Asa Leonard "Sonny" McMahan, 89, of Rising Fawn, GA, died peacefully at The Terrace in Chattanooga on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.
Born in 1925, Sonny was the seventh of eight children. Starting as a young boy, he worked on his family farm, instilling a lifelong love of gardening that provided delicious home-grown vegetables to grateful family and friends for decades. Sonny graduated from Dade County High School as Valedictorian. He then served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1944-46, supervising POWs and food preparation for the troops. He married Myrna Renfroe McMahan in 1947, and the couple raised their four children in a house Sonny built in Trenton, GA. He had a passion for tennis, and constructed a clay court at home to share his love of the game with his family.
He spent over 30 years as a machinist at Combustion Engineering Co., where he trained teams in innovative processes. Sonny was the longest-serving member of the Rising Fawn Methodist Church congregation, sang in their choir and spent many years as lay representative for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. A love of history led to his work with the Dade County Historical Society, where Sonny served as President. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, and a longtime supporter of the Chattanooga Lookouts and Atlanta Braves. For many years after retirement, Sonny and Virginia performed in square dancing groups, where his famous bolo tie was proudly on display. The popular couple was twice named Valentine King and Queen of The Terrace, where their beloved dog, Snoopy, is an unofficial mascot for residents.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Asa Alexander and Cecilia Hitt McMahan; siblings, Donnie McMahan, Buddy McMahan, Thelma McNair, Ruth Boren and Mary Kirk; and grandson, Michael McMahan.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Virginia Lovelace Zachary McMahan; sister, Henrietta West; brother, Charles McMahan; children, Lindsay Fussell, Mike (Phyllis) McMahan, Alex McMahan, Laura (Steve) Wilson and their mother Myrna McMahan; step-children Elizabeth Zachary, John (Anita) Zachary, Virginia (Joe) Waddell, David Zachary and Kathy Zachary; 22 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to Rising Fawn Methodist Church or Dade County Historical Society, 720 Brow Rd., Trenton, GA 30752 in memory of Sonny McMahan.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday November 29, in the chapel with Rev. Steve Doyal and Rev. Wayne Cook officiating. Interment will follow in Hanna Cemetery, Rising Fawn, GA.
Family will receive friends Saturday, November 29 from 10 a.m. until service time at Ryan Funeral Home, who has charge of the arrangements.