Mr. Ralph Taylor Willingham, age 91, of Summerville, GA, died at 12:10 a.m. Friday July 17, 2009, at the Oakview Nursing and Rehab Center. Mr. Willingham was born January 9, 1918, in Menlo, GA, the son of the late William Oscar "Doc" and Tinnie Wofford Willingham. He attended Menlo School, was a farmer before serving as a Technical Sergeant in the Army Medical Administrative Corp during WWII.  Following his service, he worked at Riegel Textile Corp. in Trion, GA, where he met his future wife. He later owned and operated an auto repair business on Harrell Street inTrion until his retirement in 1981.  Ralph Taylor Willingham and Ruby Leola Shamblin were married on October 18, 1946, in the home of the Rev. and Mrs. Floyd Higgins on Mahan Road, near Summerville with Rev. Higgins officiating. For many years Mr. & Mrs. Willingham were actively involved at Midway Baptist Church, later serving as Sunday School Superintendent and church secretary. Ralph & Ruby Willingham always said that their greatest enjoyment in life came from their family.  Since retirement the couple worked for many years in genealogical research, resulting in several published books and articles about their families. They also documented the gravesites of many Civil War veterans, resulting in the placement of numerous official service markers. The couple also placed historical markers at several old cemetery sites in Chattooga, Floyd and Gordon counties.  Mr. Willingham was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Leola Shamblin Willingham; 4 sisters, Ruth Jackson, Clamar DeBerry, Edna Crye, Rose Pickle; 3 brothers, Hugh, Casey and Russell Willingham. Survivors include son & daughter-in-law, Dr. Dale and Joan Willingham, Summerville, GA, daughter & son-in-law, Kay and Farrell Shiver, Woodstock, GA, grandchildren, Sarah Shiver, James Willingham, Taylor Willingham, Kaylor Willingham, as well as several great-grandchildren.  Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday July 19, 2009, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Andy Hutchins, Rev. Joel Smith and Rev. Jim Chastain officiating with interment in the AMI Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be James Willingham, Taylor Willingham, Dennis Amberson, Steve Willingham. David Willingham, Ronnie Campbell. Honorary pallbearer, Mr. Zach Willingham. Mr. Willingham will be in state at the Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Saturday July 18, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m.  For guest book go online to www.masonfuneral.com Mason Funeral Home directing. 

Mr. John “J. H." Willingham, JR, age 90, of Menlo, GA died Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at OakviewNursing & Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Willingham was born April 3, 1919 in Chattooga County, GA, the son of the late John Henry Willingham, SR and Arrie Lasater Willingham. He was retired from Mt. Vernon Millsand was also a farmer. Mr. Willingham was a member of the Chelsea Baptist Church wherehe taught the Men’s Sunday School Class for over 50 years. He was the oldest living memberof Chelsea Baptist Church.  Mr. Willingham was preceded in death by a son, Connie Willingham;two daughters, Jean McGraw and Shirley McCrickard. Surviving is his wife of 69 years, Mozelle Willingham; daughter and son-in-law, Betty Sue and John Marshall; son & daughter-in-law, Lonnie and Sue Willingham; 6 Grandchildren; and 14 Great Grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p. m. Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Mason Funeral HomeChapel with Rev. Mike Odom and Rev. Dean Tapp officiating. Burial will follow in AMI

Cemetery.

  Active pallbearers will be Don McGraw, John Marshall, Buddy McCrickard, BillyEdwards, Donald McGraw, and Labranne Willingham. Honorary pallbearers will be all Nurses and CNA’s from Oakview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Willingham will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from6:00 until 8:00 p. m. Friday, July 17, 2009. Mason Funeral Home is directing. For guestbook, please go online to www.masonfuneralhome.com 

Mr. John (J.H.) Willingham, Jr., age 90 of Menlo, passed away Wednesday July 15 in Oak View Nursing and Rehab Center.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Mason Funeral Home.

Mrs. Clara Shelby Chadwick, age 71 of Cloudland passed away on Wednesday July 15, 2009 in Erlanger Hospital.  Funeral Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Mason Funeral Home.

Mr. John Burton “Bert” Crain, Jr., age 85, of Menlo, GA, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2009 at his residence.Mr. Crain was born May 15, 1924, in Walker County, GA, the son of the late John Burton, Sr. and Ella Hill Crain.  Mr. Crain was a member of the First Baptist Church of Menlo.  He was retired from the City of Menlo Water Department.  Mrs. Crain was a veteran of WWII, having served in the US Navy.  He was preceded in death by a son, Bruce Allen Crain, April 15, 2009; 2 sisters, Juanita Bailey and Inez Sudduth; 5 half-brothers and 4 half-sisters.Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Ed Hammitt, Summerville, GA; a son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Terri Crain, Gaylesville, AL; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Crain, Menlo, GA; grandchildren, Chera Allison, Holly Ivester, Tracy Payton, Rhonda Blalock, Kevin Crain and Benay Pearsey; 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.Graveside services will be held at 11am Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at Alpine Cemetery with Rev. Gary Howell officiating.  Military graveside rites will be conducted by the American Legion Shanklin-Attaway Post #5.  Pallbearers will be Kevin Crain, Ed Hammitt, Barry Blalock, James Szymanski, Roy Worley and Roger Campanelli.Honorary pallbearers will be friends and neighbors at the Menlo Housing Authority.Mr. Crain will be in state at Mason Funeral Home, and the family will receive friends from 6 until 8pm, Monday, July 13, 2009.Mason Funeral Home is directing.  For guestbook, go online to www.masonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Sallie Beth Dawson, age 81, of Summerville, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Hutcheson Medical Center.

Mrs. Dawson was born in Summerville, Georgia on October 5, 1927, daughter of the late Marvin Grisby and Georgia Heffner Grigsby and was a homemaker.Mrs. Dawson is survived by her husband, Bobby “Gene” Dawson; step-daughter, Elizabeth Allmon of Summerville; and 3 grandchildren, Cody Campbell, William Campbell and Preston Allmon

Graveside and interment services for Mrs. Dawson will be held Tuesday, July 14 at 2pm in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Joel A. Smith officiating.

Mrs. Dawson will be in state at the Mason Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8pm.Mason Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 

For guestbook, please go online to www.masonfuneralhome.com

Mr. Orbarn R. "Pee Wee" Goodridge, age 83, of Summerville, GA died Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Redmond Regional Medical Center. Mr. Goodridge was born June 23, 1926 in Cherokee County, AL, the son of the late Samuel Goodridge and Mary Hampton Goodridge. He was retired from Karastan-Bigelow.

Mr. Goodridge was preceded in death by his wife, Oneida Bailey Goodridge; son, Daniel R. Goodridge; brothers, James Goodridge and Bill Goodridge; sister, Rubel Goodridge. Survivors include a son, Steve Goodridge; daughter, Glenda Bennett; daughter and son-in- law, Shelia and Bobby Nixon; brother, Bobby Goodridge; sisters, Vera Alexander, Sue Tucker, and Lovinia Langston; 8 Grandchildren; 9 Great Grandchildren; special friend, Helen Conaway.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p. m. Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Smith and Rev. Neal Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Summerville Cemetery.

 Active pallbearers will be Daniel Nixon, Chris Nixon, Stacy Nixon, Tony Cook, Olin Woody, and Justin Blackmon. Honorary pallbearers will be At Peace Hospice Nursing Staff and all Nieghbors and Friends. Mr. Goodridge will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p. m. Tuesday, July 14, 2009