The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Lucien W. Hope, Jr. "Buzz", 88, of Knoxville, TN passed away on January 25, 2023, at the UT Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. His calm passing came after several days suffering from bilateral pneumonia. He was the eldest son of the late Lucien W. Hope and Ruth M. Hope and was born on July 19, 1934, in Atlanta, GA as a 6th generation Atlantan. He was predeceased by his siblings Barbara Hope Hancock, R. Lawson Hope, and Sally Hope Stancil. His proudest achievement was marrying his high school sweetheart, Marie Jett Hope, on June 16, 1956, after a storybook courtship that began in 1950 when they attended North Fulton High School. Buzz is survived by his wife Marie, son Lucien...

George Chandler Kaulbach, age 90, of Cornelia, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Mr. Kaulbach was born on September 26, 1932 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late George Chandler Kaulbach, Sr. and Marion Coates Kaulbach. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Duncan E. Kaulbach; his sisters, Suzanne Naylor, Lois Ferguson; and his brother-in-law, Gavin W. Jones. George was an honorably retired minister member of the Northeast Georgia Presbytery and he attended the First Presbyterian Church of Cornelia. He graduated in 1950 from Marist High School in Atlanta. He then graduated from the Presbyterian College in 1954 and Columbia Seminary in 1964. Following...

Mary Eleanor Wickersham, 72, died on January 24, 2023, leaving behind an adventure-filled life, a wonderful family, and a tremendous professional and personal legacy. The second child of the late Dr. and Mrs. William Rawlings, Sr., of Sandersville, Georgia, Mary Eleanor was married to David Wickersham for 49 years before his untimely death in 2017. Together they raised two children: Eleanor (Nathaniel) Cates of Atlanta and Dr. Penn (Valerie Reynolds) Wickersham of San Antonio, Texas and were the proud grandparents of Kay and Will Wickersham and Nora and Rawlings Cates. She was a member of Sandersville United Methodist Church and Dunwoody UMC. Over her career, Mary Eleanor broke the...

Lynda Gayle (Pittman) Watts, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, died January 23, 2023, after a sudden illness. Lynda was born December 31, 1950, in Bradenton, Florida. She grew up in Florida and in Missouri. She earned an undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and a graduate degree as a Ford Foundation fellow from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She worked for the Emory University School of Medicine, in its research labs and in the surgery residency program. She raised a lovely daughter, Margaret, and was a vital part of the life of her beautiful grandson, Finn. Lynda was predeceased by her paternal grandmother, Alma Pittman, of...

Steven Ronald Actman, Jr. 'Ron' left our presence to bask in the infinite sunlight of a distant shore on Jan 16, 2023. Ron was born August 8, 1956, to Steven Actman and Shirley June Dalhoff Actman in Mobile, AL. He spent most of his life as an Atlantan, though his favorite childhood summers were those spent in Mobile, fishing the causeway for crabs, later to be in Grandma's gumbo. He worked and lived as The Chimney Sweep and watched Atlanta grow from her rooftops. Each Christmas, he would bring joy to children with a scrap of red felt he would 'find' in their chimneys. Ron loved traveling, camping, fishing, diving, spelunking, and all things leisure or adventure, especially if laced...

Cecil Randolph Spooner, Sr. of Stone Mountain, GA, passed away on January 19, 2023. He was born December 8, 1925 in Seminole County, GA, to his late parents, Luke E. Spooner and Delia J. Spooner. Cecil was a graduate of Berry High School, Rome, GA, and University of Georgia where he was a member of Blue Key, Alpha Zeta, ODK, and Sphinx Society. He was a 4-H Club Exchange student to Syria and Lebanon. He worked for GA Agricultural Extension Service as County Agent in Telfair County before joining the private agricultural industry. In 1965, Cecil was employed by the GA Department of Agriculture and retired as Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture. He served as President of American Plant...

