(a) When either the plaintiff or the defendant dies after a case has been tried and before the expiration of the time within which the party, if living, might have entered an appeal, and no appeal has been entered, the legal representative of the deceased party may enter an appeal within 30 days from the time he qualifies. If an appeal is not entered within the time prescribed in this Code section, judgment may be entered and execution issued as though the deceased party were alive, without making the representative a party.

(b) When an appeal is entered as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, it shall not be necessary to revive the action, but it shall be revived by the appealing party giving notice to the adverse party within 30 days from the time of entering the appeal. When a defendant appeals, the case shall stand for trial on the appeal docket at the first term of the court after the expiration of six months from the qualification of the executor or administrator.

(c) In case of the death or removal from office of any executor or administrator pending such proceedings as are prescribed in subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section, an administrator de bonis non may be made a party in like manner.