Obituaries

David Rushing Fryer

10/21/1958-7/9/2025

David Rushing Fryer, age 66, of Leighton, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

David was born October 21, 1958, in Atlanta, Georgia to his father and mother, John and Linnea Fryer. David was the third child of four. David's beloved surviving siblings are Debbie Randall, John Fryer and Patricia Carter. 

David is a beloveded husband to Shari Fryer. They were together for 29 years and married for 24 years. He cherished his wife and loved her deeply. David became a beloved father in 1996, raising two daughters as his own. His oldest daughter is Felicia Grant (Dustin Grant) and youngest daughter, Lorielle Coffey (Jason Coffey). There was nothing he loved more in life than being a father until he became a grandfather.  He loved and lived for all seven grandchildren, Christian Grant 18, Stephanie Coffey 16, Jordyn Elizabeth Grant 15, Brittney Coffey 14, Alexis Grant 12, Dustin Jr. 7, and Emily Coffey 5.

David was a honest, caring, loving, supportive, dependable, hard-working, family man. He was a entrusted Hazmat over the road truck driver for almost 30 years. It was a dream job of his because he loved to see the world. He had traveled and seen all states including Canada and Mexico except Hawaii and Alaska. His favorite place to visit was Canada. He loved it there. He was a avid reader and enjoyed family time, discussing politics and enjoyed free time watching YouTube. 

He looked forward to retirement, starting a garden and enjoying his grandchildren. David was intelligent, had a keen sense of humor, and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need that he could help. He was a selfless man, and he remained that way even after death by being a donor and giving hope and life to people he didn't even know. He sacrificed and loved deeply for his family and anyone that has met him would say he was a true blessing to life. His family will Love, Honor, Cherish & Carry his memory forever. 

A Celebration of life will be decided at a later date.

Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Chattanooga, 1345 Hickory Valley Road, Suite B, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 825-9915. 

Ronald Earl Cumbie

7/30/1946-6/4/2025

Ronald Earl Cumbie, 83, of Chattanooga, TN passed peacefully in his home on June 21, 2025. Ron was born in Athens, Texas to Jeana Merle Stogner and Edgar McTerry Cumbie. The oldest of three siblings, Ron was a paperboy in his youth and an avid reader. After high-school, he obtained a degree in education from Stephen F. Austin University and taught school in underprivileged communities in El Paso. Soon he began what would become his career, as an educator and administrator in the Job Corps at Camp Luna, near Las Vegas, New Mexico. It was in Las Vegas where he met and married the love of his life, Marcelina Montoya Cumbie, and they became a family with the birth of a daughter, Waverly Jeana, and a son, Byron McTerry.

Ron eventually transferred to locations in Arizona and Virginia before settling in 1974 at a Job Corps Center located in the Daniel Boone National Forest at Pine Knot, Kentucky. Here he continued his work; over the course of his life helping hundreds of disadvantaged youths to obtain a GED certificate and learn valuable trade skills.

Ron also invested himself deeply into his community, becoming a PTA President, volunteer church bus driver, President of the Lions Club, newspaper columnist, and Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge in Stearns.

After the birth of their first grandchild, Ron and Margie relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee where they spent their twilight years being grandparents and Ron fed his lifelong curiosity about historic people and places.

Ron was known by many for his intellect, his considerate nature, for being a good neighbor and citizen. He was fond of bright shirts with classic cars printed on them, early rock and roll music, and folk art. He maintained several lifelong friendships through hand-written letters, and would often include thoughtful newspaper clippings that had reminded him of the recipient.

Ron kept a daily journal for over fifty years, noting world events, the weather, and especially his pride in the accomplishments of his friends and family. He was particularly patient with children and kind to animals, passing his love of nature and conservation on to anyone he could.

Ron was preceded in death by his beloved wife Margie, his sister Vanda and her husband Pablo, and his brother-in-law Eugenio. He is survived by his daughter Jeana (Oistein), son Byron, granddaughters Haley, Kelsey, and Willow, sister Terry, sister in law Sophia, brothers in law Toby, David, and Clyde, beloved nieces and nephews and extended friends and family.

Ron’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers that anyone wishing to serve Ron’s memory would simply do a kind act for a neighbor or something toward the preservation of nature.

Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Center of Chattanooga 1345 Hickory Valley Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421. 423.362.5999

Linda Picklesimer

7/30/1946-6/4/2025

Linda Picklesimer, a beloved mother, and long-time resident of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025 at the age of 78.

Born in July, 1946, Linda dedicated her life to her family, her career, and her community. A proud graduate of Western Illinois University, Linda earned her Master of Science in Recreation and Park Administration, a field in which she would go on to make a lasting impact. She worked for many years at the University of West Georgia, where her contributions to the university community were deeply valued.

In addition to her professional achievements, Linda was an active member of several local organizations. She served on various committees with the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) and was a strong advocate for student engagement and community building. Linda was also a committed member of Carrollton’s Community Theatre and Rotary, Habitat for Humanity and The American Cancer Society where her passion for the arts and service to others was felt by many. In 1996 she was chosen as a community hero to carry the torch for the Olympics. 

Linda is survived by her daughters, Jenni Kilby of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Jacki Gillespie of Todos Santos, Mexico; her stepdaughter, Lana Hitt of Bowdon, Georgia; and her stepson, John Picklesimer of Atlanta, Georgia. Plus, many grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John Picklesimer. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues, all of whom were touched by her kindness, generosity, and unwavering support.

