Obituaries from the Wednesday, January 28, 2026 E-Edition

James Awtrey

Mr. James Carter Awtrey, age 55, of Fairmount, departed this life on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at AdventHealth Gordon in Calhoun.

James was born Sept. 30, 1970, in Cobb County. He worked for many years at Marietta Tire Company. For several years, James lived with a disability, during which time he was lovingly cared for by his parents, who devoted themselves to his well-being and comfort. They cherished him deeply and considered him a blessing in their lives.

James had a gentle spirit and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He loved nature, especially wildflowers, and found peace in fishing and spending time outside. His parents fondly shared that James was a good kid who never gave them any trouble, and that he was dearly loved by his family and by God.

He was preceded in death by a brother, John Travis Awtrey.

Survivors include his children, Dustin and Hannah Awtrey of Aragon, Ga., and Emily Awtrey of Cedartown; grandchildren, Tinsley Awtrey, Hunter Awtrey, and Haisley Parker; sister, Sonia and Brian Hauger of Canton; brothers, Paul and Tammy Awtrey of Hiram, Curtis and Cynthia Awtrey of Austell, Robert V. and Jackie Awtrey of Fairmount, and Jack Tritt of Marietta; aunt, Sybil Eckert of Rockmart; and uncle, Johnny Green of Smyrna.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. James Carter Awtrey will be held Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Ponders Fairmount Chapel with Minister Bobby Gayton officiating. He will be laid to rest at Johnson Cemetery, with family and close friends honored to serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Fairmount Chapel on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour.

Ponders Fairmount Chapel 2566 Highway 411 Fairmount, Georgia 706-337-3784 Your Selected Independent Funeral Home

Laura Blackmon

Mrs. Laura Willene Bethune Blackmon, 97, of Calhoun, passed away Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Fyffe, Ala., on Feb. 1, 1928, to the late Elbert A and Ethel Bethune of Alabama.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, 63 years, Rev. George Delma Blackmon; son, Doyle Waylon Blackmon; sisters, Letha Mae Simpson, Betty Jean Coalson, and Jeanette Peek; brothers, Carl Bethune, Hoyt Bethune, Jessie Bethune, Dewey Bethune, and Kenneth Bethune; son-in-law, Roger Serritt.

Willene is survived by her son, George Edwin “Eddie” Blackmon; daughters Shyrel Serritt Holsomback and husband Don, Glenda Sue Cuzzort and her husband Denny; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren; lots of nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Willene was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church for years, then attended Plainview Baptist Church in her last years.

Her special caregivers were Jennifer Cuzzort, Peggy Greeson, and her granddaughter, Tammy Trawick, Renaissance Assisted Living in Rome and The Cottages of Rockmart.

A visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 p.m. at Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home.

A graveside service will follow on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. from Gordan Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers serving are Don Holsomback, Michael Blackmon, Anthony Trawick, Casey Blackmon, Corben Cuzzort, and Caleb Thomasson. Honorary pallbearers serving are Denny Cuzzort, Robert Johnson, Hugh Peek, and Bill Mumpower.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Mrs. Laura Willene Bethune Blackmon.

Carol Dzurenko

Carol Kinnear Dzurenko, age 65, of Calhoun, passed away at home Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 surrounded by loved ones after a brief illness.

Carol was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 28, 1960, the daughter of the late Earl Kinnear and Marilyn Kinnear. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law Mark Dzurenko and Matt Dzurenko. Carol spent most of her life in Cobb County before moving to Calhoun in 2022.

A devoted mother and wife, Carol passionately supported her two sons’ academic, athletic, and military careers throughout her life. She volunteered as a team mom for youth and high school sports, served as a Blue Star mom, supported the Patriot Guard Riders, and spearheaded sending care packages/Christmas cards to our troops overseas. Those who knew Carol were drawn by her sweet disposition, kindness and warmth. Carol was an expert in antique furniture restoration and genealogy, where she enjoyed teaching others those crafts.

Survivors include her husband of 34 years, Mike Dzurenko, two sons, Christopher Strozier (Melissa) and Michael Durenko (Kayla); four grandchildren, Wesley, Andrew, Phillip and LillianStrozier. Brothers-in-law: Monte (Evelyn), Martin (Lillian), and Mitchell (Erin) Dzurenko; Gino (Carol) Dinunzio; and sisters-in-law: Monica (Missy) Macklin, Mary Dzurenko, and Deborah Dzurenko; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes, no services are scheduled. A celebration of life will be scheduled in the future. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Tunnel to Towers or St. Jude Research Children’s Hospital.

Larry Muse

Larry Earl Muse, 76, of Calhoun, passed away Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. He was born in Calhoun on Sept. 8, 1949, to the late Robert Earl and Troy Lee Muse. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Muse.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Darlene Pratt Muse; son, Dwayne (Erica) Muse; sister, Doris Muse; grandsons, Will Muse and Ty Muse; nephew, Josh Muse; Niece, Kaveri Hornick; brothers-in-law, Larry Pratt and Douglas Pratt.

Larry previously worked for Atlanta Gas Light before retiring after many years with the City of Calhoun Water Department. He loved being outdoors, spending time with his family on the Oostanaula River. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and played softball on the Dodd’s 40 and 50 over softball team.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Oostanaula Baptist Church. Funeral service will follow the visitation at 1:00 p.m. from Oostanaula Baptist Church with Revs. Clint Jones, Eddie Brannon, and Andrew Hight officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army Honor Guard. Pallbearers serving are Dwayne Muse, Will Muse, Todd Davis, Mark Fox, Shane Dutton, Donnie Morgan, Jerry Defoor, and Chris Hughes. Honorary pallbearers are Kevin Walraven, Jeff McNeese, Jerry Miller, Larry Pratt, Glenn Blalock, Bobby Reeves, David Siburkis, and all the members of the Dodd’s 40 and 50 over softball team.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Larry Earl Muse.

Bobbie Sue Wilkey

Bobbie Sue Wilkey, 77, of Calhoun, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. She was born in Sonoraville on Jan. 11, 1949, to the late Warren and Louise Hufstetler. She was a member of the 1967 graduating class of Calhoun High School.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, Dale Wilkey; son, Eddie Wilkey; brother, James Hufstetler.

She is survived by her sons, Monte (Andrea) Wilkey, Kevin (Lisa) Wilkey; grandchildren, Kelsi Whitlock, Dustin Harmon, Taylor (Trent) Crockett, Josh Woolum, Bailey (Dalton) Bowman, Blair Wilkey, Preston (Madalene) Silvers; great-grandchildren, Ryland Woolum, Easton Harmon, Lane Harmon, Parker Silvers, Braylynn Silvers; special friend, Patsy Fletcher and all her friends at the Catoosa Senior Village.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Eastview Cemetery. Pallbearers serving are Josh Woolum, Dustin Harmon, Preston Silvers, Jerry Jordon, Ronnie Jordon, and Leonard Fletcher.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Bobbie Sue Wilkey.