Mr. Emory Lee “Bo” Gilmer, age 87 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024 in a Rome memory care center

Mr. Gilmer was born in Summerville, Georgia on March 27, 1937, son of the late O.L. “Joe” Gilmer and Clara Mae Mills Gilmer. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as church treasurer and chairman of the Deacon Board. Mr. Gilmer was employed with the former Farmers and Merchants Bank, retiring as the Vice President. He had served as a poll supervisor, and was a former member of the Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed quail hunting and playing golf. In addition to his parents, Mr. Gilmer was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Housch Gilmer; sisters and brother-in-law, Wylene Gilmer and Virginia and Virgil Stover; brother, Billy Joe Gilmer; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Donald and Mary Smith, Bobby Robertson, Bill and Wyndoleen Housch and Bobby Housch.

Mr. Gilmer is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Lejean and David Messer and Susan and Lee Copeland; sister, Rachel Robertson; sister-in-law, Pat Gilmer; grandchildren, DJ (Jennifer) Messer, Josh (Amy) Messer, Jennifer (Mark) Trudgen, Tori (Shaun) Arnold and Emily Copeland; 10 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Gilmer will be held Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Danny Decker officiating. Interment will follow in the Green Hills Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will include DJ Messer, Josh Messer, Shaun Arnold, Mark Trudgen, Mike Stover, Andy Housch, Greg Robertson, George Smith, Philip Robertson, Andy Matthews and Greg Luke. Honorary Pallbearers will be the “Get Up and Go” Parkinson’s Physical Therapy Group; the Staff of Brookdale Rome; and the Staff of Seven Hills Square.

The family of Mr. Gilmer will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. On Wednesday, Mr. Gilmer will be carried to Calvary Baptist Church, where he will lie in state from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that memorial contributions be made to Gideon’s International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800; Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 171 Taylor St. Summerville, GA 30747 or to the Charlie Williams Parkinson’s Foundation, 2713 Wayside Road NE, Kingston, GA, 30145.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Emory Lee Gilmer. Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and post condolences.

Mrs. Phyllis Ann Padgett Marshall, age 64, of Lyerly, GA, died Saturday, July 13, 2024, at her residence.

Mrs. Marshall was born November 1, 1959, in Stanford, KY, daughter of the late Howard Lee Padgett and Doris Jean Guinn Padgett. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a certified nursing assistant at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Marshall was preceded in death by her husband, John Robert Marshall, Jr.; a brother, Donald Padgett; sisters, Beatrice Carroll, Barbara Smith, and infant sister, Laura Padgett.

Survivors include her brothers, Ronald Padgett and Hershel Padgett; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Marshall will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Matthew Willingham officiating. Interment will follow in Lyerly Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Tyler Hunt, Levi Buice, Tony Blalock, Frank Weaver, and Ronnie Padgett. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Marshall will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the service hour 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. Mary Ruth Shaver Elicker, age 84, of Lindale, GA, died Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Advent Health Redmond.

Mrs. Elicker was born April 12, 1940, in Centre, AL, daughter of the late Paul Edward Shaver and Violet Deering Shaver. She was a member of the Rome Baptist Temple, and prior to her retirement, was employed with the Rome Board of Education. Mrs. Elicker enjoyed going to church, sending cards to people, and sign language, and she loved hats and the Atlanta Braves.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Elicker was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Jackie Elicker; brothers, Jerry Shaver, Wayne Shaver, and Bobby Shaver; and a sister, Dorothy Simmons.

Survivors include her sons, Victor (Debbie) Elicker, Michael (Brenda) Elicker, Scott (Brenda) Elicker, Timothy (Vickie) Elicker, Christopher Elicker, and Van (Melissa) Elicker; daughters, Vivian Roberts, Marie (Brian) Roberts; a sister-in-law, Dee Shaver; 29 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Chris Hanks officiating. Interment will follow in AMI Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her sons.

Mrs. Elicker 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 Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Rome Baptist Temple Missions Fund for Mary Elicker. Go to www.RBTemple.com and click on the link that says “Give.” Or checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 1023, Rome, GA 30162.

