Martha Caroline Cook Damron, known to everyone simply as “Sis”, passed away Tuesday evening August 6th, at Windsor House in Canton, Georgia.  She was a part of the Tunnel Hill, GA community for most of her life.  She is a graduate of McMinn County High School in Athens, TN, University of Tennessee, where she was a sister of the Alpha Xi Delta Social Sorority, and Georgia State University.  She worked for Whitfield County Schools from 1969, until her retirement.   Sis was a teacher at Tunnel Hill Elementary and then a Librarian at Westside High School.  She opened Northwest Whitfield High School in 1975 and retired from there as a Media Specialist.  At Northwest she was known for making a huge strawberry cake each month to celebrate staff birthdays.  She was part of the Whifield County Retired Teachers Association, and always cherished the friends that she worked with.

Mrs. Damron was a member of the Tunnel Hill United Methodist Church since moving to Tunnel Hill in 1969.  She instilled strong Christian values in her daughters and grandchildren and was a supporter of FCA.  Sis was a member of the choir and always sang hymns, especially to her grandbabies when rocking them to sleep.  She was a strong Christian who demonstrated the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ through cooking and baking for others, and always showing the light of Our Lord in her smile and in her gentle way and kind words.

Sis was preceded in death by her father and mother, George William “GW” Cook and Catherine Hoback Cook of Athens, TN, as well as her husband of 50 years, Otis LaVerne Damron, of Tunnel Hill.

She is survived by her daughters Emilie Caroline Damron Windham of Woodstock, GA, and Colby Len Damron Robertson of Dalton, GA, as well as her older brother George “Pat” Cook of Marion, NC, and younger sister Rebecca Ann “Becki” Janeway of Chapel Hill, NC.  She was a constant play companion and incredibly proud of her five grandchildren, Nathan Parish Windham, Mary Gracen “Gigi” Robertson, Rielly Catherine Windham, Davis Christopher Windham, and Ellis Cook Robertson.  In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as many dear and precious friends.  Sis was a light to those around her and always a positive, happy soul shining her light and love to those she was with.

Memorial services to celebrate the life of Sis Damron will be at 12:00 pm Saturday, August 10th 2019, at Tunnel Hill United Methodist Church with Rev. Jay Tenney officiating.  The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 10:00 until 12:00.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Tunnel Hill United Methodist Church. P.O. Box 146,  Tunnel Hill, GA  30755, and to Windsor House in Canton, 3333 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, GA 30115, to be used to purchase recreation and leisure items especially designed for residents with age related dementia disorders.

Nadine Ruth LaFuze (nee Yeater) died at Hamilton Medical Center on August 6, 2019, in Dalton, GA. She was 70.

Nadine was born on February 2, 1949, in Reedsville, PA to parents, Charles Jr and Ruth Yeater. She married Michael LaFuze in 1967 in Hagerstown, Maryland. Mike and Nadine lived in Richmond, IN (1989), Nokomis, FL (2001) and Rocky Face, GA.

She was a founding member and first President of the John Henniger Lodge #63 Fraternal Order of Police in Richmond, IN. and an active member at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Dalton, GA.

Nadine is survived by her husband Mike, daughter Annette and granddaughter Genna Oshier of Rocky Face, GA. as well as her son, Adam and son-in-law Filippo of Rome, Italy. She is preceded in death by her father Charles Yeater Jr; mother Ruth Yeater; and brother Charles Yeater.

A memorial will take place on August 12, 2019, at Christ the King Church in Dalton, GA. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Nadine’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 1168 Dalton, GA 30723-1268, designated for Peeples Cancer Institute in memory of Nadine LaFuze.

Arrangements made with integrity by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Crematory and Monuments of Chatsworth. www.shawnchapmanfh.com

Morris Odes Dixon, age 80, of Chatsworth passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at his residence.

Morris enjoyed playing golf and was a former member of Spring Lakes Golf Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Claudia Marie Dixon, and parents, Odes and Beulah Dixon.

