Southern Cremations at Cheatham Hill

Shawna Leonard, was taken suddenly from friends and family on Thursday October 12, 2023 at the age of 54 years old. Born in Norfolk, VA on January 19th, 1969 she is survived by her loving husband of 22 years, Heath Leonard; Lovingly remembered by her mother Donna Marasco and husband Ray Marasco, brother Brian Bender, sister Jennifer Ducharme, children Kathryn Bender (Banks), Tyler Owens, and Cortney Reinhardt as well as 7 grandchildren. Services are to be held at Southern Cremations & Funerals at Cheatham Hill at 1861 Dallas Highway in Marietta, GA on Saturday October 21st. Visitation is to commence at 2 p.m. with services to follow. Shawna, a phenomenal wife and mother, took joy in...

Richard Lee Williams, Jr., a native of Jackson, Alabama passed away in Marietta, Georgia on October 12, 2023. He was the fourth of seven children born to Richard Lee Williams, Sr. and Willie Frances Wright Williams. For many years, Richard worked as a tugboat captain for Warrior and Gulf Navigation. Later, he worked for Scott Paper Company, after which he went into business for himself as a truck driver. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Charles Williams. He is survived by his 4 children, Tamara D. Williams, Marlon J. Williams, Rikki D. Williams, and Richard L. Williams, III, 4 grandchildren, and 5 siblings.

Cynthia Groszkiewicz died peacefully on October 6, 2023, in the care of Richard Groszkiewicz, her husband of 48 years, following complications from Parkinson's Disease, MS, and lung cancer. Cynthia was raised by her mother, Ruth. Cynthia was raised to live each day as if it were her last. And she did. In the late 80's, Cynthia began traveling frequently. Traveling for Cynthia was essential to her being. By 2005, Cynthia had traveled the world and was a member of the Seven Continents Club. Linking art to her travels, she began to define herself by her art. Cynthia rented a studio and became an accomplished artist, creating hundreds of unique pieces for over 25 years. Some of Cynthia's...

Dr. Joe Cochran, husband of Jane Whitehead Cochran, father of Jim and Cathy and grandfather of 6, died peacefully at his home on August 21,2023 after a very long illness. He was a Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His long-time association with Georgia Tech began as a student receiving his B.S. and M.S. from the School of Ceramic Engineering. After receiving his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Ceramic Engineering, he returned to Tech joining the faculty ranks where he ultimately served as the Professor and Associate Chair in the School of Materials Science and Engineering. He remained on the faculty of Georgia...

George Everett Rossey of Kennesaw, Georgia, 74, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2023. George Rossey was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania and joined the United States Marines right out of high school. Among other metals and awards, he was a two-time Purple Heart recipient while serving in the Vietnam War. He was a retired Cobb County Mediator, an avid antique car collector and never missed a bargain. George was loved by many people, especially his best friend and partner in life, Carole Anderson. He is also survived by his brothers Thomas Rossey and Sam Rossey and his sister Suzie Rhoads, all from Clarion, Pennsylvania.

Ann Foster of Marietta, GA departed this earth on May 14th and went to join her mother, Peggy Campbell. She leaves behind her father Jim Campbell, sister she lived with, Amy Kent, brother Bryan, nephew Jason Robinson, his wife Kristi and their daughters Grace and Selah, niece Rachel Campbell, and nephew Issiah Campbell. In the words of her father upon her passing, "Ann had a hard life but a wonderful life considering she had a hearing problem and a learning disability." Jim and Peggy worked throughout Ann's life to help her and get her the help she needed to live a full life. At a young age Ann attended the Atlanta Speech School. As she reached young adulthood she went to the Tommy Nobis...

William "Bill" Martin Sykes, Jr. passed away peacefully on, April 23, 2023 at Golden Rose Assisted Living in Marietta, Georgia at the age of 93. Bill was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on August 11th, 1929. He was the second child of William Martin Sykes, Sr. and his wife Hildred. His father worked for the Atlantic Coastline Railroad as a Passenger Agent which allowed Bill and his family to travel along the eastern seaboard, living in cities such as New York, New York, Washington, D.C., and Daytona Beach, Florida. He graduated from St. Andrews High School in Charleston, South Carolina lettering in basketball, baseball, and football. After high school he worked for Texaco before serving...