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. Martha Kay Tucker, age 73, of Menlo, GA, passed away peacefully in her home on July 14th, 2024. Mrs. Tucker was born on April 29th, 1951, in Trion GA at the old Trion Hospital near what is now the Town Hall. She attended Trion High School where she graduated in 1969 as Valedictorian. On December 23rd, 1970, she married Ralph Edward Tucker in the living room of their small home, thus beginning a lifetime partnership that lasted 53 and a half years. On January 19th, 1972, the couple had their first and only child, Eric Shane. Work ethic was very important to Martha as she held a number of jobs while in school and during the early part of her marriage. After the birth of her son, she took 6 years off to spend time with him and focus on her young family. When Shane began school in 1978, Martha interviewed for and was hired at Bigelow Sanford (later known as Karastan/Bigelow) where she continued working in the office for the next 12 years. During her tenure there, she received numerous awards and commendations (including the prestigious Textile Citizen of the Year Award) for her job performance and reliability.

Then, on February 20th, 1990, she switched careers and began working in the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office under Mr. Jim Parker. She eventually progressed to the position of County Clerk where she remained for the next 34 years until her official retirement on June 30th of 2024. During her time there, she worked for four different commissioners: the aforementioned Mr. Parker, Mr. Mike Dawson, Mr. Jason Winters, and the current commissioner, Mr. Blake Elsberry. She was known for her organizational skills, reliability, and integrity in serving the citizens of Chattooga County for almost three and a half decades. In addition to her work and family life, Mrs. Tucker was a founding member of Alpine Community Church which she attended for over 50 years. Her faith was strong and backed up by her many works. She taught Sunday School, led the youth group in various activities, organized Bible School, created Alpine’s “Old Timey Day”, and directed the youth Christmas program. She was also instrumental in the start-up of Alpine’s Live Nativity Scene over 40 years ago, which has now grown to inspiring over 1,000 visitors per year during the Christmas Season. Mrs. Tucker was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Horace McWhorter, her mother, Ms. Hilda McWhorter, and a brother, Mr. Stacy McWhorter.

She is survived by her husband of over 53 years, Ralph Tucker; son, Shane Tucker and his fiance Gina McGuire; sister Janet Schram and her spouse Jimmy; brother Richie McWhorter; brother Tracy McWhorter and his spouse Lisa; brother Anthony McWhorter; sister-in-law Jeannie Tucker; sister-in-law Becky McWhorter; niece Heather Roberts; nephews Tyson McWhorter, Ben McWhorter, Hampton McWhorter, Will McWhorter, Owen McWhorter, and Jason Tucker; and great-nieces Hannah Stewart, Rayne McWhorter, and Jolie McWhorter.

A short service will be held for Mrs. Tucker at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 17th at Alpine Community Church with Pastor Jeremy Stroop officiating. The family will receive visitors at Alpine two hours prior to the service from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Alpine Cemetery with Richie McWhorter, Tracy McWhorter, Anthony McWhorter, Andy Roberts, Tyson McWhorter, Will McWhorter, and Charles Davis as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include all members and attendees of Alpine Community Church and the employees of the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate”. Proverbs 31:31.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Randy J. Touchstone, Sr. age 84 of Summerville, GA passed away Thursday, July 12, 2024 at a local healthcare facility.

Mr. Touchstone was born August 10, 1939 in Rome, GA to the late Raymond and Hazel Touchstone. He was retired from the Rocky Mountain Project and was a veteran of the United States Navy.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by 2 sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years Judy Touchstone; son, Randy Touchstone, Jr.; step children, Thomas Lovelace and Debra Lovelace; and grandson, Michael Vance, along with 2 other grandchildren, and extended family and friends.

Graveside and interment services to celebrate the life of Mr. Touchstone will take place at 11:00 AM Friday, July 12, 2024 at Lyerly Cemetery with Rev. Gary Howell officiating.

There will be no visitation and anyone wishing to attend the funeral service is requested to assemble at the cemetery.

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

Mr. Robert Wayne “Robby” Dalton, age 56 of Trion, Georgia passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024 from injuries sustained in a traffic accident.

Robby was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on October 17, 1967, son of Kenneth Wayne Dalton and the late Ella Susie Stiles Dalton. He had been employed with Mt. Vernon Mills and was an avid NASCAR Fan. In addition to his mother, Robby was preceded in death by a son, Robert Wayne Dalton, Jr., brother, Chris Dalton; and a lifelong friend, Casey Wallin.

Robby is survived by his father and step-mother, Ken and Jan Dalton; step-brother, Randy Dalrymple, Jr.; close friend, Chris Whaley; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services for Robby will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Phil Minter officiating. Private Interment will be held in the West Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Coffman Funeral Home on Friday from 12:00 Noon until the service hour.

The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Georgia School for the Deaf, 232 Perry Farm Road, Cave Spring, GA 30124.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Robert Wayne “Robby” Dalton. Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and post condolences.

