Obituaries from the Wednesday, February 11, 2026 E-Edition

James Blaylock

James William Blaylock, 81, of Ranger, passed away Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. He was born in Oakman on May 4, 1944, to the late Jewel “Joe” Blaylock and Annie McClure Blaylock.

He retired from Mohawk Industries after many years of dedicated service and was a faithful member of Oakman Baptist Church.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Louise Ashe, Marynell Dodson.
James is survived by his precious wife for 53 years, Brenda Joyce Thomas Blaylock; son, Donnie (Ashley) Blaylock; daughter, Miranda (Jason) Brown; grandchildren, Hudson Thompson, Rowan, Cameron, and Levi Blaylock; several nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives survive.

A visitation was held on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home. His body lay in state on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until the service time at 4:00 p.m. at Oakman Baptist Church.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. from Oakman Baptist Church with Rev. Jason Pace and Rev. Wayne Neal officiating. Burial followed in Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers serving were Keith Blaylock, Rocky Elrod, Cody Dodson, Dennie Dodson, Aron Ashe, Adam Davis, and Ronald Watson.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of James William Blaylock.

Angela Chambers

Angela Kay Chambers, 68, of Calhoun, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. She was born in Flint, Mich. on May 29, 1957, to the late Frank Leanord and Pauline Evans. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Chambers Sr.; step-father, Fred Evans; in-laws, Guy Chambers, Bertharine Kay, Ted Warren, and Vennie Lou Warren; siblings, Tom Leonard, Mary Brall, Pearl LaDuke, David Leonard, Paul Leonard, and James Leonard; grandchildren, Colin Shropshire and Dalton Defilippi.

Angela worked at Echota Smoke House for many years. Later she worked at AA&T with her husband, Earl and retired as a lead creeler from Mannington. She enjoyed cooking and taking care of all her grandkids and friends of her children. She was feisty and would give her opinion but would do anything for you.

Angela is survived by her children, Donielle Defilippi (Derek), Daina Patterson (Doug), Delbert Chambers (Amy), and Earl “Bo” Chambers (Karen Rae); step-children, Earlene Chambers and Chris Chambers; siblings, May Burnham and Butch Leonard; grandchildren, Tyler Shropshire, Nick Defilippi, Dylan Defilippi, Bree Patterson, Abby Moraitakis, Caleb Chambers, Aaron Chambers, Justin Weldon, Savannah Chambers, and Bailey Chambers; and several great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 p.m. at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home.

The funeral service will follow on Thursday, at 2:00 p.m., from the Chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Bud Martenn officiating.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Angela Kay Chambers.

Betty Davis

Betty Jo Davis, 89, of Summerville and formerly of Calhoun, passed away Saturday morning February 7th, in Oakview Health and Rehabilitation.

Betty was born in Coffee County, Ala. on Sept. 23, 1936, the daughter of the late Joe D. Willis and Ethelene McCullough Willis. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbus, Ga. Betty was an avid reader and seamstress, but the love of her life was her family.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy McGee; and her brothers, William Willis, Mac Willis, and Jerry Willis.

She is survived by her two daughters, Rita O’Neal and her husband Tim, and Teresa Owens and her husband David; one son, Joe Peek and his wife Holly. Nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren also survive.

The family received friends on Tuesday, February 10th from 12 noon until 1 p.m.; the funeral service followed at 1 p.m. from the chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Rev. Wes Privett officiating.
Honorary pallbearers included Brian Nadu, Bruce Nadu, David M. Owens Jr., Curtis Owens, Mark O’Neal, Brandon O’Neal, Kobe Nadu, Nic Nadu, Nick Santos, Josh Satterfield, and Chandler Burns.
The family request that in lieu of flowers that you may make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Betty.

Thomas Funeral Home and its staff is proud to serve the family of Betty Jo Davis.

Cheri Eslinger

Ms. Cheri Machelle Eslinger, age 48, of Calhoun, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
Born on Sept. 16, 1977, in Dalton. Cheri was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Ledford Chastain, and her sister, Jeanette Collins Hornbuckle.

Our mother was the sweetest, most uplifting person in our lives. She always wanted to see us succeed, no matter what. She loved creating new art out of the ordinary. She loved animals, especially cats. She was the most caring mother we could ask for, even when it was hard to be.

Cheri is survived by her devoted partner of 20 years, Anthony Lee Charles. She leaves behind her children: sons Thomas “Chandler” Eslinger and Hayden Anthony Charles, both of Calhoun; daughters Carolaynne Elizabeth Esslinger of Springfield, Mo., and Heaven Alea Charles of Calhoun. She is also survived by her father and stepmother, Robert Leon and Betty J. Collins; her brothers, Bobby L. Collins of Calhoun and Ricky L. Collins of Dalton; and her sister, Cathy (Ronald) Hornbuckle of Dalton. Cheri cherished her grandchildren, Grayson Thomas Eslinger and Isaiah James Thompson, who brought immense joy to her life. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Cheri’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at the Ponders Calhoun Chapel with the Reverend Clyde McEntyre officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour.

Interment will follow at Mineral Springs Church Cemetery in Dalton.

Arrangements entrusted to: Ponders Funeral Home – Calhoun Chapel 675 Jolly Road Calhoun, Georgia 30701 706-625-7577 www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org

Tammy Zwolski

Tammy Marie Zwolski (Grewe) 67, beloved daughter, mom, mawmaw, and friend, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly the morning of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Tammy was born in Park Ridge, Ill. on Aug. 10, 1958; graduated from Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Ill. in 1976, and just recently retired to Fairmount to be with her mom, Charlotte.

Tammy was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Grewe Sr., and brother, Kenneth Grewe Jr.
She is survived by her mother, Charlotte Grewe; her daughters, Christy Bartlett (Joy) and Tanya; her son, Scott; her grandsons, Payton and Jason; and her cherished kitties, Willow and Bailey.
Tammy loved cats, plants, crafting, and Pepsi (never Coke). She was fiercely independent and stubborn at times, with a big heart and deep love for her family and friends. She left us all far too soon and will be deeply missed.

A memorial will be planned in Illinois for a later date to celebrate Tammy’s life. Please consider donating to your local animal shelter in Tammy’s memory.

Care of Tammy has been entrusted to In Their Honor Funeral and Cremation Providers.