Mr. Ralph Lamar Mears, age 74, of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2011. He was born September 27, 1936 in Colquitt, Georgia, the son of Susan Hazel Cato and the late George Blackshear Mears. Mr. Mears served his country in the Navy and later retired from Georgia Arts and was a member of an Atlanta Baptist Church. Survivors include his mother, Susan Hazel Cato Driggers; sister, Betty Lou Smith of Villa Rica; brother and sister in law, Wiley & Linda Mears of Carrollton; nieces and nephews, Angela & Wayne Clendening of Hoschton, Ga., Ruel & Sharon Smith of Douglasville, Becky Smith, Allen & Cheryl Smith all of Smyrna, Darlene & Tom Schreiber of Perry, Ohio, and Anda Corbin of Vinings; also a number of great nieces and nephews. A family memorial service will be conducted at a later date. In accordance with the family's wishes the body was cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Altus Hospice, 151 N. Bay View Drive, Villa Rica, GA., 30180. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel of Carrollton has charge of the arrangements.