Obituaries from the Weekend, May 2, 2026 E-Edition

Harold Spence, Jr.

Harold Gentry Spence, Jr., age 76, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Gordon Health Care.
Harold was born on Nov. 19, 1949 in Huntsville, Ala., son of the late Harold Gentry Spence, Sr. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Sarah Jane Spence.

Harold was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He had a lifelong love of working with his hands, especially through woodworking, and he also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He found great joy in teaching his grandchildren how to hunt and fish. One of his most treasured memories was attending his grandson Matthew’s graduation from the University of Georgia.

Harold is survived by his son, Harold “Buddy” Gentry Spence, III, and his wife Georgina; his brother, Gary Spence; sister, Caroline Fincher; grandchildren, Matthew Gentry Spence and Thomas Riley Spence; and his extended family, Lorrine Craig, Phillis Jenkins, Dorothy Richardson, Dean Delp, Marlene Hensley, and Teresa Dunford.

The family will receive friends Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Inurnment will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery with Military Honors held at a later date.

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

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Harold Gentry Spence, Jr.

Margaret Thurman

Margaret Louise Baldwin Thurman, age 80, of Calhoun, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 27, 2026, at Atrium Health Floyd Hospital in Rome.

Born on March 7, 1946, in Calhoun, Margaret was the daughter of the late James Robert Baldwin and Sarah Frances “Johnson” Baldwin. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Elbert “Jim” Thurman; her daughters, Tammy Thurman and Shelia Gray; her brothers, Howard, Junior, Buck, Edward, and Baldwin; and her sisters, Jackie Cowart, Hazel Timms, and Retha Gregory.

Margaret leaves behind a family who was the center of her world: her son, Ricky and Linda Thurman of Calhoun; her brother, Leroy Baldwin of Resaca; and her sisters, Lois Wooten of Armuchee, and Billy Jo Kisselburg of Calhoun. She also leaves her treasured grandchildren—Alice Higginbotham, David Simorly, James Thurman, Chris Thurman, Andrew Thurman, Amber Ray, and Jace Thurman—and her precious great-grandchildren, Bailee and Braxton Harris, and Stetson and Luna Ray, who brought her endless joy.

Margaret was a woman of deep Baptist faith who loved her Savior above all else. She lived her life with a quiet strength, a generous heart, and a love that could be felt by everyone who knew her. She was truly the light of her family, the one who held everyone together with kindness, warmth, and unwavering devotion.

Her home was a place of comfort and welcome. If you walked through her door, you could count on being fed before you left—because that was just who she was. She found joy in the little things, like sitting down with a good word puzzle, but nothing made her happier than being surrounded by her family.

More than anything, Margaret loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, and she poured her heart into each of them. To her family, she wasn’t just a mother or grandmother, she was the best one anyone could ever ask for.

Though her absence leaves a deep void, her love, her faith, and the memories she created will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. from the Ponders Calhoun Chapel, with Reverend Terry Timms officiating

Visitation was held at the funeral home, on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Margaret will be laid to rest at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery in Rydal. Serving as pallbearers will be Terry Baldwin, Michael Baldwin, Steve Gregory, Jake Ray, Amber Thurman, and Delano Higginbotham.

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

Lynn Waters

Dorothy Lynn Waters, 73, of Lafayette (Blue Mountain Airpark), passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from complications related to advanced dementia. She was born in Americus, Ga., on Jan. 26, 1953, to the late James and MaryBess Mabry.

Lynn grew up in Watkinsville, Ga., and graduated from Oconee County High School. She attended Truett-McConnell College and the University of Georgia. She is a graduate of St. Bonaventure College in New York. Lynn and Dan raised their sons in Griffin, Ga. before moving to Northwest Georgia.

She is survived by her husband, Dan Waters; sons, Brian (Tawna) Waters, Benjamin (Kim) Waters, and Joseph Waters; sisters, Leigh Loronzo and Beth (Johnny) Prescott; grandson, Rowan Waters; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

To honor her wishes, her body was cremated and a service will be held at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church in Lookout Mountain ,Ga. (olmcc.com)

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Dorothy Lynn Waters.