Obituaries from the Wednesday, December 14, 2024 E-Edition

Dr. John Allen

Dr. John Allen, 92, of Calhoun, passed away on Dec. 13, 2024, at his residence following a brief illness.
Born on Feb. 6, 1932, in Carroll County, Ga., Dr. Allen was the son of Eulice Alexander Allen and Maggie Lee Clay. He had one sister, Kathryn Snyder, of Jackson, Ga., who preceded him in death.

Dr. Allen married his first wife, Kathleen, in 1952, with whom he had three children: Bruce, Melinda, and Scott. Kathleen passed away in 1992. In 1994, he married Faye Cornelison Allen, and together they welcomed Faye’s son, John, into their family.

A Navy veteran, Dr. Allen served in Korea from 1952 to 1954 and was honorably discharged. He attended Douglas County High School and earned his Bachelor’s degree from West Georgia College in 1961. He continued his studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received both his Master’s in Theology in 1965 and his Doctor of Ministry in 1978.

Dr. Allen was a lifelong Baptist minister, ordained in 1957, and continued to serve until recently. He served as senior pastor of Belmont Baptist Church for 15 years, baptizing nearly 400 individuals. He also taught for 14 years at the Gordon County Adult Christian Education Center and served as chaplain for Law Enforcement Seminars as well as the Gordon County Sheriff’s Department.

Throughout his life, Dr. Allen had a passion for travel, visiting places as far as Israel, Egypt, Scotland, and Norway, but he also cherished time spent at his lake house with family and friends. He enjoyed cycling the country roads of West Georgia.

In addition to his wife Faye, Dr. Allen is survived by his children: Johnny Bruce Allen (Laura) of Marietta; Melinda Allen Erwin of Calhoun; Kevin Scott Allen (formerly married to Brandi) of Roswell; and stepson John Cornelison (Angie) of Calhoun. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jason Allen, Rachel Curry, Tyler Erwin, Olivia Allen, Elizabeth Allen; step-grandchildren Emilee and Dodd; and three great-grandchildren: Gavin, Lucy, and Kimber.

Dr. Allen was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Kathleen, and his sister Kathryn.

A visitation was held on Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 2-4 p.m. at Belmont Baptist Church, with the funeral service following at 4 p.m. His sons, Dr. Bruce Allen and Rev. Scott Allen, delivered messages, and his daughter, Melinda, will also speak. Pallbearers included Tyler Erwin, Michael Carraway, Dodd Cornelison, and Larry Hand. Jason Allen also served as an honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Belmont Baptist Church. Dr. Allen will be interred privately at the Georgia National Cemetery.

Dr. Allen’s legacy as a devoted servant of God, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather will be cherished by all who knew him.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com.
Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Dr. John Allen.

Larry Black

Larry C. Black, age 82, of Calhoun, passed away Monday, December 16th at his residence.

Services to celebrate Larry’s life will be conducted Friday, December 20th at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Thomas Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Larry may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children online at lovetotherescue.org or by mail to 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 12 until 2 p.m.

Complete arrangements will be announced later.

Bobby Gentry

Bobby Henry Gentry, 87, of Calhoun, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. He was born in Rome on Aug. 16, 1937, to the late Ted and Dora Hensley Gentry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Edna Crider.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Virginia Sue Gentry; son, David Henry Gentry; and granddaughter, Destiny Lynn Gentry.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 p.m.

The funeral service will follow on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Hibberts and Rev. Eddie Brannon officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers are Dennis McCallister, Tony McClure, Ted Crider, Larry Rogers, Charlie Allen, Larry Rawlins, Mike Green, Seth Green, and Charles Bradford.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Bobby Henry Gentry.

Debrah Levitt

Mrs. Debrah “Debey” Skinner Levitt, age 60, of Calhoun, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at AdventHealth Gordon.

