"Going once, going twice....SOLD!" magic words for a lifetime auctioneer. Inductions into the Georgia Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 1988 and the National Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 1999, as well as the 1991 Georgia State Champion Auctioneer, Joe Tarpley witnessed the transformation of his profession from road signs and plastic banners to computer generated flyers and internet only auctions, being flexible and nimble with each change, remaining active with John Dixon and Associates until his recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The only child of Rachel and Joseph C. "Buster" Tarpley, Joe spent his growing up years playing with cousins, Tom and Jim Ford, on their farm, surrounded by aunts...

Ethel Francis Payne Evans, of Rome Georgia, passed away peacefully in her home with family at the bedside. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Edward Evans, their daughter Gloria Suzanne Evans, and her parents Holman Dock Payne and Alice Catherine McDuffie as well as her sister Annease McDuffie. She is survived by her daughters Jennifer Moore (Randall) and Sally Evans, her grandchildren Josh Moore (Sara) and Kinsey Allen (Chris) and multiple grandchildren. Her surviving siblings are Betty Kimsey, Ruth Justus (Lloyd), Ann Wikle (Johnny), Carolyn Moody (Roy), and Tony McDuffie. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Joyce Hufstetler as well as countless beloved nieces and...

Mrs. Margaret Wright Davis, age 75, of Rome, GA, passed away on Friday, April 2, 2021 at her home. Mrs. Davis was born in Bainbridge, GA on April 6, 1945, Daughter of the late Charlie Paul Wright Jr. and Margaret Missouri Wright. She started school in a 2 room school house, later graduating from Bainbridge High in 1963. Later she went on to Berry College, graduating 1969 with a degree in English. Most of her teaching years were spent in Floyd County and Rome City Schools. She retired in 1999 after 30 years of teaching. She is survived by her loving husband, Jimmy, of 49 years; Brother, Paul (Rita) and niece Ann; Sister in law, Patricia Spradley (Chip); Several nephews and nieces. A...

Mr. John Byron Reeves, 86, died March 31, 2021. He was born November 30, 1934 in Shannon, GA, the only son to the late John Grady Reeves and Mary Frances Sherman Reeves. He attended Model High School, where he was a gifted student and athlete, excelling in football and basketball. After high school he attended his beloved Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and graduated in 1957 with degree in Textile Engineering. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Reeves was married to Sue Ritz, who survives him, on June 10, 1960. They would have celebrated 61 years of marriage this year. Mr. Reeves joined Trend Mills Industries and was...

Suzanne Edmondson Field passed away peacefully at Floyd Medical Center on Sunday, March 28, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was born February 10, 1932 in Atlanta, GA. Suzanne was the daughter of the late Lucille and Loy Lee Edmondson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerre James Field also of Rome, GA and her sister, Elizabeth Green of Conyers, GA. Suzanne graduated from Mercer University, was a member of the Psi Gamma chapter of the Chi Omega fraternity and received a degree in Early Childhood Education, leading her to teach for several years at the Floyd County Public School system before leaving to raise her family. While attending Mercer, she met her husband and they...

Sylvia Moore, age 83, of Rome, Georgia passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Sylvia Allen Moore was a caring and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was born to Roy and Donnie Allen on May 26, 1937. She attended Emma Sansom High School where she met and fell in love with Dwain Moore. They married on November 24, 1955. Together they had and lovingly raised 4 children: Regina, Allen, Susan, and Mark. Her career consisted of positions held in the Dean of Women's Office at the University of Alabama, in the Alumni Office at Berry College, and with First United Methodist Church of Rome. Sylvia was a giver and took great pleasure and joy...

Mr. Billy Wayne Tyree, Sr. 84 of Rome, GA. Passed away on March 11, 2021 at home surrounded by family. Mr. Tyree was born in Centre, Ala. On March 27, 1936. Son of the late Vera Tyree Hammonds. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Diane, Grandson, Trenton Tyree, and Great-grand daughter Asia Woods. Prior to retirement, He worked 25 years at Bekaert Steel Wire in Rome, GA. He enjoyed traveling and camping with family at West Point Lake and Lake Weiss, where he was known to fish with a cane pole, string, rusty hook, and a piece of hotdog. Playing with Grand babies and Great-Grand babies, Bill, as he is also know by, is a veteran of the United States Army. Survivors include his wife of...

