With the humble acceptance of God’s will, the family of Carolyn Corbin Colbert would like to announce her arrival to Glory. On November 13th at 3:50pm Carolyn passed peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones and achieved her goal of eternal life in heaven with Jesus.

Carolyn was born on October 1,1948 to Charlie (U.L.) and Mackie Jean McWhorter Corbin and was a lifelong resident of Summerville, Ga. In May of 1976, Carolyn married the love of her life, Doug Colbert. She enjoyed years of traveling and “loafering” with her husband and together, they built a large family. She was passionate about sharing The Word of God. She loved and prayed for her family daily. She was a charter member of the Summerville Pentecostal Worship Center.

Carolyn was a very talented singer and loved to sing. At the age of 15 she recorded a double-sided record in Nashville titled “Boy Doll” and “Let’s Talk Thing Over.” She ultimately chose to use her musical talents to worship The Lord. She spent several years traveling and singing with the gospel trio, Rejoice.

Carolyn attended Chattooga High School and was a majorette. She owned and operated the Bed and Bath shop and retired from Roper Corporation.

She is preceded in death by her parents; In-laws JD and Jesse Colbert; brothers-in-law Melvin Owens, Gerald Cambell, and Jimmy Colbert; and grandson Marty Gary;

Carolyn is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 48 years Doug Colbert.  Brother Jackie (Jeannie) Corbin; Sister Brenda (Larry) Brock;Children Tammy Stricklin; Lori (Kenny) Wilemon; Bryan Colbert (Macy Carpenter); Sisters-in-law Paulette Owens; Peggy (Tommy) Campbell Ash; and Janet Colbert; Grandchildren Mallori (Joey) Engelbrecht; Cain (Caitlin) Higgins; Zachari (Stephanie) Willingham; Jessica Wilemon; Harley Gary; Samantha (Isaac) Morgan; Bo and Mason Stricklin; Tylar, Jake, Maddux, and Stetson Colbert; Graysen Carpenter, Peyton Dover, Layla May Clark; 15 great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and church family.

At her request, there will not be a traditional visitation or funeral. However, to honor her memory, the family will be fulfilling her wishes by filling the church pews of the Summerville Pentecostal Worship Center for a Sunday morning service on November 24th at 11am. The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Gideon International in her honor at https://www.gideons.org/donate. If you would like to send a card, please use the address below. Or a donation can be made directly to the church for bible distributions.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We will see her again.

Summerville Pentecostal Worship Center
116 Lake Wanda Rieta Rd, Summerville, GA 30747

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Vernon Wyatt Earp, age 79, of Trion passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024.

He was extremely talented in music, art, and nature, as well as a devoted Christian.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Fonnie and Lydia Cameron Earp; brother, Fonnie Earp, Jr.; sisters, Nancy Earp and Ruth Hughes; and two nephews, Vinson Hughes and Raymond Hughes.

He is survived by his brother, James Earp; nephews, Wayne Hughes, Jeff Hughes, and Alvin (Lin) Earp; nieces, Renee Hughes Lanham and Belinda Earp Belcher; several great-nieces and nephews; and several great-great nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, November 22, at West Hill Cemetery with Pastor L.D. Ludy and Brother Rickey Biddle officiating.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 21, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ring14 USA, either through their website at https://ring14usa.networkforgood.com/projects/121250-everyday-giving or mail to Ring14 USA, P.O. Box 9562, Midland, TX 79708, USA.

Arrangements by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

MRS. BECKY SCHILLING, age 71, of Trion, Georgia, passed away Tuesday afternoon, November 12, 2024, following a sudden attack. A native of Cherokee County, Alabama, she was born on May 8, 1953, to the late Houston D. and Bessie Carolyn Stansell Palmer. She was retired nurse for Chattooga County Hospital and Baptist by Faith. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Schilling was preceded in death by husband, the late Joseph H. Schilling, Jr. on September 8, 2009; siblings, the late Marilyn Foy Palmer, Bobby Gene Palmer, Jimmie Ruth Sweat, Kimberly Dawn Kennett, Phyllis Sue Padgett, and Beloved Pet-Lambchop.

