MRS. ORTHA LORENA WARD, age 85, formerly of Teloga Community, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, in a Rome Health Care Facility. Mrs. Ward was born in Trion, Georgia on February 21, 1940, a daughter of the late Hubbard Greeson and Myrtle Belle Simmons Keen. She was a member of New Generation Church of God, was retired from the Trion School system, and the creeling department of Shaw Ind. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, the late David Luther Ward, son-in-law, Stacy Colbert, and several siblings.

Surviving are daughter, Orlena Paige Colbert; sons, David Scott (Kim) Ward and Marc Anthony (Tony) (Nancy) Ward; grandchildren, Jana (Caleb) Tillman, Chelsey (Jason) Wilkes, Sierra (Nick) Robinson, Jordyn Colbert, Morgan Colbert; great grandchildren, Linley Wilkes, Cash Tillman, and Savannah Tillman; several Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, August 3rd, at 3 P.M. from the Beersheba Presbyterian Church with Pastor Justin Ward officiating, interment in Garrett Cemetery. Active Pallbearers, Jason Wilkes, Caleb Tillman, Chris Keen, Breck Keen, Dexter Guice and Nick Robinson. Honorary Pallbearer, Cash Tillman. Visitation will be held from 2 P.M. until 3 P.M. at the church.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Ortha Lorene Ward.

Mr. Charles Edward McCurdy, age 91 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025 at his residence.

Mr. McCurdy was born in Henegar (Sand Mountain), Alabama on April 19, 1934, son of the late Phillip Garfield McCurdy and Elizabeth Mae Lister McCurdy. He was a faithful member of the Dry Valley Baptist Church where he was also a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class. Mr. McCurdy retired from the maintenance department of Mt. Vernon Mills following over 45 years of service. He enjoyed being outdoors, whether it be gardening, hunting or riding his motorcycle. In addition to his parents, Mr. McCurdy was preceded in death by sisters, Betty Bray and Reba Bailey; brothers, Travis McCurdy, Gerald McCurdy and Rudolph McCurdy; and two grandchildren, Alex Wilson and Megan Mickley.

Mr. McCurdy is survived by his wife, Connie McCurdy; sons and daughters-in-law, Justus Mickley, Craig and Emily Wooten and Kevin and Machelle Mickley; daughters and son-in-law, Alisa Bigham, Rita McCurdy, Donna Bright, Ivy and TJ Middleton, Nita Corinne Wooten Bowden and Rebecca Mickley; grandchildren, Emily Bigham Unkle, seth Bigham, Sam Bigham, Drake Mickley, Ty Mickley, Jaiden Mickley, Autumn Keith and Eli Bright; great grandchildren, Jane Unkle, Roland Unkle, Everly LeBlanc, Ryker Leblanc, Wrenley Middleton, Julianne Mickley and Emerson Middleton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. McCurdy will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Hampton and Rev. Rickey Biddle officiating. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Justus Mickley, T.J. Middleton, Dillon Worley, Lightnin’ Croy, Chandler Pettyjohn and Garrett Hurley.

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

The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Gideons International at www.gideons.org.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Charles Edward McCurdy.

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

Mr. Steven R. Jones, age 55, of Fort Payne, AL, died Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Riverview Regional Medical Center in Gadsden, AL.

Mr. Jones was born August 9, 1969, in Rome, GA, son of the late Fred Ray Jones and Frances Maxine Light Jones. He was a member of the Fort Payne Family Worship Center, and prior to his retirement, was employed in the tree cutting industry.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Jones was preceded in death by a niece, Chelsea Gilliland.

Survivors include his companion, Carol Cannon; son, Brandon (Jennifer) Vanco; daughter, Whitney (Nick) Anderson; a brother, Robert Walter Jones; sisters, Angela Lane, Pamela Jackson, and Carolyn Gill; grandchildren, Cayden Hutcheson, Elissa Hutcheson, Alexandria Vanco, Brenden Vanco, Mason Vanco, and Sarah Fowler; great-grandchildren, Paisley Thomas and A’Vianna Thomas.
Memorial services for Mr. Jones will be held at 1:00 P.M. (EST) Saturday, August 2, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Nick Brown officiating.

There will be a gathering of family and friends from 12:00 Noon (EST) 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. Lettie Sue Johnson, age 89 of the Dry Valley Community, Summerville, passed away Monday, July 28, 2025 at the residence of her son.

