Mrs. Betty Jean Lawson Shives, age 91, of Trion, GA, died Monday, June 1, 2026, at Fifth Avenue Health Care.

Mrs. Shives was born August 25, 1934, in Jamestown, AL, daughter of the late Albert and Ruby Koonce Lawson.  Prior to her retirement, she was employed at Fred’s.  Mrs. Shives enjoyed gardening, yard work, bird watching, and spending time with her great-granddaughter, Lorna.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Loren Leslie “Les” Shives; sisters, Johnnie Owens, Pat Hutchins; and a great-granddaughter, Stephanie Isabella Wells.

Survivors include her son, Brent (Tracy) Shives; daughter, Cindy (Jeff) Wells; 4 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Private entombment will be held at Greenhills Memory Gardens.

There will be no visitation.

MRS. DEBORAH KAYE WHALEY, age 69, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in a Rome hospital. A native of Chattooga County, She was born on February 6, 1957 to the late Charles Mitchell and Wanda Jean Smith who survives.

Surviving are Her mother, Wanda Jean Smith; son, Donavon Whaley; brother, Danny Wooten; grandchildren, Dalay Whaley, Gavyn Whaley, and Bransen Whaley; several Nieces and Nephews.

The Family will receive friends Saturday, June 6th, from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Linda C. Moorhead was born November 30, 1947, in Gallatin, TN.

She GREW UP… in Decatur, GA, attending Avondale High School and later finishing her formal education at Texas Wesleyan College, Fort Worth, TX.

She GREW OUT … serving as Pastor Warren Moorhead’s wife at all eating activities in eight churches.

She GREW POORER… working in government agencies:  Board of Education, Hayes State Prison.

She GREW LOVELIER… raising a son and playing with three grand girls:  Georgia, Claire, and Noelle.

She GREW MORE BLESSED… serving others through her wit, smile, and congeniality.

She GREW BRAVER… facing acute leukemia cancer for quality of life instead of quantity.

She GREW HAPPILY COMPLETE…Sunday, May 24th, meeting her Lord Jesus Christ, and her son, and her many friends in Heaven!

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 6, 2026, in The Martha Berry Room located within The Spires at Berry College (600 Eagle Lake Trail, Rome, GA 30161).

In lieu of flowers, her husband kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to the Bailey Alexis Duncan Supplemental Needs Trust, C/O Trustee Angie Duncan, 2713 Carriage Hill Dr., Bowling Green, KY, 42104.  Linda and Warren have developed a special friendship with Bailey and empathy for her journey with autism.

Linda’s winsome smile and unique laugh caught most everyone’s attention.  Remember Linda Moorhead and SMILE!

Ms. Sheila Ann Helms, age 68, of Summerville, GA, died Monday, May 25, 2026, at her residence.

Ms. Helms was born June 22, 1957, in Chattanooga, TN, daughter of the late William Russell Lillard and Doris Evelina Schrader Mitchell.  She was retired from Floyd Hospital where she served as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  Ms. Helms loved the Lord, loved cooking, and enjoyed spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Rhonda Miller and Linda Lillard.

Survivors include her daughters, Heather (Tracy) Magness, Mandy Couture, and Elizabeth Cordell; sisters, Bobbie Lillard and Shannon Pope; 5 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, June 4, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Burns officiating.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at Mason Funeral Home from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Thursday.

Mr. George Edward “Big E” Lee, age 78 of the Teloga Community, Summerville, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026 at his residence.

Mr. Lee was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 29, 1947, son of the late George B. Lee and Etta Lucille Adams Lee.  He was a veteran of the United State Marine Corps., serving during the Vietnam War.  Mr. Lee was employed in the maintenance department with Shaw Industries and was the owner and operator of Big E’s Pawn Shop.  He was a member of the Chattooga Lodge #704 F&AM, the Yaarab Shrine Temple in Atlanta and the Chattooga Shrine Club. He was also a member of the Local VFW, American Legion and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  He was an avid hunter, loved watching NASCAR and enjoyed all fundraising efforts of his fraternal organizations.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Lee and a daughter, Wendy Strickland.

Mr. Lee is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Kathleen Lee; step son, Allen Brown and his companion, Teresa Maroney; sister, Jean Parris and her friend, James Wooten; brother and sister-in-law, Sammy and Lynn Lee; four grandchildren, Nichole(Chang) Stewart, Dakota Lee, Abigail Lee and Amelia Lee; two great-grandchildren, Brandon Stewart and Anisten Stewart; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services for Mr. Lee will be held Friday, June 5, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. in the chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Sammy Barrett officiating.  A reception will follow at his residence, where there will be military honors and Chattooga Lodge #704 will conduct Masonic Rites.

The family will receive friends at Coffman Funeral Home Friday afternoon from 2:00 P.M. until the service hour.

The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Yaarab Temple, 400 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas PlaceMemphis, TN 38105.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Mr. George Edward “Big E” Lee.

Mrs. Brenda Faye Kell, age 78 of Trion, Georgia passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026 at her residence.

Mrs. Kell was born in Trion, Georgia on July 23, 1947, daughter of the late Fay Herman Owens and Cloe Lee Everett Owens.  She was member of the Pennville Community Church, where she had served as the Awana Secretary and was retired from the Lab at Mt. Vernon Mills. Mrs. Kell was also a member of Silver Sneakers and was on the board of directors for the Trion Combined Charities Fund, but above all, she was a dedicated Mother, Nanny and Aunt.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Kell was preceded in death by a son, John Maurice Collette, Jr. and a grandson, Jordan Reynolds.

