Obituaries — April 8-18, 2021
NELLIE DAVIS
Nellie Ruth Davis, 88, of Trenton, passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Mrs. Davis was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed sewing, canning, and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Davis; parents, Homer and Bernice Belue; brothers, Cliff, Kenneth, Roy, and Bill Belue.
Survivors include her children, Linda Clark, Ringgold, Judy Smith, Bryant, Ala., Johnny (Sheila) Brown, Ringgold, James (Shelia) Brown, Ringgold, Vicki Davis and Nickie Davis, both of Trenton; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; brother, Bobby Belue; sister, Betty Gass; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday, April 15 in the chapel of Ryan Funeral Home with Brother Matthew Logan officiating. Interment was in Lakewood Memory Gardens, West, Lookout Valley, Tenn.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
WANETA ESTES
Waneta Eleanor Estes, of Wildwood, passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
Waneta loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing and making crafts. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Bill Estes, Jr.; parents, Homer and Gertrude Cook; sisters, Winona Hary and Marilyn Hill; brothers, Wesley Cook and Calvin Cook.
Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca (Jon) Morgan; sons, William O. Esters IV and Gary Estes; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
RONALD GIBSON
Ronald “Hoot” Gibson, 78, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021.
Ronald was a member of Woodland Park Baptist Church and the Cornerstone Men’s Sunday School class. He was a retired maintenance mechanic at Westvaco of Cleveland, Tenn., was a 1961 graduate of Dade County High School and completed his journeyman apprentice at Wheland Foundry. Ron was good and honorable man who is no longer walking by faith but by sight with his Lord and Savior.
He was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin L. Gibson; parents, Roy L. and Clara Mae Gibson; brother, John H. Gibson and grandson, Chandler Wallace.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 50 years, Martha L. Gibson; sons, Evann (Teri) Gibson, Patrick (Lisa) Gibson and Nicolas (Beth) Gibson; daughter, Apryl (Marshall) Wallace; grandchildren, Destinee Gibson, Hope (Ryan) Maum, Tatum Wallace, Zoie Gibson, Bella Gibson, and Jasper Gibson.
Funeral services were Friday, April 16 in the funeral home chapel of Ryan Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Daugherty officiating. Interment was in New Home Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
JOHN LANDERS, JR.
John S. Landers, Jr., 84, of Trenton, passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
Mr. Landers was a veteran of the U.S. Army, was employed as a mechanic for National Ammonia for over 15 years, and was a member of the Teamsters Union.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Landers; daughter, Vicki Landers, and parents, John S. and Dorothy Landers.
Survivors include his daughter, Karen (David) Harris of Hixson, Tenn.; grandson, Zachary Antley, Hixson, Tenn.; brother, Richard (Charlene) Landers, Bluebell, Penn.; nephews, Richard (Colleen) Landers, Jr., and Neil Landers; great-niece, Ada Landers; sister-in-law, Sally (Dale) Ray; special friend, Frances Yothers.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
REV. DWIGHT MILLICAN
Rev. Dwight Millican, 74, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Monday, April 12, 2021.
Brother Millican was a true soldier of the cross. He dedicated his life to serving God and others. He preached countless revivals across the southeast and spent time on the mission field in Mexico planting churches. He was a retired pastor who had pastored Higdon Baptist, North Georgia Baptist Temple, Fellowship Baptist, Straightway Baptist and Cedar Bluff Baptist Church. He loved the outdoors and was an incredible marksman, hunter and story teller.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Millican; son-in-law, Ken Kirkland; granddaughter, Destiny Cagle; parents, Virgil and Lola Mae Millican.
Survivors include his daughters, Stephanie (Troy) Pritchett, Vivian Dawn Millican, Angie Millican, Leslie (Mark) Starkey, and Autum Kirkland; son, John Morgan Millican; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Carolyn (Ricky) Hurst, Renee (Larry) Bethune, and Marguerite (Clarence) Hodge; brother, Breland (Rhonda) Millican; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday, April 15 in the Bryant chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Robby Ferguson and Brother Kenneth Conaway officiating. Interment was in Higdon Cemetery.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Bryant, Ala.
