Obituaries from the Weekend, September 7, 2024 E-Edition

Ollie Cox

Ollie Ruth Coffey Cox, 83, of Huntsville, Ala., passed away on Sept. 2, 2024, after a brief illness. Ruth was born in Auburn, Ala. on Nov. 13, 1940. She was raised in Albertville, Ala. After graduating from Albertville High School, she attended Snead State Community College and Jacksonville State University, where she earned a degree in education. Ruth went on to earn a Master’s degree from Georgia State.

She spent her entire teaching career in Georgia where she taught elementary school in Lilburn, Smyrna and Ellijay. In 1991, Ruth was a founding member of Talking Rock Creek Chapel in Oakman.

Ruth married Jule Cox in December 1999. After Jule’s passing, she moved back to Alabama. Ruth became an active member of Whitesburg Baptist Church, where she enjoyed being involved in Morning Glories, her Life Group, and many other ministries.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father, Pleasant Lee Coffey, her mother, Opal Faye Coffey; her husband, Jule Cox; and her fiancé, Gerry Staton. She is survived by sisters, Mary (Jackie) Leonard, and Martha (Lamar) Clayton; nieces, Lara (Andy) Grose, Stephanie Clayton, and Lindalee Clayton-Learned (Tom); great-nephews, Drew and Tyler Grose; daughter-in-love, Debi Edwards (Tom); and a host of cousins.

Visitation was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at Whitesburg Baptist South Campus. The service followed at noon with Rev. Harold Fanning officiating. Burial was on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at noon at Haven of Rest Memorial Park in Calhoun, with Rev. Eddie Brannon officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ollie Ruth Coffey Cox Memorial Scholarship fund at the Delta Pi Nu chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Ruth was passionate about helping young teachers and new administrators, so she established this scholarship in honor and memory of her family members who were educators. Checks can be made out to Delta Pi Nu and mailed to 345 Widow Hornbuckle Rd, New Market, AL 35761.

Arrangements by Laughlin Service Funeral Home of Huntsville, Alabama.

https://www.laughlinservice.com/obituaries/Ollie-Ruth-Coffey-Cox?obId=32988861
Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Dorothy Thomas

Dorothy Lee Rich Thomas, or more commonly known as Dot Rich, hit heaven’s gates wide open on Sept. 4, 2024. She was born Feb. 23, 1935 to Jess and Ethel Rich of Calhoun.

Dot was a 1953 graduate of Calhoun High School, where she loved to play basketball. She often said she would have failed her senior year if she could have still played the sport. After she graduated, she began her journey as a woman blazing the trail in the business world. Always looking to make money, she focused most of her younger adult days on her career. Some of her favorite stories to share were of her title as Yo-Yo Champion in 1950, her run for City of Calhoun Alderman in 1970, her mission trip to Guatemala and many other trips that she took.

On Dec. 18, 1972 she married a farmer from Scottsville, Grethel Thomas, and the city girl moved to the country. Dot made it well known that she did not like farm life, but stood beside her husband whenever he needed her. Their lives changed when, in 1977, they surprisingly welcomed a daughter, Greta Leigh, to this world. Throughout her life she worked at several places around Calhoun - Dixie Bell, Georgia Samplebook, First United Methodist Church, UGA Extension Office, Jimmy Payne’s Coast to Coast - just to name a few. Dot spent her last couple of years at Morning Pointe where she loved visiting before she became a resident. She loved being around and talking to people.

She could wheel and deal with the best and never met a stranger. If you didn’t know her before she started talking, you knew her by the time she left. Dot was well known and loved in the community. She was a member of Belmont Baptist Church, but loved visiting around and hearing the Word preached. It was a guarantee that if you stopped to talk with her, she would tell you about how blessed she was and about Jesus!

She was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Grethel Montgomery Thomas; her parents, Jesse and Ethel Rich; her brother, Billy Rich, and nieces Kay Rich Tatum and Renee Rich Henry, all of which met her at the gates with arms wide open.

Throughout her life she wore many hats - daughter, sister, mother, Mimi (probably her favorite), politician, friend, caregiver, prayer warrior, entrepreneur, missionary and Christ follower! She is survived by her daughter, Greta Thomas Hughes; granddaughter and the apple of her eye, Catelyn Rae Hughes; and her sister-in-law, Marguerite Rich. Also surviving were several nieces, nephews, cousins and a whole bunch of special friends who were like family.

The family received friends on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 from 2 PM until 4 PM at Thomas Funeral Home.
Funeral Services were conducted on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 at 4 PM from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Reverend Eddie Brannon and Reverend Jerry Adair officiating. Burial followed in Fain Cemetery.

Pallbearers serving included: Haley O’Neal, Mike Reynolds, Jake Sheriff, Jeff Tatum, Dunn Henry, Flipper McDaniel, Bud Owens and Kip Crump.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dot may be made to the Marsha McDaniel Memorial Fund or to Trinity Baptist Church: Children’s and Youth’s Ministry.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Dorothy Lee Rich Thomas.

John Wade

John H. Wade, 91, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024. He was born in Ringgold, Georgia, on April 4, 1933, to the late Colquit and Mossie Lowery Wade. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Edith Inez Wade; siblings, Jack Wade, Charlie Wade, Myra Werrell, Lucy Gray, Robert Wade, and Pearl Leonard; and granddaughter, Lori Wade.

John served his country in the United States Army and was a medic during the Korean War. He retired from Wean United in Youngstown, Ohio and Textile Rubber in Resaca, Georgia. John was an active member of the Masonic Lodge for 59 years. He was a member of the Sugar Valley Georgia Lodge, Daylight Lodge in Resaca, Georgia, and Mahoning County Hillman Lodge in Youngstown, Ohio. He was a member of Sugar Valley Church of God before he became sick and could not attend.

John is survived by his children, Allene Federico (Joe) of Sugar Valley, Kathie Rhoads (Mark) of Ringgold, Kennie Wade of Resaca; grandchildren, Renee Federico Kankaala (John), Andrew Rhoads, Christopher Rhoads (Chelsey), Leshea Burchett (David); great-grandchildren, Wade Miller, Maci Pruitt, Rudy-Jane Rhoads, Hadley Burchett, Wyatt Burchett; and special family member, Jim Miller.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home.

Funeral services will follow on Sunday, at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Freeman Ben Busie officiating and Masonic rites. Burial will follow in West Hill Cemetery and United States Military Honors will be performed. Pallbearers are the 43 Tri County Masons.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the staff of Quinton Memorial Health and Rehab in Dalton, Georgia, for the excellent care and treatment not only for their dad but also for the entire family.
The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of John H. Wade.