Celeste Norris Florence,93, died April 18, 2017. Celeste was born July 1, 1923 in Greenville S.C. She lived in Savannah, Cedartown, and Trion for 59 years. She was the daughter of Harold and Pauline Norris. She attended Armstrong State College and graduated from Berry College. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Neal Florence.

She is survived by a brother, Lt. Col. James C. Norris and wife, Rachel Norris of Haughton, La. Two children, Neal Florence and wife, Carolyn Florence of LaFayette, Ga., and Nan Parker and Husband, Breck Parker of LaFayette, Ga. Four grandchildren, Dr. Mason Florence and wife Rachel of Watkinsville, Ga., Dr. Kevin Florence and wife, Rachel of Watkinsville, Ga., Amy Clifton and husband, Chad of Statesboro, Ga., and Dr. Reed Parker of Knoxville Tn. Eight great grandchildren, Samuel, Caroline, Anna Florence, Luke and Kate Florence, Madalyn, Audrey, and Jake Clifton. 

Celeste was active in her family, friendships and community. She was a teacher at Third Street School in Cedartown, Ga., and Trion Elementary School. Trustee of the Chattooga Library, Chairman of the Trion Zoning board, member of the DAR, Who's Who of American Women, Chattooga Historical Society, Atlanta Friendship Force, Elder Hostel, Red Hat Society, Wednesday Morning Bridge, and the Trion United Methodist Church. 

She enjoyed traveling around the world with lifelong friends and relaxing at Lake Weiss with family and friends. She was a lifelong learner and always optimistic. Her long life and inspiring influence was a blessing to all.

A heartfelt thank you to caregivers, Terra Turner, Shirley Bowers, Rosland Mosley, Tonie Autullo, and the wonderful staff at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation in Summerville, Ga.

Memorial service will be held 5 pm Saturday, April 22 at the LaFayette First United Methodist Church with Pastor David Autry officiating.

Visitation will take place Saturday at the church from 3:30 pm until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trion United Methodist Church at PO Box 1014, Trion Ga  30753.

Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

Mr. John Riley “Sparky” Reece, Jr., age 70 of Trion, Georgia passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at a Dade County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Reece was born in Summerville, Georgia on February 4, 1947, son of the late John Riley “Sleepy” Reece and Clara Belle England Reece.  He was self employed as an automobile body repairman and painter.  He loved to fish and do auto/body repair.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Reece was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Reece; a sister, Mary Jo Lindsey and a brother, Jimmy Reece.

Mr. Reece is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John Reece, III and Tracy Reece; daughters and sons-in-law, Rochelle and Mark Trammell and Carol and Billy Jo Stephenson; brother, Bobby Reece; sisters and brothers-in-law, Rose and Larry Nixon and Margie and Danny Rich; grandchildren, Johnny Reece, IV, Justin Reece, Jason Reece, Kelly Bice, Jr. Amanda Pritchett, Paul Bice, Stephenie Johnston, Hope Johnston, Holly Johnston, Devin McDaniel; 20 great grandchildren; special friend, Mary Trammell; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Reece will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Nixon officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Reece, Jason Reece, Justin Reece, Shawn Reece, Gary Blankenship and Josh Head.  Honorary Pallbearers will be all friends and family.

Mr. Reece will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 P.M.

Coffman Funeral  Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. John Riley “Sparky” Reece, Jr.

Mr. Dennis Lamar Elem, age 56 of Summerville, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at his residence.

Mr. Elem was born in Summerville, Georgia on May 3, 1960, son of the late Ernest Elem and Ruby Lee Patterson Elem.  He was a self – employed carpenter and was a self – proclaimed Mountain Man.  He loved hiking, kayaking, wood carving, hunting and anything that kept him outside and in touch with nature.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Elem was preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Busby and a brother, Bud Elem.

Mr. Elem is survived by his son, Dustin Elem; brother and sister-in-law, Wendell and Teresa Elem; sisters and brothers-in-law, Doniece and Gary Colbert and Loretta and Rodney Ensley; special niece, Lisa Ward, and several addition nieces and nephews.

As a Friend of Sloppy Floyd Lake Park, Memorial Services for Mr. Elem will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at the Pavilion #2.  The family will hold private interment services at a later date.

Coffman Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Dennis Lamar Elem.

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MR. ROBERT LOYD PIERCE, age 53, of Blake Street-Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday, April 13, 2017, at his residence.  He was born on November 28, 1963 to the late Bernie Pierce and Eva Jo Luallen Pierce, who survives.  Mr. Pierce was employed with Trees Unlimited, and was preceded in death by sisters, the late Diane Gazaway and Wanda Lee, and a brother, the late Lee Pierce.

Surviving are Mother, Eva Jo Pierce of Summerville; daughter & spouse, Alicia Marianne & Jason Gray of Trion; son & spouse, Christopher Robert & Nicole Pierce of Summerville; adopted daughter, Lindsey Souder of Cherokee Co., Al.; sister, Kathy Pierce; brother, James Pierce both of Summerville; grandchildren, Hailey Pierce, Aleviea Pierce, Savannah Gray, and Alexis Gray.

Funeral service will be held Monday, April 17th, at 4:30 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel with Rev. Don Bullard and Rev. Sanford Deberry officiating.  The Family will receive friends Monday from 2:30 until the hour of service at the Funeral Home.  The Family request no flowers, suggest contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge.