William Lee, age 81, died Thursday, November 5, 2009. He was born December 27, 1927 in Ulster County, New York, and had resided in Baxley, for the past 15 years. He was a retired Welder and was employed by Selco before his retirement. He was a World War II Army Veteran and was a member of Oak Grove Church of God. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Lee, daughter Jennifer Lee, and grandson Stephen Lee, Jr. He was the son of the late Oren Lee and the late Loretta Brown Lee. He is survived by five sons and Daughter-in-laws, William D. and Margarete Lee of Gondalas, LA, Matthew and Bonice Lee of Baxley, Mark and Halley Lee of Milton, Fl, Stephen A. and Sheila Lee of Baxley, and William O. Lee, Jr. of Baxley. One daughter, Jenny Ludwig of Milton, Fl. One Step-daughter, Freddie Hovatter of Baxley. Two brothers, Alfred Lee and Stuart Lee both of New York. Eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren; two special friends, Debbie Starkweather of Pace, Fl and Ann Jackson of Baxley. Funeral services were held Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral home with Rev. Dennis Bryant officiating. Interment followed in Appling Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers were Scott Lee, T.J. Beecher, Mark Lee, Scott Ludwig, Shawn Lee, Shawn Morris, and Tyler Kersey. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Cezar and her staff and the staff and students of the Sunshine Center. Musical selection were rendered by Debbie Taylor and Al Lowther. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Rose Marie Youngblood Baxley
Rose Marie Baxley, age 45, died Monday, November 2, 2009, in the Appling Health Care System. She was born February 3, 1964, in Clinch County, Georgia and had resided there until she moved to Baxley twenty years ago. She was the daughter of the late Clarence Youngblood and the late Dolly Youngblood. She is survived by her husband Wallace Baxley of Baxley; daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Glenn Dukes of Baxley; son, Michael Youngblood of Baxley; Step- daughters, Lacy and Freddy Etters of Baxley, Stepson's Clint and Stephanie Baxley of Baxley and Kevin Baxley, of Baxley: brothers and sisters-in-law Jack Youngblood, Allen Youngblood and Stephanie Youngblood all living in Baxley. Memorial services were held at 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home, with Rev. Jamie Jackson officiating. Musical selections were rendered by Freddie Etters, Redonnia Jackson, and Da'Neil Sharpe. Arrangements were under the directions of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Donald "Donnie" W. Norris
Donald "Donnie" W. Norris, age 59, passed away on Thursday, Oct 29, after an extended illness. He is survived by his wife Lynn of St. Simons Island; one son and daughter-in-law, Corey and Jessica Deal of Jacksonville, Florida; his mother Louise Norris, and sister Robbie Woods, of Savannah; and one brother, Mike Norris, of Baxley. A memorial service celebrating Donnie's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Noverber 7, at St. Simons United Methodist CHurch. The family will welcome friends after the service at a reception in the Thorpe Building behind the church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials in memory of Donnie Norris be made to the St. Simons United Methodist Church, 624 Ocean BLvd., St. Simons Island, GA, 31522.
