Mr. James Theron “Plywood” Earwood, age 71 of the Mountain View Community in Trion, Georgia passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the Redmond Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Earwood was born in Calhoun, Georgia on September 12, 1944, son of the late James Esker Earwood and Sue Elrod Earwood.  He was a member of the Mountain View Baptist Church and prior to retirement, was employed in many areas including working in an auto body shop and most recently, was a truck driver for A&B Concrete.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Earwood was preceded in death by his step-father, Floyd Carroll and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, George and Thelma Biddle.

Mr. Earwood is survived by his wife, Othell Biddle Earwood; step-brother, Danny Carroll; step-sister, Charlotte Jackson; brother-in-law, Rickey Biddle; special cousin, Leon Earwood; and a number of additional cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Earwood will be held Friday, April 1, 2016 at 4:00 P.M. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Kevin Norton and Rev. Rickey Biddle officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Justin Stowe, Jamie Biddle, Ryan Willingham, Nathan Floyd, Steve Willingham, and Sandy Willingham.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Darwin Blansit, Jesse Blansit, Gary Howell and Steve Waddell, as well as all of Mr. Earwood’s past co-workers.

Mr. Earwood will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Friday afternoon from 2:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. James Theron “Plywood” Earwood.  Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and to post condolences.

Mr. Robert "Bobby" Womble, Jr. – Age 80, of Summerville, Georgia and formerly

of Lafayette, Georgia passed away Friday, March 25, 2016. He was preceded

in death by his parents, Rev. Robert Womble, Sr. and Julia Mae Womble

Stalling, brother, Thomas Womble, and sisters, Louise Womble and Joyce Jones. 

He is survived by his two sons, Joey Womble of Dalton, GA and Mark Womble of

Atlanta, GA; daughter, Lecia Gail Womble; stepdaughter, Marketia (Greg) Adams

of Dalton; sisters, Bertha Mae Buchanan of Nashville, TN, Elizabeth Nelson of

Chattanooga, TN, Nylia Swint, Curlee Holmes, Barbara Ann Brown of Lafayette,

Kathleen Bailey of Rossville, GA and Geneva Fay Davis of Chattanooga; brothers,

Dr. Willie (Priscilla) Womble of Lafayette, Minister Nathaniel (Ruby) Womble

of Atlanta, and George Ralph Stalling of Summerville; dear friends, Irene Parker

and Jimmy Womble; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and

friends.

Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at the

New Spirit and Truth Assembly of Jesus Church, 487 Scoggins Street, with

Dr. Willie Womble, Eulogist, Bishop V.T. Harden, and other ministers officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 A.M. until the

funeral hour. Interment, Chattanooga National Cemetery. 

Please share your thoughts and memories of

Mr. Robert Womble at www.willisfuneralhomedalton.com

Arrangements by Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia. 

Margaret Inez Millican, 87, of Fort Payne, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016 at her home. She was born August 19, 1928 to the late Charlie and Tinney Bell Henderson Wilson.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Oak Hill Baptist Church with burial following in the adjoining cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 4 until 7p.m at the funeral home and on Monday from 10 a.m. until the 2 p.m. hour of service at the church.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, John Henry and Judy Jenkins, Charles Franklin and Doris Jenkins, and David and Susie Jenkins; daughters and sons-in-law, Margie Helton and Tom Lawton and Stella and Robert Kilgore; 18 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, June Elizabeth Stinnett and son, Robert Grady Jenkins.

Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Margaret Inez Millican.

MRS. RUBY CHARLOTTE HAYES JENNINGS DODD GANNON, age 91, of Shields Road, Summerville, Georgia went to her heavenly home Saturday, March 26, 2016.  A native of Subligna, She was born on March 1, 1925, to the late Sidney Esway and Amanda Elizabeth Sara Jane Walden Hayes.  She was a founding member of Horizon Baptist Fellowship and retired from retail sales.  She enjoyed sewing, reading, church, and was famous for her pound cake, which she shared with everyone.  She was preceded in death by husbands, the late Raymond Jennings, the late J. H. Dodd, and the late Joseph D. Gannon.  Also preceded in death by five brothers Geter, Lloyd, Lattie, Manuel, and Thomas; four sisters, Mattie, Irene, Pauline, and Janie; son-in-law Rusty Bridges; four step children, Malon, Frances, Laverne, and Maxine.
Left to carry on her legacy are her children, Karen Bridges, Kenneth and Debbie Jennings, Allene and Doug Spain, Laura and Paul Lee, Earlene and Glenn Moore; brother, Vernon Hayes; ten Grandchildren, fifteen Great Grandchildren, one Great Great Grandchild; several Nieces and Nephews.
The Family wishes to thank special caregiver Gay Phillips and Floyd Heyman Hospice Care for their tender loving care and support.
The Family will receive friends Monday, March 28th, from 6 until 9 P.M. and Tuesday, March 29th, from 12 noon until 1:00 P.M. at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.  A celebration of Ruby’s life will follow with Reverend Kenneth Jennings and Reverend John Paul Harris officiating, interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Garden in Pennville.  Active Pallbearers James Hayes, Allen Hayes, Mike Jarrett, David McCullough, Bo Bryan, and David Houston.  Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. James "Todd" Ayres, age 49, of Rome, GA, passed away Wednesday in Floyd Medical Center.

Mr. Ayres was born July 1, 1966, in Summerville, GA, the son of the late James Edward (Doc)  Ayres and Wilma Nell Willingham Ayres.