Robert Lewis Moore, Jr. passed away peacefully on March 4, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Rome, Georgia on January 16, 1938, the oldest son of Robert Lewis Moore Sr. and Cora Elizabeth Duggan Moore. He grew up in Rome and attended Rome High, where his motorcycle parking place was reserved by an oil spot. He was a member of the "Hard as nails, tough as bricks, Rome High class of 56". He gave West Georgia College a try, where he met the love of his life, Peggy Holland Moore of Birmingham Alabama. They were married May 31, 1963. He served in the Army Reserve, then briefly worked in Doraville at the GM plant but soon returned to his beloved Rome to work as a...

Mr. Edmund Romano Cescutti, age 90, of Rome, passed away at home Monday, March 1, 2021. Mr. Cescutti was born in Rome, Georgia, November 7, 1930. He was the son of the late Ettore (Tony) Cescutti and Atha Scoggins Cescutti. He was also predeceased by brothers Ronald N. Cescutti and Robert D. Cescutti. He was a lifelong resident of Floyd County. Mr Cescutti was a veteran of the US Marines. He returned to Rome, married and started a family with Vonnell. He and his brother "Bob" were partners in Cescutti Masonry Inc. contracting industrial, commercial and residential work for over 50 years. In his early years, he enjoyed playing basketball, bowling and golf, but his volunteer construction...

Margaret Kathleen Fitzgerald Bracken died peacefully on February 27 at age 98. Kathleen was born on April 30, 1922, in Richmond, Virginia. She was the third of six children and only daughter of James Robert Layne Fitzgerald and Aurelia Mankin Davis Fitzgerald. She was preceded in death by her parents, her five brothers, and her son Lawrence Wade Bracken, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Janice Bracken Wright, her son-in-law Cecil Baker Wright III, her daughter-in-law Sharon Bracken, numerous extended family members, many dear friends, and her beloved cat Cassie. Kathleen was a 1938 graduate of Glen Allen High School, Richmond. Kathleen was a lifelong member of Emmanuel...

Margaret Kathleen Fitzgerald Bracken died peacefully on February 27 at age 98. Kathleen was born on April 30, 1922, in Richmond, Virginia. She was the third of six children and only daughter of James Robert Layne Fitzgerald and Aurelia Mankin Davis Fitzgerald. She was preceded in death by her parents, her five brothers, and her son Lawrence Wade Bracken, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Janice Bracken Wright, her son-in-law Cecil Baker Wright III, daughter-in-law Sharon Bracken, numerous extended family members, many dear friends, and her beloved cat Cassie. Kathleen was a 1938 graduate of Glen Allen High School, Richmond. Kathleen was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Episcopal...

Betty Jane Wheeler Royal age 94, of Rome,GA passes away on Thursday February 18, 2021. Betty was born in Rome,GA on September 5, 1926, the daughter of the late Jules Vernon Wheeler and Opal Smith Wheeler. Mrs. Royal was a graduate of Rome High Scholl and Wesleyan College. She taught in the Rome city schools for 15 years and never went anywhere that a former student didn't recognize her and ask if she remembered them from school days. In 1953 she married Robert Lee Royal and they were very happy together until his death in 2003. They raised 2 daughters, Suzanne and Caroline. Mrs. Royal was a member of First Baptist Church of Rome. She was active in the Friendship Sunday School class and...

We are sad to announce the passing of Dr. Elaine Hajosy on February 17, 2021, after an extended illness. Dr. Hajosy is survived by her adoring family, including three children, Louis Stephen Hajosy III of Athens, GA; Alison Grace Hajosy Land of Chester,VA; and Cristina Elizabeth Hajosy of Canton, MA; a sister, Rebecca Langdon of Rutland, VT; three grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. Her ashes will join those of her deceased daughter, Nicole Elaine Hajosy Dellis (1965-2013), in St. Peter's Memory Garden. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Fifth Avenue Nursing Home, 505 North 5th Ave.,...

We're sad to announce the passing of Dr. Elaine Hajosy on February 17, 2021 after a long illness. Dr. Hajosy is survived by her adoring family including three children, Louis Stephen Hajosy, III of Athens, GA, Alison Grace Hajosy Land of Chester,VA and Cristina Elizabeth Hajosy of Canton, MA, a sister, Rebecca Langdon of Rutland, VT, 3 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 2 great, great grand children. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. Her ashes will join her deceased daughter, Nicole Elaine Hajosy Dellis (1965 - 2013) in St. Peter's Memory Garden. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to 5th Avenue Nursing Home, 505 North 5th Ave, Rome, GA 30161 and Heyman...

