MRS. MARY Z. JACKSON HIGH, age 95, of the Gore Community, Summerville, Georgia, passed away peacefully, Sunday, January 22, 2023, at her home. Mrs. High was born on July 20, 1927 in Chattooga County, the daughter of Brunette Brewer Jackson and Robert Gaines Jackson. She was a 1943 graduate of Lyerly High School. She retired from the Chattooga County Board of Education in 1992, serving as secretary and bookkeeper for 26 years. Mary married Weyman Wright High in 1947; they were married for 67 years. She was a member of Unity Baptist Church; she was currently a member of Summerville First United Methodist Church. Other than Her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Robertine Jackson of McDonough, Georgia.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and William Crouch; three granddaughters and spouses; , Lindsey and Lance Brown, Whitney and Nate Rupp, and Christine Crouch; three great grandsons, Zeke Brown, Andrew Rupp, and Logan Brown.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, at 2:00 P.M. from Graveside in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Gore Community, with Rev. J. Wesley Privette officiating. Active Pallbearers William Crouch, Lance Brown, Nate Rupp, and Zeke Brown. There will be no visitation. Anyone who would like to remember Her with a contribution is asked to give to the Summerville First United Methodist Church general fund (P. O. Box 187, Summerville, Georgia) or to Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund (204 Congress Street, Summerville, Georgia).

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pastor Joey Paul Vaughn, age 60 of the Pennville Community, Summerville, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023 at his residence.

Pastor Vaughn was born in Trion, Georgia on April 1, 1962, son of William Paul “Pete” Vaughn and the late Mary Jo Reece Lindsey. He was a member of the New Generation Church of God, and was an ordained minister, working with the Chattooga County Community Resource Center. Pastor Vaughn enjoyed collecting Action Figures, and was considered at “Super Hero” throughout Chattooga County for his work with the Chattooga Community Resource Center. He was a loving father, grandfather and friend to all that knew him. In addition to his mother,

Pastor Vaughn was preceded in death by a sister, Tammy Ann Lindsey, and grandparents, John and Clara Bell Reece and Clarence and Hazel Vaughn.

Pastor Vaughn is survived by his wife, April Vaughn; sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Amanda Vaughn and Jehrome Paul and Jessica Vaughn; daughter, Minister Angel Vaughn; father and step-mother, Pete and Cindy Vaughn; step-father, Jimmy Lindsey; brothers and sisters-in-law, Stacey and Shelley Vaughn, Barry and Fayla Vaughn and Jason Vaughn; grandchildren, Israel Vaughn, Ella Vaughn, and Tyler Vaughn; fur babies, Tiny, Penny, Shakespeare and Smokie; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Pastor Vaughn will be held Monday, January 23, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Harkins, Rev. Eric Mosley and Rev. Paul Winston officiating. Interment will follow in the Summerville Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Reynolds, Matthew Simmons, Ben Weeks, Scott Woodall, Ethan Hutchins and Jake Hutchins. Honorary Pallbearers will be New Generation Church and the staff of Amedysis Hospice.

Pastor Vaughn will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral hour.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Pastor Joey Paul Vaughn. Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and to post condolences.

Mrs. Peggy Silvers Winters, age 75 of Lyerly, Georgia, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023, at Advent Health Redmond Hospital following a brief illness.

Mrs. Winters was born in Calhoun, Georgia on July 26, 1946, the daughter of the late Alvin Silvers and Ethel Perry.  She was a graduate of Trion High School Class of 1965 and a retired hairdresser.  She was a member of Oak Hill Methodist Church in the Oak Hill Community.  Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by father and mother-in-law, Grady and Frances Winters; brothers Mickey Silvers and Jonny Silvers; stepbrother Mike Perry; and close Church friends, Debbie Yarbrough, Jimmie Duke Jones, Betty Smith, and Sara Moseley.

