George Thomas Echols

George Thomas "Tom" Echols, Jr., a resident of Cleveland for the past 33 years, passed away Friday, December 19, 2008 in a local hospital. He attended Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. Mr. Echols retired after 27 years as purchasing agent from Olin Chemical Corporation. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Thomas Echols, Sr. and Ethel Hopkins Echols and two brothers: Graham Echols and William Echols. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bettye Echols of Cleveland; three children: Angela Goddard and husband, Jim of Decatur, Susan Hubbard and husband, Gary of Cleveland, Tommy Echols and wife Tammra of Severna Park, MD; eight grandchildren: Emily Goddard, Sgt. Jonathan Goddard, Timothy Goddard, Eric Hubbard, Daniel Hubbard, Margaret Hubbard, Charlotte Echols and Elizabeth Echols; three sisters: Frances Bridges of Athens, GA, Shirley Bufford of Tignall, GA and Carol Stone of Summerville, SC and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Monday, December 22, 2008 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert L. Smith officiating. Interment will be at 2:30 P.M. Tuesday in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. Eric Hubbard, Daniel Hubbard, Mike Bufford, Billy Bridges, Barry Echols and Tim Goddard will serve as pallbearers. His family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday at the church prior to the service. The family requests memorials be made to the American Lung Association. 3335 Ringgold Road Suite 105, Chattanooga, TN 37412. Ralph Buckner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Echols family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.