, Billy Wright, Fondren Wright, and Ralph Wright, all of Chattooga County; grandchildren, Richie White, Stephanie Smith, and Matt White; 4 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 21, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Howell and Chaplain Richie White officiating. Interment will follow in New Hope South Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jacob Pledger, Jess Smith, and Matt White.

Mrs. White 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 Friday.

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.