Mary Louise Hobgood

Mrs. James Hollister Hobgood, Sr, the former Mary Louise Nevin, 88, died Thursday, February 12th at Delmar Gardens of Smyrna, Georgia. She was born October 30, 1926 in Atlanta to Henry Wells Nevin and Louise Denny Nevin. She grew up in Atlanta and Dalton, graduating from Dalton High School in 1942. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1945 with a degree in journalism. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority and was one of the first female editors of the student newspaper, The Red and Black. Her time in Athens began her lifelong love and support of the University of Georgia, especially their football team. Newspapers were a major influence in her life. Her father was editor of The Daily Citizen in Dalton until his death. Her grandfather, James Banks Nevin of Rome, was editor of the Atlanta Georgian. Her great grandfather, M.A. Nevin of Rome, partnered in the newspaper business and was proprietor of the Nevin Opera House. Following graduation from college she returned to Dalton and began work at The Daily Citizen where she met her future husband who had returned to journalism following his World War II service. After their marriage, the couple worked at the Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer before moving to Calhoun in 1950 where they purchased The Gordon County News in 1958 and merged with The Calhoun Times in 1960. They partnered with longtime newspaperman J.Roy McGinty and later with the late John Hughes until selling the Calhoun newspapers in 1976. In 1958 Mrs. Hobgood became the first woman elected to public office in Calhoun, serving two terms on the School Board. She taught at Calhoun High School from 1965-1973, primarily teaching journalism and serving as advisor to The Cherokee Phoenix student newspaper. In 1973 she became the first woman in Calhoun to work full-time in real estate and later became the first female broker. She is survived by her children Nancy Hobgood Winn (Robert) of Park City, Utah; Linda Hobgood Cone (Charles) of Smyrna; James Hobgood, Jr. (Lou Ella) of Rome; five grandchildren, Harrison Eubanks (Nicol) of Midway, UT; Jaret Winn of Park City, Utah; Jayna Winn of Monterey, California; Mary Nevin Hobgood Gauthier (Thomas) of Norwalk, CT; and Hollis Rose Hobgood Barton (Dustin) of Rome; and great-grandchildren Harrison and Hudson Eubanks of Midway, UT. She is also survived by her sister Maurine Nevin Hale and niece Louise Hale Gutierrez (Roy) of Little Rock, Arkansas, a sister-in-law Mrs. Jack Hobgood of Calhoun; a brother-in-law, Mr. Sam Garrett of Dallas, Texas, many nieces, nephews, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, James Hollister Hobgood, Sr., in 1988 and in 2014 by her brother, Dr. Harlan Nevin of Dallas, TX. Services will be held Sunday, February 15th at 2:00 PM at Thomas Funeral Home in Calhoun, GA. The family will receive visitors prior to the service from noon to 2:00 PM at Thomas Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers are Sam Edwards, Tucker Hobgood, Ed Lewis, Bill Richards, Tim Savage, and Jefferson Smith. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hobgood may be made to the Gordon County Historical Society, P.O. Box 342 in Calhoun, GA. You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mary Louise Hobgood.