MR. PAUL E. KING, SR., 87, passed away the evening of January 30, 2012 after a short illness. He was married to Betty Hopkins King for 51 years who passed away in 2004. They are the parents of three children, Karen King Driskell of Alpharetta, Georgia, Jill King Riggs of Longwood, Florida, and Paul E. King, Jr. of Johns Creek, Georgia; they have five grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth King Abney of Rome also survive. Mr. King was a native of Menlo, Georgia. He came from humble beginnings being brought up by his mother after his father passed away when he was five years old. He attended North Georgia Military College and served in the Air Force as a Lieutenant during World War II. After returning home from Europe, he graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens, and began a long career in the life insurance industry in Atlanta. Later, his career took him to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he rose to the rank of President of Minister’s Life Insurance Marketing Group. In 1976 he relocated to Orlando, Florida with his family to start his own insurance agency, which he successfully ran for the balance of his career. Mr. King was a member of the Wekiva Presbyterian Church in Longwood, Florida for many years. The family will receive visitors, Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in Summerville, Georgia. Services will be held at 12:30 P.M. at the Alpine Community Church Menlo, Georgia, Rev. Tyler Downing officiating.

MRS. ERNESTINE V. BLEDSOE, age 91, of Summerville, Georgia, formerly of Pinehurst, Georgia passed away Thursday, January19, 2012, in Summerville. A native of Vienna, Georgia, She was born to the late Ernest L. and Bertie Walden Christmas on January 29, 1920. Before retirement Mrs. Bledsoe was City Clerk for the City of Pinehurst, Georgia and was a member of the Pinehurst Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband the late Thomas J. Bledsoe, sister-the late Evelyn Wadsworth, and son-in-law Guy Chambless III Surviving are daughters-Marie (Curt) Hutchinson of Chapin, S.C. and Edie Chambless of Summerville; sons-Ronnie (Dena) Bledsoe of Vienna and Bryce (Beth) Bledsoe of Unadilla, Georgia; brother-Ernest Christmas, Jr. of Vienna; grandchildren-Curtis Hutchinson, Ken Hutchinson, Guy Chambless, IV, Beth McCleskey, Tommy Bledsoe, Wendy Woodrum, Rhonda Arnold, Jeff Bledsoe, and Scott Bledsoe; thirteen Great Grandchildren. A celebration of Her life was held, on her birthday, January 29, 2012 in Pinehurst City Cemetery with a private service attended by her immediate Family, with Edie Chambless and Lee Guerry presiding. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge.

MRS. MARTHA SPEER HUNTER, age 82, of Gore Community, Summerville, Georgia passed away Saturday, January 28, 2012, at her residence. A native Chattooga Countian She was born to the late Robert Sterling and Annie Ruth Williams Speer on March 14, 1929. Mrs. Hunter was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and co-founder and Vice President of Hunter Furniture Company in Gore. Along with Her parents was preceded in death by a son the late James Robert Hunter. Surviving are her husband-James H. (Jim) Hunter; son and daughter in-law, John Clinton & Kristie Hunter of Subligna; grandchildren-Megan Jo Hunter, Clancey Paige Hunter, Emily Katelin Hunter, and John Clinton Hunter II; brothers-Bill Speer and Jerry & Shirley Speer of Summerville, Gore Community; Pam Dawson Hammonds. Funeral services will be held Monday January 30, at 2:00 PM at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Gore with Rev. Jimmy Bryant officiating, interment in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Jack Owings, Jeff Owings, Rick Maxey, Donald McGraw, Billy Kuzniak, and David Spurgeon; Honorary Pallbearers Jimmy Barron, Greg Shaw, Harold Gordon, Iva Kirby, Mary Frances Dawson, Shirley Maxey, Frances Holt, Frankie Gordon, Louise McColum, Betty Jean Owings, and Jimmy Hix. Visitation will be at the Funeral Home, Sunday January 29th, from 4 to 6 PM. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MR. DAVID WAYNE WILSON, age 52, of Blowing Springs Road-Menlo, Georgia passed away Wednesday evening, January 25, 2012, in a Rome hospital. A native of Trion, He was born to the late Dewey Wayne Wilson and the late Martha Sue Westbrook Hensley on April 2, 1959. David served in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1981 and was retired Truck Driver for the Town of Trion. Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by grandmother-the late Lois Westbrook. Surviving are His wife-Doris Wooten Wilson; daughter & spouse-April Wilson & Morgan Laney of Trion; son-Charlie David Wilson of Trion; sisters-Toni Wilson & Kevin Stanfield of Boaz, AL. and Shonda Hammontree of Rocky Face, GA.; grandchildren-Austen, Joshua, & Landon Wilson, Chandlar, Skylar, Brent, & Ashton Laney; step father-Charles Hensley of Trion; several Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 28th, at 3:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. John Mann and Mr. James Westbrook officiating, interment in Garrett Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Brian Saylors, Ricky Phillips, Patrick Strawn, Sammy Westbrook, Bobby Westbrook, Jimmy Saylors, O. J. Ford, and Butch-E Cordle. Visitation will be Saturday from 1 P.M. until the service hour at the Funeral Home. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

