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Faye Owen Wakeman

Kevin The Editor

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Mrs. Faye Owen Wakerman

Mrs. Faye Owen Wakeman, age 96, of Rockmart, GA, passed away Friday morning, February 14, 2025.

Vera Faye Wakeman nee Vera Faye Owen – took that middle name and ran with it. From Texas to the Mountains of North Carolina to Brazil, Atlanta and finally in Rockmart, Georgia.

In between, she was stilled at 21 when polio confined her to an iron lung, where she wavered between here and beyond and came roaring back. Poverty made her to appreciate the wooden floor over dirt, despite the cracks she swept it clean, patched her clothes and pulled off elegance.

She birthed her miracle baby Brenda – a Texas first – who survived RH Factor. Facing the world alone after parting with her war- ravaged husband, she met her darling Bill and began constructing a life beyond the conventional.

We nephews knew her as Nana Faye – the Auntie Mame in our life. No boas perhaps, but always elegant with a touch of extravagance – she’d command a room as she’d cross it, then stoop and ask if she could sneak us a goodie. Taking her tea in a China cup and spilling it (the tea) with anyone who would sit beside her.

She always had something to tell you, and stories connected by “anyways,” would fill the hours. You’d come away feeling loved, her soft hands reaching out to capture yours, and her seeking eyes imploring you to be well. 

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Big hearted, big spirited, and never short of opinions and their origins, she had a soft spot for babies – loved on them endlessly, but resignedly knew they were a children of the world. Her life’s work was to accept and explore the hurts and bruises life brings us all as we grow – we were all her babies. She’ll be missed for the laughter, her curiosity, interest and care for so many parts of the human experience. Sis, Darling, Mama Fay, Nana, Grammy she was all those things and more. 

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Her long goodbye mixed her stories. The veil between life and after frayed again and she walked between them. Her close generations daughter Brenda and grandson Nathan remained her unfailing sources of love and protection. We’ll remember earlier times – framed by blooming dogwoods, smiling over a fresh-baked chocolate pie, or the safe harbor of her loving care you somehow felt was just for you. We’ll miss her joy, her irrepressibility, and her larger- than- life character that is now beyond life itself. 

Safe journey into light Faye

Mrs. Wakeman was born in Dobbin, TX, on August 17, 1928, a daughter of the late Edward Sargent Owen and Ottis Lee Owen. Mrs. Wakeman was a spiritual counselor who balanced her life with her family and the love she had for her work. She had an intense love for her family.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wakeman was preceded in death by her husband, William Hugh Wakeman, two brothers, James Owen and Paul Owen, and a sister, Ruth Hill.

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Mrs. Wakeman is survived by four children, Brenda Wakeman, William Wakeman, III, David Wakeman, and Lydia Dalton; nine grandchildren, Emily Dalton, Nathan Wakeman, Richard Wakeman, John David Wakeman, Heather Wakeman, Amber Wakeman, Cheyanna Wakeman, Ethan Wakeman, and AJ Wakeman; sisters, Grace Wakeman, Gloria Drab, and Charlotte Owen; and several nieces and nephews.

In keeping with her wishes, Mrs. Wakeman will be cremated, and memorial services will be held at a later date.

Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Faye Owen Wakeman.

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Daniel Zych

February 5, 2026
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By Kevin The Editor

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Daniel John Zych was born 7/9/1952 and passed away on 1/30/2026, at the age of 73. He usually went by Dan, but was Danny to family and friends. He was born in Delaware to a mother of English and Irish heritage, and a father of Eastern European roots. His name, Daniel, came from his mother’s favorite song, “Oh, Danny Boy,” set to the beloved “Londonderry Air.” From the very beginning, music and meaning were woven into his life.

In his younger years, he was a true surf bum in Cocoa Beach, Florida, drawn to the ocean and the freedom it represented. It was there, during spring break from college, that he met his future wife, Ila Mildred “Millie” Zych. That meeting would shape the rest of his life.

Daniel was a hardworking man whenever his health allowed. Over the years, he worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), ran and co-owned a gas station with his brother, apprenticed as a pad mechanic at NASA-following in his father’s footsteps- briefly helped build airplanes at Lockheed Martin, contributed to the foundation of several buildings as an ironworker, served as a stock clerk and Produce Manager at a grocery store, and in retirement, shelved books at the local library. He also frequently volunteered time during his retirement years at local food banks – unpacking donations, shelving books and organizing cans.

He will be remembered as the cook of the household, a storyteller who told the very best bedtime stories, and a grandfather who carried that tradition forward by writing books for his grandchildren. He played piano and guitar entirely by ear, often filling rooms with music for family and friends. He sang his daughters to sleep, especially cherishing the song “If I Had a Little Tiny Fiddle.” His daughters lovingly called him “Big Bog,” and he called them his “baby bogs” after tucking them in at night-small moments that became lifelong memories.

Though he was not a wealthy man, he was a collector, a hobbyist, and a dreamer. Daniel loved cars and motorcycles. In retirement, he once purchased a Harley-Davidson outright, determined to make riding it his “last hurrah.” His imagination was different than reality and he later gifted the bike to his son-in-law. That mix of impulsiveness, passion and generosity was part of who he was.

He valued health and fitness, followed regimented eating habits, and found peace in gardening. He struggled with mental illness, but instead of hiding from it he worked to understand and survive it. Often, you would find him with his nose in a book or an ink pen in hand, learning something new or writing stories and poems. He was liberal in his views, highly intelligent, and deeply engaging-someone you could talk to for hours.

Daniel is survived by his siblings Jim Zych and Patsy Zaffrey, as well as his daughters, Kimberly Weiser of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kelly Turner of Decatur, Georgia.

Daniel lived a life of creativity, struggle, love, and resilience. He was imperfect, complicated, and deeply loved-and he will be remembered for the warmth he gave, the stories he told, and the love he held for his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), supporting mental health care and services for those living with schizophrenia.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Daniel Zych.

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