Obituaries from the Wednesday, November 4, 2026 E-Edition

Jo Dean Bryant

Jo Dean Bryant, 89, of Rome, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. She was born in Gordon County on Oct. 14, 1937, to the late Flora Grogan Pass. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Johnny Pass, Roy Pass Jr., Kenneth Pass; sister, Martha Ann Parker.

She is survived by her son, Russell (Kim) Bryant; daughters, Diane (Wayne) Tucker, Anita (Clay) Brown; 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Prior to her retirement, Jo Dean worked for many years as a Master Designer at Brannon’s Florist.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. from Wilderness Ministry, 300 Prater Lake Rd, Calhoun, Georgia, 30701.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Jo Dean Bryant.

Judy Dobson

Judy Kay (Sewell) Dobson, 68, a lifelong resident of Gordon County, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. She was born on Sept. 9, 1958, to the late Jesse James Sewell and Virginia Fuller Sewell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Donna King.

Judy was a bright light in this world. She loved the Lord and her family more than anything. She loved to garden, cook, and bowl. When she wasn’t on another Disney trip, her favorite thing to do was spend time with her grand babies! She loved to sit and watch the hummingbirds or listen to it rain. She was the rock of the Dobson family and she will be missed.

Judy is survived by her husband, Lewis Dobson; son, William Bryan Dobson (Ashley); daughter, Brittany LeAnn Dobson; brother, Reid Sewell; sisters, Arlene Bowers (Lloyd), Karen Sewell (Rocky Fair), and Sherrie Childres (Charles); grandchildren, MaKaela Ranels (Noah), Logan Dobson, Kyndall Dobson, Eli Jackson, Azlyn Jackson, and Gavyn Jackson; great-grandchildren, Ridley and Ruby Ranels. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Heritage Baptist Church.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 12:00 Noon from Heritage Baptist Church with Rev. Shane Parrott and Rev. Steve Godwin officiating. Burial will follow in West Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers are Bryson Frix, Matthew Parrott, Drew Gravitt, Bryson Hopper, Dawson Townsend, and Harrison Rutledge.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Judy Kay (Sewell) Dobson.

Shirley Dutton

utton, 90, of Calhoun, Georgia, away on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, following several years of declining health. She was born in Calhoun on March 29, 1936, to the late Henry Clay Nesbitt II and Mary Alice Spears Nesbitt. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Teddy “Ted” Dutton; brothers, Melvin Nesbitt, Jack (Odessa) Nesbitt, Mike (Vivian) Nesbitt, Bill (Marguerite) Nesbitt, Clay (Margie) Nesbitt, John Nesbitt; sisters, Ruth (“Dude”) Bailey, Maggie (Doyle) Holbrooks, Kathryn (Hayward) Bohannon.

Shirley is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was a longtime member of Oostanaula Baptist Church. Though out the years, Shirley and Ted’s home was always open to the numerous nieces, nephews, and friends that stopped by. There were always snacks in the panty and cold drinks in the refrigerator. They were loving and generous and looked out for all those in the community.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Oostanaula Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. from Oostanaula Baptist Church with Sam Nesbitt officiating. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery. Pallbearers serving are Casey McCarty, Caleb McCarty, Anthony Blalock, Roan Clavino, Pete Bailey, and Jacin Burns.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Shirley Maxine Dutton.

Buddy Fox

William “Buddy” Fox, 83, of Ranger, passed away on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. He was born on Aug. 18, 1943, to the late Robert and Hazel Fox. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda Mae Fox; brother, Tommy Fox; sister, Janelle Ezell.

Buddy is survived by his daughters, JoAnn Akins, Ginger Floyd (Marshall), and Denise Chambliss; sister, Jane Childers (Kenneth); brothers and sister in laws, John Roe (Kathy) of Belton, South Carolina, and Randy Roe (Sherry) of Calhoun. grandchildren, Jill Aldridge, Jody Tumlin (Casey), Jana Aldridge, Tyler Cooper, Wesley Kearney, Cameron Foster (Anna), Jesse Bennefield (Kayla); great- grandchildren, Madilyn Burgess, Grayson Tumlin, Rilyn Cooper, Emma Kate Cooper, Caroline Morgan Cooper, Logan Banks, Brynliegh Bennefield, Paula Hardie (Frankie), and Bryson Lee Hardie.

Buddy was a lifelong coon hunter who had a deep love for the sport and the friendships that came along with it. He was blessed with a heart of gold and a gift for making everyone feel like a friend. Buddy never met a stranger and seemed to know someone, or have a mutual friend, just about everywhere he went. His warm personality and genuine love for people touched countless lives, and he was loved by so many. The friendships he made and the memories he left behind will be cherished for years to come.

A graveside service was held on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. from Fain Cemetery with Bro. Jason Parker and Pastor Harley Egor officiating. Steve and Tammy Miller had charge of the music. Pallbearers were Timmy Childers, Cameron Foster, Tyler Cooper, Jesse Bennefield, Wesley Kearney, Steve Miller, Steven Cochran, and Terry Jordan.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Williams “Buddy” Fox.

Cedric Lacey

Cedric Kenyartea Lacey, age 51, of Calhoun, departed this life on Saturday, Oct 31, 2026, at AdventHealth Gordo.n Hospital in Calhoun, Georgia.

Cedric was born on May 3, 1975, in Cleveland, Miss. As the oldest child, Cedric held a special place in his family. He was the one who made his mother a mother, a blessing that would forever hold a special meaning in her heart.

Cedric was a man who truly loved life and enjoyed being around people. He was adventurous, full of energy, and always ready to go somewhere. It never really mattered where the destination was, as long as he was out doing something and making memories along the way. His love for life, his outgoing personality, and the connections he made with others will forever be remembered. Cedric worked as a truck driver for Core-Mark, a career that allowed him to enjoy being on the road.

Though his earthly journey has ended, the memories he created and the love he shared will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched.

Cedric was preceded in death by his father, Otis James Jones; his son, Amaurie Lacey; and his brothers, Lamarcus Lacey, Derek Lacey, Carl Hollingsworth, Otis Hollingsworth, sister Carla Hollingsworth.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories his significant other of 10 years, Jo Sims of Calhoun; his loving mother, Barbara Ann Lacey Byrd (Willie) of Marietta; his sons, Cedric Lacey Jr. and Denajiae Franklin of Cartersville, and Elijah Lacey of Calhoun; his daughters, Cedira and Kamiyah Lacey of Calhoun, Beunca Mosby of Texas, and Shaleh Marshall; and his stepchildren, Brett, Avery, Taylor, and Courtney Hudson.

He also leaves his brothers, Kedrick Lacey and Timothy Lynch; his sisters, Toweka Williams, Latrina Lacey, Shareka Lacey, Kimberley Jones, Shequita Jones and Lawanika Moore; ten beloved grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Rest peacefully, Cedric. You will forever be loved, remembered, and missed.

The service to celebrate the life of Cedric Kenyartea Lacey will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Ponders Calhoun Chapel.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of service.

Ponders Calhoun Chapel, selected independent owned and operated. 675 Jolly Road, Calhoun, Georgia 30701

Cheryl Nutt

Cheryl Louise Nutt, age 73, of Calhoun, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, October 30th.

Cheryl was born in Flint, Mich., on July 21, 1953, the daughter of the late James and Mildred Orrill. She devoted her professional career to education, retiring from Valley Point Elementary School, where she made a lasting impact through her work as an educator. Cheryl enjoyed traveling, especially trips to the beach, where she found great joy in the beauty and relaxation of the coast. She also had a great love for her animals. Above all, her greatest happiness came from her family. Her children and grandchildren were truly the light of her life, and the love she had for them was at the center of everything.

In addition to her parents, Cheryl was preceded in death by her husband, Denver Allen Nutt, in 2013.
She is survived by her daughter, Megan Watson and her husband, Joel; her son, Michael Nutt and his wife, Lana; and seven grandchildren, Jaden Watson, Alexis Watson, Jordon Watson, Jackson Watson, Micah Nutt, Mason Nutt, and Merek Nutt.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 6th, at 3:00 p.m. from the chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Rev. Shane Parrott officiating. Burial will follow in Chandler Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Jaden Watson, Jordon Watson, Jackson Watson, Micah Nutt, Mason Nutt, Merek Nutt, and Kaden McCarver.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

You may send condolences to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home proud to serve the family of Cheryl Louise Nutt.