JOHN HOUSE'S CAVE SPRING CHAPEL

Mr. Charles Howell, 86, of Cave Spring, died Monday evening, October 16, 2023 at his home following a brief illness. Aubrey Charles Howell was born October 22, 1936 in Mize, Mississippi, a son of the late Horace Bethel Howell and the late Ruby Wilson Sullivan. Mr. Howell was a graduate of the Mize High School where he met, and later married, his wife, the former Willie Ree Allen. They were married on December 22, 1954 and Mr. Howell was preceded in death by her on January 24, 2018 after 63 years of marriage. Mr. Howell, known for his odd sense of humor, was a natural born salesman, and rose quickly through the ranks of the Miracle Maid Cookware to become one of their top producers. After...

Life long Cave Spring resident Mrs. Emmalee Highnote, 101, passed away Friday afternoon, June 9, 2023 at her residence The former Emma Lee Jones, she was born in Cave Spring, December 9, 1921, a daughter of the late Tudor Jones and the late Jessie Lee Forbes Jones. Mrs. Highnote was a graduate of the Cave Spring Consolidated school, the West Georgia College and received her Master's degree from Appalachian State University. She began her career in education at Georgia School for the Deaf when as a young adult she became a house mother there. Through the years, she "climbed the ladder" becoming a teacher, an administrative assistant and retired as Principal of the Lower School in the...

James Kenneth (Red) Johnson, 86, of Cave Spring died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, April 29, 2023 following a sudden attack suffered earlier at his residence. Mr. Johnson was born April 1, 1937 in Jackson County, Alabama, a son of the late Felix Johnson and the late Ethel Fowler Johnson. He was retired from General Electric in Rome, and was a member of the Westside Baptist Church in Felton, Georgia. A devote born again believer in Christ Jesus, Mr. Johnson loved hard work and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening and was know as the "Tomato Man". Besides his parents, Mr. Johnson was preceded in death and by two sisters, Mrs. Jeanette Gifford and Mrs. Christine Fanning, and by two...

Louise Ellenburg Jackson, age 98, passed away peacefully at her home in Cave Spring on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Jackson was born in Anniston, Alabama on September 20, 1924, daughter of Arthur Ross and Rosa Winn Ellenburg. She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings, Martin, Ross, Grace, Baby Archie Ray, and Mary Sue. Although her family's roots were in Georgia (her father was one of Martha Berry's Possum Trot students), his job moved them to Anniston, AL, before her birth. She graduated from Anniston High School and just last year returned to attend her 80th high school class reunion. She attended Alabama State College for Women, now the...

Mrs. Bettye Blankenship, 95, of Rome, died Wednesday morning, February 15, 2023 at her residence following an extended illness. The former Elizabeth Jean Vann, Mrs. Blankenship was born in Floyd County November 19, 1927, a daughter of the late Reece Clifford Vann and the late Ruby Johnston Vann. Having joined at the age of 14, she was a lifelong member of the Cedar Creek Baptist Church where she taught Girl's Sunday School. Mrs. Blankenship was employed by the Celanese Corporation and Champion Garment Company back in the late 40s and 50s. A fabulous cook, Mrs. Blankenship enjoyed gardening and was an avid fisherman, having taught her children and grandchildren the sport. She was married to...

Mrs. Doris Crowe, 82, of Cave Spring, died Thursday evening, December 29, 2022 in a Rome care facility. The former Doris Mae Isbell, Mrs. Crowe was born March 29, 1940 in Nettleton, Mississippi daughter of the late Carl Moorehead Isbell, Sr. and the late Florence Dora Massengill Isbell. Mrs. Crowe was of the Baptist faith, and had attended the Live Oak Baptist Church. Prior to her retirement, she was associated with the Department of Family and Children's Services. She was married to Lewis Allen Crown on December 15, 1990 and together they owned the Crowe's Nest in Cave Spring for several years. She was preceded in death by her father in 1955, her mother in 2007, by her husband in 2010,...

Mrs. Lucy Mull Rakestraw passed away Friday, October 7, 2022 in a nursing facility in Rome. Lucy was born in Rome November 21, 1957, the fourth child of the late Gilbert John Mull and the late Doris Barnett Mull. She grew up in Lindale and was a graduate of the Pepperell High School in 1975 where she was on the year book staff and the Miss Pepperell Court. Lucy was married to Kin Rakestraw of Dallas, Georgia for over thirty years. They enjoyed being with family and friends, especially watching the Falcons and Bulldogs playing football. Lucy was a hard worker and enjoyed spending time with others. When her husband, Kin, passed away six years ago, she moved back to Rome but her health...

