Rome News-Tribune

Mr. Elton Edward "Flipper" Colding, age 82 of Floyd Springs, passed away Thursday October 21, 2021 at his residence. Mrs. Colding was born June 4, 1939, in Floyd County a son of late John Isbin Colding, and Etta Colding. He was a retired heavy equipment operator. He was preceded in death by a son, Elton Dewayne Colding. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Willine Colding, childen, Bobby (Susan) Colding, Randy (Lisa) Colding, Gail (Bill) Holloway, Mark (Shae) Colding, Crystal (Paul) Loyd, grandchildren, Sierra, Tonya, Daniel, Andrew, Adam, Justin, Scott, Johnathan, Shayne, Brandi, Austin, Alexis, Ashleigh, Corey, great grandchildren, Maddy, Rosey, Brooklyn, Kaylee, Jaxton, Charlee,...

Mr. M. Drew Vann, age 93, passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Vann was born in Rome, Georgia on June 17, 1928, son of the late Willie David Vann and the late Zella Mae Williams Vann. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Alvis Stone Vann, and by six siblings, Wanda Early, Burt Vann, Cody Vann, Eleanor, Jennie Jo, and Shirley Fergoda. Mr. Vann was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving during the Korean War. Prior to retirement, Mr. Van worked for the Southern Company as Manager of Coal Handling. Drew Vann was a man who loved his mother and provided for her until her passing. He was known as being plain spoken and not afraid of a challenge. He was a...

Mr. James Willis "Jim" Lynch age 71, of Rome, GA, passed away at his residence Wednesday morning, October 20, 2021. A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held Friday, October 22, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in Sherwood Baptist Church. For a complete obituary please visit www.salmonfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Merroll J. Smith, age 84, of Rome, GA, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Smith was born in Dekalb County, AL on April 1, 1937, son of the late Opal Oscar Smith and the late Naomi Monroe Smith. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Faye Elizabeth Kilgore Smith, by an infant son, Gregory Merroll Smith, and by a brother, Billy Gene Smith. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Smith was employed for many years with Temple-Inland in Rome. He was a Charter Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Gen. Nathan B. Forrest Camp #469, here in Rome and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include 3 sons, James Michael Smith (Susan), Labelle, FL, David Raymond...

Mr. Malcolm Yarbrough, age 82, of Rome, GA, passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Malcolm was born in Summerville, GA on June 22, 1939, son of late Robert Horton Yarbrough and the late Annie Mae King Yarbrough. He was also preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters. Malcolm worked for several years at General Electric in the maintenance department, and at Pinecrest Auto Body & Golf Carts. He was a member of Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife of 33 years of marriage, Brenda Yarbrough; children, Larry Yarbrough, Gary Yarbrough (Annette), Marty Boozer (Connie), Marcey Benefield (Scott), and Rusty Boozer (Erika); 13 grandchildren; 12 great...

Theresa Lane Vann, age 38, of Rome, GA, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at a local hospital. Theresa was born in Cartersville, GA on January 16, 1983, the daughter of Alan Frederick Lane and Dorothy Louise Peacock Lane. Theresa was Salutatorian of the Cass High School Class of 2001. She graduated from Shorter University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and her Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Georgia. She was currently working for the Floyd County Board of Education as a social worker in the Coosa District. She also worked with the S.A.C or Sexual Assault Center. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, J. B. Lane and William Jerry Peacock. She...

Mrs. Bettie Lee White, age 90, of Rome, GA, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021. Bettie was born in Gordon County, Georgia on August 28, 1931, daughter of the late Miller Sylvester Amos and the late Mammie Velma Reece Amos. Bettie was a homemaker and she graduated from Armuchee High School with the class of 1948. She was a member of Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church. Bettie was a devoted wife, mother, and daughter, and she loved her family and friends. She will be missed by all. Survivors include her husband of 69 years, Billy White; daughters, Lisa Holley (Ricky), and Linda Atkins (Logan); three grandchildren, Seth Holley (Maggie), Drake Holley, and Shannon Dodd (Gregory); four...

Jason Keith Pendley, age 40, of Kingston, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at Redmond Regional in Rome. Jason was born in Rome, Georgia on January 2, 1981. Son of Dennis Pendley and the late Wendy Brannon. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Tracy Brannon. Jason worked as a shop manager with Trimac Transportation. Jason was a caring and loving father, husband, friend, brother, and son. He wanted the best for everyone he cared about. Jason was always there for his brother, Wayne. They always had each other's backs. It's a special relationship to have with a sibling. Jason has two girls. Two girls he loved tremendously. Two girls that were brought into this world by his...

Mr. Bobby Ray Graham, age 74, of Rome, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at a local hospital.Mr. Graham was born in Rome, Georgia on January 11, 1947, son of the late Elbert Lee Graham and the late Lorene Estelle Hall Graham. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Paul Graham. Mr. Graham was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force serving from 1966-1970 during the Vietnam War. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Prior to retirement, Mr. Graham worked for Lockheed Martin. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Gribble Graham, Rome; a son, Jason Graham (Kim), Shanghai, China; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Graham. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 21....

Gail Marie Highfield, age 59, of Rome, GA, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 17, 2021, surrounded by her family. Funeral services for Gail will be Wednesday afternoon, October 20, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in the Alvis Miller Memorial Chapel of Salmon Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Rome Memorial Park. For a complete obituary please visit www.salmonfuneralhome.com.