HELEN B. O’DELL
Helen B. O’Dell, 78, of Trenton, died April 17, 2021 after a short battle of breast cancer.
She was born on Feb. 8, 1943. She was a very outgoing, mischievous woman (just ask her sisters) and knew what she wanted. When she first saw Sonny O’Dell she told her Mom that she had met the man she was going to marry. She loved to work in the yard and garden. She worked a few jobs in her life but loved to travel the best.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Sonny O’Dell; parents, Floyd and Louise Bearden, and brother, Willard Bearden.
Survivors include her son, Darrell O’Dell; daughter, Crystal O’Dell (Terry); two grandchildren, Sonnie and Jordan O’Dell; one great–grandson, Leland O’Dell; sisters, Dorothy Hartline of Trenton, Faye Nicholas and Charlotte Bearden of Flat Rock, Ala.; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday, April 20, at Moore Funeral Home with Brother Thomas Bearden officiating. Interment was in Brown Gap Cemetery.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
KENNY REEVES
Kenny Lee Reeves, 62, of Bryant, Ala., passed away, Sunday, April 11, 2021.
Kenny was devoted to his family and always said that the most important thing in his life was family and close friends. He also said, “When I get to heaven, don’t look for me on the golden streets, I’ll be in the garden or the woods.”
He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Minnie Lou Reeves.
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Cheryl Reeves; daughter, Sarah (Simon) Reeves Szuba; sons, Coey Reeves, T. J. Gillman, Chris Gillman, and Lewis Gillman; sisters, Anita (Charlie) Pemberton, and Patricia Reeves; brother, Stanley (Michelle) Reeves; grandchildren, Kierah Reeves, Caroline Szuba, Lily Szuba; mother-in-law, Kathryn (Bruce) Wyse; sisters-in-law, Michelle Grace and Evelyn Scheel.
Graveside services were Tuesday, April 13 at Reeves Cemetery with Brother Steve Wade officiating.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Bryant, Ala.
ATHA SELLS
Atha Lee Vestel Sells, 95, passed away Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.
Atha was born to the late Ernest and Sarah Dixon Vestel on Feb. 27, 1925. Atha graduated from the University of Georgia in 1948, and taught in the Dade County School System. As an educator, she was always trying to motivate everyone around her to stay busy learning and working. She would say “it keeps you out of trouble and it keeps your mind off of your troubles.” She was known as the “Tree Lady” of Dade County, receiving numerous awards and thanks for her volunteerism. She would say many times her home of Dade County was such a beautiful place to live and she was very grateful to call it home. As the wife of a hard-working farmer, Wallace Jack Sells, she had many responsibilities. She liked growing a garden and tending to her flowers and found joy in arranging flowers. Her arrangements were highly prized at flower shows, much appreciated at church and other occasions, and always loved by friends and family. She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Jack Sells; sisters, Hazel Ruth Brown, Bessie Dean Vestel, and Betty Van John.
Survivors include her son, Wallace Jack Sells Jr., and family, Trenton; daughter, Sarah Jill Campbell, and family, Cleveland, Tenn.; four grandchildren, three great–grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside service will be held on Sat., April 25 at 4 p.m. the Sells Family Cemetery on the Sells Farm in Trenton as she requested. The cemetery is located at 934 Sells Lane, Trenton.
As most people know, she loved flowers. You may bring them if you want as you come.
Arrangements made by Companion Funeral Home, Cleveland, Tenn.
CHARLEAN TAYLOR
Charlean “Granny” Taylor, 92, of Trenton, passed away Sunday, April 18, 2021.
She was a member of Trinity Holiness Church
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Taylor; parents, Rev. Charles and Kate McCrary; brother, Willie McCrary, and sister, Hazel Conner.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Rodney) Ross; son, Charles (Debby) Taylor; grandchildren, Leisa (Steve) Sewell, Tonya Ross, Dustin Shupe and Chris (Stephanie) Shupe; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; special sons, Jack (Charlotte) McCrary, and John (Linda) Taylor; sister-in-law, Jewel Holder; nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were Monday, April 19 at Lake Hills Memorial Gardens.
