Obits — November 27, 2019

Higgins

Shirley Ann Houston Young

Mrs. Shirley Ann Houston Young, age 75, of Five Points, Alabama, passed away on November 23, 2019 at her residence.  Mrs. Young was born on July 13, 1944 in Franklin, North Carolina to the late Beulon Calvin Houston (died while serving in the Army during World War ll) and Irene Mae Rogers Houston-Adams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Roger Adams and her stepfather, Oscar Adams.  Mrs. Young retired from the Troup County School System and was a member of Grace Baptist Church.  Above all, she loved God, her family and friends.  She served in various jobs at the church through the years and loved her friends at church. Mission work was very important to her both local and out of state.  She was a member of the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Team and counted it an honor to serve in this role.  She found great pleasure in helping others, cooking for family and friends, and having large groups gather at her home.  Mrs. Young enjoyed all types of crafts and decorating.  She especially enjoyed cruising with Uncle Wade, Aunt Louise and friends.  She participated and was a member of the LaGrange Shufflers Square Dance Club and taught school for a number of years, both public and private.  Her education endeavors included graduating from Franklin County High School in Franklin, North Carolina, graduating from Garner Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and graduating from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.  She also furthered her education at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia and West Georgia University in Carrollton, Georgia.  Survivors include her husband and loving Soulmate, Doyle Tabner Young of Five Points, Alabama; daughter, Rhonda Young Mitchell of LaGrange; grandson, Brandon Aaron Mitchell and his wife Lindsey of LaGrange; great grandson, Kaden Aaron Mitchell of LaGrange; sister, Sandra Kay Woods and her husband Gerald and her son Justin Adams of Franklin, North Carolina; sister in law, Nancey Adams of Lenoir, North Carolina; uncles, Troy Joseph Rogers and his wife Doris and Wade Montgomery Rogers and his wife Louise; cousins, extended family and friends. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 12:00 pm at the Grace Baptist Church.  Interment followed at Meadoway Gardens.  Family received friends on Monday evening, November 25, 2019 from 6-8 pm at the Higgins LaGrange Chapel.

Striffler-Hamby

Bartha J. Gosdin Smith

Bartha J. Gosdin Smith, 90, of LaGrange, GA went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 24, 2019 from West Georgia Hospice. “Bart” as she was affectionately known was born March 23, 1929 in Randolph County, AL to the late Hayden Harvey Gosdin and Ila Lee Butler Gosdin. She was a faithful and charter member of Independent Church of Worship, where she loved to sing and praise the Lord. She was a Beautician for over 60 years, at B&S Beauty Shop and Bart’s Beauty Shop. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Jackson “Seborn” Smith; a grandson, Michael Lynch; brothers, Buck Gosdin and Willard Gosdin; and a sister, Cnovle Arrington. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Naomi Moore; grandsons, Jimmy (Tammy) Lynch, Chris Terry, and Wayne “Bird” Terry; great grandchildren, Brent, Ross, Luke, LeAnn, Jake, Cody, Caleb, and Heaven; nine great great grandchildren; sisters, Snovle Noles Akins, Winniefred Arrington, Molly Ann (Donnie) Arrington, Marvalene Spradlin, and Reba (Billy) Brown; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The Gathering of Family and Friends will be Monday, November 25, 2019 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the funeral home. The Celebration of Life Service was held 1:00pm Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Chapel where Pastor Jerry Scarborough officiated. Burial was in Restlawn Memory Gardens.

Bruce Wayne Andrews

Mr. Bruce Wayne Andrews, 52, of LaGrange, GA passed from this life into eternal life on Friday, November 22, 2019 at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center. Wayne was born February 13, 1967 in LaGrange, GA to the late Freddie Andrews and Linda Hicks Smith. He was a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1995, faithfully serving families in the Troup County and surrounding areas. He loved his family, cherished his new grandbaby, enjoyed spending time with his friends, and will be missed by all that knew him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gene Andrews and father-in-law, Joey Senn. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tabatha Senn Andrews; daughter, Courtney and Adam Richardson; son, Tyler Andrews; granddaughter, Emma Katie Richardson; brother, Michael Andrews; mother-in-law, Shirley Senn; brother-in-law, Dion and Mandy Senn; multiple aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, many beloved friends, extended family, and the entire staff of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary. The Gathering of Family and Friends was on Sunday, November 24, 2019 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the funeral home. The Funeral Service was held 11:00am Monday, November 25, 2019 in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with Rev. Steve Evans and Pastor Jerry Scarborough officiated. Burial followed in Hillview Annex Cemetery.

McKibben

Wayne Arrington

Mr. Wayne Arrington, 71, of the Corinth Community of Heard County, passed away Friday, November 22, 2019, at Hospice LaGrange. Mr. Arrington was born February 18, 1948, in Cleburne County, Alabama, son of the late John and Avis Barrett Arrington. A veteran of service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he had lived in Heard County for the past twenty years, retired as a self-employed carpenter, and enjoyed fishing. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Arrington of Corinth; sons and daughters in-law, Eric and Teresa Arrington of Whitesville, Tommy and Robin Arrington of Durand, Nathan Arrington and Chaney Eubanks of Corinth; sister, Frances Wingard of Warm Springs; brothers, Bud and Earline Arrington of West Point, George and Sandra Arrington of LaGrange; grandchildren, Wesley Arrington and Macie Arrington; and a special friend, Aaron Tiller. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers. The funeral service was conducted at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 24, in the Chapel of Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville, with interment in the Corinth Cemetery.

Hazel Burks

Mrs. Hazel W. Burks, 88, of Moreland, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2019, at Hospice LaGrange. Mrs. Burks was born December 24, 1930, in Carroll County, daughter of the late Henry Wayne Whisenhunt and Eunice Latimer Whisenhunt. A resident of Coweta County most of her life, she was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Grantville and retired as a lab technician from Uniroyal, Inc. in Hogansville. She enjoyed quilting and cross-stitch and was an active member of the Grantville Senior Center. Survivors include her daughter and son in-law, Joyce and Ricky Skipper of Moreland; son and daughter in-law, Eugene and Joy Burks of Luthersville; granddaughters and their husbands, Melanie and Michael Arrington, Brandi and Sean Smith, Amanda Burks and Clay Atha; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Cookie Helton of Hogansville and Vassie and J. W. Roberts of Ormond Beach, FL; sister in-law, Frances and Bill Lowry of Grantville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lamar Burks. The funeral service was conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 25, in the Chapel of Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville. The Reverend Jay Moore, the Reverend Bruce Brown, and the Reverend T. J. Boyd officiated and interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan. The family received friends at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday.

Hunter-Allen-Myhand

Rufus Johnson Brown

Mr. Rufus Johnson Brown, of LaGrange, passed away on November 23, 2019. He was the husband of Mrs. Harriett Broadhurst Brown and the late, Linda Maddox Brown. He was the father of Steve Brown and Scott Brown. The funeral will be held at Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends before the service on Wednesday starting at noon. The committal service will directly follow the funeral and will be held at Shadowlawn Cemetery in LaGrange. Pastor Brad Thompson and Pastor Bryan Geter will officiate the service.