Surviving are sisters, Pat Elsberry, Linda Orr, Martha Reynolds, Kathy Brown, Marsha Uptain; brothers, Houston Ladon Palmer & Michael T. Palmer ; fiance’, Steve Scoggins; God children, Justin Blackmon and Amber Uptain.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, November 17th, at 2:00 P.M. from Graveside in Summerville Cemetery, with Gary Brown officiating. Active Pallbearers Stacy Reynolds, Robby Johnson, Mike Palmer, Justin Blackmon, Barry Padgett, and Jeremy Marshall. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 until 1:50 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Becky Schilling, who passed away Tuesday.

MR. AUSTIN RYAN CARNES, age 27, of Lyerly, Georgia, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2024, from injuries received in a pedestrian-auto incident near Lyerly, on Saturday. He was a son of Lori Nichole Williams and Bobby Ray Carnes. Austin was employed with Joey’s Lawn service, and was preceded in death by grandparents the late Bobby Carnes, Terry and Marlene Williams; great grandparents, the late Joe Potter, Gordon and Margaret Williams, Lamar and Era Smith; great great grandmother, the late Evelyn Lemming also passed away earlier.

Surviving are son-Liam Brown; mother Lori Williams, father and step mother, Bobby and Jessica Carnes; grandmother, Debbie Carnes; great grandmother, Kathryn Potter; brothers, Blake Williams and Jacob Swan.

Funeral service will be held Friday, November 15, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. from Graveside in Lyerly Cemetery with Rev. Robert Brown officiating; Active Pallbearers Brady Carnes, Eric Williams, Joey Carnes, Eric Brown, Blake Williams, and Jacob Swan. There will not be any visitation.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Diana Lynn Gardner Hutchens, age 68 of the Little Sand Mountain Community, Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at a Rome hospital.

Diana was born in Atlanta, Georgia on July 9, 1956, daughter of the late William Joseph Gardner and Clara Kate Parker Gardner. She was a member of the Little Sand Mountain Baptist Church, where she was active in the Dorcas Circle, and prior to retirement, was a safety supervisor with Mohawk Industries. She loved traveling, especially to Florida, gardening, being outdoors, and taking care of her animals. In addition to her parents, Diana was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Edward “Tommy” Hutchens; daughters, Nancy Marie Hutchens and Demple Dixon; and sisters, Regina Kitchens, Missy Hamby and Shelia Hyatt.

Diana is survived by her children, Thomas Edward “Doe Doe” Hutchens, whose wife, Carol Hutchens preceded her in death, Thomas Eugene “Lil Tommy” Hutchens(Jamie), Michael David Norris(Stephanie), Kathy Renee Thompson(Horace), April Diane Denham(Eddie), Billie Joe Cargle(Terry) and Barbie Lynn Niederhuth(Bruce); brothers, Kenny Gardner and Joey Gardner; 35 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; a fur baby, Rascall; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Diana will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the Little Sand Mountain Baptist Church with Pastor Myles Phillips and her son, Michael David Norris officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Michael Norris, Michael Scoggins, Chandler Norris, Doe Doe Hutchens, Lil Tommy Hutchens, Daniel Dooley and Michael Dooley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Codi Denham, Edward Denham, members of the Dorcas Circle and all members of the Little Sand Mountain Baptist Church.

Diana’s family will receive friends Friday evening at the Coffman Funeral Home from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

On Saturday, Diana will lie in state at the Little Sand Mountain Baptist Church from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Diana Lynn Gardner Hutchens.

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

Mr. William Thomas “Tom” Chapman, Jr., age 70, of Uvalda, GA (formerly of Summerville), died suddenly Friday, November 08, 2024, at Atrium Health Floyd-Chattooga.

Mr. Chapman was born March 29, 1954 in Metter, Georgia, son of the late William Thomas Chapman, Sr. and Berta Mae Brown Chapman.

