Mrs. Georgia Ruth Williamson Bennett, age 88, of Summerville, GA, passed away Wednesday October 21, 2015, at her residence.

Mrs. Bennett was born March 18, 1927, in Fort Payne, AL, the daughter of William and Bertha McGregor Williamson.  She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Bennett retired from Best Mfg, was a member of Berryton Baptist Church, and preceded in death by her husband, William Oscar Bennett, sisters, Mary Rice, Margaret Lathem, brothers, Tommy, Marcus, Ludie, Luther, and Curt Williamson.

Survivors include her children, Billy & Kay Bennett, Jimmy Bennett, Carolyn & Ricky Sprayberry, Diane Skelton, Louise Forrester, sisters, Ruby Middleton, Linda Russell, Frances Hardy, Brenda Brown, Betty Ann Chamlee, Shirley Harrison, 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren,8 great-great-grandchildren  and a number of nieces and nephews also survive Mrs. Georgia Ruth Bennett.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday October 24, 2015 from Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mickey Skates, Rev. Clyde Painter, and Brother Jake Morrison officiating with interment in the Greenhills Memory Garden.  Active pallbearers are Josh Bennett, Jeff Phillips, Jon Skelton, Jerry Skelton, Drake Dodd, Shannon Carmon, Dakota Finster, and Chris Carmon.  Honorary pallbearers are members of the Berryton Baptist Church, and Staff of Heyman Hospice. 

Mrs. Bennett will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Friday, October 23, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at other hours the family will be at the residence of a daughter, Diane Skelton at 12347 Hwy 27 North Summerville, GA.

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements for Mrs. Georgia Ruth Bennett who died on Wednesday.

Mr. Scotty Alan “Scooter” Slawson, age 29, of Richmond, Kentucky passed away Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Hutcheson Medical Center. 

Mr. Slawson was born in Dayton, Ohio on November 5, 1985, son of Scotty Gilbert and Bonnie Jo Slawson Winkler.  He was self employed as a carpenter and loved to draw.  Mr. Slawson was preceded in death by a son, Ethan Slawson on February 18, 2007. 

Mr. Slawson is survived by his children, Matthew Durham, Blaze Withrow and Shayla Slawson; his mother and step-father, Bonnie and Ricky Winkler;  his father, Scotty Gilbert; brothers, Jason Chaney, Daniel Gilbert, and Nicholas Winkler; sisters, Jessica Smith, Juanita Malone and Jennifer Gilbert; and his former wife and mother of Blaze and Shayla, Kayla Harper Slawson. 

Funeral Services for Mr. Slawson will be held Friday, October 23, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Pastor Dustin Farmer officiating.  Burial will be in Kentucky next to his son, Ethan. 

Mr. Slawson will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Friday from 12:00 Noon until the funeral hour. 

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Scotty Alan “Scooter” Slawson.

Minister Bill Morgan, age 79, of Rock Spring, GA, formerly of Hall Valley Road, Trion, GA, passed away Friday October 16, 2015, at his residence.  Minister Morgan was born April 25, 1936, in Dayton, TN, the son of Daniel J. and Grace Wheeler Morgan.  He was a member of Subligna Road Church of Christ, other than his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Jack Morgan, Wallace Morgan, Alan Morgan, and Johnny Morgan.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy Mitchell Morgan, children, Adam & Dana Morgan, Mark & Lisa Morgan, Maria & Joel Hillis, Monna & Tommy O'Kelley, 9 grandchildren, sister, Allene Roddy. 

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday October 19, 2015, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Ministers Hugh Glaze, Joel Hillis, Tommy O'Kelley,  Bro. Adam Morgan, and Bro. Bob Hawkins officiating with interment in the Hall Cemetery.  Active pallbearers, Josh Hillis, Ben Morgan, Ethan Hillis, Dylan O'Kelley, Carter Logan, Terry Williams. 

Minister Morgan will be in state at the Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Subligna Road Church of Christ.

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements for Minister Bill Morgan who died on Friday.