Survivors include his son and his fiancée, Kevin Dixon and Michelle Mosteller of Chatsworth; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marvin and Sibb Dixon, Perry and Melba Dixon, and Ricky and Shirley Dixon – all of Calhoun; grandchildren, Keri Forrest and Joe Dixon; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Dixon will be held at 4:00 pm on Monday, August 12, 2019 in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Freddie Bell officiating. Interment will follow in Fairy Valley Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday for an hour prior to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org).

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.

Charles Michael “Mike” Callahan, age 67, passed away on Monday, August 5, 2019 at NHC HealthCare Fort Oglethorpe.

He was a member of Faith Christian Worship Center in Bowdon, GA. He enjoyed antique cars, playing piano and guitar, singing, and coin collecting.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Callahan; parents, Roland and Pauline Wynn; brothers, Buddy Callahan, Marvin Callahan, and Jerry Wynn; and sister, Frances Walden.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Anthony and Amy Callahan of Chatsworth and Shawn and Rachel Callahan of Dalton; daughters and son-in-law, Patty Hess and Randy Gonzales of California and Dawn Hooper of Chatsworth; sister, Leona Ridley of Dalton; 15 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and several dear nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to NHC HealthCare Fort Oglethorpe and Hearth Hospice for the excellent care that they provided.

Funeral services for Mr. Callahan will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 10, 2019 in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in United Memorial Gardens in Dalton.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Friday.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.

Little David Tripp Granger infant son of Aaron and Natalee Granger of Chatsworth passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2019.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Shannon Fowler.

In addition to his parents he is survived by his brother, Dawson Todd Granger of Chatsworth; paternal grandparents, Rita Darnell and Steve and Beth Granger; maternal grandmother, Karen Fowler; uncles and aunts, Josh and Kayla Granger and KaLeigh Fowler.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Jerry Lynn Kosanovich, age 70, of Chatsworth, passed away on Monday, July 29,2019, at Hamilton Medical Center.

Arrangements made with integrity by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Crematory and Monuments of Chatsworth. www.shawnchapmanfh.com

Mr. Joe Dewayne Davis, age 38, passed away July 18, 2019, in Redmond, Regional Hospital.

He loved the outdoors, riding horses and coon hunting.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Jackson and Glenda Davis, grandparents: Jack and Esther Lurlene Davis and  Howard and Ola Harkins.

He is survived by his loving wife of fourteen years: Tabbie Davis of the residence, son: John William Davis of Resaca, sister and brother in law: Sandy and Doug Ralston of Resaca, nieces: Jazmine and Gabrielle Ralston of Resaca, sister in law and brother in law: April and Sonny Turner of Rising Fawn,  niece Haylee Turner, and nephews Jesse, and Kaden Turner and brother in law: Kevin Darnell of Calhoun. Aunts, uncles, and cousins also survive.

Funeral services will be Sunday 3 pm at Kings Highway Baptist Church with Andrew Bowen and Jeff Hedden officiating.  Interment will follow in the Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at Kings Highway Baptist Church after 1 pm Sunday till the funeral hour at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers make donations for final expenses.

Arrangements made with integrity by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Crematory and Monuments.  www.shawnchapmanfh.com

Ms. Amy Lee Southerland White, age 36, of Chatsworth, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2019, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her grandmother:  Judy  Chapman Witten,  grandfather: W.R. Southerland,  aunt:  Paula Chapman Winkler.

Survivors include children:  Tyler White and Chloie White of Chatsworth,  fiance:  Jay Harris of Chatsworth,  mother:  Jackie Chapman Hejda of Chatsworth,  father and step-mother  Greg and Renee Southerland of Dalton,  stepfather and stepmother:  Richard and Valerie Hejda,  grandfather:  Robert Chapman of Chatsworth,  grandmother : Edna Southerland,  brother and sister-in-law:  Chris and Tessa Southerland of Chatsworth, sister:  Melissa Southerland and  brother: Wesley Southerland both of Dalton,.  Aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive

The funeral service will be Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at 5:30 PM in the Chapel of Shawn Chapman Funeral Home. with  Rev. Danny Cochran and Wesley Noland officiating.  Interment will be in New Hope- Kilgore Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 30, 2019, from 5 PM to 9 PM.

