MR. HAROLD D. RAGLAND, age 83, of Lyerly, Georgia, passed away Monday morning, October 16, 2023, in a Rome hospital, following a sudden attack. He was born January 15, 1940, a son of the late Benjamin Hill and Evelyn Nadine-Crawford Ragland. Mr. Ragland was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, retired Water Superintendent for the City of Lyerly and a member of the Lyerly First Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings the late L. D. Ragland, Wilburn Ragland and Clyde Ragland.

Surviving are his wife, Jan Ragland; sons, Britt (Missy) Ragland and Shane (Jennifer) Ragland; sister, Betty Joyce Rackley; grandchildren, Kennedi Wilson, Alexa Ragland, Carsen Ragland, Evan Ragland, Blaine Ragland, and Bella Ragland; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 19th, at 2:30 p.m. from the Lyerly First Baptist Church with Rev. Richard McGinnis, Dr. James Baird, and Mr. Brad Edwards officiating, interment in the Lyerly Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Roger Bryant, David Hall, Jimmy Taylor, Jonathan Campbell, Blaine Ragland, and Evan Ragland; Honorary Pallbearers, Terry Godfrey, Greg Shaw, Gary Gordon, Rick Hammonds, Brad Edwards, Joe Reed, and John Leeper.

The family will receive friends Thursday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of service.

The family requests no flowers and suggest contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Lyerly Cemetery.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Harold Dean Ragland.

Ms. Ashley Payton Hall, age 48, of Cloudland, GA, died Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Ms. Hall was born June 3, 1975, in LaFayette, GA, daughter of Cynthia Lee Warren Carden and Donnie Hall. She owned and operated her own residential cleaning business.

Ms. Hall was preceded in death by her grandparents, Hugh Don Hall, Mildred Hall, and Clara Warren; and her step-father, Charles Carden.

Survivors include her daughter, Cali Giavanna Cavallo; fiancé and long-time companion, Sebastiano Cavallo; mother, Cynthia Carden; father, Donnie (Cindy) Hall; sisters, Andrea (Daniel) Hayes, Ansley (Daniel) Smith, Anna (Jason) Sidel, and Amanda (Jason) Wright; grandfather, Brimp Warren; nieces, Emma Kate Smith, Libby Claire Wright; nephews, Caden Smith, Peyton Sidel; uncle, Matt Warren; aunt, Carol (Jimmy) Thomason; cousins, Keith and Katie Smith; and many, many lifelong friends. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Eddie Smith officiating. Entombment will be held privately following the service at Greenhills Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Daniel Hayes, Daniel Smith, Jason Sidel, Jason Wright, Caden Smith, Billy Jennings, and Santo Cavallo. Honorary pallbearers will be Cindy Allen Combs, Starr McGill, Susan Garcia, Amber McGill, Gracie Butler, Marty Floyd, Sally Cook Williams, and Allison Knight.

Ms. Hall 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 Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Cali Cavallo Benefit Fund at United Community Bank.

To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.

Mrs. Rachel Delaine Crisp, age 67, of Trion, GA passed away Thursday, October 12, 2023 from injuries received in an automobile accident.

Mrs. Crisp was born in Joliet, Illinois, on April 15, 1956, daughter of the late Len Earl Sparks and Rachel Mann Sparks. In addition to her parents she was preceeded in death by her daughter, Lori Annette McWhorter, brother, Jack Sparks, and her father-in-law & mother-in-law, William “Cherry” Crisp & Pauline Crisp. She was a member of the Pennville Church of Christ.  Delaine was known for her carvings, especially Santa Clauses. She enjoyed embroidery, crochet and drawing and anything involving crafts. Delaine and her daughters enjoyed yard sales and thrift stores. She served the Pennville Congregation as a Nursery class teacher.

Delaine is survived by her husband, Nolan; a daughter and son-in-law, Misty & Robert McQuese; a son-in-law, Anthony McWhorter; grandchildren, Noah McQuese, Eli McQuese, Will McWhorter, Owen McWhorter, Ava McQuese.

Funeral Services for Delaine will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at the Pennville Church of Christ with Minister Robby Eversole officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Noah McQuese, Eli McQuese, Will McWhorter, Ronnie McKeehan, Jeremy Worsham and Stanley Mann.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff & Kathy Bennett, Johnny & Kay Brimer, Mike & Janice Bowers, Leslie & Freda Shadrick, Randy & Beverly Young and the Ladies of the Pennville Church of Christ.

