FERGUSON

MR. ROBBY EUGENE FERGUSON, age 45, of Summerville, Georgia passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023, from injuries received in an auto accident near his home. He was born December 20, 1977, in Dalton, Georgia, son of Rocky Eugene Ferguson and Carolyn Marlene Allmon Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson was a self-employed Mechanic. Mr. Ferguson was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rube and Fannie Allmon and Tommy and Iris Ferguson.

Surviving are his parents, Rocky & Carolyn Ferguson; sister, Christy (Richard) Dycus; niece, Mikayla Dycus; nephew, Brandon (Sarah) Dycus; great-niece, Remi Dycus.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2 p.m. from the J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. David Pruett and Rev. Larry Scoggins officiating, Interment in Subligna Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Brandon Dycus, Richard Dycus, Sam Sutton, Mike Sutton, Kevin Godfrey and Chad Brown. The family will receive friends Friday, March 31, 2023, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Robby Eugene Ferguson who passed away Wednesday.

COPELAND

MR. RYAN DEWAYNE COPELAND, age 47, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 24, 2023, in a Rome hospital. Ryan was born on June 23, 1975, in Rome, Georgia to the late Veston Dewayne Copeland and Brenda Joy Posey Copeland, who survives. He was Baptist by Faith and was Lot Manager for Harvey’s South End Auto Sales.

Surviving are sons, Jackson Graham Copeland and Dayton Tanner Copeland; Mother, Brenda Copeland; sister, Holly (Joe) Money; brother, Lane Copeland; nephew, Landon (Haley) Henson; great nephews, Brody and Lincoln.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 30th, at 4:00 P.M. from Graveside in Summerville Cemetery, with Pastor Phil Minter officiating. Active Pallbearers Steven Fountain, Jason Brown, Harvey Fitzgerald, Danny Hayes, John Sterner, and Danny Carter. The Family will receive friends Thursday from 2 until 4 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Ryan Dewayne Copeland who passed away Friday.

BELL

With great sorrow, the family announces the death of Patricia Bell, age 80, of Summerville, GA. Patricia passed away on March 21, 2023, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of passing.

Pat was born April 12, 1942, in Memphis, TN to Walter and Lillian Slay. She Graduated from Batesville High School, in Mississippi and from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, TN.

In addition to the role of mother to Julia Anne Goodnight, Nancy Karen Goodnight and Amy Goodnight Kennedy, Pat spent her career as an accountant, and retired as the Vice President of Finance for the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce.

During retirement Pat spent time in many hobbies. She participated in multiple Bible Study groups and several book clubs. She was an extraordinary painter and she was an avid Master Gardner.

Pat lived a life of deep faith and was a devoted member of the McFerrin Sunday School Class at Brainerd Baptist and of the Lydia Sunday School class at Trion First Baptist Church.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Lillian Slay, Winnifred and Theron Chandler, beloved Aunt and Uncle, daughters Julia Anne and Karen Goodnight

Pat is survived by a daughter Amy Kennedy (Gary), adoring grandchildren Scott Kennedy (Kimber), Lauren Pettit (Luke), Rebecca Thomas (Ramsey) and Lilly Kennedy as well as 4 great grand children Rowan, Ridley and Rory Thomas and Josie Kennedy. Additionally, Pat is survived by special loved ones, Barbara, David, Megan and Alison King. Pat leaves behind a very large and special friend group from many phases of her life. There are beloved childhood friends from Batesville, MS, and numerous friends from Chattanooga, TN and friends from Summerville, GA.

Pat was an extraordinarily brilliant person with many gifts and talents. She was a generous soul to all she met and loved by all who knew her. Her talent for gardening and painting are tangible gifts she leaves us. Her creativity and boundless love made this world a better place.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Trion First Baptist Church on Thursday March 30, 2023 in the sanctuary. The family will receive friends at 11 am with the Celebration to begin at noon.

The family request that any memorial donations in honor of Patricia Bell be made to Trion First Baptist Church or The Ronald Mcdonald House where she volunteered for many years.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

DRUMMOND

Thomas “Tom” Clyde Drummond, age 81, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away on March 21, 2023, at his residence.