Annie Hudgins Jones, age 88, of Rome, went home to be with the Lord on February 14, 2021. A lifelong native of Rome, Annie was born May 21, 1932. She was the daughter of the late Grady Hudgins and Jennie Pilgrim Hudgins. She retired from State Farm Insurance, the office of Theresa Lumsden. She was a long time member of Fellowship Baptist Church of Rome, where she was a member of the choir, the Joy Makers, and in her earlier years taught Sunday school. Annie was an avid reader and enjoyed cross stitching, and sewing. Some of her greatest joy was cooking and hosting family gatherings. Annie was preceded in death by her husband, David Earl Jones and infant son David Earl Jones, Jr. She was...

Gail Smith Deschamps passed away on February 12, 2021, in Atlanta, GA and is now reunited with the loves of her life, Dalton Smith and Robert Deschamps. Born in Manchester, England, she came to the US as a young girl and quickly grew fascinated with performing in the theatre. Gail shared her true love for Shakespearean acting and directing in productions across the country from Las Vegas to New Orleans, Miami and Rome, GA. She founded and served as the Artistic Director for the Georgia Mountain Theater and Florida and Rome Shakespeare Festivals where she entertained thousands of theatre fans of all ages for over four decades. In her final days she was surrounded by her children, Clark,...

Dr. Louis Hajosy passed away on February 8th 2021 with his beloved wife of 27 years by his side, including step-son Creighton Ganowski and very special friend Bobby Jones. Dr. Hajosy is survived by his wife Kathy, three children, Louis, Alison, and Cristina. Two loving brothers Drs. Ralph and Roger Hajosy, grandson Bailey Ganowski, as well as special granddaughter Samantha Jones, nieces and nephews. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St.Mary's Catholic Church 911 N.Broad St. Rome,Ga 30161

Mrs. Betty Jo Chandler Holcombe, age 91, passed away on the evening of February 8, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born on March 16, 1929 to the late Lemual Richard and Zelma Mae Chandler in Tallapoosa, Georgia. She graduated from Tallapoosa High School and she worked at Hubbard Slacks for many years. She was a God fearing woman who read her bible daily and made sure to spread the word of the Lord through everything she did. She was a member of New Armuchee Baptist Church and loved being involved with her Sunday School class. She was a homemaker and avid gardener who loved her flowers. She worked daily in her front yard to keep all her flower beds thriving and people would drive by...

Robert Norwood Fowler went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 5, 2021. Mr. Fowler was born in Atlanta, GA, on August 30, 1927, the son of the late Homer and Nellie Fowler. Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Emma Pauline, on April 14, 2019. Mr. Fowler served in the US Navy from 1945 - 1949. After being discharged from the Navy, he received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Technical Institute. After graduation, he began working for General Electric and retired from the company in 1986 after 36 years of service. Mr. Fowler and his wife, Pauline, were charter members of Garden Lakes Baptist Church. He served in many leadership...

James Earl Clark (Jim) passed away on January 29, 2021. Jim was born on June 14, 1925 in Louisville, Mississippi, son of Vera Kate Tabor Clark and Lester Earl Clark. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Harlos Clark. Jim was a graduate of Columbia Military Academy, Columbia, Tennessee and received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He received his Masters Degree in Music from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He was a veteran of World War II during which time he graduated from the U.S. Navy School of Music in Washington, DC and served on board the USS Princeton, CV 37 aircraft carrier. He was a high...

Dorothy Johnson Fletcher, wife of Chief Justice (Ret.) Norman Fletcher, died on January 28, 2021, a victim of the Coronavirus. Dot was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia on August 18, 1935, the fourth child of I.B. Johnson and Alma Elizabeth Reichert Johnson. She attended the Fitzgerald Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1953. She was a cute majorette, cheerleader, member of the band and Glee Club. Many of her friends remained friends for life, often having get togethers with their spouses. Dot and Norman looked forward to their many class reunions every five years, every two years more recently. Her first two college years were at GSCW (now Georgia College & State University). She...