Obituaries – May 7 Issue
BILL ALLEN
Billy “Bill” Charles Allen, 72, of Trenton, passed away Monday, May 29, 2023.
He was born Nov. 16, 1950 at Ownby’s Clinic in Trenton. Bill lived most of his life in Trenton and was a 1969 graduate of Dade County High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1973 on the USS Ranger, was a 35-plus year member of the Ironworkers Local #704 and was an avid fisherman.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Guinn “Slim” and Mary Louise Allen; sister, Beth Allen.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Allen; children, Josh Allen, Adam (Jessica) Allen, and Mandy Allen; siblings, Helen (Wayne) Gibson, Vickie (Steve) Mitchell, Becky (Bill) Worley, Patti Allen, Tony (Carroll) Allen, Michael Allen, and Mitchell “Duke” Hill; grandchildren, Liam, Maddie, Kira, Landon, and Vincent Allen; nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at a private family gathering.
His online guestbook may be signed at ryanfuneralhome.net. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
OVELLA BROWN
Della Ovella Brown, 97, of Trenton, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Ovella was affectionately known as, Mom, Momma L, and Nanny to most people. To know her, meant you knew her cooking and loved it. Some of her favorite things were taking care of everyone, cooking huge meals, breaking beans, picking turnip greens and canning tomatoes! She loved her family and took interest and supported everyone.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 year, Denver Brown; grandson, Chad; brothers, Jay, Ben, Marshall, Henry, Jim and Vernon; sisters, Ollie, Savannah, Ruby and Lottie; parents, James and Della; nieces and nephews.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Edward (Charlotte) Brown; daughter and son-in-law, Mary (Brock) Connell; grandchildren, Eddie (Carrie) Brown, and Synthia Conner; great-grandchildren, Olivia (Cody) McNabb, Austin (Kanay) Conner, Kaylan (Tyce) Beaudoin, and Dallas Brown; great-great-grandchildren, Emory and Denver McNabb, and Krue and Kamri; brothers, Hoyle and Doyle; nieces and nephews, Rose (Jeff) Nichols, Denise (Paul) Boyd, Jerry (Mary) Henagar, Charles (Shirley) Holland, Wanda (Clyde) Buck, Jon Stevens, Cheryl (Benji) Cooper, Eva (Toby) Black and Beverly Salmeron, Karen, Jamie, Mona, Frank, Danny, and Patty Murphy; great-nephew, Brandon (Kirsten) Boyd.
The family wants to give a special thanks to Dade Health and Rehab for taking such good care of her, especially her great-nieces, Brandy Clark and Brittany Hegwood.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net
Funeral services were Monday, May 29, the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jerry Henagar officiating. Interment was in Poplar Springs Cemetery.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
LORI CRAIG
Lorraine “Lori” Craig, of the West Brow Community on Lookout Mountain, passed away Friday, June 2, 2023.
She was born Oct. 11, 1960, at Fort Knox, Ky., to Alvin Lindy Sellers and Inge Graff Sellers. Her father was in the military and met his wife in Germany. The family lived at various military posts as she was growing up, including Germany and Texas. She was fluent in German and was proud of her German heritage. Lori loved gardening and spending time outdoors. Her family was her pride and joy. She enjoyed being “Mimi” to her “grands.” She was an animal lover and staunch supporter of the Walker County Animal Shelter and would use social media to try to help find homes for other homeless pets. She also had a heart for the homeless and would carry backpacks that contained blankets, socks, gloves, canned goods and non-perishable snacks that she would hand out. Lori loved travel and enjoyed many wonderful motorcycle trips to Alaska, Yellowstone, the Tetons and other beautiful locales with her husband, Buford, whom she met when she worked at the North River Nursery that he owned. They were married Jan. 26, 2006.
She was predeceased by her brother, Johnny Sellers.
Survivors include her husband, Buford Craig; daughters, Chelsy, (Brian) Millsaps and children Billie and Finnegan, and Christy Williams and children Caylee and Jessa, Raesheal (Bryan Thobodeau) Dempsey and children Sage, Averiana, Harper and Roman; son, Damion Thompson; stepson, Glen (Renee) Craig and his children Brooke and Brontë.
Memorial services will be today, June 7, at 6 p.m., at Rock Creek Fellowship, 5209 Lula Lake Road, with Pastor Eric Youngblood officiating.
Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Lori to the Walker County Animal Shelter.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home, Trenton.
CARTHA GRAVES
Cartha Buckels Graves, 80, of Bryant, Ala., passed away May 30, 2023.
She was born on May 10, 1943, and spent her childhood in Valley Head, Ala., before becoming a resident of Bryant, Ala., for 65 years. Cartha will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, nana, and friend. Cartha enjoyed caring for her family, baking favorites and taking the scenic route when exploring. In her later years, artistic coloring was a passion.
