OBITUARY FOR ROGER EUGENE KNOWLES - PAST DIRECTOR OF THE CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

 

Roger  Eugene Knowles, age 94, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

Born on October 9, 1931, in Bremen, Georgia, Roger was the son of the late Ellender Knowles and Gladys Maybelle Knowles McKelvey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ellender "Junior" Knowles and Steve Knowles; his sisters, Melba Price and Ann Williams; and his beloved great-granddaughter, Raygen Kate Mitchem.

Roger lived a remarkable life of service, dedication, and patriotism. At just 17 years old, he answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1949. During his distinguished twenty-one-year military career, he rose to the rank of Captain, serving in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve before retiring in December 1969. He served three combat campaigns in Vietnam and earned numerous military decorations, including the Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" Device for Valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Mast, and several marksmanship awards. Roger also completed specialized military training in areas including jungle survival, combat intelligence, personnel management, and chemical, biological, and radiological warfare, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence throughout his military career.

Following his retirement from the Marines, Roger continued his life of public service by joining the Federal Protective Service in 1971. Over the next twenty-one years, he served as a Federal Officer before retiring as Chief of Field Operations in 1991.

Even in retirement, Roger never stopped serving others. He volunteered at the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park and was an active member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Military Officers Association of America, and the Marine Corps Mustang Association. Roger was a devoted patriot who deeply loved his country.

Outside of his service, Roger enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and water skiing. He especially cherished spending time outdoors with his family and friends.

A faithful Christian, Roger was a longtime member of Antioch Baptist Church of Carrollton, Georgia, where he faithfully taught Sunday School for many years. His faith guided every aspect of his life and left a lasting impact on those he served alongside.

Roger's greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Yates Knowles, of 35 years. He is also survived by his children, Roger Michael "Mike" (Debbie) Knowles, Howard Dale (Linda) Knowles, Jason Kris "Kris" (Tammie) Knowles, and Karmen Knowles Mitchem, and stepchildren, David (Katie) Reid, Candace (Mickey) Ivey; grandchildren Jason (Andrea) Knowles, Kevin (Jessica) Knowles, Keith (Kendra) Knowles, Kraig (Shanda) Knowles, Logan (Tiffany) Mitchem, Kristian (Jacob) Bohanan, Parker Knowles, Raleigh (Alex) Stimmell, Malachi (Grace) Ivey, Abbie Reid, Ben (Natalie) Reid, Joseph Ivey, and Rosie Reid; sixteen great-grandchildren; his sister, Billie June Lovvorn; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

The family will receive friends at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM.

Funeral services will follow in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 PM, with Pastor Jamie Beam and Bro. David Reid officiating. Jason Kris Knowles will deliver the eulogy. Interment will follow at Carroll Memory Gardens with full United States Marine Corps military honors. Keith Knowles and Kraig Knowles will have the honor of folding the American flag during the military honors ceremony. Jason Knowles, Kevin Knowles, Keith Knowles, Kraig Knowles, Logan Mitchem, Parker Knowles, Benjamin Reid, and Jacob Bohanan will serve as pallbearers.

Martin & Hightower Funeral Home is honored to serve the Knowles family during this difficult time. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com.

NEWS ARTICLE- TIMES GEORGIAN MAY 26, 2026 - MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM AT THE CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

 

CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK - VETERANS DAY PROGRAM - MAY 23, 2026

 These pictures are copied from the recorded program - I hope you are able to view the entire program on WLBB and visit the Carroll County Veterans Park to see the beautiful MEMORIAL.

Music started at 10:30 a.m. - Terry Lowry, Director.

Barry Gardner welcomed everyone...

The Flags were posted...

The Memorial Wreath was presented and posted...

Jim Swinson, Casimir Pulaski Chapter NSSAR, was the featured speaker and he did a wonderful job challenging us to live better lives - grateful lives - to show our appreciation not only to the Veterans but also to our creator.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM, MAY 23, 2026

 Saturday, May 23, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m. music will start. - the Casimir   Pulaski Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution is leading this program.  Flags will go up around 8:00 a.m. Program begins at 11:00 AM.  Jim Swinson will be the featured speaker at the program.  