She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 55 years, Ronnie Winters, daughter and son-in law Kristi and Robert Beach; son and daughter-in-law Jason and Abbey Winters; sister-in-law Carol Winters; sisters Mildred Singleton and Kathy Jacobs; a brother Richard Silvers; special nieces Lori Kellett and Lacey Baker, and several other nieces and nephews; grandchildren Gray Beach, Walt Beach, Jack Weaver, Payton Weaver; special great-nieces and nephews Gracie Farmer and her fiancé Doug Colbert, Kylor Kellett, Ruby Kellett, Shelby Baker, Olivia Baker, and Colton Baker; Step-brothers and step-sisters Bobbie Jo Martin, Shirley Perry, and Rick Perry. She was a proud descendant of George Silvers, Revolutionary War Patriot who served alongside George Washington and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

Mrs. Winters was a wonderful and beloved wife, and she was the most amazing mother and grandmother. She grew up in Trion, Georgia as part of a foster home, and she always carried a special love to help foster children.  Prior to her marriage and while her future husband served in Vietnam, she worked at Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta and held the much respected first chair spot in their beauty salon. At her home, she later operated her beauty shop to many longtime customers.  She loved taking trips and cruises, and one of her favorites was a special trip to Paris in 2008 with some of her close friends.  She loved antiquing and had a respected eye for hard to find and now popular primitive furniture pieces over many decades. As a gifted cook, she always enjoyed hosting dinners and parties with family and friends. She loved hosting class and family reunions at a family home she and her husband moved to Oak Hill and remodeled. She enjoyed visiting and talking with her friends, and she always made everyone feel welcomed and loved. Starting new hobbies was a consistent activity for her, and she was a gifted artist, soap maker, and winemaker. She loved selling her homemade goods at Sum-Nelly. At the age of 60, she learned to play the guitar, and her family loved hearing her sing and strum happy birthday to them. Her love of music, especially blue grass and country, stemmed from her close kin with the first family of country music, The Carter Family.  She was a member of the Summerville Victorian Christmas Guild, Chattooga County Schools Reading Buddies Program, and was a dog fosterer with the Animal Advocates of Chattooga County.  Her love of the elderly, children, and animals was widely known and felt.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Oak Hill Methodist Church with Reverend Jason Willis and Reverend Wayne Pace officiating.  Interment will follow in Oak Hill Methodist Church Cemetery.  Active Pallbearers are Doug Colbert, Gray Beach, Walt Beach, Jack Weaver, Kylor Kellett, Joe Reed, Duane Yarbrough, Kyle Kellett, and Tony Jones.  Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Oak Hill Methodist Church and the Trion High School Class of 1965.

Mrs. Winters will be in state at Oak Hill Methodist Church and the family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the service hour on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oak Hill Methodist Church Cemetery Fund (P. O. Box 336, Lyerly, GA 30730).

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. FAYE JOLENE LAWSON BROWN, age 90, of Jason Drive, Trion, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at her residence. A native of Sylvania, Alabama, She was born to the late William H. Lawson and the late Eva Ferguson Roberts on October 7, 1932. Mrs. Brown was a faithful member of the Trion First Baptist Church, loved quilting, was an avid gardener, and enjoyed the Silver Sneakers. In addition to Parents, She was preceded in death by siblings, Bonnie Davenport and B. W. (Jack) Brown and step father, the late M. O. Roberts.

Surviving are daughters, Debbie Fowler and Patricia (Patrick) Baldwin; sons, Marvin (Rose) Brown and Anthony Brown; half sisters, Katie Golden, Joyce Lancaster, and Pam Jackson; grandchildren, Richard (Amber) Ramirez, Caressa (Stephen) Price, Chris Ramirez, Jonathan Ramirez, Dylan S. Baldwin, and Cassidy S. Baldwin, MD; Seven Great Grandchildren; several Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21st, at 3:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel with Pastor Casey Bramlett and Rev. Dee Dee Lawson officiating, entombment in Greenhills Memory Garden. Active Pallbearers Richard Ramirez, Chris Ramirez, Jonathan Ramirez, Dylan Baldwin, Stephen Price, and Kaden Ramirez. Visitation will be Saturday from 1 until 3 P.M. at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers contributions to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, Palmetto, Georgia.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Faye Jolene Lawson Brown.