Mr. Alan Philip Reeves died Monday evening, October 3, 2022, after spending his last days at home, overlooking his beloved Big Cedar Creek. He had been married to his Berry College sweetheart for 45 years at the time of his passing. He was born March 15, 1956 to Frank and Frances Reeves of Fayette County. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his son Philip Reeves (Carley), and his daughter Erin Reeves McGinnis (Gavin). He loved his grandchildren dearly: Coby Reeves, Maddox McGinnis, and Jaxon McGinnis. He was immensely proud of his two older brothers Walter (Decatur, GA) and Robert (Madison, GA), and his two younger sisters Carol (Fayetteville, AR) and Nancy (Cartersville, GA). Prior to...

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21) Born August 6, 1933 in Pennington Gap, Virginia, Jimmy Harold Whitworth, 88, of Cave Spring passed away August 2, 2022 According to his wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no formal funeral service. At a later date, the family will have a private memorial service. Raised in a Christian home by loving parents, the late P. J. "Jack" and Elizabeth P. (Betty) Whitworth, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Dean Whitworth. Mr. Whitworth is survived by his wife, Shirley, to whom he was married for 65 years. Other survivors include his daughter, Keri Shiver (Lee): his son, Eric Whitworth (Sonia); his grandchildren:...

Mrs. Carol Whorton, 89, of Cave Spring, died Tuesday afternoon in a Rome hospital following a brief illness. The former Gwendolyn Carol Mathis, Mrs. Whorton was born in Chattanooga, August 21, 1932, a daughter of the late Otto Edward Mathis and the late Margarite Burkhart Mathis and was a graduate of the Chattanooga High School. Mrs. Whorton was married to Paul W. Whorton on March 12, 1954, and was preceded in death by him June 27, 2012. She was associated with the Cave Spring Vocational Rehab Center for the Deaf for a number of years. A member of the First Baptist Church of Cave Spring, Mrs. Whorton was also a member of the Happy Hearts Group at the church and enjoyed square dancing...

Ferrell Ottis Kerr, 76, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his wife and daughter on Saturday June 11th, 2022 after an extended illness. Ferrell was born to the late Ottis Vernon "Sam" Kerr and the late Navaughnia Ellis Kerr at McCall Hospital in Rome, Ga on Friday July 13th, 1945. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Casey Ferrell Kerr and infant sibling J Lamar Kerr . Ferrell attended Cave Spring School until 1962 at the age of 17 when he joined the Navy. Ferrell served in the Navy on the USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) from 1962 until 1965. In 1965, Ferrell began work at Georgia Kraft/Inland Container as a Millwright and retired in 2007 as Head of...

Robert Lamar (Bob) Angel, 89, of Cave Spring, died Monday morning, June 6, 2022 at his residence following a short illness. Mr. Angel was born in Cave Spring (Haney) November 6, 1932, the youngest born to the late John Walter Angel, Sr. and the late Ollie Golightly Angel. He was a graduate of the Cave Spring High School and was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force, having served from 1952 until 1956. Having started farming with is father at an early age, Mr. Angel farmed all of his life, raising cattle and various row crops through the years. He became a member of the Red Angus Association May 1, 1965. Mr. Angel joined the Rehoboth Baptist Church in 1956, where he later served as the Sunday...

Mr. Eugene Minshew, 74, of Rome, and formerly of Cave Spring, died Monday morning, May 23, 2022 in a Rome care center following an extended illness. Mr. Minshew was born in Rome August 22, 1947, son of the late Homer Lee Minshew and the late Estelle Williams Minshew. He was a graduate of both Model High School and Coosa Valley Tech, and was associated with the Bekaert Company for 30 years as an electrician prior to his retirement. Mr. Minshew was a veteran of the U. S. Army, having served in Germany during the Vietnam War era; he coached middle school football at Georgia School for the Deaf, and also served as a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts in Cedartown. He was a member of the Anna...

