Lola Mae Grimes Mitchell

LOLA MAE GRIMES MITCHELL, age 72, of Chattooga County, Georgia passed away Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Glencoe, Alabama.  A native of Cherokee County, Alabama, She was born to the late Chester and Mable Harper Grimes on August 2, 1946.  Ms. Mitchell was a member of the Berea Church of Christ.  She was the retired owner/operator of MILO Acres Farm.  Lola was a dedicated mother first and foremost.  She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them.  She especially loved her role as grandmother.  She was always supportive and at every function.  She was also active in charitable works.  From development and startup of the volunteer after school care program at Trion City Schools to seamstress for the Halloween Carnivals, she could always be counted on.  Her infectious smile brought joy to those she met.  Lola was a lover of all things floral, with a special love for lilies. She was a remarkable cook and baker with a specialty of character birthday cakes and roses.  Her vast talents will be missed. 

            Ms. Mitchell is Survived by daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Greg Johnson of Gadsden, Al.; son and daughter-in-law, David and Robin Mitchell of Summerville; grandchildren, Marlena Mitchell, Skylar Mitchell; brothers, James (Charlotte) Grimes and J. R. (Audrey) Grimes; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Grimes and Virginia Grimes; several Nieces and Nephews.  Ms. Mitchell was preceded in death by brothers Morris (Virginia) Grimes, Luther Grimes, Curtis Grimes, Calvin Grimes; sisters,  Otilla (Sheldon) Wohl and Ophelia (Tony) Campbell.

            The Family will receive friends Friday, May 3^rd from 6:00PM until 8:00 P.M. EDT at Rainwater Funeral Home in Summerville. The Family will also receive friends at the Gadsden Church of Christ Saturday, May 4^th, from 1:00 PM CDT until the service begins at 2:00 PM CDT.  Minister Berlen Murphy will officiate. David Mitchell will deliver his mother’s eulogy, with Greg Johnson directing congregational singing.  Active Pallbearers: David Fletcher, Scott Gayler, Daniel Johnson, Jason Bearden, Benjamin McDonald, Tanner Maxey, James Wade, and Devon Tallent. Honorary Pallbearers: Meadowood Specialty Care Assisted Living Family. Interment in Crestwood Memorial Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Meadowood Specialty Care Assisted Living Activity Fund; 509 Pineview Ave. Glencoe, AL 35905  or the Ronald McDonald House.

            Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. W. Marlin Payne

DR. W. MARLIN PAYNE, age 95, well known Summerville retired optometrist, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019.  He was born March 10, 1924, in Rome, Georgia, to the late David Walter and Jennie White Payne.  He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Montyne Brock Payne; a daughter and son-in-law, Marla and Darrell Wise of Canton, GA.; two sons and a daughter–in-law, Judge Jon M. Payne of Summerville and Tommy and Sue Payne of Carrollton, Ga.; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Payne Crotty of Conyers, and Ann- Payne Williams of Acworth; a special niece, Nancy Hart Brown of Rome, and special friend, Milford Morgan (Beth); other nieces and nephews also survive.  Preceding him in death were five brothers: Wymon, Raymond, Walter, Mather, and Julian Payne, and one sister, Mildred Hart.

                        He received his education in the Rome public schools and graduated from Rome Boy’s High School in 1941.  He worked in Rome until the age of 18 when he entered the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1943.  He served for 3 years, including overseas duty in Italy with the 15^th Air Force.  While there, his unit received the Presidential Unit Citation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the successful bomblngs of the Ploesti oil wells in Romania, which were a primary supplier of fuel for the Nazi war machine.  He was awarded 3 major campaign Bronze Battle Stars for participation in the Po Valley, Northern Appenines, and the Rhineland campaigns.  When the war in Europe ended, he was sent back the United States for re-training for the invasion of the Japanese mainland.  Thanks to the courage of President Harry Truman in his decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, he felt strongly that most of his generation of men were spared, since it is estimated that 2 million American servicemen would have lost their lives had it been necessary for this invasion.  While serving in the Army Air Corps, Dr. Payne attended the University of Arkansas.  After discharge from the Army, he entered the University of Tennessee, at Knoxville, Tennessee, and graduated with scholastic honors from the Southern College of Optometry, Memphis.  He began practicing optometry in September, 1949.  He was Chattooga County’s first full-time optometrist.  He remained until he transferred his practice to Dr. Ernest Bowling in 1992, and later to Harbin Clinic.  He continued to practice part-time with Dr. Bowling until July, 1999.  He served as vision consultant for Reigel Textile Company at Trion for many years.

            Dr. Payne was active in many civic endeavors during those 50 years in Chattooga County.  He served as Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6688 and President of the Summerville-Trion Rotary Club.  During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he served as the local Civil Defense Director.  At various times he served as Trustee of the Summerville Elementary School, the Summerville Primary School, and Chattooga High School.  He was a member of the Summerville Recreation Authority when the present facility and the Fairway Center were built.  He was a member of the National Rifleman’s Association, and American Legion.  He served as Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority and was the 1^st President of the Quarterback Club (forerunner of the Linebackers).  He was a founding Director of Cancer Navigators in Rome.  The Boy Scouts of America named Him and his son, Jon, Scout Supporters of the Year for 2015.

            He served in many fundraising activities, including Red Cross, Cancer, Heart, Scouts, and the drive to build the original library. The Lookout Mountain Bar Association presented him with the Liberty Bell award in 1992.  In 1999 the City of Summerville named the new Woodland Avenue bridge in His honor, since he was instrumental in opening Woodland Avenue and the original bridge in 1953.