Mrs. Levitt was born in Jasper, Ala., on Dec. 17, 1963, to Mr. Valdiva Skinner and Mrs. Ebb Wickman. Mrs. Levitt was a graduate of Cordova High School class of 1982. After graduating high school, she became a licensed cosmetologist and was a traveling platform artist, teaching at different cosmetology conventions around the country. After a very successful career as a hairdresser, she decided to further her education and continued to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education from Kennesaw State University in 2008. Following her graduation from KSU, Mrs. Levitt began her teaching career with Sylvan of Rome and The Academy of Rome and Cartersville. She loved listening to The Allman Brothers, hiking, roller skating, shooting pool and playing pinball. As an avid reader, her favorite pastime was to be lost in a good novel, in which she would usually read until she either finished the book or fell asleep. In her younger days, she loved to write poetry, sew, and make jewelry.

Mrs. Levitt was of the non-denominational faith. She will be missed by her family and all of the many lives that she touched.

She is preceded in death by her step-father, Stan Wickman. Survivors include her husband of 30 years, Mr. Ty Levitt; two children, Jeremiah Levitt and his fiancé, Kelli Skokowski of Rome and Reilly Cheyenne Levitt of Calhoun; her adopted son, Mr. John Cimino; her mother, Mrs. Ebb Wickman; her father and step-mother, Val and Shelia Skinner; three brothers, Steve Skinner and his wife Karen, Eddie Wickman and David Wickman; three sisters, Valerie Markham, Michelle Wickham, and Missy Davis; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Reynolds Funeral Home with Fred Wagner officiating. Interment will follow in Fain Cemetery in Calhoun. Gentlemen serving as pallbearers include Larry Cox, John Cimino, Trent Miller, David Levitt, Steve Skinner, and Kyle Green.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 19th from 12 – 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

You may sign the online register book at www.reynoldsfhrome.com
Reynolds Funeral Home of Rome is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Deby Skinner Levitt of Calhoun.

Timothy Parker

Mr. Timothy Lee “Tim” Parker, age 51, of Calhoun, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday morning, Dec. 11, 2024.

Born on Jan.12, 1973, in Calhoun, Tim was known for his unwavering work ethic and dedication. He was employed at Dan Barrett Construction in Jasper, Georgia, where he took pride in his craft. Tim was a man who worked hard every day, always striving to do his best for his family and those around him. He was also a great mechanic and handyman.

Tim was deeply committed to his loved ones and was a pillar of support for his family and friends. He was a devoted father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. His family was his greatest treasure, and he cherished every moment spent with them. Tim had a heart of gold and would go out of his way to help anyone in need, no matter the circumstances. His kindness and willingness to assist others were an inspiration to all who knew him. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready to make people laugh, bringing joy to every gathering.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arvil Lee Parker; his grandparents, James and Ruby Hall, Charles and Irene Parker; and his uncle, Anthony Tony Parker.

Tim is survived by his mother, Linda Hall Parker; his son, Tyler Parker; his grandson, Isaiah Parker; his soul mate, Jamie Parker; his brother, Stephen Wade Parker (Lindsey Blankenship); his sisters, Tammy Parker Clayton (Anthony), all of Calhoun, GA, and Crystal Brock (Robert Long) of Ringgold, GA; his nieces and nephews, Lisa and Chris Blevins, Jessica Brock, James and Ashley Parker, Lee and Megan Clayton, Gauge White, and Bobby White; several aunts, uncles, great-nephews and great-nieces, as well as many friends who loved him dearly.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Timothy Lee “Tim” Parker will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Ponders Calhoun Chapel, with Reverend Chris Hall officiating. He will be laid to rest at Chandler Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Anthony Clayton, James Parker, Lee Clayton, Chris Cartwright, Mike Stepp, and Roy Burgess. Honorary pallbearers will be Lisa Blevins, Brian Woodring, and Gauge White.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Calhoun Chapel on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday, December 19, 2024, after 10:00 a.m. until the service hour.

Arrangements by Ponders Calhoun Chapel, 675 Jolley Rd, Calhoun, GA 30701, 706-625-7577. www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org