Obituaries from the Wednesday, October 21, 2026 E-Edition

Remona Brown

Mrs. Remona Diane Wright Brown, age 76, of Resaca, departed this life Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at the home of her daughter in Cohutta, Ga., surrounded by her loving family.

Remona was born June 19, 1950, in Dalton. She was a genuine, loving woman whose greatest joy and proudest blessing was her family. Her family was her whole world, and there was nothing more precious to her than the time she spent with those she loved. Her grandchildren, in particular, held an especially dear place in her heart, and she treasured every moment with them. As her family grew to include great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, her love only continued to grow; she took great pride in each generation and cherished the special bond she shared with them. The memories made around family gatherings and simple moments spent together were among her most treasured gifts.

Remona enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, and canning, finding happiness in the simple pleasures of life. One of her favorite things to do was go out to eat with her family, enjoying not only the meal but, more importantly, the laughter, conversations, and togetherness that came with it. To know Remona was to know a woman who loved deeply and whose heart always belonged to her family. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love that will continue to live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Byron Brown; her father and stepmother, Blaine and Helen Wright; her mother and stepfather, Minnie Irene Johnson and Claude Page; her sisters, Lynn Page and Kathy Rittenhouse; her brother, Danny Wright; and her son-in-law, James Muse.

Remona is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Tracy Wilson of Andrews, N.C.; her daughters and son-in-law, Rhonda and Tony Rogers of Cohutta, and Bridget Muse of Resaca; her cherished grandchildren, Daniel and Sabrina Dowdy, Dana and Andrew Nelson, Dewayne and Angel Dowdy, Courtney and Isaiah Angwin, Preston and Jessica Rogers, Danyelle and Kevin Pruitt, Makenzie Montana and Gage Cochran, and Shelbilyn and Peyton Wilson-Parker; her beloved great-grandchildren, Dakota Dowdy, Belle Warren, Kinley Dowdy, Dawson Dowdy, Bryce Nelson, Harley Nelson, Zane Crump, Baylin Angwin, Harbor Bent, Haylie Angwin, Alyssa Angwin, Elizabeth Rogers, David Gentry, Cason Pruitt, Jase “Bubba” Pruitt, Bo Pruitt, Jasilyn Parker, and McClain Parker; and her great-great-grandchildren, Nova Dowdy and Oakland Dowdy.

She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Steve and Angie Wright, Greg Wright, and Larry and Diane Wright, all of Resaca, and Ken and Roseann Page of Dalton; her uncle, Gordon “Man” Stafford of Resaca; her aunt, Evelyn Hamby of Tifton, Ga.; her cousin, John Ingle of Calhoun; along with several nieces, nephews, and many friends who will cherish her memory.

Graveside services to celebrate Remona’s life will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery, located at 778 Corinth Road NE, Resaca, Ga. 30735, with Reverend Dino Bishop officiating. Daniel Dowdy, Dewayne Dowdy, Preston Rogers, Isaiah Angwin, Dawson Dowdy, and Bryce Nelson are honored to serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Zane Crump, Baylin Angwin, Cason Pruitt, Jase Pruitt, and Bo Pruitt.

The family will receive friends at Corinth Baptist Church Wednesday after 1:00 p.m. until the service hour.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30721, (706) 226-4002.

“Your Selected Independent Funeral Home”

Elaine Cornwell

Dolores Elaine Greeson Cornwell January 01, 1948 – October 22, 2026

Elaine Cornwell passed from this life to her heavenly home on October 22, 2026, after years of declining health.

She was a 1965 graduate of Calhoun High School, where she proudly marched in The Pride of Georgia's Northland marching band. She spent her career employed by Mannington Carpets as an executive assistant for 27 years.

She was a faithful member of Heritage Baptist Church where she was a charter member and served as the pianist for many years. Whether lifting her voice in praise or seated at the piano to play a beloved hymn, she used music to glorify God and share his love.

Elaine was the daughter of the late Boyce Greeson and the late Pauline Smith Greeson Chastain. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Wayne Greeson and Lamar Greeson, stepfather Dennis Chastain and father-in-law and mother-in-law Troy and Mary Cornwell.

Elaine is survived by her loving husband, Kelly Cornwell, whom she was married for 58 years. She is also survived by her daughters Shelly Long (Mike) and Nicole Mattox. Granddaughters Ashley Blaylock (Donnie), Morgan Pierce (Slader), Elauria Mattox and Lily Mattox. Great Grandsons Wyatt Pierce, Knox Pierce, Rowan Blaylock, Cameron Blaylock, and Levi Blaylock. Sister Judy Smith (Clifton), brothers-in-law Alan Cornwell (Vickie) and Marty Cornwell (Anne) and sister-in-law Kay Greeson. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Services to honor Elaine Cornwell will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon at Heritage Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 11 noon until the funeral hour. Pastor Shane Parrot will be in charge of the service and Carmen Green; Brian Padgett and Amy Padgett will be in charge of the music.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Heritage Babtist Church Building Fund at 345 Curtis Parkway, Calhoun, GA, 30701.

Phillip Coates

Phillip Leroy Coates, 64, of Resaca, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. He was born in Columbus, Ga., on June 19, 1962, to the late Leroy and Pearl Coates.

He is survived by his brother, Bill Coates; sisters, Amanda (David) Harris and Libby Long; nephew, Deyton Harris; niece Tiffany (Matthew) Stamey; good friends Tim Browning, Jim Meadows, and Edna Goforth.

Phillips was a hard worker and would do anything he could to help someone out. He was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.

To honor his wishes, his body was cremated and a service will be held at a later date.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Phillip Leroy Coates.

