BIRGE

  MRS. EDITH LEE BIRGE, age 84, of Trion, Georgia, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 29, 2026, in the local nursing home. She was born in Berryton, Georgia on November 5, 1941, a daughter of the late Odis Lee Ponder and Jewell Houston Chapman Ponder Ledbetter. Mrs. Birge was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by twin sons, the late Terry and Jerry Birge and also brothers, the late Robert and the late Alton Ponder.

Surviving are her husband, Rev. Billie Birge; daughter, Melissa (Chris “Corndog”) Hardin; sons, Randy (Sheila) Green, Timothy Ray, and Malcolm (Elaine) Birge; brothers, Vernon (Dean) Ponder and Anthony (Sabrina) Ledbetter; grandchildren, Kellie Green, Randy (Tracy) Green, Benton (Renee) Birge, Sara (Michael) Bumbalough, Kelsey Howell (Jessie Brown), Chloe Ray, Cameron (Cotton) Ray, Dalton Ray, Brian Cronon, Alyssa (Patrick) Strawn; Eleven Great Grandchildren, One Great Great Grandson; several Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 31st, at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Collins officiating. Interment will be in West Hill Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Timothy Ray, Randy Green, Benton Birge, Cameron Ray, Dalton Ray, and Michael Bumbalough. The Family will receive friends Friday from 1 until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Edith Lee Birge, who passed away Wednesday afternoon.

KIRBY

MR. JAMES EDWARD (ED) KIRBY, age 72, of Sunnydale Road, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Sunday morning, July 26, 2026, in a Rome hospital. A native of Chattooga County, Georgia, He was born on February 14, 1954, to the late Guss and Ruth Cook Kirby. Mr. Kirby was retired from industrial maintenance for Toyoto Tire. In addition to Parents, He was preceded in death by wife, the late Sherry Diane Miller Kirby, and siblings the late Judy Stancil, Scott Kirby, Jack Kirby, and Sue Ragland.

Surviving are sisters, Shirley (Twig) Hatcher, Nancy Brewster, and Nona Gruner; several Nieces and Nephews and beloved pets, Max Kirby and Lucy Kirby.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. from the J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Pastor Jeremy Stroop officiating, interment in Johnson Cemetery. Active Pallbearers Allen Keen, Chase Lively, Joseph Griffin, Jeff Keen, Ty Hutchins, and Travis Stacy; Honorary Pallbearer, Denver Martin. The Family will receive friends Wednesday from 1 until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. James Edward (Ed) Kirby who passed away Sunday.

ALLEN

MRS. GAIL ALLEN, age 88, of Unity Church Road, Summerville, Georgia, passed away Sunday morning, July 12, 2026, in a Rome hospital. A native of Sylva, N. C. , She was born to the late Willie E. and Bertha Cline Painter on May 31, 1938. Mrs. Allen was a member of the Summerville First United Methodist Church, was a RNFMP-Nurse Practitioner for over 50 years, was the first Nurse Practitioner in the State of Georgia, and for many years worked in health care in Chattooga County and surrounding area. In addition to Parents, She was preceded in death by husband, the late Jack Bryant Allen, Sr., granddaughter, the late Jacklyn Allen, and brother, the late Eldridge Painter.

Surviving are sons, Jack Bryant Allen, Jr. (Martha Prince Allen) and William Michael Allen (Johnna Allen); sister, Margaret Clark; grandchildren, Elizabeth Allen, Krista Joyner (Blake Joyner), and John Allen; great grandchildren, Madeline and Remington Joyner; Nieces and Nephews.

Memorial service will be held Thursday, July 16th, at 2:00 P.M. from the Summerville First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Wesley Privett officiating, Interment in Bethel Cemetery. The Family will receive friends at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home Wednesday from 6 until 8 P.M. and Thursday at the Church from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the Family suggest contributions to the Summerville First United Methodist Church.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Gail Allen who passed away Sunday.

NANCE

MR. PAUL ALEXANDER NANCE, age 58, of Martin Street, Summerville, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly July 6, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. A native of Kansas City, Mo., He was born on March 26, 1968, a son of James Arthur Nance and Donna Inlow Nance. Mr. Nance served in the U. S. Army National Guard in Indiana and was a Truck Driver for Western Express.

Surviving are His wife, Debbie Edgeworth Nance; daughters, Tomi (Joie) Nance, Terri Raison, Jessie (Chris) Secrest, Bobbie Savory, and Heather Carmicheal; mother, Donna Jackson; sister, Mecinda (Jason) Baker and Becca (Earnie) Nichols; brothers, Chris (Amber) Horn and Daryle Jackson; several Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews also survive.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 18th, at 2:00 P.M. from ther J. D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home, with Paul Bice officiating. Honorary Pallbearers Memphis Marmet, Dakota Lively, Jace Goodson, Michael Blackmon, and Kenny Edgeworth. The Family will receive friends Saturday from 1 until 2 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Mr. Paul Alexander Nance.

MORGAN

MR. DENNIS RAY MORGAN, age 66, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Tuesday morning, July 7, 2026, at his residence. Mr. Morgan was born in Summerville, Georgia on May 16, 1960, to the late Harvey B. and Boneida Peterson Morgan. He was a Veteran of the U. S. Air Force and a truck driver for Swift Transportation. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, the late Daniel Morgan and grandson, the late Nick Litchfield.

Surviving are daughters, Amanda Driver and Jessica Miller; son, Matthew (Matt) Morgan; sister, Kathy Morgan; brothers, Harvey (Butch) Morgan, Bill Morgan, and David Morgan; grandchildren, Gavin Morgan, Brodie Morgan, D. J. Litchfield, Alexis Morgan, Megan Driver, Alyssa Katelyn Phillips, Sara Driver, and Nikki Litchfield; great grandchildren, Ke’ziah Balao and Maverick Phillips; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 11th, at 11:00 a.m. from the United Christian Fellowship, with Rev. Gary Howell officiating, interment in Summerville Cemetery.  Active Pallbearers will be  Charles Miller, Joseph Litchfield, Gavin Morgan, Jacob Phillips, Nathan Green, and James Dover.  The Family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Dennis Ray Morgan, who passed away Tuesday.

GRIMES

      

MS. JACKIE HAMMONDS GRIMES, age 66, of Gaylesville, Alabama, formerly of Chattooga County, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in a Rome hospital. She was born in Summerville, Georgia on January 27, 1960 to the late Fletcher Charles and Jennett Fraiser Hammonds. Ms. Grimes was a Homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, the late Mickey Hammonds, former husband the late Michael Grimes, and nephew the late Chuck Hammonds.

Surviving are daughter, Robin Womack; son, Cody Grimes; brothers, Ricky (Pam) Hammonds and Jerry (Anita) Hammonds; grandchildren, Justice Rich, Aubrie Rich, Joey Rich, and Chance Womack; several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 3, 2026 from the graveside at Lebanon Cemetery with Steve McGill officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 12:00 noon until 2 p.m. at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Ms. Jackie Hammonds Grimes.