DOUG AVANS

Douglas Delano Avans, 74, of Crandall, passed away Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and member of the American Legion, Chatsworth.

He was preceded in death by his son, Micah Avans; parents, Earl James and Grace Smith Avans; brothers, O’Dell Avans and Gary L. Avans.

Survivors include his loving companion, Virgie Howard; children, Valarie, Michelle, Alan, Wesley, and David Avans; sisters, Janet Dalton and Earline Simmons; brothers, Anthony and Randy Avans; nieces and nephews.

Graveside services with full military honors were Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Poplar Springs Cemetery with Brother Joel Jenkins officiating the service.

Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.

 

ELTON MITCHELL

Elton Joseph Mitchell, 83, of Trenton, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020.

He was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church and was loved by many friends and family though out Georgia and Vero Beach, Fla.  He was a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Vero Beach, Fla. for 10 years and a deacon at White Oak Baptist Church of Trenton for 14 years. Elton and his wife, Martha Emily (Gray) Mitchell, met and married in Vero Beach where they lived and raised a family. After living in Vero Beach for 46 years they moved back to Sand Mountain. Elton was a licensed master plumber and was a member of West Palm Beach Local Union 630. He was also a pipefitter/welder and worked on the Nuclear Power Plant in Hutchinson Island, Fla. Elton served in the Army National Guard of Florida Infantry Division for eight years, serving in the Transportation Division for the last two years. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 106.

Elton was preceded in death by his parents, Eli Joseph and Grace (McMullen) Mitchell of Claxton; infant daughter, Tammy Michelle Mitchell, Vero Beach, Fla; half brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Martha Mitchell; daughter, Rene’ Esswein and husband Chris; son, Eric Joseph Mitchell; grandson, Garrett W. Kaiser II (Tara) Longview, Texas; granddaughter, Sabrina Freeman; great-granddaughters, Ariella Freeman and Gabrielle Freeman. Longview, Texas; sister, Marie Smith (Gary) Claxton; sister–in–law, Vera Morris of Vero Beach; nieces, newphews, great–nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were Friday, Oct. 9 with Pastor Jonathan Witt of Woodlawn Baptist Church officiating in the chapel in Ryan Funeral Home in Trenton.

 

MARJORIE McGOWN SHARPLEY

Marjorie McGown Sharpley, 88, born in San Antonio, Texas in 1932, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

She was born in Pearsall, Texas, later moved to Mexico and then to Washington, D.C., with her parents where she attended the National Cathedral School. Her family moved back to Dallas, Texas, where she attended Stephen J. Hay Elementary and Hockaday Schools. She attended Boerne High School and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas. She was presented by the German Club in 1953. Marjorie went on to study at Trinity University, then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where she was inducted into the Pi Beta Phi sorority. After obtaining her BA with a double major in History and Political Science, she returned to San Antonio, where she taught elementary school in the San Antonio public schools.

Marjorie continued her studies, attending first Saint Mary’s Law School, then transferring to UT Law School, where she met her future husband, Korean War veteran Hal Sharpley. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio in 1958. Over the years his career took them from San Antonio, to El Paso, back to San Antonio, then San Marcos, Austin and finally Dallas. Their last activity was running a showroom together at the Dallas Trade Mart as Hal was the regional representative for Royal Worcester-Spode and Hammersley China, Barker Ellis Silver, Stuart Crystal, Jean Couzon and Pordelaine d’Auteuil tableware. In San Antonio, Austin and Dallas Marjorie participated in volunteer work with the Junior League. She also did volunteer work for Junior Opera Action.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who was also a gourmet cook and consummate entertainer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Harold (Hal) Sharpley; parents, Floyd Senior and Eunice Harrell McGown; sister, Julia Roques and brother, Floyd McGown.

Survivors include her children, Gammon McGown Sharpley and Caroline Eans Sharpley Quinn; son-in-law, Matthew Quinn; grandson, Campbell McGown Stuart.

Graveside services were Friday, Oct. 9, at Mission South Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.

Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.

 

MELVIN SMITH

Melvin Douglas Smith, 75, of Trenton, passed away Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.

He was a welder having retired from F.M. Russell Company of Ringgold. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Hilda Henricksen Smith.

Survivors include his wife, Myrna Tinker Smith; sister, Gayle Nahoroday, of Fla.; Judy Dunning of Fla.; sister-in-law, Billie Gass, Trenton; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 12 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Bennie Hatfield officiating. Interment was in Whitt Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.