Mrs. Mary Frances Shearin Ray, age 84, of Gaylesville, AL, died Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at Riverview Medical Center in Gadsden, AL.

Mrs. Ray was born January 28, 1938, in Chattanooga, TN, daughter of the late Edward and Edna Mathis Shearin. She was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Valley # 1 Baptist Church. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and she loved her family and friends very much. She was so gentle and always had a listening ear. She was always willing to help anyone in need and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was the glue that held her family together and was a beautiful reflection of the Lord that she loved.

She is now in the presence of the Lord that she spent many hours talking to. We are reminded of the “Amazing Grace” song’s line “I once was lost but now am found…was blind but now I see.” We are left to wonder what beauty that her blind eyes are now seeing. This beautiful, loving, sweet lady will be missed, but the love she has touched others with will continue. She would want the reflections of Christ in her to be passed on to her family and friends to know that her labor was not in vain. She has finished the race the Lord placed for her and is now sitting at His feet. One of her favorite Bible verses was Isaiah 55:8; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Junior Ray; daughter, Joyce Battles; son, Lamar Addison; sisters, Peggy Kitchens, Christine Freeman, and Sue Smith; and a grandson, Stephen Addison.

Survivors include her sons, Michael (Tricia) Ray, Darryl (Carla) Ray, Randy Ray; daughters, Vicki Robbins, Pamela Porter, Kimberly (Michael) Reynolds; grandchildren, Whitey Miller, Russell Addison, Koby Addison, Leah Hairrell, Chris Battles, Colton Robbins, Michael Reynolds, Peyton Reynolds, Natalie Ray, Lyla Ray, Isaac Ray, Owen Ray, Tyler Ray, and Jamie Ray; and several great-grandchildren.

Graveside and interment services will be held at 3:30 P.M. (E.S.T.) Friday, August 26, 2022, at Mount Zion Cemetery with Rev. Briggs King and Rev. Ronald Berry officiating. Pallbearers will be Russell Addison, Koby Addison, Tyler Ray, Chris Battles, Michael Reynolds, and T.J. Miller.

Mrs. Ray will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. (E.S.T.) on Friday.

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. JANICE LEE (PATSY) WHITE, age 75, of Red Bird Lane, Summerville, Georgia, Teloga Community, passed away Sunday evening at her residence, following an extended illness. Born in North Carolina on April 25, 1947, She was a daughter of the late Raymond Deforest (Boog) Kirby and Josie Elizabeth Keef (Jo) Kirby. Mrs. White was former Director of Nutrition at Kennestone Hospital and a member of the Teloga Baptist Church. In addition to Parents, She was preceded in death by Her husband, the late Noland Dewayne White on July 4, 2021, and brothers, the late Steve Kirby and Michael Kirby.

Surviving are son, Jaylen White; sister-Linda (Bill) Powell; special friends and care givers, Diane Venable, Vickie and Gene Brown, Peggy Mitchell, and Brandon Gurley.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1:00 P.M. from the Teloga Baptist Church with Rev. Tony Weaver officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Steve Rinehart, Johnny Gentry, Gene Brown, Ted Deberry, Gene Ellenburg, and Brandon Gurley. The Family will receive friends Wednesday at the Teloga Baptist Church from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Patsy White.

MR. KERRY ARNELL EVANS – AGE 42, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022 while at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia . He was born September 09, 1979 to his parents Arthell Evans and Pamela Diane Shropshire Evans. He was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church in Summerville and a graduate of Chattooga High School. He was employed at Mount Vernon Mills. His mother, Pamela Diane Shropshire Evans and his brother, Nicholas Shropshire preceded him in death.

Kerry is survived by his father, Arthell Evans; children, Danarea Marrow, Ta’Keria (Jordan)Willingham, Princess Johnson, Pamela Evans, Kiyah Shropshire, Kierria Evans, Kendrea Evans; son, Jeremias Price; bonus children, Donavie Marrow and Khiyona Shropshire; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Celebratory Service will be held Monday, August 22, 2022 at 3:00 P. M. at New Hope United Methodist Church, 304 Martin Street, Summerville, Georgia 30747 with Pastor Robert Barrett, Eulogist. The familly will receive Friends one hour before the service. Interment, Evans Family Cemetery. Arrangements are by Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia.

Mrs. Martha Jo Chisolm, age 89, of Summerville, GA, died Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at her residence.

Mrs. Chisolm was born May 1, 1933, in Gaylesville, AL, daughter of the late John S. and Annie Pitts Bishop. She was Baptist by faith and prior to her retirement, was employed with Mohawk Industries.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Everett H. “Buddy” Chisolm; a son, Barry Chisolm; siblings, Alice Maul, Dorothy Thomas, Kenneth Bishop, Robert “Bob” Bishop, Frances Daniel, and Annie Laura “Tincy” Vaughn.

Survivors include her sons, Bobby (Debra) Chisolm, Jessie (Shelena) Chisolm; daughters, Cindy (Freddy) Early, Kathy (Jack) Bond, Janice (Johnnie) Martin, and Beth (Tom) Dunn; a sister, Judy (Robert) McCollough; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Perennial Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Alton Stamey and Rev. Tom Russell officiating. Interment will follow in Perennial Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons.

Mrs. Chisolm will be in state at Perennial Springs Baptist Church and the family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Sunday.

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.

The family of Mrs. Deborah Ann Yarbrough, age 69, of Summerville, GA, announces her passing on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center after a brief illness.

