Varnell, Ronald "Ronny" Dixie

Thursday, May 03, 2012
Ronny Varnell
Ronny Varnell

Ronald “Ronny” Dixie Varnell, 58, of Chattanooga, died on Thursday, May 3, 2012 in a local hospital.

Ronny was a 1971 graduate of Brainerd High School and was most recently employed with Capital Toyota, though he spent many years before working as a delivery driver all across the country.  He made friends wherever he would go with his jovial personality and kept his family laughing with all of his antics.  Ronny enjoyed fishing, watching NASCAR, playing the lottery, eating Krystals, and caring for his parakeets.  

He was preceded in death by his father, William B. Varnell, and his twin brother and best friend, Donald C. Varnell.

Survivors include his mother, Virginia M. Varnell; sister, Patti Perlaky, both of Chattanooga; brother, Mike Varnell, Nashville; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, close cousins, and many good friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 5, at 1 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Dr. Richard Mason officiating. Burial will follow in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 850 Fortwood Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.  

The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Perlaky for his valiant efforts with Ronny’s medical care for the past several years. He helped give us more time with Ronny, and we are forever grateful.

To share your expressions of sympathy, please visit his online guestbook at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 4, from 4–8 p.m., and Saturday, from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, located at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.


Reno, Claude William

Claude William Reno, 80, of Chattanooga, died on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at his residence. Services will be private. Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Inc., Highway 58 Chapel, 622-3171. (click for more)

Upshaw, Eddie Mae

Eddie Mae Upshaw, 92, died on May 20, 2013 at a local health care facility. Arrangements will be announced by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995. (click for more)

McCaleb, Ruby Lucille Rollins (Dalton)

Ruby Lucille Rollins McCaleb, 90, of Dalton, GA, passed away Sunday May 19, 2013 at her residence.  She was the daughter of the late William and Ruby Turner Rollins; and was also preceded in death by her husband, Hubert McCaleb; daughter and son-in-law, Carol ann and John Heinen; step-father, Lewis J. Poe; and brothers, Robert Rollins and William Wayne Rollins.  Lucille ... (click for more)

Hammontree, Charles R. (Dawnville)

Charles R. Hammontree, 70, of the Dawnville Community, GA, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Hamilton Medical Center.  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela Hammontree Barron; and parents, Roy & Ruby Hammontree.  He is survived by his wife, Betty Newton Hammontree of the residence; grandchildren, Zach Dills, Haley & Rocky Burt and Angel ... (click for more)

Man Sought In Murder Of Pregnant Wife On Lovell Road Commits Suicide In Gordon County Motel

Terry Lee Releford, who police were seeking in the the murder of his pregnant wife Tammy Releford on Lovell Road on Sunday, has taken his own life. On Monday, Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies working with Georgia law enforcement and the United States Marshall Service located the 34-year-old Releford at the Budget Inn motel at 1442 U.S. Highway 41 in Gordon County, ... (click for more)

Atwood Gets 9-Year Prison Sentence In Traffic Death Of Friend

A man who police said was traveling 70 miles per hour on a side street in St. Elmo when he wrecked and killed one of his close friends was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison. Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern told Robert Allen "Bobby" Atwood, 22, "There is way too much of this going on. Young people need a wakeup call. Let the message go out." Atwood will be eligible ... (click for more)