Herbert Martin Kohn passed away in his home in Marietta Georgia on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the age of 94. Herb was born on November 3, 1928, to parents George W Kohn and Ida Mae Kohn in McIvor Michigan. He graduated with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University and a MS degree in Engineering Science from University Toledo. Herb was a Registered Professional Engineer. He started his career working in the energy field, designing equipment, and providing supervision for burning fuel for powering large industrial equipment. In the last years of Herb's career, he worked as a consulting engineer at numerous nuclear plants. As a volunteer, Herb was instrumental in...

Dean Meredith Leonard, age 48 of Powder Springs, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 20, 2023. He was born to the late Wanda Marie Meador Leonard and David Meredith Leonard on May 29, 1974, in Marietta, Georgia. Dean attended Mt. Pleasant High School in San Jose, CA. Dean joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Nimitz for two and a half world tours. Dean then went into the restaurant business where he worked until his passing. Dean is survived by his brother Heath Leonard; his sisters Sabrina Holbrook and Kimberly Withka; and his nieces and nephews Savannah Cooper, Rusty Holbrook, Roan Holbrook, Josie Ruso, Victoria Leonard, Alexander Withka, Matthew Withka, Tyler Owens and Cortney...

Dr. Joseph P. Armenia passed away peacefully in Atlanta on March 5, 2023, at 87. Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of the University of Buffalo Medical School, and an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Dr. Armenia practiced internal medicine and endocrinology at offices in Hamburg and West Senica; and was on staff at Mercy, Our Lady of Victory, and St. Joseph's hospitals. He served as Chief of Endocrinology for many years and President of the Medical Staff 1988-1989 while at Mercy Hospital. Dr. Armenia was a founder of the Western New York Chapter of the American Diabetes Association and served as Chairman for many years. He was instrumental in the growth of the organization...

Ethel Smolanoff, 95, was born in Syracuse, New York on March 25, 1927, and passed away peacefully in Marietta, Georgia on February 3, 2023. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 40 years, Jacob Smolanoff. A native of Syracuse, New York, Ethel was the founder and co-owner of Towne Set, a chain of women's apparel shops in Central New York, before retiring in Pompano Beach, Florida. She was an avid reader and a wonderful cook that enjoyed gardening, traveling, dining, and a nice glass of wine. Ethel was a devoted family member. She is survived by her sister, Sadie LaTulip, her nephew Richard Annenberg (Jamie), great-nieces Amy Voakes (Rusty), and Alison Annenberg Gardiner (Tom), as well...

Luttrell, William "Billy" Passed away February 1, 2023. Services February 18, 2023. www.SouthernCremations.com

John Robert Lazenby Jr., age 73, of Lilburn, Georgia, passed away on January 29th, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. John died peacefully with his beloved wife Karen A., his children, and their spouses by his side. John was born to John R. Sr. and Nancy A. Lazenby on June 3rd, 1949, in Oil City Pennsylvania. Growing up in Andover, Ohio, John was a talented athlete who excelled in playing sports and reading books. He received his bachelor's degree in Parks & Recreation with a minor in Biology from Kent State University in Kent, OH. As a sophomore at KSU, he met his future wife, Karen. John had a successful career in Property and Casualty Insurance. His real love, however, was...

Mary Ann Hartzog passed away peacefully to be with her Lord at 1:55 pm on January 24, 2023, at the age of 81. Mary Ann was born in Clinton, South Carolina on June 14, 1941. She is predeceased by her husband James Hartzog and son, James Hartzog II. Mary Ann is lovingly remembered by daughters: Mary Perry, Libby Starke, Donna Fossett; brother: Sammy Hoover Jr; 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 1 great great-grandchild, and 5 nieces and nephews. Mary Ann enjoyed raising her children, being a mother and wife. When the children became teenagers, Mary Ann went to work for Auto Trader. Mary Ann retired from Auto Trader at 51 years old. Mary Ann loved life and loved to be on the go. Mary...

