Carold L. Thomas
Mr. Carold L. Thomas, age 81, of LaGrange, passed away Friday, February 10, 2017, at his home. Mr. Thomas was born September 17, 1935, in Coweta County, son of the late Floyd Bradley Thomas and Lucille McCullough Thomas. A resident of LaGrange since 1990, he was a former resident of Brooks and retired as a receiving inspector from the Lakewood GM Assembly Plant. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of Unity Baptist Church in LaGrange. Survivors include his wife, Joann Kemp Thomas of LaGrange; son, Rev. Craig Thomas and his wife Deborah of Chickamauga; daughters, Nancy Kreimann and her husband Gladwinn of Semmes, AL, Deborah Ann King of Jonesboro, Angela Wilkinson of Milner; step-sons, Lamar Jackson of Columbus, Randy Jackson and his wife Chandra of Newnan; step-daughters, Belinda Rhodenizer and her husband John, Lisa Ward, all of LaGrange; brother, Cecil Thomas of Brooks; sisters, Joyce Stewart of Wedowee, AL, and Sue of Florida; eight grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Lee Thomas, and his step-son, Carl Linwood Jackson. The funeral service was conducted at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, in the Chapel of Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville. The Reverend Craig Thomas and the Reverend Doug Bingham officiated and entombment was in Shadowlawn Mausoleum, with military honors. Condolences may be expressed at www.mckibbenfuneralhome.com
Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sherry Hand
Mrs. Sherry Lynn Hand, age 66, of LaGrange, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. Born June 6, 1950, in LaGrange, Mrs. Hand lived in various locations around the world during the military career of her late husband, James Carl Hand. She lived in Luthersville and LaGrange in recent years and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Meriwether County. Survivors include her daughter, Christy Ann Hand of LaGrange; sons, Jethro Carl Hand of Pine Mountain, James Eldred Hand of Fairburn, James Ray Cobb of LaGrange; brothers, Thomas Grizzard of Greenville, Jethro Gosdin, Jr. of Fairburn; sisters, Cheruyl Gosdin of Senoia, Mariea Gosdin of Greenville; step-sister, Shelby Gosdin; step-brother, Jerry Gosdin, both of McDonough; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Gosdin, and her step-sister, Josie Knox. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 15, in the Chapel of Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville. The Reverend Kenneth Whitlock and the Reverend Winston Skinner will officiate and interment will be in the Luthersville Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. Condolences may be expressed at www.mckibbenfuneralhome.com
Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Catherine Swanson
Catherine Swanson was born February 22, 1926 to the union of Alonza and Vastie Chesley Swanson. She joined the Oak Grove AME Church at a very early age and was a faithful and dedicated member and served in numerous capacities until her health declined. In 2014, she received recognition for her lifelong service commitment to Oak Grove AME Church. Her early education was obtained at Oak Grove AME Church School. She later returned to school in the 60’s and received her High School Diploma from Ethel W. Kight High School in 1970. She had a gift for being able to remember the birthdates and other significant dates of all the family members. She had the ability to solve math problems quickly in her heard. Catherine was an entrepreneur whose business was recognized in a 2001 article of the LaGrange Daily News. This article stated that she was the owner of Cat’s Place. The name later changed to 77 Sunset Strip. Her business was the source of entertainment for the Big Springs Community and the residents of LaGrange who ventured to her establishment. Catherine’s magnetic and joyous personality resulted in her acquiring many friends with whom she often entertained. She was a very loving and a caring person who cared for the whole family. She was the caregiver for many of the older members of the family. She was adventurous, loved the outdoors, and loved traveling, cooking, and fishing. After an extended illness, she departed this life on February 4, 2017. She was the sole survivor of her siblings and was preceded in death by Mary Alice Swanson, L. S. Swanson, Sam Swanson, Mattie Lee Swanson McPherson, Estelle Swanson Chapman, Joe Swanson, Sr., Ophelia Swanson Hall, Neal Swanson, Willie Swanson, Sr., and Willie Neal Swanson who she reared as her son. She will be missed by all who loved her. The sunset of her wonderful life is mourned by, Essie Mae Swanson; sister-in-law; nieces, Elizabeth S. York, Virginia S. Jackson, Margaret S. (Cecil) Gilbert, Shirley Swanson, Mary Joe Bray, Willie Mae S. (Sylvester) Hill, Rosa S. (Harvey) McCord, Serease (Bobby) Bogan, and Annie Kate S. Harrison; nephews, Joe (Marva) Swanson, Jr., James C. Swanson, Jerome (Donya) Swanson, Marshall (Sylvia) Swanson, Joe Henry Swanson, John Amos (Linda) Swanson, Willie (Rosa) Swanson, Jr., and John L. Harris; and a host of other great nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. The Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Fannin Street. Dr. W.T. Edmondson officiated.
Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Lilla Mae Hightower
Ms. Lilla Mae Hightower was born October 5, 1937 in Troup County, Georgia to the late, Jessie Moss and Cora Lee Hubbard Moss.
Because of strong family traditions she accepted Christ at an early age at Union Springs United Methodist Church. After getting married to Mr. Freddie Hightower, Sr. she moved to Atlanta, GA where she later transitioned her membership to Central United Methodist Church under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Lowery in Atlanta, Georgia and served faithfully as a member of the usher board for a number of years. Ms. Lilla Hightower discovered the ambition to become a barber and entrepreneur at Ogletree’s Barber shop as co-owner with her cousin Abe Ogletree. For over 40 years she provided barbering services to numerous citizens of the City of Atlanta, family and friends during that time. In 2004, her son assumed primary care and support of her daily needs until late 2012. From that point her primary care was provided by Westbury Health and Rehabilitation Center’s nursing staff where she remained until her death.
She quietly departed this life on February 6, 2017 at Westbury Health and Rehabilitation Center in McDonough, Georgia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first born son, Freddie Hightower, Jr.; and two brothers. She leaves to cherish loving memories to her son, Napoleon Hightower; granddaughter, India I. Hightower; and daughter-in-law, Nikita Hightower; and a host of family and friends. Ms. Lilla Mae Hightower leaves a legacy of courage, character, strength and loving spirit. She will be dearly missed by family and friends. The Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday at 11:30 at Union Chapel United Methodist Church. Pastor Ernestine Mitchell officiated. Burial followed at the Church Cemetery.
Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Willie Fred Patillo Scott
Willie Fred Patillo Scott was born October 15, 1949 to the late, Frank Scott and Cora Lee Patillo Busbee. He attended Randolph County Training School and later studied courses in Electricity, Plumbing, and Carpentry in which he considered himself Masters of all. He worked at many different jobs which included the Pipeline, Dunn Gay and Sam Wylie Saw Mill, Plantation Patterns, and Candlewick.
He loved his dogs and affectionately referred to them as his babies. He was always ready to go fishing, working on cars, and hunting for squirrels, saying if he could get one or two then he would be happy. Although he enjoyed all these things, his passion was his garden. He would spend hours sometimes all day in the garden, planting, tilling, and working the rows. Even when his health started to decline he was still planning on what to plant on good Friday. He departed this life on Wednesday, February 8, 2017; at his home on Strozier Street in Roanoke, Alabama. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, John Frank Patillo and J. D. Goodwin; two daughters, Mary Alice Goodwin and Syrenthia Lee Kimble. He leaves to cherish his memoires, his wife, Mary Frances Goodwin Jones Scott, Roanoke, AL; two daughters, Arnita Patillo DePriest, Wadley, AL; Coretta Patillo (Teddy) Ector, Stockbridge, GA; three sons, Freddy (Rochelle) Tucker, Roanoke, AL, Bunyon Goodwin, MS; Alvin Broom, Roanoke, AL; two sisters, Annie Lois (Rufus) Davenport, Hesperia, MI; Bettye Jean Scott Watkins, Roanoke, AL: sister-in-law, Mae Lois Rowland, Roanoke, AL; brother-in-law, Stachel Morris, Clay County, AL; two aunts, Ms. Fannie Gilmore, Carrollton, GA; and Varee Turner, Wedowee, AL; uncle, Charlie Barsh, LaGrange, GA; twenty five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, four special friends, William Treadwell, Frank Houston, and Herbert Kimble, all of Roanoke, AL; and Daisy Lee, Stockbridge, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and a special great granddaughter, “Peach”.
The Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday at 3:00 PM EST at Abundant Life Church, Highway 431, Roanoke. Pastor William Terry will officate. Burial will follow at Skyview Memorial Gardens. The family was at their home at 585 Strozier Street, Roanoke and received friends in the Chapel of Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home on Friday from 3:00 – 5:00 EST.
Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
