Rev. Marvin Hugh Copeland, 93, of the Broomtown Community in Gaylesville, AL, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Virginia Beach, VA.

He was an army veteran and a 30 plus year member of the Teamsters Union Local 515.  He was also a Baptist Minister for many years and pastored several churches.  Hugh was a man known and loved by many.

Rev. Copeland was born March 4, 1933, in Jamestown, AL, son of the late Elijah Copeland and Minnie Belle Reynolds Copeland.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Norton Copeland; great-grandson, Elijah “Eli” Sauls; step-grandson, Derek Duncan; brothers, Homer (Jewel) Copeland, Gene (Virginia) Copeland, John (Helen) Copeland, Ralph Copeland, and twin brothers, Roy and Loy Copeland; sisters, Tennie (Elgin) Anderson, Ruth (Dan) Stanley, Dorothy “Dot” Jones, Etta Mae Copeland, and Evelyn Copeland.

Survivors include his sons, Pete (Jane) Copeland, Sam (Dena) Copeland; a daughter, Anita Pendergrass; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, July 18, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Paul Martin and Rev. Danny Stewart officiating.  Interment will follow in Moseley Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion.  Active pallbearers will be Pete Copeland, Davin Roberts, Michael Dilbeck, Phil Crane, Jimmy Leffler, James Sutherland, Ryan Sauls, and Drew Duncan.  Honorary pallbearers will be Isaac Roberts, Tim Railey, Jesse James Brooks, Chris Railey, and Lewis Railey.

Rev. Copeland 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 Saturday.

Joshua Jones, 39, passed away unexpectedly on July 4th, 2026, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues, and a community who will forever miss his larger-than-life presence.

Josh began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2007 as a Correctional Officer at Walker State Prison. He rose through the ranks, serving as Sergeant, Tier II Lieutenant, Tier II Unit Manager, and Deputy Warden of Security before being appointed Warden of Hays State Prison in July 2023.  His career in corrections was a responsibility he always took seriously. He cared deeply about protecting the staff he served alongside, the community at large, the individuals in his care, and advancing a mission he believed in wholeheartedly. He led with conviction, integrity, and a genuine desire to leave things better than he found them.  He often joked that he started his career “with five years of high school.”  Although said with self-deprecation, it was a reminder of a life he built out of hard work, determination, and grit.

Anyone who knew Josh knew his sense of humor was one of a kind. He had a gift for reading a room and knowing exactly what was needed-whether that was a serious conversation, encouragement, a sarcastic comment, or a little playful instigation to get a reaction and make people laugh. His humor was one of the many ways he built connections and made people feel like they belonged.

Outside of work, Josh knew how to enjoy life and never needed much convincing to have a good time. He loved fishing, great food, good bourbon, traveling, poker, spending time with family, telling stories, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers-even when it was at his own emotional detriment.  One of Josh’s greatest joys was coaching little league football. He poured his passion, competitive spirit, and desire to help others into young athletes, building confidence, encouraging teamwork, and sharing the experience with his son and daughter. He loved the opportunity to positively influence the lives of those in his community.

Above every title he held and every accomplishment he achieved, Josh loved his wife, Haley, fiercely and was deeply devoted to his family. He believed one of his greatest responsibilities was preparing his children for life. He sought to instill in them the values of hard work, personal responsibility, integrity, respect for others, and perseverance, hoping to help them grow into kind, capable, and honorable adults.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing that Josh’s legacy of laughter, service, sacrifice, leadership, and love will continue through his children, family, friends, colleagues, and the countless lives he influenced.

He leaves behind his wife, Haley; his children, Jack, Ava, and Piper; his mother, Josie Nichols (William Layfield); his father, Jeff (Rhonda) Langley; grandparents, Janet Goins, Virginia Langley, and Ron and Glenda Turner; his sister Jessica (Emily) Cartwright; siblings Ethan and Jessica Tripp; along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; GDC family and colleagues, friends, and a community who will miss him dearly.  He was preceded in death by grandparents John Jones, Jr Langley and great grandparents William and Josephine Jones and Lelion and Frances Lizana.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Warden Jones will take place at 4:00 PM Saturday, July 18 at Crosspointe City Church located at 325 Old Mill Rd. Cartersville, GA 30120.

The family will receive friends Saturday (July 18) from 1:30 PM until the service hour at the church.