In lieu of flowers please make donations toward final expenses.

Arrangements made with integrity by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Crematory and Monuments.  www.shawnchapmanfh.com

Mr. Emmett “Buster” Dean age 89 of Chatsworth, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2019 at his residence.

Mr. Dean had been a deacon at Welcome Valley Baptist Church since 1962. He was a member of Sumach Lodge #55 for over 60 years and a past master. He also served in the National Guard. Mr. Dean retired from G.I.R. Systems and then worked 17 years as a bailiff at Murray County Superior Court.

Mr. Dean was preceded in death by his parents Free Dean and Annie Patterson Dean; brother, James Dean.

Survivors include wife of 67 years Flossie M. Dean of Chatsworth; son and daughter-in-law, Steve & Vergie Dean of Chatsworth; daughter and son-in-law, Beverly & Jim Boyd of Big Canoe, GA; brother, Johnny Dean of Chatsworth; best friend, Charlie Ellis; nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mr. Dean will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Green officiating. Interment with masonic graveside rites will follow in the Center Valley Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Welcome Valley Baptist Church c/o Nathan Smith 1218 Norton Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 or to Sumach Masonic Lodge #55 at P.O. Box 804 Chatsworth, GA 30705.

The family would like to express a special thank you to North Georgia Community Hospice for their kindness and exceptional care.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.

Smith Keith Swanson, age 80 of Chatsworth, passed away

Tuesday, July 16^th 2019 in Chatsworth Health Care Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton Jack and Lucille Harris; and brother, Gary Swanson.

He is survived by sons, Keith and Lane Swanson; brothers, Mike Harris; nephew, Scooter Swanson; cousins, Johannah Brown and Pat Smith; and grandchildren.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Smith Swanson will be 1:00 pm Friday, July 19^th 2019 from the Chapel of Jones Funeral Home of Chatsworth with Rev. John Bagley officiating. Burial will be in Murray Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm Friday, July 19^th 2019..

Jones Funeral Home of Chatsworth is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Mrs. Nancy Faye Griggs age 75 of Dalton, formerly of Chatsworth, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2019 at her home.

She enjoyed watching westerns, listening to the Bee Gees and being with her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Griggs was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Griggs; father, Roy Carroll; mother, Dollie Carroll; brothers, Grady, Fred, Leon, Doyle, Robert and Dennis Carroll; sisters, Betty Smith and Maggie Williams; step-son, J.E. Griggs.

Survivors include son, Hank Griggs of Dalton; daughters and sons-in-law, Georgia Griggs of Cleveland, TN, Wanda Griggs of Dalton, Sheila and Ed Clark of Dalton, Linda Ocain of Dandridge, TN and Lisa and Jeremy Bowman of Dandridge, TN; step-son and spouse, Grady Lee and Kathy Griggs of Dalton; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Linda Carroll of Chatsworth; sisters, Reba Hamrick of Chatsworth and Ruby Byers of Cartersville; grandchildren and spouses, Michelle and Sterling Forgey, Michael Jones, Rodney and Tiffany Eaton, Alicia and Dennis Loggins, Cody Carroll, Shannon Eaton, Aaron Clark, Ashley Clark, Anthony Clark, Seth Griggs, Daniel Griggs and Misty Griggs; great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Martin, Blake Ciara Eaton, Austin Ogles, Kayla Forgey, Shyanne Forgey, Alexus Cox, Preston Countryman, Kaitlyn Loggins, Caleb Stone and Brandon Frogey; great-great-grandchildren, Chance Lee Ogles and Brealynn Ogles; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Griggs will be held Wednesday July 31, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Jackson officiating. Interment will follow in the Spring Place Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.

Wayne “Weasel” Surrency

January 18, 1949 – May 05, 2019

Wayne “Weasel” Surrency, age 70, of Chatsworth passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Hamilton Medical Center.

