LEDFORD

MRS. FRANCES KELLETT LEDFORD, age 88, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away, peacefully, Sunday evening, October 29, 2023, at her residence. A native of Summerville, Georgia, She was a daughter of the late Judson L. and Minnie Gass Kellett. Mrs. Ledford was a member of the Summerville First Baptist Church and the Fidelis Sunday School Class. She was customer service representative for Georgia Power Company, retiring after 34 years of service. In addition to Parents, was preceded in death by Her husband, the late Frank Ledford.

Surviving are son, Frank Coleman Ledford; grandchildren, Frances Lewis and Frank Judson Ledford; great granddaughter, Callista Rose Butner; great grandson, Elijah Joe Butner.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 4th, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Dr. Paul Mason officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Active Pallbearers, Landon Wesson, Davin Meadows, Kristy Hall, Roger Tapp, Ricky Kellett, Jason Lewis, Judson Ledford, and Gary Floyd; Honorary Pallbearers, Aleta Kellett, Kyle Kellett and the Fidelis Sunday School Class of Summerville First Baptist Church. The Family will receive friends Saturday from 12 noon until 2:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Frances Kellett Ledford.

HAMPTON

MR. JAMES LEON HAMPTON, age 62, of L. M. Thomas, Jr. Road, Summerville, Georgia, passed away early Thursday morning, October 26, 2023, at his residence. Mr. Hampton was born in Tampa, Florida on September 14, 1961 to the late James C. and Girthie Louise Cooper Hampton. He was a Farmer and Holiness by Faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a half brother, the late Pete Hampton.

Surviving are his wife, Vickie Hampton; son, James Barnaby Hampton; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral service will be held Friday, October 27th, at 2:30 p.m. from Graveside in Lyerly Cemetery with Rev. Harold Helton officiating. Active Pallbearers Michael Herring, Jason Herring, Kenneth Cooper, Roger Womack, Tony Long, and Mike Deaver. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home Friday from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. James Leon Hampton who passed away Thursday morning.

STEPHENSON

     MRS. BETTY MITCHELL STEPHENSON, age 95, of HWY #114, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Monday morning, October 24, 2023, in the local nursing home. She was born on September 16, 1928 in Gwinnett County, Georgia, to the late Doyle and Lillie B. Youngblood Mitchell. Betty taught at Chattooga High School for 31 years. She loved seeing former students and took great pride in remembering most of her students’ names and hearing about their lives.

     After retirement she was asked if she would like to substitute but she politely declined.  She had a new adventure awaiting her that June in the form of her first grandchild and three years later her second grand. Many years later she became a great grandmother to two and they were the light of her life.
Betty had a loving community in her school family and long lasting friendships with many of her fellow teachers.  One of their favorite pastimes for many years was playing bridge, whether it was a get together with a table of four or the more serious bridge party of three tables with snacks served on china and tea served in crystal goblets.  Betty loved visiting with family and having family visit her, including her granddog.  In her later years, with declining health, Betty was lovingly cared for in her home by Laura and Mike who saw to all her needs.  Special thanks to Sharon Timmons for her loving care to mother for many years.  Thank you to the RN’s and CNA’s on C Hall at Oakview for the kindness and care shown to mother the past 8 months.  In addition to her parents, She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Joe Kellett Stephenson on November 17, 1967.  She was a member of The Summerville First Baptist Church.

     Surviving are daughters, Laura J. Stephenson (Mike Head) and Lynn (Richard) Thigpen; sister, Ann (Jack) Bagwell; brother-in-law, Bill (Carolyn) Stephenson; grandchildren, Joseph (Bre) Thigpen and Kelly Thigpen; great grandchildren, Eli Thigpen and Lila Thigpen; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

     Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 28th, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Peppers officiating, interment in the Family plot of Summerville Cemetery.  The Family will receive friends Saturday from 12 noon until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Betty Mitchell Stephenson who passed away Monday.

REECE

MR. ROBERT BLANE (BAMA) REECE, age 61, of Virginia Drive, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Monday, October 16, 2023, following an illness. Mr. Reece was born on October 1, 1962 in Fort Payne, Alabama to the late Robert Lee Reece and Linda Ruth Blake Reece. He was a member of the 1980 Graduating Class of Chattooga High School, a member of the Just Us Band, and a very devoted ALABAMA Fan. He was the Property Manager for Martin Real Estate.

Surviving are daughter, Mackenzie Reece; son and daughter-in-law, Cory and Jessica Reece; companion, Susan Reece; grandchildren, Easton Reece, Brylee Reece, Colt Reece; sister and brother-in-law, Marty and Jimmy Lowery; several Aunts and Cousins also survive.

In keeping with Robert’s wishes, he will be cremated, there will be no formal service.

RAGLAND

MR. HAROLD D. RAGLAND, age 83, of Lyerly, Georgia, passed away Monday morning, October 16, 2023, in a Rome hospital, following a sudden attack. He was born January 15, 1940, a son of the late Benjamin Hill and Evelyn Nadine-Crawford Ragland. Mr. Ragland was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, retired Water Superintendent for the City of Lyerly and a member of the Lyerly First Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings the late L. D. Ragland, Wilburn Ragland and Clyde Ragland.

Surviving are his wife, Jan Ragland; sons, Britt (Missy) Ragland and Shane (Jennifer) Ragland; sister, Betty Joyce Rackley; grandchildren, Kennedi Wilson, Alexa Ragland, Carsen Ragland, Evan Ragland, Blaine Ragland, and Bella Ragland; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 19th, at 2:30 p.m. from the Lyerly First Baptist Church with Rev. Richard McGinnis, Dr. James Baird, and Mr. Brad Edwards officiating, interment in the Lyerly Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Roger Bryant, David Hall, Jimmy Taylor, Jonathan Campbell, Blaine Ragland, and Evan Ragland; Honorary Pallbearers, Terry Godfrey, Greg Shaw, Gary Gordon, Rick Hammonds, Brad Edwards, Joe Reed, and John Leeper. The family will receive friends Thursday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of service. The family requests no flowers and suggest contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Lyerly Cemetery.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Harold Dean Ragland.

SIMS

MRS. KATHY HAWKINS SIMS, age 60 of Kennesaw Georgia, formerly of Cloudland, passed away, Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in a Marietta Hospital. Born in Summerville, Georgia on January 21, 1963, she was daughter of late Robert Hugh and Ava Catherine Gorham Hawkins. Kathy was Senior Vice President of Product Development for Strategic Link Consulting.

Surviving are her husband, Tim Sims; sons, Alex Sims and Andrew Sims; grandson, Colton Sims; brother, Michael (Tracy) Hawkins; special friends, Jensen Brink and Ashlyn Walker; aunt, Estelle Johnson; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Graveside service will be held Sunday, October 15th, at 2:30 p.m. from Cloudland Presbyterian Cemetery with Dr. Jeff Alverson officiating. Active Pallbearers will be Alex Sims, Jeremy Sims, Arnold Sims, Jeffrey Gorham, Mark Wofford and Steve Wofford. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 until 2 p.m. at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Kathy Hawkins Sims.

GORHAM

MR. GARVIN RAY GORHAM, age 86 formerly of Summerville, Georgia/Fort Payne, Alabama passed away in a Collinsville, Alabama Nursing Facility Thursday, October 5, 2023. He was born in Crossville, Alabama on September 24, 1937, son to the late William McKinley and Ida Wisner Gorham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Teague Gorham and several brothers and sisters. He founded and served as Owner and Operator of the Gorham Hosiery Mill in Fort Payne and Gaylesville, Alabama and was Baptist by faith.

Surviving are his sons, Jeff (Mechelle) Gorham and Tony Gorham; grandchildren, Alisha (Tommy) Stephens, Tiffany (Brett) Johnson and Emily (Chad) Smith; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Estelle Johnson.

Funeral Services will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. from the J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Rev. Mickey Skates officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be David McGuire, Tony Burt, Michael Hawkins, Tommy Stephens, Chris Henderson, and Brett Johnson. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 p.m. until the hour of service at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Garvin Ray Gorham who passed away Thursday.