Theresa Pass Appling

Theresa Appling of Cartersville, GA passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021 and was a daughter of Aaron & Martha Pass of Armuchee, Georgia. Theresa was a proud 1961 graduate of Armuchee High School where she enjoyed playing basketball and softball.

Mrs. Theresa Appling went to work for Southern Bell as a telephone switchboard operator in Rome, Georgia directly out of high school. She was later named Chief Operator and Switchboard Manager when promoted to the Southern Bell office in Cartersville, arriving in her green1966 Mustang. Theresa soon met Jimmy Lee Appling with his white 1968 Mustang GT and they married on Thanksgiving Day in 1970. As an intelligent and quick-minded lady, Theresa’s telecommunications career advanced taking her all over Atlanta as her job transitioned from Southern Bell to AT&T, then Bell South, and Lucent Technologies. Theresa retired after 38 years, which was a true disappointment to her peers at the phone company.

In her younger years, Theresa played women’s professional softball and travelled across the country. She also was a champion skeet shooter having been trained while growing up on the family farm with her older sister Freddie and her younger brother Larry. Animals and children of all ages gravitated toward Theresa wherever she went, and she enjoyed them all.

Theresa’s caring and generous spirit was evident to everyone she met. Her family members often speak of her inner strength and will greatly miss her quick and beautiful smile. Theresa had been a dedicated caregiver for her mother-in-law, Frances Smith Appling. Theresa loved music and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Cartersville. In her final years, she was lovingly cared for by the staff of Brookside Assisted Living and her exceptional personal caregiver, Ashley Nelson.

Mrs. Appling is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Lee Appling, her parents, sister Freddie Touchstone and niece Sherry Pass. Theresa is survived by her son John Appling and his wife Jennifer, step-daughters Connie A. McSwain and Cindy Farmer (Tom), grandchildren, William and Chris McSwain (Randi Winn), Thomas Farmer (Mayara), Cathryn Farmer, and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her favorite brother, Larry (Cindy) Pass, as well as special niece Patricia (Hank) Toole and her extraordinary nephews, Stan (Lisa), Mike (Liz), and Kevin (Valerie) Touchstone, and seven great nieces and nephews. Countless extended family and dear friends are left to treasure Theresa’s memory.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 4, 2021 in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home with Rev. Chris McSwain officiating. The interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery with Stan Touchstone, Mike Touchstone, Kevin Touchstone, Tom Farmer, Thomas Farmer and Hank Toole serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity at the Well or The Alzheimer’s Association.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to leave online condolences for the family. Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, is honored to serve the Appling family.