Michael H. (Mo) Morrison, age 71, passed away unexpectedly on April 13, 2026, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mike was born to Willia Dean Sentell on December 26, 1954. He graduated from Chattooga High School, Class of 1973, and went on to attend Jacksonville State University, where he proudly played baseball as a short stop. He dedicated 35 years of his career to International Paper, where he was known for his strong work ethic and commitment.

Mike enjoyed not only Georgia Tech football, but all sports. He also loved coaching his children as they were growing up, fishing and traveling. He will be remembered for his love of family, his passion for sports, and the many years he spent providing for those he loved.

Mike was preceded in death by his brothers, Hill Morrison and Keith Morrison.

Mike is survived by his spouse of 30 years, Amy Morrison; his children, Preston Morrison, Keith Morrison, Mackenzie Morrison, Jaden (Josh) Johnston, and Jackson Morrison (Jess Owin); five grandchildren, Stella Morrison, Ashby Morrison, Aubry Morrison, Charleigh Morrison, and Emmy Johnston; two sisters Monique Boulware and Marquita Petty.

Visitation will be held Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Coffman Funeral Home from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.  A private graveside service will be held later.

 Pallbearers will be Preston Morrison, Keith Morrison, Mackenzie Morrison, Jackson Morrison, Matt Holbrooks, and Randy Mitchell.

 Honorary Pallbearers will be Ethan Nixon, Mike Hawkins, Jeff Meadows, Jeremy Guinn, George Maddux, Jerry Wilson, Steve McGill, Gary Hardeman, Smokey Howell, Alex Sentell and co-workers of International Paper.

 Mike will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

MR. JAMES CECIL ECHOLS, SR. – Age 79, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly Trion, GA, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026. He was born February 18, 1947 to his late parents, Abb Echols, Jr. and Janie Mae Echols. James was a member of Church of Christ, and he was a graduate of A.C. Carter High School, Summerville, GA. James was a proud United States Air Force Veteran, and he was employed as a Medical Lab Technician.

Those left to cherish his memories are his children Lisa Heflin, James Echols, Jr. both of Cleveland, TN, Precious (Aaron) Echols-Vinson of Attalla, AL, Pretreache Price of Summerville, GA; stepdaughters, Natasha Rochelle of Phoenix, AZ and Nikole Ralls of Jackson, TN; sister, Barabara McCutchins of Trion, GA; a host of grandchildren; great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Graveside Service and Interment will be Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404, Eulogist. The family will receive extended family and friends Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon at West 5th Street Church of Christ, located 24 5th St, Summerville, GA 30747. Arrangements entrusted to Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, GA.

Mrs. Linda Dian Cochran Hunt, age 71 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Friday, April 10, 2026 in a Rome hospital.

Mrs. Hunt was born on January 6, 1955, daughter of the late Leonard Walker Cochran and Georgia Mae Goodson Cochran.  She was a member of the Wayside Baptist Church and was a retired LPN, serving 17 years at NHC-Rossville and 12 years at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  Mrs. Hunt enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hunt was preceded in death by sister, Deborah Ann Price and a brother, Harold “Pee-Wee” Cochran.

Mrs. Hunt is survived by her husband, JW Hunt; daughter and son-in-law, Penni and Mike Ware; sons and daughters-in-law, Nick and Abby Hunt and Adam and Nikki Hunt; sisters and brothers-in-law, Angie and Dewayne Dooley and Wanda and Kenny Chaney; brothers and sister-in-law, Robert and Gina Cochran and Terry Cochran; grandchildren, Caden Ware, Sawyer Hunt, Campbell Hunt, Bryson Hunt, Brianna and Hunter Woody, Tabren Barnett, Gabe Barnett and Ky Hunt; one great granddaughter, Georgia Woody; friends, Margaret Dillard, Darlene Bearden and Linda Dillard; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service for Mrs. Hunt will be held Moday, April 13, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Lloyd Gilreath and Rev. Kenny Chaney officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Skylar Chaney, Bryson Hunt, Caden Ware, Gabe Barnett, Tabren Barnett and Coy Hefner.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Al Smith, Marcus Blalock and Hunter Woody.

