Mrs. Lilla Lucille Rentz died Sunday, March 29, 2009 in the Appling Healthcare System. Mrs. Rentz was born August 10, 1926 in Appling County to the late Hulbert Jackson Thomas and Kathleen Loretta Halligan Thomas. She was a member of Memorial Free Will Baptist Church. Mrs. Rentz was preceded in death by her husband, R.W. Rentz Jr. and a daughter, Patricia "Pat" Aycock. Survivors include: Son and Daughter-in-law, Kenny and Debbie Rentz of Baxley; 2 sisters, Cannie Hallman of Plant City, Florida and Lila Dean of Baxley; Son-in-law, Clifton Aycock of Surrency. 5 granddaughters, Darlene and Bobby Thornton, Paula Morris, Pamela Palmer, Amy and Jamie Gardner and Angela and Keith Stalvey and 8 great-grandchildren. Active Pallbearers: Dennis Hallman, Jeff Thomas, Dale Thomas, Jim Thomas, Clifton Aycock, and Michael Nadeau. Honorary Pallbearers: All friends in attendance. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. from the Memorial Free Will Baptist Church. Body will liThe body will lie in-state one hour prior to funeral service.
Ministers: Rev. Amos McMillan and Rev. Ronnie Rentz
Interment: Church Cemetery Visitation: will be Tuesday, March 31, 2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Swain Funeral Home.
The family will assemble at Kenny and Debbie Rentz, 210 Rentz Lane.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements.
Hazel Winifred Carter
Miss Hazel Winifred Carter died March 20, 2009 at Appling Health Care System. Miss Carter was born October 24, 1924 in Waycross, GA. She attended Hopewell School and graduated from Baxley High School and attended Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro, GA. She was employed in the personnel office at he shipyard in Brunswick during WWII. She later returned to the family farm and worked for Filtered Rosin Products for many years before her retirement. Miss Carter is preceded in death by her mother and father Lizzie Lynn and Attieus G Carter and one brother Francis C Carter and his wife Bessie. Survivors include: one brother, Carroll Carter and his wife Jean of Macon, GA. She is survived by four nices; Karen Carter of Rhode Island, Susan C. Blackwell of South Carolina, Nancy C. Mitchell of Macon, GA and Cathy C. Blonshine of North Carolina, and one nephew; Robert Carter of Florida. She i also survived by many great nieces and nephew. Active Pallbearers are Rusty Mitchell, Todd Blonshine, Art Shumans, Ricky Branch, Randy Branch, and Roger Branch. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 4:00 pm at Hopewell United Methodist Church. Her body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will be at Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery. Minister is Rev. Craig Smith Musical selections will be rendered by the congregation. Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements.
Eveline Blanton Lightsey
Eveline Blanton Lightsey, age 85, died Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at her residence. She was born September 23, 1923 in Blackshear and had resided in Appling County, all of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Atlas Lightsey, a son, Jacob Lightsey, two sister Vida Belle (Crick) Brown and Pauline Tyre. She was the daughter of the late Emory Blanton and the late Linnie Smith Blanton. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Glenda and Charles Norvell of Havana FL; Maybelline and Richard Ferguson of Orange City, FL, and Melanie and Durwin Griffin of Baxley; a son Johnny and Emily Lightsey of Baxley; stepson, Eddie Ray and Margaret Lightsey of St Augustine; a sister Eva Mae Murray of Baxley; grandchildren, Karen and Ed Tharpe, Lisa & Joseph Herndon all of Baxley, Angie and Allen Anderson of Glenville, Elizabeth Peterson of Orange City, FL, Constance and Gene Rollins of Hazlehurst, Christy and Chris Roberson of Ambrose, and Amanda and Danna Varnadoe of Lumber City; nine great-grandchildren also survive.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday in the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with Rev. Virgil Carter officiating.
Interment will follow in the Milliken Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Joseph Taylor, Donald Bellew, Russell Griffin, Norman (Cotton) Murray, Earl Eason, Dewight Watts, Ronald Rowell and Tom Bellew.
Honorary pallbearers are the members of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
The family will assemble at the residence at 401 Bethel Freewill Church Road.
