Obituaries – May 28th Issue
WILLIE MAE BISHOP
Willie Mae Howard Bishop, 86, of Bryant, Ala., passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Mrs. Bishop was retired from Bi-Lo, was an avid member of the NSM O.E.S. Chapter #544 and a dual member of the Bridgeport O.E.S. Chapter #181. She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William L. and Ada Ireene Gray Howard; husband, Billy G. Bishop; brothers, Jimmy, Allen, Charles and Ricky Howard; sister, Patsy Ledford; grandson, Tony Wilson.
Survivors include her son, Billy Joe Bishop; brother, Wendell (Helen) Howard; sister, Teresa Michaels; grandchildren, Kim McNabb, Kristy (Kevin) Wilson, Kelly (Hans) Oehlschlaeger, Karrie (Justin) Harness, Kayla (Ethan) Smith, and Hunter (Paige) Perry; 14 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 31, from 3 until 5 p.m., in the chapel of Ryan Funeral Home with Brother Gary Bone officiating, and eulogy given by Brother David Marona.
Online condolences may be shared on her online guestbook at ryanfuneralhome.net.
In-lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in honor of Mrs. Bishop to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or Hospice of Chattanooga.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
JEFF HELTON
Jeffrey Allen “Jeff” Helton, 56, of Trenton, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Jeff was a native of Indianapolis, Ind., and resided in the Trenton area for many years. He was employed with XPO Logistics in Chattanooga, Tenn., for the past 11 years, where he was a forklift operator. Jeff enjoyed watching basketball and was an avid fan of the Indiana Pacers and Purdue Boilermakers. Jeff loved his family and friends and enjoyed spending time them, especially his nieces, nephew and great-nieces. Anyone acquainted with Jeff always knew where they stood with him.
Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Jessie Helton and Roma and Irene Blankenship.
Survivors include his parents, Freeman and Janice Helton; sister, Myra Helton; brother, Bobby Helton; nieces, Jessica Frashier and Kayte Helton; nephew, Robert Helton; great-nieces, Aly, Anzleigh and Anna.
Funeral services were Wednesday, May 21, in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Dewayne Moon officiating. Interment was at Lake Hills Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
EMILY LAWSON
Emily Joan Lawson, 72, of Rocky Face, passed away Monday, May 19, 2025.
Emily was born Aug. 26, 1952, to the late Vernon and Lorna King and was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. She retired from the United States Postal Service, where she dedicated many years of service at the Rock Spring Post Office. Emily was a long-time member of New Salem Methodist Church. She enjoyed flower gardening, photography, writing poetry, and family beach trips.
In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husbands, David Lawson and Early White; brother, Randy King; grandson, Chase Porter.
Survivors include her daughters, Jennifer (Mike) Jackson, Jill (Todd) Blackmon and Leah (Sean) Martin, Kristie (Greg) Meadows; sons, Mike (Stephanie) Lawson and Randy (Coleen) Lawson; sisters, Wanda Green, Marlene Morgan, and Ellen Merritt; grandchildren, Trevor (Brooke) Jackson, Alyssa (Michael) Freeman, Lindsay (Lucas) Bledsoe, Tyler (Kevin Vargas) Blackmon, Lauren (John) Hampton, Clay (Alyssa) Blackmon, Lucy Martin, Forrest Martin, Penelope Martin, Heath Wright, Hunter Meadows, Hannah (Will Scarborough) Meadows, Nic Lawson, Tristan Lawson, Paige Porter and Haven (Gabe Williams) Porter; great-grandchildren, Oliver Freeman, Emilee and Miller Hampton, Sora Blackmon, baby Evelyn and Hadley and Bentley Williams.
Funeral services were Thursday, May 22, in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home with Pastor Reece Fauscett officiating. Interment was at New Salem Cemetery in Rising Fawn.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Hearth Hospice for their exceptional care delivered to Emily during her final days and to the many friends and family for their prayers and unwavering support.
Memorial donations be made to New Salem Cemetery Fund, 70 Leon Lane, Rising Fawn, Georgia 30738.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
JESSICA SMITH
Jessica Smith, 40, of Bryant, Ala.,, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Jessica attended Mountain View Christian Academy, enjoyed the outdoors, camping, kayaking, and collecting fossils and rocks.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harley and Mary Smith, and Robert and Kathy Bishop.
Survivors include her children, Cade Hubbard and Kierah Reeves of Bryant, Ala.; parents, Darrel and Connie Bishop Smith of Trenton; sister, April Smith, Monticello, Ind.; nieces, Ariel Davis and Emma Gardiner; nephew, Liam Gardiner.
Memorial services were Thursday, May 22, in the funeral home chapel with Brent Smith officiating.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.