John P. Franklin Funeral Home

03/21/2026

03/20/2026

Welcome, Spring! The first day of spring reminds us that after every season of loss and hardship, renewal and hope can bloom again.

May this new season bring peace, comfort, and gentle reminders that love and cherished memories continue to live on in our hearts. 💐

03/20/2026

Walter “Rug” Daniels III, 60, formerly of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was born on April 21, 1965 to the late Walter Jr. and Earlene Daniels in Chattanooga, TN, and entered eternal rest on March 10, 2026.

He was a proud graduate of Kirkman “Golden Hawks” High School, Class of 1983, and faithfully served his country as a veteran of the United States Army. He received Christ at an early age and, throughout his life, worked in many jobs, developing a variety of valuable skill sets.

Rug, as he was affectionately known, was a man of many talents who loved his family deeply, but those who knew him also knew there was a special place in his heart for the Dallas Cowboys. He was a loyal supporter who wore his team’s colors with pride and rarely missed an opportunity to talk football or watch the game with his loved ones. Through his passion for his team, he taught those around him that passion, grit, and family are among the most important things in life. His faith in God stayed strong throughout his trials and tribulations, and his family takes comfort in knowing that he now has the best seat in the house for every game.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Jr. and Earlene Daniels; brother, Christopher Daniels; sister, Charlene D. McClain; and brother-in-law, Titus McClain.

Family was at the heart of Rug’s life, and he leaves behind a loving family to cherish his memory and continue his legacy. He is survived by his sisters, Deloris Johnson, Jill Benford, and Jacqueline (Robert) Blake; nephews, Reginald Daniels, Curtis Daniels, Deaunta Moton, Montea Johnson, Lamont Johnson, and DeAngelo Johnson, all of Chattanooga; nieces, Sonia Daniels, Yvonne McClain, Yolanda McClain, Sheikquilla McClain, Stacy Taylor, Shanta Moton, and Niquala Greathouse, all of Chattanooga; adopted son, Terrance "Doc" Tucker. He also leaves special cousins, Danny Moss of Smyrna, TN, and Alexander Ridley of Chattanooga; bonus brother, Gene Nelson of Chattanooga; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.

The family celebrates Rug’s life, his unwavering faith, and the joy he brought to everyone who knew him, and they rest in the assurance that his love and legacy will live on in their hearts forever.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2:30 PM.

03/20/2026

Danielle Elyse Taylor was born on January 5, 1974 in Chattanooga, Tennessee and departed this life on March 13, 2026. She completed her formal education at Minor High School, graduating June 1993.

Danielle was baptized at New Community Baptist Church Birmingham, Alabama. She later worked at Ephesus Child Development Center, where her gentle spirit and caring nature touched many young lives.

In 1998, Danielle relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her family. Danielle was gentle in spirit, kind-hearted, and deeply caring. Known for her love of dogs, she found joy in caring for animals and in nurturing people around her. Above all, Danielle absolutely adored her children. Her love for them was unwavering and evident in everything she did. Her oldest son, Joshua, remembers her as amazing and credits her with teaching him many of life's important lessons. Her daughter, Mariah, describes her as a trusted counselor and confidant and someone she could always turn to. Her son, Bryan, cherishes how she supported and motivated him through hospital treatments, even helping him care for his beloved dog during difficult times. Danielle's life was a beautiful reflection of love, strength, and devotion to her family.

She is preceded in death by her father, Otto Taylor, Jr.; stepfather, Carlton Higginbotham; paternal grandparents, Otto Taylor, Sr., and Milan Taylor; and maternal grandparents, John and Mollie Abernathy.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Joshua Taylor, Bryan Rawlings, and Mariah Rawlings, all of Chattanooga, TN; her mother, Marian Higginbotham (Douglas Paris) of Chattanooga, TN; siblings: Aaron Scott Higginbotham (Carly) of Varina, NC; Carl Jason Higginbotham (Veltrice) of Raleigh, NC; Mollie Higginbotham of Chattanooga, TN; and Evan Taylor of Chattanooga, TN; the love of her life, Mikael Dion Rawlings; and nieces/nephews: Connor Higginbotham, Annika Higginbotham, and Carolyn Higginbotham, all of North Carolina.

Public viewing will begin at 9:00 AM, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with the family receiving friends from 11:00 AM until the hour of the service at noon in the chapel of the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens EAST.

03/19/2026

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03/18/2026

Marvin “Wine” Shelley Madden Jr., age 66, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at a local hospital.

He was a proud 1978 graduate of Howard High School, where he was a member of the Key Club and enjoyed playing basketball and football. Marvin was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose presence will be deeply missed. His favorite college team was Alabama, and he never went to dialysis without his Alabama blanket.

Marvin was a faithful member of Springs of Living Waters Bible Baptist Church until his health began to decline and he could no longer attend. He was employed by Burner System as a laborer for over 15 years. Marvin was a jack of all trades, always willing to help anyone. Known as quite the jokester, he kept everyone around him laughing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Madden Sr. and Betty Jo Madden; grandparents, Wilma Kelly, Cornelius Scott, and Greely and Margaret Madden; and sister, Tiajuana Drake.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 25 years, Rosalind Madden, who also served faithfully as his caregiver.

He is also survived by his children: son, Marvin Madden III, and daughter, Brandy Madden, from his previous union with Bridgette Barber; sons, Darell White, Darius White, and Melik (Beautiful) Woods Grissom; and daughter, Bobbie White, from his union with Rosalind.

