Stanley Allison Waits

Mr. Stanley Allison "Stan" Waits, age 69, of Dahlonega, formerly of Cedartown, passed away suddenly Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

Stan was born in Cedartown on November 21, 1950, the second child of John Marcus Waits, Jr. and Annie Laurie Crumbley Waits.

Stan graduated from Cedartown High School in 1968 and for a short time attended the Georgia Institute of Technology. He left Georgia Tech to go into business for himself thereby beginning a series of varied and colorful careers. During his life he worked for or operated painting contracting businesses, labored on commercial fishing boats in the Florida Keys, and operated a wholesale seafood business. While living in Athens in the early 70s, his car…that he painted like the American flag…became something of a local cultural icon as he and his brothers Dan and Jeff rode around town.

Stan loved rescuing animals (attested to by the 8-10 dogs he and Mary usually housed), beekeeping, gardening, and writing. In 2014 he completed a semi-autobiographical novel, Another Long Hot Day, that had been “smoldering” inside him for decades. Some of the book is fiction; much of it actually happened, and the writing of it helped purge Stan of pain he had harbored for years. He dedicated the book: “To my wife Mary. You believed in me and made me better.”

Throughout his adult life, Stan struggled with the disease of addiction and alcoholism. He enjoyed several long and successful periods of sobriety through the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. In those “good” years, he was faithful to reach out to help fellow alcoholics in any way he could. Eventually, however, he lessened his vigilance, and the disease won the battle.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Fox Waits of Dahlonega; daughter Oakleigh Waits of Key West, Florida; son Stanley Allison Waits, Jr. “Chip” of Colorado; bonus daughter Katie (Eric) Ford of Dahlonega; and grandchildren Cormac Geoghegan, Stella Luna Boldin Waits. Alyssa Ford, and Alaina Ford. He and his four siblings: Daniel Waits (deceased); Mark Waits (Jeff Yoakum) of Cedartown; Jeff Waits of Dahlonega; and Melanie Waits Holbrook of Hiram, remained close throughout his life and possessed a bond forged through adversity that was coveted by many. Stan also had a special place in his heart for his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his cousins.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. ‒ 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the Smith & Miller Funeral Home in Cedartown. Dress is casual. No formal service will be conducted.

Out of concern and respect for each other, the family requests that friends comply with best practices in preventing the spread of COVID-19, including face coverings, social distancing, no handshaking/ hugging, etc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Cedartown/Polk County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1339, Cedartown, GA 30125 (PayPal – Cedaranimals@gmail.com) or to the charity of your choice.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Stanley Allison Waits.