MR. AUBREY GENE “GOMER” NEWTON, Sr., 66, of Holland, Georgia passed away Friday, January 6, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his Family.  He was born May 27, 1950 in Lynchburg, VA., one of 14 children.  He moved to Chattooga County, in 1970, eventually establishing Gomer’s Home Improvement in 2000. 

Gomer was well known for his sense of humor and dedication to hard work.  He enjoyed spending time with family & friends and helping anyone in need; he was laso an avid NASCAR fan.  He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, was awarded numerous medals and citations.

Gomer is preceded in death by parents, Evelyn Mae Newton & James Alfred Newton, Sr.; Four brothers: Donald Newton, Bobby Newton, Roy Rogers Newton, James Alfred Newton, Jr.; Three sisters: Bonnie Sue Londeree, Nancy Newton, and Celia Dorsey.

Surviving are four brothers: Clyde and Sandra Newton and Steve and Kathy Newton, Sr., of Virginia;  Dell and Eva Newton of Orlando, FL., and Ben Lang of Virginia; Three sisters: Brenda and Larry Lindberg of California., Trudy Sanzere of Virginia, Margie and Red Bryant of Virginia; Sister-in-law Petty Newton of Virginia.

Gomer is also survived by children, Aubrey Butch Newton, Jr. and wife Emilee of Holland, Jillian and Shannon Bartlett of Trion, Jason Newton of Holland, Rebekeh DyAnn and Kevin Henderson and Audrey Mae Newton, all of Lyerly; Mothers of his children, Nancy Newton, Trion & Joyce Cook  of Lyerly; Eleven grandchildren: Victoria Newton and Justin Ashworth, Levi Brown, Melina Bartlett, Phoenix Bartlett, Amelia Partch,  John Henry Newton, Olivia Newton, Gunner Wayne Henderson, Tinlee Sage Henderson, Madlyn Claire Henderson, Maelee Tate Henderson; great grandchildren, Peyton Ashworth & Keelan Ashworth.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 11th at 1 PM from the Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev.’s Barry Peppers, James Baird, Greg King and Mr. Steve Baker officiating, interment in Johnson Cemetery.  Active Pallbearers Sam Johnson, Steve Baker, Albert Palmer, Kevin Henderson, Stanley Johnson, and Dave (Frog) Mosteller; Honorary Pallbearers Gary McConnell, Roger Thomas,     Dwayne Thomas, Donnie Collins, and Alan Bryant.  Visitation, 2 until 4 PM Sunday, at the Funeral Home.   Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Mildred “Louise” Pruitt, age 83, of the Cloudland Community, died Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Redmond Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Pruitt was born June 8, 1933, daughter of the late Mitchell Doyle and Ruby Kathryn Keith Cordell.  She was a member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was employed in the cafeteria at Menlo Elementary School.  Mrs. Pruitt was an avid quilter, loved gardening and her flowers.  She was a member of the Menlo Reading Buddies and enjoyed her friends at the Lawrence Center.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Almon “Sam” Pruitt; daughter, Mildred Ellen Pruitt; brother, Clyde Cordell; and a sister, Helen McMicken.

Mrs. Pruitt is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Hershell and Sandra Pruitt; daughters and son-in-law, Kathy Kerce, Vickie and Gary Carlisle; grandchildren, Heather Pruitt, Renee Pruitt, Allen Gray, Katie Smith, Christopher and Sally Kerce, Sarah Kerce, Katie Kerce, Kelsey Carlisle, and Garrett Carlisle, Kim Bishop, and Gary Carlisle, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Callen Kerce, Isaac Gray, Cooper Smith, and Ellie and Wyatt Bishop.

Funeral services for Mrs. Pruitt will be held at 3:00 P.M. Monday, January 9, 2017, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jack Green and Rev. John Paul Harris officiating.  Interment will follow in the Little River Church Cemetery.  Active pallbearers will be Christopher Kerce, Garrett Carlisle, Allen Gray, Patrick Smith, Kenny Lowenburg, and James Johnson, Jr.  Honorary pallbearers will be Blake, Jackson, Carter, Joel, and Kelly Lowenburg, the Menlo Reading Buddies, and the Ladies Sunday School Class of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  The family would also like to say a special thanks to her caregivers, Donna and Ray Bunn, and the Staff of Heyman Hospice.

Mrs. Pruitt 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 Monday.

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Mildred “Louise” Pruitt who died on Thursday.  

Mr. Jack M. Smith, age 81, of Oak Hill Drive, Trion, Georgia passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017, in a Rome hospital. Born on July 4, 1935 in Lindale, Georgia. He was a son of the late John Marvin and Gladys Martin Smith. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army and retired form the Rome General Electric Plant. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife, the late Clara Lee Hammett Smith; sisters, the late Mary J. Smith and Betty S. Black; step children, the late Charlotte Todd and Robert Alvin Johnson, Jr.; grandson, the late Danny Ray Johnson; great grandson, the late Jeremiah Johnson.  

