Obituaries – Nov. 29 Issue
VELVA BAILEY
Velva Lee Bailey, 75, of Lookout Valley, Tenn., passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
Mrs. Bailey was a loving and caring mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be missed by all. She was born in Summerville on Feb. 22, 1948, to the late Louise and George Vaughn, resided in Trenton, was a longtime member of the Rising Fawn Church of God, and retired from Shaw Industries.
In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Billy Ray Williams, and sister, Darlene Lumpkin.
Survivors include her daughter and family, Sherry (Brian) Scoggins, Ashley, Madison, and Natalie; son and family, Phillip (Katelyn) Williams, Oliver, Sylis, and Zander; brothers, Ricky and Stevie Vaughn; sister, Janet Vaughn; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 27 at Rising Fawn Church of God with Pastor Chris Hagler officiating. Interment was at the Lyerly Cemetery, Lyerly.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are under the care of Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
GARY BELL
Gary Dean Bell, 85, of Trenton, passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
Gary was born in Blackwell, Okla., on May 18, 1938, spending his youth in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mississippi. The foundation that would mold and guide his life were inspired by his grandmother who raised him with Christian values, and the Boy Scouts where he learned the core traits which would lead him to a life of service to God and Country and his fellow man.
Gary served 20 years in the United States Army, which included assignments at multiple locations in the U.S. and overseas including Panama, where he married Gladys Gonzalez who would be his wife of 52 years; Thailand, and two combat tours in Vietnam. During his military service, he was ordained as a Baptist minister and upon retiring from the military, served over 25 years as a missionary to establish churches in the mountains of Puerto Rico and founded a Bible Institute to train Christian workers for Latin America.
Gary moved to Trenton in 2006 to care for Gladys until her death, and continued service to the Lord as an active member of Trenton First Baptist Church and the American Legion Post 106.
In 2012, Gary married Brenda Pennington Buchanan, and together they shared their families and enjoyed their time together in their roles as grandparents while actively serving the Trenton community up until the Lord called him home.
In addition to his wife, Gladys Bell, he was preceded in death by his parents and four children.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Buchanan Bell; six children, 20 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m., at Trenton First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 30, from 5–8 p.m., and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m., until the service hour.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
DR. RICHARD BOWERS
Dr. Richard James Bowers aka “Daddy Bowers,” of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
He was born March 28, 1946, in Herington, Kan. He attended the Council Grove, Kansas High School and then Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo., before graduating from University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. He then graduated from Kansas City University Medical School, the same medical school from which his father, Dr. James E. Bowers, and his daughter, Dr. Maria Bowers Headrick graduated. He did his residency at Ft. Sam Houston Army base in San Antonio, Texas, and then served two years at Ft. Cambell, Ky., and achieved the rank of Major. He moved to Chattanooga in 1978 to start his medical practice. Rick loved old cars and always had several he liked to drive and work on with his son, Ricky. When the family was in the Saddlebred horse business at Happy Valley, Rick would also participate showing in the pleasure driving class with his horse named “House Calls.” Rick was an OBGYN doctor in the greater Chattanooga area for almost 50 years having offices in Ft Oglethorpe, LaFayette, and East Ridge as Chattanooga Women’s Specialists and was widely renowned for his kindness and astute doctor skills. He delivered over 50,000 babies across Dade, Walker, and Hamilton counties, and Rick was most happy working and seeing his beloved patients and nurses. Rick epitomized the old-world country doctor that would treat his patients regardless of their ability to pay. He was a member of The Fairyland Club, Lookout Mountain Golf Club, and Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. James Eldon Bowers and Jeanne Young Bowers of Council Grove, Kan., and his in-laws, Betty Collette Miller and L.D. Miller, Jr. of Lookout Mountain.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Kate Miller Bowers (Becky); children, Dr. Elizabeth Maria Bowers Headrick (Marc Headrick) and Richard James Bowers, Jr., (Daniel Treder); sister, Susan Bowers Broadhurst; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be today, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church at 316 N. Bragg Lookout Mountain, Tenn. 37350 with an hour visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.
Please make any memorial contributions to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen now named the Chatt Foundation at 727 E 11th St. Chattanooga, Tenn. 37403 or The Ronald McDonald House Charities 200 Central Ave Chattanooga, Tenn. 37403.
Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family and view memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway. Ft. Oglethorpe.
CHARLES LYNN
Charles Ernest Lynn, 79, of Bryant, Ala., passed away Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.
Charles was born Sept. 29, 1944, to the late Ernest and Florence Bodenhamer Lynn. He owned and operated Charles E. Lynn Construction. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed karaoke and gardening. Above all else, Charles cherished his family. He had a deep love for his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette Lynn.
Survivors include his children, Catherine (Emanual) Gale and William (Denise) Lynn; grandchildren, Charles Gilley, Phillip Gilley, Skyler Gale, Bianca Gale, and Summer Vaughn.
Funeral services were Friday, Nov. 24, in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home. Interment was at Lake Hills Memorial Gardens in Trenton.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
OPIE TATUM
Rickey Lane “Opie” Tatum, 60, of Trenton, passed away Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.
Opie was born Sept. 14, 1963, to the late Bud and Sue Tatum. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to serving and protecting others as a devoted police officer for many years with the City of Trenton. His quick wit and contagious sense of humor, and his love for the Lord brought joy to everyone he encountered.
Survivors include his wife, Michelle Tatum; daughters, Priscilla (Charlie) Leonard, Ireland Tatum, and Molly Tatum; sons, Tim (Melissa) Tatum, Israel Tatum, Angus Tatum, and Judah Tatum; sister, Kim Tatum; grandchildren, Carter, Nolan and Pierce Tatum, and Libby and Jamey Leonard; adopted brother and sister, Mike and Becca Coleman.
Funeral services were Friday, Nov. 24 in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Mike Howell and Wayland Stewart officiating. Interment was at Trenton Baptist Cemetery.
Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.