PONDER

Henderson Frank Ponder, 96, passed away on February 22, 2024. He was a member of South Summerville Baptist Church and one of the oldest members of National Tax Associates of Tax Accounts and has carried on a full time practice in that profession since 1953.

He served in the European Theater during the latter days of WWII, re-enlisted for a second tour of duty in late 1945 and transferred to Graves Registration where he served as an investigator with the duty of tracking MIAs throughout Western Europe and parts of North Africa.

During his long life he created and managed a number of corporations and businesses. He was also an inventor and had acquired 5 patents. He loved to pilot his small plane, sail his boats.

He is survived by his two daughters, Claudette (and Jerry), of Moultrie, GA and Jenette Slay of Wilsonville, Al., five grandchildren, Jeremy Mahan of Conway, AR, Terry Mahan (and Mary Ann) of Tallahassee, FL, Reiner Slay (and Lauren) of Marietta, GA, Bragan White-Mikle (and Daniel) of Acworth, GA, and Kilie Tatum (and Jack III) of Wilsonville, Al. and eight great grandchildren. He was married for 65 years to Mary Frances Gilmer.

The family had a private service on Monday, Feb.26.

DAVIS

MR. EDGAR LEE (ED) DAVIS, aged 94, of Back Berryton Road, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Saturday evening, February 24, 2024, in a Rome hospital. Born in Trion, Georgia on July 3, 1929, He was a son of the late Sam and Lillie Harris Davis. A member of the West Berryton Faith Temple and was retired boiler operator for Bigelow-Sanford Mill. In addition to Parents, He was preceded in death by His wife the Late Mary Etta Hix Davis, sons, the late Ray Davis and Donnie Lee Davis; siblings, the late Fannie Blackmon, Lillie Mae Hines, Naudie Lee Hines, John Henry Davis, Earnest Davis, and Willis Davis.

Surviving are daughter, Joyce (Wayne) Pritchett; son, Butch (Elvia) Berry; Ten Grandchildren, Thirteen Great Grandchildren, Five Great Great Grandchildren; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 27th, at 1:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Brother Jason Boyd and Brother John Mann officiating, interment in Lyerly Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Mark Nixon, Jackie Pritchett, Carlos Rior, Tim Willingham, Will Stewart, Matthew Willingham. The Family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Edgar Lee (Ed) Davis who passed away Saturday.

YATES

Carolyn V. Yates - October 10, 1938 – February 13, 2024

Carolyn V. Yates, age 85 of Trion, went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, February 13. Carolyn was born in Trion on October 10, 1938, daughter of the late Wallace and Christine Clanton. She was married to her high school sweetheart George for 58 years.

 
Carolyn was a proud 1957 graduate of Trion High School. She retired from Mt. Vernon Mills in 1999 after 29 years of service. She received the Riegel Textile Zero Defects Award as a weaver in 1987 and several perfect attendance awards. She enjoyed planning Weave Room Reunions and visiting with her work friends. One of her favorite hobbies was photography. The love Carolyn had for her family and friends can be seen in the many photos she took. If she was around with her camera, you could be sure your picture would be taken and she would share a copy of it with you later. She also loved to cook for her family and was known for her fried chicken, cube steak, and biscuits. She loved to read her Bible, and her favorite song was “Sweet Beulah Land”. Carolyn was a member of Trion First Baptist Church.

Carolyn is survived by her sister Barbara Whittle and husband Lydell; her children Wallace
and Shirl Yates, Lisa and Fred Harris, and Anthony and Jackie Yates; her grandchildren
Stephen Harris, George and Carrie Yates, Kayleigh Yates, and Heather and Thad King; her
great-grandchildren Wyatt, Cole, Carter, Liam, and Baylor Yates, and Cydney King; her
special friend Ann Lanier; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was
preceded in death by her husband George and her granddaughter Jessica Yates.

Memorial service will be held Friday, February 23 at 12:00 pm in the J.D. Hill Memorial
Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in Summerville, GA, with visitation beginning at
11:00am. In lieu of flowers, Carolyn requested that memorial donations be sent to Trion First
Baptist Church, 95 Church St, Trion, GA 30753.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Fresenius Kidney
Care of Summerville for many years of kind and professional care. They also thank the
nurses and staff at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation for their dedicated nursing care.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Carolyn V. Yates who died
Tuesday February 13.

BARBEE

William Hugh Barbee. . . . .

William Hugh (Bill) Barbee passed away unexpectedly on February 10^th, 2024 in Gainesville, Georgia. Bill was just 34 years old. 

Bill was born April 3^rd, 1989 in Hammond, Indiana to the late Ms. Sue Johnson and the late Mr. J.B. Barbee. He lived his early years in Indiana before moving to Georgia at the age of 3. He attended Chattooga County High School.

Bill was full of energy and lived life to the fullest. He never met a stranger, and truly loved people from all walks of life. Bill’s greatest joy in life was being the dad of three amazing, beautiful children: Jadon (13), Braydon (11), and Avery Cate (8). He enjoyed his time with them immensely, and was extremely proud of the people they are becoming. Bill was also a very giving person, even to the point of death, donating his organs so that others may live.

Bill was the youngest of 10 siblings, with 5 sisters and 4 brothers. Siblings include: Jacqueline Barbee, the late Deborah Barbee Peace, Michael (Dee) Barbee, Steve Barbee, Candace (Dennis) Brown, Natasha (Jason) Judge, Branden Riner, Natalie Johnson, and James (Danielle) Barbee. He had countless nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services are being provided by Rainwater Funeral Home in Summerville. The funeral is at 4pm on February 24^th, with visitation from 3pm to 4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pilgrim Ministries, 260 Bartley Wilbanks Rd. Clarksville, GA 30523, pilgrim-ministries.org.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. William Hugh Barbee.

DIGSBY

MR. HAROLD DEAN (CHUCK) DIGSBY, JR., age 67, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Thursday evening, February 8, 2024, in the local nursing home. Mr. Digsby was born in Rome, Georgia on March 26, 1956 to the late Harold Dean Digsby, Sr. and Wanda Faye Copeland Digsby. Mr. Digsby was a retired carpenter.

Surviving are, former wife and care giver-Angela Green Digsby; daughters, Chelsea Digsby of Atlanta, Shawn Alexander of Panama City Beach, Fl., and Angela Alexander Crawley of Panama City Beach, Fl.; step daughters, Ashley Carr of Knoxville, TN. and Kasey Woody of Summerville; sisters, Cyndi Simmons and Tamara (Rob) Harris; Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews.

Upon His request Mr. Digsby was cremated; Memorial arrangements are incomplete.

HENSLEY

MR. CHARLES H. HENSLEY, age 83, of 11th Street, Trion, Georgia, passed away Monday afternoon, February 5, 2024, in a Rome rest home. A native of Trion, Georgia, Mr. Hensley was born to the late Howard and Louise Lucille Landers Hensley, on July 13, 1940. He was a member of Central Avenue Baptist Church and was retired Roper, Inc. security guard.

Surviving are care giver, Virginia Lively; step daughters, Darlene Scoggins and Bonnie Hollingsworth; granddaughter, Raven (Matt) Rosson; great grandchildren, Saige Rosson and Brystal Rosson.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 8th, at 1:00 P.M. from Graveside in West Hill Cemetery at Trion with the Rev. Brandon Bishop officiating. Active Pallbearers Alan Simpson, Matt Rosson, Ricky Simpson, Butch Newton, Caleb Willingham, and Adam Lee.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Charles H. Hensley.