MRS. JO ANN BLACKMON, age 71, of Cloudland, Georgia, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023, in a Rome hospital. A native of Chattooga County, Georgia, Mrs. Blackmon was born on December 22, 1951, to the late J. C. and Madelene Ledford Edgeworth. She attended the United By Faith Baptist Church and was retired from Buster Brown, Inc. In addition to Parents She was preceded in death by husband, Larry Sanford Blackmon, and siblings Betty Siffles, J. T. Edgeworth, Paul Edgeworth, and Norman Edgeworth.

Surviving are son, Michael (Alison) Blackmon; grandchildren, Christian Blackmon, Haven Blackmon, Summer Vaughn, Alicia McGill, Jamison Johnston, Jordan Johnston; several Great Grandchildren; siblings Lois Reed, Junior Edgeworth, Tony Edgeworth, and Alvin Edgeworth; several Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, January 19th, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Pastor Barry Brown officiating. Honorary Pallbearers Christian Blackmon, Jordan Johnston, John Marmet, Justin Fitzpatrick, Keith Lee, and Brad Edgeworth. The Family will receive visitors Thursday from 12 noon until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Jo Ann Blackmon.

Mrs. Donna Marie Oclare, age 72 of Trion, Georgia passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Pruitt Healthcare of Lafayette.

Mrs. Oclare was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on August 29, 1950, daughter of the late Earl Wallace and Daphine Stiles Wallace. She attended the Pentecostal Powers Ministry in Lyerly and was a retired truck driver. She loved to fish, play BINGO and looking after her home and those she cared for. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Oclare was preceded in death by a daughter, Gwen Lanier; sister, Doris Hopkins and brothers, Steve Wallace and Mike Wallace.

Mrs. Oclare is survived by two daughters and son-in-law, Edith and Marty Barfuss and Shirley Gail Warren; sons and daughter-in-law, James Dampson and Marty and Paula Lanier; sisters, Dale Roberts and Gail Vanco; brother and sister-in-law, Lonnie and Peggy Wallace; grandchildren, Anthony Lewis, BJ Lewis, Lauren Lewis, Lawton Lewis, Haley Lanier, Amber Bartlett, Brandon Bartlett, Miranda Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Tina Bartlett, Kayla Bartlett and Matthew “Bubba” Barfuss; several great grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and additional extended family.

Mrs. Oclare will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive Wednesday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Donna Marie Wallace Oclare.

Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and to post condolences.

Mrs. Carolyn Ledbetter Wyatt, age 88, of Summerville, GA, died Sunday, January 15, 2023, at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Wyatt was born October 13, 1934, in Trion, GA, daughter of the late Marvin Elmer Ledbetter and Lillie Mae Gray Ledbetter. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was employed with Combined Insurance.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. “Bob” Wyatt; and brothers, Larry Ledbetter, Mickey Ledbetter, Doug Ledbetter, Sr., Clay Windle Ledbetter, Elmer Gray Ledbetter; and sister, Pat Ledbetter Bolington.

Survivors include her sons, Greg Wyatt (Dee Pitts), Ricky (Denise) Wyatt; brother, Stan (Paula) Ledbetter; sister, Nancy Farley; grandson, Stacy (Carrie) Wyatt; and great-grandson, Will Wyatt.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Peppers officiating. Interment will follow in Old Trion Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chris Ledbetter, Will Wyatt, Stacy Wyatt, Zach Hughes, Randy Anderson, and Jason Ledbetter. Honorary pallbearers will be John Ledbetter, Doug Ledbetter, Jr., Justin Broyles, and Peggy Cordell.

Mrs. Wyatt will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Wednesday.