Darlene Harper

Mrs. Darlene Leona Long Harper, age 82, of Resaca, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, surrounded by the memories of a life filled with love and family.

Darlene was born on Feb. 4, 1944, in Detroit, Mich., to the late Lloyd Delbert Long and Bessi L. Smith Long. In 1983, she moved from Michigan to Resaca, where she made her home and built a life filled with family, love, and treasured memories.

Darlene was a woman who found joy in the simple things in life. She enjoyed crafting, oil painting, and traveling, and she especially loved the color blue. But more than anything, Darlene loved her family. Her grandchildren held a very special place in her heart, and she loved them more than herself. They were a tremendous source of happiness and pride in her life. Her love for her family was deep and unconditional, and those closest to her knew just how much they meant to her.

For 50 years, Darlene shared her life with her beloved husband, Patrick Dennis Harper. Together, they built a life and a family, sharing years of memories, experiences, and companionship. Their 50 years together were a special part of Darlene’s life and a lasting part of the family they cherished.

Darlene was employed at Hurts Cleaners in Dalton for 23 years before retiring. Through her years of hard work and dedication, she made a living while continuing to cherish what mattered most to her: her family.

In addition to her parents, Darlene was preceded in death by her brother, Danny Long; her sister, Nancy Hellard; and her stepdaughter, Sheila Gobeski.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 50 years, Patrick Dennis Harper; her daughter, Tammy Morgan; her sons, Timothy Berthume, Patrick Harper II, and Danial Harper; her grandsons, Braden Harper and Hayden Farquharson; her granddaughters, Mandy Rader, Kelsey McCormick, and Hannah Farquharson; great-granddaughters, Kari Rader and Maylen McCormick.
Darlene was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother who treasured her family above all else. She leaves behind a lifetime of love, memories, and moments that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Though she will be deeply missed, the love she gave so freely will live on through her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and the generations that follow.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Ponders Calhoun Chapel, with Crag Hall officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour. Interment will follow at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

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

Dr. Gary Lemmons

Dr. Gary Dale Lemmons, age 77, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026 after battling dementia for more than seven years. He was born in Tullahoma, Tenn. to the late Rev. James W. and Geneva Matthews Lemmons.

Dr. Lemmons was educated in the Coffee County and Tullahoma City School Systems, graduating from high school in 1967. He furthered his education receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in history in 1971 and a Master of Arts in Education in 1976 from Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. Lemmons continued his higher education receiving the Doctorate of Education in educational administration from the University of Georgia in 1985, and completed postdoctoral studies at Georgia State University, Kansas State University, and Harvard University.

When he moved to Georgia in 1974, he taught language arts and social studies at Fairmount High School. In his 25-year tenure in Gordon County, he served as chairman of the Gordon County Schools Department of Social Sciences, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and was the first Assistant Principal of Gordon Central High School. Dr. Lemmons was a certified Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Instructor-Trainer and was a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the West Georgia School of Education, and an Adjunct Professor of Education at Piedmont College. He was a twice past President of the Gordon County-Calhoun Association of Educators and was a member of numerous professional societies and associations including: the Georgia Association of Educators, the National Education Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, specifically, for the City of Calhoun and Gordon County. Dr. Lemmons served in various capacities including Secretary of the Gordon County Historical Society.

Dr. Lemmons touched and shaped the lives and educational careers of hundreds, if not thousands, of students and teachers over the many years in his service to education. His life was devoted to education, social justice, community service, family, and faith. His philanthropic efforts were immeasurable and had a lasting impact.

Dr. Lemmons was a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry where he is a Thirty-Third Degree Member (In Grand Honors), a member and Past Master of Morning Star Lodge #349, in Fairmount, GA, and a dual member of Oothcaloga Lodge #154, in Calhoun, GA, and Resaca Lodge #724. He was a Past High Priest of Kellogg Chapter No. 61 Royal Arch Masons, a Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of Georgia Royal and Select Masters, a Past Eminent Commander of St. John’s Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar, a recipient of the Knights Templar Cross of Honor and the Knights Commander of the Temple Award from Grand Encampment, a Grand Representative to the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New South Wales, District Grand Deputy to the Grand High Priest, Director of the York Rite Education and Leadership Development program, a Grand Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of Georgia, Thrice Illustrious Master of the Order of the Silver Trowel of Georgia, and a Grand Representative to the Grand Council of Louisiana. He served the state of Georgia as the Grand Master of all Masons in Georgia and presented papers in the Grand Lodge of England. He was an active member of the Yaarab Shrine Club. Dr. Lemmons was also an active member of Eastern Star and Amaranth Masonic Organizations. He supported both the youth organizations; Rainbow Girls and Demolay Chapters in Georgia. He was extremely proud to lead and facilitate the Masonic Scholarship Committee.

Dr. Lemmons was tireless in his work and dedication to so many. In addition to being a scholar, professional educator, an experienced and proven leader, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was an active member of Farmville Methodist Church in Calhoun, Ga. where he led Bible study.

Dr. Lemmons is survived by his wife of 45 years, Debbie Parrish Lemmons; daughters, Charlene Baxley and her husband Walt and Valerie Lemmons-Townsend and her husband Charles; grandchildren, McClain Baxley and Mary Margaret Baxley; brother, Sam Lemmons and his wife Sarah; sister-in law, Sharon Reynolds and her husband Frank; brother-in-law, Tom Parrish and his wife Julie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Masonic Children’s Home, Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Visitation was held Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 from 10 – 10:45 a.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Burial was held Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Tenn.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home and the family will receive friends an hour prior to the services.

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

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the local arrangements for Dr. Gary Dale Lemmons.