Joseph Nathaniel J.N. Baxter, 82, of Carrollton, Georgia passed away Monday, October 24th, 2016. J.N., son of John Preston Baxter and Carrie McKenzie Baxter, was born in Carroll County on June 9th, 1934 during the Great Depression. The eldest of three children, he was preceded in death by his parents, sister Martha Ann Smith and nephew Randy Smith. J.N. was always an early riser and ready to put in a hard days work, a habit he picked up from an early age living on the family farm, picking cotton. As a child, he loved trick riding horses, hunting, fishing and playing with his siblings and cousins out on the family land, as well as attending church service in the Abilene community. After graduation from Mt. Zion High School in 1953, he got a job working at Sewell Manufacturing in Bremen, Georgia, and there he met his wife Iona Onie Newman, and they married in 1954. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956 and served for two years. It was during those years that his wife taught him to play guitar and they started singing and playing hillbilly and bluegrass music. Upon moving back to Carrollton, he started his career as a lineman with Georgia Power company, and retired after 33 years. He and his wife were founding members of the band, The Bluegrass Five, and became an influential part of the bluegrass music scene in Georgia performing for over 50 years. J.N., along with the other members of the band, were honored in 2001 with induction into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. J.N. loved his community and church, and was involved in many organizations and activities. A pillar of Buck Creek Lodge # 639, he achieved the status of 50 year mason, and was a past Master, as well a 50 year member the Eastern Star. He also fulfilled the role of church clerk and deacon for several decades at Abilene Baptist Church, and was a past member of Golden Kiwanis Club of Carrollton. He served on the Board of Directors at Carroll County Farm Bureau, was a member of the Georgia Power Ambassadors, and was a member of the Carroll County Cattlemans Association. J.N. is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Onie Baxter, daughters Joanna McClure and Jane Baxter, granddaughter Paige Houston and her husband Colby, grandson Preston McClure and his wife Misty, and great grandchildren, Jordan and Lauren Houston and Violet McClure. He is also survived by his brother Billy Baxter and his wife Myra, brother-in-law Charles Smith, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Almon Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 2 P. M. from the chapel of Almon Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Brown officiating. Pallbearers will be Preston McClure, Colby Houston, Perry Reynolds, Wyatt Williams, Jerry Driver, David Sharp, Kenny Wylie and Frank Kennerly. Honorary pallbearers will be Georgia Power Ambassadors, Jordan Houston, Gordon Sharp and Charles Smith. Interment will be in Abilene Baptist Church Cemetery with full Masonic Rites. Memorial contributions may be to Eastside Baptist Church, 42 Little New York Rd, Carrollton, Georgia 30116. Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com. Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.