John L. Crosby
Mr. John L. Crosby died Sunday, November 1, 2009 in the Wayne Memorial Hospital. Mr. Crosby was born July 7, 1923 in Appling County, to the late Byron Crosby & Dollie Johnson Crosby Walton. He was a member of Zion Church of God where he had served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Holmesville 195 and was retired from Pipefitters Union #150 and a retired Farmer. Mr. Crosby was preceded in death by his wife Madeline Tomberlin Crosby of 64 years of marriage prior to her death in 2005 and a grandson, Scotty Harper. Survivors Include: 2 Daughters & Sons-in-law, Brenda & Ranze Harper & Shelia & Billy Reese all of Surrency; A Son, Johnny Crosby of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; 1 sister, Lola Poole of Baxley; Brother, Albert Walton of Pooler. 6 grandchildren, Christy & Randy Crawford, Shea & Ryan McNeal, Brandy & Neal Griffin, Kylee & Scotty Herndon, Ike Crosby & Keri Crosby, 2 great-grandchildren, Braxton McNeal & Callie Crawford. Active Pallbearers: Byron Crosby, David Walton, Ralph Aycock, Charles Tyre, James Tomberlin, Don Tomberlin Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home. Interment: Zion Church of God Cemetery Minister: Rev. Steve Statum & Rev. R.M. Warren Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Swain Funeral Home. Family will assemble at the home, 1602 Dupe Herndon, Surrency. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
James Googe
James Googe died Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. Mr. Googe was born May 13, 1937, to the late John Wesley and Lucille Sumner Googe. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church and was a veteran of the United States Army. He had been employed by Piggly Wiggly as a meat cutter for several years and was the owner of Googe's Egg Farm where he was known as the Eggman. He was currently employed by Thompson Farm Supply. Mr. Googe was preceded in death by a daughter, Pam Googe. Survivors are: his wife, Patti Carter Googe of Baxley; 2 daughters, Lynn & husband Freddy Gardner of Broxton and Jennie Googe of Baxley; 1 son, Michael James Googe & wife Antela of Pooler; brother, Wade D. Googe of Rockhill, SC; sister, Faye Cowart of Darien; six grandchildren & several nieces and nephews also survive. Active Pallbearers: Matt Gardner, Josh Gardner, Josh Landmon, Caleb Googe, Robbie Gill, and Michael Beecher. Honorary Pallbearers: Sheriff Benny DeLoach, Freddy & Renee Stallings, Dr. Errol Graham, Dr. Garland Martin, Mendie Branch, Employees of the Baxley Post Office, Employees of Thompson Farm Supply, Don Webb * & Sunday School Class of Midway Baptist Church, Max & Helen Gardner, Rowdy & Patti Gribbles & Pat Baxley. Mr. Googe will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment: Midway Baptist Church Cemetery Ministers: Rev. Freddy Gardner & Rev. Chris Hall Visitation: will be Monday evening from 6pm until 8pm at Swain Funeral Home Family will assemble at the residence, 1230 Gardner Road Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Frances Fowler Herrin
Frances Herrin died Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. Mrs. Herrin was born March 16, 1940 in Appling County, to the late Joel Dalton and Katie Carter Fowler. She was a member of the Baxley Church of God. She was retired Educators and the Ladies ministries of the Baxley Church of God. She was Surrency High Homecoming Queen in 1958. Mrs. Herrin was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy McBride. Survivors are: Her husband, James Herrin of Baxley; daughter, Tammy Herrin Howell of Valdese, NC; 2 sons, Jeff Herrin of Bluffton, SC, and Greg Herrin of Baxley; 4 sisters, Ima Dean Herrin of Baxley, Velma Ruth Griffin of Surrency, Martha Contos of Hazlehurst, and Linda Hutcheson of Ludowici; 3 brothers, Dalton Fowler of Baxley, John Fowler of Athens, and Arthur Lee Lightsey of Greensboro; six grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews also survive. Pallbearers: Winton Herrin, Stanley Griffin, Dr. Don Williamson, Richie Sharpe, & Kevin Contos. Honorary Pallbearers: Retired Educators and Nieces & Nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 10, at 11am from the Baxley Church of God. Mrs. Herrin will lay in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment: Zion Church of God Cemetery Ministers: Rev. Lamar Lee and Rev. Bob Blackwell Visitation will be Monday evening from 6pm until 8pm at the Baxley Church of God. The family will assemble at the home at 215 Deerfield Drive. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Johnnyie Thompson Matkin
Johnnyie Thompson Matkin died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. Services were held in the chapel of Parkway Memorial Gardens at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 with the Rev. Dan Gatlyn officiating. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Rooks Funeral Home in Byron. Mrs. Matkin was born in Baxley, to the late John E. Crosby and Evelyn Bullard Crosby. Survivors include her husband of 15 years, Andy Matkin; children, John E. "Buster" Crosby and his wife, Kara and Endia Kelly; grandchildren, Adicia Coody, Chris Kelly, Ashley Kelly, Casey Kelly and Britley Grimes, and a great-grandson, Ashtin Williams. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Grady L. Thompson and their son, Thor R. Thompson. Rooks Funeral Home in Byron was in charge of arrangements.
