Mr. Billy Wayne Matthews, age 83, of Summerville, GA, died Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mr. Matthews was born May 11, 1940, in Stevenson, AL, son of the late Robert Samuel and Jessie Ada McCrary Matthews. He was a member of Helton Chapel in Stevenson, AL, and prior to his retirement, worked as a millwright with Local Union 1263.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Ray Matthews; and a sister, Shelvie Sparks.

Survivors include his wife, Johnnie Arnold Matthews; daughters, Gina Lutz, Kelli (Lew) Green; and a grandchild, Lily Green.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 5, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Harold Helton and Rev. Jimmy Garner officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens.

Mr. Matthews 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 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.

MRS. EVA MAE BYRON- Age 92, of Summerville passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, December 29, 2023. Mrs. Byron was born August 22, 1931 to her late parents, Samuel Black, Sr. and Nannie Long Black, Sr. and was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Byron to whom she was married for over Forty Three years. Fifteen sibilings also predeceased her in death and she was a lifelong member of West Fifth Street Church of Christ. She graduated in 1964 from A.C. Carter High School, Cosmetology School, CNA training and retired from Mohawk Industries, Georgia Glove Mill and Oak View Nursing Home.

Survivors are her two daughters, Pamela (Donald) Wiggins of Summerville, GA., Jaquelina (David) Fain of Rome, GA., grandchildren, Orlando Nichols, Brian (Tameka) Griffin, Michael Evans, LaQuetta Evans of Rome, GA., Shellyse (Moshem) Khulpuwa of LaFayette, GA., sisters-in-law, Annie Black, Doris Shepherd, Jean Bankston, Louise Williams, brothers-in-law, Bro. Jesse James Bankston of Summerville, GA., Mactine Bankston of Troy, AL., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 06, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. from West Fifth Street Church of Christ, 24 Fifth Street, Summerville, GA. 30747 with Bro. John Lewis and other Ministers officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Interment, Summerville Cemetery.

Arrangement’s entrusted to Willis Funeral Home, Dalton, Georgia.

Mr. Jimmy Ray Grimes, age 76 of Port St. Lucie, Florida, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023 at a Fort Pierce, Florida hospital.

Mr. Grimes was born in Lafayette, Georgia on February 7, 1947, son of the late Russell Lamar Grimes and Virginia Veach Grimes. He was retired from the Trucking Industry and was of the Baptist Faith. Mr. Grimes was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and was a certified sharpshooter using the M14. He was a member of the VFW in Hobe Sound, Florida and thoroughly enjoyed singing Karoke there as well as the Kane Center in Marion County. He was full of great spirits and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Grimes was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Grimes.

Mr. Grimes is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Brittany Grimes; daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa and Shaun Blocker; sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy Smith, Carolyn and Ronald Hill; and Sue and James Wesson; brother, Tommy Grimes; grandchildren, Brayden Evan Blocker, Paisley Grace Blocker, Bristol Rae Grimes, Willow Reece Grimes and Ridge Alan Grimes; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Graveside and Interment Services for Mr. Grimes will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. in the West Hill Cemetery with Mr. Rusty Hill officiating and the United States Army in charge of Military Honors.

Pallbearers will be Jason Grimes, Shaun Blocker, Brayden Blocker, Rusty Hill, Tommy Grimes and Lee Smith.

Mr. Grimes will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Friday from 11:30 A.M. until 12:30 P.M.

The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Kane Center, 900 SE Salerno Road, Stuart, FL 34997 or to the VFW of Hobe Sound, 6101 SE Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Jimmy Ray Grimes.

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

Mrs. Lelia Joyce Rickett Williams, age 88, of Berryton, GA, passed away Friday, December 29, 2023, at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Williams was born January 26, 1935, in Menlo, GA, daughter of the late Gordon and Annie Ruth Quail Rickett.
Lelia was a member of Perennial Springs Baptist Church where she attended regularly until her health would not allow her to. Prior to her retirement, she was employed with Mohawk Industries. She was a social butterfly; she loved visiting people and never met a stranger. She loved the Lord, her church family, bluegrass, George Jones, working in her yard and taking care of her flowers, but most importantly, she loved her family. She was affectionately known to her family as “Maw-Maw” or “Grand-Maw.” She loved going anywhere you would take her, especially the Smoky Mountains. She often said her name was “Lelia Go Williams.”