Minister Bill Morgan, age 79, Rock Spring, GA, passed away Friday October 16, 2015, at his residence.  Minister Morgan was born April 25, 1936, in Dayton, TN, the son of Daniel and Grace Wheeler Morgan.  He was a member of Subligna Road Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy Mitchell Morgan, children, Adam Morgan, Mark Morgan, Maria Hillis, Monna Okelley, 9 grandchildren. 

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday October 19, 2015, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with interment in the Hall Cemetery. 

Minister Morgan will be in state at the Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements for Minister Bill Morgan who  died on Friday.

Mrs. Margree B. Kirk, age 95, of Trion, GA, passed away Thursday October 15, 2015, in Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mrs. Kirk was born April 17, 1920, in Resaca, GA, the daughter of the late George Melton and Susan Elizabeth Crump Blaylock.  She was retired from Riegel Textile. She was preceded in death by her husband, C B Kirk; daughter, Eula Mae Culpepper Hawkins; grandsons, Aaron Kirk Martin, Justin Cody Kirk, and Dennis Dale Culpepper. 

Survivors include her children, Susan and Carl Middleton, Sandra Martin-Ales and David Ales, Randall and Sheila Kirk; brother, Jimmy Blaylock; sister, Elizabeth Jenkins; sisters-in-law, Lillian Blaylock and Mary Davis; 9 Grandchildren, 21 Great-grandchildren, and 15 Great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p. m. Sunday, October 18, 2015 at Mason Funeral Home Chapel, with Bade Eller officiating.  Burial will follow in New Home Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Nephews and Grandsons, Gene Johnson, Marty Culpepper, Andy Martin, Heath Mann, Kirk Martin, Roy Rhoden, Gary Joe Blaylock, and Teddy Gilreath.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Nursing Staff of Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center F Hall. 

Mrs. Kirk will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p. m. on Saturday, October 17, 2015. Mason Funeral Home is directing.

Mr. Kenneth Michael "Mike" Woodard, age 69, of Menlo, GA, died Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at his residence. 

Mr. Woodard was born September 2, 1946, in Summerville, GA, son of the late James Benjamin "J. B." and Marjorie McElheney Woodard.  He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  Mr. Woodard was a member of the Alpine Community Church, the Rainbow City Coin Club, the Rome Coin Club, and the Lions Club.  He was also a former member of the Board of Directors for the Chattooga County Hospital Authority.  He was owner and operator of Lucky's Supermarkets.  Mr. Woodard was a veteran of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, James Sanders; and father-in-law, Bernard Shaw. 

Mr. Woodard is survived by his wife, Brenda Shaw Woodard; a son, Jacob Bronson Woodard and Vanessa Green; daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah "Sally and Larry Reynolds; Katherine "Katie" and Jay Bryan, Nikki and Scott Ballard, Stephanie and Barry Bentley; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Becky Woodard; a sister, Virginia Sanders; 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. 

Funeral services for Mr. Woodard will be held at 3:00 P.M. Monday, October 19, 2015, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Alpine Community Cemetery.  Active pallbearers will be Henry Barrow, Terry Pilgram, Eugene Brown, Freddie Hughes, Randy Rush, Chuck Powell, Tip Young, and Tyler VanHorn.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Employees of Lucky's Supermarket, Danny McGraw, Ronnie Watkins, Butch Self, Guin Ingle, Albert Ingle, members of the Rome Coin Club and the Rainbow City Coin Club, and Hugh Don Hughes. 

Mr. Woodard will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday, October 18, 2015. 

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Kenneth Michael "Mike" Woodard who died on Wednesday.

MRS. JUNE HAYS COOK, age 87, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday evening, October 6, 2015, at her home.  Mrs. Cook was born in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Joe Hill and Grace Berry Hays on February 7, 1928.  Shortly thereafter the Family returned to Chattooga County, where Mrs. Cook continued to live for the duration of her life.  Mrs. Cook attended public schools in Summerville, Georgia as well as Mantreat Preparatory School in Mantreat, North Carolina.  She continued her education at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia and subsequently began her teaching career.

On June 8, 1948 June Hays and Bobby Lee Cook were married in the Summerville Presbyterian Church.  Mrs. Cook devoted the time and energy to help her husband and open his law office.  Over the years She gave birth to and raised three children and assisted her husband in the establishment of his legal career.  Mrs. Cook was predeceased by her sister, Martha Jo Adams, and her son, Bobby Lee Cook, Jr.

