Carolyn Theresia Wright McDearis Walraven

Carolyn Theresia Wright McDearis Walraven, 85, of Charleston, SC, and Calhoun, GA, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Born on January 23, 1941, in Calhoun, GA, Theresia was a daughter of the late F.A. “Tom” Wright and Mozelle Wilson Wright. She graduated from Calhoun High School, where she was crowned Homecoming Queen, and attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega.

Theresia devoted more than two decades to public service in Northwest Georgia. She began her career with Gordon County in 1977 and rose through every level of county government, serving as Personnel Director, County Clerk and County Administrator, where she oversaw 24 departments and developed the first local government solid waste management plan approved by the State of Georgia. In 1993 she became Deputy County Administrator of Whitfield County, where she secured the federal funding for and managed the restoration of the historic 1850 Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel at Tunnel Hill, now an award-winning heritage site. She was a Certified County Clerk, Finance Officer and County Official through the University of Georgia and served her community through the Development Authority of Whitfield County, Dalton-Whitfield Clean & Beautiful, the Pilot Club of Calhoun and the Kiwanis Club of Dalton. She was a longtime member of Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun, where she served as Church Clerk and loved teaching Vacation Bible School each summer. She loved to travel and to cook, and she treasured her annual “Cousins” trip. She was preceded in death by the father of her sons, Charles Richard McDearis; her grandson, Keegan MacLeod; her brother-in-law, Ferrell Grizzle; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Elaine Adams McDearis.

Theresia is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Monte and Brandi Frye McDearis of Nashville, TN, Kevin and Tracy MacLeod McDearis of Charleston, SC; six grandchildren, Mason, Scarlett, Carson, Bailey and Madison McDearis and Nicholas MacLeod; five great-grandchildren, Penny, Ronan, Adler, Hanson, and Wade MacLeod; her sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Rob Emerson; her nephew and his wife, DeVaughn and Melissa Grizzle; her great-nephew, Reed Grizzle; and many cousins and dear friends.

Funeral services and burial will be held in her hometown of Calhoun, GA. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, where friends may greet the family from 5pm to 8pm at Thomas Funeral Home, 535 Redbud Road NE, Calhoun, GA. Funeral services will begin at 2pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in the chapel of Thomas Funeral Home, 535 Red Bud Road, Calhoun, GA, with Scott Allen officiating. Interment will follow at Chandler Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Theresia’s memory may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association .

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at https://www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com.

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Carolyn Theresia Wright McDearis Walraven.