Obituaries – April 30th Issue

RITA BURGESS

Rita Lynn Burgess, 57, of Trenton, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Rita was born Aug. 10, 1967, in Ft. Oglethorpe to the late Harold and Jackie Prince and attended Chattanooga Christian School. She was of the Baptist faith and was most recently employed with Food Outlet in Trenton.

Rita was also preceded in death by her husband, Billy Dean Burgess.

Survivors include her son, Benjamin Burgess of Trenton; sister, Vickie Garner; brothers, Chris and Jason Prince.

Funeral services were Friday, April 25, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Mike Howell officiating. Interment was at Brown’s Gap Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.

 

BARBARA CLOUD

Barbara Ann Cloud, age 82, of Higdon, Ala., passed away Sunday, April 20, 2025.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and learning new things. Barbara loved a good conservation, was quick-witted and navigated many trials with humor and grace.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Devon (Dee) Cloud; parents, John and Dorothy Sharpton; niece Cynthia Hunter.

Survivors include her sons, Roger (Regina) Cloud, and Don (Lindsey) Cloud of Huntsville, Ala.; sister, Shirley West of Higdon, Ala.; brothers, Jimmy (Barbara) Sharpton, and Wayne (Greta) Sharpton of Higdon, Ala.; grandchildren, Derek (Keeshia) Cloud, Rebecca Cloud, Devin Cloud, Dillon Cloud, Dawson Cloud, Davis Cloud, and Maverick Cloud, all of Huntsville, Ala.; great-grandchildren, Kiersten Cloud, McKenzie Cloud, Rylan Cloud, Mason Gannon, and Faith Gannon; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Wednesday, April 24, at the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Brother Jim Hixon officiating. Interment was at Oak Lawn Memorial Park with Derek Cloud, Jacob Hunter, Devin Cloud, Dillon Cloud, Dawson Cloud and Davis Cloud serving as pallbearers.

Those who wish to express their condolences or view her memorial tribute may do so by visiting www.MooreFHS.com.

Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.

 

SUE HUNT

Sue Hunt, 83, of Trenton, passed away Friday, April 25, 2025.

She loved her Lord and her church, Kelly’s Ferry Church of God, enjoyed singing gospel music, was extremely devoted to her family and loved life.  Mrs. Hunt was an excellent seamstress and homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Earl Hunt, parents, Robert and Bessie Mull Bishop; sisters, Robbie Avery and Mary Goff Gifford.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Rev. Mike Williams of Trenton; grandson, Aaron Williams and fiancé Kayla Lunsford; sisters, Frances Chapman, Joyce Forester, Gloria Smith, and Phyllis Gill; nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life was Tuesday, April 29, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Mike Williams officiating.  Interment was in Bethlehem Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.

 

JOHN TOLSON, JR.

John Franklin Tolson Jr., 81, of Lookout Mountain, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Born Nov. 27, 1943, in Lakeland, Fla., John was the son of the late John and Harriet Ellmaker Tolson. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy for six years and continued his service in the Navy Reserves, from which he later retired. John was a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia, where he was a devoted member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Florida. His legal career began at the firm of Smith-Hulsey in Jacksonville, Fla. He later served as head counsel for Florida Rock Industries before founding his own law practice, John F. Tolson and Associates, in Orange Park, Fla. He served as a Boy Scout leader and, in later years, became actively involved in Trail Life. John was an active member of Pinewood Presbyterian Church in Florida and later joined the fellowship of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church. He loved studying God’s word and poured himself into several Bible studies and fellowship groups, including a breakfast group he started at the Common House in Chattanooga.

John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joann Tolson; children, Clay (Amy) Tolson, Aaron (Lisa) Tolson, Laurel (Brian) White, and Holly (Ro) Trivedi; grandchildren, Tessa Tolson, J.T. Tolson, Parker Tolson, Kate Tolson, Janie Tolson, Lil Tolson, Sam Tolson, Aline White, Ben White, Jon White, and Tolson White.

A Celebration of Life will take place Friday, May 9, at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m., prior to the service.

Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.