Obituaries

Dec 13, 2023

Charlotte Ford Harmon, age 93, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at her home in Decatur, TN.

She was a daughter of the late Ruby F. Morgan and stepfather Henderson R. Morgan of Decatur, TN.

Charlotte, who was born and raised in Meigs County, attended Fort Sanders Nursing School in...

Dec 5, 2023

Ester Imogene Jones Taylor, age 88, a resident of Ten Mile, TN, formerly of Lady Lake, FL., passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

She was born December 15, 1934 to the late Fred and Eula Jones. Gean enjoyed in her spare time sewing, art, and golfing.

She is preceeded in death by her parents;...

Dec 3, 2023

Linda Sue Schultz, age 77, of Decatur, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023.

Originally from Flint, Michigan, Linda served in the Marine Corps in her youth. She’s been a resident of Decatur for around 30 years. She held various jobs but remembered most fondly her work at the Decatur Public Library, taking care of her family,...

Nov 30, 2023

Edward “Skip” Kowanetz, age 78, of Ten Mile, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023. He was a United States Army Veteran where he served as an “MP”, a dog handler, and was a past Commander of the VFW Post 7189 in Decatur, TN. He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years: Grace Kowanetz and his sister-in-law:...

Nov 28, 2023

Reagan Neil Wheeler, age 79, of Etowah, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Neil was born to the late Allan and Ruth Wheeler. He was a United States Army Veteran and retired from CSX Railroad. He was a 9th Dan black belt in isshinryu karate. Neil was a long-time member of the Cambria Baptist Church, Etowah...

Nov 27, 2023

Roy Lee Pilkey, age 83, went to be with the Lord on November 27, 2023, surrounded by his wife and family.

Roy was born to the late Roy and Nellie Pilkey. He retired from Plastics Industries in 1999 and was known for his farm work at Pilkey’s Darkside Angus Farm in Ten Mile, TN., and his store...

Nov 26, 2023

Brenda Kay Greene Price, age 76, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Spring City Care and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by her loving family, after a long battle with MS.

She was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Jo Greene. Brenda was a loving mother and devoted wife. She always had a...

Nov 21, 2023

Mary Evelyn Taylor, age 86, of Cleveland, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, while with her family in Kerrville, TX. Mary was a native of the Chattanooga area and had lived in Decatur for over 40 years. She was the daughter of the late Roland and Ruby Shaw of Decatur. She was preceded in death by her husband James...

Nov 14, 2023

Christine Ann Walker, age 53, of Decatur, TN, passed away in the early hours of November 14, 2023, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma Cancer.

Chrissy was born in Ranson, WV in 1970 to Junior and Liz Whitmore, whom she shared with five other Brothers and Sisters. Chrissy is a 1989 graduate of Jefferson High School...

Nov 11, 2023

Patsy Della Sue “Pat” Kennedy, age 65, of Decatur, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Willard Buck and Bessie Lee Kinser Kennedy; siblings: Bonnie Ricker, Martha Patterson, Becky Chandler, Bud, John, Rick, and Donnie Kennedy.

She is survived by her siblings: Doug Kennedy, Mildred Borden, Maxine...

Nov 4, 2023

Mary Theania Beavers Rinehart, age 81, of Decatur, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Blount Memorial Hospital.

She was a daughter of the late William Arnold Beavers and Mary Imogene Rogers Beavers and is preceded in death by her husband: Dempsey Dean Rinehart in 2020 and a daughter-in-law Barbara Lee Rinehart.

Mary was...

Nov 4, 2023

Delphine “Pheeny” Crabtree Brown, age 84 of Decatur passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. She was born August 11, 1939 to parents Ed and Cora Underwood Crabtree. She attended Walnut Grove School. She was employed in textile work for many years. Pheeny was a member of Union Grove Baptist church...

Nov 2, 2023

Thomas “Willard” Plank was born on September 3, 1944.  By birth and by choice, he spent his entire 79  years contentedly living life in the Cedar Valley Community of Meigs County, Tennessee.  There in his home, early in the morning of Thursday, November 2, 2023, Willard breathed his last. He left the house he had built for himself years...

Oct 24, 2023

Lawrence Bennett “Ben” Varnell, age 85, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, surrounded by his family at his farm in Decatur, TN.

He was a lifelong resident of Decatur, TN, where he touched many lives through his selfless love and generosity to others. His dedication to his faith and family will leave an...

Oct 19, 2023

Doris Ann Wydler Rittershaus, age 83, of Ten Mile, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

She was a daughter of the late Ralph and Ethel Cooper Wydler. She enjoyed canning and collecting antiques. She was a die-hard Boston Red Soxs and New England Patriots fan.

She is preceded in death by her husband: William...

Oct 11, 2023

Dorotha Elberta Broadway, 86, of Ten Mile, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Elberta was born to the late Elbert Monroe Trew and Edna Mae Enix, in Ten Mile, Tennessee on February 16, 1937. Elberta’s mother, being a widow, remarried in 1942 to William Sam Edgemon, and the family moved...

Oct 7, 2023

Carl Richard Mason, age 92, born in Sweetwater, TN, resident of Meigs County for over 80 years, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

He was a son of the late Claude and Ethel Crowder Mason. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 175, Chattanooga, TN, a 1949...

Oct 3, 2023

Roy Cowan Ashley, III, age 83, of Smyrna, TN and formerly of Decatur, passed away on Tuesday, October 03, 2023 in Brentwood, TN.

He was a son of the late Roy C. Ashley, Sr and Willie Mae Mckenzie Ashley. Roy was of the Baptist faith. Roy worked for the State of Tennessee in the division of Forestry...

Sep 28, 2023

Margaret T. Shoemake Rigsby, age 77, of Spring City, TN, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023. She is preceded by her parents: Charlie and Thula Bush Shoemake; children: Kenneth Wayne Rigsby, Larry Carrol Rigsby; siblings: Melba Faye Brown, Charles Larry Shoemake. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST)...

Sep 23, 2023

Christopher Shane Allen, age 52, of Decatur, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Shane was of the Baptist faith and a 1989 graduate of Meigs County High School. He enjoyed collecting antiques, especially family heirlooms, and woodworking. He had many friends who were there for him, especially during his time of need. He valued all the...