Mrs. Johnson was born in Summerville, Georgia on May 19, 1936, daughter of the late John Ervin England and Ella Mae Coleman England. She was a member of the Pennville First Baptist Church and prior to retirement, was employed as an LPN with the Chattooga County Hospital, Battey State (Northwest Regional) and Redmond Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Johnson enjoyed gardening, working in her flower beds and cooking. She was a friend to all and was somewhat of a go-to when the history of the Dry Valley Community was concerned. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward “Big Willie” Johnson, Jr.; and two brothers, Earl England and Johnny England.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Charles “Little Willie” and Eva Johnson, Jr.; a daughter, Kim Johnson; grandson, Daniel (Vianey) Brown; great granddaughter, Elaine “Ellie” Brown; special friends, Judy Edgeworth and Billy Joe Durham; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services for Mrs. Johnson will be held Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 8:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Colbert officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Lettie Sue Johnson.

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

Mr. Charles Edward McClain age 89, of Summerville, GA changed his address from his Earthly home to his heavenly home July 27, 2025 to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. McClain was born December 25, 1935 in Geraldine, AL to the late Henry & Omar Masters McClain. He was a faithful member of South Summerville Baptist Church for over 50 years. He loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. He never met a stranger and was a kind hearted man who was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. It brought him joy to be able to make someone’s load a little easier to bear.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Sarah Durham McClain; and several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his son, Steve McClain; daughter, Sheila (Randy) Mills; grandchildren, Chris (Kimberly) Butler, and Christy (Luke) Villaroel; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; special friends, Martha Nix and Jimmy Harden; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Graveside and interment services to celebrate the life of Mr. McClain will take place at 2:00 PM Tuesday July 29 at Subligna cemetery with Rev. Gene Greer and Rev. Steven Nichols officiating. Pallbearers will be Chris Butler, Jimmy Harden, Randy Mills, Joseph Jackson, Brian Sloan, and Jim Wright.

The family will receive friends at Mason Funeral Home Tuesday from 12:30 – 1:30.

In Lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made in Mr. McClain’s honor to the Sonrise Baptist Church building fund at 141 West Washington St. Summerville, GA 30747.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Oakview health and Rehabilitation Center and Affinis Hospice for the excellent care, love and compassion given to their father in his time of need.

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

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

Mr. Quinn Arnold Simpson, age 72, of Summerville, GA, died Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Advent Health Redmond.

Mr. Simpson was born July 26, 1952, in Rome, GA, son of the late Eugene and Carrie Ann Atkins Simpson. He was of the Methodist faith and was previously employed with Tommy Roberts Trucking. Mr. Simpson was a member of the Gore Volunteer Fire Department where he had faithfully served for 40 years. He had a passion for photography and loved farming, reading, and history.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Warren.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Deborah Crabtree Simpson; son, Rendell Johnson; a daughter, Angela (Chuck) Flannigan; brothers, Larry (Carol) Simpson, Victor Simpson; grandchildren, Caleb (Mary) Flannigan, Treavor (Kathryn) Flannigan, and Charles Flannigan; great-grandchildren, Sophia Flannigan and Dean Flannigan.

Funeral services for Mr. Simpson will be held at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Clyde Hampton officiating. Interment will be held privately at the Simpson Family Cemetery at a later date. Active pallbearers will be Chuck Evans and the members of the Gore Volunteer Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Scoggins and Jimmy Riley.

Mr. Simpson 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. Cecil Parris, age 88 of Trion, Georgia passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Oak View Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Cecil was born in Summerville, Georgia on May 4, 1937, son of the late Rev. Clyde Parris and Opal Naves Parris. He was a member of the Mountain View Baptist Church and was retired from the Packing Department of Mt. Vernon Mills. Cecil enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, whether those friends were at Wal-Mart or at many of the churches he visited attending revivals and gospel music singings. He loved being outdoors, gardening and riding his lawnmower. Cecil enjoyed his job at Mt. Vernon and all of his coworkers were like family. He never met a stranger, because before they parted, they were friends. In addition to his parents, Cecil was preceded in death by two sons, Chris Parris and Tony Parris; a sister, Frances Fay Busby; and brothers, Ronald Parris, Donnie Ray Parris and Leon Parris.

Cecil is survived by his wife of 72 years, Polly Parris; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Beverly Parris; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Cliff Liles; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Renard Lanier; grandchildren, Colin Parris, Phil Parris, Yancey Parris, Kyle Parris, Rilee Parris and Dana McCullough; great grandchildren, Christian Parris, Bella Parris, Paige Parris, Brooke Parris, Jocelyn McCullough, Dixie Wooten and Eli Parris; 3 great-great grandchildren, and a number of niece, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral Services for Cecil will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory with Pastor Kevin J. Norton officiating. Private Interment will be in West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tim Thompson, Randy Cothran, Brian Payton, J.D. Rape, Scott Parris and Mike Flippo. Honorary Pallbearers will be the former employees of the Packing Department at Mt. Vernon Mills; the F-Hall staff of Oak View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and all of his Wal-Mart friends.