The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Coffman Funeral Home.  At other hours, the family can be reached at 141 Austin Ave. Summerville.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Linda Dian Cochran Hunt.

MRS. SHIRLEY ANN NEWSOME COMER, age 76, passed away peacefully at her home in Ellerslie, Georgia, on April 4, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Her daughter and granddaughter were by her side at the time of her passing.

She was born to the late Nellie and Henry Newsome on August 18, 1949 in Phenix City, Alabama. In addition to Parents, She was preceded in death by two brothers the late Tony Newsome and Henry Newsome, Jr. Shirley attended Jordan High School in Columbus, Georgia; later worked at John Wesley Villas in Macon, and later at Walmart in Trion. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures; shopping at Goodwill, cooking for others and making sure everyone around her felt cared for. She was a member of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and held a deep love for her faith. She also had a special love for Elvin Presley.

Surviving are children, Kimberly (John) Boberg, Larry Griffin, and Gaynelle Griffin; grandchildren Hannah (Jeff) Miller, John (CJ) Colbert, and Lily Griffin; great grandchildren, Gracie, Nova, Nora, Ava and special great grandson, Leland Colbert; siblings, Juanita Underwood, Vickie Newsome, and Shannon Newsome; several Nieces and Nephews.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 14th, at 4:00 P.M. at the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Helton officiating. The Family will receive friends Tuesday from 3 until 4 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Shirley- Ann Newsome Comer, who passed away April 4, 2026.

Mr. Jerry David Hightower, age 59 of Trion, Georgia passed away Friday, April 3, 2026 in Rossville, Georgia.

David was born in Cartersville, Georgia on March 22, 1967, son of the late Jerry Lou Hightower and Carolyn Lyons Adams.  He was self employed in the construction industry and was of the Christian Faith.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by a brother, Jody Hightower.

David is survived by a his fiancé, Brenda Cooper; daughter and her companion, Valerie Hightower and Jess Mayo; brother, Tim Hightower; sister, Shay Adams; and nieces and nephews, J’quarius Wright, Ken’Darius Griffin, Cashius Brown, A’Shiyah Watkins, Lorenzo Johnson, Shawn Hightower, and Milanna Brookins.

Graveside and Interment services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in the Macedonia Cemetery in Kingston, GA.

Pallbearers will be Shawn Hightower, Jeffery Cooper, J’Quaris Wright, Ken’Darius Griffin, Jamie Jacobs and Jonathan Jacobs.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Donnie Bell, Cody Jacobs and Shane Jacobs.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 P.M.at the Coffman Funeral Home.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Jerry David Hightower.

Mrs. Carrie “Evon” Woods-Trotter, age 82, of Summerville, GA, died Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Advent Health Redmond.

She was born June 7, 1943, in Summerville, GA, daughter of the late Reynold “R.C.” Carr and Myrtle Marie McGuire Carr.  She was a member of Subligna Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was employed in the grocery business.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Driver; brothers, Forrest Carr and Glenn White; and a niece, Glenda White Williams.

Survivors include her husband, Billy Trotter; sons, Carlton Lively, Ben (Dianne) Lively; a daughter, Glenda (LeBron) Young; grandchildren, Amber Ellis, Ronald James “R.J.” (Vickie) Young, Tonya Hogue, Tabitha (Austin) Sherrod, and Tristan Lively; great-grandchildren, Logan Young, Chloe Young, Ethan Ellis, James Ellis, Xavier Hogue, Xander Hogue, Benton Roan, Hadleigh Young, and Winnie Mae Sherrod.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, April 13, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Bishop officiating.  Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Woods-Trotter will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Mr. Matthew Ralls Jennings, age 42 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at his residence.

Matthew was born in Rome, Georgia on February 23, 1984, son of Mary Cathy Colbert Brown and the late Don Hamilton Jennings.  He was self employed and was a former volunteer with the Chattooga County Resource Center.

In addition to his father, Matthew was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ralls Hamilton Jennings and Billie Jean Jennings and maternal grandparents, D.F. Colbert and Ruth Mae Brimer.

Matthew is survived by his parents, Cathy and Joe Brown; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jesse and Cynthia Jennings and Brandon and Cari Crider; sister, Holly Jennings and her fiancé, Eric; nieces, Jazmin Crider and Madisin Crider; and nephews, Chris Jennings and Justin Jennings.