His cherished grandchildren are: La’Breuna Merity, Carmyia Trejo, Ja’meia Madden, Dariunna White, Mariah Madden, Loyalti White, Malanie Jones, Cameron Madden, Darius White (whom he raised), Darell White Jr., Reagan White, Cash White, August Grissom, and Clover Grissom.

Marvin is also survived by his sisters: Deborah (Louis) Bell, Yolanda Hubbard, and Lori Madden; aunts, Louise (Willie Sr.) Franklin, Patricia Madden, and Loretta Madden; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Special acknowledgements are given to his brother-in-law and caregiver, Jerome Woods, and his dear friend, Carlton McDaniel Sr., for their devoted support and companionship.

Marvin’s life was marked by his love for family and his enduring strength. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Public Viewing: Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at John P. Franklin Funeral Home

03/18/2026

Stephen Hill was removed from life support at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in downtown Augusta, Georgia at 2:54 AM on March 2, 2026, where he eventually lost his battle with multiple medical issues, transitioned to heaven to be with the Lord, and was transported by the John P. Franklin Funeral Home back to his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mr. Hill graduated from Orchard K**b Elementary School, Orchard K**b Junior High School, and was a 1978 graduate of Howard High School, where he excelled in Art, played Football, and ran on the track team. Also, he briefly attended Chattanooga State Community College and the University of Maryland. In 1979, he enlisted for four-years in the United States Army after which he accepted employment as a police officer for the White House. While maintaining his residence in the Maryland area, he later accepted a job with the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Atlanta Police Department.

When he was approximately 16 or 17 years of age, he followed his twin-brother Terry to church at the Olivet Missionary Baptist Church where his grandfather served as a deacon under the pastorship of the late Reverend Robert Richards. Shortly thereafter, the late Reverend Floyd Whiteside, former pastor of the New Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, announced that he was having a winter revival. It was winter all right! The chill in the air brought Steve over to Mount Carmel, following me. Almost immediately, after giving his life to Christ, he was baptized one snowy night at 1616 Washington Street. My grandfather drove across town in that old outdated jalopy until he got him there. Uncle Steve went down in the baptismal pool to seal the deal. A new creature in Christ Jesus. Of course, I can pontificate fluidly pertaining to the events of this conversion because yours truly was there.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Amanda Hill and Frank Redding Sr.; sister, Tammy (Carl) Parks; and older brother, Frank Redding, Jr.

Stephen Hill leaves behind to cherish his memories with his twin-brother Chaplain Dr. Terry D. (Amanda) Hill, Sr of Augusta, Georgia; brother, Samuel (Vanaja) Hill of Atlanta, Georgia, sisters, Audrey Wimberly of Atlanta, Georgia, Beverly Redding of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Rena (Nathan) Benford of Chattanooga, Tennessee, niece, Ashley Hill of Augusta, Georgia; nephews, Antoine Hill, Sr. of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Terry Hill, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois; twenty-one great nieces and nephews, and a host of additional relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.

Public viewing will begin at 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM, on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the funeral home. The celebration of Stephen’s remarkable life will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in the chapel of John P. Franklin Funeral Home.

Interment will follow at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, with military honors, at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

03/17/2026

Anthony Curtis Adair passed away at the age of 60 on March 11, 2026. He was born on June 22, 1965, to Velva and the late James Curtis Adair and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Anthony graduated from Brainerd High School in 1983, where he was an active member of the tennis team and played tenor saxophone in the band. After high school, he decided to pursue higher education at Tennessee State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.

In 1991, Anthony’s mother made a bold move and approached Treneisa Larkins, a young substitute teacher, expressing her desire to introduce her to her son. Shortly after, the two of them went on a blind date, which marked the beginning of their lifelong journey together. They were united in holy matrimony on June 7, 1997, and shared 28 wonderful years as husband and wife.

Throughout his professional life, Anthony held several positions. He spent more than twenty years at Dupont, taking on various roles including machine operator, control room worker, and was a member of the fire brigade. Most recently, Anthony served as a M/H Stockman Team Lead for six and a half years at Mueller. His dedication and leadership enabled him to consistently rise through the ranks, earning recognition as a mentor, the “go to” person, and being regarded as the “heart” of the plant.

Outside of work, Anthony embraced life with enthusiasm. He enjoyed playing tennis and was an avid bowler, frequently participating in
tournaments. In his younger years, he worked as a disc jockey and was known as the “DVD” man, as people sought him out for the latest movies.
Anthony possessed exceptional skills in building and repairing; whether it was computers or cars, he could tackle any challenge.

Anthony was a devoted husband, father, and friend. His faith was important to him, and he was baptized at an early age. He received his early spiritual training at Bethel AME Church. At 18, Anthony joined New Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, where he faithfully served in multiple roles, including an audio technician and member of the board of trustees.

Anthony leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife, Treneisa Adair; children, Bryani and Braeden Adair; mother, Velva Adair; sister, Sonya Adair; mother-in-law, Virginia Larkins; brother-in-law, Kendal (Janet) Larkins; sister-in-law, Tristaca Larkins; godchildren, Trinell Whiteside and Taryl Whiteside; best friends, Donell Whiteside and John Hale, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Curtis Adair; son, Kalen Adair.

Public viewing will begin at 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the funeral home.
A celebration of Anthony's life will be held at 12 noon, on Monday, March 23, 2026 at New Mt. Carmel Baptist Church located at 1616
Washington Street. LIVESTREAM of the service will originate from the church's sanctuary.

Interment will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens EAST.