Obituaries – Dec. 27th Issue

CLAUDE BRYAN

Claude Bryan, 82, of Wildwood, passed away Wednesday, Dec.20, 2023.

Mr. Bryan was born on June 22, 1941, in Henagar, Ala., to the late Henry and Minnie Bryan. He was a self-employed truck driver.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Hazel Rowell, Faye Smothers, Sue Raines, Elaine Price, Sam Bryan, and Gerald Bryan.

Survivors include his wife, Shelia Driggers Bryan; children, Michael Bryan, Lydia Burns (Tommy Partlow), Janice Steele, and Marie (Greg) O’Neal; grandchildren, Megan (Mikey) Bradford, Chase Bryan, Leslie Burns, Nathan Partlow, Taylor O’Neal, and Trace O’Neal; great-grandchildren, Michael Bradford, Levi Bradford, Sawyer Bradford, and Lettie Grace Burns; sisters, Rose Howard and Teresa Workman.

No formal services are planned.  Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.

 

ERNEST DURHAM

Ernest Carlton Durham, 83, of Trenton, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.

Mr. Durham was employed as an independent truck driver with Watkins and Son Transport.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Jean Durham; parents, Ernest and Empress Reeves Durham; sister, Katherine Castleberry; grandchildren, Jean Marie and John Haswell.

Survivors include his daughters, Debbie Haswell, Trenton, Doris (Talvis) Hilley, Simpsonville, S.C., and Michele (Mark) Holland, Trenton; son, Ernest (Beth) Durham, Jr., Trenton; grandchildren, William Haswell, Hannah Hilley, Morgan Gass, Matthew Holland, Brittaney McBryar, and Megan Schrimpsher; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Lillie Haswell, Adilyn Jean Gass, Hannah and Caylee McBryar, Lydia and Myles Schrimpsher; great-great-grandchild, Audrey Lee; brother, Roland Durham; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are today, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m., in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Wayland Stewart officiating.  Interment will follow in Deer Head Cove Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.

 

RUTH KEETON

Ruth P. Keeton, 90, of the New Salem community on Lookout Mountain, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.

Ruth was born Sept.17, 1933, to the late Alfred and Ethel Smith Paine. She was a true renaissance woman, loved by many friends of all ages and her family. Throughout her life, she displayed an ambitious spirit and worked her way up in various endeavors. She owned and managed successful businesses, held county secretarial positions, and served as a legal secretary for many years. Ruth was an active member of the Garden Club of Trenton and Chattanooga, Tenn. She was a skilled gardener, baker, and hostess. Her dedication and achievements earned her recognition as ABWA Woman of the Year. Ruth was an active member of New Salem United Methodist Church where she and the UMW hosted bi-monthly luncheons for Dade County Seniors, her most beloved endeavor. Her generosity and service to others were truly admirable.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, James William “Bill” Keeton; siblings, Betty Acuff, Ann Clark, and Janice Raines.

Survivors include her children, Vicki Buff, Lori Shipe, and David Keeton; siblings Otelia Wheeler, Shirley Michum, and Wendell Paine; grandchildren Erica Vandiver, Bart Buff, Ian Gray, and Fletcher Keeton; great-grandchildren Keeton Vandiver, Carter Vandiver, Braxton Buff, Libby Buff, and Cleo Keeton; extended family members.

Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 22, in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home. Interment was at Hawkins Cemetery.

Those who wish to express their condolences and view Ruth’s memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.

Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.

 

NANCY SMITH

Nancy Marie Smith, 73, of Trenton, passed away Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

Nancy was always the happy, go-lucky person to be around, and could be considered a “shopaholic.”  She loved her job as an associate at the Lookout Valley Walmart and was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Dusty Smith; daughter, Crystal Marie Vergara.

Survivors include her children, Ronald Dustin (Delaney) Smith, Dawn (Ray) Stevens, and Paul Vergara; grandchildren, Chasity Stevens, Lillian Stevens and Kylee Vergara.

Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 22 in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Zachary Ditmar officiating.  Interment was in Poplar Springs Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.