Mary Opal Davenport

Mary Opal Davenport

Mrs. Mary Opal Davenport, 74, of Chatsworth, passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005.

Survivors and arrangements will be announced by Peeples Funeral Home of Chatsworth.



John W. “Jack” Little

Mr. John W. “Jack” Little, 83, of Dalton, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lena Smith Little in 1994.

Jack is survived by his nieces and nephews, Jackie Cole of Memphis, Tenn., Bill Campbell of Dublin, Ohio, Jim Campbell of New Mexico, Mary L. Bitler of Lancaster, Ohio and Ray Moore of Lancaster; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Catherine and Gordon Rich, B.H. and DeEtte Smith, Sue and J.W. Stevens, Neta Henderson, Brenda and Ed Davis.

Other nieces and nephews also survive.

Services will be Monday at the Chapel of Love Funeral Home with the Rev. William C. Roberts and brother Benny Roberts officiating. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery.

The family receive friends at Love Funeral Home Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.

Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton is in charge of arrangements.



Keith Alan McDearis

Keith Alan McDearis, 53, of Dalton and formally of Calhoun died suddenly Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas while vacationing.

Keith was born in Floyd County in 1952, but grew up in Calhoun. He was the son of Marjean Robinson McDearis and the late Doyle McDearis. He was a graduate of Calhoun High School and received his B.A. degree in visual design from Auburn University where he played bongos in the Auburn Marching Band. He moved to Dalton as a graphic artist with Coy Burnett and Associates and worked for Real Design before opening his own company, KM Graphics in 1988.

He loved the theater, music and art. He was past president of Dalton Little Theater where he starred, directed, played piano and designed sets for numerous productions.

Besides his mother he is survived by his sister, Dianne Reynolds of Birmingham, Ala., his long-time companion of 27 years, Joey Parrott of Dalton; niece and nephew, Paige Reynolds Lester and her husband Todd and Chris Reynolds, all of Birmingham.

Memorial services will be Friday at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Dr. Bert Vaughn officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Dalton Little Theater, 210 N. Pentz St., Dalton, GA 30720 in memory of Keith McDearis.

Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



Charles Nathan ‘Judy’ Poag

Mr. Charles Nathan “Judy” Poag, 73, of Eton, passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. at his residence.

He was born Feb. 20, 1932. He was a member of Eton Baptist church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Verdie (Hogan) Poag, a brother, Jimmy Poag, and aunts, Ruby Kate Poag and Deecie Poag.

He attended every grammar school in Murray County, due to his family being sharecroppers. He graduated from Murray County High School in 1951. He was active in sports, but a stand-out baseball pitcher. His favorite thing was a Cleveland Indians baseball jacket he received while with the Cleveland farm club.

He attended Lincoln Memorial College with small financial assistance from a friend, and worked his way through college as a janitor in the girl’s dormitory.

He graduated in 1955 and returned to Murray County and began his teaching and coaching career at Murray County High School. He was the first coach to take the girls team to the state playoff. The team lost, but Murray County High School had finally fielded a team that won its way to a state championship playoff. His reward was to be fired as the girls coach.

His political career began in 1956 when he lost his first bid for sheriff by 32 votes. He was elected sheriff in 1960 and was the youngest sheriff ever elected as sheriff in Georgia. He went on to serve 16 years in office. He worked as a police officer for the Chatsworth Police Department for five years and as a state investigator for several years with the state of Georgia. His career also included serving 10 years as a state representative.

He spent his adult life helping others, especially the senior citizens of Murray County. As a legislator, his primary goals were to obtain funding for programs that would benefit the senior citizens and young people. He believed in the future, but felt the past should be preserved and each year he obtained funds for the Chief Vann House. He was the driving force that led to the building of the senior citizens center in Chatsworth. His effort was rewarded by having the center named the “Charles Judy Poag Senior Citizen Center.”

Judy dedicated his life to helping others and was always ready to help anyone in need.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Morris Poag of Eton; daughters and son-in-law, Judy L. Poag of Dalton, Cynthia and Alan Hubbell of London, England; sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Tommy Montgomery of Tunnel Hill; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray and Ramona Poag of Dalton, Jackie and Linda Poag of Chatsworth; granddaughter, Kate Poag; an uncle, Jack Poag, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends .

Services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Smith officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home today and Monday from 6 to 9 p.m.

All law enforcement and government elected officials will be honorary pallbearers.

Peeples Funeral Home and Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the funeral arrangements.



Jenny Marie Dill Tallent

Mrs. Jenny Marie Dill Tallent, 82, of Chatsworth, passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005, at Hamilton Medical Center.

She was a member of the Amazing Grace Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Tallent, father and mother, Silas and Fannie Dill, sister, Foya “Tootsie” Jones, brother, D.H. Dill and great-grandchild, Britney Newton.

Survivors include her daughters and son-in-law, Pat and Harlon Hales, Edna and Kenneth Hill, all of Dalton, Dianne and Terry Strawser of Chatsworth; grandchildren Rev. Mark Hales, Steve Hales, Samantha Newton, Jeff Hill, Tony Hill, Sharon Ledbetter, Danny Strawser and Jennie Petty; great-grandchildren, Whitney Newton, Cady Newton, Tiffany Strawser, Alanna Strawser, Kaylee Hales and Braxton Jackson; nieces and nephews; a special niece, Ruby Bennett and a special friend, Frances Kendrick.

Services will be Monday at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Darnell officiating.

Burial will be in the Center Valley Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home today after noon until the funeral hour on Monday.

Peeples Funeral Home and Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the funeral arrangements.



Marvin “Bud” Whiteside

Mr. Marvin “Bud” Whiteside, 77, of Dalton died Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 at his residence.

He was born Oct. 4, 1928 in Whitfield County, son of the late Jim and Rosa Lee Franklin Whiteside. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Masonic Lodge of Dalton.

His wife, Carolee Robinson Whiteside; daughter, Sheryal Whiteside, brother, John Harvey Whiteside, also preceded him in death.

He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law William and Gail Whiteside, Danny and Kim Whiteside, daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Ricky Whitener; brothers and sisters-in-law George Carl and Eileen Whiteside, Charles and Jean Whiteside, Lib Whiteside; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Doug Hammontree; grandchildren, Kane Whiteside, Kandace Whiteside and Todd Middleton, Andrew and Jake Whiteside, Erin and Kevin Whitener, all of Dalton.

Services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. from the Melrose Chapel of Ponders Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Cochran and the Rev. Milton Woods officiating.

Burial will be in the West Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. today.

Arrangements are by locally owned and operated Ponders Funeral Home and Crematory, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton. Your selected independent funeral home.