He was a member of Springs of Life Church and was previously employed by Tappan and Shiroki.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jewett; mother, Evelyn; and brother, Bobby Surrency.

Survivors include his wife, Juanita Surrency; daughters and sons-in-law, Tina and Tommy Cochran of Chatsworth, Ellen and Ben Bishop of Chatsworth, and Patty and Dennis Fisher of Parkton, NC; brother, Danny Surrency of Lakeland, FL; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Mr. Surrency will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Springs of Life Church in Chatsworth with Rev. Shawn Pinette officiating. A dinner will be held at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association.

Cremation services were provided by Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth.

Mr. William “Bill” W. Keith, III, Attorney, age 74, of Chatsworth, Georgia, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019. He was born on August 24, 1944, in Orlando, Florida, when his father was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

His father was Probate Judge, W.W. Keith, Jr., and his mother was Nadine Wilbanks Keith, teacher, Eton Elementary School. Both were from pioneer Murray County families.

He is survived by his wife and law partner Ashley Rogers Keith; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Don Stamps of Kennesaw, GA and Priscilla and Bob McRee of Sumter, SC; nieces and nephews, Amanda McRee, Matt McRee and Brent Stamps.

Bill graduated from Murray County High School in 1962. During high school he played a variety of sports. He was a guard on the 1960 and 1962 AA State Champions basketball team. He was a running back on the varsity football team and ran the high and low hurdles in track. He was voted “Most Athletic” his senior year.

He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1966 and completed his Juris Doctor Degree from Mercer Law School in 1969. He was a cadet in Senior ROTC and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity.

Bill served in the U.S. Army, Military Police Corps, from 1969 to 1971 at Fort Gordon, Fort Benning and Vietnam obtaining the rank of Captain. He entered law practice in 1971 with Mitchell & Mitchell in Dalton. From 1974-1976 he served as legislative assistant to Congressman Phillip J. Landrum in Washington, D.C.

In 1977 he returned to Murray County. He worked as an Assistant District Attorney and began his law practice in Chatsworth. He was admitted to practice law in Georgia and Florida, all the Courts of Georgia and the U.S. Supreme Court. He served on the State Bar of Georgia, Board of Governors, 1985-1993, and Vice-President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association 1989-1997.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church of Chatsworth. Interment will follow in the Chatsworth Heights Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Flowers accepted, or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.

Annie Melton

APRIL 6, 1933 ~ JUNE 6, 2019

Annie Melton, age 86 of Crandall, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, June 6th 2019.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jasper Calvin Melton; son, Billy Joe Melton; parents, Charlie and Lizzie Armstrong; brothers, George McCurdy, W.L. Armstrong, and Ralph Armstrong; and sisters, Louise Ward and Fannie Ray.

She is survived by her sister, Polly Hardin; and brother, Paul Armstrong; and grandsons, Jason and Amy Melton and Jeremy Melton.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Annie Melton will be 3:00 pm Saturday, June 8th 2019 from the Chapel of Jones Funeral Home of Chatsworth with Rev. Raymond English officiating. Burial will be Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from until 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm Saturday, June 8th 2019.

Jones Funeral Home of Chatsworth is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Stephen Lambert

October 12, 1948 – May 02, 2019

Mr. Stephen A. Lambert age 70, of Chatsworth, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2019 at his residence.

Mr. Lambert was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Marron Lambert; brother, Michael C. Lambert; son, Jacob Lambert.

Survivors include wife, Linda M. Lambert of Chatsworth; sons, Adam Lambert of Florida, David Lambert of Florida, Steven Shelton of Chatsworth, Josh Shelton of Chatsworth, and Eric Shelton of Cleveland, TN; daughter, Angela Short of Chatsworth; sisters, Ladonna, Linda and Becky; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mr. Lambert will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Lewis Watson officiating. Interment will follow in the Watson Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 167 of Chatsworth.

The family will receive friends Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peeples Funeral Home.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.