Surving are sister and spouse, Jane and Gary Henderson of Dalton; step children, Jackie Cane of Cloudland, Rita Brown of Cartersville, Terry Lee Johnson of Summerville, and Tony Johnson of Trion; several Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews.    

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7th, at 2:00 P.M. from J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home, with Ministers Hugh Glaze and Robby Eversole officiating, interment in West Hill Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Tony Johnson, Mikie Jones, Mike Bridges, Jacob Hammett, Dakota Jones, Lane Bridges, Brad Henderson, and Rock Harden. Visitation will be Saturday from noon until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home.    

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 

Mr. Leon Taylor, age 61, of Lyerly, GA, died Tuesday, January 3, 2017, in Gaylesville, AL.

Mr. Taylor was born April 16, 1955, in Trion, GA, son of the late William and Loraine Jones Taylor.  He worked as a truck driver with Dawson Trucking.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James Taylor; and a nephew, William Taylor III.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his step-son, Robert Warren; step-daughter, Kayla Duvall; brother, William Taylor, Jr.; sister, Rhonda Taylor; nephew, Douglas Payne; nieces, Margaret (Lamar) Arnold, Pamela Taylor; and 6 grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. Taylor will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, January 5, 2017, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel.

Mr. Taylor 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 Thursday.

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Leon Taylor who died on Tuesday.

 Mr. Herbert Howard Edwards, age 75, of Lyerly, GA, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2016, in a local medical facility.

Mr. Edwards was born on May 21, 1941 in Lyerly, GA, son of the late William Clarence Edwards and Iva Nell Hall Edwards. He was a graduate of Lyerly High School and attended several off campus programs through University of Georgia and from Coosa Valley Technical College. Prior to retirement, Mr. Edwards was associated with Georgia Power for 40 years. He and his wife, Barbara enjoyed traveling. They visited numerous National Parks and most of the 50 United States. They also traveled to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada and the Virgin Islands. Mr. Edwards had several passions, like running, playing softball and trout fishing. He enjoyed life and being with his family especially, spending time with his grand and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his aunt, Mildred Goodson.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Barbara Jo Grigsby Edwards, Lyerly; daughter, Karen Browning, and her husband, Roger “Teddy”, Lyerly; Twin sons, Kenneth Edwards and Kevin Edwards, both of Cedar Bluff, AL; grandchildren, Kristofer Browning, and his wife, Kellee, Summerville, Joey Browning, and his fiancé, Courtney Chandler, Dawsonville, Katie Tucker, and her husband, Eric, Centre, AL, Lauren Edwards, Lyerly, and Seth Edwards, Lyerly; great-grandchildren, Dixie Edwards and Kenzie Edwards, both of Menlo, Lashley Day, Lyerly, Kole Browning, Summerville, and Ella Tucker, AL; a sister, Cathie Warren, and her husband, Robert, Menlo.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 8, 2017 from 1 until 3 pm at the Perennial Springs Circle B. Farm, 1516 Fish Hatchery Road, Summerville, GA 30747. A memorial service will follow at 3 pm.

Mr. Edwards was cremated according to his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mr. Edwards, to the American Heart Association or to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, makes this announcement for the family.

MR. JAMES C. (BUDDY) REED, JR., age 75, of Plum Street, Trion, Georgia passed away Monday, January 2, 2017, morning at his residence.  Born in Rockwood, Tennessee on April 1, 1941, He was a son of the late James C. Reed, Sr. and Charity Roark Reed.  Mr. Reed was retired from the finishing plant of Mount Vernon Mills, and was preceded in death by his wife the late Linda Collins Reed and a daughter, the late Susan Reed.

Surviving are daughters, Mary Nell Reed of Atlanta, Allison Johnson of Armuchee, and Angela Parham of Trion; sons, Jimmy Reed of Oklahoma, Ronnie Reed of Coosa, and Corbitt Reed of Trion; sister, Margaret Langford; several Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 4th, at 2 pm from J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home, with Rev. Kevin Norton and Rev. Sanford DeBerry officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery.  The Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home Tuesday, from 6 until 8 P.M.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Virginia (Low) McCurdy age 92 of Lafayette formerly of Summerville passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016 at Cherokee Medical Center.

Mrs. McCurdy was preceded in death by her husband Nathaniel (Nat) McCurdy; one daughter, Teresa Money; one grandson, Brandon Jefts; her parents Ulas and Lula Low; six brothers and six sisters.

She is survived by three daughters; Linda (Kenneth) Abbot of Lyons, Georgia; Diana (Peter) Phillip of Mentone, Alabama and Deborah (James) Anderson of Lyerly; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Rainsville Funeral Home in Rainsville, Alabama.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 3 PM (Alabama time) from Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Haynes officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery