News - Last Rites, Funerals, Miscarriage, & End-of-Life RSS Feed

Kathryn Lois Briggs-Viland, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away on October 1. Her devoted husband of 50 years, Frederick Viland, passed in 2020. They were both very deep in their Catholic faith and were proud active members of Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Please pray for the repose of their souls. BURIAL will be Sat. Oct. 11, 2025 2pm at Mount Olivet Cemetery. All are welcome.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of William "Bill" Henry Henderson III, 74, who passed away peacefully in his home on September 20, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. Bill is survived by his wife, Corinne (Chair of the Basilica's Finance Council); his brother, Doug Henderson of Austin, Texas; his children, Scot Henderson, Robyn (Garrison) Elder, Mills Simon (one of the Basilica's livestream technicians), and Julia (Bo) Ray; and his three beloved grandchildren, Georgia Grace Elder, Stallings Elder, and Tinsley Ray. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, at 10 am at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Click here to read Bill's obituary.

Basilica parishioner Nancy Fisher passed away on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025. Nancy was an active leader in our Forever Young Catholics ministry, and a past co-founding member of the Basilica's Gloria Dei Schola. Please pray for Nancy's husband Dan and the Fisher family during this difficult time.

Former Basilica parishioner +Sherry Ohotnicky passed away on Dec. 26, 2024, after a recurrence of cancer. Sherry and her husband Pete and their children were very active parishioners at the Basilica for several years until they moved to Michigan in 2019. Sherry started the first Catholic American Heritage Girls troop in Chattanooga here at the Basilica. Read more about Sherry's life and legacy in her obituary here. We pray that Sherry may rest in peace and that her family be comforted.

Leroy Talbert Altman III, former parishioner and lector at Sts. Peter and Paul, passed away on Oct. 20, 2024 at the age of 74. His funeral Mass will be at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Monday, October 28, at 9:30am. May his soul rest in peace. Read his obituary here.

Fr. Bertin Glennon, former Parochial Vicar of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, passed away on May 21, 2024.. Fr. Glennon was a member of the religious order, The Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. He served for many years in the Diocese of Knoxville, along with his work in psychology that he conducted in the City of Chattanooga. Please pray for Fr. Glennon's soul. A memorial Mass for Fr. Glennon will be celebrated June 20 at 7pm at Holy Spirit in Soddy Daisy, TN. Click for more information.

Marilyn Eleanor Carpenter, former schoolteacher at St. Jude, and mother of Sharon Poston, passed away on June 3, 2024. Visitation will be at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home in Soddy Daisy on Sunday, June 9, from 4-8pm., with a Rosary at 7:30pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am Monday, June 10, at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, with interment at the National Cemetery at 2pm. May the Lord grant Marilyn eternal rest. Click to see the obituary and photos of Marilyn.

Ms. Pabla Cardona Perez, parishioner of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, passed away on May 27, 2024, at the age of 55. A visitation for Pabla will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services - Franklin Strickland Chapel, 1724 Mccallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404, followed by a funeral service at 7:00 PM. Click to view a Tribute for Pabla.

Basilica parishioner, Vismar Osveli Castañon Castañon, age 25, of Chattanooga, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024. His funeral Mass will be Friday, June 7 at 10am at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. May Axel rest in peace. May Vismar rest in peace

Basilica parishioner, Axel Adrián Velásquez López, age 19, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024. His funeral service will be Friday, June 7, at 10am at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. May Axel rest in peace.

We pray for the repose of the soul of Sue Shramko, who passed away May 1, 2024. She had been suffering from an infectious lung disease for several months. Sue was a longtime Basilica parishioner, along with her husband Bert Shramko. (Click for more information.) The family appreciates your prayers.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Emma Claire Giles Davenport, who passed away 4/27/2024 at the age of 88. She was raised in the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, graduated from Notre Dame High School, and taught in the public schools for over 40 years. Click for her obituary.

Mary Antoinette ("Toni") Powell passed away at the age of 79 on March 19, 2024. Toni was an active Basilica parishioner and volunteer in the Altar Ministry, until she moved to Hixson a couple of years ago. Toni will be greatly missed. May Toni Powell, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Click to see Toni's funeral arrangements and obituary, once they are available at the Chattanooga Funeral Home - North Chapel website.

Emilio Tomás Diaz, Basilica parishioner, passed away March 13, 2024. A funeral services for Emilio will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10am at Advantage Funeral, with visitation until 4pm. (Click for details.) Please pray for his soul, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Charlene (C. K.) Reynolds, longtime Basilica parishioner, passed away on Feb. 12 peacefully in the presence of her family. Charlene had been very ill for seven years or so, including liver disease and cancer. Charlene's funeral Mass will be Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at 1pm at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Mrs. Pamela Mahoney Rudd, longtime Basilica parishioner, passed away in her home January 24, 2024, around 10pm, in the company of her family. Her death followed a brief bout with brain cancer, that was diagnosed in early December, 2023. Pamela is survived by her husband, Robin Rudd, her six grown children, and fourteen grandchildren. She was the oldest of eight siblings, including the Basilica's late maintenance supervisor, John Mahoney. Pam's funeral arrangements will be announced here as soon as they are available.  Please pray for her, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet. [Click for more info.]

Elizabeth (Liz) Barham, long-time parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul, passed away on Nov. 17, 2023, at the age of 79. Liz used to lead our prayer card ministry at Sts. Peter and Paul and is remembered as a sharp-witted, lovely lady. Visitation will be Nov. 20 5-7pm with a prayer service at 7pm, and Funeral Mass will be Nov. 21 at 2pm, both at St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415. May Liz, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

David L. Thomas, 61, of Chattanooga, passed away on November 7, 2023, at his home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 am on November 18, 2023, at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Please pray for the repose of David's soul. Click to read his obituary and express your sympathy.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Najah Dabit, age 90, of Chattanooga, who passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on Nov. 2, 2023. Najah along with her husband, Milad established Giorgio Men’s Warehouse in 1973. Selfless, generous, and loving are just a few words to describe Najah. Her funeral will be at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Wed., Nov. 8, at 2pm, Fr. Valentin officiating. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. A reception will follow in Varallo Parish Hall at 4pm. Click to read her obituary.

Traditional Lighting of Luminaries on All Souls Day Thurs. Nov. 2 at 6pm in the Basilica, with a Rosary in remembrance of our loved ones, To honor a deceased loved one at this service, please submit his/her name by Sun., Oct. 29. Click for details.