Survivors include his children, Katelyn Ayres, Kagan Ayres, grandchild, Luca Ayres, sister, Jan Hix, brother, Kane Ayres, and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Gathering of family and friends will be held Monday March 28, 2016, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home.

Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. James "Todd" Ayres who died on Wednesday.

Mr. J. W. Austin, age 83, of Trion, GA, died Thursday, March 24, 2016, at his residence. 

Mr. Austin was born November 17, 1932, in Anniston, AL, son of the late Willie and Lena Austin.  He was married for 63 years to Sylvia Sprayberry Austin, and they were blessed with four daughters and one son.  Besides being a loving husband, father, and grandfather, he loved his Almighty Savior in which he served as an ordained Deacon since April 3, 1977.  Mr. Austin was a member of the Trion First Baptist Church and spent most of his life singing gospel music where he traveled all over the southern United States spreading God's word through song with "The Millionaire Gospel Singers."  After years of singing with the Hayes family, he and his family continued spreading the gospel with song.  Mr. Austin also served in the United States Navy for four years and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.  He was employed with Combustion Engineering in Chattanooga, TN for 36 years until his retirement, and was known as "The Millionaire."  He was also the owner and operator of Trion Cleaners.  After retirement, he worked part-time at Trion Drugs until his health began to decline.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Frankie Austin Patterson; and son-in-laws, Jeff Chandler and Jerry Edwards.

 Mr. Austin is survived by his wife, Sylvia Austin; daughters and sons-in-law, Melody Edwards, Lynn and Ricky Lanier, Sandra and Verlon Bethune, Karen Chandler; daughter-in-law, Rolinda Patterson; God-daughter, Arley Cruz; grandchildren, Jerri Kaye and Robbie Turner, Matthew and Jessica Lanier, Hope and Danny Calaway, Daniel Lanier and Paige Robbins, Trace and Paige Bethune, Nakia and Taylor Knott, Blake Bethune, Courtney Chandler, Hayden Chandler, and Joey Browning; great-grandchildren, Jerid Turner, Kyra and Kaymin Calaway, Kasen and Kaleb Lanier, Josh and Juliana Robbins, and Deyvn Knott.  Several nieces and nephews also survive. 

Funeral services for Mr. Austin will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 26, 2016, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rob Bray, Rev. Casey Bramlett, and Bro. Steve Peppers officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.  Active pallbearers will be grandsons, Hayden Chandler, Daniel Lanier, Matthew Lanier, Blake Bethune, Taylor Knott, Robbie Turner, and Danny Callaway.  Honorary pallbearers will be Myra Tucker, Employees of Hearth Hospice, Adam Lathem, Jack Nelson, Tab and Sue Gable, Jimmy and Dollie Rosato, Pat Bethune, Dot Wilson, Doyle and Laura Kelly, All former Millionaire Singers, Employees of Trion Drugs, Johnny and Cindi Gilreath, Sammy and Eriko Locklear, Brenda and Charles Littlejohn, Wes and Dawn Armstrong, Johnny and Linda Armstrong, James and Elvia Berry, Tim and Kathy Thompson, Tommy and Susan Thompson, Sandra Peppers, Waydell Howell, Linda and Ray Hancock, Sandy Hancock, Hope Howard, Gwen Bentley, Billy Locklear, and the Hayes Family. 

Mr. Austin will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday, March 25, 2016.  Mason Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. J. W. Austin who died on Thursday.

Mr. George Lewis “Poppa” Helms, Jr. age 81, of Trion, Georgia, passed away March 21, 2016 at the Hospice at Mt. Berry.

George was born in Sand Rock, Alabama on May 9, 1934, son of the late George Edward Helms and Orlean Mosely.  He was a member of the Welcome Hill Baptist Church, the VFW, the American Legion, and prior to retirement, was employed in many areas, including Riegel/Mt. Vernon Mills, Dixie Gas Station, Wometco/Bateman Food Services and had his own lawn care service.  George was a licensed pilot, logging well over 2,000 hours in the cockpit.  He coached softball, loved football, and was an avid Atlanta Falcons fan, but what he enjoyed most was playing with his great grandchildren.  George loved to Tan, and always considered himself a lady’s man and could frequently be found at the Liar’s Table at Jim’s, Bonnie’s Restaurant and formerly the Huddle House.  In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heather Helms, and his brothers, James “Buddy: Helms and Johnny Helms.

George is survived by his son, Michael Helms; brother, Bobby Helms; sisters and brother-in-law, Janette McGraw and Gumelda and Carlton Cargle; sisters-in-law, Nancy Helms and Peggy Helms; brother-in-law, Jimmy McGraw; special friend, Linda Ramey; grandchildren, Michelle Helms, Eddie Helms, Amanda Helms and Justin Rhodes; great grandchildren, Zachery Bates, Jr., Falcon Helms, Ana-Lyse Bates, Brayden Uptain, Madison Helms, Heaven Helms, Erin Combs, Anslie Combs, Zoe Rhodes, Chloe Rhodes, McKenslee Rhodes; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for George Helms will be held Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Shores and Bro. Steve Helms officiating.  The Shanklin-Attaway Post 5 of the American Legion Honor Guard will be in charge of conducting Military Rites.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Danny Helms, Eddie Helms, Justin Rhodes, Zachery Bates, Terry Cargle, Co-Ray Helms and David “Mutt” Helms.

Mr. Helms will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends Thursday afternoon from 5:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mr. George Lewis Helms, Jr.  Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and to post condolences.