Ray Earl Lee, age 84, Summerville, Ga died January 13, at Atrium Health Floyd.

Mr Lee was born November 23, 1938, in Summerville, Ga, son of the late Jess and Della Wooten Lee. He was preceded in death by brothers James Lee and Melvin Lee, and a sister Ruby Lee. He was retired from Mount Vernon Mills where he worked for more than 35 years and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was a member of South Summerville Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for over 50 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Latricia Pettyjohn Lee, daughter Lori Lee Sanders (Brian), son Kevin Ray Lee (Marina), grandchildren Bryn Lee, Jacob Lee (Sunny), Patric Sanders and Meredith Sanders and great grandson Beckham Ray Lee, brothers Fay Lee and Billy Joe Lee and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, January 15, 2 PM at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1 until the service hour with Rev. Robert Pettyjohn and Dr. Gene Greer officiating. Entombment will be at Greenhill Memorial Gardens.

Active pallbearers are Bryn Lee, Jacob Lee, Patric Sanders, Rob Jacobs, Bradley Lee, and Mike Lee.

Honorary pallbearers are Deacons and Friendship class of South Summerville Baptist Church, Arnold and Debbie Kilgo, Jerry and Annette Wright, Ronnie and Joan Dunn, David and Teresa Reynolds, Tommy Grimes, David Owens, and Mark Griffith.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Ruby Pope Henderson, age 89, of Trion, GA, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023 at a local healthcare facility.

Mrs. Henderson was born June 8, 1933 in Hamilton County, AL to the late William and Mary Howell Pope. She was a member of Pennville Community Church and was retired from the Trion City School system where she served as the cafeteria manager for 30 years.

Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Burrell E. Pope; and brothers, Otis, Lee, Eldon, Floyd, O’dell, and J.R. Pope; and sisters, Autie Martin, Ella Mae Samples, Buina Howell, and Lois Sanderson.

Survivors include her children, Randy (LeAnn) Henderson, Deborah (Roger) Owens, and Sandra (Daryl) Pledger; along with 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Henderson will be held at 3:00 PM Monday, January 16, 2022 at the chapel of Mason Funeral Home. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery with the grandsons and Ron Pope serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 1:30 PM until the service hour.

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. Shirley Ann Bethune, age 80, of Summerville, GA, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at her residence.

Mrs. Bethune was born December 10, 1942, in Piedmont, AL, daughter of the late James and Carrie Bowling Blanks. Prior to her retirement, she was employed with Southeastern Pathology. Mrs. Bethune was known for her love for God, family, and country. She taught Sunday School for 45 years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Doyle Bethune; grandson, Justin Butler; brothers, Freddie Blanks, David Blanks, Vernon Blanks, Benny Blanks, Jerry Blanks, Clarence Blanks, and Harold Blanks; sisters, Lola Bloodsworth and Hazel Blanks.

Survivors include her children, Verlon (Sandra) Bethune, Dennis (Coni) Bethune, Donna (Alvin) Cordell, and Bridgett Bethune; brother, Jimmy Blanks; sisters, Mickey Reno, Linda (John) Cordell; grandchildren, Trace Bethune, Blake Bethune, Olivia Bethune, and Dixie Bethune; great-grandchildren, Hayden McCaffrey, Adalynn McCaffrey, Caroline McCaffrey, Keegan Bethune, and Lane Bethune.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 13, 2023, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Andy Hutchins and Miss Dixie Bethune officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Trace Bethune, Blake Bethune, Sandy Reno, Geof Vandenberg, Alvin Cordell, and Kevin McCaffrey. Honorary pallbearers will be the Ladies of Trion Heights Baptist Church, the Ladies of the Summerville Pentecostal Worship Center; special friends, Nancy Wilson, Diane Vernadoe, Imogene Tidmore, Marilyn Wood, Brenda Littlejohn, Becky Meadows, Betty McDonald, and Brenda Johnston.

Mrs. Bethune will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Friday.

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.