Danny Lamar Walton, 67, of Cave Spring, died Wednesday evening, April 20, 2022 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Walton was a native of Dublin, Ga., born there March 1, 1955, a son of the late Floyd Walton and the late Curtis Holmes Walton. A loving family man, Mr. Walton also loved working for Bell South and later AT&T, having been associated with them from the age of 18 right out of high school until just recently. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Walton, and by his sister in law, Lynda Walton. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, the former Beverly Jessup, to whom he was married May 2, 1985; and his four children, Heather...

Mrs. Evelyn Montgomery, age 80, died Wednesday morning, April 6, 2022 in Cave Spring following an extended illness. The former Martha Evelyn Barker, she was born in Floyd County, April 16, 1941, a daughter of the late Alonzo Barker and the late Addie Estelle Fowler Barker. She was a graduate of the Johnson High School, and was a member of the Rehoboth Baptist Church, the East Floyd Eastern Star Chapter #501, the Wildlife Club and the Cave Spring Ruritan, and she enjoyed collecting antiques, shopping and gardening. Mrs. Montgomery was retired from Steel King Industries and Good Shepherd Funeral Home. Besides her parents, Mrs. Montgomery was preceded in death by her husband, William Twiggs...

Battalion Chief Rick Cagle, Rome Fire Department (retired) age 68, of Cave Spring, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at his residence. Rickey Jack Cagle was born in Brunswick, Georgia on July 6, 1953, a son of the late Jack Clay Cagle and the late Shirley Ruth Medlin Cagle. He was a graduate of the Glynn Academy in Brunswick and received an Associates Degree from Floyd Junior College. Mr. Cagle joined the Rome Fire Department in November of 1980, and he retired from there in November of 2011 after 31 years of service. He was also associated with the Cave Spring Fire Department. Survivors include his wife, the former Barbara Redden, to whom he was married April 24, 1988, and two...

Mr. Donnie Tate Blankenship, 69, of Rome, passed away Saturday afternoon, February 19, 2022, at a Rome hospital with his family following a long fight with cancer. Mr. Blankenship was born at the McCall Hospital in Rome on February 20, 1952, a son of Mrs. Elizabeth Jean (Bettye) Vann Blankenship and the late C. T. (Buddy) Blankenship. He attended Cave Spring School, was a graduate of Pepperell High School and a graduate of the West Georgia College. Mr. Blankenship was a veteran of the U.S. Army, stationed in Berlin, Germany with the Artillery Group from 1972 till 1974. He begin his career with Southern Bell as a lineman, and after 30 years of service in Atlanta and back to Rome, he...

Robert Walter (R. W.) Baker, 91, of Cave Spring, died Tuesday morning at his residence. Mr. Baker was born in Cave Spring, July 7, 1930, a son of the late Geat H. Baker and the late Edna Mullinix Baker. Mr. Baker was a graduate of the Cave Spring High School, was a veteran of the Korean War, having served with the U. S. Army, was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cave Spring, and had served on the Cave Spring City Council. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Baker was employed by General Electric of Rome. Mr. Baker enjoyed fishing, gardening and selling his vegetables to folks in Cave Spring. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Pam Baker in 1980, and by his...

Dorothy Ruth Fleming McLemore, 75, of Cave Spring, died Sunday afternoon, December 5, 2021 in a Rome Hospital. Mrs. McLemore was born in Summerville on May 18, 1946, a daughter of the late Hugh Fleming and the late Era Fleming, and was a homemaker and a retired cashier with the Golden Gallon Company. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jackie L. McLemore on December 11, 2004 and by three brothers, James Fleming, Junior Fleming and Bobby Fleming. Mrs. McLemore is survived by two step-sons, Rickey (Melissa) McLemore and Paul (Paige) McLemore, all of Cave Spring, and by a sister, Mrs. Charlotte Rutledge of Summerville. Two grandsons, Nick (Elizabeth) McLemore and...

Mrs. Reba Mason, 90, of Centre, and formerly of Cave Spring, died Wednesday evening, December 1, 2021 in a Rome hospital. The former Reba Nell Lindsey, she was born June 3, 1930, daughter of the late J. D. Lindsey and the late Annie Ruth Chapman Lindsey. Mrs. Mason was a graduate of the Alexis School, and was a member of the Cave Spring United Methodist Church. She was associated with the Georgia School for the Deaf for a number of years, having retired in 1995, and was a huge Alabama fan, as well as a strong supporter of the American Legion. Besides her parents, Mrs. Mason was preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne Lindsey, Shelton Lindsey and Dewell Lindsey. Survivors include...