Tom was born on April 5, 1941, to the late Thomas “T.J.” Jefferson Drummond & Vivian Irene Kellett Drummond Bryant in Trion, Georgia. Tom was raised on Kellett Hill in the Summerville area and graduated from Summerville High School in 1959. He was an elite athlete and excelled in basketball, baseball & football at SHS. After graduation, he married Lola Bowers & moved to Statesboro, Georgia, where they began a family & he began studying Recreation at Georgia Southern University. After graduating from GSU in 1964 with a degree in Recreation, Tom began working as Program Director at Dalton Parks & Recreation, kickstarting a 33-year career in the field. He worked for the State of Georgia and was also a Director in Carrollton, GA. He later became the Director of Clayton County Parks & Recreation. Tom was instrumental in starting many recreational programs all over the state of Georgia. After retiring at the age of 51, Tom moved to Jekyll Island, Georgia, where he enjoyed sailing, playing golf, tennis and restoring classic cars. Tom moved back to his hometown of Summerville in 2016, due to declining health and to be near family.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and Stepfather, Edward R. Bryant & Stepmother Lillian E. Drummond.

He is survived by his four children: Kelli (Tim) Winters, Kit (Randy) Willingham, Matt (Shelley) Drummond, Laine Drummond; grandchildren: Josh (Emily) Hurley, Lacey (Willys) Hames, Leslie (Blake) Gazaway, Jessie (Kyle) Shepard, Emily Green (Justin Smith), Wil (Alyssa) Drummond, Cal Drummond; Ten great-grandchildren; One great-great-grandchild; Former wife & mother of his children, Lola Bedford; Uncle, Gordon Kellett; Special Cousin Jamie Frady and a host of special, life-long friends.

A Memorial Service for Mr. Drummond will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22nd, at 290 Woodhaven Drive, Summerville, Georgia.

SPEER

MRS. SHIRLEY TREADAWAY SPEER, age 82, of Farmersville Road, Gore Community, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in a Rome hospital. A native of Trion, Georgia, She was born to the late Lonnie Carl and Mae Brown Treadaway on November 16, 1940. Mrs. Speer was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and retired from the weave shop of Riegel Textile Corporation. In addition to Parents, She was preceded in death by, brothers the late Jimmy Treadaway, Jerry Treadaway, Randy Treadaway, Charles Treadaway, and Tommy Treadaway.

Surviving are her Husband, Jerry Speer; Sisters, Betty Mahan (Lewis), Debbie Pyper (Bud), Dianne Watkins (David), Sandra Kirby; brothers, Billy Treadaway (Rita), and Bobby Treadaway; several Nieces and Nephews, Special friend, Rhonda Pollard.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 11th, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Dr. Charles Bishop officiating, interment in Greenhills Memory Garden. Active Pallbearers John Hunter, Dewayne Treadaway, Kevin Treadaway, Clint Hunter, Danny McGraw, and Jason Machtolff; Honorary Pallbearers William Hughes, Gerald Pinion, Larry Mann, John Treadaway, Billy Treadaway, William Mitchell, Bud Pyper, and Jimmy Barron. The Family will receive friends Saturday from 1 until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home. Flowers are appreciated or contributions may be made to the Fellowship Baptist Church.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Shirley Treadaway Speer who passed away Wednesday evening.

LAWMAN

MRS. VIOLA PLEDGER LAWMAN, age 100, of Marietta, Georgia, formerly of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Marietta. Mrs. Lawman was born on March 16, 1922, in Summerville, Georgia to the late Cicero and Ida Mitchell Pledger. She was a member of South Summerville Baptist Church and was retired from Bohannon’s Store. In addition to Parents, She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Thomas Lawman, a sister-Oneida Owens, and brothers-Bill Pledger and Winston Pledger.

Surviving are daughters, Deborah Lawman Gerber, Linda Lawman Johannes, and Nancy Lawman Moon; grandsons-Bill Moon, Keith Moon, Travis Wright, Greg Wright, and Nathan Wright; several Great Grandchildren, Great Great Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 7th, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home, interment in Summerville Cemetery. The Family will receive friends Tuesday from 1 until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Ladies Sunday School Class of South Summerville Baptist Church.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Viola Pledger Lawman, who died Thursday.