A special thank you is extended to Hospice of Chattanooga for their excellent care.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
WAYNE VINSON
Cecil Wayne Vinson, 77, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Wayne was born Feb. 11, 1944, in Bridgeport, Ala., to the late O.J. and Gussie Middleton Vinson. He spent his life in Chattanooga and the Lookout Valley area, attended John A. Patten Elementary School, and graduated from Kirkman Technical School in 1963. Wayne was a proud American and served in the National Guard, worked for U.S. Pine and Foundry and later for CSX Railroad, retiring with 34 years of service. He loved his time with CSX and all of his railroad brothers/buddies. Wayne was a loving, kind, unselfish, easy-going man who loved the Lord, family, Alabama Crimson Tide football and Nascar racing. He enjoyed being outside and took pride in his yard work and caring for his vehicles. Mr. Vinson was a member of Wauhatchie Methodist Church where he helped with the food pantry for many years.
He was preceded in death by his son, Eddie; parents; younger brother, Gary, and grandparents, James and Tennie Middleton, Aaron Jonah and Hattie Vinson.
Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Betty; grandsons, Aaron Vinson and Jeremy Michael (Ethan) Walker; sister, Velma (Ted) Shinn; special sister-in-law, Carolyn Smith; nieces and nephews; special dedicated friends, Wayne and Judy Tims and sons, Janie Manning, Harvey Appleberry, Tony and Liz Messina.
His family would like to extend grateful thanks and appreciation for dedicated service and care to Dr. David Close, Dr. David Arrowsmith, the Oncology staff at Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jeffrey Mullins, Dr. Marty Scheinberg and the Avalon Hospice unit of doctors and nurses.
A celebration of life will be Thursday, April 29th at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Ryan Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Messer officiating. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memory Gardens, West. His online register book may be signed at ryanfuneralhome.net.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 29th from 11 a.m. until the service hour at Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
RANDY WATERS
Randall “Randy” Edward Waters, of Rising Fawn, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021. He was born Jan. 7, 1974.
He was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, Betty Tant, John Head, and Leroy Abbott; aunts, Mildred Davis, Clara Cox, and Loraine Smith; uncles, Charles “Tommy” Head and Acelee “Willie” Smith; cousin, Dee Jay Nolan.
He is survived by his parents, Larry and Gloria Abbott; brother, David Waters; sister-in-law, Lori Waters; nephew, James Waters; niece-in-law, Cassandra Waters; great-niece, Alicia Waters; great-nephew, Damian Waters; sister, Angela Waters Stevens; brother-in-law, Joe Stevens, nephew, Aaron Stevens; niece-in-law, Heath Stevens; great-niece, Vickie Jean Stevens; nephew, Wayne Stevens, Brandon Stevens and John Stevens; brother, Mark Waters; sister-in-law, Mary Waters; niece, Savannah Waters Brown; nephew-in-law, Michael Brown; great-nephews, Gabriel and Landon Brown; nephew, Brett Waters; niece-in-law, Samantha Waters; great–nephews, Hayden and Terrance Waters; great–niece, Genevieve Waters; uncle, Johnny Head, and James “Hippie” Cox; aunts, Polly Davis and Betty Smith; cousin, John Head; other cousins.
Services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Companion Funeral Home, Cleveland, Tenn.
NANCY WEBB
Nancy Louise Stephens Webb, 83, of Trenton, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2021.
She was of the Baptist faith and a housewife.
Ms. Webb was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Elese Barton, six sisters, and three brothers.
Survivors include her sister, Linda Stephens Wooten of Trenton; daughter, Amy Rogers White, Pelham, Ala.; brother, Tony Stephens, Trenton; grandson, Hunter White; nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were Wednesday, April 14 at Stephens Cemetery on Porter Road, Trenton.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home, Trenton.