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy A. Williams; sons, Danny Joe Williams and David Williams; her siblings, Helen Norton, Martha Warren, Claude Rickett, Hugh Rickett, Bud Rickett, Joe Rickett, Bobby Rickett, Sarah Thompson, and Jerry Rickett.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Joyce (Frank) Smith, Janice (Glenn) Thompson; daughter-in-law, Brenda Williams; grandchildren, Nick Smith, Dustin (Laura) Thompson, Nathan (Jennifer) Thompson, and Anna (Toby) Morrison; her great-grandchildren, Sara Thompson, Addie Thompson, Coleson Smith, Jack Morrison, John Morrison, Kate Morrison, and Danny Thompson; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Williams will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Alton Stamey officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Nick Smith, Dustin Thompson, Nathan Thompson, Coleson Smith, Toby Morrison, and Matt Veitch.

Mrs. Williams 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.

The family respectfully requests no food.

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. Jerry Richard Prince, Sr., age 80, of Summerville, Georgia, died Monday, December 25, 2023 at his residence. Mr. Prince was born October 29, 1943 in Summerville Georgia, son of the late Frank N. Prince, Sr. and Juanita Keith Prince. He was a member of the Summerville United Methodist Church and served on several church boards. The Prince Family owned and operated the Western Auto Associate Store in Summerville for over 40 years. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by PFG Milton’s Food service in Oakwood, GA. He loved boating with friends and woodworking. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank N. Prince, Jr., and Ronald K. Prince; two granddaughters, Erin Madison Prince and Jacklyn Elaine Allen.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Rollins Prince; son, Richard (Kristin) Prince; daughter, Martha (Bryant) Allen; son, John (Jennifer) Prince; grandchildren, J.R. (Angie) Prince, Lauren (Corey) Keith, Elizabeth Allen, Gracee Prince, Lora Prince, Nicholas Prince and four great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 29th at 2:00 p.m. from the J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. J. Wesley Privett and Rev. Larry Rollins officiating, interment in Smith Chapel Cemetery, Ringgold, GA. Active Pallbearers J.R. Prince, Nicholas Prince, William Crouch, Randy Pauley, Steve Weaver, and Ben Housch; Honorary Pallbearers, Jim Woodard, Phil Cavin, Carlton Andrews, Jerry Willingham, Ralph Wright, Lefty Norton and Milford Morgan.

The Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, Friday from 12 p.m. until the hour of service. The family requests no flowers and suggest contributions to the Summerville United Methodist Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Jerry Richard Prince, Sr. who passed away Monday.

Mr. L. Vernon Hayes, age 97 of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Monday, December 25, 2023 at his residence. He was born in Chattooga County on May 26, 1926, son of the late E. Cidney Hayes and Sally Walton Hayes. Mr. Hayes was owner and operator of Hayes Muffler Shop for many years before retirement and Baptist by faith. In addition to parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the late Ruth Davenport Hayes; son, the late James V. Hayes and grandson, the late Matt Hayes.

Surviving are his children, Thelma Hall and David McCullough, Kathy Jarrett and Mike Jarrett, Allen L. Hayes and Troyce Hayes; grandchildren, Jamie Rollins, Amanda Parker, Charlie Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett, Chris Jarrett, Jesse Hayes, and Lonnie Hayes; 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home, with Rev. Kenneth Jennings officiating; Graveside and interment at 3:00 P.M. in the New Antioch Cemetery, Blue Ridge, Georgia. Active Pallbearers will be Charlie Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett, Chris Jarrett, Jesse Hayes, Lonnie Hayes, Ken Rollins, and Derek Parker.

Visitation will be Thursday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home. The family requests no flowers nor food, contributions may be made to the local food pantry in Mr. Hayes memory.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. L. Vernon Hayes.

Mr. Billy Claude Ivester, age 86, of Summerville, GA, died Monday, December 25, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Ivester was born May 4, 1937, in Carnesville, GA, son of the late Bruce and Clara Horbin Ivester. He was Baptist by faith, and prior to his retirement, was employed with Black and Meek Milling. Mr. Ivester was also a veteran of the United States Army.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Opal Ivester and Hollis Ivester; adopted daughter, Fairy Zaidia.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Ivester; sons, Terry Ivester, Billy Ivester, Brian Sage, and Curtis Ragsdale; daughters, Dianne Chapman, Sandra Armistead; a sister, Betty Phillips; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 12:00 Noon Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at West Hill Cemetery with Rev. Kevin J. Norton officiating. Pallbearers will be Austin Kellar, Justice Kellar, Ryan Kellar, Allan McGuire, Joseph Tyler Pearson, and Chase Slater.

