Leo Whaley

COHUTTA — Leo Jackson Whaley, 83, departed this life Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Ga. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Jackson Whaley and Minnie Lemons Whaley and siblings Mazie Woody, Loy Whaley, Ruth Foster, Margie Parris, Edna Dixon, Ilena Davis, Agnes Wampler, and Emma Blanchard. Mr. Whaley was a long-time member and Deacon of Cohutta First Baptist Church, the American Legion and served as an officer for many years, was a 60-year member of the Cohutta Masonic Lodge #64 and was a Shriner. He was active in politics for many years and attended three Republican National Conventions and many State Conventions. He was a Cohutta Town Councilman for over 25 years and later served a term as a Whitfield County Commissioner. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Peggy Ellis Whaley, of Cohutta; daughters and sons-in-law: Sherri and Roger Queen, of Birmingham, Ala., Angela and Paul Gillaspie, of Alabaster, Ala., and Traci and Steve Channell, of Northport, Ala.; grandchildren, Christopher Jackson Queen, Ashley and spouse Ryan Barger, Josh and spouse Kristen Gillaspie, Nick Gillaspie and fiancé Asia Davison, Jake Gillaspie, and Chase Channell; great-granddaughters, Lauren and Lilly Barger; and special family friend, Salvador Valdez, who was like a son. He is also survived by sisters, Mildred Fauscette and Wanda Tibbs and brother James Whaley. A memorial service to honor the life of Mr. Whaley will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Cohutta First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Saturday at the church from 1 p.m. until the service time at 2 p.m. A private graveside service will be held afterwards for the immediate family. You may leave the family a message at www.julianpeeples.com Funeral arrangements are by Julian Peeples Funeral Home, Pleasant Grove Chapel, Dalton. For more information, call 706-259-7455.