Cecil’s family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Cecil Parris.

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

Franklin Keith Brewster, age 70, of Leesburg, passed away at his residence on July 16, 2025.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025 in the Perry Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jay Penton, and Rev. David Bankson officiating. Burial will follow at Cherokee Memory Gardens in Centre. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 18, 2025 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Perry Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife, Alice St.Clair Brewster; sons. Jason (Tina) Brewster and Lee Brewster; daughter, Amy (Jason) Hester; grandchildren, Shane (Stormy) Hatcher, Haylee (Colten) Smith, Dawson Brewster, Levi (Alyssa) Hester, Maggie Hester, Brody Allen, and Taylor Kaufman; and great-grandchildren, Skylee Hatcher and Silas Hester, a host of friends, family and other loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Junior and Loraine McKinney Brewster; son, Steven Allen, and brother, Kenneth Brewster.

Pallbearers include Steve Lumsden, Joe Sonaty, Delmus Brewster, Kevin Davis, Levi Hester, and Ronnie Shaw. Honorary pallbearers will be the Leesburg Town Council. Mr. Brewster was a member of Slackland Baptist Church.

Mr. Brewster retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber after 21 years, and served his communities faithfully, as a founding member of the Sand Rock Town Council, current member of the Leesburg Town Council, a current member of the Weiss Lake Improvement Association, and a 35 plus year member of the Round Mountain Masonic Lodge #487.

He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and other family. He was loved by his family and will be sorely missed.

The family will accept flowers, or donations may be made in his memory to Slackland Baptist Church 75 Co Rd 20; Leesburg, AL 35983.

Mr. Patrick Lee Wesson, age 56, of Summerville, GA, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

He was born May 9, 1969, in Rome, GA, son of Larry and Brenda Davis Wesson. Before retiring, he was self-employed as an autobody repairman at the family business of Wesson’s Body Shop with 35 years of service. He was also a retired volunteer fireman with the Teloga Volunteer Fire Department with 24 years of service.

Patrick had a love for life and the outdoors. He loved to fish, with one of his favorite places being in Blue Ridge on the banks of the Toccoa River. He passed the summertime always planting a huge garden, raising vegetables that he gave to his neighbors and friends. He had a heart of gold and would help anyone in need.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Pearl Wesson, Jess and Ann Ruth Davis; and his father and mother-in-law, Rubin and Joyce Goodson.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Judy Goodson Wesson; son, Ryan Wesson; parents, Larry and Brenda Wesson; sisters-in-law, Marsha Smart (Robert McGill), Virginia (Emmett) McWhorter; several nieces and nephews; and his furbaby, Mika.

Graveside and interment services will be held at 4:30 P.M. Friday, July 18, 2025, at Macedonia Cemetery with Rev. Justin Ward officiating. Active pallbearers will be Barry Bridges, David Fletcher, Dale Cook, Will Thompson, Tim Wesson, and Dennis Elrod. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Elrod and the members of the Teloga Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Wesson will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. 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.

Rykar Blane Ward, age 6, of Gaylesville, AL, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Rykar was the heart of our family! He was the biggest mama’s boy, his sister KK’s best friend, his mimi’s little man, and his pappy’s sidekick.

Rykar was a loving little boy who was full of joy and never met a stranger. He loved Jesus and his favorite song was “Chain Breaker.” He loved playing with his sister; their favorite thing to do was back flips into their swimming pool. He was very smart and creative. His favorite toy was legos and he built entire cities with them. His pappy had just given him his first .22 rifle and he was learning about gun safety and how to shoot. He could already hit his target. He loved school and would have started first grade next month.

We know that Rykar is now with Jesus, but our family will forever remember the joy and love of Rykar Ward!

He was preceded in death by his older cousin, Payton Mitchell; and great-grandparents, Bobby Joe Crane, Judy Nelson Hood, and Pamela Ward.

Ryker is survived by his mother, Hailey Ward; father, Brandon Cobb; sister, Karissa-Kate Ward; grandpaprents, Kristie and Jamie Ward, B.J. Cobb; great-grandmother, Rita Crane; great-grandfather, Ernie Ward; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and special friends, Randy Welchel, Jim Welchel, and Jody Stephenson.

Funeral services for Rykar will be held at 2:00 P.M. (AL Time) Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Faith Baptist Church in Gaylesville, AL with Rev. Stanley Koonce officiating. Interment will follow in the Faith Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Hayden Mitchell, Thomas Boyd, Jim Welchel, and Randy Welchel. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Joe Stephenson and Tyler Bullard.

There will be no visitation and everyone is asked to assemble at the church for the funeral service at 2:00 P.M. (AL Time).

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.