As told to his daughter, Lauren, he lost his high school class ring when he flung a beer bottle out of a moving car. Afraid of his parents’ response to that and myriad of infractions, he signed up to serve his country in the Army. He was a paratrooper and joked they had to push him out of the plane for his first jump, but he loved every jump thereafter.

Later, Mr. Chapman was a member of the Old Guard serving in the Caisson barn, 1975-77 on wheel, as a section SGT and Cap Horse Walker. He was described as hard working, loyal, and fun to be around by his fellow service men. Mr. Chapman was Blackjack’s, the Riderless horse’s, last handler and was involved in numerous military funerals as well as President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. This was one of his proudest services.

Mr. Chapman was also a member of the Metter Lodge # 435, F&AM and was a Shriner. He served as Worshipful Master of his lodge in 1982.

Mr. Chapman served the State of Georgia as an employee of the Department of Corrections until his retirement after 30 years. One of his most rewarding accomplishments was during his tenure as the Warden at Pulaski State Prison, Hawkinsville, GA. In 2008, by working with Middle Georgia Technical College and Mr. Tommy Irvin, former Georgia Agricultural Commissioner, he implemented Georgia’s first prison horse-rescue farm. This project was and still is beneficial for horses and inmates alike. Emaciated, abused horses often have nowhere to go. By coming to Pulaski State Prison, horses are nurtured and inmates report feeling they are “…doing something worthwhile [that] is actually good…” Because of the partnership with the technical college system of Georgia, some inmates are able to earn a certificate as a veterinary technician through Middle Georgia Technical College.

This is just one example of Mr. Chapman’s foresight, dedication to his role as Warden, and his ability to build friendships lasting long after his time with the Department of Corrections.

While in Hawkinsville, Mr. Chapman was heavily involved with the Chamber of Commerce, many community projects, served as the Grand Marshall in the Harness Festival Parade, named Citizen of the Year, and was an avid connoisseur of M&T’s Meat Market.

This list does not begin to encompass all of his accomplishments, however, one of his most recent was his sobriety, which he committed to one month after his grandson, Will, was born in 2017. Will was his absolute best friend whom he loved more than anyone else on this Earth (it’s true, and the rest of the family all know it and happily and heartily accept it).

Following his sobriety and giving his life over to the Lord, Mr. Chapman devoted many hours to sharing his testimony with anyone who would listen. He hoped his story would inspire others. The AA group in Summerville, GA was a major contributor to his ability to maintain his sobriety.
We would be remiss to leave out Mr. Chapman’s one-time obsession with Harley Davidson. He enjoyed the camaraderie and riding; especially with his friends, Huey and Sharp. He was always one of the first to help with charity rides, Toys for Tots, and other community events. Mr. Chapman also enjoyed being outside; particularly magnet fishing and metal detecting with his best buddy, Will.

Mr. Chapman’s survivors include his wife, Jan Wilson Chapman; children Lauren (Blake) Elsberry; William Thomas “Trey” Chapman, III, Brandy Love James, and Cindy Chapman; sister, Tammy (David) Chapman Hart; grandchildren, William Ashworth Elsberry and Sarah Katherine Elsberry, and many precious nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, November 15th, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel.

Mr. Chapman will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Friday.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to:

The Foundation of the Old Guard, online: https://donorbox.org/caisson-buckle-fund
Click on “leave us a comment” to mention Tom or mail a check to:
The Foundation of the Old Guard
P.O. Box 1010
Ft. Myer, VA 22211
Note “Tom” on the check
The foundation will use all funds received to support the Caisson platoon.
or
Heartbound Ministries, online: www.heartboundministries.com or mail a check to:
Heartbound Ministries
P.O. Box 191703
Atlanta, Georgia 31119-0703

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. Raymond Lee Hurley, age 72 of Gaylesville, AL passed away Friday, November 8, 2024 at his residence.