Mr. Ivester will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:30 A.M. 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. William Wallace “W.J.” Keith, Jr., age 91, of Summerville, GA, died Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Mr. Keith was born December 23, 1932, in Valley Head, AL, son of the late William Wallace Keith, Sr. and Margaret Mae Dobbs Keith. He was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church, and prior to his retirement, was employed with General Electric for 25 years.

Mr. Keith began working at Riegel Textile in 1948. He served in the United States Army from 1953-1956 in 75th Headquarters as a Corporal. He then worked at General Electric where he retired in 1992. Mr. Keith was ordained as a Deacon at Ridgeway Baptist Church in 1963, and had also served as a Deacon at Dry Valley Baptist Church, Corinth Baptist Church, and New Bethel Baptist Church. He also taught Adult Sunday School Classes for many years. He was a talented musician and sang in church with his wife, Odella, and with their children.

Mr. Keith was a faithful and devoted servant to the Lord. His testimony and dedication to the Lord’s service touched many lives. He was greatly loved and respected, not only by his family, but also by many others whose lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Keith was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Odella Mae Tucker Keith; son, Travis Keith; brothers, Clyde Keith, Glen Earl Keith, Boyce Keith, Seldon Keith, Billy Jack Keith, Melvin Keith, and Roger Keith; a sister, Virginia Keith Cordle; and grandsons, Daniel Keith and Rhyan Keith.

Survivors include his sons, Steve (Annette) Keith, Kelley (Dianne) Keith; daughter, Janet (David) Reece; daughter-in-law, Cindy Keith; a brother, Troy Keith; 10 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, December 30, 2023, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Marty McRae and his son, Bro. Steve Keith officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Joseph Keith, Joshua Keith, Warren Reece, Peter Reece, Blake Hughes, and Maverick Powell.

Mr. Keith will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Saturday.

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. Gladys “Bea” Floyd Vinyard, age 92, of LaFayette, GA, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.
Mrs. Vinyard was born May 20, 1931, in Centre, AL, daughter of the late Roy and Eunice Luallen Floyd. She was a homemaker and had attended Oak Hill Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Vinyard was preceded in death by her husband, John Wesley Vinyard, Sr.; a son, John Vinyard, Jr.; a daughter, Eunice Ann Wilhort; and several brothers.

Survivors include her sons, Terry (Gail) Vinyard, Jerry (Cathy) Vinyard, Luther (Diane) Vinyard, and Scott (Sherry) Vinyard; daughters, Linda (David) Connor, Sue (John) Carman; 16 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Vinyard will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, December 28, 2023, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Andy Hutchins officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Heath Vinyard, Jake Vinyard, Jason Vinyard, Wes Vinyard, John Vinyard, and Adam Vinyard.

Mrs. Vinyard will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Thursday.

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. Robert William Bryant, age 73 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Friday, December 22, 2023 at a Rome Hospital.

Robert was born in Trion, Georgia on August 18, 1950, son of the late Floyd William Bryant and Irene Hunter Bryant. He attended the Lyerly Community Church and prior to retirement, worked as a caterer and food truck operator. Robert was a member of the BCU (Biker Care Unit), loved to ride his motorcycle and enjoyed tinkering and fixing things, but he will be most remembered as being Santa Claus at numerous city and county area events over the last several years. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Brandie Bryant; infant sister, Diane Bryant; brothers, William “Tiger” Bryant and Bobby Bryant; and a granddaughter, Caylin White.

Robert is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law, Bobby Bryant and his fiancé, Trish Kaplan and Marvin and Trisha Johnson; daughters, Cheyenne Bryant, Kristi Pena and Rebecca Bryant; his fiancé, Cherie Osborne; brothers and sisters-in-law, Stoney and Doris Bryant and Terry and Joyce Bryant; sisters and brother-in-law, Brenda Johnson, Ann Corbit, Shirley and Jackie Morgan and Linda Mauldin; grandchildren, Aiden Radford, Amelie Radford, Madison Shaw, Mila Shaw, Autumn Pena, Ashlee Pena, Anthony Walker, Corey Walker and Isaiah Johnson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Robert will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Pastor Marshall Bryan officiating. Private Interment will be held at a later date.

Robert will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 Noon until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Robert William Bryant.

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