Delaine will lie in state at the Pennville Church of Christ where the family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 Noon until  2:00 P.M.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Rachel Delaine Crisp.

MRS. CELESTINE BLACK JONES – Age 76, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023. She was born on June 26, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to her late parents, William Henry Black and Lorraine Gladys Foster Black. She was preceded by her husband, George Mack Jones, daughter, Delinda Delfina Jones, sister, Lillian Glass Ludy, brothers, William Theodore Black, and Thomas Black. She was last employed at Bateman Food Service as a cook.

Survivors are her loving and devoted daughter, Elizabeth Jones Chubb, LaBrenda Mae Jones; sons, George Lorenzo Jones, Travis Wendell Jones, Sr., and Mario Q. Jones; grandchildren, Brian Ranard Wiggins, India Elizabeth Jones, Travis Wendell Jones, Jr., Quintel Ranard Price, Damien Curtis Smith, Jr.; great grandchildren, Nyala Arrieanna Thurman, Kaleb Elijah Jones, Danielle Elizabeth Price, and Kade Isiah Jones; brother, John Clifford Black; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Homegoing Celebration will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 1:00 P. M. from New Bethel Baptist Church, 281 Georgia Avenue, Summerville, Georgia 30747, with Apostle Jennifer London as Eulogist.

The family will receive friends at the church one hour before service. Interment at Ami Cemetery.

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

MRS. KATHY HAWKINS SIMS, age 60 of Kennesaw Georgia, formerly of Cloudland, passed away, Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in a Marietta Hospital. Born in Summerville, Georgia on January 21, 1963, she was daughter of late Robert Hugh and Ava Catherine Gorham Hawkins. Kathy was Senior Vice President of Product Development for Strategic Link Consulting.

Surviving are her husband, Tim Sims; sons, Alex Sims and Andrew Sims; grandson, Colton Sims; brother, Michael (Tracy) Hawkins; special friends, Jensen Brink and Ashlyn Walker; aunt, Estelle Johnson; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Graveside service will be held Sunday, October 15th, at 2:30 p.m. from Cloudland Presbyterian Cemetery with Dr. Jeff Alverson officiating. Active Pallbearers will be Alex Sims, Jeremy Sims, Arnold Sims, Jeffrey Gorham, Mark Wofford and Steve Wofford. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 until 2 p.m. at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Kathy Hawkins Sims.

Mrs. Dorothy Jean Lawson age 89 of Gaylesville, AL passed away Friday, October 6, 2023 at a local healthcare facility following a long illness.

Mrs. Lawson was born January 14, 1934 to the late Elmus Johnson and Ophelia Mobbs Johnson Lawson. She was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of Gaylesville Methodist Church. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren and family.

Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Junior Lawson; and sister, Coleen Myrick.

Survivors include her sons, Terry (Jill) Lawson and Dale Lawson; sister, Juanita McElrath; and grandchildren, Tera (Kevin) Walker, Russ (Tracey) Bishop, Michael Lawson, Tyler (Kathryn) Lawson, Gable Lawson, and Landon Lawson.

Graveside & interment services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Lawson will be held at 2:00 (GA time) Sunday October 8 at Weiss Lake Memorial Garden with the grandsons serving as pallbearers.

There will be no public visitation.

Friends wishing to attend the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Cherokee Health and Rehabilitation Center and Pro Health Hospice for their love, care, and compassion shown to Mrs. Lawson during her illness.

To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.

MR. GARVIN RAY GORHAM, age 86 formerly of Summerville, Georgia/Fort Payne, Alabama passed away in a Collinsville, Alabama Nursing Facility Thursday, October 5, 2023. He was born in Crossville, Alabama on September 24, 1937, son to the late William McKinley and Ida Wisner Gorham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Teague Gorham and several brothers and sisters. He founded and served as Owner and Operator of Gorham Hosiery Mill in Fort Payne, Alabama and was Baptist by faith.

Surviving are his sons, Jeff (Mechelle) Gorham and Tony Gorham; grandchildren, Alisha (Tommy) Stephens, Tiffany (Brett) Johnson and Emily (Chad) Smith; 5 Great Grandchildren; sister, Estelle Johnson.