David E. Miles Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Merlin Jerry Tomberlin, Sr
Mr. Merlin Jerry Tomberlin, Sr. died Thursday, March 19, 2009 in Appling Healthcare System after an extended illness. Mr. Tomberlin was born November 12, 1942 in Bacon County. He was a member of One Place Ministries. Mr. Tomberlin was retired from Appling County Surveyor and Merlin J. Tomberlin and Associates. He is preceded in death by his father, Elize Tomberlin. Survivors include: His wife, Louise M. Tomberlin of Baxley; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, M. Jerry and Cindy Tomberlin and Andy and Jennifer Tomberlin all of Baxley; Mother, Lillian Tomberlin of Baxley; 1 sister, Carolyn Brigman of Baxley; 2 brothers, Charles H. "Bose" Tomberlin of Waycross and Everett H. Tomberlin of Alma; 2 Half-sisters, Kathy Knight of Baxley, and Wynette Tomberlin of Tifton; 1 half-brother, Ronnie Tomberlin of Baxley. 4 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Active Pallbearers: David Tomberlin, James Sowder, Shon Tomberlin, Russell Ware, Jeff Robinson, and Rodney Robinson. Honorary Pallbearers: James and Glenda Miliken, Dianne Hallman, Staff of Serenity Hospice, Steve and Wanda Smith, Employees and former employees of Merlin J. Tomberlin and Associates and Hugh Smiley. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home.
Interment: Baxley Graveyard
Ministers: Rev. Jerry Tomberlin and Rev. Phillip Osteen
Visitation will be Friday, March 20, 2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Swain Funeral Home.
The family will assemble at the home, 2523 Golden Isles West.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements.
Richard Oliver Williams
Mr. Richard Oliver Williams died Tuesday, March 17, 2009 in the Satilla Regional Medical Center. Mr. Williams was born December 17, 1928 in Appling County, to the late Henry Oliver and Elizabeth Jewel Johnson Williams. He was a member of Zoar Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Assistant Sunday School Class Director and Assistant Treasurer. Mr. Williams was a salesman with Sapp Ford Company for 36 years and was the recipient of numerous "Hall of Fame" Salesmanship Awards. Survivors include: His wife, Janette V. Williams of Baxley; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Frank Smith of Vidalia Violet and Bobby Shannon Marchman of Baxley; a son and daughter in aw, Greg and Lynn Williams of Baxley; 3 sisters, Lillie Maude Barlow of Baxley, Willie Ina Harper of Fernandina Beach, FL and Virginia Newmister of Pauley Island, S.C. Family, Janette "Lynn" Harris Hale of Baxley; grandchildren, Jana Lewis, Johnathon Boatright, Peyton Lightsey, Alayna Marchman, Noah Marchman, Frankie Oliver Williams, Lydia Janette Williams, Trent Smith, and a great-grandchild, Jaylee Boatright.
Active Pallbearers: Billy Vaughn, Binky "Harry Coben" Williams, Terry Williams, Scott Sapp, Davey Barlow, Leon McKinney, Keith McKinney, and Jeff Junior Williams.
Honorary Pallbearers: Zoar Baptist Church Adult Sunday School Class Men and Women, Discipleship Training Class Men and Women, Zoar Baptist Church Deacons, Employees of Sapp Ford Company, Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Sapp, Wally Sapp, Steve Sapp, Maxwell and Kim Leggett, Jim and Betty Jo Daniels, Chris Nail, Raylene Sellers, Roger and Sonja Cain, Simon and Betty Wooten, Pam Hall, Eulene Lightsey, Patty Carter, Gail Shipes, M.C. Barlow, Kevin Lightsey, Stan Brobston, Charlie Leggett, Harry Williams, Danny Williams, Glen Williams, Aaron Brach, Jr., Wayne Norris, John "Choo-Choo" Griffin, Kim Williams and Darrell Williams.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 20, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. from the Zoar Baptist Church.
Body will lie in state one hour prior to funeral service.
Interment: Church Cemetery
Ministers: Rev. Raymond Chauncey, Rev Jeff Waters, and Rev. Ron Ross
Visitation will be Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Zoar Baptist Church from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
The family will assemble at the home, 215 Richard Williams Rd.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements.