She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Jerry Wayne Graves; infant son, Jerry Len Graves; father, Rev. Herbert G. Buckels; mother, Mildred Bailey Buckels; step-mother, Dora Lively Buckels; brothers, Edwin, Lester and Wayne Buckels; and sister, Victoria Buckels McGowan.
Survivors include her daughters and son in-law, Carla Graves and Mashonda (Mike) Taylor; granddaughter, Keisha Gant (Sam) Lentz; sister in-law, Doris Graves Davidson; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday, June 1, at Moore Funeral Home in Bryant, with Brother Logan Kinsey officiating. Interment was at Oak Lawn Memorial Park.
Expressions of sympathy or tributes can be left in memory of Cartha at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Bryant, Ala.
BEN JONES
James Elbert Benjamin Jones, 37, of Tracy City, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Ben was a loving dad and was fun to be around. He worked in construction, enjoyed working on cars and riding in the woods.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, JoAnn Swindle Mise; granddaddy, Roy Swindle; step-grandaddy, Doug Mise; grandmother, Lula Mae Jones; grandaddy, Bill Jones; uncle, Terry Jones; aunt, Tracy Swindle Kesler; cousin, Jeff Kesler.
Survivors include his wife, Krystal Jones; children, Ashton Whaley, Hunter King, Reese Jones, Benjamin Jones, and Payton Jones; father, Bo Jones; mother, Cindy Swindle Jones; sister, Amanda (Jay) Thomas; sister, Jamie (Dewayne Crisp) Ramsey; aunt, Betty Rucker; nieces and nephews, Dalton (Destiny) Ramsey, Canon Ramsey, Karlee Crisp, Jacob (Erica) Thomas, Andy (Maelee) Thomas, Jade (Jacob Partain) Thomas; great-niece and great-nephew, Cason Thomas and Ryleigh Beau Partain.
A private family memorial will be Sunday, June 11 at noon at the home of his parents in Wildwood.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
HENRY KIGHT
Henry Leon Kight, 77, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Mr. Kight was retired from Tuftco of Chattanooga, Tenn., as a machinist following 45 years of service. He attended Full Gospel Church in Flat Rock, Ala.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ewell Blake and Lema Louise Smith Kight; brother, James R. Kight.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Anne Webb Kight; brother, Billy Ray (Janice) Kight, all of Higdon, Ala.; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday, June 1, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Floyd Kilgore officiating. Interment was in Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park, Rossville.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
PETE MOORE
Julian “Pete” Lebron Moore, 68, of New Salem, passed away May 25, 2023.
Pete was born on July 13, 1954, in Fort Oglethorpe to his parents Leon “Dub” and Mary Ruth Moore. He worked as a construction superintendent and demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout his life. He took pride in working hard and providing for his family. In his free time, he had a passion for music and played the guitar and bass exceptionally well. For many years, Pete played an active role on the praise team at Trenton Ministry Center where he worshipped. Pete cherished his family and held his grandson Caleb particularly close to his heart.
He was predeceased in death by his parents, Leon “Dub” and Mary Ruth Moore; brothers, Donnie and Lonnie Moore.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Ramona Moore; daughter, Kendra (Jeremy) Belcher; grandson, Caleb Bron Belcher; sisters, June Moore and Levon (Sean) Reynolds; brothers, Ray (Donna) Moore and Doug “Peanut” (Lisa) Moore; seven nieces and three nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday, May 30, at Trenton Ministry Center with Brother Randy Tinker officiating. Interment was at New Salem Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy or tributes can be left at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Trenton.
ESTOL RIDDLE
Estol Ray Riddle, 62, of Rising Fawn, passed away Friday, June 2, 2023.
Estol was a Christian and a loving and giving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was retired from ECI Inc., as an HVAC Controls Tech following 29 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Ethel Riddle.
Survivors include his wife, Theresa (Jeffery) Riddle; daughter and son-in-law, Miranda and Rodney Scott; granddaughters, Katherine and Adeline Scott.
A celebration of life will be held at a private family gathering. His online guestbook may be signed at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
DOLLY SAYLOR
Geneva Anne “Dolly” Saylor, 63, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
She was the daughter of the late Carl and Eva Thomas and was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenney Saylor.
Survivors include her son, Steve Harley (Kami) Saylor of Higdon, Ala.; brothers, Carl Lynn Thomas of Trenton and Wesley Barrett of Dalton; nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
MICHAEL TAYLOR
Michael Eugene Taylor, 57, of Trenton, passed away May 20, 2023.
Michael was born on Jan. 22, 1966, in Fort Olgethorpe, to the late Ned and Shirley Taylor. He had a great sense of humor and was known for his quick wit that put a smile on everyone’s face. His presence will be deeply missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.
Survivors include his son, Seth Taylor; sisters, Lori Smith and Renae Taylor; brother, Anthony (Carolyn) Taylor; grandson, Easton Taylor.
Michael’s family has requested donations be made towards helping cover his final expenses. Those wishing to contribute may do so by contacting Moore Funeral Home at (706) 657-4382.
Expressions of sympathy or tributes can be left at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Trenton.