Mrs. Kell is survived by her husband, Dennis “Denny” Kell; sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Savannah Collette and Kerry and Melanie Kell; daughter, Tina Collette; brothers and sisters-in-law, David Owens(Cheryl McClellan), Gordon Owens(Kathy Gorham), Roger and Debbie Owens and Frankie Owens; grandchildren, Tabitha(Kyle) Lutz, Emilie Collette and Kollin Kell; great-grandson, Dex Cargle and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Kell will be held Monday, June 1, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Pastor Jon Davis and Ricky Harris officiating.  Interment will follow in the Green Hills Memory Gardens.

Mrs. Regenia L. Willingham, age 62 of Trion. Georgia passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026 in an Atlanta hospital.

Regenia was born in Lafayette, Georgia on August 23, 1963, daughter of the late Johnny Clayton Ezell and Ella Rose Jane Courtney Bartlett.  She had attended the Mountain View Baptist Church and was employed with Hays State Prison.  She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and sister and there was nothing better to her than spending time with family.

In addition to her parents, Regenia was preceded in death by a brother, Lane Ezell and a brother-in-law, Randall Young.

Regenia is survived by her husband of over 35 years, Steve Willingham; son, Richard Barrett(Becca Gause); sister, Judy Young; brothers and sisters-in-law, Steve and Paula Ezell and Terry and Connie Ezell; grandchildren, Haley Barrett and Paige Barrett; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Regenia will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Coffman Funeral Home.

Mrs. Deborah L. “Debbie” Huff, age 69 of Summerville, Georgia passed away Monday, May 18, 2026 in a Rome hospital.

Debbie was born in Ft. Hood, Texas on April 9, 1957, daughter of the late Alvin Leroy Prince and Glenda Ann Brown Huff.  She was retired from Great Clips, had played Professional Tennis and won many dance contests.  Debbie’s life revolved around her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and family.

In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Judd and Hester Brown; a nephew, Alexander Huff and several aunts and uncles.

Debbie is survived by her five children, Kristopher(Joy) King, Brandi(Zack) Brown, Lindsey(Jason) Steward, Amber Huff, and Emily(TJ) Gibson. She leaves behind her former spouse and life-long friend, Chuck Huff and Rebecca Huff and their family; grandchildren, Branden(Raven) Thompson, Kelsey(Chadd) Hutto, Savanna(Logan) Batchelor, Treniti(Gabe) Roe, Andrew Steward, Landen Huff, Dalton Johnson, Kaci Steward, Jacy Brown, Lucas Huff, Azaleigh Johnson, Halynn Huff, Zack Brown, and Dakota “Coco” Johnson; six great grandchildren; two brothers, Mike(Debbie) Prince and Deryl(Paulette) Prince; two sisters, Tonya and Sonya; her closest cousin, Allen Brown and her best friend, Paulette Prince.

Debbie’s family was everything to her.

In accordance with Debbie’s wishes, she will be cremated and the family will have a celebration of life service a the Fairway Recreational Center on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M.

Mrs. Nellie Hendrix Wilbanks, age 88 of Trion, Georgia passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at her residence.

Mrs. Wilbanks was born in Trion, Georgia on July 15, 1937, daughter of the late William Raymond Hendrix and Edith Chastain Hendrix.  She was a member of the Waterville Baptist Church and had also attended the Spring Creek Baptist Church and New Bethel Baptist Church.  Mrs. Wilbanks was retired from Mars Glove Mill in Lafayette and had previously worked in the Weave Room at Mt. Vernon Mills.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wilbanks was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Gene “Pop” Wilbanks; a sister, Shelby Ramey and two brothers, James “Tid” Hendrix and David Hendrix.

Mrs. Wilbanks is survived by her daughter, Dawn Wilbanks; sisters, Martha Oliver and Pam Powell; grandchildren, Sean Claire and Seth Claire; special nephew, Charles “Chuck” Oliver; and a number of additional nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Graveside and Interment Services for Mrs. Wilbanks will be held Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 2:30 P.M. in the Howell Cemetery with Mr. Keith Thompson officiating.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Wilbanks and D.L. Powell.

Mrs. Willbanks’ family will receive friends Thursday from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. at the Coffman Funeral Home.

Sgt. Anthony Augustus Gilleland, Jr. age 59 of Trion, Georgia passed away Monday, May 25, 2026 at his residence.

Anthony was born in Rome, Georgia on August 19, 1966, son of the late Anthony A. Gilleland, Sr. and Linda Brown Proctor.  He was a Sergeant with the Walker County Sheriff’s office and was of the Christian Faith.  Anthony was an avid Alabama Football Fan, “Roll Tide” and loved spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, Anthony was preceded in death by his step-father, John Proctor; sister, Carrie Colbert; brother, Stacy Colbert; mother-in-law, Ann Devine and a great-grandson, Everett Carmody.

Anthony is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carrie Gilleland; Sons, James Gilleland, Trevor Flannigan and Lee Hudson; daughters, Jennifer Gilleland and Jessica Stricklin; brothers, David Gilleland and Chris Proctor; grandchildren, Briar, Roone, Grace, Jack, Joanne, Karolyne, Dillard, Lily and Dean; one great-grandson, Daniel; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and special family and friends.

Funeral Service for Anthony will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Neil Brown officiating.  Honorary Pallbearers will be J.J., Trevor, Lee, David, Chris and all of his law enforcement brothers and sisters.

Anthony’s family will receive friends Saturday morning from 11:00 A.M. until the service hour.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Sgt. Anthony A. Gilleland, Jr.