            He served in various capacities in his professional associations, including 2 separate terms as President of the 7^th District Optometric Society of the Georgia Optometric Association.  For 11 of the last years of practice he was awarded the American Optometric Association’s recognition for  voluntary post-graduate education and attended more that 1000 hours of classroom instruction during these years.  Most of this education was obtained at the University of Alabama Medical Center at Birmingham.  He was a member of the Shrine Club, was a member of the Church of Christ, and worshipped with the Highway 27 South congregation in LaFayette.  He wishes to be remembered as a true Christian, a true family man, and as a true Patriot

            Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 2^nd, at 1:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home, with Minister Daniel Curtis leading congregational singing and eulogy by Edward Ledford. Interment will be in the family plot of Summerville Cemetery. Active Pallbearers are Milford Morgan, Ryan Ledford, Gary McConnell, Jim Hill, Chuck Tilley, Herb Skelton; Honorary Pallbearers  are Bobby Lee Cook, Butch Eleam, Lann Cordle, Jessie Bankston, and Quinton Wilson.   Military honors will be handled by the American Legion Shanklin-Attaway Post #5 of Rome, also Christopher Payne, Petty Officer 3rd Class, U.S. Coast Guard, Amber Bell, Master Sergeant U.S.Air Force (Ret.),  and Randy Croy, bugler. Active Pallbearers will be Milford Morgan, Ryan Ledford, Gary McConnell, Jim Hill, Chuck Tilley, Herb Skelton. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Lee Cook, Butch Eleam, Lann Cordle, Jessie Bankston, and Quinton Wilson. The family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Cancer Navigators, #255 W. 5^th St., Suite #300. Rome, GA.-30165 or Assured Hospice Care, #5 Bowen Ct., Cartersville, Ga.-30120.

            Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Lucille M. Spain Green

MRS. LUCILLE M. SPAIN GREEN, age 101, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at her residence.  A Summerville, Georgia native, She was born to the late Joe and Maude Ash Spain on August 9, 1917.  Mrs. Green was the oldest current member of Summerville First Baptist Church, a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class, was retired from the sewing department of Best Mfg. Company, and preceded in death by her husband, the late Woodrow W. Green on December 19, 2007.

            Surviving are daughter and spouse, Nancy and Dave Crowe; grandson and wife, Shane and Jana Crowe; great grandchildren, Tanner, Colin, Addie, Chase, and Grace Crowe; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

            Funeral services will be held Friday, April 26^th, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Dr. Paul Mason, Rev. Doyle Waters, and Brother Sean Wegener officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery.  Active Pallbearers Alan Green, Douglas Stephens, Ronnie Stephens, Stan Reynolds, Greg Farrell, and Don Hayes; Honorary Pallbearers the Fellowship Sunday School Class of Summerville First Baptist Church.  The Family will receive friends Friday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

            Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Lucille M. Spain Green.

Mr. Michael Lee "Yank" Organ

MR. MICHAEL LEE “YANK” ORGAN, age 66, of Rollins Drive, Summerville, Georgia passed away, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in O’Fallon, Ill. following an extended illness.  Born in Apple River, Ill. on August 25, 1952, a son of the late Chester O. Organ.  Mr. Organ was a millwright machinist for Local #1263.  He was preceded in death by his mother and step father, the late Helen and Glen Light, son, the late K. P. Organ, and brothers, the late Les, Joe, and Gary Organ.

            Surviving are His wife, Sherry Martin Organ; daughters & spouse, Kayla (Brandon) Roberts, Miamisburg, OH. & Lindy Organ, O’Fallon, Ill.; sons & spouses, Clint Organ, O’Fallon, Ill., Bret (Crystal) Organ, Miamisburg, OH., Jon Organ & Samantha Johnson, LaFayette; sisters & spouses, Debbie (Al) Beighley, Beloit, WS., Patty (Spence) Brown, Muscatine, IW.; brothers & spouses, Raymond (Glenda) Organ, Bakersfield, CA, Chet (Denise) Organ, Beloit, WS.; grandchildren, Samantha, Alexandra, Cooper, Rebecca, Garrett, Jacob, Maiah, Peyton, Grant, Aiden, Graham; several Nieces and Nephews.

            Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 23^rd, at 11:00 A.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Ricky Biddle, Rev. Billy Wright, and Clint Organ officiating, interment in Lyerly Cemetery.  Active Pallbearers Clint Organ, Bret Organ, Jon Organ, Joseph Crowe, Jimmy Scruggs, and Charles Stoker; Honorary Pallbearers the “ROMEO” Club at McDonald’s.  The Family will receive friends Monday from 6 until 8 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

            Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Michael Lee (Yank) Organ.

Mr. Wayne Butler

MR. WAYNE BUTLER, age 78, of Roberts Street-Summerville, Georgia passed away Saturday morning in the local nursing home.  Born in Chattooga County, Georgia on May 6, 1940 to the late Charlie and Ruth Miller Butler.  He was preceded in death by wife, the late Bessie Hunter Butler on July 29, 2009 and a brother, the late Monroe Butler in 2013.

            Surviving are His companion, Wanda Overton.

            Funeral services will be held Monday, April 22^nd, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Billy Wright officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery.  Active Pallbearers Bradley Overton, Shanon Evatt, Terry Hamby, Aaron Simpson, Trey Simpson, and Brandon Crowder.  The Family will receive friends Monday from noon until 2:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

            Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Wayne Butler who passed away Saturday.