Diane Essaff Giles, 82 passed away at her home in Powder Springs Georgia on January 6, 2023. She was born in Worcester MA on October 29, 1940 to Joseph and Georgiana Essaff. The family made the move to Roberta Georgia while Diane was still a child. In the Fall of 1964 she moved to Atlanta Georgia where she later met her husband of 50 years, Jimmy Giles. Diane's life was devoted to glorifying Jesus in all that she did. She was a loving and supportive mother to her daughter Stacy and son-in-law Michael. To her grandsons Matthew and Ethan; she was their biggest and loudest fan. Diane gave kindness and laughter freely to everyone she met. To those who knew her as a friend; she was a...

Patricia Darlene Thomas, Darlene to all that knew and loved her, passed away on December 29, 2022 at the age of 79 in Dallas, Georgia. Born June 16, 1943 in Columbus, Georgia, Darlene was the eldest of 5 children born to Julia Juanita Fuller, also of Columbus. She was married to the love of her life William "Bill" Thomas in 1959 and celebrated 63 years of marriage prior to her passing. Darlene was preceded in death by her son William S. Thomas, Jr. of Phenix City, Alabama, her grandson Lane R. Jordan of Dallas, Georgia, her sister Lenora Westberry of LaGrange, Georgia, and her brother Lorrell Reed of Columbus, Georgia. She is survived by her husband, William "Bill" Thomas of Phenix City,...

Billy Jeff Rakestraw, of Cobb County, Georgia, passed away in Cartersville, GA, on Monday, Dec 26, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents William Paul Rakestraw and Zonie Mae Wilson Rakestraw. Sarge, as he was known by his friends, was born on April 2, 1932, in Cobb County, Georgia. He attended Douglas County High School in Douglasville. At the age of 17, in July 1949, he enlisted in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. Sarge proudly served for 20 years and was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and received numerous citations. He was a member of the Air Defense Guided Missile Group and was trained to use nuclear weapons with...

Sandra Sonja Lila Lekander "Sandy" Weers was born in 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Elma and James Lekander. Her father passed away in the early 1950s, leaving her mom to raise seven kids alone until she married Edsel Davidson. Sandy grew up on the family farm in Kimball, MN with her six sisters and one brother, sometimes sleeping multiple kids to a bed and helping her mom do work hanging wallpaper. After graduating from Kimball High School, Sandy worked in the headquarters of Lutheran Brotherhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1962, Sandy met her husband George David Weers on a blind date set up by a friend. The two were married on May 4, 1963 and lived in Minneapolis, MN, Dallas, TX,...

Drexley C Barksdale of Marietta, Georgia, passed away on December 16, 2022 at the age of 78. He is preceded in death by his parents Mary Sybil and Locke Barksdale; his brothers Michael Barksdale and Cary Barksdale. He graduated from Headland High School in East Point, Georgia and received 3 degrees from Mercer University. He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy. After his discharge, he was employed by Eastern Airlines. He next worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and retired from the FAA in 1994. After he retired, he started and operated his landscape business for almost 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Pamela L. Barksdale of Marietta, Georgia; his daughter and son-in-law,...

James Ralph Broom Sr.,85, of Lithia Springs went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 9, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Emily Ann McGouirk Broom and 4 children. James Ralph Broom Jr. (Susan Hoge), Kenneth Hamilton Broom, Kathleen Hilma Broom, and William Nelson Broom (Eugenia Armas). He is survived by 8 grandchildren, Jacob Hamilton Broom, Jordan Thomas Broom, Andrew Skylar Broom, James Ralph Broom III (Amanda Libby), Caroline Emily Broom, Sergei Cupertino Valenzuela, Samuel James Broom, and Owen McGouirk Broom and 4 great grandchildren, Madison India Templeton-Broom, William Levi Hamilton Templeton-Broom, James Ralph Broom IV, and Victoria Ann Broom. He is also...

Dene Pate Sutton, age 95, passed away peacefully at home on November 22, 2022 at 9:48 a.m. She was born on July 9, 1927 in Jackson County (Gainesboro), Tennessee to John Henry and Flora (Porterfield) Pate. She was married July 16, 1949 to the late Billy Sutton of Nashville, Tennessee. They moved to Marietta, Georgia in 1954 for Mr. Sutton's employment at Lockheed-Martin Aircraft. Mrs. Sutton was retired from Rich's at Cumberland Mall. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Marietta. She bowled in Brunswick Zone Bowling 50+ League for over 25 years. Mrs. Sutton was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Billy July 26, 1983, her infant brother and little sister Lula Mai...