Obituaries – Sept. 13 Issue
LOUISE ALLISON
Rubye Louise Allison, 78, of Bryant, Ala., passed away Monday, Sept. 4, 2023.
Born Sept. 15, 1944, Louise was the daughter of Gordon and Rachel Parker Whited. She lived a life devoted to her family. Louise was known for her exceptional cooking skills, especially her famous chicken and dressing. Additionally, she had an unwavering affection for babies and dedicated countless hours babysitting her nieces and nephews throughout the years.
Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Allison; sister, Doris Whitehead; and brothers, Andrew and Herschel Whited.
Survivors include her children, Gwen Allison-Wooten, Christy (Mike) Whitaker, and Matthew (Carissa) Allison; brothers, Sam (Nelda) Whited, Ernest (Linda) Whited, Donald (Pat) Whited, and Manuel (Connie) Whited; grandchildren, Jesse Wooten, Courtney (Seth) Owens, Grayson Allison, and Madison Brown; great-grandsons, Ephram Gowens and Elias Owens; nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Bryant chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Sam Whited and Brother David Marona officiating. Interment was at Whited Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Judy Chisenall, Hannah Garcia, Stacy Flanigan, and the staff at Enhabit Hospice for their compassionate care during Louise’s final days.
Expressions of sympathy or tributes can be shared at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Bryant, Ala.
BONNIE COOPER
Bonnie Chandler Cooper, 82, of Bryant, Ala., passed away Sunday, Sept. 3,2023.
Mrs. Cooper retired from North Georgia Regional Services as field supervisor, and prior to her retirement, she was the owner of C&C Equipment, LLC of Bryant, Ala. She was a member of Valley View Baptist Church in Whitwell, Tenn.
Shewas preceded in death by her grandparents, Hoyt and Minnie Chander; father, T.F. Chandler; grandson, Andrew Cooper; great-granddaughter, Katie Smith.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Pastor Joe B. Cooper; son, John (Kim) Cooper of Bryant, Ala.; grandchildren, Bethany (Freddy) Phillips, David (Jaycee) Cooper, and Amanda (Cru) Palmer; great-grandchildren, Jason and Colton Smith, Harper Cooper, Raylan and Shelby Palmer.
Funeral services were Thursday, Sept. 7 in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Wayne Winters and Bro. Kenneth Conaway officiating. Interment was in Trenton Baptist Cemetery with David Cooper, Jason and Colton Smith, Cru and Raylan Palmer, and Freddy Phillips serving as pallbearers.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
A special thank you is extended to the staff of Heartlite Hospice for the excellent care given to Mrs. Cooper, especially Travis, Amy, Kera, Vickie, Joel and Jennifer. Also, thank you Vonda Davis for your unwavering friendship and devotion to Bonnie.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
FRANK KLAASSE
Frank Lewis Klaasse, 90, of Lookout Mountain, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.
He was born April 7, 1933, in Lancaster, Wis., to Leonard Simonds Klaasse and Lulu Lora Lewis and was raised in Stanton and Grand Rapids, Mich. He joined the United States Navy at the age of 17, studied electronics in the Navy and served on a naval ship. After attending the University of Michigan, he was recruited by Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company into its actuarial program, and moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he began his career at Provident, later becoming a corporate Computer/IT and actuarial senior executive. He earned the highest designation of Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and through this knowledge and expertise; he contributed to the growth of Provident as a leading national insurer. While at Provident in the early 1960s, Frank and his team converted paper-based medical and dental claim payments and other paper processes to the IBM computer. He met his first wife, Betty Jean Riggs Klaasse, while working at Provident.
He was a master woodworker and gardener, was a beekeeper, an active outdoorsman and loved music. He celebrated his 75th birthday with a tandem hang-gliding adventure and survived a Delta plane crash in 1974. He served as President of the Chattanooga Opera and Symphony Association for several years, where he also performed in many operas. Frank was active in Toastmasters, Dale Carnegie Institute, also mentoring high school athletes at Brainerd High School, tutoring students in math, and taking many math classes at UTC. He was also president of the local Square Dance community.
Following the death of his wife Betty, he later married Nancy Cleveland. They traveled together and built a lake home on Lookout Mountain, where they both became very active in Trenton United Methodist Church. They spent their retired lives gardening, performing charity work with the church, and supporting those that needed it, as well as, providing scholarships for students in need. Frank delivered communion to those in hospitals or at home who couldn’t make it to Sunday services.
He was preceded in death by wives, Betty and Nancy, his father, mother, sister and brother.
Survivors include his daughters, Debi Gass (John IV), Margaret (Peggy) Glascock and Barbara Jean Klaasse; grandchildren, Betsy (Mike) Lavender with great–grandchildren, Ben and Maddie (Silver Spring, Md.) and John V; Savage Jr. (Alexandria), Temple, Riggs, Max (Lauren) and Rody Glascock along with their dad, Savage Glascock, Sr.; and May and Hank Haniszewski.
A Celebration of Life was Sunday, Sept. 3, at Ryan Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trenton Methodist Church.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
HUGH ODOM
James Hugh Odom, 84, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.
Hugh was born in the small town of Gilbertown in Choctaw County, Ala., on Nov. 9, 1938, to William Eugene and Ollie McIlwain Odom. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was trained in the Russian language at Syracuse, N.Y., and stationed for several years on a tiny Aleutian Island during the Cold War to listen to Russian radio transmissions.
Hugh worked for many years as a gate agent for Eastern Airlines. Soon after its demise, he and his wife relocated to Dade County and he went to work as a ranger at the Chickamauga Battlefield, a job and a place that he loved. He retired from the park after more than 20 years of service.
Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, two older sisters, and daughter, April Taylor.
Survivors include his wife of almost 40 years, Joy Tucker Odom; sister, Jean Newton, of Atlanta; nieces and nephews.
A Gathering of Remembrance will be Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 2–5 p.m., at the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home. Anyone who knew Hugh is welcome to attend.
For those who may not be able to come to this function but wish to remember Hugh in a special way, you are encouraged to donate to your favorite charity in his name.
Expressions of sympathy or tributes can be shared at www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Trenton.
VANESSA PALUSZCYK
Vanessa Ellison Paluszcyk, 54, passed away Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, after a courageous battle with ALS.
She was born June 7, 1969, in High Point, N.C., to Gary and Jane Freeman Ellison. Vanessa loved God, her husband Craig and son Lucas, and her large family. She also loved all children, education, cooking, travel and followed the University of Texas football team with great interest. She had a great sense of humor and the most contagious laugh. “Aunt Nessa” made the most special treats for birthdays and other celebrations. Vanessa co-created Ed Camp, which serves Whitfield County and beyond providing tailored professional development in the education field. Vanessa was a member of Rock Bridge Community Church, Ringgold Campus. She worked as a teacher, instructional technology coordinator and was an assistant principal in the Whitfield County school system. She earned her Masters Degree from the University of West Georgia.
Survivors include her husband, Craig; son, Lucas; parents, Gary and Jane Ellison; sisters, Jennifer and Cynthia; in-laws Tony and Ramona Paluszcyk; sister-in-law, Carrie and her husband, Jason Cole; niece, Hadley Cole; and nephew Weston Cole.
A Memorial service will be Sunday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m., at Fellowship Bible Church, 2044 Dug Gap Road, Dalton, GA 30720.
Visitation is also Sunday from 1:30 –3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Rock Bridge Community Church, Ringgold Campus at www.rockbridge.cc/locations/ringgold/ or the ALS Association @ www.als.org.
Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton.