Obituaries – April 17th Issue
BRENDA BOATFIELD
Brenda Sue Boatfield, 72, of Trenton, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Bobby Lee Boatfield; daughter, Becky; parents, Leroy and Royetta Nix; grandparents.
Survivors include her children, Bobby (Courtny) Boatfield, II, Cissey (David) Vaughn, Christal (Chris) McPhetridge, and Leanna Boatfield; grandchildren, Bobby (Kelly), David (Amy), Haley (Aaron), Jake, Ellie, Cianna (Caleb), Alex, Emma (Blake), Summer (Brett), Tanner, Brietta, Alabama, Lexie (Avery), Matthew, Cooper, Colton, Boatfield twins; great-grandchildren, Johnny, Madi, Addah, Blakelynn, Brayden, Caroline, Henry, Millie, Connor, Emma Rae and Charleigh; bonus grandkids, Adriana Espindola, and Edie Duncan; sister, Barb Smith; niece, Lela McClanahan; nephew, Luke Smith; several great nieces and nephews; and special best friend, Lyndi
Graveside services were Monday, April 15, at Trenton Baptist Cemetery with Pastor Christ Hagler officiating.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
WILMA JONES
Wilma Hollis Jones, 63, of Bridgeport, Ala., passed away Friday, April 12, 2024.
Wilma was born on July 13, 1960, to the late Walter and Lorine Goins Pirkle.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Susie Pirkle.
Survivors include her daughter, Laura Gaylor; sons, Ronnie Jones and Dennis Jones; brother, Sammy Pirkle; sisters, Bertha Matthews, Louise Hanson, and Ann Edmonson; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
There will be no formal services at the funeral home.
Those who wish to express their condolences and view her memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Trenton.
RICHARD LAVALLA
Richard Earl LaValla, 60 of Trenton, passed away Friday, March 29, 2024.
He was born May 7, 1963, in Illinois, to the late Earl and Jenny Sgroi LaValla. Richard was a 1982 graduate of Frankfort Schuyler High School. He joined the United States Navy and served from Sept. 14, 1982 to Dec. 15, 1987. Rich was involved in Dade County 4-H where he taught poultry judging and DPA, along with many other events, which included a trip to state competition in Oklahoma. Summer camp was the highlight of his time with the 4–H’ers at Rock Eagle. Along with his wife, he was the owner and operator of Noah’s Little Ark.
Besides his parents Richard is preceded in death by his brothers, Anthony and Robert; sister, Mary Pedone of Frankfort, N.Y.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia LaValla, of Trenton; brother, Joseph (Linda) of Frankfort: brother-in-law, John Pedone of Frankfort; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann LaValla of Frankfort and Angela Summers of Trenton; special niece, Emily Summers; nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be Saturday, April 20, 1 p.m., at Grace Community Church, 4355 Highway 136 Trenton.
You may sign his online guestbook at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
JAMES LEA
James Walter “Stagger” Lea, 80, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, surrounded by his family.
James was born Aug. 6, 1943, to the late James Medford and Dimple Heard Lea. He was known as James, Walter, or Stagger depending on when you became friends with him. He was an avid outdoorsman and a dedicated Alabama fan. James spent over 35 years working at Rock Tenn before retiring. His greatest love was his family. He took immense pride in his role as a father and enjoyed chauffeuring his grandchildren to their various activities.
James was preceded in death by his son, Melvin Tucker; sister, Ester Rively; and grandchildren Jonathan McDowell, Caleb Wright, Cody Busby, and Amber Talley.
Survivors include his wife, Erthelene Lea; son, Jimmy (Gina) Lea; daughters, Joy (Roger) Talley, Pam (Dennis) Busby, and Janie Wright; brothers, Crawford (Kay) Lea and Joe (Wanda) Lea; sister, Elizabeth Guffey; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Tuesday, April 16, in the Bryant chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Brad Bridges, Jimmy Lea, and Kevin Smith officiating. Interment was at Brown Gap Cemetery.
Those who wish to express their condolences and view his memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Bryant, Ala.
CLINTON SLAVEN
Clinton Wayne Slaven, 54, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024, following a 10 year illness.
Clint was the son of Wayne and the late Lois Slaven and a graduate of Soddy Daisy High School. Before his illness, Clint enjoyed being active with his son’s rec teams in Dade County and Lookout Valley, Tenn. He coached many sports but was most well known for the pictures he took and the hype videos he made.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents; uncles, Benny and Jerry Slaven; and special aunt, Robin Potter.
Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Tina Clift Slaven; sons, Gavin Wayne and Elijah Creed Slaven; father, Wayne Slaven; sister, Greta (Steve) Satterwhite; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, with nephew Logan Satterwhite holding a special place in his heart.
Graveside services will be Saturday, April 20, at 2 p.m. CST at Sharp Cemetery in Jamestown, Tenn.
You may share condolences on his online guestbook at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
KEITH TAYLOR
Randy Keith “Opie” Taylor, 44, of Ider, Ala., passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024, due to injuries sustained in an accident.
Keith had a passion for music and was a skilled guitar player who could play multiple instruments. He was also an avid outdoorsman who found joy in hunting and fishing. Keith was a member of Last Day Harvest Ministries.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Albert C. and Vadie Byrum Black, and James Arnold and Pauline Gentry Taylor.
Survivors include his parents, Randy and Faye Taylor; daughter, Nila Taylor; brothers, Conan (Tiffany) Taylor and Austin Peek; niece and nephew, McKenzie and Braxton Taylor; extended family members.
Funeral services were Saturday, April 13, in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with his father Randy Taylor officiating. Interment was at Trenton Baptist Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the funeral home to assist with family expenses during this challenging time.
Those who wish to express their condolences and view his memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Trenton.
SALLY WALL
Sara Frances “Sally” Wall, 91, of Lookout Mountain, passed away Monday, April 1, 2024.
She was born in Traveler’s Rest, S.C., on Feb. 19, 1933, to the late Albert and Eleanor Copeland, and graduated from UNC Greensboro (previously called Woman’s College) in 1955 with a BA degree in Elementary Education.
She was an entrepreneurial woman ahead of her time, pioneering paths for women and winning several awards during her professional career. She opened the first Kindergarten in Basset, Va., which she ran for 10 years, and then taught first and third grades for several years thereafter. In 1973 she pioneered a temporary employer franchise she purchased in Hickory N.C., and successfully ran for 10 years. Sally established and ran Personnel Registry, which eventually specialized in the furniture business for almost 15 years. She was named Executive of the year and served as director for a three year term for Hickory Chamber of Commerce, both a first for a woman in the Hickory area and all while being a single mom.
She was involved in many community activities, loved anything having to do with children whether it was spending time with her grandchildren or delivering one of her animated stories in a costume at her grandchildren’s elementary schools or at a local vacation bible school or inviting children for a swim in her pool. Sally was a long-time member of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, Lookout Mountain Garden Club, The Review Club as well as served on the board of the Chattanooga Ballet for over 18 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Albert Copeland, Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Clarence Wall; daughter and son-in-law, Eleanor and David Ward of Willis, Texas; son, Lew Barnes of St. Augustine, Fla.; stepson, Trey Wall of Lookout Mountain; sister, Evelyn Edwards; grandchildren, Kristina Ward, Chase Barnes, William Wall, and Christian Wall.
A celebration of life service will be Monday, April 29, at 11 a.m., at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Those who wish to express their condolences and view her memorial tribute can visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home in Trenton.