Gerald Sellers
Gerald Sellers, age 82, died Wednesday, November 11, 2009 in the Appling Health Care Center. He was born April 21, 1927 in Appling County, and had resided here all of his life. He was a farmer and was a member of Satilla Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Cecil Sellers and Wilton Sellers, a sister, Corneila Roberson. He was the son of the late Isaac Sellers and the late Pearl Deen Sellers. He is survived by his wife, Fannie Lee Sellers of Baxley; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Ann Rush of Baxley; three grandchildren: Chris and Terri Rush of Hazlehurst, Ken and Erin Rush of Mt. Vernon and Stan and Stephanie Rush of Hazlehurst; four great-grandchildren, Ryan, Ross, Allie and Demi Rush all of Hazlehurst; three sisters, Linda Altman and husband Billy Altman of Baxley, Betty Beck of Baxley and Welda Rush of Jacksonville; and sister-in-law Colleen Sellers. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 2:00 P.M., in the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Williamson officiating and eulogy by Cecil Sellers. Interment followed in Satilla Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Chris Rush, Ken Rush, Stan Rush, Mitch Altman, Cecil Sellers, Kelly Stone, Bob Douglas, and Ronnie Mobley. Honorary pallbearers were The Staff of the Pavilion, Martin Crapps, Vance Hunter, Keith Mobley, Gary Mobley, Jeff Altman, Don Rush, Johnnie Sellers, Joe Sellers, Mike Sellers, Malvin Bullard, James Sellers, James Edward Clark, JoAnn Beecher, Urlee Butler, John Beck, Roger Beck, Randall and Donna Odum, Wendell and Beverly Brown, Dr. Orlando Frando, Warren McDaniel and Roger and Cathy Dial. Musical selections were rendered by Floyd Hunter. Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Vianna Robinson Howley
Vianna Howley, age 75, died Thursday, October 29, 2009 in the Appling County Health Care System. She was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had resided in Largo, Florida before moving to Baxley, Georgia six years ago. She was a retired bookkeeper and was a member of Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Baxley, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Robert Carl Robinson and the late Edith Pulanski Robinson. She is survived by daughter, Sheryle Hammond, Houston, Texas; two daughters and son-in-laws, Dawn & Cliff Sowards, Clearwater, Florida; Annette and Jarvis Lynn, Baxley, Georgia; and two sons, Robert Hammond, Coon Rapids, Minnesota; and Mark Hammond, Clearwater, Florida; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, October 31, 2009 in the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with Father Rafael Estrada officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Richard Herbert VAUGHN
Born: 17 May 1916 in Ware County, Georgia
Died: 24 Nov 2009 in Appling County, Georgia
Burial: Omega Cemetery
Richard Herbert Vaughn, 93, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009. Mr. Vaughn was born May 17, 1916 in Waycross to the late Jesse Vaughn and the late Vurrie Laughinghouse Vaughn. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Richard was the retired owner of Vaughn's Radiator Shop. He is survived by his wife, Jenetha Dixon Vaughn of Baxley; three daughters, Sandra Gale Dominy of Westerville, OH, Jeanna Thomas and Peggy Mills, both of Baxley; four sons, Dale Vaughn of Mount Gilead, N.C., Richard Vaughn of Alma, Lindon Lightsey of Baxley and Windell Lightsey of Marietta; five sisters, Eloyce Dixon, Betty Howard and Daisy Peavy, all of Waycross, Carolyn Sowell of Hamlett, N.C. and Faye Clark of Miami, Fla.; two brothers, W. J. (Bill) Vaughn of Waycross and Gene Vaughn of Brunswick; and several grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 in the chapel of Swain Funeral Home with the Rev. Lamar Lee officiating. Interment followed in Omega Cemetery, Baxley. Active pallbearers were Dustin Pendarvis, Craig Lightsey, Kevin Lightsey, Duane Brooks, Jimmy Vaughn and Andy Dowdney. Musical selections were rendered by Pastor Lamar Lee, Pastor Monty Lassiter and Pastor Javan Anderson. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
