Rebecca Nash Paden

Rebecca Nash Paden, active in community and historic preservation projects and issues, died peacefully on March 12, 2026. Born in Atlanta on November 3, 1939, she was the daughter of James Weir Nash and Gladys Rebecca Wright Nash. She was a Smyrna resident until she married and moved to Marietta after college graduation. As a student at the University of Georgia during the early 1960s, she majored in Journalism and found her calling as a staff writer on and later Editor of The Red and Black, the campus newspaper. Aside from routine assignments, she was assigned to guide some of the top national reporters around the campus during the integration of UGA in January 1961. (Women students were not allowed to hold positions as editor and other top responsibilities at that time) During the riots and rampage at UGA, Becky shared the lead story on the integration with Tom Johnson (later Los Angeles Times and CNN executive) for the first extra Red and Black edition in its history. Another prime assignment was interviewing the madam of Athens’ less-than- reputable “Red Light” district. She was a proud Bulldog for her entire life. After graduation with the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree, she worked for Cobb County newspapers and covered local government for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Later she received a Masters in Historic Preservation degree at Georgia State University. She was appointed to the Marietta Historic Preservation Commission, serving from its instigation in 2005 until 2024 and the Marietta Historic Board of Review. She also took on several community roles including membership on the Marietta City Schools Board of Education. The Cobb County Historic Preservation Commission, and founded, along with friends, Jim Glover and Johnny Sinclair, the Cobb Preservation Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of threatened historic places. She was named Woman of the Year by the Cobb YWCA in 2012. Becky also co-authored four books on the histories of Marietta, Cobb County and Roswell. She was predeceased by her parents, husband William Reynolds Paden, Jr., and her brothers James Wright Nash and John Richard Nash. Survivors include her son, Russell Donald King (Barbara), Marietta, daughter, Anna Rebecca King, Marietta, grandsons, Russell Nash King, Branch McGavock King, Atlanta, Zachariah Robert Norris,, and granddaughter, Rebecca Wright Norris and step grandchildren Madeleine Malone, Emilie Malone and Rosser Malone. Also surviving are stepdaughters Anne Maassen (Kirk) and Susan Ikerd (Hunter), step grandchildren Karl Maassen (Amy), Kenneth Maassen (Rachel), James Ikerd, III and Grace Ikerd, along with many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Marietta preceded by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 189 Church St., Marietta Georgia 30060.

Rebecca Nash Paden

November 3, 1939 - March 12, 2026