She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Bobby Lee Cook; her daughters, Kristina Cook Graham and Sara Cook Williams; her grandchildren, Sarah Holston O’Reagan, Jessica Cook Hale, Christopher Sutton Connelly, Jeffery Scott Connelly, Elizabeth Connelly Turner, and Anna Lee Williams; great grandchildren, Patrick Aidan Fell, Morgan Aeron Hale, Lillian Grace Connelly, and Fiana Bess- Connelly; one nephew, James and Brenda Cordle Adams, also survive.

The funeral services will be held at the Summerville First United Methodist Church, at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, with Dr. Roger Kvam officiating, interment will be immediately following at the Cloudland Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Cook’s two grandsons Sutton and Jeffrey Connelly, and Richard Lindsey, Mac Myers, Gary McConnell, and Eddie Hurley.  The Family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 3 until 5 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Mrs. Rachel Ozella Dillard, age 81, of Summerville, GA died Friday, October

9, 2015 at Redmond Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Dillard was born September 4, 1934 in Little Sand Mtn., GA, the daughter

of the late Zera Monique “Buck” Cooper and Martha Evelyn Bohannon Cooper.

She was a retired lab technician.  Mrs. Dillard was a member of Summerville

First Baptist Church.  Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by

her husband, Norman Lee Dillard.

Mrs. Dillard is survived by two daughters, Sandra Ford and Gwenith Battles;

three grandchildren , Corey Hunter, Janet Battles, and Lamar and Lacey Battles;

granddaughter-in-law, Tiffany Romine; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p. m. on Monday, October 12, 2015 at

Summerville First Baptist Church.  Dr. David Hunter and Dr. Paul Mason

will officiate, with burial to follow in Little Sand Mtn. Cemetery.  Active

pallbearers will be Corey Hunter, Lamar Battles, Gage Reece, Brandon

Battles, Coby Battles, Austin Battles, Bradley Hunter.  Honorary pallbearers will

be all members of the Dorcus Sunday School Class, Redmond Family Care

Employees, and all personal friends.

Mrs. Dillard will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive

friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p. m. on Sunday.   Mrs. Dillard will also lie in state at the church from 12:00 until the service hour.

Mason Funeral Home is directing.

Harold Milton Skates, 88, of LaFayette, passed away on October 5, 2015, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga following an extended illness.   

Harold was born February 7, 1927, in the Halls Valley community of southern Walker County.  He was preceded in death by his parents James Harvey Skates and Grace Dover Skates along with two brothers, Luther Skates and Roland Skates.  Harold served his country in the United States Army at the end of World War II as a guard for German prisoners of war.  Soon after returning home, he married Edna Louise Pegg and began farming.  Later he became a carpenter, building houses and owning his own lumber and hardware business.  In his later years, he built swings, cedar chests, and cabinets for many people throughout Walker and surrounding counties.

Mr. Skates was an active member of Waterville Baptist Church in LaFayette, Georgia, where he served as a deacon for many years. 

 He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Louise Skates, and seven children, Gene and Jean Skates of LaFayette, Georgia; Glenn and Idalia Skates of Houston, Texas; Danny and Debbie Skates of Ringgold, Georgia; Mickey and Billie Skates of LaFayette, Georgia; Rickey and Gayla Skates of Cypress, Texas; Freda and James Buffington of Palatka, Florida; and Teresa and BJ Holliday of Douglas, Georgia; fourteen grandchildren, many great –grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.  Mr. Skates is also survived by three sisters, Evelyn Jackson, and Lula Avenell Gamble of LaFayette, Georgia, and Janice Hartline from Calhoun, Georgia. 

 Visitation for Harold Skates will be held at Wallis- Wilbanks in LaFayette, Georgia, on Thursday October 8, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  The funeral service for Mr. Skates will be Friday, October 9, 2015, at Waterville Baptist Church on Hwy. 151 South at 11:00 a.m. and will be conducted by Rev. Sam Barrett.  Interment will be at LaFayette Memory Gardens.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Waterville Baptist Church 11815 Highway 151, Trion, GA 30753.

Arrangements by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.