I cannot say that I know who your Thomas Mauldin is, but I did some research based on your post and what I have at my tree. I can account for all the Thomas Mauldin born in GA of an age to be Dovie's father except one and he appears to be the best candidate. My best guess is Thomas W Mauldin born 1842 son of Lemuel Homer Mauldin born 1812. Thomas can be found in Paulding Co, GA in 1870 with a wife named Tanny. He is in Paulding in 1880 with a wife named Sarah and two children, James L and Deller. I cannot find him in 1900, but his two half brothers, Lemuel H Mauldin born 1868 and William Matthews Mauldin born 1874, are BOTH in Dekalb County, AL, where your Dovie is. There is a 1889 marriage record for a Thomas W Maulding and Mary J Corhorn(sp) in Dekalb. It is spelled Cochean in another transcription. It appears Mary may have been married before and likely the two older girls are not Mauldins. Anyway, I have connected your family in my tree to this Thomas Mauldin for your evaluation. Another record to consider is the marriage of a T W Maulding to Minnie Eaton in 1895, Wayne, TN. He is supposed to have been named Thomas William Mauldin born about 1850 and is also absent from 1900 census. It seems Thomas W may have had a habit of marrying and deserting his wives, but I certainly cannot prove this. If I were you, I would do atDNA test and see if you can convince some of these possible cousins to test also.

Hope this helps

Link to what I found on this Thomas W Mauldin at my tree

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/18831238/person/811601982


Link to Minnie Eaton Mauldin at another tree

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/26740645/person/1914883289