James Edward "Ed" Walden Sr.

James Edward “Ed” Walden, of Covington, Georgia, lived a wonderfully colorful life—one filled with family, faith, football, laughter, and more than a few Oatmeal Creme Pies, Coca-Cola's and Dr. Pepper's.

Born August 9, 1938, Ed was the son of the late Willie Henry and Pearl Geneva Bell Walden. He grew up in Porterdale and graduated from Newton County High School, where he proudly wore No. 39 for the Newton County Rams football team. A talented artist, Ed studied art at the University of Georgia before serving his country in the United States Army. His artistic side never left him. He would draw on just about anything that would stand still—and occasionally on people who did, too. A Sharpie was rarely far away.

Ed later spent 24 years as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in downtown Atlanta, where coworkers remember him as a hoot to work with and someone who brought plenty of personality to an ordinary day. To say Ed was a collector would be putting it mildly. He seemingly knew every flea market within a hundred-mile radius and loved finding anything interesting, unusual, old—or simply something he decided needed to come home with him.

He loved Elvis Presley, the Georgia Bulldogs, car shows and his hometown, including a hot dog from Butchers Block or a home-cooked meal from Stalvey's.

Later in life, he enjoyed traveling, game shows, playing bingo and looking forward to the next bingo night. One of his greatest joys was watching his son preach the Word of God. Above all, Ed loved the Lord and his family. He was immensely proud of his children and the family they built. He was proud to be a Walden—and proud of everyone attached to the name. Ed was funny, mostly unbothered, effortlessly cool and completely himself. If you knew him, chances are you have an Ed story—one that still makes you smile. Perhaps that is one of the best measures of a life well lived: leaving behind stories the people who loved you will keep telling.

Ed was preceded in death by his daughter, Jamie Erin Walden and his two sisters and six brothers. He is survived by his brother, Larry Walden, and his wife, Sandra; his children, Gay Goodman, Becky Walden, Leslie Reid, Charlotte Johnson, Steve Walden and his wife, Kim, Ed Walden Jr. and his wife, Candy, and Willie Walden and his wife, Angie; along with his beloved and ever-growing family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Ed passed away on September 19, 2026, surrounded by the people he adored. He lived life his way. He loved his people. He loved the Lord. He loved his hometown. He collected just about everything else. And there will never be another quite like Ed.

Visitation celebrating Ed’s life will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m in the Chapel of Haisten Funeral Home. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. Interment will follow at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Covington. In lieu of flowers, contributions are asked to be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in memory of Ed.