MR. JERRY RAYMOND KIRBY, age 71, of Sunset Drive-Summerville, Georgia passed away Saturday (February 27, 2010) evening at his residence following an extended illness. A lifetime resident of Chattooga County, Georgia He was born to the late George Sidney Kirby and Ruby Lee Phillips Kirby who survives. Mr. Kirby attended the North Summerville Baptist Church, was retired auto body repairman, and a Veteran of the U. S. Marines Corps. He was preceded in death by a sister, the late Sara MacArthur and brothers the late L.M. “Bud” Kirby and Donald Wayne Kirby.

Surviving is His wife of 52 years-Barbara Bearden Kirby; mother-Ruby Phillips Kirby of Summerville; daughters and spouses-Kimberly Kay and Paul A. Smith of Nashville, TN., Kristy K. and Kalen Colbert of LaFayette, and Kerry Ketrine Kirby of Summerville; son and spouse-Kelly Kennon and Lou Ann M. Kirby of Tuson, AZ.; sisters-Dorothy Haney of Valley Head, AL., Kathryn Gravitt of Ft. Oglethorpe, Patricia Kirby of Summerville, Edith Lunsford of Summerville, Linda Langston and Linda Fowler both of Rome; grandchildren-Desiree Carver, Celsea McCann, Bethany McCann, Benjamin McCann, and Kassidy Kirby; great grandchildren-Addison McGuire and Aaden McGuire; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Memorial service will be held Tuesday (March 2nd) at 5:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Pastors Tom Russell and Jimmy Bryant officiating. The Family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 3 until the hour of service. The Family requests no flowers and suggest contributions to United Hospice of Rome, 315 W. 10th St.-Rome, GA.-30165, American Cancer Society, or the Lung Association.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge.

MR. JOHN CROY, JR., age 81, of Summerville, formerly of Rome, Georgia passed away Friday afternoon in a Rome hospital. He was born in Floyd County, Georgia on January 1, 1929 to the late John Croy, Sr. and Lillie Towell Croy. He was Baptist by Faith.

Surviving are sister-Bessie Sue Wooten of Rome and nephew-Eric Wooten of Summerville.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 22nd, from Graveside in West Hill Cemetery with Minister Glaze officiating. His Family will receive friends Monday from 10 A.M. until time for service.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge.

MR. Wayne Groce, age 83, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Friday, February 19, 2010, in a Rome hospital following an extended illness. A native Chattooga Countian, He was born to the late Charles Donald and Vera Josephine Stephenson Groce on January 6, 1927. Mr. Groce was a member of Summerville First Baptist Church, Deacon, and sang in the choir for forty years. He was also former Choir Director for South Summerville Baptist Church. He was the last surviving member of the Homeland Harmony Quartet, singing lead in 1951 through 1953. Mr. Groce sang at the Bill Gather Homecoming honoring the Homeland Harmony Quartet. He played pitcher, outfielder, and third baseman in the Georgia Textile Baseball League later coaching Little League baseball and softball. Was the former owner/operator of Summerville Pure Oil Service Station, was retired agent for American General Life & Acc. Ins. Co. Wayne enjoyed hunting, was an avid quail hunter, and a Veteran of WW II serving in the U. S. Army.

Surviving are His wife-Mary Elizabeth Groce; sons-Tim and Becky Groce, Don & Teresa Groce all of Summerville and Dan and Linda Groce of Fayetteville, GA.; sister-Joyce Parker; brother-Steve Groce both of Summerville; grandchildren-Brad & Kari Groce of Calhoun, Matthew Groce of Rome, Natlie & Jacob Williams of Calhoun, Whitney Groce of Fayetteville, Jared Groce of Summerville, and Daniel Groce of Fayetteville; 6 Great Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 22nd, at 2:00 P.M. from the Summerville First Baptist Church with Dr. Paul Mason and Dr. Kenneth Summey officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Active Pallbearers-Brad Groce, Matthew Groce, Jarod Groce, David Groce, Jacob Williams, and Ben Groce; Honorary Pallbearers the Seekers Sunday School Class of Summerville First Baptist Church, Evon Woods, Amanda Driver, Sherry Carter, and Penny Cavin. Visitation is Sunday from 4 until 6 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

MR. STANLEY MOORE (STAN) WILLINGHAM, age 51, of Fish Hatchery Road-Summerville, Georgia passed away unexpectedly Sunday (February 7, 2010).
A native Chattooga Countian He was born on September 19, 1958 to the late Babe Lee Willingham and Shirley Ann Moore Willingham who survives. Mr. Willingham was employed by Farmers’ Furniture and formerly the Packing Department of Mt. Vernon/Riegel Textile.

Surviving are daughters-Amber Dover and Melissa Milan both of Lyerly; son-Adam Willingham of Summerville; mother-Shirley Willingham of Summerville; sisters & brothers-in-law-Le Ann & Bobby Mitchell of Cartersville and Fran & Tom Jones of Forsyth; brother & sister-in-law-Britt & Jan Willingham of Summerville; grandchildren-Nathan & Braden Willingham, Dylan & Daniel Dover; Nieces & Nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday (February 10th) at 1:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Hurley officiating, interment in Greenhills Memory Garden. Active Pallbearers Lee Mitchell, Russ Mitchell, Jeff Smith, Sid Witt, Randy Ledford, and Rick Camp; Honorary Pallbearers the old Packing Department of Mt. Vernon/Riegel, members of Trion Golf Club, and former team mates. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11 A.M. until the hour of service.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Emma Maxine Strange age 76, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday morning, February 2, 2010, at her residence. A native of Chattooga County, Georgia she was born to the late Lewis and Gertrude Ray Helton on November 29, 1933 and was a member of Berryton Baptist Church. Mrs. Strange was preceded in death by her son Ricky Strange, sisters-Pauline Bridges and Virginia Harris, brothers-Alvin Helton, Buck Helton, and Hobby Helton.

Surviving are two daughters Pat Brison of Lilburn and Sara Strange of Summerville; Four sons, Lewis Strange of Trion, Marty Strange of Duluth, Bobby Lee Strange of Birmingham, Al, and John Strange of Fort Oglethorpe; One sister Carol Davis of Berryton; Two Brothers Harold Helton of Berryton and Wayne Helton of Pennville; Four Grandsons, Clint Strange, Bo Brison, Alex Brison and Justin Strange; Six Granddaughters, Paula Schumacher, Emily Kendall, Shelley Strange, Jessica Hudson, Tara Cruise and Lea Hamilton; Eight Great Grandchildren, several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday(February 3rd) at 3:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Megan Strange and Pastor Mickey Skates officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 P.M. until the hour of service. Active Pallbearers will be Clint Strange, Bo Brison, Justin Strange, Alex Brison, Kenny Kendall, and Pierre Hudson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Country Side Hospice and Tonya Dawson. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.