In lieu of flowers the family asked that you donate to the National Stroke Association.

Linda will always be remembered for her quiet strength, her dedication to her work and community, and the profound love she showed to those closest to her. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, and she will never be forgotten.



Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Center of Chattanooga 1345 Hickory Valley Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421. 423.825.9915

Mardell Elaine Patz

8/31/1943- 5/11/2025

Mardell Elaine Patz, 81, of Dunlap, TN, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 11, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends.

Mardell was born on August 31, 1943, in Bottineau, North Dakota, to Lyle and Amelia Mabel McGarry (Baune). She cherished her family, friends, and pets, especially her beloved little dog, Corky. As the matriarch of her family, she brought warmth to everyone with a smile as big as her laugh and generous hugs for family and strangers alike.

Mardell lived an adventurous life, having spent her early years in Indiana before moving west to California, where she and her husband raised their children, eventually settling in Tennessee in her later years. She loved to have fun, and her hobbies included riding horses, playing cards and backgammon, and dancing.

Mardell is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Nelson Patz, her parents, and her siblings, Wilmer, Donna Mae, Myrna, Dion, and Richard, as well as her grandchildren, Kisha and Christopher, and her great-grandchild, Madison.

She is survived by her children, Vicky Whitaker, Velvet Norris, Lisa Landers, Elizabeth Rude and Wade Patz. Her grandchildren include Lo’Rae Hibbetts, Melissa Hibbetts, Letha Henderson, Brian Martin, Steven Martin, Johnny Norris, Joshua Norris, Michael Norris, Matthew Norris, Mark Norris, Kelly Booth, Joseph Strickland, Elaine Goins, Ryan Landers, Kayla Rude, Robert Rude, Thomas Patz, Lance Patz, Tamra Patz, and Devin Patz, along with numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life will take place at 3 PM Sunday, May 18, 2025, at RedFox Service & Repair Inc. in Trenton, GA.

The family requests that flowers be sent to RedFox Service and Repair Inc. for the service.

Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Chattanooga, 1345 Hickory Valley Road, Suite B, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

William Christopher Hugmeyer

03/30/1948-04/9/2025

William Christopher Hugmeyer passed away at Erlanger Baroness Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 19, 2025.

William’s passions were nature and art. One of his great loves was photography. He spent his last years enjoying nature and taking pictures of the things he loved. William will be remembered for his bravery while serving our country during the Vietnam War. He is a Purple Heart recipient and served 2 tours during his time in the U.S. Army. William will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Patricia Hugmeyer, and his sister Sandy Scholl.

Still with us are his brother, Mark Hugmeyer, his children, Nadine Hugmeyer, William C. Hugmeyer Jr., and Tracy Sanchez, as well as 10 grandkids and 8 great-grandkids.

Graveside service will be held Friday, June 6^th at 12:30pm at Chattanooga National Cemetery 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org or Vietnam Veterans of America at www.vva.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Center of Chattanooga 1345 Hickory Valley Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421. 423.825.9915.

Dr. Walter Puckett

3/22/1931-01/31/2025

Dr. Walter Puckett, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025 at his home on Signal Mountain, Tennessee, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 22, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama the son of the late Sara and Walter Puckett.

Dr. Puckett’s life was marked by dedication, compassion, and a profound impact on those who knew him. He graduated from Vanderbilt Medical School. He served in the Navy as a doctor in the Underwater Demolition Team now known as the Navy SEALs. Following his military service, he returned to Vanderbilt to do a 2 year Cardiology Fellowship, and then completed his residency at Johns Hopkins. After which he taught at the University of Florida Medical School before joining the late Dr. Fred Ballard in the Cardiology and Internal Medicine practice in Chattanooga in January of 1963.

His family was very touched by recent posts in an Erlanger hospital employee page on Facebook. The word “legend” was often used to describe him and his career. Their descriptions during his morning rounds at the hospital, of his intimidating presence (for those new to working with him), his fierce advocacy of his patients, and his sense of humor were beautiful to read.

Throughout his career, Dr. Puckett received many accolades including receiving the first Distinguished Physician Award from the Baroness Foundation in 2004. He was known for his advocacy work for the less fortunate and his love of teaching residents from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. He was proud of his Champions of Health Care Volunteer Award in 2016 for his work as the first medical director for Project Access, an organization that has provided free health care for thousands in the Chattanooga area.

Dr. Puckett was also an avid outdoorsman. He became an expert in whitewater canoeing, snow skiing, sporting clays, and glider piloting.  He developed a deep love for fly fishing, which took him all the way from Alaska to Argentina. In his later years, he doggedly kept his daily routine of daily walks outside, especially enjoying the Chickamauga Dam footpaths on the Riverwalk and seeing his “dam friends”.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, his sons, John (Kim) and Bill, his cherished granddaughters, Chapel and Carter, and his dog, Roscoe. Linda and Walter were married for 63 years, providing an example to all of us of what a marriage should be.

Dr. Puckett was a member of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church where a private family service will be held. Later there will be a family and friends reception at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club on March 15, 2015 at 5 PM to visit and tell stories and celebrate Dr. Puckett’s life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, CHATT Foundation, Humane Educational Society or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Center of Chattanooga 1345 Hickory Valley Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421. 423.362.5999