Debbie was born at the Chattooga County Hospital in Summerville, GA, on July 21, 1953, to the late Hubert and Doris Joyner. A lifelong member of Oak Hill Methodist Church, Debbie loved her church, her pastor, and her community. She faithfully led the choir at Oak Hill for more than 50 years. Known for her beautiful voice, she sang at many weddings, funerals, and choirs throughout her lifetime.

Debbie graduated from Shorter College, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education in 1994. She went on to teach many years with both the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Chattooga County School System before retiring in 2019. As an educator, she touched the lives of many, from Pre-K through 5th grades in public school, to the adults in the prison system.

Debbie loved to cook and was always quick to bake a cake or make a casserole for someone in need. If food is love, she loved on everyone at anytime.

Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband of 51 years, Duane Yarbrough; daughters and son-in-law, Diane Griffey, Mandy and James Durham; grandchildren, Jackson and Leslie Powell, Alex and Avery Durham, as well as other family members, Len and Christine Chumbler, Byron and Kay Yarbrough, Jimmy Brown, Annette Durham, Ramar Joyner, and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Graveside and interment services for Mrs. Yarbrough will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Oak Hill Cemetery with Pastor Jason Willis officiating. Pallbearers will be Jackson Powell, Alex Durham, Rodney Yarbrough, Christopher Kerce, Jason Winters, and Robert Beach.

According to her wishes, there will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Oak Hill Cemetery Fund (P.O. Box 336, Lyerly, GA 30730).

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. DAPHENE J. ALLEN, age 98, of Walnut Street, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Sunday, August 14, 2022, in the local nursing home. Born on July 31, 1924, was a native of Jackson County, Alabama, and a daughter of the late Reuben and Effie Hilley Johnson. A member of South Summervile Baptist Church, Mrs. Allen worked for Montgomery Knitting Mill and retired from Oakview Nursing and Rehab. Center. In addition to Parents, was preceded in death by husband, the late Loren Howard Allen, son, the late Danny Allen, also three Brothers and two sisters died earlier.

Surviving are daughter, Aleta Kellett (Jimmy Barron); daughter-in-law, Betty Ann Allen; grandchildren, Heather Eagle, Kyle (Lori) Kellett, Stephanie Allen (Frank Winter), Jeff Pless; great grandchildren, Hayden and Taylor Eagle, Gracie Farmer, Kylor and Ruby Kellett, Rowan and Bridgette Wang; several Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins also survive.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 17th, at 4:00 P.M. from the South Summerville Baptist Church with Rev. Gene Greer and Rev. Doyle Waters officiating with eulogy by Heather Eagle, interment in Greenhills Memory Garden. Active Pallbearers Kyle Kellett, Kylor Kellett, Hayden Eagle, Taylor Eagle, Jeff Pless, and Frank Winter; Honorary Pallbearers the Staff of Oakview Nursing and Rehab. Center. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 until 4 P.M. at the Church. Contributions may be made to the South Summerville Baptist Church.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Daphene J. Allen who passed away Sunday.

The family of Gerrie Elizabeth Wooten, beloved sister and daughter, announces her passing at the age of 72 on Sunday August 14, 2022. She passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus while surrounded by her devoted family at AdventHealth Redmond Hospital. Gerrie was born on March 16, 1950 in Summerville to Cora and Ross Wooten. She was the fourth of five daughters.

Born with a physical disability and various special needs, Gerrie was cared for by her mother Cora until 2004. Upon Ms. Wooten’s passing, Gerrie lived happily under the care of her sisters and Ms. Brenda Veatch-Hanes along with Ms. Veatch-Hanes’ team of dedicated caregivers at Daily Care in Summerville.

Gerrie was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her four sisters, Reta Boyles, Linda Hix and husband Jim, Joyce Thompson, and Dell Broadrick as well as five nieces and nephews.

Known for her cooperative and fun-loving nature, Gerrie was often the life of the party and could easily put a smile on anyone’s face with a quick wit that was based in a no-nonsense attitude! She never hesitated to tell her sisters, “Don’t y’all fuss.” Easily bribed with hamburgers and milkshakes, she was always up for a car ride or to sit a spell on the porch and talk about days gone by. She could often be found coloring with a niece or nephew or watching daily soaps with her mother or favorite neighbor lady! Her sisters remember her not only as the sibling they fiercely protected, but also as the peacemaker, the hide and seek playmate, and the sensitive daughter. She delighted in laughter and was quick to cause others to do the same.

During this time, her family celebrates not only her delightful personality, but her God-given innocence, sweetness and gentle spirit. All have been reminders of God’s grace and Jesus’ love. She will be deeply missed and always remembered!

A funeral service will be held at Mason Funeral Home in Summerville on Thursday, August 18 at 2:00 pm. The family will receive visitors on Thursday from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Interment will be at Green Hills Memory Gardens immediately following the service.

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. Kimberly Dawn Williams, age 56, of Summerville, GA, died Saturday, August 13, 2022, at her residence.

Mrs. Williams was born April 11, 1966, in Rome, GA, daughter of Linda Louise Stephens Masters and the late William Gardner Fountain. She was Baptist by faith, and prior to her retirement, was employed with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Department.

Survivors include her husband, Tim Williams; sons, Michael Lee (Anna) Gass, Ian Douglas (Ashley) Lowe, and Timothy “T.J.” (Chrystene) Williams; a daughter, Chelsea (Aaron) Amick; mother, Linda Masters; brother, Steven (Lexi) Fountain; and 7 grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Williams will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 20, 2022, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Wallin officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be T.J. Williams, Steven Fountain, Chris Boone, Luke Blackwell, Michael Love, A.J. Elrick, and Aaron Amick.

Mrs. Williams will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday.

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.

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