If you have a uniform, PLEASE WEAR IT !!  

 

Honor a military veteran with a plaque on a Wall of Honor in the Park. Contact Bill Maddox at 770-832-6442 or look for him at the Memorial Day Program for more information.

IN MEMORY OF LT COLONEL NORRIS A GARRETT, PARK PRESIDENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS - HIS OBITUARY

 

Lt. Colonel Norris Aaron Garrett, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2025. He was born on November 27, 1933, in Carrollton, Georgia, to the late Harvey and Mary Pearce Garrett.
Norris graduated from Mt. Zion High School and attended West Georgia College. From there, he joined the United States Air Force, where he served 27 years with tours to Korea, Vietnam, and Germany. He met and married his wife, Jhondia Griffin while stationed in Merced, California. Norris retired as a Lt. Colonel and moved back to his hometown of Carrollton in 1979 with his family. He is a member of the New Hope Methodist Church. After moving back to Carrollton, Norris went into the real estate business as the broker of Villa Realty for 30 years. Norris and Nellie Duke worked together to form and build the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park in Carrollton. He was the President of the park for several years. Norris loved his Family, his Friends, his Church, and the Veterans Memorial Park.
In addition to his parents, Norris was preceded in death by his son, Britt Garrett and his sister and brother-in-law, Emily Garrett Ellis and Jason Ellis.
Norris is survived by his loving wife, Jhondia Griffin Garrett; their four children whom are Jerry D. Garrett of Yorktown, Virginia, married to Leigh Bolding Garrett. Jerry is also a retired Lt. Colonel from the United States Air Force; Barry H. Garrett of Aiken, South Carolina, married to Patricia Reed Garrett, is the General Manager of "The Reserve Club at Woodside"; Debra A. Garrett Nowacki of Carrollton, Georgia; and Britt A. Garrett, is deceased. Also left to carry on his legacy are his eight grandchildren, Christopher Garrett of Yorktown, Virginia; Dr. Kenneth Garrett of Brookline, Massachusetts, married to Dr. Sherin Abraham Garrett; Laura Garrett Chapman of Aviano, Italy, married to Lt. Colonel Matthew Chapman; Ryan Garrett, Computer Engineering College, Boulder, Colorado; Lindsey Garrett, Pharmacy College, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jacob Nowacki, Carrollton, Georgia; Sierra Nowacki, Carrollton, Georgia: Shayla Nowacki, Carrollton, Georgia; and his five great-grandchildren, Levi Chapman, Dane Chapman, Amelia Chapman, Owen Chapman, and Logan Garrett.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate Mr. Norris' life will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in the Chapel of Martin & Hightower Funeral Home at 1:00 PM with Pastor Allen Hunt officiating. Interment will follow in the New Hope Methodist Church Cemetery with his sons and grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. The American Legion will present military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park at: http://www.ccvmp.org/make-a-donation/.

Note: He was appreciated for his dedication and leadership during the construction of the Park. He asked me to serve during the time he was president - first a membership chairman and then as treasurer. It was my privilege and honor to service.  Violette Denney

CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM AT THE PARK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2025

 

Don Levans writes:

Greetings Patriots,

The Carroll County Veterans Park Association invites you to our Veterans Day Celebration this Saturday, November 8, 2025 at the Veteran's Park on Newnan Road, next to the Sheriff's Office.  

Music provided by the Carrollton Wind Ensemble and singers from Community Chorus begins at 10:30 am.

The ceremony begins at 11:00 am.  

We will be dedicating a new memorial wall at this service.  

Central High School JROTC will be providing color guard and flag folding.  

We have Mr. Almond, a local veteran whose family has several memorial plaques at the park, as our featured speaker.

We hope to see you there.

God Bless our veterans and the United States of America!

LOST AND FOUND NOTICE - CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

 

"Violette,

Bill found something similar to this in the parking lot at the Park. It attaches to the ribbon on a medal.  It’s 1/4” x 1 1/2”. Could you put this on the blog and ask the owner to call Bill Maddox at 770-832-6442?

Thank you.

Wanda"