Lucille V. Kilgo, age 96, of Conyers, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, J.A. and Willie Vines; son, Joseph Michael Kilgo. She is survived by her daughter, Betty Ann Kilgo-Harris; son, Stephen and Barbara Kilgo; grandchildren, Lisa Harris and Paul Braund, David Harrisand Christina Romanach, Luis and Amy Beltran, Shea and K. C. Kilgo, Erin and Todd Meredith, Cameron and Joy Ayer; great-grandchildren, Tori, Victor, Maddie, Casey, Chase, Blake, and Eric. Mrs. Kilgo was a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years. She served as worthy Matron of Glenwood Hills Chapter #438 five times before the chapter consolidated with...

Michael Zola Kay, age 83, of Atlanta, GA passed away peacefully in his home on January 19, 2023. Michael was born in New York City, spent his boyhood in Pittsburgh, and earned a B.S. degree in Hotel Administration at Cornell University. After launching his career at many of the marquis hotels in New York City, Michael came to Atlanta in 1980 as the CEO of Omni International Hotels. He went on to run the Portman Hotel Company and then in 1991 went on to become the turnaround CEO of LSG Sky Chefs, the largest provider of integrated in-flight airline catering. Michael has served on the boards of Radiant Systems, NSI, Shoptaw and Pullapart and dedicated much of his retirement years to serving on...

James F. Davis, Jr. (Jimmy), 78, passed away on January 19, 2023. He was a resident of Madison, GA and is survived by his wife, Susan of 58 years; three children, Shelly (Rusty) Ewing, Jim (Laura) Davis, Stephanie Davis; grandchildren, Alex (Jordan) Blankenship, Levi (Alexa) Ewing, Evan Davis, Katie Davis; great grand-child, Harlan Blankenship; sister, Judy Roseberry; nephews, David White and Ryan Roseberry. He retired from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 31 years; Police Chief, Snellville, GA, seven years; Contract Agent, State Department, Iraq, one year. He actively served his church and communities until injured in Iraq. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 24 from...

The Johnson family mourns the loss and celebrates the rich life of Lois Marjorie Johnson. She was our matriarch, our moral compass, our inspiration, our "Lolo." She left us on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, leaving us with the one-of-a-kind memories that only 94 years can provide. Lois was born in the big city, Chicago in 1928, but it was in the tiny Vermont city of Brattleboro where she would meet the love of her life. Ernie Johnson, Sr. returned from serving his country with the United States Marine Corps in World War II and met the Brattleboro High School cheerleader for the first time. They wed in 1947 and would be married for 63 years, raising two daughters, Dawn and Chris, and one...

Polly Herrin, Age 92, of Lawrenceville, GA, passed away January 17, 2023. She is preceded in death by: Edith and William Herrin (parents), Joseph Wilson (husband), William Landers (son). She is survived by: James Landers, Marie and Wayne Cain, Gerald Landers and Greg Causey, Janine and Paul Lemmings, Alan and Karrin Landers, stepchildren Michael and Aimee Wilson, Stephen and Lisa Wilson, Sandra and Richard Doucette, and Tricia Wilson Mills as well as 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Polly was a graduate of the Visitation Academy in Mobile, received her undergraduate degree in Education from Auburn University, and master's degrees in Counseling from Georgia State University and...

Carleton Asbury Brown, 80, passed away, January 16, 2023, in Aiken, South Carolina surrounded by his wife of 55 years, Diana, and his devoted family. Carleton was born on April 24, 1942 in Baltimore, MD. After graduation from The Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, he attended Norwich University and obtained his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and later a MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Upon graduation from Norwich, Carleton was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Combat and Construction Engineer Officer. He was stationed in Korea near the DMZ as Commander of "C" Company, 802nd Engineer Battalion and led the construction of the Belvoir...

Jon Thames, age 84, of Conyers, distinguished Professor of Law at the University of South Carolina and John Marshall Law School, passed away Saturday, January 14 ,2023. He is preceded in death by father, Lefloure Elson Thames, mother, Maxie Loree Dawson, mother, Luna Sue Thames; daughter, Holly Skipper, He is survived by his wife, Seong Ja-Leikness Thames; sons, Ripley Thames, Joel and Siovahn Thames, Clayton Leikness; daughter, Christine Leikness and Craig Wilson; brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Chae Thames, Eugene and Dorothy Dawson; sister, Jacqueline Jumonville; Many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Scot...

Patricia "Patty" McDuffie Peagler left the bonds of this earth to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 14, 2023 after a multi-year battle with brain cancer. During this time, she displayed an indomitable spirit of love, joy, and peace. She remained positive throughout the many procedures and treatments and was an encouragement to all. She will forever be in our hearts. Patty was born in Atlanta on March 9, 1959, to the late George and Cortez McDuffie. She graduated from Mount Vernon Christian Academy. In 1982, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Education. It was at UGA that she met and fell in love with Chip, whose South Georgia charm won her over,...

James Richard Stewart, aged 85, of Dunwoody, Georgia, passed away January 13th, 2023. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Ann Leonard and his granddaughter, Hannah McKenzie Leonard. Jim was born on April 4th, 1937 in Hapeville, Georgia. He attended Georgia Military Academy. He continued his studies at the Georgia Tech. He was predeceased by his wife Ramona Margo Orr Stewart. Services will be held at the Roswell United Methodist Church chapel on January 23rd at 11:00 a.m. The family will be at Tuscany Cafe in Alpharetta after services.

Alice Harber Linton of Atlanta, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 12, 2023. Her life spanned over 92 years and was distinguished throughout by her loving spirit; a true friend to all she met coupled with her abiding faith. Born September 19, 1930 in Commerce, Georgia, Alice was the seventh of eight children and the youngest daughter of Drucilla McCoy Harber and James Jasper Harber, Sr. A loving family with four sisters and three brothers, to her parents, siblings and close family she was known affectionately as Sister. After graduating from Commerce High School, Alice moved to Atlanta at the age of 17 to begin a career as an X-Ray technician through training at Crawford Long...

Mr. Arthur Michael "Mike" Fredenburg, 80, of Kennesaw GA, passed away at his residence on January 12, 2023. He is survived by his wife Gail Fredenburg of 56 years, his daughters Michelle Fredenburg Johnson (Jimmy), Elizabeth Fredenburg Van Loon, and son Michael Louis Fredenburg (Jennifer), 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, brother Donald Fredenburg (Vickie) of Douglasville GA, sisters Sandra Fredenburg McLendon of Temple GA, and Monica Fredenburg Amerson of Smyrna GA, along with 2 nieces, 1 nephew and a stepmother Silvia Alatorre Fredenburg. Mike is predeceased in death by his parents the late Arthur Maurice Fredenburg and Elizabeth Shaddeau Fredenburg. Mike was born on August 31,...

Rita Winslett Hood, beloved wife of Bill Hood, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the age of 76. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Lord and Stephens, Danielsville. Lord and Stephens, Danielsville is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

John Robert Lines, age 74, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, in Newnan, GA surrounded by his loving family. Bob, as he was known by friends and family, was born on October 20, 1948, in Atlanta, GA, son to the late John Andrew Lines and Mary Claire Sheppard Lines. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Alice Witcher Lines; sons, Rob Lines (Tara), Jason Lines (Mary Heather), and Patrick Lines (Sophie); grandchildren, Conner Lines, Brady Lines, Ryan Pepper, Hanley Lines, Claire Lines, Ellie Grace Lines, and Paisley Lines. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Holloway (John), and his aunt Frances Scales. The service celebrating the life Bob lived is Thursday, January 19,...

Mrs. Sara Nicholson, age 80, of Franklin, Tennessee passed away peacefully Monday, January 9th, 2023. Sara was born on February 6, 1942 in Roswell, Georgia, daughter to the late Paul and Audrey Stanford. Sara grew up in Roswell, GA, graduating Roswell High School. She was married to the love of her life, the late Reuben Nicholson, for 53 years. The marriage was blessed with two children, Serita and Paula. Sara and Reuben had a very special love for each other. Sara was a bookkeeper most all of her career days, but found the most joy in cooking for her family and friends, as she was fabulous at it! She enjoyed working in her garden back in the day and was arguably the "tomato lady". She...