Ronnie Claire Edwards Dead at 83

Ronnie Claire Edwards

Ronnie Claire Edwards, best known for her role as Corabeth Godsey in The Waltons, died on June 14. She was 83.

The announcement came from her Facebook page, which read, “Ronnie Claire passed peacefully in her sleep this evening.” An additional post stated: “Our beautiful and extraordinary friend has peacefully made her final curtain call. Thank you all for your wonderful caring and support.”

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on February 9, 1933​, the actress appeared in over 100 episodes of the hit series, making her first appearance on the third season. Running from 1971 to 1981, the show followed the life and trials of a Virginia mountain family during the 1930s and ’40s through financial depression and World War II.

Edwards appeared on several memorable series in her career, including Dallas, Falcon Crest, Dynasty, Designing Women, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. She reprised her role as Corabeth in several Waltons TV movies, including A Walton Wedding in 1995 and A Walton Easter in 1997.

Earl Hamner Jr. Dead at 92

Earl Hamner Jr.

Earl Hamner Jr., who created the popular television drama The Waltons, has died at 92. His son Scott announced on Facebook that Hamner had been suffering from cancer, and died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 23.

The Waltons was based on Hamner's novel, "Spencer's Mountain," which was in turn inspired by Hamner's childhood in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia during the Great Depression.

The series ran for nine seasons on CBS, and featured Richard Thomas as John Boy Walton, an aspiring writer who represented Hamner. John Boy was surrounded by his parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters and the larger community of Walton's Mountain, people living good lives under trying economic conditions.

The Waltons often ended with one of the family members drifting off to sleep with the words, "Good night, John Boy," and an off-camera narration by Hamner himself.

Following the end of The Waltons series, Hamner Jr. created popular primetime soap opera Falcon Crest.

Scott Hamner said of his father's final moments: "He was surrounded by family, and we were playing his favorite music, John Denver's 'Rocky Mountain Collection.' Dad took his last breath halfway through 'Rocky Mountain High.'"

Where Are They Now? Child Stars Gather for 1st Guiding Star Gala (Photos)

Rachel Lindsay Greenbush, Jeremy Miller, Erin Murphy, Alison Arngrim,
Kami Cotler, and Keith Coogan. Photo Credit: Bill Dow Photography

On August 30, A Minor Consideration, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives and working conditions of child performers, held its first friend-raiser entitled the “Guiding Star Gala.” Over 40 former and current actors and child stars attended the event, which also featured special guest Jen Lilley (Theresa, Days of our Lives).

Attendees included Alison Arngrim, Paul Peterson, Erin Murphy, David Bloch-Mandel, Jeremy Miller, Scott Schwartz, Katie Kurtzman, Darby Hinton, Sarah Monahan, Johnny Whittaker, Randal Whipple, Geri Jewell, Tony Dow, Radames Pera, Jeanne Russell, Liane Curtis, Samantha Stanton, Kami Cotler, Ellen Latzen, Leif Garrett, Dawn Lyn, Sarah Em, and Coogan's grandson, Keith Coogan, as well as many others, who gathered to share, support and speak out.

An evening of fun, food and bowling with some of your favorite child stars at the famous Lucky Strike Live at Hollywood & Highland offered an impressive silent auction (put together by the events organizer, Scott Schwartz) with proceeds going to the charity.

Remembering Ralph Waite, a 'Waltons' Movie Marathon Saturday on Hallmark Channel

Ralph Waite, longtime star of THE WALTONS and "Father Matt" on DAYS OF OUR LIVES the past five years, died on February 13, 2014. Hallmark Channel is paying tribute to the actor will a Waltons movie marathon on Saturday, February 22, starting at 1 p.m. ET. Check out the schedule below: