MRS. TENNIE RUTH TIDMORE, age 84, of Adairsville, Georgia, formerly of Lyerly, passed away Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at Her residence. Born in Chattooga County, Georgia on May 21, 1928, She was a daughter of the late John Frank and Susie Akins Whisenant. Mrs. Tidmore was a member of Lyerly First Baptist Church, was retired from the maintenance department of Bigelow-Sanford-Georgia Rug Mill, and was co-owner/operator of Tidmore Washateria in Lyerly. She was preceded in death by her husband the late Vernon Lindenberg Tidmore, also several Sisters and Brothers died earlier. Surviving are daughter-Lynda Steele of Adairsville; sons-David Earnest Tidmore of Cloudland and John Frank Tidmore of Lyerly; grandchildren-Alisha Steele, Jennifer Malone, Tina Steele, Derdia Adams, Derick Tidmore, and Keri Beth Jones; sixteen Great Grandchildren; several Nieces and Nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 2nd, at 2 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. J. B. Cantrell and Rev. Tony Christie officiating, interment in Lyerly Cemetery. Active Pallbearers-John Frank Tidmore, Joe Reed, Larry Weesner, Ricky Veatch, Alan Murphy, Christian Steele, and Scott Gayler; Honorary Pallbearers-members of the Ladies Sunday School Class of Lyerly First Baptist Church. The Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home Friday from 12 noon until the funeral hour. The Family request contributions to the Lyerly Cemetery Fund, c/o Juanita Baker- PO Box 50 ,Lyerly, Georgia, in lieu of flowers. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

   Mildred Pettett departed this life on October 29, 2012 at the age of 94 years.  She was a ray of sunshine to all who knew her.  Her warm countenance, upbeat personality, generous and loving nature were extended to everyone she knew.  Though small of stature, she was large in all the qualities that exhibited love and meaning to life.  And the love she gave others was returned in overflowing abundance by her family, friends, co-workers, and even acquaintances.
   Mildred was born in 1918 in Ducktown, Tennessee, the second daughter of ten children born to Mamie and Bob Styles.  After graduating from high school, she and her older sister, Jewell, moved to Trion, Georgia, for employment with Riegel Textile Corporation.  Her family followed the following year.  In 1937, she married Victor Pettett, the love of her life, and four children were born to their union:  Nancy (Kenneth) Lively, Kitty (Bruce) Davies, Victor (Cindy) Pettett, and Joye (Donny) Peppers.
   From her beginning employment in the Spinning Room at Riegel, Mildred advanaced to become the first ever female Laboratory Manager and department head.  While there, she formulated a chemical solution for cleaning fabrics, which she called "Snake Oil," and which is still used today in Finishing Plants throughout the country.  She retired after 45 years. 
   Throughout her life, Mildred pursued numerous educational opportunities–studying math and accounting through Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia Extension Programs; two-and-a-half years of chemistry at the International Correspondence School; public speaking at Dale Carnegie; and for 25 years attended tax accounting seminars offered by the University of Georgia Extension.  In addition to her career at Riegel, in 1962 she opened a Tax Accounting and Bookkeeping bushiness in her home, and continued that work for 35 years before leaving the business to her daughter-in-law, Cindy.
   In 1986, Mildred became a volunteer bookkeeper/treasurer for  the North Georgia Crisis Pregnancy Center, a work she believed in with all her heart.  After six years, she was named Director, and within weeks was asked to open and direct a second Pregnancy Center in nearby LaFayette.  Her dedication to the "right to life" and her concern and empathy for the women of Chattooga County led her to become a very effective fund raiser for the Center.  Her Baby Bottle Campaign and her personal appearances in churches raised thousands of dollars. 
   In February 2000, from among several worthy candidates, Mildred was chosen as the "Woman of Distinction" in the Business Leaders category in Northwest Georgia.  This is one of many honors and recognitions Mildred received during her long and illustrious life.
   At the top of her list of values, was her Christian faith commitment.  She was a member of Trion First Baptist Church all of her adult life, teaching Sunday School for 42 years, and singing in the adult choir for 30 years.  Along with these, she participated in the church's mission programs preparing meals and sitting with the ill and hospitalized, providing money for emergencies and visiting the indigent.
   Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister Jewell Hardeman, and brothers Clarence and Robert Styles.  She is survived by her four children and spouses, twelve grandchildren, 14 geat grandchildren, sisters, Regina (Hugh) Noble, Betty (Edgar) Ferrell, Peggy (O. G.) Morehead, Marlyn (James) Meredith, Annette Woodard, and a multitude of extended family and friends who mourn her passing.  In the words of the writer of Proverbs, "We rise up to call her blessed."
   Visitation will be Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the Trion First Baptist Church where the family will receieve friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
   Funeral services will be Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the Trion First Baptist Church with Dr. Floyd Roebuck and Rev. Warren Moorehead officiating.  Interment will be in the West Hill Cemetery.
   Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are the following:  Margaret Henderson"s Sunday School Class, Ben Adams, Wes Chisolm, Bill Davies, John Davies, Greg Ferrell, Clark Miller, Zach Pettett, and Brad Wolfrum.
   In lieu of flowers, donations to the North Georgia Pregnancy Crisis Center would be gratefully appreciated, P. O. Box 407, Summerville, GA  30747.

Mr. David Eric "Gypsy" Eley, age 40 passed away October 21, 2012.  Mr. Eley was born March 30, 1972 in LaFayette, GA.  He was owner of Gypsy's Iron Horse Trading.  He was Baptist by faith.

Mr. Eley was preceded in death by grandfather, J. W. "Pete" Dooley.

Mr. Eley is survived by wife, Joyce Ann Eley of Summerville, GA; son, Bradley Ellis of Summerville, GA; mother, Doris Eley of Summerville, GA; grandmother, Helen Dooley of Summerville, GA; sister, Katie Eley of Summerville, GA; brother, Will Eley of Stockbridge, GA; uncle and aunt, Jim and Karen Dooley of Columbus, GA; cousin, Lauren Sikes of Columbus, GA and grandson, Joseph Ellis of Lyerly, GA.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of Erwin-Petitt Funeral Home with Rev. Brian Waycasey and Rev. Steve Helms officiating.  Interment will be in Spring Creek Cemetery. 

Mr. Eley will lie-in-state on Friday, October 26, 2012 at the Erwin-Petitt Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Christopher, Roland Christopher, Billy Walker, Marty Ray Green, Jim Brady, and Brian Johnston.

The family will be at 2742 Trion-Teloga Road, Summerville, GA.

Erwin-Pettit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.