Mr. Hurley was born December 9, 1951 in Trion, GA to the late Raymond H. and Bonnie Wade Hurley. He was a retired machine mechanic from Sew So Styles and enjoyed gardening, whittling, and woodworking. He was a member of Freedom Baptist Church.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his son, Raymond Nathaniel Hurley, and sister, Glenda Henderson.

Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Rita Garlin Hurley; grandchild, Garrett Hurley; and special friend, Dr. April Connell.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mr. Hurley will take place at 12:00 Noon (GA Time)Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from the Chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens in Rome, GA with Jimmy Scott, Colby Scott, Logan Blalock, Steven Blalock, Michael Tucker, and Charles Tallent serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Freedom Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 11:00 AM (GA Time) until the service hour.

MRS. JEWEL CAROL TOWNSEND HALL, age 92, of Menlo, Georgia, passed away Thursday morning, November 7, 2024, in a Rossville, Georgia, Nursing Facility, following an illness. She was born in Rome, Georgia on April 4, 1932 to the late George E. and Eunice Jones Townsend. Jewel was a member of the Menlo Methodist Church and was retired from Best Manufacturing Company after many years of service. In addition to Parents, Mrs. Hall was preceded in death by her husband, the late Dewey Jennings Hall on October 27, 1999, siblings, Mozell Stanfield and (Her twin) Sewell Townsend, half sisters, Beulah Freeman, Jackie Moore, and Ruth Barker, half brothers, Darrell Townsend and Buddy Townsend.

Surviving are sister, Nila Carmon; nieces and nephews, Joan Hunter, Tommy Carmon, Dan Carmon, Patrick Stanfield, Mark Stanfield, Allen Townsend, Mike Townsend, Kim Brown, Kris Caldwell and special friend, Donna Sentell.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 2 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Jody Brock officiating; Interment in Alpine Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Casey Christol, Gary Vaughn, Patrick Stanfield, Allen Townsend, Sidney Swords and Jody Brock; Honorary Pallbearers all Friends. Visitation will be held Sunday from 12:30 P.M. until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Menlo Methodist Church, #266 Virginia Drive, Summerville, Georgia-30747.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Jewel Carol Townsend Hall.

Mrs. Susan Rebecca Kirk Middleton, age 68, of LaFayette, GA, died Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Atrium Health Floyd-Chattooga.

Mrs. Middleton was born April 3, 1956, in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, daughter of the late C.B. Kirk and Carmon Margaree Blaylock Kirk. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening and wildlife. Mrs. Middleton loved spending time with her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her dogs, Lacy and Daisey.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Middleton was preceded in death by her sisters, Eula Mae Hawkins and Sandra Kirk.
Survivors include her husband, Carl Middleton; son, Heath (Daniela) Mann; daughter, Ashley (Michael) Coker; a brother, Randall Coy Kirk (Shelia
Zoe); 9 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, November 8, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Matthew Willingham officiating. Interment will follow in New Home Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Coy Pendergrass, Dex Cargel, Michael Coker, Caleb Welch, Preston Putnam, and Ricky Ball.

Mrs. Middleton will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

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. Elizabeth Nadine “Libby” Blackmon Frazier, age 82 of Summerville, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at the Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Libby was born in Trion, Georgia on December 18, 1941, daughter of the late Grady Blackmon and Helen Pierce Blackmon. She was retired from Roper Industries and was of the Baptist Faith. In addition to her parents, Libby was preceded in death by her husband, James Tullon Frazier; sons, Charles “Bit” Turner and Troy “Monk” Turner; and brothers, Jerry “Curly” Blackmon and Richard “Bear” Blackmon.

Libby is survived by a brother, Tony Blackmon; nieces, Kaci(Leng) Gnov and Mandie Hunseder; nephews, Chris Blackmon and Greg Blackmon; and 2 grandchildren.

Graveside and Interment services will be held Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 2:30 P.M. in the West Hill Cemetery with Rev. Sammy Barrett officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Coffman Funeral Home Sunday afternoon from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Elizabeth Nadine “Libby” Frazier. Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and post condolences.