MR. HOWARD EUGENE HOGUE, age 70, of Trenton, Georgia formerly of Chattooga County, passed away Monday, July 8, 2024, in a Trenton Rehab Center. A native of Dalton, Georgia, He was born to the late Fred Deforest and Audra Mae Corbin Hogue on April 16, 1954. Mr. Hogue was a retired metal fabricator for J. Bar Tractor. In addition to Parents, was preceded in death by sisters, the late Freddie Mae Wilson and Rebecca Diane Wright and brothers, the late Paul Hogue, Goldman Hogue, John Hogue, Thurman Hogue, Robert Hogue, and Charlie Hogue.

Surviving are sons, Michael Hogue and Buster & Jerica Hogue; brothers, Calvin Hogue and Dewey Hogue; grandchildren, Madison, Hayden, Malachi, and Gage; several Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Tony Samples officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. The Family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Howard Eugene Hogue who passed away Monday.

MR. BILLIE JOE LEE, age 89, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Sunday morning, July 7, 2024, in the local nursing home. Mr. Lee was born in Trion, Georgia on February 22, 1935 to the late Jesse C. and Della Wooten Lee. He was retired driver for Womeco Vending. Mr. Lee was a member of Four Mile Baptist Church, served previously in the National Guard; in addition to Parents was preceded in death by His wife, the late Maxeene Reynolds Lee, daughters, the late Kathy Lee and Janet Lee, sister, the late Ruby Lee, brothers, the late James Lee, Melvin Lee, and Ray Lee.

Surviving are son, Frankie (Debbie) Lee; grandchildren, Justin Lee and Stephanie Cavin; brother, Fay Lee; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 9th, at 7:00 P.M. from graveside in Summerville Cemetery with Rev. Joel Smith officiating, Active Pallbearers, David Reynolds, Ken Reynolds, Jeff Reynolds, Kevin Lee, Bradley Lee, and Bren Lee. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 until 6:45 P.M. at the Funeral Home. The Family request, in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Four Mile Baptist Church, in Billie Joe’s honor.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr.Billie Joe Lee who passed away Sunday morning.

Mr. William Clayton “James” Milam, age 58, of Summerville, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024 at his residence.

Mr. Milam was born in Rome, GA on May 27, 1966, son of the late Arthur Loyd Milam and Vera Mae Atkins Riendeau. Prior to becoming disabled, he worked with Mt. Vernon Mills and Harriet & Henderson. Mr. Milam loved to have fun and was always the life of the party. Beside his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Julie Milam and Freda Laycock and a brother, Walter Daniel “Buck” Milam.

Mr. Milam is survived by his daughter, Jamie Milam(Jason Trammell); son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Tabitha Milam; brothers, Billy Wayne “CY” Milam and Ronnie Earl Milam(Ann Carver); sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Jim Badgero; grandchildren, Jason Trammell, Jr., Kayleigh Watkins, Grayson Milam, Brayden Wilson, Brooklyn Watkins and Laylah Mae Milam; special friends, David Burrage, Jon Mitchell, Ted Stancil and Kevin Burrage; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Milam will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Honorary pallbearers are David Burrage, Jon Mitchell, Ted Stancil, Kevin Burrage, Jason Trammell, Jr. and Brayden Wilson.

Coffman Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. William Clayton “James” Milam.

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

Mrs. Patricia Ann Long Jennings, age 75, of Gaylesville, AL, died Thursday, July 4, 2024, at her residence.

Mrs. Jennings was born October 15, 1949, in Dutton, AL, daughter of the late Curtis Henry Long, Sr. and Joyce Ethel Simpson Long. She was a homemaker and a member of Liberty Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Henry Long, Lee Long, and Jimmy Long; and a sister, Deloris Boyd.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne Jennings; sons, John Jennings, Billy (Teressa) Jennings, Richard (Carrie) Jennings, and Casey (Amanda) Jennings; daughters, Marie Jennings and Melissa Jennings; brothers, David (Marie) Long, Tony Long; a sister, Mary (Roger) Womack; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Jennings will be held at 2:00 P.M. (GA Time) Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Liberty Baptist Church with Bro. Brian Williams and Bro. Hunter Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Davis Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joseph Jennings, Malachi Jennings, Adam Storey, Hunter Slayton, Bryson Jennings, and Jacob Gregory.

Mrs. Jennings will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. (GA Time) on Monday, July 8, 2024. She will also be in state at Liberty Baptist Church from 1:00 P.M. (GA Time) until the hour of service on Tuesday.

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.