Novella Aiken Elder, 81, Union City, died Sept. 9, 2004. She was born Aug. 23, 1923 in Fayette County, the daughter of James and Sallie Davis Aiken. She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Elder, and a son, Ricky Elder.

Services were at the Parrott Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Terry Braswell Sr., officiating. Interment was at Holly Hill Memorial Park.

Survivors include a son, Jerry and Arlene Elder, Fairburn; a daughter, Linda and Hugh Rainwater, Douglasville; grandchildren, Kim Williams, Newnan, Kathy Rainwater, and Scott and Kendra Rainwater, all of Douglasville; and great-grandchildren, Kris Elder, Austin Williams, Alexander Williams, Kaylin Williams, and Kason Rainwater. Parrott Funeral Home, Fairburn, was in charge.

James C. Jim” McCranie, 61, Fayetteville, died Sept. 15, 2004. He was born May 25, 1943 in Ben Hill County, Ga. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Hildred McCranie, and brothers Allen McCranie, and David McCranie. He was a member of the Sharing Sunday School class at Flat Creek Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, choir member, and had served on various committees.

Services were at Flat Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Priester, and the Rev. Russell T. Barker officiating. Interment was at Westminster Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City.

Survivors include his wife, Nina McCranie, Fayetteville; a son, David and Janet McCranie, Senoia; a daughter, Lisa and James Hammock, Sharpsburg; grandchildren, Samuel Hammock, Sharpsburg, Caitlyn McCranie, Senoia; siblings, Laverne Hogan and Billy McCranie, both of Fitzgerald, Marianne Whitaker, Thomson, Jonnie Grimsley, Warner Robins, Joyce Crump, Knoxville, Tenn., and Bonita James, Valley, Ala.

Memorial donations may be made to the Flat Creek Baptist Church Building or Choir Fund, 161 Flat Creek Trail, Fayetteville, GA 30214 or Southwest Christian Hospice, 7225 Lester Road, Union City, GA 30291.Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City, was in charge.

Mary Illene Eskew Dodson, 81, Newnan, died Sept. 15, 2004. She was the daughter of David and Mary Eskew. She was the foster parent for 55 years to hundreds of children ranging from Georgia to Houston, Texas. Once she had 27 children in her home at one time.

Services were at the McKoon Funeral Home.

Survivors include her husband, Harold Dodson; daughters, Dolores West, and Kristie Dodson, and Katie Dodson, all of Newnan, and Frances Dodson, Houston, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

McKoon Funeral Home, Newnan, was in charge.