Jackie Sue Pittman
Mrs. Jackie Sue Pittman died Friday, March 13, 2009 in Savannah, at the Memorial Health System. Mrs. Pittman was born on January 1, 1958 in Baxley, GA. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Eastman, GA where she served as a member of the nursery staff. She was a student of Kapplan University and was on the Deans List. Mrs. Pittman has been of resident of Eastman, GA since 2003. Survivors include: Husband, Stanley Pittman, Jr. of Eastman, GA; Daughter, Linda (Andy) Cooper of Columbus, GA; son, Stacy (Tara) Pittman of Hull, GA; Mother, Jackie Surrency of Eastman, GA; Father, Floyd Creamer of Douglas, GA; Sister, Beverly (Tony) Gore of Rhine, GA; Brothers Dennie (Sharon) Creamer of McRae, GA, Buddie (Marie) Creamer of Douglas, GA, Randy (Gail) Creamer of Commerce, GA, Sandy (Leslie) Creamer of Hartsville, SC; grandchildren, Tayler, Kile, Dilen, Chad, Dustin, Lexi, Saxon, Lexaus, and Amy; a host of nieces and nephews. Active Pallbearers: Jamie Gore, Dan McRanie, Ralph Hill, Cody Woodall, Terry Underwood, Billy D. Vicker, Jr., Lewi Higenbeothem, and Chad Smith. ,
Honorary Pallbearers: Dr. Blake Milner
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. from the chapel of Swain Funeral Home
Interment will be at Moody Cemetery
Ministers Rev. Cecil Bardon, Rev. Joe Daniels
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 14, 2009 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the chapel of Swain Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the funeral home in order to help defray funeral expenses.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements.
Earl Sellers
Mr. Earl Sellers died Saturday, March 14, 2009 at his residence in Elberton, GA. Mr. Sellers was born on August 13, 1928 in Hazlehurst, GA to the late Mr. Ubia Samuel Sellers and the late Mrs. Ruth Owens Sellers. He was a US Navy Veteran and retired from Floyd S. Pike Electrical Contractors. Mr. Sellers as of the Baptist Faith. He was an avid fisherman and gardener and loved to share with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Bonnell Hall. Survivors include: Daughters: Teresa (Charles) Fail f Rockmart, GA, Earlene (Rusty) O'Reilly of New Smyrna Beach, FL; son, Terry (Rhonda) Sellers of Bowdon, GA; Sisters: Opal Lee Hutcheson of Ludowici, GA, Martha Grace (Lou) Batchelor of Baxley, GA, Gwendolyn Faith McNeal of Braselton, GA, Mary Edith (David) Seanor of Abbeville, AL; Brothers: Charles C. Sellers of Hazlehurst, GA, Comer Roger (Lois) Sellers of Hazlehurst, GA, James Alton Sellers of Hazlehurst, GA, Clyde Wayne (Rita) Sellers of Hazlehurst, GA; grandchildren: Michelle and Keith Parker, Belinda Butts, Ricky Sellers; great-grandchildren: Kain and Kailyn Butts. Active Pallbearers: Nephews: Winston Hutcheson, LeRoy Hutcheson, Johnnie Vaughn, Jerry Vaughn, LaVan Vaughn, Barton Hall, Chuck Sellers, and David Sellers Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from Oak View Baptist Church in Jeff Davis. His body will lie in state one hour prior to the service.
Interment: will be held at Oak View Baptist Church Cemetery in Jeff Davis County
Minister: Randy Vaughn and Rev. Charles Davis
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2009, from 6:00-8:00 pm from the chapel of Swain Funeral Home.
Memorials: Remembrances may be made to VistaCare Hospice, 150 Ben Burton Road, Bogart, GA 30622.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements
Isham Farnell O'Quinn
Isham Farnell O'Quinn, 87, of Jesup, GA, died Sunday, March 15, 2009, in the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, after an extended illness. The Appling Co., GA, native was a member of the Jesup Christian Fellowship, a pioneer in launching the first radio station, WHAB in Appling Co., GA, WCQS in Alma, GA, WPFE in Eastman, GA. He was instrumental in providing Cable TV service to Baxley, Jesup, & Blackshear, GA, owner of Big Boy's Toys of Jesup, GA, a member of the Alee Temple of Savannah, GA, the Holmesville Masonic Lodge in Baxley, served as chairman on the Board of Directors of Wayne National Bank & Baxley State Bank & was a participant with the Boy Scouts, past president of the Chamber of Commerce in Baxley, & loved his family & working. Survivors are a daughter & son-in-law: Dale & Bill Dumigan of St. Simons Island, GA, 3 sons & daughters-in-law: Ferrell & Jane O'Quinn, Keith & Debbie O'Quinn, both of Jesup, GA, Chet & Blair O'Quinn of Screven, GA, 2 sisters: Joanne Brehm of Atlanta, GA, Dianne Lynn of Macon, GA, 10 grandchildren: Shaun O'Quinn, Kelly O'Quinn, Kayla O'Quinn, David O'Quinn, all of Jesup, GA, Kyle Allen, Cary Allen, Tannis Allen, all of St. Simons Island, GA, Chelsea O'Quinn of Midway, GA, Hagan O'Quinn of Screven, GA, Kip O'Quinn of Alma, GA, 8 Great-grandchildren, several nieces & nephews.
Private graveside funeral services will be held from the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Mickey Tomberlin, Rev. Mike Jones, & Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating.
Open visitation will be 6 to 8 P.M. Monday from the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to: Hospice of South Georgia Building Fund, 117 Drennon Dr., Jesup, GA, 31545.
The Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home of Jesup, GA, is in charge of the arrangements.
Thomas Jefferson Rentz
Mr. Thomas Jefferson Rentz died Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, GA. Mr. Rentz was born on March 7, 1929 in Appling County, to the late Mr. Aaron Elijah Rentz and the late Mrs. Bertie Hutto Rentz. He was a member of Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Brunswick, GA. He was also a member of Ocean Lodge #214 F and AM. Mr. Rentz was a U.S. Army Veteran as well as a retired Commercial Truck Driver and lived in Brunswick, GA for 27 years. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Vergie Tippins, Earline Rentz and Inez Rentz; 3 brothers Edward Rentz, Harold Rentz, and Wilbur Rentz; 2 sons, Timothy Rentz and Anthony Rentz. Survivors include: Son, Wyman A. (Christie) Rentz of Griffin, GA; Sisters, Merlene Hall of Brunswick, GA, Wynelle Holmes of Charleston, SC, Kathleen Carter of McDonough, GA, Quillian Garnett of McDonough, GA; brother, Aaron Rentz of Hortense, GA; grandchildren, Meghan and Caitin Rentz of Griffin, GA, and a host of nieces and nephews; 2 special people survive, Lusi Rentz and Wilma Craven.
Active Pallbearers: Nephews: Edward Rentz, Rodney Rentz, Danny Rentz, Dr. Eddie Rentz, Donnie Sloan and Jamie Rentz
Honorary Pallbearers: All friends and Employees of National Trucking Co.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 3:00 pm from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home.
Ministers: Rev. H.D. Foster and Rev. John Rentz
Interment: Memorial Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Rights
Visitation will be held Friday, March 13, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Edo-Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements.
James R. Gann
David E. Miles Funeral Home announces the death and funeral service for James R. Gann, age 70, who died Tuesday in the V.A. Medical Center in Dublin, GA, He was born in Davidson, TN and had resided in Appling, for the past nineteen years. He was a retired roofer and was employed with Daniels Construction Company before his retirement. He was the son of the late Jessie J. Gann and the late Helen Fox Gann. He is survived by his wife, Mildred W. Gann of Surrency: two sons and a daughter-in-law, William James and Teresa Gann of Atlanta, and Jessie James (Shorty) Gann of Surrency; a brother, Jimmy Gann of Charleston, SC.; three sisters, Dorothy Poole, Nina Poole and Marie Poole of Nashville, TN.; and four grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday in the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with Rev. Andrew Kersey officiating.
Interment will follow in the Surrency City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Henry Youngblood, Jermone Crapps, B.J. Crapps, Jody Crapps, Dewayne Crapps, and Charlie Crapps.
Honorary pallbearers are all friends attending the funeral service.
David E. Miles Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
