Mrs. Effie Davenport Hayes age 96 of Summerville, GA passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at her residence.

Mrs. Hayes was born July 14, 1926 in Blue Ridge, GA to the late Samuel and Rosa Davenport. She was retired from Mt. Vernon Mills and was a founding member of Solid Rock Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, country music, and especially spending time with her family, children, and grandchildren, and a special love for Gospel music.

Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, John Hayes; brothers, Truman, Charles, Lonnie, Bill, and Earl Davenport; and sisters, Della Henderson, Mary Davis, Jessie Davenport, Rosa Davenport, Ruth Hayes, and Edith Stanley.

Survivors include her children, Diane and Tom Davis, Betty Hayes, David Hayes, and Rose and Tommy Snider; 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Vernon Hayes; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend, Shelva Woods.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Hayes will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, December 16 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Mr. Brad Hayes officiating and Eulogists Benjie Broome and Leigha Parker. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery with Allen Hayes, Matthew Evans, Josh Hurley, Luke Evans, Justin Barker, John Snider, Nico Broome, and Gabe Hayes serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include the members of Solid Rock Baptist Church and the daughters of J.W. and Sylvia Austin.

The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 PM until the service hour at the funeral home.

To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Services are provided by Mason Funeral Home, Summerville, GA.

Mr. David Rich, age 90, of Rising Fawn, GA, died Monday, December 12, 2022, at Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Rich was born April 22, 1932, in LaFayette, GA, son of the late Arthur P. and Martha Chapman Rich. He was the founder of Dave’s Radiator Shop in Summerville and had also previously worked as an engineer on a dredge boat.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Rich was preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Rich; son, Kenneth David Rich; daughter, Paula Rich; brothers, Ernest Rich, Jim Rich, Paul Rich, Johnny Rich, and J.T. Rich; sisters, Annie Lee Curent, Emmie Schrader, and Maggie Mae Rich.

Survivors include his wife, Ann Rich; son, Jamey Rich; daughter, Pamela Rich Justice; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services and visitation will be held privately. Interment will also be held privately in Summerville Cemetery.

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. Terry Don Gazaway, age 70, of Trion, GA, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Advent Health Redmond.

Mr. Gazaway was born June 8, 1952, in Detroit, MI, son of the late Marcus and Mildred Lance Williamson. He was Baptist by faith, and prior to his retirement, was employed with Showa Best for 47 years.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia “Gayle” Tucker Gazaway; children, Donny Gazaway, Brian (Amy) Gazaway, Melissa (Jeff) Farley; siblings, Charles Burgess, Gene (Carolyn) Gazaway, Johnny (Michelle) Williamson, Lucille Grimes, Kathy Craig, Eulene (Wayne) Baggett, Betty Jennings, Mary (Mitchell) Lowrance, David Williamson, and Ray Williamson;7 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mr. Gazaway will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Terry Shores officiating. Interment will follow in Moseley Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Michael Leming, Cameron Gazaway, Dakota Housch, Levi Howard, Patrick Howard, Ricky Leonard, and Andrew Leonard. Honorary pallbearers will be Wendy Warnken, Caitlyn Leming, and the Employees of Showa Best Warehouse.

Mr. Gazaway will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. 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.

Mrs. Tivis Sue Dutton Fowler, age 81 of Centre, AL passed away Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Cherokee Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Mrs. Fowler was born January 3, 1941 in Sand Rock, AL to the late Chester and Kizzie Cochran Dutton. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.

Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Joe Fowler.
Survivors include her daughter, Elisa (Tommy) Bradley; sisters, Marie Bishop and Callie White; and grandchildren Joshua and Justin Bradley.

A private interment service was held at Lyerly Cemetery.

Share your condolences with the family online at www.MasonFuneralHome.com.

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

Mr. Joseph Perry Gordon, age 65, of Summerville, GA, died Monday, December 5, 2022, at his residence.

Mr. Gordon was born May 14, 1957, in Marietta, GA, son of the late Deward Earl and Jeanette Worley Gordon. He had attended Silver Hill Baptist Church and had previously been employed in the automotive repair industry. He had also built several residential homes.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Pam Elrod.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Davidson Gordon; son, Jeffrey (Michelle) Gordon; sisters, Debbie Jones, Abigail Akins; brother, Ken Gordon; grandchildren, Victoria Gordon, Joshua Gordon, Ansley Akin, and Connor Akin.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, December 15, 2022, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Russell Headricks officiating. Interment will be held privately. Pallbearers will be Ken Gordon, Chris Gordon, Teddy Worley, Connor Akin, and Joshua Gordon.

Mr. Gordon will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Thursday.

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. Wendy Jane Johnston Whitaker, age 56, of Summerville, GA, died Friday, December 9, 2022, at her residence.

Mrs. Whitaker was born August 15, 1966, in Summerville, GA, daughter of Fred and Brenda King Johnston. She had attended Dry Valley Baptist Church and was employed with Roper. She had also previously worked at Mohawk for over 30 years.