Private Memorial Services will be held at the Coffman Funeral Home.

Mrs. Tonya Abernathy Dawson age 50 of Summerville, GA passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at a Rome hospital.

Mrs. Dawson was born November 30, 1975 in Rome, GA to the late David and Shirley Crane Abernathy. She was a member of Wayside Baptist Church and a caregiver at Daily Care of Summerville. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her son, David Dawson; sister, Kathy Terry; and brother-in-law Jimbo Slaughter.

Survivors include her husband, Wesley Dawson; children, Jake (Shelby) Dawson and Elisabeth (Derkis) Graham; siblings, Tim (Tina) Abernathy, Judy Slaughter, Melinda Clark, and Melissa Helton; 5 grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Dawson will take place at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 11 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Gibson and Rev. David Dutton officiating. Interment will follow at Lyerly Cemetery with Bubby Gene Keith, Thad Teems, Jeremy Dooley, Dustin Ivey, Devin Warren, and Zayden Warren serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Dawson, Randall Abernathy, James Abernathy, Billy Abernathy, the staff of Daily care, and members of Wayside Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until the service hour Saturday at the funeral home.

Mr. Grady Horace Payton, age 89 of Trion, Georgia passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at his residence.

Mr. Payton was born in Summerville, Georgia on December 11, 1936, son of the late Glenn Payton, Sr. and Hattie Tudor Payton.  He was a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and a member of the Sr. Adult Sunday School Class.  He was retired from Hays State Prison, working as a Maintenance Engineer,and he had also Echols Appliances.  Mr. Payton was an avid Atlanta Braves Fan and loved camping and gardening.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Payton was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Jo Payton and Lenora Culver; and five brothers, John Payton, J.L Payton, Sidney Payton, Billy Payton and Glen Payton, Jr.

Mr. Payton is survived by his wife, Norma Jean Littlejohn Payton; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Charles Patterson; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Kaye Payton and Charles “Bo” and Ginger Payton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Glenda DeBerry, Carolyn and Stan Cooper and Deborah and David Brown; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Karen Payton; seven grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Payton will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Andy Coker, Rev. Jason Cowart and Rev. Charlie Smith officiating.  Interment will follow in the Ridgeway Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Luke Patterson, Nathan Schuster, Bryan Sisk, Adam Payton, Gray Payton, Alex Kelehear and McKenzie Kelehear.  Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the New Bethel Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon at the Coffman Funeral Home from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Mr. Bobby Luke Smith, age 76 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at his residence.

Mr. Smith was born in Lafayette, Georgia on October 28, 1949, son of the late Charles W. Smith and Velma Lucille Mann Smith.  He was retired from Mt. Vernon Mills after 37 years of service and was of the Baptist faith.  Mr. Smith was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War.  He enjoyed working on lawnmowers, fishing, reading his Bible, watching John Wayne movies, and spending time with his family, especially his great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Lee Palmer; brothers, Ronald Smith and Danny Smith; and sisters, Susie Ballenger and Mary Lou Schrader.

Mr. Smith is survived by his loving wife of over 53 years, Rhonda Smith; daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy and Wes Collette and Lisa and Tommy Neal; adopted children, Chelsea and Tim Wilson and Bubba Smith; Sisters and brother-in-law, Ruth Barrett and Mamie and Rickey Abernathy; brother, Walter Smith; grandchildren, Laci and Derrick (Bubba) McNair, Leah and Matt Shaw, Aubrey Simpson, Ashton Simpson and Austin Simpson; great grandchildren, Alyssa McNair and Murphy McNair; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services for Mr. Smith will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, April 10, 2026 in the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Avans and Rev. Malcolm Harris officiating. Interment will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Wess Collette, Tommy Neal, Matthew Shaw, Derrick McNair, Tim Wilson and Matthew Whaley.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Alyssa and Murphy McNair, David and Pam Henderson, Doug Gill, Ernie Schrader, Austin, Ashton and Aubrey Slayton, Braxton Sanford, Lily Keith and the staff of Tapestry Hospice.

The family will receive friends at the Coffman Funeral Home Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.