Obituaries from the Wednesday, November 20, 2024 E-Edition

Geneva Baker

Geneva Kay Baker, age 94, of Calhoun, passed away Friday, November 15th at her residence.

Geneva was born May 25, 1930, in Gordon County, the daughter of the late Henry Arthur Kay and Oma Lee Rickett Kay. She graduated from Belwood High School and was employed by Georgia Tufters before her retirement. Geneva was a member of the Grace Missionary Baptist Church and read her Bible religiously every day. She loved cooking and spending time with her family, especially playing checkers with her grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Pam Baker Jarrett.

Survivors include her two daughters, Debbie Moss and her husband James, Angela Duvall and her husband Lester; grandchildren, Tara Ivy Ralls and her husband Jason, Miranda Hull and her husband Michael, Bridget Nicole Patterson, Felicia Paige Duvall, and Leslie Marie Duvall. Great-grandchildren, Riley Ralls, Ryan Ralls, Jacqueline Julianna Hull, Jayden Neal Patterson, Lilly Alona Patterson, and Isias Yandel Bautista Cruz also survive.

Graveside services to celebrate the life of Geneva Kay Baker will be conducted on Saturday, November 23rd at 1 p.m. in Blackwood Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Donnie Hudgens officiating.

You may send condolences to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com
Thomas Funeral Home is proud to serve the family of Geneva Kay Baker.

Tony Blalock

Tony Blalock, 68, of Adairsville, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. He was born in Calhoun on June 19, 1956, to Geraldine and the late Roy Blalock. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Belinda Faye Blalock; and sister-in-law, Pat Blalock.

He is survived by his wife, Tina Laviana; children, Ryan (Kelsey) Blalock, Machesha (Steven) Phipps, Briana Davenport; grandchildren, Xander Phipps and Rowan Faye Blalock; brother, Hancel Blalock.

Tony was a talented craftsman and wood worker. He enjoyed being in his shop, working on pieces in his free time. He loved his Ford Mustang and was part of the North Georgia Stangs group. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

A gathering of friends to celebrate Tony’s life will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home.

Floral arrangements will be accepted, or donations can be made in his honor to Habitat for Humanity by visiting the link www.gordonhabitat.org

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Tony Blalock.

Audrey Cole

Audrey Lee Cole, age 92, of Calhoun, passed away Monday morning, November 18th in Winthrop of Rome.

Audrey was born Sept. 4, 1932, in Cobb County, the daughter of the late George M. Cheatham and Elvie Cantrell Cheatham.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband, Dr. Jack O. Cole; grandson, Greg Cole; four brothers, Ray E. Cheatham, James W. Cheatham, C.L. Cheatham, and T. Kenneth Cheatham; and a sister, Annie “Ann” J. Yates.

Audrey was a member of Rome Baptist Temple and attended Philadelphia Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, reading, doing puzzles, and playing dominos. She loved her family and her church.

Survivors include her son, Michael M. Cole and his wife Karol; two daughters, Reatha Schwanbeck and her husband Dan, and Yvonne Robertson; six grandchildren, Jeremy Schwanbeck, Nathan Schwanbeck, Dena Cole, Jessica Robertson, Caitlin Harden and her husband Blaiz, and Braden Robertson; and eight great-grandchildren; one niece also survives.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 12 PM until 2 PM at Philadelphia Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Philadelphia Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Chandler Cemetery.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com
Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Audrey Lee Cole.

Roy Hayes

Roy Lee Hayes, 78, of Ranger, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. He was born on Nov. 1, 1946, to the late Gordon Lee and Hazel Marie Hayes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Lee Roy Hayes and Johnnie Hayes; sisters, Ollie Weaver (Cecil) and Lousie Ball (Ed); and sister-in-law, Bertie Hayes.

Roy proudly served his country in the United States Army.

He is survived by his children, Heather Amanda Hayes, James L. Hayes (Elizabeth), Leslie L. Seritt (Buck), Heath Jordan Hayes; brothers, Tom Hayes and Charlie Bailey; sisters, Cookie Skidmore (Charles), Jewel McBrayer, Jane Land (James); grandchildren, Stetson and Morgan Hayes, Lacie Hayes, Nathan and Holly Seritt, and Emily Seritt; and his first great-grandchild that is due in December, William Gideon Seritt.

To honor his wishes, his body was cremated, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Roy Lee Hayes.

Ralph Tatum, Jr.

Ralph Andrew Tatum, Jr., of the Oakman Community, joined the Heavenly community on Nov. 15, 2024, surrounded by loving family, devoted caregivers, and good friends. Ralph was born on April 15, 1927, to Ralph and Annie Hardy Tatum, and was married almost 75 years to the love of his life, Betty Ann Willis, who survives.

He is survived as well by children, Susan Hughes and her husband Bill, Michael Tatum, and Cathy Barnes and her husband Don Frankforther; grandsons, Isaac and Paul Hughes, Sarah Walker and her husband Spencer, and Emma Ledford and her husband Grant; one great-granddaughter, Lillian Ledford. His siblings preceded him in death, Syble Reece and Jordan Tatum as well as two siblings who died very young. Many beloved nieces and nephews survive.

Ralph was a Veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from July 1945 to June 1947. He then joined the U.S. Navy in January 1948 and served until June 1950. He worked at Lockheed-Martin in Marietta from 1953 until his retirement in 1987. In retirement, he farmed and raised cattle. He was a faithful member of Fairview Church of God and was known as a good friend with a generous heart.

A visitation will be held at Fairview Church of God on Taylortown Road in Oakman on Wednesday, November 20 before the funeral from 12:00 to 1:45 PM. Ralph’s funeral will follow at 2:00 PM at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for the services of Ralph Andrew Tatum, Jr.

Paul Young

Mr. Paul Wesley Young, 76, of Rydal, passed away Monday morning, Nov. 18, 2024.

Paul was a lifelong resident of Rydal. He was born March 1, 1948, son of the late John Homer Young and Martha Beatrice Neal Young. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Georgia Ware Young; brother, John Young; sisters, Carolyn Collum and Sara Findley; brother-in-law, Alton Temples.

Paul was a graduate of Coosa Valley Tech and worked as a diesel mechanic for Yellow Freight until retiring. Upon his retirement he enjoyed traveling to all the states, loved to hunt and fish, car races and was an avid reader.

Survivors include his stepson, Benji Baggett; step-grandchildren, Mattie Baggett Lucas Baggett, and Claire Smith; brother, Jimmy Young (Nancy); sisters, Wilma Findley, Martha Temples, Mary Jane Self (Ronnie), and Mamie Pierson (Randy); sister-in-law, Tammy Young; brothers-in-law, W.D. Collum and Michael Findley; special friend, Barbara Finney and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Barton Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Pine Log United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Byron Young, Matthew Self, Neal Young, Ryan Young, Jeremy Temples, Joseph Temples, Ashly Findley, Ans Jordan Pearson. Honorary pallbearers will be Harvey Young, Jimmy Cornwell, Robbie Roberts, Joel Huskins, and Michael Findley.

R. Dudley Barton & Son Funeral Home, Adairsville, is in charge of funeral arrangements for Mr. Paul Wesley Young.