Mrs. Whitaker was preceded in death by her step-daughter, Kimberly Marie Whitaker; grandparents, Arthur King, Julia King, Vernon “J.V.” Johnston, Mary Johnston; numerous aunts and uncles; and her cousin, Byron Wofford.

Survivors include her husband, Terry Whitaker; sons, John Whitaker (Belinda Roach), Josh (Amber) Whitaker, Jacob (Dayna) Whitaker; daughter, Tiffany (Dalton) Bearden; parents, Fred and Brenda Johnston; a brother, Scott Johnston; and 8 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, December 10, 2022, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Lee Hickman officiating. Interment will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be John Whitaker, Josh Whitaker, Jacob Whitaker, Greg Bearden, Tyler Leming, and William Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Staff at 4 West of Atrium Health Floyd and the Staff of Tapestry Hospice.

Mrs. Whitaker will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. 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. Deborah Elaine Emeott, age 67, of Gaylesville, AL, died Saturday, December 3, 2022, at her residence.

Mrs. Emeott was born November 28, 1955, in Asheville, NC, daughter of Roma Biggs Bertram and the late James Weldon Flynn. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a paralegal.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, James Dale Flynn; and a sister, Dianey Y. Hamrick.

Survivors include her husband, James Thomas Emeott, Jr.; son, Duane Robert White; daughter, Vanessa Michelle Southern; mother, Roma Bertram; sisters, Donna R. (Jay) Stoudt, Delores J. Russo; 7 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. (EST) Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel.

There will be a gathering of family and friends from 10:00 A.M. (EST) until the hour of service on Tuesday.

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. Hilda Faye Tucker, age 85, of Summerville, GA, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Tucker was born April 26, 1937, in Summerville, GA, daughter of the late Claude and Pearl Shaver Willingham. She was a member of Horizon Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement in 1994, was employed with Mohawk Industries. Mrs. Tucker will be remembered for her love of flowers, gardening, country music and family gatherings, and the Atlanta Braves.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Earl Tucker; and several siblings.

Survivors include her children, Cindy Petett, Pam (Greg) Jackson, Lynn Stroup, Steve (Gayla) Tucker, and Joe Tucker; 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Lee Hickman officiating. Interment will follow in AMI Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Nick Robinson, Ethan Robinson, Jeremiah Tucker, Zach Petett, Wes Chisolm, Tanner Chisolm, and Billy Narramore. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Oakview Health and Rehabilitation whom she truly loved.

Mrs. Tucker will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon 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. Doyle Matthew Brown, age 81, of Menlo, GA, died Monday, December 5, 2022, at his residence.

Mr. Brown was born May 17, 1941, in Summerville, GA, son of the late Elgin and Jewell Phillips Brown. He was a member of Menlo First Baptist Church, and prior to his retirement, was employed as a supervisor with Continental Baking.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Brown was preceded in death by brothers, Dewey Brown and Tom Brown; niece, Patty Sneed; and nephew, Sammy Goodridge.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joyce Pritchett Brown; daughter, Robin Faith Brown (James Wilburn Cavin); grandchildren, Ainsley Cavin, Rhett Love; nieces, Lori Patterson, Angie Benton, Beverly Wilson, Julie Willingham, Hannah Goodridge, and Ashley Dendy; nephews, Jackie Pritchett, Matthew Willingham.

Funeral services for Mr. Brown will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Menlo First Baptist Church with Rev. Matthew Willingham officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Wayne Pritchett, Tim Willingham, Jackie Pritchett, Wes Love, Rhett Love, Justin Goodridge, and Chase Dendy. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Menlo First Baptist Church.

Mr. Brown will be in state at Menlo First Baptist Church and the family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Menlo First Baptist Church Building Fund.

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. Jimmy Ray Sills, age 74 of the Spring Creek Community in Trion, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022 at a Rome hospital.

Jimmy Ray was born in Trion, Georgia on August 26, 1948, son of the late Walter Sills and Myrtle Hines Sills.  He was a member of the Mt. View Baptist Church and was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.  Jimmy Ray was self employed as a Roofer.  He collected guns and knives, loved to tell stories and watch cowboy movies.  In addition to his parents, Jimmy Ray was preceded in death by his companion, Kay Hamby; sisters, Ann Shell, Roberta Smith and Betty Brown; and brothers, Walter James Sills, Warren Sills and Milton Sills.

Jimmy Ray is survived by several nieces and nephews; great nieces and great nephews; and cousins.

Graveside and Interment Services for Jimmy Ray will be held Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel Hill Cemetery with Rev. Kevin Norton officiating.

Pallbearers will include David Cundiff, Lewis Castro, S’John Sheldon and Dillon Star.

The Family will receive friends at Coffman Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 P.M. until 2:30 P.M.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Jimmy Ray Sills.