Obituaries from the Weekend, September 26, 2026 E-Edition

James Croft

James Howard Croft, 57, of Calhoun, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. He was born in Rockmart on July 31, 1969, to Robert Croft and the late Shirley Jean Croft.

He is survived by his father, Robert Croft; sister, Gwen (David) Allen; nephew, Nathanael Allen.
James was “Born Again” in January of 1983 in Dalton, at the Morning Side Baptist Church.

James and his sister Gwen enrolled in Canaanland Christian School in 1982 and both graduated from there. James usually stayed in trouble with the principal of the school, Brother Issach Johns, and his teacher, Johnnie Erwin, in his early days, but when he graduated a few years later, he was awarded the trophy for Best Christian Character.

He attended Concord Baptist Church for over 26 years and felt that God had called him to preach. For many years he went on visitation with Fain Jordan and other preachers in the Church. He went to the Saturday night Youth meetings for over 10 years and witnessed and preached on the streets.

Brother Sammy Allen started a Bible College at Faith Baptist Camp and named it Faith Baptist Institute. Stinnett Ballew said James was the first student to sign up.

James wrote an outline of the complete Book of Psalms. Fain Jordan said he never used another preacher’s outline but one time: He used one of James’ outlines on the Book of Psalms. One preacher in another state said he used several of them and said he liked some of James’ outlines better than those of John Phillips.

He had an outgoing personality and was always friendly with everyone.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 p.m. from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons with Bro. Bobby Thomas and Bro. Mike Janow officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery in Dallas, Georgia.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of James Howard Croft.

Lee Gravitt

Lee Roy Gravitt, 76, of Calhoun, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. He was born in Calhoun on March 15, 1950, to the late Howard and Opal Gallman Gravitt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Gravitt; sister, Linda Champion.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patsy Gravitt; sons, Nicklaus (Michelle) Gravitt, Heath (Cryssy) Gravitt; brother, Jerry (Pam) Gravitt; sisters, Louise Ponders, Bobbie Jean (Ken) Hart; grandchildren, Gaige (Katelyn) Gravitt, Wade Parker, Holly Gravitt, Leelyn Gravitt, Emma Gravitt; great-grandchildren, Rachel Gravitt, Baby Cooper.

The family received friends on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. from Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Guy Gainor and Rev. Steven Cochran officiating.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Lee Roy Gravitt.

Edith Herron

Edith Faye Langley Herron, age 84, passed away on Sept. 17, 2026 in Adairsville. She was born in Wayne County Miss. to John Floyd Langley and Fannie Williams Langley on Oct. 11, 1941.

Edith was a lover of all things living. She had a huge heart and wanted to help anyone or anything in need. She enjoyed cooking and loved everything from home cooked pot luck to big fancy meals and desserts.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Oscar C Lane Jr., George B Stagner, and James W. Herron; siblings, Jack Langley, Joe Langley, and Lisabeth Lou Davis; children, Lucinda Sluder, Luwanda Richards, Toby Lane; grandchildren, Kristina Lane, Matthew Lane, Shannon Hellard, and Jonathan Robbins; and great grandson, John Hunter Lane.

Edith is survived by her son and daughter in law, John Floyd and Pam Lane; grandchildren, Justin Lane, Jeremy Cray, James Hellard, and Nicholas Wallace; sister, Shirley West. She has several great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, many other family members and friends as well as her special fur baby, Sophie.

The family would like to thank Pruitt Health Hospice, Calhoun Adoration Hospice, Dalton and Springhill Hospice, Mobile, Ala.

A graveside service was held on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Grand Bay Cemetery in Grand Bay, Ala.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Edith may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to your favorite charity.

Thomas Funeral Home, Calhoun Georgia and Serenity Funeral Home, Theodore, Alabama are in charge of services at Grand Bay Cemetery in Grand Bay Alabama.

Linda Thomason

Mrs. Linda Lane Thomason, age 81 of Calhoun, Georgia, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, September 19, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was the sister of the late Eugene Byers Lane, whom she loved and admired dearly, the daughter of the late Julius LaVerne and Mildred Lane and the wife of the late B.W. “Bill” Thomason.

Linda was born in Reno, Nevada on August 4, 1945, and attended Wasatch Academy where she had the opportunity to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She had her 15 minutes of fame when she starred as an extra in the movie “The Misfits” with Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe.

Her career ambitions led her to become Vice President of Frontier Insurance Service in Reno, where she grew the business alongside her husband. She was a strong advocate for motor vehicle safety and served as the President of The National Association of Insurance Women. Later in life, Linda and Bill spent many years traveling the country together in their motorhome. Following her retirement, she finally settled in Calhoun to be with her extended family.

Linda blessed everyone with her talents in sewing, cooking, crocheting, doll making and gardening. She enjoyed singing and was a former member of the Calhoun Civic Chorus. She was especially fond of creating elaborate Christmas displays in her home year after year to bring joy to her loved ones.

She is survived by her daughters, Leslie McDougle and Phyllis “Joyce” Cochran; her son, Billy Thomason; her granddaughters, Danika Trice and her husband, Matthew, Katlyn Gregory and her husband, Joseph, Tasha Bunch and Adrian Bunch; her grandsons, Logan McDougle and his wife, Kimberly, Carson Thomason, Colby Sexton and his wife, Jasmine; and her great-grandchildren, Aslann Trice, William “Wigs” McDougle, Edith McDougle, Ava Sexton, Callie Sexton, Lilly Sexton, Shane Sexton, Kingston Bunch, and Kennedy Bunch.

“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson

Danny Whittle

Danny Lee Whittle, 64, of Calhoun, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. He was born in Marietta on Feb. 3, 1962, to the late Terry and Ellen Jane Whittle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Tonya Marie Whittle; grandparents, Frank (Mary) Wheat of Calhoun, Dorothy Whittle of Marietta.

He is survived by his son, Jeremy Whittle of Hiram; daughter, Jessica (Aaron) Whittle of Hiram; brother, Terry Whittle, Jr. of Calhoun; grandchildren, Jayden Whittle and Jaylen Whittle; aunt, Brenda Wysong of Chattanooga; uncles, Steve Wheat of Calhoun, Mike (Vickie) Whittle of Kennesaw, Frank (Vern) Whittle of Toccoa; many cousins also survive.

The family will receive friends on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Mitch Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Sugar Valley Baptist Church Cemetery.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Danny Lee Whittle.