Funeral Services will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. EST, from the J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Mickey Skates officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be David McGuire, Tony Burt, Michael Hawkins, Tommy Stephens, Chris Henderson, and Brett Johnson.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 p.m. until the hour of service at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Garvin Ray Gorham who passed away Thursday.

Mrs. Carolyn Wyatt Johnston, age 84, of Summerville, GA, passed away Tuesday October 3, 2023, at the residence of her daughter.

Mrs. Johnston was born March 24, 1939 in Lyerly, GA to the late Webb and Velma Bishop Wyatt. She was retired from American Glove Company and was a member of Lyerly First Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, going to yard/estate sales, teaching Sunday School, and mentoring children.

Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Louie E. Johnston; son, Louie Johnston, Jr.; daughter Gwendolyn Johnston; and brothers, Webb Wyatt, Gene Wyatt, and Bob Wyatt.

Survivors include her children, Dave (Nancy) Johnston, Troyce (Allen) Hayes, Gay Johnston, and Connie Johnston; siblings, Danny (Susan) Wyatt and Ann (Duane) Jackson; 8 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Graveside & interment services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Johnston will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, October 6 at Lyerly Cemetery with Rev. James Baird officiating. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Johnston’s Grandsons.

There will be no visitation and those wishing to attend the graveside service are requested to assemble at the cemetery.
To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.

Mr. Cameron Eli Lyons age 19 of Trion, GA passed away Saturday, September 30, 2023 at an Atlanta hospital due to injuries received in an automobile accident the month prior.

Mr. Lyons was born March 28, 2004 in Rome, GA to Michael Hammond and Shae Lyons. He was employed at Mt. Vernon Mills and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, music, playing x-box, and shopping for his soon coming baby.

He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jerry Payne, and David Lowrence; Grandmother, Kim Blackmon; and cousin, Casey Beene.

Survivors include his wife, Sharie Lyons; soon coming child, Harden Eli Lyons; parents, Michael Hammond and Shae Lyons; siblings, Carson Keen, Bentley Cothran, Jordan Hamilton, Harper Hammond, Kylie Cothran, Arabelle Fisher, and Georgianna Hammond; Grandparents, Paulette Lowrence and Terry Lyons; “favorite” aunt, Amber Tapp; and several cousins and friends.

Funeral services to celebrate Cameron’s life will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, October 5 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Collins and Mr. Sean Ledbetter officiating. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery with Zach McGuire, Levi McGuire, Matthew Tapp, Kasen Reyes, Terry Lyons, and Damien Allmon serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Alex Barley and David Tapp.

Visitation will be held and the family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00 until the service hour at the funeral home.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.

Mrs. Lori McWhorter age 42 of Trion, GA passed away Friday, September 29, 2023 from injuries received in an automobile accident.

Mrs. McWhorter was born May 18, 1981 in Rome, GA to Nolan and Rachel Sparks Crisp. She was an educator at LaFayette High School.
Mrs. McWhorter is preceded in death by her grandparents, Len Earl and Rachel Sparks, and William “Cherry” and Pauline Crisp.

Survivors include her loving husband Anthony McWhorter; sons William and Owen McWhorter; parents, Nolan and Rachel Sparks Crisp; sister, Misty (Robert) McQuese; nieces & nephews, Noah, Eli, and Ava Grace McQuese, Shane Tucker, Heather Roberts, Ben McWhorter, Tyson McWhorter, and Hampton McWhorter; and great-nieces, Hannah Stewart, Rayne McWhorter, and Jolie McWhorter.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mrs. McWhorter will take place at 4:00 PM Wednesday, October 4 at Pennville Church of Christ with Min. Robbie Eversole officiating. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery with Noah McQuese, Eli McQuese, Alan Mann, Richie McWhorter, Tracy McWhorter, and Shane Tucker serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the LaFayette High School FBLA, The Trion High School 1997 – 1999 Girls Softball Team, and the current Trion High School Football Team.

Mrs. McWhorter will lie in state at the church and the family will receive friends Wednesday from 2:00 until the service hour.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to the LaFayette High School FBLA.

To share your condolences with the family online, please visit the funeral home website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home, Summerville, GA.