Ms. Brenda Kaye Matthews, age 56, of Rome, GA, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at her residence. Ms. Matthews was born in Marietta, GA, on August 13, 1965, daughter of the late Robert Franklin Lester and the late Martha Lester Davis. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Berry Lester. Ms. Matthews was a 1983 graduate of Pepperell High School. She was a homemaker who loved cooking, flowers, and her grandchildren more than anything. She was of the Methodist faith. Survivors include her 2 children, Cole Spears, Rome, and Makayla Matthews, Jacksonville, AL; 3 siblings, Linda Patty (Kenny), Lindale, Bob Lester (Julie), Dallas, and Glenn Lester (Billie Jo), Dallas; 2...

Mr. William Franklin "Skipper" Baker, age 73, of Lindale, GA, passed away Saturday, October 16, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Baker was born in Rome, GA on October 27, 1947, son of the late Paul Edward Baker, Sr., and the late Myrtle Frances Fricks Baker. He was also preceded in death by a nephew, Paul Edward Baker, III. He attended Pepperell Schools in Lindale. Mr. Baker was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded two Purple Hearts for his injuries. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as an operator with I. B. E. W. Local #84 at Georgia Power's Plant Bowen in Euharlee. Survivors include his brother, Paul E. Baker, Jr.,...

Mrs. Janis Bagley Mull of Rome, GA. passed away October 15th 2021 at her residence in Silver Creek, GA. Jan was born April 21st 1948, daughter of the late James Darwin Bagley and the late Mildred "Billy" Wallace Bagley. She was a graduate of East Rome High School where she met and married her soulmate Ronnie Lee Mull. Jan loved Georgia "Bull Dawgs" football, the Rome Symphony Orchestra, gardening and spending time with family and friends at their vacation home in Laguna Beach Florida. Jan was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Ronnie Lee Mull, her beloved son Jason Lee Mull and her sister Chalice "Debra" Bagley Hammond of Charleston SC. Jan is survived by her daughter Jessica...

Mrs. Sue Henley Whitehead, age 80, of Rome, GA, passed away Thursday, October 14, 2021. Mrs. Whitehead was born in Eupora, MS on June 22, 1941, a daughter of the late Walter B. Henley and the late Ruby Smith Henley. Sue had lived the greater part of her life in Rome where she grew up in the Celanese Village. She had a love for quilting and enjoyed shopping with her friends. Sue was a member of the Riverside Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Ann Lambert. Sue is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, Lamar Whitehead of Rome; two daughters: Lisa Townsend and her husband, Greg, Dalton and Lori Whitehead, Rome; three...

Edward William (Bill) Darby, age 53, of Rome, died Wednesday, October 13, 2021, following a fall at his residence. Bill was born on September 1, 1968, the only son of the late Charles E. and Rosalyn Ashcraft Darby. He was a 1986 graduate of Pepperell High School and went on to earn two degrees from Georgia Tech, the first in industrial management and the second in mechanical engineering, a field in which he worked for many years. Before the health problems that troubled him in the last 10 years of his life, Bill enjoyed an active lifestyle, including kayaking and especially mountain biking. He completed an Ironman 70.3 (a half Ironman) in New Orleans. He was a volunteer member of the...

Mr. James Hammond Crider, Jr., age 84, of Rome, GA, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Crider was born in Floyd County, GA on August 1, 1937, the son of the late James Hammond Crider, Sr. and the late Lois Louise Owens Crider. He graduated from Coosa High School. He was the founder of Crider Plumbing and worked tirelessly to make it a successful business. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kent Hammond Crider, and by his siblings, Jean Keener, Barbara Hall, and Jerry Crider. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Cartlidge Crider; his children, Karen Crider Burton, Kristopher Lawrence Crider, and...

Ronald G. Cockrel, age 88, of Woodstock, Ga. passed away to be with his Heavenly Father on October 10, 2021. He is survived by his son, Donald Cockrel, daughter-in-law Suzanne Cockrel, and grandson Zack Cockrel. Ron was born in Joppa Illinois on September 10, 1933. He was a Veteran with 2 years spent in the Army. Ron graduated from the University of Missouri with a Forestry Degree. He was predeceased by his sister Pat Dyer and loved wife Margaret Ellen Cockrel. Before moving to Woodstock following the passing of Margaret, Ron lived in Rome, Georgia for 20 years where he worked at Georgia Pacific International Paper Corporation. Ron was an active member of First United Methodist Church...

Martha Kathleen Harris Baird, 84, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 10, 2021. A graveside service will be held in Decatur, MS, on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at 10:00 am. For a complete obituary please visit www.salmonfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Louis M. McNeal, age 66, died Saturday, October 9, 2021. Mr. McNeal was born on May 9, 1955, in Rome, GA, to the late H. P. McNeal, Sr. and the late Myrid S. McNeal. He retired from the United States Air Force where he served as a repair specialist on F-16 fighter jets. He graduated from Pepperell High School and kept in contact with many of his close friends all his life. In the spring and summer of 1973, he hiked the entire Appalachian Trail with his friend, Bruce McEver. In the words of his dear friend, Jackie Welchel, "Louis was super smart in school, athletic, and so kindhearted and funny." His neighbors, Randall and Phillip Murphy, were so important to him and lifelong...