Said Shaheen

Said ShaheenMr. Said Shaheen, 93, of Dalton, passed away, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, at Kindred Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.He was preceded in death by his brothers, Awad Shaheen, Azeez Shaheen and sister, Selma Nasrallah.Said is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Alethea G. Shaheen; daughters and sons-in-law, Norma and Essa Sackllah of Garden City, Mich., Joyce and Roger Clem of Hixson, Tenn., Nancy Shaheen of Montclair, N.J.; sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Justine Shaheen, Frank and Teresa Shaheen, all of Dalton; grandchildren, Travis Clem, Katharine Clem, Michael Sackllah, Jeffrey Clem, Stephen Shaheen, Christian Shaheen, Tess Shaheen, Laura Shaheen, Jonathan Shaheen, Adam Shaheen and Matthew Shaheen.He was born in Ramallah, Palestine, in 1914 and immigrated to the United States in 1933. In 1946, he and his brothers purchased Hansen Chenille in Dalton and changed the business name to Katherine Chenille, later Katherine Rug Mills.The mill was a pioneer in the then brand new tufted carpet industry with many firsts and innovations. The brothers sold the business in the early 1960s. Katherine Rug was the launching place of several industry leaders, such as his nephew, Shaheen Shaheen, founder of World Carpet Mills, and Bud Seretean and Guy Henley, two of the founders of Coronet Industries.Early retirement did not suit him, and in 1964, he founded Shaheen Carpet Mills, which is still an ongoing business today.Mr. Shaheen was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years and was also active in the Civitan Club for more than 50 years.Services are today at 1:30 p.m. from the First Presbyterian Church.The family received friends at Love Funeral Home Tuesday.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 510 South Tibbs Road, Dalton, GA 30720 or to the American Federation of Ramallah Educational Fund, 27484 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, MI. 48185.Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton is in charge of arrangements.www.legacy.com