MRS. BETTY SPARKS, age 83, of Bankston Street-Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday , January 19, 2012, in the local nursing home. A native of Trion, Georgia, she was born December 16, 1928, a daughter of the late James Robert Hill, Sr. and the late Navada Childers Hill. Mrs. Sparks was a member of the Church of God. She was preceded in death by sisters-the late Lorene Hardigree and Francis Turner and brother-Robert Hill, Jr. Surviving are daughters & spouses-Linda & Wayne Brown of LaFayette and Martha & O.W. Carpenter of Summerville; son & spouse-Terry & Maybell Sparks of Chickmauga; grandchildren-Shannon Stevens of Chickmauga, Amy Frazier of LaFayette, Matt Carpenter and Macy Dover of Summerville; great grandchildren-Ashley & Courtney Stevens, Graysen Dover, Calum, & Caden Carpenter, Anna Cobb, and Drew Frazier; sister-Hazel Howell of Nashville, Tennessee; special friend-Peggy Rosson. Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 22nd, at 3:00 P.M. from the J. D. Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Russell and Bro. Garland Hullender officiating, interment in West Hill Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Chuck Frazier, Jeff Stevens, Benny Morgan, Howard Dillard, Phil McGuire, and Ed Campbell. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of service at the Funeral Home. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

BRIDGES

Mrs. Velma L. Bridges, age 91, of Union Point, GA, formerly of Chattooga County, passed away Wednesday morning, January 18, 2012, in Union Point, Georgia. A daughter of the late Ellis and Addie Cargle Mathis, Mrs. Bridges was born April 11, 1920 in Little Sand Mountain, GA. She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Gordon Lee Bridges, and a son, the late Bobby Leon Bridges. Mrs. Bridges was Baptist by faith and was a retired Delta Airlines Accountant. Survivors include two Grandchildren: Mark Wesley Bridges and Allison Lynn Barfield; two Great Grandchildren: Olivia Barfield and Josephine Barfield; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Bridges of Newnan, GA. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 19, 2012, at 1:00 P. M. from Graveside in Little Sand Mountain Cemetery with Minister Hugh Glaze officiating. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

MRS. YVONNE MYRICK, age 75, of Trion, Georgia passed away Sunday, January 15, 2012, in a Rome hospital. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on June 23, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Chester Lee Phillips and the late Ovell Whitley Cordell. Mrs. Myrick was a member of North Summerville Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband the late William Thomas Myrick. Surviving are daughter-April Myrick Vaughn; son & daughter-in-law Jehrome (Diane) Myrick all of Trion; granddaughter-Misty Myrick Copeland (Jason); grandson-Jehrome Paul Vaughn. Funeral services will be held Tuesday January 17, 2012 at 2:00 P. M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Russell and Mr. Robert Speer officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Tony Wooten, Dennis Maddux, Danny Joe Spraggins, Ronnie Prince, Casey Mann and Chris Noel. Honorary pallbearers will be Dino Demonia, Mike Starkey, David and Angela Towe and the Senior Members of North Summerville Baptist Church. Visitation will be at the Funeral Home Tuesday from 12:00 noon until the hour of service. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

MR. EUGENE STODDARD TAYLOR, JR., age 83, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Thursday, January 12, 2012, in the local nursing home. A native of northwest Georgia He was born to the late Eugene Stoddard Taylor, Sr. and the late Adeline Wright Taylor on May 22, 1928. Mr. Taylor was a member of the Presbyterian Church, served in the U.S. Marines during Korea, and was a retired attorney-at-law. Surviving are daughter-Elizabeth Taylor Archer of Chattanooga; son-Eugene S. Taylor, III of Atlanta; granddaughter-Hannah Archer; grandson-Jamie Archer. Graveside service will be held Sunday, January 15th, at 2:00 P.M. in the Family lot of Summerville Cemetery with Rev. Mike Penson officiating. The Family will receive friends Sunday at the Funeral Home from 1 P.M. until the hour of service. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Eugene Stoddard Taylor, Jr.

MR. JERRY N. PETTY, age 75, of Knollwood Circle-Summerville, Georgia passed away Tuesday night,(January 3, 2012) in a Rome hospital. A self-employed brick mason, Mr. Petty was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 19, 1936, a son of the late Cornelius Nathan & Thelma Blanton Petty. He was a member of the Church of Christ and was preceded in death by a granddaughter Kaila Corbin. Mr. Petty is survived by his wife Tennie Romine Petty of Summerville, a daughter and son-in-law Cecelia and Daniel Ford of Trion; sons and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Shelley Petty of Trion, and Thomas Petty of Summerville; sister- Rachel Rosso of New Orleans, LA; Granddaughters- Katie Ford, Alissa Leonard, Amanda Ford, Analee Ford, Hope Womack and Latalia Busby; several Great-Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews also survive. Funeral services will be Friday, January 6th, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral with Minister Hugh Glaze officiating, interment in Berryton Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Barry Wooten, Jackie Wooten, Daniel Ford, Wilton Snipes, Doug Sluder, and Bill Sluder. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6:00 P. M. until 8:00 P. M. at the Funeral Home. Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.