Obituaries from the Wednesday, September 2, 2026 E-Edition

Rachel Baggett

Rachel Callaway Baggett, age 61, of Ranger, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 at Erlanger Hospital.

Rachel was born on Feb. 1, 1965, in Gordon County, daughter of the late Johnny “John” Callaway and Honer Octavia Banks Callaway. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Marshall Callaway.
Rachel was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church and a member of the Fairmount High School Class of 1983. She loved crafts, flower arranging, crocheting, fishing and camping.

Rachel is survived by her husband, James Baggett of Ranger; three daughters, Rachel E. Baggett and her longtime partner Andy Biglin, Jennifer Eagle, and Jamie Amny Bryant and her husband, George William Bryant Jr.; three brothers, R.L. Callaway and his wife, Sheila, Gordon Callaway and his wife Jessie, Bryson Callaway; three grandchildren Alyssa Honer Roaden, James Lee Roaden, and Justin Lee Roaden; along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, August 31st, at Shady Grove Baptist Church with the Reverends, Jackie Ellington and Bryan Winkler officiating. Burial was held in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Justin Roaden, James Roaden, Kenneth Sidney Vann, Jordan Simonds, George William Bryant Jr, R.L. Callaway, Martin Callaway, Leland James Fowler, Luke Smith, Andy Biglin, and Gordon Callaway.

The Baggett family received friends at Thomas Funeral Home on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026 from 2 - 6 p.m.
You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Rachel Callaway Baggett.

Eleanor McDearis

Mrs. Eleanor Lane Adams McDearis, age 85, of Calhoun, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026.
Mrs. McDearis was born on Jan. 8, 1941, a daughter of the late James Adams and the late Mary Saddler Adams. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Delane McDearis; three brothers, Charles, Jimmy, and Kenny Adams.

She dedicated 30 years of her working life to the State Farm Kent Chapman Agency before retiring. Outside of work, she had a love for fun, fellowship, and a good game of cards. She was an avid game player, with Rook being one of her favorites, and she especially enjoyed gathering around the table with the ladies from church. Those times were filled with laughter, friendly competition, and wonderful memories that she treasured. She was a faithful member of Calhoun First Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Rhonda Jordon (Eric); two grandchildren, Davis (Chris Washington) Jordon and Griffin Jordon; two great-grandchildren, Gray and Lenox Washington; sister-in-law, Jean Adams; one niece and several nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Calhoun First Baptist Church with Dr. John Barber officiating. Lance Cole will be in charge of music. Interment will follow in Chandler Cemetery.

Pallbearers serving include: Randy Jackson, Keith Adams, Chris Adams, Kent Chapman, George Walraven, and Grant Walraven.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 2nd from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Calhoun First Baptist Church.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Eleanor Lane Adams McDearis.

Virgil Story

Virgil Ray Story, age 90, of Plainville, departed in this life to gain his reward on Aug. 27, 2026. Virgil was preceded in death by his mother Annie Mae Pearson; his brothers Junior Robinson, Doyal Story, Jack Martin; and his sisters Virginia Britz and Nell Maxwell.

Virgil is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Patricia; their children, Tim Story (Vicki Story), Wes Story (Tanya Story), and Shawn Parr (Shane Parr); his grandchildren, Eric and Amanda Rowell, Alex and Allie Kirby, Reanna and Clay Crabtree, Samantha and Lance Hill, Cole and Abby Story, Rylie and Chapel Parr; his great grandchildren, Ben and Nathan Rowell, Eric Lance, Leighton Rae, and Sawyer Hill, Amelia Story and Koen Kirby; sisters, Dorothy Story, Vivian Day, and Glenda Bowman; and several nieces and nephews.

Virgil was the kind of man who didn’t need much to be happy. Give him his family, a fishing pole, a deer stand, a Braves game, little league baseball, and a good tomato sandwich, and he was right where he wanted to be.

For 67 years, Virgil shared his life with his beloved wife, Patricia. Together, they built a life and a family filled with love, laughter, hard work, and countless memories. Their 67 years of marriage were a beautiful testament to the love, commitment, and partnership they shared. She was by his side through all of life’s seasons, and their love was one of the greatest parts of his life.

He was a good man who loved his family more than anything. He was a hard worker who spent his life doing what he could to take care of the people he loved. He may not have always said a lot, but he showed his love through the things he did, the time he gave, and the way he was always there when his family needed him.

Virgil was a member of Adairsville Church of Christ, where he faithfully attended and worshiped alongside his church family.

One of his greatest joys was being a Papa. His grandkids had a special place in his heart, and the time he spent with them created memories they will carry with them forever. He loved watching them grow, spending time with them, and simply being their Papa.

Virgil found joy in the simple things in life, but what mattered most to him was the people sitting beside him. His family was his greatest blessing, and his love for them will continue to live on through all of the stories, traditions, and memories he left behind.

He will be missed more than words can say—not only for the things he did, but simply for who he was. A hardworking man. A loving husband. A devoted family man. A proud Papa. A Braves fan. A fisherman. And a man who knew how to enjoy the simple things in life.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Aug 30. 2026, at 4:00 p.m. from the Adairsville Church of Christ, with Min. Rick Lawson, Mr. Brian Holbert, and Mr. Kevin Sutton officiating. Interment followed in Scott Cemetery, Plainville.

The family received friends on Sunday from 2 – 4 p.m. at the church.

R. Dudley Barton & Son Funeral Home, Adairsville, will be in charge of funeral arrangements for Mr. Virgil Ray Story.

Betty Tatum

Mrs. Betty Ann Willis Tatum, age 93, of Ranger, passed away on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 at her residence.
Betty was born on May 25, 1933 in Oakman, daughter of the late George Henry Willis and Dymple Virginia Swann Willis. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Andrew Tatum; one brother, Bill Willis.

Mrs. Tatum was a life-long citizen of the Oakman community. She was devoted to her family, her home and farm, and was a dedicated member of the Fairview Church of God.

Betty is survived by: her three children, Susan Tatum Hughes (Bill), Michael Tatum, and Cathy Tatum Barnes (Don Frankforther); four grandchildren, Isaac Hughes, Paul Hughes, Sarah Barnes Walker (Spencer), and Emma Barnes Ledford (Grant); great-grandchildren, Lillian and Lyndsey Ledford and and one on the way, Sylvie Walker; three siblings Bob Willis and Diane Willis Wood.

Funeral Services were conducted on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Fairview Church of God with Rev. Terry Jones and Rev. Johnny Parker officiating. Iris Parker was in charge of the music. Interment followed in the Fairview Church of God Cemetery. Gentlemen serving as pallbearers included: Paul Hughes, Isaac Hughes, Terry Fouts, Larry Temple, Grant Ledford, and Spencer Walker.

The family received friends on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Fairview Church of God.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Betty Ann Willis Tatum.