MELBA JO WOOTEN

Melba Jo Wooten passed away Friday, April 3rd, 2020. She was 79 years old. Mrs. Wooten moved to the area as a young girl with her family. Here, she met the love of her life, Bethel Wooten. They married in October of 1961 and lived happily until his passing in 1993. She never remarried, choosing instead to dedicate her life to her family and to Tiftonia Holiness church where she was a faithful member for almost fifty years. She will be remembered by all that knew her as a loving mother and grandmother that doted on her family. She was a kind soul that cared about the well-being of everyone around her. Mrs. Wooten was preceded in death by her husband, Bethel Wooten; her parents, William Conway and Bertie Joiner; and her brother, Aubie Joiner. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Troy) Lawson; her son, Aaron (Tina) Wooten; her grandchildren, Natasha (Tim) Parker, Hannah (Loren) Bridges, Jameson (Kristen) Wooten, and Donavan (Mallory) Lawson; several great-grandchildren; her sisters, Pat (Bobby) Franks and Loretta (Darvin) York; and a host of nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces. A private family service will be held on Friday, April 10th, 2020 with interment following at Lake Hills Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net. Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home & Crematory, Trenton, GA.

GRACE GILLEY

Grace (Rogers) Gilley of Chattanooga, Tennessee, born on March 22, 1920 to Katurah Selma and Joel Ellison Rogers, went home to be with the Lord on March 27, 2020, where she was reunited with her beloved husband, W.C. Affectionately known by her family as “Amazing Grace,” she exemplified grace and love throughout her life in all that she did. She had just celebrated her 100th birthday, at her home, surrounded by family. Grace was a loving wife of 69 years, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and the golden heart of her family. Born and raised on Sand Mountain in Geraldine, Alabama, she worked on the family farm, and helped care for her seven siblings. She played basketball at Geraldine High School, and was named Miss Geraldine in 1939. She met the love of her life, W.C., in her mother’s strawberry patch, and they soon married and moved to Chattanooga. At the onset of WWII, they moved to Detroit for two years where W.C. helped build the Spitfire airplane, and Grace became one of “Rosie’s Riveters,” building large cylinder tanks that were filled with supplies to drop to the troops. Grace and W.C. returned to Chattanooga after the war and built their home, where a lifetime of family memories were made. Grace had a gifted connection with children and was blessed to find her calling with the Chattanooga School System as a Kindergarten teacher for 32 years, primarily at John A. Patten. After serving as PTA President for many years, she was awarded the distinction of Honorary Lifetime Member of the PTA by the Tennessee Congress of Parents and Teachers. She loved her community and is fondly remembered by many former students as “their favorite teacher.” Whether it was her kindergarten class, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, cooking for her family, or coaching softball, these things brought her great joy. When school was out, it was always Grace’s yard where the neighborhood children could be found—playing ball, hide and seek and catching lightning bugs. As a member of Lookout Valley Baptist Church, she enjoyed her Sunday School class fellowship, monthly Senior Neighbors gatherings, and quilting with her friends in the Busy Bee Quilting Club. Her quilting club produced many beautiful heirloom-style quilts that will be handed down through families for generations. She loved to sing in church, and sang with her sisters-in-law in a gospel trio on the WAPO radio show for more than a year. She had a room in her home all to herself, a small room with a window, dresser, mirror and chair, dubbed her “powder room” where she would get “dolled up” for W.C. for their fun social outings, with makeup and jewelry and a “snazzy” outfit. Summers were filled with a bountiful crop of vegetables from the garden, which she graciously shared with family, friends and neighbors: home-grown tomatoes, okra, squash, beans and watermelon were just a few of the mouth-watering delights. Her homemade buttermilk biscuits, banana pudding, chocolate pie, and coconut cakes were family favorites, made from scratch with love, “a pinch of this and a dash of that,” and all made to perfection. Grace loved spending time outdoors, camping in their Scotty camper and fishing on the area lakes. She would be the one to hook the big bass, with a giant smile on her face, as W.C. nodded and grinned with approval. Family vacations to Hawaii, Sedona, St. Augustine and annual beach trips fill the memory books—spending time with family meant the world to her. In her later years, she could be seen relaxing on her front porch while visiting with family and friends, and admiring the hummingbirds and flowers in her memory garden. Grace is survived by her children, Don Gilley (Beverly), Tim Gilley, Myra Gilley Fuller (Lee); granddaughter, Tiffany Gilley Tabb (Greg); and great-granddaughters, Finley and Harper Tabb. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, W.C. Gilley. She set a shining example for living a grace-filled, godly life. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Her memory and spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends, whom she loved so dearly. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House, 200 Central Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403. Due to the current restrictions on large gatherings, a Celebration of Life for Grace will be announced at a later date. Please visit www.ryanfuneralhome.net to share memories and condolences.

JANELLA JEAN (BLACK) WOOTEN

Janella Jean (Black) Wooten, born December 8, 1938, passed away in peacefully at her Lookout Mountain home on March 23, 2020 at the age of 81. She was surrounded by family and friends that she cherished dearly. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Rev. Claude Wooten, parents Claudy and Ila Mae Black, son-in-law Ken McAllister, siblings Gwendola Bailey, Johnnie Black, Annie Gayle Black & baby brother Carter Black. She is survived by her children Sheila (Robert) Dougan, Rená (Michael) McAllister-Parker, Nathan (Monda) Wooten, and Bradley (Linda) Wooten; grandchildren Eric (Amber) McAllister, Elizabeth (Mike) London, Matisha (Christian) Barajas, Jessica (Andrew) Flaugher, Hannah (Logan) Coffey, Dexter Wooten, River Wooten, David (Bracie) Parker and Valerie Parker. Great-grandchildren are Joshua McAllister, Lincoln & Harrison Barajas, Greyson, Jack, Clara & Evie London, Alexus, Hannah & Avery Flaugher, and Hadlee Coffey. She is also survived by siblings Patty Sharp (Section, AL), Linda Roberts (Athens, TN) and Mitchell Black (Dutton, AL). “Maw Maw” Wooten was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved her church and gospel singing, and in earlier days, sewing and stitching for everyone who needed it. Her life revolved around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Scenicland Holiness Church on Lookout Mountain on Thursday (3/26) from 2-9 PM EDT and Friday (3/27) 10-2. The funeral will be held at 2 PM with Pastor Aaron Wooten and Bro. Kenneth Wayne Guffey officiating. Burial will follow immediately at Lake Hills Memorial Gardens. The family will provide gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer at the church for those who wish to be present for viewing. The family will also provide a link for live feed of the service for those who cannot attend. Pursuant to Georgia State law, the family may have to limit attendance to the funeral. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net. Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home & Crematory, Trenton, GA.