Obituaries – Sept. 25th Issue
RUTH CHAPPELEAR
Ruth Pauline Chappelear, 101, of Trenton, passed away Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.
She was born Dec. 5, 1922, to the late Henry and Mary Wooten Burr. In 1942, she married Harry Lee Chappelear and to that union they had seven children. They were married for 63 years until his passing in 2005. Mrs. Chappelear loved her family more than anything and worked hard raising a garden, canning and cooking big meals that everyone enjoyed. She was a lady of her word and loved watching her grandchildren play sports and was a huge Alabama fan. She began dipping at age 8 and continued until age 101.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sons, Byron, Gary, and Frank Chappelear; daughters, Pat Cagle, Freda Higdon, and Barbara Hicks; granddaughter, Holly Chappelear; great-grandson, Eric Crowe; great-granddaughter, Lacosta Evans; brothers, Bud and Floyd Burr; sisters, Leona Hartline, Katherine Ellis Burr, and Rita Burr West.
Survivors include her son, James Chappelear; daughter/granddaughter, Tammy (John) Bradley; brother, Terry Burr; sister, Phyllis Burr Kirkpatrick; 16 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 24 great-great-grandchildren.
A special thank you is extended to Becky Hicks and Megan Bradford of Tapestry Hospice for the excellent care given and making sure she had everything she needed. Also, to her great-granddaughter, Brooke (Justin) Haggard for the outstanding care, love, and respect given to her for the past eight years.
Funeral services were Monday, Sept. 23, in the funeral home chapel with James H. Chappelear officiating. Interment was in Poplar Springs Cemetery.
You may share condolences at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
STEVE COMBS
Steve Leon Combs, 68, of Trenton, passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Steve was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Sept. 17, 1955 and was a 1973 graduate of Dade County High School. He was a member of the General Church of God, and retired from Norfolk-Southern Railroad where he served as transportation communications representative for Lookout Lodge #24. Steve was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Bettye Summerford; step-father, Howard Summerford, and father, Roy Combs.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Sherry West Combs; sons, Kyle and Kasay (Christie) Combs; brother, Paul (Cheryl) Summerford; sister, Brenda Tully; brother-in-law, Bill (Sherron) West; grandchildren, Kayla Deck and Hunter Mullins; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 21, in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Floyd Kilgore officiating. Full military honors were presented by American Legion Post #106. A private burial was held for the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or the American Legion Post #106.
Condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
REX GRAHAM
Rex Graham of Lawrenceville, Ill., passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
Rex was a native of Trenton and was a graduate of Davis High School. After returning home from the Navy, he was employed by Wrights Restaurant while attending college. He was in the carpet business before moving north. He opened clothing stores and apartment rentals. He loved buying and restoring properties and antiques.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorene Brown; father, E.B. Graham; brothers, Jimmy Graham and Michael Brown; sisters, Glenda Siniard and Eva Lacy.
He is survived his sisters, Gracie Oliver Sewell and JoAnn, (Jimmy) Adkins.
Per his wishes, there was no visitation or formal funeral service held.
MATTHEW SIMMONS
Matthew “Yankee” Simmons, 60, of Trenton, passed away Sept. 12, 2024 after a year long battle with cancer.
Yankee was born and raised in Baltimore Md., to June Willders and Chesley Simmons Jr. He spent many years working in sand blasting and roof painting before moving and settling down in Trenton. For the last four years, Matt worked for RCS in Trenton, where he was well known as the prankster.
He was preceded in death by his sister; Cheryl Carey; father, Chesley Simmons; mother, June Willder.
Survivors include his children, Tyler Simmons, Kendall Simmons, and Brandy Catlett; sisters, Shelly McConnell and Whitney Singelton; three nieces and four nephews; and several great–nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service was held Sept. 22.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
RUBY VAUGHN
Ruby Catherine Dean Vaughn, 95, of Ider, Ala., passed away Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.
Mrs. Vaughn was a graduate of Dade County High School, retired from Buster Brown with 14 years of service, and was a member of Five Points Baptist Church in Ider for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Ralph (Sonny) Vaughn; daughter, Donna Pike; parents, James H. and Verna Blevins Dean, formerly of Wildwood; siblings, Fairris, Melvin, and Johnny Dean, and Una Morrow.
Survivors include her son, Kenneth (Christy) Vaughn of Ft. Payne, Ala., and Michael (Dianne) Vaughn of Ider, Ala.; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren; sister, Clara Rheay, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Funeral services were Sunday, Sept. 22, in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Johnny Ellison officiating. Burial was in Pannell Cemetery in Ider, Ala.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.