Mr. Leonard Briten Hawkins, age 66 of Lafayette, GA passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at his residence.

Mr. Hawkins was born in Lafayette, GA on May 12, 1950, son of the late Oscar Daniel Hawkins and Jannie Lou Adams Broadrick.  He worked as a mechanic and could repair just about anything.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Hawkins was preceded in death by his wife, Debra Hawkins; sister, Louise Robinson and a brother, Henry Hawkins. 

Mr. Hawkins is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Hollis Siffles, Jannie and Keith Burrage and Debra and Butch Cordle; sisters and brother-in-law, Irene Cagle, Sarah Robinson and Brenda and Tommy Young, Sr.; 9 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Hawkins will be held Friday, April 28, 2017 at 4:00 P.M. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Shores officiating.  Interment will follow in the Hawkins Family Cemetery with Rev. Gary Wells officiating.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Siffles, Ryan Siffles, Jay C. Young, Tommy Young, Jr., Stacy Robinson and Richard Robinson.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Nephews and Eric Talley and Tommy Young, Sr.

Mr. Hawkins will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Friday afternoon from 2:00 P.M. until the hour of service.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Leonard Briten Hawkins.  

Celeste Norris Florence,93, died April 18, 2017. Celeste was born July 1, 1923 in Greenville S.C. She lived in Savannah, Cedartown, and Trion for 59 years. She was the daughter of Harold and Pauline Norris. She attended Armstrong State College and graduated from Berry College. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Neal Florence.

She is survived by a brother, Lt. Col. James C. Norris and wife, Rachel Norris of Haughton, La. Two children, Neal Florence and wife, Carolyn Florence of LaFayette, Ga., and Nan Parker and Husband, Breck Parker of LaFayette, Ga. Four grandchildren, Dr. Mason Florence and wife Rachel of Watkinsville, Ga., Dr. Kevin Florence and wife, Rachel of Watkinsville, Ga., Amy Clifton and husband, Chad of Statesboro, Ga., and Dr. Reed Parker of Knoxville Tn. Eight great grandchildren, Samuel, Caroline, Anna Florence, Luke and Kate Florence, Madalyn, Audrey, and Jake Clifton. 

Celeste was active in her family, friendships and community. She was a teacher at Third Street School in Cedartown, Ga., and Trion Elementary School. Trustee of the Chattooga Library, Chairman of the Trion Zoning board, member of the DAR, Who's Who of American Women, Chattooga Historical Society, Atlanta Friendship Force, Elder Hostel, Red Hat Society, Wednesday Morning Bridge, and the Trion United Methodist Church. 

She enjoyed traveling around the world with lifelong friends and relaxing at Lake Weiss with family and friends. She was a lifelong learner and always optimistic. Her long life and inspiring influence was a blessing to all.

A heartfelt thank you to caregivers, Terra Turner, Shirley Bowers, Rosland Mosley, Tonie Autullo, and the wonderful staff at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation in Summerville, Ga.

Memorial service will be held 5 pm Saturday, April 22 at the LaFayette First United Methodist Church with Pastor David Autry officiating.

Visitation will take place Saturday at the church from 3:30 pm until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trion United Methodist Church at PO Box 1014, Trion Ga  30753.

Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

Mr. John Riley “Sparky” Reece, Jr., age 70 of Trion, Georgia passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at a Dade County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Reece was born in Summerville, Georgia on February 4, 1947, son of the late John Riley “Sleepy” Reece and Clara Belle England Reece.  He was self employed as an automobile body repairman and painter.  He loved to fish and do auto/body repair.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Reece was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Reece; a sister, Mary Jo Lindsey and a brother, Jimmy Reece.

Mr. Reece is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John Reece, III and Tracy Reece; daughters and sons-in-law, Rochelle and Mark Trammell and Carol and Billy Jo Stephenson; brother, Bobby Reece; sisters and brothers-in-law, Rose and Larry Nixon and Margie and Danny Rich; grandchildren, Johnny Reece, IV, Justin Reece, Jason Reece, Kelly Bice, Jr. Amanda Pritchett, Paul Bice, Stephenie Johnston, Hope Johnston, Holly Johnston, Devin McDaniel; 20 great grandchildren; special friend, Mary Trammell; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Reece will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Nixon officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Reece, Jason Reece, Justin Reece, Shawn Reece, Gary Blankenship and Josh Head.  Honorary Pallbearers will be all friends and family.

Mr. Reece will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 P.M.

Coffman Funeral  Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. John Riley “Sparky” Reece, Jr.

Mr. Dennis Lamar Elem, age 56 of Summerville, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at his residence.

Mr. Elem was born in Summerville, Georgia on May 3, 1960, son of the late Ernest Elem and Ruby Lee Patterson Elem.  He was a self – employed carpenter and was a self – proclaimed Mountain Man.  He loved hiking, kayaking, wood carving, hunting and anything that kept him outside and in touch with nature.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Elem was preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Busby and a brother, Bud Elem.

Mr. Elem is survived by his son, Dustin Elem; brother and sister-in-law, Wendell and Teresa Elem; sisters and brothers-in-law, Doniece and Gary Colbert and Loretta and Rodney Ensley; special niece, Lisa Ward, and several addition nieces and nephews.

As a Friend of Sloppy Floyd Lake Park, Memorial Services for Mr. Elem will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at the Pavilion #2.  The family will hold private interment services at a later date.

Coffman Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Dennis Lamar Elem.