MRS. CRISTEL LOUISE BROWN BONDS- Age 74, – of Cartersville, Georgia formerly of Menlo, Georgia passed away Saturday, July 11, 2026. Mrs. Bonds was born September 27, 1951.

Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 2:00 P. M. at Mountain Ridge Baptist Church, 1401 Martin L. King, Jr. Blvd., Dalton, Georgia 30721 with Dr. Jerry D. Jones as Eulogist. Interment, West Hill Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia.

Mrs. Cathy Colbert Brown, age 64 of the Harrisburg Community in Trion, passed away Friday, July 10, 2026 at her residence.

Mrs. Brown was born in Trion, Georgia on August 11, 1961, daughter of the late D.F. Colbert and Ruth Mae Brimer Crider.  She was on the board of Tax Assessors in Chattooga County and had been employed with Baker Realty.  Cathy loved her family and was always looking for ways to make memories for the future and tell stories from her past.  She would reach out her hand to lift others up with kindness and empathy.  Her dedication to her community was built on trust and compassion.  Her love will be truly missed.

Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband, Joseph Brown; sons and daughters-in-law, Jesse and Cynthia Jennings and Brandon and Cari Crider; brother, Gary Colbert; Sister, Delores Ringer; grandchildren, Chris Jennings, Justin Jennings, Madysin Crider and Jazmyne Crider; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Gathering of Friends will be held Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. at the Coffman Funeral Home.

MR. PAUL ALEXANDER NANCE, age 58, of Martin Street, Summerville, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly July 6, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. A native of Kansas City, Mo., He was born on March 26, 1968, a son of James Arthur Nance and Donna Inlow Nance. Mr. Nance served in the U. S. Army National Guard in Indiana and was a Truck Driver for Western Express.

Surviving are His wife, Debbie Edgeworth Nance; daughters, Tomi (Joie) Nance, Terri Raison, Jessie (Chris) Secrest, Bobbie Savory, and Heather Carmicheal; mother, Donna Jackson; sister, Mecinda (Jason) Baker and Becca (Earnie) Nichols; brothers, Chris (Amber) Horn and Daryle Jackson; several Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews also survive.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

MRS. GAIL ALLEN, age 88, of Unity Church Road, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Sunday morning, July 12, 2026, in a Rome hospital. A native of Sylva, N. C. , She was born to the late Willie E. and Bertha Cline Painter on May 31, 1938. Mrs. Allen was a member of the Summerville First United Methodist Church, was a RNFMP-Nurse Practitioner for over 50 years, was the first Nurse Practitioner in the State of Georgia, and for many years worked in health care in Chattooga County and surrounding area. In addition to Parents, She was preceded in death by husband, the late Jack Bryant Allen, Sr., granddaughter, the late Jacklyn Allen, and brother, the late Eldridge Painter.

Surviving are sons, Jack Bryant Allen, Jr. (Martha Prince Allen) and William Michael Allen (Johnna Allen); sister, Margaret Clark; grandchildren, Elizabeth Allen, Krista Joyner (Blake Joyner), and John Allen; great grandchildren, Madeline and Remington Joyner; Nieces and Nephews.

Memorial service will be held Thursday, July 16th, at 2:00 P.M. from the Summerville First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Wesley Privett officiating, Interment in Bethel Cemetery. The Family will receive friends at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home Wednesday from 6 until 8 P.M. and Thursday at the Church from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the Family suggest contributions to the Summerville First United Methodist Church.

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

Mrs. Rebecca Eugenia “Becky” Holcomb Dunaway, age 76 of Armuchee, passed from this life to her heavenly reward on July 1, 2026.

Mrs. Dunaway was born in Summerville, Georgia on July 22, 2026, daughter of the late William Eugene Holcomb and Jewell Inez Arthur Holcomb.  She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and had served her family as a homemaker.  Mrs. Dunaway was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family and friends.  She loved to cook and enjoyed teaching others her skills, and enjoyed collecting anything that had to do with butterflies. Mrs. Dunaway’s life was an inspiration to other because of her mental, physical and emotional strength provided by her Faith and relationship with the Lord.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Dunaway was preceded in death by a son, Willis Eugene Dunaway; twin granddaughters, Madeline Grace and Kateline Belle Dunaway; a sister, Linda Terry and a brother, Jimmy Ray Hickman.

