Obituaries – July 23rd Issue
NORMA GREEN
Norma Jean Green, 40, of Trenton, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Born on Dec. 9, 1984, in Tennessee, she spent her childhood between the Chattanooga area and Indiana. She lived a life rooted in love, resilience, and joy. Whether tending to her garden, listening to her favorite song, Soul Shine by The Allman Brothers, or enjoying time with her family, she simply enjoyed living life.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Lori Renee Plummer and Robert J. Green; brother, Jason Plummer; maternal grandmother, Helen (Rene) Dagnan.
Survivors include her spouse, Tyler Carruth; children, Brandon Pritchett, Conner Carruth, Hayden Carruth, and Hailey Carruth; sisters, Brittany Ivey and Tonya Dunagan-Cross (Jonah); nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A Celebration of Life was Saturday, July 19, in the funeral home chapel.
Arrangements by at Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
SHERWELL HIGDON
Roy Sherwell Higdon, 81, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Born on June 9, 1944, to the late Roy Albert and Ruth Guffey Higdon, he was the oldest child to become the leading member of the Gospel Singing Higdon Family, known to all as one of the finest musicians to ever grace the stage. His ability to play most of any instrument was a testament for his love of music and performing with his family gave him great pleasure and a blessing to those in attendance. He graduated from Pisgah High School in 1962, worked at Combustion Engineering for many years, and pastored the Nickajack Holiness Church. He and his brother operated Higdon Enterprises in Trenton, where he taught piano to many students in the Dade County area and was a HAM radio operator for 54 years with the call name of W4IDD, or as known to most, “I Diddle Diddle!”
In addition to his parents, Sherwell was preceded in death by his sister, Lanella Higdon.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 35 years, Gail Fuller Higdon; sons, Jerome (Crystal) Higdon, Sam (Linda) Higdon, Stephen (Vonnie) Wilson, and Allen (Lea) Wilson; daughters, Dewanna (Claude) Shelton, Tammy (Jeff) Johnson and Debbie (Jason) Steele; sisters, Lavelda Floyd, Loretta (Edgar) Hawkins, Marcella Higdon, and Tolitha (Bruce) Bowden; brother, Joe (Pat) Higdon; 22 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Saturday, July 19, at Higdon Baptist Church with Rev. Frankie Carroll officiating. Interment was in Higdon Cemetery with nephews serving as pallbearers.
To share condolences, visit his online guestbook at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
TRESSIE HOLLINGSWORTH
Tressie O’Brient Hollingsworth, 77, of Lookout Mountain, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Tressie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. A proud Vietnam veteran, he served with honor in the 82nd Airborne and alongside the 101st. Known for his incredible ability to fix just about anything, Tressie was a skilled mechanic and a true jack of all trades. He enjoyed spending time on the CB radio, where he was known by his handle “Swampy.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Denver and Oma Dee Hollingsworth; daughter, Angela Brown; siblings, Tommy, Jimmy, and Marie Hollingsworth.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Nancy Hollingsworth; sons, Allen, Wayne, and Greg (Sharon) Hollingsworth; brother, Johnny (Deborah) Hollingsworth; sister, Nancy Hollingsworth; grandsons, Michael (Savannah) Brown, Chris (Lora) Brown, Tyler Hollingsworth, and Matthew Hollingsworth; several great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Tuesday, July 22, in the Trenton chapel of Moore Funeral Home, with Brother Shane Williams officiating. Interment was at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.
To view his tribute page and leave condolences, please visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
ALAN HOLT
Alan “Hippie” Holt, 73, of Chickamauga, passed away Friday, July 18, 2025.
Born Jan. 10, 1952, Alan was the son of the late Jack and Joyce Thompson Holt. He loved the outdoors, particularly camping and fishing, and had a passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He worked for many years at U.S. Pipe in Chattanooga, Tenn. Alan was a 50-year Mason and a member of Lookout Valley Lodge #673. More than anything, he cherished time spent with his family, who meant the world to him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Perry Holt Sr. and Kris Holt.
Survivors include his sons, Alan Walker, Zeb Holt, and Shane Russell; brother, Neal Holt; grandchildren; nephews, Jason Holt, Perry Holt Jr., Christopher Holt, and Neal Holt Jr.; and nieces, Beth Lusk, Heather Holt, and Danielle Hunt.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
TONY OLIVER
Tony Dale Oliver, 64, of Wildwood, passed away Monday, July 14, 2025.
Born on April 5, 1961, in Fort Oglethorpe, Tony was the son of the late Mitchell and Lola Guinn Oliver. A true jack of all trades, Tony had a natural ability to fix just about anything. He especially enjoyed working on cars and was known by those who loved him as a bit of an instigator, always quick with a joke or comment to stir the pot in fun.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Margie Dalton and Karen Whitt.
Survivors include his brothers, Mickey and Danny Oliver of Chickamauga; step-daughters, Natasha Sales Mendez and Chassity Nochile Burk; grandchildren, Rosalina Sales Mendez and Audranna Demaria Gomez; nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
The family will host a Celebration of Life at a later date.
To view his tribute page and leave condolences, please visit www.MooreFHS.com.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
BETTY ROGERS
Betty Jo Rogers “Jo Jo”, 60 of Trenton, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025.
She was born Feb. 2, 1965, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to the late Katherine and Albert “Red” Rogers. Her favorite color was purple, she was a big Elvis fan, loved karaoke and going to Memories Theater in Pigeon Forge Tenn. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister to Diane and Freddy.
Survivors include her husband, Bill Betsill; son, Dustin, “Mary” Betsill; daughter, Whitney “Robert” Petty; sister, Diane “Dieter” Byrd; brother, Freddy Rogers; grandchildren, Alexis and Jacob Petty, and Piper Betsill; nieces and nephews
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 24, at 1 p.m., in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Hutch Garmany officiating. Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
The family will receive friends today, July 23, from 4 until 8 p.m., and Thursday from 11:00 a.m., until the funeral hour.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.