Mrs. Dunaway is survived by her husband, Benjamin Franklin Dunaway, Sr.; son and daughter-in-law, Benji and Shelly Dunaway; brother and sister-in-law, William Joe and Judy Holcomb; grandchildren, Mason T. Dunaway and Benjamin Franklin “Ben” Dunaway, III; and a number of niece, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Dunaway will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Pastor James Baird and Rev. Greg Montgomery officiating.  Interment will follow in the New Armuchee Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include her nephews:  Greg Montgomery, Wayne Dunaway, Dewey Dunaway, Kenny Kendall, Scott Montgomery, Walter Montgomery, Johnny Dunaway and Dalton Kendall.

Mrs. Dunaway will lie-in-state at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 14, 2024, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Mr. Hugh Jack Carr, age 85 of Menlo, Georgia passed away Saturday, July 11, 2026 at his residence.

Mr. Carr was born in Rome, Georgia on August 24, 1940, son of the late Joe Carr and Daisy Smith Carr.  He was retired from the Spears Mattress Factory in Rome.  Mr. Carr enjoyed fishing, working on lawnmowers and visiting Trade Day, where he added to his collection of Albums and VHS Movies.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Carr was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Ruth Bailey Carr; sisters, Ruby, Grace, Edna and Adalena Beatrice; and brothers, Henry Ford Carr, and Virgil Eugene Carr.

Mr. Carr is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Sharon Payne and Terry and Connie Payne; daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Mike McGraw and Ange and Dustin Hogan, Linda Reque and Georgeanne Daniels; grandchildren, Cameron Payne(Samantha), Payton Payne(Kaitlin), Annie Morgan McGraw(Austin), Chase Ewing(Sarah), Hunter Gentry(Hope), Laurie Gentry(Kyle), Tiffany Roach(Ryan), Phillip Daniels(Peyton), Meredith Caldwell, Megan Dye(Willie) and Evan Cave(Ellie); great grandchildren, Levi, Rowan, Heidie, Elowyn, Callen, Emma Claire, Anthony, Hadji, Moe, Lucas, Seraji, Valerie and Harper; and a number of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Graveside and Interment Services for Mr. Carr will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. in the New Hope South Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the residence, 92 Franklin St., Menlo, Georgia Tuesday from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 P.M.

MR. PAUL ALEXANDER NANCE, age 58, of Martin Street, Summerville, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly July 6, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. A native of Kansas City, Mo., He was born on March 26, 1968, a son of James Arthur Nance and Donna Inlow Nance. Mr. Nance served in the U. S. Army National Guard in Indiana and was a Truck Driver for Western Express.

Surviving are His wife, Debbie Edgeworth Nance; daughters, Tomi (Joie) Nance, Terri Raison, Jessie (Chris) Secrest, Bobbie Savory, and Heather Carmicheal; mother, Donna Jackson; sister, Mecinda (Jason) Baker and Becca (Earnie) Nichols; brothers, Chris (Amber) Horn and Daryle Jackson; several Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews also survive.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

Janet Lee Elrod Wills, born February 9, 1965, entered her heavenly home, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication to others.
For 40 years, Janet served as a nurse, dedicating most of her career to hospice care. Nursing was more than a profession to her—it was her calling. She had a compassionate heart, a gentle spirit, and a remarkable ability to comfort patients and families during life’s most difficult moments. Her kindness, empathy, and unwavering dedication touched countless lives.
Janet also had a love for travel and enjoyed exploring new places, creating memories that reflected her adventurous spirit and appreciation for life’s experiences.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stewart Wills; her father, Milton Elrod; and her mother, Amalene Elrod.
She leaves behind her loving sister, Renae Elrod (David) Franklin; her brother, Michael (Jolynn) Elrod; and a family who cherished her deeply. Although Janet never had children of her own, she was a devoted and loving presence in the lives of her nephews, Bryan Gilmore, William Elrod, Jackie Carter III, and Scott Seaman. She also treasured her great-nephews and great-niece, Connor Hardegree, Aria Hardegree, Ezra Gilmore, and the joy they brought to her life.
Janet will be remembered for her generous heart, her quiet strength, her dedication to serving others, and the love she freely shared with family, friends, patients, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy of compassion will continue to live on in the many lives she touched.
The family finds comfort in the countless lives Janet impacted and the love she shared so freely. Though her passing was sudden, her memory will remain a source of strength and inspiration. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered with so much love.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Ms. Willis will take place at 2:00 PM at the Chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Joel Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Johnson Cemetery with William Elrod, Ethan Ray, Darrell McComas, Michael Elrod, Jerry cook, Scott Seamen, and Dirk McComas serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 12:00 until the service hour at the funeral home.